Muhyiddin: Ahmad Said to remain as Terengganu MB

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu state government will continue to be helmed by Datuk Ahmad Said as the menteri besar, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, said a change of menteri besar was never raised or discussed.

“Who said (there will be a change in the menteri besar)? So far, I have not heard of anything like that,” he said when asked to comment on talks that there would be a change of menteri besar in the state soon.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, spoke to reporters after launching the national level Teacher’s Day celebration at the Islamic Civilisation Park in Pulau Wan Man Saturday.

There had been talks that several Terengganu Barisan Nasional assemblymen had voiced their dissatisfaction with Ahmad and wanted him to be replaced.

It was speculated that Barisan assemblymen would table a no-confidence vote against Ahmad in the state assembly in April but this did not happen.

However, 10 Barisan assemblymen stayed away from the assembly session on the second day sitting after three of them claimed to have received threats via SMS.

Muhyiddin said he hoped that with his clarification, the political situation in Terengganu would improve because it was more important for Umno and the Barisan to be strong in the state to face the next general election.

“I hope all Umno leaders, including the elected representatives and divisional chairmen, would adopt new approaches to foster greater understanding among themselves.

“The people have given their mandate. We have to focus on developing Terengganu because the state abounds with resources. It garners much revenue and has oil,” he said. -- Bernama

Tanah runtuh ancam keselamatan jemaah

Tanah runtuh ancam keselamatan jemaah

CHERONG LANJUT - Jemaah surau Cherong Lanjut merayu pihak berkenaan mengambil tindakan segera bagi mengatasi masalah tanah runtuh berhampiran surau, akibat projek pembinaan yang dijalankan di atas bukit di belakang surau berkenaan.

Salah seorang jemaah, Tengku Kamal Tengku Awang, 45, berkata, masalah bermula pada hujung 2008 lagi di mana sejak projek pembinaan itu dijalankan, tanah runtuh sering berlaku terutama apabila musim hujan dan situasi ini boleh membahayakan jemaah.

“Apa yang paling membimbangkan, ketika musim hujan, tanah selut akan melimpah sehingga memasuki hampir separuh daripada kawasan surau.

“Akibatnya, banyak kemudahan surau rosak dan tidak boleh digunakan lagi, antaranya kolah tempat jemaah mengambil wuduk dan tandas,” katanya.

Menurutnya, surau itu sentiasa dipenuhi jemaah tidak mengira masa dan jika masalah ini tidak diatasi secepat mungkin, ia boleh mengancam nyawa mereka.

Pernah suatu ketika katanya, batu besar daripada bukit berkenaan terjatuh, namun mujur ketika itu tiada apa-apa kejadian buruk berlaku melibatkan jemaah.

“Kami juga bukan hanya berpeluk tubuh melihat keadaan sebegini. Sepanjang masalah ini bermula, jemaah di sini sudah tiga kali mengambil inisiatif sendiri membuang dan membersihkan selut yang memasuki kawasan surau.

“Tapi sampai bila kami harus berhadapan dengan masalah sebegini?,” katanya kepada Sinar Harian.

Sementara itu, ahli jawatankuasa (AJK) surau, Suhaimi Abdul Ghani, 52, berkata, beliau mewakili semua jemaah mengharapkan pihak berkenaan juga mengubah lokasi surau itu memandangkan ia sudah tidak sesuai lagi kerana bimbang, masalah tanah runtuh itu boleh mengancam nyawa penggunanya.

“Saya berharap pihak berkenaan mencari satu tempat sesuai untuk mengalihkan surau ini kerana di sini sudah tidak selamat lagi untuk jemaah.

“Diharapkan pihak berkenaan tidak memandang remeh masalah ini kerana ia melibatkan nyawa orang awam,” katanya.

Best employees to get chance to study abroad

KUALA TERENGGANU: The state plans to reward its best officers by sending them for further studies or to attend courses in local or foreign institutions.

Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the move would enable the officers to acquire more knowledge to further improve their performance, as well as help to improve the quality of the government’s public delivery service.

“Besides universities in the country, they would also be sent to further their studies or attend courses in countries like New Zealand, Australia and Singapore,” he said in his speech at the Workers’ Day celebration at Wisma Darul Iman recently.

The text of his speech was read by State Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology and Human Resources Committee chairman Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman.

Ahmad advised government employees to be committed to their jobs so as not to invite negative criticisms from the people.

“The weakness of civil servants will be translated by the people as the government’s weakness and a weak government will be penalised by voters,” he said. — Bernama

Thursday May 7, 2009

SMS threats to reps: Cops issue ultimatum

KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu state police have issued an ultimatum to a former political secretary of ex-mentri besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh to show up and assist in investigations, or face arrest.

Datuk Dr Ahmad Ramzi Mohamad Zubir has been given three days to come forward to facilitate the probe into an SMS death threat sent to three Barisan Nasional assemblymen on April 14.

“A warrant of arrest will follow if he fails to report to us in 72 hours,” said state police deputy chief Senior Asst Comm II Hamzah Mohd Jamil at a press conference here.

Dr Ahmad was the Barisan candidate for the Marang parliamentary constituency in last year’s general election, losing to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

SAC II Hamzah said police were keen to record Dr Ahmad Ramzi’s statement on the SMS.

“We are almost concluding the investigation and need to gather certain facts from him before closing the file,” he said.

He said police had visited Dr Ahmad Ramzi’s homes in Kuala Lumpur and here but were unable to find him.

The SMS received by the three assemblymen -- Datuk Rosol Wahid (Ajil), Abdul Halim Jusoh (Permaisuri) and Zakaria Abdullah (Paka) -- caused a furore when they and seven other representatives stayed away from the second day of the state legislative assembly proceedings on April 16, citing safety factors.

SAC II Hamzah also discounted the possibility of Dr Ahmad Ramzi being told by certain influential people to leave the country until the issue cooled down.

“We have not received any information that he is currently abroad,” he added.

Published: Friday May 8, 2009 MYT 7:16:00 PM The Star

Jangan uji kesabaran Pas: Abdul Hadi

Jangan uji kesabaran Pas: Abdul Hadi

KUALA TERENGGANU – Pendirian Pas memilih dua jawatan tertinggi dalam parti adalah sama seperti sebelum ini dan kemelut berhubung isu berkenaan sememangnya telah lama wujud.

Presiden Pas, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang berkata, pemilihan melalui perbahasan bukan perkara baru dalam parti.

“Kami mengambil pendekatan dengan semangat syura supaya pemimpin yang dipilih direstui semua perwakilan melalui muktamar berkenaan.

“Saya rasa tidak perlu di sini untuk saya memberi sebarang ulasan kerana mesyuarat belum lagi selesai dan ia masih lagi berlangsung, kita tunggu sahajalah nanti siapa yang akan dipilih serta dicalonkan untuk jawatan itu,” katanya ketika ditemui Sinar Harian pada Majlis Hi-Tea dan Pelancaran Web Buletin Pendidikan Pas di Maahad Tahfiz Wal Tarbiyyah (MTT) Darul Iman, Tok Jiring, di sini, semalam.

Menurut Abdul Hadi, orang luar tidak perlu untuk mempertikaikan perkara berkenaan kerana Pas bijak menangani parti mereka sendiri.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Abdul Hadi menyifatkan penangkapan Naib Presiden Pas, Mohamad Sabu jelas memperlihatkan badan kehakiman dan amalan demokrasi di negara ini tidak lagi bebas.

“Tindakan itu bukan sahaja memberi gambaran kepada pencabulan hak asasi, sebaliknya Barisan Nasional (BN) cuba untuk memperbetulkan langkah yang sememangnya salah demi kepentingan parti mereka.

“Ingin saya tegaskan di sini supaya BN tidak sesekali menguji tahap kesabaran kami (Pas) kerana setiap kesabaran itu ada batasnya dan seharusnya mereka (BN) mengambil iktibar daripada yang berlaku sebelum ini,” katanya.

Bagaimanapun, Abdul Hadi enggan mengulas lanjut berhubung amaran berkenaan dan meminta supaya kerajaan (BN) mempertimbangkan kembali apa telah dilakukan mereka terutamanya membabitkan kepentingaa sebagai negara yang mengamalkan demokrasi - Sinar 080509

MB perjuang nasib rakyat miskin

MARANG- “Saya inginkan yang terbaik untuk Terengganu, sebab itu harapan kepada Hishammuddin sangat besar iaitu untuk membetulkan dan meningkatkan kemampuan kita menang pada Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 nanti,”.

Demikian kata Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Said ketika ditanya mengenai harapannya kepada Naib Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein yang juga Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO Negeri.

Sebelum itu, Ahmad yang enggan mengulas ketika ditanya pertemuan Hishammuddin dengan Yang Dipertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin hari ini (semalam) berkata, dia tidak mengetahui pertemuan itu.

“‘No komen’, sebab saya tidak tahu. Itu awak kena tanya dia (Hishammuddin) sebab saya tidak tahu mengenainya. Mesyuarat Badan Perhubungan UMNO Negeri juga masih tidak tahu bila akan dibuat,” katanya ketika ditemui pemberita selepas merasmikan Balai Raya Kampung Seberang Marang, semalam.

Ahmad dan isteri yang dalam rangka lawatan kerja sehari ke Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Rhu Rendang, sempat meluangkan masa untuk minum pagi bersama ketua jabatan dan pemimpin masyarakat serta rakyat di Marang Waterfront.

Ahmad kemudiannya berkesempatan melawat Pasar Baru Marang, menyertai gotong-royong memaku atap di Kampung Bukit Che Ali dan Kampung Paya serta menziarahi kubur datuk kepada Menteri Besar di Kampung Bukit Che Ali sebelum meneruskan lawatan ke beberapa lokasi lain.

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, Ahmad berkata, beliau akan meneruskan pembangunan yang dijalankan dan berusaha untuk menyediakan kemudahan serta keperluan rakyat sebagai tanda komitmen membantu rakyat negeri ini.

“Sekarang ini, kita ada 6,000 keluarga miskin tetapi tahap kemiskinan negeri ini menurun dengan banyak sekali iaitu daripada 89.9 peratus ketika merdeka kepada 12.5 peratus pada masa kini.

“Inilah yang akan kita perjuangkan, salah satu daripadanya adalah kerajaan kini berhasrat membeli 50,000 ekar (20,000 hektar) ladang kelapa sawit untuk dijadikan ladang rakyat berikutan ia pelaburan jangka panjang yang menguntungkan kerana harganya stabil.

“Agihan keuntungan daripada kelapa sawit inilah kita bercadang untuk agihkan kepada 6,000 keluarga miskin tadi dengan bantuan sebanyak RM500. Kita yakin, dalam tempoh enam tahun lagi, tidak akan ada lagi kemiskinan,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Ahmad berkata, walaupun Marang kini dipegang pembangkang namun usaha pembangunan akan terus dilaksanakan.

“Antara pembangunan yang giat dirancang adalah pembinaan empat fakulti baru Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) di Bukit Kor dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10 (RMK10), bernilai RM800 juta.

“Lima buah balai raya baru yang bernilai RM1 juta juga akan diberikan kepada beberapa buah kampung di Dewan Undangan Negara (DUN) Rhu Rendang, selain bantuan peralatan komputer bernilai RM50,000,” katanya. Sinar 080509

Let down by lawyer' in battle against swiftlets

NST Online » Local News

2009/05/05

KUALA TERENGGANU: When he initiated legal action against the government last year, all Ong Pok Kok wanted was to fight for his right to be free from the nuisance caused by swiftlets.

His lawyer issued a letter of demand, dated Nov 7, to the state government and the Kuala Terengganu City Council (MBKT), to put a stop to the more than 20 swiftlet nesting operations in shophouses near Ong's residence and workplace in Jalan Tok Lam.

The letter, according to Ong, stated his intention of suing for compensation of RM10 million should both the state and MBKT fail to comply with his demand within seven days.

After more than five months, his demand has not been met and he has yet to see his day in court. He said his lawyer had apparently failed to follow up on the case after submitting the demand letter.

"It is strange that I have not received any correspondence from my lawyer after getting a copy of the letter of demand and come to think of it, I have yet to receive a receipt for my initial payment of RM1,000 to the law firm.
"I want to know if the lawyer is still on the case as I cannot wait forever while more and more swiftlet nesting premises are being built in the area."

He lodged a report at the Kuala Terengganu police station last week and a complaint with the Bar Council.

Ong, 55, a coffee shop owner, said he had been fighting a battle against the swiftlet- rearers for the past five years.

"Countless complaints to the local authorities, police, politicians, health department, environmental department and several other government agencies have amounted to nothing and now, even my legal action seems to be heading nowhere."

He said the situation was bad in the sense that the birds' nest industry in Terengganu, unlike other states, was not regulated or licensed.

"But it is worse now because word has got out that in the next few months, the government will issue licences to existing operators. Unscrupulous entrepreneurs are quickly setting up new swiftlet nesting premises to take advantage of the situation.

"Several upper floors of shophouses near mine are being converted into swiftlet motels and, although our grouses have been highlighted by the press, it makes little difference to these profit-driven businessmen," he said.

His mother Foo See Guan, 76, who has been living in the shophouse since 1967, said the invasion of swiftlets in her neighbourhood had caused misery to her and her family.

"Family members moved out to be as far away as possible from the birds. At my age, I no longer have the desire to start anew somewhere else.

"Hopefully, a miracle will happen and these birds will fly away without ever coming back."