More Recognition For Women In 2009

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The year 2009 witnessed women in the country making great strides in the field of administration, entrepreneurship, education and employment.The earliest recognition for women came as soon as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took office in April where he added another two women deputy ministers to his new administration.Najib's line-up has two ministers and six deputy ministers from the fairer sex.The two women Ministers are Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.The two new faces are Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin and Deputy Minister of Information Communication, Arts and Culture Senator Heng Seai Kie.Meanwhile, Senator Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun was reappointed to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, this time as a deputy minister.The others are Deputy Agriculture and Agro Based Industries Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, Deputy Human Resource Minister Datuk Maznah Mazlan, Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Tan Lian Hoe and Deputy Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Noriah Kasnon.The appointments stand testament to Najib's confidence on the fairer sex's ability and integrity in holding important positions in the government.MANY WOMEN TAKING UP ENTREPRENUERSHIPDuring the year 2009 more women in Malaysia chose entrepreneurship despite the lack of financial support and global economic woes.Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun on last June said the government has taken note of the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has been given the task to identify the factors that impede women in business.Chew pointed out that 16 percent of the small and medium scale industries (SME) involved in services and manufacturing, belong to women."Malaysian women entrepreneurs are increasingly gaining recognition as the main players in the economy, especially SMEs, and there are even some heading multinationals that were once dominated by their male counterparts," she said.Women could now hope for numerous grants and government funds, including special assistance schemes through Small and Medium Industries Corporation (Smidec).MORE WOMEN TAKING UP DEGREESIn the field of education, it is obvious that the women are ahead compared with their male counterpart. This is proven by the fact that 65 percent or 26,200 of the 40,366 candidates offered places for a first degree at public institutions of higher learning for the 2009/2010 academic sessions are women.The Director General of the Higher Education Department Prof Datuk Ir Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi noted the gender imbalance in the institutions of higher learning being something unavoidable as the intake now is based on meritocracy.Though this gender inequality issue crops up annually but striking a balance seems to be difficult.Nevertheless, there are some fields of study where the masculine gender still dominate for example in chemical, civil and mechanical engineering while the fairer sex opt for 'cleaner fields' like laboratory research and others that doesn't require physical endurance.WOMEN IN THE EYES OF THE WORLDA survey conducted by Grant Thornton International on April ranked Malaysia in the fifth placing when comes to women holding senior positions in medium and big enterprises where they accounted for 31 percent only.However, this is an increase of eight percent from 23 percent in 2007, noted SJ Grant Thornton in a statement.The study also found that up to 39 percent of businesses in the nation have more women in senior positions."The government agreed in principle on the policy to ensure at least 30 percent of the senior positions in the public sector are reserved for women."Through this empowering policy, we will be able to see more women in senior administrative positions who can contribute in various organisations and sectors like economy, government, financial services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare and many more," noted SJ Grant Thornton's managing partner Datuk N.K. Jasani.THOSE WHO MADE A NAMEThe year 2009 also witnessed some sterling achievement by women including the world number one squash player Datuk Nicol Ann David recording seven wins from the 11 international tournaments that she participated.Nicol received the ultimate recognition when on Oct 20 the government officially named the Main Court of the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil as "Nicol David Arena".Meanwhile, the appointment of Senator Datuk Armani Mahiruddin, 52, from Sabah as Dewan Negara's deputy President is another testament on the government's trust on women's ability to lead.Armani's appointment is historic because she is the first woman to hold the position.It is hoped that Armani's appointment will inspire women to work harder to better themselves in any field.Meanwhile, the 2009 World Brand Congress handed the brand leadership award to the president of Institute of Marketing Malaysia (IMM) Datuk Sharifah Mohd Ismail in Mumbai.She is the first professional from Malaysia to win the international award.The year 2009 also witnessed Malaysia's first female jet fighter pilot flying Royal Malaysian Air Force's MiG-29N. Major Patricia Yapp Syau Yin, 33, from Sabah did the nation proud.THOSE UNFORTUNATE WOMENHowever, 2009 also witnessed a number of cases where innocent Malaysian women were made use by drug mules.On May 20, two Malaysian women were detained at the Pudong Airport, in Shanghai, China for trying to smuggle a kilogramme of heroin. An international syndicate from Africa is believed to have hired them.Meanwhile Siti Aishah Hamid, the Malaysian who was freed from a prison in Karachi, Pakistan in April after serving a four-year sentence returned home and promised to turn a new leaf. Siti was also made use as a drug mule.Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansur during the inaugural Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Women's Summit on July urged serious steps be taken to help innocent women who are victims of human and drug trafficking.She recommended that websites be created to share information on the problem.-- BERNAMA

Salam Maal Hijrah 1431.

Salam Maal Hijrah 1431 to you & your family.
It's Friday, another day at the conty studio & editing room...
I somehow enjoy my job instead of being away for a holiday like other people...
maybe it's not time for me to go on a holiday! :P

Anyway, I've made new changes in me...
slowly...
so, if you see me someday...
don't freak out! :)
Life is short...
so, enjoy life to the fullest!
Always think of All Mighty Allah as He is the Creator of all mankind.

As we age...
we'll face more challenging temptation from God...
By talking & praying to God, we'll be alright.
Thank you Allah for everything that you've shown me.
I LOVE YOU ALLAH SWT.

Confuse over Zodiac Sign.

ARIES - The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19)
Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (Easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic. 16 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

TAURUS - The Enduring One (April 20 - May 20)
Charming but aggressive. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings that are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard - passionate. Express themselves emotionally. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge themselves often. Very generous. 12 years of bad Luck if you do not forward.

* Dear friends, I need your comments/ opinions on this. I was born on April 20 but I'm more like an Aries. : ) So, for those of you who knows me (well)...do leave your comments yeah. Thanks a lot!

BERNAMA - Lima 2009 Tickets Reduced To RM10

BERNAMA - Lima 2009 Tickets Reduced To RM10

Lima 2009 Tickets Reduced To RM10

LANGKAWI, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- The price of a ticket to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2009 has been reduced to RM10 from RM20 previously.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced this Monday saying that the organisers, HW Lima Sdn Bhd, had agreed to reduce the price.

"I had asked the organisers to give a 50 per cent discount and they agreed," he told reporters after visting a field hospital of the Royal Medical Corps here today.

The air show will only be opened to the public on the last day on Dec 5. Lima '09 opens tomorrow.

As many as 15 aircraft will be featured in the exhibition including the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)'s MIG-29Ns and SU-30MKM aircraft.

Ahmad Zahid also said the number of vessels in the static maritime show at Awana Porto Malai had been increased to 99.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said 96 Armed Forces Health Corps personnel will be on duty for LIMA 2009 at the field hospital located near the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre at Padang Matsirat here.

Of that number, 10 were specialists in various fields and the others were medical officers.

"This is the first time that the Royal Medical Corps has been involved directly in LIMA," he said.

Among facilities provided by the field hospital was an X-Ray room, an operation room, 50 beds and ambulances.

In the meantime, a Swedish contractor was treated at the hospital for dehydration.



-- BERNAMA

BERNAMA - 70 Volunteers For LIMA 2009

BERNAMA - 70 Volunteers For LIMA 2009

70 Volunteers For LIMA 2009

LANGKAWI, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Seventy volunteers will be on duty during the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (Lima 2009) exhibition on the legendary island from Dec 1 to 5, Langkawi Tourism Action Council facilities and services manager Suziana Wan Othman said on Saturday.

She said the volunteers would serve with the Lima 2009 organiser at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) in Padang Matsirat.

HW Lima Sdn Bhd is the sole organiser of this year's edition of Lima. Previously, the biennial event was hosted by two organisers, separately for the maritime and aerospace segments.

Suziana said the volunteers had to attend a special course held by the tourism council.

Up to 325 exhibitors from 25 countries are expected to take part in this year's Lima.

Suziana said that in conjunction with Lima 2009, various exhibitions, sales and performances would be held at the Awana Porto Malai Resort and Pekan Rabu in Kuah.

She said more than 50 types of traditional food of the various states would be on show, among them "rendang Tok" (Perak), "satay tulang" (Negeri Sembilan), "otak-otak" (Johor), "bubur lambuk" (Kuala Lumpur), "nasi dagang" (Terengganu), "nasi kerabu" (Kelantan), "laksa Perlis" (Perlis) and "asam pedas" (Melaka).

Lima, which was started in 1991, is a major destination for manufacturers of aerospace and maritime products who target the Asia Pacific market.

-- BERNAMA

BERNAMA+-+Maritime+The+Focus+Of+LIMA+09

BERNAMA+-+Maritime+The+Focus+Of+LIMA+09

Maritime The Focus Of LIMA 09

LANGKAWI, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 09) from Dec 1-5 will focus on maritime as participation in the segment has increased compared to aerospace.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said 94 vessels would be taking part in the maritime static show at Awana Porto Malai compared to 71 vessels at LIMA 07.

"The public will also get to see Malaysia's first submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman," he said after chairing a meeting on LIMA 09 here Monday.

The aerospace segment would not lack excitement as aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) would be putting up shows.

The reduced participation in the aerospace segment was due to air shows in Dubai, Paris, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia and also the economic slowdown.



Zahid said more than 300 companies from 24 countries led by Italy would be participating in LIMA 09, the tenth in the series.

He hoped that organiser HW Lima would improve facilities at LIMA to stop companies from moving on to exhibitions in Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia.

In conjunction with LIMA 09, the Tourism Ministry will hold a food and handicraft exhibition and cultural shows at Awana Porto Malai and Kompleks Pekan Rabu in Kuah.

-- BERNAMA