Day: April 18, 2023

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said he would discuss with the Director-General of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and the Mufti of the Federal Territory regarding the wearing of face mask during Aidilfitri prayer.

He said although wearing the mask would be a good preventive measure following the current increase in COVID-19 cases, any decision to make it compulsory will have to be referred to the two institutions first.

“In Islam, we are encouraged to be careful, especially in terms of controlling the spread of COVID-19, but discussions have to be held with the relevant authorities first before any decision is made.

“For that, I will discuss with the Director General of Jakim (Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yusoff) and the Federal Territory Mufti (Datuk Prof Madya Luqman Abdullah) whether there is a need to make it compulsory for the congregation to wear face masks when performing Aidilfitri prayer,” he said when asked on the matter.

The Regent of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail was reported today as saying that wearing the face mask is encouraged during the Aidilfitri prayer in the state and congregants are also encouraged to bring their own prayer mats due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.

Met by reporters after appearing as a guest on Bernama Radio programme “Nota Rohani: Raikan Kemenangan Istiqamah Beribadah” Mohd Na’im said the outcome of the discussion would be discussed by the Federal Territories Fatwa Committee before a final decision on the matter is made.

Meanwhile, he suggested that every state take the necessary precautionary measures, including using the approach by Perlis to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infection.

According to the Office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, the date for the sighting of the new moon of Syawal is set on Thursday, April 20 or 29th of Ramadan 1444 Hijrah at 29 selected locations nationwide.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Five asnaf families comprising orphans, farmers and the underprivileged in Perak recently received donations from Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) under its ‘Ikhlas Ramadhan BERNAS’ programme.

BERNAS said in a statement today that the asnaf families are from the Almuzakkirin Mosque kariah in Kampung Chawi, Telok Intan, who are also part of the BERNAS Rice Mill (KBB) community in Changkat Lada, Perak.

Apart from receiving cash aid, the families were taken to a supermarket in Manjung to shop for new sets of clothes for Aidilfitri.

BERNAS also feted them at a breaking-of-fast together with the Sungai Ranggam community and the mosque kariah.

“We have not forgotten the asnaf group so that they can celebrate the holy month of Ramadan and Aildilfitri like everyone else and through this programme, BERNAS is pleased to be able to brighten up their day,” said Bernas Supply Management and Scheme Department head Mohamad Solhi Mohd Salleh.

Meanwhile, 15 asnaf families received food aid boxes containing, among others, rice, milk, sugar, and cooking oil as well as cash aid at the breaking of fast event.

At the event, BERNAS also channelled cash assistance to five mosques, namely Masjid Al-Muzakkirin Kampung Bukit Chawi, Masjid Nurul Hidayah, Masjid Muhajirin, Masjid Jumhuriah and Surau Ibadur Rahman.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NPCI International Payment Limited (NIPL) to promote a collaboration in the area of cross border payment and remittance between Cambodia and India.

According to an NBC’s press release on April 17, the MoU signing was formalised virtually on Mar. 17, 2023 under the presidency of H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Deputy Governor, NBC, representative of H.E. Dr. Chea Chanto, Governor of NBC, and Chief Executive of NIPL, Mr. Ritesh Shukla.

The objective of the MoU is to establish a collaborative framework that enables both parties to further study and discuss on various technical, commercial, operation and other related aspects in order to develop digital connectivity and interoperability to support cross border payment and remittance between the two countries.

Through the MoU, the NBC and NIPL will work together to explore the possibility of enabling real time fund transfers between Cambodia and India and the outcome of this cooperation is believed to provide a major impetus for cross border payment and remittances.

The MoU singed between the two parties will provide greater benefit for citizens of both countries to safely and conveniently utilise formal channel for cross border payment and remittances at an affordable cost.

In addition, this connectivity is expected to be a major breakthrough to support the development of economic and financial relations that would contribute to stimulating economic, tourism, and trade development for both countries in the future.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

A newborn dolphin has been spotted at Kampi deep pool in Kampi village, Chetr Borei district, Kratie province, said the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in a news release.

This is the second dolphin calf recorded in 2023, MAFF underlined, adding that it was found on April 15 swimming along with a group of adult dolphins by a tourist boat driver who then informed concerned officials of the provincial fisheries cantonment and WWF.

The newborn dolphin is estimated to be only 3 days old, according to the research team of Kratie provincial fisheries cantonment and WWF who monitored the dolphin on April 18.

Last year, six dolphin calves have been registered, the same number as in 2021.

The Mekong’s Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.

On Feb. 27, 2023, Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen signed a sub-decree to create a dolphin conservation and protection zones stretching for 120 kilometres along the Mekong River in the Stung Treng and Kratie provinces.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) warned the public of rainfall, along with thunder, lightning and gusts across the country from April 19 to 25.

MOWRAM made the warning in a new weather forecast made public this morning, calling for high vigilance of possible natural disasters.

For temperature, it would rise to nearly 40 degrees Celsius during the said period, added the source, pointing out that for the central lowland areas, the temperature would vary between 25 and 39 degrees Celsius.

In the highland areas, MOWRAM continued, the temperature would be between 25 and 38 degrees Celsius, while in the coastal regions, it would range from 24 to 35 degrees Celsius.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Cambodia and Vietnam have spoken highly of its good bilateral friendship, mutual support and cooperation, especially in the military field.

The satisfaction was made by H.E. Gen. Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, and H.E. Maj. Gen. Le Duc Thai, Commander of the Vietnamese Defence Ministry’s Border Guard High Command, during their annual meeting in Phnom Penh on April 17.

The two sides also expressed their pride of the fruitful achievements of their growing bilateral relationship and cooperation since 2004.

After assessing their past year’s cooperation, both sides agreed to continue their collaboration, especially in jointly combating the COVID-19 spread, supporting the border demarcation work so that it completed as soon as possible as planned by the two governments, fighting against cross-border crimes, supporting human resource training, exchanging visits at all levels, and so on.

The Royal Cambodian Army and the Vietnam Border Guard High Command officially signed a cooperation Memorandum of Understanding on Feb. 3, 2021.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse