Category: General

MANILA: The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Monday said it will seek a bigger budget for its innovation fund next year, a portion of which will be used for an innovation competition.

NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon told reporters on the sidelines of the 2024 National Innovation Day Celebration at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City, that they are hoping to double the Innovation Fund to PHP200 million next year from the current PHP100 million budget.

Aside from funding innovative projects, Edillon said part of NEDA’s plan is to launch the Presidential Philippine Innovators Award.

“Another thing that we’re thinking about for this year is to launch a Presidential Philippine Innovators Award. So ilo-launch siya, pero (So we will launch but) the awarding will be next year. So one whole year of preparation for that. Gusto namin mala Miss Universe ba? May finalist, may semi-finalist. (We want it to be like Miss Universe. There’s a finalist and there’s a semi-finalist),” said
Edillon.

“It will be an open invitation. We also want to be able to include even the MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises). So not just government instrumentalities,” she added.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, for his part, said NEDA is currently developing the guidelines for awards.

“We are launching an innovation competition national and also regional. We are developing the guidelines for now, so we put in budget there for that, because we want to give national prominence to the importance of innovation as key drivers to sustainable growth,” Balisacan said.

Balisacan, in his speech during the event, said innovation is a significant driver of growth and development.

“For this reason, we pay particular attention to how we, as a nation, perform in terms of our systems and institutions for innovation governance,” Balisacan said.

The Philippines ranks 56th among 132 economies in the 2023 Global Innovation Index ranking, up three places from its previous standing in 2022 and surpassing the annual ta
rget set in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

The government aims to secure the 43rd rank by 2028.

Source: Philippines News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties have the responsibility of helping the Unity Government’s candidate contesting the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election on May 11 to win.

Met by reporters after attending Wisma Putra’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri ceremony here today, BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is also the Foreign Minister, said that the responsibility has to be carried out because BN is part of the Unity Government.

According to him, the issue of ‘boycotting’ among BN components in helping the Unity Government candidate does not arise because the BN supreme council meeting has not met yet regarding the by-election.

“I don’t think there is an issue of boycott, BN has not held a meeting yet, let us meet first and in that meeting later, we will consult, exchange ideas and find the best way.

“This is to ensure that BN is strong as a team to help the Unity Government candidates contest in the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election,” he said.

Last Friday, the MCA Political Developm
ent Committee decided not to be involved in the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election campaign activities if the candidate was not from BN.

Following that, MIC also took the same decision for similar reasons.

UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported to have said that UMNO would support any Unity Government candidate announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

The Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election was held following the death of the incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong representing Pakatan Harapan (PH) on March 21.

The Election Commission (EC) set the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election on May 11, while April 27 is the candidate nomination day.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Children need to be given early exposure to digital education to ensure they understand the pros and cons, as well as the risks and consequences of using social media, in addition to understanding the ethics of using the medium.

President of the Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) Siraj Jalil said this, among others, could prevent children from falling victim to online criminal activities and scams.

‘The most important thing is education. With digital education in schools, whatever the Ministry of Communications recommends for the good of users – it is easier for society to digest, understand and apply.

‘Through education, children at school are taught about the good and bad of this digital use and they can be sub-agents to convey information they learned at school to their parents,’ he told Bernama.

He said formal education at school and informal education at home should also go hand in hand as children are more exposed to the use of social media when they are at home, therefore pa
rents and guardians need to control the exposure of the technology to children.

Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF) in a statement today also suggested that parents and guardians ensure children are only given access to devices and internet content with appropriate supervision and monitoring.

While fully supporting the call made by the Minister of Communications, Fahmi Fadzil, who conveyed the warning of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to parents to ensure children under the age of 13 do not have their own social media accounts, CMCF encourages parents to be aware of the risks and dangers present on social media, especially for children.

‘It is important for parents to communicate openly with their children about social media usage and to ensure they understand the safety measures that need to be taken,’ he said.

According to CMCF, the move was vital as children below the age of 13 may not fully understand the risks of using social media.

It said w
ithout proper monitoring, the children could easily fall victim to various online scams, cyberattacks and abuse.

‘Social media may put pressure on children who are not yet mature or able to control their emotions well. Exposure to inappropriate content can have a negative impact on their emotional and psychological development,’ the statement said.

CMCF said children are more likely to share personal information publicly on social media because they do not yet understand the dangers and risks that may arise and that can lead to invasion of privacy or sharing of information with malicious parties.

Yesterday, Fahmi reportedly said the MCMC found that it was not appropriate for children under 13 to use any social media and that most social media platforms did not permit children of such age to sign up for an account.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) Kulai branch in Johor, which has just moved to new premises in Bandar Putra, is expected to help increase the number of depositors in the state.

TH managing director and chief executive officer Syed Hamadah Syed Othman said that the move was to upgrade the level of service, apart from providing comfort to TH depositors in making transactions and hajj-related matters.

He said that the TH Kulai branch’s new office has almost double the space compared with the previous premises as well as more parking space, in addition to being located in a rapidly growing urban area with the support of industrial development.

‘TH has 107 branches nationwide, and 10 of them are in Johor. Johor is one of the states with a high number of depositors, with a total of 1.15 million depositors and more than 57,000 of them are from the Kulai district.

‘I hope with the opening of this new office, TH depositors around the Kulai district and surrounding areas will be able to carry out transa
ctions more easily, quickly and comfortably,” he said, in a statement today.

TH, in the same statement, said various facilities have been introduced for the convenience of depositors, where they can perform transactions at the counters of Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd (BIMB) and Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia (Bank Rakyat) without any charge.

In addition, TH said transactions can also be performed at ATM or CDM machines of banking institutions such as BIMB, Bank Rakyat, Maybank and CIMB.

‘TH depositors can also use internet banking facilities at BIMB, Bank Rakyat, Maybank, CIMB and AmBank, as well as through its online platform THiJARI.

The new office was officiated by Syed Hamadah yesterday. The event was also attended by, among others, TH executive director (Operations) Mohamed Ameen Abdul Wahab, along with the agency’s senior management, state director and staff.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPURL, The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives ended higher on Monday influenced by stronger Malaysian palm oil export in April, said a dealer.

Mumbai-based Sunvin Group commodity research head Anilkumar Bagani said market sentiment was also supported by the lower palm oil production which could see Malaysian palm oil stocks decrease at the end of April.

‘Malaysian palm oil export estimated by Intertek Testing Services (ITS) for April 1-20 was up by 10.18 per cent to 905,515 tonnes from March, while AmSpec Agri Malaysia estimation rose 14.32 per cent to 900,290 tonnes previously,’ he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, palm oil trader David Ng said higher market prices owing to the stronger soybean oil prices in the Chicago Board of trade as well as anticipation of a weak output pace in April.

”Hence, we see support at RM3,900 a tonne and resistance at RM4,100 a tonne,’ he said.

At the close, spot month May 2024 added RM22 to RM4,078 a tonne, June 2024 gained RM15 to RM3,99
6 and July 2024 rose RM18 to RM3,944.

August 2024 bagged RM26 to RM3,908 a tonne, September 2024 was better at RM32 to RM3,885 a tonne, while October 2024 increased by RM40 to RM3,882 a tonne.

Total volume decreased to 65,262 lots from Friday’s 97,851 lots, while open interest fell to 254,188 contracts from 263,873 contracts previously.

The physical CPO price for May South slipped by RM30 to RM4,120 a tonne.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

GEORGE TOWN, The Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA) is committed to narrowing the academic achievement gap, especially in the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), as well as English, between students in urban and rural areas.

Its chairman Datuk Dr. Shaik Hussein Mydin said PERDA is dedicated to providing opportunities and access to STEM education for students in rural areas through the “Mighty STEM 2024″ programme.

‘We will continue this programme for the current year and ensure that more benefits are extended across Penang.

‘We hope that students in rural areas and those from the B40 group will be exposed to the importance of STEM to better prepare them for the industrial sector in the state,” he told reporters after the Year 2023 Appreciation Ceremony and the launch of the Mighty STEM 2024 Programme here today.

He said one of the initiatives under the programme is providing free tuition classes to students organised by PERDA.

Shaik Hussein noted that industri
al development in Penang is becoming increasingly robust, establishing the state as one of the country’s most significant industrial hubs.

Meanwhile, PERDA general manager Mohd Asri Baharum said the sponsorship of this educational programme began in 2006 and continues to this day through the Academic Excellence Programme (PDCA), in collaboration with other sponsors such as the Penang Bumiputera Participation Coordination Division, Penang Zakat, with the support of the Penang State Education Department.

This year, PERDA has allocated RM1 million to continue academic enhancement and STEM education programmes for B40 students in rural areas.

‘In 2023, PERDA was allocated RM1.12 million by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to implement academic enhancement programmes and promote STEM education in 71 primary and secondary schools.

‘Overall, in 2023, the participating schools were engaged in 40 series of programmes, benefiting a total of 2,761 primary school pupils and 2,901 secondary school students,
” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia’s singer Nurshahila Amir Amzah, better known by her stage name Shila Amzah in her homeland and as Xila among her fans in the Land of The Great Wall, believes that the entertainment industry holds considerable influence and plays a pivotal role in fostering Malaysia-China diplomatic relations, especially as the two countries mark their 50th anniversary this year.

Shila, 34, who is currently on maternity leave for her second child, responded to Bernama’s email inquiry, said that when Malaysian and Chinese artists collaborate or when entertainment product travels between the countries, it is akin to constructing a bridge between the two cultures.

‘It is not just about movies and music. It is about connections and understanding. It is about sharing stories, songs, and experiences that resonate with people in both countries. These connections help strengthen our diplomatic relations and bring our nations closer together,’ said the first Malay artist to take the Chinese-speaking pop world
by storm through her Australia-based global talent management, Greyscale Pty Ltd.

Shila who has 2.4 million followers on Weibo, a Chinese microblogging website, said when Malaysian movies or Chinese dramas gain popularity across borders, it is like a shared celebration that deepens Malaysia and China’s bond even more.

Shila first gained attention in China when she won a Chinese reality singing talent show, the Asian Wave competition in Shanghai in 2012, where she showcased her vocal talents singing in Mandarin.

The Malaysian hijabista subsequently participated in one of China’s most popular programs, “I Am A Singer Season 2,” in 2014. This show commands a staggering 500 million viewers per week.

She emerged as the number two choice of professional judges and the number three choice of the audience.

Reflecting on her journey and rise to superstardom in China, Shila said that it was quite unexpected and even surprising, even for herself.

‘Winning the championship in the Chinese singing competition Asian
Waves in 2012 as the first non-Chinese contestant to achieve the feat, marked the beginning of my journey in China. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity as it opened doors for me in the country’s entertainment industry,’ she added.

According to Shila the decision to pursue her career in China was influenced by the abundant opportunities available in the country, especially in the entertainment sector.

‘China hosted numerous competitions that welcomed non-Chinese singers to display their talents. Winning the 2012 Star Waves competition significantly amplified my popularity in China, granting me access to various platforms to showcase my vocal abilities. Music has always been my passion, and this victory provided me with remarkable opportunities to pursue it further,’ she said.

Besides China, the singer-songwriter, actress, and record producer also rose to fame in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Shila’s rising popularity in China led to her appointment as Tourism Ambassador by Tourism Malaysia in 2016. This role
aimed to bolster Malaysia’s tourism brand in China and reinforce the tourism and cultural ties between the two nations.

Asked about her thoughts as a public figure on the current Malaysia-China relations, Shila believes Malaysia-China relations are super important for both countries based on a strong history of working together on trade, investments, and cultural exchanges.

‘Looking ahead, there are plenty of opportunities to make the Malaysia-China relationship even stronger. Both countries have all the opportunities to collaborate more, whether in business, technology, tourism, making a movie, producing a song or just getting to know each other better. By doing that, we can keep growing together,’ she said.

On roles celebrities and influencers like herself can play in promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between Malaysia and China, Shila said celebrities and influencers can do a lot to bring Malaysia and China closer together.

‘We can use our platforms to share positive stories and experience
s from both countries. Whether it is through social media, collaborations, or supporting cultural exchanges, we can help promote understanding and cooperation between Malaysia and China.

‘It is all about using our influence for good and bringing people together, and of course singing the songs in the different languages would be my forte,’ she said.

When asked about the people-to-people relations between Malaysia and China and what Chinese nationals find attractive about Malaysia, Malaysians, and Malaysian music, Shila mentioned that the Chinese often find all three aspects appealing.

‘First, we, the Malaysians are known for our friendliness and hospitality, which totally vibes with Chinese visitors. We are all about making people feel welcome and at home. Additionally, Malaysia’s rich history, culture, religion, food and festivals make it a unique and intriguing destination for Chinese travellers.

‘Our music scene is incredibly diverse, blending traditional sounds with modern beats, reflecting the cultur
al diversity of Malaysia. Many Malaysian Chinese singers have gained popularity in China, with their music resonating well with Chinese vibes while still carrying a distinctive Malaysian flavour,’ she said.

According to Shila, the Chinese are eager to learn more about Malaysia and its cultural offerings. Ultimately, we are all about fostering strong connections and spreading love across borders!, she said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency