The family of Human Resources Minister Steven Sim’s adopted daughter has returned RM100 to PAS MP Fawwaz Mohamad Jan following the circulation of a video on social media.
This was disclosed by Sim’s special officer Rosly Yusof in a Facebook post - where he also shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation with the teenager’s father.
“For the sake of his family's dignity, which was insulted over RM100, Pakcik Rusli (the father) has returned the donation from the Permatang Pauh lawmaker (Fawwaz).
“A police report will also be lodged, and legal action will follow,” he added.
In the WhatsApp message, the father stated that he had returned the money to Fawwaz’s aide, who promised to investigate the video.
Permatang Pauh MP Fawwaz Mohamad Jan
The video in question features a man, believed to be a PAS supporter, claiming that the girl received financial assistance from Fawwaz and that Sim had not provided any support.
In response, Sim - who is also the Bukit Mertajam MP - condemned the opposition for involving his adopted daughter in political attacks, stressing political disagreements should not cross the line of decency.
“The opposition can insult me, it's fine, I forgive them.
“But don't be arrogant and rude by slandering my adopted child and their family… If you're going to play politics, do it with some decency,” he said on X.
Rosly clarified that the girl has been receiving a monthly living allowance of RM200 under the “YB’s Adopted Child” programme and has been under consistent care throughout her studies in Malacca.
Sim adopted the teenager last year, committing to support her education until completion despite her family residing in the Permatang Pauh constituency. - Mkini
Yoon Suk-yeol also faces a separate criminal trial on insurrection charges. (EPA Images pic)SEOUL: South Korea’s constitutional court today decided to oust President Yoon Suk-yeol, upholding parliament’s impeachment motion over his short-lived imposition of martial law last year that sparked the country’s worst political crisis in decades.
With Yoon’s ouster, a presidential election is required to take place within 60 days, according to the country’s constitution.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will continue to serve as acting president until the new president is inaugurated.
The ruling caps months of political turmoil that have overshadowed efforts to deal with the new administration of US President Donald Trump at a time of slowing growth.
Separately, 64-year-old Yoon faces a criminal trial on insurrection charges.
The embattled leader became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested on Jan 15 but was released in March after a court cancelled his arrest warrant.
The crisis was triggered by Yoon’s Dec 3 declaration of martial law, which he has said was needed to root out “anti-state” elements and the opposition Democratic Party’s alleged abuse of its parliamentary majority that he said was destroying the country.
Yoon lifted the decree six hours later after lawmakers defied efforts by the security forces to seal off parliament and voted to reject it.
Yoon has said he never intended to fully impose emergency military rule and tried to downplay the fallout, saying nobody was hurt.
Months of protests have followed, and it remained unclear if the political chaos sparked by Yoon’s martial law declaration will now be eased by the court ruling. - FMT
‘Kavadi’ comes from the Tamil word for ‘burden’, symbolising the carrying of both physical and spiritual burdens as an act of penance or devotion.PETALING JAYA: The kavadi has been in the news for all the wrong reasons thanks to a video of three Era FM radio hosts seemingly mocking the Hindu ritual last month.
Independent preacher Zamri Vinoth then chimed in with a claim that Hindu worshippers appeared to be possessed or drunk when carrying the kavadi, resulting in a police investigation.
FMT goes beyond the controversy to take a closer look at the meaning behind carrying the kavadi, exploring the practices, significance, and the faith it represents.
What is a kavadi?
The term “kavadi” comes from the Tamil word meaning “burden”, which symbolises the carrying of both physical and spiritual burdens as an act of penance or devotion to the Hindu deity Muruga during the Thaipusam festival.
Kavadis come in various shapes and sizes.
The typical kavadi is a wooden arch on a base decorated with peacock feathers and flowers and in which is placed a picture of Lord Muruga. Two pots filled with milk are hung at both ends of the base. The milk is poured on the statue of Lord Muruga upon reaching the temple.
Some devotees carry steel kavadis; and some also pierce their bodies with small hooks, spears, or needles as an additional act of devotion. Others carry the “paal kudam” or pot of milk on their heads.
Why do Hindus carry it?
Malaysia Hindu Sangam honorary general secretary S Vinayagamurthi explained that many Hindus carry the kavadi as a form of vow fulfillment often in return for prayers answered, blessings received, or to seek divine intervention for personal or family well-being.
Carrying the kavadi is a form of penance or self-purification which symbolises a devotion that transcends the physical body, with the devotee enduring discomfort, pain, or fatigue as a way of cleansing their soul and becoming more disciplined.
The act of carrying the kavadi is often done as part of a larger procession, which fosters a shared sense of faith, solidarity, and devotion among the participants.
How do kavadi bearers prepare?
Carrying the kavadi requires weeks of spiritual and physical preparation. It requires devotion, mental focus and physical conditioning, as it is a demanding act of faith.
This period of discipline, which often begins 48 days before Thaipusam, is seen as essential to purifying the body and mind before performing the sacred act of sacrifice and devotion.
During this time, devotees follow strict discipline, such as eating only vegetarian food or fast, remaining celibate, refraining from killing even an insect, speaking only positive words, sleeping on mats, controlling anger, and praying and meditating every day. They must also not smoke or consume alcohol or take drugs.
Are they in a trance?
One of the most striking aspects of the kavadi procession is the trance-like state many devotees enter. This altered state of consciousness is achieved through continuous chanting of Lord Muruga’s name accompanied by rhythmic drumming and devotional music.
Vinayagamurthi said some devotees undergo body piercings while in this altered state of consciousness, feeling little or no pain due to their deep spiritual connection.
Why the shouts of ‘Vel, Vel’?
The ‘Vel’ is a spear-like weapon carried by Lord Muruga. It is sharp and pointed at the tip, broad at its sides and deep/long at the handle.
The Vel represents knowledge, wisdom and willpower. It indicates that humans should constantly acquire knowledge and wisdom which must be sharp, broad and deep to face the challenges of life.
Repeating “Vel! Vel!” reminds devotees to constantly sharpen their mind – to have clarity of thought – so that they can progress successfully in life. It reminds them that this is the best weapon against one’s real enemies: the ego, ignorance, stupidity, selfishness, greed and laziness.
The entire process of kavadi carrying is to break bad habits and create a new and more spiritual way of thinking and living. - FMT
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah instructed the Selangor zakat board to tally those whose properties were destroyed or damaged for the purpose of channelling appropriate aid. (Selangor Royal Office Facebook pic)PETALING JAYA: Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has ordered the state Islamic religious council (Mais) to channel aid to all students affected by the Putra Heights fire through the Darul Ehsan Islamic Foundation (Yide).
According to a Facebook post by the Selangor Royal Office, the ruler also decreed that the Selangor Islamic Community Infak Fund be used to enable the foundation to channel aid to the affected students, including non-Muslims.
“His Royal Highness has ordered that mosques, especially those near the area, be prepared to be used as temporary relief centres for the victims involved.
“His Royal Highness also ordered that obligatory congregational prayers be carried out as usual in mosques and not be postponed as long as the mosques are used as these centres,” said the office.
Sultan Sharafuddin also instructed the Selangor zakat board to tally those whose properties were destroyed or damaged for the purpose of channelling appropriate aid. - FMT
PAC member Sim Tze Tzin said 17 proceedings and two public hearings have been held to gather feedback from members of the public affected by the price increases. (Envato Elements pic)PETALING JAYA: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will conduct five more closed proceedings this month into the increase in health insurance premiums, private hospital charges, and their impact on public health.
In a Bernama report, PAC member Sim Tze Tzin said the committee would prepare a detailed and comprehensive report next month and present it to Parliament in June.
The Bayan Baru MP said that 17 proceedings and two public hearings had been held to gather feedback from members of the public affected by the price increases, with stakeholders such as the finance ministry, health ministry, and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) also involved.
“PAC will be calling several more stakeholders, including BNM (for the second time) and the Malaysian Medical Council after the festive season,” he said.
“… we hope our report can assist the government in formulating policies that benefit the people.”
BNM previously called on insurers and takaful operators to review their repricing strategies for more “reasonable implementation” after reports of a 40% to 70% hike in medical insurance premiums this year.
However, insurers and takaful operators said the increased medical insurance premiums were “unavoidable” in light of rising claims and medical inflation.
The interim measures laid out in December require insurers to provide alternative products at the same or lower price for those who wish to terminate their repriced subscriptions.
They also include a requirement for insurers and takaful operators to spread out the changes in premiums over a minimum of three years for all affected policyholders. - FMT
