NEW TESTING KIT: (From left) Lee, Tang and Siti Aminah Ahmed show the Porcine DNA Detection Kit during a press conference. — Bernama photo

GEORGE TOWN: The Porcine DNA Detection Kit developed by a team of researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has the capability to detect porcine DNA in raw meat and processed meat products such as sausages and burger patty.

A USM researcher from the Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Prof Tang Thean Hock, said the product was in the process of being patented and was suitable for halal certification testing in Malaysia.

“The kit, estimated to be priced at RM500, can be used to test 50 samples. So far, there are five companies who have shown interest in selling the kits but it is still being discussed,” he told reporters here yesterday.

The product, created by a team of researchers comprising Tang, Siti Aminah Ahmed and Lee Li Pin, won gold at the three-day 24th Invention Innovation and Technology Exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur, beginning
May 9. Tang said the product could increase porcine DNA for detection to achieve accurate results at lower costs as compared to using mass spectrometer machines.

He said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) would usually send a sample to the Chemistry Department to be tested by the mass spectrometer machine, whose chemical-based test would cost more. — Bernama

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi said the increase gave a big impact on the development of the country’s transport and tourism sectors.

He said the KL International Airport handled the highest number of passengers at 14.24 million followed by the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (1.97 million), the Penang International Airport (1.62 million) and the Kuching International Airport (1.4 million).

The government strives to upgrade all airports with modern equipment, including widening and extending the runway, he said at the opening of the upgraded Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here by the Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah yesterday.

The project to upgrade the airport at a cost of RM42 million began on April 13, 2011, and the airport became fully operational again on Nov 1 last year.

Aziz said the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport could now provide better services to passengers and help stimulate the state’s
economy. — Bernama

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said although he was confident that Asean member states would support Malaysia, considering it was the only Asean state contesting, the votes of other countries were equally important.

“We must not take it for granted. We have to work very hard and we have to engage and meet leaders from various countries to secure the seat, but I am quite confident that Malaysia has a very good name globally,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Anifah said the seat in UNSC would send a strong message of peace and the right to co-exist.

On another matter, he said it was also important for the ministry to clear Malaysia’s name abroad, since there were quarters who tarnished and smeared the country’s good image, through relentless allegations and negative tactics, especially on the recently-concluded general election.

On the 21 Malaysians detained in Singapore for staging a protest over the general election results, he said the law of the country should be respected but it was the duty of the ministry to assist if it was needed.

On the visit of United States President Barack Obama in October, Anifah said, while there were indications he was coming, it had to be re-confirmed since his schedule might be changed due to internal problems.

He said Malaysia was looking forward to enhance the country’s relations with its neighbours, including Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. — Bernama

Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) yesterday set up a special team to find out why the indelible ink used to mark voters in the 13th general election could be easily removed, said EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.

He said the team would look into, among others, the ingredients of the ink, the Health Ministry’s conditions and how the ink was applied on the finger.

The team would also examine the outcome of tests conducted before and after the ink was brought into Malaysia, he said in a statement.

For the first time in a general election in Malaysia, the EC used the indelible ink to mark voters in the May 5 general election to prevent possible repeat voting, but received flak from political parties, electoral candidates and voters when it was learnt that the ink could be washed away easily.

Abdul Aziz said the team was expected to complete the investigation in a month.

Abdul Aziz also said that the EC viewed with concern the distribution of video recordings, text and pictures on social websites and news portals and in the print media on all kinds of baseless accusations and allegations directed at the EC.

He said the allegations included claims of foreigners voting in the general election, blackouts at vote tallying centres, three ballot boxes missing from the vote-tallying centre in Putrajaya and ballot boxes airdropped from helicopters to ensure victory of certain candidates.

Other claims include EC vehicles bringing ballot boxes to tallying centres to manipulate the election result, EC staff asking candidates’ agents to sign the Borang 14 (Form 14) before the counting of votes had been completed and transporting of phantom voters from Sabah and Sarawak to vote in the peninsula.

Abdul Aziz said all these allegations were baseless and were aimed at confusing the people.

As such, he added, the EC had lodged a police report through its secretary, Datuk Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria, to maintain its good name and integrity as an independent body under the Federal Constitution.

He also said that the EC would continue with its explanation of issues pertaining to the 13th general election, through the media and other means, to present the people with the correct information.

“The EC advises the people to filter the information that they garner from the social media.

“If necessary, they can contact the EC to get valid information on any issue,” he said. — Bernama

Its minister, Datuk Seri G Palanivel, said the ministry had plans to save forests and hill slopes from destruction as preventive measures were better than remedial work.

Noting that there was rampant and careless destruction (involving virgin forests and land clearing) in the Cameron Highlands, and other areas including Sabah and Sarawak, he said they had to be stopped immediately.

“The environment in Cameron Highlands needs urgent attention and should be safeguarded. Destruction of forests and hills have become a major problem,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

Palanivel, who is also MIC president, was commenting on an English daily report which highlighted rampant land clearing in the Cameron Highlands, which began less than a month ago.

According to the report, this included the felling of 40ha of virgin forests, with the bulk of the ravaging at Pos Terisu spanning at least four valleys and hills flattened for farmers to plant vegetables.

Palanivel noted that due to the damage to hill slopes, water quality had deteriorated and there were constant soil erosions and landslides. — Bernama

NICE MEETING YOU: Mukhriz (centre) greeting the people during the thanksgiving feast. — Bernama photo

PENDANG: The Kedah government planned to build affordable houses for people in the rural areas, including through the planned village scheme, said Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

He said the move was in line with the pledge made by the Kedah Barisan Nasional (BN) to solve the housing problem of rural folk who had yet to own a house.

Mukhriz said the state government would identify land in certain areas to build 100 to 200 affordable homes and create planned villages (kampung tersusun) like the existing one in Changlun.

“If possible, we want to build houses under the planned village scheme in each district. One planned village in each district – this will enable rural residents to own such affordable houses.

“We have not discussed the matter in full. But I think we will do a pilot project to see whether this formula will be a success and well accepted,” he said after a thanksgiving feast at the Penang Umno division office, here, yesterday.

Mukhriz said for those who had land but did not have a house, the state government would find a suitable approach or formula to solve the problem.

On problematic housing projects carried out by the previous PAS-led state government, he said the current state government would study the matter and review these projects before making any decision.

“We have to consider the locations, quality and costs. I don’t want to be hasty in making a decision. We have to see first whether these projects can be saved or not.

“As for funding, we can work it out but it there is no demand for houses in these projects due to geographical factors, we cannot do it as it would a financial waste,” he said.

On another development, Mukhriz said the state government would ask Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to give special attention to Kedah after the people had given BN the mandate to rule the state again.

He said Kedah had lagged behind in development and hence required the best formula to attract foreign investors and to create more employment opportunities.

With the assistance of the federal government, Kedah would be able to develop in tandem with the country’s overall modernisation. — Bernama

The 3:3:4 (PKR: DAP: PAS) formula is based on the parties showing in 13th general election (GE13) which saw PAS and DAP each winning 15 states seats with  PKR winning 14.

In GE12 in 2008, PKR won 15 seats, DAP won 13 seats while PAS won only 8 seats resulting in a 4:3:3 formula for State Exco with PKR getting four while DAP and PAS got three each.

The candidates for State Exco had been presented to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on Friday including alternative candidates.

“I gave him a list of names, including alternatives to give him a choice. If there are any changes he will summon me for discussion,” he told reporters after a victory function for Pelabuhan Klang constituency in Pandamaran Saturday night.

Abdul Khalid who is also Pelabuhan Klang state assemblyman said the State Exco members will be sworn in within two weeks.

Asked whether PKR deputy president (Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyman) Azmin Ali and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Seri Setia assemblyman) are among them, he said the names would not be announced until the swearing-in ceremony.

On DAP candidates Sungai Pinang state assemblyman Datuk Teng Chang Kim and Seri Kembangan state assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, he said: “The proposals have been received and the chosen ones will be announced before swearing in.”

Abdul Khalid who was sworn in as menteri besar for a second term May 14 will leave for overseas today for follow-up medical treatment and scheduled to return on Friday. — Bernama

Dungun Fire and Rescue Department senior officer Abdullah Ahmad said the fire was believed to have started about 2 pm in an open area of Kampung Kuala Abang and spread eight kilometres up to Kampung Rhu Batil.

“The fire destroyed some agriculture, private and government reserve land. The hot weather and wind conditions hampered our efforts but we managed to control the situation about 2 am this morning. There were no casualties,” he said here yesterday. — Bernama

Three fire engines from Dungun, Paka and Marang and 23 personnel were rushed to the scene, he said.

He advised the public not to burn rubbish in the open, especially during the current hot and dry season. — Bernama

FULFILLING HIS DREAM: Faiq on his way to the Bagan Ajam shoreline in his swiming cage. — Bernama photo

BUTTERWORTH: Arduously fighting strong currents, a blind student spent more than two hours swimming five kilometres across the Penang Straits, fulfilling a dream to cross the straits.

Penang paralympic athlete Faiq Adnan, 23, left the Swettenham Pier at 9.05am and splashed his way to the Bagan Ajam shoreline at 11.30am.

All in all, Faiq spent two hours, 20 minutes and 30 seconds to achieve the feat.

He said: “The first 40 minutes was perilous after my swimming cage was broken by the waves, leaving several parts of my body stung by jellyfish.

“I was determined to continue despite the pain because this has been a dream for so long…although I had initially given up,” he told reporters at Pantai Bagan Ajam here.

The second-year student in Malay Literature said the 15 minutes it took to repair the cage and choppy waves which complicated body movement, caused him to arrive later than expected.

Faiq, who was born in Tikam Batu, Sungai Petani, Kedah, said support and motivation from coach Datuk Ooi Win Juat also helped him get through the ordeal.

“Datuk Ooi was my coach when I was in Year Three at Sekolah Pendidikan Khas  Alma, Bukit Mertajam and no matter how busy he was with his own career, he still made time to help me train,” he said.

Faiq, who has been active in swimming for the past nine years, had been aiming to cross the Penang Straits since 2008. He hopes to swim across the English Straits in 2015.

The programme, organised by the Penang Youth and Sports Department and Penang State Sports and Penang State National Disabled Persons Sports and Recreation Association, also received cooperation from agencies such as the fire and rescue department, marine police and meteorology department.

It was sponsored by Puspakom. — Bernama

Muhammad Fadzirul Hakimi Abd Rahim, 21, and Muhammad Adib Jasmani, 23, died on the spot in the incident about 4.30pm.

Earier, their machines grazed one another, causing the riders and the machines to fall into the opposite lane.

At that juncture, a Kulaijaya-bound van coming from the opposite direction, ploughed into the two riders, killing them instantly.

A pillion rider who was seriously injured in the crash was warded at the Kota Tinggi Hospital.

Kota Tinggi police chief Supt Mohd Nor Rasid said the convoy was heading to Desaru in Johor from Klang, Selangor when the crash occurred.

He said, after the two motorcycles had grazed one another and caused the riders to fall in the opposite lane, the van driver could not avoid ploughing into them.

“The two motorcyclists died on the spot while a pillion rider was injured,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Mohd Nor said the bodies of the victims were claimed by their families after post-mortem Saturday night. — Bernama

BUY MALAYSIA PRODUCTS: Hasan gives the thumbs-up sign astride a Modenas motorcycle after opening the Buy Malaysian Goods Expo 2013. — Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hasan Malek yesterday challenged anyone claiming that there are increases in the prices of essential items after the 13th general election (GE13) to come forward with proof instead of making unfounded claims.

Emphasising that there had been no increase in the prices of essential goods, Hasan said the opposition liked to make allegatons without proof which showed that they deliberately wanted to cause public hatred against the government.

“All their talks carry political undertones without thinking of developing the country at all. Disclose the place (where prices have gone up) so that we can make inspection…I personally am willing to go down even to Kota Kinabalu (Sabah),” he told reporters after opening the Buy Malaysian Goods Expo 2013 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, here.

The three-day expo, which began on Friday, is participated by about 100 exhibitors comprising government agencies and private companies in the various sectors including automotive, food and drinks, furniture, interior decorations and health.

Commenting on the action by 20 Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which wanted Muslims to boycott Chinese products, Hasan said he respected the stand of all the NGOs concerned because as a neutral body, it had the freedom of expression.

“Every NGO has the right to express an opinion and this ministry does not want to be involved…because our function is to protect the interest and rights of the people,” he said.

At a media conference on Tuesday, 20 Muslim NGOs called on Muslims to boycott several products which were said to be unsafe for consumption.

Hasan, however, said he would call for a meeting with the representatives of the NGOs concerned in the near future to discuss the matter in detail.

Earlier in his speech, the minister said companies in this country should not look only at the domestic market as their main consumers but should also build their capacity to compete with the best outside the country.

“One way of penetrating the global market is when our products and services can compete with and fulfill the world standards,” he said.

On the Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign, Hasan said it was a continuous effort by the ministry to assist the growth of the national economy and check the outflow of funds. — Bernama

EYE-CHECK: Dr Aishah Ong (standing centre) observes as people check their eyes. Dr Fang is at right.— Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Retinal diseases such as glaucoma and cataract may not be new to Malaysians, but their knowledge on other diseases which affect sight such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and diabetes retinopathy is still low.

Malaysian Society of Ophthamology (MSO) president Dr Fang Seng Keong said Malaysians aged 50 and above who suffer from diabetes have a high risk of losing their sight as a result of the two diseases.

“Many Malaysians are still unfamiliar with retinal diseases caused by increasing age and wait until their eyesight is affected before they seek treatment,” he said at the Retinal Diseases Awareness Week, here yesterday.

The inaugral programme held by the MSO with support from the National Council for The Blind Malaysia (NCBM), AMD Alliance International and Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) was officiated by Universiti Malaya Pro-Chancellor Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong.

Dr Fang said AMD is a retinal disease which usually affects individuals aged above 50 due to slow macular damage, a part of the retina which allows humans to see clearly, and the disease is a main cause of visual impairment among adults.

“Diabetes retinopathy is unsual bleeding and swelling of the retina caused by uncontrolled diabetes. It is the main cause of blindness worldwide, and in Malaysia it is the main cause for sight loss among working adults,” he said.

Retinal Diseases Awareness Week is from yesterday until June 2 nationwide and the public can go for eye check-ups free in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Johor Baharu, Klang, Melaka, Penang, Seremban, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau and Kuching.

For more information, visit www.mso.org.my or facebook/MalaysianSocietyOfOphthalmology. — Bernama

Kuala Lumpur police chief, Deputy Commissioner Datuk Mohmad Salleh said Adam
Adli, 23, was detained in the Bangsar area, here at about 3.15pm.

“The subject is being detained at the Jinjang Police Station lock-up regarding an investigation under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948,” he said in a short messaging service (SMS) to Bernama, here yesterday.

In January last year, Adam Adli was suspended from studies for three semesters beginning early in semester two 2011/12 until the end of semester two 2012/13 for bringing down the flag that had Najib’s potrait.

Adam Adli, when suspended from studies, was in the fifth semester and was taking the teaching of English as a second language when he created controversy at the grounds of the Putra World Trade centre (PWTC) on Dec 17, 2011 by bringing down the flag during a demonstration. — Bernama

Mukhriz said although he felt that any group was entitled to hold an assembly, its purpose should be scrutinised first before approval could be granted.

“Similar rallies held in several places around the country were intended to instil hatred among the participants against Barisan Nasional (BN) which had been given the mandate to run the federal and Kedah governments. This is not acceptable.

“If they just want to assemble, there is no problem. But the rally will be marked by hate speeches punctuated by unfounded allegations and slanders,” he told reporters after hosting a thanksgiving reception at Seri Mentaloon, the menteri besar’s official residence here yesterday.

Newly appointed Kedah PAS commissioner Datuk Mahfuz Omar yesterday appealed to Mukhriz, as Kedah Stadium Corporation chairman, to allow Pakatan to hold the rally at the stadium in the name of democracy after its application to the stadium’s management was rejected. At the reception, Mukhriz introduced state executive councillors to the media.

Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, who is also state BN chairman, was among those present. — Bernama

EXEMPLARY TEACHER: Mohamed Khaled (left) presents a mock cheque to Zulkipli Mahmud, 60, the former headmaster of Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar, who is chosen for the Tokoh Guru award in conjunction with the state-level Teacher’s Day celebration. — Bernama photo

JOHOR BAHARU: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has emphasised there is no issue of any representative or race being subservient in the appointment of Johor state executive councillors.

This is because the state government formed under Barisan Nasional (BN) was based on the concept of cooperation and consensus among all races.

“Our (state government) concept is based on cooperation and consensus. It’s not a matter of being subservient. The MCA, in accepting the exco post, was only abiding by the decree of the Johor Sultan and not Umno.

“So, there is no issue here because they are only respecting the Sultan’s decree,” he told reporters after launching the state-level Teacher’s Day celebration at the Pusat Islam Iskandar Johor here yesterday.

Mohamed Khaled was asked to comment on criticism by Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham through his Twitter account on May 15, which said the MCA was subservient to the Sultan of Johor.

Ngeh, who added that the MCA was also subservient to Umno, had said this following a statement issued by the MCA on the appointment of MCA representative and Pulai Sebatang assemblyman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong as Johor exco member.

“MCA is subservient to Umno, now subservient to the Sultan. MCA can’t make any stand on its own? How to represent the people?,” Ngeh had asked. — Bernama

“There is no need for the senate. It is an unnecessary expense required to be borne by the people.

“It does not serve a useful purpose. It only encourages those who have been rejected by the people or others to be brought into Parliament through the back door via the senate as in law Parliament also includes the senate,” he told a press conference, here.

He said a unicameral house with a single legislative chamber, as is the position in Singapore, would be best suited in the public interest.

Karpal, who is also the Bukit Gelugor member of parliament, said the inclusion of Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, Datuk Idris Jala, Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, Datuk Dr J Loga Bala Mohan, Datuk Ahmad Bashar Md Hanipah and Watha Moorthy in the new cabinet after the 13th general election was a mockery.

He said such personalities, who do not hold a single seat either in the Dewan Rakyat or in any of the state assemblies, should be shown the door and not allowed entry through the back door via the senate.

“Any cabinet worth its name must, of necessity, include personalities of integrity and high public standing and that assessment can only be through direct election by the people and not by appointment,” he added. — Bernama

He said promoting the culture to the public was a challenge particularly for museum staff and the media.

“The department cannot do it alone so the people must play a role too,” he told a press conference at Muzium Negara yesterday.

He also acknowledged that for people to be drawn to the museums, the visits must be made more recreative other than just for the purpose of getting knowledge. — Bernama

P Waythamoorthy

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairman P Waythamoorthy has promised to solve the problems faced by the Indian community and bring positive changes to its socio-economic position in the next five years.

Waythamoorthy, who has been appointed deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said he would focus on displaced estate workers, stateless people, education and business and job opportunities among the community.

Describing his appointment as an opportunity to remove the community’s problems, he said: “From now on, we will bring the voice of the poor to the government, and ensure Indians gain their legitimate rights.”

At a press conference here yesterday, the 47-year-old lawyer also lambasted his critics, especially opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, DAP and their cybertroopers.

“To those critics, we say, go ahead and say whatever you want. We will prove all of you wrong and make you swallow your words in time. The people will take care of you in the next (general) election.”

The Kelantan-born Waythamoorthy also denied that his appointment as a deputy minister was due to the memorandum of understanding signed between Hindraf and Barisan Nasional (BN) on
April 18.

On the friction between him and his brother, Uthayakumar, he said the latter was expelled from the movement and had no right to criticise Hindraf. — Bernama

Managing director Datuk Dr Kamarul Rashdan Salleh said they made up ten per cent of the 8,914 contractors involved in such projects and a majority of them faced financial constraints, manpower shortage and lacked experience in completing the houses.

“The number (of contractors) blacklisted now is alarming compared with only 120 contractors two years ago.

“However, SPNB will offer them another chance by orientating and exposing them to all facets of the building industry,” he told reporters after delivering a lecture at the Global Chairman Lecture Series Programme here yesterday.

He said the rehabilitation programmes would help identify the real constraints and feedback received would be compiled and submitted to the relevant ministry or to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Should they fail even after the second attempt, they would not be listed as our contractors anymore. We are facing problems in completing the housing projects abandoned by these contractors,” he added.

Meanwhile, SPNB would build 10,307 new PMR houses, at RM65,000 each, this year, out of which, 1,265 units would be built in Kelantan, the second highest state to benefit from the PMR project. — Bernama

He said as a medical practitioner, he would focus on increasing public awareness on healthy lifestyle by ensuring that they understood and practised the concept of “prevention is better than cure”.

“The people’s hopes can be fulfilled also through a more efficient service delivery system. We have to emphasise primary health care and early prevention of diseases which could reduce health costs.”

He said this at a news conference after attending a farewell reception for him hosted by the Human Resources Ministry, here, yesterday.

Dr Subramaniam said a number of diseases like diabetes could be controlled at the early stage by practising a healthy lifestyle, but the failure to do so would not only adversely affect health but would also incur a high treatment expenditure.

On his experience of helming the Human Resources Ministry previously, he said some new elements were introduced like the minimum monthly pay of RM900 and raising the retirement age to 60 for private sector employees (effective July 1, 2013), and free medical examination for Socso (Social Security Organisation) members aged 40 and above, which were all well received by the public.

He said 1.9 million private sector workers would benefit from the free health screening, implemented since January 2013.

Dr Subramaniam also reminded that the combination of three parties — workers, employers and government — in continuing to take the best approach in resolving arising problems would contribute to the nation’s wellbeing. — Bernama