Month: August 2021

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KPDNHEP studying prices of COVID-19 self-test kits – Nanta

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 14 — The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) is working with the Health Ministry to study the prices of the COVID-19 self-test kits.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the study was conducted to ensure the kit is sold at reasonable prices and do not burden consumers.

“My ministry is now conducting engagement sessions and cost studies of the product and its supply to licensed companies covering every distribution chain up to the retail level like pharmacies and clinics,” he said in a statement.

Nanta said the COVID-19 self-test kit has become an essential item for consumers to manage and maintain their health safety independently in the current COVID-19 pandemic situation.

He also reminded consumers to be careful when buying the product and always check the list of companies that have been approved to distribute and sell the kit by visiting the official website of the Malaysia Device Authority at https://portal.mda.gov.my/.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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National Mosque Imam dies due to heart complications

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — National Mosque imam Khisamudin Ismail died of heart complications at 4 am today at his residence in Kota Puteri, Batu Arang, Selangor. He turned 53 today.

The news of his passing was shared by the National Mosque via a post on Facebook.

“We lost a friend, an imam and teacher who was full of dedication in his duty. May Allah shower mercy and forgiveness on his soul and place him among the righteous.

“We pray that his wife, children and family members are patient in facing this test,” read the post.

National Mosque Assistant Information Officer Ahmad Faizal Azman, when contacted by Bernama, said Khisamudin was laid to rest at about 9.30 am at the Batu Arang Islamic Cemetery.

Besides his wife, Khisamudin leaves behind three children.

He started serving as an imam at the National Mosque in April 2014, then became an instructor at the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) Bukit Kiara in April 2018, before returning to work as imam at the National Mosque in June the same year.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri also extended his condolences to Khisamudin’s family .

“I (had) informed him that I would visit him when there was a suitable time. Nevertheless, Allah SWT’s plan definitely has its blessings. Condolences to the family of Ustaz Khisamudin Ismail, imam of the National Mosque ,” he wrote on his Facebook.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Melaka Japen draws up 45 programmes for Merdeka IOW

ALOR GAJAH, Aug 14 — The Melaka Information Department (Japen) has outlined 45 Merdeka Info On Wheels (IOW) programmes for implementation in three districts in the state in conjunction with the National Month this year.

Its assistant director, Nurhasnani Abdul Wahab said 39 of the programmes, including distribution of the Jalur Gemilang, posters and publications related to the country’s independence had been implemented.

“Through the IOW programme, a total of 3,000 Jalur Gemilang of various sizes and 4,000 posters and publications related to independence have been distributed to the public.

“The Jalur Gemilang is given free to encourage the public to fly the flag at their homes, premises and vehicles,” she said when met by the media at the Merdeka IOW 2021 Programme in Rembia here today.

During the event, some 40 pieces of the Jalur Gemilang were distributed to employees of courier companies for them to fly on their vehicles.

Nurhasnani said the Merdeka IOW programme aimed to cultivate and strengthen the spirit of patriotism among the people in the country, especially in Melaka.

Although this year’s the National Month is not celebrated like in previous years due to COVID-19, it could still be celebrated according to the new norms.

“IOW is Japen’s main activity and it will be carried out at markets, vaccination centres, as well as roadblocks, to convey the message of nationhood to the the people so that they appreciate the meaning of independence,” she said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Public-private partnership in healthcare way to go for future

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — The public-private partnership (PPP) in Malaysia’s healthcare system needs to be further strengthened in order to prepare the country to face any possible pandemic in the future.

Taking the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, the president of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said the private hospitals are capable enough to help the government especially on decanting process, or the transfer of a portion of non-COVID-19 patients.

“It is pointless for the government to keep building more facilities when there are so many facilities available in the private sector. In the Klang Valley alone, for example, there are more private hospitals than public hospitals.”

He said this during the session on ‘What do health systems have to do to prepare for the next pandemic’ at the Malaysia Healthcare Conference 2021 held virtually today.

Dr Kuljit also said that further discussions were also needed for all quarters to be more realistic on the bill and fees for treatments, and also to come up with costs that are probably sustainable for private hospitals in future.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Prof Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said the PPP should have kicked off immediately when the COVID-19 struck the country.

He said the number of screenings and the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) could have been done faster and reached the target as set by the government.

“There are nearly 6,000 private general practitioners (GP) and 20,000 medical graduates nationwide who could help the government in handling this pandemic,” he added.

Earlier, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba officiated the two-day conference organised by KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI) with the theme ‘Accelerating the Transformation of Health Systems in a Pandemic – Challenges & Opportunities’.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Inform police of overcrowding at PPVs – Bukit Aman

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — COVID-19 vaccination centres (PPVs) have been urged to quickly inform the police if their centres are overcrowded to enable the police to make the necessary preparations.

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Zainal Abidin Kasim said the move was to ensure that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are adhered to.

He cited recent incidents of the breach of SOPs at the KLCC PPV and Rumah Prihatin @ Grand Seasons that went viral on social media.

He said the congestion at Rumah Prihatin @ Grand Seasons was due to a misunderstanding that the premises provided walk-in COVID-19 vaccination for foreign workers.

“It would have been better if the public who had witnessed the incident report the matter to us quickly instead of recording it,” he said to Bernama.

Zainal urged the public to not viral any incidents of non-compliance of the SOPs that could lead to public disturbance, adding that they can always contact the emergency number 999 for assistance.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Thermal drone to be used to detect open burning in Revolusi Hijau, Johan Setia

SHAH ALAM, Aug 13 –The Department of Environment (DOE) will use thermal drone technology to detect open burning during the night in the Revolusi Hijau area, Johan Setia, Klang near here.

Selangor Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs Permanent Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian said the use of the technology was among recommendations made at the Environment Permanent Committee Meeting, which he chaired yesterday, to discuss solutions to address issues on open burning in the area.

“Most areas in the country are experiencing hot and dry weather due to the low rainfall following the southwest monsoon season which is expected to end in mid-September.

“Several incidents of bush fires in the Revolusi Hijau area, Johan Setia, have caused a deterioration in air quality, as well as haze, in the vicinity since July 18 to 29,” he said in a statement today.

Hee said the meeting also decided to mobilise members of the Malaysian Volunteer Department, in addition to patrols by existing enforcement agencies, to carry out daily monitoring in the Johan Setia area and to report any open burning activities to the authorities for further action.

He said other recommendations decided at the meeting included on preparing a proposal paper for the construction of an observation tower to detect open burning in the area by the Selangor State Disaster Management Unit, implementation of the Sustainable Land Management Programme towards zero burning, which is targeted at farmers registered with the Agriculture Department and empowering the fire volunteer squad under the Johan Setia Village Community Management Council (MPKK) with the collaboration of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department.

“The assistance of the Royal Malaysia Police will also be requested to carry out arrest and patrol in the Johan Setia area to create a ‘perception of being caught (POBC)’ among farmers so that they will not carry out open burning,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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REHDA hopes for better dialogue on changes in MM2H

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 13 — The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (REHDA) hopes the government is open for a better dialogue with real estate players with regards to changes in the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme.

Penang REHDA chairman Tan Hun Beng said while it welcomes the decision to reactivate the MM2H programme, several changes made to the policy might scare off potential applicants and existing holders.

“There is a steep competition between Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore; foreigners have many options and in order to attract them here, we must ensure the ease of application.

“There should be a better dialogue between us and the relevant authorities on how to make it work before any final decisions are made,” he told reporters here today.

Also present was the state’s Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, who said that this programme had benefitted the country with the presence of 57,748 MM2H holders throughout Malaysia, contributing RM11.98 billion to the economy annually.

Jagdeep said one of the changes to the policy that raised concerns was that the participants need to make an asset declaration and prove that they own liquid assets of at least RM1.5 million, which is a significant amount compared with RM350,000 and RM500,000 according to respective categories, previously.

Meanwhile, commenting on the progress of Penang Saring COVID-19 (PSC-19), he said the programme had recorded registrations of 35,000 individuals for voluntary COVID-19 screening and was expected to reach its target of screening 40,000 individuals by Sunday.

“Of the 35,000 individuals that have registered, 29,876 have been screened and 3.12 per cent or 935 individuals were detected to be positive COVID-19,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency