Month: August 2022

KUCHING, Aug 29 (Bernama) — The implementation of the second Variation of Price (VOP 2.0) through Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 9.0 can boost the state’s construction sector, said Senior Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

The Petra Jaya MP and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) parliamentary chief whip in a statement today said the initiative will help contractors in Sarawak in facing the rising prices of building materials and prevent small contractors from going out of business.

He said the VOP 2.0, of which the Sarawak government is estimated to bear the cost of approximately RM700 million, ensures that the government’s projects will not be affected and can be completed according to schedule.

“COVID-19 has caused an increase in the price of construction materials at a global level which, among other things, has affected processing activities that led to the hike in raw material costs,” read the statement.

In addition, he said, policy changes by other countries such as China that decided not to export certain goods also contribute to the issue.

VOP 2.0 involves 25 additional building materials namely 15 materials for construction work and 10 materials for engineering work to cover the increase in the price of building materials for all state government projects.

Fadillah said during a meeting, that the surge in construction material prices was one of the issues highlighted by construction industry players that are burdening them, especially the contractors, to the point of affecting project implementation.

Earlier, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the VOP 2.0 was one of the five measures taken by the state government under BKSS 9.0 from July to December, with a total allocation of almost RM1 billion.

He said the BKSS 9.0 also involved a 25 per cent discount for annual assessment rate above RM400 and a 30 per cent discount for annual assessment rate below RM400 within the same period, as well as discounts of between 10 and 25 per cent for water supply bills, five and 25 per cent for electricity bill and 50 per cent rental discount for stalls operated under the local authorities.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

JAKARTA, Aug 29 (Bernama) — The Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) and the Indonesian Naval Force (TNI AL) today commenced a joint exercise to improve professionalism and strengthen cooperation.

Dubbed ‘Malindo Jaya 26AB/22’, the exercise took place in Surabaya, East Java, and was officiated by the Commander of the TNI AL Fleet II, Rear Admiral Hutabarat.

The inauguration of the six-day exercise, which will conclude on September 3, was also attended by the Commander of the TLDM Western Fleet, Vice Admiral Datuk Abu Bakar Mohd Ajis.

In a statement, Hutabarat said the exercise will improve bilateral relations between the two countries and the navy as well as improve the tactics, techniques and combat operations procedures.

The exercise involve TLDM warships, namely KD Sri Indera Sakti-1503 and KD Leiku-30, while vessels on the Indonesian side are the KRI R.E. Martadinata-331, KRI Tombak-629, and Panther helicopters.

At the event, Abu Bakar visited the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine monument to pay tribute to its 53 crew members who had performed their duties.

KRI Nanggala-402 lost contact on April 21, 2021, while conducting torpedo firing exercises in the Bali Sea and was declared sunk on 24 April, 2021, by TNI AL after the discovery of its wreckage.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 29 (Bernama) —A decision on whether to abolish the use of face masks in enclosed spaces will be looked into and decided by the Health Ministry (MoH), National Recovery Council (MPN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He said the MPN meeting today raised the issue of whether the use of face masks was still necessary if the COVID-19 situation improves further to Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.

“He (Dr Noor Azmi) said the ministry will closely study the matter. This is not just because Singapore had done it, and so we have to as well,” he told a media conference after chairing the meeting here.

According to media reports, people in Singapore today will no longer be required to wear face masks except on public transport and in healthcare facilities.

Muhyiddin believes that wearing a face mask is the best measure to ensure one is not infected with COVID-19, adding: “It has already become a habit for people in this country after two years of dealing with the pandemic.”

“I believe the use of face masks has become more of a habit rather than a compulsion. If and when the time comes that it is not made compulsory, the people can still continue to use them if they want to feel safe,” he said.

On the implementation of the 2022 Tourism Recovery Plan launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) last May, Muhyiddin believes that the four-year recovery period proposed by MOTAC is too long.

The former prime minister suggested that MOTAC be more aggressive in its plans and actions as failure to revive the tourism industry in a strong manner will affect the country’s economic recovery.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUANTAN, Aug 28 (Bernama) — Settlers at Felda Lepas Hilir 3, here, said they have become like brothers and sisters despite coming from different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

According to M. Nagatewan, 64, he entered the land settlement scheme in search of a stable life for his family in 1988 and it was the best decision that he had ever made in his life, even though they were the minority among the 336 settlers.

His family was among the ten Indian families who made the move to participate in the scheme, which was dominated by Malays.

He said the early struggles of life in the settlement in a remote location where there were only red dirt roads, no electricity supply and where no one owned any types of vehicles had brought them closer together and made them care for each other, adding that the neighbours have become like family offering help whenever needed.

“One day my daughter was scalded by boiling water when I was out fishing for food and my neighbour acted fast by taking her to the clinic.

“The same thing happened when my mother-in-law passed away in our hometown at midnight. Our neighbour who drove us to Kuala Krau, Temerloh in his car and several days later he called us (while we were still in our hometown) to tell us that he would be fetching us home (to the settlement),” he said, adding that he could never find friends like his neighbours anywhere else.

“I have never once regretted entering the settlement scheme because I have met good people,” the father of five told Bernama when met recently.

Nagatewan said his house would be full of guests during Deepavali where his family members would be busy from morning to night entertaining their neighbours, adding that his neighbours always look forward to savouring their homemade murukku.

“.. it’s our turn during Aidilfitri to go from one house to another… and of course, we can’t finish all the houses in one day. My friends know I like to eat lemang and chicken rendang, so they will prepare the dishes for us to eat until we are stuffed,” he said.

According to the village head, Rosli Samad, 59, the settlers also practised the ‘rewang’ culture in celebrating the wedding feasts of Nagatewan children of which they worked together to prepare Indian and Malay cuisine for the guests.

He said their relationship is as close as when they first joined the scheme decades ago, adding that with the advent of the ‘gadget’ era, they have set up a Whatsapp group to share information and news about their community.

“We are one family, if someone is affected by a disaster, others also grieve. Pinch the left thigh, the right thigh will hurt as well,” he said.

Rosli said they will always try to help each other out no matter what the condition is as they have experienced life struggles together since day one.

Echoing Rosli’s sentiments, S.Malika, 55, said her neighbours would ensure that she has everything that she needs after her husband, P.Sekar, 61 passed away last year.

According to Malika, her late husband was drawn to life in Felda for the camaraderie demonstrated by the community that led them to build a life there with their five children who have been raised in the community.

“When my husband died, all the neighbours came to pay their last respects. Even though we are of different religions, we respect each other. They also grieved the passing of my husband because of the memories that we have made together,” she said.

S.Kannan, 39, who is a second-generation Felda settler said he looked forward to the public holidays in conjunction with the Hari Raya festive season to rekindle friendships and reminisce about old times with his childhood friends.

The father of three said his childhood was filled with fun activities such as fishing, swimming and bathing in the river and playing football after school.

“…the only issue is everyone knows your parents. So, when you played truant, the news would reach the parents in a split second even though they didn’t have a mobile phone at the time,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) — A four-car procession from government-linked companies (GLC) and private companies will enliven the National Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka on Aug 31.

Chief parade coordinator for the GLC and private companies contingent, Wan Hairul Razli Wan Ahmad Kushaari, said the float would comprise teams from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and Petronas; telco companies; Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and MEASAT.

Elaborating, he said the TNB-Petronas car would carry the theme Tenaga Lestari Memacu Kemajuan, while the telco companies’ would highlight the theme of Gabungan Pemacu Telekomunikasi Tanah Air.

“The MEASAT team is themed Menghubungkan Rakyat, Mendigitalkan Negara, while MDEC, Teguh Bersama Malaysia Digital,” he told Bernama.

Therefore, he said Keluarga Malaysia (the Malaysian Family) should come and see for themselves the beautiful and colourful floats during the parade on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Wan Hairul said the float procession would be led by a march of 650 participants representing corporate entities, comprising GLCs, government-linked investment companies and private companies from various sectors.

“The concept of this year’s parade is in line with the theme Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama (Keluarga Malaysia – Standing Strong Together), so we want to highlight the concept of togetherness, that we are together with the government and with the people by participating in the parade this time,” he said.

A participant Chi Wai Lin, 57, when met after the training session, said that such an event not only increased her patriotic spirit but also provided her with the opportunity to get to know participants from other companies.

“This is my first time taking part in programmes like this. I feel moved because we finally get to march and celebrate the National Day after two years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

Farah Zaheera Mohd Zubair, 24, said the event at Dataran Merdeka would be the best opportunity for Malaysians to converge and enliven the National Day celebration.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) — An all-woman brass band from the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is set to hog the limelight at the 2022 National Day parade at Dataran Merdeka here on Wednesday.

It will be a refreshing sight of 30 women soldiers marching down the street, displaying their skills in playing various musical instruments.

Royal Signals Regiment (RSD) brass band officer Lt Nurul Fatin Hajar Ismadi said it is an honour for the band to participate in the main celebration to mark National Day, as it shows that women soldiers possess other skills apart from their role in defending the country.

“This band was formed in 2015 and made its first public appearance at the Army Day celebration in 2016.

“After that, we participated in the National Day parade in 2019, before the country was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she told Bernama recently.

Fatin said the band was looking forward to its participation in the National Day celebration on Aug 31.

RSD brass band drum major Staff Sergeant Farziana Adam said it was challenging for women band members as they have to carry heavy musical instruments while strutting their staff in a parade.

“The band consists of married women, and they have to sacrifice their time and energy juggling between family responsibilities and work commitments.

“It is a challenge for women to strike a balance between career and family. As the only all-woman uniformed brass band in Malaysia, we intend to make ourselves better known and inspire other women to venture into the military musical arena,” she added.

The band also participated in the opening ceremonies of the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games in 2017.

A brainchild of 25th Chief of Army Gen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, the Sungai Besi-based band was established by then Chief Signals Officer Maj Gen Datuk Ahmad Hadiatullah Maknun Ridzuan.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SIBU, Aug 28 (Bernama) — Sarawak spent RM300 million in managing the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the implementation of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He said this included expenditure on support services like transporting vaccines to the rural and interior areas, financing COVID-19 quarantine and treatment centres, and conducting swap tests.

“In September 2021, Sarawak registered up to 5,000 cases a day. For every positive case, we needed to test ten close contacts, with the cost of swab tests borne by us,” he told reporters after attending an ‘Appreciation Night for Central Zone COVID-19 Frontliners’ here last night.

About 1,000 frontline staff from various government agencies in central Sarawak attended the event.

Uggah, who is Sarawak Disaster Management Committee chairman, said the take-up rate for the second booster shot was still low in Sarawak.

“So far only 7.1 per cent of those eligible have taken the second booster. This is very low. We ask those who have yet to receive it to do so immediately,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency