Making the ringgit go further

OSAKA: Conserve energy, use fuel efficiently and if possible, switch to green energy, such as using solar panels to harvest the power of the sun, as this can not only stretch the ringgit but also help protect the environment.

This is the message from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to all Malaysians.

“If we do this, we can cut down on our expenses. Try using less energy and buy cars that use less petrol. If we do this, we will be able to manage our expenses even without salary increases. If we do not learn how to cut costs, whatever we earn will never be enough,” he told Malaysian reporters on the last day of his five-day working visit to Japan here yesterday.

He pointed out that many Malaysians were now living in a “temperate condition” – driving air-conditioned cars, working in air-conditioned offices and living in air-conditioned homes.

Rebuilt lorries not ‘lori potong’

JOHOR BARU: Lorries rebuilt with parts from different manufacturers are not lori potong and are thoroughly tested for roadworthiness.

Commercial Vehicles Rebuilders Association president David Ngu said the confusion arose because some manufacturers marketed and distributed their vehicles using other brands.

“For example, a lorry made by Isuzu with the model number NPR71 is marketed under Nissan. So it carries the Nissan logo on the outside. But the engine is Isuzu’s.

“At the same time, you can also find the exact same model, which is fully Nissan, with the model number APR71,” he said.

He said the same applied to Hino and Daihatsu models.

“It is like how you find Mitsubishi engines in Proton cars.

Duo ordered to pay 50 times the value of loot

JOHOR BARU: Two odd-job workers paid a heavy price for stealing RM50 worth of metal window railings – they were hit with a fine amounting to 50 times the value.

Magistrate Rasidah Roslee ordered Rosli Ahmad, 39 and Zamri Osman, 32, to pay a RM2,500 fine for the offence.

Both the accused, who were unrepresented, pleaded guilty to stealing 13 window railings worth RM50 from businessman Tian Choon Ming, 45, at a house in Taman Masai at 11.45am on May 24.

Rasidah said the accused would be jailed for eight months if they could not pay the fine.

At the same court, a 40-year-old jobless man pleaded guilty to drug possession.

Rasidah fined Khoo Kay San RM6,000 or in default eight months imprisonment.


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