Author: malaysiang

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Increase in flight fares will be investigated – MOT

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has asked the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) and airline companies to immediately investigate on the increase in air fares during the festive season.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said he conveyed the matter during a special meeting chaired by him yesterday, which also involved MAVCOM, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and domestic airlines.

He said the meeting was held to find solutions following public complaints on increase in flight fares between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, as well as Sarawak, in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebration.

Wee said CAAM had approved the extension of the operating hours of air traffic control services at the required airport and assisted the airlines in planning for the additional capacity, especially with the approaching festive season.

“MOT is committed and will make every effort to reduce air fares to ease the people’s burden. MOT, through MAVCOM, will inform the public on the outcome of discussions with the airline companies soon,” he said in a statement today.

According to Wee, based on monitoring conducted by MAVCOM, airfares on April 30, 2022 (peak travel date for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season) have increased compared to the average airfares in 2019.

“This increase is due to increased operating costs, especially the increase in jet fuel prices, as well as limited resources for airlines to increase full capacity.

“The dynamic pricing mechanism also uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the process of determining the fare price, ” he said.

He said the airline companies also had problems to increase flight capacity immediately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the aircraft needed to go through a process of maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) before they can be approved for safe service.

Wee said for April 2022, the frequency of flights to Sabah and Sarawak was still low, at only 68 percent compared to 2019.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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99.5 per cent of new COVID-19 cases recorded yesterday in category one, two

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) — Malaysia recorded 10,413 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, with 99.5 per cent of them in category one and two, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said 52 of the cases, or 0.5 per cent, were in category three, four and five, with 16 of the cases involved those who had not been vaccinated or not completed the vaccination, 11 cases involved those who had completed the vaccination, but not taken the booster shot, and 25 cases were those who had received the booster dose.

This brings the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases recorded in the country as of yesterday to 4,363,024, with 112 active clusters, including eight new clusters that were reported yesterday, he added.

He said 374 COVID-19 cases were admitted to hospital yesterday, with 154 cases (41.2 per cent) in category three, four and five, while the remaining 220 cases (58.8 per cent) were in category one and two.

On the recovery cases, Dr Noor Hisham, there were 13,202 cases, bringing the cumulative number of recovery cases from COVID-19 to 4,209,858.

On the use of health facilities specifically for COVD-19 cases, he said, no states recorded usage of more than 50 per cent for beds in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) yesterday.

For usage of beds at the COVID-19 Low Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC), only Perak recorded more than 50 percent, at 71 percent.

On the infectivity rate or Rt value, it was 0.86 nationwide, with Selangor still recording the highest rate of 0.91, while Kelantan the lowest, at 0.63.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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UMNO’s decision in naming Ismail Sabri a PM candidate restores people’s confidence – Annuar

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) — The decision by the UMNO Supreme Council (MT) in naming its the party vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the prime minister candidate in the 15th General Election (GE15) enabled him to restore the people’s confidence.

Ketereh UMNO division leader Tan Sri Annuar Musa is also of the view that it is time for the Prime Minister to be entrusted as Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and the BN election machinery director.

As the Prime Minister candidate, he said, Ismail Sabri should be given as much space as possible to form an administration that can bring a ‘new order’ of national politics that is fresher, cleaner, with integrity and able to restore the country.

Annuar, who Minister of Communications and Multimedia, said the decision by the UMNO MT would also enable Ismail Sabri to focus and mobilise all his strength to restore the party’s strength.

“Congratulations to UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the UMNO Supreme Council (MT) members for having made a comprehensive decision in nominating Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the Prime Minister candidate to represent UMNO for the upcoming GE15,” he said.

Annuar also said he believed that decision was welcomed by all members and supporters of UMNO’s struggle, Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties and BN allies.

Yesterday, the UMNO Supreme Council unanimously proposed Ismail Sabri as the Prime Minister candidate for the 15th general election (GE15).

UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, in a statement, said it was endorsed at the Supreme Council meeting chaired by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Ismail Sabri expresses gratitude for being nominated as PM candidate

PUTRAJAYA, April 15 (Bernama) — UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has thanked his party for nominating him as the Prime Minister candidate for the 15th General Election (GE15).

The UMNO Supreme Council (MT) chaired by its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday (April 14) unanimously proposed Ismail Sabri as the prime ministerial candidate in GE15.

“I would like to thank the party president (Ahmad Zahid), deputy president (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan), Top Five and all MT members for unanimously supporting me as the prime minister candidate if Barisan Nasional wins the GE15,” said the ninth prime minister.

Met by the media after at the launch of Koperasi Pudina Putrajaya Bhd Coopmart and Coop Community Mart here today, Ismail Sabri said the decision made by MT UMNO clearly showed that the party remained united.

“Although there are various parties (saying) there are groups and so on in UMNO, yesterday’s decision clearly shows that what was said is not true because UMNO continues to be strong, its solidarity is also strong. There is no camp in UMNO,” he said.

Ismail Sabri, however, said that he has no idea when GE15 will be held.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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SSM gives RM5,000 tithe to Al-Mursyid Guring Mosque

KANGAR, April 15 (Bernama) — The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) in Perlis contributed RM5,000 in tithe payment to the Al-Mursyid Guring Mosque, Pauh, to help ease the burden of the asnaf (eligible tithe recipients) among the mosque congregation.

The Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPs), in a statement today, a ceremony was held yesterday, where Perlis SSM manager Ahmad Nizam Samsoo handed over a cheque for the purpose to the Al-Mursyid Guring Mosque Committee chairman Syed Abu Bakar Syed Kamal Bharin Jamalullail.

The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, who is MAIPs president, was present to witness the event. Also present was MAIPs chief executive officer Mohd Nazim Mohd Noor.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Rising interest in electric vehicles in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) – Electric vehicles (EVs) are trending, with many on social media posting photos and talking about their happiness and pride at owning one.

According to Malaysian Electric Vehicle Owners Club (MyEVOC) president, Datuk Shahrol Halmi, there are an estimated 500 EVs on the road today, with more people intending to buy one for several reasons.

“There’s a bright future for EVs in Malaysia, with many expressing an interest in owning one because it is smoother and quieter than a conventional car,” he said.

There’s also a wide selection of EVs in the market to suit your budget, needs and brand preference, said Shahrol.

“The current trend in Malaysia is high-end EVs from Porsche, BMW, Hyundai, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, and now, Tesla, MG and Audi have entered the market, too. Buyers are spoilt for choice,” he said.

“The Malaysian government encourages EV use, providing an exemption on import duty and more. They are better for the environment and don’t emit carbon dioxide which pollutes the air.

“It is in accordance with the government’s 2021-2030 Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint, as well,” Shahrol said.

However, there are still some weaknesses that need to be corrected to ensure the EV ecosystem is on par with other countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

“They are more actively working on becoming leaders in the EV field and are continuously improving their ecosystem to enable their people to use EVs with ease,” he said.

The other drawbacks here are the high cost of EVs because it is still a new technology and the lack of charging stations, although Shahrol believes this will be sorted out soon as the switch to EVs accelerates.

“I hope EV users will be more involved in giving feedback to sellers, charge point operators and the government for a EV future that is brighter,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Agong, Permaisuri wish Happy Vishu

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) — The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah greet the Malayalee community in the country Happy Vishu.

Through a posting on the Istana Negara Facebook today, Their Majesties also wished the community a peaceful, happy and prosperous life.

“May this festival brings peace, happiness and prosperity to the Malayalee community in Malaysia, according to the post. The festival is celebrated today.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency