Month: May 2022

MELAKA, May 29 (Bernama) — Malaysian journalists today unanimously called for the group to be given space to deliver authentic and balanced reports, in accordance with the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

This was among the five points of the Melaka Declaration 2022, read by the Berita Harian acting group editor, Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman, at the highlight of the National Journalists Day (HAWANA) 2022 celebrations here, today.

The declaration was then handed over to Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, by Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) editor-in-chief, Khairdzir Yunus, accompanied by Broadcasting Department director-general, Datuk Che Roslan Che Daud and Star Media Group chief content officer, Esther Ng.

Accompanying them were Sin Chew Daily editor-in-chief, Kuik Cheng Kang; Sinar Harian Group editor-in-chief, Rozaid Rahman; Tamil Malar Daily managing director, Datuk M. Periasamy; Media Prima Television Networks head of News and Current Affairs, Kamaruddin Mape, and Ahmad Zaini.

The declaration stated that in preserving and elevating the dignity of journalism, media personnel should be given the freedom to carry out their duties as well as possible, without hindrance or restriction from any party.

“In this way, journalists can prepare reports that uphold the values of integrity, as well as being relevant and accurate,” it read.

The declaration also stated that trustworthy and responsible journalism is an important asset in the development of the nation state.

“Therefore, journalism must maintain its function and role to monitor the conduct and governance of the country, so that the administration operates with integrity in all aspects,” it said.

Through the Melaka Declaration 2022, journalists also pledged that accredited media organisations should work together to combat the spread of fake news that could tarnish the good name of individuals, organisations and the government.

“The Internet expedites the process of delivering news and information. Social media has a huge influence on today’s society.

“Therefore, social media can be misused to spread fake news and information that is deliberately generated to grab the attention of Netizens and to become hot or trending issues,” stated the declaration.

The declaration also called on journalists to uphold the Constitution and the Rukun Negara Principles, because they were a part of the nation-building process and contributed to fostering inter-racial harmony and national unity.

Apart from that, the Melaka Declaration 2022 stated that as the bedrock in driving the direction of the country, journalists had a role to play in ensuring that integrity becomes a practice of national governance.

“This can thwart practices associated with abuse of power, breach of trust, corruption and malpractice in Malaysia,” it added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) — Terengganu’s decision not to ink the Water Services Industry Restructuring Agreement with Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) is final, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

He said instructions had been issued for all state government agencies not to hold any further discussions on the matter after this.

“Our decision is final. The state government’s assets are still with us so there is nothing to discuss.

“I told the Environment and Water Minister (Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man) during an Aidilfitri celebration yesterday that there is no further discussion at this moment,” he told reporters after officiating the Terengganu Foundation’s 50th Golden Jubilee celebration, here today.

Ahmad Samsuri also denied that the negotiation between the Terengganu government and PAAB on the matter were still ongoing.

Terengganu is the only state in the peninsula that has not yet joined the water services industry restructuring pact with PAAB.

Tuan Ibrahim was reported to have said that the Terengganu government would receive benefits if the water structuring agreement was implemented as accepted by other state governments in the governance of water services, including the disposal of rural water debts and the provision of funds to upgrade facilities.

PAAB, a wholly owned company under the Minister of Finance Incorporated that was established in 2006 is regulated by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) through the Water Services Industry Act 2006.

It is also established to assist the federal government in realising the National Water Services Industry Restructuring Plan by developing water asset infrastructure in the peninsula with a competitive financing rate.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KOTA TINGGI, May 29 (Bernama) — The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI), through the Malaysian Department of Chemistry, is developing an RM10 million mobile chemistry lab that will be housed at the department’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the mobile lab is expected to be operational at the end of next year and can be used to investigate cases involving chemical pollution that require immediate analysis.

“For this mobile lab, the development cost is RM10 million and it can be necessary especially for chemical-related pollution.

“So the mobile lab can be mobilised instantly throughout the entire Peninsular Malaysia.

“This new approach by the Chemistry Department will greatly help in ensuring safety,” he told reporters after officiating a Chemistry Department programme in conjunction with the Johor Chemistry Department’s golden jubilee at Kampung Semangar Dalam multipurpose hall, Kota Tinggi here today.

Dr Adham also said that his ministry was developing two mobile lab busses worth RM200,000 a unit that are expected to begin operations early next year and will be stationed at Johor Bahru, Johor and Bintulu, Sarawak.

He said Johor Bahru was selected as that pollution cases occurred frequently in that district while Bintulu was an oil and gas industrial area.

“This is a new approach and if it is successful in the two areas, we can expand to other areas and we will try to seek allocation from the government so that there is one in each state in the future,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

TOKYO, May 28 (Bernama) — Malaysia and Japan have agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a more comprehensive level while continuing with the Look East Policy (LEP) by establishing new areas of cooperation such as energy, smart city, environment and climate change.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Friday had proposed that the Malaysia-Japan ties be upgraded to ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and stated Malaysia’s readiness to continue with the Look East Policy which was well-received by Kishida.

Ismail Sabri said he and Kishida agreed to discuss further to coordinate in terms of upgrading ties.

“Malaysia and Japan will draft out clearer outline on the closer relations,” he said in a media conference in Tokyo at the end of his successful official working visit to Japan.

Malaysia and Japan upgraded their relations from Enhanced Partnership to Strategic Partnership in 2015.

According to Ismail Sabri, Kishida had visited Malaysia in 2015 as Foreign Minister and that year the status of Malaysia-Japan ties was raised from “Enhanced Partnership” to “Strategic Partnership.”

In the meeting held at Kantei or the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office on Friday, Ismail Sabri held bilateral discussions with Kishida to strengthen the long-established Malaysia-Japan ties and it was the first meeting between the two leaders.

Ismail Sabri and Kishida had made contact via telephone on Dec 2, 2021 and on April 20 to discuss enhancing Malaysia-Japan relations as well as on regional and international issues in which Japan and Malaysia have common interests.

It was also the first time Kishida played host to the Malaysian Prime Minister since taking up the post as the Prime Minister of Japan in October last year.

This year is also the 65th anniversary of Malaysia-Japan diplomatic relations and also the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy.

Ismail Sabri said he had also expressed his appreciation to Kishida for the support and assistance of Japan in the efforts to help develop Malaysia in the context of the implementation of the Look East Policy.

“We have stated Malaysia’s readiness to continue with the Look East Policy with Japan via new cooperation programmes such as energy, smart city, environment and climate change,” he said.

Ismail Sabri said in his discussion with Kishida, both leaders also agreed to step up cooperation in economy, trade and investment.

Jepun is also the fourth largest trading partner to Malaysia since 2015. Trade value in 2021 amounted to USD35.9 billion, increasing about 20 per cent compared to USD29.6 billion in 2020.

Japan is also the third-largest investor in Malaysia in terms of projects in the manufacturing sector.

Investment value from 1980 to 2021 was USD27.6 billion with 2,709 projects in the manufacturing sector implemented. In 2021, USD1.81 billion of investment was recorded involving 25 projects in manufacturing approved.

Ismail Sabri said he also assured Kishida that the process of setting up the branch campus of Tsukuba University in Malaysia would be finalised soon.

He said the Higher Education Ministry (KPT) had stated the technical problem relating to establishing the university has been resolved.

The intention to set up the branch campus of the Japanese university in Malaysia was raised in 2018 to give exposure and access to the system of education in Japan to Malaysian students.

“We gave our assurance that it would be set up soon,” said Ismail Sabri.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 28 (Bernama) — Some 800 participants are expected to take part in the Fun Ride Tour of the Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia or Malaysian Family Aspirations (AKM) Tour Programme in Terengganu from June 2 to 4.

Terengganu State Secretary’s Office corporate unit said the 25-kilometre cycling event would be held at the Terengganu Motor Circuit here, starting at 8 am and participation was free.

In a statement today, it said various attractive prizes are on offer, including a Modenas Kriss motorcycle, electrical items and hampers.

Registration can be made online at https://tix-explorer.bigtix.io/events/fun-ride-jelajah-aspirasi-keluarga-malaysia/FUNRIDE3, which will be open in stages on May 27 for the first 300 participants, followed by May 28 (400 participants) and May 29 (100 participants).

The statement added that the link will be open at 12.01 pm.

Each participant is required to wear a helmet and should be mindful of safety features to prevent untoward incidents.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency