April 4, 2023

GOVERNMENT ALLOCATES RM5 MILLION FOR UPGRADING OF COURTS HEARING SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN

The government has allocated RM5 million under the 2023 Budget for upgrading and providing of infrastructure for courts hearing cases under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, the Senate was told today.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reforms) Ramkarpal Singh said a conducive and child-friendly court would help the children concerned in giving good evidence, thus ensuring smooth court proceedings.

“Among the facilities provided are rest room, playroom, a place to sleep and for dining, as well as a toilet. The court will also be equipped with high-tech and child-friendly infrastructure facilities such as the court recording dan transcription system, voice-to-text (VTT), audio-visual system, visualiser and testimonial aid such as anatomical dolls,” he said during the winding up session of the Supply Bill 2023 on behalf of the ministry in the Dewan Negara.

He was responding to a question by Senator Datin Ros Suryati Alang on improvements planned by the government for such a court.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

April 4, 2023

GOVT PLANS RM104 MILLION ALLOCATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF KAMPUNG BARU CINA

The government plans to allocate RM104 million for the development of Kampung Baru Cina in Peninsular Malaysia, the Senate was told today.

Deputy Minister of Local Government Development, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said upon approval of the Supply Bill 2023 (Budget 2023) by the Senate, the ministry will look into four key areas in efforts to develop the villages.

“The first concerns the development of basic infrastructure in Kampung Baru Cina, involving the implementation of small-scale development projects to provide basic infrastructure and social facilities to ensure the well-being of the villagers.

“The second is to promote products of Kampung Baru Cina, which is to identify products from new villages that have the potential to be commercialised by upgrading in terms of packaging and marketing so that they are more attractive and competitive,” he said during the oral answer and question session in the Dewan Negara.

He said the ministry also planned to make Kampung Baru Cina a potential tourist destination through the implementation of development projects to generate income for villagers and stimulate local economic activities.

“We will also have programmes to enliven the villages using the bottom-up approach that involves local leaders and villagers to beautify their villages to ensure a conducive and clean environment,” he said.

He said the ministry was targeting RM67.38 million for infrastructure development, RM5 million for house repair assistance, RM1.12 million for new house construction and RM10.5 million to provide financing, including microloans, for villagers.

It was reported by the media previously, that in 2021, the government had allocated RM84 million for the development of Kampung Baru Cina.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

April 4, 2023

LOW TUCK KWONG OFFERS RM50 MLN SCHOLARSHIP FOR B40 STUDENTS TO FURTHER STUDIES AT UNITEN

Indonesian entrepreneur and philanthropist Datuk Low Tuck Kwong is providing scholarships amounting to RM50 million for outstanding students from less affordable families to further their studies at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN).

UNITEN vice-chancellor Prof Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said the scholarship covers tuition fees and living costs for local and Indonesian students to attend undergraduate and postgraduate study programmes at the university.

“Students with excellent results in SPM or O-Levels with at least 6A or CGPA of 3.75 in STPM, A-Levels, foundation programme, International Baccalaureate, pre-university or matriculation can apply for the scholarship,” he said in a statement today.

An Engineering Foundation Programme student Vishnu Varma Jagathesh, 19, shared his happiness at receiving the scholarship offer.

“With this scholarship, my family, from the B40 group, does not have to be burdened with the cost of my studies,” he said when met at an event with the philanthropist at the UNITEN Chancellor’s Office.

Meanwhile, Fariz Faizal, 19, currently taking the Engineering Foundation Programme at UNITEN is grateful for the scholarship as it will enable him to continue his studies, which had been disrupted due to financial problems.

For the record, the Datuk Low Tuck Kwong Scholarship was first offered in 2022 and 78 students have received the scholarship thus far.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

April 4, 2023

MORE MALAYSIANS NEED TO VENTURE INTO TUNA FISHING INDUSTRY – MOHAMAD

More Malaysians need to venture into the tuna fishing industry as the number of Malaysians involved is still relatively low, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

He said currently, only 11 vessels are participating in the industry while a quota of 74 vessels have been allocated by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) to carry out the activity.

“This is a massive project that can bring in good income to those who really work on it,” he said adding that it could also contribute to the national income and create numerous job opportunities.

“Now we only have 11 vessels operating though we have been given a quota of 74. So, through my speech here, those who wish to go into large capital investment may venture into the tuna industry,” he said during the winding up session of the Supply Bill 2023 on behalf of the ministry in the Dewan Negara..

He said this in response to a question from Senator Datuk Paul Igai who wanted to know on the vessel quota and how successful was Malaysia’s involvement in the industry.

He said, Malaysia needs to send reports on the status of resources, landings data, number of active and inactive vessels to the IOTC every year and the poor participation has caused a little problem to the industry in the country.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency