Finance Minister: Budget 2021 to be bigger than Budget 2020, govt will not reduce projects but will spend more to ‘restart’ Malaysia’s economy

Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 1): The Malaysian government intends to spend more money next year with Budget 2021 expected to have a bigger allocation than Budget 2020, in order to create more jobs and to “restart” Malaysia’s economy, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz has said.

In an interview with Malay-language paper Sinar Harian, Tengku Zafrul said he could not reveal the figure for Budget 2021 which will be tabled in Parliament next Friday, but confirmed that the expected government expenditure amount for the year 2021 would be more than the amount allocated in Budget 2020.

When asked if the government would cut back on spending for development projects under Budget 2021, Tengku Zafrul said the government instead intends to spend more on such development projects next year, while saving money on operation costs.

“No, that’s why Budget 2021 this time is an expansionary Budget. Our development expenditure, we have to increase it as much of the impact of this development expenditure is for the long term.

“Let’s say to build a hospital or any construction project, it is very good as it creates job opportunities and big economic spillovers. We need to spend more but reduce wastage.

“As an example, we see the government’s operating expenditure now reducing as we no longer spend for events. Many savings can be made and reused to help the public and the economy,” he was quoted as saying in the interview.

In Budget 2020 tabled last October, the government had given an estimate of RM297 billion in government spending, with RM241 billion for operating expenditure and RM56 billion for development expenditure. Government revenue for 2020 was at that time predicted to be RM244.5 billion.

Tengku Zafrul also highlighted how more spending by governments had aided economic recovery based on the experience in other countries, but also spoke of the need to be ready if things take a turn for the worse or if there is a new spike in Covid-19 cases.

“Some Malaysians say we do not spend enough, there are also those who said we have spent a lot. But for us, we need time.

“If we see the years 2008 and 2009, in developed countries in Europe, the way they got out of the global financial crisis is by spending. Countries that do not spend would take a longer time to recover. Therefore, in difficult times, we have to spend and help.

“The thing that we have to be prepared for is we have to expect worse situations. If there is another Covid-19 wave, we have to be prepared. We cannot spend all the money. We will see and implement what is best in the budget this time,” he added.

Noting that many Malaysians were desperate and pinning their hopes on the government, Tengku Zafrul said despite the government’s revenues taking a hit this year, it has to spend more.

“I predict in the next year, the economic situation will recover but it will not return to a normal trajectory and we will restart the economy from the most foundational level.

“So in this budget, we will not compromise in the efforts of saving public lives and also ensuring the country’s economic continuity,” he said, adding that there was currently a third wave of Covid-19 cases and that the country could not burden both the Covid-19 frontliners and the country’s healthcare system.

Tengku Zafrul noted that the government has so far helped 10.6 million people by putting RM18 billion directly into their pockets via the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) cash aid programme, with the government’s RM13 billion wage subsidy programme helping some 320,000 employers and 2.8 million workers.

“Such things we will continue. We have to spend to restart the economy. So the budget this time is an expansionary budget and must be targeted at sectors that can have economic multipliers,” he said.

Emphasising the government’s message to save both Malaysians’ lives and ensure economic continuity, Tengku Zafrul said both Malaysians and their businesses have to be saved to prevent Malaysia from facing difficult times in the long term.

“Businesses and certain industries are very important. If we don’t save them now, and want to rebuild such industries later, it will need more funds and take a longer time,” he said.

While saying that the government would help as much as possible in developing the economy and show its willingness to spend as seen in the four economic stimulus packages already announced this year, Tengku Zafrul at the same time said: “But another message that the public has to understand is that we have to be more targeted as we want to help those who truly need it. We cannot give to all as the government’s revenue has reduced.” – MalayMail

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Pejuang prepared to support Budget 2021 – Tun M

Dr Mahathir (right) and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali wave as they leave Yayasan Albukhary. — Bernama file photo

LANGKAWI (Nov 1): Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) which has not been approved of its registration by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) is prepared to support Budget 2021 which will be tabled at Dewan Rakyat on Nov 6.

Its chairman, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad however clarified that the party needs to study its content before all the party’s members of Parliament could do so.

“We want to agree but we do not know what it is (content of budget). Surely, we are not going to sign a blank cheque, we have to know what’s in the budget.

“As the text of the budget is thick and in two languages…we have to read it first,” he said here last night.

He was met by reporters after a meeting with Langkawi Pejuang representatives in a hotel here.

The former prime minister was asked to comment on the call by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah who advised members of Dewan Rakyat to give their undivided support to Budget 2021 for the well-being of the people and recovery of the country’s economy affected by Covid-19.

Dr Mahathir who is also Langkawi MP said it is the responsibility of each member of Parliament to study a document before making a decision to support it in Dewan Rakyat.

Commenting on the registration of Pejuang which has yet to be approved, Dr Mahathir urged ROS to state clearly what is needed by the department to confirm the registration of the party.

“Tell us what is incomplete, we will abide by the law, if we have infringed the law, we will amend accordingly,” he said. – Bernama

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Pillion rider killed in collision with car in Mukah

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from Mukah Hospital.

SIBU (Nov 1): A 26-year-old pillion rider was killed after the motorcycle he was travelling on collided with a car near Kampung Telian Permai in Mukah today.

Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) spokesperson said they received a call on the accident at 12.47am.

“When firemen from Mukah station arrived at the scene, the operation commander reported that there was a collision involving a car and a motorcycle.

“The victim, identified as Denny Sapu was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from Mukah Hospital while the car driver escaped with minor injuries,” he said in a statement.

The spokesperson said the body was later taken to the hospital.

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PBB grassroots leaders urged to learn more about state govt devt policies

Uggah (right) presents a body temperature scanner and a monitor set to Reselly.

KUCHING (Nov 1): Grassroots leaders of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) are urged to learn more about various development policies formulated by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government for the benefit of Sarawakians.

In making this call last night, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said they must have such knowledge in order to play a role in disseminating information to the ordinary folk such as farmers.

Uggah, who is also PBB deputy president, said the party’s grassroots leaders would be of great services to PBB if they could assist the state government in reaching out to the targeted groups.

“All party leaders must be proactive in finding ways to assist the government in uplifting the standards of living among our people through income-generating programmes and activities,” he said when launching a GPS roadshow for Bukit Saban.

The event also saw the launch of PBB Brutan Ulu sub-branch at Rh Hendary Jawan in Serudit Atas in Betong.

Uggah pointed out that the GPS state government had put in place many income-generating programmes particularly in the agriculture sector.

He said the state government had aimed at getting farmers in Sarawak to participate in modern farming systems like fertigation and hydroponics.

“These do not need vast land or many workers but just the scheduled maintenance which even one or two workers can tend to.

“For the rural Dayak community, I also like to add livestock breeding like pigs rearing to the list. The great demand for the meat including in times of joy or grief, speaks volumnes of its potentials,” he said.

He noted that Betong’s Midin (wild fern) recently hit the Singapore market and was selling like hot cakes.

According to him, a vacuum-packed Midin of 250g is sold at S$3 and 1kg at S$12 in Singapore.

Touching on politics, Uggah, who is Bukit Saban assemblyman, expressed his gratitude to the local community leaders in his constituency for wanting him to continue standing in the seat in the next state election.

While thanking their pledge of support, he said the GPS state government deserved to be given the mandate to continue governing Sarawak because it had experienced and proven leaders.

“Some people say we must have new leaders and a new government. We must learn from recent history.

“With the former PH (Pakatan Harapan) government, there were many U-turns and strange policies which eventually led to its collapse,” Uggah added.

At the function, he also presented a body temperature scanner and a TV monitor to SK Paku Central Parent-Teacher Association chairman Reselly Ujie.

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[UPDATE] Anggota polis maut ketika kejar penjenayah

<p>Johor Bahru: Kemalangan maut membabitkan anggota polis di Jalan Kangkar Tebrau, Kampung Kangkar Tebrau, awal pagi tadi, dipercayai berlaku semasa mengejar penjenayah.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

England to lockdown again as Slovakia tests population for virus

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new four-week coronavirus lockdown across England. – AFP photo

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday announced a new four-week lockdown in England, which will join several European countries in imposing the measure for a second time since the coronavirus pandemic began, as Slovakia took a different tack and began testing its entire population.

The list of countries on the continent re-implementing stringent new restrictions on people’s lives is fast expanding as Europe experiences a dizzying spike in Covid-19 cases, leading to widespread exasperation and sometimes violent protests.

Just minutes after Johnson’s announcement, Portugal’s Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced a partial lockdown for his country, with 70 percent of the population going back into lockdown.

Also on Saturday, Austria brought in a second lockdown of its own, while Greece declared a partial one. The new measures came just a day after France started its second lockdown and Belgium said it would tighten its measures.

– ‘Time to take action’ –

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 1,189,892 people and infected 45,650,850 since emerging late last year, according to an AFP tally.

The United States, the hardest-hit country, passed nine million reported coronavirus cases on Friday, as infections spike just days before the country’s presidential election.

President Donald Trump, running for re-election on November 3, again downplayed Covid-19’s threat on the campaign trail.

“If you get it, you’re going to get better, and then you’re going to be immune,” said Trump, who was hospitalised over his own bout of coronavirus.

The UK meanwhile passed one million infections after recording nearly 22,000 new cases on Saturday, while virus hospitalisations climbed by 1,239, the highest daily tally since late April.

The lockdown announcement by Britain’s Johnson marks a dramatic shift in strategy following warnings that hospitals would become overwhelmed within weeks under the current system of localised restrictions.

Under the new lockdown, planned to start on Thursday and end on December 2, England’s population must stay at home except when exemptions apply, such as for work, education or exercise, while all but essential shops will close.

Schools, colleges and universities will remain open.

“Now is the time to take action because there’s no alternative,” Johnson told at a Downing Street news conference.

“We have got to be humble in the face of nature. In this country, alas, as in much of Europe, the virus is spreading even faster than the reasonable worst-case scenario of our scientific advisers.”

The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have already reimposed partial lockdowns to try to cut their surging rates.

Johnson’s critics say that delaying the decision has resulted in the need for an even longer lockdown.

“Government delay has cost both lives and livelihoods,” London Mayor Sadiq Khan, of the main opposition Labour party, tweeted.

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, meanwhile, justified his new partial lockdown by saying it was time to act “before intensive care units buckle under the strain of lives in danger”.

The new lockdown will close restaurants and other leisure activities in Athens and other major cities from Tuesday.

– Tests for everyone –

In Slovakia, the government decided to take a different approach and test its 5.4-million-strong population.

Some 45,000 medical workers, army and police are being deployed to carry out the tests in the EU nation, collecting swabs at around 5,000 testing points.

Participation in the testing is not mandatory but anyone who is not able to produce a negative test certificate if stopped by police could face a heavy fine.

“This will be our road to freedom,” Prime Minister Igor Matovic said this week, hinting that virus restrictions could be eased once testing is complete, or reinforced if the programme is not carried out in full.

But the Slovak Association of General Practitioners has criticised the operation as ill-conceived, pointing out that crowding into testing sites went against anti-infection protocols.

– Violent clashes –

Some countries that have already reintroduced lockdowns, at varying degrees of severity, are now facing a backlash from disgruntled citizens.

New skirmishes between police and protesters broke out in Rome on Saturday following clashes in Florence a night earlier over new restrictions.

Some protesters in a crowd of a few hundred protesters at Rome’s famed Campo dei Fiori began throwing bottles and firecrackers, before being dispersed by police with riot gear and truncheons.

“Unfortunately there are violent fringe elements trying to infiltrate the plazas in order to exploit the social and economic discomfort of this difficult moment,” Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said.

Italy reported 31,758 new cases of the virus on Saturday — a daily record — and the government is reportedly eyeing a lockdown of the country’s major cities, including Milan, Rome and Naples. – AFP

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Covid-19: No report of long incubation period in Malaysia – Health DG

Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah – Bernama file photo

PUTRAJAYA: Covid-19 cases involving an incubation period of more than 14 days have never been reported in the country, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

However, he said such cases had been reported abroad.

“Most Covid-19 cases were detected on the seventh, eighth and up to the 13th day and 25 per cent of those quarantined showed symptoms on the 12th or 13th day.

“However, the 21-day (incubation) period has never been reported,” he told a daily press conference on the development of Covid-19 here yesterday.

He said this in reply to a question on the case of a woman who was reported to have returned to Sarawak from Labuan and tested positive in the third test that was done on the 18th day.

Dr Noor Hisham said the woman was screened on the 10th day and started having symptoms on the 11th day but she did not inform healthcare personnel.

He said so far a total of 1,181 travellers and permanent residents returning from abroad tested positive for Covid-19.

Of the total, 75 per cent tested positive on the first day while the remaining 25 per cent were confirmed positive after undergoing a screening on the 13th day. – Bernama

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EC to issue new SOP for elections

Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh – Bernama file photo

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) will issue new standard operating procedures (SOP) for elections soon in view of the current Covid-19 situation in the country.

Its chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said the SOP would take into account three recommendations made by the Ministry of Health (MOH) such as no interstate and interdistrict travels, no mass gatherings during campaigns and no house visits.

“Once the new SOP is ready, we will announce it.  We will also take into consideration views from other parties,” he told Bernama TV when contacted here, yesterday.

Abdul Ghani said there would also be stricter rules, such as for social media campaign, which would be explained later.

However, he said, the existing SOP was still in place in line with the Covid-19 Prevention Guidelines for the Implementation of Election issued by the EC.

Previously, the EC has set several new guidelines for the Batu Sapi parliamentary by-election which is scheduled to be held on Dec 5.

Among them are no house-to-house visits or walkabout by candidates or their supporters during the campaign.

The EC also suggested that contesting candidates or parties only allowed to open one operation room.

Yesterday, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham recommended that no election be held for the time being.

However, he said if the election could not be avoided, MOH suggested that it was held in full compliance with its three recommendations. – Bernama

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'Sesuai untuk individu terjejas'

<p>Selepas cadangan moratorium dilanjutkan sehingga Disember ini, ramai yang memohon kepada kerajaan untuk membenarkan pengeluaran caruman Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) daripada akaun 1 secara ‘one off’.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

DJI Mini 2 Images And Details Leaked

It appears that drone maker DJI is planning to unveil the successor to last year’s compact-sized aerial drone sometime soon. Just recently, German tech site WinFuture has released several images and some details of the alleged DJI Mini 2.

Based on the leaked photos, the design and size of the new drone is somewhat similar to its predecessor. It also features foldable rotor arms for storage, and would seemingly fit one’s hand when fully folded. Weight-wise, it is said that the device comes in at only 249 grams.

According to WinFuture, the Mini 2 features a 12MP camera with a 1/2.3-inch sensor, f/2.8 aperture and 83-degree field of view. It is also able to record 4K videos at up to 30 frames per second, as well as capture photos in both JPG and DNG formats. The site adds that the drone uses an ISO range of up to 3200 across all usage modes.

The Mini 2 is said to be capable of travelling up to 10km and reach a maximum altitude of up to 4000 meters. WinFuture says the drone is equipped with a 2,250mAh battery which enables it to last up to 31 minutes of flight.

The site added that the DJI Mini 2 will see a global launch on 4 November 2020 and is estimated to retail at EUR499 (~RM2,420). As with other aerial drones from the company, it is expected that the new product will launch in a standard package and in a Fly More Bundle.

(Source: WinFuture)

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Covid-19: 659 kes baharu, 1,000 pulih

<p>Kuala Lumpur: Jangkitan baharu Covid-19 dalam negara mencatatkan penurunan apabila merekodkan 659 kes menjadikan jumlah keseluruhan penularan wabak itu kepada 31,548 kes dengan jumlah kes aktif 10,051 kes, hari ini.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

CM: 13 longhouses in Telang Usan now enjoying round-the-clock electricity supply

Abang Johari (standing, fifth left) in a group photo with representatives of the 13 villages that received the Sares ownership certificates at the ceremony today.

MIRI (Oct 31): Over 6,000 rural residents of 725 households in 13 longhouses in Telang Usan constituency can now enjoy round-the-clock electricity supply.

The 13 longhouses set to benefit from this project are Long Pilah, Long Luteng, Long Daloh Bestari, Long Miri, Long Tebangan, Long Liam Keliman, Long Sobeng, Long Selapun, Long Sebatang, Long Sengung, Long Pala, Long Buah, and Long Buken.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this was following the completion of solar project costing RM35 million under Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares).

“A total of 6,460 residents in the 13 villages can now enjoy 24-hour electricity supply through Sares.

“This means that 71 per cent of longhouses in Telang Usan have been lighted up by Sares,” he said at the ceremony to hand over ownership of Sares systems at Long Pilah today (Oct 31).

Since Sares was introduced in 2016, more than 20,000 residents from about 2,500 households in 51 remote villages in Telang Usan, which has a total of 88 longhouses, have been lighted up.

“We will add to this (number of longhouses lighted by Sares) as our intention is for Telang Usan to be fully electrified by 24-hour electricity via Sares by 2022,” he added.

Abang Johari hoped with the 24-hour electricity supply, it will in some ways change the lifestyle of the rural folks.

“At least our children can study better compared to when they are still in the dark before who knows they can become smarter as we have given them this basic necessity.

“We have good intention to help the young people,” said Abang Johari.

He also advised the rural residents to maintain their unity for a brighter future of Sarawak.

“We must stay united and have mutual understanding between each other. As such, politics in Sarawak is good because we the state leaders have good relationship.

“In the next five years, after Baram has been fully electrified as well as equipped with other basic amenities like good water supply, Baram will surely transform providing that we stay united and focus on development.

“There is nothing good coming from a fight among one another,” he added.

Also present to witness the handing over of ownership certificates were Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, Mulu assemblyman Dato Gerawat Gala, Baram MP Anyi Ngau and Long Pilah headman Saging Wan.

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Abang Johari approves RM16 mln for 2 devt projects in Telang Usan

Abang Johari arriving at Long Pilah today.

MIRI (Oct 31): Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg today approved a total of RM16 million for two development projects in the Telang Usan constituency.

Met by reporters at a ceremony to hand over ownership of Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares) systems at Long Pilah, Abang Johari said the state government had the budget to further develop the constituency for the benefit of the people.

The first project is the RM15 million integrated recreational centre at Long Lama Rural Growth Centre, while the other one is the RM1 million Pulung Masik Tagang (controlled fishing) system at Sungai Belingan near here.

“Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau will work on these two projects for Telang Usan constituency together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and other relevant parties,” he added.

Earlier at the event, Dennis said the integrated recreational centre was needed to accommodate the rising need for organising various youth and recreational activities at such sports facility or complex.

“It is anticipated that more events to be held at Long Lama and therefore the need has become chronic for a sport facility to be provided at Telang Usan district,” said Dennis.

Meanwhile, the Tagang system has been included as part of projects enlisted in the Long Pilah master plan book handed over by the villagers at the event.

Other project in the master plan was the Central Baram-Agro Tourism Hub & Agriculture Research Centre.

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Ketepikan perbezaan politik, sokong Bajet 2021 demi rakyat [METROTV]

<p>Kuala Lumpur: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin berharap semua Ahli Parlimen dapat mengenepikan perbezaan politik untuk memastikan Bajet 2021 diluluskan demi kepentingan rakyat dan negara.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

Under Armour And The Rock Have A Pair Of JBL TWS Buds

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson previously worked with Under Armour and JBL to release a pair of headphones. The three of them are back again with the new UA Project Rock True Wireless X TWS buds. And they are just about everything you’d expect from TWS buds meant for workouts.

To start, The Rock’s TWS buds comes with IPX7 sweat resistance, a little higher than most other sports TWS buds. They also come with JBL’s TalkThru and Ambient Aware features. These lower the music volume when you’re engaged in conversation and amplifies background noise, respectively.

These buds also come with an impressive battery life. The buds themselves can last for 10 hours, and the charging case give them an additional 40 hours. Which are pretty impressive battery life figures, especially for a pair of earbuds. Then you have other more basic features that you’d expect, like USB-C charging, and Blueoooth 5.0 connectivity.

For its price, the UA Project Rock True Wireless X is available in the US for US$199.95 (~RM830). And it’s not all that unreasonable an asking price, despite the super star name attached to it. No word on its availability on our shores, though.

(Source: Under Armour via Engadget)

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SDMC warns companies: Stop publishing own Covid-19 high risk area notices, let us handle it

File photo for illustration purposes

KUCHING (Oct 31): The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) is warning agencies, organisations, companies not to publish their own Covid-19 high risk areas notices as this could go viral and lead to confusion among the public.

The committee in its daily Covid-19 update statement issued the warning after several notices were found to have gone viral on social media, allegedly published by some companies, warning their staff or employees from going to places listed in the notice as those places were high risk areas.

“Spreading of fake news is violating the law, and it will only worsen the situation. There have been some agencies, organisations and companies taking their own initiative to list out on their own so-called Covid-19 high risk areas.

“These lists have been spread and viraled in social media. This has caused confusion among the public.

“SDMC wishes to clarify that the committee has never issued those lists and would like to inform everyone to always be careful with fake news.

“All information would have to be verified by SDMC and will be issued officially through the committee’s statements,” said SDMC.

MORE TO COME

 

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Covid-19: 9 new cases recorded in Sarawak today, total tally at 881

KUCHING (Oct 31): Sarawak recorded nine new Covid-19 cases today, bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 881.

According to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) in its daily Covid-19 update, six of the cases are in Kuching District, two in Miri District and one in Samarahan District.

MORE TO COME

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Abdul Karim: Rural youths calling for faster internet on par with urban areas

KUCHING (Oct 31): Rural youths in the state are calling for faster internet connectivity in their areas to be at the same level as their urban peers, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said that while the Jelajah Belia programme moved from one district to another, this was the main concern of youths at each of the rural locations.

He said that rural youths were frustrated while waiting for messages or videos to load as their area had slower internet speed, if any at all.

“At almost each of the Jelajah Belia locations we visited, there is at least one person voicing concern about increasing the internet speed in their area. In Kuching, youths don’t face this problem but in the interior, they do,” he told reporters after launching Jelajah Belia at a hotel here today.

He added that this request had been relayed to the state leadership and it understands this request.

As the Chief Minister is passionate about digital economy, Abdul Karim believes that there would be allocation for digitalisation in the upcoming state budget tabled during the state legislative assembly (DUN) sitting held in November.

On the Jelajah Belia, Abdul Karim said that it started in April last year at Asajaya, and there were 40 locations in total. Due to the pandemic, the event was postponed for several months, and would not be able to complete all locations by this year.

The event includes a youth talk session, questions and answer session and motivation session.

Meanwhile, when asked about the suggestion to allow Provident Fund (EPF) contributors to withdraw RM10,000 from their savings from Account 1, Abdul Karim said he had not seen the suggestion in detail.

Abdul Karim suggested that the government should look into this carefully because the contribution is meant as an investment for the future, and if they withdraw too much, there might not be any money left when they are older.

On Oct 26, former prime minister Dato Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak on his Facebook page made this suggestion to allow withdrawal up to RM10,000 to face these dire times during the Covid-19 outbreak.

He said there were many requests to the government to allow the one-off withdrawal, and believes that this request could be considered provided they agree to repay the withdrawn amount within the next two years after the economy recovered, not including the regular monthly contribution.

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PM: Batu Sapi and Sarawak state polls inevitable, can only be avoided if emergency declared

Muhyiddin Yassin

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — After his proposal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was rejected, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today that the upcoming Sarawak state election and the Batu Sapi by-election will still have to take place amid Covid-19 unless emergency is declared.

Citing the Federal Constitution, the prime minister said the elections will still have to go on, but he noted the concerns of the Election Commission (EC) staff who fear of contracting Covid-19 while serving during polling.

“If you ask me there should be no elections now as the Covid-19 cases are spiking, however, we can’t call it off unless we declare a state of emergency,” Muhyiddin said today during a surprise address. — MalayMail

MORE TO COME

 

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Abdul Karim: National Budget could focus on relieving people’s burden amidst pandemic

Karim (center), Fazzrudin (second right) and others pressing a ball to officiate the event. – Photo by Mohd Rais Sanusi.

KUCHING (Oct 31): Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes the National Budget which will be tabled this coming Friday will focus on relieving the people’s burden amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said that there is no need for ‘big big’ infrastructures at the moment as the people are under pressure from the pandemic.

“What the government needs to put effort in is to reduce the people’s burden and continue to progress and improve the economy of the country,” he said when met after the launching of Jelajah Belia at a hotel here today.

At the same time, Abdul Karim, who is also Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, hopes that the budget would also include the tourism industry as currently, there is a global fear of travelling.

He added that at the moment, people were not confident to travel overseas, and tourists were not confident to fly into the country, and if promotions are to be done overseas, it would not revive the industry.

However, he believes that with incentives, the domestic tourism, including the hotels, homestays, national parks, food industry and related transportation, could be revived bit by bit.

He said that if the Covid-19 pandemic does not worsen further, he projected that the tourism industry would improve by the second half of next year when people have confidence to travel.

“It will not accelerate very fast but this can be helped with support from the state and federal government incentives and planning when we table the budget during the state legislative assembly (DUN) sitting in November. The national budget will be announced first, and during the second half of the DUN sitting we will table the state budget, which is the Supply Bill.”

The National Budget 2021 is scheduled to be tabled in parliament next Friday, Nov 6.

Asked on youths affected by the pandemic who lost their jobs, Abdul Karim said that lost of jobs affects many and not just youths, and they have to be strong and improve self confidence and look into other opportunities. As times have changed with more things shifting online, like food delivery and shopping they can get opportunities there.

He added that youths were more IT savvy, and they can look into how to use those apparatus for new opportunities to earn a living.

“I believe the youths will also be included in the budget as they are very important in the nation’s development,” he said.

Present at the event were Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and permanent secretary to the Youth and Sports Ministry Nancy Jolhi.

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Work from home necessary as several Covid-19 clusters stem from workplaces, says PM

Muhyiddin addressing the nation during the live broadcast.

KUCHING (Oct 31): Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has once again emphasised that working from home is strongly encouraged now that the country is seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases.

“What is worrying is that some of these virus clusters stem from workplaces. Please work from home during this time,” he said during a live broadcast addressing the current Covid-19 situation in the country.

He went on to say that home was “the safest place in the world now” due to the third wave of the virus.

“Please continue to heed all standard operating procedures and avoid going out, only going out when it is necessary,” he said.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had recently said that as many as 30 per cent or 62 of the 230 Covid-19 clusters reported in Malaysia since the pandemic began were linked to workplaces.

 

 

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Under Armour And The Rock Have A Pair Of JBL TWS Buds

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson previously worked with Under Armour and JBL to release a pair of headphones. The three of them are back again with the new UA Project Rock True Wireless X TWS buds. And they are just about everything you’d expect from TWS buds meant for workouts.

To start, The Rock’s TWS buds comes with IPX7 sweat resistance, a little higher than most other sports TWS buds. They also come with JBL’s TalkThru and Ambient Aware features. These lower the music volume when you’re engaged in conversation and amplifies background noise, respectively.

These buds also come with an impressive battery life. The buds themselves can last for 10 hours, and the charging case give them an additional 40 hours. Which are pretty impressive battery life figures, especially for a pair of earbuds. Then you have other more basic features that you’d expect, like USB-C charging, and Blueoooth 5.0 connectivity.

For its price, the UA Project Rock True Wireless X is available in the US for US$199.95 (~RM830). And it’s not all that unreasonable an asking price, despite the super star name attached to it. No word on its availability on our shores, though.

(Source: Under Armour via Engadget)

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Ketepikan perbezaan politik, sokong Bajet 2021 demi rakyat

<p>Kuala Lumpur: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin berharap semua Ahli Parlimen dapat mengenepikan perbezaan politik untuk memastikan Bajet 2021 diluluskan demi kepentingan rakyat dan negara.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

Covid-19: Perutusan PM petang ini

<p>Kuala Lumpur: Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dijadual menyampaikan perutusan mengenai situasi semasa Covid-19, petang ini.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

MKN drafting action plan for long term control of Covid-19

The action plan would be based on an assessment of facts and experience which the government had gone through in controlling Covid-19 since January this year. File Photo

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council (MKN) is in the midst of drafting a comprehensive action plan to ensure that the Covid-19 outbreak is within control even though the pandemic is expected to continue for a long time.

Deputy director-general (Security Management), Datuk Rodzi Md Saad said the action plan would be based on an assessment of facts and experience which the government had gone through in controlling Covid-19 since January this year.

“MKN is still in the process of analysing all action patterns that have been done. We will select and combine those with satisfactory outcome to come up with a plan which can be used as a guide for all.”

He said this when interviewed during Bernama TV’s ‘Ruang Bicara’ programme yesterday entitled ‘Covid-19 Management: Implementation, Challenges and the Future ’.

Meanwhile, Rodzi said the geographical situation of the country such as the vast interior area and open sea which shares its border with neighbouring countries at Sabah east coast, had been a great challenge in the fight against Covid-19.

As such he said, currently strict enforcement at the waters and land border areas was crucial in efforts to restrict the entry of illegal immigrants who may be carriers of Covid-19 as well as to prevent local transmission of the disease. — Bernama

 

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