Author: malaysiang

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob wants environmental violations to be addressed with stricter laws.

Speaking to reporters after officiating the World Environment Day celebration at Taman Tugu here today, Ismail Sabri cited the park, previously a well-maintained forest area, which was turned into a garbage dump by irresponsible parties.

“Therefore, laws related to the environment need to be expedited in an effort to ensure that there are no violation cases that could lead to environmental destruction.

“We have been talking about environmental law for a long time … however, I have not been able to get comprehensive information. Insya-Allah, on Wednesday (in the Cabinet meeting) I will emphasise that this environmental law needs to be expedited, because we know a lot of encroachment and so on, occurs,” he said.

Ismail Sabri said apart from that, the people must continue to look after the environment, as the world was currently experiencing climate change and the effects had already been felt.

Elaborating further, the Prime Minister said the major floods which occurred previously could still also occur at any time due to climate change.

“As I mentioned, last year’s floods, for example, unexpected floods and even some areas were flooded even though they never experienced floods before. In the past, we could expect the Northeast Monsoon to occur in November, December and January, but now this happens regardless of the time.

“In Kuala Lumpur, there were flash floods. This shows that climate change has already started and in the next 10 years we expect it to be even worse,” he said.

Earlier, Ismail Sabri, in his speech in conjunction with World Environment Day, themed ‘Only One Earth’, also once again explained the government’s action plan and mitigation efforts for the short and long term in facing global climate change.

He said the government’s targets include increasing the share of renewable energy capacity to 31 per cent and a recycling rate of 40 per cent by 2025, besides maintaining at least 50 per cent of the country’s forest cover.

To boost the country’s green agenda, Ismail Sabri said the government also set a target to achieve carbon-neutral nation status through the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the Sustainable Malaysia 2030 target and exemption from import duty, excise duty and sales tax for electric vehicles.

“The country’s commitment through zero or low carbon investment and green technology is expected to attract investors to make Malaysia a green investment hub destination,” he said.

Ismail Sabri also appreciated the efforts of the local community who strive to develop their environment to be greener as done through the Kebun-kebun Bangsar and Kebun-kebun Kerinchi community projects in the capital.

“Interestingly, these vegetable gardens are managed using the communities’ own funds to educate and encourage public involvement with the crops also shared with the less fortunate.

“The concept of empowering the community is what I want to expand to realise the country’s green agenda. Therefore, I want the relevant government agencies to help, especially to facilitate matters and provide the necessary assistance,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the government had also given a mandate to a national public trust, Amanah Warisan Negara (AWAN), to preserve, manage and operate Taman Tugu.

He said that the implementation of the Taman Tugu project was aimed at creating a sustainable rainforest park in the city, as well as being a symbol of the commitment of all parties to safeguard and protect natural heritage treasures.

“I understand that the Taman Tugu secondary forest site, which was previously used as an illegal garbage dump, has been visited by more than 500,000 visitors after the conservation process and opening to the public in 2018,” he said.

Ismail Sabri also believes that more visitors will visit Taman Tugu to enjoy the beauty of its environment, as the country is currently in the transition to the endemic phase.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MADINAH, June 5 (Bernama) — The first batch of 295 Malaysian haj pilgrims arrived at the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport at about 9.30 pm Malaysian time yesterday.

They were then taken to the Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick Hotel located next to the grounds of An Nabawi Mosque where they were greeted by haj consul Mohammad Saimi Mat Som, consul at the office of Consulate General of Malaysia in Jeddah Farah Syafina Bahari and head of chancery Muhammad Hafiz Bahar.

“We would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to the leadership of the Saudi Arabian government, especially to the Custodians of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohamad Salman, for the decision to open the haj pilgrimage to foreign participation.

“We also want to thank the Ministry of Haj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Foreign Ministry, Syarikat Adila and local authorities as well as the Malaysian Embassy in Saudi Arabia,” Muhammad Saimi told reporters here.

He also advised the Malaysian pilgrims to stay healthy and hoped they will be able to perform their haj well.

A total of 14,306 Malaysian pilgrims will perform haj this year, and they are scheduled to arrive in Madinah and Makkah in stages beginning today.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KOTA KINABALU, June 4 (Bernama) — Who would have thought that corn husks could be turned into beautiful works of art like flower bouquets?

This is because after the corn kernels are processed into food or drinks, the husks will usually be thrown into the trash or disposed of.

However, with unique ideas, creativity and Midas touch, the husks can be upcycled into flowers in various colours to be used as decorations or flower bouquets.

This was evident when Upcycled Shack founder, Tressie Yap, 50, decided to share her hobby and innovative skill of turning corn husks into crafts with over 20 housewives in Kota Marudu through a course she jointly organised with her friend, Farni Millis, a social entrepreneur in the district.

The Kota Marudu district, located about 125 kilometres north of Sabah, is well-known as a producer of maize.

When met by Bernama at the ‘Corn Husk Craft’ booth at the ‘Riuh Bah! Keluarga Malaysia’ carnival, Yap said it all began when Farni posted a question on their Whatsapp group on the various uses of corn husks.

“I then responded and said that I used to make crafts using corn husks such as flowers and earrings but it was just a hobby.

“After that, Farni asked if I could provide training? I said I could try and we started it (craft making course and training) about a couple of months ago,” she said when met at the Sabah International Convention Centre here today.

Yap said although it had only been two months, the response from customers was very encouraging, especially during the Mother’s Day celebration and they also received flower bouquets orders for weddings, birthdays and shop openings.

“These flowers are organic, eco-friendly products because they come from agricultural crops. We want to keep up with the eco-friendly concept. As for the colours for these flowers, we use materials from plants such as turmeric, pandan leaves and onion peels.

“Of course, there are some challenges to get the materials (for colouring) but we try to overcome them. However, we will inform customers that we dyed some of the flowers using food colouring,” she said.

So far, about 2,000 corn husk flowers of various colours have been sold at a price of RM6 to RM7 each, and 30 per cent of the proceeds will be distributed to every florist, she said.

Yap, who is also an architect and social entrepreneur, said the course, organised through community empowerment programmes, was a joint initiative between Farni Enterprise and Upcycled Shack aimed at boosting the potential of rural women by utilising agricultural waste to generate income.

Having ventured into recycling activities with a focus on the zero waste concept for the last eight years, she wanted to ensure that every discarded material is turned into a functional product while protecting the environment.

“We want to continue this effort to empower the community, especially in rural areas by turning agricultural waste into income. It requires very minimal capital for them to start a business.

“This initiative is very helpful for single mothers or housewives who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs to increase their income,” she said.

Those interested in obtaining the craft produced by the Kota Marudu community can place their orders via the ‘Corn Husk Craft’ Facebook or Instagram page or call 010-3961869.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SERDANG, June 4 (Bernama) — The current shortage of chicken supply is expected to be resolved in a month, said Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) director-general, Datuk Dr Norlizan Mohd Noor said.

There will be adequate chicken supply to meet demands for the Aidiladha celebration next month, he said.

Norlizan said this was following intervention and inter-agency engagement sessions, involving industry players to find out the main problems related to chicken supply.

“They are committed to increasing production. We are in the recovery process,” he told reporters after the 2022 National World Veterinary Day celebrations here today.

From these engagement sessions, it was found that the shortage was influenced by several factors, such as climate change, disease, lack of workers and the use of open cages and unscheduled chicken vaccination process, he said.

According to Norlizan, almost 80 per cent of chicken breeders in the country use open poultry houses, which are exposed to odour and fly pollution, and only a few of them use the enclosed chicken coop system with optimal technology.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFi) secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid, also confirmed the situation is gradually improving.

“This thing (chicken supply) is temporary. The government is doing its best to ensure no shortage of chicken,” she added.

Earlier, in her speech, Haslina said MAFI, through DVS, had formulated various strategies to take care of animal welfare, including curbing livestock diseases and ensuring that the food supply from animal products is always sufficient.

She added the government has agreed to set up the National Ruminant Board to further boost the industry’s growth, especially in enhancing the country’s beef and dairy production.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

JEMPOL, June 4 (Bernama) — The Semarak Uniti Keluarga Malaysia programme will continue to be intensified at the grassroots level to support the government’s efforts to strengthen the spirit of unity among the people in this country regardless of race and religion.

National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique said the programme was also the best platform to foster unity in this country’s plural society.

Themed ‘Merakyatkan Perpaduan Keluarga Malaysia’, she said the Jempol parliamentary constituency has been chosen as the first location for the two-day programme starting today.

“This programme is held to support the Keluarga Malaysia Aspirations which outline three main values, namely inclusivity, common ground and contentment.

“This is to ensure that all the unity programmes held by the ministry can be heard, seen and felt by all members of Keluarga Malaysia,” she told reporters after officiating the Semarak Uniti Keluarga Malaysia programme at Dewan Feldajaya Selatan, Felda Wilayah Raja Alias, here today.

Also present was Jempol Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif who is also Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) chairman.

In another development, Halimah said the National Unity Index (IPNas) study to measure the level of national unity and harmony in the country is expected to be completed in July.

“This study is carried out in collaboration with Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The findings of the study will be presented to the Cabinet,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency