logo
S'gor gurdwara seeks funds for larger facilities

S'gor gurdwara seeks funds for larger facilities

The Stara day ago

OPTIONAL PHOTO The dining hall of the Sikh temple is 50% completed.
GURDWARA Sahib Rawang (GSR) is seeking help to raise RM2.2mil for ongoing renovation works.
Treasurer Jimmy Sidhu said the Sikh temple in Selangor was first constructed in 1938.
'While the main building was rebuilt in 1976, the langgar or dining hall has not been rebuilt since 1938.
'The dining hall flooded after a downpour, so the renovation is both necessary and timely,' he added.
The total cost is RM3.2mil, of which only RM1mil had been raised so far.
'We still need RM2.2mil to complete the works,' said Jimmy, adding that construction began in February last year and was at 50% completion.
To raise funds, the temple has been organising various charity initiatives, including dinners and golf tournaments.
'Donations have also come from our members, numbering 200, and other well-wishers,' Jimmy said.
He said the two-storey building, when completed, would serve as a hub for the Sikh community.
'We will use the space upstairs for the Punjabi Education Centre which runs language classes,' he added.
Jimmy also highlighted the temple's role in supporting the Rawang community during the Covid-19 pandemic.
'We provided daily provisions to scores of families during the lockdown,' he said.
The gurdwara was also among the first in the area to instal solar energy panels, selling the energy generated to Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB).
Those interested in donating can bank in their contribution to the GSR Building Fund in CIMB at account number 8008600827.
For details, call Jimmy at 012-391 0040 or Harmendar at 016-668 5900.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Japan party leaders face off over no-confidence motion; Opposition hesitant amid tariff negotiations with United States
Japan party leaders face off over no-confidence motion; Opposition hesitant amid tariff negotiations with United States

The Star

time10 hours ago

  • The Star

Japan party leaders face off over no-confidence motion; Opposition hesitant amid tariff negotiations with United States

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, (right), and Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda participate in the party leader debate at the Diet in Tokyo on Wednesday (June 11, 2025). - Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun TOKYO: A tense standoff took place during a debate between party leaders in the Diet on Wednesday (June 11) as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the main opposition party grappled with a potential no-confidence motion against the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Ishiba, who also serves as LDP president, and Yoshihiko Noda, president of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, waged a war of nerves at the final party leader debate of the current Diet session. Noda took a confrontational stance, despite appearing inclined to forgo the no-confidence motion, but he lacked vigor. This highlighted his struggle to keep the CDPJ at an appropriate distance from the government and the ruling bloc. Arguments lacked depth During the debate, Noda emphasised measures to combat rising prices. He asserted that the approach taken by Ishiba Cabinet's tended to 'understand the issues but either postpones [taking steps] or does nothing.' However, Noda noticeably lacked depth in the pursuit of individual issues. He pressed for the consumption tax rate on food to be reduced to 0%, which is one of the CDPJ's campaign pledges for the House of Councillors election. However, Ishiba rejected a possible tax cut, saying: 'Mr. Noda understands the significance of the consumption tax better than anyone. I respect him as a politician.' Noda questioned Ishiba about the Japan-US tariff negotiations, asking, 'Is there a prospect of reaching an agreement on main points?' Ishiba remained unruffled and responded: 'We are making progress one step at a time. Ultimately, [US] President [Donald Trump] will make the decision.' Noda wavering Noda failed to fully commit to a confrontational stance, as he hesitated about submitting a no-confidence motion. The CDPJ has submitted no-confidence motions in ordinary Diet sessions every year since 2018, except in 2020, when priority was given to Covid-19 countermeasures. Under a minority government, the opposition can pass such a motion if it is united. Normally, this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the opposition to bring about a change of government. Noda had hinted at submitting a motion but began to waver, questioning whether such a political decision was appropriate amid ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States, which is considered a national crisis. If Japan-US tariff negotiations continue even after their bilateral summit meeting — scheduled on the sideline of the Group of Seven summit from Sunday to Tuesday — the CDPJ could face public criticism if a political vacuum emerges from the passage of a no-confidence motion. Furthermore, if the tariff negotiations are successful, that would also make it difficult for the party to submit such a motion. On the other hand, there are simmering voices within the CDPJ to demonstrate a more aggressive and confrontational stance by submitting the motion. Noda had even told aides before the party leader debate that he was genuinely struggling with the decision of whether to submit the motion. Avoiding dissolution If a no-confidence motion is submitted, some within the government and the LDP believe the House of Representatives should be dissolved without a vote on the motion. But junior coalition partner Komeito opposes holding simultaneous elections for both houses. Nevertheless, if a no-confidence motion passes, Ishiba would have no choice but to either dissolve the lower house or see his Cabinet resign en masse. Many within the ruling party believe there would be no option but dissolution if it passed. The prime minister wants to avoid the political vacuum caused by dissolution, and intends to courteously respond to talks between the ruling and opposition party leaders on tariff negotiations around the time of the G7 Summit. Ishiba is trying to save face for Noda while hoping the CDPJ will not submit the motion. - The Yomiuri Shimbun

Sibu's new Sri Maha Mariamman Temple undergoes final touch-ups, on schedule to open on July 7
Sibu's new Sri Maha Mariamman Temple undergoes final touch-ups, on schedule to open on July 7

Borneo Post

time19 hours ago

  • Borneo Post

Sibu's new Sri Maha Mariamman Temple undergoes final touch-ups, on schedule to open on July 7

(Front from second left) Manogaran and Sri Maha Mariamman Temple deputy president Vijayakumar R pose with others in front of the new temple's main entrance. – Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (June 12): Construction work on the new Sri Maha Mariamman Temple at Jalan Orchid here is almost completed with only final touch-ups remaining. Temple president Manogaran Krishnasamy said everything is expected to be completed by the end of this month, in time for the opening on July 7. 'The construction work was delayed for about four years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are grateful that the temple is nearly complete, accommodating around 400 devotees in Sibu. 'In light of this, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Sarawak government, through the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), for their significant assistance, as well as to the public and everyone who has contributed in various ways,' he told The Borneo Post at the site today. The new ornate building is situated next to the existing temple. 'The temple was built in 1920, which was just a small hut back then. Later on, this existing building was built in 1971,' said Manogaran. He pointed out the cost of construction was nearly RM2 million from the initial RM1.1 million due to rising building material costs and wages. Skilled workers from India were involved in the temple's intricate design. — Photo by Peter Boon Initially, 10 skilled workers from India were involved in the project but as it nears completion, only four remain. 'Each worker earns a salary ranging from RM3,000 to RM4,000. Yes, they are skilled workers, which is why they all have certificates,' he explained. Manogaran said 16 stone sculptures were recently brought in from India. 'The shipping expenses amounted to nearly RM22,000 for transporting these statues from there to here,' he said. He added 63 statues were already built in the temple by the specialist workers. On July 3-7, there will be a final prayer session involving some 30 priests, including six from India. 'For this final prayer session, we estimate to spend almost RM150,000 for expenses such as airfares, accommodation, and other related expenses. That's the reason we require further assistance from Unifor or other organisations. 'This will be followed by the 48-day prayers; each day will cost around RM2,000 totalling RM96,000, which is separate from the expenses of the final prayer,' Manogaran said. The current temple building is seen framed by the new archway. – Photo by Peter Boon The current double-storey building accommodating the temple will be repurposed. 'We need to use the top floor as a hall and the ground floor will be for the priest's accommodation and related purposes. So, for now, we don't have any plan yet to knock it down. 'Moreover, the building is of significant historical and cultural importance, having been constructed in 1971,' he added. Jalan Orchid lead Manogaran Krishnasamy Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

Curious Cook: Planetary insolvency
Curious Cook: Planetary insolvency

The Star

timea day ago

  • The Star

Curious Cook: Planetary insolvency

It was concerning to see that the UK Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFA) has now determined that 'planetary insolvency' is now a relevant risk for our planet. This means that this factor will be utilised by actuaries in estimating future business and domestic losses. This will then have a direct impact on our insurance premiums. Therefore, let us understand what planetary insolvency means. A January 2025 IFA report introduced the concept of planetary insolvency, highlighting stark warnings that without urgent policy shifts, our planet risks crossing irreversible ecological and environmental thresholds by mid-century. The term 'planetary insolvency' refers to a point where ecological and economic systems collapse under compounding climate and biodiversity crises, threatening global stability. This is not a distant hypothetical; it is a global security emergency unfolding in real time. Impacts of planetary insolvency Planetary insolvency is framed as a systemic failure to maintain Earth's life-support systems. This is akin to a business going bankrupt. The report describes catastrophic impacts such as: • Economic devastation: Global GDP contraction exceeding 25%, dwarfing losses seen during the Great Depression. • Unimaginable human toll: Potentially over two billion deaths due to heatwaves, disease, famine, and conflict. • Climate tipping points: Global warming beyond 2°C, triggering cascading collapses like Amazon dieback and/or Arctic ice loss. • Ecological unravelling: Critical ecosystems – coral reefs, pollinators, freshwater sources – collapse, alongside mass extinctions. • Societal breakdown: Mass migration of billions of people, political fragmentation, and the loss of low-lying lands to rising seas. 'This is a national security issue,' the IFA report stressed firmly, as food shortages, clean water scarcity, un-survivable heatwaves, severe hurricanes, lethal droughts, and catastrophic floods destabilise nations and ignite conflicts. The risk matrix As someone who worked in risk management for decades, the subtitle of the report was what originally caught my attention. It was 'Global Risk Management for Human Prosperity' and like all high-level risk reports, it contained a matrix of the assessed global risks. Pollinator decline threatens 75% of food crops and could unravel food systems within decades. — THANGPU PAITE/Pexels The risk matrix outlined is harrowing, as it indicated that climate and biodiversity crises are interconnected amplifiers of disaster. A summary of the risks identified by the IFA are: 1. Economic freefall: A 25% GDP loss would cripple global trade, erase pensions, and collapse industries. As a comparison, Covid-19 caused a 3.5% GDP drop in 2020. The triggers? Supply chain disruptions from extreme weather, agricultural failures, and mass displacement. 2. Mortality crisis: Heat stress alone could claim millions of lives annually by 2050. Combined with malnutrition, waterborne diseases, and conflict, death tolls could surpass two billion, roughly a quarter of humanity. Recent heatwaves in India (2023) and Europe (2024), which killed thousands, are likely to be previews of what may be coming. The strain on national healthcare and medical systems will be without precedent. 3. Tipping points of no return: Crossing 2°C warming risks activating feedback loops, such as permafrost thaw releasing methane or Amazon deforestation turning the rainforest into a savannah. Once triggered, these processes cannot be stopped. 4. Ecosystem collapse: coral reefs, which support 25% of marine life, are nearing extinction. Pollinator decline threatens 75% of food crops. The report warns that losing these 'ecosystem services' could unravel food systems within decades. 5. Migration time bomb: By 2040, over one billion people in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa may face lethal heat conditions. Mass migrations, which are already visible in Central America's 'dry corridor' and drought/conflict stricken African nations, will strain borders and ignite horrendous xenophobia. Current approaches are failing The report reflects on the current steps taken by various nations, and established that existing market-led solutions like carbon trading and corporate sustainability pledges are wholly insufficient. Voluntary measures have failed to curb emissions (which hit record highs in 2024) or halt deforestation (over 10 million hectares lost annually). National policies remain fragmented or incoherent. The EU's Green Deal is probably the most significant initiative, but it lacks binding global coordination. The US have resigned from the Paris Agreement on climate change and their government have now bizarrely forbidden official documents from even mentioning the words 'climate change'. Meanwhile, subsidies supporting the continued use of fossil fuel hit US$7 trillion (RM30 trillion) in 2023, according to the IMF. This is a glaring, wholly inconsistent contradiction. A blueprint for survival As the report was written by actuaries, it is no surprise to find that it urges governments to treat planetary insolvency with the same rigour as financial crises. Key recommendations include: 1. Annual planetary solvency assessments: Modelled after stress tests for banks, these assessments would evaluate risks like crop failures or infrastructure collapse. Findings would be reported to the UN Security Council, framing ecological collapse as a threat to peace. 2. A global risk authority: A new body within the IMF or OECD would oversee risk assessments and coordinate policy. This mirrors the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) but with enforcement powers. 3. Systemic risk officers: Appointing officers at all governance levels from local to global to integrate risk management and share risk mitigation strategies. For example, cities like Miami and Jakarta, battling sea-level rise, could develop tailored resilience plans and the expertise shared with other cities. 4. National transition plans: Binding laws to phase out fossil fuels, restore ecosystems, and transition to circular economies. Costa Rica's reforestation success (doubling forest cover since 1980) and Denmark's wind energy strategy (50% of electricity) prove such models work. Crossing 2°C warming risks could turn the Amazon rainforest into a savannah. — TOM FISK/Pexels 5. Accountability mechanisms: Public dashboards tracking progress on emissions, biodiversity, and adaptation. Sanctions may be applied for non-compliance, or tactics such as the Paris Agreement's 'name and shame' announcements could pressure laggard countries. Cost of inaction vs dividend of action Of course no country would take action unless it was economically sound, and therefore it is interesting that some of the world's best actuaries have stressed that avoiding planetary insolvency is extremely economically prudent. Investing US$1.3 trillion (RM5.7 trillion) annually in renewables, green infrastructure, and conservation could yield US$26 trillion (RM114 trillion) in economic benefits by 2030. Conversely, unchecked warming could cost the global economy US$23 trillion (RM101 trillion) annually by 2100. 'This isn't about saving polar bears,' said economist Lord Nicholas Stern. 'It's about safeguarding civilisation. The math is clear: mitigation is cheaper than collapse.' Unequal crisis Compounding and confusing the issue is how the impacts of planetary insolvency are unequally distributed. Poorer countries face disproportionately larger risks despite them contributing least to emissions. For example: • South Asia: By 2050, wet-bulb temperatures (heat plus humidity) are expected to regularly exceed 35°C – the limit for human survival – for 300 million people. Extreme weather events such as droughts or floods also threaten farming outputs. • Africa: Droughts could shrink crop yields by 20%, exacerbating famine in large regions of the continent. Desertification and erosion of large areas of farmland, such as what has happened in southern Madagascar, mean that such land becomes permanently unavailable for agriculture. • South America: Changes in weather patterns risk turning the vast forests of the Amazon into savannah grasslands, turning the area from carbon sinks to carbon emitters. • Small island states: Nations like Tuvalu and the Maldives confront existential threats from sea-level rises. Yet wealthier nations are not immune. The 2021 Pacific Northwest heatwave killed 1,400 people in North America, while Europe's 2022 drought caused US$20bil (RM88bil) in agricultural losses. The recent fires in California have incurred losses of over US$150bil (RM660bil), according to the latest statistics. That is on top of an estimated US$500bil (RM2.2 trillion) of damage/losses in 2024 due to hurricanes in the US alone. And even though we now know 2024 was the hottest year in human history, by the next decade, it may turn out then that 2024 was the coolest year in recent history. Beyond individual choices While personal actions (eg, reducing meat consumption, using less fossil fuels, recycling, etc) matter, the report emphasised systemic overhauls at national levels. Basically, we cannot diet, recycle, or economise our way out of apocalypse. The world needs binding laws, not more low-energy lightbulbs. Public pressure is slowly mounting. The 2024 Global Climate Strike saw 10 million protesters demand binding policies. Window is closing, but not shut As the report was written by actuaries, one normally expected a section about the probability of planetary insolvency. Unfortunately, there was no probability range offered, just a cautiously worded statement that avoiding planetary insolvency is still possible, but only with 'unprecedented cooperation'. It suggested the 2025 UN Summit for the Future offers a pivotal moment to adopt their recommendations. As the UN Secretary-General said, 'We are the first generation to feel climate chaos and the last who can stop it. The choice is between collective action or collective suicide.' In summary, the IFA believes the time for half-measures is over. Avoiding planetary insolvency demands nothing less than a reimagining of global and national governance immediately, before our planet goes bust. And this is now a risk factor which we will all feel sooner or later in our insurance premiums. The views expressed here are entirely the writer's own.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store