Day: March 13, 2023

BATU PAHAT, Two routes in Batu Pahat, namely Parit Sulong to Seri Medan and Parit Sulong to Tongkang Pechah are still closed to light vehicles as the roads are under more than 0.3 metres of floodwaters.

Batu Pahat district police chief ACP Ismail Dollah said heavy vehicles had been allowed to pass through the area since five days ago.

“I advise drivers of heavy vehicles to slow down when passing through these locations because we have received complaints from residents whose windows, doors and fences were broken due to being hit by ‘waves’ created by the speedy movement of vehicles,” he told Bernama when met after a clean-up operation in Yong Peng here today.

Ismail said other routes around Batu Pahat were reopened to all types of vehicles after the floodwaters receded yesterday.

In another development, Ismail said the police received one report of a house break-in in Parit Sulong on Saturday, however, he said the investigation found that there was no loss reported.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s statement about him having many files on government party leaders from his time as home minister, is a serious matter and should be given appropriate attention, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) (Law and Institutional Reform) Ramkarpal Singh said the investigation into the matter can only be done if a report was made for the police to open an investigation paper.

“Since the statement was made yesterday, I believe a report to the police or even to MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) is needed before any investigation can be done.

“I think that’s the normal practice,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2023 at the committee level today.

Ramkarpal said this in reply to Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Damansara) who wanted to know whether an investigation is being done on the statement by Larut Member of Parliament which he described as an abuse of power.

Hamzah, in a special interview with an English daily yesterday, claimed he had files in his possession which could implicate government leaders in wrongdoings, but said he was still thinking about whether to use them or not.

In another development, Ramkarpal said the MACC has opened 33 investigation papers against the alleged misappropriation of funds by the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA), with 10 cases brought to court across the country between 2021 and 2022.

“Investigations into the remaining cases are still ongoing with several actions have been taken including forfeiting and inspecting the weaknesses in the system and procedures related to MITRA funds,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister in JPM (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the proposal to upgrade the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division under the JPM as a full ministry should take into account various aspects.

This includes the ruling government’s policy of not being so keen on having too many ministries and the existence of the Ministerial Functions Act 1969 which functions to oversee matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“Under the MA63, various issues are actually raised across the board, many ministries become caretakers. For example, in relation to deep sea farming activities, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change are managing the regulation of electricity and energy.

“So it is also necessary to take this matter into account because, in the end, the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division coordinates decisions involving several ministers with respective functions,” he said.

The Dewan Rakyat then passed the budget for JPM amounting to RM5.7 billion through voice voting.

The budget was for operating expenditures of agencies under the JPM, such as the Parliament (RM166,731,200), Election Commission (RM65,543,300) and Public Service Commission (RM42,380,200).

The Supply Bill 2023 with a total allocation of RM388.1 billion was the first budget tabled under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

It was tabled on Feb 24 and was passed at the policy level on March 9.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The Prisons Department will conduct risk assessments before inmates are eligible for community rehabilitation programmes.

Its deputy commissioner-general (Security and Correctional), Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak said his team would ensure inmates reached a certain level while serving their sentence in prison and they would not pose a threat to the community before being selected to join the rehabilitation programme.

“They (prisoners) will always be under our surveillance but not shackled as risk assessment has been done.

“Not all inmates will be taken out but it (joining the rehabilitation programme) will be guided by the level of rehabilitation they have achieved…we will make a decision, (if) they are ‘safe’ in society, then they will be taken out,” he said as a guest on Bernama TV’s ‘Apa Khabar Malaysia’ programme titled ‘233rd Prison Day Celebration’ here today.

According to Abdul Aziz, support from communities is important for the programme to succeed as without the community’s involvement or acceptance, nothing would work.

“The Prisons Department has played its role with various companies to ensure they (inmates) get jobs and are covered by insurance, receive Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions, and be paid according to the minimum wage enforced by the government,” he added.

He also called on the public to celebrate the 233rd Prison Day at Malaysian Prisons College in Kajang on March 21 through physical or virtual participation.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The government does not intend to abolish the Student Affairs Department (HEP) in public universities because it plays a very crucial role, especially in relation to student development.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said although students managed all their activities and movements, the HEP still has a big mandate and responsibility.

“Their real duty is not just to micro-manage but, among others, to focus on student development, open a network of cooperation with society and industries and plan strategies to increase the marketability of graduates,” he said.

He said this when replying to a supplementary motion raised by Chow Yu Hui (PH-Raub) at the special chamber session in Dewan Rakyat today, who wanted the HEP abolished to give more autonomy to students.

According to Mohammad Yusof, the world’s leading universities still retained the HEP although students have total freedom.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and his consort Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah conveyed their congratulations to Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh on her historic win in the Best Actress category at the 95th Academy Awards (Oscars) in the film Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Their Majesties posted their congratulations to the Ipoh-born actress in a post on the Istana Negara Facebook page today, praising her efforts in elevating the country’s standing globally.

“It also proves that with determination, grit and hard work, Malaysians can compete and succeed internationally,” the post read.

Their Majesties also wished Yeoh all the best in her future endeavours and prayed that she would be blessed with continued success.

Yeoh, 60, beat four other nominees in the Best Actress category, Cate Blanchett (Tar), Ana de Armas (Blonde), Andrea Riseborough (To Leslie) and Michelle Williams (The Fabelmans).

The Oscar is the latest award Yeoh has won for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, having won the Best Actress award for Musical/Comedy in the Golden Globe Awards in January, Best Actress for the Screen Actors Guild Awards in February, and Best Performance in the Spirits Awards recently.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul has decided to improve the bloc voting process by giving Members of Parliament (MPs) a 10-minute grace period to participate in the vote if they happen to be outside the House when the bell is rung.

He said this was decided at a meeting of the Select Committee today which was attended by Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang), Rafizi Ramli (PH-Pandan) and Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu).

“We have taken into consideration the distance between the main block, which houses the Dewan Rakyat, and the MPs’ block at the back which is quite far away, making it difficult for all the Yang Berhormat (YBs, honourable members) to be in the House within two minutes as stipulated in the Standing Orders,” he said.

He said each time before a bloc voting, the bell would be rung for two minutes and the meeting proceedings set for 10 minutes to give time for all MPs to be in the House to participate in the process.

“This means the first bell will ring for two minutes as stated in the Standing Orders, and after that I will give 10 minutes for YBs to come into the House from wherever you may be. After that, the bell will be sounded again for two minutes.

“I still remember that at the last Parliamentary session, not enough time was given to MPs to be in the House after the bell was rung, and there was a case of one woman MP falling because she was rushing (to come in). So, I’m giving you 10 minutes,” he said.

Johari said this matter was implemented according to Standing Orders 12 (2), 13 (4) and 99.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) issued more than 1,500 compound notices for offences related to smoking in public places through integrated operations with the Health Ministry between January and February this year.

DBKL executive director (management) Khairul Anuar Md Juri said the involved areas were public parks, restaurants, government buildings and covered walkways.

“Those caught smoking in prohibited areas will be fined RM250 which must be paid on the spot.

“If they fail to pay the fine, they will be subject to follow-up actions including being brought before court,” he said at the launch of the Kuala Lumpur Bebas Asap Rokok (KLBAR) X MySchoolBus @Wilayah campaign here today.

Khairul Anuar said the campaign was in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to promote a healthy lifestyle and lower the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, lung problems.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency