Day: June 30, 2022

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Ceiling price for chicken, eggs a win-win solution – FOMCA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) — The new government ceiling price for chicken and eggs is a win-win situation for all parties, especially farmers and consumers, taking into account the still unstable market situation.

Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (FOMCA) deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said this was because the increase in the ceiling price of chicken and eggs will help farmers cover the cost of poultry and guarantees that buyers will not be burdened with overly high prices.

He said that even though there is an increase in the ceiling price on the two raw materials, it was still at a rate that did not have a big impact on consumers compared to if the price is floated.

“Some say if the price is floated, the price for chicken, for example, may reach RM15 per kg but this (new ceiling price) is not too high to cost consumers that much more.

“For suppliers (breeders) and traders, the (new) ceiling price may be acceptable because it can cover the cost of livestock production, so we (Fomca) hope that in this way (setting ceiling price), there is no issue of reduced chicken production. Instead, it should recover to the usual prices,” he told Bernama.

Yesterday, the government decided not to float the price of chicken but continued with the subsidy by setting the standard retail ceiling price of chicken at RM9.40 per kg for Peninsular Malaysia starting tomorrow, while the retail ceiling price of eggs for grade A was set at 45 sen; grade B (43 cents) and grade C (41 sen).

Previously, the maximum retail price of chicken and eggs for Peninsular Malaysia for standard whole chicken was RM8.90 kg and super whole chicken (slaughtered and cleaned without legs, head, liver and gizzard) at RM9.90 per kg; maximum price of grade A eggs was set at 43 sen each, grade B (41 sen) and grade C (39 sen).

Meanwhile, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Administration at Universiti Malaya, Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said the increase in the ceiling price was only temporary until supply and economy of the community returned to stability.

“On the part of the breeders, there may be some who will be a little disappointed because the profits earned are not too high but it (new ceiling price) will not last forever.

“I am sure the government will review the ceiling price since farmers are also contributors to the national economy but in the present situation, the government needs to think of a win-win situation because this matter involves the livelihood of the people,” he said.

Mohammad Tawfik said with Malaysians consuming an estimated two million chickens a day or 60 million chickens a month, the supply of chicken and eggs should be stabilised in the market with the government looking at other alternatives including using existing manpower resources to help farmers increase production.

At the same time, he hoped that the value of the compound under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, which was imposed on traders who defaulted on the ceiling price, could be increased in order to deter other rogue traders.

“Apart from the compound, there must also be an amendment to the rule (Act) for stiffer punishment. If enforcement is not strict and the rules are not sufficient (for deterrence) and the value of the compound is low and easily paid by traders, then we will not get anywhere,” he said.

For economist Dr Barjoyai Bardai, the government should have a forensic audit mechanism on chicken trading transactions as part of enforcement action so that a thorough investigation can be done on the supply chain if there is a supply disruption or breach in ceiling price.

He said this was important because retailers are the ones that are mostly affected by enforcement action for failing to comply with the ceiling price as their profit margin is not as big as enjoyed by breeders.

“Sometimes a retailer buys chicken from a supplier for RM8.80, then if he sells at RM8.90, it will not cover other costs. So retailers have to sell at a higher price while some charge a labour cost of cutting chicken which eventually results in a price of RM9.40 or more.

“This is of course illegal and if caught, it is the retailer who will be blamed as he deals directly with consumers while the supplier who has made a profit will not be fined. Therefore, there needs to be a thorough investigation to know who is taking the higher profit margin,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Highway Digital Network project enables Malaysia to become strategic big data hub

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) — The RM300 million Highway Digital Network project, which is expected to be fully completed in 2025, will make Malaysia a strategic big data hub in the ASEAN region.

Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the government had approved the project to construct and operate fiber optic cables along highways, to MSA Resources Sdn Bhd (MSAR), under the supervision of the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).

“This new telecommunications infrastructure, with low latency technology along the country’s major highways, will be able to provide users with seamless access to broadband traffic, at both the domestic and international levels.

“Cities and rural areas will be connected with a total of 4,000 Points of Interconnect (POI) which will enable high broadband coverage and will also contribute to the improved delivery of online public services, such as public health facilities, open access to education, and an improved transportation system,” he said at the launching of the project here today.

He said the availability of this digital network infrastructure, broadband network coverage, open access and competitive pricing gained by all telecommunications providers would benefit not only the local community but also small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other service sectors.

Fadillah said the project would also enable a shift for businesses to transform from face-to-face transactions to digital-platform businesses and reduce business boundaries from one place to another.

“Indirectly, the people will benefit by having a wider selection of goods and services at optimal prices and higher quality,” he said.

Meanwhile, MSAR managing director Saiful Husni Samak said the project would be built along the highway in Peninsular Malaysia in stages, through three phases of construction.

“The Phase 1 network is the installation of fiber optic cables from Johor Bahru to Bukit Kayu Hitam. The Phase 2 network will involve highways in the Klang Valley while the Phase 3 network will connect the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.

“Once these secured networks have been developed, Malaysian ministries and departments, such as the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police will be provided access while the LLM and concession companies under LLM will also benefit from the improved highway network services, such as free wi-fi facilities for their R&R areas and along the highway,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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‘Spectrum of the Sea’ port call a starting point, more cruise ships to follow – PPC Chairman

GEORGE TOWN, June 30 (Bernama) — The Penang Port Commission (PPC) hopes that the ‘Spectrum of the Sea’ cruise port call at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal on July 2 will be a starting point for other international cruise ship dockings in the future.

In a statement today, PPC chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said the port call of the cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd (RCCL) was one that had been awaited by various industries in Penang.

“I believe the tourism industry, as well as the downstream industry involved in tourism activities, will enjoy the benefits of this port call. It will not be the first and the last (port call).

“The Spectrum of the Sea port call this time is a starting point for port calls of other international cruise ships in the future. The Spectrum of the Sea itself will dock in Penang twice a week,” he said.

Tan said the Spectrum of the Sea, carrying a total of 3239 passengers and 1577 crew, would definitely boost the tourism industry on the island and in turn have a positive impact on Penang’s economy.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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PTPTN launches Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan 2022-2024

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) — The Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP) 2022-2024 launched by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) today is a guide for the agency to support efforts to strengthen governance, integrity and anti-corruption measures, its chief executive Ahmad Dasuki Abdul Majid said.

He said the anti-corruption plan, which outlined three priority areas, featured five strategic objectives and 12 action plans in total.

“Each action plan set has taken into account the need to enhance integrity, strengthen governance and empower anti-corruption efforts.

“The plan is also drafted comprehensively by looking at the issues and challenges faced by PTPTN,” he said in a statement here today.

The launch of the PTPTN OACP 2022-2024, which is the main anti-corruption policy document at the organisational level, was officiated by Ahmad Dasuki at Menara PTPTN here.

The event was also attended by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Assistant Commissioner (Inspection and Consultancy Division) Mohd Syahrul Ridzuan Yahaya.

PTPTN’s OACP was launched in line with Initiative 2.1.5. of the National Anti-Corruption Plan 2019-2023 under the 2nd Strategy, namely strengthening service delivery efficiency, by requiring the public sector to develop an anti-corruption plan at their respective organisations.

Ahmad Dasuki said as an agency under the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE), PTPTN was always committed to supporting the government’s aspiration to create an environment that is always free from corruption and abuse of power that can jeopardise the organisation’s image.

He said the launch of PTPTN’s OACP is also a continuation of the launch of MOHE’s OACP by ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar on June 1.

To ensure the plan’s success, he said the monitoring and evaluation aspects will be implemented by the PTPTN OACP Implementation and Monitoring Committee to oversee its performance until 2024.

Ahmad Dasuki said improvements in human resource management, administration, finance, comprehensive use of technology systems, monitoring and strengthening of work processes will continue to be given serious attention.

“PTPTN hopes that the OACP to be developed over a period of three years can be appreciated and used as a comprehensive and inclusive reference for all PTPTN employees.

“In turn, it will further increase integrity, efficiency and further enhance trust and confidence of clients for the services provided by PTPTN,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Media’s role crucial to present news in right context to avoid creating tensions – Shahril Sufian

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) — The media have an important role to play in ensuring that any news with potential to spark tensions is presented in the right context, said Shahril Sufian Hamdan, the Economic Director in the Prime Minister’s Office.

He said organisations like the Malaysian-Indonesian Journalists’ Association (Iswami) are in a special position to strengthen this task by serving as a channel of diplomacy for the people and media of the two countries.

“I believe it is with this realisation that our Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) last month announced the approval of a RM1 million allocation to ensure Iswami (Malaysia) can implement activities to strengthen the long-established ties between the media of Malaysia and Indonesia as well as other neighbouring countries.

“The allocation given is seen as capable of helping Iswami in planning cooperation programmes for the media of the two countries. The special cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia must be constantly strengthened to a level that can truly realise its potential and keep it relevant to current challenges,” he said.

He was speaking at a dinner held by the Economic Director of the Prime Minister’s Office for an Indonesian media delegation here tonight.

Also present were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) acting chief executive officer Roslan Ariffin, Iswami advisor Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab and Iswami Malaysia president Datuk Mokhtar Hussain.

Meanwhile, in his welcoming speech, Roslan said Bernama will continue to organise the National Journalists Day (HAWANA) celebration on May 29, 2023 with the support of other media, adding that media friends from Indonesia were definitely on the guest list.

He said the invitation was on the basis of solidarity and it was only appropriate that this comradeship be celebrated as all journalists take on a similar role.

“The most important role is for our motherland, which means Indonesian journalists take care of Indonesia, Malaysian journalists take care of Malaysia.

“In actual fact, many conflicts, issues can be resolved at the negotiating table by both nations, not on leaders’ or ministers’ tables but on the media table itself as sometimes these conflicts can be petty but get amplified by the media for sensationalism,” he said.

The Indonesian media delegation is in Malaysia as part of a four-day programme organised by Iswami Malaysia beginning June 28.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Malaysia needs both climate change mitigation and adaptation plan – Greenpeace Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) — The effects of climate change are causing significant economic losses for Malaysia, undermining infrastructure and development efforts, and impacting livelihoods, says Greenpeace Malaysia.

The non-governmental organisation in a statement today said this was apparent with flooding in several states in December 2021 that claimed 55 lives, affected 125,000 people, left 50,000 cars damaged and broken down, as well as about RM2.6 billion in property damage.

“A recent study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and Greenpeace Malaysia reported that in 2019 alone, Malaysia lost almost RM303 billion (US$73 billion) due to ambient air pollution, mostly from power plants and industrial activities.

“Even worse, it is estimated that 32,000 people die each year due to air pollution in the country. Studies have also linked deforestation to increased flooding in Malaysia, and the latest KL city plan audit revealed that development projects have been causing increased flash floods and congestion.

“Such deaths can be avoided by climate change mitigation that will enable the authorities to implement more ambitious targets and policies for cleaner air,” it said.

According to the statement, mitigation also entails making older equipment and buildings more energy efficient, changing management practices and consumer behaviour, as well as redesigning the urban spaces and transportation systems.

In addressing these challenges and move towards becoming climate-resilient, it said the government must also prioritise a transition to a low-carbon economy.

“This means not just climate adaptation but reducing or preventing emission of greenhouse gases by curbing the use of fossil fuels and shifting to renewable sources of energy.

“Malaysia needs both climate change mitigation and adaptation plans – they are both equally important. An adaptation plan without a mitigation plan is like pouring the water out of a flooded bathroom without closing the tap,” it said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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SAR launched for boat with 13 people in Terengganu waters

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 30 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has activated a search and rescue (SAR) operation for a boat with 10 anglers and three crews which went missing in Besut waters.

Terengganu Maritime director Maritime Captain Muhammad Suffi Ramli said the boat, with registration number KNF 7040, left the Pengkalan Kubu jetty in Kuala Besut at 10 am last Saturday (June 25).

“The boat failed to return as scheduled yesterday and could not be contacted.

“The Maritime Rescue and Search Coordination Centre in Kuantan activated the SAR for the boat at 11.45 am today,” he said in a statement.

He said the seafaring community and the public who have any information on the incident should contact the MERS 999 line or Kuala Terengganu Maritime Operations Centre at 09-6224357.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency