Month: June 2022

PUTRAJAYA, June 29 (Bernama) — The Cabinet today decided to continue providing subsidy for chicken and not to float its price, capping the retail price of standard chicken at RM9.40 per kilogramme in Peninsular Malaysia effective July 1.

The Cabinet also agreed to fix the retail ceiling price of grade A chicken eggs at 45 sen each, grade B eggs at 43 sen each and grade C eggs at 41 sen each in Peninsular Malaysia, also effective July 1.

Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said in a statement that the government had allocated a subsidy of RM369.5 million for chicken and chicken eggs, bringing the total amount spent on subsidies to RM1.1 billion since Feb 5.

Previously, the government set the maximum retail price of chicken for Peninsular Malaysia at RM8.90 per kg for standard chicken and RM9.90 per kg for super whole chicken (slaughtered and cleaned without legs, head, liver and gizzard).

The maximum price of grade A chicken eggs was previously set at 43 sen each, grade B eggs at 41 sen each and grade C eggs at 39 sen each.

Ronald said the decision was taken after taking into account the Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM) announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently, through cash assistance initiatives including additional cash aid to the B40 group and some of the M40 group.

According to him, some 8.6 million BKM recipients have been approved with households to receive up to RM2,600 this year, which is the biggest aid ever given by any government.

The increase in prices of goods is an issue that is not just happening in Malaysia, but is a global phenomenon due to the supply chain disruption triggered by geopolitical conflict and climate change, he said.

“Nevertheless, the government is trying its best to set a price control mechanism to ensure the Malaysian Family is not burdened by the challenges of the cost of living,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) — Terengganu will be the fourth state to develop the electronic land administration system or ‘e-Tanah’ after signing a concession agreement of the system with the federal government today.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the development of the e-Tanah system for the state is expected to be completed in two years and to be in use by 2024 for a period of 12 years.

“The e-Tanah system was successfully developed through a public-private partnership in 2021 and used in Perak beginning Feb 11, 2021, while the Federal Territories on Oct 29, 2021.

“Apart from that, the concession agreement was also inked with the Selangor government and is currently in the development process,” he said in his speech at the e-Tanah System Concession Agreement Signing Ceremony between the federal government, Terengganu government and Puncak Tegap Sdn Bhd here.

Also present were Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Energy and Natural Resources Ministry secretary-general Datuk Rosli Isa.

Takiyuddin said the ministry aimed to complete the signing of the concession agreement with other states this year so that the development of the system in those states could start immediately.

Through the agreement, Puncak Tegap Sdn Bhd is responsible for implementing the project and bearing all development and maintenance costs during the concession period of 14 years, namely two years to build the system and 12 years of operation.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) — Under revised procedures for the management of remains of Muslim COVID-19 patients, the bodies can now be bathed and shrouded, with the adoption of precautionary measures, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy said the bathing and shrouding would be done by a trained mortuary operator at the hospital with the use of complete and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as avoiding aerosol-generating procedure (AGP) activities.

He said only two next-of-kin who were fully vaccinated and wearing complete PPE were allowed to help with the bathing and shrouding at the hospital.

“The MOH would like to announce that the management procedures for bodies of Muslim and non-Muslim COVID-19 victims have been reviewed to ensure they stay relevant with the current situation.

“This review is also in line with the Resolution of the Third Special Meeting of the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia in 2021 which convened on July 26, 2021,” he said in a statement today.

Previously, the procedure for handling the remains of Muslim COVID-19 patients allowed only ‘tayammum’ (dry purification using purified sand or dust) to be done without the need for bathing, it was to be managed completely in the hospital without the involvement of the next of kin.

Meanwhile, for the management of non-Muslim bodies of COVID-19 patients, Khairy said if the last rite procedure required a change of new clothes, the clothes could be placed on the body without the AGP procedure and only two fully vaccinated next of kin were allowed to participate.

In addition, under the revised procedures, only one body bag is to be used for each body, as compared to two body bags for one body previously.

According to the Health Minister, the MOH does not set the number of next of kin who can be involved in the funeral ceremony but they must wear PPE.

“The MOH also does not set the number of individuals who attend the ceremony, but it is necessary to wear face masks and avoid overcrowding,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) — Muslims in Malaysia will celebrate Aidiladha on July 10 (Sunday), according to assistant secretary to the Conference of Rulers Mohd Aseral Jusman.

“In adherence to the command of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, following the consent of the Rulers, on behalf of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, I hereby declare that 1 Zulhijah 1443 Hijrah falls on Friday, July 1, 2022.

“As such, Aidiladha (10 Zulhijah) for states in Malaysia is on Sunday, July 10, 2022,” he said in an announcement broadcast over Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) tonight.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, June 29 (Bernama) — The government has agreed to extend the licence fee exemption period for tourism operators and tour guides who applied for renewal from tomorrow (June 30) until Dec 31, 2022.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) in a statement today said the decision was made based on the government’s concern towards tourism operators and tour guides who are still affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This initiative is part of the assistance provided by the government to help businesses survive and help companies to rise again following the COVID-19 pandemic,” said MOTAC.

The ministry also said the fee exemption for licence renewal until Dec 31, 2021 involved 3,419 tour companies totalling RM5.676 million.

“With the extension of the initiative, MOTAC hopes that eligible tourism operators and tour guides will take advantage of the opportunity given to apply for renewal within the set period according to the expiration date of their respective licences,” it said.

Previously, the ministry had granted the fee exemption from Jan 1 to June 30, 2021, from July 1 to Dec 31, 2021 and from Jan 1 to June 30.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MAKKAH, June 29 (Bernama) — Malaysian haj pilgrims have been reminded to maintain their personal hygiene and keep the environment clean.

Malaysian Haj Delegation head Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Abdul Rahman said this is in line with the “Kebersihan Mencerminkan Kemakburan Haji” campaign launched today.

He said the campaign which had been held since 2017, including in Arafah, Mudzlifah and Mina received praise from the Saudi Arabia Minister of Haj and Umrah after it was implemented at accommodation hostels.

Through this cleanliness campaign, every Wednesday, the pilgrims will roll up their sleeves to clean up their rooms, surau and the common space.

“We can see that all the pilgrims are giving good cooperation and excited to take part in the gotong royong session at their respective hostels.

“This programme will also foster good ties among the pilgrims,” Syed Saleh told reporters after launching the campaign involving pilgrims and staff at Abraj Al Janadriyah which houses the Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) headquarters and accommodation for Malaysian haj pilgrims.

Syed Saleh said Malaysian haj pilgrims should preserve the culture of cleanliness practised by those who were here before them to maintain the nation’s good image and for Malaysia to be an exemplary model to other countries.

This year’s haj season saw 14,306 Malaysian pilgrims performing the fifth pillar of Islam and they will be assisted by 320 TH staff.

Meanwhile, last night, a total of 300 TH staff attended a yassin recital and hajat prayers for the smooth running of the Masyair operations in Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KOTA KINABALU, June 29 (Bernama) — Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has described her balik kampung trip to Kota Kinabalu as more than an act of homecoming.

She said the two-day trip starting today is an act of hope, respect and affection.

“Act of hope that my story and my family story can contribute to the relationship between the nation of my birth and nation to which I belong. The story can bring human and personal relations to strenghten the relationship between our nations.

“It is an act of respect to the place and the people, my family to have enabled me to be who I am to stand here this evening for you as Menteri Luar Negeri Australia,” she said here tonight.

She was speaking at a reception with prominent Sabahans in a hotel tonight, attended by Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, and Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Dr Justin Lee.

Wong said it is an act of respect for her grandmother Lai Fung Shim whose courage inspired all, and her father Francis Wong whose determination and ambition had provided her so many opportunities.

“It is also an act of affection for this place, for its people and its rhythms for Sabahan childhood Tanjung Aru Beach, Pulau Mamutik, Gunung Kinabalu, Bridge of Tamparuli, River of Tambunan, Poh-Poh (grandmother) mushroom chicken, and dad buys fresh fish and prawn for lunch,” she said.

All these memories and so many more live in her heart.

Wong said her story is a Malaysian story as well as an Australian story, the experience of migration so many Australians shared where they had been born overseas and have parents born overseas.

“When you walk down the street in an Australian city you see and hear this story, and I say to you this is modern Australia, this is today Australia, an Australia that understands that our prosperity, our security and our future is shared with yours,” she said.

Wong will continue her balik kampung trip tomorrow morning with a visit to her former school Kinabalu International School, and a walking tour to Luyang Chinatown here.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency