Monday 28 May 2012

PM brings cheer to old folks, P 16, Home, The Borneo Post, Tuesday, 29 May 2012


PM brings cheer to old folk


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/5/28/nation/20120528180743&sec=nation


KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak brought cheer to many elderly people on Monday with two announcements he made at a luncheon meeting with about 1,500 old folks.

He said the Health Ministry would conduct health inspection visits at least once a month with immediate effect to all the 48 old folks homes under the auspices of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

He also said that the Astro satellite radio and TV service would be installed free of charge at 39 elderly care centres registered with the Social Welfare Department nationwide and subscription would be waived for three to five years.

Old folks from care centres in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur attended the luncheon with the prime minister under the Karisma senior citizens programme, at Rumah Sejahtera, Seri Kembangan, near here.

Najib said the health inspection visits would involve health screening and follow-up treatment.

Najib said statistics indicated that elderly people in the country had made 1.4 million visits and repeat visits to health clinics.

"The Health Ministry will not only provide treatment to senior citizens at health clinics but also make visits to the 48 care centres for the elderly to provide follow-up treatment," he said in his address at the function.

Najib, who is also acting minister of women, family and community development, said the health inspection visits would provide the elderly folks with better health care.

On the Astro service, he said it would enable the senior citizens to watch and/or listen to the news and entertain and sports programmes over the radio and television.

"Even old folks need activities to fill their spare time because active minds would help promote physical health. Idle minds would lead to a deterioration of physical health," he said.

Najib also urged the people to safeguard Eastern community values by taking care of the elderly well, saying they had contributed a lot to the nation and society.

"We have to uphold these values because in some developed countries, the elderly are neglected and left to their fate in old folks homes.

"The government can provide help but there is no substitute for family in taking care of the well-being of the elderly. If we can do this, our society will a much happier one with the love that one generation showers on another," he said.

The prime minister said the government had introduced several initiatives and incentives under Budget 2012 for the benefit of the elderly, among them waiving the outpatient registration fee at all hospitals and health clinics. - Bernama

Saturday 12 May 2012

State Secretary: Discipline not a big problem in civil service

Posted on May 13, 2012, Sunday
 
KUCHING: Disciplinary problems among public servants are not rampant and they are at a level normal in any organisation.

Some of the problems are absenteeism and getting into minor debts, but nothing serious, said State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani in response to questions from reporters after the launching of ‘A Day with the State Treasury Department’ here yesterday.

“We do have some who are facing disciplinary actions, but the figure is quite small and nothing alarming. For the first quarter of the year, we took actions against them, but I do not have the actual figure and I think it is not fair to reveal it,” he said.

When asked to comment about the minimum wage of RM800 for the private sector, he said it would not affect the public sector in the state.

He said that most public servants are given minimum wage and it is not an issue anymore.
The minimum wage also does not affect the state spending in terms of budget allocation, he added.
On a question about public servants who resigned to contest in the upcoming election, Morshidi refused to comment indicating that it was outside his jurisdiction.

State police commissioner Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said that an additional 1,000 officers were needed for the upcoming general election.

He said the police were geared for it and the extra manpower was to maintain order at voting channels making sure no untoward incidents occur, to safeguard ballot boxes and many more.

“We have faced many elections in the state and I’m sure we will not face any huge problems. I will be having a meeting with all district police chiefs next Wednesday to discuss pressing matters,” he said.

He added that the police were ready for the election anytime, even if it was held in June.
On another matter, Acryl said the police were increasing security at Kuching Waterfront by deploying tourist police, patrol teams and Rela in the area.

He also advised the public to be extra careful and vigilant when visiting the waterfront.

Be earnest in providing service to public – SS


On borrowed time



Sunday 6 May 2012

Rumah Seri Kenangan residents to be relocated


Posted on May 6, 2012, Sunday

KUCHING: The 84 residents of Rumah Seri Kenangan Mile 12 will be relocated to other welfare homes soon.

They are Rumah Seri Kenangan Sibu, Samarahan Rehabilitation Centre, and Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheras in Kuala Lumpur.

Principal Saptuyah Sazali said this is because the existing building will be demolished in August and a new one built.

“The estimated time of completion is two years and it costs around RM12 million. This project is under the Ninth Malaysia Plan,” she said during a farewell dinner for the home’s residents and staff on Friday.

She added that 38 of the residents are sick and bedridden.

During the dinner, residents born between January and April also celebrated their birthdays.

“Most of our inmates do not have the chance to spend their birthdays with their families, and this initiative is a blessing to them and sets the right mood for a little celebration,” added Saptuyah.