Month: August 2022

SHAH ALAM, Aug 19 (Bernama) — It takes less than five minutes to do a human papillomavirus (HPV) test, which is provided free of charge to female visitors at the Selangor chapter of the Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia (AKM) or Malaysian Family Aspirations Tour, which will last for three days starting today.

The test only involves the use of a swab tool provided, and is performed by oneself in total privacy on board a mobile bus of the University Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital (HPUPM).

Supervisor Azlina Adnan said visitors can perform the test in less than five minutes by following eight simple steps displayed in a special room for them to do the test.

She said that once the process was completed, the specimen would be tested and it would take two weeks to obtain the screening test results.

“If the test results are positive (cervical cancer), we will notify the individual to seek follow-up treatment,” she told Bernama.

Azlina reiterated that the test was very easy to do in a special room provided, without the need for any doctor or nurse present, by using swab tools provided by the hospital, free of charge.

Azlina said that, in addition to self-testing for HPV, services such as basic eye and skin tests and breast self-examination demonstrations are also provided at the mobile booth, located near the sales tent site.

One of the visitors, Intan Nuryanti Berahim, 40, said female visitors should take the opportunity to perform cervical cancer screening, free of charge, from today until Sunday, as the test is very easy to do without any pain.

“I did the test as I happened to be here. If you want to do it some other times you may face time constraints, with us all working and waiting for our turn at the government hospital will usually take time.

“I didn’t expect that the test was as easy as doing a self-test for COVID-19, and the important thing is that it doesn’t hurt, unlike the previous method which was painful,” she said.

The three-day Selangor AKM tour, which opened today, has lined up various programmes and interesting activities for members of the public, especially the people of Selangor, at the grounds of the Shah Alam Stadium.

Themed ‘Usahawan Keluarga Malaysia Penggerak Ekonomi Negara’ (Malaysian Family Entrepreneurs Driving the National Economy), the eighth edition of the AKM Tour series was organised by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative and it involved about 100 small and medium industry entrepreneurs.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

ALOR GAJAH, Aug 19 (Bernama) — University College of Agroscience Malaysia (UCAM) students will enjoy more facilities after Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) allocated funds totalling RM800,000 for the RISDA Foundation Education Assistance Scheme.

Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the funds through Yayasan RISDA allocated for the 2022/2023 period, would empower the education of RISDA children from the lower-income (B40) group.

“Yayasan RISDA Education Assistance Scheme comprises five categories, namely student living allowances (RM450 per month), scholarships (RM6,800 to RM13,800) depending on the course, intensive scheme (RM500 one-off payment), laptops assistance and bursary assistance worth RM2,000 for outstanding students,” he said in his speech during a working visit to UCAM today.

Mahdzir said RISDA has been focusing on the field of education for the past 65 years and implemented various transformations and evolutions in line with the development of the education system and the needs of the workforce in the agricultural sector, especially rubber plantations.

“So far, UCAM has produced over 10,000 graduates who are successful in agricultural and plantation agencies, and some of them have even ventured into business and become millionaire entrepreneurs,” he added.

During his working visit, Mahdzir also witnessed the Memorandum of Understanding between UCAM and three industry partners, namely GrasiCili Plt, Uwais Cendawan Agrotech Enterprise and Bitara Emas (M) Sdn Bhd to provide jobs for UCAM students who meet the requirement of the market.

Four UCAM alumni also received UCAM Iconic awards in appreciation and support of their success in their respective careers.

They are Basyaruddin Ali (landscape), Abdul Muhaimin Hussin (fruit crops and animal farming), Muhammad Asyraf Normoley (organic chicken farming), and Azri Khairi Juaher (kampung chicken farming).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) — Senior lawyer Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim said his law firm, Zaid Ibrahim Suflan Th Liew & Partners has done its best for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s final appeal against his conviction and sentence for the misappropriation of RM42 million in SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.

In a Facebook post, Mohd Zaid confirmed they recognised and accepted that Najib is at a critical point in the legal timeline of his SRC case and with his personal liberty at stake and, the firm has graciously accepted his decision to discharge them.

“I confirm that this decision was made by Datuk Seri Najib with my full support and agreement.

“As I understand it, Datuk Seri Najib’s decision was prompted by his belief that his lawyers cannot serve any useful purpose as lawyers for him anymore in the ongoing hearing relating to the appeals in the Federal Court,” he said.

Mohd Zaid further said that the firm understands perfectly well that Najib must do what is best for himself and he (Mohd Zaid) stands by his earlier statement that his firm will never abandon Najib as its client or any other client.

“This is neither our culture nor tradition. Nonetheless, the exigencies of the current exceptional circumstances and situation impel us to be mindful of the needs of the client and the client’s interest is paramount,” he said.

He also wished Najib the very best and assured him, he will always be there to help him in any situation, as a lawyer and a friend.

On July 26, the Pekan MP appointed the firm to represent him in his final appeal after discharging Messrs Shafee & Co. with immediate effect.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SHAH ALAM, Aug 19 (Bernama) — The implementation of Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia (AKM) Selangor with the entrepreneurial theme can provide added value to the business sector and further drive efforts in the nation’s economic recovery.

Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar said that based on the findings of a survey carried out by his ministry last February, the reopening of the economy by the government has greatly assisted in the recovery of business operations.

“Business performance can reach a better level with increased sales value, demand, cash flow and manpower need that can have a positive impact on the nation’s labour demand market,” he said at the opening ceremony of the Jelajah AKM Selangor officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob here today.

The three-day Jelajah AKM Selangor kicked off today until Sunday at the Shah Alam Stadium compound carnival site from 9 am to 9 pm.

Organised by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), the eighth edition of Jelajah AKM with the theme ‘Usahawan Keluarga Malaysia Penggerak Ekonomi Negara’ involved about 100 booths for small and medium entrepreneurs.

“I am committed and confident that by organising Jelajah AKM, the wish to expand the potential of the entrepreneur sector, especially the micro, small and medium enterprises by enhancing value in the aspects of high technology and digital platform, can be achieved,” Noh said.

He said that among the initiatives that will be highlighted in the tour are digital entrepreneurial activities through the MyMall platform which includes four main thrusts, namely e-commerce, training, finance and marketing.

“On behalf of KUSKOP, I am pleased to invite the Prime Minister to witness the exchange of the memorandum of understanding between MyMall and four strategic partners, namely unifi Business, REV Media Group, EasyStore Commerce Sdn Bhd and ModulEight Technologies Sdn Bhd to offer some additional benefits to local entrepreneurs under MyMall.

“The partnership between MyMall and its strategic partners will bring the added value of more than RM100 million to the MyMall entrepreneur community,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 19 (Bernama) — The Cabinet has basically agreed on the proposed policy paper on the management of seized and forfeited assets which was tabled on Wednesday (Aug 17) to enable the National Anti-Financial Crime Prevention Centre (NFCC) to proceed with the process of drafting the amendment bill.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the decision was following the Special Cabinet Committee Meeting on Anti-Corruption (JKKMAR) and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s media statement on May 19, in making NFCC the central agency to manage seized and forfeited assets.

Wan Junaidi in a statement today said the amendment bill would involve amendments to the National Anti-Financial Crime Prevention Centre Act 2019 (Act 822) and consequential amendments to 26 Acts regulated by eight ministries and departments.

According to him, an amendment drafting committee has been formed to detail the provisions that will empower the NFCC to manage seized and forfeited assets on behalf of the government.

Wan Junaidi said research and benchmarking on asset management would be carried out by examining its implementation in several countries that have a centralised property management system such as Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Netherlands.

“It has been found that countries that have a centralised property management system are able to manage property more effectively and efficiently, adding value and bringing success to the country.

“Most importantly, its implementation will benefit all parties in the criminal justice system,” he said.

Wan Junaidi said a one-stop centre to manage seized and forfeited assets is required in Malaysia.

“Creating a comprehensive data system on seized and forfeited assets is a holistic and strategic step, as this will ensure effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement in dealing with financial crimes and mitigating financial leakages,” he said.

Wan Junaidi said that through such a policy, law enforcement agencies can focus more on investigation and enforcement actions, as a centralised agency would be looking into matters related to seized and forfeited property.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency