Category: General

PUTRAJAYA, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed ministers to allocate more time to ground assess issues related to prices and supply of essential goods ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the prime minister had stressed this in today’s Cabinet meeting after receiving feedback from several programmes he attended.

‘This emphasis has been given before the Hari Raya celebration, so the message and directive from the prime minister will be implemented by all ministers,’ he told a press conference here today.

Fahmi, who is also spokesperson for the Unity Government, said the Cabinet had also discussed the importance of the KL20 Summit, to be held from April 22-23, for startup companies, especially in the technology field.

‘Soon, more promotional materials and space will be provided for the KL20 programme. The Cabinet has been informed that there will be several important announcements, especially for the startup scene.

‘So, Insya-Allah, after Hari Raya, t
here will be a series of announcements or promotions led by the Economy Ministry,’ he said.

On the KK Mart incident, Fahmi said the Cabinet has taken note that KK Supermart and Superstore Group Sdn Bhd Founder and Executive Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan’s was granted an audience with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, during which he had sought forgiveness.

‘The Cabinet also takes note of the posting on His Majesty’s Facebook and thanks His Majesty for granting an audience to the founder, as well as for His Majesty’s call for firm and swift enforcement actions against those attempting to incite the people,’ Fahmi added.

On whether the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) or Act 747, was among the methods to handle those inciting unrest, Fahmi said the matter was not discussed.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, There is no need for the private sector to operate the Malaysian Vocational Certificate (SVM) programme to meet the needs now, said Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.

He said this is because the Ministry of Education (MOE) has a comprehensive plan to expand the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, however the ministry is always open to any collaboration with the private sector in strengthening MOE’s TVET plan.

Wong said MOE is confident that the TVET programme under MOE’s TVET institutions will give students the opportunity to venture into quality programmes, as well as meeting the anticipated growing demand for TVET programme.

“MOE is committed to providing quality TVET access to all students and various access to TVET education is provided by MOE as an option for students based on their interests and inclinations.

“The mInistry has provided various TVET programmes for post-Form 3 students who are inclined towards skills in vocational colleges (KV), techni
cal secondary schools (SMT) and national secondary schools (SMK),” he said during a question and answer session at Dewan Negara today.

He was replying to a question by Senator Datuk Dr R. Nelson who wanted to know whether the ministry plans to allow the private sector to operate SVM programmes to meet the demand following the promotion of TVET studies in the country.

According to Wong, besides MVC programmes offered at KV, MOE also offers TVET programmes such as Senior Vocational Programme (PVMA), Senior Industrial Apprenticeship (PIMA) and vocational subjects (MPV) at SMK as well as Technical Elective Subjects (MPET) at Sekolah Menengah Teknik (SMT).

“Until now there are nine SMTs that offer MPET, 347 SMKs that offer PVMA, 491 SMKs that offer MPV and 13 SMKs that offer PIMA nationwide.

“Apart from that, the implementation of the National Dual Training System programme together with industry and KV is also implemented to meet the needs of skilled workers in the industry,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News A
gency

MANILA: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has barred from entering the country a Chinese national wanted by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for his involvement in credit card fraud at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Parañaque City.

In a statement Wednesday, BI-Interpol Unit chief Jaime Bustamante said the 29-year-old man, whose identity was withheld in compliance with Interpol protocols, was intercepted last week at the NAIA Terminal 1 after he arrived via an Eva Air flight from Taipei.

The suspect was turned back after the immigration officer who processed him saw that his name is on the bureau’s list of blacklisted foreigners.

He said the blacklist order stemmed from a blue notice issued by Interpol in Beijing in November 2022 regarding the criminal case that is pending against him in Taiwan.

A criminal case was filed against the suspect in April 2019 by the Municipal Public Security Bureau in Baoding City in China’s Hebei province for allegedly facilitating the s
ale of his relatives’ credit cards to criminal fraud syndicates.

Investigators said the man is suspected to have committed the crime between December 2018 to February 2019 when he asked his sister to convince 39 of their relatives to advertise the sale of their credit cards online.

The suspect fled China and ran away with the money he earned after transacting with the international criminal gangs who bought these credit cards.

Meanwhile, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco cautioned foreigners against fake immigration agents using bogus mission orders to harass them.

In an advisory, Tansingco said he received a request for verification of a mission order supposedly issued by the BI, targeting foreigners in Makati City.

A verification by the BI showed that the document was fake.

‘No such order was issued by the BI,’ Tansingco said, noting that mission orders against subject foreigners are always specific, and cannot be used to harass foreigners.

Tansingco said foreigners may request verification of orders
directly to the BI through the contact information found on their website at www.immigration.gov.ph.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on Wednesday said Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s good trust ratings in a recent Pulse Asia poll is a reflection of the people’s trust for the Senate as a whole.

In the Pulse Asia survey from March 6 to 10, Zubiri’s trust ratings increased by 2 percentage points, with 53 percent of respondents expressing their trust in him.

Villanueva attributed this to Zubiri’s ‘steady and sober” leadership, which not only earned him the trust of the people, but also the trust of the members of the Senate.

‘The Pulse Asia survey is very telling, as the results give us an idea of who our people trust among our leaders, who our constituents believe is really credible,’ Villanueva said.

‘Despite the politically-charged and sometimes acrimonious discussions on Constitutional amendments, Senate President Zubiri has led the way by consistently taking the high road, and we believe the Filipino people appreciate this,’ he added.

Villanueva also believed that the Senate’s appr
oach to various issues, including Charter change, is validated by the survey.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Retired Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Wednesday expressed ‘qualified’ support for the passage of Resolution of Both House No. 6 and No. 7 of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, seeking to amend particular economic provisions of the Constitution.

‘I support RBH 6 and RBH 7,’ Carpio said at the consultative session on Charter change organized by Democracy Watch.

Both resolutions seek to amend Articles 12 (National Economy and Patrimony), 14 (Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports), and 16 (General Provisions), with the aim of opening the Philippine economy to foreign investments by easing restrictions on foreign ownership of public utilities, educational institutions, and media and advertising with, among others, the phrase ‘unless otherwise provided by law.’

Carpio, however, said his support is on the condition of ‘reciprocity in investment opportunities,’ wherein foreign investors are granted the same investment privileges in the Philippines as wha
t Filipino investors receive in their countries.

He said that if both Houses can reach an agreement on RBH 6 and RBH 7 and pass them, it could ‘significantly advance the prospects of charter change.’

Carpio stressed the importance of these resolutions in enhancing the Public Service Act, citing the need to adapt to global changes such as advancements in technology.

He also emphasized the significance of foreign investments in critical sectors like internet infrastructure, stressing the necessity for the Philippines to remain competitive on a global scale by embracing technological progress.

However, the former Supreme Court justice noted that the political nature of the people’s initiative (PI) has caused prevalent negative perception on charter change

‘I think Charter change advocates started on the wrong footing with the people’s initiative which originated as a revision of the political provisions of the Constitution,’ Carpio said.

‘Adhering to the provisions of the Constitution, whereby both houses
of Congress deliberate and vote separately with a three-fourths majority, would be more appropriate.’

Last March, the House of Representatives finished their plenary debates on RBH 7 and approved it on third reading without amendments.

The Senate subcommittee tasked to handle the proposed amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, meanwhile, has continued its discussions on RBH 6.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, newly-elected President of the 5th legislature of the Senate, has expressed his commitment to lead the Senate in carrying out its roles and duties with solid responsibility.

‘As President of the upper house, I would like to affirm my determination to lead this institution in fulfilling its roles and duties, and to join hands with the National Assembly and the Royal Government to deliver their respective mandates with solid responsibility to serve the Cambodian nation and its people,’ he said in his speech after being elected as the President of the 5th legislature of the Senate this morning at the Senate Palace in Phnom Penh.

‘We will firmly protect the Constitution, the Monarchy and our liberal multi-party democracy and rule of law. We will spare no efforts to ensure strong national unity and social solidarity and safeguard our country’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and dignity,’ he underlined.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen spoke highly of the Sena
te’s roles, stressing that since its inception, the Senate has demonstrated great competence, political maturity and highest responsibility in serving the core interests of the country and people, delivering remarkable achievements and progress in the implementation of its three core functions which are legislation, oversight of the implementation of the laws and policies, and representation.

In addition, he continued, the Senate plays a crucial role in domestic politics, coordinating the work between the National Assembly and the Royal Government to solve any political crisis whenever such contingency happens.

‘In my capacity as co-founder of this Senate, I would like to take this very rare opportunity to recall the political importance of the establishment of the Senate in resolving the political crisis that created a major threat to the national unity and stability after the elections of the members of the National Assembly of the Second Legislature. Thanks to late Samdech Akka Moha Thomma Pothisal Chea
Sim’s willingness to head this highest institution in 1999 based on the agreement on Nov. 13, 1998, the door was opened for a political solution and cooperation between the elected political parties. Since then, the Senate has worked with professionalism and responsibility in representing and defending the interests of citizens and ensuring that their voices are heard in the legislative process. The Senate plays a vital role in the development and passage of the laws that govern our nation. Through its thorough review and offer of its views of draft laws and bills, the Senate also provides checks and balances of state powers, ensuring that decisions are made that reflect the values and aspirations of our society and people,’ he said.

The role of the Senate is also very important in developing international relations. ‘For that reason and for this legislature, I am going to adopt the promotion of parliamentary diplomacy as one of our institution’s priorities. The world at present is increasingly interconnecte
d, yet polarised, complex and turbulent due to the growing strategic competition of the world superpowers, wars and crises around the globe and unprecedented non-traditional security threats. In this difficult and dangerous context, it is essential that we strengthen our relationships with our international partners, get more actively involved in various international gatherings and work together to address global challenges. By fostering dialogue and cooperation among parliaments in our region and around the world and complementing the actions led by our government and the National assembly, we can make a significant contribution to promoting global peace, security, stability and prosperity,’ Samdech Techo Hun Sen explained.

The Senate President added that the second main priority is to work closely with the electorate, especially with the members of the commune/ Sangkat councils who represent and work on a daily basis with and for the people at the sub-national level. ‘We will continue to contribute as muc
h as we can to the democratisation process and nation-building and national development, the decentralisation and de-concentration reforms and to the improvement of the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of public services,’ he said.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen also laid stress on the importance to promote and protect social justice and social equity, ensuring that every person lives in dignity, enjoys the rights, freedoms, beliefs which are protected by the Constitution.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

KUALA LUMPUR, The local iron and steel industry is facing major challenges resulting from the lack of activities in China’s construction sector, Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong said.

To address this challenge, the government implemented two important decisions, one of which is a two-year moratorium to allow for reassessments to address the challenges faced by the local iron and steel industry, he said.

He said effective Aug 15, 2023, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) imposed a temporary suspension on all inquiries, assessments of current applications, new applications, licence transfers, expansions, regularisations and diversifications for manufacturing licence.

The suspension also involved the issuance of certificates for exemption from manufacturing licence (ICA10) under the Industrial Co-ordination Act, 1975 (Act 156) for manufacturing activities in the iron and steel industry.

“This moratorium gives respite for local industry players to coordinate and re
build (the industry) to face future challenges, including global overcapacity and carbon emissions.

“The carbon emission issue will be taken into account every time an industry player seeks a bank loan. This moratorium helps companies and industry players by giving them some space,” he said during a question and answer session at the Dewan Negara today.

He was responding to an additional question from Senator Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan who wanted to know the effectiveness of the government’s existing initiatives to help and empower local iron and steel industry players.

According to Liew, the establishment of an independent and special committee for the iron and steel industry to assess the sector can give it a new lease of life.

“The committee will report to the ministry in six months and the ministry will implement the proposed recommendations to give the industry a new lease of life,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: A congressman on Wednesday proposed elevating the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as the primary authority in weather-related decision-making processes, such as the suspension of classes during adverse weather conditions.

Valenzuela City Rep. Eric Martinez said PAGASA has the expertise and more reliable data than local government units to spearhead informed decision-making on weather and climate risks.

He said putting PAGASA in a leadership role will streamline decision-making processes in managing climate-related risks across the nation.

“Sila (PAGASA) talaga yung dapat pakinggan ng lahat, hindi si mayor na lang ang magsabi, ‘mainit, sige cancelled ang klase (PAGASA should be followed by everyone, not the mayors who would just declare ‘it’s hot, let’s cancel classes’),’ Martinez said.

Martinez also pointed out that a comprehensive government protocol should be implemented specifically tailored for the dry season, especially given the impact of
climate change.

He said adapting to this new normal is essential for safeguarding communities and ensuring effective governance toward climate-resilient Philippines.

“This is the new normal with global warming, and PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) also has to adapt to this new normal,” Martinez said. “Kung may protocol sa tag-ulan, dapat may protocol na rin sa tag-init (If there is a protocol for the rainy season, then there should also be a protocol for the dry season).”

More areas have resorted to alternative learning modes due to sweltering temperatures, according to the Department of Education.

Source: Philippines News Agency