Day: July 3, 2022

MAKKAH, July 3 (Bernama) — “Malaysian Haj pilgrims are indeed lucky … hats off to Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH)”, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Idris Ahmad.

This comes following the excellent service by the agency since the Haj season began, not to mention the special treatment given by the Saudi Arabian government compared to other countries.

He said, the commitment by TH is seen not only when the congregation are in the Holy Land but way before their departure, and TH’s commitment in caring for dhuyufurrahman (guests of Allah) should be appreciated by all parties.

“In a critical situation, TH staff still delivers, although we get the decision that the pilgrims can come to Makkah quite late. TH officers have actually been camping in their offices back home for a long time.

The comfort and welfare of the pilgrims is also the main target of TH to facilitate and ease the affairs of the pilgrims towards a mabrur (blessed) pilgrimage,” he said when met by reporters at Hotel Abraj Al Janadriyah which houses TH’s headquarters and accommodation for Malaysian pilgrims, today.

Idris who arrived for a working visit earlier was given a briefing on the operations carried out by TH during the Haj season of 1443 Hijrah and preparations before the arrival of the day of wukuf which is the peak of the haj pilgrimage which will be in five days.

According to Idris, the preparations for the masyair (massive movement of pilgrims) operation have been fully completed to welcome the pilgrims to Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina starting this Thursday.

“Support services such as medical are also at the best level and the services were available to the congregation since their arrival in this holy land on June 4,” he said.

Idris added that a total of 49 charter flights were used to bring Malaysian pilgrims through Malaysia Airlines and Saudia Airlines, and all 14,306 Malaysian pilgrims had reached Makkah.

The last flight arrived today at about 10.50 am Saudi time, he said.

“I would also like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the Government of Saudi Arabia for the successful implementation of the Makkah Route initiative.

“In addition, for having the faith in Malaysia as the first country to receive a hospital permit and also the first to choose the time for the stoning of the devil. This will definitely provide comfort to dhuyufurrahman,” he said.

During the visit, Idris also mingled with the pilgrims who stayed at Abraj Al Janadriyah and most of them expressed their excitement to perform the wukuf.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) — The Sarawak government is looking into various approaches that can be adopted as long-term solutions to the food security and inflation issues, said its premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said that such approaches were much needed as the country was facing inflation which affected the life of Malaysians, due to the country’s high dependency on imported goods.

“So, we have to tackle this issue (inflation) on a long-term basis and that is why the Sarawak government will, among others, build an agro park in various places within the Bintulu and Kuching regions.

“These agro parks are dedicated to transforming the agriculture sector so that it can be export oriented and not only for local consumption. I believe Sarawak has the strength in this as it has no problems with land, only that it must be managed well.”

The premier said this at the launching of the Kenyalang Biris rice and Carus white pepper at Lalaport, Bukit Bintang City Centre here, held concurrently with the soft launch of Sarawak Agrofest 2022 and Nyamai Sarawak Gastronomy Festival 2022.

Later at a news conference, Abang Johari said Sarawak was now limiting land use for growing oil palm as it wanted to focus on efforts in boosting the food industry.

He said that through the policy being implemented, Sarawak also placed importance on the use of technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT) in maximising agriculture output and giving added value to the food industry.

“If we look at the situation today, Malaysia is also getting the effects of the geopolitical tension despite being a food producer.

“That’s why (in Sarawak), we’ve conducted a brainstorming session, looking at other countries like Thailand and China in developing their respective agriculture sector,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MELAKA, July 3 (Bernama) — A clear explanation of the management of mosque funds to committee members is crucial, in efforts to ensure that there are no leakages or irregularities that affect public trust and the mosque’s credibility as one of the fund distribution platforms.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)’s Community Education division director, Datuk Razim Mohd Noor, said that his division will expand the Mosque Community Against Corruption programme nationwide, in an effort to provide a better understanding and enhance public awareness of fund management, especially among mosque committee members.

He said that generally, most malpractice cases involved a criminal breach of trust, which is a very serious offence and has a huge impact on society if it is not addressed at an early stage.

“We receive a lot of grievances and complaints from the community who express their displeasure and worry about the management of mosque funds. This is what we want to avoid.

“Through the Mosque Community Against Corruption programme, we will provide a briefing and explanation to mosque committee members on corruption offences and other aspects of corruption prevention that need to be emphasised in managing mosque funds,” he said to reporters after attending the launch of the programme at Surau Al-Mughni in Kampung Tersusun, Bukit Larang here today.

The programme, jointly organised by MACC, the Melaka Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) and the Surau Al-Mughni, was also attended by JAIM director, Datuk Che Sukri Che Mat.

Razim said that, through such an awareness programme, mosque committee members could streamline standard operating procedures (SOPs) in terms of the management of mosque funds, which was found to be loose and subsequently led to abuse of power as well as leakage of public funds.

“For example, the implementation of a project that uses mosque funds needs to follow transparent procedures and processes, because we do not want these projects to be controlled by members of the mosque committee themselves.

“This will create a negative perception among the community or the congregation members, which will cause them to lose faith in the committee members, and worse still, they decide to stay away from mosques,” he said.

He said that the programme will be implemented in stages with the cooperation of religious agencies and mosques nationwide.

Meanwhile, Surau Al-Mughni chairman, Mohd Noor Siden, said that the Mosque Community Against Corruption was a good approach, especially in the management of mosque funds, thus reminding mosque committee members to be transparent and careful in spending the funds raised.

“Often when we heard about the MACC arresting people who abuse their powers, corruption… but this time the MACC is going down to the field to be with the community, to provide knowledge or education related to corruption offences and related laws,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MELAKA, July 3 (Bernama) — Individuals or parties who are dissatisfied with the management of mosques and surau, including suspected misappropriation of the institution’s funds, can channel complaints or information to the Melaka Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) for further action.

Its director Datuk Che Sukri Che Mat, said the matter could be resolved at the JAIM level as immediate action would be taken in accordance with the law, without having to go through the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“JAIM noted that the MACC received various complaints through poison-pen letters regarding allegations of dissatisfaction over the mosque management and the management used mosque money arbitrarily but in Melaka there has been no misappropriation of funds thus far.

“JAIM always monitors the management of mosques in the state and we have integrity officers who will take action if they detect elements of malpractice or corruption,” he told reporters after the Mosque Community Programme to Fight Corruption at Surau Al-Mughni in Kampung Tersusun, Bukit Larang here today.

Che Sukri said apart from that, the mosque and surau committees in the state were asked not to keep the funds or public contributions obtained but to spend the money for the purpose of developing and enlivening the institution.

“JAIM has ordered the mosque to use the funds for the management of the mosque, for example, to improve the facilities of the mosque and repair leaking toilets for the comfort of the congregation.

“Don’t keep the funds because it is donated by the public to be spent towards the betterment of the mosque,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PASIR SALAK, July 3 (Bernama) — The Kenduri Rakyat, which was held to complement the last day of the Perak Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia or Malaysian Family Aspiration (AKM) Tour at the Datuk Sagor Circuit, Kampung Gajah here, today, was attended by over 15,000 visitors.

For this auspicious event, on the initiative of Pasir Salak Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, as the host of the kenduri (feast) and who contributed 10 cows for the purpose, a special traditional beef dish, known as gulai kawah, was prepared through “gotong-royong” and was served to the visitors.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad also attended the feast after visiting the AKM exhibition at the main tent.

A visitor from Penang, Sabariah Ahmad, 56, said she was delighted as the AKM tour programme here also included a feast which served the traditional beef dish.

“I hardly get to eat such a traditional dish, and me and my family are excited to be able to get a tasdte of this Perak traditional dish that are difficult to find in other states, and be at an event with the Prime Minister,” she said when met by Bernama today.

Sharing a similar sentiment is canteen operator, Amirah Borhan, 40, who said the kenduri rakyat was a change that needed to be continued in promoting tourism spots.

“When there is such a programme, visitors can experience traditional dishes, thus promoting tourist destinations in our country,” she added.

Meanwhile, the AKM Tour Programme secretariat, in a statement, said the three-day event, which opened its doors last Friday (July 1) attracted 35,155 visitors.

The involvement of 101 booths for Small and Medium Industry (SMI) entrepreneurs and the business matching programme also recorded RM5.1 million in sales as of 11 am today.

The JaminKerja Keluarga Malaysia Career Carnival, organised with the cooperation of 24 companies, offered 3,317 job opportunities. It saw 122 participants being called to attend interviews while 106 of them made it to the final screening.

Apart from that, the police, Road Transport Department (RTD) and Perak Tengah District Council (MDPT) summonses and compound payment counters also received encouraging response with 2,735 summonses worth RM329,605 settled as of yesterday.

The sixth AKM Tour will continue in Kelantan from July 22 to 24.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency