LOCAL NEWS ( in English and Bahasa Malaysia)

 

01/06/2006
Strait Users Must Share Security Cost And Burden

PORT KLANG, June 1 (Bernama) -- All parties plying the Strait of Melaka must share the cost and burden in securing the waterway without compromising the sovereignty of the littoral states, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib said the collective act would help ensure the strait remains safe from piracy.

There's no such thing as free lunch. We can collectively achieve the objective of making the Strait of Melaka secure," he said at the handing over of a training ship to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Pulau Indah here, Thursday.

The training vessel, donated by Japan Association of Marine Safety and The Nippon Foundation, is to be used to promote navigational safety in Strait of Melaka. Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor named the ship as KM Marlin.

He said Japan was the early bird to respond by donating the vessel.

Najib said there was only one piracy incident reported between last July and December on the Malaysian side of the strait compared to 18 for the same period in 2004.

There were no cases of sea piracy reported up to now this year, he added.

Some sixty thousand ships pass through every year and previously the strait with its surrounding waters account for 40 percent of world's piracy cases.

Meanwhile, Nippon Foundation chairman Yohei Sasakawa when met at the function said an increasing number of countries were enjoying the benefits of safe passage through the Strait of Melaka.

They are enjoying the benefits of the economic growth of China and East Asian nations in recent years and therefore it was only fair that the strait should be protected by all parties concerned.

Sasakawa said a new international consensus needs to be established with regard to cooperation between the littoral states and user countries, taking into consideration the views of the coastal states and the international law.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency was launched officially by the Honorary Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Bin Haji Tun Abd Razak on the 21st March 2006 at North Port, Port Klang.



The New Straits Times Sunday 5 Mac 2006.

Keeping alive a way of life

PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR, Sat.
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Eighteen-year-old student Rabayon Ayah Sidin believes she has to help preserve the traditions and culture of her Mah Meri tribe on Carey Island, Selangor.

Along with her mother Chek Yah Unyan, aunt Maznah Unyan, cousin Diana Ujay, and other members of the tribe, Raboyon performs the traditional Jabos and Ganding dances at events.

"I think it is important to learn and preserve our heritage so that the outside world is aware of our existence and our culture," she said.

The information technology student is also concerned about the dwindling numbers of terap trees, nyireh batu, pulai and mengkuang, all natural resources found in the Carey Island forest.

"My mother uses the terap leaves to make clothes, which she sells."

Much of the forest on the island has been cleared for development and the Mah Meri tribe’s sources of income are disappearing as well.

That is why she is grateful to the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme for starting a programme in 2004 to preserve the forests there.

They are also working to empower women, preserve indigenous traditions and culture and promote community forestry as a way of alleviating poverty. The RM4.5 million programme is said to be benefiting over 12,000 people.

The EC and UNDP have enlisted the assistance of actress Joanna Bassey, singer Reshmonu, actor Zahim Albakri and scriptwriter Na’a Murad to highlight the plight of indigenous communities nationwide.

The EC and UNDP are showcasing the fruits of the programme in an exhibition at One Utama shopping complex.

The exhibition was launched today by the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Sultan Azlan Shah.



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24 February 2005

RM120,000 selanggara Wetlands
SEPANG: Paya Indah Wetlands terpaksa ditutup sementara kerana tidak mampu menanggung kos operasi yang mencecah RM120,000 sebulan berbanding hasil kutipan hanya RM50,000 sebulan sejak beroperasi tiga tahun lalu. 
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Kementerian dibenar tuntut ganti rugi
KUALA LUMPUR: Kabinet semalam membenarkan Kementerian Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani menuntut ganti rugi daripada pemaju di kawasan berhampiran Taman Pertanian Malaysia Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam di Shah Alam, sehingga menyebabkan kemusnahan ekologi, flora dan fauna di taman berkenaan. 
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