logo
187,652 individuals with debts get second chance

187,652 individuals with debts get second chance

The Star3 days ago
KUALA LUMPUR: At least 187,652 individuals with debts not exceeding RM200,000 have been freed from a life of bankruptcy from March 2023 until June 2025 as part of the government's Second Chance Policy, says M. Kulasegaran.
The Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said this included young adults under the age of 40.
'This achievement is proof of the government's push to implement reforms that deliver direct impact to the people.
'Through this effort, we have not just freed the people from the burden of debt, we have also helped to restore their self-worth, giving them a new chapter in life,' he said during the Ministry Question Time in Parliament yesterday.
Kulasegaran said the government hopes this move will serve as a fresh start for Malaysians to move forward in their daily lives.
'It aims to provide a second chance to those in the early and mid stages of their careers, who are important assets to the nation, so they can recover and actively contribute again to the family and national economy,' he added.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PSC may summon Defence Ministry, MDIO officials over military leak
PSC may summon Defence Ministry, MDIO officials over military leak

New Straits Times

time21 minutes ago

  • New Straits Times

PSC may summon Defence Ministry, MDIO officials over military leak

KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Security is prepared to summon the Defence Ministry and the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO) to explain measures to prevent further incidents of armed forces officers colluding with syndicates. PSC chairman and Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yasin said under current rules, the committee cannot summon agencies to testify on cases still being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or police. "However, we can call them to discuss strategies and direction to ensure such cases do not recur in the future," he told Berita Harian yesterday. Jonathan said he would consult committee members on the proposal to summon Mindef and the MDIO director-general before making a decision. Earlier, Tanah Merah member of parliament Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz, a PSC member and former deputy defence minister, suggested summoning military officials, particularly the MDIO director-general, to provide details on how the intelligence leak involving senior armed forces officers occurred. Ikmal described the involvement of senior officers in leaking information to smugglers as alarming, saying it raised questions on whether other compromises had taken place. "This is not just about patrol information in the south but also potentially sensitive details on issues like the South China Sea and military readiness. "My concern is greater because those detained are senior officers of the MDIO, a key branch of the armed forces responsible for handling intelligence, both physically and digitally," he said. One of the suspects, Ikmal said, was related to a former army chief. He also asked for clarity on what counter-intelligence measures ministry and MDIO had taken to address the breaches once exposed. Earlier reports said the MACC remanded 10 people, including senior military officers, as well as two journalists. The suspects were detained in "Op Sohor" by the MACC's Intelligence Division and its Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS) in the Klang Valley after a 12-month probe. Preliminary investigations revealed the officers leaked operational military information to smugglers bringing in contraband, including drugs and cigarettes, worth about RM5 million a month. They are believed to have received between RM30,000 and RM50,000 in bribes for each smuggling trip, amassing more than RM3 million over the past five years.

Assault on Rafizi's son 'threatens openness of public debate' in Malaysia
Assault on Rafizi's son 'threatens openness of public debate' in Malaysia

Sinar Daily

timean hour ago

  • Sinar Daily

Assault on Rafizi's son 'threatens openness of public debate' in Malaysia

SHAH ALAM – The recent attack on Pandan Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's child could cast a 'chilling effect' on public commentators in Malaysia, instilling fear that retaliation could extend beyond individuals to their families. This climate of intimidation may silence voices that would otherwise expose scandals or criticise policies, leaving ordinary Malaysians as the true victims, deprived of open discourse and vital information. Former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli reveals that a threatening message was sent to his wife following the assault on their 12-year-old son on Aug 14. If such an attack could happen to a high-profile politician like Rafizi, then surely one would think, "if the 'big fish' is attacked, what about us, the 'small fish'?" Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia principal adviser and political analyst, Dr Oh Ei Sun, warned that the assault on Rafizi's 12-year-old son on Aug 13 could send a dangerous message to anyone engaged in public debate. 'When individuals make remarks about certain parties, personalities, or issues that touch upon vested interests, they may fear retaliation not only against themselves but also against their families,' he told Sinar Daily recently. Oh stated that the attack on Rafizi's son was not a random act like a theft. It involved deliberately injecting a syringe into a child, which sends an even stronger message of intimidation. He cautioned that such acts could gravely damage the quality, diversity and openness of public debate in Malaysia. Similarly, political analyst Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) echoed concerns about the wider implications of the attack. 'It reflects a troubling shift in Malaysia, where the line between political disagreement and real threats is increasingly blurred. If the attack is linked to corruption, it highlights that the problem remains entrenched and the fight is far from over,' she said. This latest incident comes against a backdrop of growing public mistrust in authorities, fuelled by controversial cases such as the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, the disappearance of Datin Seri Pamela Ling Yueh and the death of 17-year-old student Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie. Oh pointed out that perceived bias and a lack of transparency in handling these cases have only deepened public doubts about the credibility of the authorities. According to Oh, the government now faces an urgent task in restoring public trust and protecting democratic space. 'One key step would be to strengthen the Whistleblower Protection Act, ensuring that those unable to report scandals directly to the authorities can approach the media without fear of reprisal while still being legally protected,' he said. Syaza also stressed that failure to catch the perpetrators soon could have a 'chilling effect' on politicians and commentators, making them more cautious about speaking out and discouraging open discourse. Despite the intimidation, Rafizi has vowed not to back down from pursuing a recent scandal exposed by whistleblowers. Police investigations continue and his family remains under heightened security.

RM600,000 grant to help Sabah e-hailing workers open EPF accounts
RM600,000 grant to help Sabah e-hailing workers open EPF accounts

Free Malaysia Today

timean hour ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

RM600,000 grant to help Sabah e-hailing workers open EPF accounts

Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor at the Sabah Moto Day event, which attracted about 60,000 motorcyclists and motorsports enthusiasts. (Facebook pic) KOTA KINABALU : The Sabah government has allocated nearly RM600,000 to assist e-hailing workers in opening accounts with EPF, chief minister Hajiji Noor said today. He said a total of 11,109 applications had been received. 'This initiative aims to support those e-hailing workers who have yet to open an EPF account,' he said at the launch of the Sabah Moto Day event, which attracted about 60,000 motorcyclists and motorsports enthusiasts from Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei. Hajiji also announced a youth programme grant of RM300,000 to be distributed to youth NGOs in the Tanjung Aru, Petagas, and Tanjung Keramat constituencies within the Putatan parliamentary area. He said the state government had invested more than RM1.3 billion, including RM848 million for educational assistance and RM485 million for talent development and skills programmes since 2021.

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