Month: June 2022

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Govt to grant special permission for export of several chicken commodities

PUTRAJAYA, June 15 (Bernama) — The government has agreed to grant special permission for the export of certain chicken-based commodities, effective immediately, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) announced today.

The special permission is only for coloured broilers, including kampung chicken and black chicken; all chicken-based products; and day-old-chicks (DOC) parent stock, he said.

Starting June 1, Malaysia has stopped exporting chickens, namely live chicken, round chicken carcass, chicken meat cuts and chicken-based products to ensure the country’s continuous chicken supply and food security.

In the statement, MAFI said the decision to grant the special permission was made after the ministry convened a series of detailed discussions with the chicken industry players and breeders associations relating to the export ban.

However, the ministry stressed that the export ban for commercial broilers, round chicken, chicken cuts and DOC would remain in effect.

“Physical control at all exit points will continue to be implemented by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) and any activity to export the commodities is not allowed.

“The export consignment of the commodities must be properly managed by the permit holder,” MAFI said.

It said the government viewed seriously any abuse of the special permission.

“Any breach of this special permission, action under subsection 11(2) and 11(3) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) will be taken and if found guilty, one is liable to a maximum fine of RM100,000, jail up to six years, or both.

“The government will continue to monitor the country’s chicken supply, which is improving and expected to stabilise from this month onwards,” it said.

On May 23, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said exports of up to 3.6 million chickens will be stopped from June 1 until chicken prices and production stabilise and this was as a short-term measure for the ongoing chicken shortage issue.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Land acquisition for Sungai Baru redevelopment project must continue – PKB

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) –The land acquisition for the Sungai Baru, Kampung Baru redevelopment project must continue as it has met the legal requirements under the Land Acquisition Act (APT) 1960 although some owners are against it.

Kampong Bharu Development Corporation (PKB) in a statement today informed that if the land acquisition process is discontinued the government must be prepared to bear all the losses incurred by the developer and the owners involved.

According to the statement, the losses include RM50 million land acquisition deposit payment to the Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG), RM30 million for cost of providing transit and rental houses to residents until the replacement houses are completed, relocation costs for residents returning to their original homes as well as costs of repairing homes that have been abandoned for six years.

PKB said based on APT 1960 , no percentage of landowner consent is required before any land acquisition is implemented.

“However, in the Kampung Bharu redevelopment programme, the Ministry has stipulated that redevelopment can only be considered if the developer managed to obtain a threshold value of at least 50 per cent of the property owners’ consent to safeguard the interests and welfare of the residents involved,” read the statement.

According to PKB, the land acquisition for the Sungai Baru redevelopment project was gazetted under Section 8 of APT 1960 on June 21, 2021 involving 37 terrace lots, 72 flat units and one Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) electrical substation lot.

“To date, a total of 291 lots (27 terrace lots and 264 flat units) representing 88.72 per cent have agreed to this redevelopment project.

“At the same time, the developer also continued to hold engagement sessions with the 37 terrace house lot owners but have failed to get their cooperation,” he said.

Earlier, former Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abd Samad was reported to have set up a committee comprising lawyers to challenge the gazette on acquisition of residents’ land in Kampung Sungai Baru, Kampung Baru, here.

Meanwhile, Kampung Sungai Baru Property Owners Association chairman, Zulfakar Wahid requested that the second hearing on the land acquisition, which was postponed since December last year, be continued so that the over five-year wait to return to live in the heritage village would end soon.

Zulfakar said it was unfair to ‘entertain’ the voice of the minority who only represented 11 per cent while the other 89 per cent who had given their approval were required to wait longer to move into a new house.

“We, who have agreed have been living in the transit houses (at the Kerinchi Residence) for more than five years. It is unfair for us to wait any longer just because the 37 units do not agree,” he said.

Meanwhile, developer Ritzy Gloss Sdn Bhd director, Abdul Hadi Ahmad denied the allegation that the compensation offer was not competitive and the owners were not given the chance to negotiate.

“There is no issue of shortchanging the owners … in fact, through land acquisition, they can only get five per cent (compensation value), but the developer was generous enough to offer what they have agreed on,” he said adding that all procedures were in accordance with the law.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Everest climbers must have authentic proof – Muqharabbin

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) — All climbers who claim to have successfully conquered Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, must furnish authentic proof such as photographs or videos before they can call themselves Everest climbers.

Malaysia’s first Grand Slam explorer, Datuk Muhamad Muqharabbin Mokhtarrudin said the evidence must also be verified by the accompanying sherpa and an officer from Nepal’s Ministry of Tourism, besides a certificate received from the ministry.

He said over 20 climbers from Malaysia had succeeded in climbing to the top of Everest since 1979.

“However, there is a dispute over several climbers who call themselves Everest climbers although they only reached the Everest Base Camp.

“In fact, some claimed they have climbed Everest more than twice but have no evidence in the form of photographs or videos,” he said in a statement, here, today.

“It is not easy to climb Everest as it can cost between RM160,000 and RM200,000, as well as RM80,000 to RM150,000 for training as it entails physical training and mental preparation by climbing other snow-covered mountains first.

“Don’t be ashamed to admit failure rather than lying to others, especially Malaysians for the sake of earning respect and honour, but wrongfully,” he said.

Muhamad Muqharabbin completed a series of climbs to the seven highest peaks in the world between 2010 and 2014 and had skied at the North Pole Last Degree and in the South Pole between 2017 and 2018.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Syarie Legal Profession Act to be enforced from June 21 – Idris

PUTRAJAYA, June 15 (Bernama) — The Syarie Legal Profession (Federal Territories) Act 2019 [Act 814] will be enforced beginning June 21, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad said.

In a statement today, he said the act was passed in the Dewan Rakyat on July 15, 2019 and in the Dewan Negara 16 days later.

He said the setting of the enforcement date for the Syarie Legal Profession Act 2019 and the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) (Amendment) (No.2) Act 2019 [Act 1606] was gazetted on June 9.

It was given consent by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on May 27 and signed by the secretary to the Cabinet on June 8, he said.

Idris said in line with the enforcement of Act 814, the Federal Territories Syariah Bar Council (BPS) was established under subsection 42 (1) of Act 814 which, among others, aims to promote and safeguard the interests of the Syariah legal profession.

He said it was set up with an aim similar to the establishment of the Malaysian Bar which regulates the legal profession in civil courts.

Pursuant to subsection 49 (1) of Act 814, the Chief Registrar of the Federal Territories Syariah Appeal Court shall, after the expiration of 30 days and not later than 60 days from the date of commencement of the act, call all members of the Syariah Bar Council for a meeting at any time and any place to elect 13 members of the council.

“I hope Act 814 will elevate Syariah legal institutions and strengthen the Syariah legal profession through the comprehensive regulation of the profession on par with the legal profession regulated under the Legal Profession Act 1976 [Act 166],” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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N. Sembilan Pakatan Harapan prepared for earlier GE15

SEREMBAN, June 15 (Bernama) — The Negeri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan (PH) government is prepared to face the 15th General Election (GE15) including the possibility of an earlier dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said this took into consideration the possibility of GE15 taking place after the tabling of Budget 2023 this year.

“This is close to the end of the State Legislative Assembly’s current term which will end in the middle of next year.

“If there is a General Election at that time, for instance, in November which is close to the end of our term, the state government will consider and decide.

“The six states will discuss and jointly decide whether the state election will be held simultaneously with the federal election,” he told reporters after a State Executive Council meeting, here, today.

However, Aminuddin opined that GE15 should not be held now so as to focus on tackling the problems faced by the people, especially the rising cost of living.

“I hope it will be at the end of the term after we’ve assisted the people, then we leave it to them in respecting democracy. We don’t want the people to feel disappointed and when come the General Election, they don’t go out to vote,” he said.

In March, Aminuddin reportedly said that six states including Negeri Sembilan were expected not to dissolve their respective Legislative Assembly if GE15 were to be held soon.

The GE14 in 2018 saw Negeri Sembilan, Penang and Selangor ruled by PH while Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah came under PAS.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Immigration Dept pledges full cooperation over arrest of seven officers

PUTRAJAYA, June 15 (Bernama) — The Immigration Department will give full cooperation to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to complete the investigation into the arrest of seven Immigration officers, said its director-general, Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud.

He said the arrest of seven officers for allegedly being involved in the irregular issuance of passes, immigration documents, and protecting foreigners was the result of cooperation between the department and the MACC, particularly in sharing information.

“We will give full cooperation to MACC to complete their investigation professionally,” he said in a statement today.

On June 13, MACC reported the arrest of seven enforcement officers and two individuals, including a foreigner, to assist in the investigation into a case of soliciting bribes amounting to over RM500,000.

Six enforcement officers, including senior officers, were detained in Sarawak, while another individual was detained in Selangor.

Khairul Dzaimee said the Immigration Department would not compromise with any of its officers and staff who abuse their power for personal gain and to obtain money easily.

He said legal action, including imprisonment and termination of service, would be taken against those involved if found guilty.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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UniKL to collaborate with UK licensing body on rail transport signalling control systems

PUTRAJAYA, June 15 (Bernama) — Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) will collaborate with the Institute of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE), an international licensing body based in the United Kingdom (UK), on rail transport signalling control systems.

The collaboration was finalised in a meeting between Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, who is on a seven-day working visit to the UK, and IRSE Chief Executive Blane Judd.

In a statement issued here today, Mahdzir said UniKL will sign an agreement with IRSE to allow the university to offer courses at the advanced diploma and competency certificate levels that are recognised worldwide.

Mahdzir said the collaboration will allow UniKL’s Asia Rail Centre to be appointed as the centre for offering professional development programmes in the field of signalling control systems certified by the IRSE.

The IRSE has also agreed to appoint UniKL as an assessment centre for professionals as well as signal engineers wishing to obtain internationally recognised certification, he said, adding that the assessment will be carried out by UniKL’s Asia Rail Centre and the IRSE.

UniKL is a technical university under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), an agency belonging to the Rural Development Ministry, that offers diploma and degree courses in railroad engineering.

Founded in 1912, the IRSE has 5,000 members from 53 countries and has 5,759 professional licensees in the field of railway signalling and telecommunications.

In the same statement, UniKL Asia Rail Centre dean and campus head Assoc Prof Dr Azman Senin said signalling control systems for rail transport is an area that has high demand in the job market that could benefit UniKL students.

“With the certification from IRSE, the graduates we produce can work and be recognised not only in Malaysia but also at the ASEAN level,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency