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Study Shows M'sians Lead Comfortable And Happy Life, Says Abdullah

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- A study carried out recently showed that Malaysians enjoyed a high standard of comfortable and happy family life, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday.

The prime minister said the study showed the index on comfortable and happy family was at 8.2 from the highest scale of 10.

He said the study also showed the index on the people's courtesy was at 7.2 from the scale of 10.

"To have an index of more than seven is a good achievement. We must make more efforts to raise the index from time to time," he said at the Internal Security Ministry's monthly assembly here.

Abdullah, who is also Internal Security Minister, however, did not say the party which conducted the study.

Abdullah told government servants to carry out their jobs sincerely, with the intention of serving the people and making the people happy instead of enriching themselves.

He said the people were now more confident in the country's economic growth following the increase in investments, vibrant capital market and the stronger financial position.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- The Press freedom enjoyed in Indonesia since the change to democracy about 10 years ago, was a political milestone in the country's history, the Chief Editor of Tempo magazine Tariq Hadad said Monday.

"It (press freedom) was once determined and judged by the government but today by readers ... it is in fact by the man in the street," he said during a discussion with local senior editors held at the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) headquarters, here Monday.

However, he stressed that the Indonesian media had also learnt that press freedom had its limits, for instance when it came to publication of pornographic materials.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Users of the newly opened Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) will have to pay toll of between 50 sen and RM3.90, depending on the class of vehicle, at three points along the expressway from Feb 20.

Malaysia Highway Authority Director General Datuk Mohd Noor Yaacob said the three toll plazas under the open toll system are located at Jalan Prai, Bagan Ajam and Sungai Nyior.

Mohd Noor said the 12.1-km expressway was equipped with closed circuit television cameras and "variable message sign" signboards while a rest and recreation facility is available at the Bagan Ajam toll plaza.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Monday he would seek the Cabinet's nod soon to declassify concession agreements signed by the government and concessionaires of all highways in the country.

"I raised the issue at the last Cabinet meeting and the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) has asked for a Cabinet paper on it to be submitted," he said, speaking to Bernama from London.