Murugiah, MAMPU Officers To Inspect Counter Services At Gov't Agencies, Departments

Your Gateway to Y.B Senator Dato' T.Murugiah....

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=421346

June 28, 2009 16:28 PM

Murugiah, MAMPU Officers To Inspect Counter Services At Gov't Agencies, Departments

SHAH ALAM, June 28 (Bernama) -- Deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk T. Murugiah and 30 officers from Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) will assess over the counter services provided by government agencies and departments, nationwide.

Murugiah who is also the Public Complaints Bureau chief said their proposed rounds was to check on the quality or services provided to the public by those manning such counters, especially at hospitals and where people seek assistance.

He added that apart from over the counter services, they would also check on help services provided over the phone at government departments and agencies to ensure the 'People First, Performance Now' concept introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak by way of '1Malaysia' was achieved.

Murugiah who earlier opened the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation's (MCPF) Annual General Meeting here today said the foundation must work closely and play an active role to assist the police in combating crime.

"They can go to schools and provide counseling services to students with discipline problems or those involved in gangsterism," he said.

There are also cases were students extort money from other students and if such practices are not nipped in the bud, it will become a big problem as they would eventually become gangsters or robbers once they leave school, he said.

-- BERNAMA

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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/26/nation/4197609&sec=nation

Friday June 26, 2009

Raub gold mine gets nod to carry on

By SIMON KHOO

KUANTAN: Gold-mining activities using cyanide in Bukit Koman, Raub, have been given the green light to proceed, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk T. Murugiah.

He said the decision was reached after taking into consideration environment and health reports from the state.

He said all complaints and concerns raised by residents about the usage of cyanide had been addressed by the authorities.

“As such, I do not see why we should issue a stop-work order on the gold-mining activities.

“If the residents can furnish proof that their health is at risk, we will take prompt action,” he said after chairing a meeting on public complaints at the state Public Complaints Bureau headquarters in Teruntum Complex yesterday.

Murugiah was disappointed that none of the affected residents turned up for the meeting except for a few representatives from an opposition party.

In detailing the reports, he said the noise level emitted from the mine was within the permissible level of 55dBA.

“Samples taken from rivers and underground water showed there were no traces of poison and that it is safe for human consumption.

“Interviews and medical check-ups conducted on 246 residents in March showed they were all healthy except for six who complained of headache and dizziness,” he said, adding that health officers confirmed that their sickness was not due to the effects of cyanide.

The authorities, he said, would continue to monitor the situation and conduct periodical checks on the water quality, environment and health of the residents.

Next week, he would meet residents and inspect the mine.

“I was told that the nearest house to the mine was 600m away which is in compliance with the Environment Department requirements,” he said.

Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd director Datuk Azinudin Abd Rahim, who was also present, said they had invested RM80mil for the entire project and adhered to international safety standards.

He said the mine started operations in February, providing em-ployment to 170 workers, mostly locals.

“If health is the issue, then our workers will be the first to experience sickness. To date, we have no workers falling sick as all precautionary measures are in place,” he said.