RFID illegal logging detector on trial run

The Forestry Depart­ment is currently testing a device that uses German technology to detect illegal logging activities.

Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Abdul Rahim said the device, which uses radio frequency identification (RFID), is being used on a trial basis.

“We are currently testing the technology in Negri Sembilan and if everything goes well, will use it to thwart illegal logging and encroachment into forest re­­serves,” he told The Star after opening the 16th Forestry Confe­rence at a hotel here yesterday.

Dr Abdul Rahman said technologies like RFID were vital in forestry management because of European Union regulations for the production of logs and wood products.

The European Union, he said, wanted countries that export wood products to guarantee the trees used to make those products were harvested legally and in an environmentally sustainable manner.

The European Union also wants control and monitoring processes to be transparent. “Once those controls and processes are in place, the Government will be able to issue export licences that meet EU standards and combat illegal logging,” he said.

The conference, themed “Forest for Community Livelihood”, was opened by Malacca’s Rural De­­velopment and Agriculture committee chairman Datuk R. Peru­mal.

M’sia maintains 56.4% of land area as forest

Malaysia is still able to maintain 56.4 percent of its total land area as forested land, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas said on Monday.

He described it as an encouraging achievement because many countries were not able to do so as their forest areas had been opened for development.

This success is very significant because Malaysia is still a developing country where development and forest land-use change for other purposes still happens, he said in his speech at the opening of the 16th Malaysian Forestry Conference here.

The text of the speech was read by Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.

Uggah said the most important challenge in today's forest management was to balance the competition and various land use for forestry activities.

He said that the forest was not just a producer of a product, but also to produce clean air and water, as well as to absorb carbon dioxide and the greenhouse effect.

Meanwhile, Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, in his speech when opening the conference, said Malacca had gazetted 5,327 hectares of forested land or 3.2 percent of the state's total land area as permanent forest reserves.

"This effort is made on the commitment by the state government to maintain a permanent forest area to provide a clean environment and for the preservation of the biodiversity for the people's well-being" he said.

The speech was read by the State Rural Development and Agriculture Committee Chairman Datuk R. Perumal.

He said the state government would continue with its tree planting effort, adding that a total of 17,250 trees had been planted since 2005. - Bernama

Credit BN for law reforms, says Najib

No one else should take credit for the law reforms mooted by Barisan Nasional which saw the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the three Emergency Declarations when both the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat have their next sitting, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.

He also announced that the government will do away with annual printing and publishing permits with permits that can be cancelled if regulations are flouted.

He said that the law reforms would put Malaysia on the right track to becoming a more open and progressive democracy while ensuring harmony.

The prime minister said the decision to scrap the ISA was part of his promise to amend the controversial law when he took office in 2009.

“These are not the fruits of their struggle. This was a decision made by the Barisan Nasional government because we listened to Malaysians who want this change.”

Forest law enforcement to curb illegal logging

Flying Squad in Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia is the forest law enforcement unit that plays a vital role in curbing illegal logging.

Under the law, all forest produce are the property of the State Authorities and only those with permission are allowed to enter and extract the forest produce.

Datuk Razani Ujang, Director General Of Forestry Department Peninsular M'sia

Forests are under the responsibility of the states as enshrined in the Malaysian Federal Constitution. Under Article 74(12) of the Federal Constitution, land and forest ownership and management is the responsibility of the State governments.

The executive authority of the Federal Government only extends to the provision of advice and technical assistance to the States, training and the conduct of research, unless the State agrees to delegate some of their authority to the Federal Government.

However, the Federal Government is responsible for trade policies, import and export controls and international cooperation among others. The Enforcement Unit at the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia coordinates and supports the enforcement actions undertaken by the Forest Operations Division at the State Forest Departments of Peninsular Malaysia only.

Zahari Ibrahim, Director of Flying Squad

The challenge of sustainability management of production forests faces highly complex processes. It is interesting to note that Forestry Department has taken various measures in to curb illegal logging.

Let’s see what Datuk Razani Ujang, Director General of Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia and Zahari Ibrahim, head of Flying Squad say about the modus operandi on Corporate Illegal Logging and the issues to the Star, the biggest circulation newspaper in Malaysia…

Read the full article below:

http://mstar.com.my/kolumnis/cerita.asp?file=%2F2011%2F7%2F18%2Fmstar_kolum_khabarnya%2F20110718101827&sec=mstar_kolum_khabarnya

http://mstar.com.my/mingguan/cerita.asp?file=%2F2011%2F7%2F19%2Fmstar_mingguan%2F20110719112155&sec=mstar_mingguan

Illegal logging

The issue of illegal logging has become a hot topic as the awareness of the environmental issues not only gains its momentum but become social agenda.

Datuk Razani Bujang, Director General of Forestry Dept. Peninsular M'sia

Illegal logging is the harvest, transportation, purchase or sale of timber in violation of laws. It is a pervasive problem, causing enormous damage to forests, local communities and to the economies of producer countries.

The activities contribute to deforestation and by extension global warming causes loss of biodiversity and undermines the rule of law. These illegal activities undermine responsible forest management, encourage corruption and tax evasion and reduce the income of the producer countries, further limiting the resources that can be invested in sustainable development.

Illegal logging not only destroys the country’s unique rainforests, but also causes a series of environmental problems including flooding. The seriousness and negative impact of the economic and social implications for the poor and disadvantaged shouldn’t be overlooked.

Many Malaysians might not be aware that the forest that they are so used to is actually complex ecosystems that are filled with an assortment of plant life and wildlife.

Malaysia has been blessed with an abundance of rainforests. Many forested areas in Malaysia have been designated as National Parks and forest reserves. Malaysia’s efforts in preserving its rainforests are not in vain.

Malaysia has always done its best in the fight against illegal logging, which not only destroys the country’s unique rainforests, but also causes a series of environmental problems, including flooding.

It is interesting to note that Forestry Department has taken various measures to overcome the problems. Let see what the Director General of Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia said....

Read the full article below:

http://mstar.com.my/mingguan/cerita.asp?file=/2011/7/19/mstar_mingguan/20110719113620&sec=mstar_mingguan

PM wants review Prepaid tax

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the government has nothing to do with the telecommunication companies' decision to pass the burden of the six percent service tax on mobile phone prepaid reloads to the customer.

He said the move was decided entirely by the telecommunication companies, and should be reviewed so as to not burden the rakyat.

"The Finance Ministry did not approve it. It was done by the telecommunication companies themselves," he said in Kuala Lumpur.

The premier added that he has received much feedback on the matter and feels that a review of the decision is needed especially as the rakyat is now facing increasingly lean times.

“I have received information and feedback from the people at large and find that the decision is unpopular.

“So I hope it can be reviewed to reduce the burden of the rakyat who are now facing hikes in food prices,” he said.

Yesterday, telecommunications companies announced that it will now charge consumers the six percent tax it had previously been footing.

The opposition has hit out at the Najib administration, saying that it is proof of its uncaring stance.

中国社会老化日就是输给印度时

波恩大学社会学系教授埃里希•威德（Erich Weede）在《法兰克福汇报》撰文，认为在今后20年, 人口老化将导致印度经济增长超过中国。

在比较中国和印度时，印度潜在优势有4个即：英国的法制遗产、民主、英语和较好的人口发展。

有保障的产权和独立司法，简称法治国，被视是良好经济发展制度前提。在原则上, 印度比中国更有优势，然而只是原则上而已。这两个国家都存在着顽固的腐败问题。印度法院在判决时缓慢，以至于有司法不作为之嫌。

政治影响似乎不仅在中国，也在印度发生即, 保护某些人不受法律追究。所以，印度的新闻自由只是一个潜在的优势。对于滥用权力，印度虽然可以比中国更自由地公开讨论，但印度的政治和行政并未因此更廉洁。

计量经济学研究表明，民主和专制在增长速度上没有明显的差别。也许民主和专制之间在增长前景上的差别根本就不在于平均值，而在于变量：民主倾向于以一般的速度与世界经济相接近地增长，而专制则会远远低于或者远远高于中间值。

中国经济史就是证明，在毛泽东领导下，中国国民经济增长比世界经济更缓慢。在所谓的大跃进中，农业生产合作社过渡到庞大的人民公社，用农村小高炉推动工业化，在这一过程中，有超过3000万人饿死，按照新的研究甚至超过4000万人。

在邓小平及其继任者领导下，中国自1979年以来经历了一个经济奇迹。 在独裁体制中，一切都取决于领导人的质量。在毛泽东领导下，中国人度过一段可怕的时光，自邓小平以来，中国的政府在经济政策上运气好些。领导人在经济上有能力，不再耽于乌托邦，但中国的一连串好运还能持续多久呢？

印度的王牌是其年轻而且不断增长的人口。在中国，人口快速老化，虽然计划生育政策没有导致妇女只生一个孩子，但中国出生率接近德国，即每个妇女大约1.3个孩子。计划生育政策可以被看作计划经济最后的'苦果'。中国的人口在20年后将会比全世界整体上都更老。

中国人像老化的欧洲和日本一样, 富有之前，就已经老矣。由于男女比例失衡，老化问题更激化，大约8000万中国男子将找不到伴侣。 中国的产权如此不可靠，持续的高速经济增长令人惊异。或许争取投资竞争迫使中国地方政府和省政府以行动表明，似乎他们愿意尊重生产资本的私人占有。但这就可以解释中国的经济增长和没有产权保障之间的矛盾了吗？

作者断言，在今后20年，印度没有机会明显地减少与中国的差距。只有中国变老了，印度的时机才会到来。

Hishammuddin to meet chief editors of newspapers on reporting sensitive issues

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein plans to meet chief editors of newspapers on the reporting of sensitive issues.

He said he wanted to ensure that the chief editors exercised caution in the reporting of sensitive issues on race and religion and that they understood they would be held responsible for their action.

Commenting on a report published in Utusan Malaysia recently alleging that certain groups wanted to make Christianity the official religion, Hishammuddin said:

"There are times when the Malay community were unhappy with the reporting of the Chinese newspapers (on sensitive issues) and vice versa.

"It is the responsibility of the chief editors to ensure that their organisations do not go beyond the boundaries set in reporting such issues," he told reporters after opening the Sungai Besar Umno division delegates meeting near Sabak Bernam.

Despite the clarity of the country's publishing laws and guidelines, he said, "every paper has crossed the line (in reporting sensitive issues) one time or another. Now it's Utusan (which has crossed the line)."

Hishammuddin said that it was difficult to control the flow of information on sensitive issues, especially with the emergence of the new media.

"If it (the information) does not make it to the mainstream papers, it will somehow or rather get to the new media like online news portals, Facebook and the short messaging service," he said.

PAS-DAP cooperation is only benefitting DAP: Najib

Prime Minister Najib Razak today urged PAS to leave the Pakatan Rakyat coalition as only DAP is reaping benefits from three-member opposition coalition.

He said that the PAS-DAP cooperation is only benefitting the DAP and this could be clearly seen in the just-concluded Sarawak state election where PAS worked very hard but it was the DAP which won.

"In Terangganu, we see posters captioned "PAS ganti UMNO" (PAS replaces Umno) but in reality it's "DAP ganti PAS" (DAP replaces PAS)," he said.

According to Najib, PAS should get out of Pakatan and shift its attention elsewhere.

“It did not matter if the party (PAS) did not want to join the BN,” he said.

Najib said DAP was the dominant force in Pakatan and its two other partners - PAS and PKR - were playing second fiddle to it.

"We see in a number of issues DAP will object if they do not fit into their ideology. So if they were to form the government, they might not be able to agree on major issues," he said.

The prime minister said if PAS wanted to champion Islam, DAP was not the right partner to do this.

“What I want to say is that in the Pakatan coalition now, only the DAP is benefitting."

World Bank Report wanted a change of Prime Minister: Dr Mahathir

The former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir said the World Bank report was politically motivated as it wanted a change of prime minister.

He described the World Bank as “useless”, saying today that it was politically motivated for putting out a report that pro-Bumiputera policies are stunting the country’s economy.

“We have been critical of the World Bank since my time. We said that they were useless. They dislike us and want to have their good friend become prime minister”, seemingly referring to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, a former chairman of its development committee.

The World Bank said on Thursday that more than one million Malaysians live abroad as policies favoring the Malays are holding back the economy, causing a brain drain and limiting foreign investment.

World Bank senior economist Philip Schellekens was quoted as saying that foreign investment could be five times the current levels if the country had Singapore’s talent base.

He said Malaysian migration was increasingly becoming a skill migration with one-third of the one million-strong Malaysian diaspora now consisting of the tertiary educated and expected the trend to continue.

Malaysian Malaysia reflected DAP belief Malaysia is just for Malays - Dr M

Tun Dr Mahathir rubbished DAP’s “Malaysian Malaysia” concept, claiming it reflected the party’s belief that Malaysia is presently just for the Malays.

The former prime minister said the Alliance and the BN have representation from all races is ignored and the parties share power in the Government is also ignored.

Even the opposition was trying to go the way of BN by forming its own pact. But so far they can only co-operate during elections. They now don’t contest against each other. But each party is still racist; concerned only with its own race once the election is over.

He casts aspersions on DAP’s claim to be a multiracial party, pointing out that the overwhelming majority if its members, supporters and leaders are Chinese. Their struggle is principally against anything Malay and for what they claim to be Chinese rights.

“Their disguise that they are for Malaysians is exactly that — it is a disguise. No one is taken in by their claim to be multiracial,” he chided.

He said for 50 years Barisan Nasional coalition has brought prosperity to all races, with the Chinese getting the biggest share because of their skills and ability is deliberately disregarded.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad insisted today that Malaysians are not yet ready to discard their ethnic origins by identifying themselves with only their nationality instead of their race. That day has not arrived yet. Until then, only the BN coalition can represent all races in Malaysia.

He said this was why Barisan Nasional as a coalition comprising various race-based parties like Umno, MCA and MIC, was still relevant in the country’s political landscape.

He claimed it was likely that the BN formula of combining race-based parties was responsible for bringing Malaysia years of peace while other nations with the same racial diversity languished with numerous racial and religious clashes.

“With the ensuing stability, Malaysia was able to develop and prosper. Can anyone deny that?” he said.