Category: General

KUALA LUMPUR, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir has ordered all programmes and activities scheduled to be attended by a foreign lecturer believed to be pro-Zionists at Universiti Malaya (UM) to be cancelled immediately.

He said the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) viewed seriously the actions of the lecturer, whose statement has sparked controversy and disrespected the sentiments of the community.

The university has also been asked to investigate the matter and report further details as soon as possible.

‘I would like to remind every agency and institution under MOHE to be alert and conduct thorough background checks before inviting anyone to events or programmes organised.

‘Every decision made must take into account sensitivities, and align with the government’s policies and stance,’ he said in a statement here.

Zambry said that although higher education institutions are given autonomy to decide on intellectual programmes, it does not mean they have the complete freedom to disrega
rd the sensitivity of Malaysia’s majority.

‘If someone’s scholarship is clouded with various controversies and questionable academic values, why should they be brought in as a scholarly visitor? There needs to be a fair assessment before making a decision,’ he said in a post on X today.

The presence of Bruce Gilley at a programme in UM went viral on X yesterday after it was uploaded by the political science professor himself.

However, it received a backlash from Malaysians before the post was deleted by Gilley, who also informed that he had departed from Malaysia today.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PETALING JAYA, The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living is committed to improving the public’s understanding of intellectual property, said its deputy minister Fuziah Salleh.

“We are committed to helping the community out there so that their creativity can be enhanced and expanded as well as help more entrepreneurs with innovation to protect their intellectual property,’ she said.

Speaking to the media after launching the Intellectual Property National Day (HHIN) National Forum 2024 today, she said the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) received 246,178 intellectual property registrations until 2023.

Fuziah also said that 118 geographical indications (GIs) have been registered through intellectual property registration through cultural heritage and national treasures, with the majority from Sabah and Sarawak.

“In some states, their local enforcement needs to register the products, this is because it is a recognition that must be protected whereby the product will become a touri
st attraction.

“GI is a sign that can be used on products to show that the products possess qualities and a reputation that are due to that origin,’ she said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Having been in showbusiness for over two decades, powerful singer Ziana Zain eagerly awaits the opportunity to perform in her own mega concert.

For good measure, Ziana Zain will not take it lightly and cannot wait to give her best when her dream is about to come true next month.

Needless to say, the concert to be held at the Mega Star Arena here on May 25 is so meaningful for the singer famous for the song ‘Madah Berhelah’. It is a gift for her fans who have been eagerly awaiting her appearance on the mega stage.

Indeed, the concert also symbolises the struggles of the singer whose real name is Siti Roziana Zain. Known for her high registers, she has faced various challenges throughout her 33 years in the local entertainment industry and will be the most beautiful memory for her as she turns 56 in the same month her concert is held.

So it’s no surprise that the winner of the Most Popular Artiste award, the Anugerah Bintang Paling Popular BH (ABPBH) in 1995, also affectionately known as Kak G
ee, is now diligently preparing herself by actively training at the gym for the past two months.

Ziana, who is also the older sister of popular local male singer Anuar Zain, said that physical fitness training is to improve stamina and health to ensure that she can give her best performance after her last solo concert in 2001.

“I used to be active at the gym but stopped because of time constraints. Now, I’m back in the gym and also receive advice from certified trainers to ensure that my training and posture are correct and suitable for my age.

“Among the exercises I do are dumbbell lifts and cardio workouts which are important for strengthening muscles and maintaining body shape. As a singer, I need to look after my physical appearance and stamina for performances,” she said when approached by the media after a recent meet-the fan event.

The singer of the song ‘Puncak Kasih’ and also a box office movie actress in ‘Sembilu,’ also dreams of releasing a new single this year after being inundated with reques
ts from her fans.

“I’m excited to release a new single after successfully collaborating with singer Hasif Upin in the song ‘Waktu’ last year and performing concerts with Anuar in 2022.

“However, I don’t want to rush and release a half-baked effort. I want it to be genuine, to record a song that suits me,” she said, adding that her priority now is her family, but she would not say ‘no’ to marriage should a suitable candidate comes along.

Ziana had previously tied the knot with Armin Zaharin Ahmad Zambri on May 9, 1998 but the couple divorced on July 12, 2018. They were blessed with three sons and a daughter.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

CALAMBA CITY: The economy of Calabarzon continued its upward trajectory, reaching a substantial value of PHP3.10 trillion in 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday.

During a press briefing held at Hotel Marciano in this city, Charito Armonia, regional director of PSA IV-A, said the overall size of Calabarzon’s economy exhibited robust expansion despite a slight deceleration in its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth to 5.2 percent in 2023 from 7.8 percent in 2022.

The region’s economy was valued at PHP2.94 trillion in 2022 and PHP2.73 trillion in 2021.

Armonia cited the key sectors driving this growth, with “Other Services” encompassing areas such as arts, culture, and personal services, leading the pack with an impressive 22.9 percent surge.

Following closely behind were Accommodation and Food Service Activities with 19.5 percent, Construction with 14.8 percent, and Financial and Insurance Activities with a notable 13.8 percent increase.

‘These are the industries
that posted a double-digit increase while mining and quarrying declined by 0.3 percent, the only industry which recorded a decline in 2023, among others,’ she said.

Underscoring the pivotal role of specific industries, Armonia said wholesale and retail trade, along with the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, contributed significantly to regional growth, posting a solid 6.832 percent increase.

Manufacturing and financial activities also made substantial contributions, growing by 1.7 percent and 13.8 percent, respectively.

In comparison to other regions, Calabarzon emerged as a powerhouse in industrial output, with industry accounting for 49.6 percent of its economic activity, followed closely by services at 46 percent, and agriculture, fisheries, and forestry (AFF) sector at 4.5 percent.

Armonia revealed that Calabarzon played a significant role in driving the national economy, contributing 0.8 percentage points to the country’s 5.5 percent GDP growth in 2023. Additionally, the region ranked second
in terms of GDP share, comprising 14.7 percent of the total GDP.

Discussing expenditure patterns, Armonia cited a notable uptick in gross capital formation, albeit at a slower pace compared to the previous year.

Household final consumption expenditure and government final consumption expenditure also exhibited growth, albeit at a slightly reduced rate.

However, there were slight declines in imports of goods and services from the rest of the world (ROW) and exports of goods and services to ROW, indicating areas for potential improvement.

On a positive note, Armonia highlighted the increase in per capita household final consumption expenditure, which rose to PHP152,754 in 2023, reflecting a 4.3 percent growth from the previous year.

This figure surpassed the national average by 12.1 percent, indicating ‘improved disposable income and enhanced purchasing power among residents.’

Armonia expressed optimism about Calabarzon’s economic trajectory, underscoring the region’s ‘resilience and potential for sustain
ed growth.

Source: Philippines News Agency

BEIJING, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan described the humanitarian aid flotilla mission to Gaza as a huge challenge and called on the Malaysian delegation involved to anticipate various possibilities that will occur.

Mohamad hoped and prayed the aid mission is safe and that the mission takes a cautious attitude even though the Malaysian crew involved have been on the mission several times and have experience dealing with difficult situations.

“On behalf of the Foreign Ministry and also the government, we are happy and proud of the courage of Malaysians who are determined to ease the suffering experienced by the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza through food aid.

“They will sail with a flotilla and this is a huge challenge because we don’t know how the Zionist regime’s army will react when they (aid mission) enter Gaza waters.

“Of course they will delay or they would want the vessel to enter Israeli waters and unload the goods there,” he told Bernama at the Foreign Minister’s dinn
er with the Malaysian diaspora in Beijing last night.

Also present was the Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad.

The sailing mission “Break The Siege: Freedom Flotilla Mission To Gaza 2024” is expected to start sailing on April 26 (Friday).

Eighteen Malaysians are at the moment joining the international civil society onboard an aid flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip by sea following the dire humanitarian situation in the region.

They comprise doctors, humanitarian activists and media practitioners.

Among the Malaysian media practitioners joining the flotilla are writer and broadcast journalist from the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Muhammad Hafizuddin Mohd Yusof, and Bernama TV’s cameraman, Mohammad Nulhakim Jailan.

Activists from 30 countries including Malaysia have been gathering in Istanbul since April 18 for final preparations for the mission “Break the Siege: Freedom Flotilla Mission to Gaza 2024”.

Mohamad stressed that Malaysia’s position on Palestine
was a matter of principle as the country was against any colonialism, illegal operations and Zionist genocide.

“We are not supporting anybody or any group but we are talking about Palestinians here. Don’t get it wrong that we are supporting any group in Palestine. That is why I even advised my Cabinet colleagues to just mention that this is a crime against humanity, the genocide committed in Palestine and Israel to stop the killing.

“They cannot say that this is the act of self defence. How can you say killing a three-year old boy or girl as an act of self defence? There have been 30,000 people killed. We are monitoring the latest development in Rafah,” he added.

On the same vein, Mohamad noted that the government aimed to position Malaysia as a middle state, to protect Malaysia’s interest as an open economy.

He pointed out that the world was “divided into two camps” that saw the return of another cold war and this could affect Malaysia as the country was very much dependent on what was happening globally
.

Mohamad said Malaysia must adopt a foreign policy that is clear to the entire international community so that they can read and evaluate Malaysia’s direction and foreign relations

“We as a nation must have our own stance. What we want to do now is to position Malaysia as a middle state, so we are not leaning towards anybody and we are not favouring anybody but we know what we are doing and we want to be a friendly nation.

“That is very important. That is a strong message to Wisma Putra, to our missions in every part of the world that we have to position our country in such a way so that nobody can read our message wrongly and that we can be friendly nation,” he added.

Mohamad is in Beijing for a three-day working visit from April 23 to April 25.

The working visit is his first to China. This year Malaysia and China will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.

Mohamad is scheduled to hold a meeting with his counterpart, Wang Yi, today to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues involving
the interests of both sides.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SANDAKAN, Malaysia nevers forget the sacrifices Australian and New Zealand heroes made during the World War II particularly in Sandakan and the lessons of history will be carried forward to the new generation.

Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong Shir Yee said the memory of the prisoners of war who suffered and perished during the infamous death marches is etched into the very soil at the Sandakan Memorial Park.

“More than 2,400 allied servicemen primarily from Australia and New Zealand started a journey from which very few returned, we are reminded that the freedoms we enjoy today we paid for with the lives of those who believed in a future they would never see.

“Their legacy is our responsibility to remember them to commit to peace, understanding and safeguarding of the dignity of all humanity,” she said at the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) Day Ceremony at the Sandakan Memorial Park here today.

Vivian also wants everyone commit to making today not only about remembrance but about lea
rning from the past and nuture the bonds of friendship and respect between Malaysia and Australia and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Australian Defence Assistant Minister Matt Thistlethwaite, who is also the country’s Veteran’s Affairs Assistant Minister, said the keeping of the memorial park and the Anzac Day service here represented commitment and also a sign of a strong bond and friendship between Malaysia and Australia.

“Thank you for your reverence and your service to the Australian people here today. Thank you to the city of Sandakan for welcoming us so graciously and for helping Australians to commemorate our fallen.

“Anzac Day is our national day of remembrance, it’s a day when Australians unite around the world to pay our respects and tributes to those who had served our nation and to thank them for their service, this is sacred ground for us Australians,” he added.

He also thanked and paid tribute to the Malaysians who assisted the Australians and British soldiers during that difficult period, and said
that it is wonderfull to have the descendants of Malaysian locals who showed great bravery and courage and sacrifice to assist Australian soldiers during World War II.

Moreover, Matt said in recent years the bond between Malaysia and Australia has grown even stronger with the establishment of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership around trade and defence but most importantly, “our people-to-people links”.

Some 100 people including representatives of the Australian Government Department of Veterans Affairs attended the service.

In January 1945, the Japanese army ordered 455 Australian and British prisoners of war to march from Sandakan to Ranau and in May 1945, another 800 were also made to do the same, while another 288 who were left in the camp in Sandakan later died.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today gave assurance that the revised Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which will be announced soon, will be the best ever introduced in the country.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the revised SSPA will also see the highest financial implication ever involved.

‘I would like to reiterate that the revised remuneration system is the best and involves the highest financial implication the country has ever seen.

‘But it is not your problem, it is our (government) problem to find more money. I want you to know that I do not consider this (remuneration system) a petty or trivial matter,’ he said at the Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Service Association (PPTD) Aidilfitri Town Hall Meeting with Prime Minister here today.

The town hall meeting was attended by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Director-General of Public Service Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and over 2,000 administrative and diplomatic off
icers.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency