Day: June 1, 2024

KOTA KINABALU, Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin advised Hajj pilgrims, especially those from Sabah, to be prepared in all aspects, including their mental, physical and spiritual health throughout the pilgrimage.

He highlighted that the conditions in the Holy Land would be crowded and challenging, urging every pilgrim to remain patient, tolerant, and loving towards fellow Muslims regardless of skin color, language, customs, and culture.

He emphasised that the invitation to perform the Hajj is a very special one, and should not be wasted on unbeneficial activities or anything that might negatively impact their pilgrimage.

“I hope that the pilgrims will earnestly carry out all the Hajj rituals and obligations as they have learned during the courses organised by Tabung Haji.

“I pray that all the pilgrims from Sabah are granted ease by Allah in performing the Hajj,” he said here tonight while speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the departure of the first group of 134 Sabah pilgrims at the Ko
ta Kinabalu International Convention Centre here which was also attended by his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, A fallen tree near the Pahang Roundabout led to traffic congestion extending nearly one kilometre in the direction of the roundabout this afternoon.

Bernama journalist Mohd Fharkhan Abdul Ghapar, who was in the vicinity, reported that the fallen tree blocked the exit ramp of the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) near the Kuala Lumpur Hospital MRT Station, resulting in vehicles being redirected to an alternative route.

In addition, flash floods at the roundabout also contributed to the traffic congestion.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), an agency under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), through the Malaysia at Heart (MyHeart) initiative, will join as a strategic partner for the upcoming Malaysia-Japan Visionaries Conference 2024 (MJVC2024).

TalentCorp, in a statement today, announced that MJVC2024 is organised by a team of 45 Malaysian and Japanese researchers, led by Dr Amy Poh Ai Ling, a Malaysian from Bukit Mertajam, Penang, who currently resides in Tokyo with her family.

It said that in this first MyHeart collaboration for Japan, TalentCorp will provide a Japanese Yen (¥)1,000,000 grant (equivalent to RM30,000), to ensure the conference’s success, in addition to a RM50,000 bursary to assist up to 20 Malaysian researchers participating in the conference.

Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister, Steven Sim, in the same statement, said that each MyHeart session offers a chance to connect with fellow Malaysians abroad, as well as an opportunity to pitch and engage in colla
borations, to breathe life into their projects.

‘These can create tangible outcomes which directly benefit both Malaysians and Malaysia, transforming into genuine brain gain stories,” he added.

MJVC2024, scheduled to be held from Sept 14 to 16 at the University of Tokyo’s Hongo Campus, serves as an academic platform, aiming to convene 500 participants and 100 presenters across diverse fields, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), law, and other emerging areas.

The Call for Abstracts for MJVC2024 is currently open, inviting submissions from students, researchers, engineers, practitioners, and government personnel, actively involved in shaping Malaysia-Japan relations. Visit https://www.mjvc.jp for more information.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUCHING, The Works Ministry will request an allocation of around RM1 billion to maintain and upgrade the ‘redline’ alignment along the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway (LPB) project, said its Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He said the redline refers to the existing original routes built before the construction of the LPB, and needs to be upgraded to meet the standards of the mega project.

‘This redline involves a 140km-stretch… But it (redline) was not been built as part of LPB, so now (the road) is damaged so we need to upgrade the stretch according to LPB standards.

‘Now we at the ministry are trying to find out how to apply for financing so that we can maintain and upgrade the route,’ he said.

He said this when met by reporters at the Gawai Day open house at the Borneo Kuching Convention Centre (BCCK) here today.

In April, Nanta, in a statement, said that the redline alignment involving federal and state roads in Sarawak will be redesigned and upgraded to meet the standards of the LPB projec
t.

It involves areas of Kuching, Serian, Sibu, Bintulu, Julau and Miri.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

TANAH MERAH, The Ministry of National Unity is considering upgrading the Sri Maha Mariamam temple near here, which was built about 108 years ago, to provide comfort to travellers and Hindus who visit the temple.

Its deputy minister K Saraswathy said the temple located at Ladang Kerilla has drawn Hindus from all over the country every weekend, apart from visitors attending religious events and festivals.

He said based on the frequency of visits, her ministry has identified some improvements that need to be implemented for the comfort of worshippers at the temple.

‘Among the amenities needed include the provision of a hall, toilets, plumbing system, a new coat of paint to brighten the temple and a parking area,’ he said after officiating at the 108th Aandu Thiruvizha Temple Anniversary and ‘Semarak Perpaduan’ Unity programme here today.

Saraswathy said her ministry also received a memorandum from the temple management regarding the problems at large.

‘I will examine the memorandum to obtain appropriate as
sistance to enable the temple management to repair the damages and upgrade its facilities,’ he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency