Daim's Predictions

If you want to know what is in store for the country's political future, you've got to ask Tun Daim Zainuddin.

Prior to the last general election, Daim predicted that the BN would lose five states. Almost no one believed him, but he got it all correct.

Daim has since become a soothsayer few can afford to overlook. Some call him a great fortune-teller, others say he is a political sorcerer.

One day, I went to his office with a colleague, and wanted him to show us a way on the country's current political state of affairs, and how he would predict the outcome of the next general election.

A low-key, somewhat mysterious person, Daim always leaves much to be speculated, from his stint as the country's finance minister to the business empire he has built.

It took a lot of effort for us to get an appointment to meet him and conduct a face-to-face interview.

No matter how people look at him, all share a common impression of him, that he is an extremely shrewd man, and the great power that he once had with him proves this point.

Well acquainted with the modus operandi of the government, he knows where the BN's weaknesses lie, as well as its many problems.

He has Umno at his finger tips. Thoughts that prevail in the party, its organisation, and the roles played by individual leaders in the party are all within his grips.

The varied info channels available to him and his broad business perspectives have allowed him to identify the blind spots in Umno and BN, and more objective facts.

As a result, he put it candidly that the 2008 political tsunami served BN and Umno just right, as they were excessively arrogant and conceited, thanks to the landslide victory secured in 2004. The same also made them overlook the changes that were subsequently taking place in the country as well as the various signals and warnings.

The leaders failed to respond to the voices of the public, and the voters decided they had to teach the ruling coalition an important lesson through the ballots in their hands.

The sudden surge in the number of seats won by the opposition was a good thing for the country's democratic development, according to Daim.

Indeed, the government needs to be supervised and the rakyat now have an option.

Daim felt Najib had tried hard to implement the changes after he took over as the prime minister, but he conceded that the "cow-gate" incident had dealt a serious blow on the government.

He revealed a political strategy: Most issues would normally be sedimented within 14 days. In other words, Malaysians have short memories, and many issues that are unfavourable to the government could only work their influences within only two weeks, after which they will be obliterated from the people's minds and there is no need for the government to get excessively concerned.

Nevertheless, if an issue outlives the 14-day cooling-off period, something is going to be not very right. With the NFC scandal holding on for so long and the government not taking any proactive steps to tackle it, the same could work to the disadvantage of the ruling coalition.

As for the other things like whether BN is capable of recapturing the lost states, the status of Najib after the election, the future of MCA, Pakatan's problems and the fate of Anwar Ibrahim, they will all be addressed later in the exclusive interview.

-Sin Chew Daily

Individu miliki EQ tinggi lebih berjaya

Berita Harian Online: Surat Pembaca

2012/01/20

KEBELAKANGAN ini akhbar banyak melaporkan aktiviti remaja yang tidak bercorak membina untuk pembangunan diri demi masa depan mereka dan negara. 

Bermula dengan peristiwa demonstrasi menurunkan bendera Perdana Menteri sehinggalah ugutan untuk meletupkan pesawat yang dinaikinya, dan ditambah pula dengan gejala mat rempit, gengsterisme, hedonism melampau, seks bebas dan seumpamanya, semuanya adalah menggambarkan kecelaruan dan ketidaktentuan arah tuju remaja untuk merancang masa depan cemerlang dalam kehidupan.

Kecelaruan dan ketidaktentuan hala tuju di kalangan remaja ini berpunca daripada kegagalan mereka mengurus emosi.

Emosi berasal daripada perkataan greek 'emovere', yang bermaksud untuk keluar. Oleh itu, emosi ialah sesuatu yang ditonjol keluar untuk dipuaskan oleh seseorang itu. Contoh emosi ialah marah, sedih, gembira, takut, geram, benci dan seumpamanya. 

Emosi sangat dominan ketika di alam remaja. Dikatakan bahawa sebahagian besar tindakan yang dibuat remaja berdasarkan emosi, manakala apabila meningkat dewasa akal pula lebih dominan, yang mana sebahagian besar tindakan yang diambil berdasar pemikiran. Walau bagaimanapun pendapat ini tidaklah konsisten. Ini bergantung kepada sejauh tahap kecerdasan emosi dan kecerdasan intelektual yang dimiliki individu berkenaan. 

Mengikut pandangan ahli psikologi, ada dua faktor utama yang menentukan kecemerlangan seseorang manusia. Pertama ialah, kecerdasan intelektual (IQ) dan kedua kecerdasan emosi (EQ). 

Walaupun kecerdasan intelektual (IQ) kelihatan begitu utama menentukan kejayaan seseorang individu, namun ahli psikologi telah menemui bukti bahawa faktor utama yang membawa kejayaan ialah kecerdasan emosi (EQ). Ini dinyatakan oleh Goleman, D (1998) bahawa penilaian seseorang individu bukan saja diasaskan kepada kecerdasan intelektual (IQ), tetapi yang lebih penting ialah kecerdasan emosi (EQ). EQ meninggalkan kesan yang mendalam dalam keseluruhan aspek kehidupan seseorang individu, termasuk aspek kesihatan dan sosial. 
Kecerdasan emosi ialah tahap keupayaan seseorang individu mengurus emosi. Ertinya jika seseorang sedang marah, dia berupaya mengawal kemarahannya itu dengan tidak melakukan perkara merugikan diri dan orang ramai ketika mempamerkan rasa marah itu. Banyak kisah dan cerita menunjukkan tidak semua manusia mempunyai IQ yang tinggi berjaya dalam kehidupan. 

Sebaliknya, manusia yang mempunyai EQ yang tinggi lebih berjaya, walaupun mereka ini apabila diukur dalam aspek IQ dengan berdasarkan taraf pendidikan adalah tidak seberapa. 

Sebagai contoh, Bill Gates, pengasas Windows dikatakan seorang pelajar yang tidak dapat menghabiskan pelajaran tingginya, tetapi sangat berjaya dalam dunia perniagaan perisian komputer. 

Begitu juga dengan Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, tidak fasih berbahasa Inggeris sebaliknya hanya berurusniaga dengan menggunakan Bahasa Mandarin dan Bahasa Melayu, tetapi menjadi orang terkaya di Asia Tenggara dengan nilai kekayaan sebanyak RM421.8 bilion. 

Secara umum, kelihatan Datuk Seri Najib Razak sangat berjaya dalam mengurus emosinya. Walaupun berdepan dengan pelbagai cabaran, kutukan dan tohmahan, didapati beliau sentiasa tenang dan senyum ketika memberi ucapan atau menjawab soalan daripada wartawan. 

Berbeza dengan sesetengah ahli politik yang lain, sekali sekala menampakkan api kemarahan, melenting dan menjawab menggunakan nada suara yang tinggi serta bahasa yang kasar apabila mereka dalam keadaan yang sama. 

HASSAN SALLEH, 
Jalan Gong Badak, 
Kuala Terengganu. 

PAS melencong perjuangan asal?

Datuk Haron Din,

11 January 2012

Datuk, akhir-akhir ini selalu sangat orang memperkatakan bahawa PAS telah melencong daripada perjuangan asalnya. PAS didakwa meninggalkan Islam dan telah tidak lagi memperjuangkan Negara Islam dan berubah kepada Negara Berkebajikan. Ini tidak pernah disebut oleh pemimpin PAS terdahulu. Saya keliru kerana diulang-ulang dan disebut oleh media masa, sedangkan yang menyanggahnya jarang kedengaran. Apa pandangan dan nasihat Datuk kepada orang-orang seperti saya supaya teguh berdiri bersama PAS? Terima kasih Datuk.

Penyokong PAS Tegar, Dungun, Terengganu.

PIHAK yang memperkatakan kononnya PAS telah melencong dan terbabas dari perjuangan asalnya, dengan meninggalkan Islam dan berbagai-bagai lagi, adalah dakwaan media massa yang memusuhi perjuangan PAS.Tugas utama mereka adalah untuk mempromosikan parti pemerintah dan memburuk-burukkan lawannya terutama PAS. Dengan apa mereka hendak memburuk-burukkan PAS?

Itulah kerja media yang tidak senang dengan PAS. Selagi PAS teguh memperjuangan Islam, selama itulah Umno-Barisan Nasional tergugat dan akhir-akhir ini semakin tergugat. Oleh kerana itu mereka berusaha melemahkan PAS dengan apa cara pun.

Sebenarnya PAS tidak melencong atau menyeleweng dan jauh sekali daripada berubah dari Islam kepada yang tidak Islam. Mana mungkin PAS hendak berubah kepada yang tidak Islam.

Bukti yang paling nyata, Perlembagaan PAS yang ada sekarang, jelas tidak ada sebarang perubahan dan tidak pernah ada cadangan untuk berubah.

Perlembagaan PAS, Fasal 1, nama pertubuhan disebut Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS).

Pada Perlembagaan PAS, Fasal 3, tujuan PAS ialah:

(i) Memperjuangkan wujudnya dalam negara ini, sebuah masyarakat dan pemerintahan yang terlaksana di dalamnya nilai-nilai hidup Islam dan hukum-hukumnya menuju keredaan Allah.

Di dalam PAS ada Majlis Syura Ulama, yang di antara tugas utamanya, seperti yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan PAS, Fasal 7 (B):

"Mengeluarkan arahan dan perintah, supaya dasar dan ketetapan itu, dipatuhi dan dilaksanakan oleh mana-mana pihak atau badan di dalam PAS dan mengawasi serta memelihara, supaya dasar dan ketetapan serta kehendak-kehendak di dalam Perlembagaan ini dipatuhi dalam kegiatan gerakan dan pentadbiran PAS."

Semua yang saya nyatakan berjalan lancar dan berada dalam keadaan baik, tanpa berlaku penyelewengan dan kelencongan.

Pihak yang menyatakan PAS sudah melencong dan berubah dasar perjuangannya, meninggalkan Islam dan Negara Islam dan bermacam-macam lagi, adalah suatu fitnah jahat yang semata-mata bertujuan memburuk-burukkan pejuang-pejuang Islam, yang dilakukan oleh musuh-musuh Islam, sepanjang zaman.

PAS tidak berubah dan tidak pernah mengubah dasar-dasar utama perjuangannya. Taktik dan strategi boleh berubah mengikut keperluan.

Apa yang disebut Negara Berkebajikan menggantikan Negara Islam, itu sebenarnya istilah. Maknanya sama dan tidak berubah.

Malah menamakan Negara Islam dengan nama Negara Berkebajikan, tidak bercanggah dengan Islam.

Di dalamn al-Quranul karim tidak terdapat istilah Negara Islam secara jelas dan terang. Yang ada seiras dengannya adalah istilah 'Baldatun Tayyibah' sebagaimana firman Allah (mafhumnya): "Sesungguhnya adalah bagi penduduk negeri Saba', ada suatu tanda kemurahan Allah yang terdapat di tempat tinggal mereka, iaitu dua bidang kebun yang luas lagi subur yang terletak di sebelah kanan dan kiri. Lalu dikatakan kepada mereka itu, makanlah daripada rezeki pemberian Tuhan kamu dan bersyukurlah kamu kepada-Nya dan negeri kamu itu adalah negeri yang Tayyibah (Baik atau berkebajikan) dan Tuhan kamu adalah Tuhan Yang Maha Pengampun." (Surah Saba' ayat 15)

Ketika Presiden PAS membentangkan istilah Negara Berkebajikan dalam muktamar yang lepas (Jun 2011), tidak ada sesiapa pun yang meragui istilah itu dan tiada sesiapa pun yang mempersoalkannya di dalam muktamar.

Biasanya, jika ada sesuatu yang tidak kena, ahli dalam muktamar PAS akan menimbulkan berbagai pandangan, teguran dan bangkangan. Yang ternyata muktamar telah menerima.

Apabila ini berlaku, maka ianya adalah sesuatu selaras dengan perjuangan PAS.Penyebar-penyebar fitnah ke atas pejuangpejuang Islam, bukan perkara baru, malah sejak dari zaman sahabat Rasulullah s.a.w, yang memperjuangkan Islam pada waktu itu, musuh-musuh Islam dari kalangan musyrikin dan munafikin, telah menyebar fitnah yang lebih besar.

Antaranya dahulu, mereka menyatakan, 'Muhammad adalah ahli sihir, dia gila, pembawa cerita dongeng, pemecah perpaduan umat Arab, dia menyembah berhala (Kaabah).' Berbagai-bagai lagi fitnah dilemparkan terhadap Nabi s.a.w dan para sahabat baginda.

Oleh yang demikian, anda tidak harus mengendahkan media-media musuh Islam yang memang itu kerja mereka.

PAS sekarang, tetap PAS seperti dahulu, tetap memperjuangkan Islam yang syumul, tanpa menghiraukan kata-kata orang menentang.

Berpandulah kepada hadis Rasulullah s.a.w (mafhumnya): "Akan sentiasa wujud di kalangan umatku segolongan orang-orang yang memperjuangkan Islam yang sebenar, tanpa menghirau celaan orang yang suka mencela, sehingga kemenangan yang nyata, berhasil pada akhirnya." Wallahua'lam.

Artikel di atas dipetik daripada ruangan Bersama Dato' Haron Din yang disiarkan akhbar Harakah Bil. 1704 (8-11 Safar 1433/2-5 Januari 2012)

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China warns US to be ‘careful’ in military refocus

BEIJING, Jan 9 — China's Ministry of Defence warned the United States today to be "careful in its words and actions" after announcing a defence rethink that stresses responding to China's rise by shoring up US alliances and bases across Asia.

The statement from the ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng was Beijing's fullest reaction so far to the new US strategy unveiled last week. It echoed the mix of wariness and outward restraint that has marked China's response to the Obama administration's "pivot" to Asia since late last year.

"We have noted that the United States issued this guide to its defence strategy, and we will closely observe the impact that US military strategic adjustment has on the Asia-Pacific region and on global security developments," Geng said in a statement issued on the ministry's website (www.mod.gov.cn).

"The accusations levelled at China by the US side in this document are totally baseless," said Geng.

"We hope that the United States will flow with the tide of the era, and deal with China and the Chinese military in an objective and rational way, will be careful in its words and actions, and do more that is beneficial to the development of relations between the two countries and their militaries."

The new US strategy promises to boost strength in Asia in an attempt to counter China's growing ability to check US power in the region, even as US forces draw back elsewhere across the globe.

Under the new strategy, the United States will maintain large bases in Japan and South Korea and deploy US Marines, navy ships and aircraft to Australia's Northern Territory.

The strategy calls for countering potential attempts by China and Iran to block US capabilities in areas like the South China Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

China has sought to balance voicing its wariness about the US moves with its desire for steady relations with Washington, especially as both sides grapple with domestic politics this year, when President Barack Obama faces a re-election fight and China's ruling Communist Party undergoes a leadership handover.

So far, Beijing officials have avoided the usual high-pitched assertions that Washington is bent on encircling China, a view widely echoed by popular Chinese newspapers and websites.

Growing concern

The expanded US military presence in Asia is based on a miscalculation of Beijing's intent to modernise its military defences, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said today.

"The accusation targeting China in the document has no basis, and is fundamentally unrealistic," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a regular news conference, in response to a question from state media about whether China poses a threat to US security.

"China adheres to the path of peaceful development, an independent and peaceful foreign policy and a defensive national defence policy," Liu added.

Still, there is growing concern in the United States and Asia about China's military developments in recent years.

China has been expanding its naval might, with submarines and a maiden aircraft carrier, and has also increased its missile and surveillance capabilities, extending its offensive reach in the region and unnerving its neighbours.

The disputed ownership of oil-rich reefs and islands in the South China Sea, through which US$5 trillion (RM15.8 trillion) in trade sails annually, is one of the biggest security threats in Asia.

China is seen by many neighbours as increasingly assertive on the high seas, with several incidents in the past year in the South China Sea, waters claimed wholly or in part by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.

But Chinese President Hu Jintao has made clear he wants to avoid repeating the rifts that soured ties with Washington in the first half of 2011. Hu retires from power late in 2012 and his almost-certain successor, Vice President Xi Jinping, is likely to visit the United States in coming months. — Reuters

US will have world’s strongest military despite cuts, says Panetta

Defence Secretary Leon Panetta answers a question during CBS's "Face the Nation" programme in Washington on January 6, 2012 in this handout picture released to Reuters on January 8, 2012.— Reuters pic

WASHINGTON, Jan 9 — Defence Secretary Leon Panetta cautioned global rivals yesterday not to misjudge US plans to slash military spending over the next decade, saying America would still field the world's strongest military and nobody should "mess with that."

Panetta, speaking on CBS's "Face the Nation," also reiterated the tough US stance toward Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for oil shipping in the Gulf, saying the United States would not "tolerate" it.

"That's another red line for us and ... we will respond to them," he said.

General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told "Face the Nation" Iran had been investing in the weapons they would need to close the strait but the United States had been working to "ensure if that happens, we can defeat that."

"The simple answer is, 'Yes, they can block it,'" he said. "But we would take action and reopen the strait."

Asked whether it would be difficult to take out Iran's nuclear capability, Dempsey said it was his job to plan and understand the risks associated with any military option and "all those activities are going on."

Pressed on whether the United States could take out Iran's nuclear sites without using nuclear weapons, Dempsey would only say: "I absolutely want them to believe that that's the case."

"They need to know that ... if they take that step, they are going to get stopped," Panetta added.

The United States is concerned that Iran's nuclear programme is aimed at producing a weapon, but Tehran insists it is for peaceful energy production.

The tough talk comes days after President Barack Obama unveiled a new military strategy that calls for a smaller force as the United States cuts US$487 billion (RM1.538 trillion) in projected defence spending over the next decade in an effort to deal with the nation's US$14 trillion debt.

The new strategy, which is meant to identify spending priorities as the military cuts back, calls for greater emphasis on Asia even as the Army and Marines shrink to become smaller and more agile forces.

Not 'military in decline' — Dempsey

Dempsey said he worried that some countries might misunderstand the debate Americans are having over changing strategy and the need to cut defence spending.

"There may be some around the world who see us as a nation in decline, and worse, as a military in decline. And nothing could be further from the truth," Dempsey said.

He said such a miscalculation could be "troublesome" in dealing with countries like Iran or North Korea. Panetta said US rivals should not misunderstand the situation.

"I think the message that the world needs to understand is: America is the strongest military power and we intend to remain the strongest military power and nobody ought to mess with that," he said.

Obama and Congress agreed in August to cut some US$487 billion in defence spending over the next decade. As part of the August deal, defense spending could be cut by another US$600 billion unless Congress compromises on an alternative.

Congress missed a deadline for reaching a compromise that could have stopped the new defence cuts, but it could still take action to override the spending reductions before they are due to go into force next year.

Obama, in unveiling the new defense strategy at a Pentagon news conference on Thursday, noted that even with the US$487 trillion in cuts to projected spending, the defence budget would continue to grow in nominal terms.

He also said the US defence budget would still be by far the world's largest — roughly the size of the 10 next-biggest defence budgets combined.

If the second round of defence cuts takes place, the Pentagon's base budget would fall to roughly US$472 billion in fiscal 2013 — about the level of fiscal 2007 in inflation-adjusted dollars, according to an analysis by Todd Harrison of the Centre for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.

That represents a real cut of about 11 per cent. It would remain at roughly the same level for about eight years, growing only at about the pace of inflation, Harrison's analysis said.

Panetta told National Public Radio yesterday the Pentagon was not ready for cuts of that magnitude.

"If we had to do over a trillion dollars in cuts in this department, I have to tell you that the strategy that we developed, we'd probably have to throw that out the window and start over," he said.

Obama campaign adviser David Axelrod downplayed the likelihood that the second round of cuts would actually occur, telling ABC's "This Week" programme, "We expect we're going to deal with that ... during the course of this year." — Reuters

All abuzz over ‘Ethical Clothing

By JOSEPH SIPALAN and JOSEPH KAOS Jr 

newsdesk@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: If you are working at the Defence Ministry, be sure not to wear "clothes that poke eye".

This was one of the many colourful descriptions of "Ethical Clothing" (etika berpakaian) that is acceptable within the ministry's standards.

Netizens on social networking sites were literally ROFL, which is cyberspeak for "rolling on the floor laughing", as they shared the link to the ministry's amusing English translation of the staff dress code on its official website.

Lost in translation: The amusing English translation of the staff dress code on the Defence Ministry website.

"Clothes that poke eye" is a literal translation ofpakaian yang menjolok mata, which is supposed to mean revealing clothes in Bahasa Malaysia. Other finds included: "collared shirts and tight Malay civet berbutang three", which, in Malay, is berkolar baju Melayu cekak musang berbutang tiga.

Baju batik lengan panjang berkolar / cekak musang buatan Malaysia, meanwhile is translated as "long-sleeve batik shirt with collar / mongoose fight made in Malaysia".

There was also "shine closed", which was translated from kasut bertutup, or closed-toe shoes.

Another was the brief summary of the ministry's history on the website, which read: "After the withdrawal of British army, the Malaysian Government take drastic measures to increase the level of any national security threat."

The actual summary in Bahasa Malaysia read:Selepas pengunduran tentera British, Kerajaan Malaysia mengambil langkah drastik untuk meningkatkan tahap keselamatan negara dari sebarang ancaman.

The ministry took down the English translated version several hours after it went widespread on Twitter and Facebook.

A ministry spokesperson said a clarification has since been posted on the website, adding that page hits shot up remarkably yesterday.

The clarification on the website said corrective action was being taken on the related software to ensure translations were accurate. -- The Star Online

Lima 2011 Makes It Into The Malaysia Book Of Records

Langkawi , 11  December 2011 : The Langkawi Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2011 which ended yesterday entered the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) as the largest aerospace and maritime exhibition ever organized in this country. With a significant increase in the number of both exhibitors and visitors, LIMA 2011 scored a new Malaysian record with 403 exhibiting companies (including 225 major companies from the industry) and 160,000 visitors over five days (up from 71,000 visitors at LIMA 2009).  Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi enthusiastically pronounced LIMA 2011 as the best one ever, producing not just a massive turnout in exhibitors and visitors, but also in terms of the amount of business and trade generated and enormous boost to the economy. "This event has been more than an exhibition. It proved just how much the Malaysian defense industry is capable of contributing to the country's income," he said during the closing ceremony at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) in Padang Matsirat. Dr Ahmad announced that the Ministry has decided to award the contract for LIMA 2013 again to HW LIMA Sdn Bhd after noting the company's excellent performance this year. He also announced that LIMA 2013 will not be held in December as usual but from 26-30 March instead. According to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), business transactions conducted during this year's LIMA registered potential sales worth US$ 43.6 million (RM 137.2 million). It is estimated that around 45,000 spectators showed up to watch the maritime show, compared to about 23,000 during LIMA 2009. -- Source from LADA website

Lim Guan Eng Akui Kemampuan Kapal Selam, Tahap Profesionalisme TLDM

LANGKAWI, 9 Dis (Bernama) -- Selepas melalui pengalaman menyelam bersama kapal selam KD Tun Razak selama satu setengah jam Jumaat, Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Lim Guan Eng mengakui akan kemampuan kapal selam negara yang sebelum ini menjadi kritikan beberapa pemimpin pembangkang yang dikatakan tidak dapat menyelam. Lim turut menyifatkan pengalamannya menaiki kapal selam buat pertama kali hari ini sebagai sesuatu yang menarik dan mengujakan selain memuji sikap profesionalisme pegawai dan anggota Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM). "Kita menyelam 30 meter. Ia tidak dapat diragukan lagi," katanya kepada pemberita selepas melalui pengalaman menyelam dan tiba dengan helikopter di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi, di sini hari ini. Lim yang juga Setiausaha Agung DAP berkata beliau sangat tertarik dengan sikap profesionalisme pegawai pemerintah dan anak anak kapal. "Jika anda memasuki kapal selam, ia merupakan ruang terkurung. Bagi 32 pegawai dan kru yang mampu mengendalikannya dalam ruang yang terkurung untuk satu tempoh yang lama, ia adalah sesuatu yang luar biasa dan pencapaian yang hebat. Saya amat bangga dengan mereka," katanya. Katanya beliau menghargai sumbangan wira-wira negara yang berkhidmat untuk negara dan sanggup berkorban untuk negara, dan profesionalisme mereka tidak perlu dipertikaikan. Bagaimanapun, beliau mempunyai pandangan yang berbeza mengenai kos kapal selam itu. "Kita perlu ada kapal selam. Tapi ada satu perkara yang kami mempunyai pandangan sendiri iaitu mengenai kosnya," katanya. Lim berkata beliau dijemput oleh Menteri Pertahanan Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi untuk menaiki kapal selam itu dan beliau menerimanya kerana mahu melihat sendiri keadaan kapal selam itu. Bersama Lim menyelam dengan KD Tun Razak adalah kedua-dua Timbalan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Datuk Mansor Othman dan Dr P Ramasamy. Turut sama berada dalam kapal selam itu adalah tiga wakil media daripada Bernama dan TV3. Sementara itu, Ahmad Zahid yang menyambut Lim di lapangan terbang itu berkata kapal selam KD Tun Razak bergerak 45 batu nautika selama lima jam sejak pukul 10 pagi sebelum dapat menyelam, berikutan keadaan yang cetek di perairan Langkawi. Katanya beliau berharap Lim akan menceritakan perkara sebenar berkenaan pengalaman beliau hari ini supaya isu berkaitan pertahanan tidak dipolitikkan. -- BERNAMA

Pesara Tentera Digalak Sertai Projek Industri Pertahanan Di Sungkai - Zahid

BAGAN DATOH: Pesara tentera Malaysia yang mempunyai kepakaran dalam industri pertahanan terutamanya dalam bidang kejuruteraan digalak menyertai projek Pusat Industri Pertahanan di Sungkai, Tanjung Malim Perak yang dijangka dimulakan dalam suku pertama tahun depan.

Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata pesara tentera yang terlibat dalam industri pertahanan harus memanfaatkan projek itu kerana ia membuka peluang besar dalam perniagaan baru selain menjadi pemangkin pertumbuhan ekonomi negara.

Katanya kerajaan meletakkan sasaran pelaburan asing bernilai RM15 bilion apabila pusat industri pertahanan itu beroperasi sepenuhnya nanti.

Beliau berkata sehingga kini sebanyak 25 syarikat pertahanan antarabangsa telah menunjukkan minat iaitu 15 dari Eropah, Amerika Syarikat (lapan) dan dua dari Korea dengan nilai pelaburan bejumlah RM4.73 bilion.

"Selain itu, syarikat dari China dan India juga menunjukkan minat untuk melabur dalam projek berkenaan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan jentera pilihan raya umum Ke-13 peringkat Parlimen Bagan Datoh, di sini.

Ahmad Zahid berkata industri pertahanan akan menjadi cabang ekonomi bentuk baru terutamanya dalam industri pembuatan yang bakal menjadi popular di negara ini dan peringkat antarabangsa dalam tempoh terdekat ini.

"Perkembangan bidang industri terbaru ini pasti akan memberi peluang pekerjaan dan perniagaan kepada penduduk tempatan dan pesara tentera terutamanya yang tinggal di sekitar Tanjung Malim.

"Limpahan industri ini turut akan memberi impak kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi bandar berdekatan termasuk Bandar Proton di Tapah, Cameron Highlands dan Kampar apabila projek berkenaan berjaya dilaksanakan sepenuhnya dalam tempoh lima tahun akan datang," katanya. - BERNAMA

LIMA 2011 paling berjaya, tarik 125,000 pengunjung - Zahid

10/12/2011 8:57pm

LANGKAWI 10 Dis. -Pameran Udara dan Maritim Antarabangsa Langkawi 2011 (LIMA "11) akan dapat menarik 125,000 pengunjung apabila ia berakhir di Pusat Pameran Antarabangsa Mahsuri (MIEC) petang ini.

Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata, jumlah pengunjung itu termasuk 34,000 pelawat perdagangan pada segmen udara dalam pameran itu di MIEC.

"Bagi segmen maritim, kita menerima 21,000 pengunjung bagi pelawat kerjaya dan begitu juga 14,000 pelawat kapal," katanya kepada pemberita di sini, hari ini, hari terakhir pada pameran lima hari itu.

Ahmad Zahid menyifatkan edisi ke-11 LIMA sebagai yang paling berjaya sejak ia pertama kali diadakan pada 1991.

Malaysia Book of Records juga mengiktiraf pameran udara LIMA "11 sebagai yang paling besar pernah diadakan di Malaysia dengan menyerahkan sijil itu kepada menteri. - Bernama