Day: April 21, 2022

SEPANG, April 21 (Bernama) — The latest edition of the Home Ministry’s Mushaf Al-Quran was launched today with improvements such as colour-coded tajwid rules.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the latest edition contained all six colour-coded tajwid rules as stipulated in the guidelines for tajwid colouring and was given added value in the form of colour for waqf sign (to stop and continue recitation) and ibtida’ sign (to stop and repeat recitation).

“I’m very confident that the improvement will make it easier for the people to recite the Al-Quran with correct tajwid,” he said when launching the KDN Mushaf Al-Quran here today.

Hamzah said the Mushaf Al-Quran had gone through all processes from review to obtaining the approval from the Al-Quran Printing Control and Licensing Board as stipulated in the Printing of Qur’anic Texts Act 1986.

The last time the ministry published the Mushaf Al-Quran was in 2014.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, April 21 (Bernama) — The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United States Embassy in Malaysia have been asked to notify the Human Resources Ministry of any investigation of forced labour so that solutions can be found before Malaysian products are blocked from entering the US.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said several Malaysian products had been subjected to export restrictions by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) due to allegations of forced labour, although the ministry has yet to receive any reports from the US on them.

“This has made it difficult for us to act against the employers.

“We have conducted investigations according to 11 existing forced labour indicators outlined by the ILO but were unable to detect any wrongdoing, so (we) have met with the ILO and the US Embassy so that any investigation by the US should be notified to us, otherwise we will not see solutions,” he said.

Saravanan was speaking to reporters after officiating at the handover of the 2022 Central Zone Trade Union Development Grant (GPKS) and the launch of a book on local trade union issues here today.

On the book, he said it would be a source of reference for employers, human resource practitioners and trade union activists as well as an academic reference in institutions of higher learning.

It is a collaboration between trade unions and academics using allocations under the 2021 GPKS.

Saravanan said the government had also increased the GPKS allocation this year to RM2.6 million to help more trade unions carry out activities, adding that a total of 315 applications were approved nationwide.

For the Central zone, which covers Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, a total of 74 applications have been approved valued at RM472,840, he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) — A viral circular stating that police will not issue summonses for those who fail to wear a mask in public in conjunction with the month of Ramadan and the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration is untrue.

The matter was confirmed by Bukit Aman’s management director Zaini Jass when contacted by Bernama today.

Meanwhile, Bukit Aman head of corporate communications ACP A. Skandaguru reiterated that the standard operating procedure (SOP) for transition to the endemic phase since April 1 is still in force and the wearing of face masks is mandatory in public places.

“Therefore, we will continue to issue compounds to anyone found to have failed to comply with the SOP under the Prevention And Control Of Infectious Diseases 1988 (Act 342),” he said in a statement here today.

He was responding to a WhatsApp application message which reminded senior and junior police officers to take note of an SOP issued by the National Security Council (NSC) in conjunction with Ramadan and the Aidilfitri celebration

Among others, the message said no summons will be issued to offenders who fail to put on their face masks.

The circular however said the monitoring team should advise the public to continue wearing their face masks.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) — Former Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ismail Adam died of a stroke at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre at noon today. He was 77.

This was confirmed by his elder brother Ab Rahman Adam, 83, when contacted by Bernama.

Ab Rahman said Ismail left behind his wife Datin Hasnah Abu Bakar and four children.

“The last time I met my brother was two months ago. He was a gentle and educated person. He graduated from Universiti Malaya in 1969 and was a highly dedicated civil servant,” he said.

Earlier, Ismail remains were brought to the Salahuddin Al-Ayubbi Mosque in Taman Melati for prayers before being laid to rest at the Taman Ibukota Muslim Cemetery.

Ismail had served as secretary-general of the Culture, Arts and Tourism Ministry from 1995 to 1999 and among his contributions was being involved in the planning for the construction of Istana Budaya.

The holder of a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University was the Health Ministry secretary-general from 1999 to 2000.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

LIPIS, April 21 (Bernama) — The Rural Development Ministry (KPLB) has allocated RM24.8 million to Felcra Berhad to carry out development activities to empower its 24,000 participants in Pahang.

Its deputy minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the allocation under the Rolling Plan 2 of the 12th Malaysia Plan will focus on efforts to bridge the income gap between urban and rural areas.

“In addition, focus will also be given to expanding basic infrastructure facilities including social amenities, human capital development, and increasing the income rate of rural residents.

“KPLB supports the implementation of more development projects that have a high impact on Felcra projects that benefit participants and society in areas surrounding the projects,” he said.

Abdul Rahman, who is also the Lipis MP, said this during a press conference after the Felcra Berhad Sungai Temau area breaking of fast event at Dewan Besar Felcra Berhad Sungai Temau here today.

Also present at the event were Felcra Berhad chief executive officer Datuk Mat Roni Zakaria and Padang Tengku state assemblyman Datuk Mustapa Long.

According to Abdul Rahman, Felcra Berhad’s commitment has changed the rural development landscape by improving the living standards and income of the rural population through land development activities.

As of March 2022, Felcra Berhad has successfully developed 224,130 hectares (ha) of estates on behalf of 107,000 participants covering 1,049 consolidation and rehabilitation projects as well as 33,145 ha of estates owned by Felcra Berhad.

In Pahang, it involves a total of 298 projects with a total area of farms developed in excess of 52,000 ha.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency