logo
PM Anwar offers condolences to Hamzah Zainudin after mother-in-law dies in Ipoh house fire

PM Anwar offers condolences to Hamzah Zainudin after mother-in-law dies in Ipoh house fire

Malay Mail5 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — 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 9pm 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. — Bernama

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Social protection programmes key to poverty reduction
Social protection programmes key to poverty reduction

Focus Malaysia

time2 hours ago

  • Focus Malaysia

Social protection programmes key to poverty reduction

MALAYSIA has stepped up efforts to reduce poverty in recent years through targeted social protection programmes, particularly those aimed at the B40 income category. However, the effectiveness and breadth of these programmes are called into question since growing living expenses continue to strain all income levels, including M40. The B40 in Malaysia's social protection environment Targeted assistance for the Bottom 40% (B40) income group is the central tenet of Malaysia's approach to reducing poverty. Programmes like Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH), Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR), and the more recent measures unveiled in Budget 2025 aim to help low-income households cope with the rising cost of living. These initiatives provide needy families short-term financial relief through subsidies, housing assistance and cash help. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) statistics, however, show that although these programmes provide short-term respite, they cannot significantly improve families' long-term economic standing. A recent report from DOSM states that the average income of B40 has increased by only 1.5% per year, which is not enough to keep up with inflation. Many people still have limited purchasing power as a result, particularly given the sharp increase in the price of food and housing. As such, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has underlined the government's will to address these problems, promising to lower costs and increase accessibility to necessities to ease financial burdens. Critics contend that monetary distributions could not alleviate underlying economic inequities despite these guarantees. 'Malaysia's B40 will continue to face an uphill struggle against poverty without structural reforms in education, employment, and wage policies,' one economist noted. Global social protection models: Achievements and insights for Malaysia Various social protection regimes worldwide have successfully reduced poverty, particularly when multifaceted and sustainable approaches are used. One programme generally commended for decreasing severe poverty is Brazil's Bolsa Família, which goes beyond cash transfers by requiring families to comply with health and education standards. This strategy has broken the cycle of inter-generational poverty, which has had a profoundly positive effect. Another practical example is the Basic Livelihood Security Program (BLSP) in South Korea, which combines financial help with housing assistance, skill development, and job support. By linking financial aid to social services and job training, the BLSP has decreased poverty rates and enhanced recipients' capacity to find steady work, encouraging long-term independence. South Korea's strategy emphasises the necessity of a comprehensive social safety net that fosters employment and skill development. Similarly, the European Union's 'Active Inclusion' approach supports beneficiaries by combining labour market reforms with social protection, offering financial assistance and work placements. Malaysian approach gaps: Going beyond financial aid Though Malaysia's B40 initiatives offer much-needed financial assistance, they don't have the same cohesive structure as nations like Brazil and South Korea. Due to the lack of a multifaceted strategy, B40 beneficiaries' ability to achieve economic independence is restricted. The main drawback is that Malaysia's social security system primarily uses short-term financial assistance to combat poverty rather than focusing on long-term empowerment initiatives. On the other hand, effective schemes, such as the BLSP in South Korea, strongly emphasise developing human capital, providing work opportunities and skill training to recipients as part of their social benefits. Another gap is the availability of affordable housing. Although Malaysian authorities have started projects to provide inexpensive housing, they are frequently focused in metropolitan areas where demand outpaces supply, underserving rural and peri-urban locations. Future directions for Malaysia: Establishing a Comprehensive social safety system Motivated by South Kore's BLSP and Brazil's Bolsa Família, Malaysia might benefit from implementing a more all-encompassing strategy that incorporates job assistance and skill development to improve the efficacy of social security. Working with social services and career development programmes might pave the way for the B40 to become resilient and financially independent. Furthermore, prioritising accessible education and universal healthcare will guarantee that fundamental necessities are satisfied, lessening the financial burden on low-income households. These steps would align with international best practices, calling governments to establish safety nets that do more than alleviate acute misery. Finally, increasing social protection in underprivileged regions might improve living conditions for low-income people in rural and urban areas, addressing regional disparity concerns. When Malaysia prepares for Budget 2025, adding these components might turn the B40 support system into a cornerstone for long-term, sustainable poverty alleviation. Using holistic reform to close the gap A move towards a more integrated strategy might enhance results for the B40 and beyond as Malaysia's social protection programmes continue to develop. As demonstrated by international examples, providing routes to education, work, and self-sufficiency is necessary to reduce poverty effectively. If these all-inclusive models are emulated, all Malaysians might gain from the country's progress, which could help Malaysia close the gap in economic inequality. ‒ June 20, 2025 The author is the Director of the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Bernama

PM: We're cutting debt gradually to keep investors' trust [WATCH]
PM: We're cutting debt gradually to keep investors' trust [WATCH]

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

PM: We're cutting debt gradually to keep investors' trust [WATCH]

PUTRAJAYA: The government is committed to gradually reducing the national debt while safeguarding economic growth and maintaining investor confidence, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In his address at the Finance Ministry's monthly assembly, Anwar said efforts had been ongoing to reduce the fiscal deficit from 5.5 per cent in 2022 to a projected 3.8 per cent this year. "Some people ask why we must reduce it so sharply — why not just channel more to the people? "But if we don't, we lose trust from investors, and trust is critical. Leadership and economic stewardship require making policies we genuinely believe in. "With trust comes the ability to solve wider issues — from revenue generation and job creation, to overall economic development," he said. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, rejected claims that the government's focus on reducing debt came at the expense of the people's welfare, saying it was part of a long‑term strategy that required prudent and measured management. He said the total national debt had decreased from RM100 billion in 2022 to RM90 billion in 2023, RM85 billion in 2024, and was expected to drop to RM80 billion this year. "Since we came into office in 2022, we have reduced the debt by RM20 billion," he said. Anwar added that resolving the national debt could not be done hastily, and required patience and a gradual approach. "It's like when a son inherits a company after his father's death and finds RM50,000 in debts. He can't wipe it out in a year — it has to be resolved step by step," he said. In March, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan announced the government's commitment to reducing the fiscal deficit to 3.8 per cent in 2025, in line with its long‑term goal of bringing it down gradually and consistently — from 5.5 per cent in 2022, to five per cent in 2023, and 4.1 per cent last year. He said this approach would also slow the rise in total debt by reducing new borrowings each year — from nearly RM100 billion in 2022, to RM92.6 billion in 2023, and roughly RM77 billion last year.

Port Klang rep confident columbarium near mosque won't be built
Port Klang rep confident columbarium near mosque won't be built

Free Malaysia Today

time2 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Port Klang rep confident columbarium near mosque won't be built

Villagers protesting against the proposed columbarium project next to a mosque in Klang. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Port Klang assemblyman Azmizam Zaman Huri has expressed confidence that the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) will reject a proposal to build a four-storey columbarium near the Kampung Raja Uda mosque in Klang. He said the developer had failed to present or justify the suitability of the project in a Malay-majority area, Bernama reported. Azmizam said the proposal was clearly unsuitable as the land zoning under the MBDK local plan up to 2035 specifies the proposed project site is meant to be 'a limited commercial area'. Today, he was present at a public hearing on the project attended by the residents, the developer and the town planning department. It was chaired by MBDK deputy mayor Zary Affendi Arif at the council's building in Klang. Azmizam, who led the residents in protesting against the proposal, said that under current laws, only 28 types of limited commercial activities were allowed in the area – none of which include the construction of a memorial or columbarium. He urged MBDK to give an assurance that no construction would be allowed at the proposed site unless official approval is obtained, in line with Section 19 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172). Kampung Raja Uda mosque nazir (administrator) Ismail Arsat voiced concern that the village's status as part of the royal city could be tarnished by the project. He said the iconic landmark and main attraction of the village, the Raja Uda mosque, could be marred if the columbarium is built just 83 metres from the mosque. MBDK said it would consider objections and proposals from both sides before referring the matter to the one-stop centre committee meeting on June 24 for an assessment.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store