Day: May 3, 2024

PUTRAJAYA: The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) takes a serious view of issues involving governance, corruption and misconduct that can affect the level of service and the image of the national water service industry.

Referring to the recent arrest of two senior officers of a water supply company in Johor by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), SPAN said that as an agency which regulates the country’s water service industry through the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655), it practices “zero tolerance’ towards corrupt practices and misuse of power in the water service industry.

“SPAN reiterates that it is the responsibility of the board of directors and top management of water supply companies to ensure their organisations practice the highest level of integrity and ethics as well as the best internal control as stipulated in the special conditions of the licence which requires compliance with the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Framework,’ it said in a statement today.

SPAN also u
rged the relevant organisations to comply with all the stipulated acts and regulations and stressed that it would take stern action based on its jurisdiction against any individual or organisation suspected of committing any offences under Act 655.

“SPAN will also give its full cooperation to the MACC to ensure the country’s water service industry is free from any elements of corruption and misconduct,’ it added.

On April 30, it was reported that the MACC arrested two senior officers of a water supply company in Johor to assist in investigation in connection with accepting bribes.

It was learnt that the investigation stemmed from several complaints filed last year about the suspects allegedly receiving bribes from the owners of two contracting companies in return for assisting the respective companies in obtaining service and supply contracts from the water supply company.

The two suspects are also alleged to have produced documents containing false information regarding an application for donations for a
programme amounting to RM3.3 million, even though the programme was not fully implemented.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

HULU SELANGOR, The public need not worry about going out to fulfill their responsibilities as voters in Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election on May 11.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this was because the police had taken appropriate measures to ensure public safety and order in the area.

“I was briefed by the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain recently about the level of security here and until today the campaign went smoothly without any untoward incident.

“We want this by-election to run smoothly without any intimidation and threats and the public also need not worry about going out to vote,” he said at a press conference after attending the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at the Royal Malaysian Police Academy here today.

He also reminded all parties involved in the by-election to abide by the law while campaigning and not to do things that could threaten public safety and order.

The by-election, which saw a four-cornered contest involving Pang Sock Tao (Paka
tan Harapan), Khairul Azhari Saut (Perikatan Nasional), Hafizah Zainuddin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Nyau Ke Xin (Independent), was held following the death of the incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong, 58, on March 21 last, due to cancer.

The Election Commission has set May 11 as voting day, while early voting is next Tuesday (May 7).

The KKB state constituency has a total of 40,226 registered voters consisting of 39,362 regular voters, 625 policemen, 238 Armed Forces personnel and spouses and one overseas absentee voter.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SHAH ALAM: Selangor civil servants will get a pay rise in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s salary hike announcement on May 1.

Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari stated that the salary adjustment involving 21,736 state civil servants would be implemented after the Selangor government receives the relevant circular from the federal government.

“The details regarding the adjustment are anticipated to be incorporated into the 2025 State Budget. It will start with a minimum increase of over 13 percent, as announced by the Prime Minister,” he said during a press conference at Wisma Dewan Negeri Selangor today.

Further elaborating, Amirudin emphasised that the salary increase should serve as a guide and motivation for all civil servants, and for productivity to be strengthened.

“This is in line with the high expectations of the people that the government service system needs to be continuously improved,” he said.

Amirudin suggested that the private sector follow suit with the Pr
ime Minister’s public sector salary hike announcement to ensure the continuous rise of Malaysians’ income, leading towards achieving high-income nation status and addressing the escalating cost of living.

On May 2, the Prime Minister announced a salary increase for civil servants of over 13 percent, effective from December, which stands as among the highest and most substantial in the nation’s history

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUCHING, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be among the topics discussed at the inaugural Sarawak Media Conference (SMEC) 2024, which will be held in conjunction with the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) celebration from May 25 to 27.

Kuching Division Journalists’ Association (KDJA) president Ronnie Teo said AI was chosen as a topic since Malaysia is proactively pushing forward to master the technology, which led to an increased demand for media practitioners to have a better understanding of the ethical aspects when utilising AI.

‘Since AI is a new technology in today’s world, we want to invite experts to talk about ethics in using AI, especially in journalism and the legal framework surrounding it,’ he said to Bernama here today.

Themed ‘Evolution of Media in the Digital Era’, the two-day conference starting May 26 is expected to attract 600 participants, including notable local and foreign speakers.

Apart from AI, Teo said SMEC 2024 will also focus on relevant matters such as data journalism, social
media engagement, and online or netizen journalism.

‘We hope the topics will help address the issues that we are facing in the media industry, including how we can elevate ourselves in terms of digital and ethics,’ he said, adding that SMEC 2024 will be among the highlights of HAWANA 2024.

Over 1,000 media practitioners, representatives from local journalist associations, as well as media representatives from ASEAN member countries, are invited to attend HAWANA 2024, which serves as a significant platform for professional media fraternity and industry experts to exchange ideas and establish strategic relationships.

Themed ‘Etika Teras Kewartawanan Mapan’, the largest annual gathering of Malaysian journalists this year is organised by the Communications Ministry in collaboration with the Sarawak State Government, with Bernama being the implementing agency.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA: Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has called on the youth to equip themselves with various knowledge and skills to navigate the era of globalisation successfully, given that flexible working hours are now being practised worldwide.

He said that flexible working hours are enshrined in Sections 60P and 60Q of the Employment Act 1955 (Amendment) 2022, where employees have the right to request flexible work arrangements from their employers, including changes to working hours, days and location, subject to Part XII or any provisions stated in the contract of service.

Therefore, he said, employers are not confined to hiring remote workers but can also opt for foreign employees with potentially lower wages, who do not need to be physically present in the office.

‘The Human Resources Ministry, with the new branding and 3K commitment – Kebajikan (welfare), Kemahiran (skills), Keberhasilan Pekerja (productivity) – acknowledges the different perspective of youth that salaries are no longer the
main attraction, but flexible working arrangements have become one of the most important criteria for job selection.’

He said this at the Luncheon Talk – Human Resource Policy from Youth Perspective held recently in conjunction with the Labour Day celebration.

The inaugural programme, held to gather views and feedback on Human Resource Policy, was attended by 120 youths, comprising alumni of the Student Volunteer Foundation, representatives from the Malaysian Youth Council, and students from public and private universities.

Feedback received included concerns related to gig economy workers, skills development at the higher education institution level, job mismatch and the labour market.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency