Month: July 2022

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) — Local actress Moon Nila, who has been recognised in the Malaysia Book of Records for playing the ‘most number of roles in a single drama series’, aims to inspire young talents by showing them that they need not take on sultry or sensual roles to succeed in the film industry.

The Malacca-born former nurse, who goes by her real name, believes that while female objectification and sexualisation still exists in the industry, women who hold strong to their values and modesty can still go far through dedication, hardwork and dignity.

“Throughout my film career I have never acted by wearing revealing clothes or engaging in any intimate scenes. I hold on to my conservative values inculcated by my mother. So, I strongly believe that women with dignity too can excel in the film industry provided that they have the dedication and work hard to come up in life,” she told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently.

Moon Nila, 33, was accredited with a local thriller series titled ‘Iraivi Thirumagal Kaadu’ where she played the character role of an old lady, fortune teller, rich lady, herbalist, demented girl, doctor, book seller, teenage girl and goddess.

With the award, she hopes to change the misplaced notion that women can only excel in the film industry by wearing revealing clothes or acting in intimate scenes.

Moon Nila has dedicated the award to her late mother, who had guided her since childhood, and other women who are making progress in the film industry with dignity.

“I hope that this award can serve as a catalyst to help the local entertainment industry achieve world standards and help get women out of the stereotype roles,” she said, adding that countries like India have carried an article on her recognition.

‘Iraivi Thirumagal Kaadu’ , a 22-episode fictional suspense drama directed by filmmaker SD Puvendran, was aired in Astro Vinmeen HD on March 3.

She was given the award at a ceremony held on July 20 at the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia headquarters in Ulu Klang, Selangor.

On her future projects, Moon Nila said she had committed to act in an upcoming 44-episode local serial besides being approached by producers in Singapore to act in a series.

She also wants to experiment different roles in the film industry by acting in a ‘Dasi’ role one day.

On another note, the actress described her new venture titled ‘’Senthozhan Sengkathirvaanan’, released on July 28 in 65 theatres nationwide, as a major breakthrough in her career.

Helmed by Govind Singh, the psychological thriller flick sees Kash Villanz, Moon Nila, Shamini, Cellina Jay and Chandinie Kaur playing in pivotal roles.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) — Effective Monday (Aug 1), all travellers entering Malaysia no longer need to fill in and complete the traveller’s card feature in the MySejahtera application, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said the relaxation was decided after taking into account that the country’s health system is now at a good and controlled level apart from aiming to facilitate the entry procedures of travellers to this country.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) will constantly intensify symptom monitoring activities among travellers at all international entry points (PMA) in Malaysia, he said in a statement today.

“During arrival at PMA, if a traveller is detected with a fever through a thermal scanner or is found to be unwell, they will be referred for re-examination by the health department,” he said.

Khairy said after a health assessment is made and if they are suspected of having an infectious disease such as COVID-19, monkeypox, MERS-CoV or others, they will be referred to a nearby health facility for examination and further treatment.

Therefore, he said, all travellers who have just arrived from abroad should practice self-monitoring of their health status, comply with the prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and are advised to go to a nearby health facility for examination if unwell.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA TERENGGANU, July 30 (Bernama) — Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali said he would meet Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president Datuk Adnan Mat on Monday to discuss issues related to salary claims.

“I will hold a discussion with the Cuepacs president this Monday to study the applications made by the congress,” he told reporters after the state-level Maal Hijrah celebrations here today.

At the event, Mohd Zuki, who hails from Kampung Bukit Bayas here, received the Tokoh Maal Hijrah award.

Adnan recently said Cuepacs had appealed to the government to quickly fulfil its salary claims, namely raising the minimum wage of civil servants to RM1,800; a two-level increase in the annual salary increment (KGT) and the implementation of a new remuneration system that is more comprehensive, fair and equitable.

He was reported as saying that it was important for these claims to be met to help civil servants cope with the rising cost of living.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KOTA BHARU, July 30 (Bernama) — Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) will give rebates to consumers, especially traders, affected by the power outage in several areas in Peninsular Malaysia last Wednesday.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said about one million domestic, industrial and commercial account users were affected by the power outage that occurred at 12.39 pm on that day.

“The affected account users, such as traders, can submit claim by stating the amount of loss suffered. “However, I will table the detailed information on the rebate in Parliament on Aug 4,” he told reporters after attending the 55th Kota Bharu PAS annual general meeting, here today.

Takiyuddin, who is Kota Bharu Member of Parliament, praisedTNB for its swift action in restoring power supply within two hours and 21 minutes.

“Because of what happened on that day, we have to maintain energy stability that we are forced to ration supply to certain areas that are not critical.

“At the same time, we ensure that hospitals, airports, the parliament sitting at that time did not experience any disruption,” he said.

According to TNB, the electricity supply disruption that occurred in several areas in Peninsular Malaysia since 12.39 last Wednesday was caused by an equipment failure at the Yong Peng North Main Input Substation (PMU) in Yong Peng, Johor.

The damage resulted in a load loss of 2.2 gigawatts (GW) which is 10 percent of the total supply demand in Peninsular Malaysia.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) — As expected, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) traffic summonses payment counters which offer a 50 per cent discount have always received an overwhelming response from the public.

Today, at the Road March 2022 programme, in conjunction with the 215th Police Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka in the capital, people started lining up as early as 7 am, even though the counters only opened at 9 am.

Abu Kassim Karim, in his 40s, said that he chose to pay the summons at the Dataran Merdeka despite having to join a long queue, as he could make a saving by doing so.

“I queued as early as 7 am, but it doesn’t matter because I can save a lot, especially in the current economic situation. It’s worth it,” he said when interviewed by Bernama here today.

A student, Asyraf Mustafa, 18, said the discount given can indeed ease the burden of all parties and he is very grateful for the reduction.

“Giving this discount has actually given space to road users to settle their respective summons, that may have been overdue for a long time,” he said.

Earlier, PDRM, in a post on its official Facebook and Twitter accounts, announced that a 50 per cent discount for selected traffic offences will be given to members of the public who make payment at the celebration.

However, offences involving accidents, summons with arrest warrant status, cutting on double lines, beating the red light, overtaking dangerously and using the emergency lane were not among the discounted list.

In addition, it also does not involve offences in the non-compoundable (NC) category, with trial status, as well as offences related to heavy vehicles and vehicle exhaust modifications.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, July 30 (Bernama) — The Tobacco and Smoking Products Control Bill 2022 which aims to create a Generational End-Game (GEG), referring to individuals born on Jan 1, 2007 onwards and are non-smokers, will not affect the country’s economy, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said said based on study carried out by the ministry, the tobacco industry only impacted 0.18 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with the loss of national productivity due to cigarettes higher than the impact on the economy.

“This means that those involved in the cigarette industry are small. The total cigarette market will gradually shrink, starting with those born in 2007, 2008, 2009 and so on…it will take a long time before the market shrinks, (maybe) 20 to 30 years.

“For those who are now 18 years old and above, they can smoke cigarettes (before the bill is enforced). It will not cause an impact on the economy overnight because it will be enforced in stages, every year more (individuals) cannot smoke , but those who are already smoking, they will continue to buy cigarette products,” he said in a special interview with the media on the bill.

Last Wednesday, Khairy tabled the Tobacco Products and Smoking Control Bill 2022, which provides for a ban on individuals born in 2007 and onwards from smoking, buying or possessing tobacco products or smoking devices for the first reading in the Dewan Rakyat.

Meanwhile, Khairy said the Health Ministry had given its assurance to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Health, Science and Innovation that it would set up an independent committee to review the bill.

“PSC requested that there be a mandatory evaluation period. To that, I said it is not included in the proposed law, but I gave the assurance that the ministry will form an independent committee that will review the law and will table a report on the effectiveness of this law before the GEG is enforced in 2025.

“I gave the assurance that the committee will be established and to report to Parliament, instead of the Health Ministry. Apart from that, 10 years after GEG is implemented, this committee will do a review again, to see if the law needs to be amended and so on,” he said.

Khairy is scheduled to table the Tobacco and Smoking Products Control Bill 2022 for the second reading in the Dewan Rakyat this Monday, while the debate session and winding up for the bill will be held the following day.

The Bill aims to prohibit those born after January 1, 2007 from purchasing or possessing cigarettes or vape products, with a fine not exceeding RM5,000 given to those who are caught buying, smoking, or possessing smoking-related products.

On the sale of all types of cigarette products, Khairy said the ministry would hold engagement sessions with retail traders to discuss the best mechanism on the matter.

“There are several mechanisms being considered by the ministry, such as use of QR code, installing an application in the identification card for purchase of cigarette products…something that is easy and does not cause trouble for sellers and buyers.

“For areas where there is no internet access, maybe the dealer needs to see the buyer’s identification card,” he said.

For the online sale of cigarette and vaping products, he said it would not be allowed if the Tobacco and Smoking Products Control Bill 2022 came into effect.

“With this bill, it is not possible to sell online, vape or cigarettes, and with this bill, it is easier for us to take action through the Communications and Multimedia Commission,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, July 30 (Bernama) — A total of two million lives can be saved and smoking-related diseases can be prevented in the period up till 2040 if the proposed Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Act 2022 comes into force.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill was essential to public health as there were not many laws in the country which can save that many lives.

“That’s why I’m appealing to all Members of Parliament to vote for the bill which can save lives of two million Malaysians and prevent premature deaths caused by smoking.

“Apart from premature deaths, this bill will be able to greatly help reduce cases of smoking-related disease,” he said in a special interview with the media on the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022, here.

Khairy is scheduled to table the bill for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat this Monday (Aug 1) with the debate and winding-up session to take place the following day (Aug 2).

The minister expressed hope that the bill would be supported and passed.

The bill which was tabled for its first reading by Khairy last Wednesday, provides for, among others, the prohibition of smoking, buying or possessing tobacco products or smoking devices by the Generational End-Game (GEG) or individuals, born in 2007 onwards.

Khairy said the approval of the bill will also ensure that the sale of cigarette products, especially vape, can be regulated under a separate act as there is currently no legal mechanism to regulate such products.

“Currently, cigarettes are regulated under the Food Act 1983 and nicotine, the Poisons Act 1952. There is no specific law to regulate tobacco products and the vaping industry,” he said while urging industry players to support the bill.

Asked about the punishments provided in the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022, he said there will be no criminal record for GEG offenders and they will only be fined, if convicted.

According to Section 17 of the proposed act, no person who was born on Jan 1, 2007 onwards shall smoke any tobacco product or substitute tobacco product; use any smoking device; or possess any tobacco product, smoking substance, substitute tobacco product or smoking device.

Any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding RM5,000, it reads.

Apart from that, individuals born on Jan 1, 2007 onwards who purchase tobacco products, smoking substance and substitute tobacco products or smoking devices may face a fine not exceeding RM5,000, upon conviction.

Khairy said he was confident that the Ministry of Health (MOH) will be able to create a generation that is free from smoking, and combat the smuggling and sale of contraband cigarettes if the bill is approved.

He said when a smoke-free culture becomes a norm among individuals, born in 2007 onwards, there will be a drop in demand for cigarette products thus reducing cigarette smuggling activities in this country.

He added that the MOH will continue to cooperate with other ministries and relevant authorities to curb such activities, especially during the two-year transition period to GEG.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency