Day: November 1, 2021

— Today’s Dewan Rakyat sitting is expected to focus on the issue of the establishment of the Children’s Commission Act as an independent body with specific jurisdiction to protect the rights and welfare of children in Malaysia.

According to the Order Paper today, the matter is scheduled to be raised during a question and answer session by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) to the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development.

During the Ministers’ Question Time, Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (PH-Kuching City) is set to ask the Minister of Transport on the government’s measures to control airfare hikes.

Steven Choong Shiau Yoon (Bebas-Tebrau) is slated to ask the Home Minister about the sectors that are allowed to accept new foreign workers and the number of foreign workers for each sector.

After the question and answer session, government and opposition MPs will continue the debate on the Supply Bill 2022 tabled by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz on Friday.

The current meeting of the Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to take place until Dec 16.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

After almost two years of worldwide travel restrictions, Malaysia is sending a strong message to promote the country as a safe holiday destination when participating in the World Travel Market (WTM) 2021 which began today, according to Tourism Malaysia.

In a statement, it said that at WTM 2021, tourism industry players around the world will get the latest information on travelling to Malaysia, especially the first international tourism bubble to Langkawi for fully vaccinated international tourists with no quarantine required beginning Nov 15.

“Tourism Malaysia believes that WTM serves as an important platform to introduce Malaysia’s new and upcoming tourist attractions that meet the needs of the UK and Europe markets,” the statement added.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Zainuddin Abdul Wahab is optimistic that this year, which is Tourism Malaysia’s 40th year in WTM, will enable the agency to reconnect with its partners and forge new relationships.

“WTM continues to be an important platform for us (Tourism Malaysia ) to promote Malaysia’s extensive tourism offering and to introduce new and upcoming tourist attractions that we believe appeal to the European market,” he said.

The High Commissioner-designate of Malaysia to the United Kingdom, Zakri Jaafar, said through this event, Malaysia looks forward to restoring confidence among international travel agencies to promote and sell the country’s tourist attractions.

“Our participation will provide an opportunity for tourism industry players from around the world to get the latest information on travelling to Malaysia,” he said.

The statement said WTM 2021 welcomes its attendees physically in ExCel London from today until Nov 3, before the virtual meeting on Nov 8 and 9 through the WTM London virtual platform.

Tourism Malaysia will be joined on the stand by partners from Pahang and private sector representatives from Malaysia Airlines and Berjaya Hotels.

“Virtually, a total of 10 organisations will be taking part through the event, comprising four tour operators, two state tourism boards, three hotels and resorts and one product owner,” said Tourism Malaysia.

The statement said Tourism Malaysia is also working with international airlines to increase connectivity to Malaysia.

Currently, Malaysia Airlines is operating twice weekly for flights from London to Kuala Lumpur until the end of December 2021. The frequency is expected to increase to five times weekly between January and March 2022, the statement added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali wants the people to form their own judgement on those who rejected any form of cooperation with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in the Melaka state election on Nov 20.

Mohamed Azmin, who is a member of Bersatu Supreme Council and Perikatan Nasional (PN) election director, said the coalition initiated the cooperation for the sake of the people and the interests of the state.

“That is their choice (refusing to negotiate with Bersatu). Let the people make their own judgment on the attitude and statements of those who refused to cooperate,” he said when met at the Gombak parliamentary constituency’s Deepavali 2021 get-together, here tonight.

Today, several UMNO divisions in Melaka ruled out any form of cooperation between Umno and Bersatu in the upcoming state election.

Tangga Batu UMNO division chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad, who represented the group, said the decision was made to respect the wishes of the grassroots in addition to other factors that made the cooperation impossible.

Mohamed Azmin, who is also PN’s information chief said the coalition is always ready to negotiate cooperation, especially with the parties that formed the federal government.

However, he stressed that time was not on their side, thus preparations must be made at the grassroots level, especially involving seat distribution, candidates and the election machinery.

“This matter needs to be streamlined as soon as possible so that our machinery can act more effectively and efficiently and our actions do not cause the people to be confused about the direction, future of the country and the state,” he said.

He said the cooperation formed last year through the PN coalition had resulted in many successes for the country in the face of health and economic crises, adding that the cooperation should be continued in the Melaka state election.

The EC set has the nomination date for the Melaka state election on Nov 8, followed by early voting on Nov 16 and polling date on Nov 20.

The election is being held following the dissolution of the Melaka State Assembly on Oct 4, when four state assemblymen withdrew their support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency