Malaysia Update

PETALING JAYA: The audit report on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) is ready and the Port Klang Authority (PKA) has been given one week to make it public. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said he would contemplate submitting the report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Public Accounts Committee after its release.

Writing this in his blog (ongteekeat.net), the minister said that by releasing the audit report by PriceWaterhouseCoopers he would be keeping a pledge he made earlier.

“I have pledged to ensure transparency on this issue and I intend to keep my word,” he wrote.

He also announced that he had decided to extend the services of PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng whose term of office expired on March 31.

“One of his key priorities now is to ensure the release of the report,” he said.

Ong, who is the MCA president, said that he had directed the PKA last year to commission an independent and credible firm to look into the PKFZ controversy.

“The delay in completing the report is due to several technical issues, including the declassification of key government documents related to the investigations,” he explained.

Now that the report was ready, it was only natural for the PKA, which had commissioned the report, to release the findings.

On Sunday, Ong hit out at his critics, saying that it was grossly unfair for some “snipers”, including certain individuals from certain media, to ignore that declassification had to be sought before the report could be released.

The 405ha PKFZ transshipment hub has been dogged by controversy ever since it was revealed that its original development cost had ballooned from the original less than RM2.5bil to RM4.6bil.

Former Transparency International chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam commended Ong for handling the situation very well, “by giving due respect to the PKA and allowing it to release the report.”

He said that Ong, by ordering the release of the report, was also ensuring that public interest was upheld.

“It is right and proper that he submits the report to the MACC and Public Accounts Committee after it is released,’’ he said.

If there was any wrongdoing, those concerned must be brought to book, Navaratnam added.

PETALING JAYA: The electrical and electronics sector is asking the Labour Department for workers, now that orders for its products are on the upswing again.

Labour director-general Datuk Ismail Abdul Rahim said they were receiving requests for more workers from employers in the sector since the beginning of the month.

“The majority of those retrenched at the beginning of the year came from this sector, followed by those in the textile and garment manufacturing sector.

“But now, we believe there may be new orders coming in for the electrical and electronics sector by June. This is a good indication that our exports are getting better.

“We will give bosses our assistance in looking for new workers. For a start, we have provided them with the profiles of 12,000 workers who were recently retrenched,” he said in an interview here yesterday.

Ismail said the department had 27,000 job vacancies on record while those retrenched in the country now numbered some 23,000.

“We have managed to place 7,000 retrenched workers in these jobs. I urge those who have yet to find jobs to register with us.

“Hopefully, the current swine flu outbreak in Mexico and certain places in the United States won’t affect the recovery,” he said.

Ismail said the department would also ask companies and factories to stop depending on third-party contractors to supply them with foreign workers as one way of saving job opportunities for local workers.

In recent statistics posted on the Human Resources Ministry website, 16,744 local and 7,145 foreign workers were retrenched between Oct 1, 2008, and April 27.

Of the 8,242 workers given voluntary separation schemes in the same period, 7,342 were locals.

Similarly, local workers formed the majority of those temporarily laid off or given pay cuts – 30,907 compared with 10,772 foreigners.

Ismail reminded employers that according to the law, they must retrench their foreign workers first.

“Bosses are required to inform us every time they retrench their workers. This is so we can check if they have followed the law and first retrenched their foreign workers,” he added.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama asked Congress on Tuesday for an additional $1.5 billion to fight swine flu as the confirmed U.S. caseload jumped to 65 people in six states in what doctors fear may become a full pandemic.


U.S. President Barack Obama walks back to the Oval Office after attending the 2009 National Teacher of the Year ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, April 28, 2009. (REUTERS/Jim Young)
Lawmakers convened an emergency hearing in Washington on the government's ability to respond to a more severe outbreak.

"With a new infectious agent you don't sit back and wait and hope for the best. You take bold steps, and then you pull back if you need to," Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control, told reporters.

The CDC total included 10 cases in California, 2 in Kansas, 45 in New York, one in Ohio and 6 in Texas. An additional case was reported by Indiana state authorities.

While the new flu strain has killed up to 159 people in Mexico, cases seen in the United States and elsewhere have been mild. CDC officials said only five U.S. cases have required hospitalization, two of them in California, but they have said they expect more serious cases -- and possibly deaths -- as surveillance expands.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency over the outbreak, enabling deployment of funds and personnel to fight the disease. Federal officials declared a national public health emergency on Sunday.

Obama, in a letter to Congress, said the $1.5 billion would give the government "maximum flexibility" as it fights the disease, supplementing antiviral stockpiles, adding medical equipment and starting preparations for a vaccine.

As public health headlines gripped the country, former Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius was sworn in as U.S. health secretary in an Oval Office ceremony Obama attended just hours after the Senate confirmed her nomination.

"We wanted to swear her in right away because we've got a significant public health challenge that requires her immediate attention, and that is the H1N1 flu outbreak," Obama told reporters.

Republican critics had delayed confirming Sebelius because of her stance on abortion.

Analysts said the addition of Sebelius and the filling of other senior health vacancies would help Obama, who hopes to appear in control while trying not to generate panic.

"You're almost always going to basically deal with the possibility that there will be some other crisis that emerges just as you're juggling other balls. Obama seems ready to do that compared to other presidents," said Norm Ornstein, a political expert at the American Enterprise Institute.

CRUCIAL FUNDING

On Capitol Hill, health officials told an emergency hearing the funding would be crucial if the flu virus spreads.

"In the face of these cutbacks and layoffs and vacancies, we don't even have the workforce we had two years ago," said Dr. Paul Jarris, executive director of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

In California, Texas and New York City, authorities have ordered schools shut where students have tested positive for the swine flu virus.

Los Angeles County coroner's officials investigated the deaths of two men for links to the disease, but later ruled out one. Local health officials said they expected infections in Los Angeles and were already investigating two possible "flu clusters" at schools in the suburb of Santa Clarita.

In New York, most confirmed cases of infection were at a Queens private school where the virus has sickened 28 students.

Officials had said earlier as many as 100 students might have been ill, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Tuesday officials have stopped testing more people because the symptoms are mild, with only two people going to the hospital.

"This is following the pattern of normal, seasonal influenza," Bloomberg told reporters at City Hall. "So far, nothing about the spread of swine flu has surprised us."

A University of Notre Dame student was the first confirmed flu case in Indiana, according to state and school officials.

There were few signs of panic across the country, although sales of flu medication and items like face masks were up in areas close to where cases have been confirmed. Some stores reported a run on disinfectants.

Schools stepped up cleaning efforts and posted fliers urging students to wash their hands and cover their mouths and noses when they coughed.

"Everyone's a little leery of anyone coughing. Even though the news makes it seem really, really bad, it doesn't seem like it's actually that much of a concern," said Aaron Armelin, 33, a telecommunications technician in Los Angeles.

Despite advice that no pigs have been affected by the virus, Ecuador joined a long list of countries putting bans on imports of some U.S. pigs and pork products, further worrying pork producers.

(Additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb, Steve Holland, Matt Bigg, Emily Chasen, Jason Szep, Dan Trotta, Toby Zakaria)

Ching Ah Tee, 70, now spends his time taking care of his son, Hwa Luong, 40, who was struck down by the deadly virus epidemic almost a decade ago.

PORT DICKSON: As panic over the deadly swine flu sweeps the world, residents of Kampung Baru Sungai Nipah, a small village in Lukut, remember the devastation and tragedy they suffered when an equally deadly virus struck 10 years ago.

One hundred and five people lost their lives in the outbreak in Bukit Pelandok, at that time the largest pig-farming area in Southeast Asia with a swine population of about 1,000,000.

The virus first surfaced there in late 1998 and within weeks brought the more than 3,000 residents there to their knees.

Pigs were culled while experts at Universiti Hospital fought against time to find a cure.

Authorities said it was an outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis.
There are no pig farms left in Bukit Pelandok but residents fear they may have to relive their nightmare as pigs are still slaughtered and transported through Sepang, near their village.

Ching Hwa Luong, 40, is a living reminder to the villagers of the human toll exacted by the virus.

"After he was infected, he suffered brain damage and was also paralysed," said Hwa Luong's father, Ah Tee, 70.

"Although we (villagers) don't rear pigs here any more, we are still worried. It was a nightmare for us (during the outbreak).

"Each day, someone would die and the thought of something similar happening again is sending shivers down our spine.

"We hope the authorities will ensure the swine flu does not reach our shores... I doubt we can survive another similar ordeal."

The village is now almost deserted as most residents have left in search of new livelihoods.

Today, Bukit Pelandok is a sad shadow of its past self, when posh bungalows were plentiful.

Mat Adib Ralib, 59, who runs a coffee shop, said the latest swine flu was the talk of the villagers, with many looking back to the horror period.

"Reading about the swine flu brings back memories but we can only pray that the virus does not hit our shores.

"We are haunted by memories... those who survived are forever scarred.

PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has confirmed that no case of “influenza-like” illness with symptoms of swine flu infection has been found in Malaysia.

However, the Government is not taking chances with the outbreak that is already spreading across Mexico to other countries.


Taking precautions: Perlis Tourism and Health Committee chairman Ahmad Bakri Ali (right) discussing a point with a tourist who arrived via the Padang Besar train station yesterday. — Bernama
The ministry has already expanded its screening of passengers arriving at international entry points like KL International Airport, which it started on Monday, to the ground.

In Rantau Panjang, which borders Thailand, the health department began randomly screening those coming into Malaysia on foot.

“We are doing it as a precaution,” a doctor on site said. He set up an informal unit with five of his subordinates.

The ministry has taken measures to set up hotlines for the public to call for inquiries in Putrajaya and also started a 24-hour monitoring of the situation. The public can call 03-8881-0200/300 for enquiries.

Police personnel at Malaysia’s borders are on high alert to check any signs of the swine flu outbreak sneaking into the country.


A teacher demonstrating to children how to wash their hands as a precautionary measure against swine flu infection at a kindergarten in Hubei in the Anhui province of China. - Reuters
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said policemen would assist all border-control agencies to monitor for any signs of the disease at all entry points including airports.

“We are working closely with the Health Ministry to monitor the situation and assist in the screening process,” he told reporters after a visit to Hospital Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the 202nd Police Day yesterday.

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Ismaiil Merican confirmed yesterday that no case of influenza-like illness with symptoms of swine flu virus had been reported in Malaysia. He said that based on surveillance of influenza-like illness, there had been no reported case.

He added that health officers at KLIA screened 428 passengers and airline crew flying in from areas with cases of swine flu for signs of the infection. Passengers and airline crew, he said, were also been given health alert cards and health declaration forms to fill.

“The screening at all international entry points continued yesterday. A technical committee meeting involving several agencies will also be held today to discuss other preventive measures and an integrated approach for the control of any infection,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Dr Ismail said that in view of the World Health Organisation’s decision to raise the swine flu alert to Phase 4 from Phase 3, which made the current situation just two levels away from a full pandemic, the ministry would continue to advise Malaysians to stay away from affected regions.

“This is particularly when the travel is unnecessary and they are not feeling well. Those who fall sick during their travel should seek medical treatment,” he warned.

In Kuala Lumpur, Bernama reports that the Foreign Ministry had asked all Malaysian missions abroad to continuously monitor and update the ministry on the swine flu outbreak in relation to Malaysians residing or travelling overseas.

“The 60 registered Malaysians residing in Mexico where the swine flu outbreak was first detected and another five in the accredited Central American countries are reported to be safe and free from the virus,” the ministry said in a statement.

The public is advised to report to the Consular Divison of the Foreign Ministry at 03-8887-4000 if they are aware or informed of any cases by their friends, relatives or colleagues currently overseas.

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim filed a defamation suit against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and its chief for making false and scurrilous allegations against him over the issue of his car and cows.

Khalid filed the suit yesterday afternoon at the High Court registry through counsel Sankara N. Nair.

Khalid named MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan, the commission and the government as defendants.

Khalid claimed that on or about Feb 21, Ahmad Said had made a statement which was published on the front page of the New Straits Times, "Khalid in hot water over car and cows", and on page two of the paper titled "There is evidence Khalid misused powers".

He said the statement was also published in other newspapers and their online services.


Khalid claimed that Ahmad Said and the MACC had acted in bad faith in that it instigated public hatred against him, lowered his esteem in the eyes of the public and exposed him to ridicule and contempt.



Khalid, through his lawyer, had sent two letters to Ahmad Said, on Feb 26 and on March 19, to seek an explanation but to date, the MACC had not responded.

SYDNEY:The swine flu outbreak is more worrying than bird flu because it is spread much more readily between humans, an infectious diseases expert said yesterday.

Australian National University epidemiology specialist Prof Paul Kelly said swine flu had a lower mortality rate than bird flu but warned this was a mixed blessing because it would help the virus spread more quickly.

He said bird flu had remained relatively contained because human-to-human transmission was difficult, while swine flu was highly infectious.

"Bird flu has been limited -- to an extent that it happened in Indonesia and other places, but it's never been on the sort of scale as this.

"This is actually more worrying."
He told ABC radio that swine flu appeared to be a form of the virus that epidemiologists had feared for years -- a combination of strains from various animals that was easily transmitted between humans.

Prof John Mackenzie, a biosecurity expert from Perth's Curtin University, said the latest flu threat appeared to be a combination of at least two types of swine virus and an avian virus gene.

He said the next few days would be crucial in determining whether the world was facing a pandemic.

"I guess we're at that 'grey' stage where we don't know if it is going to be a pandemic strain or not."