Day: November 23, 2021

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia)— Malaysia will implement three new mechanisms to ensure the integrity of the management system for the import of halal meat products into the country, said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

 

The prime minister said these mechanisms would be implemented by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and several related agencies in response to the imported meat cartel episode in December last year, which served as an eye-opener to many quarters regarding the importance of having a sound management system for the halal product supply chain in Malaysia.

 

One new requirement is for animal-based products stored at warehouses to possess the Malaysia Halal Certificate (SPHM) under the scheme for warehousing logistics category, he said when launching the 2021 National Halal Conference virtually here Tuesday.

 

“Imported animal-based products need to use the services of an SPHM-certified transport chain under the scheme for transport logistics category,” he added.

 

Apart from this, there would also be a mandatory procedure on repackaging compelling companies to obtain Malaysian halal certification under the food product scheme, he said.

 

The media reported in December last year that a syndicate had smuggled frozen meat into the country before repackaging it with the halal logo to sell the products in Malaysia.

 

To strengthen Malaysian halal certification, Ismail Sabri said JAKIM is developing a RM3.4 million Halal Integrated Information System to serve as a database for halal products.

 

The database will comprise six systems, namely the MYeHALAL (domestic), MYeHALAL (international), e-Cert Print System, Malaysia International Halal Authority Board (MyIHAB), Module on Application of Foreign Slaughterhouses and Module on Malaysian Halal Product Ingredients Management (MyHALAL Ingredients).

 

He said that under MyIHAB, JAKIM can regulate 84 foreign halal certification bodies from 46 countries recognised by JAKIM.

 

“Insya-Allah, through this planning it is expected that beginning 2023, the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) can use this system to check the status of halal products from foreign countries,” he said.

 

Ismail Sabri, who also launched the Malaysia Halal Certification Procedure Manual (Domestic) 2020 and Malaysia Halal Management System 2020, said JAKIM is also developing the Malaysia Halal Certification Procedure Manual (International) and International Halal Executive Module.

 

These two manuals under development are aimed at empowering the Malaysia halal certificate at the international level through the Malaysia Halal Certification Internationalisation Programme which will enable foreign industry players to apply for the Malaysia halal certificate directly from JAKIM, he said.

 

At the same time, the government will also prioritise efforts to empower Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the halal industry through guidance programmes involving several related ministries.

 

He said JAKIM’s efforts to enhance Malaysia halal certification had gained recognition from the Department of Standards Malaysia through the award of the ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation on Oct 10, 2020, making JAKIM the first halal certification body in the country to be accorded recognition on the global stage.

 

“This accreditation has given an impact not only to various products which have been certified but also contributed to better management in the implementation of halal certification,” he said.

 

Quoting reports from the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department that the halal market is projected to contribute 8.1 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by generating exports of RM56 billion by 2025, he urged the relevant agencies, ministries and industry players to improve the marketability of local halal products at the international level.

 

In 2020 alone, the halal industry contributed RM9.7 billion to the country’s GDP, he said.

 

The prime minister is optimistic that the halal industry has potential to boost the country’s economy as the Muslim population in the world will increase from 1.8 billion currently to 2.2 billion in 2030.

 

Based on these figures, the demand for halal products and services can hit US$680 billion annually, he added.

 

 

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

As countries seek to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more important to consider how ADB can support the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda. The SDG Dialogues engage senior ADB management and global experts to reflect on the path to SDG attainment in the region at this critical time.

 

Transcript

ADB and the Sustainable Development Goals

 

Supporting Progress in Asia and the Pacific

 

Helen Clark

Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Former Administrator, UNDP

 

One thing that gives me optimism about the future of the SDGs is when major regional development banks like the ADB take them very, very seriously. If the financing institutions don’t put them at the heart and center of their programming and planning and partnerships with countries, we can’t get anywhere because SDGs require political commitment, and they require money to go with it. And you are such an essential part of that partnership.

 

Emily Woodland

Managing Director / Co-Head, Blackrock

Sustainable Investing Asia Pacific

 

Companies in Asia that understand their overall impact on the environment and society, and they properly align their business and operations with the sustainable transition—they’ll have the potential to become market leaders. And those that fail to adapt will likely be facing into more pressure from regulators, and things like operational issues, and reputational repercussions of total inaction.

 

Naina Batra

CEO and Chair, Asian Venture

Philanthropy Network

 

That’s exactly what I hear from the market: is, you know, we need blended finance. We need to be able to derisk some of these early-stage investments. We need to be investing in innovation. We need to be investing in scaling some of the enterprises in the areas that have the greatest amount of need.

 

Masatsugu Asakawa

President

Asian Development Bank

 

The SDGs are firmly embedded in our long-term corporate Strategy 2030. Our corporate targets on gender, climate change, and private sector mobilization are all strongly aligned with the SDGs.

 

ADB’s integrated and country-focused approach— combining finance, knowledge, and partnership— uniquely positions us to support our DMCs in their efforts to achieve the SDGs. Yet there is much more to be done, and much to learn from our ongoing efforts.

 

Next on the SDG Dialogues Live Webinar Series

 

SDG Impact: New Approaches to Measurement and Alignment

2 December 2021

 

 

Source: Asian Development Bank

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to join you today for the Outstanding Social Worker Award Presentation Ceremony.

 

I would first like to congratulate the Singapore Association of Social Workers on your 50^th anniversary. Over the past five decades, you have made significant contributions to Singapore’s social work sector. You have worked alongside the Ministry of Social and Family Development and other partners to grow the social work profession and to nurture generations of social workers. May you continue to advance the profession to greater heights for many more years to come.

 

During the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated various social issues and challenges in our community. Breadwinners lost their jobs, impacting families. Seniors were at greater risk of social isolation. Mental health issues were on the rise. In many aspects, the vulnerable were more acutely impacted.

 

Nevertheless, despite the many challenges, our social workers valiantly held the fort at the frontlines for our community. They journeyed alongside those in need, with great compassion and empathy, and helped them on their paths towards resilience. I thank all social workers for your dedication and selfless contributions, as well as your loved ones for their support.

 

Social work transcends just doing good. It involves critical thinking, identifying and addressing the unique needs of clients, advocating for them, and working with partners and systems to meet those needs. I am proud to have witnessed the strong professionalism and courage exemplified by our social workers, especially during the pandemic.

 

Let  me  share an example of how Michelle, who is one of our Promising Social Worker Awardees today, has displayed this. During the pandemic, Michelle was concerned that our seniors, especially those living alone, were at greater risk of social isolation. If left unaddressed, this may in turn impact their mental wellbeing.

 

To address this, Michelle co-led a neighourhood buddy system in Gek Poh Estate. Under this initiative, volunteers were paired with elderly neighbours in need, allowing them to provide timely social support and practical assistance. This includes helping elderly neighbours get meals and accompanying them to medical appointments. The volunteers were also trained in preventive work, such as identifying signs of dementia or depression. The initiative has now become part of a larger social and community support ecosystem. Through this example, we can see how social workers play a significant role in uplifting the lives of the vulnerable – by identifying needs in our society, working across systems and stakeholders, and uniting the community to care for those in need.

 

Today, I am happy to congratulate the winners of the Outstanding and Promising Social Worker Awards – Katijah, Gilbert, Michelle and Rafidah – for your exceptional contributions and dedication towards supporting and protecting those in need. For many years, Katijah has been a dedicated advocate in supporting clients affected by family violence and championing early intervention initiatives to protect the vulnerable. Gilbert has spent over two decades deepening the sector’s capabilities in psychosocial oncology, grief and bereavement support for patients and caregivers. Michelle leverages her social work experience to forge strong community bonds through care programmes, buddy systems and supporting caregivers. Rafidah’s drive to help ex-offenders re-integrate into society and to enhance criminal justice social work has spurred her to develop programmes to meet these needs.

 

Your leadership and excellence are an inspiration to the social work fraternity, as well as to our wider society. I am confident that your contributions will inspire many more to step forward to contribute to society in significant ways, creating ripples of positive change in the lives of the vulnerable and those in need.

 

Lastly, I would like to raise the importance of self-care. As social service professionals, you work hard to serve those in need, shouldering their burdens. It is important that you also remember to take care of yourselves. To this end, I was glad to hear about the Joy @ Social Services movement that was started last year, which seeks to strengthen support for social service professionals within their organisations. I hope that more will join the movement, and that we will actively look out for our fellow practitioners who may need more support.

 

Thank you.

 

 

Source: President’s Office of Singapore

The Police have observed an increase in a new variant of scam where scammers posed as buyers on online marketplaces. Since October 2021, at least 44 victims fell prey to such scams, with losses amounting to about $35,000.

In these cases, scammers would allegedly approach victims on online marketplaces and express interest in purchasing items that victims were selling. After agreeing to the sale of the item, the scammer would request for the victims to make payment via PayNow. Thereafter, the victims would receive an email from the online marketplace, indicating that payment had been made but they are required to access the phishing URL link provided to receive payments. Victims who accessed the phishing URL links would have been led to fake webpages allegedly impersonating that of banks. Victims would then be instructed to login to their bank accounts to receive the payment. Victims would only realise that they have been scammed when they discovered unauthorised transactions made to their bank accounts.

Members of the public are advised to follow these crime prevention measures:

1. Verify buyer’s profile on online marketplaces through reviews and ratings;
2. Do not click on URL links provided in unsolicited emails and text messages;
3. Always verify the authenticity of the information with the official website or sources, for instance to check the sender’s email address and verify the authenticity of such mode of payment with the respective online marketplaces;
4. Never disclose your personal or Internet banking details and OTP to anyone; and
5. Report any fraudulent transactions to your bank immediately.

If you have any information relating to such crimes or if you are in doubt, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Join the ‘Spot the Signs. Stop the Crimes’ campaign at www.scamalert.sg/fight by signing up as an advocate to receive up-to-date messages and share them with your family and friends. Together, we can help stop scams and prevent our loved ones from becoming the next victim.

 

 

Source: Singapore Police Force

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in a rare public rebuke of China, expressed abhorrence and “grave concern” Monday about last week’s firing of water cannon by Chinese coast guard ships on Filipino supply boats in the South China Sea.

While addressing a special China-ASEAN summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and fellow Southeast Asian leaders in attendance, Duterte spoke about the Nov. 16 incident near a grounded World War II-era warship that serves as an outpost, saying South China Sea issues could not be solved by force.

“We abhor the recent event in the Ayungin Shoal and view with grave concern other similar developments,” Duterte said. “This does not speak well of the relations between our nations and our partnership.”

The Philippine president’s words were unusually strong because Duterte, whose term ends next year, has pursued closer ties with Beijing since taking office in mid-2016.

The European Union, meanwhile, was among the latest to hit out at China for using a water cannon against Philippine resupply boats in disputed waters. A statement issued by the EU over the weekend followed similar condemnation from the United States.

Duterte stressed that the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that threw out Beijing’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, had already provided “legal clarity” on the issue.

China has rejected the ruling and insisted on its historical claims over virtually the entire sea region, which the court ruled as having no basis in UNCLOS.

Last week, Zhao Lijian, spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, told reporters in Beijing that “on the evening of Nov. 16, two Philippine supply boats trespassed into waters near Ren’ai Jiao (Second Thomas Shoal) of China’s Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands) without China’s consent.”

“Chinese coast guard vessels performed official duties in accordance with law and upheld China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime order,” Zhao said.

During Monday’s summit marking the 30th anniversary of relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Duterte urged Beijing to commit to finishing a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. The code, over which the two sides have been negotiating for years, would guide actions in the contested waterway.

“The South China Sea is a strategic challenge that cannot be solved by force,” he said.

“We all want to benefit from the bounties of this vital maritime domain. We agree that peace and stability are a precondition for this to happen,” Duterte said as he called on all parties to exercise “utmost restraint and avoid escalation of tensions.”

“And most importantly, let us earnestly work toward the peaceful resolution of disputes following international law. … There is simply no other way out of this colossal problem but the rule of law,” Duterte said.

Also on Monday, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters that resupply boats were headed to the outpost and should arrive Tuesday morning, the state-run Philippine News Agency reported.

“A Navy plane will be in the vicinity when the resupply ships are in Ayungin,” he said.

European Union opposition

In its statement issued on Sunday, the European Union said “it reiterates its strong opposition to any unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability in the region and the international rules-based order.”

The bloc “emphasizes the importance for all parties to respect freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea,” Nabila Massrali, the EU’s spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in urging “all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means.”

On Friday, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price had reminded Beijing that an armed attack on Philippine boats in the South China Sea would invoke Washington’s defense commitment under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines.

The Ayungin Shoal, a submerged atoll in the Spratlys Islands, is claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Since 1999, the Philippines has maintained a Marine detachment aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, the World War II-era warship, which was grounded deliberately to serve as an outpost.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam are among the ASEAN members claiming parts of the South China Sea. Indonesia does not consider itself a claimant but has issues with China claiming the waters around the Natuna islands.

Outside the bloc, Taiwan also claims parts of the South China Sea.

Philippine candidate: ‘My country, not theirs’

On Saturday, Philippine Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is running for president in the country’s May 2022 general election, said a plane that he was traveling on had received a radio challenge from Chinese authorities as it neared Thitu, a South China Sea island which Manila calls Pag-asa.

“As we were approaching the airstrip on the island, our pilot was challenged by one of the Chinese Coast Guard vessels stationed a little beyond the three nautical-mile distance from the island of Pag-asa,” Lacson said in a statement.

Lacson shared a video taken from the cockpit, in which someone could be heard saying: “You are approaching our military zone. Please stay away from the area and leave immediately. Your actions are unfriendly and dangerous.”

Lacson said he never considered backing off.

“Aside from the possibility of being fired at being remote, this is my country, not theirs. They had no right. That was my mindset,” he said in a tweet.

Lacson said he visited the island to plant the Philippine flags and consult with its civilian residents and military guards. While there, he said received a message on his mobile phone from a roaming service provider which said “Welcome to China.”

 

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