Day: June 23, 2024

BATU PAHAT, The skipper of a fishing boat, one of four fishermen reported missing after their boat capsized at Tanjung Segenting, here last Friday, was found drowned at 7 pm yesterday.

Batu Pahat Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) maritime commander Mohd Haniff Mohd Yunus, reported that the body of Chiah Kah Chong, 51, was found by another fisherman who happened to be passing near the site where the boat capsized.

He said the victim’s body was taken to the Batu Pahat Maritime Zone Jetty and handed over to the police for further action.

‘Three other victims, namely Lee Poh Ling, 68; Tan Hai Lan, 62; and Daud Darus@Hamid, 53, are still missing,’ he said in a statement.

Earlier it was reported that five local fishermen, aged between 43 and 63, were missing after their boat capsized approximately 6.8 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Segenting at about 6 am, when it was hit by strong waves due to bad weather.

However, one of them, Tan Siak Bin, 43, was rescued by nearby fishermen at around 8 am
yesterday.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTATAN, The Sabah government has allocated RM2.41 million to implement the One District One Product Programme (SDSP) to develop entrepreneurs and industries in rural areas in the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He said the Sabah Rural Development Ministry also encouraged the activities of rural entrepreneurs to work on local products such as making gongs, flower arrangements, beads, and food products based on local ingredients.

He said these efforts show the commitment of the Sabah government to continue supporting and empowering the entrepreneurial sector through various initiatives and programmes for the development of entrepreneurs in the state, including the provision of grants, training, guidance, as well as access to markets and financing

‘I hope rural entrepreneurs will not miss this opportunity to increase their respective economic resources,’ he said in his speech to officiate the Putatan District MADANI Entrepreneurs Carnival at Dataran Pomoi here today.

The text of Hajiji’s
speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmy Yahya, who is also the Sabah Works Minister.

Hajiji said the state government has established Small and Medium Industry Product Centres (SMIs) or IKS Marts in Beaufort, Tuaran, Kota Marudu and Ranau as well as in Oceanus Mall Kota Kinabalu, and is developing IKS Marts in Sandakan, Keningau, Kalabakan and Luyang.

“This initiative is to help develop the SME (small and medium enterprises) sector by providing space for local entrepreneurs to collect, promote, and sell the products of local entrepreneurs from all over the district,” he also said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

JASIN, There is no need for Wisma Putra to establish a special committee to locate Malaysians reported missing abroad, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said that this decision is based on the fact that Malaysia has embassies or High Commissions in almost every country, with a total of 111 missions or branches.

This, he said, allows for any form of assistance to be provided to those in need, including cases of missing family members abroad.

“We don’t need to set up such a committee because the number of missing Malaysians isn’t that high. However, we always help citizens who need assistance from Malaysian missions abroad.

“Those who need help can contact Wisma Putra to get information and assistance. We will then coordinate with our foreign missions to provide the necessary support. But sometimes, those who are missing do not want to be found or disclose their location, which makes it a bit difficult,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Jasin UMNO Division Deleg
ates’ Meeting here today.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

IPOH, A severed human hand was found near the scene of a burning car that was involved in an accident near Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Tanjung Rambutan today.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said that the Toyota Vios was approximately 95 per cent burned and believed to have been involved in a collision with two other vehicles.

He said that they received a distress call at 11.16 am, and personnel from the Tambun Fire and Rescue Station were mobilised to the scene.

“A severed human hand was discovered, and all victims involved were confirmed deceased upon the firefighters’ arrival at the scene.

“The operation chief used two hose lines from the fire engine’s tank until the fire was fully extinguished, and the case was handed over to the police for further action,” he said, adding that the operation concluded by 11.49 am.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

JOHOR BAHRU, Despite being a triple amputee with no hands and right leg, relying solely on her left leg for daily activities, How Xue Qi, 18, achieved an A- in Visual Arts and passed all subjects in the 2023 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

Xue Qi, who received the Inspirational Award, expressed her gratitude for the award and was deeply indebted to her school, teachers, friends and family, especially her parents and twin sister, How Xue Thing, 18, who always helped and encouraged her throughout her schooling.

‘The teachers gave a lot of assistance because I draw using my left foot. While waiting for the SPM results, I was very anxious but I am grateful to have passed all subjects and received an A in the subject I am passionate about.

‘I am really interested in art; I draw whatever comes to mind and colour everything from the heart,” she said when met by reporters after the 2024 Johor State SPM Excellence Awards Ceremony at KSL Hotel here today.

At the event, 60 students who achieved excellen
t results in the 2023 SPM examination were honoured with awards presented by Johor Education and Information Committee chairman Aznan Tamin.

The eldest of four siblings, Xue Qi said she would continue attending Form Six at the same school, and aspired to become an interior designer one day.

She also hoped that her story could serve as a source of motivation for others in similar situations.

‘My advice is to live life as usual, keep yourself happy and believe in your abilities,’ said the student from SMK Taman Daya here.

Meanwhile, Anna Maria Ahmad, 18, a recipient of the Excellence Award in the Orang Asli category, who achieved 5As and 2Bs, expressed her surprise and disbelief at her good results and being honoured at today’s event.

‘Honestly, I felt nervous and was shocked and happy because my hard work paid off. While at school, I faced family problems and fell behind, but the teachers provided a lot of support.’

‘The key to success is to ask teachers and those around you if there is something you don
‘t understand. I also bought many books for revision,’ said the student who achieved As in Bahasa Malaysia, English, History, Moral Education and Visual Arts.

The SMK Taman Rinting student intends to pursue higher education and ultimately achieve her dream of becoming a successful lawyer one day.

‘I truly aspire to be a lawyer because I want to help the Orang Asli community and everyone else.

‘My advice to the Orang Asli community is to go to school because education will enable us to help ourselves and our community in the future… and another thing is to maintain our manners while seeking knowledge, respect our teachers and parents, and that is what I hold on to,’ she said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency