Abdul Rahim given 24 hours to vacate Undang of Rembau's residence

 

SEREMBAN: The Rembau District and Land Office has issued a red notice to Datuk Abdul Rahim Yassin, giving him 24 hours to vacate the official residence of the Undang of Rembau.

His lawyer Emirul Sarifudin Nor Azmi maintained that the directive, put up at the entrance to the premises, was invalid and against the adat (customary laws) and the Negri Sembilan state constitution.

"The Balai Undang Luak Rembau is the administrative centre for the territory as it houses, among others, the offices of the Undang of Rembau as well as the Dato'-Dato' Lembaga as well.

"The order to vacate within 24 hours is also seen as an attempt to deny the Dato'-Dato' Lembaga Adat their rights.

"It completely fails to state which legal provision was utilised by the district officer to order the eviction," he said on Wednesday (July 8).

On June 29, the District and Land Office ordered the immediate vacating of the official residence and Balai Undang Luak Rembau following the proclamation of a new Undang.

The eviction notice was issued after Datuk Hassan Ab Hamid was proclaimed the 22nd Undang of Rembau.

Abd Rahim was reported to have been appointed the 22nd Undang in August last year.

However, his appointment was later found to be invalid as it did not comply with the customary processes and procedures required for the selection of an Undang.

Emirul Sarifudin said when Abd Rahim's office received the first notice, he questioned the order the following day and asked the district officer to produce proof that he was no longer the rightful Undang.

"He had also asked under which provision the district officer was authorised to order him to vacate the premises.

"However, until today, the Rembau district officer has failed to provide any document on this," he said.

Emirul Sarifudin said all parties should respect the legal process and act based on the principles of the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.

He said any action by a government officer made without legal basis and valid, clear, as well as constitutional directives amounts to an abuse of power that can be subject to disciplinary and criminal action.

"Rightfully, the district officer should refer any matter concerning the legitimacy of the Undang to the Dato'-Dato' Lembaga Tiang Balai Baruh and Darat as this has been the practise for the past 500 years," he said, adding that this was also in line with Article 14(1) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959.

Emirul Sarifudin said similarly, the authorities need to take note that the customary rights and prerogatives of the Dato’-Dato’ Lembaga Adat Rembau within the Luak of Rembau were protected under Article 32 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959.

"The Rembau district officer and the state government must also act in accordance with the law and refrain from using coercive approaches.

"Any application to obtain a writ of possession for the premises can be made through the court without the need to cause a commotion in the midst of the customary crisis in Negri Sembilan, which is currently worsening," he added. - Star

Polis tak amal bogel tahanan di lokap, kata menteri

 Menteri dalam negeri berkata setiap pemeriksaan tubuh tahanan wajib mematuhi Kanun Tatacara Jenayah dan dilakukan secara beretika.

Mekanisme pemeriksaan lokap kini dilaksanakan secara komprehensif bagi memastikan ketelusan di lapangan dan mengelakkan sebarang salah guna kuasa. (Gambar Reuters)

PETALING JAYA:

Polis tidak pernah membiarkan amalan membogelkan tahanan khususnya di dalam lokap, kata Menteri Dalam Negeri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Beliau berkata, setiap agensi penguat kuasa yang melakukan tangkapan wajib mematuhi Seksyen 20A Kanun Tatacara Jenayah (Akta 593).

“Jadual Keempat Akta 593 turut memperuntukkan dengan jelas tatacara yang perlu dipatuhi semasa menjalankan tangkapan, termasuk prosedur pemeriksaan tubuh terhadap orang ditangkap,” katanya dalam jawapan bertulis di Parlimen.

Beliau menjawab soalan Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) mengenai tindakan diambil berkenaan amalan membogelkan tahanan polis yang masih berterusan sehingga kini seperti didakwa dialami aktivis Tamim Dahri.

Mengulas lanjut, Saifuddin berkata undang-undang menetapkan empat jenis pemeriksaan tubuh yang dibenarkan mengikut situasi tertentu iaitu pemeriksaan tepuk turun, pemeriksaan tanggal, pemeriksaan intim, dan pemeriksaan intrusif.

Katanya, semua urusan pemeriksaan badan serta penukaran pakaian tahanan dilaksanakan secara beretika berlandaskan Kaedah-kaedah Lokap 1953 dan Perintah Tetap Ketua Polis Negara (PTKPN) A118.

“Prosedur ini kritikal bagi mengesan dan menyekat cubaan menyeludup barangan terlarang berbahaya seperti senjata tajam, dadah, tali atau pemetik api demi melindungi nyawa tahanan daripada risiko kecederaan atau bunuh diri,” katanya.

Menurutnya, mekanisme pemeriksaan lokap kini dilaksanakan secara komprehensif bagi memastikan ketelusan di lapangan dan mengelakkan sebarang salah guna kuasa.

“Sebagai langkah pembuktian pematuhan tugas, kerajaan mempertingkatkan pemasangan sistem kamera litar tertutup (CCTV) di kawasan koridor, pintu masuk, dan laluan utama lokap.

“Jabatan Integriti dan Pematuhan Standard (JIPS) PDRM juga bertindak sebagai badan pemantau dalaman dengan menjalankan pemeriksaan mengejut secara konsisten di seluruh negara bagi memastikan pematuhan penuh anggota,” katanya.

Februari lalu, media melaporkan Tamim mendakwa beliau bersama tiga rakannya dilayan kasar seumpama ‘binatang’ dan diarah membogelkan diri di hadapan anggota bertugas sepanjang tempoh penahanan.

Sebelum ini, kumpulan aktivis terbabit ditahan bagi membantu siasatan berhubung kerja pembersihan tanah yang dijalankan di sebuah kuil di Taman Rawang Perdana. - FMT

Govt to review e-invoicing, mandatory 2% EPF contribution for foreign workers

 Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the Cabinet has taken note of BN's proposals aimed at easing concerns among businesses.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi thanked the prime minister for considering the coalition’s views.

ISKANDAR PUTERI:

The government has agreed to review the e-invoicing system, and the mandatory 2% Employees Provident Fund contribution for foreign workers, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said tonight.

He said the Cabinet has accepted Barisan Nasional’s proposals at its meeting earlier today to ease concerns among businesses.

“We do not want businesses to feel burdened by the implementation of e-invoicing,” Zahid, who is also the BN chairman, told a crowd of about 200 people while campaigning for the Johor state election.

The e-invoice system was introduced on Aug 1, 2024. As of April this year, a total of 225,604 taxpayers have adopted the system, issuing a combined 1.299 billion e-invoices.

Separately, Zahid said the Cabinet has agreed to review the requirement for employers to contribute 2% to the EPF for foreign workers.

“We requested that the 2% contribution be reconsidered, and the Cabinet agreed to review it,” he said.

He also confirmed that the Cabinet has resolved an issue involving a 10-year tax exemption for TAR UMT after a proposal by MCA president Wee Ka Siong.

He said the Cabinet agreed that the earlier decision to grant the tax exemption should be implemented, requiring the institution only to submit its audited annual accounts to the finance ministry each year.

He thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for considering BN’s views. - FMT

120 ex-Bersatu leaders, members declare support for PH

 Johor PKR Youth chief Faezuddin Puad says they were swayed by Pakatan Harapan's practice of helping people regardless of political beliefs.

Faezuddin Puad, the PKR candidate for the Kempas seat, said the former Bersatu leaders and members had decided to leave much earlier.

JOHOR BAHRU:

More than 120 former Bersatu leaders and members have declared their support for Pakatan Harapan ahead of the Johor state election on Saturday, according to a PKR Youth leader.

Faezuddin Puad, PH’s candidate for Kempas, said they expressed their intention to support PH much earlier, but chose to announce it publicly only today, Bernama reported.

Among the former Bersatu leaders are former Pulai Wanita Bersatu information chief Rafidah Ani, former Pulai Wanita Bersatu secretary Noriah Mat Daud, former Bukit Mewah Bersatu chief M Suhimi Abdul Rahman, and several division and branch committee members.

Faezuddin, the Johor PKR Youth chief, said they have informed the Bersatu leadership of their decision to quit the party.

He said their main reason for joining PH was the coalition’s practice of helping people regardless of their political leanings.

“We want to cultivate a new political culture, not the old culture of helping only supporters or cronies of certain parties. Perhaps that approach has made them feel comfortable joining us,” he said.

Rafidah said she was disappointed with the Bersatu leadership for failing to provide recognition and assistance to the people.

She said she had always wanted to help those in need, such as single mothers, but found it difficult to obtain the necessary support from her former party.

“I was disappointed because Wanita Bersatu members are treated like second-class members and not appreciated,” she said.

Suhimi hoped that Faezuddin will bring more facilities and progress to Kempas, particularly in terms of the economy and healthcare, if he wins on Saturday.

He also hoped to strengthen PKR in Kempas by attracting more members, especially from the Kempas People’s Housing Project area. - FMT

French-Malaysian rare earths project can meet 20% global demand, says minister

 Nicolas Forissier also says the Carester-Malaco venture in Perak can strengthen strategic ties beyond trade.

Foreign trade and economic attractiveness minister Nicolas Forissier speaking to reporters at the French embassy in Kuala Lumpur. (EPA Images pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

The rare earths partnership between French firm Carester and local mining company Malaco Mining Sdn Bhd could eventually meet 15% to 20% of global heavy rare earths needs, French minister for foreign trade and economic attractiveness Nicolas Forissier said.

Forissier said production would be split between the upcoming rare earth separation plant in Perak and Carestar’s facility in south-west France.

“This will allow us to have 15% to 20% of the rare earths needed on the world market,” he said at a press conference, adding that it could also lead to more jobs in Malaysia.

Yesterday, Carester announced plans to build a rare earth separation plant in Perak as part of its 10-year joint venture with Malaco, which includes the transfer of rare earth processing technology from the French company to its Malaysian partner.

Forissier said Japan is financing half of Carester’s French facility and is expected to take participate in the Carestar-Malaco venture, making it a three-way partnership.

He also said that rare earths and critical minerals were part of a broader strategic relationship between France and Malaysia, spanning energy, defence, supply chains, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and aeronautics.

“What we are doing is building a sovereignty partnership, not only a trade partnership,” he said.

France open to missile talks

Asked whether France could step in after Norway revoked an export licence for a missile system intended for Malaysia, Forissier declined to comment on the Norwegian decision, but said Paris was open to discussions if Malaysia wanted to explore alternatives.

“I don’t want to make any comment on the withdrawal of Norway (from the missile deal),” he said, adding that France was ready to answer any questions if Malaysia wanted to engage.

He said any decision would be up to the Malaysian authorities, but noted that France had longstanding defence cooperation with Malaysia and strong capabilities in the sector.

He said France accounted for more than 10% of global defence exports and had reliable technology.

France is believed to be among several countries with manufacturers being considered by the defence ministry as potential replacements for the naval strike missile (NSM) for Malaysia’s littoral combat ships..

Forissier is on two-day working visit in Malaysia, which ends today, as part of France’s commitment to further strengthening its economic partnership with Malaysia. - FMT

Early eye checks can prevent lifelong vision problems, says specialist

 

SQUINTING and cataracts are among the most common yet often overlooked eye conditions affecting Malaysians of all ages, highlighting the importance of early screening and timely treatment, according to an ophthalmologist.

Dr Fazilawati A. Qamarruddin, consultant ophthalmologist and paediatric ophthalmologist at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, said eye conditions often develop gradually, with early warning signs such as children tilting their heads while watching television, sitting too close to screens or squinting to see distant objects.

“A squint, medically known as strabismus, occurs when the eyes are not properly aligned. One eye may look straight while the other turns inward, outward, upward or downward,” she said.

Although commonly associated with children, Dr Fazilawati said strabismus can occur at any age. While many cases are linked to uncorrected refractive errors, it may also result from nerve disorders, trauma or neurological conditions.

“If a child who previously had normal eye alignment suddenly develops a squint, it should be investigated urgently to rule out serious conditions such as brain or orbital tumours,” she noted.

(Image: Sunway Medical Centre)

Global studies estimate that between 2% and 4% of children have strabismus, but many cases go undetected until learning or social development is affected.

One of the most serious complications is amblyopia, or “lazy eye”, which develops when the brain begins relying on the stronger eye while ignoring the weaker one.

“The brain automatically uses the clearer eye. Without adequate stimulation, the weaker eye gradually becomes lazy,” Dr Fazilawati explained.

She recommends vision screening by the age of three and again before children begin primary school.

Parents should also look out for signs such as frequent squinting, persistent head tilting, headaches or sitting unusually close to televisions and digital devices.

“Don’t wait for the school to identify a problem. Early detection can make the difference between correcting vision with glasses and living with permanent visual impairment,” she cautioned.

Dr Fazilawati also highlighted cataracts as one of the leading causes of visual impairment among older adults.

Although cataracts are commonly associated with ageing, they can develop earlier in people with diabetes, smokers and those exposed to prolonged ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Symptoms include blurred or cloudy vision, glare, faded colours and increasing difficulty driving at night.

“In the early stages, glasses may help improve vision and delay surgery. However, when glasses are no longer effective and daily activities become difficult, surgery should be considered,” she stressed.

Modern cataract surgery uses phacoemulsification, an ultrasound technique that removes the cloudy lens through a small incision before replacing it with an artificial lens.

“Because the incision is small, recovery is generally faster. Most procedures are performed as day surgery, with patients returning to light activities within a week and achieving full visual recovery in about two weeks,” she said.

(Image: Sunway Medical Centre)

Beyond age-related conditions, Dr Fazilawati warned that excessive screen time, particularly among children and teenagers, may contribute to worsening short-sightedness.

She recommends following the “20-20-20 rule”, where every 20 minutes of screen use is followed by looking at an object about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

Dr Fazilawati also advised adults to undergo a comprehensive eye examination from the age of 40, while people living with diabetes should have annual eye screenings to detect diabetic retinopathy early.

“Many eye diseases progress gradually without obvious symptoms. Early diagnosis allows treatment before permanent vision loss occurs,” she remarked.

She added that regular eye examinations remain one of the most effective ways to preserve vision, maintain independence and improve quality of life throughout every stage of life. ‒   Focus Malaysia