PM Anwar opens ulama gathering, visits KADA padi farm in Kelantan
The event aims to strengthen the role of religious scholars and pondok teachers in preserving Islamic education.
It will take place at Universiti Teknologi MARA Campus in Machang starting at 9.15 am.
Later, Anwar will visit a padi farming project in the KADA area at Kampung Gemalai Baruh Alami.
The village is known for its organic rice fields, cultivated without pesticides or chemical fertilisers.
At 11.20 am, he will inspect the agro-ecotourism site before proceeding to other engagements.
The prime minister will then launch the Kelantan MADANI Wave at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital.
His final event will be the closing ceremony of the Kelantan MADANI Rakyat Programme 2025.
The ceremony starts at 2.15 pm at Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV.
The three-day programme is led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
It features over 100 direct services, technology exhibitions, and community initiatives.
Themed 'Science, Technology and Innovation for the Wellbeing of the People', it emphasises public welfare.
The event is supported by multiple ministries and government agencies. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Beyond disputes: Turning Ambalat and Pedra Branca into platforms for maritime cooperation
THE maritime disputes over Ambalat and Batu Puteh are complex. Ambalat, located in the resource-rich Sulawesi Sea, is claimed by Malaysia and Indonesia since the early 2000s. The area is believed to contain significant hydrocarbon reserves, and both countries have issued oil exploration licences that have led to diplomatic protests and naval stand-offs. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently emphasised the role of Sabah — which is the Malaysian state closest to the area — in ensuring that any joint development has equitable outcomes for border communities. Meanwhile, the dispute over Batu Puteh was partially resolved in 2008 when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded sovereignty over it to Singapore. In the same judgment, the ICJ ruled that Middle Rocks belonged to Malaysia, while sovereignty over South Ledge would rest with the state in whose territorial waters it is located. As the ICJ did not delimit maritime boundaries, South Ledge's status is unresolved. In recent years, bilateral efforts have intensified to resolve outstanding maritime issues. At the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat in January, both governments agreed to begin technical work to delimit maritime boundaries in the Johor Strait, using the 1927 Territorial Waters Agreement as a legal basis. Singapore's continued engagement through the Joint Technical Committee reflects its commitment to resolve maritime issues through dialogue and legal frameworks. These disputes reflect deeper questions of sovereignty, historical memory and control over vital sea lanes. But they also present an opportunity to transform contested maritime zones into shared spaces of cooperation. Malaysia and Indonesia should consider establishing a joint development authority (JDA) to manage resources and reduce tensions over Ambalat. Similarly, Malaysia and Singapore could explore cooperative arrangements around Middle Rocks and South Ledge, focusing on maritime safety, environmental stewardship and scientific research. Such frameworks — already proven in the Malaysia-Thailand JDA in the Gulf of Thailand — would allow all parties to benefit economically while preserving their legal positions. Importantly, joint development does not require any party to relinquish its claims. Under Article 83 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea , states are encouraged to reach provisional arrangements pending final delimitation. Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have played pivotal roles in Asean's evolution and have consistently advocated for peaceful dispute resolution and regional stability. Their cooperation on Ambalat and Batu Puteh could serve as a model for other maritime disputes in Southeast Asia, including in the South China Sea. A coordinated initiative involving Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore — each addressing their respective maritime disputes — could serve as a model for broader governance reforms within Asean, strengthening its commitment to pragmatic diplomacy and peaceful resolution. Public discourse in all three countries must focus on collaboration. Parliamentarians, diplomats and civil society leaders should advocate for open dialogue, confidence-building measures and creative legal solutions. The media should frame these disputes as opportunities for partnership. Ambalat and Batu Puteh should be reimagined as foundations for a shared maritime future — where sovereignty concerns are balanced with economic pragmatism and regional solidarity. The establishment of JDAs would not only unlock resource potential but also signal that Southeast Asia is capable of resolving disputes through diplomacy and innovation. During the recent Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultation, President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to resolving the Ambalat dispute through peaceful means. Both leaders agreed to explore joint development initiatives as they recognise that legal processes may take years. This bilateral momentum reflects a pragmatic approach to diplomacy. On the Batu Puteh front, Singapore has likewise shown its willingness to cooperate. These parallel bilateral engagements — Malaysia with Indonesia over Ambalat, and Malaysia with Singapore over Batu Puteh — signal a commitment to regional stability, peaceful dispute resolution and collaborative maritime governance.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
2,000 attend 'Malaysia Bangkit Untuk Gaza' rally at Dataran Merdeka
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite heavy rain, about 2,000 people gathered at Dataran Merdeka here today for the "Malaysia Bangkit Untuk Gaza (H4G)" rally, demonstrating strong Malaysian solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The rally, which began at 4pm, brought together various segments of society and included participants from 20 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from across the country. A Harian Metro observation found that attendees started marching towards Dataran Merdeka from nearby areas, such as Masjid Jamek, Masjid Negara, and city-centre shopping malls, from 5pm. They carried Palestinian flags and banners condemning Zionist aggression. Among those who attended were Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) chief activist, Datuk Nadzim Johan; politician Chua Tian Chang; and Terengganu Menteri Besar's Office special officer for non-Islamic affairs, Dr Balachandran Gopal Krishnan. Police kept a close watch on the peaceful assembly, closing major roads leading to Dataran Merdeka to ensure the event's smooth and safe progression. The event featured nasyid performances, poetry, and a flash mob in the opening session. Other segments included speeches and performances by young people, followed by Maghrib prayers, Solat Hajat, and special prayers (munajat), as well as a forum on Gaza. A special screening on the suffering of the people in Gaza was also held before speeches by political figures, NGOs, and international representatives, concluding with the reading of the Malaysia For Palestine Declaration. Yesterday, Harian Metro reported that police expected 5,000 people to attend the rally at Dataran Merdeka. The Dang Wangi District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman, said attendees from NGOs, universities, and the public would gather at three main locations, Masjid Negara, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, and Sogo, before moving to Dataran Merdeka. According to international media reports, Israel has closed all crossings into the Gaza Strip since March 2, 2025, blocking the entry of most food and medical aid and causing widespread famine. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warned that malnutrition rates among children under five have doubled between March and June due to the ongoing blockade.
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
PM Anwar visits comedian Amir Raja Lawak, offers support for ailing father
KOTA BHARU, Aug 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today spent about 30 minutes visiting popular comedian Mohammad Amirullah Azmi, better known as Amir Raja Lawak, at the latter's shop near the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium, here. Anwar was accompanied by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud. During the meeting with Amir, 39, Anwar expressed concern for the comedian's father, who is undergoing treatment for colon cancer at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), in Kubang Kerian. As a gesture of support, Anwar and Mohd Nassuruddin presented a cash donation to Amir. The visit followed Amir's Facebook post yesterday, in which he expressed his wish to meet the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Amir expressed his gratitude and said he was deeply moved to meet Anwar. 'I only posted on Facebook because I knew the Prime Minister would be attending the closing ceremony of the PMR (MADANI Rakyat Programme) near my shop. 'I asked who was arranging for his (Anwar's) presence, and I didn't think the Prime Minister himself knew about my problem. Amir said that he was informed by the Prime Minister's political secretary Datuk Farhan Fauzi yesterday, that Anwar would be stopping by his shop. 'I am very grateful and surprised. I thought that only the Prime Minister would be present, but many other senior leaders were there as well,' he said. — Bernama
