Day: January 16, 2023

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LIMA’23 expects RM7 billion to RM8 billion in contract procurements – Mohamad

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) expects to achieve an estimated RM7 billion to RM8 billion in procurement and industrial cooperation programme contracts through the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA‘23).

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this was because the exhibition was the place where defence industry players gathered and exchanged views.

He hoped that more agreements of understanding could be signed at LIMA‘23 as it was not only an exhibition but also a place for international trade.

“The amount (RM7 billion to RM8 billion) is an estimate, if we were to look at LIMA‘19, MINDEF managed to obtain over RM4 billion.

“The organisation of LIMA‘23 is one that has been long awaited as it has not been held for four years due to the COVID-19 epidemic,” he told a media conference after the launch of LIMA’23 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, here, today.

Mohamad said that would be MINDEF’s goal as other countries in the Asia Pacific region would be scrutinising and evaluating to buy assets and also make procurement.

Apart from that, he said LIMA’23 was a place for industry players to forge defence technology cooperation.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said his ministry would find ways to resolve the issue of the lack of ferry trips to Langkawi to accommodate the expected influx of tourists during the event.

“Based on my experience, LIMA’19 also attracted many domestic tourists. Our challenge now is to resolve the issue of ferry service to Langkawi because it is quite limited.

“We will try to resolve the issue so that it won’t hinder the tourism sector in Langkawi and so that it can give a positive image of our country on the international scene,” he said.

According to Loke, his ministry would also facilitate the application process for taxi and e-hailing permits, if necessary.

Loke also said that LIMA’23 was an important event for Malaysia’s diplomatic ties with other countries, especially from Southeast Asia.

He said this was because the foreign and transport ministers from regional countries would also be invited to attend the exhibition for bilateral discussions.

“Through this exhibition, we will have many bilateral discussions that will have a very big impact on our foreign ties,” he said.

LIMA’23 gives MINDEF and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) the opportunity to view defence assets from other countries, besides meeting defence strategy diplomacy.

Over 50,000 delegates are expected to attend the May 23-27 LIMA’23, which will be participated by over 600 exhibition companies from the local and international defence industry.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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CNY: KPDN advises traders to comply with SHMMP

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) advised traders to comply with the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP), introduced in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, throughout the 15-day period.

KPDN minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said his team does not intend to issue stern warnings to traders but rather hoping for traders’ cooperation to follow the ethics so as to benefit everyone, especially consumers.

“However, this does not mean the KPDN will tolerate violations. I advise everyone to follow the rules and all parties (will) benefit from the programme implemented by the KPDN from Jan 15 to 29,” he told reporters after conducting a survey on prices of goods at the AEON Big in Mid Valley Megamall, here, today.

Eight types of goods were gazetted under the SHMMP in conjunction with the Chinese New Year 2023, namely white pomfret weighing between 200 and 400 grammes each; white shrimp (between 41 and 60 pieces per kilogramme) and garlic from China.

In addition, imported potatoes (China); imported round cabbage (Indonesia and China excluding Beijing); live pigs that are controlled at the farm level only; as well as pork belly and pork (meat and fat).

In the meantime, he advised the community to buy only what was necessary to avoid food wastage during the festive season.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Disabled elderly man killed in fire

IPOH, Jan 16 (Bernama) — Police investigation revealed that an 80-year-old man who was burnt to death in a conflagration in Jalan Bagan Ikan, Bagan Datuk, near here this morning was a disabled person (PwD).

Hilir Perak district police chief ACP Ahmad Adnan Basri said in the 6.45 am incident, the victim, identified as Ong Chock Seng, failed to save himself as his children and grandchildren had gone out for breakfast.

“The victim was unable to walk and was dependent on a wheelchair. His body was found in a bedroom. of his house. Five houses were destroyed in the fire.

“Firefighters from the Hutan Melintang and Teluk Intan fire stations took three hours to extinguish the blaze,” he said in a statement today.

The victim’s body was sent to Teluk Intan Hospital for a post-mortem, and the case has been classified as sudden death.

Prior to this, a Fire and Rescue Department spokesman had said a man was injured in the fire, and several vehicles, such as a Toyota Altis, a Perodua Kancil, and a motorcycle, were destroyed.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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MOH to discuss with KKD on provision of satellite internet in rural clinics

KUCHING, Jan 16 (Bernama) — The Health Ministry (MOH) will hold talks with the Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD) to obtain satellite-based internet service for health clinics in rural areas.

Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said internet access is crucial for health workers to deliver virtual services or make video calls to provide a medical diagnosis to patients.

“The ministry has received paperwork from the state health department, and we see the need for satellite-based internet service in rural clinics.

“We will hold discussions with the Communications and Digital Ministry to help MOH provide this service in health clinics,” he said after a working visit to the Bako Health Clinic here today.

Lukanisman also said the ministry hoped to get an allocation in Budget 2023 to address the issue of dilapidated health clinics nationwide.

“We hope that Budget 2023, to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, will provide special allocation for these clinics, not only in Sarawak but throughout Malaysia,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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PTPTN offers nearly RM500,000 to 138 winners of 2023 savings campaign

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) — The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) today launched its savings campaign, Cabutan WOW! Simpan SSPN 2023 by offering a total cash prize worth nearly RM500,000 to 138 winners.

Ministry of Higher Education secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar said during the programme’s launch today, the campaign consisted of an annual draw (from Jan 1 until Dec 31) and five series draws.

He said the series draws comprised WOW! Gong Xi Ang Pow from Jan 1 till Feb 28, Syoknya Raya (March 1-May 31), Merdeka (Jun 1-Aug 31), Superheroes (Sept 1-Oct 31) and Y.E.S 2023 (Nov 1-Dec 31).

Abdul Razak said those wanting to participate in the programme were required to open an account or make additional savings amount under the National Education Scheme (Simpan SSPN) throughout the campaign period.

“Every RM100 deposited under the Simpan SSPN Prime scheme during the campaign period will be eligible for one draw while RM50 under Simpan SSPN Plus will be automatically eligible for two draws,” he said.

He also advised depositors to download the myPTPTN application from Google Playstore, Apple Appstore and Huawei AppGallery to facilitate transactions to allow them to get more chances.

“Simpan SSPN Prime depositors who deposit RM100 through myPTPTN will get five chances for the draws, while Simpan SSPN Plus depositors will get 10 chances if they deposit RM50 through myPTPTN,” he said.

Elaborating, he said PTPTN was always committed to encouraging good savings habits in line with the PTPTN Strategic Plan 2021-2025 to make Simpan SSPN the main savings product for education in Malaysia, adding that the product continued to be a competitive product with various privileges and benefits provided.

Meanwhile, Abdul Razak said on Dec 31 last year, PTPTN had recorded RM14.24 billion in SSPN savings deposits with a total of 5.73 million accounts.

During the ceremony, Abdul Razak presented certificates of appreciation to its strategic partners in 2022 marking the success of their collaboration to empower and inculcate savings habits through Simpan SSPN.

The recipients were the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council, the Sabah state government, MAF Veteran Foundation, Kao Laurier Malaysia and Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad.

“PTPTN always encourages the involvement of strategic partners in empowering savings through Simpan SSPN. Collaboration from all interested government agencies and corporate companies as contributors to the Simpan SSPN account is welcomed,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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CNY: Johor JBPM steps up checks at 182 premises

JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 15 (Bernama) — In conjunction with the Chinese New Year, the Johor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) steps up inspections on 182 public premises including hotels, shopping malls, holiday resorts and beaches.

Johor JBPM acting director Mohd Rizal Buang said the inspections began early this month and will run until Jan 30 involving the security system and the level of preparedness of the Emergency Response Team (ERT), among other things.

“We are also looking at exit points as we want to make sure that they are not blocked because in times of emergency, people need to use it to escape to a safer place,” he said at a press conference after officiating the launch of the Safety Awareness Campaign and Chinese New Year Ops 2023 at Aeon Bukit Indah here today.

He said the department would also deploy its fire engines at the Sedenak and Yong Peng highway areas for the safety of highway users.

“The fire engines will be on alert and regular patrols will also be carried out and if there are cases of road accidents, we will provide assistance,” he said adding that patrolling in housing areas where most of the owners might have gone on holidays throughout the Chinese New Year celebrations would also be increased.

Mohd Rizal said a total of 150 personnel are involved in this exercise.

To create fire safety awareness among the public, he said the department would also highlight safety campaigns through social media, including TikTok.

Source: BERNAMA News Agenc

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KPKT seeks RM26.35 mln allocation for disaster management efforts

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) — The Local Government Development Ministry (KPKT) has submitted a proposal to the Finance Ministry to empower disaster management through an allocation of RM26.35 million to acquire critical assets to improve operational and rescue efficiency.

Its minister Nga Kor Ming said among the assets proposed include inflatable boats, all-terrain vehicles, military modular tents, sleeping bags, tactical hydration backpacks, fire-resistant suits, battery-powered LED lights, as well as upgrading the standby rooms at 150 fire and rescue stations across the country.

“This allocation will also be used to strengthen the Volunteer Fire Brigade (PBS) to deliver firefighting services to the local community. With this budget, I am confident that it can further improve the efficiency of our ‘red heroes’ in the field,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the launch of the Fire and Rescue Department’s Festive Preparedness and the 2023 Chinese New Year Safety Campaign programmes at Pavilion Bukit Jalil here today.

He said for Chinese New Year, the department will conduct scheduled patrols in areas identified as fire-prone ‘hotspots’ and drownings, especially in recreational spots.

He said all assets and logistics such as machinery and firefighting equipment at fire and rescue stations across the country were also placed in a state of readiness for emergencies.

Meanwhile, Nga said throughout 2022, the department received a total of 26,561 fire distress calls involving losses amounting to RM1.32 billion.

“This figure shows a decrease of 9,341 (26 per cent) compared to 35,902 fire emergency calls recorded in the previous year. The drop in cases is a positive indication of the community’s awareness of safety and fire prevention,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency