Day: May 7, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) is currently in the final stages of amending the Drug Addicts (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 so that the prison sentence for drug abuse can be changed to rehabilitation instead of imprisonment.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the amendment process is being carried out with the cooperation of various parties such as the Prisons Department and National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).

‘Now, we (KDN) are harmonising (the process of) the final phase. If everything goes well, at the next session (Dewan Rakyat), we will present the amendment to the Drug Addicts Act and I think it will be a game changer,’ he said.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) 2024 open house at the Sungai Besi Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (PUSPEN) here, which was officiated by Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

According to Saifuddin, the amendment to the Act is made to
give a second chance to addicts and reduce overcrowding in 41 prisons across the country, especially for drug addicts who are merely users.

‘Within 41 prisons, we have 78,000 inmates (offenders) and when a data profile was made, it was found that most of their crimes were related to drugs, from drug trafficking to drug abuse which is a minor offence.

‘So if we do not change this path, prisons will become more crowded and not conducive. Therefore, with this amendment, our hope is that as far as matters (offences) related to substance abuse are concerned, we want to decriminalise them so that they (offenders) can be sent to rehabilitation centres,’ he said.

At the same time, he also said the amendment would allow drug rehabilitation officers to carry out urine tests on individuals and confirm whether they are (tested) positive for drugs, before they can be sent to PUSPEN (for rehabilitation).

He added that according to normal practice, the screening and determination of such tests can only be done by medica
l officers.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

NILAI, The entire development of students needs to be viewed holistically which includes taking into account academic studies, co-curriculum activities as well as their potential in other fields.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the National Level Co-Curriculum Carnival (KOKUM Carnival) is among the ministry’s efforts to ensure student achievement and development are in line with academic achievement, uniformed bodies and several other potentials.

According to her, the involvement of students in exploring other fields related to innovation and creativity is important to focus on the student’s development.

“I am optimistic in education; we should not just look at one aspect only. Therefore, the Co-Curriculum Carnival is among the ministry’s efforts to ensure the development of students…the development of children goes hand in hand not only in academics but in other potentials,” she told reporters when officiating KOKUM Carnival 2024 here today.

“The MOE (Ministry of Education) always looks at the
development of students in various aspects and field and celebrates all their potential.”

She said over 300 students attended the carnival which was the best platform to encourage students to deepen their interests (in other fields), in addition to excelling in their academic studies.

Meanwhile, Fadhlina said the MOE is currently also focusing on the country’s direction in education reforms by creating various special committees to deal with issues related to education.

My main focus is to ensure educational reform is carried out smoothly. We ask all interested parties to come together with the MOE to discuss appropriate programmes because education issues involve all parties, and all views are celebrated,” she said.

She also said the MOE introduced the Parliamentary Follow-up Programme that is currently focused on solving the issues of dilapidated schools, school maintenance and student development.

Also present at the event were Education director-general Azman Adnan and Negeri Sembilan Educational Dep
artment director Datuk Dr Roslan Hussin.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUCHING, The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly today passed the Sarawak Forestry Corporation Bill to refine, strengthen and enhance the legal framework governing the protection and management of totally protected areas and wildlife in Sarawak.

Tabled by Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, the bill was passed after seven members of the state assembly participated in the debate session.

When tabling the bill, Awang Tengah said the passing of the bill was also to ensure that there are no duplications of duties between Forestry Department Sarawak (FDS) and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC).

‘The passing of this Bill would achieve its objective to improve, strengthen and enhance the law relating to the protection and management of totally protected areas and wildlife in Sarawak and to ensure that there be no duplication of duties between these two government agencies.

‘Through the streamlining of its responsibilities, this legislative me
asure is poised to fortify ongoing environmental preservation endeavors while fostering responsible tourism practices that harmonize with nature’s delicate balance,’ he said.

Awang Tengah said the amendment signifies a strategic pivot towards the prioritization of Sarawak’s abundant biodiversity and natural legacy.

‘Empowering the Sarawak Forestry Corporation with the mandate to spearhead wildlife protection initiatives and oversee the preservation of nature reserves and nature parks amplifies Sarawak’s commitment to safeguard its ecological wealth,’ he said.

He added that the Sarawak government is targeting to gazette one million hectares of land area as totally protected areas (TPAs) in Sarawak by 2025.

‘As of now, we have gazetted a total of 2,118,249.53 hectares consisting of 874,523.53 hectares (land) and 1,243,726.00 hectares (water bodies),’ he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi extended his condolences to the family of the victim who died in the incident whereby a huge tree fell on 17 vehicles during a thunderstorm and heavy rain along Jalan Sultan Ismail, here this afternoon.

In a Facebook posting today, Ahmad Zahid also prayed that the soul of the victim be placed among the riighteous and may Allah shower his soul with mercy.

‘This afternoon we were all shocked by the news that a huge tree had fallen and crashed onto 17 vehicles, a bus stop and monorail track near the Concorde Hotel, Jalan Sultan Ismail in downtown Kuala Lumpur during a thunderstorm and heavy rain.

‘My condolences to the family of the deceased. May the soul of the deceased be showered with mercy by Allah SWT and placed among the believers and the righteous,’ he said.

In the 2pm incident, a 47-year-old man died while two others suffered injuries when a huge tree came crushing onto 17 vehicles and damaged the monorail track in Jalan Sultan Ism
ail.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency