Day: February 11, 2024

KUCHING, Parents seized the opportunity of the school holiday to register their children in mass circumcision programmes held in this city.

Today, a total of 70 children from B40 families took part in the free circumcision programme organised by the Satok State Assembly Service Centre.

Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki said the programme aimed to financially aid underprivileged families in covering the cost of circumcision and subsequent care for their children.

‘When I was told there were children who had not been circumcised at the age of 15, I inquired further and found out that they intentionally postponed the procedure due to its cost reaching RM300. Circumcision used to be free in the past,’ he said in his speech during the programme at Dewan Anak Seni Kampung Bandarsah.

The programme also received cooperation from the Welfare Bureau and the Kuching Branch of the Medical Assistants Association.

Meanwhile, 21 children participated in the ‘Sunathon Perdana’ programme held at the Ikhwanul Islam Mo
sque, Taman Sukma here.

The programme was officiated by Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, who is also Samariang assemblyman.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Traffic flow on major expressways in the country was reported to be smooth as of 8 pm today, according to a Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) spokesperson.

He said northbound traffic towards Sungai Jawi city centre to Bukit Merah was flowing smoothly.

“The traffic in both directions at the Juru Toll Plaza was also smooth. However, traffic from Tapah to Bidor and from Tanjung Malim southbound to Rawang is slow because the number of vehicles has increased,” he told Bernama today.

PLUS’ official X account said heavy traffic was reported from Simpang Ampat (northbound) to Seremban.

Several smartlanes that were activated on some major expressways were also closed due to the reduced traffic volume.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

BAGAN DATUK, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today visited his adopted Chinese family at Taman Desa Bersatu, Hutan Melintang near here.

He was welcomed by members of his adopted family, Beh Song Wan, 61, his wife Tian Mee Ping, 55, and their two children as well as Beh’s siblings.

“Every year without fail I will visit Bujang (Beh),” he told reporters here.

Ahmad Zahid said tomorrow will be a year since Beh’s mother, Cheah Seoh Lian, passed away.

Cheah, who was Ahmad Zahid’s adopted mother, died in her sleep on Feb 12 last year at the age of 83.

The Bagan Datuk MP said his close relationship with Cheah and her six children spanned over decades, and he considered the family as his own.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

A total of 17 fatalities were reported as of the third day of ‘Op Selamat 21’ yesterday (Feb 10), implemented in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations nationwide.

The Department of Traffic Investigation and Enforcement (JSPT), in a statement, said that during that period a total of 1,197 accidents were recorded, involving 1,506 vehicles.

Recently, Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, reportedly said that this edition of ‘Op Selamat’ maintains the theme of ‘Rumah Selamat, Sampai ke Destinasi” (safe home, reaching the destination safely).

‘This operation aims at ensuring smooth traffic flow, as well as reducing the rate of road accidents, the protection of property and homes and reducing the rate of house break-ins during the festive period,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SANDAKAN, The Sabah government will organise state-level celebrations for Chinese New Year and Christmas starting this year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led government has resolved to have these two celebrations organised by the state, similar to Aidilfitri and Pesta Kaamatan celebrations as a testament to the state’s dedication to ensuring equality for all celebrations, irrespective of ethnicity or religion.

“Open houses for all celebrations should foster unity and collaboration among the diverse ethnic and religious communities in the state,’ he said at a Chinese New Year 2024 open house for Sandakan district here.

The event was organised by the Tanjong Papat State Assemblyman’s Office in collaboration with the Sandakan Municipal Council.

Hajiji also called on the people to work closely with the state government to realise the objectives outlined in the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan.

“This plan, initiated in 2021, is currently progressin
g well and with sustained backing from the people, the state’s economy is poised for further growth, consequently drawing increased interest from potential investors to invest in Sabah.

“Our primary focus remains on advancing the state development and improving the welfare of the people through economic initiatives,’ he said adding that if the momentum is maintained, more programmes could be implemented to enhance the well-being of the people.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency