PPC Also Interested In Ferry Services

June 17, 2009

PENANG, June 17 (Bernama) -- The Penang Port Commission (PPC) is interested in taking over the mainland-island ferry service operations from Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB).

PPC chairman Tan Cheng Liang said the commission was preparing a working paper to be handed over to the Transport Ministry in 2-3 weeks.

"Anyone can take over the operations if they are capable and we are also interested as we are familiar with ferry activities.

"We have told the Transport Ministry and they have asked for a working paper for further action," he said at a news conference here Wednesday.

Tan said as the licensor for port activities in Penang, the PPC knew the ins and outs of ferry service operations.

PPSB had indicated handing over operations to the federal government as it could not bear the losses that have continued to rise over the last 10 years.

The Penang state government had also expressed interest but according to Tan till now a working paper had not been forwarded.

Open Ballot System To Hire Waste Disposal Contractors

June 17, 2009

SHAH ALAM, June 17 (Bernama) -- An open ballot system is to be used to appoint solid waste disposal contractors at local council level in Selangor beginning next month, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said Wednesday.

He said the system, to be conducted by a proposed audit committee, would ensure that there was no corruption and unethical practices and the people would get the best deal.

"We are firm in our belief that this (method of awarding waste management contracts) would allow all eligible companies to get equal opportunity to be appointed in an open, transparent and accountable manner.

"Further details on how the public balloting system works will be announced in the near future," he told reporters after chairing the weekly meeting of the state executive council at the State Secretariat building, here.

Recently, Petaling Jaya city councillor A. Thiruvenggadam claimed that the state government had a hand in allocating Alam Flora Sdn Bhd's waste management contracts to Pakatan parties, with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) said to have secured 40 per cent of the deals while PAS and DAP allegedly received 30 per cent each.

Thiruvenggadam had alleged also that the Selangor government had prerogative over 70 per cent of the contracts while the remainder was left to the discretion of Alam Flora.

Khalid said a waste management contract would be in the range of RM20,000 to RM30,000.

He also said that the state government would seek the guidance of Transparency International on the implementation of the open ballot system.

On the takeover of water assets in Selangor, Khalid said negotiations were going on with the relevant parties and the state government would pursue an agreement which was acceptable and augured well for the consumers in Selangor.

Review Dual Billing System - WECAM

June 18, 2009


PETALING JAYA, June 18 (Bernama) -- The Water, Energy Consumer Association of Malaysia (WECAM) today called on the government to scrap the flat rate of RM8 per month billing system for sewerage charges on homes because it was unfair to consumers.

Instead the association wants the sewerage bill to be integrated with the water bill based on the usage which could be measured by the meter.

WECAM secretary-general, S. Piarapakaran, explained that the majority of homes used less than RM8 of water to flush their toilet and kitchen wastes as such it was unfair to charge them a flat rate.

"The current separate billing system for water and sewerage should be reviewed," he added.

He said a combined billing system would be more equitable as consumers would pay according to their usage.

Piarapakaran said consumers could save a lot on their water bills if they can recycle waste water from their kitchen to flush their toilets.

They could also harvest rain water for non-drinking purposes.

He said WECAM would conduct awareness clinics to empower consumers on how they can recycle water and reduce their water bill and at the same time help preserve the environment.

-- BERNAMA

It's Now Domestic Trade, Cooperative And Consumerism Ministry

June 11, 2009

KUANTAN, June 11 (Bernama) -- The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry is now known as the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism.

Its minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in announcing this Thursday, said the name change had been agreed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the cabinet at their weekly meeting.

"The change was effective immediately (Wednesday) and we will be using a new logo for the ministry. For this purpose, a logo designing competition will be organised soon," he said after the state-level launching of Koperasi Bela Rakyat (Kobera), here, Thursday.

Ismail Sabri said the name change was made because a number of cooperative related agencies which were previously under the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry which was then abolished, now came under his ministry.

He said with the abolishment, agencies connected with entrepreneur development were placed under the International Trade and Industry Ministry, while agencies that came under his ministry included Perbadanan Nasional, Cooperative Commission of Malaysia, the Cooperative College and those related to franchising and the vendor sector.

On Kobera, Ismail Sabri said it was aimed at eradicating hardcore poverty and overall poverty by 2010.

"Up to May 31 this year, Kobera units had been established in 111 of the 576 state constituencies while 164 are in the process of being set up. In Pahang alone, 42 had been set up, seven registered while another seven are in the process."

He said to ensure they could start their operations, the government had agreed to allocate RM30,000 to each Kobera unit.

"However, they must submit their project plan to the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia and engage a professional manager whose salary for six months will be paid by the commission to help manage their cooperative."

Ismail Sabri said the government targeted the contribution of cooperatives to Gross Domestic Product to be five per cent or RM10 billion by 2012 from the current RM6.5 billion.

Agriculture Ministry Urged To Intervene In Chicken Price Issue

June 16, 2009

PUTRAJAYA, June 16 (Bernama) -- The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry will be asked to intervene to resolve problems on chicken prices as all matters pertaining to the Chicken Rearers Association falls under its jurisdiction.

Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakub said to that effect, the ministry would study the need for the setting up of a joint committee to expedite efforts to solve the problems.

He said a committee to determine chicken prices, chaired by the ministry's secretary-general, could not be held because representatives from the Chicken Rearers Association refused to attend the meeting.

"The Chicken Rearers Association is under the jurisdiction of the Agriculture and Agro based Industry Ministry. They don't feel guilty if they don't attend the meeting because they are not under the Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry.

"I'll discuss with the ministry's secretary-general and the Agriculture Ministry about this," he told a press conference after a pre-launch of the Malaysia Consumers Day here Tuesday.

On the Consumers' Day celebration, he said it would be themed, "Satu Suara" (One Voice), which he said was the key word to solving problems on consumerism.

"The people cannot hope for the government to use its powers to protect their interests because as consumers, they are more powerful that the laws that we have.

"For example prices of goods, the government cannot control the prices because the Price Control Act only allows it to fix the ceiling price for goods which have been gazetted as controlled items," he added.

He said traders would be forced to give in to consumers' demands to reduce price if consumers were united.

In another development, Ismail Sabri said the ministry would study the possibility of stationing its officers at public locations nationwide so that immediate actions could be taken if there were complaints.

He said it would be conducted with the assistance of non-governmental organisations and consumers associations in the respective locations.

The Consumers Day celebration, to be held on July 24 to 26, will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Kuantan.

-- BERNAMA

Bus Companies In Hot Soup For Fixing Ticket Prices To Malaysia

June 16, 2009

SINGAPORE, June 16 (Bernama) -- The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) today issued a proposed infringement decision (PID) against the Express Bus Agencies Association (EBAA) and 16 companies for fixing the prices of express bus tickets from Singapore to various destinations in Malaysia from 2006 to 2008.

In a statement, CCS, which takes a serious view of such harmful anti-competitive practices, said price-fixing was considered a serious infringement of the Competition Act.

Section 34 of the Competition Act prohibits agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings or concerted practices which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition within Singapore.

CCS said when businesses colluded to fix prices, they were in fact agreeing to stop competing and gain financially at the expense of the customers.

The PID is a written notice setting out the facts on which CCS makes its assessment and its reasons for arriving at the proposed decision.

It is issued to give the parties involved an opportunity to put forth their arguments to CCS and submit information that they wish CCS to consider.

In this regard, the EBAA and the 16 companies have six weeks from the receipt of the PID to make representations or argue the case set out by CCS.

CCS said it would consider the merits of the parties' representations before finalising its decision on whether there has been an infringement of competition law.

The 16 companies issued with the PID by CCS included Alisan (S) Pte Ltd, Enjoy Holiday Tour Pte Ltd, Five Stars Tours Pte Ltd, GR Travel Pte Ltd, Grassland Express & Tours Pte Ltd, Gunung Raya Travel Pte Ltd, Konsortium Express & Tours Pte Ltd, and Lapan Lapan Travel Pte Ltd.

The others were Luxury Tours & Travel Pte Ltd, Nam Ho Travel Service (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Regent Star Travel Pte Ltd, Sri Maju Tours & Travel, T&L Tours Pte Ltd, Transtar Travel Pte Ltd, Travelzone Network Services Pte Ltd, and WTS Travel & Tours Pte Ltd. -- BERNAMA

Not Possible For TNB To Cut Tariff Further

June 16, 2009

PORT DICKSON, June 16 (Bernama) -- It is not possible for Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) to reduce the electricity tariff further, said its president/chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh.

"I also need to stress that whatever TNB collects today, almost 50 percent goes to the independent power producers (IPPs).

"What is there to reduce anymore? If you want us to reduce it, I think you should also ask the IPPs to do it," he said.

He said this to reporters after the ceremony to mark the completion of the second phase of its 750-megawatt Tuanku Jaafar power station rehabilitation project here Tuesday.

Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, officiated at the ceremony.

He said as far as TNB was concerned, it would ensure that it did not over-charge or burden the customers.

"Considering the problem we have today, our rate is still cheaper compare to Thailand and Singapore," he said.

Che Khalib said industrial users should also play a role by being energy-efficient and undertake energy-saving exercise rather than to continuously ask TNB to lower the tariff.

"There is no way for the country to continue to provide cheap electricity just to make sure that the manufacturing sector can survive.

"I think it is a misleading economic model. The country as a whole must start to look into ways to save energy. If the energy continues to be cheap, people will continue to waste it," he said.

He said Japan was still competitive despite having the highest electricity tariff because they were the leaders in innovation and efficiency.

MPPP asked to take over Penang ferry

STAR, 8 June 2009

GEORGE TOWN: The state government has asked Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) to take over ferry operations, which had incurred RM21mil in losses, from the Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB).

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government was ready to take risks, challenges and losses as the ferry services had an historic and heritage background.

The ferry services, he said, were also important and meaningful to Penangites.

Lim said he was confident that MPPP could turna round and improve the running of the ferry services.

"We have not made a formal application to the Transport Ministry, but we have asked the newly elected MPPP president Tan Cheng Chui to have a meeting with the Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Tan Cheng Liang soon," he said.

M’sia committed to liberalising regional air services

STAR, 8 June 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is committed to the Asean roadmap for liberalisation of air services operated in the region.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Asean roadmap would fully liberalise air services arrangements in the region by 2015.

He said Malaysia was also working closely with other Asean member countries to look into the possibility of a single aviation market along the line of the European Union.

“This will probably be some distance away in the future, but it an exciting possibility nonetheless,” he said in his keynote address at the 65th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting here Monday.

Najib said Malaysia was also helping airlines to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions through revised air traffic control procedures as well as the implementation of Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) for aircraft landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) Chief Executive Giovanni Bisignani, right, walks with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at the 65th IATA Annual General Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. - AP

The trial, he said currently involved Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Singapore Airlines and would eventually be expanded to include other carriers.

“We are also proud that KLIA will be the first stop in Asia to exhibit IATA’s Environment Booth which showcases the industry’s efforts in curbing and reducing carbon emissions,” he said adding that these were some major initiatives that Malaysia was undertaking to strengthen the aviation industry in the long term.

He also said Malaysia was committed to working with the industry to reduce air travel costs as well as improving efficiency and facilitation of passenger and freight movements at its airports.

Najib also that the industry itself needed to make the necessary changes to prepare itself for an uncertain future.

In order to survive the fuel price volatility, the global recession and the threat of outbreak of diseases, he said the air transport industry and governments must work hand in hand to find solutions to map the way forward.

“Together we must address ways to facilitate trade and revive economies, manage climate change, prepare for the possibility of a pandemic, secure our borders, and liberalise air services arrangements between countries.

“Together, the industry must continue to provide safe, reliable, secure and economical air services for the benefit of global consumers,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the ultimate aim of the entire industry must be long-term sustainability.

“The challenges we face today will likely resurface time and again in the future. We must find a way to insulate the industry so that future stocks in the system can be well absorbed without too much impact or damage to the players in the aviation game,” he added.

Najib said the Government was fully supportive of aviation as a key sector of business and commerce.

“Recognising the difficulties faced by the airline industry, we are firmly committed to playing our part in ensuring, not just the survival, but the continued strengthening of our aviation industry.”

Penang Port to hand over ferry ops to govt

New Straits Times, 5 June 2009

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) is expected to hand over its loss-making ferry operations to the Federal Government.

Penang Port Commission chairman Tan Cheng Liang said yesterday PPSB had incurred huge losses since it took over the ferry services from the PPC in 1994.

"Plans are afoot to work out an exit for PPSB."

On the ferry's fare adjustment, she did not rule out the possibility of raising the fare for passengers and vehicles to reduce the port's financial difficulty.

Tan said the problem would take time to be ironed out as the commission was under the Transport Ministry, while PPSB was under the jurisdiction of the Finance Ministry.

She said PPSB, a privatised entity, had signed a 30-year concession agreement with PPC in 1994 to operate the ferry and Penang Port, thus, there were legal aspects to be addressed.

On the crack in a passenger ramp at the Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal in Pengkalan Weld on Wednesday, she said it was because of wear and tear.

She said the repairs would be completed by 12.30pm today.

Asean, South Korea sign free trade agreement

STAR, June 2, 2009

JEJU (South Korea): Asean and South Korea have signed a free trade agreement to boost investments between the regional grouping and the East Asian country.

The agreement, signed by the trade ministers of the countries Tuesday, completes the Asean-South Korea Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation, the “mother agreement” which paved the way for three free trade agreements to be signed.

The two earlier FTAs were on goods which was signed on Aug 26, 2006, and that on services signed on Nov 21, 2007.

The signing was witnessed by the leaders of Asean countries and South Korea who were attending the Asean-South Korea Commemorative Summit which began on Monday.

The agreement, signed by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed on behalf of Malaysia, will help encourage investments between Malaysia as well as other Asean members, and South Korea.

It would also promote Malaysian outward investment to the region and help to further integrate Malaysian companies into the regional economy.

The ministry said in a statement that the agreement would progressively liberalise the investment regime, create a conducive environment for the investors and their investments, and promote co-operation on a mutually beneficial basis.

It would also encourage and promote the flow of investments and cooperation between Asean and South Korea, improve transparency of investment rules and provide for the protection of investments.

The agreement incorporated a review mechanism to improve the transparency of investment rules and to discuss progressive liberalisation of the investment regimes of the countries.

The ministry said the agreement would come into force after ratification by at least one Asean country and South Korea.

Last year, South Korean investments in Malaysia in the manufacturing sector amounted to US$55.5mil (RM184.8mil) and US$325.2mil (RM1.2bil) in 2007.

Malaysian investments in South Korea, as reported by Bank Negara Malaysia, was US$16.7mil (RM55.6mil) last year, compared with US$6.9mil (RM23.7mil) the previous year.

Taxi, bus fares to go up soon: Nazri

STAR, June 2, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Taxi and bus passengers must be prepared to fork out between 30% and 50% more for their trips, likely to be as soon as next month.

With the increase, a 10km taxi ride will cost more than RM10 instead of the current fare at RM8, and even more, should they get caught in a traffic jam.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told reporters after hosting a dialogue with taxi operators and associations in the Klang Valley that a memorandum on the fare increase had been circulated to all ministries for their feedback.

The increase would encompass fares for taxis and stage, express and school buses, he said.

Under the proposal, Nazri said the starting fare for taxis would increase from RM2 to RM3 for the first kilometre with every subsequent 150m costing 13sen up from 10sen.

When the taxi is stationary, such as during a traffic jam, the proposed rate is 13sen for every 27 seconds, more than a 100% increase of the current fare structure of 10sen for every 45 seconds.

Nazri declined to reveal the proposed fare increase for buses, but sources had indicated that the hike would be around 30%.

Although Nazri said he would table the proposal in Cabinet only after receiving feedback from the ministries, it is understood that the matter could be decided within this month.

Besides asking for higher fares, operators also told the minister that they had problems buying insurance coverage for their vehicles as insurance companies did not want to sell them policies.

“I have spoken to the minister in charge of the Economic Planning Unit Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and proposed that instead of a full liability plan, the Insurance Act should be amended to allow for limited liability.

“Right now, the insurance companies collect RM400mil a year in premiums, but the claims come up to about RM2bil. Maybe we can limit accident claims to RM5,000 or RM10,000,” he said.

Nazri also said that he was negotiating with tyre manufacturers, particularly Malaysian companies, to offer discounted tyres to public and commercial vehicles like taxis, buses and lorries.

“If one company agrees, I am prepared to give it monopoly (on tyre sales in the country). We have to give it a volume (of sales) so that it can afford to sell tyres at a low price,” he said.