PM Anwar offers condolences to Hamzah over tragic loss
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his condolences to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin following the passing of his mother-in-law, Datin Salmiah Nyak Matt, 84, who died in a house fire last night.
In a Facebook post, Anwar also offered prayers and support to Hamzah and his family.
'I hope that Hamzah will remain strong in facing this terrible ordeal, and I pray for the best for him and his family. May Allah forgive the sins of his mother-in-law, Salmiah, and grant her a special place in Jannah, Insya-Allah,' he said.
Salmiah died in a fire that broke out at a two-storey house in Jalan Raja Abdullah, Kampung Sungai Rapat Tambahan, Ipoh, Perak, at around 9 pm yesterday.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Sayani Saidon said Salmiah's husband, Datuk Abdul Ghani Ngah, 83, who was found in a room upstairs, suffered shortness of breath and was sent to Raja Perempuan Bainun Hospital (HRPB) for treatment.
Four other family members in the house, comprising three men and one woman aged between 18 and 49, escaped unhurt.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Australia ban bid faces new wildcard: Teenagers
WHEN 13-year-old Jasmine Elkin tried out the age-checking software Australia might use to ban children and teenagers from social media, she was surprised some products could identify a person's age to the month — but she still doubts it will work. "People are always going to find a way to get past it," said the Perth schoolgirl who trialled five photo-based age estimation products with about 30 other students last month. "They can get their brother or sister to take a photo. There's nothing really that you can do about it." Elkin's view echoes one of the main concerns of child protection advocates, tech firms and even the trial organisers about the technology Australia hopes will enable the world's first national social media ban for under-16s: the software works, they say, but young people will find a way around it. From December, social media companies like Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok will face a fine of as much as A$49.5 million if they fail to take what the law calls "reasonable steps" to block younger users in an effort to protect their mental and physical health. The platforms say users need to be at least 13 years old to sign up for an account. How well the ban works could reverberate across some of the world's largest companies and the governments seeking to contain them: already Britain, France and Singapore are making efforts to keep children and teens off social media, while American states, including Florida, are challenging free speech laws by pushing for a ban. Even the law's opponents are likely to be watching closely: X owner Elon Musk, who is a vocal opponent of platform moderation and regulation, has criticised the measure and called the regulator overseeing it a "censorship commissar". "Everybody is looking at Australia," said Colm Gannon, chief executive officer of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children Australia, a member of the trial's stakeholder adviser group. "Australia should be really focusing on robust technology, robust testing and making sure the scope of the actual project is in line with the needs that they're trying to address." The organisers of the trial, which ended this month, say it was designed to determine whether the software worked as promised, and that nearly 60 products were pitched. But it also underlined the teenagers' tech skills — testers were so fast completing their assignments, organisers doubled the number of products they tested and halved session times as the project progressed. "It hasn't been our intention to pull apart the software, rip the guts out and work out every different way that you could circumvent it," said Andrew Hammond, general manager at tech contractor KJR, which ran the trial. They are expected to deliver a detailed report to the government by the end of next month. That will inform the eSafety Commissioner's advice to the government, which cited risks from cyberbullying, harmful depictions of body image and misogynist content in pushing forward with the legislation. "We know that social media age restrictions will not be the end-all be-all solution for harms experienced by young people online, but it's a step in the right direction to keep our kids safer," said a spokesman for Communications Minister Anika Wells. For some of the young Australians who participated, the trial was a glimpse into a world six months in the future where, according to the law, they will no longer be allowed to use a platform they have come to rely on for daily communication. "I use it a lot, but I can still live without it," said Canberra school student Charlie Price, 14, who trialled four software options in a room with about 60 peers and had his age guessed accurately (someone in his testing group was wrongly assessed at over 20). "I know people that will get really shocked and upset," added Price, who uses Snapchat, Instagram and messaging platform Discord and plans to collect phone numbers of his online associates before December. Like Elkin, he said he thought some teenagers might try to get around the block.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
PM Anwar records his appreciation to Razarudin
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his appreciation to former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain for his service, contributions, and leadership during his tenure heading the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). In a Facebook post on Friday (June 20), Anwar stated that he conveyed this during a farewell courtesy call from Razarudin. "I pray that Tan Sri Razarudin continues to be blessed with good health and the strength to continue contributing to the nation in any capacity. Thank you for your very meaningful service to the people and the country," he said. Razarudin, who joined PDRM in 1982, was appointed as the 14th IGP for a two-year contract after his retirement, effective June 23, 2023, and will conclude his service this Sunday. Throughout his career, Razarudin held several important positions, including Head of Penang Criminal Investigation Department in 2016, Deputy Commissioner of Sabah Police (2016), Deputy Chief Police Officer of Perak (2018), Chief Police Officer of Perak (2019), Director of Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (2020), and Deputy Inspector-General of Police (2021). Earlier, Bukit Aman Special Branch Director Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail was appointed as the 15th IGP, replacing Razarudin, effective Friday.- Bernama
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Seah Kian Peng to be nominated again as Speaker of Singapore Parliament; Indranee Rajah will remain Leader of the House
SINGAPORE: Seah Kian Peng will be nominated for re-election as Speaker of Parliament when the House reopens on Sept 5, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Friday (June 20). He is the current Speaker and has served in the role since 2023. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah has been designated by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as Leader of the House, the PMO added in its statement. Senior Minister of State for Defence and Sustainability and the Environment Zaqy Mohamad will remain Deputy Leader. In a letter to the Clerk of Parliament – the most senior official in the secretariat supporting the House – PM Wong said the Government will propose Seah's election and that he has designated Indranee and Zaqy for their roles. In a Facebook post on the same day, PM Wong added that Seah has since 2023 brought 'a steady hand and thoughtful leadership to the House'. PM Wong said: 'He has presided over our debates with fairness and ensured that proceedings are conducted with dignity and decorum. I am confident he will continue to discharge his responsibilities with distinction.' In a Facebook post after the announcement, Seah thanked the Prime Minister for his confidence, support and nomination. He added that he is grateful for the support of MPs past and present, and thanked his two deputies and colleagues from the Parliament Secretariat. Seah is assisted by two Deputy Speakers, Christopher de Souza and Jessica Tan. Deputy Speakers, who take over when the Speaker is absent, are also elected when a new Parliament sits. He said: 'If elected, I will as always endeavour to do my best and discharge my duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability.' Zaqy, who is also an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, told The Straits Times that he is thankful for PM Wong's trust in him. He added that with a renewed slate of MPs, including many first-time parliamentarians from both the PAP and the opposition, a broader range of perspectives and voices in the House can be expected. He said: 'We probably have about 20-30 per cent new MPs in Parliament this round, and I hope that this diversity will bring fresh energy and ideas to our national conversations.' Singapore elected 97 MPs at the polls, and two Non-Constituency MPs were later appointed from the Workers' Party. Of these, 29 are rookies. Zaqy added that many MPs were elected campaigning on various concerns and issues such as cost of living, jobs and economic uncertainty amid global tensions. 'Alongside these bread-and-butter issues, we'll also need to tackle longer-term challenges such as climate change, social mobility and ageing. Looking forward to a robust and constructive parliamentary term ahead,' he said. There are no term limits for both the Speaker and the Leader of the House. The Speaker is in charge of the administration of Parliament and its secretariat, and presides over its conduct. He or she decides who has the right to speak and puts the question for the House to debate and vote on. The Speaker also acts as the representative of the House in its relations with other Parliaments and welcomes visiting dignitaries. He or she represents Parliament at national events and during official visits abroad. The Leader of the House is responsible for arranging government business and the legislative programme of Parliament, and proposes appropriate actions to be taken on procedural matters arising in Parliament. He or she also moves procedural motions, such as to extend the times of sittings beyond the usual. For example, during her term as Leader, Indranee has addressed and issued notes on MPs' behaviour, and wrapped up or extended debates on key issues like the Budget and the 14th Parliament's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Seah, who is an MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, has served as Speaker since 2023. He was nominated and elected following the resignation of the previous Speaker, Tan Chuan-Jin, after an affair he had with fellow MP Cheng Li Hui was made public. Indranee, who is also Second Minister for Finance and National Development and an MP for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, has been Leader of the House since 2020. She took over from Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu. The opening of a new Parliament following a general election traditionally begins with the election of the Speaker. In 2025, this will happen on Sept 5, following the polls held on May 3. The MPs will then be sworn in, and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is scheduled to deliver an address to the 15th Parliament. The President's Address will set out the agenda and plans of the Government for its five-year term. - The Straits Times/ANN
