Day: April 12, 2022

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) — Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) today advised its depositors to be wary of various tactics used by scammers including phone calls regarding money transfers.

TH acting operations executive director Mohamad Ameen Abdul Wahab said TH had never contacted depositors for any matters pertaining to money transfers.

“TH took note of the statement by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) regarding the new tactics of the ‘Macau Scam’ syndicates involving the withdrawal of money from TH depositors’ accounts which are linked to conventional bank accounts.

“Cash withdrawals can only be done at TH counters through identity verification, online banking is controlled by password and Transaction Authorisation Code (TAC) while Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of TH’s strategic partner banks is controlled by Postal Index Number (PIN),” he said in a statement.

He said that depositors can also limit the number of daily transfers through internet banking of TH’s strategic partner banks as well as check account statements periodically through the Tabung Haji Online (THiJARI) application.

“Besides that, cash withdrawals from TH accounts cannot be done through the THiJARI platform while withdrawal or money transfer rules also cannot be carried out through phone calls.

“Telegraphic transfer instructions at the counter can only be made from a TH account to one’s own account. Therefore, the money in TH is definitely safe,” he said.

For further enquiries, the public can contact the TH Call Centre (THCC) at 03-62071919.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KOTA BHARU, April 12 (Bernama) — Despite being a tedious task, batik artist Ahmad Fathil Othman, 47, is determined to preserve this artistic heritage for its aesthetic value so that it does not become obsolete.

His interest in batik art since primary school had made him strive to be a batik artist as a source of income because handicraft art was very synonymous with the state of Kelantan.

“After completing the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, I started looking for a part-time job as my family was not well-to-do. Thankfully, at that time my best friend Hayuza Ibrahim, 46, offered me a job as a batik painter in a shop owned by his family.

“From there, my career as a batik painter began where I took about a week to master the ins and outs of painting methods,” he said when met by reporters at his batik studio in Bazar Tok Guru, here today.

Ahmad Fathil added after a year of working as a batik painter, he enrolled in an 18-month batik course at the Institut Kemahiran Baitulmal in Kuala Lumpur in 1997 to further enhance his knowledge formally in the art of batik.

He said, after successfully completing the skills course at level one, he focused on painting batik motifs because he realised that it has its own value not many people are able to see.

“The process of batik painting is quite complicated because it has to go through several processes including using melted wax to pattern the fabric, mixing the colours, sealing the colours and drying.

“Cotton fabric is my choice because it is easy to use because it can retain colour easily when painted. In fact, for each pattern, I will use wax in my batik pen up to seven layers to ensure the quality of the colour is beautiful,” said Ahmad Fathil who had won several awards including the Seri Endon Cup and is a Batik Craft icon 2021.

The father of two said, so far he has produced almost 2,000 batik motif paintings that are sold for as low as RM600 and can reach up to RM21,000.

“Each of these paintings will take around a week to produce and the longest takes over a month depending on the size and pattern, especially when using a special technique to create the most popular and long-lasting pattern.

“My artwork has also received requests from foreign tourists from France, the Kelantan State Museum, the Embassy in Dubai, as well as dignitaries such as the Minister of Finance, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz,” said Ahmad Fathil who had also participated in a series of international exhibitions in Singapore, Indonesia, China, Italy and France.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

IPOH, April 12 (Bernama) — A female student, Humaira Ahmad Fauzi, 14, who was reported missing after leaving her house at Desa Klebang Perdana, Chemor here last Sunday has been found safe in Johor.

Johor police chief Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said they received word from the Pontian district police headquarters that Humaira was found safe at Bandar Pontian Mosque alone at around 5 pm today.

“Humaira’s parents are also there now with the Pontian police. Further investigation into this case is being conducted,” he told Bernama briefly.

Humaira’s father, Ahmad Fauzi Ibrahim had lodged a police report at around 3 pm last Sunday with the Perak police.

Her sister Sabrina, 24, said when contacted by Bernama that Humaira did not show any change or behave weirdly except wearing stockings on the morning of her disappearance, stating that she did not want to be cold before leaving her home.

She said, Humaira, who is the fifth of seven siblings, was supposed to return to her school dormitory at Simpang Empat, Semanggol on Sunday after finishing her self-quarantine at home after being infected by COVID-19.

Humaira’s disappearance went viral on social media when her family members and friends sought the help of netizens to look for her and inform them should they find her.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, April 12 (Bernama) — Malaysian Nanotechnology Industrial Group (MNIG) will be established in the third quarter of this year to bring together nano industry players in Malaysia and be the voice of the local nano industry, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

He said MNIG would serve as a collaboration platform between nanotechnology companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as assist in inter-company coordination in the supply chain of nanotechnology products.

Dr Adham said the establishment of MNIG took into account the recommendations and needs of the industry, including obtaining views from the association, apart from the absence of nanotechnology research and development (R&D) associations driven by the industry at present.

“Hopefully, it (MNIG) will be the best platform towards the involvement of more industries in the field of nanotechnology to be able to penetrate the international market,” he told the media after holding an engagement session with more than 30 representatives of nanotechnology companies held hybrid here today.

Dr Adham said the engagement session was aimed at sharing policies, plans and activities of the country’s nanotechnology industry as well as obtaining views and feedback from the industry on the challenges and problems faced in the nanotechnology ecosystem.

According to him, the contribution of SMEs in the nanotechnology industry provides many socio-economic benefits to Keluarga Malaysia, that is creating 33,391 job opportunities besides contributing RM151.5 billion to Gross Domestic Product.

He said the Malaysian market had recorded more than 900 nano products worth RM381.8 million until 2020.

Asked what problems and challenges were raised by nanotechnology industry players in the engagement session, Dr Adham said two issues were raised, namely the lack of awareness among the community on nanotechnology products and technologies as well as the lack of raw materials.

“Most of the nano products developed in our country are exported. So we will be making efforts to bring awareness to our society about the importance of nano products,” he said.

Among the popular nano products in Malaysia is graphene technology used for the electric vehicle sector (batteries) and also as additive to lubricants.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) — The Public Services Commission of Malaysia (SPA) today said a total of 3,281 applications for permanent appointment to the position of UD43/UD41 medical officers had failed its screenings as the applications did not provide information on full registration with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).

It said in a statement today, that the applications involved also did not furnish the information on fields of specialisation which is a mandatory requirement for a permanent position with the Ministry of Health (MoH).

“A total of 1,587 applications did not pass the screening for specific conditions set by the MoH, including the requirement that candidates must be appointed by contract based on the MoH Secretary General’s Circular Letter Number 4/2016 and must have completed graduate training in or outside the country,” read the statement.

In addition, candidates must be contracted from 2016 to 2018 only, have never resigned from the position, have never been terminated and have never been subject to disciplinary action throughout the contract term and have never refused an offer of permanent appointment, it said.

According to SPA, other factors include failure in completing full registration information or filling out temporary registration with MMC as well as providing inaccurate fields for specialisation.

It said SPA received a total of 10,593 applications through its job registration system (SPA9) on March 16.

On the complaints made by candidates, claiming that they did not receive specific guidelines to fill out the application, SPA said it had agreed to submit a list of 3,281 candidates who did not pass the screening to the MoH for the final screening process.

“If the MoH finds that the candidate meets all the conditions set (as advertised), their status will be updated on SPA9 and will be called for an interview. Candidates can check the latest status of the application from April 22 (Friday),” it said, adding that the commission has also agreed to remove the full registration and temporary registration options from the application process.

It said candidates can channel their enquiries to the Medical Unit, SPA Recruitment Division at 03-8091 9000/9415 (office hours) or email to perubatanpg@spa.gov.my.

On Saturday, a posting by a social media user expressing dissatisfaction for failing SPA’s screening process in the application for a permanent medical officer position with the MoH went viral, claiming that there were no specific guidelines provided to candidates to fill out the application.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) — The Medical Cannabis Caucus (MCC) today held a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss policy issues related to the hemp industry, medical cannabis and ketum for use in Malaysia.

The caucus in a statement today informed that during the meeting, the Prime Minister had given a positive response to the issues raised, and that the matter would be dealt with in further detail in the Cabinet Meeting.

“This is an industry that is being actively developed by many foreign countries. More than 40 countries have already allowed the use of cannabis for medicine. The market value of this industry has reached RM60 billion. In fact, neighbouring countries like Thailand are also studying this industry for their country.

“The MCC believes that Malaysia has great potential and opportunity in this industry for medical purposes and research, and is able to provide great benefits to the country,” according to the statement.

According to the statement, the caucus also raised issues related to Malaysians charged in court and convicted of using cannabis for medical purposes during the meeting.

“Legal views were also the main concern during the official meeting just now. The MCC thanks the Prime Minister for attending the meeting.

“Close cooperation on this issue will definitely provide great benefit to the people and the country,” the statement said.

The MCC is a bi-partisan cooperation between Government and Opposition MPs, and is chaired by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Apart from Syed Saddiq, other caucus members present at the meeting were Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang), Khalid Abd Samad (Shah Alam), Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar Arulanandam (Kuala Langat), Datuk Ignatius Darell Leiking (Penampang), Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (Bandar Kuching) and Dr Azman Ismail (Kuala Kedah).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

GEORGE TOWN, April 12 (Bernama) — Local delicacies, including madu kelulut, pepper, palm sugar, salted ‘terubok’ fish and its roe, will soon be available in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia thanks to a strategic initiative between the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (TERAJU) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

The Sarawak products will be the highlight of Sarawak Week, at Husam Waksa Foodmarket Sdn Bhd, Jeddah in mid-April as part of a collaboration involving TERAJU, the Prime Minister’s Department and the Industry and Community Networking Division (BJIM), USM through the Sustainable Marketing for Community (SMART Community) programme under the Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Fund (DPUB) 2020.

SMART Community programme head, Syed Yusof Syed Kechik said DPUB Sarawak 2020 was part of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) and Third Rolling Plan (RP3) initiatives that aimed to strengthen inclusive development and the well-being of the people through the Quadruple Helix Model cooperation system involving government agencies, educational institutions, industry partners, and the public.

“By adapting this model, it has given a positive impact to Bumiputera entrepreneurs where locally produced community products have been successfully marketed not only domestically but also have penetrated international markets such as Saudi Arabia, Japan, China and the United States,” he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Syed Yusof said the ‘Kedai Asia’ was the first Malaysian business entity to successfully open a retail space at Menara Jam Abraj Al-Bait in Mecca and was the first Malaysian-owned retail shop in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states to not only have a physical shop, but also conduct business online through smart apps.

He said the sales margin of Sarawak products placed at Kedai Asia had also increased by 68.1 per cent to the current revenue stream and currently the store had an area of 430 square feet with over 1,000 products.

Commenting further on the organisation of Sarawak Week in Saudi Arabia, TERAJU Chief Executive Officer, Md Silmi Abd Rahman said the project, which focused on regional and B40 Bumiputera inclusion in Sarawak, benefited more than 233 low-income Bumiputera (B40) entrepreneurs in Sarawak.

“This is in line with the Bumiputera Development Action (TPB 2030) of the next decade’s Bumiputera Development Draft Plan developed by TERAJU and the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 (DKN 2030) that focus on the entrepreneurship sector as an effort to improve Malaysians’ living standards while utilising the entrepreneurial ecosystem offered by the government at its maximum,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency