
‘Keep tank fish out of S'gor rivers'
Selangor government is urging the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to implement stricter measures to control the sale and release of invasive ornamental fish, particularly the Hypostomus plecostomus (pleco) species, also known as ikan bandaraya, which threaten river ecosystems.
Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the state was working towards preventing the release of alien fish species into rivers.

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Malaysian Reserve
2 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Govt restructures egg subsidy to boost welfare initiatives
by AKMAR ANNUAR THE government will restructure its egg subsidy mechanism starting Aug 1, replacing the blanket subsidy with a more targeted approach that prioritises sustainability and long-term public welfare. The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) said the new framework is part of the phased subsidy rationalisation agenda under the Malaysia Madani initiative. To mitigate price pressures, the egg industry has agreed to introduce a special-grade egg category at more affordable prices. Competitive rates will also be made available through nationwide Agro Madani and Jualan Rahmah sales, including at outlets run by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and the Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP). KPKM said the savings generated from the revised subsidy scheme will be redirected to other welfare programmes aligned with Madani values. Between February 2022 and December 2024, the government spent nearly RM2.5 billion to subsidise eggs, primarily to stabilise supply and support the public during the Covid-19 pandemic and global supply disruptions. With current market conditions more stable, the ministry said it is now appropriate to implement a more focused model. 'The restructuring reflects our confidence in the industry's ability to maintain stable and sufficient egg production,' it said in a statement. To prevent profiteering, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) will continue monitoring compliance under the Price Control and Anti-profiteering Act 2011. 'Strict enforcement is necessary to ensure retail prices remain fair and reasonable for consumers,' the ministry added. The government said the decision to restructure the subsidy mechanism reflects its ongoing commitment to safeguarding public wellbeing. It also stated that the Madani administration remains attentive to the needs of the people and will continue to prioritise policies that deliver inclusive benefits across all segments of society.


The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
No plans to scrap Mobile Phone Data initiative
Talking tech: Fahmi visiting one of the booths at the International Connectivity Conference Expo in Kuala Lumpur. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star PUTRAJAYA has no plans to scrap the Mobile Phone Data (MPD) initiative, as no privacy violations have occurred, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the MPD is in line with Cabinet decisions, local laws and international standards. 'All necessary safety measures have been implemented and the government remains open to improving security mechanisms while continuously monitoring the initiative to maintain public confidence,' Fahmi said in response to Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi) who asked whether the initiative would be cancelled. Fahmi clarified that the MPD did not involve personally identifiable information and the data provided by mobile network operators (MNOs) was not classified as personal data under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010. He also noted that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Statistics Department and MNOs held a media briefing on June 9 to explain the initiative. 'The MCMC is aware of public concerns over privacy. However, the data shared by the MNOs is aggregated statistical output, not individual data. 'These statistics are processed internally in a secure environment before being shared with the MCMC,' Fahmi said. He added that MPD provided accurate, granular and near real-time data to support policy planning in telecommunications and tourism, including a focus on Langkawi, in line with the initiative's original mandate. Earlier last month, the MCMC clarified that MNOs are only required to provide eight types of data for the MPD, none of which included names, MyKad numbers or phone numbers. Mobile station international subscriber directory numbers, unique IDs and location data such as latitude and longitude are among the data collected.

The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Top youth proposal to be raised at state assembly
Lau (centre) speaking to the press after the closing ceremony of Adun Muda Selangor 2025 in Shah Alam. With him are Selangor Deputy Speaker Kamri Kamaruddin (left) and Batu Tiga assemblyman Danial Al-Rashid Haron. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star The top proposal from 'Selangor Young Assemblyman' (Adun Muda Selangor 2025) programme will be presented at the Selangor State Assembly in November. The proposal, which focused on education, inclusivity and financial assistance, received the most support from participants during a voting session. 'It will be brought forward to the actual Selangor State Assembly as a private motion in mid-November, giving the youths a real platform for their voices to be heard by policymakers,' said Selangor Speaker Lau Weng San. Fifty-four youths took part in a two-day state assembly simulation. Two were absent during the final session. From spirited debates to thoughtful proposals, the young 'assemblymen' demonstrated both skill and sincerity. After the conclusion of the programme at the Selangor State Secretariat building in Shah Alam, Lau said the initiative had successfully honed the participants' ability to craft and deliver impactful speeches within tight time limits. 'It may have been their first time speaking in a setting like this. 'Of course they would feel nervous or awkward at first, but many showed real talent. 'We saw how they learned to manage their time and structure arguments effectively,' he said. Lau added that five participants were also recognised as best speakers during the sessions. The mock assembly saw a voting simulation, mirroring how actual motions were debated and decided in the state assembly. The proposal on education beat out another popular motion on artificial intelligence (AI), which garnered 24 votes. This event, which saw 56 participants aged 18 to 35 shortlisted for the programme, aims to inspire and nurture future leaders and policymakers by encouraging them to develop and champion causes they believe in. Participants presented a wide range of topics they felt were crucial for leaders to address, with AI and cybersecurity being among the most popular. One who stood out was a visually impaired participant from Lembah Jaya. Aliff Ghazali, 30, debated entirely from memory – a feat that earned admiration from both organisers and peers. 'He could not refer to any text or notes while speaking. 'What he delivered came purely from memory. 'That is an extraordinary ability and he was rightly selected as a top debater,' said Lau. The programme included a special dinner hosted by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, where further suggestions were exchanged. Among them was a proposal to expand the programme beyond the state assembly setting. 'The Mentri Besar suggested allowing these young participants to go to the field and see how elected representatives serve at the grassroots. 'It is not just about debating in the state assembly, but it is about understanding how institutions function and how services are delivered,' Lau explained. He said this was the second in-person edition of the programme since it was revived in 2024. Although it was first introduced in 2014, he said, it was not held consecutively every year, while previous programmes were held virtually. He said this was a curated programme where participants were guided, mentored and evaluated throughout. 'We are still collecting feedback via an online form, which is part of our standard procedure. 'Their suggestions are heartfelt and free of political influence, which is encouraging.' Details on applications are available through the Dewan Negeri Selangor website.