IN A FLASH 20 APRIL 2009

IN A FLASH 20 APRIL 2009
GOOD AFTERNOON AND SALAM MUHIBAH.
IT IS NOW TIME FOR IN A FLASH.

The '1Malaysia' concept mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should also embody a safe and secure Malaysia, that is, a nation free not only from crime but also unwanted accidents and man-made disasters.

Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said there was a need to implement the idea of "safe community" in line with the "1Malaysia" concept where people 'live, work and play safely and healthily'.

He added besides improving the lives of individuals, a safe community creates many common benefits, such as improved safety for the public, less crime, improved productivity and competitiveness, lower health-care costs and a reduction in other social expenditure.
He said this in a statement, in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

Lee said a safe community approach provides a focal point for the community leaders, employers and employees, policemen, firemen, safety professionals and those who were keen in community affairs to build a better community where they worked or lived.

He said the safe community program was an integrated development of safety culture in the community that encompassed work safety, school safety, recreational safety, crime prevention and others.

/ENDS-BERNAMA
The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry will revive idle land in an effort to increase local food production, said its deputy minister, Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharom.

He said the project, which entailed the implementation of the 'Bumi Hijau' programme, would be developed on a profit-sharing basis between the land owners and entrepreneurs.

He added the ministry will work hand in hand with state governments in developing idle land.
He said although local food production was adequate and measures had to be taken to ensure that crop production would not drop.

He also said efforts are being made to increase crop yield as well as their quality through the implementation of the National Food Safety Policy.

Mohd Johari, who is also Member of Parliament for Kubang Pasu, urged farmers to take advantage of the incentives provided to reduce their production cost as the government had allocated 2.924 billion ringgit under the policy this year.

He said the government had also approved a 2.187 billion ringgit allocation this year in an effort to increase padi production compared to 1.462 billion ringgit last year.

Speaking to reporters later, he said agencies under the ministry would identify idle land to be developed and to resolve problems which could impede its development.


//ENDS-BERNAMA
THAT’S THE END OF IN A FLASH FOR TODAY.
SALAM MUHIBAH.