Author: malaysiang

GEORGE TOWN, Domino’s Pizza Malaysia is disappointed with a customer’s action of writing negative and insensitive comments on the remarks section while placing an online order, in respect of the viral case of a pizza receipt containing words deemed insulting to Islam in Penang.

In a statement today, the company said they do not tolerate any form of discrimination or negative comments, whether directed towards their staff, customers, or the local community.

‘We are also disappointed when one of our workers felt that it was right to share the receipt containing the customer’s information on social media.

‘Both actions are wrong and we are taking appropriate action against the worker and the customer involved,’ it said.

The statement also said that the company has referred the matter to the police and remains committed to ensuring a harmonious environment for all.

Yesterday, a picture of a receipt containing words deemed insulting to Islam, allegedly issued by a pizza restaurant at Kenari Avenue in Sungai A
ra here, went viral on social media.

Barat Daya District Police chief Supt Kamarul Rizal Jenal said an initial investigation found that the words were written by the customer on the remarks section when making the online order.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday announced the conviction of the matriarch of the Maute family that was behind the Marawi City siege.

In a 39-page decision dated May 15, 2024, the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 266 found Ominta Romato Maute guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 4 of Republic Act (RA) 10168 or ‘The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.’

Ominta, also known as ‘Farhana Maute,’ was linked by authorities to terrorist activities on several occasions.

The court noted that on July 29, 2016, Ominta provided her Toyota Innova to be used by five terrorists – Mohammad Khayam Romato Maute, Omar Khayam Romato Maute, Abdullah Romato Maute, Mahater Romato Maute, and Najib C. Pundug.

State forces intercepted the vehicle, prompting the five terrorist-passengers to flee, leaving several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) inside the vehicle.

She and the five named terrorists were also accused in the kidnapping and beheading of civilia
ns in Lanao del Sur from April 4-10, 2016.

The court charged Ominta for terrorism financing for knowingly, willfully, and unlawfully making available the Toyota Innova registered under her name to known terrorists and members of a terrorist group.

‘It can be deduced that the elements to be proved by the prosecution, for accused Ominta to be convicted of the offense of financing of terrorism are: first, the willful intention of Ominda to provide or make available a property; and second, that the property, in full or in part made available are to be used to carry out or facilitate the commission of any terrorist act; and by a terrorist organization, association or group; or by an individual terrorist,’ Taguig City RTC Branch 266 Presiding Judge Marivic C. Vitor said.

‘After a judicious review of the records and evidence of this case, the Court finds that the prosecution was able to prove the elements of the crime of terrorism financing.’

The court sentenced Ominta to imprisonment of up to 40 years and pay a
fine of PHP500,000.

In a statement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said the conviction is a ‘big win’ in the country’s fight against terrorism.

‘This conviction exhibits our nation’s unity and resilience to fight the evils lurking in our society, I am very proud of our DOJ family, particularly the Counter-Terrorism and Terrorism Financing Task Force I for overcoming the odds and risking their lives to safeguard peace and order,’ Remulla said.

‘We are committed to scoring more convictions, particularly on cases involving terrorism and terrorism financing. We will never let terrorism prevail nor let it sow fear among our people.’

Source: Philippines News Agency

MELAKA, Just six months ago, Sakina Mohd Yusuff, 30, her husband, and their two daughters were barely scraping by, but after joining the People’s Income Initiative (IPR) programme by the Ministry of Economy, their lives have been transformed.

Sakina, who resides in Pokok Mangga, explained that she solely depended on her husband, Supri Yusuf, 40, who earned between RM1,000 and RM1,500 per month as a labourer.

“Sometimes, I had to borrow money from family members just to pay the RM400 monthly rent, but after being selected for IPR, we can now have a better life,” she told Bernama here today.

Sakina started selling cakes, sandwiches, and canned drinks through a vending machine provided by the Ministry of Economy at the Melaka Hospital in November last year.

The mother of two young children mentioned that she achieves an average monthly sales of RM10,000 and generates a net profit of between RM2,000 to RM3,000 per month.

“I attended the Food Handler Course at a health clinic first because it’s one of the mai
n requirements to participate in the IPR,” she said.

Sakina added that she would replenish the vending machine with food prepared at home and canned drinks at least three times a day.

“Alhamdulillah, with the opportunity provided by the government, I can change our lives for the better. My husband no longer works as a labourer, he helps me with this business full-time,” she said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: The fate of the bill seeking to allow e-registration and voting among Filipinos abroad is now in the hands of the Senate, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Thursday.

This, after the lower chamber of Congress voted 188-0 to pass House Bill (HB) 10178 amending the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2023.

‘The bill aims to make voter registration and voting easier and more accessible for Filipinos overseas so that we can ensure the efficient exercise of their constitutional right to suffrage,’ Romualdez said in a statement.

‘The proposed legislation allows the registration, certification and transfer of registration of overseas voters by mail or by electronic means, including but not limited to web-based portals, and other internet-based technologies,’ he said.

He added that once enacted into law, the measure would also authorize electronic voting as an option for overseas voting apart from in-person and mail-in.

HB 10178 also seeks to remove the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee’s ap
proving authority after review to allow voting by mail in an overseas territory.

It also expands the prohibited acts under the law to include theft, concealment, alteration, destruction, mutilation, manipulation, and tampering of electronic data or information.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Dewan Negara today expressed its condolences to the family of its late Speaker, Datuk Mutang Tagal who died last Friday.

The speech was delivered by Dewan Negara Deputy Speaker Senator Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed at the swearing-in ceremony of members of the Senate.

“Honourable members and all present, this House is also saddened by the passing of the 20th Speaker of Dewan Negara, Datuk Mutang Tagal on May 10.

“In this regard, the Dewan Negara would like to express its condolences to all the members of the deceased’s family and pray that they will find courage in this tribulation,” he said.

He said that the passing of the deceased is a great loss to the country, especially the Senate for his contributions and services at national and international level.

“He was a a friendly figure to the people and was highly committed in devoting his service to the country until the end of his life. All his services and sacrifices will surely be remembered by the people forever,” he said.

Recalling their mo
ments together, Nur Jazlan said he was with the deceased during the courtesy visit of the Speaker of the Senate to Azerbaijan, early last month.

“I myself served as his deputy for almost three months and was with him in Azerbaijan recently and went through a period that broke my heart because of his caring attitude and was a person who cared about the welfare of the people.

“I was with him from Azerbaijan to the place where he was buried in Miri… I pray for him to be blessed,” he said.

Mutang, who was appointed as the 20th Speaker of Dewan Negara on Feb 19, died at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 69 last Friday.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: The House of Representatives’ Committee on Human Rights is set to launch its investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJK) associated with the controversial war on drugs during the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

In a press conference on Thursday, committee chairperson and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. announced that the first hearing scheduled on May 22 will include a diverse group of participants, such as relatives of drug war victims, police officers, and Cabinet officials from the Duterte administration.

He said the investigation aims to ‘seek the truth’ and gather ‘comprehensive information’ on the alleged widespread human rights violations linked to the drug war, with the ultimate goal of developing legislation to ‘strengthen human rights’ in the country.

‘Ang tanong siguro ng iba (Some may ask), why are we conducting an inquiry into the deaths of alleged drug addicts or drug dealers? First, we must begin with the principle that each life
is valuable and that each life lost is a profound tragedy. Second, we must point out that those who lost their lives, like every Filipino, are protected by the rights granted by the Constitution, one of which is due process,’ Abante said.

‘They are only ‘alleged drug users and dealers.’ They were not convicted because these alleged EJK victims were silenced, they were denied their rights. Now, it is our responsibility to the victims of alleged [EJK] and their families to seek the truth,’ he added.

Abante said the committee would extend invitations to relatives of EJK victims, specifically prioritizing the parents of victims who were minors.

He also reiterated the committee’s responsibility to diligently investigate accusations, particularly in light of ongoing international scrutiny, such as the investigation by the International Criminal Court.

Abante expressed the belief that Congress has a vital role in investigating these matters and the potential for legislative action to address abuses and illegalit
ies, including human rights violations, through the formulation of effective policies and laws.

Abante clarified, however, that it is not the intention of the committee to pass judgment, a point seconded by panel vice-chairperson Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.

‘It’s not actually the intention of the committee to prove whether the drug campaign in the previous administration was bogus or not,’ Adiong pointed out.

He said the objective of the committee is to ‘find out whether in this country, we still exercise, practice due process.’

‘The issues concerning drug-related incidents would also trickle down to the concern of whether these legal processes were exercised or not in the previous administration would also fall on under the context of preserving human rights,’ Adiong said.

Echoing Abante’s sentiments, Adiong said the primary objective of the committee is not to assign blame but to enhance existing policies and laws, and curb the culture of killing and impunity prevalent in the cou
ntry.

Government data shows that more than 6,200 drug suspects have died in anti-narcotics sting operations since Duterte took office in June 2016 until November 2021.

Source: Philippines News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin is among six individuals appointed as members of the council of the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI).

The appointment was announced in MPI’s annual general meeting, today.

Also elected are Sinar Harian editor-in-chief Zamri Rambli; TV3 Digital, News and Current Affairs senior editor Azri Atan; and Utusan TV assistant editor Ainol Amriz Ismail.

Others include Sin Chew Media Corp Sdn Bhd deputy executive editor-in-chief Choo Joon Kian; and Sabah Journalists Association’s honorary member Dr Diana Dominic.

MPI, in a statement, said that the council is the highest body in the administrative management of MPI, and acts as policymaker in determining its direction and future.

It also said that the election was made in accordance with MPI’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Following the latest appointments, the council has nine members, including the president, deputy president and vice-president
.

In addition, the meeting also unanimously agreed to re-appoint three key positions, namely Datuk Yong Soo Heong as president for two years, as well as deputy president Farrah Naz Karim and vice-president Brian Martin.

The meeting also agreed with the proposed amendments to the 17-year-old MPI constitution, in line with current and future needs.

Yong said today’s meeting symbolises the continuation of reforms in MPI activities, where members are empowered to voice their opinions so that MPI administration can be run more inclusively and smoothly.

He added that the leadership of MPI will comply with the request from members that the training activities, which are the core activities, should always be improved for the good of the journalism industry in the country.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency