Published: Tuesday August 23, 2011 MYT 6:17:00 PM

Updated: Tuesday August 23, 2011 MYT 6:18:30 PM

492 arrested for human trafficking

since 2008
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 492 people were arrested for human trafficking between
2008 and July this year, secretary of the anti-human trafficking council (MAPO)
Nasirrahman Saad Khiruddin said Tuesday.
He said 799 victims, mostly Chinese nationals and Filipinos, were saved during the
period.
"Most of the victims were brought into the country against their will for the purposes of
exploitation, like for commercial sex and forced labour," he told reporters after opening a
seminar on trafficking in persons and smuggling of immigrants here.
On the smuggling of immigrants, he said 14 cases, involving 281 immigrants and 20
arrests, were recorded between November last year and July. - Bernama

Published: Monday August 22, 2011 MYT 1:16:00 PM

Updated: Monday August 22, 2011 MYT 3:30:52 PM

Three states identified as risk-prone

areas for landslides
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor, Sabah and Penang have been identified as risk-prone
areas for landslides.
Housing and Local Government Datuk Chor Chee Heung said this was concluded after
receiving 111 reports from 111 local councils out of 145 councils who were ordered to
conduct surveys and submit reports of landslide risks to buildings on or near hillslopes
under their jurisdiction.
"We have identified 2,000 houses that are in high risk areas," he said after launching the
Ops Raya 2011 at the Sungai Besi Toll here Monday.
He, however, refused to reveal the exact number of houses or buildings located at or
near areas prone to landslide in the three states mentioned.
Chor said a report on this was submitted to the Cabinet last week.
He added the remaining councils that did not submit their reports as there were no
landslide threats in those areas.
"The landslide risks were listed in three categories; serious, not so serious and light," he
said.
It was reported on May 31 that Chor announced a Cabinet directive that the surveys
must be completed within a month, following a tragedy in Hulu Langat where an
orphanage was hit by a landslide, killing 16 people.

Monday August 22, 2011

UM staff crisis remarks refuted

By ALYCIA LIM
educate@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya Academic Staff Association (PKAUM) president

Assoc Prof Dr Azmi Sharom said he did not endorse remarks made by certain members
that the university was in a crisis due to mass resignations of its academic staff.He
clarified that he was present at a press conference on Aug 17 to inform reporters that
those involved were protected as members of the association.
I was at the press conference for about 10 minutes. However, I was very disappointed
to find out the next day that all their claims were attributed to me, when I had never
agreed to sign the statement since I did not agree with everything that was stated.
I dont know where they got the figures from, and whether or not it was accurate. They
have abused my trust by using my name, he said, adding that meetings were always
held with vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dr Ghauth Jasmon every three months where
thoughts and opinions were discussed.
PKAUM believes in meritocracy and that academia is very broad and diverse, so quality
has to be measured in an equally broad and diverse manner, he said.
Dr Azmi said PKAUM had been campaigning internally for the university to broaden the
types of publications that could be accepted when considering promotions and the
university had soften its approach over the years.
Because the press statement with my name had been published, it made us look as if
we are backing down now, when in fact it was never from us in the first place.
Despite what they did, I am still the president and it is still my duty to protect them, he
added.
UM Social Sciences Research Dean Prof Dr Terence Gomez said he supported the VCs
meritocracy policy as outlined in his UM transformation plan.
Dr Ghauth has instituted a transformation plan for the university to be revamped. Over
the past two years, there has been a clear rise in the number of articles being published
in reputable journals that will ultimately draw the university recognition.
Since his transformation plan is seeing results, the academics should give him their
support to raise standards in UM, he said.