News brief: Oct 8

PM to launch Community Development Foundation... In ALOR STAR, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to launch the Kubang Pasu Community Development Foundation at the Marrriot Hotel Putrajaya on Friday.

Foundation chairman Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Fawzi Mohd Basri said the launching ceremony would also pay tribute to Dr Mahathir who will retire at the end of the month.

The Prime Minister is also the Kubang Pasu Member of Parliament.

"It is the wish of the Foundation to continue playing the role of pioneers in implementing Dr Mahathir's thoughts for the development of the people and country," Ahmad Fawzi said here Wednesday.

The Foundation, mooted by the Prime Minister's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali in 2000, began its programme with the setting up of a Community Education Centre for the Kubang Pasu Parliamentary constituency.

Ahmad Fawzi, who is the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), said since its inception the Foundation had organised various programmes based on education and social development for the people of Kubang Pasu.

KISAS wins History and Patriotism Quiz... In KUALA LUMPUR, Kolej Islam Sultan Ahmad Shah (KISAS) of Klang emerged champions of the National-level History and Patriotisme Quiz 2003 held at the Education Ministry here Wednesday.

As champions, KISAS, representing the Central Zone. received the Aminuddin Baki Cup, RM2,000 and collateral prizes.

In second place was Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tawau in Sabah, which represented the East Malaysia zone, receiving RM1,500, a trophy and collateral prizes.

The competition, organised by the Malaysian Historical Society in collaboration with the Education Ministry, is aimed at instilling patriotism and love for history among students.

Three other schools which competed were Sekolah Menengah Sultan Abdul Halim, Jitra, Kedah (Northern Zone), SMK Dato' Mohd Taha, Gemencheh, Negeri Sembilan (Southern Zone) and SMK Abdul Rahman Talib, Kuantan, Pahang, (Eastern Zone).

Muhammad Salahuddin Haris, 17, from KISAS, was selected the best participant, winning a cash prize of RM200.

The prizes were given away by Education Ministry director of schools, Datuk Kusaini Hasbullah. Local film icon, Datuk Jins Shamsudin, added to the occasion by reciting a poem.

College to help fill Sarawak's healthcare demands... In KUCHING, Sarawak's demand for paramedics will be fulfilled with the completion of the Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu here in the middle of next year, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said.

He said the RM78 million college, in Jalan Penrissen, would have a capacity to train 1,500 students undergoing diploma-level courses.

"It is important to have sufficient health personnel with calibre to ensure that all levels of society, especially rural folks, can enjoy quality health care," he said during the Kolej Kesihatan Bersekutu convocation here Wednesday.

Dr Chan said under the Eighth Malaysia Plan a sum of RM316 million had been allocated to improve Sarawak's health facilities, including the construction of two new hospitals in Dalat and Sarikei, five city and 11 rural health clinics and two training colleges, one here and the other in Sibu.

The implication of these improvements was that the Ministry needed more health personnel who were innovative and dedicated, he said.