Day: April 29, 2024

RIYADH, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed confidence in the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to continuously forge ahead in playing a pivotal role in addressing the issue of inequality and marginalisation, particularly among Muslims.

He said the bank has a role to play to deal with the issue on injustice, inequality and marginalisation, particularly among Muslims.

‘The Muslims still happen to be the largest in terms of numbers of poverty-stricken areas of neglect.

‘I think, other than the efforts of many of our governments and international bodies, the IsDB has a pivotal role to deal with these issues. Even when we see the light and hope for an amicable resolution to the conflict in Gaza after undergoing atrocities by the Israeli regime,’ he said in his remarks during the IsDB Golden Jubilee Celebration here.

Anwar said that once these issues are resolved, the IsDB would be seen to be quite a formidable player, together with the governments to try and resuscitate its economy.

Anwar,
who is also the Finance Minister, said the bank has to seize the opportunity.

‘As referred to by many of my colleagues, if we do not seize the moment, then inequality will be exacerbated and problems will arise. And we’ll see again, enormous marginalisation of our communities,’ he stressed.

Having seen IsDB’s contribution in the last 50 years, the Prime Minister expressed his confidence in the bank’s ability to forge ahead, especially with new young leadership at the helm.

‘I have full confidence that you will be a major player to go beyond what is traditionally the focus of Islamic Development Bank, but to forge ahead to deal with substantive issues on the new technology.

‘The need for inclusivity and our ultimate passion to serve people, particularly those that have been deprived and marginalised, through education, through training, economic opportunities, economic empowerment and entrepreneurship,’ he said.

IsDB, he said, has Malaysia’s support in its endeavours towards these.

Meanwhile, Anwar also
joined his colleagues (leaders of other member/non-member countries) in congratulating the bank on its 50 years of fostering socio-economic development among member countries.

Malaysia joined the IsDB on Aug 12, 1974. It has a capital subscription of 1.55 per cent worth 868.18 million Islamic Dinars, which is equivalent to one special drawing right of the International Monetary Fund.

The IsDB has funded 166 projects in the country (Malaysia) worth US$963.2 million. Of these, 160 projects (US$945.8 million) have been completed and the other six projects (US$17.4 million) are ongoing.

Anwar is here for two days starting Sunday, leading the Malaysian delegation to explore various economic opportunities and attract new investments at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

He was also invited to joined the bank’s Golden Jubilee celebration.

Tomorrow, the Prime Minister is scheduled to witness the Securities Commission Malaysia memorandum of understanding with the IsDB on Islam
ic Finance and Islamic Capital Market.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KOTA BHARU, Five shophouses in Kampung Beris Kubur Besar, Bachok were destroyed in an early morning fire today.

Bachok Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Ahmad Ridhuan Mohd Ghazali said the station received a distress call at 6.58 am in relation to the incident.

‘On arrival at the scene, we found the fire involved a row of five shophouses,” he said when contacted today.

“We found the blaze involved an area of 2,400 square feet, comprising 80 per cent of the premises.”

Ahmad Ridhuan said the fire involved a shop selling electronic cigarettes as well as an iron welding shop and toy shop.

He said 19 firefighters, from the Pengkalan Chepa BBP and Kota Bharu BBP, helped in dousing the flames.

He also said that the cause of the incident and losses incurred were still under investigation, adding that there were no casualties.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, DFP Seni Festival 2024, a celebration of music and art performances, presented by Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP), returns this year for three months beginning July.

In a statement, DFP said the festival, now in its sixth edition, has evolved into a platform for showcasing Malaysia’s traditional legacy and heritage to the world.

DFP chief executive officer Hassina Begam Abdul Gani said since its inception in 1998, DFP has remained committed to its artistic objective of showcasing only the best through exceptional performances by many renowned artists.

‘This year’s festival is a testimony of the DFP’s commitment to nurture an appreciation for our heritage legacy, such as traditional music and art, inspiring people from all walks of life,’ she said in the same statement.

DFP Seni Festival 2024 will kick off with a performance by award-winning Jit Sin High School’s Chinese Orchestra, showcasing the talents of Tan Rou Yee and Lim Sing Yee in their fusion of erhu and cello themed ‘Dialogue of t
he Songs of Chu’ at 8.30 pm, on July 20.

Art enthusiasts will be entertained by a traditional Mek Mulung theatre titled ‘DFP Musical: Mek Mulung Putera Cahaya Bulan’ featuring actor Arja Lee in the lead role of a tragic love story at 8.30 pm on July 27.

The traditional heritage theatre, with a history spanning over 500 years, is a collaborative effort between DFP, the National Culture and Arts Department, and Kumpulan Mek Mulung Seri Mahawangsa.

The festival continues with the enchanting ‘Randai’, a traditional Minangkabau theatre performance from Negeri Sembilan at 8.30 pm on Aug 10.

Titled ‘DFP Musical: Randai Mudo Pak Belalang’, it combines martial arts and dance, showcasing a group of talented children under the guidance of Pewara Dance Theatre, formed by alumni and staff of the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara).

‘The festival will conclude with a series of exciting art activities that will take place at the DFP lobby on Sept 7 and 8 from 11 am to 5 pm,’ according to the statement
.

Tickets are available at RM69, RM99, RM129, and RM159, with a 15 per cent discount offered for family packages of four tickets or more.

For more details and tickets, call 03-23317007 or email boxoffice@dfp.com.my.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

CYBERJAYA, Tourism industry operators have been urged to comply with the ASEAN Tourism Standards to raise the quality of service and promote a good tourism image for the country.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said there was a tendency among foreign tourists currently to not use registered tour agents due to the low quality of service of some tourism industry operators.

‘That’s why tourism industry players need to rise up and strengthen their services and establish a new initiative to attract more tourists to our country,’ he said in a speech read by his ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman at the ASEAN Tourism Standards certificate presentation ceremony here today, where 107 industry players received their certificates.

Tiong also said that he had instructed that engagement sessions be held with stakeholders to overcome issues regarding the quality of tourism services in the country.

The ASEAN Tourism Standards are a set of standards by ASEAN countries to
improve service quality in the regional tourism industry in line with the ASEAN Tourism Strategy Plan 2016-2025 to make ASEAN a leading international destination.

There are nine existing standards, including the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard, the ASEAN Homestay Standard, the ASEAN Community Based Tourism Standard and the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Standard.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is set to receive four new helicopters after the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) finalised the acquisition of these aircraft.

Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the proposal for the acquisition of the assets, which will cost approximately RM600 million, has also been submitted to the Ministry of Finance.

‘The next step will be to visit the premises of the helicopter manufacturing companies that have been shortlisted before making a purchasing decision,’ he told a press conference after attending a meeting with MMEA officials here today.

Also present were Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and acting Director-General of MMEA Datuk Saiful Lizan Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin also said that they are currently assessing whether to accept a patrol vessel that is being offered as a donation by the United States Coast Guard for use by MMEA.

The minister said the offer was made during his working visit to the Un
ited States last September.

Saifuddin said that this offer signifies close cooperation between the two countries in sharing information and expertise.

‘The US Coast Guard sees Malaysia as a country with expertise in handling maritime security issues due to our extensive maritime borders, spanning 590,000 square kilometres, besides the increasingly complex maritime crimes,’ he said.

He also stated that several MMEA officers and personnel have been sent to the United States to assess the capabilities of the patrol vessel and compile a report before any decision is made.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency