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| Sunday, April 30, 2006 |
| 油厙爆炸狂燒9小時 火勢凌晨2時49分撲滅 |
星洲日报
（新山訊）從週五（28日）傍晚5時30分到凌晨2時49分，巴西古當柔佛海港儲油區油厙大火在狂燒了約9個小時之後，於週六（29日）凌晨2時49分被撲滅。
這場大火造成的損失還有待當局公佈。
大火發生時，許多人都不顧危險紛紛把車停在路旁，下車圍觀，有人還用手機拍下大火狂燒的場景。
大火發生後，消拯車一輛一輛的呼嘯而過，飛馳到現場灌救，震耳的鳴聲響徹寧靜的夜晚。參與搶救的除了巴西古當和新山的消拯隊伍，也包括來自新加坡的民防部隊，以及柔佛海港局本身的消防隊及來自鄰近兩家化學廠（出光和大騰）的消拯人員。
空氣中飄蕩欲嘔異味
公路上，因為不少居民自行疏散而出現車潮，交警也在場指揮車輛駛向安全方向。
午夜12時，火勢有變小的跡象，但是現場還是濃煙瀰漫，消拯車來了又去，氣氛緊張。
這時，路邊圍觀的人仍然很多，而在空气中飄蕩的味道則一直在變化，有時像油棕味，有時似煤气味，有時則像阿摩尼亞的味道，幾種味道混合的混雜著，令人聞之欲嘔。
經過逾9個小時的灌救，大火在凌晨2時49分左右被撲滅，救援人員也陸陸續續撤離現場，而交通也開始逐漸恢復正常。
雖然大火在凌晨已被撲滅，但是到凌晨5時12分，還是有許多人前往災場觀看，大約在清晨6時，這一帶的交通才恢復平靜。 （星洲日報‧2006/04/29） |
posted by Nobody @ 12:47 PM  |
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| Thursday, April 20, 2006 |
| 建美景大橋沒法律問題 馬哈迪：吳作棟曾來函認同 |
星洲日报
（布城訊）前首相敦馬哈迪醫生週一表示，他可以出示新加坡內閣資政吳作棟致給他的一封信函，來證明新加坡原本接納美景大橋的興建。
他說，大橋的興建並沒有法律問題的存在，新加坡前總理吳作棟在2002年致給他的一封信中表明，如果大馬要在本身的領土上建橋，這雖然不是一項理想的方案，但新加坡會接受，而且新加坡並沒有附加任何的條件。
他是週一在出席吉隆坡大學頒發工程科技榮譽博士給他的一項儀式後，在新聞發佈會上，發表談話。
“吳作棟說，如果橋建了之後，那麼長堤就拆除。”
他說，只是新加坡內閣資政李光耀後來說，吳作棟並不允許拆除長堤，這樣一來將會有大橋又有長堤。
他說，這只是李光耀的談話，李光耀並沒有職權，僅僅因為他被詢及是否同意吳作棟的做法，吳作棟才是最終的裁決人。
他也說，他也有遷移水管的條件，如果大馬有合法的理由要遷移水管，新加坡必須自費遷移水管，而非大馬承擔費用，除非我們本身不懂解讀合約。
馬哈迪：是否公投應詢問人民
針對政府並不接受公投建議問題，馬哈迪說，公投應該詢問人民的意見，並非只是詢問政府。
他說，他想政府犯了錯誤，以為人民不要賣沙，就解讀成不要建橋，根據他瞭解，人民要建橋，但不要賣沙，但可能政府有不同的理解。
他說，大馬沒有理由要賣沙或開放領空給新加坡，我們只是在大馬的領土上建橋，我們也已開始建橋，當為了詢問新加坡意見而停建後，當你詢問新加坡，新加坡就會附加條件。
“我們不能與新加坡解決所有的問題，原因是新加坡將所有的事物都綁在一起。”
至少應帶上國際法庭
他說，當一項問題無法解決，所有的問題將無法獲得解決，他們在消耗時間，這樣他們就可繼續付還3仙的水價。
詢及他是否非常不滿政府對不建橋的決定的問題，他不曾想過大馬政府會不戰而降，至少應帶上國際法庭處理。
他說，如果認為大馬的法庭能力不足，可交給國際法庭來詮釋合約。
他說，水管建在關稅、移民及檢疫站大廈的陸地上，如果我們要在該處進行工程，新加坡應該遷移水管，這些都清楚闡明在合法的合約上。
針對同樣的內閣成員同意和否決大橋興建的問題，他說，這就好像出售AGUSTA的情況一樣，同樣的人同意收購，並同意以1歐元脫售，他不知他們發生甚麼事。
他說，他不會做內閣資政，他只是一個平民，並不是前首相，而是平民，他有權發表意見。
詢及其言論會影響政府的問題，他說，交由政府去衡量，但不能阻止他發言。
出售沙土如出賣領土
馬哈迪醫生說，雖然他曾經保證在退休後不干政，但大馬不能重犯將新加坡交給英國的錯誤。
他是針對他退休後不會干政的問題，這麼表示。
他說，他們以為有了這項保證，他們可以為所欲為，他確實曾經這麼承諾，但是如果有人要出售沙土給他國，就有如出賣領土，因為沙土將用來填海。
“大馬曾經犯下將新加坡移交給英國的錯誤，我們是否要重犯同樣的錯誤。
“我的談話已經被‘禁’，我講的東西都不會被報導。”
他說，他並非因此事指責記者，而是相信他們受到操控。
適當時候續發言
詢及他是否還會繼續在適當的時候發言時，他說：“是的，我想我必須這麼做。”
“我們為獨立作出了很大的努力，並花了長時間來恢復民族尊嚴，今天人們尊敬我們，但是，如果我們因為新加坡而投降的話，那麼，我們就失去了尊嚴。”
針對壓制人民聲音的問題，他說，如果你不聆聽人民的意見，你就犯下錯誤，如果只是報導支持的聲音，政府將會獲取錯誤的概念。
他說，基層的人民可能想法不同，必須緊記不聽取民意的下場，如最近泰國首相塔辛就因為沒有聽取民意而陷入困境。
在位時不曾干預報導
他說，壓制人民的意見，可能以為自己做對了，但是，有朝一日會發現做錯；因此，不應壓制新聞自由。
他說，在他的年代，媒體可以自由報導示威，政府不曾致電報章切勿刊登，沒有人會接獲政府的電話甚麼不能刊登，這就是所謂的新聞自由。
他說，一些記者可能也不喜歡，因為報導不被刊載。
他說，就如他在新山所發表的談話，電視並沒有播放，雖然報章有刊登，但也是斷章取義，並不十分正確。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 12:11 AM |
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| 馬哈迪：僅反對賣沙給新加坡 人民未同意取消建橋 |
星洲日报
（新山訊）前首相敦馬哈迪說，人民不願意把沙賣給新加坡及開放領空，並不表示人民同意取消建造美景大橋的計劃。
“政府可以舉行一場公投，問問人民是否想要美景大橋。到目前為止，人民並沒有說他們不要美景大橋。可是，政府卻說這是人民的意願。”
他說：“我不認為人民不要美景大橋，人民只是不要賣沙給新加坡。”
他表示人民在賣沙給新加坡的課題上一直保持強硬態度，因為新加坡以買得的沙來擴大領土，而且對大馬海域造成污染，漁民生計受到打擊。
他說：“可是不能因為新加坡沒有得到沙，建橋計劃就被否決。”
他週六（15日）在新山巡視新移民、關稅和檢疫大廈後，在新聞發佈會上發表談話。
陪同他巡視的嘉賓包括柔佛州務大臣拿督阿都干尼、南方門戶有限公司公司董事經理拿督耶也哈欣及建築總監黃錦仁。
應帶至國際法庭裁決
針對大馬政府不想與新加坡陷入長期的法律戰，所以才取消建橋計劃的問題，敦馬哈迪表示，大馬政府應該先把問題帶至國際法庭裁決。
他指出，大馬和印尼曾就西巴丹島和利吉丹島的主權問題而帶至國際法庭裁決，最後證明這2個島嶼歸大馬所有，印尼也對判決沒有異議。
他說：“我聽說取消建橋計劃是基於法律問題，我不知道啦。不過，我聽說外長拿督斯里賽哈密曾表示若把建橋問題帶上國際法庭，我方將勝訴。”
他說：“我們做了決定，決定向新加坡的要求低頭，卻以人民不同意賣沙和開放領空為藉口。” |
| posted by Nobody @ 12:02 AM |
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| Wednesday, April 19, 2006 |
| 馬哈迪：須徵詢新國 棄建彎橋典當國家主權 |
星洲日报
（新山訊）前首相敦馬哈迪說，他週六（15日）在巡視新移民、關稅和檢疫大廈時，一直強顏歡笑，因為他不相信在有生之年，國家主權竟然如此輕易地被典當。
他說：“我們放棄了大馬國土，因為有人告訴我，我們不能在自己的國界內興建公路，我們必須先徵求新加坡的同意。”
馬哈迪指出，他從一開始便參與美景大橋的建造計劃，而他也很清楚大馬的情況，所以當新加坡不同意建造一條直橋時，他便提出建造彎橋的概念。
他說，在遷移銜接新柔兩地的水管課題上，根據協議，只要我國有需要，大馬只需在6個月前向新加坡發出通知，新加坡就必須遷走水管，而且大馬政府不需要支付新加坡任何費用。
他指出，大馬在建造新火車站和道路時也曾遷移該國位於陸上的水管；但是若把遷移水管工作講成是一種挑釁行為，這是很不合理的。
“新加坡只顧自己利益”
馬哈迪表示，新加坡只注重本國的利益，該國就曾經因為不願多付1萬美金的獻金給東南亞教育部長協會，而選擇退出該組織。
他是針對一名記者表示新加坡政府不同意建造美景大橋，是否可能削弱岌巴碼頭競爭力的問題，作出上述答覆。
他說，當他還是教育部長時，他代表大馬出席在菲律賓舉行的東南亞教育部長會議，當時與會者包括新加坡和多個東南亞國家的教長。
他說，這項會議曾討論增加獻金給東南亞教育部長協會，而新加坡必須增加1萬美金，可是富有的新加坡卻因為要多付1萬美金，結果選擇退出該組織，妄顧其他國家的利益。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 11:57 PM |
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| Sunday, April 16, 2006 |
| Dr M: We could have gone to ICJ |
TheStar
JOHOR BARU: Malaysia should have brought the dispute over the construction of the “scenic bridge” to the International Court of Justice if it has legal implications, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former prime minister believed many Malaysians wanted the bridge and he proposed a referendum to get public views.
“We backed off from the project as if we have surrendered. I was told we couldn’t carry out any projects in the Tebrau Straits even if it is on our side.
“I was involved in the (bridge) project from the start, and I know our position. When Singapore did not agree to a bridge, we decided to build a crooked one,” Dr Mahathir said after visiting the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex here yesterday.
He added that the relocation of water pipes was not an issue as the cost would have to be borne by Singapore if they were given six months' notice.
“We should have referred the matter to ICJ, just like how we handled the Sipadan and Ligitan islands.”
In Kota Tinggi, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said there was no need to publicise the discussions on outstanding matters such as water price.
He said with this approach, negotiations and its solutions could be achieved in a rational manner.
Syed Hamid, who is Kota Tinggi MP, was speaking to reporters after a Majlis Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat at Felda Lok Heng Selatan yesterday.
He added that the Central Provident Fund (CPF) was also no longer an issue as in 1995 the Singapore government amended its laws to exempt foreigners from contributing to the CPF.
“I was told that only five Malaysians have savings in the CPF which is equivalent to our Employees Provident Fund,” he said. |
| posted by Nobody @ 6:17 PM |
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| 林吉祥：“半座彎橋”耗資11億 政府沒作撙節榜樣 |
星洲日报
（吉隆坡訊）國會反對黨領袖兼民主行動黨怡保東區國會議員林吉祥質問，為何納稅人必須為愚不可及、單方面耗資11億令吉興建的“美景半座彎橋”付帳？
他發表文告說，首相拿督斯里阿都拉週四推展撙節運動時，促國人撙節，應精打細算，只購買所需的東西。
他說，不幸的是，政府卻沒以身作則，沒“撙節開支”，也沒有完全致力於負責任、透明化、廉政及良好施政的原則，從2200億令吉的第9馬計劃，再加上內閣在前一天的週三終於決定終止興建的“美景半座彎橋”即可見一斑。
林吉祥說，政府應提呈一份完整、適當及透明的稽查帳目，以找出付給Gerbang Perdana的10億令吉賠償的責任，同時確定該公司是否應對這項計劃負起部份的責任。
行動黨由始至終都呼籲雙方聯合興建取代新柔長堤的新橋梁，因為耗資11億令吉的半座彎橋將會是馬新關係的羞恥“彎曲”及東盟精神“彎曲”永久性象徵。
“如果政府當時聽取行動黨的好意勸告，大馬今天就不必在將計劃半途腰斬，而必須付出10億令吉的賠償金及讓耗資12億令吉興建的關稅、移民及檢疫大廈淪為白象。” （星洲日報‧2006/04/15） |
| posted by Nobody @ 11:09 AM |
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| 凱里：慎思下取消 建大橋將損國家利益 |
星洲日报
（吉隆坡訊）首相女婿兼巫青副團長凱里賈馬魯丁認為，如果大馬落實單方決定的美景大橋計劃，不只會使到政府可能被迫將問題帶上國際仲裁庭，同時也會使國家利益受損和受制於新加坡。
他在《新海峽時報》週末論壇的專欄中指出，政府取消建美景大橋不只是俯順民意，更重要的是它是一項經過謹慎思考下的策略決定。
他說，興建灣橋是大馬單方面做的決定，由於這項單方決定涉及另一個國家，因此大馬無可避免必須面對另一個國家所做出的反應。
或帶到國際仲裁庭
他認為，雖然彎橋是建在大馬這一方，但是這項單方決定將極可能使到新加坡將問題帶到國際仲裁庭。
凱里表示，儘管外長已表示如果被帶到仲裁庭，大馬有很強的胜面，但是它將會造成工程被拖延，而萬一敗訴，則數以百萬令吉花在工程的費用將等於白費。
他說，這項單方決定也可能會製造出雙邊對峙的局面，因為切斷和重置從柔佛至新加坡的水管需要獲得後者的同意和批准。
“想像一下，建好橋但是卻得不到重新裝置水管的同意，這又是一個浪費金錢的做法。”
他指出，除了路和水管外，另一個課題是鐵路，因為鐵路與水管問題一樣，若要重新銜接需要新加坡的同意。
談判受制於新加坡
他說，如果我們無法在新鐵路銜接上取得新加坡同意，那麼大馬的火車就被迫停在新山。“這也可能會導致丹絨巴葛火車站被關閉，而在1990年我國與新加坡簽署的協議下，大馬可能因此而失去在新加坡的上述鐵路土地。”
他表示，為了興建直橋，新加坡可以向大馬開出索取“土地”和“天空”的條件，可以想像如果大馬建好彎橋後才發現到需要在裝置水管和鐵路的問題上取得她的同意，屆時她將會向大馬提出怎樣的要求。
他說，那時候，我們不能只賠償承包商後就了事，我們要付出的成本是巨大的，而且將使大馬在與新加坡的談判中受到束縛。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 11:04 AM |
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| 桩柱照用·长堤到关税大厦 6亿元改建高架桥 |
南洋商报
新山15日讯-已打桩供建美景桥的桥柱，将改为高架天桥桥柱；高架天桥的建筑费是6亿令吉。
新关税大厦承包商南方门户国际通道公司总经理黄锦仁说，高架天桥始于柔佛长堤，穿越将被拆除的旧关税大厦，通过丹绒布蒂里桥，直达新关税大厦。
“当我们获悉政府决定停建美景大桥，我们立即提出上述建议。不过，是否兴建高架天桥，胥视政府是否批准这项计划。”
黄锦仁说，高架天桥拥有6车道，或每边3车道，与目前的柔佛长堤车道一样，不过，它的建筑成本比兴建美景大桥低得多。
他表示，政府将决定是否兴建高架天桥，没有涉及已建竣95%的新关税大厦。
这两项计划是在南方门户国际通道的计划内，耗资22亿令吉，单是兴建高架天桥耗资6亿令吉。
他强调，新关税大厦将继续兴建，直到竣工为止。
他说，随着政府决定停建美景大桥，将由高架天桥取代，而且高架天桥将成为永久性的天桥。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 10:54 AM |
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| Saturday, April 15, 2006 |
| Scrapping the bridge the best solution |
TheStar
BY WONG CHUN WAI
IT WAS the best solution. Enough time and energy have been wasted by Malaysia and Singapore officials on the proposed RM1bil controversial bridge to replace the 82-year-old Causeway.
We have been talking about it since 1996, when the idea was mooted by then Prime Minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
A decade is a long time and after the endless rounds of negotiations it does make sense to call it off if both sides are heading nowhere.
Let’s be honest about it.
The idea to build the bridge sounded like a good idea, at first.
It was supposed to have helped to ease traffic congestion in Johor Baru, as well as improve water quality and reduce pollution in the Tebrau Straits.
A modern bridge that would allow ships to pass underneath, it seemed attractive and many Malaysians liked the idea, hoping it would bring more economic benefits to the state.
But too many demands have come into the picture, clouding the issue at hand.
Singapore has long wanted a decision on the bridge to be part of a package deal on unresolved bilateral issues.
In 2002, when the water issue was separated, Singapore called off talks on the bridge plan.
The following year, Malaysia announced that it would build its half of the bridge unilaterally.
Despite the posturing of some Malaysian politicians, it is unlikely that Malaysia could simply start to build a bridge through unilateral actions.
It would have invited serious legal implications.
We can expect Singapore to take the case to the International Court of Justice, and despite Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar’s optimism, not many legal experts share his views.
Threatening to go ahead with the construction could well be a negotiating tactic on our part to pressure Singapore but the facts were staring at our faces.
We are not sure whether our gung-ho politicians knew what they were talking about when they flexed their muscles, but Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is just being practical.
Bilateral negotiations to build the bridge, yes, but to proceed with unilateral action does not seem possible.
Building a bridge or demolishing the Causeway is a bilateral decision, it is that clear.
Whether the Malaysian part was called a “scenic” or “crooked” bridge, it would be built on half of the 900m Causeway.
Although it involves a mere 450m, the bridge had to be curved and extended more than thrice the distance, to 1.4km, so that heavy vehicles could cope with the maximum incline of 4.2 degrees.
Suddenly it wasn’t so attractive anymore from a political, scenic or engineering perspective.
Presumably, the negotiations had proceeded because Singapore was prepared to talk “if there was a balance of benefits for both sides.”
In the end, the benefits seemed to tilt heavily to the island republic. The conditions were just impossible to be met.
No Malaysian can accept the sale of sand to Singapore for a reclamation project for 20 years or to allow its jetfighters to use our air space as a trade off for it to agree to the proposal.
It is like asking Malaysia to give up its sovereignty.
There are sections of Malaysians who are angry at the decision to cancel the proposal, with some implying weaknesses on the leadership. But even if the Malaysian part of the bridge was built we would have the other half of the Causeway problem to deal with.
No one would be surprised if more demands were imposed by Singapore later.
What is the point of spending billions in taxpayers’ money only to end up with more problems?
Let’s not forget that there is still the RM2bil Second Link, which was opened with much fanfare in 1998.
Then Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said “the construction itself is testimony to the achievements that we can attain by putting our hearts and minds together.”
In the case of the bridge, there were obviously no hearts and no minds together.
It is unfortunate that Singapore has still not learned to be a good neighbour, continuing to be preoccupied with its uncompromising attitude on only gains. Sometimes you have to lose a bit to gain.
In the case of dealing with neighbours, one must sometimes be prepared to sacrifice more in the interest of the long run.
If Dr Mahathir had adopted an unfriendly attitude towards Singapore, Abdullah took a different approach.
He was determined to mend ties, but Singapore has not seized the opportunity.
The bridge issue should also serve as a lesson to our politicians. They should think before they speak.
Clashing statements, indecisiveness, back-pedalling and constant change of policies does not help our image as a serious, efficient country.
The public should not be left confused or even caught unprepared on major issues affecting the nation.
Building a bridge between two countries is not as straight-forward as it looks.
Singapore can talk about the environmental impact of the proposed bridge but extracting a huge amount of sand can also be environmentally disastrous to Johor. |
| posted by Nobody @ 12:00 PM |
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| Friday, April 14, 2006 |
| 马可能建汽车高架桥 衔接海关大厦和新柔长堤 |
联合早报
（新山讯）为避免 耗资逾12亿令吉兴建的柔佛州新海关、移民和检疫大厦沦为“白象”， 马来西亚公共工程部建议另建汽车高架桥取代美景大桥，把海关大厦衔接至新柔长堤。
不同的是，这座汽车高架桥将建在新山境内的陆地上，未有跨入柔佛海峡范围。
马来西亚工程部属下南方门户有限公司建筑总监黄锦仁，昨日在工地办事处受访时披露了这项取代美景大桥的建议。
据《星洲日报》报道，他说，曾经一度停工并在今年1月18日受指示复工的美景大桥经完工10%，且大部分打桩工程已经完成，所以建议中的汽车高架桥仍可以继续使用已打好的桥基，以兴建一个完善的道路系统来衔接新关卡和新柔长堤之间。
他表示，新建议的高架桥肯定没有美景大桥宏伟，但它的工程费却远比美景大桥低，此外还可以保留历史悠久的新柔长堤，百年来就附设在新柔长堤旁的水管和铁道也不必移动，所以肯定可以省下一大笔钱。
他也披露，原本预计斥资11亿令吉兴建的美景大桥，曾在2004年2月5日被令停工，当时，大桥的工程已经完成了10%，其中包括在新柔长堤旁、离开马新边界约30公尺的的桥墩，打桩工程和海底土质探测工程等，约已耗去1亿令吉。
其中，上述耗资1450万令吉的桥墩早在2003年便动工兴建，并于2004年初建竣。
黄锦仁在受访时也透露，美景大桥首度被令停工时，政府便耗资5000万指示该公司兴建一条临时道路衔接新海关大厦和长堤之间，作为美景大桥落实以前的短期通道。
这条临时道路预计在今年11月间完工，但它并非长远的交通系统。
至于这条临时道路和建议中汽车高架桥的连接问题，有关部门将会尽速完成规划。
建议中的汽车高架桥将跨过目前新山关卡的范围（丹绒布蒂里桥），并直接连接至长堤，全长约700公尺，比原本全长1.1公里的美景大桥要来得短些。
黄锦仁表示，政府决定不建美景大桥，兴建这座汽车高架天桥是势在必行，以确保已95%完工的新海关大厦如期启用。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 11:08 AM |
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| Johor's new CIQ complex to replace current congested building |
TheStar
KUALA LUMPUR: The almost completed Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Johor will not be a white elephant but will be put to good use, said the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the present complex was already congested and the new CIQ complex in Bukit Chagar could help ease congestion as it would be bigger.
He said much of the congestion experienced on the Malaysian side of the Causeway was because the existing CIQ could not deal with the large number of travellers daily.
“When the road to the new CIQ is completed, we expect the congestion to ease,” he added. The new RM1.1bil CIQ complex is expected to be fully operational next January.
In a related development, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu proposed that a six-lane flyover be constructed to link the new complex.
Samy Vellu said he would propose that the flyover be built instead of a permanent ground-level road so as to minimise disruption in Johor Baru.
He said the proposed flyover would eventually replace the RM30mil ground-level temporary road being built to link the CIQ complex to the Causeway.
“We do not want to split Johor Baru city into two. A road will require many existing roads in the city centre to be sealed off,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
On Wednesday, the Cabinet announced that it was abandoning plans to build a “scenic bridge” to replace the Causeway.
On what legal implications prompted the Government to change its mind about building the bridge, Abdullah said the Government had to abide by all kinds of laws that were in place when it came to dealing with trains, pipes and even the Causeway.
“We have to follow the existing treaties. There might be problems if we do not,” he said.
Abdullah added that negotiations with Singapore on other matters would continue and that future negotiations did not hinge on the building of the bridge.
He refused to comment on whether there would be future plans to revive the bridge project.
Singapore had asked for rights to buy sand and to use Johor airspace in exchange for its agreement for a straight bridge, and said that it would oppose any unilateral decision by Malaysia on the bridge.
On compensation to Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd, the contractor of the bridge project, Samy Vellu said the Attorney-General had been asked to look into whether compensation was due to the firm and what amount should be paid. |
| posted by Nobody @ 10:55 AM |
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| 不建大桥 马哈迪表示失望 |
联合早报
（吉隆坡综合电）马来西亚前首相马哈迪认为，马来西亚不应该在邻国的压力下让步，取消美景大桥计划。他对此表示失望。
马哈迪在回教理解研究院论坛演讲后，在记者会上回答记者提问时说，“那时候，我们即将动工，但我退休了。若是我没离开，大桥工程两年半前便展开了。”
但马哈迪指出，终止大桥的建造计划并不会带来法律问题，即使有法律后果，若能面对便能化解问题。
对于首相阿都拉宣布这一决定，他以挖苦的语气说：“我们必须照顾（新加坡）人民的心。我们必须对他们非常友善。”
马哈迪说，政府停建美景大桥并没有使他感到震惊，因为政府在人民的反对下，曾多次收回决定。他说：“譬如提高过路费受人民反对时，政府便收回成命，如果知道人民反对，政府只好俯顺民意。”
马哈迪说，领袖必须领导群众和听取群众的意愿，而不是受群众所左右。他说，如果领袖受群众左右，而不能超群出众，那只能随波逐流。
他指出，领袖须咨询群众意见，并做出果敢决定；如果迟迟不能有所决定，可能会面对领导危机。
阿都拉和马哈迪昨天是先后在回教理解研究院论坛上演讲。两人后来碰面时交谈了一阵子，阿都拉接着赶往吉隆坡世贸中心出席“精明消费运动”，没有同记者谈话，马哈迪在演讲后，在记者的追问下，就美景大桥课题侃侃而谈。
阿都拉后来在为精明消费运动及《2005年商业及消费报告》主持推介仪式后，在新闻发布会上强调，建桥课题不是马新两国唯一谈判的课题，马国将继续同新加坡谈判两国之间其他悬而未决的课题。
阿都拉说：“任何没有涉及建桥的课题，我们都会谈判，并在共同协商后，找出解决方案。”
不过，当记者问他新马两国是否会在未来继续谈判建桥一事时，阿都拉没有正面答覆，只说：“我不想谈以后的问题。”他指出，“新的局面须依据当时的情况而定。”
他说，新马两国之间的关系是互动的，肯定不时会有必须重新考量的新需求。他说，政府认为停止建桥的决定是最好的决定，这也是政府长期以来一直要解决的问题。
阿都拉表示，由于考虑到继续兴建美景大桥可能产生的法律后果，因此政府认为，以更完善的新检疫大厦设备来解决新柔长堤一带的交通阻塞问题是更好的办法。
记者问他所指的法律后果是什么时，他说：“任何与改变输水管、火车轨道、拆除沿岸地方设施有关的工程，我们都必须遵守现有的条规。”
他也再次保证，新检疫大厦不会因为政府停建美景大桥而成为白象计划，它将会提供更舒适及宽大的环境。
据马来西亚工程部长三美威鲁说，马国政府将会建造一座有六条车道的汽车高架桥把新检疫大厦同长堤衔接起来。
另一方面，马来西亚外长赛哈密在国会走廊举行的新闻发布会上强调，政府当初单方面进行美景大桥工程，并不是被法律顾问误导或面对压力。
马来西亚政治学者拉马三米指出：“新马两地好些人都看到这一桥梁工程的无益之处，我想马方终于想通了。”
反对党人民公正党说，大桥工程取消让政府上了代价高昂的一课，知道它不能进行“轻率的商业冒险”。
该党认为，美景大桥由始至终都是错误的开始，导致外交上的失败，劳民伤财且损名誉。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 10:43 AM |
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| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 |
| Malaysia scraps 'scenic bridge' with Singapore, suspends talks on air space, sand supply |
AsiaOne
By VIJAY JOSHI
Associated Press Writer
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Malaysia on Wednesday scrapped a contentious plan to build a "scenic bridge" to Singapore, and refused to negotiate with the city-state over its demands for sand and access to military air space.
The surprise decision - announced to media before being conveyed officially to Singapore - is certain to hurt bilateral relations, already strained after years of wrangling over these three issues and a host of other irritants.
"It's a political decision," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told reporters. "We decided. Singapore didn't even know. We are not pressured by anybody. We think of what our people want," he said.
The planned bridge to connect Malaysia's southern state of Johor with Singapore was to have replaced an existing 1.06-kilometer (0.66-mile) causeway currently used by more than 100,000 people every day. It was dubbed the "scenic bridge" for the curving design envisaged by Malaysian planners.
Singapore has opposed the bridge from the start, but said recently it would negotiate its construction if Malaysia agreed to supply the island nation with sand and give it access to Malaysian air space. Singapore needs the sand for land reclamation projects and its military planes are constrained by the country's small size.
Malaysian officials said such bargaining was unacceptable.
"The Malaysian government has decided not to continue with the construction of the bridge to replace the Johor causeway," Abdullah said in a brief statement earlier. The government "has also decided to halt all negotiations relating to the bridge," it said.
The decision to scrap the bridge was "made after taking into account the voice and sentiments of the Malaysian public, especially relating to the supply of sand and use of air space," it said.
Asked at the news conference to confirm that this means Malaysia will not negotiate on either matter, Abdullah nodded and said: "No more."
He added that the causeway will remain the only road link between the two countries.
"No one loses anything," he said, adding that relations with Singapore remain unchanged. Ties do not hinge on a single issue such as the bridge, he said.
Singapore's reaction was one of shock.
"We are surprised at this sudden decision when negotiations for a full bridge were still ongoing," an unidentified Singapore Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a one-line statement.
The two countries also disagree over the price of water that Malaysia provides to Singapore. Malaysia has previously promised it will not cut off water supplies.
Abdullah appeared to confirm that. He said Malaysia will continue to discuss other outstanding issues, but refused to elaborate.
Malaysia had maintained that the bridge would ease congestion and provide environmental benefits. Singapore initially said its economic viability had not been ascertained.
Ignoring Singapore's objections, Malaysia began work on the bridge earlier this year, saying it would extend the structure halfway across the waterway and let Singapore build its half whenever it wants.
Works Minister Samy Vellu said Wednesday he would order construction work to be stopped immediately.
Malaysia was apparently irked by remarks earlier this month by Singapore's Second Foreign Minister Raymond Lim, who told Parliament that Malaysia's unilateral attempt to build the half-bridge was unacceptable.
Most people using the causeway are Malaysians who commute to Singapore for work, and Singaporean residents who come to Malaysia for cheap shopping. |
| posted by Nobody @ 9:33 PM |
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| 何时再与新展开大桥谈判? 赛哈密：正等待政府指示 |
联合早报
（吉隆坡讯）马来西亚外交部长赛哈密昨日说，有关方面正等待政府的指示，以决定何时继续与新加坡展开美景大桥（弯桥）另一阶段的谈判。不过，他认为，政府在短期内不会有所定夺。
他说，马新两国完成了委员会阶段的谈判，目前正等待政府决定另一阶段的谈判日期，由于现在还有一些课题有待研究，两国只有在这些课题上取得共识后才重返谈判桌。
《星洲日报》报道，赛哈密在国会走廊召开新闻发布会时说，政府无意终止两国之间的谈判，也不阻止两国针对某些课题取得共识，政府在谈判时关心的是马国的利益，并会为人民争取最好的。
他说，在首相阿都拉的领导下，马来西亚和新加坡建立了亲切的关系，马国不要看到这种关系被破坏，他相信两国在各阶层所建立起来的良好关系不会被某些课题破坏。
“两国之间应有良好互动，虽然有时报章会出现一些让人不悦的报道，如罪案频频发生，但可以肯定的是，新加坡人仍乐意前来马国游玩、购物，这证明了他们对马来西亚的治安有信心。” |
| posted by Nobody @ 3:28 AM |
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| Tuesday, April 11, 2006 |
| 首相署部长纳兹里：希望“弯桥”变直 成为新马“友谊桥” |
联合早报
（吉隆坡综合讯）马来西亚首相署部长纳兹里说，马国政府希望兴建一座“笔直”大桥取代日益繁忙的新柔长堤，并希望新桥成为马新两国的“友谊之桥”。
他说，前首相马哈迪在位期间，马国政府希望兴建直桥，兴建弯弯曲曲的美景大桥并非政府的最初意愿。
他指出，目前政府将尝试完成马哈迪的心愿，即兴建一座马新大桥取代新柔长堤，以带动马国南部港口的生意。
他表示，马哈迪当初也是希望能建造一座直桥，但在未得新加坡的点头下，唯有决定建立“弯桥”。
纳兹里前日早上出席吉打州波各先那国会选区的一项时事课题及第九马来西亚计划汇报后，受询及马新两国课题时，向传媒发表谈话。
他说，新加坡是马来西亚的邻国，因此马国不可跟新加坡采取敌对的态度。马来西亚的治国理念也是不要作出有损邻国利益的事情。
他强调，马国政府绝对没有把新加坡，视为“敌对”的国家。他说：“双方敌对的态度并不能带来任何好处，难道两国要用大炮互相攻击？这些互相攻击思想已落伍了。”
针对新加坡希望向马国购买海沙填土，是否会造成海蚀，纳兹里不认同。他说，海沙是从距离海岸约3海里远的海里挖掘，并不会影响沙滩，反而会加深海床。
他说：“再加上海沙并不能作为建筑材料，对马来西亚并没有任何用途，只要不损及马来西亚的利益，政府就会同意。”
他指出，新加坡政府提出的两项要求，即是开放领空作为战机起飞及联合训练之用，以及购买海沙的条件对马国而言，只有利无弊。
另一方面，纳兹里说，政府并没有要消灭华文小学或淡米尔文小学的意愿，实施英语数理教学只是一项要照顾所有国民的好意。
他说，政府准备在国民学校推广英语数理教学时，并没有忘记属于国家教育体制一环的华小和淡小，同样需要推广学习英文。华小生和淡小生同样是大马子民，同样亦需要政府的照顾，政府并不是要破坏华小和淡小的特质。
他说，英文是世界知识的语文，不论喜欢与否都必须通过英文学习很多知识，包括“讨厌”英文的法国人也不得不学习英文。他希望各方勿轻信反对党的谈话，误解政府推行英文数理教学的用意。“马来西亚独立已近50年，政府若消灭华小和淡小，早在40多年前就消灭，不必等到现在。” |
| posted by Nobody @ 10:22 PM |
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| Monday, April 10, 2006 |
| ‘Sugar ban’ ‘notice not up, Singaporeans unaware of ruling |
TheStar
By FARIK ZOLKEPLI
JOHOR BARU: It was sweet sorrow at the Causeway checkpoint. Singaporeans who bought sugar here were stopped from taking it home.
“Is there a ban?” they asked Customs officers who confiscated their packets of sugar.
The Singaporeans said there were no signboard to tell them they could not bring along the item when they travel back home across the Causeway.
Sugar costs RM1.40 per kilo in Malaysia while in Singapore the same amount is sold at between S$1.05(RM2.37) and S$1.60(RM3.60).
The hordes of Singaporeans who come here usually put sugar on their shopping list.
Motorist Jeremy Ng, who regularly shops and plays golf here, said he was not aware of the sugar ruling, as there were no notice at the checkpoint about the matter.
“I don’t know that we are not supposed to take sugar out of Malaysia,” he said, adding that he often shops for groceries in Johor though not necessarily for sugar.
Technician Johari Mohd said he had heard something about a ban but brushed it aside as he thought it was just “empty talk.”
“I did not pay much attention to it, especially when there was no signage at the checkpoint when you enter or exit the causeway,” he said.
“I always buy sugar here as it is considerably cheaper.
“Now, I have to cross it out from my grocery list,” said Johari, 28.
Another Singaporean, who only wished to be known as Kit, said he was stopped at the checkpoint on Saturday as he was sorting out several packets of sugar.
“I did not know about the ruling and there was no signage to inform me about the ban,” he said, adding that he buys about 10kg of sugar from Johor each week.
Asked about the matter, state Customs director Sarmin Md Hussin said the department would put up the signage before April 21, when those who bring sugar out of the country would be fined.
On Friday, Customs director-general Datuk Abdul Rahman Abdul Hamid announced that from April 21, those caught bringing out sugar from the country would be fined RM100 per kilo.
He said that at the moment there would be no fines, just seizures, to give people time to adjust to the new ruling.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said the Government was stepping up enforcement against those hoarding sugar and raising the price of the controlled item. |
| posted by Nobody @ 10:48 PM |
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| Saturday, April 08, 2006 |
| 獅城介紹所貨不對辦 駐新專員：每月接30起投訴 |
星洲日报
（新山訊）大馬駐新加坡最高專員拿督巴拉米斯瓦蘭說，每月約接到在新加坡工作的大馬人所作的約30起的職業介紹所貨不對辦的投訴。
這些投訴是指職業介紹所沒有落實先前的承諾，如居住環境太擠，薪水沒有如所說的高，職業介紹所持受害人護照不還和其他違約問題等。
投訴人多為來自東馬的沙巴和砂拉越。他們通過當地或新加坡職業介紹所或人力資源中心等私人公司的勞力仲介服務，來到新加坡工作。過後他們發現真實情況並不是介紹所說的一樣，便向大馬駐新加坡最高專員署投訴。
馬新都有不法集團
巴拉米斯瓦蘭說，一些所謂職業介紹所或人力資源中心等私人公司，有的是有問題的，如同一負責人卻以不同公司名字出現。他們的合法性也令人置疑。據最高專員署接到的最新資料顯示，在大馬和新加坡都有集團進行這類行騙活動。
他說，最高專員署正進行受騙工人資料的收集工作，以便呈給大馬和新加坡當局。並要求當局採取行動來制止這類行騙活動。
“有關職業介紹所對大馬人不公平，大馬和新加坡可以對這類公司採適當的行動。”
他勸告有意尋求職業介紹所服務的大馬人，應先查有關公司的資料，以免上當。同時，不要輕易相信張貼在巴士車站與公眾場所，聲稱提供優厚待遇的招貼。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 7:56 AM |
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| Friday, April 07, 2006 |
| English medium main attraction for parents |
TheStar
JOHOR BARU: The medium of instruction in Singapore schools is the main reason why many Malaysian parents willingly pay more to send their children across the Causeway to study. Schools there teach all subjects in English, except second-language subjects like Chinese and Malay.
Adeline Yeo, 51, a clerk here, sent all her three daughters to Singapore schools.
The eldest is now 24 and currently employed.
The other two, aged 20 and 16, are studying at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and Marsiling Secondary School respectively.
“Employers tend to seek people who are proficient in both English and Chinese and most children who attend schools here cannot really speak English fluently,” said Yeo.
School fees in Singapore are paid monthly and there are also payments for miscellaneous fees and a biennial donation.
For the daughter in secondary school, Yeo forks out S$145 (RM330) monthly for fees.
School fees and donations are waived if the child performs well.
For Yeo's eldest daughter, a S$3,000 (RM6,900) donation was paid when she was in Primary One and also when she entered Secondary One.
For her second child, the donation to enter Secondary One was waived because of her good results in Primary Six.
Such donations have since been replaced by a biennial donation of S$1,000 (RM2,300) to the Education Ministry’s Education Fund if the student’s application to study in Singapore is approved.
Pitney Chong, 54, sent his eldest child to a secondary school in Singapore because, he said, in local schools, “even senior teachers do not speak proper English.”
“The culture in Singapore schools is also very different. They have very good discipline and approachable teachers,” said the kindergarten owner and father of three children.
“The students are exposed to many school projects where they learn teamwork and also to be more independent. There is no spoon-feeding.” |
| posted by Nobody @ 8:58 PM |
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| 弗茲：去年至今年1月 僅8宗獅城車在大馬報失 |
星洲日报
（吉隆坡訊）全國警察刑事調查總監拿督弗茲澄清，從去年1月起至今年1月，警方只接獲8宗新加坡人的車子在大馬柔佛被搶或偷竊案，並非該國報章報導的超過35輛車報失。
他指出，根據警方記錄，在上述期間的13個月內，新加坡人的汽車在柔佛被偷或搶的案件只有7宗，另有1宗發生在新山某購物中心停車場。
新加坡《海峽時報》日前報導，去年共有70輛新加坡註冊車子在大馬被偷，當中超過半數是發生在新山。有關的報導使到新加坡人去柔佛會感到不安全，弗茲因此作出回應和反駁，並認為這是一項沒有根據的報導。
他說，新山並沒有發生報章所說的很多新加坡車子被偷案，保安情況還是一般和良好。
他也表示警方會繼續進行防範罪案行動，派巡邏車出巡，讓公眾人士經常可以看到警方人員的出現。
“遊客可以放心地在新山購物、旅遊或到娛樂中心，我們也歡迎遊客來大馬遊玩，大家不必過於擔心，這裡還是很安全的。” |
| posted by Nobody @ 8:37 PM |
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| Thursday, April 06, 2006 |
| Singapore ‘no’ to MyKad |
TheStar
PUTRAJAYA: Singapore has shot down Malaysia’s proposal to use MyKad as an entry document for frequent travellers, saying it may not have sufficient security features desired by the republic.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said Singapore rejected the proposal because it feared that any flaws in the MyKad could have an impact on the island’s security.
“To us, the use of MyKad is good enough, but we have to look for other options now,” he told reporters after a dialogue with visiting Brunei Home Affairs Minister Datuk Paduka Awang Adanan Mohd Yusof.
“We hope Singapore can come up with a workable proposal as we need to look into the needs of Malaysian frequent travellers.”
According to records, some 90,000 commuters enter Singapore daily. Students and workers have special passes for fast immigration clearance.
Radzi said Malaysia had agreed to do away with the Restricted Passport because it did not contain security features and was not internationally recognised.
He said come July 1, Singapore would no longer recognise the document.
“If need be, I will visit the republic and meet with my counterpart to settle the issue,” he said. “We also hope Singapore can do something about this because it has benefited from having our people work on the island.”
On discussions with his Brunei counterpart, Radzi said the oil-rich state was interested in learning how Malaysian authorities handled the intake of foreign workers.
He said since the outsourcing programme was introduced, 59 companies had been given approval to bring in foreign workers, who were later sent to work in firms and factories. Eleven companies had brought in 1,070 workers so far, he said.
He said the programme was picking up as many employers were just getting to know about it, and added that the introduction of the outsourcing programme had eliminated the existence of “fly-by-night and RM2 companies”.
“Only companies with sound financial background will start this business,” he said. |
| posted by Nobody @ 10:45 PM |
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| Wednesday, April 05, 2006 |
| 鄰國車入境須收費回響 影響投資損害市場復甦 張文強：收入境費得不償失 |
星洲日报
（新山訊）新山中華公會第一副會長張文強說，政府應重新考慮外國車的入境收費措施。
他說，這會影響本地的投資和產業活動。
他舉例說，本地一些外資工厂的高級人員不少是住在新加坡，他們住在新加坡是因為有的孩子要在新加坡唸國際學校。這些高級人員多用新加坡注冊車輛。如果每天要收費，將會影響他們在本地的投資設厂活動。
他說，一些在新加坡工作的大馬人，有的因種種因素要住在新加坡，若他們使用新加坡注冊車輛，也深受影響。
他說，新山市場已長期低迷，有的行業靠的是遊客或新加坡客，新措施將嚴重的損害新山市場的復甦和活力。
不能採一鍋熟手法
他說，限制新加坡車入境將得不償失，也會影響本地的產業活動。
他說，新山和馬泰邊境、美里等地方情況不一樣，政府不能採取一鍋熟的手法。因此，政府不應在新山實施新入境費。
政府將在5月1日開始實施新入境費，費用詳情尚未公佈。張氏說，政府需要設立新的櫃台，增加人手來收錢，這意味政府將會有財務上的負擔。
他說，更令人諷刺的是，政府建新橋是要吸引更多的遊客和提供方便，如今又有新的限制措施，是說不過去的。
獅城工作大馬人
希望政府給優待
許多在新加坡工作並持當地永久居民證的大馬人因此感到擔憂，並希望政府在實行這項措施時能給予他們優待。
據瞭解，在新加坡工作的外國人，尤其是持當地永久居民證者，在新加坡境內都只能駕駛當地註冊的車輛。這些擁有新加坡永久居民身份者，有不少是住在新山，並每天都駕駛新加坡註冊車子往返柔新兩地。
此外，許多居住在新山，但卻在新加坡工作並持有新加坡工作准證的大馬人，也每天或經常都得駕駛新加坡注冊的車輛往返兩地。
如果大馬實施外國註冊車輛入境須繳費的措施，上述這些持新加坡永久居民證但仍保留大馬公民身分者，以及持新加坡工作准證在新加坡工作者，將首當其衝，成為受影響最大的一群。每天20令吉的入境費，一個月累積下來，將是一筆不小的開銷。
因此，這些人士皆希望，一旦我國當局實施上述收費措施，能給他們特別的優惠，以減輕他們面對的沉重負擔。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 11:33 PM |
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| Tuesday, April 04, 2006 |
| Singapore transit point for cars stolen from Malaysia |
TheStar
JOHOR BARU: Singapore is a regular transit point for vehicles stolen in Malaysia and shipped out to other countries.
State CID chief Senior Asst Comm II Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said the stolen cars would first be brought here, and then driven into Singapore.
“There, the vehicles will be loaded into containers and shipped out,” he said.
He told a press conference yesterday that the majority of the 1,394 vehicles stolen in Johor last year were from Malaysia, while Singapore-registered vehicles accounted for only 3.7% of the number.
Singaporean media recently reported that vehicles from the republic were often targets of thieves.
“The percentage of Singaporean vehicles that are stolen is very low,” he said, adding that only three were stolen in the first two months of this year.
He added that the local police worked closely with their Singaporean counterparts to cut down car thefts.
“We recently nabbed seven people, including a Road Transport Department officer, and recovered four stolen vehicles,” he said.
He also refuted reports that shopping complexes were hot spots for car thieves.
Pelangi Bhd property management division general manager Jenny Chan said that her shopping complex placed high priority on customer safety.
“We only had two cases in the last 10 years and none involved Singaporeans,” she said.
Johor Baru Chinese Chamber of Commerce deputy president Datuk Soh Poh Sheng said that the articles were intended to sabotage the state’s economy.
State Tourism and Environ-ment Committee chairman Freddie Long expressed similar sentiments, saying that the author of the article was out to destroy the good name of Johor. |
| posted by Nobody @ 9:38 PM |
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| Concern over vehicle entry fee proposal |
TheStar
JOHOR BARU: Many in Johor and Kedah have expressed reservations about the proposed vehicle entry fee, saying the number of incoming Singaporeans and Thais would drop and hurt tourism and businesses.
Johor Tourism Guides Association chairman Jimmy Leong said airlines packages now offered Singaporeans an option to fly anywhere else.
“I hope the Government looks into the proposal carefully and listens to Johoreans before implementing it,” he said, adding that stories about the high crime rate was already hurting tourism in Johor.
Johor Tourism and Environment Committee chairman Freddie Long said 33,000 vehicles entered the country from Singapore daily, of which 23,000 were Singapore registered vehicles.
Singaporean Desmond Chow, 46, said that if the proposal was implemented, he would enter Malaysia less frequently.
“I always come in for business, so the entry fee will definitely affect me. I will have to come in less often,” said the businessman.
In Padang Besar, Sumphawan Suthong, 45, who has run an import and export business here for 21 years, said Thais would not go to Padang Besar to do business or shop if an entry fee was introduced.
Padang Besar MCA division deputy chairman Phung Kuek Khee said if the Government wanted to offset some of the petrol subsidy, “it could ensure that vehicles entering from Thailand have their fuel tanks at least 75% full.”
In Kedah, Northern Region Lorry Transport Operators Association president Yusoff Ismail said Thai-registered vehicles owned by Malaysians should be exempted from paying the entry fee.
A Kedah Customs Department spokesman said an average of 1,000 vehicles, including motorcycles, cars, taxis and buses, travelled daily from Thailand through the Bukit Kayu Hitam border entrance.
In Kuala Terengganu, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said he did not expect the move to affect the influx of tourists from Singapore and Thailand.
He said Singapore charged S$30 (RM66.72) for the entry of Malaysian cars into the republic per day.
“Here, we are only talking of about RM20 per entry,” he said, adding that tourists would love to drive in Malaysia since it was a pleasurable experience. |
| posted by Nobody @ 9:35 PM |
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| 5月1日生效 鄰國車入境須繳費 |
星洲日报
（布城訊）泰國及新加坡遊客日後駕車入境大馬時需要繳付入境費，惟數額還未作出最後的決定。
副首相拿督斯里納吉預料不久後將會公佈有關收費和制度的詳情。
收費仍待最後定奪
旅遊部長東姑安南上週六（4月1日）指出，從5月1日開始，大馬開始向入境大馬的新加坡和泰國車輛徵收20令吉的入境費，不過國內貿易及消費部長拿督沙菲益阿達週日表示，有關收費還不是最後定案。
他表示，有關20令吉入境費只是內閣最初針對有關事項所做出部份決定，真正收費還在考慮當中。
他週日出席BAE新產品推介禮後受詢時表示，“那的確是內閣作出的部份決定，但我看最好還是交由副首相納吉來公佈。
他說：“目前我們只是決定向汽車徵收這項費用，但是我們知道來自泰國和新加坡的交通工具不止是汽車，也有電單車，所以我們正在研究這個問題。”
比獅城徵收數額低
東姑安南上週六表示，政府決定向鄰國車輛徵收入境費，以承擔大馬政府津貼汽油及柴油的部份開銷。
他說，政府並沒有向來自新加坡及泰國的遊客徵收額外費用，只有當他們駕車入境大馬時，需要另外繳付20令吉車輛入境費。
他受詢時指出，這項收費遠比新加坡向大馬駕駛者徵收每日45令吉的相關費用低，他認為這項措施不影響前來大馬旅遊的新加坡和泰國遊客人數。
新加坡目前推行的車輛入境通行准證（VEP） 制度下，外國人駕汽車或電單車入境新加坡時，分別需要繳付每日20新元（45令吉）或4新元（9令吉）的車輛入境費。
政府正在研究細節
貿消部長沙菲益阿達則表示，政府目前還在研究向入境大馬的外國車輛徵收入境費的細節。
他說，政府必須要對實行的細節做出決定，包括由誰徵收、需要繳費的車類，以及是否以車貼方式證明付費等等。
他表示，各有關機構將在近日召開聯席會議，以便討論實行有關措施的細則。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 9:07 PM |
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| 外国人在马国添油 将需交燃油附加费 |
联合早报
（布城综合讯）马来西亚国内贸易及消费人事务部长沙菲益阿达昨日表示，政府将通过新税务措施，向在马国油站添油的外国人征收附加费。
沙菲益认为，新措施是有必要的，以防止外国车主，特别是泰国、新加坡及印尼加里曼丹西部的车主，继续在马国购买更廉宜的汽油。
他透露，副首相兼内阁燃油委员会主席纳吉将在近期宣布征收附加费的详情，此举目的是在于防止提供给马国当地的汽油津贴被滥用。
他说，新措施只是防范汽油津贴被滥用的方法之一。
“我们已讨论过，可能设立特别供给外国消费者使用的油站，向外国消费者征收附加费；我相信这项措施将在日内宣布。”
沙菲益昨日是在布城国际会展中心，与5000名宗教师及回教局官员进行有关油价上涨的对话会上，针对一名代表建议政府应该向外国车辆实施不同的油价制度的谈话，作出回应。 |
| posted by Nobody @ 9:02 PM |
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| About Me |
Name: Nobody
Home: Vietnam
About Me: Not important.
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