JOHOR BARU, Nov 10 — A total of 24 police reports had been received by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) regarding the Tanjung Piai (P165) by-election.

Johor Police Chief, Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din however said so far only three investigation papers had been opened.

He said that among the cases that had been opened for investigation included the case of party flags which had been installed but were reported to have been pulled out around Kebun Kampung Baru Permas.

“Consequently, the case on the statement by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister (Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub) which carried seditious elements was still under investigation under Section 4A (1) Election Act 1954.

“The third case reported concerned the statement by Datuk Zahid (Hamidi) on ‘basikal lajak’,” he told reporters at a media conference in conjunction with the Johor PDRM Monthly Assembly, here today.

He said, however. two of the cases had been referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Attorney-General’s Chambers to assist in the investigation.

On the poll, Mohd Kamaruddin said the police expected the campaign would become more aggressive by polling day on Nov 16.

Meanwhile, he said PDRM was preparing 3,050 personnel who would be on duty in case floods occurred. — Bernama

PONTIAN, Nov 10 — The Ministry of Education vows to ensure all students in the country can gain access to a quality education, regardless of where they live or go to school.

Its minister Dr Maszlee Malik said this was important to enable the students, whether in the urban or rural areas, achieve success in academic, co-curricular activities and sports.

“I am happy to see our children are able to represent districts and states, even though they live in the rural areas. This shows that wherever we are, we can succeed,” he told reporters after attending the Sekolah Kebangsaan Parit Patah 2019 Academic Excellence Awards here today.

Meanwhile, during his visit to Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Tah Tong here, Maszlee said multicultural arts programme should be expanded to all schools in the country to foster unity.

During the visit, the minister was impressed with the ‘kompang’ (hand drum) performance by the pupils.

“We usually watch lion dance performances by Malay and Indian students but at this SJKC they have a kompang group,” he said, adding that such programmes could help deal with disciplinary problems among students.

The 94-year old school has 393 students of which 18 are Malays.

Later in the day, Maszlee held a dialogue with teachers from Pontian district and officiated ‘Assalamualaikum YB’ programme that took place at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Pontian here.

In its statement later, the ministry said about 300 teachers attended the programme that intended to explain the latest education policies and the presentation of the ministry’s 2019 report card.

“In ensuring the delivery system of the government is transparent and teacher-oriented, the Education Minister will always go down to the ground to hold dialogues with them. The ministry is committed to ensuring the education policies reach the grass root and are implemented successfully at the teacher’s level,” it added. — Bernama

Congratulations to Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor Nicholas Theng, Jawi assemblyman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye and some hypocritical city councillors for their valiant efforts to enforce the law against “vandalism”.

First, I would like to demolish this red herring — accusing me of justifying Seberang Perai City Council member Cameron Kang’s actions in putting up posters with QR (quick response) codes to obtain the arrival times of Rapid Penang buses.

Nowhere did I justify Kang’s actions, or even mention his name in my earlier statement. Theng should not put words in my mouth. In any case, Kang has unreservedly apologised for his misdeed and taken responsibility for his actions.

I am also informed that Kang received three compound notices from MBPP — one for each bus stop and has paid two as he only pasted on two bus stops.

So much for Theng and his supporters’ unwarranted accusations of me exonerating Kang’s actions. Apologies are due.

But MBPP’s efficiency in booking Kang should be lauded. Can I also request MBPP to provide a full list of the other offenders (i.e. vandals) who have also been duly booked?

I am also happy to be informed that there was an effort by the MBPP to remove 450 illegal posters on Aug 22, 2019, which is commendable. News reports also show that the council tried to reach four advertisers but was unsuccessful.

I have always maintained then and now that it is more important to put more resources and effort to tackle the source of this problem, i.e. finding and booking the perpetrators, than cleaning up their mess.

Councillor Theng doesn’t know the difference between enforcement (i.e. going after offenders) and picking up after the offenders. MBPP has reportedly removed over 17,000 illegal posters as of August 2019.

I know the MBPP spends several hundred thousand ringgit yearly (at least during my tenure as MBPP councillor) to remove such illegal posters and banners.

It has become an industry in itself.

I always advocated that if the MBPP were stricter and active in enforcement, we wouldn’t have to spend so much of ratepayers’ money cleaning up the mess.

For six years, when I was a councillor, I repeatedly asked MBPP to go after Ah Longs (loan sharks) and others who put up offensive posters. But there simply was no political will or interest.

It seems Theng or his supporters were highly vigilant and diligent in stalking Kang and catching him in the act of putting up the posters with the QR code.

My question is whether they have been as diligent in stalking the hundreds of Ah Longs who commit the offence daily?

If not, why not? And why just Kang? Is this deliberately planned?

To clear up the answer of selective persecution, can Theng answer the following:

1. To provide a full list of offenders who were caught and fined? Or at least how many and when?
2. How many have paid up their fines?
3. If they have not, what action has MBPP taken to go after them?

Finally, I strongly suggest Theng, as a diligent councillor, to spend more time stalking Ah Longs and bringing them to justice and not just offer one press statement after another.

Lim Mah Hui is a former Penang Island City Council councillor.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — Felcra Berhad (Felcra) will be the pioneer model of smart agriculture when it carries out padi planting spraying at the padi estate in Felcra Seberang Perak at the end of this month. 

The technology will be implemented by MATA Aerotech which was appointed to set up the mechanism in line with Felcra’s aspiration to improve the organisation’s achievement as well as enhancing the quality of life for more than 100,000 farmers nationwide under its scheme.

MATA Aerotech in a statement today announced that the appointment followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Felcra and MATA Aerotech on July 22.

“Through this cooperation, MATA Aerotech will be using drone technology to spray padi seeds over a 1,557 hectares of padi estate or more than 45 per cent of the overall estate of Felcra Seberang Perak.

“With this, Felcra Seberang Perak will be the first and largest padi estate in Malaysia, to create history in using drone technology on large scale for padi cultivation,” the statement said.

According to MATA Aerotech, the padi cultivation using drone technology will replace manual spraying by workers which will take a much longer time.

This would enable manpower to be deployed in other productive activities.

Apart from that, agriculture spraying using drone is more even and it can reduce wastage and lower exposure of workers and the environment to the spray substance.

According to the company, MATA Aerotech and Felcra will be using drone technology and Artificial Intelligence (A.I) to analyse data to monitor growth and health of padi crops.

“Quick and accurate data analysis will assist Felcra to improve management and operation of padi estates.

 “Data analysis is the first move towards precision agriculture involving targeted spraying on areas with problem or infected by disease,” it said.

Besides that, the cooperation included the implementation of “Aviator Training Programme” (ATP) to train youths from Felcra community as drone technology operators.

The first ATP will be starting this month in Felcra Seberang Perak involving nine trainees.

The three-month training programme covers classroom lessons and on-the-job practical training.

“The trainees undergoing the programme will also have the chance of being absorbed as drone technology operators with MATA Aerotech,” said the statement. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman today said that the ministry will take over the Terengganu chapter of the National Sports Council (NSC), if a news report claiming that the state has banned female gymnastics, is proven to be true.

Taking to Twitter today, the Muar MP said he would not tolerate such action against athletes.

“If true, KBS will take over control of MSN Terengganu & absorb their young aspiring athletes who are discriminated.

“I personally will meet up with the athletes affected to ensure that their future in gymnastics will not be compromised,” he tweeted.

Syed Saddiq later lamented to the media that the Terengganu government’s stand on the matter is confusing.

“They told me that they’ll allow for the gymnasts to participate in Sukma. That they will be taken care.

“But at the same time, insisting something else when asked by the media. Uncertainty kills talents,” Syed Saddiq told reporters via his ministry’s WhatsApp channel.

Sukma refers to Sukan Malaysia, which is a biannual national multi-sport event

MORE TO COME

PETALING JAYA: Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman says he will be meeting gymnasts in Terengganu to ensure their future in the sport in the wake of a report that the state was cutting back on recruiting female gymnasts.

Syed Saddiq said he will be holding a meeting to settle the issue, adding that if it does not get resolved, his ministry will intervene to ensure the future of Terengganu female gymnasts.

“They told me that they’ll allow for the gymnasts to participate in Sukma (Malaysian Games), that they will be taken care of.  But, at the same time, they’re insisting on something else when asked by the media,” he said.

Channel News Asia reported today that the Terengganu Gymnastics Association, which also trains athletes from schools, said they were following guidelines issued by the state government.

Terengganu Youth, Sports and NGO Development Committee chairman Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah was quoted as saying that the guidelines were implemented in stages to avoid appearing “radical” or for the people to view the state as an “extreme state like the Taliban”.

Syed Saddiq said on Twitter that he would not tolerate such things, adding that, if true, his ministry will take over stewarding the “discriminated” athletes from the Terengganu sports council.

“I personally will meet the athletes affected to ensure that their future in gymnastics will not be compromised,” he added.

In September, the Terengganu state government said a shariah-compliant code of conduct for athletes was being drawn up while the state was withdrawing from certain sports events because they did not conform with Islamic rules.

Wan Sukairi further said the state government was forced to withdraw from rhythmic gymnastics and women’s gymnastics as they required athletes to expose their bodies and had “arousing” movements.

This sparked the National Sports Council to criticise the state government, saying it was unacceptable for Terengganu to assume that the skills and techniques displayed in such sports were “arousing”.