Day: October 24, 2021

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Sarawak secures RM15.7 billion in investments amid pandemic

KUCHING, Oct 24 — Caring for people’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic while managing the economy and maintaining the political stability of the state is not an easy task.

Yet, against all odds, Sarawak managed to secure RM15.7 billion worth of domestic and foreign direct investments, with some of the discussions being held only virtually.

Amid the pandemic, some of the potential investors had also been willing to come to the state and undergo a two-week quarantine to seek certainty and make a prompt decision about their plans.

It was at a time like that the Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Sarawak trade and industry officials had to answer all their questions and entertain the investors outside their working hours and even during weekends.

In an exclusive interview with Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) journalists Hamdan Ismail and Diah Mohd Jaiz here recently, Awang Tengah, who is also Sarawak Minister for International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development, shares the state’s recipe for success and future plans to enable Sarawak to achieve the status of a high income and developed state by 2030.

While detailing the challenges and hard work undertaken by the state government, the Deputy Chief Minister remains optimistic that all the efforts will benefit the people from all walks of life and that they will be able to enjoy better socio-economic development in the future.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Nation has lost an irreplaceable talent – Annuar

IPOH, Oct 24 — The passing of renowned film director Mamat Khalid at the Slim River Hospital today is a huge loss of an irreplaceable talent, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

“Condolences to the family of Mamat Khalid, producer, director and actor. The country has lost a talent that is irreplaceable. May his soul be placed among the righteous. Al-Fatihah,” he tweeted.

Malaysian Artistes Association (Seniman) secretary-general Hafiz Nafiah was reported to have said that Mamat Khalid, or his real name Mohamad Mohamad Khalid, 58, who was famous for directing films like ‘Zombi Kampung Pisang’ and ‘Hantu Kak Limah’, collapsed at his Sarang Art Hub cafe in Tanjung Malim before being taken to the Slim River Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to Hafiz, Mamat Khalid will be buried at a location in Ipoh later this morning.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun also struck a sad note on Twitter:

“Al Fatihah. May Allah place Abang Mamat Khalid among those blessed by Him.”

Several of his close celebrity friends also expressed their condolences and shock at the news, including actor Que Haidar, who wrote: “Among the earlier directors to recognise my talent. Al Fatihah to Abang,” and Sharifah Amani, who said: “Thank you Abang Mamat for the years of love and dedication towards your craft and country. You will be truly missed. May you be at peace there. Condolences to his family and dear friends. Al Fatihah”.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Mamat Khalid, a hero who sent messages on unity – Halimah

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 24 — National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique described film director, Mohamad bin Mohamad Khalid, popularly known as or Mamat Khalid, who died early today, as a hero who fought for unity through films which were watched by people of various races and ages.

She said the film director had left a beautiful legacy by sending various messages on racial unity in his great works.

“He was an artist that should be emulated by all. Art is a medium that can be used as a platform to unite the people of all races and ethnicities in the country.

“Just like the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee, who left a legacy of art for decades to the entire multi-racial community in Malaysia. I see Mamat Khalid like that too,” she said in a statement today.

Mamat Khalid, 58, famous for films which he directed, such as “Zombi Kampung Pisang” and “Hantu Kak Limah”, passed away at 12.30 am today at Slim River Hospital, Perak.

Halimah said works produced by Mamat Khalid contained social values , as well as on racial unity and togetherness.

She said the beauty of a film director’s work is when it is watched by the people of all races, apart from conveying positive messages.

“Mamat Khalid not only produced works that contain humour, but also got the community to have respect for others, love and help one another and be tolerant in the society. What what makes the art work valuable is when it also tells a story with a positive value and is remembered forever,” she added.

Halimah also expressed her condolences to Mamat Khalid’s family and hoped that they would perseverance over his loss.

“The passing of Mamat Khalid is also a great loss to the country, and I believe his works will live on and always remembered by the Malaysian community,” she added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Flood situation improves as number of evacuees drops further in three states

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The situation in food-hit areas in Selangor, Melaka and Perak has continued to improve, with the number of evacuees and relief centres (PPS) dropping further today.

In SELANGOR, the National Disaster Control Centre portal said the number of PPS in Sepang has dropped from six yesterday to three at 8.28 am today, housing 55 flood victims from 15 families.

The three PPS are at Sekolah Rendah Agama Kampung Giching (34 victims), Sekolah Rendah Agama Kampung Labu Lanjut (20 victims) and Balai MPKK Kampung Giching (one victim).

In MELAKA, the number of evacuees as at 8 am has dropped to 99 people from 29 families, compared to 305 victims from 83 families at 4 pm yesterday.

Malaysian Civil Defence Force Melaka director Lt Colonel Cuthbert John Martin Quadra said 38 victims from 10 families were still housed at the PPS at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tehel in Jasin.

“In Alor Gajah, 34 victims from 12 families were placed at the SK Durian Tunggal PPS, 19 victims from four families at the Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Sin Wah PPS and eight victims from three families at the SK Telok Berembang PPS,” he said in a statement today.

In PERAK, 19 victims from six families remained at two PPS this morning, after their houses were flooded since Wednesday.

According to the State Disaster Management Committee secretariat, the evacuees, comprising nine men and 10 women from Kampung Sungai Temelok in Trong, Taiping and Kampung Sungai Rentaka in Matang, were housed at the PPS at Sekolah Kebangsaan Temelok and Sekolah Kebangsaan Matang.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Nation’s creative arts world has lost a gem – PM Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has described the passing of renowned film director Mamat Khalid as a “loss of a star” to the world of creative arts of the country.

In a post on his Facebook account today, Ismaill Sabri said that the late Mamat was one of the nation’s famous producers and directors and respected in the country’s film world.

“Condolences to the entire family of Mamat and art activists of the country on this loss. May his soul be showered with the blessings of Allah SWT and placed among the righteous,” he said.

Mamat, 58, was reported to have collapsed at his cafe in Sarang Art Hub, Tanjung Malim at 12.30 am today before being taken to the Slim River Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Among his more well-known films are ‘Zombi Kampung Pisang’, ‘Hantu Kak Limah’, ‘Rock’ and “Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang’’, which was named the best film at the 21st Malaysia Film Festival in 2008.

Mamat, whose real name is Mohamad Mohamad Khalid, was a scriptwriter and film director besides being the younger brother of the country’s famous cartoonist Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid or better known as Lat.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Kelantan govt to table 2022 state budget on Dec 2

KOTA BHARU, Oct 24 — The Kelantan government is scheduled to tabled the 2022 state budget on Dec 2, said State Assembly Speaker Datuk Abdullah Ya’kub.

He said the date had been forwarded to the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, last week for his consent.

It will be tabled by Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob, he said when met by Bernama at his office.

On the state-level tabling of the Auditor -General’s Report 2019 Series 2 , Abdullah said the matter had not been set as the report needed to get the approval of the State Executive Council before it could be tabled.

The last sitting of the Kelantan State Assembly was held last Aug 23 to 25

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Sarawak’s demands over MA63 made in Malaysia’s best interest – Awang Tengah

KUCHING, Oct 24 — Sarawak’s demands relating to its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) were made not just in the best interest of the state alone, but also of Malaysia, according to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

He said negotiations to restore the rights of the state which may have been deliberately or indeliberately eroded was among the main agenda of the state government led by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

“We will continue to fight because these are our rights that should be returned to us. We are thankful that there is a venue to discuss this matter, with the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakib) resuming negotiations through the Special Council on MA63.

“Several of our demands have been fulfilled, and whichever have not, we are committed to continuing with the negotiations to resolve the issues. We will continue doing this, not only for Sarawak but also for Malaysia, so that our beloved country will always move forward with a strong spirit of unity and solidarity,” he said in a recent special interview with Bernama at his office here.

Awang Tengah said ever since the era of its fourth Chief Minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (now Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak), the state government has adopted a policy that focuses on efforts to develop Sarawak and improve the well-being of the people.

“From Tun Abdul Taib to the late Tok Nan (Tan Sri Adenan Satem) and now Abang Jo (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg), Sarawak has maintained its political stability and has a stable government, a government that has a policy of not wanting to marginalise any party,” he said.

Awang Tengah said with a society of different ethnicities and religions, it was evident that those differences had never been a weakness but rather a strength that unites the people.

He said the state government, through the Chief Minister’s Department, had also established the Unit for Other Religion (UNIFOR) to create a harmonious society, an effort that was welcomed by all communities.

“For Muslims, we already have the Islamic Religious Council and the Islamic Religious Department. We set up UNIFOR to create a harmonious society, living together even though we are of different religious beliefs. This move is very much welcomed by the people,” he said.

He also called on the people to work closely together and strengthen unity to ensure political stability as it was vital in creating a conducive investment ecosystem and environment.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency