SIPITANG (Sabah): The restructuring of the sugar distribution system is expected to be completed next month, said Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the process would entail reviewing the licences of problematic and unsuitable wholesalers.

Among factors considered include ensuring the smooth supply of sugar to consumers by wholesalers, he told reporters after the launch of a campaign to reduce sugar intake here today.

KUALA LUMPUR: Three secondary school students were detained by the police after allegedly robbing a foreigner in Selayang yesterday.

Gombak district police chief ACP Abdul Rahim Abdullah said the victim, a 31-year-old Pakistani, was walking in the area at about 10.35am when the four boys, who were in school uniform, approached him.

The students then assaulted the foreigner and robbed him of his handphone, a photostat copy of his passport and RM130 before fleeing.

RAWANG: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will discuss tomorrow the rational for the purchase of 1,294 units of used buses at the price of RM93 million by the Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (Prasarana) in 2003, PAC chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said.

He said the discussion was part of the committee's investigation into the company's asset management.He said the PAC would call the company to give its explanation.

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the Federal Court's decision today declaring him as the rightful Perak menteri besar has made him feel humbled to perform his duties to the best of his ability for the people of Perak.

Zambry who is grateful for the court's decision, hoped that the episode would end with the people in Perak reunited regardless of their political ideology.

"I thank the people in Perak and elsewhere in the country who have prayed for justice and prosperity in Perak.

MOTORISTS using 17 highways will receive incentives such as "toll-free" rides and discounts from toll concessionaires as ang pow for the Chinese New Year.

As an appreciation to motorists, the concessionaire of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway and East Coast Highway (Phase 1) has decided to allow free rides on Feb 11 and Feb 15, from 11.30pm to 4.30am.

PUTRAJAYA: Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is confident that 30 percent of basic  rural infrastructure projects under the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) will be ready by year end.

"Some projects for the poor like roads, water, electricity and longhouses which began last year will be completed by April," he said after chairing the NKRA rural infrastructure meeting here today.

ALOR SETAR: The Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) code of practice that was announced by the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) last month to discipline bus operators will be enforced next month.

Board chairman, Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique, said the code would be enforced two weeks after all 224 bus operators were briefed and went through a two-day course in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 23.

She said the briefing and course would stress on bus operations, making records of bus travel, drivers' health and internal audit.

SEMPORNA (Sabah): Out of the eight defence radar units designated for the east coast of Sabah, four are already operational, said Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad.

He said the remaining four were expected come onstream by year end.

"The command and control centre for the radar network is also ready. As such, we have the capability to monitor and supervise security in Sabah round-the-clock," he told reporters after visiting the Sri Wangsa military camp near here today.

KOTA BAHARU: Malaysia's aim of not having to import rice by 2015 may be realised when two major rice-growing areas of the Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) and Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority (Kada) can raise production by between five per cent and 10 per cent.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharum said currently, Malaysia was importing 30 per cent of its needs for rice or 700,000 tonnes from other countries annually.

MELBOURNE: Malaysians will be among thousands of would-be migrants to Australia who will have their applications cancelled as part of an Australian Government overhaul of the skilled migration programme.

Australia's Immigration Minister Senator Chris Evans Monday announced that Canberra was reforming the permanent skilled migration programme to make it demand rather than supply driven.

KUALA LUMPUR: It was a situation of being 'hot under the collar' when the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) was yesterday forced to adjourn its public inquiry into the detention of five lawyers last year.

This followed the Menara Tun Razak building owner's refusal to switch on the air-conditioning system.

As a result, the inquiry -- scheduled to be concluded after the 12th witness, Brickfields police chief ACP Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid's testimony -- was tentatively fixed for hearing at the Jalan Duta Court Complex for three hours, beginning 8pm.

KUALA LUMPUR: Renegade MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai clarified today he had never said he would boycott MCA's functions but only stay away from the "individual functions" of party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

He claimed that he was misquoted by the media on the matter.

"When I announced it, I did not say that it's a boycott, but that we will not participate in programmes organised by the two leaders (Ong and Dr Chua).

KUALA LUMPUR: Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the government is studying the possibility of shortening the doctors' compulsory service in public hospitals.

He said the ministry was hoping to come up with the decision by this year.

MELBOURNE: The Chief Commissioner of Victoria's State police has called on international students to take precautions to protect themselves against attacks.

Chief Commissioner Simon Overland, said while racism had a part to play in some attacks on international and particularly Indian students, travelling late at night on public transport, working high-risk jobs such as in convenience stores and living in low socio-economic areas put them at risk.

KUALA LUMPUR: A police sergeant was killed while manning traffic at an accident scene after he was knocked down by a car believed to be driven by a man who was under the influence of alcohol.

The freak accident happened at Jalan Chan Sow Lin early yesterday morning when the sergeant, Harjit Singh, 50, from the Cheras police headquarters, was knocked down by a Hyundai Getz car driven by a man at about 3am.

According to Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Wira Muhammad Sabtu Osman, the driver was drunk and drove recklessly, when the accident happened.

PENANG: A police report has been made against the Penang Malay Chamber of Commerce (DPMMPP) for allegedly making a false statement against the Penang state government.

Datuk Keramat state assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo, said DPMMPP claimed the state government had discriminated against Malay traders.

"The statement by DPMMPP is a lie aimed at fanning racial sentiments. Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow had explained that it was based on statistics from local authorities," he said yesterday.

ALOR SETAR: Umno leaders and members who are arrogant and egoistic should change their ways to win the people's heart, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said yesterday.

He said the party was working hard to win back the people's support after the major setback of the 2008 general election.

"The people hate leaders who kept away from them or were difficult to approach, what more leaders who were proud and arrogant.

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is allocating RM224 million this year to implement Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programmes and upgrade the 'Taman Sinar Harapan' shelter home programmes.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, said the government was committed towards ensuring the continued development of the CBR programmes so that more handicapped groups in the country could benefit from it.

KUCHING: National newspapers planning to expand their operations to Sarawak have been reminded to be mindful of the state's social and political sensitivities and not incite racial disharmony by capitalising on racist issues.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said competition should be seen as a positive development for the media industry but outsiders or individuals who raised sensitive issues which could create havoc and racial disharmony would not be welcomed in Sarawak.