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KTF 2022 Committee members gather for a quick group shot after the ‘miring’ ceremony. — Photo by Harry Izzdin
KUCHING (Oct 1): The inaugural Kuching Tattoo Festival (KTF) 2022 has marked a debut with over 80 tattoo artists on deck.
Being staged from Sept 30 to Oct 2 at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Hall here, the event is open to the public from 10am to 9pm, with an entry fee of RM10 per person.
KTF features tattoo artists from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan, the Philippines and Czech Republic with unique tattoo artistry styles as well as booths exhibiting local handicrafts and traditional products.
Cultural Ambassador for Dayak International Organisation, Peter John Jaban said one of KTF’s goals is to showcase the original artistry of the Iban tattoos and heritage to the new generations.
“We are trying to revive the original artistry of the Iban folk art that have become obsolete in modern times and for the new generation to recognize its significance towards Borneo’s long and rich history of culture,” Peter John told the press conference after the launching of KTF here yesterday.
The most well-known tribal tattoo designs in Sarawak came from the Iban tribe, though others like the Orang Ulu also have their respective tribes’ tattoos.
“Those with ink on their bodies and who have moved to the city were rather reserved in showing off their tattoos in public due to society’s perception of tattoos back then,” he said.
“Now, the ‘Bunga Terung’ designs and Dayak tattoos have emerged as a universal trademark of the Borneons, with people all around the world recognizing these tribal arts,” he added.
Prior to KTF’s launching, a ‘miring’ ceremony was conducted by KTF committee member Louis Samai from Lubok Antu.
According to KTF’s master of ceremonies Chief of Dayak Aki Leomuamoko, the ‘miring’ ceremony was performed to give honour to the ‘petara’ (gods), spirits and ancestors to seek for blessings in their ventures.
“For those who are curious to know more about the history and culture of tattoo arts in Borneo, we welcome you to join us,” said Aki Leomuamoko, while expressing hope that the Dayak artistry be preserved for generations to come.
Dayak International Organisation permanent representative to the United Nations Andrew Ambrose @ Atama from Sabah was also among those present, giving his support on the preservation of the original artistry of Borneon tattoos.
For more information and updates on KTF 2022, visit their Facebook page at “Kuching Tattoo Festival”.
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The Umno logo is pictured at Menara Dato Onn in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 26, 2020. — Malay Mail photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): Third-term Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Alor Setar Umno division chief Datuk Mohd Yusof Ismail have been suspended from the Malay nationalist party, The Star reported today.
Yusof confirmed being verbally told of his suspension after an Umno supreme council meeting last night but told the newspaper he had not received any official letter to that end.
“Yes, I have been informed by members of the Umno supreme council that they decided to suspend me and Tajuddin last night. I do not know for how long yet.
“I have no idea why they decided on this. I have been very vocal in the division chiefs’ group and I have been very supportive of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob,” Yusof was quoted as saying.
He told The Star that his suspension may be a “signal to the prime minister that should he not dissolve Parliament, his supporters among the division chiefs will bear the brunt”.
Yusof also said he would not appeal against his suspension as he has not done anything wrong.
Tajuddin had been removed from the Umno supreme council just three months ago for calling his party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi a “liability” and demanding the latter’s resignation from the post.
A month later in July, Tajuddin was removed as a prospective ambassador to Indonesia.
Malay Mail is contacting Tajuddin for verification and comment. — Malay Mail
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Wee said the issues picked up by the FAA in 2019 initially did not reoccur and the CAAM was able to resolve 29 out of the total issues from the second assessment by FAA in December last year in the span of just six months. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): Malaysia’s air safety rating in the United States (US) has been restored to Category 1 after all 33 issues raised by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were resolved, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.
He said the issues picked up by the FAA in 2019 initially did not reoccur and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) was able to resolve 29 out of the total issues from the second assessment by FAA in December last year in the span of just six months.
“By mid-July this year, the FAA returned for a reassessment and CAAM had already completed all responses for the 29 findings and all corrective action plans were closed.
“The past two years have been a crucial period for CAAM as the whole organisation was restructured while various efforts were carried out to strengthen its workforce, documentation and develop comprehensive training policy for the inspectors,” he said in an online press conference today.
Wee is currently on an official visit to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) headquarters in Montreal, Canada, where he met with Transport Ministers from other countries to discuss technical cooperation.
According to Wee, a Category 1 air safety rating means Malaysia’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO safety standards.
“With an IASA (International Aviation Safety Assessment) Category 1 rating, a country’s air carriers can establish service to the US and carry the code of US carriers. To maintain that rating, a country must adhere to the ICAO safety standards.
“Meanwhile, a Category 2 rating means the country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or its civil aviation authority is deficient in one or more aspects, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedures,” he added.
With Malaysia regaining Category 1, Wee said the country will be able to chart more flights or open new flight routes to the US, further boosting economic and tourism opportunities for Malaysia.
In November 2019, Malaysia was assigned Category 2 in its air safety rating under the IASA programme by the FAA due to non-compliance with the ICAO safety standards.
The assessment found that CAAM had 58 findings in total, 25 of which were able to be resolved while 33 remained open, which led to the air safety ranking downgrade during that year. — Bernama
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Police photo shows the damaged motorcycle at the scene of the accident.
KUCHING (Oct 1): A 48-year-old motorcyclist died in accident with another vehicle at the traffic light intersection of Jalan Kuching City Mall-Jalan Tan Sri Datuk Amar Wee Boon Ping on Friday night.
According to Padawan district police chief Supt Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad, the motorcyclist was heading straight towards Jalan Penrissen when he crashed into a car making a right turn to Taman Desa Wira in the 9pm incident.
“The deceased was identified as Chung Xan Tan from Jalan Batu Kitang,” said Abang Zainal when contacted today.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel from the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
His body was later sent to SGH’s forensic unit for further action.
The 19-year-old driver of the other vehicle did not suffer any physical injuries.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
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Dr Sim (second left) looking at exhibits at one of the booths at Sheda Property Expo. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (Oct 1): Sarawak needs strategic economic intervention by the government in an effort to empower more people to own their first home, said Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Sheda) president Augustine CH Wong.
Although the government has already provided a number of financial assistance incentives for house purchasers such as the federal government’s Keluarga Malaysia Home Ownership Initiative (i-Miliki) and the state government’s Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS), he requested the government to consider additional financial incentives such as income tax relief in addition to stamp duty exemption for purchasers.
“For developers, we humbly seek for temporary waiving or reducing of duties, temporarily lifting taxes and levies, and reviewing and reducing certain charges imposed by utility companies and authorities.
“We believe these measures will mitigate the current cost of construction and high cost of doing business in the housing and real estate industry,” he said when speaking at the Sheda Property Expo held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday afternoon.
In an effort to improve the quality and standing of affordable housing, Wong said Sheda is committed to maintaining the Affordable Housing Development as a category in the Sheda Excellence Awards for many years to come.
“We look forward to receiving guidance from the state government in enhancing the Affordable Housing Development Category in the year 2023,” he added.
The Sheda Property Expo, taking place from yesterday to Oct 2, was officiated by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony was Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government.
Meanwhile, Sheda Property Expo organising chairman John Yong Lock Ping said a total of 88 booths had been set up at the expo.
He said the booths were put by exhibitors, comprising property developers, real estate agencies, banks, technology companies, training providers, construction suppliers, heavy machinery and automobiles firms and NGOs.
He also mentioned the event’s valued sponsors such as Naim Land Sdn Bhd, Lee Onn Development Sdn Bhd, Chen Ling Development Sdn Bhd and CMS Berhad through its subsidiary Cahya Mata Sarawak Property Development Sdn Bhd.
It is supported by the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government.
“The sponsorships and support are taken seriously and the organising committee is conscious of the responsibilities and commitment we have made towards the quality of our event, for the benefit of exhibitors and visitors alike.
“Visitors will note attractive build-up booths inside and outside of the exhibition hall,” he added.
In an effort to acknowledge the extra work put in by the companies involved in the expo, the organising committee had presented three awards for overall best booth, most creative booth and outstanding corporate image.
Overall best booth award went to Lee Onn Sdn Bhd, ELEMENTS (most creative booth), and Naim (outstanding corporate image).
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Ahmad Maslan said vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is the prime minister, would meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at an unspecified date for this reason. – Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 30): Umno insists Parliament should be dissolved as soon as possible for the 15th general election (GE15) to be held this year, said secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
After a 90-minute meeting of the Umno Supreme Council, he said vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is the prime minister, would meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at an unspecified date for this reason.
“The dissolution of Parliament should be held in the near future to enable the 15th General Election to be held this year as well.
“Based on this decision, the prime minister will present the proposed dissolution date to His Majesty, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in accordance with Article 40 (1) of the Federal Constitution.”
He added that the decision from tonight’s meeting was based on Umno’s consistent position that the mandate should be returned to Malaysians to elect a new government.
Accordingly, Ahmad Maslan said Umno’s election machinery at all levels were instructed to finalise preparations for the general election.
A strong mandate for the next government would ensure the country’s political stability and allow good governance to be restored, he said.
Ahmad then said the Umno supreme council acknowledged the renewal of efforts to revive the Muafakat Nasional charter with PAS.
“The supreme council meeting also took note that Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, the president of PAS, met with the president of Umno recently,” he added.
Last week, it was reported that both presidents met to discuss their alliance going into GE15.
Previously, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin claimed that the Islamist party had reaffirmed its commitment towards Perikatan Nasional.
Muhyiddin also said Hadi told him that the PAS-Umno discussions have not led to any results.
The Malay nationalist party’s headquarters has been flooded with media personnel after it was claimed that the Umno supreme council would decide on when to hold GE15 and which parties Barisan Nasional would partner for the poll. – Malay Mail
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Anwar wants the upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting to discuss economic issues involving rising commodity prices and the severe fall in the national currency. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 30): Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said he has submitted a motion for Dewan Rakyat to discuss the rising prices of goods as well as the poor performance of the ringgit.
He shared a photo of the letter he sent to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun on his Facebook page.
“[I said in the letter] that the House sitting should discuss the economic issues involving the crisis of rising commodity prices and the severe fall in the national currency which has affected the lives of the people and this issue has a great impact on the people and the country.
“This matter needs to be expedited because the sudden increase in the price of goods and the recent fall in the value of the country’s currency has a direct impact on the people both in the short and long term,” he wrote.
Dewan Rakyat is set to convene on Oct 3 with Budget 2023 scheduled to be tabled on Oct 7. — Malay Mail
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Thian gets a hug from a family member. – Bomba photo
KUCHING (Sept 30): A search and rescue team found a farmer from Tapah, who had been missing since Tuesday (Sept 27), safe by the roadside at 9.40am today.
In a statement, the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said Thian Nyok Hiong, 56, showed no signs of injuries when given a medical check-up by personnel from the Ministry of Health.
The search team today involved Bomba personnel from the Siburan fire station together with the Bomba volunteers from Kampung Simpok as well as the police.
Thian was last seen leaving his house around 4pm on Tuesday.
According to his sister, Thian went to tend to his farm along Jalan Kuching-Serian.
Fearing something untoward had occurred, his family initially conducted a search of their own.
However, when they could not locate him, they decided to lodge a police report at the Tapah police station yesterday (Sept 29).
Bomba was then called to assist with the case around 6pm.
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Zazali (second right) symbolically presents TMPSKM to Koperasi Guru Bumiputera Sarawak Berhad. Liew is at right. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (Sept 30): The Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM) presented development grants totalling RM21 million to 13 co-operatives in Sarawak yesterday.
SKM executive director Datuk Zazali Haron presented the grants during ‘An Evening with Executive Director of SKM and Sarawak Co-operative Movement’.
He said SKM is committed to bringing co-operative movements together with private enterprises.
“With the support of various parties, we are confident that co-operatives will be able to contribute more effectively to the economy and the society in Malaysia,” he said.
“The co-operative movement must adapt to the paradigm shift, which is a new challenge for something unseen where co-operative officers must change their mindset, way of thinking, and the way to achieve common goals.”
He also congratulated Liew Liuk Chim for his promotion to SKM Sarawak director effective Sept 1.
The SKM development grant is an incentive in the form of cash or physical items offered to a co-operative based on the scope of assistance set.
The grant also aims to increase the involvement of co-operatives in potential business activities to increase their income.
During the same event, SKM also channelled RM200 million to the Malaysia Co-operative Commission Revolving Capital Fund (TMPSKM).
TMPSKM is financing provided by SKM to eligible co-operatives to help them implement their projects.
Two eligible co-operatives presented with TMPSKM yesterday were Koperasi Al-Bait Sarawak Berhad and Koperasi Guru Bumiputera Sarawak Berhad, which received RM2 million and RM3 million respectively.
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Bernama file photo shows the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 30): The tabling of Budget 2023 will be the focus of the Third Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 14th Parliament which is scheduled to sit for 32 days beginning this Monday (Oct 3).
Based on the Parliament’s website, the Supply (Budget) Bill 2023 will be tabled by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz at 4pm on Oct 7.
Themed ‘Strengthening Recovery, Facilitating Reforms Towards Sustainable Socio-Economic Resilience of Keluarga Malaysia’, the Bill will be discussed at the policy level from Oct 11-26.
The committee-level debate will start from Nov 3-23 before the Bill is approved by Dewan Rakyat.
Based on to the original calendar of Parliament, the coming session of the Dewan Rakyat was supposed to be for 31 days from Oct 26 to Dec 15, 2022, but it has been brought forward to Oct 3 to speed up the tabling of Budget 2023.
Meanwhile, the sitting might be the last session for the 14th Parliament as speculation is rife that Parliament will be dissolved several days after the tabling of Budget 2023 to pave the way for the 15th General Election (GE15).
In November 1999, the ninth Parliament was dissolved when the Dewan Rakyat meeting was in progress and before Budget 2000 was approved.
Tun Dr Mohamed Zahir Ismail, who was Dewan Rakyat Speaker at the time explained that Budget 2000 which was being debated then and five Bills that had been approved by the Dewan Rakyat needed to be re-tabled at the new Parliament session as they had not been brought to the Dewan Negara and had yet to become law.
At the upcoming Dewan Rakyat session, the Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022 will be among the focus after it was referred to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee during the Dewan Rakyat meeting on Aug 2.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had previously said that he was confident that the Bill which was proposed to be tabled for the second reading at this meeting would receive the support of the majority of the members of Parliament.
The Bill, among others, aims to prohibit the sale and use of any form of smoking material including electronic cigarettes or vaping to individuals born on Jan 1, 2007, onwards.
Meanwhile, the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2022, Renewable Energy (Amendment) Bill 2022, Printing of Qur’anic Texts (Amendment) Bill 2022, and Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2022 postponed for the second and third readings, are expected to be tabled in the upcoming sitting.
The motion for the election of a Deputy Speaker for the Dewan Rakyat to replace Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said which has been postponed for the fourth time is also much awaited at the upcoming session. — Bernama
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Lee (third left) in a group photo with (from left) Alice, Dr Jerip, Buckland, Henry, Dr Murni and Ding.
KUCHING (Sept 30): Dato Alice Jawan is now the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS).
Alice takes over the post from Datu Buckland Bangik who is said to be promoted to Deputy State Secretary.
Alice’s appointment was announced by MOTS via a press statement yesterday also informed that they held a Thanksgiving dinner themed ‘Sanjungan Budi Setulus Kasih’ for Buckland at the Waterfront Hotel here on Sept 27.
Alice, the out-going permanent secretary to the Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunications, will report for duty at the MOTS on Oct 3, 2022.
Also attending the dinner were state Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, his deputies Datuk Dr Jerip Susil and Dato Henry Harry Jinep and representatives of its agencies including Dr Murni Suhaili and Lt Col (Rtd) Ding Tiew Wong.
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A health worker stores a Covid-19 swab test sample for testing. — Bernama photo
KOTA KINABALU (Sept 29): Sabah recorded 159 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday with most infections under Categories 1 and 2.
Sabah Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said 156 of the total cases are in Categories 1 and 2, two in Category 3 and one in Category 4.
“Six districts recorded double-digit new infections namely Kota Kinabalu with 50 cases, Tawau 15, Lahad Datu 13, Papar 13, Tuaran 12 and Penampang 10.
“Meanwhile, eight districts did not record any case namely Beaufort, Kalabakan, Kinabatangan, Kota Belud, Kunak, Sipitang, Telupid and Tongod,” he said.
Districts with single-digit cases are Sandakan (9), Beluran (4), Kota Marudu (4), Kuala Penyu (4), Nabawan (4), Pitas (4), Keningau (3), Putatan (3), Semporna (3), Tenom (3), Kudat (2), Ranau (2) and Tambunan (1).
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Zahid insists the public has a right to know the truth about the allegations of selective prosecution and judicial interference that supposedly took place during the Pakatan Harapan administration from 2018 to early 2020. — Malay Mail photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 29): Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today ramped up his call for the Cabinet to make public a special investigation into former attorney general Tommy Thomas’s controversial book containing allegations of political interference with the judiciary among others.
The specially set up task force, chaired by Sarawak Legal Advisor Datuk Seri JC Fong, is said to have wrapped up its report last month and is supposed to present its findings to Cabinet tomorrow.
Ahmad Zahid insists the public has a right to know the truth about the allegations of selective prosecution and judicial interference that supposedly took place during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration from 2018 to early 2020.
“We hope that the claims of the current AG recommending the findings to not be made public is mere hearsay.
“We also hope the Cabinet, where the findings are to be tabled and presented, will not be in a position to conceal certain facts,” the Bagan Datuk MP said on his Facebook page.
The special task force has been reported to have highlighted 19 issues of concern.
The government backbencher said he was concerned as there several members of the current Ismail Sabri Cabinet who had also served as ministers when PH was in power.
“Said Cabinet members were involved and worked together with Thomas for 22 months, thus it is worrisome that there may be matters they wish to conceal,” he added, without naming anyone from the current line-up of ministers.
Thomas was appointed AG by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when the latter returned as prime minister in the PH government and served from June 2018 to February 2020.
The private lawyer-turned-government top counsel and public prosecutor wrote a book titled My Story: Justice in the Wilderness published last year after his resignation that sparked over 130 police reports against him.
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Anwar did not specify which constituency he would stand in. — Malay Mail photo
PETALING JAYA (Sept 29): Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has declared that he is ready to contest for a Parliamentary seat held by a ‘traitor’ of PKR and Pakatan Harapan (PH) during the 15th General Election (GE15).
The PKR president however, did not specify which seat he would be contesting but added that the seat that he would contest must have an ‘added advantage’ to PKR and PH.
“Honestly, I have not decided on the choice of the seat (Parliamentary seat) to contest but I will certainly consider a seat held by a ‘traitor’ of PKR and PH … for example, if the party says contest for the Parliamentary seat in Gombak, I will contest,” he said.
Anwar said this during a question and answer session at a programme called Sembang Kencang KLS @ Anwar Ibrahim organised by the Kelab Wartawan Kuala Lumpur & Selangor, here yesterday.
Anwar said the sentiment and support of voters in Port Dickson was much stronger than when he was contesting in the Port Dickson by-election in October 2018.
Members of Parliament who had deserted PKR and joined Bersatu are Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (Gombak), Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang), Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar (Bandar Tun Razak), Datuk Mansor Othman (Nibong Tebal), Datuk Rashid Hasnon (Batu Pahat), Datuk Seri Dr Santhara Kumar (Segamat), Ali Biju (Saratok), Willie Mongin (Puncak Borneo), and Jonathan Yasin (Ranau). — Bernama
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The pickup truck crashed into the rear of the lorry, which is believed to have been parked by the roadside. – Bomba photo
BINTULU (Sept 29): A 20-year-old man was killed while three others were injured in an accident involving a pickup truck and a lorry at Mile 8 Bintulu-Miri Road early this morning.
It is understood that the 10-tonne lorry was parked by the roadside when the pickup truck crashed into its rear.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Bintulu zone chief Wan Kamarudin Wan Ahmad said in the 3.12am incident, the passenger of the pickup truck sustained severe head injuries and died at the scene.
The deceased was identified as Alexander Adolf Anyi Chua Heng Chai.
Wan Kamarudin said both Alexander and pickup truck driver Kennedy Beru, 21, were trapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated using a rescue tool.
When Kennedy was successfully extricated at 3.45am, rescuers found he was seriously injured and unconscious.
He was taken to hospital in an ambulance.
Alexander was extricated from the wrecked vehicle at 4am and pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver and passenger of the lorry sustained light injuries and were also brought to hospital for further treatment.
Bomba ended its operation at 4.20am.
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Abdul Latiff speaks to the victim’s families after a press conference on job scams abroad at Menara Usahawan in Putrajaya on Sept 20, 2022. — Malay Mail photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 29): Modern slavery, as unbelievable as it sounds, exists in 2022.
It is described as severe exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain, and its prevalence — in the form of job scams which promises high wages for simple work overseas — has only increased over the past year post-Covid-19, which destroyed thousands, if not millions of lives and livelihoods and forced people to take risks in order to make ends meet and support their loved ones through the hardest of times.
The alarm in Malaysia has now rung loud and clear after a 23-year-old Malaysian citizen named Goi Zhen Feng became Malaysia’s first recorded death from overseas job scams.
He died on May 11 at the Mae Sot Hospital, in Mae Sot, Thailand, a city in the west of Thailand that shares borders with Myanmar.
Goi, a teacher in training, was supposedly held in Myawaddy, Myanmar, which borders Mae Sot. According to his doctor who treated him at Mae Sot Hospital, Goi was severely abused and beaten before being dumped at the hospital in April under the fake name “Mun Jun Hong” and a fake passport number, making authorities unable to contact his family back in Ipoh, Perak.
His body was buried at the Si Racha cemetery in Chonburi province under the fake name.
This has set an urgent tone in Putrajaya to end these scams and bring back the hundreds of other Malaysians who have fallen prey to these syndicates before they end up like Goi.
But who runs these syndicates? What do they want and how do they lure thousands of people to fall straight into their trap? How many people are actually being held captive overseas and what is the government’s stand on the issue?
Who are these scammers and how do they operate?
These job fraud syndicates are supposedly led by gangsters from China who run their scams from secure compounds mainly found in Sihanoukville, a coastal town at the tip of an elevated peninsula in Cambodia’s south-west on the Gulf of Thailand, but also have outposts in the casino border towns of Laos and Myanmar, where they can easily transport those they have ensnared to and fro.
They operate through sophisticated fake profiles and shadow websites, and post job opportunities overseas via social media to lure debt-saddled youths from Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries with promises of high salaries in online sales or eternal love, before enslaving them to carry out scams themselves or risk being beaten to a pulp, sold off to another syndicate or having their organs harvested.
Reports from victims who have been repatriated tell stories of what they describe as hell, with their passports and personal phones being confiscated upon arrival at a compound that they were not allowed to leave, living in small cramped rooms with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Victims of these scams were made to work 15 hours a day, often times starved, beaten or electrocuted by electric batons, drugged, raped or even murdered if they do not comply with their captives or do not meet their “sales” targets.
They are under constant supervision, live in eternal fear, and are forced to extort vast sums of money from their family members to be released and return from their hellish ordeal.
A victim who was named as Eric reportedly said he was brought to a rural place in Cambodia and was given a mobile phone to work for a telephone scam company.
He added that they were warned against using the handphone to call outside people, take pictures and videos and send information of the area.
How many Malaysians have fallen victim to these scams?
Officially, the police’s secretary Datuk Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin said on Aug 19 that a total of 238 Malaysians have fallen victim to overseas job scam syndicates between 2021 and then, with 168 in the clutches of these gangs.
Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim said Malaysian victims were enticed by high salaries offered by the scams — ranging from US$2,000 to US$4,000 (RM9,000 to 18,000) — usually spread through social media such as Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp.
He divided the victims into two categories — the first one being those with qualifications such as diploma, while the second one comprise young people aged 10 to 30 without qualifications.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad also told the press on Sept 20 that an exact number of victims could not be ascertained as only about half of the cases have been reported to the police, making authorities unable to put an exact number of Malaysian victims who have fallen into the syndicate’s trap.
However, according to testimony by a rescued Malaysian who only wanted to be known as Seah, he claimed he saw first-hand that there were over 1,000 Malaysians currently being enslaved by the syndicate just in the building where he was being held in Myawaddy.
“On each floor there were about 300 people, mostly Malaysians. They were beaten as well so I know that they are also victims,” he said in a press conference at Wisma MCA on June 8.
The victim named Eric also shared that he was kept at a 13-storey building resembling a hotel and there were 10 groups consisting of 10 people or more for each group at each floor of the building.
Since early September, some of the victims have been brought home with the Foreign Ministry saying a total of 123 out of 153 victims of such syndicates have been rescued.
However, Eldeen Husaini has also said that there were also some who had refused to return to Malaysia, as they are runaways or victims hiding from loan sharks.
What is Malaysia’s government doing?
With pressure mounting on the government by families of the victims, MPs from both political spectrums and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to combat human trafficking of its citizens, Putrajaya has expressed its commitment to ensuring the return of all its citizens and was making an effort through all channels available to them.
Goi’s death was the push needed for Putrajaya to put this matter on the top of their list, after a memorandum was sent to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to seek the government’s assistance and intervention in the job scam issue abroad with Malaysians as the victims were sent in by a group of NGOs.
He then instructed Dr Abdul Latiff to take charge of the matter, and on Sept 20, the special functions minister said that he would bring up the job scam issue involving Malaysian victims abroad to Cabinet after chairing a meeting with Goi’s family and the NGOs.
The Home Ministry was also reported saying the problem was among matters raised at the 16th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime, with a task force formed under the police together with the Interpol, Asean Police, and other enforcement agencies.
On Sept 27, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah chaired a coordination meeting with government agencies to refine, frame, monitor and implement action concerning job scam syndicate cases involving Malaysian citizens abroad.
He said during the meeting, enforcement agencies have presented the results of the investigation, outlining technical coordination and mobilising inter-agency operations not only to rescue victims, but to bring the syndicate criminals to justice. — Malay Mail
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A map showing the planned road closure and road diversions which will be set-up for the Kuching Marathon 2022.
KUCHING (Sept 29): Road closures and diversions will be set-up in phases by the district police to make way for the Kuching Marathon 2022 which will be held at Padang Merdeka on Oct 2 between 12am to 10am.
Kuching police chief ACP Ahsmon Bajah said around 9,500 local and international runners are expected to take part in the marathon which is divided into the Full Marathon (42km), Half Marathon (21km), 10km Run and Fun Race.
“To ensure the programme will run smoothly, road closure and road diversions will be carried out in phases by the district police,” said Ahsmon in a statement yesterday.
For the first phase, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Jalan Pearl, Jalan Barrack and Jalan Wawasan will be closed to make way for the construction of the start and finish venue of the race starting at 11pm on Oct 1.
For the second phase, road closure and road diversions will start at 11.30pm on Oct 1 up to 10am on Oct 2.
Areas affected will be the junctions of Jalan Main Bazaar – Lebuh; Jalan Gambier – Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg – Jalan Main Bazaar; Jalan Lebuh Wayang – Jalan Wawasan and; Jalan Borneo – Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.
The road closure and diversions will also be erected along the roads from Jalan Abell to Jalan Padungan, Jalan Padungan up to the Sri Aman roundabout, Jalan Haji Taha, Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang, Jalan Masjid and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.
The traffic lights near St Mary’s school towards Lebuh Wayang and Jalan McDougall as well as the traffic lights near the RTM headquarters heading towards Jalan Satok and Padang Merdeka will also be closed to traffic.
“Those who want to participate or witness the marathon are advised to not park their vehicle(s) along the roads being mentioned,” said Ahsmon.
Vehicles, he said, can be parked at the Reservoir Park, Taman Budaya, Green Hill, Saujana Building, Topspot Carpark, Civic Centre and Jubilee Ground.
Any inquiries can be made by calling the district police traffic at
082-259900.
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Saudi Arabia’s powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. – AFP file photo
RIYADH (Sept 28): Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has been named prime minister, a post traditionally held by the king, in a government shuffle announced Tuesday.
Prince Mohammed, who has already been the kingdom’s de facto ruler for several years, previously served as deputy prime minister under King Salman as well as defence minister.
He is being replaced as defence minister by his younger brother, Khalid bin Salman, who was deputy defence minister.
The heads of other critical ministries, including interior, foreign and energy, remained in place, according to a royal decree from King Salman published by the official Saudi Press Agency.
Prince Mohammed, who turned 37 last month, has been first in line to succeed his father as king since 2017.
Saudi Arabia has for years sought to quell speculation over the health of the 86-year-old king, who has ruled the world’s top oil exporter since 2015.
In 2017, it dismissed reports and mounting speculation that the king was planning to abdicate in favour of Prince Mohammed.
King Salman has been hospitalised twice this year, most recently a one-week stay in May that involved tests including a colonoscopy, according to state media.
Sweeping changes
Prince Mohammed became defence minister in 2015, a key step in a swift consolidation of power.
In that role he has overseen Saudi Arabia’s military activities in Yemen, where the kingdom leads a coalition backing the internationally recognised government in its fight against Iran-aligned Huthi rebels.
He has also become the public face of a sweeping reform agenda known as Vision 2030.
Changes have included granting women the right to drive, opening cinemas, welcoming foreign tourists, defanging the religious police and hosting pop stars and high-profile heavyweight fights and other sporting events.
Yet he has also jailed critics and, in a sweeping purge of the nation’s elite, detained and threatened some 200 princes and businessmen in Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel in a 2017 anti-corruption crackdown that tightened his grip on power.
He gained global notoriety for the 2018 killing of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate.
Last year, US President Joe Biden declassified an intelligence report that found Prince Mohammed had approved the operation against Khashoggi, an assertion Saudi authorities deny.
But the spike in energy prices triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine spurred a number of Western leaders to travel to Saudi Arabia to appeal for ramped-up oil production, notably then-UK prime minister Boris Johnson and Biden himself, who swallowed an earlier vow to make the Saudi leadership a “pariah”.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz became the latest major leader to visit the kingdom this past weekend. – AFP
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SIBU (Sept 28): Councillor Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar is hoping that the national Budget 2023 will set aside more allocation for Sarawak’s not just for infrastructure works but also the subsequent maintenance.
At the same time, he hopes to see better incentives for businesses to digitalise their operations via automation, as a means to lower operating cost.
“Many businesses are aligning themselves towards digital platforms to ease their workflow or production lines and reduce the use of human workforce.
“It would be good for the government to provide incentives for all these businesses and not just start-ups per se,” he said.
Mohammed Abdullah also hopes the Budget will focus on economies that can stimulate domestic consumption, such as retail and domestic tourism.
“Businesses are still struggling post-Covid and there is a need to boost our domestic economy. Circulation in regards to purchasing power will remain in our economy and this will definitely improve the livelihood of everyone,” he said.
He is also looking forward to Budget 2023 rolling out long-term stimulus packages instead of one-off or short-term assistance.
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