LOGISTICS in POLITICS

Published: Friday November 11, 2011 MYT 8:25:00 PM
Updated: Friday November 11, 2011 MYT 8:26:25 PM

PM: Issue of logistics in overseas Malaysians vote

By JOSEPH SIPALAN and YUEN MEI KENG

KUALA LUMPUR: The Barisan Nasional is not opposed to overseas Malaysians voting but the issue is more about logistics, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"Just as the MCA president explained, we are not opposed to them voting but we are talking about the logistics, which creates a lot of difficulty.

"The BN's position is that we are not opposed but simply highlighting the difficulties," he told a press conference after chairing the Barisan supreme council meeting Friday.

Najib was asked to comment on a memorandum submitted by the MCA to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reform earlier in the day, which the party raised concerns over the proposal to extend postal voting to all Malaysians living abroad.

MCA central committee member Datuk Ei Kim Hock, who presented the memorandum, stressed that there are too many issues and loopholes that need to be addressed before the country can implement the proposal to allow overseas Malaysians to vote.

AGRICULTURE

Monday October 17, 2011

Halim in Cambodia RM2bil agriculture joint 

PHNOM PENH: Malaysia expects to minimise its dependence on imports of animal feed and lessen the impact of the global food crisis by 2020 under the reciprocal investment policy, Agriculture and Agro-basedMinister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said.

One such initiative under the policy was the signing of an agreement between Markmore Group of Malaysia, represented by chairman Tan Sri Halim Saad, and Cambodia's Paragon Corp, represented by its chairman Marc Perman, here recently.

The two companies, will among others, invest RM2bil to develop 400,000ha in Kampung Cham, Kratie and Mondulkiri.

Noh told reporters that the Government aspired to create a food supply value chain and livestock breeding under the National Agro Food Policy 2011-2020.

“I hope that Markmore will be able to contribute to the agriculture sector in Malaysia, especially in animal feed,” he said.

He said Cambodian firms were encouraged to invest under the reciprocal investment policy, introduced by Malaysia as an alternative to enhance the country's food supply and strengthen its food security.

Commodities to be brought in under the policy will be regarded as products of Malaysia on condition that they are as a result of the investment and not obtained or bought from a third party.

Noh also said that Malaysia would sign an agreement with Cambodia to facilitate agricultural activities between both countries early next year.

Meanwhile, Halim said the area, which is on a 70-year lease from the Cambodian government, would be planted with corn, soy and sugarcane and the first yield was expected in 2013. - Bernama