Monthly Activity Report of JICA Malaysia Office (The September 2009 issue)

Transcription

1 Monthly Activity Report of JICA Malaysia Office (The September 2009 issue) Main activities in August Promotion of Economic Partnership SMIDEC Human Resource Development (Phase 2) Preliminary Study in August JICA supported SMIDEC (Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation) on capacity development of advisors for Small and Medium Industries from May 2006 to March Phase 2 of the project, which aims to develop in-house trainers among SMEC (SME Corp., SMIDEC was integrated into SMEC) officials, is planned to be launched in November this year. Preliminary study was conducted to discuss with SMEC and confirm the project purpose and related activities in detail. Economic Partnership Programme for E-Waste Management Training in Japan from 3 rd to 21 st August Although electrical and electronic wastes, known as E-waste, are increasing in Malaysia, valuable resources can be recovered from E-waste, which contributes towards sustainable development and conservation of environment. In order to learn the Japanese 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) policy and recycle system as well as the practices in Japan, Malaysian officials, mainly from the Department of Environment, participated in the 3 weeks training course in Japan. The participants learned not only through lectures on policies by the METI (Ministry of Economy, Technology and Industry) and MoE (Ministry of Environment), but also visited local companies, recycling facilities, eco-towns and others during this training that offers a broad scope on E-waste management. At the end of the course, these participants made presentation collaboratively about what they will do and how they will utilize what they have learned through the training course. The knowledge and skills they acquired will be adopted and used for the promotion of recycle activities in Malaysia. Social Welfare Environment Resettlement of Indigenous People under the Pahang-Selangor Raw Water Transfer Project: Consultation with Sungai Temir Orang Asli on 6 th August On 6 th August 2009, a consultation event with the Orang Asli of Sungai Temir in Bentong, Pahang on the resettlement to Lurah Bilut under the Pahang-Selangor Raw Water Transfer Project was conducted by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (MEGTW) with cooperation from relevant agencies. During this event that was attended by more than 600 people including the Minister of MEGTW, Datuk Peter Chin Fa Kui, Pahang State Chief Minister Dato Sri Adnan Yaakob,

2 Orang Asli Senator Y.B. Osman bin Bungsu, local and foreign NGOs, representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan, Embassy of Japan in Malaysia and JICA, the briefing of the project was conducted by the Project Team Director, followed by a Q& A session with the Orang Asli where they were free to ask questions and give opinion, and finally the signing session by the Orang Asli on whether they are agreeable to the resettlement. The Government of Malaysia is planning to make this resettlement of Sg. Temir a model for reference of future resettlement in the country. Seminar on Long-Term Research in Crocker Range Park (CRP) on 14 th August (BBECⅡ) BBECⅡ(Bornean Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation Programme Phase2) has promoted building up the monitoring and research skills of the official concerned to grasp the situation of biodiversity through establishment of the permanent plots for ecological monitoring in the Crocker Range Park which is the largest park in Sabah since In order to promote the above-mentioned activities, a seminar on Long-Term Research in Crocker Range Park: Its Potentials, Opportunities and International Collaborations had been held in Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Beach Resort and Spa on 14 th August It was jointly organized by Sabah Parks, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC-UMS) and JICA-BBEC. The objectives of the seminar are to promote long-term research activities to increase the understanding on biodiversity, mechanism, and human-nature relationship in the Crocker Range Park, as well as promotion into international collaboration. As a result of the seminar, we came up with many ideas to promote research activities in the Crocker Range Park, so BBECⅡ is now exploring concrete actions to make these ideas become reality. Project Formulation Survey for the Sewerage Treatment Plant ProjectⅡ JICA is currently financing the sewerage treatment facilities of 13 sites in Malaysia aiming at improving the sewerage sector in the country. Responding to the needs of continuous improvement in the sector, the preparatory survey for cooperation has started since March this year. The second field survey was conducted from July 22 for a duration of one month and had completed as scheduled. The outcome of the survey will be compiled in the final report and the respective proposal or request for Japan s support to the Phase II project expected to be made accordingly. South-South Cooperation Study Tour by the officials of the Ethiopia Road Authority on Bridge Management System in Malaysia from 3 rd to 15 th August Two engineers from the Ethiopia Road Authority and the JICA Chief Advisor, Mr. Takagi of the Capacity Development Project on Bridge Management in Ethiopia

3 visited Malaysia from 3 rd 15 th August The purpose of their visit is to study bridge management system and the capacity development program on bridge maintenance in Malaysia. The study visit was being arranged by IKRAM (Infrastructure Training Institute) and JKR (Public Works Department) where Mr. Takagi was an expert in the Bridge Unit in the late 1990s. It is his belief that the Ethiopian officials could learn much from Malaysia s experience in bridge management system since many bridges in Ethiopia have similar structures and design to old bridges in Malaysia. JICA also assisted JKR in the past with the implementation of development studies to strengthen the bridge management system and capacity development of JKR. Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) for Central Asian countries Economic Development and Project Management from 3 rd to 14 th August Nineteen (19) government officials from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic have attended the TCTP for Central Asian countries Economic Development and Project Management which was conducted by the National Institute of Public Administration of Malaysia (INTAN). This course is the outcome of the Joint EPU/JICA Malaysia mission that visited Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in November 2006 for project identification, followed by the INTAN/JICA Malaysia mission to Uzbekistan in March this year for project design. Economic development and project management are critical agenda to transitional economy of the participating countries. Participants visited various Malaysian government ministries and government project sites to understand how the Malaysian government manages its national development effectively. JICA Partnership Program (JPP) NGO Training for Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN) from 17 th to 20 th August In the Asian region which is prone to natural disasters, Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC) in Hyogo and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) of Kobe Office in Hyogo accorded high priority to the necessity of strengthening the network between NGOs of each country that has been operating rescue activities during disaster occurrence. In response, the Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN) was established in February Since its establishment, about 30 NGOs of 13 countries have joined ADRRN. However, the exact knowledge of disaster reduction is yet to be obtained. Therefore, the ADRC has been conducting the NGO disaster reduction training on disaster reduction in Japan and Malaysia every year since November 2007 under the JPP. The know-how of measures at

4 disaster occurrence and promotion of disaster reduction awareness to the community was shared though there was a difference in the kind of disaster and infrastructure in each country. The disaster reduction tool will be compiled as a result of final year s training of three years mainly by the NGO members of six countries (Afghanistan and Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia) who have been participating in it since the first year. Program to Promote Awareness for 3R of Solid Waste (Naha City, Okinawa Model) from 16 th August to 12 th September Okinawa Citizen s Recycle Movement in Okinawa, Japan, is the NPO with know-how on 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) of garbage in the past 20 years. The Okinawa Citizen s Recycle Movement has been promoting 3R activity in Sabah in cooperation with the EAC (Environmental Action Committee), an environmental NGO in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. In the second year s training of three years under the JPP, two staffs from Penampang District Office and Papar District Office have participated in the training in Naha City, Okinawa. Development Education Development Education Study Tour for Teachers from 3 rd to 13 th August JICA has organized the programme for Japanese school teachers who are interested in global issue and wish to extend their experience in development education to their schools and students. This year, 10 Japanese teachers from primary, junior high, senior high schools and special schools deepened the teacher s own international understanding through home stay at local homes, and visit to local schools and JICA projects/volunteers sites. Upon return to Japan, the teachers will be expected to practice class for development education and international understanding in their school and community. Study Tour of Oguchi Town, Aichi Prefecture from 17 th to 20 th August Twelve students from junior high school, senior high school and university in Oguchi Town, Aichi prefecture, conducted a study tour to Malaysia. They visited the Japanese who are working in the international cooperation field in to deepen their understanding on it. They visited the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre where a JOCV (Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers) is assigned as environmental education volunteer. They learnt that Japan has been contributing for environmental conservation activities in Malaysia. Study Tour of Yokohama City University from 26 th August to 4 th September The study tour to Malaysia by Yokohama City University is in its fourth year. Eleven students visited the local university, JICA volunteer s sites and others to promote flexible thinking on what to do in tackling global issues. Upon return to

5 Japan, they will present what they have learned at a reporting session in their university. Others Request survey for the Japanese technical cooperation (End of August) JICA, together with Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the Embassy of Japan, is examining requests of technical cooperation from Malaysian government. The result was summarized and submitted to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further consideration. This annual request survey is held in July to August every year all over the world. Main activities in September <Promotion of Economic Partnership> Discussion with SMEC (SME Corp.) for the project implementation and exchange Minutes of Meetings (End of September) Based on the result of the preliminary study held in August, JICA will discuss on inputs from Japanese side and the schedule of implementation. The result of discussion will be compiled into Minutes of Meetings which will be signed and exchanged by both SMEC and JICA. The project will be started from an activity of Japanese experts on training material development in November and training courses will be started from January <Social Welfare Environment> Commencement of Field Study for Preparatory Survey on Flood Mitigation Project in Major Local Cities in Malaysia on 1 st September For mitigating flood risk, securing living ambience of the people and conserving the surrounding environment, the Malaysian government is promoting to draw up a plan and implement the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) and Integrated Flood Management (IFM) in major local cities where flood damage frequently occur. In support of this approach, JICA will select 1 ~ 2 out of 4 rivers in the country (Muar River, Pahang River, Sarawak River and Kinabatangan River) in its measure to support the drawing of IRBM and IFM plans as well as the implementation. In light of strengthening the capacity of basin management organization, JICA plans to conduct a preparatory survey for about one and a half year starting from the end of August. During the survey, a feasibility study will be conducted based on the viewpoint to mitigate flood damage in priority areas. Commencement of the project to support participation of persons with disabilities There are many persons with disabilities (PWDs) who miss the opportunity for the social participation since the support for independent living of PWDs is not sufficient in Malaysia. To tackle with this situation, JICA once implemented the

6 project together with Social Welfare Department by establishing center for PWDs and introduction of Job Coach, based on the idea of participation and inclusion of the PWDs in the society. Starting from September 2009, JICA implements the 3years new project for holistic participation and inclusion of PWDs, together with Social Welfare Department, by further utilization and improvement of Job Coach, policy and its services as well as networking with NGO and local companies. Closing of the Yen Loan for the University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Development Project on 25 th September A loan agreement for the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Development Project was signed between the Government of Malaysia and JICA on 4 th March 1999 for the amount of 18,549 million yen and it will be closing on 25 th September 2009 after the completion of this project. Proceeds of this loan were used mainly for the construction of university buildings and teachers training. The Project had contributed to meet the rising demand for higher education, to promote human resources development in Malaysia in order to contribute to the country s economic progress and alleviate the regional disparity between Malay Peninsular and Sarawak State in Borneo. <South-South Cooperation> Supplementary Training on Facilitating Trade and Investment in Indian Ocean-rim Economic Region Eight (8) senior government officials from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique and Mauritius attended the one week supplementary training programme on Facilitating Trade and Investment for Indian Ocean-rim (IOR) Economic Region from 30 th August to 6 th September 2009 in Kuala Lumpur. This course aims at helping the countries to elaborate long-term policies and measures to facilitate trade and investment with IOR countries with the consideration of the predominancy of the industry in each country. Participants spent three weeks in Kobe and Tokyo, Japan and came to Malaysia to share Malaysia s experiences in trade and investment, and to visualize and clarify knowledge and concepts gained in the program in Japan. Zambia Investment Promotion Project: Triangle of Hope (ZIPP-TOH) The former Deputy Director-General of Malaysia Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) had been assisting the Government of Republic of Zambia (GORZ) as a consultant of JICA Project in strengthening its capacity to promote trade and investment with concept of Triangle of Hope (TOH) where Public Service, Politician and Private Sector must work together effectively to promote investment. TOH project was implemented for the last three years and gained reputable recognition and made impact on investment promotion not only in Zambia but in Africa as a whole with several presentation made in international and regional

7 forums on trade and investment. Due to its success and need for further strengthening of investment promotion capacity of Zambia Development Authority (ZDA), JICA agreed to implement Zambia Investment Promotion Project: Triangle of Hope (ZIPP-TOH) from 2009 to 2011 with continuous engagement of the former Deputy Director-General of MIDA. He will be in Zambia from 9 th September to 6 th October to start up the project with various meetings with GORZ officials and private sector and commence capacity development of ZDA. <Volunteers> The Drawing Exhibition of People With Disabilities (PWDs) in cooperation with AEON-CSR and JICA The Volunteer Social Welfare Committee Meeting held a drawing exhibition in cooperation with AEON-CSR activities (Corporate Social Responsibility), as JICA Social Welfare Volunteers have been doing drawing activities with PWDs. After the exhibition, some drawings are selected to be featured on eco-bags of JUSCO. Through the key-words, 'Future' and 'Reducing plastic-bag', these activities expand the opportunity to include PWDs in society and create awareness among ordinary people on the situation surrounding PWDs. The drawing exhibition was held in Jusco of Ipoh, Johor and Cheras from August through September. The last drawing exhibition will be held in Jusco of Bukit Tinggi, Kelang from 30 th to 1 st November. An awarding ceremony of the best drawing and the eco-bags will be presented for the period. You are most welcome! <Development Education> Study Tour of Hokkaido University of Education from 1 st September to 10 th September Eight students from Hokkaido University of Education, international culture and cooperation major (field of international cooperation) will conduct a study tour to Malaysia visiting to Japanese company which has headquarters in Hokkaido and JICA project/volunteers sites to deepen practical understanding on Japan s international cooperation in foreign country.

8 <In-coming> * Volunteer 2009 Batch SV (Senior Volunteers) 28 th September (Vocational Training: Industrial Training Institute, Kota Samarahan) (Vocational Training: JMTI: Japan Malaysia Technical Institute) (Vocational Training: ADTEC: Advanced Technology Training Centre, Malaka) (Vocational Training: ADTEC: Advanced Technology Training Centre, Batu Pahat) (Judo: Malaysian Association for the Blind) (Special Education Teachers: Kedah, Special Education Unit,) (Special Education Teachers: Special Education Department, Perak) 2009 Batch JOCV(Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers) 28 th September (Environmental Education: Miri City Council Agenda 21, Sarawak) (Social Worker: Kelantan Social Welfare Department) (Dress Making: Monfort Youth Training Centre) <Out-going> * Volunteer 2007 Batch JOCV(Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers) 24 th September (Environmental Education: Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre) (Environmental Education: Recycling Network Unit, Kinta Seratan District Office) (Social Worker: Trengganu Social Welfare Department)

9 <Experts Introduction> Name Name of Project Term of Project Takanori Kawashima Project for Improving Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health Field of Work Assigned Place Location Term of Activity Occupational Safety Ministry of Human and Health Resources Putrajaya [Self Introduction] I m now 53 years old. I have worked in Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan for around 30 years, mainly in the fields of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), Human Resource Development and International Cooperation. This is my second assignment in overseas, since I was assigned in Embassy of Japan in Thailand about 15 years ago. Malaysia is achieving industrialization but occurrence rate of occupational accidents is still high level, therefore, the importance of OSH is more emphasized. It is great honor for me to make contribution and cooperation to Malaysia. OSH Seminar for Construction [Outline of the Project] The government of Malaysia has been continuously developing policies against frequent occurrence of occupational accidents. Number of occupational fatal accidents per 100 thousand workers per year in Malaysia is still 3 or 4 times comparing with those of developed countries like as European countries, USA and Japan. To tackle with this problem, JICA has started the 5 years project from 2007 to improve the situation of OSH in Malaysia, in cooperation with Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Ministry of Human Resources. Aiming at raising the status of occupational safety and health condition in Malaysia as same as that in the developed countries in the future, this Project targets to improve OSH administration by DOSH with a focus on construction industry and small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). Expected outputs are; methods and procedures to implement OSH administration are upgraded, the capacity of DOSH inspectors for OSH administration in construction industry and SMEs is improved and the capacity of DOSH to raise the public awareness for OSH is strengthened. Various activities are implemented in this project for achieving those outputs as introduced below. [Current Situation of the Project] It has been 2 and half years since the Project started. The number of DOSH offices who participated in the OSH related training course in Japan has become 22. Based on what they have learned in Japan, they developed the training modules and will conduct the training for OSH inspectors. 5 JICA short term experts have been dispatched from Japan for Construction Safety, Chemical management and OSH activities in SME (Hazard Prediction Training).They made presentation in Malaysia OSH Seminar for awareness with many attendants from industry and conducted training for DOSH officers for strengthening of their capacity. In conjunction with these activities, DOSH has started pilot project in the local DOSH office to improve the situation of OSH in construction industry and SMEs based on analysis of accidents, improvement of OSH administration and strategy of OSH activities. [Plan for the Future] I m hoping to contribute to the reduction of occupational accident and occupational diseases by continuous cooperation with DOSH. Chemical Management Seminar Hazard Prediction Training DG of DOSH and JICA Short term experts

10 Japan International Cooperation Agency Suite 29.03, Level 29, Menara Citibank, 165, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur Tel :( 60-3) Fax :( 60-3) Person in charge of issue: Ms Noriko SUZUKI (Chief Representative) Person in charge of edit: Ms Kaori MURAKAMI