Day: June 2, 2024

KOTA KINABALU, Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2024 (UNK 2024), the beauty pageant held in conjunction with the recent Kaamatan Festival, featured a significant ‘surprise’ format that tests the contestants’ mastery of their native language and basic public speaking skills.

The Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah chief executive officer, Prof Madya Datuk Dr Ramzah Dambul, said this was particularly evident during the Top 15 round, highlighting the importance of both skills for each contestant.

‘As the contest was upgraded to the national level, the Top 15 round became more challenging. Fifteen different keywords were announced two days in advance.

‘However, the ultimate keywords for each of the unduk (contestant) were only randomly selected on the event day,’ he said in a post on his Facebook page today.

He said the innovative format allowed only the candidates who excelled in native language proficiency and communication skills to qualify for the Top 7 round.

According to Ramzah, only those beautiful, i
ntelligent ‘sumandak’ (lady) who have an amazing aura, personality, and charisma can become Unduk Ngadau as they will play a role as cultural ambassadors for the year ahead, participating in various activities and engagement sessions.

‘The strategy for UNK 2024 is effective. This new format provides high recognition and appreciation to the unduks who have natural proficiency in the native language with a mastery in the public speaking techniques,’ he added.

On the final day of the Kaamatan Festival last Friday, Hyellene Danius representing Inanam was crowned the winner of UNK 2024, defeating 50 other contestants and taking over the title from UNK 2023 winner Carol Abbey Gail.

The second and third place went to Elldiwirna Saimen of Kiulu and Monicka Majin, representing Keningau.

The fourth-place winner was Romandawi Gapari, representing KDCA Johor, while the fifth, sixth, and seventh places went to Liane Melve Grace Lias (Inanam), Elviana Gunong (Tongod), and Richella Kan Siang Feng (Kemabong).

The Unduk
Ngadau is the highlight of the harvest festival, and this year marks its 64th edition.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Mercy Malaysia has expressed its gratitude to the Malaysian Embassy in Amman, Jordan for facilitating the evacuation of six members of its Emergency Medical Team (EMT) from Rafah, Gaza.

In a statement today, it said the presence and support from embassy staff during the exit process were instrumental.

‘The embassy staff were there together with a team from Mercy Malaysia’s headquarters to receive team members as they crossed the border, providing much-needed assistance and ensuring their well-being throughout the transition.

‘Mercy Malaysia has previously sent three of its emergency medical teams on rotation since February 2024. Each team has played a role in delivering critical medical care and humanitarian aid to those affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza,’ the statement said.

It said the team’s exit was also made possible through the invaluable assistance and coordination with the World Health Organisation’s Emergency Medical Teams Coordination Cell (WHO-EMTCC).

‘Their efforts in en
suring a safe and secure passage for our volunteers have been crucial, and we extend our deepest gratitude to WHO-EMTCC for their unwavering support,’ it said.

Mercy Malaysia said it remains committed to its mission of providing medical relief and humanitarian assistance to communities in crisis while ensuring that the safety and well-being of its volunteers remain top priorities.

The Foreign Ministry yesterday confirmed that all six members of Mercy Malaysia’s EMT have been evacuated from Rafah, Gaza in batches, along with other international personnel.

The batches departed for home on May 23, 24 and 28, with the last two members leaving on May 31.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

RANAU, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is encouraging Sabahans to adopt cashless payments to simplify transactions, promote the use of the latest technology, and boost the local economy.

He highlighted that the state government is implementing various initiatives to promote cashless payments for state revenue collection, including payments for licenses, permits, and public services.

He mentioned that these initiatives include the Sabah Pay application, launched by the Sabah Credit Corporation, and the latest initiative, You Only Need One (YONO).

“Cashless transactions offer many benefits, such as easier, faster, and safer payment methods. These initiatives not only simplify daily transactions but also address long-standing issues such as the lack of ATMs in rural areas.

“To ensure cashless payments benefit all citizens, both the state and federal governments are committed to providing the necessary communication infrastructure,” he said at the launch of the Tamu Kundasang E-Duit Desa Cashless
Community here today.

His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Seri Dr. Joachim Gunsalam, who is also the Sabah Minister of Local Government and Housing.

Hajiji stated that to align with this initiative, efforts are being intensified to speed up the completion of 398 telecommunications towers across the state through the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA).

“These efforts by the state government are aimed at enhancing the well-being of the people and demonstrate our commitment to bringing development and progress, particularly in terms of the latest technology,” he said.

On today’s launch, Hajiji noted that the Agrobank initiative aligns with the Sabah state government’s vision to enhance the use of and access to digital payments across the state.

“Adopting digital payments can lead to a more efficient and transparent economy. Therefore, Agrobank’s ongoing efforts to introduce cashless payment services in Sabah are greatly appreciated,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

BAGAN DATUK, The investigation into the alleged presence of a container bearing the logo of the Israel-based shipping company, ZIM, at a port in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, needs to be expedited, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid said that the country is bound to the government’s policy of no diplomatic relations and no trade agreements with Israel.

He said if there are Israeli goods in any port in Malaysia using a third party, then the matter should be monitored by the authorities.

‘I think that the port operator and Customs Department should act immediately because we know what is happening is not just a matter of trade, but a matter of how such strict regulations have been circumvented by the presence of such a container to dock at one of our ports.

‘The investigation to find out if it is true or not must be expedited,’ he said, at a press conference after officiating the Bagan Datuk district police headquarters (IPD) in Hutan Melintang, today.

Yesterday the media r
eported the presence of such a container raised questions among the surrounding residents.

Kota Iskandar assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad reportedly said that he was surprised to receive a report from concerned residents who claimed that the port was still allowing containers from Israel.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PETALING JAYA, Players in the country’s takaful industry have put aside their business competition and joined hands to promote a healthy lifestyle through the organisation of the Takaful4All Inter-TO 2024 bowling tournament.

Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA) chief operating officer Hasri Hamidan said the event was part of the efforts to strengthen the camaraderie among takaful industry players in Malaysia.

“We would like to show the people that we are stronger and more resilient when united. Even though we compete with each other in business, we always support each other when it comes to promoting things like healthy living or financial literacy.

“Events like this also promote a healthy lifestyle among us involved in the healthcare-related industry,” he said at yesterday’s event.

Hasri said hosting sports events such as bowling tournaments and futsal competitions is not new to them as they have been organising the events since 2011 but were temporarily halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in
2022.

“A futsal event is expected to be organised again this year, either in July or August,” he said.

In another development, Hasri said various plans are underway to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the takaful industry this year.

“We are developing a strategic transformation plan known as Hijrah27, which is expected to be presented in the third quarter of this year.

“InsyaAllah, towards the third quarter, we will hold programmes such as conventions and conferences for the takaful industry, in addition to sports events to bring the takaful industry players together,” he added.

Sponsored by Prudential BSN Takaful Berhad (PruBSN), the bowling tournament involved 29 teams representing 12 takaful companies.

According to PruBSN chief executive officer Wan Saifulrizal Wan Ismail, the company’s involvement in the programme aligns with its commitment to enhancing the well-being of the people, including raising awareness about practising a healthy lifestyle.

“As a takaful community, we seek to inculcate (hea
lthy lifestyle) through activities organised by MTA while also providing opportunities for the members to compete healthily,” he said.

Bowling teams from Etiqa (Etiqa A and B) won first and second place, and Zurich Dragon Bowl came in third.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency