Cambodia News Gazette

SHAH ALAM: The majority of family members and next of kin involved in the process of moving 90 graves in the Klang Strait Muslim Cemetery agreed with the decision to exhume and relocate the graves, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

He said that currently the state government through the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and the local authorities (PBT) are focusing on obtaining an agreement with the remaining next of kin to allow the construction of the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project in the area to continue as planned.

“We will continue discussions with the parties involved because the majority have agreed.

‘For the next of kin who have not agreed, we will give another week to discuss with JAIS, PBT and ECRL,” he said at a press conference at Bangunan Wisma Dewan Negeri Selangor here today.

He was commenting on press reports that there were next of kin and family members who remained opposed to the digging and moving of the graves after holding a meeting with JAIS on We
dnesday.

Prior to that, Amirudin on Tuesday announced that the work of digging and moving the graves which was scheduled for Wednesday (May 1) has been postponed for another week, among other things to carry out the notification and hearing for the other 45 next of kin of the graves.

In other developments, Amirudin said the state government is targeting the presence of 30,000 visitors from home and abroad to the Turath Islami Festival which will be held at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque on May 26 until June 2, 2024.

He said the festival, which will enter its second year, aims to revive and spread the Islamic heritage in Selangor and will be attended by two prominent scholars of the world, the former Grand Mufti of Egypt Maulana Al-Imam Dr Ali Jum’ah and Habib Umar Hafiz.

“With the presence of the two prominent scholars of the world as well as 23 great scholars from regional countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore, we are confident that the number of visitors will trip
le compared to around 10,000 last year.

“The organisation of this second festival is a sign of the commitment of the Selangor state government to spread and revive the Islamic heritage,” he said.

Amirudin said the festival will be filled with 12 main events including the study of the Forty Hadith book written by Imam Nawawi which will be led by Al-Imam Dr Ali Jum’ah as well as an international seminar on the book Riyadhu al-Solihin.

People interested in participating in the festival are asked to register from today through the website www.turathislamiselangor.com.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

GEORGE TOWN: China Southern Airlines plans to double its weekly flights from Guangzhou, China to Penang, increasing from seven to 14, starting June 20.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said this increase will boost Penang’s tourism industry and enhance trade between China and Malaysia.

“Currently, five airlines fly from China to Penang. China Southern Airlines operates seven weekly flights from Guangzhou, which will double to twice daily from June 20. Additionally, Xiamen Airlines serves flights from Xiamen.

‘Batik Air offers special flights from Haikou, and both Cathay Pacific and Air Asia operate four flights per week from Hong Kong. Direct flights from Shanghai by Juneyao Airlines will commence four times a week starting May 31,” he told reporters when met at the PWGS Trade Fair at Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas near here today.

Wong anticipates a significant increase in tourist arrivals from China, adding that the state government has made necessary prep
arations, including offering various tourism products.

“According to our records, Penang has welcomed 22,420 tourists from China in the first three months of this year, a 370.22 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period last year which saw only 4,768 tourists,” he said.

He added that the 30-day visa exemption for Chinese nationals visiting Malaysia since Dec 1 last year, has been a key factor in the increase in the number of tourists from China, as part of the 50-year strategic cooperation between Malaysia and China.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) will hold roadshows nationwide to provide information on the Housewives’ Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) to company employees and women from the B40 group.

Socso Committee on the SKSSR chairman Kasthuri Patto said that the first seven sessions (May 6,7 and 13, July 2, 12 18 and 23) will be held at Wisma Perkeso, Kuala Lumpur and will involve private sector employers, statutory bodies, government-linked companies, non-governmental organisations and other institutions.

She said that the roadshows are being implemented following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Socso and Yayasan Kebajikan Negara Malaysia (YKNM) on March 14, regarding income tax exemption under Section 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967.

She added that the roadshows are expected to provide a better understanding of more comprehensive social protection through SKSSR specifically for female workers and wives of workers with a tax exemption for the B40, or M40 women cat
egory.

‘The roadshow will also be extended to Socso offices nationwide to ensure comprehensive awareness and understanding of this initiative,’ she said in a press conference today.

Thus far, she said that 10 companies have participated in the tax exemption initiative for SKSSR contributions including Malayan Banking Berhad, Berjaya Corporation Berhad, Sime Darby Property and Lembaga Tabung Haji amounting to RM558,360 and benefiting 4,864 women in the B40 group.

She also said that as of April 21, a total of 253,794 women had contributed under the SKSSR and the cumulative amount of claims and interest payments to contributors from Jan 1, 2023, to April 15 this year was RM1,596,324.66.

She said the payment of benefits included permanent disability as many as 75 claims amounting to RM72,000; illness allowance (43 claims amounting to RM74,402.12); funeral benefits (441 claims amounting to RM824,214.55) and survivors’ pension (322 claims amounting to RM603,887.59)

Currently, Sarawak recorded the highest numbe
r of SKSSR registrations at 56,128, followed by Sabah (49,780), Selangor (16,867), Johor (16,588), Terengganu (16,348), Kelantan (15,489), Perak (15,397) and Penang (13,953), she said.

Kedah recorded 13,855 registrations, Negeri Sembilan (11,161), Pahang (9,154), Melaka (8,056) and Perlis (3,725) while the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan recorded 7,293 registrations.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

IPOH, Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Zahidi Wan Teh said accusing any party of insulting Islam must be proven before considering a boycott.

He said one of the crucial elements in criminal behaviour is intent or “alqasdul jinaei” (criminal intent).

‘This element cannot be proven through ‘syahadah’ (direct evidence). It can only be proven through confession or through ‘qarainul ahwal’ (circumstantial evidence).

‘Therefore, based on Islamic judicial principles, the accusation of insulting Islam (directed at the management of KK Mart) has not been proven,” he told a press conference at his office here today.

On March 13, an issue regarding the sale of stockings bearing the word ‘Allah’ at a KK Mart branch in Petaling Jaya went viral on social media after a user uploaded a photo of the product.

Subsequently, certain groups urged Muslims to boycott the convenience store chain.

KK Mart’s management later apologised for selling the Miranosock brand stockings bearing the word ‘Allah’ at various branches of the conv
enience store.

Wan Zahidi stressed that boycotting a specific community is inconsistent with Islamic teachings and the ‘sunnah’ (traditions and practices) of Prophet Muhammad SAW.

He pointed out that Prophet Muhammad SAW never boycotted the Quraysh tribe despite them opposing Islam.

When asked if his statement might cause controversy, Wan Zahidi stated that he is simply conveying his beliefs based on Islamic teachings.

‘Whether it sparks controversy or not is up to individuals. We follow the teachings of Allah and Prophet Muhammad SAW; I am convinced and obligated to convey this,’ he said, noting that issuing the statement took considerable time due to the need for thorough research and references on the matter.

Wan Zahidi also stressed that Islamic outreach requires a peaceful atmosphere and harmonious relationships among communities of diverse religions.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KOTA KINABALU, A former journalist, Kriscy Limjoon, became the first organ donor in Sabah this year at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), said Sabah State Health Department (JKNS) director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna.

He said the late Kriscy, aged 43, was confirmed to have died in January due to medical problems and her family had informed them of her intention of becoming an organ donor to help other patients in need.

“The results of an evaluation found that only the eye (cornea) was still suitable for donation and the family agreed to proceed with the noble wish,” he said here today.

He said a pair of donated corneas had also been successfully transplanted and helped restore the vision of two other patients.

According to Dr Asits in a statement, the late Kriscy hailed from the village of Domis Hungab, Penampang, was married and was a mother of two children.

He said the deceased worked as a local newspaper reporter and was an English teacher at one of the private schools in Sabah.

According to Dr Asits, the
family described the deceased as a person with a pure heart, cheerful but strictly duty-bound and liked to help people and always supported local traders.

“Despite not having the opportunity to register as an organ donor pledge, the deceased had discussed with the family about her desire to donate the organs,” he said.

He said JKNS expressed its condolences and recorded its deepest appreciation to the family for the donation.

“JKNS also encourages the public to discuss the topic of organ donation with the family so that it is easy for them to give a decision after their passing,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency