Day: June 26, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, The retail prices for RON97 and RON95 petrol as well as diesel will remain unchanged at RM3.47, RM2.05, and RM3.35 per litre respectively, while the retail price of diesel in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan remains at RM2.15 per litre, from June 27 to July 3.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) in a statement today said that the rates were set based on the pricing of petroleum products using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism formula.

‘The government will continue to monitor the impact of changes in global crude oil prices and take appropriate steps to ensure the welfare and well-being of the people are preserved,’ read the statement.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, Bangi has the highest population among the 222 parliamentary constituencies in Malaysia with 708,300 people in 2023.

According to the Parliament and State Legislative Assembly Subnational Statistics 2024 released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) today, this is followed by two more constituencies in Selangor, namely Kota Raja and Subang, with populations of 538,900 and 492,600 respectively.

Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said that three constituencies in Sarawak recorded populations of less than 30,000 people, namely Kanowit with 25,300 people, followed by Lubok Antu and Igan with 27,400 and 28,000 people respectively.

‘Wangsa Maju in Kuala Lumpur is the constituency with the highest population density, with 13,587 people per square kilometre.

‘Pandan in Selangor ranks second with a density of 11,713 people per square kilometre, while Jelutong in Penang is third with a density of 11,576 people per square kilometre,’ he said in a statement today.

Based on the
demographic composition of Malaysia’s population in 2023, the highest Bumiputera population was recorded in the Setiu parliamentary constituency with 125,400 people. The highest number of Chinese was recorded in Kepong at 72.2 per cent or 64,000 people.

Ipoh Barat, meanwhile, recorded the highest percentage of Indians at 26.0 per cent or 33,500 people.

Mohd Uzir said Batu parliamentary has the highest number of working-age residents, between 15 and 64 years old, with 177,200 people, followed by Batu Kawan with 132,300 people and Kepong with 83,700 people.

‘The highest number of young residents aged 0 to 14 years was recorded in several constituencies, including Putrajaya with 43,000 people, Gua Musang with 40,800 and Tumpat with 61,000 people,

In the context of educational and health infrastructure in Malaysia, Baram in Sarawak recorded the highest number of schools and facilities, with 86 schools, including 77 primary schools and nine secondary schools, as well as 22 health clinics.

As for basic ameniti
es, he said Pulai has the most petrol stations with 71 stations, Bangi has 66 laundrettes, Lahad Datu has 618 grocery stores, Petaling Jaya has 232 pharmacies and Subang has 140 restaurants.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The Dewan Rakyat today approved the bill to amend the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia Act 2017 (Act 788).

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (Amendment) Bill 2024, among others, aims to transfer the functions of the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM), which will be dissolved, to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

The bill, tabled by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, was passed with a majority of votes in favour, after six MPs participated in the debate.

When winding up the debate on the bill, Loke expressed his commitment to ensuring the merger process of the Malaysian aviation industry regulatory bodies runs smoothly before the amended bill comes into effect.

“I will not hastily enforce this amendment until the orderly and proper merger process (of MAVCOM and CAAM) is completed.

“This is to ensure that the operations of our civil aviation industry can run smoothly,” he said.

Earlier, when presenting the bill for its second reading, Loke stated that the draftin
g of the bill had undergone a comprehensive legal process involving stakeholders such as the Ministry of Transport, CAAM, MAVCOM, and the Attorney-General’s Chambers as early as June last year.

He said that a Special Task Force had been formed to discuss in detail the structure, functions, jurisdiction, staffing implications, finances, compensation payments, and legal issues following the dissolution of MAVCOM and the transfer of its functions to CAAM.

“In the new entity post-merger, CAAM will involve professionals and experts with a broader background, for instance, in economics, law, public administration, and even international relations, among others.

“The government’s goal is to build a more comprehensive civil aviation regulatory institution capable of enhancing Malaysia’s reputation on the world stage, particularly in the aviation sector,” he said.

Loke added that permanent and contract appointments under MAVCOM, which are identified as performing core functions related to economic and commercial a
ffairs, and requiring competence and expertise in professional technical fields, will be offered to serve in the civil service based on positions to be created under CAAM.

“The government will also ensure that the salaries and benefits of MAVCOM staff absorbed into CAAM are market-based, and in this regard, CAAM is being restructured to enable it to carry out all MAVCOM functions being transferred. The details will be discussed and referred to the Public Service Department (JPA) for approval,” he said.

He said the initiative to merge the civil aviation regulatory bodies under one entity will not only optimise existing human and financial resources but also improve governance efficiency and service delivery quality.

The sitting continues tomorrow.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The Hunan Museum, together with the Digital Library of China and the team of Wang Yuejin, professor at CAMLab, Harvard University, recently launched “The Art of Life – Mawangdui Han Dynasty Culture Immersive Digital Exhibition”.

According to a statement, the exhibition is in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the archaeological excavation of the Han Tombs at Mawangdui, which remains open to the public until Feb 16, 2025, with plans for a worldwide tour.

Intended to explore ways to advance the deep integration of culture and technology, the exhibition mobilises academic resources worldwide and employs cutting-edge multimedia technology to present the cultural heritage of the Han Tombs in digitalised form through a theatrical multimedia experience, offering a glance into the essence of early Chinese civilisation and artistic achievements.

The exhibition delivers a holistic display of the art, imagination, and world view as reflected by the culture of Han Tombs and seeks to create a new p
aradigm for digital presentation of cultural heritage with global influence.

Structured around three modules, namely “Time and Space”, “Yin and Yang”, and “Life”, it embarks the visitors on a “journey through space and time”, by revealing the dynamic process of “cosmic operations – the sublimation of life”; displaying the chamber structure, numerous artefacts, cultural ideas and humanistic thoughts of the Han Tombs; as well as unfolding the grand imagination and artistic expression of the universe and life by ancient Chinese.

The exhibition also delivers a multisensory experience to the visitors. In the “Yin and Yang” section, the four life spaces contained in the four-outer-layer coffins of Tomb One allow visitors to marvel at the ancient Chinese people’s endless exploration of the mystery of life and their profound imagination for spiritual sublimation.

In the “Life” section, the T-shaped silk paintings relive their “glorious moments”, via the immersive LED ball screen, interactive dynamic graphic design
, and digital restoration of cultural relics, among other technologies, visitors feel as if they were attending the “from earth to heaven” ceremony depicted in the silk paintings.

While allowing the visitors to experience the transformation and ascension of life, the section also offers a glimpse into the thoughts and emotions of the Chinese ancients 2,000 years ago.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

CAMERON HIGHLANDS, The National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) Cluster 34 project, overseen by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and involving 19 communication towers in Cameron Highlands, was fully completed in March.

Firdaus Fadzil, Head of Regulatory Affairs for Edotco Group Sdn Bhd, said that his team, responsible for providing the land and building the communication towers for the cluster, faced various challenges in completing the project.

He said that one of the challenges was land acquisition, which involved extensive discussions and negotiations as it included government-owned land and had to follow established procedures and protocols.

‘In acquiring the land, we dealt with several parties, including the Cameron Highlands District Council, the Pahang Utility Corridor, and landowners from various agencies such as the Forestry Department.

‘Credit goes to MCMC for not only acting as the regulator for the JENDELA project but also facilitating our interactions and cooperat
ion with various parties to acquire the land fairly within a set timeframe,’ he told Bernama.

He said this after the Cluster 34 JENDELA Phase 1 Finalisation Ceremony between Edotco and CelcomDigi here on Monday.

Residents in Cameron Highlands can now enjoy better Internet coverage following the completion of the 19 communication towers under JENDELA in March.

At the event, MCMC was represented by MCMC Pahang director Shahrizal Husin, Edotco Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Edotco Malaysia) by Firdaus, and CelcomDigi Bhd (CelcomDigi) by CelcomDigi’s Universal Service Provision (USP) Programme Manager Mohd Zhariff Md Raus.

Firdaus said that another challenge was in building the towers, as many of the JENDELA Phase One project locations, especially for Cluster 34, were in remote areas.

‘There were logistical constraints in transporting construction materials to these areas, along with weather challenges, but fortunately, we managed to complete it within the timeframe set by MCMC,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Zhariff said th
at so far, the cooperation between CelcomDigi and other telecommunications companies has been good, and all parties have agreed on making decisions together.

‘The technology we use is the Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN), as agreed with all telcos. For example, we install equipment that can link with their central systems.

‘It’s not just CelcomDigi that has equipment on these towers; Maxis and U Mobile are also here. So, we act as custodians to maintain the towers and coverage, and if there are any issues with these sites, we manage them in cooperation with the other telcos,’ he said.

He added that once the towers are fully operational, residents in the area will enjoy the latest 4G network with better coverage.

Pahang has 13 clusters involving 191 new towers under the JENDELA initiative, with Cluster 34, consisting of 19 communication towers in Cameron Highlands, being the cluster with the most communication towers.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency