Author: malaysiang

Former Tanjung Bidara assemblyman Datuk Ab Karim Sulaiman died of a heart attack at his home in Kampung Jeram, Masjid Tanah, at 9.20 pm yesterday. He was 75.

Melaka UMNO Youth leader Abdul Hakim Abdul Wahid said Ab Karim was previously treated at a private hospital in Klebang for five days before being allowed to return home yesterday evening.

“Ab Karim will be buried at the Kampung Jeram Islamic cemetery after the Zuhur (midday) prayers,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Ab Karim is survived by his wife Datin Fatimah Md Nor and four children.

He was the former director of the People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA) (now known as Malaysia Volunteers Corps Department) before contesting in the 10th General Election (GE10) in 1999 as a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Sungai Udang state seat. He won the seat. He was later elected Tanjung Bidara assemblyman in GE11 in 2004 and appointed as the state’s Environment, Housing and Local Government Committee chairman.

He held the Tanjung Bidara state seat for two terms and his last post was as the state Public Works and Facilities Committee chairman.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Strong policies and regulatory frameworks are needed to realise Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), said KPMG.

Abhishek Kumar, head of infrastructure, strategy and operations in Malaysia, said to deliver real progress according to the NETR roadmap requires infrastructural and legislative reforms on a national scale.

“The government has a heavy responsibility to introduce robust policy and regulatory frameworks to establish a level playing field that fosters a favourable investment climate for financing and implementing its initiatives,” he said in a statement today.

Abhishek said the NETR is the strongest signal yet of the Malaysian government’s commitment to achieving the country’s aspirations for net zero emissions by 2050.

He said the wider number of government agencies and regulatory bodies engaged in the preparation of the roadmap is a stride forward in progressive collaboration.

Phase 1 of NETR builds on the National Energy Policy 2022 – 2040 document and comprises 10 flagship catalyst projects selected based on ongoing initiatives across various stakeholders in Malaysia, including government agencies and private organisations.

In order to achieve the targeted 70 per cent renewable energy (RE) capacity by 2050, the NETR is expected to open up investment opportunities of between RM435 billion and RM1.85 trillion by 2050, the statement said.

This gives clarity to investors and stakeholders on the efforts needed to achieve green power generation and grid integration of renewable energy sources, Abhishek said.

He said for starters, the 10 flagship catalyst projects outlined in Phase 1 of NETR are expected to attract significant investments to accelerate Malaysia’s energy transition.

“For example, the RE zone project championed by Khazanah Nasional Bhd has the potential to attract billions in public-private investments and underscores Malaysia’s commitment to accelerate the energy transition.

“However, to fully realise the ambitions envisaged in the NETR will require a concerted approach from the local and international community to undertake further innovation and initiatives,” he said.

He, therefore, emphasised the need to advance new policies, projects, and infrastructure which will be important enablers for corporates to embark on decarbonization.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The federal and state government have allocated a total of RM254.3 million to implement programmes at eradicating hardcore poverty in Johor this year.

Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said that following the implementation of various initiatives, the number of hardcore poor in the state had dropped from 4,378 households in March this year to 3,270 households currently.

“This shows the seriousness and determination of the government in resolving the issue of poverty in Johor,” he said in a post on his Facebook page today.

He said discussions, involving the relevant agencies, were being held to find a new mechanism to address poverty problems in the state, such as foster family programme, providing job opportunities and targeted assistance

“I hope that all the relevant departments and agencies will continue to work together to ensure that all plans are carried out as planned for the benefit of all the people in the state.

“May the vulnerable groups in Johor continue to be protected, so that the government’s aim of achieving zero poverty by 2027 can be realised,” he said.

In another post, Onn Hafiz said the works to repair the badly damaged road at Taman Impian Emas Skudai here, have started and are expected to be completed in phases in October this year.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) is studying to create an Amanah Saham Rahmah initiative aimed at assisting hardcore poor families in this country.

Its Deputy Minister, Fuziah Salleh, said the initiative is expected to help alleviate the cost of living burden of the group and ensure a steady source of income.

She explained that the initiative involves the government investing a certain amount of money in selected companies. The dividends generated from these investments are then allocated to needy families, while the government retains ownership of the principal amount invested.

“We are studying the best mechanism to implement Amanah Saham Rahmah and how to establish a consolidated fund for investment purposes.

“For example, the government will invest RM100,000 under Permodalan Nasional Berhad. The principal will remain with the government, and the dividends will be distributed among the hardcore poor families.”

She said this when appearing as a guest on RTM’s Selamat Pagi Malaysia programme today.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The Kelantan government will take a mature approach to strengthen the relationship between the state government and the Federal Government in the spirit of federalism for the wellbeing of the people, said newly-appointed Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.

He said a strong government-to-government relationship is important for the benefit of all, especially the people.

“Apart from that, we will also continue the legacy of developing with Islam… this policy has been proven to place Islam as the foundation for the administration and prosperity of the state as well as the welfare of the people.

“Also my priority is to become Menteri Besar for all the people of Kelantan regardless of race or background,” he said.

He said this at his first press conference as the new Menteri Besar of Kelantan at the MABNA-MBI building, here today, which was also attended by his deputy Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan.

Earlier, Mohd Nassuruddin, who is also the assemblyman for Meranti, put his thumb on the time recorder at his office at 8.30 today to start his first day as Menteri Besar of Kelantan.

He also spent time mingling with the staff of the Menteri Besar’s Office before starting his duties.

Mohd Nassuruddin, who is the third Menteri Besar of Kelantan after PAS took over the state from Barisan Nasional in 1990, said the line-up of State Executive Councilors (Exco) that has been approved and appointed by the Sultan of Kelantan is a balanced and best leadership line up from various fields, especially scholars, technocrats and professionals .

“What is important is that the concept of consultation is the foundation of strength in this government as practiced by the previous (PAS) administrations. I hope all parties can provide support to continue the legacy of MBI (Develop with Islam)” he said.

Yesterday, Mohd Nassuruddin was sworn in as the new Menteri Besar of Kelantan before the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, at the Istana Negeri, Kubang Kerian. Nine assemblymen were also sworn in as Kelantan Exco.

Mohd Nassuruddin said the portfolios of all Exco concerned will be compiled and announced soon..

In the state polls on Saturday (Aug 12), PAS swept 43 of the 45 seats in the State Legislative Assembly.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The Department of Labor and Employment – National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) helped facilitate the payment of separation pay of some retrenched workers of ABS-CBN Corporation’s TeleRadyo. In a statement Wednesday, the DOLE-NCR noted that a quick response team (QRT) from its Quezon City field office provided assistance to 60 employees, based on the establishment report submitted by the company to the agency. TeleRadyo, which formerly airs DZMM programs, ceased operations on June 30 due to financial losses. Citing the media firm’s report, the DOLE-NCR said those affected by the stoppage of operations were also given the opportunity to be placed or transferred to other positions or divisions within the company due to new operational requirements. Among those employees, 35 affected workers were able to receive their separation pay on July 19 and July 28 at the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Building in Quezon City. It added that other affected workers have yet to receive their monetary claims on the next scheduled dates in coordination with the company’s representatives. Apart from the payout, the QRT also held an orientation and profiling of possible beneficiaries for the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP). It added that a total of 16 out of 35 claimants have signified their interest to apply to the program.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) based in this province distributes thousands of tilapia and catfish fingerlings to fisherfolk in various parts of Ilocos Norte, whose ponds and fish cages were damaged due to the onslaught of the previous typhoon. Vanessa Abegail Dagdagan, Senior Aquaculturist of BFAR-Ilocos Norte, said in an interview Wednesday that a total of 378,000 tilapia fingerlings and 32,000 catfish were distributed to target beneficiaries, making sure that the province will have sufficient fish supply in the upcoming months. ‘This is just the initial distribution of fingerlings as early recovery assistance to severely affected areas as we expect more fingerlings to arrive from the BFAR- National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center in the Science City of Munoz in Nueva Ecija,’ Dagdagan said. She added this intervention is expected to increase harvest to support food supply and boost fish production in the province after Typhoon Egay left more than PHP20-million damages in fisheries. Aside from the ongoing distribution of fingerlings until Friday, Dagdagan said the agency has also delivered 1,200 food packs to augment the continuing relief aid distribution to affected fisherfolk. ‘Thank you to BFAR Region 1 for extending their support to us,’ said Joel Queddeng, president of the Dilavo Fishermen Association in Pasuquin town. In the latest report on a fish production survey, the Ilocos Region’s overall fisheries production posted a total of 194,114 metric tons in 2022. It improved by 2.56 percent over the 2021 production of 189,260.45 metric tons. Ilocos Norte is the sole province in Ilocos Region without a commercial fishery sector. All fishery subsectors, including aquaculture, inland, marine, and commercial, posted a reduction in production, wherein inland municipal fisheries had the highest drop of 31.20 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority

Source: Philippines News Agency