Day: July 1, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: The mother of entertainment journalist Kamal Huzaini Kamaludin, known as Huzz, who passed away on June 8, is entitled to receive benefits from the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

Kuala Lumpur Socso director Mohamad Asri Ngosman said checks confirmed that the late Huzz was a registered contributor under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4). As a result, his mother, Noor Hamid, 79, is eligible to receive the Survivors’ Pension under the Invalidity Scheme and Funeral Management Benefit (FMB).

‘During his lifetime, Huzz worked for two employers, Kumpulan Karangkraf and Tinta Press Sdn Bhd, and contributed to Socso.

‘With those contributions, even though he was no longer working due to illness, he qualified for the Invalidity Pension.

‘Therefore, we processed it under that pension to allow his next of kin (mother) to receive a Survivors’ Pension of RM1,027 per month for life and a one-time FMB payment of RM3,000,’ he said after conducting a visit with the Socso Prihatin Squad (SP
P) at Noor Hamid’s residence in Ampang Jaya today. Also present was Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, who is also Huzz’s sister.

Meanwhile, Nur-ul Afida said among her brother’s most memorable writings was when he managed to reconcile the relationship between the country’s two famous singers, namely the late Datuk Sharifah Aini, and Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, who were previously reported to have a feud and had not spoken for several years.

‘At that time, Huzz was at Utusan, and he wrote the story to bring together these two prominent figures in the entertainment industry. It was not an easy task… unlike today, where sensationalism is more prevalent.

‘Personally, I think that was a significant achievement for Huzz,’ she said while expressing gratitude to Socso for the benefits provided to her mother.

Huzz, 58, the third of six siblings, was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, and his health had been deteriorating since March before he passed away
on June 8 at his brother’s house in Bertam Perdana, Penang.

Huzz had served as the editor of URTV magazine at Utusan Karya Sdn Bhd and was also known for his Sensasi Huzz gossip column in the Pancaindera pull-out of Mingguan Malaysia.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia reversed from recent gains and opened lower on Monday, taking its cue from Wall Street’s weaker overnight performance as inflation data remained elevated and sentiments were affected by political uncertainty following the United States presidential debate.

At 9.15 am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 1.50 points to 1,588.59 from Friday’s close of 1,590.09.

The benchmark index had opened 0.17 of a point firmer at 1,590.26.

On the broader market, decliners led gainers 253 to 192, with 335 counters unchanged, 1,594 untraded and five suspended.

Turnover stood at 371.69 million units worth RM160.19 million.

Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd noted that Wall Street closed lower despite reports suggesting consumer spending rose moderately in May.

‘Despite the selling pressure on Wall Street, we believe buying support should continue locally. We see opportunities within the technology sector, where rising investments and demand for data centres, artificial intelligence and clou
d services should support trading activities for now,’ it said in a note.

Meanwhile, the brokerage said traders will be watching for the release of several key economic data points, including the US Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) and jobs data like non-farm employment and the unemployment rate.

Bursa heavyweights Tenaga Nasional dropped two sen to RM13.76 and IHH Healthcare slipped one sen to RM6.29, while Maybank inched up one sen to RM9.97.

Meanwhile, Public Bank and CIMB were flat at RM4.02 and RM6.80 respectively.

As for the most active counters, SNS Network and Nova were half-a-sen lower at 75 sen and 21 sen respectively, while Velesto was flat at 26.5 sen.

Ingenieur Gudang rose one sen to six sen and Hiap Teck added 1.5 sen to 44 sen.

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index shaved off 12.53 points to 12,203.87, the FBMT 100 Index decreased 12.47 points to 11,785.58, the FBM Emas Shariah Index weakened by 19.97 points to 12,532.73, the FBM 70 Index slipped by 23.82 points to 17,818.07.

However, t
he FBM ACE Index gained 4.02 points to 5,777.30.

Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index sank 3.25 points to 17,451.48 and the Industrial Products and Services Index edged down 0.50 of-a-point to 195.80. The Energy Index garnered 3.50 points to 958.92 and the Plantation Index bagged 2.04 points to 6,984.76.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KOTA KINABALU, Two more temporary evacuation centres have been opened in Sabah due to flooding, following continuous rain which has hit several districts on the west coast of the state since yesterday.

The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee secretariat, in a statement, said that as of 4 pm, the number of relief centres operational in the state has increased to four. These centres are currently accommodating 328 evacuees from 105 families.

A relief centre has been established at Kampung Tutu Selupoh Community Hall in Tuaran, accommodating 29 individuals from eight families. Additionally, another relief centre at Kampung Bontoi Community Hall in Tamparuli is sheltering 18 people from five families.

‘The rain which occurred in Tuaran since yesterday (June 30) has caused several surrounding areas to be flooded, and residents have been evacuated to two relief centres.

‘However, due to the increase in the water level, the District Disaster Management Committee decided to open two more relief centres,’ r
ead the statement.

Meanwhile, the number of evacuees in Penampang has increased to 165 people from 67 families, who are being accommodated at the Penampang Cultural Hall, compared with 112 people from 40 families, reported this morning.

In Putatan, a total of 116 people from 25 families are currently taking shelter at Dewan Sri Putatan, a significant increase, compared with only two people, from two families, recorded this morning.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

JOHANNESBURG, July 1 (Bernama-Anadolu) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his much anticipated Cabinet of the government of national unity (GNU) late Sunday, retaining Paul Mashatile as his deputy.

Ramaphosa also appointed 40-year-old Ronald Lamola as the new Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Anadolu Agency reported.

Lamola, who was the former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, is one of the youngest members of the Cabinet. He succeeds Naledi Pandor.

Ramaphosa also retained Enoch Godongwana as Finance Minister, with David Masondo and the Democratic Alliance (DA) party’s Ashor Sarupen as his two deputies.

“These men and women we have appointed to the executive are drawn from all corners of our country. None of the members of the National Executive has been appointed to serve the interests of a particular constituency, a particular party or a particular section of society,” Ramaphosa said.

He also appointed his main political rival DA leader John Steenhuisen
as Minister of Agriculture.

A total of 11 political parties reached a deal to form the GNU after Ramaphosa’s African National Congress party, which had ruled South Africa without a coalition for the past three decades, lost its majority in the national and provincial elections on May 29.

Ramaphosa’s Cabinet announcement was delayed after intense bargaining and lengthy negotiations for Cabinet positions with 10 partners, particularly the second largest party DA.

Members of the South African parliament re-elected Ramaphosa, 71, on June 15 as president for a second term during the first sitting of the legislature.

He was officially sworn in as the seventh democratically elected president on June 19 at a colourful ceremony in the capital Pretoria attended by several heads of state and leaders of government.

-ANADOLU

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PENAMPANG, Entrepreneurs and cooperatives affected by the recent floods can apply to defer their loan repayments under the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP) for a maximum period of six months.

Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said affected entrepreneurs and cooperatives can directly contact their respective agency officers for further information and necessary actions.

He said KUSKOP is always attentive to the needs of entrepreneurs and cooperatives impacted by the flood and will assist those affected in restoring their businesses.

‘We have a policy to defer loan repayments for entrepreneurs and cooperatives affected by the floods. I will remain in close contact with ministry (KUSKOP) officers to ensure our policy is effective in providing assistance,’ he told Bernama here today.

The floods, believed to have been caused by continuous heavy rainfall from midday yesterday until last night, resulted in 112 victims from 40 families being placed
in the temporary relief centre at Dewan Kebudayaan here this morning.

On the floods, Ewon said the ministry today allocated RM30,000 to provide food baskets to affected residents. This aid is in addition to the RM20,000 distributed yesterday to assist the flood victims.

The Penampang MP said the current focus is on ensuring all affected residents are safe and relocating them to safer places at the temporary relief centre.

‘Our priority is the safety of the residents, and their welfare is ensured once they are relocated. We are also planning how to assist these flood victims once they return to their homes,’ he said.

Ewon expressed his gratitude to those who have generously offered help, including government agencies, entrepreneurs and cooperatives that have contacted him and are willing to contribute to assisting the flood victims.

‘We will coordinate with the Disaster Management Committee on this matter. Our aid may include house repairs and assistance for affected school students,’ he said.

He also th
anked the security forces who worked tirelessly to help the residents in the area, despite facing the dangers of strong currents and deep floodwaters themselves.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency