Day: April 8, 2023

North Korea said Saturday it carried out another test of an underwater nuclear-capable attack drone this week, proving the weapon system’s reliability and “deadly” striking capability.

The North tested the “Haeil-2” underwater strategic weapon system from April 4-7, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The drone cruised along an “oval and eight-shaped” course simulating a distance of 1,000 kilometers in the East Sea for 71 hours and six minutes and set off a test warhead underwater, it said.

The test came about two weeks after the North first unveiled the test of its underwater attack drone Haeil which it claims is capable of spawning a “radioactive tsunami” and stealthily attacking enemies.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

An 84-year-old man who suffered poisoning after eating pufferfish on March 25, was confirmed dead at Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital, Kluang, this morning.

State health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the victim was the spouse of an 83-year-old woman who died after they ate the fish at noon on the same day.

He said the man was earlier transferred to the medical ward on Wednesday (April 5) in a conscious state with the patient’s vital signs stable, although he was breathing with the aid of a respirator and fed through ‘Ryle’s Tube’.

“However, at about 5.20 am today, he was unresponsive while the nurse was taking care of another patient. Emergency assistance was provided immediately before he was pronounced dead at 6.20 am in the morning,” he said in a statement tonight.

Ling said the remains of the deceased have been handed over to the Forensic Unit before being handed to his next-of-kin for funeral arrangements.

He said the Johor State Health Department (JKNJ) had already taken action when a report on the first case was received and conducted an investigation, identifying the suppliers, wholesalers and sellers involved in the pufferfish transaction.

“JKNJ has and will hold several discussions with the Fisheries Department and some local universities that have expertise in the field of fisheries and toxins or poisons to get a comprehensive solution regarding this issue.

“Thus, the state government and JKNJ request that Johor citizens always be careful in choosing food, especially if it has known risks,” he said, adding that the relevant district health office had also opened an investigation paper under the Food Act 1983.

It is understood that it was the first time that the couple, who lived at Jalan Sin Tiam Chamek in Kluang, had eaten pufferfish-based cuisine allegedly through a pre-order purchase from a seller through Facebook.

On March 28, Ling reportedly said that an elderly woman died on March 25, while her husband was warded in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), after both were poisoned after the pufferfish meal.

Following that, on March 29, Fisheries Dept director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain was reported to have advised the public to avoid eating pufferfish of unknown type because almost all types of puffer fish contain toxins that can cause poisoning if not prepared or cooked correctly.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The Communication and Digital Ministry will have a discussion about the national 5G implementation roadmap with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, this Tuesday.

Its minister, Fahmi Fadzil said the discussion is to look at a few details to ensure the implementation is transparent with as many residents benefiting from affordable 5G service.

“I expect the Cabinet to decide on the matter soon.

“The process (discussion) is to ensure the inclusion, so it will take a bit of time,” he told reporters after the Nur Ramadan event at Ar-Rahah Kampung Kerinchi Mosque here today.

Based on the series of discussions held so far, he believed the emphasis on network engineering and objectives can bring about several options that the Cabinet can decide.

Fahmi also reminded the public to obtain information about the actual date of Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year from official sources and not to simply follow news spread on social media.

“I would like to remind that we will only follow one date, which is announced by the Keeper of the Royal Seal. I urge everyone to follow the official source.

“I believe Malaysians will refer to the official announcement and not follow whatever might be spread on WhatsApp, TikTok or other social media as it might cause confusion,” he said.

The Lembah Pantai MP had said during his speech at the event that his ministry, together with TIME dotCom Bhd (TIME) would launch Internet plans at low prices for People’s Housing Projects across the country next week.

“We will work with other parties to resolve the matter but I am not just focused on Lembah Pantai but also the entire country,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today denied claims by the Opposition that the government had been negotiating with China over the ongoing issue involving Petronas’ exploration activity in the South China Sea during his official visit to the country recently.

The prime minister said such allegations were baseless, adding that Petronas continues to implement its exploration activities in the South China Sea.

“It just so happens that China is claiming that area of the sea. I replied to the Chinese leadership, I said we have to continue the project because it is in our area,” he said in his speech at the Federal Territories Nur Ramadan programme at the Ar-Rahah Mosque here today.

Anwar said since the area was in Malaysian territory, exploration activities will carry on.

“They (China) said they are also claiming the same. That’s alright but we will carry on. They (Opposition) however have twisted the matter by saying that I was negotiating because the (exploration) project was not happening,” he said.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was earlier reported to have criticised Anwar over what he claimed as issuing ‘careless’ remarks over the South China Sea issue.

Wisma Putra, in a statement today, also said that Malaysia will continue with the diplomatic approach in its engagements with other states including China in the common efforts to maintain the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability and trade.

It said this was in line with the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), among others, dispute resolution by peaceful means and avoidance of the threat or use of force, as signed by ASEAN member states and China in 2002.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The mass breaking of fast programme like Iftar@Kuala Lumpur (Iftar@KL) held at Jalan Raja, Dataran Merdeka here every year will be expanded to the whole country soon.

Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, however, said the implementation of the programme, aims at forging closer ties among the people, requires the cooperation of strategic partners and sponsorship.

“We need to identify other strategic partners to co-host and they can help identify a suitable location so that it can be held in a lively atmosphere,” he told a press conference here today.

Khairul Firdaus said the ministry is aiming for 10,000 city dwellers including foreign tourists to attend the four-day Iftar@KL programme.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The reward for the arrest of the elusive New People’s Army (NPA) hitman Roger Fabillar, the primary suspect in three murder cases in northern Negros, was raised from PHP500,000 to PHP900,000 on Thursday night. ‘Several concerned stakeholders and private individuals offered additional cash reward amounting to PHP400,000 to hasten the manhunt against Fabillar and his group. Such amount shall be given to anyone who could provide information that could lead to the arrest and/or neutralization of Fabillar,’ announced the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Sagay City, Negros Occidental province. Also known as ‘Arnel Tapang’, ‘Jhong’ and ‘Nono,’ the suspect, who is about 31 years old, is facing criminal charges for the series of killings in Calatrava town since last year. The victims included village chief Benjamin Javoc of Barangay Lalong as well as Renato Estrebillo and Rodel Nobleza, of Barangay Marcelo, who were all gunned down last August. In February this year, Fabillar was also tagged in the killing of councilman Benito Hubahib of Barangay Cambayobo. The initial cash reward was set at PHP100,000 in August, and was increased to PHP300,000 then PHP500,000 in September. Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, commanding officer of 79IB, had earlier said Fabillar is assigned to carry out special operations for the remnants of the dismantled NPA Northern Negros Front. The bounty was raised following an encounter between the troops of 79IB and communist rebels in Sitio Siraje, Barangay San Isidro in the adjacent Toboso town on Thursday. In September last year, soldiers installed ‘wanted’ posters with the photograph and personal information of Fabillar in various barangays of Calatrava and Toboso. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Fabillar may contact the 79IB through hotline numbers (0963)8739989 (Smart) and (0927)3392481 (Globe).

Source: Philippines News Agency