Latest news with #AZMANGHANI
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
MACC seizes Ilham Tower again
Photo: AZMAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: The Deputy Public Prosecutor's office has given the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) the full legal authorisation to seize Ilham Tower again. MACC said it had since ordered the immediate seizure of the 60-storey skyscraper through its investigating officer after authorisation was given. It said that the seizure will be done under Section 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001. 'Through a notice of seizure of immovable property under the section on June 4, the authorisation for seizure was granted pursuant to the powers conferred upon the Public Prosecutor under Section 376(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593). 'This means the Deputy Public Prosecutor is satisfied with the information provided by the MACC related to an offence under Section 4(1) of the AMLATFPUAA 2001 for this case,' it said in a statement on Thursday (June 5). It added that all dealings related to the 274m-tall tower's transfer of ownership would be prohibited with immediate effect. This seizure comes after the tower, owned by the family of former finance minister the late Tun Daim Zainuddin, was originally seized by MACC in December 2023 due to an offence under the MACC Act 2009. This was believed to be part of an anti-money laundering probe that started in late May involving a corporate transaction valued at RM2.3bil (US$500mil) in November 1997 involving public-listed Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Bhd (UEM), which were both linked with Umno. On May 22, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said that eight investigation papers had been opened into the assets owned by Daim, his family and proxies, which had not been declared to the MACC during its initial 2023 investigation, due to having received new information from external agencies. Then on Wednesday (June 4), the High Court allowed an application by MACC to freeze assets worth £132mil in London that were allegedly linked to Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid, wife of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin, and her family.
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
‘Save the lives of children'
Business as usual: A vape shop operator checking on vape products displayed on the rack. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star KLANG: The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has appealed to Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah to ban the sale of vape products in the state. In a statement issued yesterday, its education officer N. V. Subbarow pleaded with the Ruler to 'save the lives of children'. 'CAP is urging His Highness to help prevent children from becoming involved in the dangers of vaping,'' he said. He added that vapes contain poison and drugs. Subbarow issued the appeal after Selangor allegedly failed to take a firm stand on the banning of the sale of vapes and electronic cigarettes. Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said on Tuesday that discussions were still ongoing with stakeholders, including vape business owners, before any decision is made. He added that the state government is also working on guidelines to implement the proposed ban without leaving any loopholes. This follows earlier reports suggesting that Selangor may follow in the footsteps of Johor and Terengganu, which have banned the sale of vapes and electronic cigarettes. According to CAP, the Selangor government's current position could endanger youths and schoolchildren. 'Our talks in Selangor schools have shown that more students are becoming addicted to vaping, which contains nicotine and harmful drugs. 'Many teachers are complaining that students' behaviours have changed due to their vaping habits,'' he added. He said it was alarming to learn that many girls were also being drawn into the vaping trend. Subbarow claimed that the Selangor government appeared more concerned about the impact a ban could have on vape businesses and their workers. He said the youth's health should come before the vape industry's interests. He said vape products must be banned immediately to stop them from continuing to destroy young lives. 'We do not want our children to become drug addicts and face a bleak future,' he said. 'His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor must take immediate action to safeguard the youth, ensuring they have the opportunity for a healthy and active future,' he added. In April, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had said that state governments have the authority to ban the sale of vape or e-cigarattes, through local councils. He explained that states are empowered by local regulations to control the sale of such devices within their jurisdiction, adding that there were instances where states had withheld licences from vape traders At the Federal level, the sale of vape products is governed under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which came into force in phases beginning Oct 1 last year.
The Star
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Cool ideas for hotter days
Staying hydrated: Workers drinking water at a site in Gombak, Selangor. With the hot season, they need to drink more. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star M'sians get creative in handling the heat and staying well PETALING JAYA: With hotter days ahead, Malaysians are getting creative in handling the rising temperature. While some are ducking into malls or air-conditioned areas and others are slowing down on their road trips, one delivery rider has found a new vocation – selling air-conditioners. Adam, 33, said he had been receiving inquiries from potential customers wanting to buy air-conditioners. 'So far, I am able to focus more on selling air-conditioners because there have been more people interested in installing them. 'People want air-conditioners that are also friendly on the electricity bill, so typically I offer the types of air-conditioners and their horsepower capabilities based on the size of their homes,' he added. Fellow delivery rider, Iqbal Ishak, 28, is taking shelter at local mosques or malls to avoid being exposed outdoors for too long or risking heat stroke. 'It has been scorching hot lately, so the usual places I wait for orders – like near stalls or parking lots – are not suitable. 'Nowadays, I go to the mosque or surau, which are air-conditioned during or between prayer times. 'During peak hours, I wait in malls or shops that have high order volumes. The restaurants give us water to stay hydrated when delivering orders,' he said. While Iqbal has no intention of slowing down despite the heat, another delivery rider based in Subang, Harris M, 23, said he may take fewer orders now. 'This is a part-time job for me as I am a student. It is harder to find shade during peak hours such as lunchtime, and we have to wear proper attire when delivering orders and that's when the day is hottest. 'Right now, I just need to ensure I do not get heat stroke,' he said, adding that he also brings a bottle of water and essential supplements on his rounds. On Monday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued a statement indicating that six areas in Peninsular Malaysia are now at Level 1 (alert) for three consecutive days due to ongoing hot weather. The affected areas include Larut and Matang, Kuala Kangsar and Perak Tengah in Perak, Machang and Kuala Krai in Kelantan, and Bandar Baharu in Kedah. Checks on the MetMalaysia website also showed that the Klang Valley would either experience no rain in the next few days or get isolated rain or thunderstorms in certain parts. While air-conditioners are hot items now, Sirim Bhd's president and group chief executive officer Datuk Indera Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad has issued a reminder for people to use them cautiously. In a Facebook posting, he explained that constant exposure to cold air can strip moisture from the skin and respiratory tract, and speed up the evaporation of sweat even when the body is at rest. 'During warmer days, people tend to sleep with the air-conditioner on. Some even sleep with both the fan and air-conditioner running throughout the night. 'However, this can lead to dehydration without one realising it. 'We may wake up feeling tired, dizzy, with a dry mouth or a headache – all of which are early signs of dehydration. If left unchecked, dehydration can impair kidney function, reduce concentration and weaken the immune system. 'It is important to ensure that the bedroom temperature is not too low, make it a habit to drink enough water before bed and consider using a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air,' he wrote.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
46TH ASEAN SUMMIT CONCLUDES WITH FOCUS ON UNITY AND GROWTH
Under Malaysia's 2025 chairmanship, the 46th Asean Summit at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) convened regional leaders amid mounting geopolitical and economic headwinds. The summit underscored a renewed focus on deepening economic integration, safeguarding regional stability and championing sustainable development. Against a backdrop of intensifying global uncertainties — from trade frictions to climate risks — Asean leaders laid out pragmatic strategies and forged new partnerships to secure the region's future. Here is an overview of the key outcomes and discussions that defined this critical summit. Asean foreign ministers' meeting Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan opened the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) by urging member states to stand united in the face of global challenges, including the US–China trade war, climate change and rapid technological disruption. Stressing the importance of Asean Centrality, he called for deeper regional economic integration and fairer intra-Asean trade to close income gaps and build resilience. He also addressed humanitarian crises in Gaza and Myanmar, emphasising Asean's moral responsibility to uphold peace and justice. Malaysia's theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability' was reinforced throughout, laying the groundwork for the adoption of Asean Community Vision 2045. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan waving towards the media members during the opening of the 46th ASEAN- Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26.–AZMAN GHANI/The Star Asean-GCC-China Summit embraces multipolar cooperation Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the inaugural Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit as a key moment for advancing collaboration in a rapidly evolving, multipolar world. The summit brought together regions with a combined population of over two billion and an economic scale nearing US$25 trillion. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the summit was expected to align with Asean's aspiration to play a greater role in shaping the Indo-Pacific's geo-economic landscape. Leaders focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment and sustainable development—underscoring the alliance's potential to contribute to regional stability, inclusivity and shared prosperity. Timor-Leste's Asean membership confirmed In a historic move, Asean leaders agreed to grant Timor-Leste full membership at the next summit in October 2025, increasing the bloc to 11 countries. Timor-Leste's progress in meeting membership criteria, reflects Asean's expanding inclusivity. Having been an observer since 2022, Timor-Leste is preparing to fully integrate into Asean's economic, political and social frameworks. Asean unveils 20-year strategic roadmap At the 46th Asean Summit, leaders adopted and signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045: Our Shared Future. This 20-year roadmap aims to guide Asean in navigating global megatrends while reinforcing its role as a resilient, innovative and people-centred regional community. The vision is built around six core documents, including strategic plans across political-security, economic, socio-cultural and connectivity. It sets out strategic directions and expected outcomes aimed at deepening regional integration, advancing sustainability and strengthening institutional effectiveness. Asean 2045 reaffirms the bloc's commitment to placing people at the heart of its agenda, while preparing to be a global growth hub in the Indo-Pacific. With clear targets and an implementation framework, the roadmap ensures that Asean remains relevant, responsive and united in the face of future challenges. Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao giving sweets to members of the media.— AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star. Awes 2025: Empowering women for Asean's economic future The inaugural Asean Women's Economic Summit (Awes) 2025 spotlighted the pivotal role of women in driving the region's economic transformation. Under the theme 'Empowering Women, Energising Asean: Pioneering Economic Integration for a Resilient Tomorrow,' the summit featured strategic dialogues, leadership workshops and mentoring programmes. These initiatives aim to position women at the forefront of Asean's economic integration, especially amid global challenges such as trade tensions and digital disruption. Awes 2025 sets a robust agenda for gender equality, reinforcing its centrality in building a resilient and innovative Asean economy. Economic milestone: Asean advances trade and energy integration At the summit, member states concluded negotiations on significant upgrades to two key trade agreements: the Asean-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 and the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga). These enhancements aim to deepen intra-regional trade, strengthen supply chains and boost investment flows, with formal signings anticipated at the 47th Asean Summit in October. Concurrently, Asean made strides in energy cooperation by finalising an Enhanced Memorandum of Agreement on the Asean Power Grid (APG). This initiative seeks to bolster regional energy security, connectivity, and sustainability, reflecting Asean's commitment to integrated growth and resilience amid evolving global trade dynamics. Light moment - Gusmao's sweet surprise for journalists Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao brought a sweet break to the intense Asean-GCC Summit by offering candies to the waiting journalists, joking, 'Take it, you've waited so long.' The unexpected gesture delighted and surprised the media, providing a brief but much-appreciated moment of warmth amid a busy schedule.
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
INTERACTIVE: Tapirs top roadkill list in Malaysia
The Malayan tapir is the most frequently road-killed large mammal in Malaysia, says Perhilitan.—AZMAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: The Malayan tapir tops the list of large mammals most frequently killed in road accidents nationwide. According to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), 112 Malayan tapirs were struck down by vehicles from 2020 to 2024. Sun Bears and Black Panthers were second with nine deaths each. They are followed by Asian elephants (6) and Malayan tigers (4). Each of the five types of large mammals is considered an endangered species in Malaysia. For more details, check out the infographic below. Click the purple button labelled "Next" to navigate: 'Many of these incidents are linked to recent deforestation or land-use change that leads to habitat fragmentation. 'The reduction in habitat size compels wildlife to encroach into adjacent human-modified landscapes. 'This fragmentation forces wildlife to cross roads to reach other patches to access essential resources such as food, water, shelter, and mating opportunities,' the department told The Star. An incident on Mother's Day, where a mother elephant was seen grieving by her fatally injured calf along the Gerik-Jeli Highway, touched many people. It led to growing calls to better protect the country's wildlife. Last month, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that only around 700 to 800 Malayan tapirs remain in their natural habitats. Perhilitan said 2,336 wild animals were killed by vehicles nationwide from 2020 to 2024, with 522 wildlife roadkill incidents recorded last year. The department said that in terms of species, the most affected by roadkill incidents over the five year-period are monitor lizards, with 548 struck down. Second were macaques (487), followed by wild boar (329), civet species (326), and cat species (118). Perhilitan said ecological factors also contribute to wildlife crossing roads. 'Wildlife may cross roads to escape areas with high human activity, noise, or pollution. 'The presence of roads may alter their behavior, leading them to seek new, less disturbed habitats even if they have to risk their lives crossing busy roads.' While there is no consistent pattern of roadkill incidents across specific months or wildlife breeding seasons, the time of day does play a significant role. Most wildlife-vehicle collisions occur at night or in areas with poor visibility, such as sharp bends or winding roads, the department said. This is attributed to the nocturnal behavior of most wildlife, making them less visible and more challenging for motorists to detect during nighttime driving conditions. 'These incidents are largely preventable,' the department said. It urged drivers to adhere strictly to speed limits, especially when passing through known wildlife hotspots. Slower speeds can significantly reduce collision risk and give motorists more reaction time when animals suddenly appear on the road. Perhilitan said it has implemented measures to reduce wildlife roadkill incidents. They include installing wildlife crossing warning signs, solar-powered amber lights, and transverse bars on roads to slow vehicles. The department rescues and relocates wildlife to more suitable habitats and has built wildlife crossing viaducts in selected locations in collaboration with the Public Works Department (JKR).
