Kenali Tokoh Ini..

Saya terlibat dalam perniagaan ini
kerana saya tiada pilihan lain......

read more..
http://penaminang.blogspot.com/2009/11/mari-berkenalan-dengan-syed-mokhtar-al.html

A Good Lesson To All about Safety

Blast a lesson on occupational safety, says Lam Thye
 
PETALING JAYA: The gas explosion in a Malacca mall which killed one person and injured 16 others could have been avoided if all safety measures had been adhered to, said National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
 
Regarding it as yet another lapse in the practice of occupational safety and health at the workplace, Lee said it was sad that such incidents continued to happen.
 
“Lives could have been saved if people did not regard safety at workplaces as a light matter and again, this should be a lesson for all quarters,” he said here yesterday.
 
Lee said a comprehensive occupational safety and health management system implemented at workplaces should include elements of hazard identification and risk assessment and control, especially for those vulnerable to such dangers.
 
“By right, hazard identification and risk assessment should be conducted before work starts at a site,” he pointed out. Lee added that it was time for workplace safety to be taken seriously.
 
The explosion ripped a two-metre wide hole in the wall of the soon-to-open complex and killed Old Town White Coffee supervisor Tiau See Peing, who suffered a neck wound caused by flying debris

The Star Online, Wednesday December 16, 2009
 
* Planters out there shall be alert at all times that the price of safety is nothing until accidents happen.

Malaysia-Indonesia should speak in one voice in defending anti-palm oil campaign

Malaysia-Indonesia should speak in one voice in defending anti-palm oil campaign.

Malaysia should not be alone in battling the anti-palm oil smear campaign, mounted by European activists and non-government organisations (NGOs), former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Tuesday.

“Indonesia is also a leading oil palm producer. If both countries can join forces and speak out in one voice, it will be more effective,” he said in his keynote address at the Malaysia-Indonesia Economic Seminar 2009.

Dr Mahathir said the positive outcome would not only benefit Malaysia but Indonesia and other major palm oil producers.

Read more at http://www.palmoilhq.com/PalmOilNews/malaysia-indonesia-should-speak-in-one-voice-in-defending-anti-palm-oil-campaign/

Maximise Profit From This Bugger

Refershing...

Becareful my fellow friend...

Bio Asli UK

Best Of The Best.

Brutal Power 31 Lotion. A truly amazing 100% all natural sexual health products manufactured to meet world standard. You are guaranteed of result. It is the hottest sexual health product on the internet.

Therefore it is truly natural and healthy products that you can count on to overcome

your problem, regain your virility and self esteem and it is anti aging........
That's why it is the number 1 sexual health product in Malaysia.

The history of the creation of Brutal Power 31 Lotion

The formulation of this product is specially designed to overcome the problem of premature ejaculation amongst men. The company received numerous emails from the public requesting Bioasli to create a specially formulated herbal product base on virgin coconut oil to overcome men's premature ejaculation. Among an interesting case is a guy who got married to a divorcee of 2 kids. He had been very worried because he frequently succumb to the aggressive performance of his wife in bed. This caused his wife to whine and complained and demanded that he should look for medication to make him last longer in bed. The husband honestly requested Bioasli to create a sexual enhancement product to help men to have better endurance.

In another case, a wife wrote to the Company in her email asking about a product that could help her husband last longer in bed even with aggressive performance. The wife related that she is much satisfied with the size and length but the problem is he climaxed too soon, not even 3 minutes. " I have bought many products for my husband to try but they don't seem to be able to satisfy me...please assist my husband. Another case, we received an email from a husband in doldrums because he can only last 2 to 3 minutes in bed with his wife. He had to repeat his performance after a 1 hour interval just to satisfy his wife, even that on many occasions he still fail to satisfy her, he pleaded with Bioasli to assist him, and there are many other cases of husband's premature ejaculation problems...

To overcome the problem Bioasli conducted a study on several herbs in the Far East region to be formulated to increase the endurance of men during intercourse. After a long search in and out of the jungle and laboratory, finally BRUTAL POWER 31 lotion was created in 2005. The unique meaning of 31 is, the wife is able to reach 3 climaxes against 1 for the husband. Until today thousands of this product has been sold throughout Malaysia and worldwide because of its greatness...

Happy Eidul Fitr

Wishing all customers, friends, relatives and visitors to my planters blog a very Happy Eidul Fitr. I seek your forgiveness.

May Allah bless us in all our good undertakings.

From Mohd Nor Sulaiman & Family.

+6013-3311321

www.mns2121.ws/svr2u

www.mns2121.ws/gdi

Happy Merdeka Day, Malaysia.

We like to wish all folks of Malaysia life a Happy Merdeka Day.

We shall unite against racism, intolerance, any crime acts, race base party and shall strongly promote peace, harmony and respect. Don't let the tragedy repeated due to emotions and hatred.

Happy Merdeka Day.

Hepatitis C

I just wanted to bring to your attention, that Hepatitis B and C are life-threatening viruses. Hepatitis C spreads from blood-to-blood contact. Even having a haircut at a barber's shop might get you infected.Electrical clippers, scissors or sometimes unchanged razors used on a person might nick someone with the virus, and the unsterilised tools used on another patron.

Studies have suggested that the Hepatitis C virus can live outside of the body in dried blood for four days!In United States it is a government requirement for barbers to disinfect their scissors, comb and electrical clippers after cutting each client's hair.In barbershops in the US, they usually keep a jar of 'barbicide' (a disinfectant manufatured by King Research) to disinfect tools. A client can request that all equipment be disinfected prior to getting a cut.

In Malaysia, however, there is no control of disinfecting the hair clippers, scissors or combs. A barber could unintentionally be infecting someone with Hepatitis C.Sometimes the virus can also spread at dental clinics, if the equipment has not been sterilised.There need to be an awareness among the public, health ministry and the barbers to prevent the spread of hepatitis C virus and to put up signboards outside barber shops.Patrons need to be taught to request the barber to disinfect their equipment. At the same time the Health Ministry should take better control of the situation.

Patrick ChinAug 26, 093:23pm http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/111455

Malaysia Oil Refinery

There will not be a proliferation of refineries in the country despite the possibility of a few coming onstream in the next few years as the new capacity is targeted for overseas consumption, industry players said.

A H1N1: PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

Most N95 respirators are designed to filter 95% particulates of 0.3µ, while the size of H1N1 virus is about 0.1µ. Hence, dependence on N95 to protect against H1N1 is like protecting against rain with an umbrella made of mosquito net.Tamiflu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation.

H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tracts and proliferates (only) there.. The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/ throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not the problem but proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps - not fully highlighted in most official communications - can be practised (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications)

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Sutra Neti (a very good Yoga asana to clean the nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

SOFT SKILLS

A successful executive is someone who has mastered the following skills:

Technical skill

Human skill

Conceptual skill

Not only that, he has a high emotional quotient and he generates the following positive emotions:

1. Flexible: He is willing to listen to others and accept the best course of action even though it is not his idea.

2. Passionate: He takes his job whole-heartedly. He enjoys his work and likes the challenges that come with the job

3. Energetic: He works with full concentration and his performance is at his peak

4. Motivated: He is looked upon as a valued employee and he is encouraged to be more productive and more effective.

5. Curious: There is never a dull moment while he is at work He is always on the lookout for new trend or development within and outside the company. By doing this he is on top of things.

6. Empathetic: He cares for his co-workers as much as he cares for himself. Whatever he does, due consideration is given to others around him.

7. Positive: He looks at things on the bright side. And he is always looking for the strengths of a person rather than his shortcomings.

8. Happy: He wears a smile at the workplace and he acknowledges people warmly when he meets them. The workers sense a feeling of acceptance.

9. Creative: As a problem solver, he is resourceful and innovative

10. Courageous: Once a decision is taken he will take action immediately even it may be a new project without proven results.

11. Confident: He is very sure of himself to get things done. His high self-esteem is a moral support for other staff

12. Optimistic: He has an optimistic outlook in life. He always expects success and good things to happen.

13. Enthusiastic: He is excited about his work and he looks forward to each new day with high hope.

14. Focus: He gets into the flow of things while he is working. He is not easily distracted.

15. Calm: He may be working under pressure but he works calmly. He will not

show negative emotions such as anger at the work place.

Positive emotions facilitate productivity and effectiveness and also promote good health and well-being.

Related posts:
http://allaboutlivingwithlife.blogspot.com/2009/07/3-pillars-of-success-iq-eq-and-aq.html

GO PETAI...

Little did you know ...... after reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at petai in the same way again!

Petai contains three natural sugars -sucrose, fructose and glucose. Combined with fiber, petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that just two servings of petai provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout..

No wonder petai is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way petai can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating petai. This is because petai contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS(premenstrual syndrome): Forget the pills - eat petai. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anaemi a: High in iron, petai can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the petai industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power : 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating petai at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.Understand that bananas contain lot of potassium too so eat more banana. Just look at those monkeys, they are really active, alert, smart and cunny too!!

Constipation: High in fiber, including petai in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a petai milkshake, sweetened with honey. The petai calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Petai has a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating petai for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness :Snacking on petai between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites :Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of the petai skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Petai is high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight: Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report c oncluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: Petai is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control :Many other cultures see petai as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In hoiland, for example, pregnant women eat petai to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affecti ve Disorder (SAD) : Petai can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

Smoking: Petai can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium petai snack.

Strokes: According to research in "The New Engla nd Journal of Medicine, " eating petai as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%".

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of petai and place it on the wart. Carefully hold the petai in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, as you can see, petai really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals... It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A Petai a day keeps the doctor away".

FLU PREVENTIVE

ACHTUNG !!!

AAA BRAKE

Thailand, 5 August 2009: Thai rescue workers remove a wreckage Bangkok Airways ATR 72 aircraft crashed into an old air control tower at the airport of Samui island, southern Thailand, 05 August 2009. Bangkok Airways flight PG266 en route from Krabi to Samui Island lost control when landing in a rainstorm and slid into one of the buildings along the runway killing the pilot as six passengers were injured, including four who broke their legs, two from Britain and one each from Switzerland and Italy. EPA

NOTE: THE PILOT FAILED TO APPLY AAA BRAKE BEFORE CRASH....

SUKA HATI ASTRO SAJA !!!

Caj tambahan RM12 sukan Astro melampau - NGO

KUALA LUMPUR - Beberapa pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) melahirkan rasa kurang senang terhadap tindakan Astro mengenakan bayaran tambahan RM12 sebulan untuk pakej sukan Astro melalui bil bulan ini.

Presiden Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia, Datuk Dr. Maamor Osman berkata, kerajaan perlu meneliti semula syarat dan terma yang telah diberikan kepada Astro supaya syarikat televisyen berbayar itu tidak mengaut keuntungan tanpa memikirkan bebanan kepada pelanggan. "Astro sepatutnya menjalankan tanggungjawab sosial korporat mereka kerana rancangan sukan adalah satu daripada cara untuk menggalakkan masyarakat menjalani gaya hidup sihat," katanya.

Bernama, 6/8/2009.

NOTA:

1. NAMPAKNYA ASTRO CUBA MENGAMBIL UNTUNG DGN CARA YG 'UNETHICAL', MENTANG2 LAH ASTRO BOLEH MENGUBAH SYARAT2 LANGANAN SESUKA HATI...

2. PENGGUNA PERLU BERSUARA TEGAS, ATAU JIKA PERLU KITA BOIKOT RAMAI2 DAN TAMATKAN LANGANAN ASTRO SERTA-MERTA. BIAR PADAN MUKA DEPA.

3. SYARIKAT2 MANA SEKALIPUN YG BOLEH MENGUBAH SESUKA HATI SYARAT2 PERNIAGAAN/PERKHIDMATAN MEREKA WAJAR DIBOIKOT SAMA KERANA ETIKA PERNIAGAAN YG SALAH, TIDAK ADIL DAN BERAT SEBELAH SHJ.

PHOTO EVIDENCE

s

s

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Shocking evidence about Jaya Supermarket collapse story.

Somebody are liar, a plain liar....

goto: http://www.mmail.com.my/content/mail-says-look-these-jaya-pictures-again

ELECTRIC SUPPLY FROM OIL MILLS

CBIP mulls power supply to rural areas via palm oil mills

PalmOilHQ August 3, 2009 9:00 GMT+8

Palm oil mills can use biomass and biogas to generate electricity and contribute to the national grid, says CB Industrial Product’s managing director. CB Industrial Product Holding Bhd (CBIP) (7076), known for its automated Modipalm mills and organic fertiliser plants, is looking to build renewable energy plants to power up rural villages surrounding oil palm estates.

With almost 30 years of experience in building palm oil mills, CBIP has evolved to be a niche mechanical engineer that offers green technology at affordable rates in the oil palm industry. “Palm oil mills are more or less self-sufficient now. From being a consumer, mills can use biomass and biogas to generate electricity and contribute to the national grid,” managing director Lim Chai Beng told Business Times in an interview in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Lim said the next step in the right direction is to find ways to generate electricity more efficiently and lower the cost of hooking up to the national grid so that rural villages within 5km from the mill can enjoy continuous power supply.Asked how soon this renewable energy plant initiative can materialise, Lim said much will depend on incentives to be offered by the government to oil palm estate owners. “Right now, the return on investment is not worthwhile. There has to be some incentives from the government.”

On CBIP’s core business, Lim said oil palm planters have everything to gain to upgrade their conventional mill to an automated Modipalm. “A Modipalm is compact. It takes up less space, fuel and labour; produces more and better quality oil; and is kinder to the environment,” he said. At a Modipalm mill, there is no need for tractors and hydraulic skid-steer loaders or wire-rope winches to move the fruit-cages around. There is also no need for monorail hoists to lift the cages to the threshing machine.

This means less machinery to maintain and, in two shifts, the Modipalm mill only need 25 workers or half the staff strength to operate a conventional 40-tonne mill processing 200,000 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches in a year. Also, since mill owners need not invest in that many tractors, there is savings on diesel and tyres. In the Modipalm continuous sterilisation process, fruit bunches are split using a double-roller bunch splitter for effective air-removal and steam penetration. Low pressure steam is used throughout the whole process.

Since Modipalm does not have any high-pressure cookers, it is not subjected to annual shutdown for inspection and certification by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, thus, reducing maintenance cost and downtime in the mill. Lim estimates that the annual savings a planter stands to enjoy from a Modipalm mill are some RM700,000. “Less workers also means less houses to be built on the plantation. So, you see, it is worthwhile to invest in a Modipalm mill,” he said.

On better quality oil, Lim explained that since there is less oxygen in the low-pressure sterilisation chamber, the oil in the fruits is subject to less oxidation. “Refiners welcome this kind of oil quality as it is more cost- effective to process into cooking oil and oleochemicals,” he said.
The oxidative status of crude palm oil is measured by its deterioration of bleachability index (dobi), and the minimum level must be above 2.3. Lim said that the dobi value of the crude palm oil extracted from a Modipalm mill is above 3.

With a 15-year patent registered in Malaysia and Indonesia, CBIP enjoys exclusive rights to supply Modipalm mills until 2019. Its major clients include Felda, Sime Darby Bhd, Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd, Tradewinds Plantation Bhd, TH Plantation Bhd and United Plantations Bhd. In Indonesia, CBIP counts Sinar Mas Group, Wilmar International Ltd and Astra Agro Lestari Group as its clients. CBIP has also built Modipalm mills for Cargill Asia Pacific and Ramu Sugar Plantation in Papua New Guinea.

CBIP uses flat steel and U-shaped beams to build Modipalm mills. It buys these raw materials from local manufacturer Megasteel Sdn Bhd. High pressured parts made from higher quality steel are imported from Japan and Europe. Asked if the change in government policy from August 1 2009 that requires Certificate of Approval on imported steel will have an adverse effect on CBIP business, Lim said: “For now, we see marginal impact as we source the bulk of our flat steel and U-shaped beams locally.” “We’re actually more concerned about the strength of the US dollar and palm oil prices in the commodities market,” he added.

DILEMMA OF 'ANAK LADANG'

Dilemma of the plantation kids
The Star By STEPHEN THEN, Monday August 3, 2009

ULU REJANG: The Government is concerned that the establishment of oil palm plantations in what were once logging territories in interior Sarawak could see foreign workers dumping their local “wives” and children when they return home. “This is a going to be a big problem that we foresee because based on current statistics, there are many plantations in Sarawak that have already employed thousands of foreign workers who are single men.

“Out of every 1,000 workers in the plantations now, only 30 are native Sarawakians. The rest are from Indonesia and other countries,” said Deputy Home Minister Jelaing Mersat. “If these foreign workers are here for a few years, there is a great possibility they will ‘marry’ native girls.

Getting to know you: Penan kids in the Ulu Rejang constituency of Kapit division, central Sarawak posing for a photograph during the visit by the MPs last week. “We will then have a major dilemma because babies from such a union will have difficulty getting citizenship in our country.” He said there would then be thousands of babies and children in rural Sarawak who could be stateless and whose parents are separated.

“They will grow up without birth certificates and MyKads and there will be no way we can trace their fathers,” Mersat said when interviewed during his visit to interior Kapit last week.
Also with him were Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, Ulu Rejang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo and a delegation of 16 MPs from the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club who visited interior central Sarawak last Tuesday to Friday.

Mersat visited a National Registration Department mobile team which had gone to seven settlements to register stateless Penans and other natives. The deputy minister urged local community leaders and state assemblymen and MPs to go to the ground to warn the natives folks against getting into relationships with foreign workers.

“They are here to work on a temporary basis only and they must then leave the country.
“Getting married to them and having children with them will create life-long dilemmas that even the Government will find hard to resolve,” he said. He urged plantation companies who hired foreign workers to warn them of the same. According to statistics gathered by The Star, there are at least 80,000 foreign workers employed in oil palm plantations in Sarawak.

Some of these plantations measure up to 50,000 hectares each and employed up to 3,000 workers at any one time. These workers are free to move around the plantation, visit native longhouses and settlements and even go to rural villages and towns during their days off.

NOTE: THE BEST AND AWFUL THING IS WHEN THE CULPRITS ARE ILLEGAL. SO THAT THE 'ANAK LADANG' WILL BECOME CACA MARBA GENERATIONS WITH COMPLICATED RESIDENT STATUS AND SO ON...

NARSCO DEBT TO BE SETTLED

Narsco debt solution this week
TheSundaily by Tim Leonard, Sun, 02 Aug 2009

PETALING JAYA (Aug 2, 2009): The Rural and Regional Development Ministry hopes all parties linked to the debts incurred by the National Rubber Smallholders Cooperative (Narsco) can reach an amicable solution by this week.

A senior aide of Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal told theSun recently that the minister was personally looking into the problem and hoped the cooperative "can negotiate an appropriate settlement with its creditors soonest possible"."The ministry is in the last stages of negotiations (with Narsco) to solve the problem and the outcome will be known (this week). The minister wants Narsco’s issues to end soon because he is unhappy with the negative publicity it has been receiving lately," he added.

Meanwhile, Shafie, when met at the GiatMara-JHEOA and Proton training partnership programme launch on Thursday, refused to comment on the Narsco issue.theSun had on July 15 highlighted how the cooperative, which was set up to help rubber smallholders in the country, chalked up debts of more than RM60 million to suppliers and business partners.After paying the bulk of its debts, Narsco still owes more than RM20 million.

theSun also highlighted the N. Appalanaidu, 55, who almost became a bankrupt after Narsco failed pay for the supply of latex.He filed a suit with the Kuala Lumpur High Court and won the case against Narsco's subsidiary company Narsco Commodities Sdn Bhd in 2005.theSun also carried a front page report on Tuesday revealing how the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) issued undertaking letters dating back to 2002 on behalf of Narsco.

The letter, signed by its chairman and director-general, promised suppliers that all monies owed by Narsco will be paid soonest possible.Narsco was formerly under Risda but both entities parted ways following mounting debts in 2006.The debts were blamed on poor management and fluctutaing rubber prices by Narsco's new chairman Datuk Jamaluddin Tot.

Agrobank offer RM200m

Agrobank Offers Collateral And Guarantor-Free Agri Loans
Bernama: August 01, 2009 16:17 PM
By Mohamad Bakri Darus

MELAKA, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Agrobank is offering collateral-and-guarantor-free loans to small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector through the micro credit scheme worth RM300 million under the stimulus package worth RM300 million.

The bank's Acting Managing Director, Ahmad Said, said the scheme offers a maximum loan of RM50,000 for the production of major food items while those involved in processing, marketing and business operations are eligible for a loan of up to RM20,000."Since it was launched last June, some RM200 million of the fund had yet to be disbured to those who needed start-up capital for their projects," he told Bernama after handing out out tithes from the bank last night.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam officiated at the function.Under the second stimulus package, the government allocated RM300 million through Agrobank as start-up capital for the rakyat to undertake agri and resource-based agricultural activities.Ahmad said entrepreneurs should quickly grab the opportunity to get the loans especially youths and workers who have recently been laid off due to the economic slowdown and wanting to start a new venture.

"If they are keen to rear chickens or breed goats and cows or rear fish in ponds or plant cash crops such as bananas and corn, they can get loans from Agrobank," he said.He said that Agrobank also gave advise and monitored the progress of their projects to ensure that they succeed."Those who are interested can contact the nearest Agrobank branches and if they meet the loan conditions, they would be eligible to get the funds as fast as possible," he said.The repayment period is up to five years.

Meanwhile, Agrobank, formerly known as Bank Pertanian Malaysia before it was corporatised in April 2008, would continue to help develop the agricultural sector and resource-based agri activities as contaiend under its original aims.Agrobank which now has 167 branches including kiosks employs 2,800 people, also offers various other products and services.

Agrobank has also handed out business tithes worth RM1,705,437 last year compared with RM1,320,320 in 2007.In Melaka, Agrobank paid business tithes amounting to RM33,687 to the Melaka Tithe Centre as well as to the poor, orphans and several mosques.

-- BERNAMA

Agrobank tawar RM200 juta

MELAKA - Agrobank mempelawa pengusaha kecil dan sederhana (PKS) dalam bidang pertanian dan industri asas tani yang memerlukan modal, mendapatkannya menerusi skim Mikro Pakej Rangsangan Ekonomi yang mempunyai dana sebanyak RM300 juta.

Pemangku Pengarah Urusan Agrobank, Ahmad Said berkata, pinjaman tanpa penjamin dan cagaran itu, menawarkan pinjaman maksimum RM50,000 bagi kategori pengeluaran utama makanan manakala kategori pemprosesan, pemasaran dan peniagaan sehingga RM20,000.

"Sejak dilancarkan Jun lepas, masih terdapat kira-kira RM200 juta lagi untuk diberikan kepada mereka yang memerlukan modal untuk projek berkaitan,'' katanya kepada Bernama selepas majlis penyerahan wang zakat perniagaan Agrobank 2008 di sini, malam kelmarin.

Ketua Menteri Melaka, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam merasmikan majlis berkenaan.

NOTE: so fellow planters, go and grab it for your agric bizz..

STAY AWAY FROM ANY RALLIES

NOTE: I PERSONALLY ADVISE ALL PEOPLES TO AVOID PARTICIPATING IN ANY ILLEGAL RALLIES.... THERE SO MANY WAYS TO EXPRESS VIEWS...

Call to stay away from ISA rallies
The nst oline: 2009/07/31

KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry has advised the people to stay away from rallies supporting or opposing the abolition of the Internal Security Act tomorrow.

Minister Datuk Seri Hi-shammuddin Hussein said the ministry wanted to prevent the issue from creating a negative impact on the security and interest of the country. "If they violate the law, stern action will be taken against them, no matter if they are pro-ISA or contra-ISA. "I will not compromise on this until the security and interest of the country are assured," he said after presenting special contributions to ex-policemen who served during the Emergency (1948-1962) in Kuala Terengganu yesterday.

Hishammuddin was commenting on the ultimatum from Pembela Negara Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations Council (Magaran) giving the Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) until 5pm yesterday to cancel a rally scheduled for tomorrow.

Magaran, which comprises 56 non-governmental organisations with more than 100,000 members, had said that if GMI persisted with its plan, it would not hesitate to hold a rally to send a memorandum supporting the ISA to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the same day.
Hishammuddin said he had told Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to take stern action against those participating in the rallies."I have also instructed Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman to monitor the rallies."The public was also advised not to take part in the rallies as the government had earlier agreed to review the ISA, he said.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar has advised the organisers to cancel their plans and inform the public.He said police had not received applications for permits from the two groups to hold rallies. GMI had announced plans for an assembly of 100,000 people at Masjid Jamek, Sogo shopping complex and Masjid Negara tomorrow.The group will later march from these locations to Istana Negara to hand over a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong asking the king to call on the government to abolish the ISA.

On the same day, an opposing coalition of Majlis Pemuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris), Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) and other NGOs said they would hold an assembly at Padang Merbok, Pasar Seni and Masjid Negara in support of the ISA.Ismail said even though both organisers claimed that the events would be held peacefully, they were still unlawful and a threat to public order."Our intelligence shows that there is already an element of instigation and provocation between the two groups, each with its own agenda."If the assemblies and rally proceed, it can give rise to tension."

Documentary on Palm Oil

Asian Food Channel (AFC), ASTRO channel 703 will showing a documentary titled PALM OIL: GOOD FAT, BAD FAT since July 14, and will be repeated in Sep 09..

The documentary can be viewed at the following airtime:

Date / Day / Time
14, July (Wednesday) 09.00 pm.
15, July (Wednesday) 01.00 am.
15, July (Wednesday) 11.00 am.
18, July (Saturday) 12.00 noon
18, July (Saturday) 10.00 pm.
1, September (Tuesday) 09.00 pm.
2, September (Wednesday) 01.00 am.
2, September (Wednesday) 11.00 am.
5, September (Saturday) 12.00 noon
5, September (Saturday) 10.00 pm.

Don't Miss It.

Word Of The Day

Never Despair, but if you do, work on in despair... Edmund Burke

Eucalyptus Investments

Eucalyptus Forestry Return of 8% - 14% P/A

Eucalyptus investments have been quoted to “achieve results that either meet or exceed the requirements of major international pension fund investors with rates in excess of 20%” *
*(Quote Taken From Findings by the INIA Governmental Agriculture Department)

Investments Benefit From -

Country Stability
Investment of 7,695 euros
6.175 acre parcels planted with 4,150 trees.
Projected returns of 8% - 14% per annum.
Additional government funding through SEMARSH (re-forestation credits).
Harvest projected at between years 6 to 7.
Strong domestic markets.
3,600 Hectares currently under management.
Annual reports to clients.
Solid legal framework.
Establishment Guarantee

visit http://intranet.greenwood-management.com/

Innovate..

My fellow planters especially in African country shall encounter this matters..

And the buzz words shortly afterwards is INNOVATION...

Happy days.

BEWARE OF NESCAFE

SHARING IS CARING: THIS ARTICLE NEED FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS FROM ANYONE EXPERT IN HEALTH OR FOOD SPECIALIST

Nescafe 3 in 1 merosakkan jantung & buah pinggang

Zaman skarang ni, banyak penyakit datang dari pemakanan.....

Beberapa hari lepas saya dikunjungi oleh seorang pelajar lelaki tahun akhir. Sudah beberapa bulan pelajar ini tidak bertemu dengan saya. Pelajar ini mengemukakan beberapa masalah kumpulannya untuk diselesaikan oleh saya sebagai seorang penasihat akademiknya. Alhamdulillah masalah dapat diselesaikan.

Selepas hajat terlaksana, pelajar ini yang saya namakan sebagai Ahmad menukar topik kepada topik kesihatan dirinya. Beliau mengadukan masalah dirinya. Beliau dapat merasakan kemerosotan tahap kesihatan dirinya. Berikut adalah antara tanda-tanda yang dapat dikenalpasati:

Kerap berdebar tidak menentu masa. Kadang-kadang waktu membaca tiba-tiba jantung / dada berdebar dengan laju.

1. Bila jantung berdebar ini berlaku, ia akan diikuti dengan dahi berpeluh
2. Beliau juga kerap merasakan kesakitan pada dadanya.
3. Sering mencungap dan kadang-kadang kala sewaktu sembahyang pun mencungap.
4. Semakin tidak tahan atau alah dengan panas terik matahari dan jikalau kena panas, badannya akan banyak berpeluh dan tidak selesa.
5. Jikalau tahun lepas, kekerapan simptom-simptom di atas agak jarang namun kebelakangan ini, kekerapan kejadian semakin kerap sehingga satu kali serangan dalam setiap 2/3 hari.
6. Tapak tangannya.semakin basah.

Berdasarkan simptom yang saya perolehi saya terus menyoal tabiat permakanannya. Selepas mendapat data yang dikehendaki saya pun memberikan penjelasan 'Ahmad, engkau ni walau pun usia masih muda, jantung engkau sudah bermasalah. Punca masalah engkau ini adalah kerana engkau kerap meminum Nescafe 3 in one. Nescafe adalah tidak baik dan merosak buah pinggang manakala krimer yang terdapat di dalam campuran ini sangat merosak jantung. Krimer ini bukan diperbuat dari susu tetapi adalah dibuat dari kelapa sawit (non dairy creamer)'

Selanjutnya saya menasihati Ahmad untuk melakukan perkara berikut untuk merawat jantungnya:

1. Elakkan dari meminum Nescafe yang merosak buah pinggang dan elakkan sama sekali apa jua jenis krimer yang dibuat dari selain susu (non dairy creamer)
2. Elakkan dari mengambil coffee mate kerana ia adalah non dairy creamer
3. Elakkan makan ais krim kerana mengandungi krimmer yang tinggi
4. Elakkan susu pekat manis yang mengandungi krimer dari selain susu.

5. Elakkan memakan sebarang makanan yang mengandungi margarine
6. Elakkan memakan burger, naget, kentang goreng, potato chip dan segala yang sewaktu dengannya
7. Elakkan mandi selepas makan
8. Amalkan amalan: Ambil segenggam kacang hijau, rendam dalam air kira-kira 10 minit,selepas itu rebus asal masak dan bukan rebus sehingga pecah tanpa membubuh garam. Selepas itu buang air rebusan dan makanlah kacang hijau ini dan amalkan amalan ini setiap hari.

9. Boleh beli jintan hitam dan makan setiap hari atau pun belilah yang sudah siap diproses atas nama habbatussauda
10. Amalkan makan sayuran pahit seperti kailan, peria, pegaga, daun ubi, pucuk betik, ulam-ulam dsbnya.
11.. Kurangkan makan nasi lemak terutama sekali nasi lemak di kedai kerana mereka mencampurkan minyak masak kepada nasi lemak agar nasi lemak ini kelihatan cantik berderai dan tidak melekat.

Kepada yang mulai menghadapi masalah dengan jantungnya atau yang sudah lama bermasalah jantung, bolehlah mengamalkan amalan di atas.


Dear Friends,
I'm strongly agreed on these issues because it happens to one of my friend in HSS Integrated Consultant. Beliau sekarang menjalani rawatan dialysis setiap 3 hari. Now its been already 9 years he is suffering with this kidney problem. The doctor yang check dia kata, the main cause is:

1. Breakfast with Nescafe
2. 10am break with Nescafe
3. Lunch with Nescafe ais
4. Minum petang also with Nescafe.
5. Malam supper pun pekena Nescafe.

So, hope for best for those who still love Nescafe.

Avoid These People

They are your friends and relatives but they are not looking for friendship or long term relationship. They are looking for something else.

1. For money:

You have a lot of friends because you are rich. They think, hopefully they can take advantage of your wealth. According to Oprah Winfrey, “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.’

2. For power:

You are in an enviable position, perhaps, in one of the government departments. Many people visit you every day. They want to get your influence to get their own things done quickly and smoothly. The moment you are no longer in that position they all desert you.

3. For personal gain:

They are usually your relatives. They normally don’t visit you. When they do see you because they want to sell something to yousuch as an insurance policy. When they get what they want you don’t see them any more.

4. For sex:

This is for the ladies. Beware of people with hidden agenda. They may be kind to you and flatter you. They promise you heaven and hell. When they get what they want you will not get what they have promised you and you also don’t see them any more.

5. For help:

I have a relative, usually he does not visit me. One dayhe visited me and asked for a personal loan. As the person is in financial difficulties I willingly helped him out. The person now is doing well but there is not a word of appreciation from him let alone the repayment of the loan.

6. For gossip:

She is usually your neighbor who is always hunting for juicy news.Keep your personal affair to yourself or the bad news will spread like wild fire to all your friends and relatives.

7. For ‘helping’ you:

The person gives you an impression that he is helping you to get a job or get something done. While he is doing it he is also asking for your help. Without hesitation, you do what you can to assist him. Later, he will give you all sorts of excuse that he can’t deliver what he has promised.

Have you come across these types of people?

Do you know of other types of people to avoid?

Ask yourself !!!

BETTER PAY PLEASE..

Plantation owners told to offer better pay
the nst online: 2009/07/20


PENAMPANG: Plantation owners must offer better homes and higher salaries if they want Malaysians to work for them.

The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry is talking to estate bosses about upgrading the facilities to make plantation work more attractive to Malaysians and reduce the dependence on foreign labour.

About half-a-million workers are employed in the plantation sector.

Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said some estate owners had already improved their benefits to attract more Malaysians.

Asked if poor pay and housing were what made the plantation sector unattractive to locals, he said: "This is something we are looking at. It's a combination of many reasons."

He was speaking to reporters after opening a seminar on career opportunities in the plantation and commodity sectors at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association hall yesterday.

The ministry is also looking at training Malaysians to fill jobs in factories and other downstream activities from oil palm, rubber and tree planting.

"Plantations are not just about planting and harvesting. There are many downstream activities and this is what we need to tell people looking for jobs.

"There are openings in the small- and medium-scale industry sector that Malaysians can explore."

The plantation sector has changed from a producer of raw material to an exporter of finished high-value-added products worth RM70 billion annually to more than a hundred nations, said a banner put up at the hall.

SIMPLE GUIDE BUYING HOUSE..

Just Jokes..

1. Too Long in The Desert

A man was stranded in the desert for ten years. One day, a woman in a wetsuit walked up to this man and said, "Would you like a cigar ?" The man said, "Lady, I ain't smoked in ten years." So, the woman unzipped the left arm of her wetsuit, and pulled out a cigar. Then, she said, "Would you like a drink ?" The man said, "Lady, I ain't drank in ten years." So, she unzipped the right arm of her wetsuit, and pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels. Last, she unzipped the front of her wetsuit and said, "Would you like to play around ?" The man said with astonishment... "You mean to tell me that you got a golf set in there, too?!?!"

2. Aging Women

Between the ages of 16 and 18, she is like Africa, virgin and unexplored. Between the ages of 19 and 35, she is like Asia, hot and exotic. Between the ages of 36 and 45, she is like America, fully explored, breathtakingly beautiful, and free with her resources. Between the ages of 46 and 56 she is like Europe, exhausted but still has points of interest. After 56, she is like Australia, everybody knows it's down there but who gives a damn.

3. Right in the Groove

A hippy walks into a Bar and Grill. The waiter comes up to him and asks him if he wants anything. So the Hippy says 'Yeah a cheeseburger. Not too well done, not to rare, but right in the groove.' So the waiter brings his burger and asks if he wants anything to drink. He says 'A cup of tea. Not too hot, not too cold, but right in the Groove.' The waiter's kinda getting pissed now, but he brings the tea and kinda slams it on the table. Little while later the waiter comes back and asks the Hippy if he wants any dessert. He says 'Yeah some ice cream. Not too chocolate, not too vanilla, but right in the Groove.' So the waiter says 'Why don't you kiss my ass. Not the right cheek, not the left cheek, but right in the Groove!'

4. 365 days to one?

A man takes his wife to the stock show. They start heading down the alley that had the bulls. They come up to the first bull and his sign stated: "This bull mated 50 times last year." The wife turns to her husband and says, "He mated 50 times in a year, you could learn from him." They proceed to the next bull and his sign stated: "This bull mated 65 times last year." The wife turns to her husband and says, "This one mated 65 times last year. That is over 5 times a month. You can learn from this one, also." They proceeded to the last bull and his sign said: "This bull mated 365 times last year." The wife's mouth drops open and says, "WOW! He mated 365 times last year. That is ONCE A DAY!!! You could really learn from this one." The man turns to his wife and says, "Go up and inquire if it was 365 times with the same cow."

5. Mistress

A man wanted to determine if both his wife and mistress were faithful to him. So he decided to send them on the same cruise, then later question each one on the other's behavior. When his wife returned, he asked her about the people on the trip in general, then casually asked her about the specific behavior of the passenger he knew to be his mistress. "She slept with nearly every man on the ship," his wife reported. The disheartened man then rendezvoused with his cheating mistress to ask her the same questions about his wife. "She was a real lady," his mistress said. "How so?" the encouraged man asked. "She came on board with her husband and never left his side."

The History of BIKINI

Roman Gymnasts

Contrary to popular belief, the bikini was actually an ancient invention, as illustrated by this 4th century Roman mosaic from Villa Romana Del Casale, in Sicily, Italy. Going back even further, two-piece garments were worn by women (for athletic purposes) as early as 1400 B.C., and have been depicted on Greek urns and paintings from that period.

On July 5th, 1946 a French engineer called Louis Réard unveiled an outfit "smaller than the world's smallest swimsuit." It arrived with a bang, so named after the nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll, and remains popular to this day.

It's a Sin

Bikinis were banned from worldwide beauty pageants after the first Miss World Contest in London in 1951. As the tasteful one-piece continued to reign supreme, the bikini was later also banned in Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Australia and even declared sinful by the Vatican.

Source; Time.com

Open Your Eyes Folks !!!

The hidden ugly side of Singapore

In between the glamarous buildings and shoppings complexes of this city state, there is huge suffering that the world has never seen. Something that the Singapore government or media will try to hide from the rest of the world. And this is the lives of 80 percent of ‘true’ Singaporeans who live in the republic’s Housing Development Board (low cost) flats.

I, like many young youths, went looking for a better future in this Lion City of opportunity, After four years of working experience in Kuala Lumpur. It was my first experience outside Malaysia and I was very happy to be offered a job in Singapore with a basic salary of S$3,500.

Then, with huge hopes, I started looking for a master bedroom to rent being single. I finally got a master bedroom in Clementi for S$700 a month but only after being rejected by many other landlords for being Indian. The ensuing eight- month ordeal that I spent in this HDB flat really opened my mind to what Singapore is for those who can't earn.

It made me ask if this is the type of development that I ever wanted in my country Malaysia. This is the first time that I felt gifted to be born in Malaysia. Anyway, I lived with a family of three (husband, wife with one daughter) who rented out their master bedroom to me while they slept in the common room.

It was a three-room flat (but unlike in Malaysia, a three-room flat has only two bedrooms). I did not believe it was the master bedroom that I was staying in until I went into the other room and saw that there is no attached bathroom there. I was given a bed and a mattress and also two fans. Then I noticed that the couple with their daughter sleeping on the floor with a thin mattress in the other room. Not even a fan in that room.

Both husband and wife are born Singaporeans and were employed. It was after one month that I realised that the daughter was not going to school regularly and most of the time there would be a quarrel in the early morning between the father and daughter as there was not enough money to pay for the bus to go to school.

There were times when the daughter was very sick and father had no money to take her to see a doctor. It was a real pain in the heart to hear a small girl suffering through the thin walls of this HDB flat. It was unbelievable for me to see this happening in this ultra-modern city. It took me another two months to realise that what was happening in this flat was not an isolated case of urban poverty in Singapore.

It was every where in those HDB flats. There was a Chinese neighbour (an elderly man) and his son had no money to get a taxi to send his father to the clinic for daily diabetic wound-dressing. I soon understood that poverty in Singapore transcends racial boundaries. The whole family of my landlord got a shock that I own a car in Malaysia.

My landlord would keep pestering me every time I come back to Malaysia to bring my car over so that his whole family could go sightseeing in Singapore. In all my life, I never believed people in a developed country like Singapore would ever consider car ownership a privelege.

Three months later, one fine day, I came back home and realised that there was no electricity in the house. This time, my landlord did not have the money to pay for the utility bills. I was back in the Stone Age, using candles. This lasted for days until finally he borrowed money from somewhere and settled the bills.

My landlord as a person I have known during that period never come back drunk or looked like a gambler. He had to pay for his mother’s medical expenses, that much I know. This was the time in my life when I learned what is was like to live in that poor quality HDB flat, drying clothes in the rooms and listening to what the couple talked about in the next room via the thin walls.

It was this time in life that made me to think, ‘Is this what I want Malaysia to be? For those who talk great or look up to Singapore's success, have they ever come and lived in Singapore like I how I did? Have you seen a HDB flat and how it looks like?

Bring your whole family for a dinner using public transport and then rush to catch the last bus. Is this what a 10% growth rate a year is about that we want boast? Does this growth figures mean anything in the first place? Do we want to open our country to expats so that they can progress at the expense of our own Malaysians?

Do we want to ‘progress’ to a level that even our children can't buy a house in our own land? Last, I ask myself. Do we Malaysians look at GDP growth as the only measure to choose our government or are we much more matured than that? Achievement at whose expense?

Be grateful Malaysian... be grateful a lot.....

Malaysiakini by Vijay Kumar | Jul 3, 09 6:48pm

Felda New Challenge ??

Felda should first restructure before going global
Malaysiakini: Dr Collin Abraham | Jun 29, 09 6:36pm

The announcement that Felda will be setting up a new entity, ‘Global Ventures’ is only to be welcomed as being relevant and meaningful if, as implicitly correctly suggested by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, the forthcoming ‘restructuring’ of Felda ‘pays attention to the needs of settlers’.

This means, in effect, that ‘Global Ventures’ demands the pre-requisite of settlers being involved as stake-holders jointly participating in the organisation and administration of Felda at the highest points of decision-making.

This, in fact, has never been the case, especially as clearly highlighted by the failure to provide ‘listings’ for settlers on the stock exchange, as repeatedly requested by both former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and indeed Najib himself.

As regards the other ‘failures’ to develop a viable settler community involving the second/third/and even fourth generations, the record speaks for itself, where settlers even successfully obtained legal remedies in connection with a successful court case of cheating against Felda. Another similar legal case is currently pending.

With the greatest of respect and in humility, I have to reiterate therefore that unless the proposed ‘restructuring’ amounts to the radical transformation of Felda as an institution, the new entity of ‘Global Ventures’ will amount to nothing more than the continuation of the cases of ‘pagar makan padi’/’empire-building’ that have repeatedly been ‘exposed’ in the past.

These are very strong negative assertions and this appeal to Najib, therefore, is to make it possible to re-direct and intervene in these new development projections to ensure that they are in line with the founding ideology of Felda, so spectacularly projected by his late father, Razak.

This is a very serious matter that strikes at the heart of the concept, theory and implications for agricultural-industrial plans and programmes particularly in multi-cultural societies, not only for Malaysia but also for Asia and indeed the rural development scenario in the wider world.

Therefore, it is imperative to emphasise that the assertions being made here are based inter alia, on my experiences as a member of Razak’s 11-man national committee for Gerakan Maju (where incidentally I was the only non-Malay and the youngest officer) at a time when we were very much involved in new thinking and research for Felda.

More recently, as the lead consultant and sole report writer for the UNDP social impact assessment of Felda (2002), I was directly concerned with the kind of questions and issues arising from Najib’s statement that ‘Felda (is) set to grab global opportunities’.

It may be useful to ‘highlight’ some of the main observations in the report that have ‘direct’ implications for meaningfully ‘grabbing the global opportunities’ as mentioned by Najib.

1 The structure for reform

Group Settlement Areas Act 1960, Act 530 (amended 1996)

The promulgation of this amendment made it possible for Felda itself to move directly to develop new land settlements on its own accord, because the government had decided to cease doing this since 1990.

‘The implications of this amendment in the context of the objectives of the original 1960 Act appear to be so ‘reactionary’ as to require another full-scale study and re-evaluation of the social impact of this amendment on Felda’.

This is because while the organisation successfully managed to enhance its oil palm production activities, increasing emphasis in its expansion plans and programmes began to focus on non-agricultural areas centered on ‘empire building’.

Because no attempts were made to get settlers listed on the stock exchange, it meant that the shareholders were limited to Felda management and other professionals, who would be the main beneficiaries of the various new subsidiaries and other ventures initiated in its expansion programme.

2 Future sustainability for diversification.

Felda has brought ‘independent’ title-holding settlers completely under its management. This has generated intractable dependency relationships between the settlers and management rather than enhancing the process of social change through motivation, capacity-building, creativity and entrepreneurship as was the basic and fundamental objective in the original Felda ideology.

Because no attempts were made to involve settlers in the management of the schemes, they ‘have little confidence in decision-making and indeed seem helpless to take control of their lives and to move on. They, therefore, leave it to the management to take over and organise their ‘freed’ land titles as soon as they receive them’.

There is a low-level of diversification of economic activities associated with oil palm production particularly through down-stream/up-stream new products resulting in settlers not being exposed to flexible knowledge-based training.

Therefore the potential of innovative capacity especially among youth is not tapped. As a result Felda has not sustained a strategic role as catalyst in industrialisation and modernisation.

Related Article:
http://malaysiainsider.com/index.php/business/30948-felda-to-seek-listing-soon

Raising Unemployment..

Saturday June 27, 2009
Rising unemployment despite green shoots
Economic Matters
By Cecilia Kok of StarBizWeek

DURING her recent trip back to Malaysia, Aileen (not her real name), an executive at an oil and gas company in London, told her friends who had been applying for some professional jobs in Britain, to put their plans on hold because current opportunities were scarce.

She pointed to the lack of activity in the once lively and busy streets of Canary Wharf, the trendy financial district of London, as a sign of how badly the British economy has been hit by the global financial crisis.

Many people have lost their jobs since the acceleration of the financial crisis in the third quarter of last year, and many more are expected to suffer the same fate in the coming months as companies across industries experience severe slowdown in their businesses.

While most of us are not there to experience first-hand the depth of the crisis in Britain, the official data tells the story. The British government recently reported that a broader measure of unemployment in the country rose 232,000 to 2.26 million for the three months to April, taking the unemployment rate to 7.2%.

Despite the talk that the worst is over, the Confederation of British Industry expects unemployment in the country to peak at 3.03 million, or a rate of 9.6%, in the second quarter of next year.

Worsening unemployment is not a problem faced only by Britain, but also by many other nations. For instance, the unemployment rate in the United States is expected to exceed 10% this year. It stood at 9.4% last month, up from 8.9% in April.

Over the week, the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said it projected the average unemployment in its 30 member countries, comprising some of the most developed markets in the world, to reach 10% by the end of next year, up from 7.8% in April.

Unemployment is usually the public’s best gauge of the intensity of the current economic storm. Although recent indicators have shown signs of diminishing economic damage, and have pointed to possible recovery for some countries by the second half of this year, labour markets worldwide are expected to languish over a longer period of time.

The International Labour Office (ILO) director-general Juan Somavia recently explained that past experience had suggested a considerable lag of four to five years in the recovery of labour markets after economic recovery. He said there was a risk of the global jobs crisis persisting for the next few years.

In the Global Employment Trends Update released last month, the ILO projected the total number of people unemployed worldwide this year to range between 210 million and 239 million, or between 6.5% and 7.4% of the global labour force.

For the South-East Asia and the Pacific regions, the United Nations agency projected the total number of unemployed people this year to range between 16 million and 18 million, or 5.4% to 6.2% of the regional labour force.

A country with a persistently weak labour market poses a high risk of experiencing slow growth for a number of years, even if its economy does turn around by the end of the year. Rising unemployment also means that more people will fall into poverty, and this could weigh on consumer spending, a key component in most economies. For instance, consumer spending represents about half of Malaysia’s gross domestic product and 70% of that of the United States.

The Department of Statistics is expected to announce Malaysia’s unemployment rate for the first quarter of 2009 by the end of this month. The country’s unemployment rate last year stood at 3.3%, and is expected to reach 4.5% this year.

On Tuesday, the Manpower Department director-general Datuk Ismail Abdul Rahim said there had not been a massive retrenchment in the country so far. He estimated that the total number of employees who lost their jobs since last August to be 37,000.

Economists polled by StarBizWeek recently also agreed that retrenchment in Malaysia had not been that widespread but affected mainly employees in the electrical and electronics manufacturing and export-oriented companies.

Further improvements in the labour market, nevertheless, will depend on the effectiveness of the fiscal expenditures by the Government in creating new jobs.

Test Your Personality

PERSONALITY TEST

MAKE A WISH BEFORE BEGINNING THE TEST!!

A Warning! Answer the questions as you go along.

Put the following 5 animals in the order of your preference.
Cow Tiger Sheep Horse Pig

Write one word that describes each one of the following:

Dog
Cat
Rat
Coffee
Sea

Think of someone (who also knows you and is important to you) that you can relate them to the following colours (do not repeat your answer twice).

Name just one person for each colour.
Yellow Orange Red White Green

Finally, write down your favourite number and your favourite day of the week.

Look at the interpretations below: (but first before continuing, repeat your wish.)

This will define your priorities in your life.

Cow Signifies CAREER
Tiger Signifies PRIDE
Sheep Signifies LOVE
Horse Signifies FAMILY
Pig Signifies MONEY


Your description of dog implies your own personality.
Your description of cat implies the personality of your partner.
Your description of rat implies the personality of your enemies.
Your description of coffee is how you interpret sex.
Your description of the sea implies your own life.

Yellow: Someone you will never forget
Orange: Someone you consider your true friend
Red: Someone that you really love
White: Your twin soul
Green: Someone that you will remember for the rest of your life

Is it True???
Fwd by boonchert on 16/6/09.....

CPO Theft & FAKE DXP Seeds

TIMELY ACT FOR THE AUTHORITY. THESE CULPRITS MADE TONS OF MONEY AND DEMOLISH OUR OP BUSINESS IN FUTURE. ACT NOW OR PERISH LATER...

THE NST: Plugging the palm oil leak
By Ooi Tee ChingPublished: 2009/06/11

Malaysia plans to step up enforcement against oil palm seed scams and theft of palm fruits and oil, which are costing the country billions in lost revenues.


The Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok has told the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) to buck up as these crimes have been going on for a long time.

"I want MPOB to step up enforcement immediately. All these oil palm seed scams and oil thefts must stop," he told Business Times in an interview in Putrajaya on Tuesday.

For a start, Dompok gave the green light to MPOB to licence palm oil transporters. This is allowed under the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Act 1998.

"I want to tighten up the loopholes. The transporters need to be licensed and we'll put in place a whistle-blowing scheme. Once MPOB board of directors give their consensus, it will come back to me for my signature and then we'll have it gazetted," Dompok said.





The companies will also have to install global positioning systems on their tankers to keep tabs of their movements. "Transporters must take responsibility for the actions of their drivers and pay the price if their tankers are involved in illegal activities," he said.

Under MPOB (Quality) Regulations 2005, whoever steals or contaminates crude palm oil can be fined up to RM250,000 or two years' jail or both.

In a separate interview, Palm Oil Refiners Association of Malaysia (Poram) acting chairman Yong Chin Fatt said refiners have suffered much from oil pilferage.

Refiners have no way of knowing whether the palm oil brought in by tankers are stolen or not.

"We're all established and we only accept oil that come in tankers, not in drums. These tankers come with the necessary documentation from the millers," he said.

"In fact, we incur additional costs when we're duped into buying contaminated cargo. We suspect such highly-organised crimes, that have spread to Sabah and Sarawak, are by syndicates. We appeal for more stringent enforcement," he added.

Dompok has also told MPOB to be more vigilant in stamping out oil palm seed scams.

"These scams have serious implications on the livelihood of thousands of smallholders and the country's average oil palm yield," he said.

It was recently reported that there are syndicates deceiving planters into buying low-yielding seeds that are not dura and psifera (DXP) crossbreds currently sold by the 19 genuine producers.

Last year, MPOB managed to seize 6.13 million fake DXP seeds and this amounted to RM11.35 million in opportunity loss for genuine producers.

However, the potential revenue loss runs into the billions in the long term as the fake seeds will not produce as much fruits.

Malaysia's oil palms are the most productive in the world because of government policy to use high-yielding crossbred seeds of the mother palms of the DXP strains.

Regular seeds from existing oil palm trees will only yield five to 10 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches in a year compared with 25 tonnes for DXP seeds.

Cross breeding of high-yielding DXP seeds takes time and the seeds are sold for RM2 each.

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Daulat Tuanku.

Quit Smoking Anyone??

Cigarettes are one of few products which can be sold legally which can harm and even kill you over time if used as intended.
Currently there are ongoing lawsuits in the USA which aim to hold tobacco companies responsible for the effects of smoking on the health of long term smokers.

Benzene (petrol additive)A colourless cyclic hydrocarbon obtained from coal and petroleum, used as a solvent in fuel and in chemical manufacture - and contained in cigarette smoke. It is a known carcinogen and is associated with leukaemia.

Formaldehyde (embalming fluid)A colourless liquid, highly poisonous, used to preserve dead bodies - also found in cigarette smoke. Known to cause cancer, respiratory, skin and gastrointestinal problems.

Ammonia (toilet cleaner)Used as a flavouring, frees nicotine from tobacco turning it into a gas, found in dry cleaning fluids.

Acetone (nail polish remover)Fragrant volatile liquid ketone, used as a solvent, for example, nail polish remover - found in cigarette smoke.

Tar Particulate matter drawn into lungs when you inhale on a lighted cigarette. Once inhaled, smoke condenses and about 70 per cent of the tar in the smoke is deposited in the smoker's lungs.

Nicotine (insecticide/addictive drug)One of the most addictive substances known to man, a powerful and fast-acting medical and non-medical poison. This is the chemical which causes addiction.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) (car exhaust fumes)An odourless, tasteless and poisonous gas, rapidly fatal in large amounts - it's the same gas that comes out of car exhausts and is the main gas in cigarette smoke, formed when the cigarette is lit. Others you may recognize are :

Arsenic (rat poison), Hydrogen Cyanide (gas chamber poison)

source: Health Education Authority (UK) - Lifesaver
http://www.quit-smoking-stop.com/