Jumaat, 3 Januari 2014

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

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The Malaysian Insider :: Food


Food to crave for in New Formosa

Posted: 03 Jan 2014 09:47 PM PST

BY EU HOOI KHAW
January 04, 2014

Stuffed lotus root with fish paste, with spinach in the centre.Stuffed lotus root with fish paste, with spinach in the centre.For food with a home-cooked quality and a Taiwanese slant, it's hard to beat the New Formosa Restaurant in Petaling Jaya.

There are days when I feel like having Taiwanese noodles in clear chicken soup with yam, enoki mushrooms and lots of greens, and I would find them here.

Then there's my favourite seafood porridge which leaves me happy and satisfied.

But the restaurant is capable of more than these comfort foods.

Braised chicken with seafood and vegetables, served with mantou.Braised chicken with seafood and vegetables, served with mantou.Recently I was at New Formosa for its very reasonably priced seven-course set menu – at just RM295 nett for five people – that begins with half a crispy suckling pig Hong Kong style.

This is the sar pei suckling pig, not the one with the shiny skin, that demands more work to ensure its absolute crispiness. 

It was delightful, the skin crackling and breaking under your teeth, and sinking into lush meat with just a thin layer of fat.

We went on to half a braised chicken with seafood and vegetables, served with fried mantou.

This tender chicken was smothered in dark flavourful braising sauce with hints of star anise.

It had squid and clams, contributing more flavour, and with cauliflower, mushrooms and snow peas accompanying it.

It was a well balanced dish, and the mantou was lovely for mopping up the sauce with. Instead of chicken, you could also have a braised half duck.

We enjoyed the Taiwan Hakka style bamboo white prawns that sat in a herbal, winey broth in a bamboo trough. Taiwan Hakka style bamboo white prawns.Taiwan Hakka style bamboo white prawns.

We picked out wolfberries, red dates and ginger strips in the broth which had been slow boiled together with other herbs as well.

A splash of chiu hing wine obviously finished it, and the prawns were soaked in the essence of the broth.

I'm always wowed by the stuffed lotus root with special fish paste served with leafy vegetables.

The holes of the lotus root slice were filled with fish paste that had a bit of chilli in it and then pan-fried.

There was a little zing in the springy paste, and biting through, you'll hit lotus root that had a little crunch in it. It was altogether a delightful experience. 

In the centre of this platter was stirfried spinach (wong tei miu) which complemented these well.

We had the steamed local seabass Hong Kong Teochew style next.

It had all the requisite ingredients – salted vegetables, sour plums, ginger and chilli – to deliver a delightfully salty, sourish and zesty gravy to bathe the fish in. 

We also added, from the a la carte menu, fried leeks with liver sausages, and the bittergourd and lotus pickle with wood fungus. A delicious pickle of bittergourd, lotus root and wood fungus.A delicious pickle of bittergourd, lotus root and wood fungus.

The fried leek was delicious with slices of the sausage. 

Bits of choy poh (preserved radish) added to its tastiness, and chilli too.

We couldn't stop eating the bittergourd and lotus pickle.

I loved the crunchiness of the vegetables and wood fungus, and with the bitterness of the gourd tempered with sweet and sour pickle sauce and a little heat from cili padi juice.

Instead of sweet yam with honey sauce, which is a superb dessert with chunks of yam coated in a thick honey sauce and plunged into icy water to harden the crust, we asked for jellies to complete our dinner.

We were really full by then. So we had aloe vera jelly, crème caramel, mango jelly and black herbal jelly. You can also buy these jellies and take away.

We also had the very refreshing Taiwanese Lemon Aiyu Jelly with black sago pearls. This was so good.

New Formosa has put together two other set menus that begin with suckling pig, for that end-of-the-year dinner with staff that is a must for Chinese businesses.

There is one for 10 people at RM588 nett, and for eight at RM548 nett.

This set menus are available only till January 29, 2014. – January  4, 2014.

 Taiwanese lemon Aiyu jelly.Taiwanese lemon Aiyu jelly.

New Formosa Restaurant is located at 46, Jalan SS2/24, 47300 Petaling Jaya. Tel: 03-3291 2031, 019-3353 274.

Food to crave for in New Formosa

Posted: 03 Jan 2014 09:47 PM PST

BY EU HOOI KHAW
January 04, 2014

Stuffed lotus root with fish paste, with spinach in the centre.Stuffed lotus root with fish paste, with spinach in the centre.For food with a home-cooked quality and a Taiwanese slant, it's hard to beat the New Formosa Restaurant in Petaling Jaya.

There are days when I feel like having Taiwanese noodles in clear chicken soup with yam, enoki mushrooms and lots of greens, and I would find them here.

Then there's my favourite seafood porridge which leaves me happy and satisfied.

But the restaurant is capable of more than these comfort foods.

Braised chicken with seafood and vegetables, served with mantou.Braised chicken with seafood and vegetables, served with mantou.Recently I was at New Formosa for its very reasonably priced seven-course set menu – at just RM295 nett for five people – that begins with half a crispy suckling pig Hong Kong style.

This is the sar pei suckling pig, not the one with the shiny skin, that demands more work to ensure its absolute crispiness. 

It was delightful, the skin crackling and breaking under your teeth, and sinking into lush meat with just a thin layer of fat.

We went on to half a braised chicken with seafood and vegetables, served with fried mantou.

This tender chicken was smothered in dark flavourful braising sauce with hints of star anise.

It had squid and clams, contributing more flavour, and with cauliflower, mushrooms and snow peas accompanying it.

It was a well balanced dish, and the mantou was lovely for mopping up the sauce with. Instead of chicken, you could also have a braised half duck.

We enjoyed the Taiwan Hakka style bamboo white prawns that sat in a herbal, winey broth in a bamboo trough. Taiwan Hakka style bamboo white prawns.Taiwan Hakka style bamboo white prawns.

We picked out wolfberries, red dates and ginger strips in the broth which had been slow boiled together with other herbs as well.

A splash of chiu hing wine obviously finished it, and the prawns were soaked in the essence of the broth.

I'm always wowed by the stuffed lotus root with special fish paste served with leafy vegetables.

The holes of the lotus root slice were filled with fish paste that had a bit of chilli in it and then pan-fried.

There was a little zing in the springy paste, and biting through, you'll hit lotus root that had a little crunch in it. It was altogether a delightful experience. 

In the centre of this platter was stirfried spinach (wong tei miu) which complemented these well.

We had the steamed local seabass Hong Kong Teochew style next.

It had all the requisite ingredients – salted vegetables, sour plums, ginger and chilli – to deliver a delightfully salty, sourish and zesty gravy to bathe the fish in. 

We also added, from the a la carte menu, fried leeks with liver sausages, and the bittergourd and lotus pickle with wood fungus. A delicious pickle of bittergourd, lotus root and wood fungus.A delicious pickle of bittergourd, lotus root and wood fungus.

The fried leek was delicious with slices of the sausage. 

Bits of choy poh (preserved radish) added to its tastiness, and chilli too.

We couldn't stop eating the bittergourd and lotus pickle.

I loved the crunchiness of the vegetables and wood fungus, and with the bitterness of the gourd tempered with sweet and sour pickle sauce and a little heat from cili padi juice.

Instead of sweet yam with honey sauce, which is a superb dessert with chunks of yam coated in a thick honey sauce and plunged into icy water to harden the crust, we asked for jellies to complete our dinner.

We were really full by then. So we had aloe vera jelly, crème caramel, mango jelly and black herbal jelly. You can also buy these jellies and take away.

We also had the very refreshing Taiwanese Lemon Aiyu Jelly with black sago pearls. This was so good.

New Formosa has put together two other set menus that begin with suckling pig, for that end-of-the-year dinner with staff that is a must for Chinese businesses.

There is one for 10 people at RM588 nett, and for eight at RM548 nett.

This set menus are available only till January 29, 2014. – January  4, 2014.

 Taiwanese lemon Aiyu jelly.Taiwanese lemon Aiyu jelly.

New Formosa Restaurant is located at 46, Jalan SS2/24, 47300 Petaling Jaya. Tel: 03-3291 2031, 019-3353 274.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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Warrior Adebayor ready to face Arsenal in FA Cup

Posted: 03 Jan 2014 07:55 AM PST

January 03, 2014

Spurs' Emmanuel Adebayor (2nd L) heading in a goal at Old Trafford. - Reuters pic, January 4, 2014.Spurs' Emmanuel Adebayor (2nd L) heading in a goal at Old Trafford. - Reuters pic, January 4, 2014.Emmanuel Adebayor, who was carried off on a stretcher during Tottenham Hotspur's 2-1 win at Manchester United on New Year's Day, is fit and will start against his former club Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

That was not the only good news for Spurs on the injury front as Jermain Defoe, Andros Townsend and Lewis Holtby were all back in training on Friday after being sidelined with various ailments.

"How important will Adebayor be tomorrow? It's huge," said Tottenham's new manager Tim Sherwood, who has revitalised the side since taking over from the sacked Andre Villas-Boas last month.

"If Arsene Wenger saw him limping off at Old Trafford, I'm sure there were a lot of pleased Arsenal fans, management and players.

"Unfortunately, he's going to be walking out against them tomorrow. It didn't look great when he came off on that stretcher, but he is a warrior. There is no holding him back at the moment."

The fact Adebayor will play, having recovered from "various cramps", is a boost for Spurs after the 29-year-old Togolese scored four goals in the five matches he has played since his return.

Last season at Arsenal he twice gave Spurs the lead and was then sent off, as the Gunners exploited his absence to end up 5-2 winners in a league match.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger offered some grudging praise for the Gunners' fiercest rivals, who they meet in the Cup for the first time since beating them 2-1 in the semi-finals in 2001.

"They won at Manchester United and they played well, but Man United have been a bit more vulnerable at home this season and they took full advantage of that, playing with good pace going forward," he said in his pre-match news conference.

He added he had noticed a more attacking intent to Spurs' game since Sherwood took control.

"They are more adventurous. With (Roberto) Soldado and Adebayor, they have found a balance. At the moment that suits the team well. They always looked dangerous at Man United and that's the pair we will have to keep quiet."

With Adebayor set to play against his old club, Wenger is concerned about the threat from the striker he signed from Monaco in 2006, who didn't play under Villas Boas this season.

"What is amazing is how fit he was when he came back, how quickly he adapted to top-level competition again," he said. "He's a player with special talent, I'm in a good position to know."

Arsenal are coping with a long injury list with strikers Olivier Giroud and Nicklas Bendtner set to miss the game along with midfielder Aaron Ramsey (thigh) and defender Kieran Gibbs (calf), while playmaker Mezut Ozil is battling for match fitness.

Form often counts for nothing in cup derbies, but both sides enter the match in good spirits with Arsenal top of the Premier League table and Spurs having taken 10 points from a possible 12 over the Christmas holiday period.

Arsenal have lost only once at home to Spurs in any match since 1993 and will be looking to follow up their 1-0 league win in September, which came after successive 5-2 home league wins over Spurs.

Both managers kept their cards close to their chests regarding players they might want to sign during the transfer window with Wenger saying he had not considered signing former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov from Fulham, despite widespread media speculation. - Reuters, January 3, 2014.

Serena extends winning streak over Sharapova to 14 matches

Posted: 03 Jan 2014 06:37 AM PST

January 03, 2014

Serena Williams (pic) extended her winning streak over Maria Sharapova to 14 matches following a 6-2 7-6 (9-7) win in the semi-final of the Brisbane International on Friday.

In a match which involved poor serving and high-quality groundstrokes in equal measure, Williams maintained her hold over Sharapova to set up a final showdown with second seed Victoria Azarenka.

Roger Federer who, like Williams, will be chasing an 18th grand slam title at the Australian Open later this month, breezed through to the men's semi-finals with a 6-1 6-1 thumping of Australian Marinko Matosevic.

Williams and Sharapova played down their animosity before the match, but there was no eye contact during preliminaries and on a steamy night in Brisbane their body language remained distinctly frosty throughout.

The result was a match with an intensity scarcely seen outside of a grand slam, something Williams feels is of benefit to her.

"(I) feel like I'm being pushed into the deep end straightaway," she said. "It's a good thing. In Melbourne, if I have to face Maria again, I'll know a bit more what to expect. I didn't know what to expect today."

Williams secured the first of the 10 service breaks in the match in the fourth game and though Sharapova broke straight back, she lost her serve twice more as the American ran out a comfortable first set winner.

The Russian responded well to hold a 2-1 lead after three consecutive breaks of serve in the second set, before calling her coach Sven Groeneveld to courtside. His words illustrated the match held more importance than a normal grand slam warm-up.

"You're letting her know you're in her face," he said, adding that she "must commit" to her serve.

Sharapova did win the ensuing service game, but lost the next one to restore parity.

In the tiebreak Williams' brutal groundstrokes gave her the advantage, but consecutive double faults kept her opponent in it and she needed three match points before sealing victory with an ace.

Azarenka secured her place in the final with a see-saw victory over Serbia's Jelena Jankovic 1-6 6-3 6-4.

Top seed Williams feels the match will be a good barometer of where they are ahead of the first grand slam.

"It'll be a good match to see where we both stand as the two most consistent players of the last year and a half," Williams said.

Federer, however, is unlikely to gauge much about where his game stands up against the likes of rivals Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray after enjoying another easy workout in Brisbane.

He was 0-40 down on serve in the first game against Matosevic, but survived and did not face another break point as he eased to the most comfortable of victories.

He will now meet eighth seed Jeremy Chardy in the semi-final after the Frenchman beat Australia's Sam Groth 7-5 6-4.

There is local interest in the other semi-final as Lleyton Hewitt faces number two seed Kei Nishikori of Japan. Hewitt beat Romania's Marius Copi 6-4 6-2, while Nishikori topped Croatian Marin Cilic 6-4 5-7 6-2. - Reuters, January 3, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Features

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Study links marriage with weight gain

Posted: 02 Jan 2014 04:44 PM PST

January 03, 2014

A majority of the 1,000 people polled in a recent survey reported to gaining weight since tying the knot. - AFP pic, January 3, 2014.A majority of the 1,000 people polled in a recent survey reported to gaining weight since tying the knot. - AFP pic, January 3, 2014.Saying "I do" could have an impact on your waistline, according to a survey conducted in the UK by Forza Supplements and reported by the Daily Mail.

Of the 1,000 people polled for the study, a majority admitted to growing heavier since tying the knot. For 40% of respondents, weight gain occurred at a rate of 4lbs (1.8 kg) per year on average.

While 22% of those surveyed reported gaining 2lbs annually since entering marriage, nearly as many respondents said they gained a whopping 6lbs per year.

Somewhat reassuringly, almost a fifth of those surveyed (18%) indicated that they had not seen a change on the scales.

When asked to explain the reasons behind their sudden weight gain, over 50% of respondents who had become heavier since their wedding day confessed that they spent more time snacking together in front of the TV.

A majority of respondents also indicated feeling less pressure to maintain a slim figure once they had settled into the commitment of marriage. – AFP Relaxnews, January 3, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

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The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion


Tighten your belt before ours, Najib

Posted: 02 Jan 2014 03:48 PM PST

January 03, 2014

Zan Azlee is a documentary filmmaker, journalist, writer, New Media practitioner and lecturer. He runs Fat Bidin Media www.fatbidin.com

Ahh... the 11 steps taken by the government to cut their spending. This was announced earlier in the week by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Let's see. There is a cut of between 5% and 10% in the allowances for ministers and deputy ministers as well as senior government officials.

Then there are the cuts in utilities costs in all government offices and reduction of road transport tolls for senior government officials as much as 30%.

There will also be reductions in the ordering of buntings, of food for meetings, seminars and workshops as well as more efficient office space architecture.

Cutting down the allowances of ministers, deputies and senior government officials is a good move. However, it doesn't reduce costs by that much.

What would be a much better move would be to remove certain 'retired' ministers from the government payroll altogether.

There are several of these individuals who have been given special posts and are probably getting paid as much as ministers are, including allowances and benefits.

And then there is the reduction of bunting orders. How significant of an amount is that? Unless, of course, the government prints a gazillion buntings a year!

As for the excessive ordering of food for meetings, workshops and seminars, well I can't argue with that one as it is quite true.

I've been to many government meetings and functions before. And believe me, the amount that is served is ridiculous (and most of the time, taste horrible!).

Cutting down on the utilities cost is a relatively good move. Well, to be perfectly honest, every little bit helps because a sen here and there does add up to a ringgit.

But there's also the issue of perception.

We all know too well the spending nature of Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. More so of his wife, of course.

The cost to run and maintain the Prime Minister's official residence, at RM2.3 million just for utility bills, is such an exorbitant amount.

Then there is the oversea trips that are taken by Rosmah using the government's official jet. That must cost quite a bomb too.

So before trying to tighten everyone's belt in order to save the government money, wouldn't it be better for the Prime Minister to get his own house in order first?

This reminds me of a story that has been going around Facebook recently about the President of Uruguay, Jose Mujica.

Reports say that he actually donates 90% of his salary to the poor, lives on a small and modest farm own by his wife, and drives an old beat up Volkswagen.

He came from a poor family, struggled from a young age to fight and contribute to his country, and now that he is the head of the nation, lives humbly.

Just because of that, he is admired all around the world. Nobody is even asking if he is an efficient president. They're just captivated by his story.

So it really doesn't take much to appease the people. They just want to be seen as being treated fairly and they aren't being taken advantage of.

So what say you about all this, Yang Amat Berhormat Prime Minister? – January 3, 2014.

Tighten your belt before ours, Najib

Posted: 02 Jan 2014 03:48 PM PST

January 03, 2014

Zan Azlee is a documentary filmmaker, journalist, writer, New Media practitioner and lecturer. He runs Fat Bidin Media www.fatbidin.com

Ahh... the 11 steps taken by the government to cut their spending. This was announced earlier in the week by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Let's see. There is a cut of between 5% and 10% in the allowances for ministers and deputy ministers as well as senior government officials.

Then there are the cuts in utilities costs in all government offices and reduction of road transport tolls for senior government officials as much as 30%.

There will also be reductions in the ordering of buntings, of food for meetings, seminars and workshops as well as more efficient office space architecture.

Cutting down the allowances of ministers, deputies and senior government officials is a good move. However, it doesn't reduce costs by that much.

What would be a much better move would be to remove certain 'retired' ministers from the government payroll altogether.

There are several of these individuals who have been given special posts and are probably getting paid as much as ministers are, including allowances and benefits.

And then there is the reduction of bunting orders. How significant of an amount is that? Unless, of course, the government prints a gazillion buntings a year!

As for the excessive ordering of food for meetings, workshops and seminars, well I can't argue with that one as it is quite true.

I've been to many government meetings and functions before. And believe me, the amount that is served is ridiculous (and most of the time, taste horrible!).

Cutting down on the utilities cost is a relatively good move. Well, to be perfectly honest, every little bit helps because a sen here and there does add up to a ringgit.

But there's also the issue of perception.

We all know too well the spending nature of Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. More so of his wife, of course.

The cost to run and maintain the Prime Minister's official residence, at RM2.3 million just for utility bills, is such an exorbitant amount.

Then there is the oversea trips that are taken by Rosmah using the government's official jet. That must cost quite a bomb too.

So before trying to tighten everyone's belt in order to save the government money, wouldn't it be better for the Prime Minister to get his own house in order first?

This reminds me of a story that has been going around Facebook recently about the President of Uruguay, Jose Mujica.

Reports say that he actually donates 90% of his salary to the poor, lives on a small and modest farm own by his wife, and drives an old beat up Volkswagen.

He came from a poor family, struggled from a young age to fight and contribute to his country, and now that he is the head of the nation, lives humbly.

Just because of that, he is admired all around the world. Nobody is even asking if he is an efficient president. They're just captivated by his story.

So it really doesn't take much to appease the people. They just want to be seen as being treated fairly and they aren't being taken advantage of.

So what say you about all this, Yang Amat Berhormat Prime Minister? – January 3, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

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The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa


Kit Siang ajak kerjasama PR-BN bincang pelan damai perpaduan negara

Posted: 03 Jan 2014 02:59 AM PST

OLEH MD IZWAN
January 03, 2014

Pemimpin veteran DAP, Lim Kit Siang (gambar) menawarkan untuk menjadi orang tengah antara Pakatan Rakyat (PR) dan Barisan Nasional (BN) bagi menyelesaikan kemelut perpaduan negara.

Penasihat kebangsaan DAP tersebut berkata tawaran tersebut dibuat bagi membincangkan agenda dan pelan induk Perpaduan Kebangsaan untuk membina semula perpaduan negara.

"Memandangkan kerajaan kerajaan yang seolah-olah keliru dengan cara untuk membina semula perpaduan negara, biarlah saya cadangkan pertemuan antara pemimpin tertinggi BN dan PR atas satu agenda dan pelan tindakan untuk ke arah perdamaian kebangsaan untuk membina semula perpaduan negara.

"Biar pemimpin tertinggi daripada BN dan PR bertemu sekitar seminggu dua ini untuk membincangkan agenda dan pelan induk Perdamaian Kebangsaan untuk membina semula perpaduan negara," kata Lim dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.

Kenyataan Lim tersebut hadir susulan kontroversi terbaru yang tercetus di Selangor selepas Persatuan Bible Malaysia (BSM) diserbu dan beberapa Injil berbahasa Melayu dirampas.

"Kita tidak dapat cari atau dengar daripada Perdana Menteri, malah rakyat tidak tahu sama ada beliau di dalam negara atau di luar negara... Timbalan Perdana Menteri (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) hanya mencurahkan minyak ke api manakala menteri Kabinet lain lari bersembunyi.

"Ini bukan cara memerintah negara atau menunaikan janji Najib dalam amanat Tahun Barunya, dimana setiap kali tahun baru rakyat hanya akan mendengar lebih banyak daripada kerajaan mengenai cara untuk membina perpaduan negara," kata Ahli Parlimen Gelang Patah tersebut.

Beliau juga membidas penubuhan Majlis Konsultatif Perpaduan Negara (MKPN) sebagai sesuatu yang tidak memberikan kesan signifikan kepada perpaduan negara ketika pelbagai perkara sensitif timbul ketika ini.

Selain itu, Lim mengecam serbuan yang baru-baru ini berlaku di negeri Selangor oleh pihak Jais yang menurutnya melanggar hak penganut Kristian seperti yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

Tengahari semalam Jais menyerbu pejabat PBM di Damansara Kim dan merampas kira-kira 300 Bible berbahasa Melayu dan Iban.

Dua pegawai PBM iaitu pengerusinya Lee Min Choon dan Sinclair Wong diarahkan ke Balai Polis Damansara untuk diambil keterangan mereka dan hanya dilepaskan dua jam kemudian.

Susulan insiden tersebut, pelbagai pihak mengecam tindakan Jais.

Malah, Exco agama kerajaan negeri Selangor, Sallehen Mukhyi juga mengakui tidak mengetahui tentang operasi serbuan tersebut. – 3 Januari, 2014.

3 barang naik, 10 kerajaan bantu, kata Ahmad Maslan

Posted: 03 Jan 2014 02:50 AM PST

OLEH HASBULLAH AWANG CHIK
January 03, 2014
Latest Update: January 03, 2014 07:09 pm

Meskipun rakyat terbeban dengan kenaikan kos sara hidup terutamanya kenaikan harga petrol, gula dan tarif elektrik, namun mereka tidak perlu melupakan 10 bantuan yang masih diberikan kerajaan, kata Datuk Ahmad Maslan (gambar).

Timbalan Menteri Kewangan itu berkata 10 bantuan rakyat itu termasuk Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia, bantuan kepada nelayan dan pesawah serta peruntukan kesihatan yang 99% disubsidikan kerajaan.

"Ini bukan pengumuman baru yang saya sebutkan. Tidak ada negara dalam dunia ini memberikan pakej bantuan sebanyak ini kepada rakyat.

"Apabila tidak disebut mereka lupa dan menerima (tohmahan pembangkang). Saya tak nafi memang ada kenaikan itu," katanya kepada pemberita di Ibu Pejabat Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri di Putrajaya hari ini.

Ahmad berkata bantuan lain yang diberikan kerajaan adalah bantuan persekolahan, baucer buku kepada pelajar universiti, buku teks sekolah percuma dan faedah Pinjaman Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional yang dikurangkan kepada 1%.

Katanya, Tenaga Nasional Berhad telah pun memaklumkan kepadanya sebanyak 70% pengguna tidak terkesan dengan kenaikan tarif elektrik sebaliknya bagi pengguna yang terjejas adalah rumah tertentu, premis perniagaan dan kilang.

"Bagi pengurangan subsidi gula sebanyak 43 sen, RM400 juta penjimatan digunakan untuk menaik taraf kesihatan rakyat dengan pertambahan 6,800 jururawat baru, 50 lagi tambahan Klinik 1Malaysia tahun ini, dan beberapa buah hospital baru.

"Kita tarik subsidi barangan yang agak tidak sihat dan digantikan kepada kesihatan rakyat. Sepatutnya ia dipersetujui.

"Penarikan subsidi 20 sen kepada petrol dan diesel, penjimatan sebayak RM4.4 bilion disalurkan kepada BR1M dan tambahan insurans," katanya yang turut mengulangi cabaran mengemukakan negara seluas Malaysia yang tidak mengalami kenaikan inflasi.

Ahmad turut menyambut baik 11 langkah penjimatan kerajaan yang diumumkan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak kerana selain rakyat perlu berjimat mengatasi kenaikan kos sara hidup, kerajaan juga perlu berjimat mengurangkan kadar fiskal negara.

"Kerajaan juga bukan sekadar berhasrat mengawal defisit tetapi hutang negara melalui penjimatan dan pengenalan sumber pendapatan baru kepada negara," katanya yang menyebut Jawatankuasa Fiskal yang dipengerusikan Perdana Menteri akan meneliti perkara yang perlu.

Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun) telah mengadakan demonstrasi membantah kenaikan kos sara hidup pada malam ambang tahun baru yang dihadiri kira-kira seramai 5,000 orang.

Antara tuntutan Turun terhadap kenaikan kos sara hidup adalah peningkatan tarif elektrik, pengurangan subsidi gula dan petrol, tambang bas sekolah dan pelbagai kenaikan harga lain yang telah diumumkan kerajaan.

Dalam sidang media itu juga, Ahmad mengumumkan antara 10 bantuan yang disalurkan kerajaan termasuk subsidi gas dan tepung gandum, pemotongan cukai pendapatan kepada mereka yang layak, subsidi dan harga rumah yang 20% lebih murah berbanding harga pasaran dan bantuan daripada Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat. – 3 Januari, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com
 

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