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Sunday, February 9, 2025

Sultan of Selangor graced the Selangor state CNY celebration

 

BANTING: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, graced the Selangor state-level Chinese New Year 2025 celebration at the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom.

The event was officially inaugurated on Saturday (Feb 8) by the Sultan of Selangor, who signed the commemorative plaque, accompanied by Tengku Permaisuri and Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

As part of the festivities, the Sultan and Tengku Permaisuri, together with Amirudin, tparticipatedin the traditional yee sang tossing ceremony, swhich symbolisedprosperity and good fortune for the year ahead.

Also present were International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; the Selangor state investment, trade, and mobility committee chairman Ng Sze Han; Selangor State Secretary Datuk Dr Ahmad Fadzli; Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Temple Worldwide, Venerable Master Hsin Bau and Chief Monk of Fo Guang Shan Malaysia Dong Zen Temple, Venerable Jue Cheng.

Following the formalities, the festivities continued with a series of cultural performances and traditions.

The highlight of the night was a towering 28-foot Year of the Snake-themed lantern.

It was set against the tranquil backdrop of Lumbini Garden, where vibrant orchids and koi ponds shimmered under cascading LED lights and glowing red lanterns.

This year's festival, which runs from Jan 25 to Feb 12, spans an expansive 15-hectare area and has the uplifting theme “Keep Going, The Future Is Bright.”

In his speech, the Selangor Mentri Besar said that Selangor would continue to embrace its diversity without restrictive guidelines on interfaith celebrations.

“The presence of our multiracial community tonight is a testament to our shared values of respect, understanding, and harmony. In Selangor, we do not merely tolerate diversity—we celebrate it.

“Selangor’s social fabric thrives on mutual respect, which in turn contributes to its continued economic and social stability,” Amirudin said.

Amirudin also announced that the state had identified a new site and approved the Pin Hwa High School application in Kota Kemuning. The state government also identified a new site for a Sekolah Agama Rakyat, requested by the federal government in the Gombak district.

During the festival, the temple grounds transformed into a breathtaking display, drawing dignitaries, families, and visitors eager to revel in the festive atmosphere.

Visitors expressed their delight at the mesmerising visuals, with many capturing the moment in photographs and sharing their joy with loved ones.

Families, young couples, and elderly visitors alike were seen immersing themselves in the festivities, creating cherished memories.

The night’s entertainment featured a captivating lineup of performances that celebrated Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage.

Spectators were treated to a harmonious blend of traditional choir renditions, vibrant cultural dances, contemporary acts, and indigenous showcases.

Since last year, the festival has expanded to include Malay, Indian, and Orang Asli communities from neighbouring villages, reinforcing its role in promoting multicultural unity.

Beyond the temple, the celebrations extended into the village, where main roads and side streets came alive with dazzling lanterns and festive lights. - Star

Low-key Erdogan visit puzzles PN spokesman

 

anwar ibrahim Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to discuss Gaza reconstruction next week. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA
An opposition spokesman has questioned the low-key nature of an official visit by the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to Malaysia next week.

The government has said he is expected to hold discussions with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, among other issues.

Perikatan Nasional’s foreign affairs spokesman, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, urged the government to be more transparent over Erdogan’s visit, especially over all prospective agreements and collaborations that are to be finalised.

He said the country would not be able to maximise its potential if there was a lack of transparency. “There are things that might not serve our national interests,” said Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, who is the MP for Machang.

The president’s visit will mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, with burgeoning ties in trade and defence.

On a personal note, Anwar has a long-standing personal relationship with Erdogan, whom he has described as a friend, dating from his days in the opposition and the Reformasi era. In 2008, Anwar sought refuge in the Turkish embassy in Kuala Lumpur when criminal allegations of sodomy were levelled against him. - FMT

Police confirm shots fired at Setia Alam shopping mall

 

tembak setia alam
A photograph circulated on social media showing police at the scene this evening. (Facebook pic)

SHAH ALAM
Police have confirmed a shooting incident at a shopping mall in Setia Alam here today.

Shah Alam police chief Iqbal Ibrahim said a police team has just arrived at the scene. “Yes, it is true (about the shooting incident), and the police team has just reached the location. I will share updates on the case later,” he said at about 10.30pm.

Social media has been abuzz with reports of a shooting believed to have taken place at a goldsmith shop inside a shopping mall in Setia Alam. - FMT

Azalina stands firm against AGC’s gag order on addendum issue

 

Free Malaysia Today
Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said she was against the gag order as the addendum issue was already public knowledge. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA
Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said has maintained her stance against an application by the Attorney-General’s Chambers for a gag order in the Najib Razak pardon addendum case.

She said her position remained unchanged. “The application for a gag order should not have been filed as the addendum has already become public knowledge,” she said in a statement today.

The statement came after she was reportedly praised by deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for coordinating efforts to seek a gag order over discussions on the addendum issue.

She said Zahid’s statement referred to Barisan Nasional’s stance on a gag order in the Dewan Rakyat to prevent MPs from discussing the addendum, in compliance with a standing order to avoid prejudicing the interests of parties in a court case.

Azalina said Zahid’s statement should be understood in that context, and not on the government’s position on the gag order in general.

The AGC’s application for a gag order was over a court case brought by Najib to compel the government to place him under house arrest for the remainder of his prison sentence. - FMT

Sarawak DAP chief queries state ‘surrender’ over oil and gas rights

 

Free Malaysia Today
Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen said without control of LNG the role of the gas aggregator was as good as not having one. (MISC pic)

PETALING JAYA
Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen has called on the state and federal governments to clarify details of an agreement in which he said Sarawak had once again surrendered its oil and gas rights to Putrajaya.

He said a minister’s statement in Parliament last week appeared to imply that “it would be the second time that the Sarawak government has compromised and given up its oil and gas rights to the federal government”.

Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said in a parliamentary reply that an agreement had been reached between Petronas and Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros), the state’s sole gas aggregator in a dispute over the state’s rights to distribute oil and gas, and levy a state sales tax on Petronas.

“Is the answer given by Azalina in Parliament a true and fair representation of the agreement between the prime minister and the premier? If it were not true, what actually transpired and was agreed in the meeting?,” Chong said in a statement today.

“If it were true, why did the premier agree to such terms that totally undermine Sarawak’s claim for its rights over oil and gas extracted from the state?”

Azalina said Sarawak acknowledged and accepted the Petroleum Development Act 1974 as the governing legislation for Malaysia’s petroleum industry – which Chong contended was Sarawak’s first defeat over oil and gas rights.

On Jan 7, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg announced an agreement that the Sarawak government would not enforce or apply state laws to all Petronas’ operations in Sarawak, “past, present and future”.

The agreement brought an end to a dispute between the federal and state governments over Sarawak’s claim over oil and gas resources and the right to impose a state sales tax on Petronas.

Chong said two key provisions of the agreement were most detrimental to Sarawak’s interests.

He said Petros, while recognised as Sarawak’s gas aggregator, is without control over liquefied natural gas, the state’s most significant revenue-generating product.

“Take LNG out of the control of the gas aggregator, the role of the gas aggregator is as good as not having one,” he said. “The only gas product left under Petros’ control would be liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is primarily used for household cooking and is currently subsidised by the federal government.”

In response to Chong’s criticism, Abang Johari’s chief political secretary Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman questioned why Chong did not seek any clarification from Azalina in Parliament and instead chose “to train his guns on the Sarawak government”.

“Why did he remain silent in Parliament and only raise the issue upon returning to Kuching? Is it because he did not want to fight for Sarawak’s rights?” he was quoted as saying.

Chong said he would raise the matter in Parliament next week. - FMT

Saturday, February 8, 2025

5 kampung di Sabah dilanda banjir

 

Free Malaysia Today
Sekretariat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Sabah berkata jumlah mangsa banjir yang berlindung di PPS setakat 8 malam tadi seramai 721 orang. (Gambar Bernama)

PETALING JAYA
Lima kampung di daerah Membakut, Sabah dilanda banjir petang tadi, maka jumlah mangsa yang berlindung di pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) dijangka bertambah.

Bernama yang memetik Sekretariat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Sabah melaporkan mangsa dipindahkan ke PPS Dewan Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Membakut, selepas daerah itu dilanda banjir pada 3 petang tadi.

Urusetia memaklumkan jumlah mangsa banjir yang berlindung di PPS setakat 8 malam tadi seramai 721 orang daripada 212 keluarga.

Secara keseluruhan, seramai 430 orang (137 keluarga) sedang berlindung di tiga PPS di daerah Beaufort, 278 orang (71 keluarga) di dua PPS di daerah Kinabatangan, dan 13 orang (empat keluarga) di daerah Tambunan.

Sementara itu di Sarawak, jumlah mangsa yang berlindung di PPS menunjukkan pengurangan, daripada 3,454 orang kepada 3,082 orang.

Bintulu mencatatkan penurunan jumlah mangsa kepada 1,775 orang daripada 1,836 orang, begitu juga di Sibu daripada 737 orang kepada 429 orang, manakala di Miri daripada 274 orang kepada 271 orang.

Jumlah mangsa di Mukah bagaimanapun kekal 607 mangsa, Sekretariat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Sarawak dilapor berkata.

Tiga PPS iaitu SMK Sebauh dan SMK Bekenu di Bahagian Miri serta Kompleks Sukan Kanowit di Bahagian Sibu ditutup menjadikan 16 PPS masih beroperasi. - FMT

Ensure no red tape in Socso’s free medical plan, govt told

 

klinik kesihatan
Under a new policy announced yesterday, social security contributors can just walk in to any Socso panel clinic to receive treatment.

PETALING JAYA
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress has urged the government to ensure there is no red tape when workers seek free medical treatment at Social Security Organisation panel clinics under a new policy on work-related accidents and occupational diseases.

“Every employee who is eligible must have easy access to medical treatment without going through cumbersome procedures,” the labour federation said in a statement.

MTUC hailed the policy as a progressive step in enhancing the social security of workers in Malaysia, on par with developed countries.

However, the government must ensure that Socso panel clinics, public hospitals and the related agencies understand the policy’s guidelines, MTUC said in a statement issued by Effendy Abdul Ghani, whose position as MTUC president is in dispute.

The policy was announced by human resources minister Steven Sim at a Socso dinner in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, to mark Chinese New Year. He said contributors to Socso no longer need to pay for medical treatment at any of the 1,400 Socso panel clinics across the country to receive free treatment.

Previously, contributors had to pay about RM150 to RM200 for each treatment, then claim the sum from Socso.

Sim said those covered under Socso can just walk into any panel clinic and get free medical treatment. ‘They don’t have to pay a single sen. Just walk in and show your MyKad and if the clinic verifies you are covered by Socso, then you don’t have to pay. We (government) will pay directly to the clinics,” he was quoted as saying.

Effendy said employers should not take advantage of the new policy, by disregarding the occupational safety and health of its workers.

“Preventive measures must still be given priority to reduce risk of accidents at work. Employers must provide a safe working environment, via conducting safety exercises and provide sufficient insurance coverage,” the MTUC statement said.

The Malaysian Employers Federation said the new policy would also benefit employers by ensuring that employees receive timely medical care. “This may reduce absenteeism and improve productivity in the long run,” said MEF president Syed Hussain Syed Husman. - FMT