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THE OBJECTIVES
TO achieve greater unity
among Malaysians
MB looked beyond race
in PKNS top job
by Maria J. Dass
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
SHAH ALAM: “It is better if we give
the job to someone who will rake in
millions for the benefit of the Malays
than to appoint a Malay who is more
interested in giving out contracts to
non-Malays.”
This was Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul
Khalid Ibrahim’s response to those who
opposed his appointment of Low Siew
Moi as acting general manager of the
Selangor State Development Corpora-
tion (PKNS).
He said it was better for someone
who can genuinely help the Malays
to hold the position than for a Malay
who cannot deliver the benefits to the
community. “If there is a Malay man-
ager who cannot benefit the Malays,
then this is something we should view
seriously,” he said.
He also issued this poser to those
who challenged the decision: “People
are angry because we changed the
people, but they are not angry about
the billions lost? Which is better? Think
about this.”
He reiterated that Low, who was
due for retirement this month, was
picked for her 33-year experience in
the company.
He said she was aware that her
appointment was temporary and that
she would be there until a suitable
bumiputra candidate with proper quali-
fications and experience, preferably in
real estate and housing development,
could be found.
RUKUN NEGARA: THE PRINCIPLES
BELIEF
IN GOD
TO maintain a TO create a just society in
democratic way of life which the wealth of the nation
shall be equitably shared
PAS Selangor commissioner Datuk
Dr Hassan Ali had on Tuesday expressed
the party’s displeasure over Low’s ap-
pointment and said the party will be
looking for a suitable candidate to re-
place Low after meeting Abdul Khalid.
Hassan said this had nothing to
do with Low being a woman and a
Chinese. He said there are two other
deputy GMs who are also suitable for
the job, and asked why they were not
considered.
Former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr
Mohd Khir Toyo had also said Abdul
Khalid’s decision undermined the ca-
pabilities of Malays to run a company
like PKNS.
At the state assembly yesterday,
while raising a motion on the state
planning and development policy up to
2025, Kampung Tunku assemblyman
Lau Weng San also commented on
the opposition to Low’s appointment,
saying there needs to be a revamp of
PKNS. “There is no point for a Malay to
head the GLC if the rights of Malays are
pawned off to non-Malays.”
Lau said the facts showed that
between 2004 and last year, 75% of all
development projects were given to
non-Malays, either directly or indirectly.
He said PKNS today is building bun-
galows for the rich instead of low-cost
homes for those who need it. “We need
to fix these,” Lau said. “A state GLC
should also help and benefit all people
in Selangor, regardless of race.”
Other responses:
» Klang MP Charles Santiago, who
LOYALTY TO KING THE SUPREMACY
AND COUNTRY OF THE
CONSTITUTION
TO ensure a liberal approach
to her rich and diverse
cultural traditions
contacted theSun yesterday, hit out at
PAS, saying their action goes against
their “PAS for all” slogan which promised
to uphold Islamic principals of fairness
and equality for all.
“Low has been there for the last 33
years and from what I understand that
she is good at her job and a capable
person to carry out this duty.”
He said the lack of meritocracy and
appointments based on qualifications
has caused Malaysia to lag behind and
lose out a lot in terms of investment and
having the best minds.
He said PKNS is not a religious or
race-based organisation but one that is
aimed at helping the citizens.
» Wanita MCA chairman Datuk
Paduka Chew Mei Fun urged Abdul
Khalid to be firm in his professional view
and stand over the appointment.
“He should not be influenced by PAS
or any quarters and then compromise
on his decision on the appointment of
Low,” she said in a statement.
She said the appointment of top
government posts should not be based
on skin colour or gender.
Chew criticised the statements
made by Hassan and Khir, saying their
behaviour will not increase the coun-
try’s competitiveness and encourage
economic growth.
» Social Action Initiative Foundation
chairman Tan Sri Robert Phang said it
is sad that Low’s appointment has been
challenged or question by PAS repre-
sentatives. “I hold the view, so long as the
person is experienced and professionally
qualified, he or she should be given the
fair opportunity to lead a corporation,
even one set up to upgrade the social
economy status of bumiputras.”
He urged the government to do way
with the old school of thought but to
embrace the sincerity and commitment
to serve.
THE RULE COURTESY AND
OF LAW MORALITY
TO build a progressive society
which shall be oriented to modern
science and technology
Scary pictures on ciggie
boxes from January
PUTRAJAYA: From January, cigarettes
sold in Malaysia will have to carry
picture warnings about the danger of
smoking that are designed to put one
off the puffs.
The cigarette box will also carry
information on cigarette content,
statement on the prohibition of sale
to people below 18, the name and
address of the manufacturer or im-
porter, date of manufacture and the
number of sticks per pack following
the gazetting of the Control of Tobacco
Products (Amendment) Regulations
2008 on Sept 15, said Health Minister
Datuk Liow Tiong Lai.
“By June 1, cigarettes which do not
have the all these must be withdrawn
from the market,” he said, referring to
a deadline for compliance.
Following the amendment, the use
of false, confusing and deceptive de-
scriptors and terms which could create
misconception such as “low tar”, “light”,
“ultra-light” and “mild” is banned with
immediate effect, he said.
The new regulations also saw Na-
tional Service training centres being
turned into no-smoking areas and this
is applicable to all trainees, staff and
| THURSDAY OCTOBER 30 2008
visitors.
Meanwhile, the no-smoking areas
at shopping complexes now include
five-foot ways around the building.
“The amendments are made to
fulfil the government’s commitment
to the provisions in the World Health
Organisation Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control to which Malaysia
has been a party since December
2005,” Liow said.
He said those found breaking the
regulations would be fined or jailed.
So far this year, 2,622 smokers had
been slapped with compound fines
totalling RM564,000 while 1,946 cases
had been brought to court, he said.
Liow also announced a plan to
impose a floor price for all cigarettes
to check smoking among youths.
He said the industry and the cabi-
net, in its meeting on Sept 17, agreed
to the introduction of the minimum
price. They are now in the final stage
of drafting the Control of Tobacco
Products (Sale of Tobacco Products)
Regulations 2008 to implement it.
Liow said the minimum price would
probably be not less than 30 sen per
stick. – Bernama