April 5, 2023

PERAK APPOINTS 158 CHINESE NEW VILLAGE HEADS – EXCO

The Perak government has approved the appointment of 158 out of the 160 Chinese new village heads statewide for the 2023-2024 session.

State Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, Consumer Affairs and Chinese New Villages Committee chairman Woo Kah Leong said this was decided at the State Executive Council Meeting today.

“This appointment involves the composition in the Unity Government comprising 72 of the representatives from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and DAP for the PH quota, including the appointed professionals, and 14 MCA representatives for the Barisan Nasional (BN) quota,” he said at a media conference at the Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan, here, today.

Woo said the appointments followed the termination of all councillors and village heads on Dec 31, 2022.

He said all the appointed individuals will receive their letters of appointment from Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad on Wednesday (April 12).

“There are two other villages which we have not decided on the village heads yet, namely the Kuala Rui Chinese New Village in Gerik and Kampung Baru Cina Lintang. We hope to make the appointments in the near future,” he said.

He said he was also told that the appointment of Village Development Officers (PKP) will be made soon to ensure that development and welfare affairs in the new Chinese village can be carried out.

“The PKP will assist in the conservation of the villages based on the guidelines and programmes designed to focus on the community.

“They will monitor and village heads will carry out various programmes, including infrastructure development in the villages involved,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

April 5, 2023

AGONG: MUSLIMS MUST SAFEGUARD MOSQUE INSTITUTION FROM BECOMING POLITICAL ARENA

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, today called on Muslims to continue to safeguard the institution of mosques from becoming a political arena for any party.

Al-Sultan Abdullah said that mosques need to be institutions which are holy, noble and respected, to be an example to other religions.

“We don’t want this mosque institution to be where we are divided… Nauzubillah (God forbid). We all have to decide that the harmony of the mosque institution is safeguarded by us all, Muslims, not just the leaders but the congregation of the mosque.

“I will always remind everyone, especially those in Pahang, that the mosque cannot be mixed with any political elements whatsoever,” said His Majesty.

Al-Sultan Abdullah said this when officiating the Ar-Razzaq Mosque and the breaking of the fast in Bachang today.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah was also in attendance.

Also present were Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

Al-Sultan Abdullah also congratulated Ab Rauf on his appointment as the 13th Chief Minister of Melaka and expressed his gratitude to former Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, who made arrangements for Their Majesties’ previous visit to the state.

“I would like to thank everyone for the preparations (of the visit). I appreciate Sulaiman’s efforts.

“Today means so much to me and my family, to be able to visit (Melaka). The third time since 2019. In these three, or four years, I got to know three Melaka chief ministers, while in Kuala Lumpur, with four prime ministers.

“This is a history for me and my family and it will be etched in my heart and memory when I return to Pahang,” said His Majesty.

At the event, His Majesty signed the plaque symbolising the opening of the mosque and presented donations to 100 recipients.

Their Majesties also performed the Maghrib prayers with the mosque congregation.

Earlier, the royal couple arrived at Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam, by special aircraft at 11.56 am, to start a two-day visit to Melaka.

Their Majesties then visited the Peringgit Ramadan Bazaar at 4.45 pm.

Tomorrow, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong are scheduled to grant an audience to Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) members.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

April 5, 2023

SUPPORT TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND SMOKING CONTROL BILL 2022 – PUBLIC HEALTH CONSULTANT

All members of Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara have called to play their part in supporting the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 which is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat this May.

Public health consultant Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said the bill needs to be passed to compensate the effects of nicotine on public health following the government’s decision to remove electronic cigarette or vape liquid containing nicotine from the Poisons Act 1952.

Lokman Hakim said the government’s efforts to tax vape liquids that have nicotine by removing them from the Poisons Act is good, but there are concerns that it will expose the people to uncontrolled nicotine consumption without the bill.

“We are worried about what will happen if the bill is not passed in Parliament while nicotine has been removed from the schedule in the Poisons Act 1952. It has many implications in the context of sales control, especially to children or those who are not old enough.

“For the sake of the future of the next generation, every representative and senator has a moral responsibility to pass this bill to ensure that a stricter and more comprehensive regulation or regulation can be implemented because we are all aware of the heavy impact and burden of smoking and vaping,” he told Bernama.

Lokman who is also the International Medical University (IMU) vice-chancellor (research) was commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement yesterday which assured the new bill to regulate all smoking products including smoking materials containing nicotine will not be delayed and will be tabled this May.

According to Anwar, the implementation of the bill was delayed due to many negative reactions from Members of Parliament.

Commenting further, Lokman Hakim hopes that the government has a comprehensive approach or planning to ensure that its action to remove nicotine-laced vape liquid from the Poisons Act does not have long-term adverse implications for the people from the aspect of health and nicotine addiction until the bill is brought and passed in Parliament later.

According to him, the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 together with the Generational Endgame (GEG) policy whose presentation in Parliament has been delayed is a comprehensive document, among other things designed to strengthen tobacco control and protect the younger generation from getting caught up in the habit of smoking and vaping.

“We have to remember, Customs registration is only to collect tax on this vape liquid…how can we control sales if there is no law to control vape. That’s why the country really needs this bill,” said Lokman Hakim, who is also the former deputy director-general of Health (Public Health) at the Ministry of Health.

The Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 was presented for the first and second readings in July and August last year.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency