Category: General

MANILA: No Filipinos have been reported hurt in the recent volcanic eruption in Indonesia, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said late Monday.

‘The Department of Migrant Workers, through its Migrant Workers Office in Singapore (MWO-SG), reports no Filipinos or overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were injured or harmed in the wake of recent volcanic activity of Mount Ibu in Indonesia’s North Maluku province,’ the DMW advisory read.

The DMW said Indonesian authorities reported that no foreigners were injured after the violent eruption of Mount Ibu on the island of Halmahera on May 18.

Mount Ibu spewed four-kilometer high ash, according to Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation.

Mount Ibu is about 310 kilometers from Manado City, located on the island of Halmahera in North Maluku province.

State volcanology agency, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia, raised Mount Ibu’s alert level to its highest on May 16 after multiple eruptions this month.

The Jakarta Post reported that re
sidents from seven nearby villages were evacuated while authorities recommended that the seven-km or 4.35-mile radius from the volcano be cleared.

The DMW said there are around 550 Filipinos in the area.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) really capable of affecting careers in creative fields such as graphic designers, visual editors, and news presenters?

Currently, AI has emerged as a driving force in transformational change in various sectors including the media industry and its ability is seen to be able to empower news content in a more creative and interesting way, especially the delivery of news on social media.

For Astro AWANI editor-in-chief Ashwad Ismail, integrating AI technology into the industry needs to be seen from a positive and optimistic perspective so that the mainstream media particularly does not fall behind.

Ashwad, who is also the president of Ikatan Setiakawan Wartawan Malaysia-Indonesia (ISWAMI), said the ability of an individual to improve his skills will be an important element in the transition of the media industry towards the new technology.

In terms of technological progress, it will always change and with that change comes the impact on the media industry.

‘Upsk
illing is crucial because whatever technology will emerge in the future, one of the key elements in dealing with technological progress is to stay resilient and be agile,’ he told Bernama.

He said as the rapid pace of AI innovation brings various ethical, social and regulatory considerations, Ashwad said that industry players, taking into account the challenges and complexities that will be faced, need to establish guidelines.

Astro AWANI has recently launched JIWA: A Guideline for AI Utilisation in Astro AWANI, which outlines guidelines for the use of AI in news reporting.

The objectives of the AI Guidelines include upholding journalistic ethics, fostering journalistic skills such as critical thinking, analysis and writing, protecting the confidentiality of information and sharpening the journalistic process.

Meanwhile, New Straits Times (NST) associate editor (Content and Digital) Ahmad Najmuddin Ahmad Najib also agreed that the media industry needs to be ready to face the challenges of AI.

Ahmad Najmu
ddin stated that this is not the first time the media industry is faced with changes in technology that further explore and create new opportunities in the industry.

‘The media industry has lasted this long and every generation of journalists has gone through a sea of change of technological leaps. From typewriters to the internet, from the internet to social media and now you’ve gone to AI.

‘Every generation will have its challenges. The future may be a bit hazy right now, but we will somehow see how it goes – how we can merge this,’ he said to Bernama.

He said NST has started several pilot projects using AI to produce less risky news involving press releases.

AI will be among the topics discussed at the inaugural Sarawak Media Conference (SMEC) 2024, themed ‘Media Evolution in the Digital Era’, which will be held in conjunction with the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) celebration in Kuching, from May 25 to 27.

Themed ‘Etika Teras Kewartawanan Mapan’, HAWANA 2024 will be launched by Prime Minister Da
tuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on May 27.

The largest gathering of Malaysian journalists is organised by the Communications Ministry, in collaboration with the Sarawak State Government, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) being the implementing agency.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MAKKAH, “Feeling unwell, tired, needing rest’, “I seek forgiveness for past sins, may my haj rituals be accepted”. These are some of the feelings expressed by haj pilgrims written on a tree called ‘Ranting Hati’ situated at a corner of the Abraj Janadriyah Hotel here.

This tree, an initiative of the Counselling Unit of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), is a mechanism introduced as a therapeutic method for haj pilgrims to express their feelings during their pilgrimage to the holy land of Makkah.

Counsellor Mohd Najib Harun said that since its introduction a week ago to the pilgrims staying at the hotel, it has received an encouraging response because it not only serves as a place to express feelings but also to share words of encouragement with other pilgrims.

“Sometimes, some pilgrims don’t want us to talk to them for a long time. They just need a trigger to make them express their inner thoughts. That’s all.

“Theoretically, when pilgrims frequently express what is weighing on their minds, their mental clarity i
ncreases. When their mental clarity is high, it means their rational actions are good and they will function well as pilgrims and be able to focus on their haj rituals,” he told media personnel at the TH Headquarters here.

Mohd Najib said that, so far, the counselling team has been visiting pilgrims from room to room or in the cafeteria to introduce the ‘Ranting Hati’ initiative by bringing along leaves and papers for the pilgrims to write about their feelings before attaching them to the tree located at the hotel.

He said this initiative also impacts other pilgrims because when others read these expressions, they realise they are not alone and that others are facing similar issues, which indirectly helps to reduce their stress levels.

Some of the common heartfelt expressions written by the pilgrims, he said, revolved around gratitude, concerns about health and missing family members back home.

“Some write ‘Alhamdulillah’, ‘thank you Allah’, ‘thank you parents for your prayers’ — these are themes of grat
itude. There are also themes of strength like ‘Oh Allah, give me strength’, ‘Oh Allah, give me wisdom through this experience’, which shows that our pilgrims are positive and striving to remain positive,” he said.

He added that the ‘Ranting Hati’ initiative also serves as a medium to collect feedback on issues faced by the pilgrims, helping TH to assess and improve their services continuously.

Meanwhile, one of the pilgrims, Siti Ruhana Kadir, a retired teacher, believes that the initiative helps to alleviate the stress experienced by pilgrims during the haj.

“We should share our heartfelt emotions because performing the haj involves many challenges. To overcome them, we need to constantly share our thoughts and feelings and offer useful advice to one another,” said Siti Ruhana, who is from Kelantan.

Another pilgrim, Siti Bidah Said, in her 60s, also from Kelantan, said that methods like this are indeed beneficial for boosting the morale of pilgrims as they strive to perform their haj and maintain their h
ealth.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday reminded the public to purchase registered medicines from authorized clinics or pharmacies, following reports of doctors selling drugs or medicines to their patients.

‘Ibig sabihin, hindi naman bawal bumili sa isang doctor, ngunit, kailangan lamang po ay kung saan siya nagbebenta ay lisensiyado po ng FDA (This means, it is not prohibited to purchase from a doctor, but the doctor must sell in an establishment that is licensed by the FDA),’ FDA spokesperson Pamela Sevilla said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview.

‘Kung ang kanya pong establishment ay may isang pharmacist, lisensiyado po siya ni FDA, hindi po siya pinagbabawalan magbenta (If the doctor’s establishment has a pharmacist, it is licensed by FDA, the doctor is not prohibited from selling medicines).’

In 2017, the FDA issued guidelines on the purchase of unregistered products from unauthorized clinics or pharmacies under Republic Act (RA) 10918.

Sevilla noted that the Department of Health
regulates the clinics or health facilities while the FDA regulates products, drugstores, and establishments selling health items, but not the doctors or physicians.

The FDA signed a memorandum of agreement with the Professional Regulation Commission and the Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacists last March to coordinate reports on related issues.

To date, around 29,000 pharmacies nationwide are registered with the FDA.

Sevilla said the tally includes non-prescription drugstores or those in supermarkets or convenience stores.

She disclosed the FDA does not have data or a system to check on unauthorized establishments selling drugs or medicines.

However, the FDA monitors reports about establishments violating the guidelines through its post marketing surveillance.

Under RA 10918, violators will pay fine ranging from PHP50,000 to PHP500,000 or face imprisonment from one year to 10 years.

‘Pag-iingat din po sa publiko, na tignan din po sa inyong sarili, kung ang pinagbibilihan ninyo ay talagang lehit
imong doktor, lehitimong establisiyemento, lehitimong produkto (The public must also see for themselves, if they are purchasing medicines from licensed doctors and establishments and these are legitimate products),’ Sevilla said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

CEBU CITY: Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has been appointed chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) for Central Visayas, the Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) official social media page announced Monday.

Chan thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for entrusting him to the council as he shared the post on his social media account.

‘That decision is the result of our continued acceptance of various awards related to our city’s consistency of being number one in peace and order. In fact, we are a city that continues to be number one in the lowest crime rate,’ he said.

RPOC is composed of the region’s governors, mayors of the highly urbanized cities, presidents of the Leagues of Municipalities, and regional agencies, as well as chairman and vice-chairman appointed by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government with the approval of the President.

As new chair of the region’s RPOC, Chan will appoint three representatives from the private sector upon consu
ltation with the members of the council and upon acquiring appropriate security clearances.

The military has a seat in the council as well.

Meanwhile, PCO also announced the appointment of Ariane Neil Marie Yap as a member of the Lapu-Lapu City Council, replacing his father, the later Nelson Yap who died in January this year.

Also received an appointment on Monday was Sheina Marie Onrubia-Dela Cruz as a member of the Provincial Board of Albay.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed condolences to the people of Iran over the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and several government officials in northwest Iran, on Sunday.

Anwar said Malaysia also mourned the calamity that befell the friendly country of Iran.

‘I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and several other officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

‘Our prayers and solidarity go out to the people of Iran during this profoundly difficult time. May Allah bless their souls and place them among the righteous,’ the Prime Minister posted on Facebook.

Anwar also shared a picture of him and Raisi, which was taken during their meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last November.

‘Raisi exemplified a deep commitment to the welfare of his people and the dignity of his nation, which represents a proud and rich civilisation rooted
in the principles of Islam.

‘His dedication to justice, peace, and the upliftment of the ummah was truly inspiring. We committed ourselves to bolstering Malaysia-Iran relations, working together for the betterment of our peoples and the Muslim world. Our pledge will be fulfilled,’ he said.

Earlier, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) President, Pir-Hossein Kolivand reportedly said that no survivors have been found at the site where the helicopter carrying President Raisi crashed.

Kolivand also revealed that the site of the crash had been found after hours of extensive searching in a mountainous region in the province of East Azerbaijan.

Raisi’s helicopter crashed on Sunday afternoon in the Varzaqan region as he was returning with Hossein and several others from a ceremony to inaugurate a dam on Iran’s border with Azerbaijan.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, The government has agreed to extend the invalidity scheme to foreign workers in the country to ensure they too are covered by the benefits of this scheme.

Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said this decision was agreed upon during a joint committee meeting on the management of foreign workers chaired by him and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail here today.

He said the extension of the invalidity scheme was in line with the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4).

“Currently under Act 4, local workers are covered by the employment injury scheme and the invalidity scheme, whereas foreign workers only have the employment injury scheme.

‘Therefore, today’s meeting agreed to extend the social security coverage of the invalidity scheme to foreign workers in the country. The scheme provides 24-hour coverage for invalidity or death due to any cause and not related to the employment,” he told a joint press conference.

Sim said the benefits under the invalidity scheme i
ncluded invalidity pension, invalidity grant and funeral benefit.

‘Under the scheme, RM4,500 is for the repatriation of the foreign worker’s remains/ashes to the home country,” he said.

He said with the introduction of the scheme, Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) was expected to save more than RM25.38 million annually.

Previously, SOCSO assisted the repatriation process through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Meanwhile, Sim said the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) intended to establish a complaint unit for foreign workers, as well as draft standard operating procedures (SOP) for this group.

“This is part of the reform and renewal of the Labour Department…a dedicated unit or SOP to handle complaints from foreign workers.

In other developments, he said there were several detailed matters to be addressed before the implementation of the multi-tier levy mechanism (MTLM) in January next year.

“KESUMA, the Ministry of Economy, together with relevant ministries, are currently
studying the MTLM, including the threshold value and formula for the multi-tier levy before presenting it to the Cabinet,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency