Day: May 1, 2024

JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysian-based halal-certified fast food restaurant chain Marrybrown is set to expand into new international markets with the opening of outlets in Cambodia and Uzbekistan this year.

Marrybrown Sdn Bhd chief financial officer David Liew said the expansion of outlets into these two countries reflects the growing recognition of Marrybrown’s image and brand in the international market.

‘We are committed to strengthening our brand by offering our diverse menu options to both local and overseas communities.

‘We are also planning to open five new outlets in Malaysia, namely in Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor,’ he said at the ‘Keindahan Raya Bersama Marrybrown’ programme at the Marrybrown headquarters here last night.

Marrybrown founder Datuk Lawrence Liew and his wife Datin Nancy Liew were in attendance.

Liew said that Marrybrown recently launched new outlets in Lahad Datu, Sabah, and Melbourne, Australia, expanding its total number of outlets to over 500 across Malaysia an
d various international destinations including Singapore, the Maldives, Sweden, and India.

On the Keindahan Raya Bersama Marrybrown programme, he said it is an annual event organised by Marrybrown in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfiitri celebrations.

‘In addition to celebrating with our staff and their families, we are also delighted to share the joy with over 50 children from Pusat Asuhan Kanak-Kanak Sari Saujana, Rumah Perlindungan Fitrah Qaseh, and Bengkel Terlindung Sekolah Pendidikan Khas Nur Azalea.

‘In conjunction with Ramadan and Syawal this year, we distributed 20,000 servings of bubur lambuk and 20,000 chicken burgers at Marrybrown outlets nationwide, in addition to delivering donations to orphans and the B40 group,’ he said.

According to Liew,Marrybrown is committed to continuing to serve quality food to customers while also celebrating special moments with them.

‘We are also very grateful for the unwavering support shown by Malaysians for the Marrybrown brand,’ he said.

Source: BERNAMA Ne
ws Agency

PUTRAJAYA, All civil servants need to increase productivity and efficiency in delivering services to the people, in line with the announcement of salary increase, said Public Service Department director-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.

He said that the announcement needs to be followed by the delivery of services which meet the needs of, and satisfy, the people.

‘Personally, this is something very good for civil servants, due to the concern of the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. We have had no revision (of salary) for more than 12 years,’ he told Bernama after attending the 2024 Labour Day celebration today.

Anwar, in his speech in conjunction with the celebration today, announced a salary increase for civil servants, at a rate of more than 13 per cent, starting this December.

Echoing his sentiment is the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president Datuk Dr Adnan Mat who said that efficient and good service to the people wi
ll have a positive effect on the government.

‘Civil servants are facilitators for the people and the economic sector, so they need to carry out their duties with full trust and responsibility,’ he said.

Adnan said if civil servants are of high quality, highly capable and meet customer expectations, it can reduce complaints and grievances of the people against government sector services.

‘There is no meaning (of this announcement) if it is only enjoyed by members of the public service; instead it needs to be enjoyed by the people, through efficient service delivery,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Aminuddin Awang described it as an announcement capable of providing positive momentum to educators, in producing knowledgeable and virtuous Malaysians.

‘NUTP hopes that this announcement will inspire educators, who are 1/3 of the total number of civil servants in this country. We need to continue to educate the nation’s children, for the sake of this country,’ he
said.

The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the salary increase, of more than 13 per cent, greatly motivates civil servants, especially firefighters.

He added that the announcement had a high impact on increasing productivity and gave new challenges to JBPM to provide better services to all.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

RANAU, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that over-reliance on imports and external supplies to meet the demand for rice in the state should be stopped, to strengthen its food security.

He said that currently, the state’s self-sufficiency level (SSL) for rice supply is at 22.8 per cent, which is very low, causing Sabah’s high dependence on rice supply from import and external sources to meet demand.

In this regard, he said that the Sabah government has actively improved the SSL level, when on April 17, the state Cabinet agreed to revive the Sabah Padi and Rice Board to drive the effort.

‘This board is part of an initiative to increase food production and security in the state. It is also one of the state government’s efforts to increase the self-sufficiency level (SSL) of rice.

‘At the same time, the uncertain weather conditions also greatly affect agricultural produce, including in this state,” he said, in his speech to launch the 2024 Sabah Kaamatan Festival, at the Ranau Community Hall,
here today, which was attended by 5,000 people.

The text of his speech at the celebration, themed ”Kaamatan Melangkaui Keterjaminan Makanan’, was read out by his Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. Also in attendance was Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

Hajiji said that a top management committee has been established at the Sabah Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, to discuss and address food security issues.

He added that through the state’s Budget 2024, the paddy ploughing incentive, with an allocation of RM18 million, was implemented to enable farmers to increase their rice yield.

‘Other initiatives include the rehabilitation of abandoned paddy fields, the development of dry land rice, and the increase in the number of ploughing and harrowing machines.

‘Fertiliser assistance was also given at the optimal rate, as well as the provision of subsidies for the sale of rice to all entrepreneurs, with an allocation of RM5.16 million,” he said.

H
e also hoped that the players in the agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries sectors would continue to increase revenue, to provide sufficient food supply to the community, and take opportunities through various initiatives provided by the state government.

Meanwhile, Hajiji asked all parties to use the Kaamatan Festival celebration as a platform to unite the community, in addition to expressing gratitude for a good harvest.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The government’s announcement of a salary increase of more than 13 per cent from December is an appreciation to almost 1.6 million civil servants who have put the country on a firm footing, said the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (CUEPACS).

Its president, Datuk Dr Adnan Mat said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also taken a bold step in expediting the implementation of the revised Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) after the government took no drastic actions to improve the salary structure of civil servants.

“The increase, expected to be over 13 per cent, will provide relief to all civil servants at all levels because it will increase their disposable nett pay.

“No reason for the government not to continue with welfare-based initiatives for civil servants after the various services they have provided to the people and country,’ he said in a statement today.

In addition, Adnan also urged civil servants to continue working with the
government in providing the best service to the people and economy, as well as carrying out their duties with full trust and responsibility.

“Improve yourself with the necessary skills to ensure the public service is always relevant to the current needs of the people and the economic sector. A high level of commitment by civil servants in providing services will have a positive impact on the country,’ he said.

The Service Circular 1/2012 stated that the government’s decision on March 8, 2012 regarding a 13 per cent salary increase based on the Malaysian Remuneration System (SSM) for management and professional group officers as well as the executive group, while the increase ranged from seven to nine per cent for officers in the highest management group.

Meanwhile, Union Network International-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC) president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal described the increase as a positive start for civil servants to face the rising cost of living.

Today’s announcement, he said, was also a “sl
ap’ to private companies who made enormous profits annually but remained indifferent to providing appropriate salary increases to their employees.

“In Malaysia, some employers pretended to announce that their companies suffered losses yearly to avoid increasing their workers’ salary and, even if there is a raise, it is usually for the top management,’ he said.

As such, he hoped that the measures taken by the government would be a lesson for private firms to appreciate their workers’ contributions and productivity.

Anwar, when announcing the good news to civil servants, also hoped that private companies would follow in the government’s footsteps in increasing the salary of civil servants.

Mohamed Shafie also described Anwar’s announcement that the Sabah and Sarawak governments have agreed to amend their respective labour ordinances to align with the Employment Act 1955, which is applicable in Peninsular Malaysia, as a good development.

“All these while, our colleagues in Sabah and Sarawak felt that they h
ave been marginalised because they did not get (subject to regulation) minimum wage and longer maternity leave like those enjoyed by their friends in Peninsular Malaysia,’ he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The government’s announcement of a salary increase of more than 13 per cent from December is an appreciation to almost 1.6 million civil servants who have put the country on a firm footing, said the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (CUEPACS).

Its president, Datuk Dr Adnan Mat said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also taken a bold step in expediting the implementation of the revised Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) after the government took no drastic actions to improve the salary structure of civil servants.

“The increase, expected to be over 13 per cent, will provide relief to all civil servants at all levels because it will increase their disposable nett pay.

“No reason for the government not to continue with welfare-based initiatives for civil servants after the various services they have provided to the people and country,’ he said in a statement today.

In addition, Adnan also urged civil servants to continue working with the
government in providing the best service to the people and economy, as well as carrying out their duties with full trust and responsibility.

“Improve yourself with the necessary skills to ensure the public service is always relevant to the current needs of the people and the economic sector. A high level of commitment by civil servants in providing services will have a positive impact on the country,’ he said.

The Service Circular 1/2012 stated that the government’s decision on March 8, 2012 regarding a 13 per cent salary increase based on the Malaysian Remuneration System (SSM) for management and professional group officers as well as the executive group, while the increase ranged from seven to nine per cent for officers in the highest management group.

Meanwhile, Union Network International-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC) president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal described the increase as a positive start for civil servants to face the rising cost of living.

Today’s announcement, he said, was also a “sl
ap’ to private companies who made enormous profits annually but remained indifferent to providing appropriate salary increases to their employees.

“In Malaysia, some employers pretended to announce that their companies suffered losses yearly to avoid increasing their workers’ salary and, even if there is a raise, it is usually for the top management,’ he said.

As such, he hoped that the measures taken by the government would be a lesson for private firms to appreciate their workers’ contributions and productivity.

Anwar, when announcing the good news to civil servants, also hoped that private companies would follow in the government’s footsteps in increasing the salary of civil servants.

Mohamed Shafie also described Anwar’s announcement that the Sabah and Sarawak governments have agreed to amend their respective labour ordinances to align with the Employment Act 1955, which is applicable in Peninsular Malaysia, as a good development.

“All these while, our colleagues in Sabah and Sarawak felt that they h
ave been marginalised because they did not get (subject to regulation) minimum wage and longer maternity leave like those enjoyed by their friends in Peninsular Malaysia,’ he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency