GiatMara bantu Program Bantuan Rumah (PBR)

BALIK PULAU 25 Jun - Sebanyak sembilan buah rumah milik rakyat termiskin di kawasan Parlimen Balik Pulau berjaya dibaiki dan dinaik taraf oleh GiatMara di bawah Program Bantuan Rumah (PBR).

Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Pulau Betong, Muhammad Farid Saad berkata, kerja-kerja tersebut melibatkan kos kira-kira RM90,000 yang diperuntukkan oleh Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah.

Menurutnya, menerusi program berkenaan, kehidupan golongan terbabit yang dulunya begitu daif kini berubah menjadi lebih baik.

"Alhamdulillah, dengan bantuan Kerajaan Pusat, GiatMara berjaya membaiki sebanyak sembilan rumah dengan anggaran kos RM10,000 bagi setiap buah.

"Bantuan sebegini sekurang-kurangnya dapat mengubah kehidupan daif golongan ini," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas meninjau dua buah rumah di Kampung Titi Teras dan Kampung Pulau Betong yang terlibat dalam program berkenaan di sini semalam.

Turut hadir Pengurus GiatMara Balik Pulau, Ismandi Ahmad Muhammad Israf Ahmad.

Muhammad Farid memberitahu, masih terdapat rumah-rumah golongan tidak bernasib baik di kawasan tersebut yang boleh dibantu menerusi PBR.

Bagaimanapun, jelas beliau, ia tertakluk kepada peruntukan yang bakal diputuskan oleh Kerajaan Pusat pada bulan Oktober nanti.

Selain itu, tambah beliau, program tersebut juga memberi peluang kepada usahawan-usahawan bumiputera yang pernah menerima latihan di GiatMara memperoleh kerja.

"Program ini juga membolehkan pelatih-pelatih GiatMara melakukan sesi praktikal berdasarkan kemahiran masing-masing," ujarnya.

DARI Utusan Malaysia - GiatMara baiki sembilan rumah daif

Hab pendidikan cemerlang (Islam) di Balik Pulau?

Potensi Balik Pulau sebagai hab pendidikan memang dah lama menyerlah. Malah lebih 20 tahun lalu, penulis sendiri bersekolah di salah satu Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) terawal yang dibuka pada tahun 1984, yakni yang terletak di Jalan Pondok Upeh. Ketika itu, sebahagian besar kawasan Pondok Upeh masih belum dibangunkan dengan perumahan moden or pembinaan komersil, tak seperti sekarang yang menempatkan beberapa taman perumahan yang besar dengan rumah-rumah berharga jualan lebih RM300,000 sebuah.

Tak jauh dari Pondok Upeh pula, dalam lingkungan 2 kilometer di Jalan (Besar) Balik Pulau, kini dibuka beberapa bangunan perkhidmatan kerajaan baru yang gah seperti Masjid Daerah Barat Daya al-Mokhtar, Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Barat Daya, Perpustakaan Cawangan Balik Pulau, Kompleks Mahkamah Balik Pulau dan Mahkamah Syariah (akan siap tak lama lagi).

Secara congak, terdapat lebih 20 buah sekolah atau institusi pendidikan tinggi awam dan swasta di dalam lingkungan 5-km dari pusat bandar Balik Pulau, Kongsi. Beberapa sekolah dan institusi pendidikan baru juga telahpun dibuka di Balik Pulau atau sedang giat dalam pembinaan seperti berikut:-

1. Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Pondok Upeh di Jalan Balik Pulau
   
   
   
2. Sekolah Menengah Teknik (SMT) Balik Pulau di Jalan Balik Pulau
   
   
3. (Kompleks Pendidikan) Maahad Al-Mashoor Al-Islami di Jalan Sungai Nipah, Simpang Empat, Balik Pulau - Ini adalah cawangan Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Al-Mashoor yang sementara ini menumpang di bangunan wakaf Masjid Riduaniah, Sungai Batu, Bayan Lepas. (Bakal siap pada September 2010 seperti dijadualkan atau lewat lagi seperti pembinaan-pembinaan awam lain di Jalan Balik Pulau?)
   
   
4. Prince of Wales International School di Botanica.CT, Jalan Sungai Air Putih, Sungai Rusa, Balik Pulau - dikhabarkan bernilai RM95 juta dan akan dibuka untuk pendaftaran pada September 2010 dan sesi persekolahan seawal September 2011.
   
   
5. Politeknik Balik Pulau
   
   
6. Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA (KKTM) di Jalan Pondok Upeh, Simpang Empat
   
   
7. Island College of Technology di Jalan Sungai Rusa, Balik Pulau
   

Terbaru, Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang sedang mengambil alih tanah seluas 200 ekar berharga sekitar RM100 juta untuk dibangunkan sebagai hab pendidikan cemerlang, dengan pelawaan kepada institusi-institusi pendidikan Islam antarabangsa untuk turut terlibat.

Kalau nak tau besar mana 200 ekar tu atau bersamaan 0.8 kilometer persegi, yakni 0.08% keluasan negeri Pulau Pinang (termasuk Seberang Perai), lebih kecil sedikit daripada 260 ekar yang dibeli oleh Kerajaan Negeri dari Koperasi Tunas Muda Sungai Ara Bhd pada tahun 1972 dengan harga sekitar RM3 juta untuk pembangunan di kawasan Bayan Baru (Harga pasaran tanah di Pulau Pinang dah naik antara 100-1,000 kali dalam tempoh 40 tahun). Berbanding dengan pembangunan terdekat di Balik Pulau, alokasi 200 ekar ini bersamaan dua pertiga (2/3) daripada 300 ekar di Botanica .CT, Sungai Air Putih (yang lebih besar daripada pembangunan di pekan Kongsi sekarang!).

Gambar satelit lokasi Botanica.CT seluas 300 ekar, berdekatan dengan Island College of Technology yang sedang pesat dibangunkan oleh MTT Properties & Development Sdn Bhd yang akan menempatkan hampir 2,000 buah unit perumahan (70% kawasan pembangunan, bernilai antara RM270-ribu hingga RM800-ribu setiap satu untuk unit 'landed' dan RM100-ribu ke bawah untuk unit kos rendah & sederhana rendah), unit-unit kedai & pejabat, sebuah pusat pendidikan, sebuah pusat perubatan, kawasan kebun dan 'clubhouse' untuk penduduk.

Liputan media dari BERNAMA ada disertakan:-

19 Mei, 2010 17:08 PM

P Pinang Rancang Bangunkan Hub Pendidikan Cemerlang Di Balik Pulau

BUKIT MERTAJAM, 19 Mei (Bernama) -- Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang sedang berusaha menyediakan satu kawasan seluas 200 ekar di Balik Pulau dekat sini, khusus untuk membangunkan sebuah Hub Pendidikan Cemerlang bagi mengundang ketibaan institusi pengajian tinggi unggul antarabangsa untuk beroperasi di kawasan itu.

Ketua Menteri Lim Guan Eng berkata proses pengambilalihan tanah bernilai RM100 juta untuk pembangunan hub itu sedang dilaksanakan dan ia dijangka selesai dalam tempoh terdekat.

"Kami sedang berbincang dengan pelabur bagi membangunkan kawasan berkenaan yang dijangka mula beroperasi dalam tempoh setahun dua lagi," katanya kepada pemberita selepas Majlis Penyampaian Sumbangan Kerajaan Negeri kepada Sekolah Agama Rakyat di Pulau Pinang di Permatang Nibong di sini Rabu.

Turut hadir di majlis itu ialah Anggota Parlimen Permatang Pauh yang juga Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan Timbalan Ketua Menteri I, Mansor Othman.

Lim berkata kerajaan negeri juga sudah mengadakan perbincangan dengan beberapa buah pusat institusi pengajian tinggi terunggul antarabangsa untuk membina kampus mereka di kawasan hub berkenaan.

"Saya berharap institusi Islam teragung dunia seperti Universiti Al-Azhar juga boleh bertapak di kawasan berkenaan dan ia akan menjadikan Pulau Pinang lebih bertaraf antarabangsa," katanya.

Terdahulu pada majlis itu Lim menyerahkan peruntukan RM1.75 juta bagi tahun ini kepada 21 buah Sekolah Agama Rakyat dan Maahad Tahfiz yang beroperasi di Pulau Pinang.

Katanya beliau berharap dengan pengagihan peruntukan itu, ia akan memberi perangsang kepada semua pelajar dan guru yang terlibat untuk berusaha lebih gigih bagi mencapai kejayaan.

"Peruntukan itu mungkin tidak dapat menampung keseluruhan perbelanjaan yang diperlukan bagi menaik taraf sekolah agama rakyat dan saya harap kerajaan pusat dapat menyalurkan bantuan tambahan," katanya.



-- BERNAMA

May 19, 2010 17:39 PM

Penang To Transform Balik Pulau Into An Education Hub

BUKIT MERTAJAM, May 19 (Bernama) -- The Penang state government has identified a 200-acre site in Balik Pulau, to be turned into a hub for excellence in education, by inviting higher learning institutions to set up their campus.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the project for the hub was in the process of land acquisition which is expected to cost about RM100 million.

"We are discussing the prospect with investors and work is expected to start in a year or two," he told reporters after handing out contributions to religious schools in the state at Permatang Nibong here Wednesday.

Lim said the state government had discussed the setting up of higher learning institutions at the hub with two renown international higher learning institutions.

"I hope world renown Islamic universities like Al-Azhar University can set up their campus here," said Lim who handed out grants totalling RM1.75 million to 21 religious schools and Maahad Tahfiz in the state.

"The grants may not be enough to overcome their total expenditure and I hope the Federal government will also support through some form of contribution to ease their burden," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Is Penang still being occupied by British?

Yes, among the many states and territories of Malaysia, Penangites are probably the fanciest of English as a mean of everyday communication language, and especially for business and academic purposes, but do we really need to keep erecting notice and name boards in English? And even naming new shops, buildings and schools with names of English heritage to this very day after 52 years of nation independence?

Gurney Plaza, Queensbay Mall, Esplanade, The Lightfront, Suntech (tower), The One etc. -- instead of Plaza Gurney, Kompleks Queensbay (or rather a better local name!), Padang Kota, Persisiran Sinar/Cahaya/Nur, Suria, Satu, "dan sebagainya!"

Not enough with the naming of almost every newly built hotels from Teluk Bahang/Batu Feringghi all the way to Bukit Jambul/Bayan Baru (the latest including Eastin Hotel and B-Suite) and naturally spilled to new luxury & semi-luxury apartment and housing communities - eg. Goldcoast, this not so positive development has even spreaded to Balik Pulau which has for hundreds of years been occupied with local natives since before the arrival of Francis Light to Penang!

Banners & notices in English addressed to mostly Malay residents?

Take Botanica.ct, one of the largest land development for residentials and businesses in the island of Penang, perhaps even larger than the entire original township of Kongsi (small strip of Jalan Balik Pulau from the junction of Jalan Tun Sardon all the way south to Jalan Genting). The 300-acre project developed by MTT Properties & Development Sdn Bhd is being progressed at a steady pace for the past few years, and takes about ten years in total to complete.

To market this ambitious development in the heart of the island, which is rather far from existing city infrastructures like the local airport, seaports, and administrative centres of both local government and private entities (including over 200 multinational manufacturing plants in Bayan Lepas & Batu Maung free trade zone), the developer has forced Balik Pulau, long known for modest developments for educational institutions to welcome another major "international" school - but why in the world is the name "Prince of Wales Island International School" picked out of many other possible names bearing our own royals of Malaysia or nobles of Pulau Pinang? Or simply "Penang"!

Oh well, the school turns out to offer "British Curriculum" after all...

International school to begin enrolment in September

The school hoped to register about 140 students for a start. -NST

Sun, Jan 24, 2010
New Straits Times

GEORGE TOWN - The Prince of Wales Island International School, to be built within the Botanica. CT garden township in Balik Pulau here, will take in its first batch of students in September next year.

Costing RM95 million (S$40 million), the school will start its enrolment in September.

MTT & Priority Group of Companies group executive chairman Datuk Kenny Ong said the school hoped to register about 140 students for a start.

He said there would be places for local students as well as those from abroad, especially Asian countries.

He said MTT had established the MTT Learning Academy Sdn Bhd as a subsidiary, to own, manage and operate the school.

"We expect to begin operation by the third quarter of next year, pending proper compliance with the relevant rules and regulations.

"Our main aim is to provide a balanced education, not only academically, but also in terms of fundamental life qualities with the aim to develop students into complete and wholesome individuals," he said at the groundbreaking yesterday.

Present was the British High Commissioner Boyd McCleary.

At the event, Ong's mother, Datin Looi Woon Yin, also planted a tree -- "Tree of Wisdom" -- to symbolise the birth of a new beginning.

Ong said the school would have a low teacher-student ratio of one teacher to a maximum of 25 students.

It will offer Year Seven to Year 13 British curriculum programmes for students aged 12 to 18 by experienced teachers, a majority of whom will be from the United Kingdom.

To be located on a 2.8ha site with 40.6 per cent open areas, the school with full boarding facilities, will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that can cater for up to 800 students.

There are air-conditioned classrooms and tutorial rooms, specialised science laboratories, specialised workshops, a cafeteria, a multipurpose hall, a library, a drama and music hall, a natural acoustic concert auditorium and low density air-conditioned boarding homes.

There will also be a wide range of outdoor facilities, including a football field, a courtyard with netball courts, tennis courts, a swimming pool and changing rooms.

Ong said the school was given the name Prince of Wales Island International School to revive a part of Penang's heritage by using its historical name.

Penang is currently home to several international schools, including the International School of Penang (commonly known as Uplands School), St Christopher's International Primary School, Fairview International School, Tenby International School and Dalat International School, which are all located in its north-east district.

McCleary said MTT's intention to establish an international school was a noble one.

MTT, a Penang-based property developer which is building the 120-ha Botanica. CT garden, will launch phase three of the project in March, consisting of terrace and semi-detached homes, located just behind the school.

The school is the first non-residential phase within the township.

So, not enough with almost the entire east coast of Penang island being practically colonized by English ghosts, let's make Balik Pulau a refreshed British settlement?

Welcome back to School, with RM50 Netbook!!

BALIK PULAU, Penang (5 JAN 2009) - The first program from Mutiara Smart Computing (formerly MIMOS Smart Computing) & Celcom Axiata arrived in Balik Pulau in its inauguration program for students at Maktab Rendah Sains MARA here at Jalan Pondok Upeh.

The light RM1,080 netbook (or affordably at just RM50 for 24 months) computers that come in two colors - pearl white and black, are envisioned to empower at least 100 students in each secondary school with flawless, anytime, anywhere access to the Internet with included, built-in HSDPA 3G modem and unlimited prepaid broadband access from Celcom.

Officiating the launch earlier this morning was Dato' Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya, State Legislative Member (ADUN) for Teluk Bahang. Mutiara Smart Computing was represented by its CEO En. Muhamed Ali Hajah Mydin and Celcom Axiata was represented by its Northern Regional Vice President, En. Saiful Bahrin Abdul Ghaffar.

For MRSM Balik Pulau students and staff, the broadband-enabled netbook package will be distributed the school cooperative - KOPAKAT, and students will be offered training for in-campus maintenance servicing.

More photos on Facebook Album:

Mutiara Smart Computing & Celcom Axiata launched 1 Student 1 Netbook @ MRSM Balik Pulau

Proposed 200-acre Education Hub for Balik Pulau - Penang State Government

The buzzes during the past couple months.... but what is it specifically, and how will it actually be implemented?


Excerpts from Speech by Lim Guan Eng at The World Chinese Economic Forum in Palace Of The Golden Horses Hotel on Tuesday, 17^th November 2009 - Penang blueprint “11 points of light” for Penang’s development into an international city and a high-income economy

"The Penang state government is taking steps to improve both the quantity and quality of higher education and boosting technological readiness, particularly information and communications technology penetration. As a start, the proposed 200 acre Education Hub in Balik Pulau together with the expansion of the existing PSDC would serve as an incubator to develop knowledge, skills and human capital."

Remarks Made By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng During His Meeting With Malaysian Professionals In The San Francisco City Bay Area On 12 December 2009 - Both Malaysia and Penang needs to urgently double our talent pool. For us to succeed, we must restructure and revamp our entire education structure:

The time has come for Malaysia to double our talent pool by focusing on excellence in education. Penang will do our part by expanding the Penang Skills Development Corporation and establishing the 200 acre Educational Hub of Excellence in Balik Pulau.

And speech press release - ASEAN-INDIA FTA IN GOODS: EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCED INDIA-MALAYSIA BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT (27 OCT 2009)

WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO IMPROVE BOTH QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND BOOSTING TECHNOLOGICAL READINESS, PARTICULARLY INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY PENETRATION. AS A START, THE PROPOSED 200 ACRE EDUCATION HUB IN BALIK PULAU TOGETHER WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE EXISTING PSDC WOULD SERVE AS AN INCUBATOR TO DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND HUMAN CAPITAL.

IN SHORT, WE FEEL THAT THE STANDARD DEVELOPMENT MODEL IS NOT ENOUGH. WE NEED TO ADD 7 MORE INSTITUITIONAL AREAS IF WE ARE TO TRANSFORM OURSELVES INTO AN INTERNATIONAL CITY THAT CAN COMPETE GLOBALLY.

Your comments?

(Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang sedang mengambil beberapa langkah untuk mempertingkatkan kuantiti dan kualiti pendidikan tinggi dan meningkatkan kesediaan teknologi, khususnya penetrasi teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi. Sebagai permulaan, cadangan untuk Hub Pendidikan di Balik Pulau bersaiz 200 ekar bersama-sama dengan pengembangan PSDC (Pusat Pembangunan Kemahiran Pulau Pinang) akan dijadikan inkubator untuk membangun pengetahuan, kemahiran dan modal insan.)

Apa pendapat anda?

Dah dapat degree jangan lupa Khidmat Negara!

BALIK PULAU - Kira-kira 20,000 graduan universiti yang terlepas daripada mengikuti sesi Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) pada 2004 akan dipanggil untuk menjalani latihan sesi 7/2010 bermula Januari ini.

Kumpulan itu telah diberi kelonggaran menangguhkan latihan pada 2004 kerana melanjutkan pelajaran ke institusi pengajian tinggi (IPT).

Ketua Pengarah JLKN, Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil berkata, mereka dipanggil untuk sesi latihan selepas masing-masing menamatkan pengajian di IPT dan telah memperoleh ijazah.

"Selain kumpulan itu, kita juga akan memanggil kesemua 6,800 pelatih yang ingkar arahan untuk mengikuti siri latihan sejak 2004,'' katanya kepada pemberita selepas sambutan Aidilfitri di Kem White Resort di sini semalam.

SUMBER:

Kosmo - Panggilan akhir 26,800 pelatih (17 OKT 2009)

Utusan Malaysia Online - JLKN panggil 20,000 peserta tamat tempoh penangguhan (16 OKT 2009) / BERNAMA

Brushing H1N1 in Balik Pulau

Believe it or not, Balik Pulau's not untouchable for Influenza A(H1N1), also known as "swine flu"... Bernama reported closure of six institutions including two in Balik Pulau, namely Sekolah Menengah Teknik Balik Pulau and the White Resort National Service Camp.

H1n1: Six Education Institutes In Penang Ordered To Close

PENANG, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Six more institutes of education here have been ordered to close for a week, beginning today, due to the Influenza A (H1N1) infection.

State health, welfare, caring society and environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said they comprised three in North Seberang Perai, one in South Seberang Perai and two in South-West District.

He said this brought to 30, the number of institutes ordered to close in the state due to the infection.

"Among the six institutes which ceased operation today are Sekolah Menengah Teknik Balik Pulau, Sekolah Menengah Penaga, Sekolah Menengah Pokok Sena and National Service White Resort Balik Pulau Camp.

"The rest have yet to be confirmed," he told Bernama when contacted here today.

He said the state health authorities needed to shut down the institutes to prevent further transmission after cluster cases found

"Those who had been told to go on self-quarantine should do so for their own sake and the community," he said.

As of 8am today, the number of accumulated H1N1 cases recorded by the health ministry nationwide stood at 574 imported cases, 886 locally-transmitted with 96.5 per cent recovery cases and eight deaths.

-- BERNAMA*

* also in another similar, same-day report:

• H1n1: Two NS Camps, One College Closed

Learn more about Influenza A(H1N1):

• Wikipedia: Influenza A virus subtype H1N1
• Latest report from Ministry of Health Malaysia (in Malay): Laman Web Rasmi Influenza A(H1N1) - Information also obtainable via phone: 03-88810200 dan 03-88810300 between 10am until 5pm.
• Follow news on "h1n1 malaysia"
• There's even a H1N1 Malaysia facebook group for you to mingle around (instead of socializing too much outside!)
• More feeds on "h1n1" involving Malaysia
  

Do you know?

• Spanish Flu, caused by a H1N1 type of virus, killed between 50 to 100 million people in just one year between 1918 to 1919! - FAS
  
• H1N1 strains caused roughly half of all human flu infections in 2006 - CDC
• 2009 flu pandemic really is caused by a mutation from several strains including two swine-origin H1N1 despite some calls for the world to stop calling it "swine flu" - WHO. However, no known cases of transmission through eating exist, or expected to happen.
  
• The most recent global flu pandemic before this year was over 30 years ago - the 1968 Hong Kong flu.
• The "new H1N1" was first identified in April 2009.
• Well over 200,000 cases in 174 countries have been identified as of August, 1% of which are in Malaysia. 1,808 deaths have been reported globally, including 32 confirmed deaths in Malaysia as of 10 AUG 2009.

JKKK perlu fahami tanggungjawab

BALIK PULAU - Ahli Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) seluruh Pulau Pinang akan dihantar untuk mengikuti kursus bagi meningkatkan kefahaman mengenai tugas-tugas yang perlu dilakukan.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri 1, Dr Mansor Osman berkata, JKKK merupakan ejen perubahan yang paling utama dan perantara, antara masyarakat dan kerajaan negeri.

“JKKK akan diajar bagaimana untuk menurus tadbir dan mengambil aduan penduduk kerana mereka perlu berkomunikasi secara efektif untuk memastikan keberkesanan dalam memberikan khidmat,” katanya.

Selain itu, katanya, komitmen yang diberikan sepenuhnya oleh JKKK akan dapat meningkatkan lagi matlamat untuk membantu demi kesejahteraan masyarakat.

“Kerjasama yang kukuh antara masyarakat akan mampu untuk menyelesaikan segala masalah yang timbul,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika menghadiri Majlis Perjumpaan Bersama JKKK Balik Pulau yang diadakan di Kompleks Belia Dan Sukan, di sini.

Kursus yang akan dijalankan menggunakan modul khusus untuk seluruh JKKK dan setakat ini 800 orang akan mengikuti kursus tersebut yang telah ditetapkan oleh Ketua Menteri, Lim Guan Eng.

“Pihak kerajaan negeri sememangnya komited untuk menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi, namun kerjasama amat diperlukan untuk memastikan misi ini tercapai.

Melalui kursus ini, JKKK akan dapat menguruskan wang peruntukan dengan bijak dan tidak akan timbul lagi sebarang masalah yang tidak diingini.

Selain itu, katanya, sesi dialog juga dijalankan dari masa ke semasa untuk memberi peluang kepada masyarakat meluahkan masalah yang perlukan penyelesaian.

Beliau yakin dengan kepimpinan yang ada termasuk di peringkat jabatan kerajaan dapat memberikan kerjasama yang baik dalam menyelesaikan apa juga masalah yang dialami oleh penduduk kampung.

Dalam pada itu, beliau berharap JKKK dapat memastikan mereka telah menerima watikah pelantikan bagi mengelakkan timbulnya sebarang kekeliruan pada kemudian hari.

Originally from http://www.sinarharian.com.my/utr/content/story2906776.asp

Dialog bersama MPPP @ Kompleks Pasar Awam (27jun09)

Semua dijemput hadir untuk acara dialog bersama Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) yang akan diadakan seperti berikut:-

TEMPAT: Dewan Kompleks Pasar Awam MPPP

TARIKH: Sabtu, 27 JUN 2009

MASA: Bermula jam 9:30 pagi


Sumber maklumat: SMS dari YB Yusmadi Yusoff, Ahli Parlimen Balik Pulau

Hab pendidikan bestari di Balik Pulau

GEORGETOWN – Kerajaan negeri merancang menubuhkan hab pendidikan bestari bertaraf antarabangsa di Balik Pulau bagi menjadikan Pulau Pinang sebagai sebuah pusat pendidikan bestari menghasilkan tenaga kerja kompetitif dan berpengetahuan tinggi.

Ketua Menterinya, Lim Guan Eng berkata, hingga setakat ini banyak bidaan daripada institusi pendidikan di dalam dan luar negeri termasuk Timur Tengah yang menunjukkan minat membuat pelaburan dalam projek terbaru kerajaan negeri ini dan dijangka siap sepenuhnya dalam jangka masa terdekat.

Menurutnya, kerajaan negeri tidak hanya memfokuskan kepada penubuhan universiti dan kolej semata-mata, bahkan menggalakkan percambahan institut kemahiran dan kesusasteraan bagi memenuhi keperluan syarikat antarabangsa yang memerlukan tenaga kerja yang berkemahiran tinggi dan berpengetahuan luas dalam bidang kerja yang diceburi.

“Sebelum ini, kerajaan negeri menerima aduan dari syarikat antarabangsa yang melabur di negeri ini yang meminta kerajaan negeri menyediakan sumber tenaga kerja yang berdaya saing dan graduan baru yang cepat menyesuaikan diri dengan persekitaran kerja.

“Pelabur juga menggesa universiti tempatan menerapkan pengetahuan yang boleh diguna pakai siswazah untuk dipraktikkan di tempat kerja, dan tidak hanya bersandarkan pada teori semata-mata,” katanya pada sidang akhbar di majlis penyampaian hadiah pertandingan menulis kesusasteraan Tionghua, di Jalan Bagan Jermal, semalam.

Guan Eng berkata, tinjauan dilakukan kerajaan negeri mendapati graduan daripada universiti luar negara memperoleh gaji lebih tinggi sebanyak 60 peratus berbanding graduan lepasan universiti tempatan.

Menurutnya, keadaan itu berlaku kerana kebanyakan graduan lepasan universiti tempatan tidak pandai berdikari, tidak berpengetahuan luas dalam bidang kerja diceburi di samping tidak mempunyai kemahiran komunikasi yang baik.

“Keadaan ini perlu dibetulkan segera memandangkan kerajaan negeri cuba merapatkan jurang di antara kecemerlangan pengetahuan yang dipelajari dengan kecemerlangan ilmu yang diguna pakai graduan sewaktu bekerja kelak.

“Inisiatif tambahan daripada siswazah itu sendiri ditambah pula dengan usaha sama meningkatkan kualiti pendidikan di peringkat universiti dalam kalangan pemain utama sektor awam, swasta dan masyarakat madani sama penting bagi memastikan matlamat baru kerajaan negeri untuk menjadikan negeri ini sebagai pusat pendidikan bestari tercapai,” katanya.

Sehubungan itu katanya, perlaksanaan hab pendidikan yang menggabungkan institusi pengajian tinggi swasta (IPTS) dan antarabangsa amat diperlukan oleh kerajaan negeri bagi mengatasi masalah pelabur seterusnya menerapkan budaya kecemerlangan dalam pendidikan dalam diri setiap penduduk negeri ini.

Originally at http://www.sinarharian.com.my/utr/content/story2884412.asp

Boosting English with newspapers?

How to increase fluency and enrich your English vocabularies?

Simple: consume English-centric media!

"Consume" of course does not mean that you'd have to eat the books, cassettes, CDs newspapers etc. (although I remember while completing my secondary school education at MRSM Balik Pulau that I was almost made to believe that you can liquify books and drink them to increase your memory... - DO NOT TRY THIS!)

Like Lady Gaga sings it, Just Dance, oops, I meant, Just Read:

Read books and periodicals!

And daily newspaper is one of the best ways to ensure you get your sufficient feeds of latest information from your community and the world, due to their availability frequency - local English-language prints like The Star and The New Straits Times (NST) are available every morning for only RM1.50 per copy as well as available for free readings at local libraries and many shops and offices while The Sun is available every weekday, freely from outlets like 7-eleven, Starbucks and McDonald's as well as several government offices.

Or so they say.... And they also kept saying how important English is for your business or your career!

But how many of us really read these newspapers -- despite their easy availability and low prices? How many of your friends actually bought or read newspapers, especially English-language ones around, at eateries, at bus stops, at office waiting areas etc.? One in ten, or less??

Having spent considerable years at a couple local public universities gave me an impression that Malaysians or those in Malaysia (foreign students in Malaysia) hardly read anything, not even daily newspapers!

While distribution of many print newspapers in developed countries exceeded millions per publication, not a single Malaysian newspapers reach the million number in distribution. In fact, all English-language newspapers in Malaysia are still well under the half-a-million mark, with the three most popular ones hovering at just slightly over 300,000 each. At the average rate of two readers per English-language newspapers, The Star, The Sun and NST combined only reach less than a tenth of Malaysian readers, or less than the number of all students in Malaysia combined!

So, how do we increase interest to read English-language newspapers among the rest of the population?

Existing efforts (usual stunts):-

1. Utilize the libraries, all thousands of them across the country
2. Free copies to students/schools, to public at popular spots etc.
3. Preaches by politicians and educators who happen to talk mostly just among themselves and their close ranks, considering that most others especially students reacted by way of "masuk telinga kiri, keluar telinga kanan" (enter through one's left ear, leave through one's right ear)
   

Possible additional efforts*:-

1. More places for free papers like The Sun
2. More publications of English-language newspapers, daily, weekly or bi-weekly
3. More local/community publications - towns, cities, states
4. Every major universities with more than 10,000 students should publish own newspapers
5. Start student newspapers project including in primary and secondary schools to enable students immerse themselves with journalism and publication industry - WHY JUST CONSUME WHEN YOU CAN ALSO PRODUCE!!
   

Note*: Consider that Malaysia today has among world's lowest number of newspapers per population, which turns out to be even lower than China despite the latter being much more frequently criticized for less of press freedom! For instance, nations with similar size of population with Malaysia, Canada and Australia have ten times more newspapers than Malaysia. While residents in developed nations like US, UK, Canada, Japan and Australia and even Asian neighbors like China/Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philipines enjoy a high number of student newspapers, there seem to be no student newspapers in existence in Malaysia. Looking nearby at the West to towns like Banda Aceh, Medan and Padang in the Sumatera Island of Indonesia with respective land size smaller than Penang with their respective local newspapers must make hundreds of thousands of us in Penang envious on how deprived we are of local voices and creativity outlets. Perhaps, that's the very reason why sales of (national) newspapers in Penang get to be rather low!

Related article Boosting English with NST from The News Straits Times which is also on twitter as @nstonline:

BALIK PULAU: Teachers and students of Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Jalan Pondok Upeh, here now have another English-language teaching aid -- the New Straits Times.

The MRSM has been a daily subscriber to the NST since March, thanks to chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Malaysia, which spent RM2,000 to sponsor 2,500 copies of the daily for a year.

AMD managing director Datuk Dr Mohd Sofi Osman, who presented copies of the NST to MRSM vice-principal Halimahtun Saadiah at the school on Tuesday, told some 40 fifth formers present at the ceremony that English was important as it was a universal language.

"It is important to master the language. When you go abroad, English is what you use to communicate with others."

Sofi told them not to be embarrassed when speaking English and not to tease their friends for speaking English.

Giving them a glimpse of the real working world, he encouraged them to be ambitious in order to succeed.

Halimahtun said the sponsorship was timely as the newspapers were helping the students, especially the fifth formers, improve their command of the language.

"We look forward to more partnerships with AMD and the NST in education-related programmes in the future."

It is the company's sixth year of involvement in NST's Newspaper-in-Education programme.

Old Market - Ideas Wanted!

It's time to put your surge of ideas to good use. The local government and local representatives of the people want to listen, and look into your good proposal or recommendations on what to do with the old market building...

Do think hard on how we can spice up this little Kongsi town:



Harapnya tak jadi macam projek-projek 'gajah putih' MPPP yang lain macam kompleks pasar baru dan kompleks sukan yang macam tak berguna sangat pun sebab pengurusan yang menyusahkan orang ramai. Ataupun tak macam renovasi di D'Mara / Dataran Tuah yang macam tak ada banyak tambahan seri pun - membazir duit rakyat!

Mana tahu kalau cadangan anda bakal menjadi mercu tanda baru yang boleh ditambah untuk projek berterusan Persatuan Pendidikan Seni Pulau Pinang (Arts Ed Penang) seperti peti di bawah:



Do contact info.balikpulau@gmail.com or ahli parlimen Balik Pulau, YB Yusmadi to submit your proposals or suggestions.

RECRUITMENT: Kampung Ride Bycycle Team

What ?

Bicycle Trail Map Creation with the Balik Pulau young cyclists from

“Mountain & Village Crewz Balik Pulau”

The map will highlight the significant local attractions in cultural and heritage assets such as scenery, farm, cottage industries, food, which are only accessible by bicycle.

When?

June – Aug, Weekends

( depends on the schedule within the team which will be set later )

First cycling meeting 6 and 7 June ( Sat and Sun ) 8am -12 noon

Where?

Balik Pulau and neighbouring villages

Who?

Anyone who is interested in cycling in nature site and would like to share he/she knows through documentation to others

What criteria do I need to be part of the team? ?

have your own transport to go to Balik Pulau and a bicycle to move around

also you who like to share and work with young people

Call yoke pin at 04 -2633471 / 012- 3619113 or email arts_ed_penang@yahoo.com

See our Arts-Ed-Penang for more info

Ed's note: BTW, Persatuan Pendidikan Seni Pulau Pinang (Arts-Ed-Penang) represented by Yoke Pin was the runner-up winner for the non-governmental organization category, in the Penang Open e-Creative Challenge (POeCC) 2009, as announced at the award ceremony set at Bukit Jambul Country Club on 23 MAY 2009.

Political education for the young voters

YB Yusmadi giving his thoughts @ Kompleks Pasar Awam MPPP, Balik Pulau, Penang. Are BP-ites ready for the mind revolution?

Aging PCs for Kampung folks need upgrades!

K-Community Centre is a project by K-ICT Council of the State Government of Penang to bridge the digital divide in rural areas, and one of these "Pusat K-Komuniti (PKK)" is located on the second floor of the JKKK Kongsi Building, next to Sekolah Kebangsaan Kongsi and Dewan Balora Mastika (supervised by Office of Barat Daya District) in Balik Pulau, Penang.

The plaque outside the facility described the centre as having been officiated by then Deputy Chief Minister of Penang, YB Dato' Dr Hilmi bin Haji Yahaya on 11th of March 2004, ie. some five years ago - Dr Hilmi is currently a State Legislative Member (ADUN) for Pulau Betong of Balik Pulau, having previously also served as a Senate Member and a Parliamentary Secretary for the federal government (representing parliamentary area of Balik Pulau) prior to Election 2008.

This classroom-like centre is currently equipped with broadband Internet connectivity and twelve desktop computers for public use. The centre is managed by a manager, Kak Leha, herself having a small workspace at the back of the room, with a PC system and telephone & fax machine for shared external communications.

Over the years, the centre has catered to thousands of locals, especially school pupils and senior citizens with computer and Internet connectivity use. But five years later, the broadband connectivity has barely been improved, and the aging computers clearly need replacements in order to serve the community properly. As time is gold/money, any loss of time due to slow computing speed can be devastating to this rural community, reducing the impacts off the digital divide bridging effort!

Author implores relevant authorities, ie. member of parliament of Balik Pulau, Tuan Yusmadi Yusof, Penang State Excos, and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to deliver attention to this aging K-ICT community centre, and especially bring the much hyped Penang Wireless to Balik Pulau, eg. the RM17-million MPPP Public Market Complex at their earliest convenience. Thank you!





Related readings:-

1. MESYUARAT PERTAMA PENGGAL KELIMA DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG YANG SEPULUH. TAHUN 2003 - Soalan Lisan No. 10-1 (19 Mei 2003): Cyber Penang
2. MESYUARAT PERTAMA PENGGAL KEDUA DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG YANG KESEBELAS. TAHUN 2005 - Soalan Bertulis No. 6w-17 (04 November 2005): Bangunan Usang
3. MESYUARAT KEDUA PENGGAL KETIGA DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG YANG KESEPULUH. TAHUN 2001 - Soalan Bertulis No. 11: ICT
   
4. Senarai Pusat-Pusat e-Komuniti oleh Siti Huraizah (Setiausaha Kehormat GPeK)
   

Pelajar wajar diberi pendedahan Teknologi Maklumat (TM/IT)

Apa pendapat anda?

Bagaimana untuk memantapkan usaha pembangunan ilmu dan sahsiah diri dan masyarakat?

Gema Puisi Gaza @ Anjung Indah (Jum, 20 FEB '09)

Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Wilayah Utara, bersama-sama Pejabat Pembangunan Negeri Pulau Pinang, Universiti Sains Malaysia dan Badan Kesenian Balik Pulau akan menganjurkan majlis Gema Puisi Gaza:Erti Kemanusiaan pada 20 Februari 2009 (Jumaat), pukul 8.30 malam bertempat di Anjung Indah, Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang.

Tetamu kehormat yang akan turut mendeklamasikan puisi pada majlis berkenaan ialah TYT Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang. Antara tetamu kehormat lain yang akan turut hadir ialah Tan Sri Prof. Dzulkifli Abd. Razak, Naib Canselor Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof. Omar Othman, Timbalan Naib Canselor Hal Ehwal Pelajar, USM dan Encik Nik Ali bin Mat Yunus Pegawai Pembangunan Negeri Pulau Pinang. ADUN Pulau Betong, YB Sr. Hj Muhammad Farid bin Saad juga dijangka akan hadir.

Saudara Azmeer, penyanyi dan komposer yang tidak asing lagi akan turut mempersembahkan lagu puisi sempena majlis berkenaan. Majlis ini antara lain bertujuan untuk melahirkan rasa simpati kepada rakyat Palestin di samping memungut derma untuk Tabung Palestin.

Orang ramai dijemput hadir.

Untuk maklumat lanjut, sila hubungi Puan Khairiyah Ghazali di talian 04-5377241/2 atau Encik Ahmad Hashim di talian 019-5047171

From Rural to Urban with (ICT) Education

By Melati Mohd Ariff

BALIK PULAU (Pulau Pinang), Jan 9 (Bernama) -- For the 'average' academic achievers, failure to get a place in universities is not the end of the world as the Island College of Technology (ICT) here provides the opportunity for them to pursue degree, diploma and certificate-level studies.

"When the college (ICT) was established (in 1998), there were only a few Bumiputera private colleges in the Peninsula's north. At that time, Malay students with average academic performance did not have ample opportunities to pursue further education.

"In Pulau Pinang, many of the Malay girls chose to work in factories as the easy way out to look for money to assist their families. We do not wish to see the Malays particularly the girls end up as factory workers," ICT President/Chief Executive Datuk Siti Mazenah Saat told Bernama here recently.

"Such a scenario is rather poignant, as even though the academic achievement is good, they have to give way to poverty," said Siti Mazenah who has 21 years experience serving Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) before retiring in September 1998. She had also served the Education Ministry and Public Service Department.

ICT'S COMMITMENT

Since ICT's inception in 1998, the college's vision is to be a premier tertiary-level education institution with its commitment for excellence via exemplary work quality and culture.

According to Siti Mazenah, who had served as the USM Registrar, the college is unwavering in implementing its social obligations towards human capital development.

"From my years in the academic field, I have witnessed the gap between the brilliant and average performers. For those who have good results, usually there would be no problems in getting a place in the universities but what about students who have average results?

"They (average performers) appeared lost. Hence, we need to show them a way to pursue higher education," she said.

Siti Mazenah said ICT's academic staff would go to the field regularly to attract school leavers to attend English language classes at the college for three months.

"While attending the English Language class, we would fire their spirit to learn as high as possible as academic excellence would change their life and that of their family as well," she said.

CHILDREN OF FARMERS, LABOURERS

Siti Mazenah said 80 per cent of ICT students are Malays who were from the rural areas of Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Perlis and south Perak, most of them being the children of farmers and labourers.

According to the 65-year-old Siti Mazenah, she always reminded the ICT students on the sacrifice made by their parents and the occasion they spend at the college is the time to 'reimburse' the sacrifices made.

"This is the time to repay their parents' sacrifices by studying very hard for them to have better future," she said, adding that apart from having students from the Peninsula's north, ICT also admits students from other states including Sabah and Sarawak.

COURSES OFFERED

Each year, ICT admits between 600 and 700 new students and among the courses that the college offers are those in the business management, information technology, accounting, human resources management and entrepreneurship.

ICT also collaborates with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) for its diploma programmes like that in science as well as business and communication studies. The college also has a tie-up with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for its bachelor's degree courses in management and pharmacy.

For short-term programmes, ICT offers various courses like English Language, Executive Development, Marketing, Computer Application and Information Technology.

According to Siti Mazenah almost all of the ICT's students receive funding from either MARA or National High Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) while for those who are unable to get the funding, they could negotiate with the MARA Education Foundation.

"Hence, there is no problem studying here. The students need only to come and study," she said with a smile.

10-YEAR PLAN

Siti Mazenah said ICT has laid out various programmes to boost the college's academic fineness over the next 10 years.

"Our previous focus was on management and health science including pharmacy. The next focus on health sciences is nursing and dietetic.

"Within the next 10 years, we hope to offer more degree programmes. I am in the midst of negotiations with Asia-e University (Kuala Lumpur) for e-learning programmes like the Master's in Business Administration (MBA)," she said.

With the e-learning programmes, expected to commence either this February or June, Siti Mazenah hopes more ICT students would go for the degree programmes.

"For the time being, only half of the diploma-level students pursue the degree programmes. The main reason is that they wish to work early to help their family.

"With the Asia-e University programmes, they could both work and study through the e-learning," she said.

MORE PLANS

Siti Mazenah said ICT plans to expand its English Language course.

"At this college, the focus is on the English Language and every Monday and Wednesday all students are required to speak in that language. It appears effective.

"We need to have more avenues to improve the students' command of English for their own good particularly upon moving into the job sector," she said, adding that ICT plans to have collaboration with universities in Australia and United Kingdom either by sending students there or having twinning programmes.

The ICT has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kuala Lumpur University for the university to send 100 students from Africa including Botswana to attend the one-year basic course at the college.

"They would be our first batch of foreign students," she said.

UNIVERSITY STATUS

Siti Mazenah said ICT hopes to be upgraded into a university college within the next 10 years.

"With the upgrading, we would have our own degree programmes as compared to that franchised by other universities," she said.

The college also plans to boost its student population by taking up to 4,000 to 5,000 students.

"For now, the ICT campus is able to accommodate only 1,500 students. To have more students, the college administrators need to provide more lecture rooms, hostels and other facilities," said Siti Mazenah, adding that high-rise buildings would have to be constructed to replace some of the existing chalet-like premises.

At the moment the college has an academic staff of 45 where 44 of them are full-time lecturers. More than half of these lecturers have the Master's qualification while three are PhD holders.

She said the college has achieved its first 10-year objective and is striving towards having a curriculum that meets the industry and nation's needs.

PERSONAL SATISFACTION

For Siti Mazenah, nothing satisfied her more other than seeing the ICT graduates queueing up proudly to receive their respective scrolls on convocation day.

She was also touched when parents of the graduates came to thank her personally.

Siti Mazenah said she also received 'Thank You' cards from the ICT graduates who found employment.

"That was very touching. At least we have managed to extricate these children from the poverty cocoon and their success proved that those from the rural areas could succeed if given the chance.

"ICT would continue to implement its social obligations for the benefit of the society and Malays," she added.

-- BERNAMA: Higher Education Chance For Rural Children

More schools coming - constructions, constructions

Balik Pulau is hosting many in-construction sites nowadays - drive every 500 metres or so along the main Jalan Besar/Balik Pulau Road and you'll see these red fields scheduled to host the next new buildings - for schools, a district judicial court, an islamic (syariah) court, more flats and houses etc.

Poised to become an education centre, with existing special schools and higher learning institutions such MRSM, KTKM, Pusat Giat MARA, Sekolah Menengah Teknik Balik Pulau (SMTBP), Politeknik Balik Pulau (PBU), Community College of Bayan Baru (temporary campus at SMTBP), Island College of Technology (ICT) and upcoming Tourism University, Balik Pulau is set to welcome a set of buildings for Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pondok Upeh (photos below).
However, as we welcome 2009, this "another project by Barisan Nasional government" that was due to complete by October 2008 (with start of construction as early as May 2007) seems far from completion, with the field still being used for feeding cows.

Another year perhaps... just like how the district court that is to be situated next the public library building (and mosque), that was due for completion by end of 2007 is still not completed after a year later.


And I'm still waiting for the RM200-million road network to link Balik Pulau to rest of the world (to towns of Teluk Bahang & Bayan Lepas) that has seen stalled two-year works for nearly a year now - another five years perhaps before a re-start?


Meanwhile, across the street from Dataran Tuah (which is also undergoing its own renovation works), the popular Maybank outlet at Kompleks Balik Pulau (next to the Balik Pulau hospital) is getting its own facelifts too - perhaps to add main entrance door facing the main road instead to reduce the traffic crowd in front of current main door - or perhaps to add more ATMs in addition to the pair that see long queues every end of the months.


Happy New Year 2009, and happy building!

A Rural Ripple...

A noble idea, a simple start, big sustainable goals...

42 rural internet centres (RIC) or more known locally as "pusat-pusat internet desa" (PID) made history last November by collectively organizing over 350 entrepreneurial-centric activities during the full week of inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week campaign (17-23 NOV 2008), as participated by thousands of organizations in 77 countries. Together with just a hundred shy partners of the Malaysian host, Warisan Global Sdn Bhd for "the Week", they helped propelling Malaysia to become the most active country in the world in terms of number of activities, besides the two countries of the organizing hosts, the United States and the United Kingdom.

As one of the 222 parliamentary districts in Malaysia, and a centre to one of the five of the state administrative districts of Penang, Balik Pulau is lucky to also host one of these 42 PIDs, or the only one in the island of Penang, or one of the only two in the state of Penang, the other one being in Tasek Gelugor, Seberang Perai on the Malaysian peninsula mainland.

Eight years in existence (since 2000), or five years in Balik Pulau (since 2003), only 1% of the Malaysian population, or about 300,000 individuals have benefitted directly from services offered by these PIDs, specifically via the basic ICT training sessions held on periodic basis at respective outlets or during various roadshows. Still, with a membership base nearly 50,000 nationwide, or over a thousand in Balik Pulau (pop: ~60,000) alone, PID network is poised to become an impactful force in bridging the digital divide and elevating social and economic status of respective communities. In fact, there have even been suggestions this year for the KTAK ministry to establish similar IT centres in each of the 222 parliamentary districts, over five times more in number based on existing network of PIDs.

About the programme:

The Pusat Internet Desa (PID) or Rural Internet Centre project, not to be confused with Medan Info Desa (MID), is a telecentre project initiated in April 2000 by the Ministry of Energy, Water, and Communication (MEWC/KTAK) of Malaysia -- MID on the other had, is a rural development program initiated by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW) with at least 26 known centres, 19 of which are in the state of Terengganu.

The PID programme is currently being contracted by the ministry for a period of three years starting 2008 for facilicitation by Warisan Global Sdn Bhd, a Kuala Lumpur based company. Previously, MSD Technology Sdn Bhd, a Puchong-based company was assigned the task.

The following information is provided by Zulfikar from Warisan Global:

As of 2006, 42 centres have been established nationwide, in every state of Malaysia, except the Federal Territories and each centre is managed by two people, a manager and an assistant manager. It is one of the Malaysian Government’s initiatives to bridge the Digital Divide between the rural and urban communities through community-shared facilities with computers and internet access.

Typically, a PID is housed in an annex building of a Post Office specially built for the purpose in partnerships with the Pos Malaysia Berhad. Each PID usually has 5-7 computers, a printer, and internet connection. Recently, in 2008, under the PID improvement project all of them have received additional two notebooks, a projector, a fax machine, two webcams, and wireless equipment from MEWC.

PID offers various services including computer and internet access, basic ICT trainings, and development of local websites or blogs. A few of them have also started providing various e-services for the community. A number of ICT activities have also been conducted from time to time such as the community day with PID, workshops, and seminars. Thus far, the PID programme has increased the awareness and literacy of the rural community on Information and Communication Technology, increased access to the technology, and provided some digital opportunities.



PID program is now embarking on a mission to develop vibrant communities whereby learning and networking activities using PID facilities becomes a second nature for the communities and part of the KPI of this phase of the project is towards sustainability. To achieve its mission, PIDs implements social entrepreneurship principles and processes as well as participatory approach in community development. It is envisaged that with continuous support and trainings, the PIDs will eventually become sustainable by 2010 and create significant impact for the advancement of the communities.

Ultimately, the PID telecentre movement will be connected into the national, regional as well as the global telecentre network.

About PID Balik Pulau:

PID Balik Pulau started its operation in 2003, situated next to the post office at Jalan Besar (Main Road), near the main Kongsi town, at the centre of Balik Pulau.



Equipments available at this centre include:-

• 10 desktop computers sponsored by Dell and local communities.
  
• 2 laptop computers
  
• Streamyx broadband internet access sponsored by TM Berhad.
  
• 4 printers: 2 laser printers, 1 all-in-one printer, 1 bubble-jet printer
  
• a photocopy machine
  
• a computer scanner
  
• a digital camera
  
• a binding maching
  
• a laminating maching
  
• a fax machine
  
• an LCD projector with screen
  
• a set of 100W computer speakers
  
• other computer accessories

Services offered include:-

• Use of computer with Internet access. (Free for members)
  
• Basic ICT training - Introduction to Computer and Introduction to Microsoft Office Applications - Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Frontpage
  
• Web applications training - e-government, e-banking, e-learning and e-procurement (eperolehan)
• Digital/multimedia content development - web, blog and digital storytelling etc.
  
• Management of community programmes
  
• Registration of Business and/or ePerolehan service
• Office services - photostat, fax, laminate, bind etc.
• Computer maintenance, repair and supplies
  
• Marketing supplies - rubber stamp, banner and miscellaneous advertising.
• Consultation on ICT & Entrepreneurship matters
  

The centre opens daily on weekdays (Mon-Fri) from 9 am until 6 pm. It also opens on Saturday from 9 am until 12 noon during special class sessions (except on first weekend of every month).

PID Balik Pulau is currently supervised by Siti Huraizah binti Abdul Rahman (Ija). Visit PIDBP today, and tell Ija that Balik Pulau blog sends you ;)


SOURCES / FURTHER READINGS:

1. PID Balik Pulau (in Malay) by Siti Huraizah as posted at pid.net.my on Jun 18, 2008
2. Pusat Internet Desa (Rural Internet Centre/Telecentre) in Malaysia" by Zulfickar of Warisan Global as posted at telecentre.org on Oct 7, 2008
3. Our Network - Pos Malaysia Berhad.
4. Global Entrepreneurship Week/Malaysia
5. KTAK Videos. Malaysian Ministry of Energy, Water and Communication
   
6. ICT developments in Malaysia - KTAK’s view. Interview with Dato Dr. Halim Man I4Donline.net. Feb 7, 2007