Three main mosques to recite Qunut Nazilah for Palestinians – Jakim

PUTRAJAYA, April 20 (Bernama) — Beginning tonight, three main mosques namely the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, the Putra Mosque and the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque will recite Qunut Nazilah (prayer of supplication seeking protection from harm) during the witir prayers.

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) director-general Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yusoff in a statement said recitation of Qunit Nazilah is an initiative specifically for security and peace in Palestine.

“The conflict in Palestine has been going on for a long time. And now, the Al Aqsa mosque is under siege just when Muslims are focusing on worship in this holy month of Ramadan,” she said.

Hakimah said Jakim also sought the cooperation of state Islamic religious councils and state Islamic religious departments to jointly recite Qunut Nazilah in mosques and surau under their supervision.

More than 100 Palestinians were reported wounded in clashes between the Israeli army and the Palestinians when the former invaded the grounds of the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem after the Subuh prayers on Friday, April 15.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Winning Gold Award in Dubai proof of govt’s commitment towards sustainability – PM

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) — The achievement of Malaysia Pavillion in bagging the Gold Award in conjunction with the Expo 2020 Dubai Pavilion Awards reflects the country’s success in delivering on its commitment to sustainability by maintaining biodiversity internationally.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the award was also an international testimony of the programmes at the Malaysia Pavillion, in line with the pavilion’s rainforest canopy theme, concept and design.

This included adopting various natural concepts like waterfalls, vertical gardens and other natural elements.

“Congratulations Malaysia Pavilion. On March 30, Malaysia Pavilion won the Gold Award for the Theme Interpretation category hosted by Bureau International des Expositions,” Ismail Sabri said in a post on his official Facebook page today.

Bearing the theme of ‘Energising Sustainability’, the Malaysia Pavilion tells how socio-economic progress can happen without sacrificing the environment, with the people building towards a sustainable future.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Retail prices of RON97, RON95, diesel unchanged

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) — The retail prices for RON97 and RON95 petrol and diesel will remain unchanged from tomorrow until April 27.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF), in a statement today, said the retail prices of RON 97 and RON 95 petrol will remain unchanged at RM3.81 and RM2.05 per litre respectively while the price of diesel remains at RM2.15 per litre.

“To protect consumers from the effects of the actual increase in oil prices in the global market, the government has maintained the retail price of RON95 petrol at a ceiling price of RM2.05 per litre and diesel at RM2.15 per litre.

“… even though the actual market price for both products has risen above the set ceiling price, as can be seen from the retail price of RON97 that has been set according to market price,” the statement read.

The new price is based on the weekly retail price of petroleum products in accordance with the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) formula.

The MOF added that the government will continue to monitor the impact of changes in world crude oil prices and take appropriate measures to ensure the welfare and well-being of the people continue to be safeguarded.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

K-KOMM Puspanita distributes 2,000 packs of bubur lambuk

PUTRAJAYA, April 20 (Bernama) — Some 2,000 packs of bubur lambuk (savoury porridge) were distributed to the staff of the Communications and Multimedia Ministry (K-KOMM) through the ‘Seri Ramadan Bubur Lambuk Resepi Istimewa’ programme today.

The programme, organised by the ministry’s branch of the National Association of Wives of Civil Servants and Women Civil Servants (PCK-KOMM), was led by its chairman, Datin Seri Hairani Mohd Tajudin.

The porridge was prepared using the special recipe of Hairani’s late mother who hailed from Penang, at the ministry’s complex here.

K-KOMM secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek who is also PCK-KOMM adviser was present to help stir the porridge at about noon, before distributing them to the staff.

In his speech, Mohammad said the annual programme involved the cooperation of agencies under the ministry and was the result of the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) aspiration, aimed at strengthening the bond between all agencies.

“I would like to thank all PCK-KOMM members for their commitment and hard work in cooking five pots of bubur lambuk since this morning,” he said.

The programme was also attended by the staff of agencies under the ministry such as the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Information Department, Tun Abdul Razak Institute of Broadcasting and Information (IPPTAR) and the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Johor to continue monitoring, auditing childcare centres

JOHOR BAHRU, April 20 (Bernama) — The Johor government through the state Social Welfare Department (JKM) will continue to monitor and audit all childcare centres throughout the state.

Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said special focus would be given to centres for children with special needs.

“The Johor government views seriously cases of abuse, violence or exploitation of children.

“I will ensure that the state government through the state JKM monitors and audits all childcare centres in Johor,” he said in a post on his Facebook page today.

He also hoped that the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other agencies involved, could give full cooperation to ensure that all childcare centres in the state operate legally and the children at the centres are well taken care of.

Yesterday, the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, made three proposals to the government to prevent the recurrence of abuse cases, like the one involving Bella, a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome.

Tunku Ismail, through a meeting with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun at the Royal Johor Polo Club here, said he planned to propose to the government to immediately improve laws, such as the Child Act 2001.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Khairy renews call for youth smoking ban bill to be passed in Dewan Rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) — Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin once again calls for the bill on youth smoking ban to be passed when it is tabled in Dewan Rakyat this July.

Khairy in a tweet today said a new law would be a generational end game to smoking.

“Those born after 2005 will not be able to buy smoking products, ever. Yes, enforcement will be an issue and we will work hard on this. But let’s shut the door shut once and for all for our youth,” he said.

His posting came with a retweet of a post by a local news organisation regarding the smoking ban bill which reported a survey conducted by a non-governmental organisation for tobacco control showed the policy was also supported by 95 per cent of the young respondents aged 24 and below and 89 per cent of smokers and vapers.

In March, Khairy said a new law to ban smoking activities and the possession of any smoking products, including electronic cigarettes (vaping), for those who were born after 2005, will be tabled in Dewan Rakyat in July.

On Feb 17, he announced the introduction of the law, aimed at reducing the exposure of future generations to cigarettes and smoking products, as their consumption is a major factor in cancer incidence and accounts for 22 per cent of cancer deaths.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Environmental issues focus of N. Sembilan State Assembly sitting

SEREMBAN, April 20 (Bernama) — The Negeri Sembilan government is urged to take more proactive measures in dealing with environment-related issues, especially floods and water disruptions in several districts in the state.

Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohd Redza (BN-Linggi) called on the government to take swift action in addressing flood problems around Linggi, as the disaster affected the income of traders who had to spend one month doing the clean-up work.

“Besides that, the people of Linggi often experienced water disruptions and we hope that this problem can be reduced. Repair works need to be done in a more organised manner so that consumers can make early preparations.”

He said this when debating the motion of thanks for the royal address at the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 14th State Assembly here.

Datuk Yek Diew Ching (he) (PH-Chuah) also raised the issue of water disruptions in Port Dickson, which are caused by low water pressure, and murky water at the Sungai Linggi water treatment plant.

He suggested that the existing water tanks in housing areas around the district be repaired and the 30-year-old plumbing system in Port Dickson be replaced as soon as possible.

Sharing the same sentiment was Ng Chin Tsai (PH-Temiang) who said that the state government needed to set up a special committee to address the climate change issue which had caused floods in the state.

He urged the state Department of Irrigation and Drainage to be more proactive in providing suggestions to elected representatives on how to overcome flood problems in several areas.

“I would like to suggest for a water reservoir to be created in Temiang. The state government has huge reserves, it can be used for the benefit of the people in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yap Yew Meng (PH-Mambau) urged all quarters to play their roles in reducing pollution and at the same time, support the implementation of the “No Plastic Bag” campaign.

The sitting continues tomorrow.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency