Day: November 15, 2021

SEREMBAN, Nov 15 — A total of 82 per cent of the 827 police vehicles at the Negeri Sembilan Contingent headquarters have exceeded their economic lifespan.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim, however, said the vehicles would be replaced in stages in accordance with the budget allocated by the government.

He said the vehicles were still road-worthy because they were being serviced and maintained regularly for police use.

“That is why we still use the ageing vehicles,” he told reporters after a ceremony to hand over vehicles to district police chiefs here today.

However, he admitted that it was costly to maintain the ageing vehicles, adding that this posed a problem as the assets had been in use for at least 15 years.

At the ceremony, a total of 25 Toyota Hilux GS Cargo vehicles and Go Auto Higer Ace vans were handed over to the Negeri Sembilan contingent. They are part of the 640 units distributed nationwide involving RM108 million for use during assignments like roadblocks and ferrying of police assets and other items.

In another development, he said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have, under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) tabled recently, received approval for the implementation of eight projects and 21 non-physical projects but were still awaiting the listing of the projects from the Home Ministry.

Meanwhile, state Police chief Datuk Mohamad Mat Yusop thanked the PDRM Logistics and Technology Department for always making efforts to maintain the existing assets despite the limited budget.

“Improvement efforts are continuously being implemented to meet the people’s aspiration who expect quality service that is quick and efficient,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — The establishment of the Keluarga Malaysia Foundation (YKM) which involves the opening of new offices, office renovation and emoluments for new staff, will not incur additional costs to the government.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said this was because the Shared Prosperity Delivery Unit (SEPADU) would act as the secretariat that would be supporting YKM operations.

“SEPADU will be carrying out the secretarial and coordination duties with the available resources and it does not involve other additional costs,” he said during the winding up session of Supply Bill 2022 at the policy level in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said YKM was established to complement the government’s efforts in protecting children who have lost their parents and guardians due to COVID-19 by focusing on their welfare and social development.

He also assured that YKM would not interfere or affect any other organisations, including non-governmental organisations that work closely to provide assistance to the needy.

Meanwhile, Dr Abdul Latiff said the government through the Malaysia Social Protection Council (MySPC) was developing a Social Protection Database (PDPS) containing profile information of Malaysians and social protection programmes from various ministries and agencies.

He said the PDPS would be the single gateway as well as the main source of reference for social protection programmes which cover elements of employment, social insurance and social assistance.

“PDPS for the Social Assistance Module is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022,” he said.

In another development, Dr Abdul Latiff said as of Nov 1, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) had paid the COVID-19 Death Management Special Assistance to 6,584 eligible beneficiaries with a total payout of RM32.92 million.

He said there is no due date for the aid which is channelled to NADMA COVID-19 Fund through public donations.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

ALOR SETAR, Nov 15 — Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) is targeting the arrival of 5,000 international tourists this year which is expected to help generate RM24.4 million in revenue, said LADA chief executive officer Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib.

The tourists will be arriving under the pilot international travel bubble which starts today.

Nasaruddin said preparations for the opening of Langkawi to international tourists are carried out by Kedah Health Office and LADA, adding that international tourists arriving on the island will have to undergo the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) screening.

“Monitoring of preparations at Langkawi International Airport has also been done and Langkawi Malaysia Airport Berhad has prepared special procedures to ensure everything runs smoothly,” he said in a statement today.

He said the special procedures were to avoid congestion as well as facilitate the process of receiving international tourists at the arrival hall.

Nasaruddin said no specific hotel has been selected as the COVID-19 Quarantine and Low-Risk Treatment Centre at present but the state Health Department has identified 118 rooms at 20 hotels that could be used to quarantine tourists who are confirmed positive.

“There are no direct flights from international destinations today. However, some international tourists will arrive via Kuala Lumpur International Airport but the number of tourists cannot be determined yet,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said as for the domestic travel bubble initiative, it has shown good performance with the arrival of 77,939 visitors with total revenue of RM80.3 million.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia (KKMM)’s Psychology Day 2021 is one of the efforts to enhance the resilience of civil servants, especially in matters relating to psychology in facing crises in the future.

KKMM Human Resource Management Division secretary, Nor Kamisah Che Daud, said that the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted people’s lives in terms of psychological, economic, social and political aspects, so resilience was crucial to handle the stress.

“For those who have a high level of resilience and self-control, it does not mean that they do not go through grief, pain and hardship, but handle those problems in a way that can stimulate positive elements, encourage strength and growth.

“Individuals who lack resilience, may become weak when faced with a crisis. They may face problems and use unhealthy prevention mechanisms to deal with life’s challenges,” she said when officiating the KKMM Psychology Day 2021, themed, ‘Mengukuh Ketahanan Mendepani Ketidaktentuan’ here today.

Organised by KKMM’s Public Service Counselling Associates (Akrab), the event was also attended by the chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi, and 162 other attendees, who were present either physically or virtually.

Nor Kamisah added that the Akrab programme was an initiative in human resource management, and was hoped to serve as the best platform for its members to share views and skills, as well as build their strengths slowly but consistently.

She said the role of Akrab was also in line with the concept of the Malaysian Family which included three main thrusts, namely, inclusion, togetherness and gratitude, thus being able to inject added value in restoring the country and weathering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am confident of Akrab’s role in providing assistance, whether material or non-material,” she said

Meanwhile, Ras Adiba said that such a programme was a platform and space to talk, thus reducing some of the pressure faced by KKMM staff.

“Since last year we have all gone through such a difficult situation as a result of COVID-19; many problems related to family, children, job loss and so on.

“With a session such as this and support from friends from Akrab, it becomes a space to talk and reduce a bit of stress… many people think we are all ok but it’s ok not to be ok – we must talk it out; don’t keep it all inside,” she said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUCHING, Nov 15 — The tourism sector in Sarawak has been showing signs of recovery since October, which recorded tourism receipts of RM47.48 million compared to RM42.5 million in the same period last year, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The state Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said the tourism receipts increased 11 per cent while the number of visitors rose 14 per cent to 20,926 people from 18,338 in October 2020.

“This is a positive development for Sarawak tourism,” he said after officiating at the “Stories From The Heart: Sarawak 360 Experience and the Old Court House” here today.

He said there were 19,310 domestic visitors in October this year, a 25 per cent increase over the 15,371 in the same month last year.

However, the number of foreign visitors dropped 45 per cent to 1,616 from the 2,967 registered in October 2020.

Abdul Karim said the implementation of compulsory quarantine was a contributing factor to the drop.

“I can understand why the figure dropped. The entry restrictions were imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 cases. As a result, no foreigners wanted to come here because they had to undergo the mandatory two-week quarantine upon arrival,” he added.

Abdul Karim said Sarawak needed to adhere to the proposal by the National Recovery Council meeting recently to open the country’s borders to international visitors by Jan 1 the latest.

“I think we in Sarawak must adhere to it. If the opening of the borders becomes a reality, it will enable tourism activities in the state to continue to recover,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, has asked Members of Parliament (MPs) not to politicise development issues in Sabah and Sarawak to the extent jeopardising the country’s peace and stability.

On the other hand, he said that all parties needed to work together so that the relevant agenda to bridge the gap between Sabah and Sarawak, and the states in Peninsular Malaysia could be realised.

Ongkili said that since Sabah and Sarawak formed part of the Federation of Malaysia, the special rights of the two states had always been protected, as provided by the Federal Constitution.

“I would like to emphasise that the federal government is always committed to ensuring that the 1963 Malaysia Agreement is implemented through the establishment of the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963, which is chaired by the Prime Minister himself.

“Obviously, the implementation of the matters discussed under the Special Council needs time to be implemented and therefore requires patience, and handled through a harmonious approach as a Malaysian Family,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2022 at the policy level in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said that the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 had previously agreed that the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2021, which among other things seeks to amend Article 1 (2) and Article 160 (2) of the Federal Constitution on the definition of “the Federation” be brought for the consideration of the Cabinet, and was tabled for first reading in Parliament on Nov 3.

Apart from that, he said that the special council also agreed that the deep-sea fisheries licensing empowerment initiative be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) to the Sabah Fisheries Department, following the Sabah government’s requests on fishing, sea fisheries and estuaries.

“This initiative is expected to be fully implemented, at the latest by this December. The Special Council also agreed that this empowerment initiative be extended to the Department of Marine Fisheries Sarawak, at the request of the Sarawak government during the meeting,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency