Day: May 16, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, There are no plans to make the installation of dashcams (dashboard cameras) mandatory in all vehicles in the country, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said although the ministry had received several suggestions regarding this, it needs to consider various aspects including the cost that the people will have to incur if they are made mandatory.

“However, we encourage the installation of dashcams especially in vehicles from the manufacturers.

“If they (vehicle manufacturers) can install them (dashcams) in their new cars, we will strongly encourage it, but so far we have not made it mandatory,” he told the media after an engagement session with editors here today.

Also present at the media session were Ministry of Transport (MOT) deputy secretary-general (Policy) Datuk Normah Osman, Road Transport Department deputy director-general (Planning and Operations) Aedy Fadly Ramli, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj and Bernama News Service executive
editor Mohd Haikal Isa.

In addition, Loke also encouraged bus operators to install this device to enable recordings to be used as evidence in the event of a road accident.

“Dashcams (installation) can be used as proof of who is at fault and who should be responsible if there is an accident,” he said.

Meanwhile, Loke said there were 600,000 road accidents, with over 6,500 deaths, last year according to statistics.

“If we look at statistics, the rate is 15 to 17 deaths per day and this is a big number,’ he also said.

“For every person who dies, it is for us (ministry) a tragedy that does not need to happen because road accidents can be avoided if every driver takes a cautious attitude and obeys road rules,” he added.

Therefore, Loke hopes that the public can adopt better driving habits, and to be always alert and careful in order to reduce the risk of road accidents.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Cambodia and the United Kingdom are committed to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation, according to a news release of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The commitment was made during the meeting between H.E. Kan Pharidh, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and H.E. Dominic Williams, British Ambassador to Cambodia, in Phnom Penh on May 15.

Both parties discussed the mutual supports for their candidatures for various positions in international organisations, the same source said.

They also exchanged views on the outcome of the fourth round of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Cambodia at the 46th Session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, held recently, it added.

The Secretary of State and the Ambassador also pledged to continue to strengthen cooperation between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the United Kingdom and on the international arena, concluded the press
release.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

MAKKAH, Temperatures between 35 to 45 degrees Celsius can cause health problems not only for the haj pilgrims but also for the staff present in the Holy Land at this time.

Following this, head of Malaysian Haj Delegation 1445H/2024 Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman has asked the pilgrims and staff of the Tabung Haji (TH) to avoid excessive exposure to the hot sun.

“The hot weather of 35 to 45 degrees Celsius is a challenge for the pilgrims, so do not be too exposed.

“Drink enough water to maintain health throughout your stay in the Holy Land,” he told a press conference at the TH headquarters here yesterday.

The TH Haj executive director advised the pilgrims to always ensure their safety since the location of the hotels in Makkah is different from those in Madinah, which are closer to the Prophet’s Mosque.

‘The accommodations in Makkah are around Masjidil Haram, with distances ranging from 400 to 900 metres. Currently, not many pilgrims have arrived in Makkah yet, causing the atmosphere to be somew
hat quiet late at night and early in the morning.

“Therefore, I hope the pilgrims will ensure their safety and walk in groups and not alone, as there are concerns about potential unwanted incidents affecting their safety and belongings,” he said.

Meanwhile, for a TH staff in the Pos Laju section, Zulhairi Ismail, 41, the hot weather requires him to take several precautions to avoid health issues and ensure he can continue to assist the haj pilgrims.

“Based on my readings about the weather here, I have prepared some essentials like moisturising cream. The heat causes the skin and lips to dry quickly. Thankfully, with the preparations I made, including wearing a face mask and taking vitamins, I can reduce these problems,” he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, a pilgrim, Siti Mariam Mohamad, 70, from Perlis, believes that the weather in Madinah is hotter than in Makkah.

Siti Mariam, who just arrived in Makkah on Tuesday said that she often drinks water, including zam-zam water, to avoid getting tired quickly and to e
nsure she can continue her worship.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

TASHKENT, The official visit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Uzbekistan from May 17 to 19 would enhance bilateral relations in various fields between the two countries.

Malaysian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Ilham Tuah Illias said Malaysia and Uzbekistan have enjoyed close relations since they established ties in 1992.

He said the last visit of a Malaysian prime minister to Uzbekistan was made by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2008.

“Both countries share many things in international forums. The strength of the relationship between the two countries is more towards education and tourism,” he told Malaysian journalists here.

He added that with Batik Air flights to Uzbekistan, the relationship between the two countries in terms of tourism and business has been further enhanced.

‘Many Uzbek tourists want to go to Malaysia because of the attractive tourist spots such as beaches and tropical forests. Business activities are also increasing from year to year,” said Ilham Tuah.

According to Wisma Putra,
the visit is at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan.

On the first day of the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to meet Mirziyoyev for a bilateral meeting to discuss relations between Malaysia and Uzbekistan, as well as explore potential areas of cooperation.

The prime minister will then visit the Imam Hazrati Complex, where the original manuscript of the Caliph Uthman Quran (Mashaf Uthmani) – the oldest in the world – is kept and displayed.

From Tashkent, the prime minister will travel to Samarkand on May 18 , where he is expected to address the High-Level Uzbekistan-Malaysian Business Forum held at the Silk Road Samarkand Tourism Complex.

The forum, hosted by Uzbekistan, will also be attended by Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov.

In 2023, Malaysia-Uzbekistan’s total trade was RM451.1 million (US$94.03 million), with exports to Uzbekistan amounting to RM449 million (US$93.6 million) and imports amounting to RM1.99 million (US$414,518).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, the King and Queen of Malaysia today wished Happy Teachers’ Day to all teachers and educators in the country.

According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s Facebook page, Their Majesties said the sacrifices and contributions of educators should always be remembered because their role is crucial in the development of the nation and society.

“Thank you to the teachers who have taught us; your knowledge and service will always be remembered,” Their Majesties said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency