Mekanik cedera ditembak

 Seorang daripada dua suspek bermotosikal lepas tembakan sebelum meninggalkan lokasi kejadian.

Ketua Polis Seberang Perai Tengah, Nik Aminuddin Raja Abdullah, berkata mangsa berusia 43 tahun patah tulang tapak tangan susulan tembakan. (Gambar Envato Elements)

BUKIT MERTAJAM:

Mekanik cedera di tapak tangan kanan akibat ditembak di sebuah bengkel kenderaan terpakai berhampiran kawasan perkuburan Cina di Jalan Sungai Lembu, Machang Bubok.

Ketua Polis Seberang Perai Tengah, Nik Aminuddin Raja Abdullah, berkata kejadian berlaku pada 1.05 tengah hari semalam dengan mangsa berusia 43 tahun itu ditembak seorang daripada dua suspek lelaki menaiki motosikal.

“Mangsa yang cedera melarikan diri ke kawasan perkuburan Cina bagi menyelamatkan diri, manakala dua suspek meninggalkan tempat kejadian.

“Kejadian menyebabkan mangsa luka dan patah tulang tapak tangan,” katanya dalam kenyataan.

Nik Aminuddin Raja Abdullah.

Nik Aminuddin berkata, mangsa dibawa ke hospital dan dilaporkan stabil.

Beliau berkata, pemeriksaan di lokasi menemukan beberapa barang kes dipercayai berkaitan dengan kejadian dan siasatan sedang dijalankan bagi mengenal pasti suspek serta motif kejadian.

Kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 307 Kanun Keseksaan kerana cubaan membunuh.

Orang ramai yang mempunyai maklumat berkaitan kejadian diminta menghubungi balai polis berhampiran atau pegawai penyiasat Muazzam Shaaban menerusi talian 017- 4825 017. - FMT

MDA ordered to pay Perkeso arrears for ‘contract’ workers

 High Court rules that the workers were employees, saying contractual labels cannot override the substance of the relationship.

Perkeso is empowered under Section 14 of the Employees’ Social Security Act to recover unpaid contributions as a debt, the High Court ruled.

KUALA LUMPUR:

The Medical Device Authority (MDA) has been ordered to pay outstanding Perkeso contributions after the High Court ruled that workers engaged under “contracts for service” were, in substance, employees entitled to social security protection.

Justice Norliza Othman dismissed MDA’s appeal against a Social Security Appellate Board’s (SSAB) order and ordered the agency to pay RM5,000 in costs.

MDA had named the Perkeso director-general as the respondent.

The dispute arose after Fauzi Idris, an MDA worker, was injured in an accident while travelling to his office in October 2015.

Fauzi was initially denied a permanent disability benefit after Perkeso determined that he was not an employee under Section 2(5) of the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969.

However, SSAB allowed his appeal in August 2018 and ruled that Fauzi was an employee of MDA.

Following that decision, Perkeso demanded that MDA pay arrears of contributions for other workers whose employment contracts and terms were similar to Fauzi’s.

MDA argued that the workers were engaged under contracts for service and were therefore independent contractors rather than employees under contracts of service.

It also argued that Perkeso should be prevented from seeking the arrears because it instructed MDA to stop paying contributions in a November 2017 email.

In her 18-page judgment, Norliza said the main question of whether the workers were employees was a matter within the exclusive jurisdiction of SSAB under Section 84 of the ESSA.

She said SSAB had correctly considered the substance of the contractual relationship rather than merely the label attached to the contracts.

SSAB applied several tests, including the control, organisation and integration, entrepreneurship and composite tests.

Norliza said the workers’ duties were integrated into MDA’s business and involved functions linked to the medical device industry.

She also agreed that the duration of employment did not determine whether a person was an employee.

“The terms of the contract and the functions and duties discharged by the employee in the organisation are relevant in determining whether the relationship was one of service or for service,” she said.

On Perkeso’s 2017 instruction, Norliza held that the principle of estoppel could not prevent the organisation from enforcing its statutory duty.

“Estoppel, being a creature of equity, cannot defeat statute law,” she said.

She added that Perkeso was empowered under Section 14 of the Employees’ Social Security Act to recover unpaid contributions as a debt.

Norliza concluded that SSAB had properly appreciated the evidence and applied the relevant law in finding that Fauzi and other similarly engaged workers were MDA employees.

The MDA is a government agency under the health ministry that regulates medical devices and enforces safety laws.

Raden Fadhli Indra Didi Indra Tjahya and Siti Sarihah Sulaiman appeared for the MDA while Suhaib Ibrahim represented the respondent. - FMT

Serian API hits 518 as haze persists in Sarawak

 

Haze in Sarawak. Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR: Serian recorded the country's highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 518 as haze continued to blanket parts of Sarawak as of 10am.

According to the Department of Environment's (DoE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Kuching was the only other area with a hazardous reading, at 310.

Two areas in Sarawak recorded very unhealthy readings, with Samarahan at 281 and Sri Aman at 245.

Six other areas in the state recorded unhealthy readings — Sarikei (181), Sibu (177), Mukah (173), Bintulu (157), Samalaju (152) and ILP Miri (116).

Four other areas nationwide recorded unhealthy readings — Sandakan, Sabah (152), Pasir Gudang, Johor (124), Segamat, Johor (105) and Politeknik Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (105).

Meanwhile, 42 areas nationwide recorded moderate air quality, while 12 stations recorded good readings.

The good readings were recorded in Langkawi (15), Kangar (18), Balik Pulau (27), Minden (29), Sungai Petani (32), Tanah Merah (32), Permatang Pauh (34), Kulim Hi-Tech (35), Alor Setar (39), Kota Bharu (41), Seberang Prai (43) and Taiping (45).

An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are classified as hazardous. - NST

PAS targets prime minister’s post, says no more ‘giving way’ to other parties

 

PAS Kedah Youth chief Ilyas Ahmad said efforts to unite Muslims at the federal level should be led by PAS, which he said should no longer make way for other parties to put forward the prime ministerial candidate. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — PAS Youth delegates have urged the party to lead cooperation with other political parties while insisting that it has enough qualified candidates to lead the federal government.

PAS Kedah Youth chief Ilyas Ahmad said efforts to unite Muslims at the federal level should be led by PAS, which he said should no longer make way for other parties to put forward the prime ministerial candidate, according to a Malaysiakini report. 

“We do not want to hear any more words such as ‘it’s okay, let someone else become prime minister’. We do not want to hear that anymore! This time, we want to ensure PAS becomes the main leader at the federal level,” he said.

He was speaking during the debate on the PAS Youth chief’s policy speech at the PAS muktamar here yesterday.

Ahead of the Johor state election on July 11, Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Sin Chew Daily that, if he became prime minister, he would focus on three areas — the economy, equitable education and national security.

Following BN’s strong showing in the election, the coalition subsequently forged an electoral cooperation with PAS through Perikatan Nasional (PN) based on the principle of Muslim unity.

However, there has been no official announcement so far on whether the two sides will cooperate in the upcoming Melaka state election.

Earlier yesterday, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party was ready for the 16th General Election (GE16), including if it were called earlier than scheduled.

His statement came after Zahid said Umno-BN wanted GE16 to be held earlier to allow the government to secure a fresh mandate from the people.

Meanwhile, PAS Terengganu Youth delegate Mukhlis Hasin echoed the Kedah representative’s view, saying PAS must lead efforts to forge unity rather than merely become a “follower”.

“Never be afraid to defend our identity simply because we want to preserve unity. We should not be afraid to defend the truth just because we want to maintain unity,” he said while debating the policy speech.

He said PAS Youth was not only responsible for uniting members at the grassroots level but also had to ensure the party leadership was prepared to make any efforts towards unity successful.

“Our biggest challenge in leading this unity is that sometimes the children (party members) want to unite, but their fathers (party leaders) have certain needs and reasons that prevent unity from being properly achieved,” he said. - malaymail

Anwar vows to strengthen MITRA and expand Indian community support

 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks with attendees during an engagement session. — PMO pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — The Indian community will not be sidelined in the national development agenda, with the Madani government continuing to expand efforts to improve the community’s standard of living, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the efforts included widening access to financing for entrepreneurs, strengthening the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra), enhancing entrepreneurship and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and creating more opportunities for youth development through mentor-mentee programmes.

“Various efforts have been undertaken in education, entrepreneurship, microfinancing, welfare and cash assistance to ease the burden on families and improve their standard of living,” he said in a Facebook post last night.

Anwar today continued his engagement sessions with Indian community leaders to review progress in implementing the Madani government’s agenda, while listening to their views and concerns that remain unresolved.

He said the remaining gaps, including those related to poverty, citizenship and access to assistance, must be addressed promptly and effectively.

The prime minister also urged the relevant ministries and agencies to strengthen synergy and streamline service delivery to ensure every allocation and policy implemented reaches its intended target groups and brings about tangible improvements in the lives of the people. — Bernama

Bukit Aman nabs six over drugs supplied to pilot

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Six local men have been detained in connection with a drug smuggling case involving a 39-year-old Malaysian pilot detained at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Indonesia.

The six were arrested following information obtained during questioning of the pilot by a team of Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) officers sent to Jakarta from Aug 11 to 15.

Bukit Aman NCID director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the six had allegedly acted as suppliers and couriers who provided drugs to the co-pilot.

"All six, aged between 23 and 50, were arrested in a special operation conducted by the NCID from Aug 20 to 28.

"Investigations and intelligence gathering found that they played roles as upline and downline members of the drug distribution syndicate involving the co-pilot.

"Further investigations are being conducted, and all six have been detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985," he said when contacted on Friday  (Sept 4).

Under the Act, police have the power to detain suspects for up to 60 days to facilitate investigations before further detention orders are issued.

Comm Hussein said the NCID would also share information obtained with the Indonesian National Police (Polri).

The pilot was detained at the International Arrival Terminal of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after arriving from Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines flight MH727 on July 28.

He was detained at about 11.30pm local time after Indonesian customs officers found his luggage suspicious during an X-ray scan and directed him to an examination room after he collected his baggage.

A subsequent inspection uncovered 14 packages containing 70,114 ecstasy pills weighing about 25kg in his luggage, as well as 4g of methamphetamine in his carry-on belongings.

The drugs were estimated to be worth RM45mil.

According to Indonesian police, the co-pilot had allegedly been promised RM50,000 to transport the drugs to Jakarta, where they were to be collected by another individual from a hotel. - Star

PAS' evolution from 'lebai' to statesmen a pipe dream

 

YOURSAY | "Call sounds noble, but it clashes with the party's actual track record."

PAS must evolve from 'lebai' party to birthplace of statesmen: Ulama wing

FairMind: It's a pipe dream if PAS doesn't accommodate all Malaysians, including Sabah and Sarawak, in its political calculations.

It is exactly correct that the Ulama Wing chief’s admission that it is a "lebai party" because it caters to only one race and has a narrow political vision.

Presently, PAS is controlled by the old, conservative faction with limited intellectual capabilities who tried to prevent the more liberal and learned faction from advancing. It's unlike DAP.

BlueCougar1744: PAS can never win the hearts and minds of most Malaysians, including our brethren from Borneo. Yes, PAS may have grown to strengthen its religious politics, but this is never an inclusive party; they can never reform, let alone transform a state or nation.

PAS states and politicians have not proven their ability to manage or grow the economy, nor are they able to put forward substance for all Malaysians to re-look at the party with interest.

A party that is only meant for a single race and single faith is not only a stumbling block to building a unified nation, so how is PAS going to lead Malaysia?

Malaysia is a multiethnic and multifaith secular nation. It is rich in diversity. PAS can only sell those ignorant people on the idea that it is a passport to paradise. Change or be changed, ultimately. We are no longer living in the 1400s, as this is the 21st century.

The standard Islamic narratives are constantly being challenged by the apologetic Internet, which is borderless. Time to wake up to inclusivity and to embrace respect from other races and faiths if it wants to survive in the 21st century.

EmEmKay: The Ulama Wing’s call for PAS to evolve from a “lebai” party into a birthplace of statesmen sounds noble, but it clashes with the party’s actual track record, especially on economic stewardship.

For decades, PAS has not demonstrated strong business acumen or credible leadership in economic policy. A simple look at the states it governs makes this obvious.

Economic performance across the PAS-led states in Malaysia (Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu) remains mixed, generally lagging behind the national average in gross domestic product per capita and grappling with higher poverty rates.

Kelantan and Terengganu, in particular, still struggle with underdevelopment, limited high-value investment, and chronic dependence on federal transfers or resource rents, despite years under PAS rule.

Kedah is often pointed to as a success story, but even there the improvement is largely driven by its proximity to Penang and the spillover benefits from the Kulim industrial zone and the broader northern corridor ecosystem – not because PAS has suddenly become an economic powerhouse.

If PAS is serious about producing “statesmen”, it must move beyond religious sloganeering and moral posturing, and start delivering hard, measurable results in jobs, investment, industrial diversification, and poverty reduction.

Until that happens, the rhetoric about transforming into a party of statesmen will remain just that – rhetoric.

World Citizen: PAS a statesman party? Don't make people laugh. You guys need to be reborn for any possibility of that happening. For now, just live in your own cocoon while the rest of us have moved way past your mentality.

Cowards: Never say never. However, there is no conducive environment in the party, let alone the necessary organisational structure that nurtures it.

PAS has already failed in the development of decent assemblypersons and MPs.

While assemblypersons and MPs are not statesmen, they are the foundation where potential statesmen are trained.

Without capable assemblypersons and MPs, there is no chance of any statesman.

In fact, any capable, potential and aspiring statesman will rightly see the PAS brand of politics as toxic and a hindrance, not a stepping stone.

Can they change? Yes. I think they have the critical mass that a party leader can build into machinery that can produce a statesman.

They do need help, a lot of help. At present, throwing money in the form of hiring the correct consultants will help them get started and improve really quickly

However, merely talking about it, like PAS MP Ahmad Yahaya did, will not make this happen.

In fact, if Ahmad Yahaya was really serious, his statement would be accompanied by a plan which he would execute. He is in a position to do it. Sadly, he chose to only talk.

Kira orangbiasa: Pak Lebai, you keep talking about the Muslim unity agenda, the Malay-Muslim government and the political power of Muslims.

In Kelantan and Terengganu, the same Muslim party has been governing for decades. Please show what progress you have achieved. These states are still backwards.

All this Muslim unity agenda, Malay-Muslim government and political power of Muslims will come to nought if you cannot show multiracial Malaysians what your plan is for the economy, social development, technology, poverty and corruption eradication, standard of living, education, foreign investments and job creation.

OrangeCat19: PAS harping on identity politics based on race and religion will get us nowhere. In fact, it is totally regressive and damaging to the nation's multicultural and multifaith social fabric. Islam is a religion that gives respect to all other religions, as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad in his Medina treaty.

But these PAS leaders are using religion to instil fear and divide the nation, yet proclaiming how Islamic they are.

Can you trust a party whose members are losing defamation suits left and right because they resort to slander to put others down in the name of race and religion?

Hoyohoyo: Hello Ahmad. Statesmanship requires principles, vision and service. PAS focuses on political popularity and waiting for the next election cycle.

Your party has no principles. One moment Umno was kafir (infidel), the next moment it became halal. The four northern Malay states remain the poorest, without any social economic visions.

Your party was unable to improve their situation for decades. The only service provided is Malay and Muslim unity to manipulate the rural voters.

How to cultivate statesmanship when the “otak” (brains) are all frozen with race and religion?

GreenLlama4079: It is becoming increasingly evident that PAS is not a party for Malaysians. It is, and will always be, an Islam-first party that consistently enacts state laws which are in direct contradiction to the Federal Constitution.

A party which says it is for Malaysia but acts in direct opposition to the Constitution and disrespects the Rukun Negara is, in essence, a party that does not have Malaysian interests at heart. - Mkini