Hadi: Majority still support me

KUALA TERENGGANU: PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang claims that he still commands unwavering support from the grassroots despite a recent wave of murmurs after he was blamed for mooting talks on a unity government with Umno.

“I still enjoy undivided support. All divisions, except for one, backed me (during the party’s recent seminar in Shah Alam) to helm the party.

“This shows that I still the enjoy the support of the majority,” said the PAS stalwart during a high tea and dialogue session at a restaurant in Rusila, near here, on Friday.

Abdul Hadi said he had no problem if PAS members wanted him to exit but the ground sentiment proved otherwise during the seminar.

On his relationship with PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the party’s firebrand leader replied that their bond was still strong.

“He too endorsed me as the president,” he said.

Abdul Hadi said the Kelantan Mentri Besar also accepted all the resolutions passed during the seminar and agreed to work collectively to solve any problems.

“Yes, there was some friction initially (when the issue of working closely with Umno cropped up) but I moved in swiftly to patch it up,” he said in reference to the difference of opinion with Nik Aziz.

“We are not like Barsian Nasional where disputes among leaders prolong without effective arbitration.”

He also warned troublemakers that the party’s disciplinary board would not hesitate to strip them of their membership.

On reports that academics and bloggers were of the view that his popularity was dwindling, Abdul Hadi reiterated: “We don’t need the opinions of outsiders.”

However, he added that the party leadership welcomed constructive suggestions.

Three local councils get four-stars after re-rating

PETALING JAYA: Three local authorities have obtained four-star status following a re-rating exercise by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

They are the Kajang Municipal Council, the Johor Baru Municipal Council and the Kuala Terengganu City Council.

Kajang obtained the highest score of 81.4 out of 100 followed by Johor Baru which received 77.6 points.

Both municipal councils were upgraded to four stars from three stars given by the ministry in its earlier assessment in April 2008.

The Kuala Terengganu City Council made the most notable improvement in its performance, leaping from two stars to four with a score of 76.9 points.

They were among 10 local autho- rities involved in the re-assessment which ran from Nov 3 to 11.

The local authorities were given two months from Sept 2 to Nov 2 to prepare for the exercise.

Pontian, Kubang Pasu, Hulu Selangor and Ketereh district were upgraded to three-star status from two previously while Baling, Rembau and Jelebu district councils were upgraded to two stars from one.

The earlier rating handed out last year involved 98 local authorities in peninsular Malaysia. Ten local authorities were awarded four stars.

MB faces flak — from his own reps

KUALA TERENGGANU: Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said had to fend off sharp jibes at the state legislative assembly. And it was not from the opposition assemblymen — it was his own Barisan Nasional representatives who turned on him.

The sombre atmosphere of the Terengganu assembly became heated yesterday with endless questions from Barisan assemblymen.

Several queries were posed to Ahmad during the one-hour question time, resulting in a tense atmosphere between the mentri besar and Barisan representatives.

It began with Din Adam (BN — Bukit Besi) who asked for the name of contractors involved in the iron ore mining operation in Bukit Besi, Dungun, and its social benefits to the local residents and Ahmad replied that the government had given its consent for the appointment of three companies to undertake mining in Bukit Besi.

He said the reopening of the mining area was expected to provide jobs for the locals as the companies were required to ensure that 50% of their workers were locals.

Dissatisfied with the answer, Din asked for the names of the companies and their capabilities, and whether they had really hired local residents as their workers.

“I only know about the opening of the mining area from a worker there. I am from Bukit Besi, live in Bukit Besi and am an elected representative for Bukit Besi. Yet, I know nothing about the matter,” said Din.

Ahmad explained that the Terengganu government was planning to reopen the mining area after the appointed consultant verified that the area held five million tonnes of iron ore.

The state government, he added, had appointed TBM Minerals Sdn Bhd, Cahaya Ikhtiar Sdn Bhd and Wahaba Wangi Shd Bhd on a five-year lease.

Ahmad then took a swipe at Din, hinting that he was unaware of developments in his own constituency as he was often absent from the assembly sittings and state secretariat.

A war of words also occurred between Alias Abdullah (BN — Alur Limbat) and Ahmad when the former disputed Ahmad’s answers on the financial allocation approved by the government to implement the Baruh Muring Tasek-Padang Leban-Sungai Bukit Payong monsoon drain project.

When met outside the assembly hall, Ahmad said he saw the changes during the sitting as a positive sign.

“It’s like they are the opposition but we don’t mind.

“We can also see the maturity in the elected representatives in answering the questions. I have no problem with that,” he said.

The Terengganu legislative assembly has 24 Barisan assemblymen and eight PAS representatives. — Bernama

Undercover cops pose as drivers and farmers

By R.S.N. MURALI

KUALA TERENGGANU: Under­cover police here became lorry drivers and farmers in their bid to verify talk that southern Thai militants are hiding in rural areas in the state.

Even tom yam stalls were not spared as they staked out the eateries to find out whether “unhealthy activities” were taking place or if “sleepers” were staying there.

However, police have found no evidence of Thai militants hiding in Terengganu.

The intelligence operation began following an alert raised by Thai police that some militants were hiding in remote villages here and were planning to stage a series of bombings in southern Thailand next month.

Sources told The Star that several undercover police officers were assigned to the task.

A source said Thai police provided descriptions of the suspected militants who they alleged were planning to create unrest in Sungai Golok and Waeng at the southern tip of the country.

It is learnt that the details provided by Thai police were on Thai citizens who frequently crossed the border at Sungai Golok.

The source said local village heads were also asked to inform the authorities if they know of any “outsiders” in their midst.

He said the intelligence gathering also included the tracing of foreign-registered vehicles entering the state and the duration they remained here.

“We have embarked on active vigilance following the allegations made by Thai police,” the source said.

Based on the intelligence-gathering, the source said there was no indication that could verify the presence of militants in the state.

State police chief Senior Asst Comm 1 Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahlan said his men would work closely with their Kelantan counterparts in investigating such claims.

Terengganu PAS Wanita chief slams women’s groups over bai’ah issue

KUALA TERENGGANU: Tereng­ganu PAS’ women chief has slammed women’s groups and Wanita Umno for blowing the issue of bai’ah or oath of loyalty out of proportion and has told them to mind their own business.

State PAS Wanita chief Safinah Jusoh said the oath was never a written policy and she did not understand why there was a hue and cry over the issue.

“In PAS, women are respected and as such these women’s groups should not jump to the conclusion that the purported oath is insulting to the weaker sex. Let me remind these groups that people look at us as pure and motherly,” she said.

She also stressed that in PAS, it had always been emphasised that the ties between husbands and wives should last until the end of their lives.

“Our leaders never directed party loyalists to divorce their wives if they wanted to leave the party. It could be an individual choice made by some people who happen to be in the party.”

Safinah said in Islam, the role of a woman was well-defined and party members always respected and were committed to their wives.

“So, I hope these groups will stop deliberating on the issue to gain political mileage,” she added.

The oath was made public by Shah Alam MP and PAS member Khaled Samad last week.

He said that elected representatives from the party were made to take an oath that they would divorce their wives with talak tiga should they join another party.

His statement was later denied by party leaders including president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali.

Mustafa said no such directive was issued by either its Syura Council, central committee or its Ulama Council.

On Monday, Khaled said his statement was true but admitted that he should not have made it public.

He also refused to apologise to party leaders for divulging the matter to the public, saying that PAS practised freedom of speech.

RM10mil buses going nowhere

THE Terengganu government wasted RM10.5mil buying 26 buses that had to be virtually grounded when it abandoned plans to use the new buses to ply urban and inter-district routes because of objections from existing bus operators.

The wastage occurred because the state government had failed to carry out a comprehensive study before implementing the project.

The Auditor General’s Report released on Monday said such studies were needed to avoid failure in meeting the objective.

According to the report, the state secretariat had in 2007 appointed two companies to supply the buses.

The state government had in February this year decided to distribute 18 of the buses to various agencies and departments.

The report also noted that a subsidiary of a government-linked company that was supposed to utilise the buses had no experience in the transportation business.

Based on the state secretariat’s report, the audit also found the cost of maintaining two Proton Perdana V6 was higher than the cost of procuring the vehicles.

A total of RM308,731 was spent on maintenance of the two cars that were originally purchased for RM234,054.

The Auditor was unable to analyse the cost of maintenance because the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Agency had seized the files on the two vehicles.

The Auditor has also uncovered unauthorised use of fuel cards by personnel in the state secretariat and the Public Works Department.

The Auditor has also called on the state government to monitor the activities of its companies to ensure they observe good corporate governance, abide by the law, make a profit and pay dividends to the state.

Apa maknanya Kalau Isa Menang !?

KUALA TERENGGANU – Menjelang jam 5 petang ini, para pengundi DUN Bagan Pinang, Negeri Sembilan akan membuat pilihan samada ada memilih ’rasuah’ atau ’maruah’.

Sekiranya, calon BN Tan Sri Isa Samad menang, ia akan menjadi satu kes ikutan ’precedent’ dimana, kejelekan dan kebobrokan ’rasuah politik’ atau kes ’politik wang’ dalam Umno/BN tidak lagi dianggap kotor dan hina.

Isa pula akan bertukar, dari seorang tokoh Umno yang dianggap ’cemar’, menjadi seorang penyelamat maruah kerana memenangkan Umno yang sudah kalah dalam tujuh pilihanraya kecil sebelum ini.

Perlakuan ’rasuah politik’ yang menghukum Isa meletakkan jawatan sebagai seorang Menteri kerana membayar ahli Umno supaya melayakkannya kepada jawatan (Menteri) itu, akan seolah-olah menghalalkan apa yang kononnya menjadi ’haram’ dalam pemilihan Umno.

Keadaan ini adalah kerana, pemilihan Isa menjadi calon BN bagi bertanding dalam pilihanraya kecil Bagan Pinang, bukan lagi suatu ukuran ’maruah’ namun semuanya merupakan perlumbaan ’kuasa’ semata-mata.

Tidak ada lagi pemimpin yang benar-benar berwibawa dan memiliki pengaruh tulin dalam Umno sekiranya Isa menang dalam pilihanraya kecil kali ke 9 tahun ini itu.

Dan Umno tidak perlu menggilap kepimpinan muda dengan jati diri kepimpinan, cukup mendidik pemuda-pemuda Umno menjadi seorang koporat, mengumpulkan kewangan yang banyak, kerana ’wang’ dari koporat itu merupakan tiket untuk menjadi pemimpin.

Membeli undi dalam pemilihan Umno tidak lagi dianggap sebagai ’keparat’ namun ia akan menjadi satu ’standard’ penting, dan paradigma baru dalam Umno, kerana Tan Sri Isa telah meletakkan definisi baru dan garis nilai sebagaimana yang diucapkannya kepada media.

Tan Sri isa berkata; ’Saya bukan rasuah, Ini ialah politik wang’. Apa yang berlaku sebenarnya adalah, saya melanggar kod etika. Kami mempunyai kod etika dalam pemilihan parti. Kemudian, media memutar-belitkannya kepada politik wang dan rasuah," kata Isa Samad kepada wartawan MerdekaReview dalam satu wawancara pada malam Isnin yang lalu.

Bahkan sekiranya Isa diisytiharkan menang menjelang keputusan pada jam 8 malam nanti, keputusan tersebut merupakan satu titik tolak kepada Umno/BN yang lebih ’hodoh’ pada masa akan datang.

Pemimpin tertinggi Umno dan BN juga terpaksa menerima Isa demi menebus ’maruah Umno dan Barisan Nasional’ dari terus tercemar kerana kekalahan berturut-turut kepada Pakatan rakyat.

Umno/BN tidak boleh kalah lagi, dan tidak lagi sanggup berdepan dengan kekalahan.

Namun tindakan membenarkan Isa bertanding sebenarnya melorongkan Umno/BN kepada lorong ’belakang mati’ yang lebih hina !

Ineffective JKKK members told to resign

KUALA TERENGGANU: Incom-petent chairmen and members of Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs) have been advised to resign as they only burden the people.

Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said he was disappointed that dates and zamzam water given by the Terengganu government were not distributed to the people properly.

“Some JKKKs took the dates to mosques and did not distribute them door-to-door as instructed.

“As such, some people did not receive them,” he said at a buka puasa hosted by Kuala Nerus MP Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim Fikri on Saturday.

In conjunction with this year’s Ramadan, the Terengganu government allocated RM7.8mil worth of dates and zamzam water for distribution to 300,000 Muslim families.

Ahmad also said the state planned to turn Kuala Nerus into a district after a motion to the effect was passed in Parliament and the State Assembly.

“We are looking for a site for an administrative centre for Kuala Nerus,” he said.

Terengganu presently has seven districts: Kuala Terengganu, Hulu Terengganu, Setiu, Besut, Marang, Dungun and Kemaman. — Bernama

Cash aid for the needy

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu government will distribute Hari Raya Aidilfitri cash aid to more than 160,000 families comprising the poor, the disabled, single mothers and senior citizens next week, Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said.

"We don't know the exact amount allocated for this year yet, but the number of recipients is expected to be higher.

"Last year, we spent about RM38 million for 160,000 families," he said after visiting Muhamad Ayub Mansor, 7, who is suffering from a hole in the heart, in Kampung Cabang Tiga here.

Ayub needs to undergo surgery at the National Heart Institute (IJN) but the date has not been fixed because of insufficient funds.

Ahmad said the state government was willing to pay for the boy's operation and treatment estimated at RM30,000.

Ayub's mother, Haryati Mohd Fauzi, 32, said she used to take her son to IJN once in six months for treatment, which cost RM500 per session.

However, the housewife said they could no longer afford to do so as her husband, who works at a spare parts shop, only earned RM700 a month. - Bernama

Terengganu to offer aid to 160,000 families

KUALA TERENGGANU: The state will distribute aid from a special Hari Raya fund to over 160,000 families next week, said Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said.

“We do not know the exact amount for this year yet, but the number of recipients is expected to be higher.

“Last year, we spent about RM38mil for the 160,000 families,” he said, adding that they comprised the poor, the disabled, single mothers and senior citizens.

He was speaking to reporters after visiting Muhamad Ayub Mansor, seven, who is suffering from a hole in the heart, in Kampung Cabang Tiga, here.

Muhamad Ayub needs to undergo surgery at the National Heart Institute but the date has yet to be fixed pending the collection of sufficient funds.

The mentri besar said the state was willing to bear the cost for the boy’s operation and treatment, estimated at RM30,000. — Bernama

A great trade-off

By ANITA GABRIEL

WHEN the Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA) was set up with its much-touted air-tight governance structure, no one doubted that the biggest test to its paper-perfect concept would be in its execution. What we weren’t prepared for was how soon that test would come. Rhetoric, meet reality.

For as long as the RM5bil was “pretend” money which had yet to be raised, everything was fine. Sadly, however, as soon as the coffers were filled up with RM5bil, raised through a government-guaranteed bond issued in late May, it is believed to have sparked a disconnect between the state and federal governments. Then, a couple of other states were also eager to set up a similar entity and as expected, had approached the Government to provide a guarantee for the funds it hoped to raise.

With that, it is isn’t hard to understand how TIA had morphed into 1Malaysia Development Fund – a federal-based Sovereign Wealth Fund with a wider developmental agenda covering all states and this – there is no doubt (hence no wrangling) over who the money ultimately belongs to. With that, TIA, wholly owned by the Menteri Besar of Terengganu (MB Inc) is now 1MDB, wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance, Inc, reporting directly to the Prime Minister.

TIA had raised much hope and anticipation in promising to be a structure that would put the people of the state above politics and self-interest. Now, for the people of Terengganu, one of the poorest states in the country despite the fact that it is oil-rich, the elephant has returned to the room – how will the state’s oil royalties flow down to them, increase economic activity and be utilised for the long-term economic and social sustainability of the state, all of which formed the very premise for the establishment of TIA? Will it form a new investment arm to meet these objectives?

And what about the utilisation of the oil royalty which has long been shrouded in secrecy – would there be more accountability and clarity? Without a doubt, these are the issues the Menteri Besar of Terengganu Datuk Ahmad Said will need to tackle urgently in line with discharging his responsibility to the people and to silence the sceptics. Let’s also not forget that the climate is somewhat more unforgiving today.

As for the setting up of 1MDB, not many are scrambling to get their bearings, least of all the bondholders. Let’s face it – the papers were government-guaranteed and the ownership has transferred from state to federal, which is hardly worry-worthy from an investor’s perspective.

Similarly, 1MDB will be governed by a check and balance system comprising the board of directors, board of advisers and a senior management team. It is believed that Felda Holdings group managing director Datuk Mohd Bakke Salleh will be appointed chairman of the board of directors which will comprise Tan Sri Azlan Zainol (the Employees Provident Fund CEO), Datuk Ismee Ismail (Lembaga Tabung Haji group managing director/CEO), Tan Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin (Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera CEO) and Shahrol Halmi, who it is believed will also be CEO.

The establishment of 1MDB, however, does throw up some other questions. How different is it from Khazanah Nasional Bhd? Khazanah describes itself as a “trustee of the nation’s commercial assets” with the main objective of contributing to the nation’s long-term economic interests. On the other hand, 1MDB aims to “drive sustainable, long-term economic development for Malaysia by forging strategic global partnerships and promoting foreign direct investment (FDI).” Same difference, you say?

If there is more than one “sovereign” vehicle in the country eyeing multiple opportunities, could it dilute the “fire power” of any one of these entities in the event there is an overlap? The one striking difference, however, is that 1MDB will be run on the concept of matching FDIs.

Ultimately, however, whether it’s state-owned or federal-owned, the benchmarks ought to be the same in terms of accountability and transparency. This begs the question – now that it is federal-owned, should we be less concerned? -The Star

RM4.3 juta bantu keluarga miskin

KUALA TERENGGANU 21 Julai - Kerajaan membelanjakan kira-kira RM4.381 juta untuk membantu 1,919 keluarga miskin tegar yang tinggal di bandar-bandar di negeri ini bagi meningkatkan kualiti hidup sejak empat tahun lalu.

Timbalan Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan, Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin berkata, peruntukan itu disalurkan dalam pelbagai bentuk bantuan di bawah program Bantuan Pembasmian Kemiskinan Bandar (PPKB).

Katanya, daripada jumlah peruntukan itu, kira-kira RM2.267 juta diberikan dalam bentuk bantuan sewa rumah, bantuan pengurangan beban keluarga (RM2.029juta), bantuan ihsan (RM83,000) dan pendidikan serta latihan (RM1,800).

''Peruntukan yang diberikan untuk Terengganu itu merupakan sebahagian daripada RM97 juta yang diperuntukkan di bawah Program Pembasmian Kemiskinan Bandar dalam tempoh tersebut," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian selepas Majlis Penyampaian Bantuan Pembasmian Kemiskinan Bandar di Stadium Negeri di sini hari ini.

Turut hadir Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kebajikan, Pembangunan Masyarakat dan Wanita negeri, Asha'ari Idris dan Datuk Bandar Kuala Terengganu, Datuk Mat Razali Kassim.

Sebanyak 478 keluarga miskin di Kuala Terengganu menerima pelbagai bantuan berjumlah RM702,770 di majlis tersebut.

Lajim berkata, kerajaan komited membasmi kemiskinan dengan sasaran mengurangkan kadar keselurahan kepada 2.9 peratus menjelang 2010.

''Saya percaya bantuan yang disalurkan dapat memberi sedikit keselesaan kepada keluarga terbabit, selain dapat meringankan beban keluarga.

''Bagaimanapun, keluarga miskin perlu berusaha menambah pendapatan dengan menjalankan aktiviti ekonomi seperti menanam atau berniaga dalam usaha keluar daripada belenggu kemiskinan'' ujarnya.

Gout no hindrance to Terengganu MB

KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said is carrying on with his duties despite suffering from gout.

Ahmad arrived at the Istana Maziah yesterday to witness the investiture ceremony of the Terengganu Regent as the patron of the state scout movement.

The 52-year-old Mentri Besar, when met after the ceremony, said he suffered severe pain in the morning but had no choice as he had already made arrangements to attend the event.

“I had to be here today. But otherwise, my health is fine,” he said.

MB: Kuala Terengganu stinks

KUALA TERENGGANU: The level of cleanliness in the city here is still far from satisfactory and a lot more needs to be done to make it a tourism hub, said Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said.

“It stinks!” he said when commenting on the level of cleanliness in the city.

Ahmad said the local residents’ lackadaisical attitude when it comes to keeping their surroundings clean made the situation worse.

“A high level of hygiene is crucial, especially if the city is to become a tourism hub and generate income for the state,” Ahmad said after welcoming 42 passengers on FireFly’s inaugural direct flight from Singapore at the Sultan Mahmud Airport here yesterday.

Ahmad added that the apathy over hygiene was apparent among hawkers and to some extent restaurant operators.

He also chided food operators for charging exorbitant prices.

“Efforts by the state government to turn the city into a major tourist attraction will be negated if food prices remain high,” he said.

Earlier, Firefly Sdn Bhd managing director Eddie Leong told reporters that the budget airline had received overwhelming support for its Singapore-Kuala Terengganu route with more than 60% bookings.

“This is a very good sign despite the sluggish world economy and the influenza A (H1N1) scare.

“We are also confident that the demand will continue to go up,” said Leong.

There are currently three flights a week to and from Singapore.

Leong added that Firefly was also looking at promoting intriguing destinations in Terengganu, including Tasik Kenyir, besides the popular islands in the state.

No EXCO Reshuffle In New Futuret: Ahmad Said

KUALA TERENGGANU, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu state executive council will not be resuffled in the near future, said Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the weekly exco meeting here, he said changes in the exco line-up was not in his plans right now.

"Who said (there will be an exco reshuffle). Not till now...others say, I dont't know," he said when asked about talk that an exco reshuffle would happen soon.

Ahmad said as of now he was satisfied with the exco line-up and the councillors should be given space to give their best service to develop the state.

"It would not be fair (to have a reshuffle). Give then a chance to hold their positions for the full term, as the first year is like a honeymoon year and in the second they can make plans," he said.

In another development, Ahmad said the Terengganu state government through Kolej TATiUC and TATI Production Sdn Bhd had signed a memorandum of understanding with two renowned universities in Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) and a company in the UK.

He said the agreement was reached during his visit to the two countries on July 5-12.

The MoU involves Kolej TATiUC and Queens University of Belfast (QUB), Ireland together with Northampton University, UK besides an agreement between TATI Production and San Precision Engineering Co. Ltd, UK.

In the MoU with QUB, Ahmad said students of TATiUC could continue education to undergraduate level and PhD level especially in chemical and petroleum engineering and as well as electical and mechanical engineering.

With Northhampton University, he said cooperation would be in Non Destructive Testing which had high demand in the oil and gas industry.

"The MoU with San Precision is for valve manufacturing and distribution and other oil and gas equipment. San Precision has agreed to move factory opearations from Coventry, UK to Telok Kalong, Kemaman this year," he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad said 10,000 Terengganu folks in the region especially from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur were expected to attend the Terengganu Food and Fruits Fair on August 1.

He said the fair was billed as 1T3F and was free and would be held at parking lot B of the Bukit Jalil Stadium from 6pm till midnight.

-- BERNAMA

Terengganu Belanja RM8.3 Juta Untuk Kurma Dan Air Zamzam

July 03, 2009 16:59 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, 3 Julai (Bernama) -- Kerajaan Negeri membelanjakan RM8.3 juta untuk membeli kurma dan air zam-zam untuk diagih kepada umat Islam di Terengganu pada bulan Ramadan ini.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said berkata kerajaan merancang untuk mengagihkan 300,000 bungkus buah kurma dan air zam-zam itu kepada 300,000 buah rumah di seluruh negeri.

"Program agihan air zam-zam dan kurma ini akan dibuat pada minggu pertama atau kedua bulan puasa ini, dan semua umat Islam di negeri Terengganu akan menerimanya tanpa mengira fahaman politik mereka," katanya di sini Jumaat.

Beliau berkata pengagihan akan dilaksanakan oleh pihak Jawatankuasa Keselamatan dan Kemajuan Kampung (JKKK) serta pejabat-pejabat Dewan Undangan Negeri.

Ahmad berkata kerajaan negeri sudah mengarahkan Pejabat Setiausaha Kerajaan supaya dapatkan senarai rumah-rumah termasuk taman-taman perumahan daripada JKKK bagi tujuan itu.

-- BERNAMA

Konsultan UK Dilantik Siasat Bumbung Stadium Runtuh

KUALA TERENGGANU, 4 Julai (Bernama) -- Kerajaan Terengganu melantik sebuah konsultan dari United Kingdom (UK) bagi menyiasat punca sebahagian bumbung Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin dekat Gong Badak, runtuh pada 2 Jun lepas.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said berkata konsultan itu yang mempunyai cawangan di Kuala Lumpur dijangka menyerahkan hasil siasatan dalam tempoh tiga bulan akan datang.

"Kita bersetuju melantik sebuah firma dari United Kingdom untuk mengendalikan kerja-kerja siasatan runtuhan bumbung stadium itu," katanya kepada pemberita di sini Sabtu.

Pada kejadian kira-kira pukul 9.30 pagi pada 2 Jun lepas, Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin hampir musnah apabila kira-kira 60 peratus struktur bahagian bumbungnya runtuh.

Stadium berharga RM292 juta itu baru siap kira-kira setahun lepas dan dirasmikan oleh Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin pada 10 Mei tahun lepas.

Mengulas lanjut, Ahmad berkata stadium itu ditutup sehingga kerja-kerja membaikpulih dilakukan sepenuhnya dan ia akan dibuka setelah mendapat jaminan keselamatan daripada kontraktor yang dilantik.

Katanya kerajaan Terengganu bersetuju melantik konsultan swasta itu kerana berpendapat perlunya dua pihak yang menjalankan siasatan tersebut, iaitu bagi kerajaan pusat dan negeri.

Beliau berkata segala perbelanjaan untuk khidmat perunding dari UK itu akan dibiayai sendiri oleh kerajaan negeri.

Berikutan kejadian itu, beliau berkata beberapa gelanggang yang ada di stadium itu seperti gelanggang skuasy dan bola sepak terpaksa ditutup dan kejohanan-kejohanan yang sepatutnya diadakan di situ, dipindahkan ke tempat lain.

-- BERNAMA

Terengganu Tidak Lagi Beri Tanah Kepada Agensi Kerajaan Pusat: MB

KEMAMAN, 27 Jun (Bernama) -- Kerajaan negeri Terengganu tidak akan lagi memberi tanah kepada agensi-agensi kerajaan pusat untuk dijadikan estet atau ladang sawit kerana negeri itu kini kekurangan tanah kosong.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said berkata kerajaan negeri berhasrat untuk membangunkan sendiri tanah kosong yang ada bagi dijadikan ladang rakyat untuk membantu 6,000 golongan miskin tegar di negeri ini.

"Sehingga kini, kita telah mula menyediakan tapak semaian tanaman kelapa sawit di atas tanah seluas 3,200 hektar di Dungun manakala 2,400 hektar lagi kawasan di Setiu dalam proses mengeluarkan kayu-kayu balak untuk dibersihkan.

"Satu lagi kawasan seluas 2,400 hektar di Dungun sedang kita kenal pasti untuk dimajukan dengan tanaman sawit bagi membantu golongan miskin tegar ini," katanya selepas majlis pecah tanah Projek Felcra Berhad di Kampung Lubuk Dalam 4, Kijal dekat sini Sabtu.

Ahmad berkata pada tahun ini, kerajaan negeri menyediakan peruntukan kira-kira RM100 juta untuk membuka 20,000 hektar ladang rakyat bagi membantu golongan miskin tegar, untuk memperoleh pendapatan sekurang-kurangnya RM750 sebuah keluarga.

Katanya kerajaan juga sanggup membeli ladang-ladang sawit di negeri lain yang ingin dijual bagi mempercepatkan agihan kepada golongan miskin berkenaan.

Projek ladang sawit Felcra di Kampung Lubuk Dalam 4 seluas kira-kira 648.286 hektar itu merupakan projek ke-217 Felcra di Terengganu untuk faedah kepada 300 peserta miskin terutama ibu tunggal.

Projek itu tidak lagi memberi lot-lot tanah kepada peserta, tetapi diberi dalam bentuk saham iaitu pendapatan yang diperoleh, ditolak dengan kos pengurusan dan sebagainya yang akan diagihkan sama rata kepada peserta yang terlibat.

-- BERNAMA

Idris Jusoh Bersedia Jika Dipanggil Oleh SPRM

KUALA TERENGGANU, 26 Jun (Bernama) -- Bekas menteri besar Terengganu Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh sedia memberi kerjasama jika dipanggil Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) bagi membantu siasatan berhubung runtuhan bumbung Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin di Gong Badak dekat sini, awal bulan ini.

Idris yang baru pulang daripada mengikuti kursus jangka pendek di Amerika Syarikat malam tadi, berkata beliau akan memberi segala maklumat yang ada jika dikehendaki berbuat demikian.

"Kalau SPRM meminta saya membantu siasatan, saya bersedia," katanya ketika ditemui pemberita selepas merasmikan majlis penutup Seminar Pendidikan Kolej Profesional Mara dan Kolej Mara di sini Jumaat.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas mengenai kejadian bumbung stadium berkenaan yang menempatkan pintu A, B dan BI ke tempat duduk awam serta tempat duduk tetamu diraja serta orang kenamaan (VIP) yang runtuh awal bulan ini.

Idris yang turut meminta SPRM menyiasat secara menyeluruh termasuk daripada aspek perancangan pembinaan bumbung sehingga proses selepas strukturnya itu siap, berkata sehingga kini beliau belum dipanggil SPRM.

"Siasatan ini perlu dilakukan kerana kita perlu tahu kenapa struktur itu runtuh," katanya.

Mengenai pelantikan tiga pemimpin baru dalam Badan Perhubungan Umno Terengganu, Idris berkata beliau menghormati keputusan yang dibuat Pengerusi Umno negeri Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

Beliau berkata keputusan Hishammuddin yang juga Naib Presiden Umno itu, dibuat selepas melakukan pertimbangan yang sewajarnya.

Baru-baru ini, Hishammuddin mengumumkan pelantikan Ketua Umno Bahagian Hulu Terengganu, Datuk Tengku Putera Tengku Awang sebagai Setiausaha menggantikan Ketua Umno Bahagian Dungun, Datuk Rosli Mat Hassan yang digugurkan.

Timbalan Ketua Umno Bahagian Kuala Nerus, Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said pula dilantik sebagai Bendahari menggantikan Datuk Roslan Awang Chik dan Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek dilantik sebagai Ketua Penerangan Umno negeri menggantikan Datuk Zuber Embong.

-- BERNAMA

Petronas catat hasil RM264.2b

Oleh Saidon Idris dan Kamarulzaidi Kamis
bhnews@bharian.com.my

Jumlah pembayaran kepada kerajaan naik 20.1 peratus bernilai RM74 bilion


KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas merekodkan pendapatan tertinggi dalam sejarah penubuhannya, sebanyak RM264.2 bilion dalam tahun kewangan berakhir 31 Mac 2009, meningkat 18.4 peratus daripada RM223.1 bilion pada tahun kewangan sebelumnya.


Bagaimanapun, penurunan harga minyak mentah global mulai Julai tahun lalu serta peningkatan kos yang ketara dalam industri menyebabkan keuntungan sebelum cukai syarikat minyak negara itu susut 6.7 peratus kepada RM89.1 bilion berbanding RM95.5 bilion tahun kewangan sebelumnya, penurunan pertama dalam tempoh tujuh tahun.


Namun, di sebalik keuntungan lebih rendah itu, jumlah pembayaran Petronas kepada kerajaan dalam tahun kewangan dikaji meningkat 20.1 peratus kepada RM74 bilion daripada RM61.6 bilion tahun kewangan sebelumnya.


Jumlah itu mewakili 71.4 peratus keuntungan sebelum cukainya dan 44.9 peratus daripada pendapatan keseluruhan Kerajaan Persekutuan pada 2008.


Ia adalah dalam bentuk pembayaran dividen kepada Kerajaan Persekutuan (RM30 bilion), cukai pendapatan petroleum (RM20.3 bilion), cukai korporat (RM9.1 bilion), duti eksport (RM2.2 bilion) dan royalti (RM6.2 bilion).


Selain itu, RM6.2 bilion lagi diberi dalam bentuk pembayaran royalti kepada kerajaan negeri Terengganu (RM3 bilion), Sarawak (RM2.3 bilion) dan Sabah (RM900 juta). Petronas mengekalkan RM21.9 bilion atau 21.1 peratus daripada keuntungan sebelum cukainya untuk pelaburan semula.


Presiden dan Ketua Eksekutifnya, Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican, berkata penyumbang utama peningkatan pendapatan Petronas ialah pendapatan operasi antarabangsanya meningkat 23.7 peratus kepada RM111.3 bilion, daripada RM90 bilion tahun kewangan lalu, sekali gus menunjukkan kedudukan kukuh syarikat minyak nasional itu dalam industri minyak dan gas global.


Ia diikuti operasi eksport yang menyumbang RM98.2 bilion, naik RM13.1 peratus daripada RM86.8 bilion serta operasi dalam negara sebanyak RM54.7 bilion, meningkat 18.1 peratus daripada RM46.3 bilion.


Dari segi peratusan, operasi antarabangsa menyumbang 42.1 peratus kepada jumlah pendapatannya, diikuti oleh eksport (37.2 peratus), manakala operasi dalam negara hanya 20.7 peratus.


Selepas ditolak cukai dan kepentingan minoriti, keuntungan bersih Petronas dalam tahun kewangan dikaji susut 13.9 peratus kepada RM52.5 bilion daripada RM61 bilion.


Dalam tahun kewangan dikaji, nilai aset Petronas terus mengukuh kepada RM388.1 bilion, meningkat 14.4 peratus daripada RM339.3 bilion pada tahun kewangan sebelumnya.


Mohd Hassan berkata, peningkatan kukuh pendapatan Petronas itu turut didorong oleh peningkatan jumlah jualan dan harga gas asli cecair (LNG) yang tinggi.


�Di sebalik suasana paling mencabar dan sukar bagi industri minyak global, kumpulan berupaya mencatat pencapaian memuaskan dengan peningkatan pendapatan ke paras tertinggi sejak ditubuhkan 35 tahun lalu.


�Meskipun begitu, kumpulan mencatat keuntungan sebelum cukai dan keuntungan bersih yang lebih rendah susulan kesan daripada persekitaran �harga rendah, kos tinggi� industri minyak global,� katanya pada sidang media mengumumkan keputusan kewangan itu semalam.


Beliau berkata, jualan produk petroleum ditapis terus menjadi penyumbang utama pendapatan Petronas dengan jualan bernilai RM91.7 bilion, meningkat 19.2 peratus daripada RM76.9 bilion tahun lalu.


�Pendapatan daripada jualan minyak mentah pula berjumlah RM64.4 bilion, meningkat daripada RM59 bilion pada tahun kewangan sebelumnya,� katanya.


Jumlah jualan minyak meningkat 12 peratus kepada daripada 200.9 juta tong pada tahun sebelumnya kepada 225 juta tong pada tahun kewangan yang dikaji.


Jumlah jualan gas asli cecair (LNG) yang menjadi penyumbang ketiga pendapatan Petronas pula kekal pada 25 juta tan berbanding 25.1 juta tan pada tahun kewangan 2008.

BN must stay on guard, say ex-reps

KUALA TERENGGANU: United we stand, divided we fall. That was the message delivered to state Umno and Barisan Nasional leaders by Terengganu Ex-Assemblymen Council (Mubarak) president Datuk Ahmad Sidi Ismail yesterday.

Speaking at the council's sixth general meeting in Kuala Ibai, near here, he said the two-thirds majority won by the Barisan Nasional in the 12th general election in Terengganu should not be taken for granted.

"The political scenario is forever changing, here and everywhere else in the country, and it would be a mistake to underestimate the strength of the opposition," said Ahmad.

He said Terengganu Mubarak might be small in number but it had never been short of influence among many of grassroots supporters throughout the state.

Council secretary Harun Hasan, meanwhile, said it would be easy to dismiss the political views of Mubarak members as irrelevant.
"But we were proven right in the previous general election when we predicted 24 wins and eight losses for BN in state assembly seats and seven wins and a loss in the battle for parliamentary seats.NST

Usah Pertikai Pelantikan Tiga Jawatan Utama Umno T'ganu: Ahmad

HULU TERENGGANU, 22 Jun (Bernama) -- Menteri Besar Terengganu Datuk Ahmad Said berharap pihak-pihak tertentu tidak mempertikaikan pelantikan baru bagi tiga jawatan utama Badan Perhubungan Umno negeri, yang sebelum ini dilanda pelbagai konflik dalaman.

Beliau yang juga Timbalan Pengerusi Umno Terengganu, berkata pelantikan baru itu dikemukakan sendiri Naib Presiden Umno Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein yang juga Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan negeri.

"Saya bersyukur kerana semuanya berjalan dengan selamat dan sempurna. Pelantikan ini diharap dapat memberi kepuasan kepada semua pihak.

"Kalau saya tidak pertikai dengan pelantikan ini dan menerimanya dengan lapang dada, kenapa orang lain perlu pertikai," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mengagihkan buku elektronik atau e-Book kepada sekolah di daerah Hulu Terengganu di Sekolah Kebangsaan Ajil, di sini Isnin.

Ahad lalu, Hishammuddin mengumumkan pelantikan Ketua Umno Bahagian Hulu Terengganu, Datuk Tengku Putera Tengku Awang sebagai Setiausaha Perhubungan Umno negeri yang baru, menggantikan Ketua Umno Bahagian Dungun, Datuk Rosli Mat Hassan yang digugurkan.

Menteri Belia dan Sukan yang juga Timbalan Ketua Umno Bahagian Kemaman Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek pula dilantik sebagai Ketua Penerangan Umno negeri, menggantikan Datuk Mohd Zuber Embong, manakala timbalan ketua Umno Bahagian Kuala Nerus, Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said pula dilantik sebagai Bendahari Umno negeri menggantikan Datuk Roslan Awang Chik.

Ahmad berkata sebelum pelantikan baru itu dibuat, mereka terlebih dahulu telah berbincang termasuk mendapatkan pandangan daripada pelbagai pihak.

"Kita berjiwa besar dan ingin melihat Barisan Nasional (BN) meneruskan penguasaan di Terengganu dan menang pada pilihan raya umum ke-13 akan datang. Sebenarnya parti lebih penting, rakyat perlu diperjuangkan," katanya.

Pada majlis itu, Ahmad menyampaikan 439 e-Book kepada pelajar Tahun Lima 10 sekolah di daerah Hulu Terengganu. Setakat ini, sebanyak 2,300 daripada 23,000 e-Book telah diagihkan kepada murid Tahun Lima di seluruh Terengganu. - Bernama

Gagal PRU13 jika tiada langkah selesai krisis:

KUALA TERENGGANU – UMNO Terengganu tidak akan dapat mempertahan kerusi Barisan Nasional (BN) pada Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 sekiranya tiada tindakan positif untuk menyelesaikan masalah berkait parti itu.

Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO Terengganu, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein menyifatkan negeri ini sebagai kubu kuat BN perlu dipertahankan dengan gerakan secara berpadu daripada ahli.

“Kalau lebih cepat, kita dapat selesaikan apa jua masalah sama ada benar atau persepsi, sama ada ianya fakta atau sengaja digembar-gemburkan. Ia tidak akan dapat membantu kita mempertahankan Terengganu sebagai kubu kita tanpa mengambil tindakan yang lebih positif.

“(Iaitu) tindakan yang boleh dirasai ahli dan rakyat, tindakan-tindakan yang digerakkan kita bersama sebagai keluarga besar UMNO Terengganu,” katanya, kelmarin.

Beliau berkata, UMNO perlu bangkit menghadapi realiti dengan membawa semangat baru bagi membangkitkan semula kekuatan dan kelebihan yang ada.

Sehubungan itu, UMNO Terengganu perlu bergerak sebagai satu pasukan di samping memperjuangkan dan membela perkara sewajarnya sebagaimana yang dihasratkan ahli.

Beliau sendiri akan turun padang untuk berjumpa ahi di peringkat akar umbi melalui program sedia ada di samping menyelaras kepimpinan sayap parti supaya rakyat dapat merasai semangat baru.

Mengulas lanjut, hala tuju dan program parti yang akan dipertanggungjawab telah pun dibincangkan bukan sahaja kepada sayap-sayap, malah peringkat bahagian untuk memastikan barisan dirapatkan.

“Pada masa yang sama ketua bahagian yang telah diberi mandat untuk memikirkan bagaimana tugas ini dapat diagihkan sesama kita bersama dengan kepimpinan lain di peringkat ADUN (Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri) atau Parlimen dan saya rasa usaha ini dapat dibuat dengan bersungguh-sungguh,” katanya. - Sinar

Ahli politik ibarat ‘tong sampah’: Menteri Besar

KUALA TERENGGANU – Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Said berkata, ahli politik boleh diumpamakan sebagai ‘tong sampah’ kerana segala keburukan dan perasaan tidak puas hati rakyat akan terus dilemparkan kepada golongan berkenaan.

Menurut Ahmad, kegagalan seseorang individu melaksanakan tanggungjawabnya dengan baik akan menimbulkan kemarahan rakyat dan kesannya, rakyat melunaskan rasa dendam mereka apabila menjelangnya pilihan raya kecil atau umum.

Beliau berkata, walau apa juga perlakuan atau pendekatan yang diambil terhadap sesuatu perkara, hati dan perasaan rakyat harus dijaga dengan sebaik mungkin tanpa memikirkan diri sendiri kerana ia penting dalam mengekalkan sokongan.

“Walau apa juga tindakan kita, hati dan perasaan rakyat penting serta harus dijaga sebab mereka berada di kedudukan depan seiring dengan matlamat merakyatkan pembangunan.

“Orang politik ini macam tong sampah, kegagalan pegawai kerajaan akan menimbulkan kemarahan rakyat dan mereka akan balas dendam di peti undi, mereka tidak menyatakan kemarahan itu tapi tunjuk pada pilihan raya,” katanya.

Beliau yang juga Timbalan Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO Terengganu berkata demikian ketika berucap pada Perjumpaan Pegawai Agensi Pembangunan Masyarakat Terengganu bersama Menteri Besar di Wisma Darul Iman, semalam.

Ahmad menyifatkan segala kelemahan yang ditunjukkan oleh orang bawahan terutama dalam menguruskan hal-hal berkaitan masyarakat akan terpalit kepada kerajaan.

Sehubungan itu beliau meminta semua Pegawai Agensi Pembangunan Masyarakat negeri ini menunaikan amanah dan tanggungjawab masing-masing dengan sebaik mungkin agar mampu memberi khidmat sempurna kepada rakyat.

“Kita memang macam tong sampah, setiap yang tidak disukai rakyat akan dilemparkan kepada ahli politik dan oleh itu kita jangan bersikap sombong dan angkuh, harus sedar diri dalam berkhidmat kepada rakyat.

“Tidak ada gunanya kita laksanakan pelbagai projek pembangunan tapi rakyat tidak dapat sebarang faedah kerana akhirnya kita (Barisan Nasional (BN) akan ditolak,” katanya.Sinar

Gugur Rosli, Roslan tiada kaitan kes SPRM

KUALA LUMPUR 22 Jun - Badan Perhubungan UMNO Terengganu menolak tanggapan pengguguran setiausaha dan bendaharinya semalam mempunyai kaitan dengan siasatan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM).

Bagaimanapun, pengerusinya, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein yang juga Naib Presiden UMNO tidak menafikan wujud keadaan yang perlu dibendung.

"Tidak ada (kaitan dengan siasatan SPRM). Ini bukan isu personaliti atau pemimpin tertentu. Yang penting ialah parti bukan individu atau puak.

"Kita perlu masa untuk mengikuti perkembangan dan tiada orang boleh nafi wujud keadaan yang perlu dibendung," katanya kepada pemberita di sini hari ini.

Hishammuddin berkata demikian selepas mengadakan pertemuan dengan beberapa keluarga mangsa ah long di Hotel Plaza, Jalan Raja Laut di sini hari ini.

Semalam, Ketua UMNO Bahagian Dungun, Datuk Rosli Mat Hassan digugurkan sebagai Setiausaha Badan Perhubungan UMNO negeri dan digantikan dengan Ketua UMNO Bahagian Hulu Terengganu, Datuk Tengku Putera Tengku Awang.

Turut digugurkan ialah bendahari badan perhubungan itu, Senator Datuk Roslan Awang Chik yang digantikan oleh Timbalan Ketua UMNO Bahagian Kuala Nerus, Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohd. Said.

Hishammuddin berkata, beliau sudah berjumpa dengan pihak-pihak yang berkenaan berhubung perkembangan terbaru tersebut dan perkara itu diterima dengan baik.

Beliau menambah, pertemuan akan diadakan dengan sayap-sayap Wanita, Pemuda dan Puteri UMNO negeri diikuti setiap UMNO Bahagian di negeri itu. - Utusan

Usah Pertikai Pelantikan Tiga Jawatan Utama Umno T'ganu: Ahmad

HULU TERENGGANU, 22 Jun (Bernama) -- Menteri Besar Terengganu Datuk Ahmad Said berharap pihak-pihak tertentu tidak mempertikaikan pelantikan baru bagi tiga jawatan utama Badan Perhubungan Umno negeri, yang sebelum ini dilanda pelbagai konflik dalaman.

Beliau yang juga Timbalan Pengerusi Umno Terengganu, berkata pelantikan baru itu dikemukakan sendiri Naib Presiden Umno Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein yang juga Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan negeri.

"Saya bersyukur kerana semuanya berjalan dengan selamat dan sempurna. Pelantikan ini diharap dapat memberi kepuasan kepada semua pihak.

"Kalau saya tidak pertikai dengan pelantikan ini dan menerimanya dengan lapang dada, kenapa orang lain perlu pertikai," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mengagihkan buku elektronik atau e-Book kepada sekolah di daerah Hulu Terengganu di Sekolah Kebangsaan Ajil, di sini Isnin.

Ahad lalu, Hishammuddin mengumumkan pelantikan Ketua Umno Bahagian Hulu Terengganu, Datuk Tengku Putera Tengku Awang sebagai Setiausaha Perhubungan Umno negeri yang baru, menggantikan Ketua Umno Bahagian Dungun, Datuk Rosli Mat Hassan yang digugurkan.

Menteri Belia dan Sukan yang juga Timbalan Ketua Umno Bahagian Kemaman Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek pula dilantik sebagai Ketua Penerangan Umno negeri, menggantikan Datuk Mohd Zuber Embong, manakala timbalan ketua Umno Bahagian Kuala Nerus, Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said pula dilantik sebagai Bendahari Umno negeri menggantikan Datuk Roslan Awang Chik.

Ahmad berkata sebelum pelantikan baru itu dibuat, mereka terlebih dahulu telah berbincang termasuk mendapatkan pandangan daripada pelbagai pihak.

"Kita berjiwa besar dan ingin melihat Barisan Nasional (BN) meneruskan penguasaan di Terengganu dan menang pada pilihan raya umum ke-13 akan datang. Sebenarnya parti lebih penting, rakyat perlu diperjuangkan," katanya.

Pada majlis itu, Ahmad menyampaikan 439 e-Book kepada pelajar Tahun Lima 10 sekolah di daerah Hulu Terengganu. Setakat ini, sebanyak 2,300 daripada 23,000 e-Book telah diagihkan kepada murid Tahun Lima di seluruh Terengganu.

-- BERNAMA

Epic Labur RM100 Juta Bangun Fasa 3 KSB

KUALA TERENGGANU, 22 Jun (Bernama) -- Eastern Pacific Industrial Corporation Bhd (EPIC), anak syarikat kerajaan negeri Terengganu, melabur RM100 juta bagi membangunkan Kemaman Supply Base (KSB) Fasa III, Kemaman yang melibatkan kawasan seluas 30 hektar.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya Ramli Shahul Hameed berkata pada masa kini urusan pembelian dan pembayaran tanah hampir diselesaikan dan akan dibuka untuk proses tender tidak lama lagi.

"Kita menjangkakan KSB Fasa III ini akan dibuka dalam tempoh setahun dan apabila dibuka kelak, ia akan menjadikan jumlah keseluruhan pangkalan perbekalan yang menyokong industri petroleum itu hampir 200 hektar, dengan tambahan 80 hingga 100 syarikat baru akan beroperasi di situ," katanya ketika ditemui Bernama di sini Isnin.

Beliau berkata pada masa ini terdapat 240 syarikat sokongan gas dan minyak beroperasi di situ, termasuk tujuh syarikat minyak utama iaitu Petronas, Esso, Cari Gali Hess, Talisman, Petrofac, Newfield dan Murphy.

Menurutnya pembukaan fasa baru itu juga akan memberi peluang pekerjaan kepada lebih 3,000 orang. Pada masa ini dianggarkan terdapat 8,000 tenaga kerja di situ dengan 80 peratus daripadanya merupakan anak Terengganu.

Berbanding Fasa I dan II yang dibuka sebelum ini, Fasa III yang bakal dibuka pertengahan tahun depan mempunyai keistimewaannya tersendiri, dengan setiap gudang atau bangunan dibina mengikut spesifikasi atau kehendak bakal penyewa.

"Sehubungan itu kita minta syarikat yang berminat memaklumkan bentuk pembinaan gudang yang mereka kehendaki sesuai dengan keperluan perniagaan mereka sebelum kami membinanya," katanya.

Untuk tempoh lima tahun akan datang, KSB yang ada sekarang bakal diperluaskan sehingga 400 hektar yang turut melibatkan pembesaran Pelabuhan Kemaman dan limbungan terbuka yang membabitkan peruntukan sehingga RM500 juta, katanya.

Ramli berkata pembesaran kawasan Pelabuhan Kemaman itu adalah antara strategi syarikat untuk menarik lebih banyak syarikat perkapalan singgah di situ.

"Ramai pihak yang masih tidak menyedari bahawa Pelabuhan Kemaman merupakan lokasi yang strategik kerana selain terlindung daripada tiupan angin monsun, ia juga mempunyai kedalaman 10 hingga 16 meter yang sesuai untuk kapal besar serta lengkap dengan pelbagai kemudahan.

"Usaha kami sekarang ialah untuk menarik lebih banyak kapal gerudi masuk ke pelabuhan itu dan usaha awal telah menampakkan kesan apabila sebuah kapal gerudi dari Australia memasuki pelabuhan dua minggu lepas untuk kerja membaik pulih selama lapan bulan. Ia dijangka menyumbang perolehan sebanyak RM100 juta," katanya.

Pada hari Selasa, Epic dijadualkan mengadakan mesyuarat agung tahunan diikuti sidang media bagi mengumumkan keputusan kewangannya bagi tahun lepas.

-- BERNAMA

Pasar Raya Rakyat Dirancang Di Setiap Daerah Di Terengganu

HULU TERENGGANU, 15 Jun (Bernama) -- Kerajaan Terengganu akan mewujudkan Pasar Raya Rakyat di setiap daerah bagi memasarkan produk keluaran tempatan, mulai tahun depan.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said berkata sebagai permulaan pasar raya yang menelan kos antara RM3 dan RM4 juta tiap satu itu akan dibina di Pekan Kuala Berang di sini, diuruskan oleh Yayasan Pembangunan Usahawan (YPU).

"Buat permulaan di Kuala Berang dahulu, kemudian diikuti oleh daerah-daerah lain di seluruh negeri," katanya selepas merasmikan mesyuarat agung Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK) Ajil di sini Isnin.

Beliau berkata pasar raya itu diwujudkan untuk memberi peluang kepada penduduk setempat memasarkan barangan runcit dengan harga yang lebih murah dan berpatutan kepada pengguna tempatan.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Ahmad berkata sehingga Mac lepas, Terengganu menerima wang royalti minyak berjumlah RM650 juta daripada jumlah keseluruhan RM1.394 bilion, dan menurutnya baki akan dibayar kepada kerajaan Terengganu bulan depan.

"Wang itu akan dibelanjakan secara berhemah dengan tumpuan diberikan kepada usaha menyediakan perumahan untuk rakyat. Sebanyak 4,500 unit rumah berharga RM65,000 seunit akan dibina dalam masa dua tahun akan datang," katanya.

-- BERNAMA

Terengganu dapat royalti RM744j

Oleh WAN RAMLI WAN MUHAMAD
utusanterengganu@utusan.com.my

HULU TERENGGANU 15 Jun - Kerajaan Terengganu akan menerima wang royalti minyak sebanyak RM744 juta daripada Petronas yang dijangka Julai ini.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Said berkata, pada Mac lalu sebanyak RM650 juta telah diterima kerajaan negeri.

Bagaimanapun katanya bayaran keseluruhan yang akan diterima tahun ini belum dapat dipastikan.

"Bayaran bagi bulan September ini saya tak tahu lagi berapa," katanya selepas merasmikan Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK) di Bukit Diman, di sini, hari ini.

Sebelum ini Ahmad dalam kenyataan akhbar pernah berkata, kerajaan negeri percaya bayaran yang akan diterima hasil wang royalti minyak sekurang-kurangnya mencecah RM1.5 bilion

Menurutnya, kerajaan negeri menunggu jumlah pembayaran wang royalti minyak dari Petronas untuk mengetahui sama ada wang itu cukup untuk memenuhi bajet negeri 2009 yang berjumlah RM1.799 bilion.

Cabaran yang terpaksa dihadapi Terengganu selepas wang royalti dikembalikan adalah dari segi perancangan pembangunan dan kerajaan negeri tidak lagi boleh berharap kepada dana khas kerajaan Persekutuan.

Sebaliknya jelas beliau, kerajaan negeri perlu melaksanakan segala perancangan pembangunan berasaskan bajet tahunan.

Mengenai tanggapan bahawa pentadbiran beliau dilihat agak perlahan dari segi pelaksanaan pembangunan fizikal negeri jelasnya, ia kerana semua perancangan perlu berdasarkan bajet.

Wujud pasar rakyat setiap daerah

HULU TERENGGANU 15 Jun - Kerajaan negeri bersetuju untuk membangunkan sebuah pasar raya rakyat di setiap daerah di negeri ini dalam tempoh beberapa tahun akan datang, kata Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Said hari ini.

Beliau berkata, buat permulaan sebuah pasar raya yang berharga RM4juta akan diwujudkan di Kuala Berang manakala daerah lain akan dilaksanakan secara berperingkat.

Katanya, pasar raya rakyat yang akan menjadi pusat penjualan pelbagai barangan termasuk produk tempatan dijangka menjadi tumpuan ramai kerana harga barangan berpatutan.

''Bagi projek di Kuala Berang, kerja-kerja merata tapak dan rekabentuk akan dilakukan dan jika tiada aral pembinaan akan dimulakan awal tahun depan.

''Kita jangkakan harga pasar raya antara RM3 juta hingga RM4 juta sebuah," katanya selepas merasmikan Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan Kali ke- 31 Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK) Bukit Diman, di PPK Bukit Diman, di sini, hari ini.

Hadir sama Yang Dipertua Dewan Undangan Negeri, Datuk Tengku Putera Tengku Awang, Pengerusi Pertubuhan Peladang Bukit Diman, Mustafa Muda dan lebih 1,000 penduduk setempat.

Terdahulu dalam ucapannya Ahmad berkata, kerajaan negeri merancang untuk membangunkan 4,500 unit perumahan rakyat di seluruh negeri ini dalam tempoh beberapa tahun akan datang.

Katanya, setiap unit berharga RM65,000 dan apabila siap dijangka menyediakan kediaman lebih selesa untuk kesejahteraan hidup rakyat. - Utusan

Timur: Bumbung Stadium Tertutup pula dipercayai bocor

Oleh Hanneeyzah Bariah Baharin
hanneeyzah@bharian.com.my

KUALA TERENGGANU: Bumbung Stadium Tertutup yang terletak bersebelahan Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (SSMZA) di Kompleks Sukan Negeri di Gong Badak, dipercayai bocor terutama pada pemegang cermin setiap kali hujan lebat.

Seorang pekerja pembersihan di Stadium Tertutup mendakwa tiga keping siling terjatuh secara tiba-tiba baru-baru ini, sedangkan ketika kejadian tiada hujan dan angin kuat.

"Apabila hujan pula, air masuk ke dalam stadium melalui cermin disebabkan menjadi pelapik cermin itu tidak dibuat dengan kemas. Malah apabila hujan lebat, kesan tanah dapat dilihat dengan jelas terutama di bahagian tangga," katanya ketika ditemui, kelmarin.

Dia yang enggan namanya disiarkan berkata, pihak pengurusan perlu mengambil iktibar daripada kejadian runtuhan bumbung SMSZA Selasa lalu dan mengambil tindakan segera sebelum kejadian lebih buruk berlaku.

Sementara itu, tinjauan Berita Harian mendapati empat kontena dijadikan pos pengawal ditempatkan di pekarangan SSMZA bagi mengawal kawasan yang semakin menarik tumpuan ramai dan mengelak orang awam menghampiri kawasan runtuhan.

Tinjauan mendapati pihak pengurusan stadium yang mengambil alih semula kawalan keselamatan di stadium berkenaan daripada polis dan Jabatan Pertahanan Awam (JPA3), melantik syarikat pengawal keselamatan yang menempatkan dua pengawal di setiap pos.

Bagaimanapun, pos sementara yang baru diletakkan di empat penjuru stadium berkenaan petang kelmarin masih belum beroperasi sepenuhnya kerana belum dilengkapi kemudahan elektrik.

Pengawal keselamatan bukan saja bertanggungjawab menyekat orang ramai daripada menghampiri runtuhan bumbung stadium, malah dilihat mengiringi pegawai Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) yang meninjau kawasan kejadian kerana barangan pejabat dan sisa runtuhan masih belum dipindahkan sepenuhnya.

Seorang pengawal keselamatan yang bertugas di situ, Mohammad Sharif, berkata empat motosikal yang terperangkap dalam runtuhan sudah dikeluarkan petang kelmarin, manakala kereta Perodua Kancil dan sebuah jentolak yang tertimbus, belum dikeluarkan.

Timur: Roboh Stadium ditangguh

Oleh Hanneeyzah Bariah Baharin
hanneeyzah@bharian.com.my

Bolehkan acara sukan diadakan selepas bumbung SSMZA runtuh

KUALA TERENGGANU: Kerja merobohkan Stadium Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah (SSINS) untuk dijadikan dataran dan tempat letak kereta di tengah bandar raya ini ditangguhkan bagi membolehkan prasarana itu digunakan untuk penganjuran pelbagai acara sukan, selepas sebahagian bumbung Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (SSMZA) di Kompleks Sukan Gong Badak ditutup.

Datuk Bandar Kuala Terengganu, Datuk Razali Kassim, berkata walaupun stadium berusia 42 tahun itu kelihatan usang, ia masih utuh dan boleh digunakan untuk perlawanan bola sepak yang pada awalnya dijadualkan berlangsung di SSMZA.

Beliau berkata, struktur stadium itu masih dalam keadaan baik walaupun cat kelihatan terhakis dan tiang besi serta kipas berkarat kerana keseluruhan binaan itu menggunakan konkrit, batu, simen dan besi yang masih kuat dan kukuh.

"Bagi aktiviti sukan dalaman yang sesuai diadakan di Stadium Tertutup, tetapi bagi perlawanan bola sepak dan beberapa aktiviti sukan terbuka yang dirancang di SSMZA, kita akan pindahkan ke SSINS.

"Kita terpaksa tangguhkan projek merobohkan SSINS untuk dijadikan dataran dan taman dalam bandar serta tempat letak kereta yang pada mulanya dijangka bermula tahun depan," katanya ketika dihubungi di sini, semalam.

SSINS yang dibina di tengah bandar raya Kuala Terengganu dan dirasmikan bekas Pemangku Raja, Tengku Mahmud Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah, pada 27 Ogos 1967 pernah melakar sejarah apabila Terengganu buat julung kali menjuarai Piala FAM pada 1969.

Dalam kejadian kira-kira jam 9.30 pagi Selasa lalu, sebahagian bumbung di bahagian timur SSMZA yang baru setahun siap dibina runtuh, menyebabkan kerugian dianggarkan bernilai RM25 juta. Bumbung stadium yang keseluruhannya bernilai RM38 juta itu dibina menggunakan sistem bumbung tanpa sokongan tiang atau 'space frame' rekaan dan binaan kontraktor dari Korea Selatan.

Razali berkata, atas faktor keselamatan, jeriji besi yang dipasang MBKT sebelum ini di bahagian atas tempat duduk penonton di SSINS dibuka selepas mengesan kekurangan dan kelemahan pemasangan alatan itu, bagi mengelak sebarang kejadian tidak diingini terutama apabila stadium itu dipenuhi pengunjung.

Sementara itu, tinjauan Berita Harian di SSINS mendapati, beberapa pekerja sebuah syarikat pembinaan tempatan sibuk melakukan kerja pembersihan dan mengecat sebahagian struktur stadium merangkumi tempat duduk utama, tiang, tembok dan bumbung.

Tinjauan juga mendapati, sebahagian besar komponen stadium itu iaitu tempat duduk, bumbung, tiang dan tembok sedia ada masih kukuh, bagaimanapun, beberapa kerosakan seperti penutup longkang dan jalan yang memisahkan tempat duduk utama dengan padang retak dan pecah.

Razali berkata, kerja pembersihan dan mengecat itu dilakukan berikutan beberapa acara membabitkan istana termasuk Piala Sultan Terengganu Cabaran Endurance 2009 kelmarin dan pertunjukan tatu sempena Hari Keputeraan Sultan Terengganu yang akan diadakan pada 20 Julai depan.

Mengulas mengenai tahap keselamatan Pusat Akuatik MBKT di Batu Burok di sini, Razali berkata, selepas pengurusannya diserahkan kepada MBKT kira-kira sebulan lalu, pihaknya sudah memaklumkan kepada Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) supaya membaiki kelemahan dan kerosakan yang ada.

Katanya, walaupun beberapa kecacatan ketara dikesan di pusat akuatik itu, ia tetap dibuka kepada orang awam, bagaimanapun, pihaknya mengambil langkah berjaga-jaga dengan mengehadkan kapasiti pengguna yang boleh menggunakan kemudahan berkenaan.

“Kita akui memang banyak kelemahan pada kolam renang itu, tetapi kita tidak boleh menutupnya daripada digunakan orang awam kerana sudah terima banyak tempahan terutama untuk atlit kita mengadakan latihan renang sempena Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) Ke-13 di Melaka nanti," katanya sambil menambah prasarana itu dipantau dan akan dibaiki oleh JKR secara berperingkat.-BHarian

Jangan tuding jari, tunggu siasatan selesai

KUALA TERENGGANU – Pihak yang terlibat terhadap pembinaan Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin perlu bertanggungjawab sekiranya siasatan mendapati mereka cuai sehingga menyebabkan insiden runtuhan bumbung stadium minggu lepas.

Yang Dipertua Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN), Datuk Tengku Awang Tengku Putera berkata, mereka perlu bertanggungjawab sambil menegaskan pembangunan adalah milik rakyat.

“Saya minta bila sudah disiasat dan dikenal pasti nanti, yang bertanggungjawab kena bertanggungjawab

“Jika kurang simen, kurang besi, kurang reka bentuk dan sebagainya mereka kena bertanggungjawab, tetapi kalau ikut (prosedur) semua sekali jadi (runtuh) juga, nak buat macam mana,” katanya kepada pemberita ketika ditemui dalam lawatan kerja di Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen (IPK) Terengganu, semalam.

Menurut Tengku Awang, jika ada kecuaian dan penyelewengan, maknanya rakyat berhak melihat kerajaan yang bertanggungjawab menghukum orang terbabit.

“Ini hak rakyat dan kita bersyukur kerana tiada kemalangan jiwa,” katanya.

Sempena lawatan kerja itu, beberapa Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri dan ketua jabatan turut hadir.

Mengulas lanjut, selepas mengambil alih pemerintahan Pas, kerajaan Barisan Nasional dilihat bersemangat membina semula pembangunan yang tertinggal ketika pentadbiran parti pembangkang.

“Stadium adalah kemudahan yang disediakan kepada rakyat dan yakin tiada pihak yang sengaja melihat insiden runtuhan berlaku.

“Justeru, saya minta tiada pihak menuding jari kepada mana-mana individu dan menunggu sehingga perkara ini selesai,” katanya.

Menurut Tengku Awang, semua pihak perlu mengambil pengajaran terhadap kejadian yang berlaku dengan menganggap apa yang berlaku adalah ujian. Sinar

Tiada unsur penyelewengan

HULU TERENGGANU - Bekas Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Islam Hadhari dan Kebajikan negeri, Datuk Rosol Wahid serta bekas anggota Exco yang lain bersedia disiasat sekiranya ada pihak mendakwa mereka melakukan penyelewengan membabitkan projek pembangunan ketika pemerintahan Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

Menurut Rosol, secara peribadinya beliau berpendapat isu itu tiada kompromi dan menafikan sekeras-kerasnya dakwaan mengatakan wujudnya penyelewengan terhadap projek pembangunan berikutan kejadian runtuhan bumbung Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, di Kompleks Sukan Gong Badak, 2 Jun lalu.

:“Saya tidak melihat berlakunya penyelewengan terhadap projek pembangunan yang dijalankan ketika pentadbiran Menteri Besar sebelum ini.

:“Kejadian runtuhan bumbung stadium ini adalah takdir dan pastinya kita tidak dapat menolaknya, mungkin ada kesilapan teknikal khususnya dari aspek pemasangan,” katanya kepada :Sinar Harian: ketika menghadiri Majlis Penyerahan Wang Pendahuluan Pembiayaan Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) Parlimen Hulu Terengganu, di sini, semalam.

:Rosol yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Ajil berkata demikian kepada pemberita ketika diminta mengulas dakwaan sesetengah pihak wujudnya penyelewengan projek pembangunan di Terengganu berikutan berlakunya kejadian runtuhan bumbung stadium bernilai RM292 juta di Gong Badak.

:Menurut Rosol, kes itu dimanipulasikan sehingga menyebabkan segelintir pihak begitu senang membuat andaian tanpa memiliki sebarang bukti yang kukuh.

:“Mereka hanya sekadar mendengar cakap-cakap di kedai kopi sahaja sehingga pelbagai tanggapan dan hukuman dilemparkan.

: “Dakwaan mengatakan wujudnya penyelewengan adalah tohmahan yang sengaja dilemparkan sesetengah pihak untuk menuding jari. Seandainya benar dakwaan ini, saya dan bekas Exco yang lain sememangnya sentiasa terbuka dan bersedia untuk disiasat,” katanya.

: Justeru, Rosol amat berharap supaya semua pihak jangan prejudis dengan kejadian yang berlaku, sebaiknya perlu mencari punca setiap permasalahan bagi mengenal pasti langkah terbaik untuk mengatasinya.Sinar

Plan for amphibian flights to islands

By R.S.N.MURALI
10/06/09

KUALA TERENGGANU: Tourists intending to go to the holiday islands off the coast here will be able to take amphibian flights without needing to depend on the time-consuming ferry services.

The Terengganu government has plans to introduce such flights following mounting complaints from tourists about the erratic and packed boat services to the holiday islands.

Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said acknowledged that the state government should relook into providing more efficient transportation mode for holidaymakers wanting a weekend getaway.
Ahmad: 'some tourists yearn to make short trips to the islands here'

“Some of these tourists, especially Singaporean and KLties, yearn to make short trips to the islands here but are discouraged from doing so because of the erratic and time-consuming ferry services.

“Therefore, the state government has mooted a plan to launch amphibious flights to several islands from the jetty in Kuala Terengganu, he said here recently.

Among the islands considered are Pulau Redang, Perhentian Besar and Kecil.

It is also learnt that the state government was looking into procuring Cessna Caravan Amphibian type floatplanes for the island air service.

The aircraft could fly passengers and cargo, as well as be able to haul thousands of pounds of payload at more than 155 knots (285 km/hr) for more than925km.

It is understood that the state government is also interested on flying tourists direct from Dataran Shahbandar jetty here to these islands once the Singapore budget airline, Tiger Airways, commenced flight from the city-state to Sultan Mahmud airport here.

Tiger Airways recently confirmed their services here through a letter to the Malaysian Airport Berhad (MAB).

Ahmad said the state government has set a target of four million tourists to visit the state by the end of this year.

He said some two million visitors had visited the state.

In another development, Ahmad said the state government had placed orders for two catamarans to cater to the increasing number of visitors to Kenyir lake.

He said the catamaran costing RM800,000 each, could ferry 55 passengers at one time and would not capsize even in adverse conditions. Star

60 Hektar Tanah Di Setiu Diluluskan Untuk RTB

60 Hektar Tanah Di Setiu Diluluskan Untuk RTB

SETIU, 8 Jun (Bernama) -- Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu meluluskan kawasan seluas 60 hektar di Kawasan Banggol dekat sini untuk program Rancangan Tanah Berkelompok (RTB) tahun ini.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said berkata untuk tujuan itu, kerajaan negeri juga telah meluluskan peruntukan sebanyak RM300,000 untuk membina kemudahan asas seperti parit dan jalan bagi projek itu.

Kerajaan negeri telah mengenal pasti seramai 170 peserta untuk projek itu yang dijangka ditempatkan sebelum Oktober ini, katanya kepada pemberita selepas Majlis Jamuan Rakyat di SMK Saujana di sini hari ini.

Ahmad berkata antara kriteria bagi pemilihan peserta projek itu ialah mereka yang tidak mempunyai tapak rumah.

Beliau berkata hak milik tanah akan diberikan selepas peserta mendirikan rumah di kawasan itu.

"Tahun lepas kita telah meluluskann 412 lot untuk program RTB Penarik. Pesertanya belum masuk lagi," katanya.

-- BERNAMA

Pelaksanaan perlu betul capai gagasan

Pelaksanaan perlu betul capai gagasan

KUALA TERENGGANU - Gagasan 1Malaysia akan menjadi kenyataan sekiranya cara dan pelaksanaannya dilakukan dengan betul serta bersesuaian dengan perkembangan semasa.

:Perunding Yayasan Kajian Strategik Melayu, Datuk Mohd Salleh Majid berkata, masyarakat di negara ini didedahkan dengan pelbagai gagasan namun ia hanya setakat slogan dan tidak dipraktikkan dalam kehidupan.

:“Slogan ‘Cemerlang, Gemilang dan Terbilang’ diuar-uarkan bukan calang-calang slogan tetapi gagasan itu tidak dapat mencapai matlamat selepas dunia luar yang berurusan dengan Malaysia mengatakan terdapat lima kelemahan di negara ini.

:“Kelemahan itu adalah ketidakcekapan khidmat awam, rasuah, jenayah dan kecurian, perubahan peraturan yang kerap berlaku serta kurang kemahiran pekerja,” katanya ketika membentangkan kertas kerja pada Seminar Gagasan Satu Malaysia: Kesinambungan Satu Perjuangan, semalam.

:Menurut Mohd Salleh, pertukaran Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB) kepada Dasar Pembangunan Negara adalah tujuan yang murni bagi menyusun semula masyarakat dan membasmi kemiskinan tetapi pelaksanaannya tercemar disebabkan mereka yang rakus, banyak ketirisan, melencong dan menguntungkan sesetengah golongan sahaja.

:“Jika saham sesetengah orang disebabkan hubungan mereka dengan orang tertentu mendapat ‘bertimbun saham’, ambil pinjaman, hari penyenaraian jual, terima untung ‘berkarung’, bagaimana hak milik Bumiputera mahu meningkat.

:“Selama 39 tahun hanya 18 peratus sahaja hak milik Bumiputera, bagaimana mahu meningkat. Permit AP juga begitu kerana hanya empat atau lima orang sahaja yang layak menerimanya, lain tidak layak,” katanya.

:Menurut Mohd Salleh, kontrak atau projek turut mengalami keadaan sama, misalnya diberikan secara rundingan tetapi akhirnya ada kontraktor yang melakukan pemasangan komputer di sekolah gagal, hospital berkulat, lebuh raya merekah, pembinaan bangunan ‘tersangkut’ lama.

:“Jika Gagasan 1Malaysia benar-benar untuk membangunkan negara, banyak cara dan pelaksanaan perlu diubah.

:“Matlamat slogan untuk perpaduan rakyat, justeru strategi yang digunakan tidak boleh berat sebelah. Dasar berkaitan dengan lesen, permit, biasiswa, perolehan pinjaman dan perkhidmatan awam perlu dilihat kembali,” katanya.

12,000 remaja Terengganu terima dana khas RM200 seorang

12,000 remaja Terengganu terima dana khas RM200 seorang

KUALA TERENGGANU – Seramai 12,000 remaja di negeri ini akan menikmati wang dana khas RM200 setiap seorang daripada kerajaan negeri sebelum Aidilfitri, September depan.

:Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Said berkata, pihaknya memperuntukkan RM23 juta kepada peserta Program Dana Bakti Remaja Terengganu 2009 melalui hasil wang royalti minyak Terengganu tahun ini.

:Menurutnya, kerajaan negeri akan mengagihkan wang itu yang sebelum ini dikenali sebagai wang ihsan dalam tempoh selewat-lewatnya tiga bulan kepada penerima layak mendapatkan dana berkenaan.

:“Selepas semua borang diedarkan, kami akan agihkan dalam masa dua atau tiga bulan sebab ia membabitkan jumlah yang ramai dan (bermula) lebih awal sebelum raya,” katanya kepada pemberita ketika ditemui selepas merasmikan Program Dana Bakti Remaja Terengganu 2009 di Stadium Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah, di sini.

:Kerajaan negeri mengagihkan wang itu kepada remaja berumur 21 tahun dan ke atas sejak tahun 2000 sehingga kini.

Dalam ucapannya, Ahmad memaklumkan kerajaan negeri tidak akan sesekali mengabaikan kebajikan remaja Terengganu dan akan memberi tumpuan terhadap pelbagai aspek pembangunan fizikal serta aspek kerohanian.

:Mengulas lanjut, Ahmad turut menjelaskan bahawa pihaknya akan mengagihkan wang kepada 160,000 keluarga di negeri ini namun tidak memberi jumlah sebenar peruntukan berkenaan. Sinar

Stadium roof collapse report ready in a month

KUALA LUMPUR: The initial report on the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium roof collapse in Terengganu is expected to be ready in a month, said Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor.

The full report would be presented to the Cabinet in six months by an independent committee tasked with the investigation, he added.

“It will identify the causes of the collapse but will not pinpoint who is at fault. It will also submit a recommendation on the repair work,” he told reporters when visiting SMK Setapak Indah that had cracks due to subsiding soil yesterday. — Bernama

BN ketepi pandangan pembangkang

KUALA TERENGGANU – Pas Terengganu menyifatkan kejadian runtuhan bumbung Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Selasa lalu disebabkan sikap angkuh pemimpin kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) yang enggan mengambil perhatian terhadap pandangan dan idea pembangkang meskipun ia berasas.

:Timbalan Ketua Penerangan Pas Terengganu, Dr Alias Razak yang meluahkan rasa kesal berhubung kejadian itu berkata, beliau sendiri pernah membangkitkan isu tahap keselamatan stadium berkenaan ketika persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN), Mei tahun lalu.

:Menurut beliau, pembangkang mempersoalkan perkara itu apabila melihat masih ada pekerja berada di atas bumbung stadium pada saat-saat akhir, sehari sebelum majlis perasmian dilakukan.

:Bagaimanapun katanya, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Infrastruktur dan Kemudahan Awam Negeri, Yahya Khatib Mohamad ketika memberi jawapan kepada pertanyaannya, yakin bahawa ia selamat digunakan.:

:“Selain melihat pekerja masih lagi bekerja pada saat-saat akhir, keadaan bumbung juga nampak ‘lendik’ (kurang kukuh) menyebabkan saya bertanyakan keadaan stadium ini kepada kerajaan pada sidang DUN tahun lalu.

:“Stadium ini berada di dalam kawasan saya, jadi saya memang tahu keadaannya namun kerajaan langsung tidak peduli teguran saya,” katanya yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Bukit Tunggal kepada Sinar Harian, semalam.

:Selasa lalu, bumbung Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin di Kompleks Sukan Negeri, Gong Badak runtuh menyebabkan 60 peratus strukturnya musnah.

:Stadium yang menjadi lokasi utama temasya Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) baru disiapkan setahun lalu mampu memuatkan 50,000 penonton dan merupakan stadium terbesar di Pantai Timur.

:Menurut Dr Alias, kerajaan se-lalu mengambil mudah apa yang pihak pembangkang suarakan di dalam sidang DUN, padahal ia demi kepentingan bersama terutama rakyat.

:“Bagaimana sekiranya ketika kejadian itu berlaku ada aktiviti dijalankan di dalam stadium itu,” katanya.

:Beliau berkata, kejadian malang itu juga menjadi pengajaran terbaik kepada kerajaan BN pada masa akan datang agar tidak sekali-kali membuat kerja sambil lewa demi mengejar nama dan kemasyhuran hingga sanggup memperjudikan nyawa rakyat.

:“Jika tidak sempat siap, kita kena terima hakikat jangan paksa siapkan dengan ala kadar tanpa kelulusan selain tidak ada Sijil Layak Menduduki (CF) sebab banyak nyawa akan terkorban nanti dan sekarang ia sudah berlaku,” katanya.

Sinar

Warnings were ignored, says engineer

NST Online » Local News
2009/06/03

KUALA TERENGGANU: It was a disaster waiting to happen, said engineer A. Mohamed.
Mohamed, who works in a private firm said he often jogged in the area and had noticed that the space frame which held the roof was getting bent out of shape.

"It could be seen from far away. I feared it would give way eventually and the roof would collapse. Today, it did."

Mohamed claimed he had tried to warn government agencies and the media by sending pictures of the defects but was ignored.

Electrician Hanafiah Osman, 27, whose car was damaged in the incident said he was working on a lamp post outside the stadium when he heard a loud noise.
"I turned around and saw the roof collapsing.

"I rushed to my car but it was already crushed," he said.

Stadium Management Board chief executive officer Arpin Draman said fortunately no event was held at the stadium as the roof collapsed on the grandstand.

"At the time of the incident, only a handful of stadium employees were in the vicinity and none of them were hurt."

Arpin said he had never doubted the stadium's structure as its safety had been assured by the Public Works Department.

"We have a bowling alley and squash courts in the stadium and it was fortunate the roof fell before they opened at 10am."

MACC men begin probe

Wednesday June 3, 2009
MACC men begin probe

KUALA TERENGGANU: Several Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers were seen photographing and interviewing witnesses at the site of the collapsed roof at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Stadium in Gong Badak.

Four plainclothes officers, including state MACC director Ahmad Sabri Hussin, were spotted at the site between noon and 1pm.
Potential write-off: Several firemen inspecting a car which was damaged by the collapsed roof of the stadium yesterday. — Bernama

When approached, one officer said a probe had been initiated into the awarding and managing of the contract to a South Korean construction firm which was responsible for the work.

“We are probing whether there are elements of graft and mismanagement,” said the officer who requested anonymity.

He said the MACC would focus its probe on the awarding process of the contract.

Asked if politicians and senior government officials had been involved in the awarding of the contract, he said: “It’s still premature and I don’t want to elaborate on this.”

Some 60% of the stadium roof collapsed and the impact severely damaged other parts of the building.

Construction of the RM300mil stadium, which began in 2005, had hit a snag midway apparently due to technical glitches.

The contractor was to hand over the sports complex in April last year to the state government for Sukma, which was held from May 31 to June 6, but delivery was only made a month later.

In an immediate response, Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Mansor said his ministry would cooperate with the MACC and that it would be transparent, adding that it had nothing to hide. Star

Hold public inquiry, urges Navaratnam

Wednesday June 3, 2009
Hold public inquiry, urges Navaratnam

PETALING JAYA: There should be a public inquiry into the collapse of the roof of the one-year-old Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in Kuala Terengganu.

Centre of Public Policy Studies chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said the incident was another example of a waste of public funds and poor implementation of the tender process.

“It is not surprising that we have structural collapses of this kind, which thankfully did not take lives. Prima facie, the collapse could be due to poor structural design and construction.

“This is because there is so little competition in the tendering process. It is likely that the wrong person was given the wrong job, or an under-qualified sub-contractor was employed or ill-supervised,” he said.

The RM300mil stadium was completed in time for Terengganu to host the Malaysia Games in June last year.

Navaratnam called for the campaign against corruption to be stepped up, or public confidence in the Government would continue to be eroded and “collapse as well”. Star

Design flaw could be the cause

NST Online » Local News
2009/06/04
Design flaw could be the cause

KUALA TERENGGANU: An eleventh-hour decision to use a space frame design for the roof of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium could have led to its collapse on Tuesday morning.
A source familiar with the RM292 million project said the space frame roof that came crashing down was never part of the stadium's original design.

A decision was made at the last minute to cover the grandstand area with a space frame roofing to add a "curvy, grandeur and sophisticated" look to it.

The source said this, coupled with a looming deadline for the opening of the Malaysia Games, was a recipe for a disaster waiting to happen.

"It was done in a hurry and everyone in the engineering field knows that a space frame design is not an easy thing to build. Besides the difficulty involved, it is also a more expensive option," the source said.
According to civil engineering terms, a space frame is constructed from interlocking struts in a geometrical pattern using steel tubes.

It draws its strength from the triangular frames that make up the truss-like rigid structure.

It is lightweight, capable of spanning large distances with few supports and can create curves to increase the visual impact.

State Public Works director Rosly Zainal said it was premature to pin the blame on the choice of structural design, although he did admit that the technology involved required careful planning and expertise.

Rosly said all this would be looked into very carefully when investigations on the incident began.

He said debris from the collapse would not be cleared until the investigations were completed adding that insurers and adjusters would also be doing their own investigations.

Rosly, however, denied that the contractors were pressured into rushing its completion for the games.

"It was on schedule, otherwise we wouldn't have issued a temporary certificate of fitness," he added.

PKR Youth lodges report

NST Online » Local News
2009/06/04
PKR Youth lodges report

KUALA TERENGGANU: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) yesterday lodged a police report over the collapse of the roof of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium here.
State PKR Youth chief Mohd Fariz Musa said police should probe how the Public Works Department issued a temporary certificate of fitness (CF) for the RM292-million stadium when it was clearly not safe.

"If there are elements of negligence or corruption, those responsible must be exposed to face the full brunt of the law," he said after lodging the report.

In his report, Fariz claimed that the temporary CF was issued hurriedly to allow the opening of the Malaysia Games last year. NST

The collapse of professionalism

NST Online » Columns
2009/06/04
EDITORIAL: The collapse of professionalism

WHILE Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said has wasted no time in announcing that the state government will investigate the collapse of the roof of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak, Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor has also been quick to divulge that the Construction and Industry Development Board is putting together a team to search for the cause of the catastrophe. On top of that, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has initiated a probe into the incident. While the alacrity of these proactive measures is to be appreciated, it is to be feared, however, that it might be a classic case of too many cooks in the kitchen spoiling the broth. To be sure, since the stadium belongs to Terengganu, there is no question that the state government should be involved. But the scale of the cave-in and the reverberations from the collapse make it very much a national disaster, and not just a localised one. Likewise, the manner in which the contract to build the stadium was awarded should be looked into. However, while there is no question that there should be a full-scale, thorough and independent investigation to get to the bottom of things, it does not make sense to allow separate probes that push, pull and shove in different directions.
Whatever the case may be, we won't have the answers until the investigations are completed and the findings are reported. But as Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin pointed out, when new buildings collapse just like that, "it does not show professionalism". And in the construction process, while the architects and engineers are as much hired hands as the carpenters and bricklayers, the responsibility for the integrity of the structures that are put up is ultimately theirs. In the first place, they prepare the designs and the building plans. They also supervise the construction at the site and certify that work has been completed in accordance with the approved plan.

Of course, contractors, sub-contractors and the building control authorities are not always blameless. But every time a building turns into a heap of rubble, we also lose a little more of the trust that we still have for the expertise and ethics of the architects and engineers. It is time for the professional associations and the statutory bodies to step up and act on any failure to carry out their duties with due care and diligence in accordance with the laws and ethics that govern their professions.

Ex-Terengganu MB's aide claims trial for SMS intimidation

NST Online » Frontpage
2009/06/04
Ex-Terengganu MB's aide claims trial for SMS intimidation
By : Ridzwan Fernandez and Sean Augustin
Email to friend Email to Friend Print article Print Article

KUALA TERENGGANU, Thurs:

Datuk Dr Ahmad Ramzi Mohd Zubir, the political secretary to former Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh was charged today in the Sessions court with sending death threats through the short messaging system.
He was accused of sending the SMS texts to three Barisan Nasional assemblyman with the intention of slandering another senior State Government official.

Ahmad Ramzi faced three principal charges and three alternatives to sending an annonymous death threat via SMS to intimidate the three assemblymen - Mohd Ariffin Abdullah (Paka), Abd Halim Jusoh (Permasuri) and Datuk Rosol Wahid (Ajil).

The offences were allegedly committed between 11.21pm and 11.25pm on April 13.

Alternatively, he faced three charges of using an Internet application to send death threats via SMS to the three assemblymen concerned on the same date and time that contained the words "baik jgn teruskn niat YB, YB tak sayang nyawa? (don't go ahead with your plans YB, don't you value your life?)".
For the fourth charge, Ahmad Ramzi is accused of slandering Wan Ahamad Wan Muda, private secretary to Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, by misusing his (Wan Ahamad) handphone number to SMS death threats to three assemblymen via a website with the intention to slander him.

The offences were allegedly committed on between 11.21pm and 11.25pm on April 13

Alternatively, he is charged with using the same method on the same date and time to send an SMS that contained that contained the words "baik jgn teruskn niat YB, YB tak sayang nyawa? (don't go ahead with your plans YB, don't you value your life?" with the intention to slander him.

Ramzi, who is now the special officer to Idris, the current Mara chairman, claimed trial to all the charges.

Decked in a suit and accompanied by friends, he looked composed throughout the proceedings.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ishak Mohd Yusoff posecuted, while Ramzi was represented by Rosli Abd Rahman.

Sessions judge Mohamad Khalid Ab Karim set bail at RM8,000 for both charges with one surety each, which later was posted.

He also ordered for Ahmad Ramzi's passport to be impounded and fixed re-mention of the case for July 19.

If convicted for the first three charges, Ramzi can be jailed up to two years, while he faces a maximum two-year jail term or a fine or both for the fourth.

It was reported that the three assemblymen lodged police reports shortly after receiving the SMS threats on April 14.

The three had claimed that the SMSes were sent by Wan Ahamad, who allegedly told them not to proceed with a rumoured plan to table a motion of no-confidence against the menteri besar at the state assembly sitting.

Police later absolved Wan Ahamad of any involvement. NST

Works Ministry tasked to examine selection of contractors and consultants

Thursday June 4, 2009
Works Ministry tasked to examine selection of contractors and consultants
By ROYCE CHEAH

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has ordered a review of the procedure on the appointment of contractors and consultants following the roof collapse of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium’s roof in Gong Badak, Kuala Terengganu.

The Works Ministry has been tasked to review the rules, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was commenting on the roof collapse of the newly opened RM300mil stadium.

Muhyiddin said the issue was discussed at length at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting and it viewed the incident as something that should not have happened.

“We view this very seriously. The Works Ministry will look into reviewing the rules. Going by the current situation, when we appoint a contractor, then the contractor appoints a consultant.”

Muhyiddin said although this was to enable more parties to take part in the contract, quality could not be compromised.

“They need to look into this and tighten the rules so that it does not happen again,” he said.

As for the possibility of corruption that led to the collapse of the roof, Muhyiddin said such assumptions could not be made yet.

“Action against the contractor is up to the state government,” he said, adding that it was fortunate that the incident did not take place when the stadium was in actual use.

Muhyiddin also said that the stadium was officially handed over to the state government seven months ago.

The stadium is part of the modern Gong Badak sports complex, which was built at an initial cost of RM250mil but the amount surged by an additional RM50mil due to soaring prices of building materials.

The indoor stadium, which is also part of the complex, was built at a cost of RM160mil.

The roof on the stadium’s left wing was ravaged after the iron frame structure supporting the 300m-long roof destabilised, causing it to fold.

The affected zones were the main entrance, royal podium and the public seating area.-Star

PAC to probe Terengganu stadium roof collapse

Thursday June 4, 2009
PAC to probe Terengganu stadium roof collapse

PETALING JAYA: The Public Accounts Committee will launch a probe into the roof collapse at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, says its deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw.

“A truly independent specialist must be appointed. It must be thoroughly investigated and its report submitted to both committee and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

“I have heard of stadiums collapsing overseas because of a stampede.

“But I have never heard of a stadium collapsing on its own until now,” he said.

Dr Tan said it was important to ensure such an incident did not recur in the future.

“We have to find out why it collapsed and who is responsible as almost RM300mil had been spent on the stadium,” he said.

Dr Tan also urged authorities to charge those responsible for the collapse in court as “thousands could have died.”

Some 5,000 athletes, who were supposed to have converged at the stadium for a sports meet, had to move their event to other venues.

Wanita MCA chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun called for “quick and decisive” actions against those responsible for the wreck.

The companies should be blacklisted, the officials should quit and their professional licences revoked, she said.

Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Paul Low said a commission of inquiry should be set up to probe the collapse and its proceedings telecast live.

“A lot of people could have been killed. We must find out the root cause of the problem and look into the specifications of the project,” he added - Star

Roof had flaws, says architect

Friday June 5, 2009
Roof had flaws, says architect
By K. SUTHAKAR, R.S.N.MURALI and HAMDAN RAJA ABDULLAH

GEORGE TOWN: Architect Raja Datuk Kamarul Bahrin Shah, who designed the RM300mil Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Terengganu, said he had highlighted the problem regarding its roof structure many times.

Speaking out for the first time to defend his company Senibahri Arkitek, Raja Kamarul Bahrin said he had given “numerous views” on the roofing of the stadium through the Public Works Department to the specialist contractor from South Korea since early last year.

“I was saddened and shocked to learn about the roof collapse,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Raja Kamarul Bahrin said he initially did not want to comment on the incident until his return next Wednesday.

“I think I need to clear the air so that people won’t get the wrong idea about my absence. I’m in Mecca to perform the umrah,” he said.n KUALA TERENGGANU, a special team comprising building engineers from the state PWD will conduct safety inspections on newly constructed buildings in the state including the RM123mil Sultan Mahmud Airport terminal here.

State PWD deputy director Ghazali Hashim will head the team, which will also check the Batu Burok Aquatic Complex and the Indoor stadium in Gong Badak.

In MUAR, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Razali Ibrahim said any party responsible for the collapse of the roof should be answerable to the people.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Muar stadium yesterday, he said the ministry planned to coordinate the management and activities of all stadiums in the country, including those managed by the local authorities.