Category: General

PUTRAJAYA, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has extended his condolences to the families of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) personnel who were killed in the helicopter tragedy in Lumut earlier today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, hoped that the affected family members would be given strength and patience to cope with the incident.

‘I want to express my sadness over the incident. It not only deeply affects the families of the victims but also touches the hearts and feelings of all Malaysians,’ he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Zahid also hoped that the public would not spread videos of the incident to respect the families’ sensitivity and not disrupt the investigation process.

Earlier, the RMN confirmed the loss of 10 of its personnel in the tragedy, which happened at 9.32 am, involving seven crew members of the Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM-AW139) and three crew members of the RMN Fennec.

It is understood that the incident took place durin
g fly-past training in conjunction with the RMN’s 90th anniversary scheduled early next month.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The government’s moves to implement targeted subsidies and review the civil service salary scheme are based on the principle of prioritising the interests of the people and the nation, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said these steps are also aimed at ensuring better fiscal positions and reducing the financial burden on the country.

“There is a need for us to emphasise that any government decision will not be ‘worse than it was’. For example, in the issue of diesel subsidies, where RM2 billion worth of fuel disappeared without a trace. Diesel should have been made available to the people but was sold to foreigners.

‘We need to be more precise in giving subsidies … just like electricity where everyone benefits except the T20 group, and justice puts things in their rightful place,” he said.

He said this during a QandA session at the Current Issues Briefing Programme on ‘Fiscal Position and Government Measures to Address National Financial Issues” in the federal capital today.

I
n addition, he said the government is now actively looking into the need for a new civil service salary scheme because the review should have been done 10 years ago.

“There is a need for us to examine salary discussions (for civil servants), and it should have happened 10 years ago … a lot of decisions need to be made, and we leave it to the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) to handle. If we don’t change direction, the future will be bleak,” he said.

On April 19, Anwar, through a Facebook post, said the government would announce proposals for improvements, including efforts to increase the net income rate of civil servants, at the upcoming Labour Day gathering.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: The Philippines’ inclusion in the proposed USD8.1 billion aid package of the United States House of Representatives would help strengthen the country’s defense capabilities, especially amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a news release on Tuesday that the US House approved the emergency aid package for key allies in the Indo-Pacific, including the Philippines, with a vote of 385-34.

Romualdez particularly highlighted an approved amendment to the bill, introduced by California Rep. Darrell Issa that encourages the US State Department to allocate USD500 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines.

“The passage of this amendment underscores the deepening partnership between our nations and highlights the United States’ commitment to enhancing the defense capabilities of the Philippines,” Romualdez said.

The proposed allocation of military aid to the Philippines, he said, would expedite the country’s military modernization and bolster law
enforcement capabilities, which are crucial steps for maintaining sovereignty and regional peace.

The approval of the bipartisan measure comes on the heels of recent extensive deliberations between the Philippine House delegation and a number of American legislators in Washington, D.C.

The deliberations coincided with the trilateral summit among US President Joe Biden, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on April 11.

“The constructive dialogue and shared vision exhibited during our meetings exemplify the enduring partnership between our nations,’ he said. ‘This aid package symbolizes our collective resolve to fortify the bonds of friendship and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.”

Romualdez expressed confidence that the US House’s decisive action would set the stage for further collaboration and partnership between the US and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly the Philippines.

“As we navigate complex global challenges, the bonds forged throug
h mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation will serve as the cornerstone of our shared aspirations for a brighter future,’ he said.

This comprehensive measure will now proceed to the Senate for a final vote.

Source: Philippines News Agency

LEGAZPI: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bicol has provided boats to a local government unit (LGU) in Camarines Sur and seven fisherfolk beneficiaries from different towns in Catanduanes.

Rowena Briones, BFAR-Bicol spokesperson, said the LGU of Nabua in Camarines received on Monday a 16-footer patrol boat worth PHP500,000 that would be used to monitor and safeguard the municipal waters.

“The patrol boat is for inland or freshwater and it is intended for Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BASIL) program that is designed to revitalize fisheries production in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, and enhance the sustainability of aquatic resources. Aside from the patrol boat, BFAR will also provide technical assistance in the conduct of fishery law enforcement activities, research, programs, and project implementations,” Briones said in an interview on Tuesday.

She said BFAR and the Nabua LGU also signed a memorandum of agreement to facilitate regular patrolling under the Bantay Lawa and other acti
vities in sustaining and maintaining nature’s resources.

Nabua Mayor Fernando Simbulan thanked the BFAR for the patrol boat, recognizing its dual purpose in supporting BFAR projects and serving as a crucial asset during calamities.

Briones said that in Catanduanes, seven fiberglass reinforced plastic boats with complete accessories were given to individual members of Palnab Demonstration Fish Farm and Nursery (PDFFN), along with 218,000 tilapia fingerlings.

“BFAR-Bicol will continue to provide projects for the conservation, management, development, protection, utilization, and disposition of all fisheries and aquatic resources in the region,” she said

Source: Philippines News Agency

LEGAZPI: The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO5) reported on Tuesday the arrest of the No. 4 most wanted person in the region in the province of Camarines Norte.

Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, PRO5 spokesperson, said “Onyok” was arrested on Monday by a joint team from different police units through a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 64 on Nov. 24, 2023.

“The suspect was arrested because of a murder case filed against him and is now under the custody of Capalonga Municipal Police Station for proper disposition,” she said.

Meanwhile, PRO5 seized some PHP1.12 million worth of illegal drugs and nabbed 12 drug personalities from nine drug operations conducted by different police units on Monday.

Calubaquib said the seized illegal drugs comprise 3.21 grams of marijuana and 165.406 grams of shabu.

At least 31 most wanted persons in the region were also arrested in 30 operations conducted.

Source: Philippines News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has extended his condolences to the families of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) personnel who were killed in the helicopter tragedy in Lumut earlier today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, hoped that the affected family members would be given strength and patience to cope with the incident.

‘I want to express my sadness over the incident. It not only deeply affects the families of the victims but also touches the hearts and feelings of all Malaysians,’ he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Zahid also hoped that the public would not spread videos of the incident to respect the families’ sensitivity and not disrupt the investigation process.

Earlier, the RMN confirmed the loss of 10 of its personnel in the tragedy, which happened at 9.32 am, involving seven crew members of the Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM-AW139) and three crew members of the RMN Fennec.

It is understood that the incident took place durin
g fly-past training in conjunction with the RMN’s 90th anniversary scheduled early next month.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: The San Miguel Corporation (SMC) consortium will provide an even bigger space at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City for departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

House Speaker Martin Romualdez lauded SMC, led by chief executive officer Ramon S. Ang, for its plan to construct an OFW lounge similar to that of Terminal 1 in Parañaque City.

‘We are very grateful to Mr. Ramon Ang and [his daughter] Ma’m Cecille for accommodating not only the OFW lounge here, but they want to accommodate a larger space that’s almost double the area,’ Romualdez told reporters during his visit to Terminal 3 on Tuesday.

‘Mas malaki pa ang gustong ibigay. Naliliitan sila sa unang plano, sa request, so, talagang nakikita natin na mas magiging maayos at maganda ang operation dito sa NAIA (They want to provide a larger space, they find the original plan small, so, we can really see that NAIA operations will be better),’ he added.

Romualdez said the T3 OFW Lounge can accommodate around 200
passengers and would be operational by the end of June.

‘It would be provided with complete amenities so departing OFWs could have a comfortable place to stay before departing,’ he said.

Romualdez also thanked the airport management for making sure ‘that our migrant workers who are traveling through the NAIA terminals are accommodated as VIPs (very important persons) should be.’

The Speaker, accompanied by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, passed by Terminal 3 Tuesday afternoon to see for themselves the progress in the construction of the planned OFW lounge there.

SMC-SAP and Co. Consortium of San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics, Inc., RLW Aviation Development, Inc., and Incheon International Airport Corp bagged the PHP170.6-billion PPP (public-private partnership) project aimed at a comprehensive rehabilitation and operation of NAIA.

On Monday, the Office of Speaker Romualdez delivered an initial donation consisting of a 55-inch and a 65-inch
television sets that would be installed at the NAIA Terminal 1 OFW lounge to provide entertainment for the departing migrant workers.

A subsequent donation of four TV sets will be delivered to the T3 OFW lounge.

“The rehabilitation and operation of NAIA under this PPP framework demonstrate the unwavering commitment of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to fostering sustainable growth and innovation in our transportation infrastructure,” he said.

As the winning bidder for the PPP project, the SMC-led group will improve the NAIA complex, including facilities such as the runway, taxiway, ramp areas, and firefighting facility.

It is also expected to increase the airport’s current annual passenger capacity from 32 million to 60 million.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KANGAR, The Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail said the 5G network coverage in populated areas in the state has achieved 91.4 per cent till Dec 31, 2023.

In relation to this, His Majesty said he expects the state government to take steps to explore new investment opportunities in high-tech fields that can have a major impact on the state’s economy, taking into account the rapid rate of broadband infrastructure development in the state.

“The state government also must be committed to offer more online services for the convenience of the people of Perlis,” said His Majesty when officiating the opening of the First Meeting of the Second Session of the 15th Perlis Legislative Assembly here today.

The Raja of Perlis’ opening speech was read by the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.

Also present at the opening ceremony were the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil and Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.

Additionally, Tuanku Syed
Sirajuddin said His Majesty is aware that the Perlis government is preparing the Perlis State Smart City Blueprint and Action Plan which will be the main guide and direction at the state level towards the realisation of the Perlis State Smart City.

“I believe that when the Perlis State Smart City wish is realised, it will improve the quality of life of the residents as well as provide methods to overcome urban challenges through smart nation solutions and the use of technology,” His Majesty said.

Meanwhile, the Raja of Perlis said he hoped the state government could take creative steps to help the poor and hardcore poor in Perlis get out of the cocoon of poverty.

“Until March 18, 2024, the eKasih database for the state of Perlis recorded a total of 13,463 members of households with poor status and 2,196 households with hardcore poor status. The People’s Housing Project for low-income earners is one of the programmes that can help overcome or reduce the risk of poverty,’ said His Majesty.

Tuanku Syed Siraj
uddin said His Majesty is of the view that there needs to be serious government intervention to build more houses for people’s housing or public housing.

In the meantime, His Majesty said the treated water supply service in Perlis has not yet reached the optimum level and satisfactory quality, and the issue of Non-Profitable Water (NRW) is also still high, at a rate of 62.5 per cent.

“In this connection, we note that the federal government has agreed to give grants to all states that have NRW rate of above 50 per cent. It is hoped that this cooperation can help the state government in providing better water supply services to the people,” said His Majesty.

The Raja of Perlis also advised all water supply users in the state to be trustworthy by paying the arrears of water bills which have now reached RM34.84 million and that water supply management can be improved with comprehensive cooperation from all parties.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency