logo
Advice to Muslim disaster victims on getting help

Advice to Muslim disaster victims on getting help

Daily Express10-05-2025

Published on: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Published on: Sat, May 10, 2025
By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Dr Mohd Arifin posing with some of the aid recipients while Razali and others look on. Kota Kinabalu: Victims of natural disasters such as fires and floods in Sabah are encouraged to report such incidents promptly to Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) and Perbadanan Baitulmal to ensure timely assistance. Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Mohd Arif, said Muis, through its Zakat division and Baitulmal, is prepared to extend aid to those affected especially through coordination with its local representatives throughout the State. He said the victims can also go to nearby Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) in their respective districts or head office. 'This is what we hope for – whenever tragedy strikes, inform us immediately. God willing, Muis through Zakat and Baitulmal, will provide the assistance. 'Across Sabah, whenever we receive reports from local areas about victims made homeless and house damaged because of fire and flood, Muis, Jheains and Baitulmal representatives including at its headquarters will take immediate action. We will do our utmost to ease the burden on the victims,' he said. Dr. Mohd Arifin who is in charge of Islamic religious affairs and authorities said this to reporters here on Thursday after handing over financial aid to 10 household heads who lost their two houses to fire at Kg Darau, few weeks ago. Each affected family received RM1,000 from Muis and RM300 from Baitulmal. Also present were Darau Gagasan Rakyat divisional head Datuk Razali Razi and Perbadanan Baitulmal Negeri Sabah (PBNS) Chairman Datuk Dr Omar Raisul As-Salam Syah bin Datuk Sulaiman Omar and its Chief Executive Officer Ismail bin Mohd Adnan, among others. To a question, Dr Mohd Arifin who is also in charge of education affairs in Sabah said Muis, through its Zakat and Fitrah Division (BZF), allocates approximately RM40 million annually to support education and provide disaster relief aid to the victims in the State. Out of the total, he said M25 million is channelled specifically into the Derma Siswa education aid program, with the remainder used for broader educational development, teachers, zakat aid, and other needs. This year, he said zakat collections are estimated to reach RM45 million and will be used for educational purposes and relief aid for natural disaster victims, among others. Dr Mohd Arifin said the funding forms part of Muis' broader commitment to uplifting communities through both structured learning support and responsive disaster relief. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tawau gold mine fiasco probe: Fears over cyanide contamination of river
Tawau gold mine fiasco probe: Fears over cyanide contamination of river

Daily Express

timean hour ago

  • Daily Express

Tawau gold mine fiasco probe: Fears over cyanide contamination of river

Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: Amir Anuar Text Size: Nizam praised the swift response by authorities, calling their enforcement actions appropriate and necessary to protect public health and the environment. TAWAU: Numerous government agencies have mobilised to investigate potential toxic cyanide contamination after a gold mine's water retention dam burst on May 17, with concerns the spillage may have reached Sungai Kalumpang. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan praised the swift response by authorities, calling their enforcement actions appropriate and necessary to protect public health and the environment. Advertisement The Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia has imposed an immediate operational ban on the affected retention pond area, effective May 27. Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Protection is conducting comprehensive sampling and analysis around the incident site extending to Sungai Kalumpang to assess contamination risks. 'We fully support all measures taken to ensure mining activities in the State comply with environmental regulations,' Nizam said, adding that any operations potentially damaging the environment must face strict enforcement. The coordinated response involves several key agencies to address the crisis. The Department of Environmental Protection is conducting environmental risk assessments and contamination monitoring throughout the affected area. The State Health Department has implemented health monitoring protocols for residents living near the incident site as a precautionary measure. Tawau Municipal Council is leading the disaster response coordination efforts, while the Fire and Rescue Department provides emergency response support. The State Forestry Department is also involved in assessing the broader environmental impact of the incident. A District Disaster Action Meeting, chaired by the MPT President, has been convened to address the incident and coordinate necessary response measures. The mining company involved obtained a High Court injunction on May 29 to prevent interference with critical repair work at their facility. The company's subsidiary has been granted full access to conduct necessary repairs to the damaged retention pond. The company has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental compliance and operational integrity, saying it will utilise all legal channels to protect its mining operations while addressing the incident. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full extent of any environmental impact and ensure public safety in the affected area. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

No plans to contest in any by-election after leaving Umno: Tengku Zafrul
No plans to contest in any by-election after leaving Umno: Tengku Zafrul

Daily Express

time12 hours ago

  • Daily Express

No plans to contest in any by-election after leaving Umno: Tengku Zafrul

Published on: Monday, June 09, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 09, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: KUALA LUMPUR: Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz ( pic ) today clarified that he has never considered contesting in any by-election, either at the parliament or state level, following his exit from Umno and his announcement of intent to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) on May 30. In a statement posted on his social media today, Tengku Zafrul stressed that the possibility of running in a by-election was never part of his decision-making process when he chose to leave Umno. Advertisement 'I would like to make it clear that no discussion related to this matter ever took place, and it was not part of my consideration in making that decision. 'I strongly disagree with triggering by-elections without urgent necessity, as they consume both time and public funds,' he said. Addressing his resignation from Umno, Tengku Zafrul reiterated that it was a personal decision, made without external pressure. 'I acknowledge it was not an easy decision, but I carefully considered all views and opinions before arriving at it. Advertisement 'In a democratic society, every individual has the right to make personal choices. I deeply appreciate the feedback and reception to my decision,' he said. Tengku Zafrul also expressed his gratitude to Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Umno Supreme Council, and especially the grassroots members in the Kota Raja division for their support during his time with the party. As for his Cabinet position, Tengku Zafrul said he would leave the matter entirely to the discretion of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'I am always ready to serve the country in any capacity. I left the corporate world with the intention to contribute, and as long as my service is needed, I will continue to give without necessarily holding any position,' he said. Tengku Zafrul also confirmed that he will continue serving as a Senator until the end of his term this December. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Expanded SST to cover more services from July 1, essentials remain tax-free
Expanded SST to cover more services from July 1, essentials remain tax-free

New Straits Times

time15 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Expanded SST to cover more services from July 1, essentials remain tax-free

PUTRAJAYA: The expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST), which will come into effect on July 1, will cover six new categories of services namely leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education and beauty. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the changes also include higher sales tax rates on selected luxury goods such as king crab, truffle mushrooms, essential oils, imported fruits and racing bicycles. However, essential goods including rice, sugar, milk, cooking oil, medicines and basic construction materials will remain exempt under the zero per cent sales tax bracket. Amir Hamzah Azizan said the revamped SST structure is aimed at strengthening government revenue without imposing additional burdens on the majority of citizens. "The government is committed to pursuing reforms under the Madani economic framework," he said in a statement today, following a closed-door editors' briefing held here earlier. "To ensure the majority of people are not affected by the SST review, the government has adopted a targeted approach by exempting essential goods and services from taxation," he added. Amir Hamzah added that the extra revenue collected would be channeled towards improving public services and expanding the social safety net. "This improvement to SST will enable further upgrades in public services, especially increasing the amount of direct financial aid to the people, while also strengthening public infrastructure. "The additional revenue can benefit the entire country without adding pressure on the majority of citizens." Under the expanded scope, service tax will now apply to leasing services at a rate of eight per cent for companies with annual leasing revenue above RM500,000. However, leases involving residential buildings, reading materials, overseas assets, and certain financial leases will be exempt. Smaller businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises, will also be excluded if their annual leasing revenue falls below the threshold. For construction services, a six per cent service tax will apply to providers with annual revenue exceeding RM1.5 million. Residential construction and public housing-related works are exempt and exemptions also apply to business-to-business (B2B) transactions to avoid double taxation. Financial services that involve fees or commissions will be taxed at eight per cent. Basic financial services such as standard banking transactions, Islamic financing mechanisms, foreign exchange gains, outbound money transfers, and services tied to capital markets, will remain exempt. Amir Hamzah said the government has also provided relief for transactions involving Bursa Malaysia, Labuan-based services and B2B dealings. Private healthcare services for non-citizens will be taxed at six per cent. Malaysians will remain exempt, including for traditional treatments like Malay, Chinese, Indian, Islamic medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic and osteopathy. The government has also confirmed that allied health services such as physiotherapy, audiology and speech therapy will remain exempt for Malaysians. In the education sector, a six per cent tax will be imposed on private preschools, primary and secondary schools that charge more than RM60,000 in annual fees per student. However, students who are Malaysian citizens, as well as persons with disabilities, will not be taxed. In the case of higher education, the tax applies only to international students, while Malaysian students are fully exempt. Beauty services, including facial treatments and hairdressing, will be taxed at eight per cent if the value of taxable services provided by a business exceeds RM500,000 within 12 months. To support a smooth transition, the government will not take legal or punitive action against companies that comply with the new rules until Dec 31, 2025. The Finance Ministry and the Customs Department will issue detailed regulations, guidelines, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) in the coming weeks to assist businesses in navigating the updated tax regime.

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