
Inclusive protection scheme for citizens, migrants
The agreement, signed in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, reflects MCCF's continued commitment to supporting the government in addressing humanitarian issues and safeguarding the welfare of Malaysians and non-citizens, according to MCCF chairman Datuk Seri Halim Ishak.
In a statement, Halim said the collaboration has resulted in a comprehensive protection scheme encompassing insurance coverage, Takaful and medical cards.
The scheme's partners are Pacific & Orient Insurance and PM Protected Cell Company Ltd Labuan.
'With this scheme, we aim to address welfare concerns, access to healthcare and death management for both Malaysians and foreign nationals with valid travel documents.
'It has been approved by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority, making it a legitimate and trusted initiative,' he said.
Also present at the ceremony were representatives from the Indonesian Community Organisations Alliance Malaysia, the 69 Commando Veterans Welfare Foundation, the Minang Family Association of Malaysia, the Malay Suluk Association of Malaysia and the embassies of Indonesia, Bangladesh and India.
Halim added that the scheme includes support for participants' next of kin in the event of death, including free funeral management services.
'MCCF is confident that this strategic collaboration marks a significant step in ensuring that no individual – local or foreign – is left behind in their right to protection and dignified treatment, both in life and death.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
JAPEN: '1 House 1 Jalur Gemilang' Campaign Now Includes Health Cluster
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- This year's 1 House 1 Jalur Gemilang campaign has been expanded to include the health cluster starting today, in line with efforts to enliven the National Day celebrations themed 'Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni.' Information Department (JAPEN) director-general Julina Johan said the campaign, introduced in 2024, previously covered only five clusters. This year, the health sector has been made one of the main focuses to create a wider impact. 'The campaign launch for the health cluster was recently held at the ministry level, officiated by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, with Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital (HRC) as the starting location,' she said. 'Insya-Allah, it will continue at Gombak Orang Asli Hospital and the Kuala Lumpur Health Clinic,' she told reporters after officiating the HRC morning assembly, themed 'Kemerdekaan-Malaysia MADANI Rakyat Disantuni: Inspirasi Nyalaan Transformasi,' here today. Julina said the effort to fly the Jalur Gemilang was not only focused on government premises, but also encouraged at business premises, private homes and within local communities. 'In Kuala Lumpur, we are working closely with Kuala Lumpur City Hall, while in Putrajaya we have the support of Putrajaya Corporation and the government quarters association to promote and mobilise the campaign at the grassroots level. 'The spirit of patriotism must always be present, so let us all Malaysians fly the Jalur Gemilang together,' she said. At the same time, Julina reminded the public to ensure that the flags they hoist are in good condition and displayed correctly as a sign of respect for the national symbol. 'If the flag is worn out, we encourage it to be replaced with a new one before being flown. We have also published an e-book on proper flag installation, which can be accessed by the media and the public, to address issues such as flags being hung upside down.


The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Breaking diet myths
EVERYBODY can be healthy – Samantha Jackson said when asked about her health philosophy. Jackson, who is a clinical nutritionist, personal trainer and Dexa Radiologist, believes in getting to the core of the problem when it comes to healthy living and progressive weight loss – in other words, visceral fat or 'toxic belly fat'. Breaking diet myths, the Australian, who is also Mel Gibson's trainer, is set to educate Malaysians about food science in two health transformation talks, supported by the Australia Malaysia Business Chamber (Western Australia). On a conquest to demystify fat loss, Jackson sat with a media panel to tease her upcoming talks and the topics that she would be covering. 'I want us to be human,' she said after saying nothing is off the menu as long as we strike a balance. I actually don't want people on any sort of diets because you lose the will to live when you're on a diet. It's miserable. There's no enjoyment. We are humans.' Jackson stressed the importance of having a healthy relationship with food. Likening the body to a car, she said eating not enough food meant a lack of fuel for the body to function. 'You wouldn't drive for two hours in your car if you only had one metre of fuel in the tank. Well, we don't do that to our bodies either,' she said, adding that the point is not to starve. Jackson then explained Saturday's talk is going to cover visceral adipose tissue, also known as toxic belly fat, emphasising the importance of being aware of the science behind how our body work. 'We cannot get rid of toxic belly fat by doing sit-ups, crunches – by exercising or starving, anything like that. So, I'm going to be teaching people how to recognise how much toxic belly they have and what it does inside their body (as well as) what to look out for – and also how to get rid of it and then, how to stop it coming back.' She teased about the four main pillars of the talk, and it is going to be around type two diabetes, cardiovascular, while prefacing the talk is not going to be about weight loss alone. Jackson is a firm believer in fun, so best believe her talk is not going to be a drab one but injected with her signature cheekiness that lifts the sombre mood of the topic. 'So in both talks, I will be getting a little bit cheeky. And I will also be encouraging some participation and questions, too.' She then said on Sunday, she plans to touch on the 'big one' – which is fat loss – as she also shared this is her fourth trip to Malaysia this year. Jackson explained fat loss is not all about diet, because 'if diets worked, we wouldn't keep going on them'. She again reiterated that in her talks, she 'really wants to dispel a lot of myths around the diet industry'. 'It's like a US$70 billion industry and it fails us every single time, but we can actually teach our own bodies to not store fat.' Jackson insisted no food is off limits and that, via her talks, they are going to learn to eat in a way that puts their body into homeostasis – a state of balance, in which the body self-regulates and maintains itself. 'You cannot punish your body into looking and feeling great,' she said, adding that carbs and sugar are friends and not foes. The fat loss journey needs incredible willpower and discipline – many find themselves relapsing after achieving a goal or succumbing to the mundanity of life itself. As such, Jackson revealed that mindset is very important, but first, one needs to be educated. 'It's extremely important. But what's even more important than that is education,' Jackson told theSun. To educate the masses about food science while addressing the dangers of visceral fat, Jackson will be at KL Wellness City Gallery, Bukit Jalil this Saturday (4pm) and Sunday (10am) helping Malaysians develop a healthy relationship with food.


Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Focus Malaysia
'Palm oil doesn't increase heart disease risk when compared to other commonly used vegetable oils'
A RECENT national survey commissioned by Pertubuhan Transformasi Dayak (TRADA) and conducted by independent research firm Green Zebras (GZ) has found that 37% of Malaysians believe palm oil causes high cholesterol. This finding highlights a widespread misconception that deserves clarification through better public health communication and science-based education. Palm oil is often misunderstood and wrongly assumed to contribute to high cholesterol and heart disease. However, it is a plant-based oil and contains no dietary cholesterol. The assumption that it is harmful likely stems from outdated or oversimplified views on dietary fats. What makes palm oil's consumption so compelling is that research supports its nutritional benefits. A comprehensive review published in the National Library of Medicine in 2023 analysed 31 studies involving nearly 2,400 participants. The findings revealed that palm oil does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease when compared to other commonly used vegetable oils such as soybean, olive or sunflower oil. The study also found no significant negative effects on cholesterol levels in healthy individuals. Naturally trans-fat free Palm oil has a balanced fatty acid profile, with approximately 50% saturated fat, 40% monounsaturated (heart-healthy) fats and 10% polyunsaturated fats. This composition can help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. Moreover, palm oil is naturally trans-fat free and does not undergo the industrial hydrogenation process that may create trans fats in other oils. Trans fats are typically produced by partially hydrogenating liquid vegetable oils to extend shelf life and change texture. This process alters the fat's structure and introduces well-documented health risks. Palm oil, by contrast, is naturally semi-solid at room temperature and stable during high-heat cooking, thus eliminating the need for hydrogenation. It is also important to recognise that high cholesterol is usually the result of a combination of factors. These include poor diet with combination of lack of physical activity, smoking, stress, inadequate sleep or genetics. Singling out palm oil oversimplifies a complex issue and distracts from the more significant contributors to cardiovascular risk. 'Shift focus from blame to balance' Palm oil is widely used in Malaysian households. It is locally produced, widely used, and economically important. It is also affordable and accessible to the majority of households. When used in moderation as part of a balanced diet, palm oil does not pose health risk. Dr Malar Santhi Santherasegapan As we continue to encourage healthy lifestyles, we must also ensure that our public messaging reflects current scientific understanding. Outdated assumptions should not guide how we view food and health. Instead, we must foster a more informed, balanced conversation around nutrition. As a doctor, I urge Malaysians to shift the focus from blame to balance. We need to look at our overall lifestyle, including our diets, activity levels, stress and habits rather than placing the blame on a single ingredient. When we ground our decisions in science instead of speculation, we make real progress in improving heart health. It is equally important for policymakers, educators and healthcare professionals to come together and strengthen public understanding. Health advice must be based on evidence, not myths. – Aug 13, 2025 Dr Malar Santhi Santherasegapan is a medical doctor-cum-social media health influencer. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.