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Government invites suggestions on ways to improve energy effciency

Posted: 24 Jun 2011 10:21 PM PDT

Government invites suggestions on ways to improve energy effciency

GEORGE TOWN: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today called for suggestions from the private sector on ways to improve the efficiency of energy generation and utilisation, and mitigate the burden of businesses and the public.

He said adequate consultations between the government and private sector organisations at the national level would always be taken into account before any major changers were made to the infrastructure and public utility tariffs and subsidies.

"I understand the private sector's concern about the adverse impact on the cost of production as well as the cost of living as a result of the increase in electricity and gas tariffs," he said at the opening of the 65th Annual General Meeting of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia(ACCCIM) here.

Meanwhile, he said the main hindrance to the country's economic transformation could well be complacency about the importance of human capital development in society. Thus, he said, Malaysia must now embark on a more comprehesive programme to train the younger generation to be more inquisitive and dynamic in economic endeavours.

"Our young people should be more focused and hardworking to achieve a better quality of life for their own good, and for the wellbeing of the society as a whole," he said.

Muhyiddin said this could only be realised through acquiring knowledge that can be applied to improve products and services, to innovate and move up the value chain.

"We need a bigger pool of talent to generate momentum in R&D in various sectors of the economy, and in this respect, I urge the private sector to increase its investment in R&D," he added.

On the ACCCIM, he said the chambers had been very active over the decades not only in championing the cause of its members and the business community, but also in promoting the growth of the national economy in close cooperation with the federal government.

He also congratulated the ACCCIM for establishing its own Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC) to provide proper research and up-to-date information on economic issues.

"The SERC will enable you to enhance the effectiveness of your representations as you engage the government and its agencies in discussions and dialogues," he added. -- BERNAMA

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Government invites suggestions on ways to improve energy effciency

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Syariah courts' compromise system effective

Posted: 24 Jun 2011 07:48 PM PDT

2011/06/24
By Satiman Jamin
news@nst.com.my

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu Syariah Court has done away with lawyers for divorce cases in its inquisitorial system, which was adopted in January this year, where judges ask couples the relevant questions to settle their cases.

This is unlike the previous adversarial system where the judge only functions as a referee in the arguments between the two sides, often put forth by their lawyers.

Backed by sulh (peaceful settlement or compromise) mediation sessions, the inquisitorial system has proven to be so effective that 96 per cent, or 1,401 of the 1,453, divorce cases filed last year were settled within the year, and 111 cases settled during sulh sessions without them being heard in court.

Sulh sessions also saw 66 per cent of the 183 child maintenance applications settled within the year.

Terengganu Syariah Court chief registrar Wan Mohd Zakri Wan Mohd said this had made them (the syariah court) among the best performing in the country, and now the aim was to make the achievement part of their key performance indicator (KPI) where all cases have to be heard within 21 days from the date of filing into the e-syariah system.

Zakri said he and Terengganu chief syariah judge Datuk Ismail Yahya saw the efficiency and relevance of the inquisitorial system in the Malaysian context during their visit to Saudi Arabia in December last year.

He said changes to the system started last year.

"In the inquisitorial system, the syariah judge would ask the questions to find out the facts of the case that would enable him to arrive at a decision according to the syariah laws.

"It is more efficient and direct, without arguments, counter arguments and winding up of arguments to bog a case down," he said.

To ensure a smooth process of the system in every syariah courtroom in the state, there are three LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors -- one for the judge or his assistant to type the proceedings, and two facing the audience so that the parties involved could give their feedback on what was being written by the judge.

Once the judge has made his decision, all parties can have a copy of the judgment on the spot.

Elaborating on the sulh sessions, Zakri said the procedure also saw many cases being solved after the couples were encouraged to talk to each other, with a court official as a mediator.

"All cases will be sent to our sulh officers as part of our pre-trial procedure. Previously, the case goes directly to court, without a chance for out of court settlement," he said, adding that some couples withdrew their divorce applications after going through the sessions.

"If the couple still want to get a divorce after the sessions, the officers will try to settle as many related issues as possible.

"Most of the time, the amount for child maintenance and custody are agreed upon during the sessions while more complicated issues like harta sepencarian (joint assets accrued during marriage) are settled in court."

Zakri said for cases solved during sulh sessions, the points agreed were brought to a syariah judge and made into a binding court order.

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Jumaat, 24 Jun 2011