1BAGAN Beach carnival fun for 2,000

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MORE than 2,000 people thronged Pantai Bersih in Butterworth to join in the 1Bagan Beach carnival, which was organised by the Barisan Nasional’s Bagan division.

The weather was perfect as it was sunny for the various outdoor activities.

The crowd began to gather as early as 7am around the area near the Butterworth Outer Ring Road rest and recreational area in Bagan Ajam. Many took advantage of the weekend and brought along their family members to have fun.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong who kicked off the event, said the carnival was one of a series of programmes organised by the coalition to reach out to various communities.

“This carnival is a platform to build a closer rapport and to promote national unity among the various ethnic groups in light of the 1Malaysia concept envisioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” Lee said.

Present were the event organising chairman David Chua who is also the Bagan Barisan coordinator, Sungai Puyu Barisan coordinator Sum Yoo Keong, Bagan Jermal Barisan coordinator Maggie Teh and Penang MIC chief Senator Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah who is also the Bagan Dalam Barisan coordinator.

The activities began with a tai chi morning exercise and line dancing in which more than 500 people took part while about 300 children got themselves busy in a colouring contest.

Among the participants were representatives from Federal Government agencies and about 20 private non-governmental organisations.

Other events included an angling competition, a photography contest and free medical examinations.

There was a host of other exciting activities and among them were two volunteers from the Civil Defence Department who performed stunts in their motorised para-glider.

There were also various traditional dance performances.

Bagan Ajam residents all for 1Malaysia clinic

■Bagan Ajam residents holding placards showing their displeasure at Penang exco member Phee Boon Poh for claiming that 1Malaysia clinics were a waste of resources by the government. — NST picture by Mohamad Danial Mohamad Saad

BUTTERWORTH: Residents of low-cost flats in Bagan Ajam yesterday vented their fury on DAP assemblyman Phee Boon Poh for questioning the existence of 1Malaysia clinics during the recently concluded state assembly.

The residents, who staged a peaceful protest, said the state welfare, health, caring society and environment committee chairman should realise the important role played by the clinic and what it meant for the low-income earners.

They carried placards during the 30-minute protest in front of the Bagan Ajam 1Malaysia Clinic here.

Petty trader Emelia Saidin, 30, said she and her family found it convenient to seek treatment there instead of going far away for treatment.

“We thank the Federal Government for offering such services to the poor,” she said.

Housewife M. Parvathy, 59, who sought treatment for a cut on her left hand, said she paid only RM1 at the clinic.

The residents, Ibrahim Othman, 55, said the clinic was a boon to the poor as they could get outpatient treatment at a nominal RM1 fee.

"The clinic is a blessing for us as we no longer have to seek treatment at private clinics or pharmacies for slight illnesses."

His statement was echoed by resident M. Parvath, 54.

He said he no longer needed to travel for half an hour to the nearest hospital for his basic health check-up as it was available at the clinic.

"It saves us time and travelling cost. Why should someone question its existence?"

It was reported that during his winding-up speech at the state assembly on Monday, Phee had described the 1Malaysia clinics as a waste as there were already health clinics around to provide the people with proper services.

He said the clinic was a mismanagement of resources by the government as they were only manned by hospital assistants and not doctors.

Bagan Barisan Nasional coordinator David Chua said the Health Ministry had initially refused to open the clinic there.

“But, I appealed to the ministry because there are many poor people living in the Taman Tun Sardon and Taman Pantai Bersih flats and in several nearby villages,” he said.

Chua said Phee had not visited the clinic since its opening about three months ago.

“Phee should apologise for running down the clinic,” he said.New Straits Times. 2011/05/12
The Star.Metro

Land a RM13,000 first prize in fishing competition

MORE than 1,000 people are expected to take part in the Karnival Pantai 1Bagan fishing competition on May 22 offering RM13,000 cash as first prize.

The event is to be held from 7am to 4pm at the Butterworth Outer Ring Road’s rest and recreational area in Bagan Ajam.

The first runner-up will receive RM4,000 cash and the second runner-up RM2,000 while the fourth and fifth placed winners will take home RM400 each.

The sixth to 10th, 11th to 20th and 21st to 30th placings will each receive RM250, RM150 and RM80 respectively, and other gifts.

Organising chairman David Chua, who is also the Prime Minister’s Department Implementation and Coordination Unit officer for Bagan, said various events had been lined-up for the event, which would be officiated by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong.

“Sports, recreational and heath events such as tai chi, line dancing, colouring, photography and medical examinations have been organised for the day-long event.

“The highlight of the event will be the search and rescue demonstration at sea by the marine police using a helicopter,” he told a press conference.

Chua added that government agencies and about 20 private and non-governmental organisations were involved in organising the event.

For further details on the fishing competition and early registration, call Shaiful Amry (012-4676766). For other details, contact Chua (016-4184898).


The Star | Thursday May 12, 2011

Free eye checks for two schools

PUPILS from two schools in Butterworth got free eye checks in a programme organised by the Rotary Club of Butterworth.

Six volunteers from the club spent more than three hours at SK Assumption and SK Kuala Perai recently to conducts the tests. There are 240 pupils in SK Assumption and 170 in SK Kuala Perai.

The programme, which included food for the pupils, was funded with a RM2,000 allocation from the Prime Minister’s Department that was channelled through Barisan Nasional’s Bagan co-ordinator David Chua.

Club president Khor Meng Chong said the club would sponsor the spectacles for pupils who were recommended to wear them after the test.

“We have been conducting the programme for the last five years to help needy pupils,” he said.

Khor said the club also organised other yearly events such as water awareness programmes for schools, festivals of joy for children in orphanages and medical camps.

“We also give out hampers to the needy during the major festivals, wheelchairs to deserving patients, and school bags, uniforms and shoes to poor students,” he said.

SK Kuala Perai headmaster Zainalee Ibrahim thanked the club for selecting the school for the programme.

He said this was the first such programme held in the school.

Plant closure cast in stone

THE Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) has assured residents in Kampung Bagan Dalam, Butterworth that a nearby cement batching plant would be shut down.

The assurance was given during a meeting held between the representatives from the residents and the municipal councillors at the MPSP headquarters recently.

Councillor Ahmad Farid Md Arshad said the council never gave any approval to the plant operator.

“The Department of Environment (DOE) also did not approve of its operations,” Ahmad Farid said.

It was issued a stop work order in September last year while the Department of Environment (DOE) also did not approve of its operations, Ahmad Farid added.

He said the water supply at the plant was also disconnected after the stop work order was issued.

“We have also told the operator to remove all raw materials from the site and not to bring in any materials. Only security guards are supposed to man the site,” said Ahmad Farid after the meeting.

Barisan Nasional Bagan parliamentary coordinator David Chua was also present.

Ahmad Farid said that MPSP would continue to monitor the site.

Ridzuan Md Zain, who represented the residents, said the plant should not be operating at a residential area which also houses a school, a mosque and a temple.

On Jan 17, it was reported that several residents in Kampung Bagan Dalam were appealing to the authorities to relocate the plant, which they claimed was causing pollution.

The plant, which underwent trial runs in September last year, was located just 50m from their houses.

The DOE in a letter to the residents concurred that it was inappropriate to build a plant in a housing area.


News from : The Star.Metro.2011 Mac 3

Thousands attend police do

The first-ever Penang police contingent Chinese New Year open house was a smashing success with thousands of people attending the festive event in Sungai Ara.

Heavy rain, which had battered the site in the early afternoon, abated just before cars started to arrive, leaving a comfortable, cool atmosphere that lasted the whole night.

The open house site — covering a basketball court and a surrounding open space on Jalan Sungai Ara 1 — was transformed with massive tents erected around a large stage and seating area.

And at 7.30pm, the food started to be dished out. There were rice with rendang, curry chicken and achar (pickled vegetables), ikan bakar (grilled fish), laksa, rojak, satay, fresh fruits and a variety of kuih.

There was also long lines for koay teow basah (fried rice noodles in gravy) and ais kacang.

“This is my first time at an open house. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough food, but there’s plenty and the hospitality is great,” said Cangkat Sungai Ara resident Scott Choo, 31.

While scores of people sat at tables or on stools enjoying the food, groups of performers took to the stage to provide the entertainment.

Among the memorable acts during the night were performances of 24-season drums, wuhsu and lion dances on high stilts.

The crowd was then treated to a colourful fireworks display that lit up the night sky for five minutes.

In his speech, state police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob said he was heartened by the number of visitors who came dressed in their Rukun Tetangga, Volunteer Patrol Squads and Community Policing uniforms.

“This is a positive sign that many realise that it takes a collective effort to keep Penang safe,” he said.

Other guests included Penang MCA deputy chairman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun, Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Seri Hilmi Yahaya, Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad and Barisan Nasional co-ordinators David Yim (Bayan Baru), Wong Mun Hoe (Pantai Jerejak) and Goh Kheng Sneah (Batu Uban).

The open house on Sunday was co-organised by the Southwest District Residents Association.



Over in Butterworth, more than 300 people thronged the Chinese New Year open house hosted by the Bagan MCA division.

The event was held outside the Bagan MCA division office and it was well attended by several leaders from the Barisan Nasional component parties and, also residents living in the area.

The highlight of the event was the ceremonial tossing of yee sang, which created a festive atmosphere.

Bagan MCA division chief Loo Khay Thye said he was delighted to see the big crowd.

He also took the opportunity to thank Barisan Nasional coordinator for Bagan, David Chua, for obtaining a federal allocation of RM10,000 to replace the water pump at the low cost flat at Taman Pantai Bersih in Butterworth.

- The Star - Metro North

DPM: Govt fair to all states

GEORGE TOWN: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the federal government had always been fair in its treatment of all states, including Penang and others under the Pakatan Rakyat rule.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the federal government’s policies and projects had benefitted everyone and called on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to be fair to the people in the state regardless of their race.

He said Barisan Nasional had never side-lined Penang and the state had benefitted from the success of National Key Results Area (NKRA) initiatives.

“We have achieved almost 100% of the NKRA targets and Penang was not left out.

“We will continue to develop Penang because the rakyat need our assistance,” he said at the state Barisan Nasional Chinese New Year open house at the Penang Chinese Town Hall on Sunday.

Lim was also present at the function.

Muhyiddin urged Lim to be fair to Malays, Indians and Chinese.

“Serve the people of Penang - the Malays or Chinese or Indians. Give them the opportunity to do business as they want to earn a living by themselves,” he said, adding that the state government should provide opportunities and encouragement to entrepreneurs to earn a living instead of preventing them.

“I know that Penang is under the opposition government, but what is important is that the opposition makes a commitment to help the people just like Barisan, which has made a commitment to bring progress to the people without bias,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the government wanted to make sure that its initiatives touched all levels of society but stressed that efforts to develop the nation was not solely the responsibility of the federal government.

“If we want to become a developed nation by the year 2020, we must foster closer relationships between all races,” he added.

He said the government was trying its best to ensure that the delivery system was efficient as it realised that the people wanted to see results.

Those present at the function included state Barisan chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Penang MCA chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, state MIC chairman Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah and several state exco members.