Klawang assemblyman Danni Rais said no notice has been issued for either a special or regular sitting of the Negri Sembilan sstate legislative assembly. FILE PIC
JELEBU: No notice has been issued for either a special or regular sitting of the Negri Sembilan sstate legislative assembly, says Klawang assemblyman Danni Rais.
He said the assembly secretary had yet to notify members of any scheduled sitting.
"However, I believe it is important for the state assembly to convene to table the state budget, as it is closely linked to the people's interests," he said when met at a Deepavali aid event in Kuala Klawang.
Danni said the state budget would determine the state's future, and all parties should make the right decisions in the best interests of Negri Sembilan residents.
He said the priority now should be to address the people's needs.
Asked whether the Budget might not be tabled due to certain circumstances, Danni said he did not wish to interfere in the affairs of others, including the menteri besar, as an ordinary assemblyman.
"Everyone, including the people of the state, hopes the state budget can be tabled.
"I also understand that the menteri besar is doing his best. We are not trying to pressure anyone, given how complicated the current situation is.
"I believe the menteri besar is taking and will continue to take the best steps for the state's future," he said.
On the contents of theBudget, Danni said assemblymen from Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional had previously held a meeting to discuss the state budget.
"Personally, I believe the draft budget is the best for the people of the state, should it be tabled," he said. - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: Klang residents have been asked to remain vigilant as a five-day high tide phenomenon is expected to begin this Saturday, with sea levels at Port Klang forecast to reach 5.2 metres.
The Klang Disaster Management Committee said the phenomenon was expected to last from Nov 7 to 11, with the highest tide forecast at 5.02am on Sunday, reaching the warning level.
Under the Port Klang water-level indicators, readings of between 5.0 and 5.3 metres are classified as warning level, while readings of 5.4 to 5.5 metres are considered dangerous
The sea level is forecast to reach 5.1 metres at 4.23am on Saturday before rising to 5.2 metres at 5.02am on Sunday.
It is then expected to reach 5.1 metres at 5.37am on Monday and 6.08am on Tuesday, before dropping to 5.0 metres at 6.37am on Wednesday.
Afternoon high tides are forecast to range between 4.0 and 4.8 metres throughout the period, with peak readings expected between 4.53pm on Saturday and 7.02pm on Wednesday.
The weather forecast also indicates thunderstorms in several areas on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, followed by rain in some places at night.
From Monday to Wednesday, thunderstorms are expected in most areas in the afternoons, while rain is forecast in many areas at night.
The committee urged residents to make the necessary preparations and remain alert to their surroundings throughout the period.
The sea-level and weather forecasts are based on information from the Malaysian Meteorological Department and the National Hydrographic Centre.
Members of the public can call the emergency hotline at 999 or the Klang Disaster Operations Centre at 03-3382 9292 in the event of an emergency. - FMT
Fleksibiliti pengeksportan itu terhad untuk aktiviti R&D, menurut Miti.
Menurut Miti, pelabur REE agak keberatan untuk melabur pada masa ini kerana ketiadaan jaminan bekalan bahan mentah yang stabil dalam negara. (Gambar Pexels)
KUALA LUMPUR: Kerajaan bersetuju memberikan fleksibiliti dasar moratorium eksport bahan mentah unsur nadir bumi (REE) sedia ada melalui Garis Panduan Pertimbangan Permohonan Pengeksportan Unsur Nadir Bumi Mentah bagi menarik pelabur berpotensi.
Kementerian Pelaburan, Perdagangan dan Industri (Miti) memaklumkan pada masa ini, pelabur REE agak keberatan untuk melabur kerana ketiadaan jaminan bekalan bahan mentah yang stabil dalam negara.
Menurutnya, fleksibiliti pengeksportan itu terhad untuk aktiviti penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) sahaja.
“Tambahan pula, syarikat yang berkaitan hendaklah menunjukkan komitmen jelas mengenai kerjasama pembangunan fasiliti pemprosesan di Malaysia dalam tempoh tiga tahun dari tarikh kelulusan eksport bahan mentah REE,” menurut Miti.
Kementerian itu menjawab soalan Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PN-Setiu) mengenai pendirian tegas kerajaan berhubung perjanjian pembekalan oksida nadir bumi bernilai USD96 juta antara Lynas dengan Pentagon, Amerika Syarikat (AS).
Miti memaklumkan, strategi kementerian tertumpu kepada usaha menarik pelaburan domestik dan antarabangsa untuk membangunkan dan seterusnya memperkasa segmen industri REE pertengahan dan hiliran, terutamanya dalam pembuatan berteknologi tinggi seperti magnet kekal, bahan termaju, komponen elektronik dan bateri.
Bagi menjayakan aspirasi membangunkan industri REE negara, Malaysia perlu memanfaatkan kerjasama strategik dan pemindahan teknologi dari dalam negara termasuk juga negara rakan yang berpengalaman dalam pemprosesan REE.
“Langkah ini bukan sahaja akan dapat mengukuhkan keupayaan tempatan merentasi seluruh rantaian nilai iaitu daripada aktiviti perlombongan sehinggalah kepada pembuatan produk akhir, malah akan menempatkan Malaysia sebagai pemain penting dalam rantaian bekalan global mineral kritikal,” tambahnya. - FMT
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul says it does not reflect well on the House when ministers are absent and unable to answer questions from MPs.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul requested ministry officials, particularly secretaries-general, to advise ministerial officers to regularly check with the Dewan Rakyat secretariat for changes in the question sequence.
PETALING JAYA: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul has urged members of the administration to arrive early for sittings to avoid missing questions as this reflects poorly on the House.
He highlighted this morning’s sitting, during which certain questions could not be answered because the relevant parties were absent.
Johari said that, in certain situations, MPs scheduled to ask questions could not attend for unavoidable reasons, resulting in their questions being skipped.
“And sometimes the minister or deputy minister also happens to be outside because their turn is still far off, according to the order paper. When their turn comes, they are not present either, so the speaker has to skip it as well.
“This does not reflect well (on the House). I would like to advise members of the administration to arrive early and be in the Dewan Rakyat even if your question is scheduled for later,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Johari also requested ministry officials, particularly secretaries-general, to advise ministerial officers to regularly check with the Dewan Rakyat secretariat for changes to the question sequence.
“This is because names or question numbers sometimes change at the last minute due to requests from ministers or other unavoidable circumstances that we have to accommodate,” he said.
Johari said all parties must play their role in improving the conduct of Dewan Rakyat sittings, especially now that the institution has administrative autonomy.
Earlier, several opposition MPs raised concerns over the absence of health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad and his deputy, Hanifah Hajar Taib, during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.
Their absence was noticed after deputy speaker Alice Lau called on Zahir Hassan (PH-Wangsa Maju) to ask the third question listed for the health ministry in the order paper.
The second question scheduled for the transport ministry was also skipped as Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas), who was supposed to ask the question, was absent. - FMT
British comedian Russell Brand was convicted of four sexual offences, one rape and three sexual assaults, involving four women between 2005 and 2009 at different locations.
Russell Brand had pleaded not guilty to all the charges, saying that although he used to be promiscuous, he had always had consensual sex. (EPA Images pic)
LONDON: British comedian Russell Brand was on Thursday found guilty by a London jury of one rape and three sexual assaults, involving a total of four women.
Brand, who closed his eyes but showed no emotion as the jury delivered the verdicts, was cleared of two rapes and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Judge Joel Bennathan warned the 51-year-old actor turned conservative, religious online guru that he faced a “significant custodial term”.
After the verdicts, London’s Metropolitan Police paid tribute to the “extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women who came forward and reported what happened to them”.
“Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women,” Met’s Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said in a statement.
“As his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be,” Furphy added.
Brand was convicted of four sexual offences – one rape and three sexual assaults – involving four women between 2005 and 2009 in different locations, including a radio station, the set of a DVD recording and Brand’s home address.
He had pleaded not guilty to all the charges saying that although he used to be promiscuous he had always had consensual sex.
The prosecution had earlier described him as a “ruthless, calculated and manipulative” sexual predator. - FMT
IMAGINE waking up every morning knowing that even the simplest activities, such as getting out of bed, walking to the kitchen or preparing for work, could be painful. For millions of people, this is not an occasional inconvenience but an everyday reality.
Pain is something we all experience, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood aspects of health. While some recover quickly from an injury or illness, others endure pain for months or even years.
For cancer patients, pain may arise from the disease itself, its treatment or complications that persist long after treatment has ended. But pain is more than physical discomfort.
It can disrupt sleep, affect a person’s ability to earn a living and prevent them from enjoying precious moments with loved ones.
The question is simple: Are we doing enough to understand those living with pain?
When pain becomes an invisible burden
(Image: Healthhub)
Unlike a broken bone or visible wound, persistent pain often goes unnoticed. A colleague struggling to concentrate, an elderly parent avoiding family outings or a cancer survivor unable to return to work may all be silently dealing with pain.
Sometimes, the fear of experiencing further pain becomes another obstacle. Someone who experiences back pain while bending, for instance, may gradually avoid movement altogether. Over time, reduced activity can weaken muscles, limit mobility and undermine confidence.
However, simply telling someone to exercise or endure the discomfort is not the answer.
Effective care begins with listening, identifying the underlying cause and helping patients understand which activities are safe. With appropriate medical guidance and rehabilitation, many can gradually regain movement and confidence.
Importantly, not all pain is the same. Pain caused by nerve damage, arthritis, injury or cancer may require different approaches to assessment and treatment.
What every patient deserves, however, is to be taken seriously.
Why managing pain is not always easy
People experiencing persistent pain are frequently advised to exercise, maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage their symptoms. While these recommendations are useful, they overlook an important reality: not everyone has the resources or support to follow them.
Consider a factory worker who cannot afford to miss work despite severe back pain, or an elderly person living far from rehabilitation services.
For these individuals, managing pain is not simply a matter of personal discipline. Financial pressures, limited healthcare access and inadequate understanding of pain can make recovery difficult.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 2.6 billion people worldwide have health conditions that could benefit from rehabilitation.
Although this figure does not represent pain prevalence, it highlights the enormous need for services that help people maintain mobility, independence and quality of life.
Malaysia must recognise that improving pain management requires more than prescribing medication. It also means ensuring patients receive understandable information, timely assessments and access to appropriate support.
Pain is everyone’s concern
Pain does not belong to any single disease or medical specialty. A person with diabetes may develop painful nerve damage, an older adult may struggle with aching joints, while an office worker may experience persistent neck or back pain.
Cancer patients and survivors face additional challenges. At the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Cancer Centre (PKTAAB), Universiti Sains Malaysia, understanding pain is particularly relevant because cancer and its treatments can affect physical function, emotional well-being and quality of life.
Even after successful treatment, some survivors continue to experience discomfort that interferes with work, family responsibilities and daily activities.
Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among doctors, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, researchers and public health professionals.
Rather than treating pain as an isolated symptom, healthcare providers must consider how it affects the whole person.
Building a society that understands pain
(Image: Pexels/Miriam Alonso)
Malaysia has an opportunity to make pain education and management a stronger public health priority.
Healthcare professionals can improve communication and help patients understand their conditions. Researchers can investigate the experiences of Malaysian patients and identify gaps in existing services.
Employers can support workers experiencing persistent pain through safer working conditions and reasonable workplace adjustments.
Universities and healthcare institutions can also strengthen research collaborations, community education and rehabilitation partnerships.
Institutions such as PKTAAB can contribute through interdisciplinary research and public engagement, extending the benefits of better pain understanding beyond cancer care.
Families and communities have responsibilities too. Sometimes, the most meaningful first step is simply listening without dismissing someone’s suffering.
Pain may not always be visible, but its consequences are real. Our goal should not be limited to reducing a patient’s pain score.
It should also include restoring independence, rebuilding confidence and helping individuals participate meaningfully in everyday life.
We may never eliminate every form of pain. But we can reduce unnecessary suffering caused by misunderstanding, delayed treatment and inadequate support.
Pain is everywhere. Understanding, compassion and access to care should be everywhere too.
The author, Dr Eva Nabiha Zamri is from the Department of Community Health, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT), Universiti Sains Malaysia, and the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Cancer Centre (PKTAAB).
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT
