Malaysia eyes land route via Thailand to boost durian exports to China

 

Musang King, a favourite among durian enthusiasts, seen on display at a stall in Kuala Nerang, Kedah. NSTP/WAN NABIL NASIR

JOHOR BARU: Malaysia is in talks with the Thai government and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to establish a land route for exporting local durians to China, a move expected to reduce logistics costs and expand market access in the country.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the initiative is part of the government's efforts to support durian growers, particularly amid a current glut following the durian season, which has occurred simultaneously in several states.

"The Thai agriculture minister (Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit) has met me, and we will discuss how to facilitate exports to China via land and rail routes.

"We are currently in intensive discussions with Thailand and GACC," he told Bernama after meeting residents in Masai Lama, together with Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Permas state seat Sharon Teo Siew Hui here today.

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He said land transportation is expected to be a more cost-efficient option compared with current air freight methods, which are expensive for producers.

Mohamad said the initiative would also open up opportunities to reach smaller cities in China, which represent significant market potential, with each city estimated to have around two million residents.

He added that the simultaneous durian season in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Johor and Pahang has increased supply, putting downward pressure on farm-gate prices, although consumers are now enjoying premium varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn at lower prices.

On Johor's agricultural sector, he said the state remains one of Malaysia's key producers of agricultural goods, including pineapples, fruits and vegetables.

He said the ministry's pineapple industry development campaign has increased production by 100 per cent over the past three years, while also attracting more young farmers who are now earning better incomes from the sector.

On food security, Mohamad said Malaysia still needs to raise its self-sufficiency levels for several key commodities, including rice, meat, and maize for animal feed.

He said his recent visit to Iran highlighted the importance of food security, noting that the country is able to meet about 85 per cent of its food needs domestically, with only 15 per cent imported.

"We are still not self-sufficient in rice production, while meat supply remains dependent on imports. For maize used as animal feed, we still import almost 100 per cent.

"We are implementing intensive efforts so that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of the country's maize requirements can be produced locally," he said. - NST

CCTV footage shows dramatic chase before Banting school stabbing [WATCH]

 

KUALA LANGAT: Video footage believed to have been captured by a school's closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera has emerged, showing the harrowing moments a student was chased and stabbed at a secondary school in Banting this morning.

The footage, which has since gone viral on social media, appears to show a student running frantically across the school parking lot while being pursued by another student believed to be armed with a knife.

Another student can be seen running behind them before all three run out of frame.

Earlier today, police classified the stabbing of a female student as attempted murder.

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Kuala Langat police chief Superintendent Mohd Akmalrizal Radzi said police received a call about 9.50am informing them that a student had been injured within the school grounds.

A team from the Kuala Langat district police headquarters was immediately dispatched to the scene.

Initial investigations found that the female student had been stabbed with a knife by another female student.

The victim is receiving treatment at Banting Hospital and is in stable condition.

The suspect has been arrested for further investigation.

The case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder, which carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine upon conviction.

Earlier, several videos circulating on social media showed a teenage girl dressed in black walking within the school compound while holding a knife.

According to a post accompanying the viral video, the incident was said to have occurred at SMK Bandar Banting.

Video footage believed to have been captured by a school's closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera has emerged, showing the harrowing moments a student was chased and stabbed at a secondary school in Banting this morning. - Screengrab from Threads

- NST

Puad Zarkashi’s son upset over ’spy’ label by Umno members

 Omar Hafidz says he remains loyal to Umno despite his father quitting the party late last month.

Former Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi’s son, Omar Hafidz, said he had been told that his presence during campaigning made some Umno members and a candidate uneasy. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Former Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi’s son, Omar Hafidz, regretted that he had been labelled a “spy” while campaigning for Barisan Nasional in the run-up to the Johor election.

Omar revealed that while campaigning for the BN Senggarang candidate, a divisional leader informed him that his presence made some uneasy, Sinar Harian reported.

“I was told that there were those who considered me a spy for my father. I was informed that my pictures should be removed from (social media) postings featuring the candidate.

“It was extremely disappointing because all I wanted to do was to help my party,” he was quoted as saying.

Puad quit Umno in late June, saying he could no longer remain silent over what he described as Johor Umno’s lack of autonomy in decision-making.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki later alleged that Puad had threatened to quit the party and publicly criticise it if his son was not nominated for his Rengit seat in the state election.

This evening, Omar said while he respected his father’s decision to leave Umno, he has a different stance and would remain with the party.

He said the decision by some to “punish” loyal members like himself by branding them as spies would make it difficult for Umno to attract more youths to the party.

“My father once told me that a preacher’s job is not to judge but to invite (people to be closer to the faith). I believe the same principle also applies in politics,” he said.

Omar appealed to Umno members to refrain from judging or labelling others before understanding the actual circumstances, as this could have repercussions on the party.

He also said despite these accusations, he would not “respond with hatred”. - FMT

PAS still open to working with Umno, says Annuar

 The PN information chief says PAS's position remains unchanged, even after BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi played down any post-election cooperation.

PN information chief Annuar Musa said PAS’s position is that Muslim unity would be stronger if the party and Umno could work together.

MERSING:

PAS remains open to working with Umno despite Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi saying the party’s support in the Johor state election does not signal any future political cooperation.

Annuar Musa, the Perikatan Nasional information chief and election director for this Saturday’s polls, said PAS’s position remained unchanged regardless of statements from Umno leaders.

“We respect whatever position Umno takes, but PAS has its own position,” he told FMT after visiting the PN operations centre in Air Merah, Endau, today.

“Whatever Umno says does not change PAS’s position that we remain open to cooperation and discussions with all parties, especially Umno.”

Annuar said PAS would not allow emotions or political sentiment to dictate its relationship with Umno, adding that the party’s goal is to promote Muslim unity through consensus rather than conflict.

“We remain of the view that Muslim unity in this country would be stronger if Umno and PAS could reach an understanding and work together,” he said.

Zahid had said that PAS’s backing for BN candidates in the Johor state election did not guarantee cooperation between the two parties after the polls, though he welcomed the support.

PAS called on all its members and supporters to vote for Umno or BN candidates in constituencies where PN is not contesting in the election on July 11.

PAS is contesting 11 seats, Bersatu 16, the Malaysian Indian People’s Party five, and Pejuang one, while BN and Pakatan Harapan are each contesting all 56 seats. - FMT

Don’t let split votes ruin ‘Malaysian dream’, Kit Siang tells Johor voters

 The DAP stalwart says calls to vote along communal lines are inconsistent with the vision of a united nation.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said the Johor state election is a test to see if the Malaysian dream is going ‘forward or backwards’.

JOHOR BAHRU:

DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang tonight urged Johoreans not to split Pakatan Harapan’s votes in Saturday’s state election, warning that doing so would put the “Malaysian dream” under attack with divisive racial politics.

In a rare public appearance, the 85-year-old veteran politician said Malaysians should aspire to build a nation where people identify first as Malaysians rather than by race.

Lim said recent calls to vote along communal lines were inconsistent with the vision of a united Malaysia, in a veiled jab at former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former Iskandar Puteri MP said such calls made the election significant.

“It is a test of the Malaysian dream. Are we going forward, or are we going backwards?

“We must not split our (PH) votes. If we split our votes, the Malaysian dream will come under attack,” he said at a ceramah in Perling.

Present were several DAP leaders, including Ramkarpal Singh, Liew Chin Tong, Teo Nie Ching, and Perling candidate Tee Boon Tsong.

On July 1, Mahathir urged Malay voters to cast their ballots for Malay candidates at the polls, regardless of which political party they represent.

He said the choice of Malay voters at the ballot box would determine the future of the country.

Lim said building the Malaysian dream would take time and required Malaysians of all races to work together.

“Malaysia is a Malay majority country. If we want Malaysia to become a great nation, we must unite as Malaysians,” he said.

He urged voters to focus on the future rather than the past when casting their ballots.

PH and Barisan Nasional are each contesting all 56 seats, while there have been concerns that Parti Bersama Malaysia, led by former PKR leaders, would split PH’s votes. - FMT

Ex-Malaysian Bar veep Roy Rajasingham dies at 87

 Lawyers pay tribute to the respected advocate and mentor, who is remembered for his contributions to Malaysia's legal profession and hockey administration.

Roy Rajasingham was a Malaysian Bar vice-president and secretary, as well as an accomplished sports administrator.

KUALA LUMPUR:

Former Malaysian Bar vice-president and secretary Roy Rajasingham died today after a brief illness. He was 87.

Retired Court of Appeal judge S Nantha Balan confirmed Rajasingham’s death and paid tribute to a longtime friend of nearly 40 years, describing him as a man whose integrity, professionalism and kindness left a lasting mark on the legal fraternity.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of a dear friend. He was a true gentleman of the Bar … courteous, principled, and respected by colleagues and clients alike,” he said.

“He will be remembered with deep respect, gratitude, and affection by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Lawyer Muhendaran Suppiah said Rajasingham was more than a mentor, crediting him with sparking his interest in industrial law and shaping his legal career.

“His wisdom, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice inspired generations of lawyers. I count myself fortunate to have learned from one of the finest in the profession,” he said.

Rajasingham served as a senior customs officer before being called to the Bar in 1980.

Outside the legal profession, he was an accomplished sports administrator. He served as vice-president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and the Malaysian Hockey Federation, chaired the legal committee of the Asian Hockey Federation, and was honorary secretary of the board of trustees of Yayasan Hoki Malaysia.

The wake will be held tomorrow from 3pm to 9pm at Nirvana 2, 16, Jalan Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Bukit Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur. Funeral rites will be held at the Cheras crematorium on Wednesday. - FMT