Category: General

KUALA LUMPUR: The international community should urgently insist on stopping the massacre and elimination of people in Gaza, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the matter was stated to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when they discussed various regional and international issues including the current situation in Palestine through a phone call last night.

“I stated that the international community must urgently insist that the massacre and elimination of the people of Gaza be stopped.

“Malaysia will continue to be committed in voicing the country’s firm stance on the plight of the Palestinian people on the world stage,” he said in a post on his official Facebook account today.

Besides, Anwar said Erdogan also expressed hope to intensify the relationship between the two countries, especially in the fields of trade and defence.

In the phone call, the Prime Minister once again invited the Turkish President to visit Malaysia.

Anwar said the two leaders also exchanged Hari Raya Aidil
fitri greetings, which Muslims in Malaysia celebrated yesterday.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUCHING, The Sarawak-owned airline is expected to commence operations in 2025, announced Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg.

He stated that the process of acquiring MASwings Sdn Bhd (MASwings) by the Sarawak government is also expected to be finalised by the end of this year.

He said the acquisition has been agreed upon in principle by the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM), the Ministry of Transport, and the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).

“The current focus is on discussing the technical aspects of the acquisition. I expect it to be concluded by August or, at the latest, by year-end. We will have our own airline by 2025.

“The airline’s name has been decided, but we cannot announce it yet,” he told reporters after his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, here today.

On Nov 23 last year, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Transport, Datuk Dr. Jerip Susil, revealed that the Sarawak state government was conducting a due diligence on MASwings Sdn Bhd in preparati
on for the acquisition.

He added that negotiations were also ongoing with MAG and Khazanah Nasional Bhd to purchase shares in MASwings.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, has communicated Malaysia’s request to the Egyptian government, urging them to consider opening their borders to facilitate the delivery of food and medical assistance to the Palestinian people.

Johari conveyed the request to the Egyptian Ambassador to Malaysia, Ragai Tawfik Said Nasr, who was present at the open house hosted by the Speaker at his official residence today.

“Recently, there has been an appeal for us to send more food and medical aid… our government is committed. Earlier, the Egyptian Ambassador was here, so we asked if it would be possible to open their border.

“I’ve learned from some of our Members of Parliament who recently visited the Egypt-Rafah border that approximately 60 to 70 food and medical trucks we dispatched have been stranded for nearly two to three months, unable to enter,” he said when approached by reporters at the event.

The open house was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Cabinet members,
Speaker of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, Lau Weng San, former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, foreign dignitaries, and senior government officials.

Johari further emphasised that the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel transcends religious boundaries, as it encompasses broader human rights issues, given the diverse religious backgrounds of the Palestinian people.

He added that the Prime Minister reiterated Malaysia’s unwavering stance during his recent visit to Germany, affirming that the country has consistently stood firm on its position regarding the matter.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

BUTUAN: At least 1,182 indigent senior citizens from 21 island barangays in Surigao City received PHP7.1 million worth of stipends for the first semester this year in a series of payout activities on Wednesday.

Each beneficiary will get PHP6,000 in stipends from January to June this year.

In a statement Thursday, the Surigao City Public Information Office (PIO) acknowledged the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s continuing support of the city’s senior citizens through its Social Pension Program.

“The city government is also extending different programs and services to the senior citizens in the city to help them cope with their needs,” the PIO said.

It noted that the distribution of stipends would continue from April 11 to 12 in the city’s villages in the mainland area.

“Some 7,416 indigent senior citizens will benefit from the continuing payout activities in the city,” the PIO said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) conveyed its condolences to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh following an Israeli attack that killed several of Ismail’s family members.

Its minister, Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar expressed his disappointment in a statement, and criticised Israel’s inhumane action, especially during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities.

‘According to media reports, several of his children and grandchildren were killed in the attack… Israel continues to ignore the world’s calls condemning their cruel actions.

‘The Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) conveys its condolences to Ismail Haniyeh. May he continue to remain strong as it is certainly not going to weaken his spirit to continue to fight for Palestine,’ he said.

He also invited Malaysians to pray for Palestinians to be given the strength and patience to face the Israeli regime.

‘Our prayers signify the unity of our hearts,’ he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

JOHOR BAHRU: Over 1,000 residents from several areas in the Bukit Permai state constituency near Kulai experienced water supply disruption ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the affected areas included Kampung Murni Jaya, Kampung Sri Muar, Kampung Agas and Felda Bukit Permai dan the surrounding areas.

He said that, so far, about 300 consumers in Kampung Sri Muar and Kampung Agas still have no water supply and have to depend on water supplied by the water tankers.

According to him, the issue of frequent water cuts in the area has been happening for years and has become more critical during festive seasons.

“There were some areas where water supply was cut on the eve of Aidilfitri and other areas have been without water for three days, like in Kampung Sri Muar,’ he said when contacted today.

The Bukit Permai assemblyman also expressed disappointment over the services given by state water operator Ranhill SAJ w
hich, previously, had stated that the water supply will not be cut and water tankers are on standby.

He urged Ranhill SAJ to immediately solve the problem of frequent water cuts in the affected areas.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: Fighter aircraft from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) on Thursday conducted “basic fighter maneuvers” (BFM) over the skies of Basa Air Base, Floridablanca, Pampanga, as part of the two-week Cope Thunder-Philippines (CT PH 24-1).

BFM refers to tactical maneuvers performed by fighter aircraft during air combat maneuvering to gain a positional advantage over opposing combat planes.

“Utilizing the PAF’s FA-50 and the USAF’s F-16, the forces engaged in flight Integration training, aimed at enhancing pilot capabilities in aerial combat scenarios through tactical maneuvers and techniques,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in a statement.

She said the BFM emphasizes collaborative learning and interoperability between the two air forces.

“Pilots engage in defensive and offensive maneuvers, such as basic fighter maneuvers, air combat maneuvers, and tactical intercepts, to sharpen their skills and enhance combat readiness,” Castillo said.

This edition of
the CT PH 24-1, which runs from April 8 to 19, concentrates on subject matter expert exchanges and field exercises in air and ground operations.

This includes logistics and mission support planning and execution which are necessary in large force deployment. This will prepare the PAF in its anticipated participation in Pitch Black Exercise 2024 in Australia this coming July.

The exercise is part of the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board activities for this year.

The CT PH 24-1 is tentatively scheduled to have a second iteration in June.

Source: Philippines News Agency