Economically Colonized

It is tragic that even until this day, the fate of developing country are still strongly affected by the West. Even when we're no longer colonized in a politically sense, economically we might as well be one.

Fate of our seafood to be known tomorrow
By : Hamidah Atan (NST 17/6/08)

PUTRAJAYA: The European Union steering committee will decide tomorrow whether to go ahead with its plan to ban the import of Malaysian seafood.

Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said officers from his ministry and the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry had presented the country's case to the committee in Brussels.

The fishery industry risks losing RM1.5 billion a year if the EU bans the import of Malaysian seafood.

"We have never faced this problem before. Five countries within the EU are also appealing on our behalf against the ban," he said without disclosing the countries.

Among the conditions set by the EU were that fishing vessels must be equipped with proper refrigerated boxes, clean basins, pots and sanitation system.

"To them, there is no such thing as open air lorries transporting live fish or other seafood. Everything must follow their standards.

"If we want to export to Europe, we have no options but to follow their standards. We, however, need time to fulfil the conditions."

Liow said this after accepting six ambulances worth RM707,000 from the Faber Group.

The ambulances would be used by government hospitals and health clinics.

Faber Group managing director Adnan Mohammad said the company would assist the government in improving the people's quality of life.

Liow said the government would purchase an additional 100 ambulances, costing about RM3.8 million, to complement the current fleet of 1,343 at hospitals and clinics.

He said more allocations were needed to improve the country's healthcare services.