Day: May 28, 2024

KUCHING, The additional allocation of RM1 million to Tabung Kasih@HAWANA for the upcoming year, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, demonstrates the MADANI government’s commitment to the welfare of journalists and media practitioners.

Malaysian Media Club Association (GKMM) president, Mohamad Fauzi Ishak, emphasised that this announcement highlights the government’s sensitivity to the challenges faced by this group.

Fauzi, who also serves as President of the Johor Media Club (KMJ), noted that the demands on journalists today are significantly different and can sometimes pose risks to their lives and health, impacting their ability to continue working.

“This allocation will have a significant positive effect on the work of media practitioners. It provides numerous benefits to the recipients, their families, and their heirs while offering motivation and relief to all media professionals,” he told Bernama.

In Negeri Sembilan, Negeri Sembilan Media Club (MANIS) chairman, Muhd Danial Amsyar A
rfi, remarked that the additional funds will enable more assistance to be extended to government and private sector media practitioners.

“I hope this allocation can benefit all media personnel. In this state, most journalists work part-time, resulting in limited income. The Tabung Kasih@HAWANA assistance can help ease their burden,” he said.

Nor Ainna Hamzah, 39, a part-time journalist, believes that the additional allocation will enable more media practitioners, both active and retired, to receive support.

“We hope even more media practitioners will benefit next year. The fund is especially vital for the part-timers affected by economic challenges.

“Information on the number of affected media practitioners can be obtained from the media clubs in each state,” she said, suggesting that special initiatives, such as annual one-off school aid, would be highly appreciated.

In Pahang, Utusan Malaysia journalist Mohamad Shofi Mat Isa hopes the allocation will be effectively utilised to support media practitione
rs in need, especially those facing financial hardships and health issues.

“Thank you to the government for listening to us. However, I hope it truly reaches the intended recipients and is fully utilised for the welfare of media practitioners,” he said.

Part-time journalist Norhafizan Zulkfili, 38, expressed that the additional allocation is highly significant for media practitioners, especially for part-timers who do not enjoy the same benefits as full-time employees.

“The income of a stringer depends on the news or photos submitted, and sometimes the news is not used, resulting in no payment. Therefore, I see this fund as very helpful for us,” said Norhafizan, who has been a part-time journalist for three years.

At the main event of the HAWANA 2024 celebration yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar announced an RM1 million allocation for the fund managed by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) for next year.

Since its launch last year during HAWANA 2023 in Ipoh, Perak, 102 individuals have been assist
ed through Tabung Kasih@HAWANA.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

World Lin Chamber of Commerce (WLCC) is seeking investment potential in Cambodia in a number of areas such as construction, real estate, agriculture, green energy, health and so on.

The information was shared by visiting WLCC World President Mr. Tan Sri Dato Lim Soon Peng who led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh this afternoon.

Mr. Tan Sri Dato Lim Soon Peng lauded the rapid development of Cambodia, especially the country’s high economic growth, peace and political stability, which provide confidence for investors to invest in Cambodia.

The WLCC will cooperate with the Lin trade association in Cambodia to organise a conference in November this year with the participation of about 1,000 to 2,000 members of WLCC to establish connections as well as explore opportunities and potential for investment in Cambodia.

For his part, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet welcomed the investment interest of
WLCC’s companies, and briefed the delegation on the laws, policies and key mechanisms to support investment in Cambodia.

The Cambodian Premier voiced his support for the initiative to hold a WLCC’s conference in Cambodia in November, encouraging the WLCC to continue cooperating with Cambodian ministries and institutions.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet hoped that more investors will participate in this conference to explore investment opportunities in Cambodia.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

KUALA LUMPUR, Applications for the 2024 KL Creative Grant programme is now open to the public till July 29, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said.

She said the grants, between RM30,000 and RM300,000, is managed by Think City, a Khazanah Nasional Bhd subsidiary, is intended to ensure that Kuala Lumpur remains as a city that attracts domestic and foreign visitors.

‘The programme is supported by the Finance Minister through the Budget 2024 and encompasses the allocation of RM20 million for efforts to renew downtown Kuala Lumpur.

‘I hope that the programme will be a catalyst for projects to ensure heritage areas around Kuala Lumpur and Malaysian culture can be showcased for visitors,’ she said, adding that the grants were open to all interested parties, with a minimum of RM30,000 and maximum of RM300,000 and that the government would help the grant recipients to realise the effort.

There are six themes linked to the grant, space rejuvenation; seeding and/or d
evelopment of creative and cultural businesses; creative content and/or activation; environmental resilience; digitisation and capacity development.

‘We also have a steering committee chaired by the Finance Minister II and myself, and we will ensure these efforts become a reality.

‘Various agencies are involved besides DBKL, there’s also Khazanah (Nasional Bhd) for us to come together and ensure these efforts are done and achieve sustainability and be competitive,’ she said, as she urged those interested to apply at thinkcity.com.my

Dr Zaliha also said she fully supported efforts to turn downtown Kuala Lumpur into a creative and cultural district as well as a textile and fashion precinct, especially around Jalan Melayu, Jalan Bunus and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, which have vital historical and cultural importance.

‘Realising the potential of this initiative to drive inclusive economic development in the capital, the government will play a proactive role in this project to boost and coordinate efforts and
ensure it achieves its full potential in breathing new life to downtown Kuala Lumpur so that it becomes a world-class creative destination,’ she added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The third ring road in Phnom Penh capital has been named after H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.

A symbolic inauguration ceremony for naming the third ring road as ‘Xi Jinping Boulevard’ took place under the presidency of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and Chinese Ambassador H.E. Wang Wentian, following their farewell meeting here at the Peace Palace on the afternoon of May 28.

The third ring road of 53 kilometres long and 22 metres wide, connecting National Road (NR) No. 4 in Sangkat Chaom Chao 3, Khan Pursenchey, Phnom Penh, to NR1 in Dei Ith commune, Kean Svay district, plays a key role in easing cross-border transport, promoting international trade and turning the surrounding areas into a development zone.

This boulevard is a testament to the long history of Cambodia-China relations which have grown to an unbreakable level.

So far, China has helped build nearly 4,000 kilometres of roads in Cambodia.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse