Latest news with #AbdulAziz
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Funds needed for KGV school hall
IT is not often we hear of students who left school decades ago coming forward to help their alma mater, either financially or in kind. Former students of SMK King George V (KGV) in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, had planned to build a clubhouse like what the Old Paulians did for St Paul's Institution, but decided to build a multipurpose hall instead. Old Georgian Association (OGA), led by their former president and state police chief Datuk Osman Salleh, had dropped plans for a clubhouse in place of a multipurpose hall about 10 years ago. The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, who is also a former student, performed the groundbreaking ceremony in July 2016 and, at the same time, urged former students to contribute. OGA carried out several fundraising activities over the years and managed to raise more than RM1mil for the project. But the association is still short of funds, as the cost has since increased to an estimated RM2.5mil. Abdul Aziz showing an artist's impression of the new school hall. OGA committee member Abdul Aziz Hamzah said the project was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and inability to raise the targeted amount. Abdul Aziz, who has been the school's Parent-Teacher Association chairman since 2018, said efforts were now underway to raise the funds as the project's piling work started in February. 'The school desperately needs a bigger hall, as the current one, which used to have only one badminton court and where legend Datuk Punch Gunalan used to train, can only accommodate some 300 students. 'The new hall will, among other things, have four badminton halls, a stage, toilets and changing rooms, and it will be able to accommodate up to 800 students,' he said, adding that the present hall could not be expanded as it was a heritage building. The school currently holds its assemblies and other events that require the attendance of all students in an open area. KGV, established in 1923, was initially known as the Government English School. In 1928, its name was changed. Today, it has some 870 students in forms one to five. Abdul Aziz said OGA, which has some 1,000 members, was bent on building the hall as a mark of gratitude. 'We Old Georgians would like to leave behind a legacy and to be forever connected to the school. 'But to make it happen, we need to raise more funds so that the hall can be completed on schedule by September next year,' he said, adding that the date was also significant as it would mark a century of the renaming of the school. He said once completed, the hall could also be used to hold examinations, teaching and learning activities as well as sporting events. Abdul Aziz said the new hall, which was being built near the school's famous Georgian Green field, could also be used during sports festivals or tournaments such as rugby, cricket and softball, which KGV was known for. 'OGA will hand over the hall, which we plan to call Georgians Hall, to the school once it is completed. 'We are hoping former students will come forward and support us financially and even make contributions in instalments if they wish to,' he said, adding that the PTA would also be roped in to help. Those wishing to contribute can call 018-979 7455 (Aziz), 019-660 7288 (OGA secretary Eric Lee) or deposit their donation to the association's RHB Bank account (2550 4700 0002 91).
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Cheaper, faster weddings: Malaysians say 'I do' in Songkhla
KOTA BARU: More Malaysian couples, including those entering polygamous marriages, are choosing to wed in Songkhla, Thailand, citing faster processing and convenience. Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council deputy president Abdul Aziz Che Mamat said fewer Malaysians are now choosing to marry in the southern Thai provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani, as the Islamic authorities there only issue marriage certificates without processing the full set of documents required for registration in Malaysia. "Malaysians are now choosing to marry at mosques in Songkhla due to the convenience and cost-saving benefits," he said. "When they get married in Songkhla, they can immediately go to the Malaysian Consulate General's office — also located in the province — to process their marriage documents. The process is quick and can usually be completed within the same day. "Although Songkhla is farther away, it saves time and money as everything can be settled in a single trip." By contrast, Abdul Aziz said couples who marry in Narathiwat, Yala or Pattani only receive a certificate from the local Islamic council and must still travel to Songkhla for document processing at the Malaysian Consulate General's office before the marriage can be registered in Malaysia. "This additional step has led to a sharp decline in Malaysian couples registering their marriages through the Islamic councils in these three provinces," he added. With the upcoming school holidays and Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations, Abdul Aziz expects a surge in Malaysian couples heading to Thailand to get married. "However, our offices in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani are no longer the preferred choice. Most couples go straight to Songkhla and take the opportunity to spend the holidays with their families there," he said. Despite the decline, he assured that the religious councils in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani would continue to operate as usual. It is understood that Malaysian couples marrying in Thailand must obtain verification from the Malaysian Consulate General's office in Songkhla before their union can be officially registered with religious authorities in Malaysia. The consulate reportedly handles between 250 and 300 marriage cases involving Malaysian couples each month, with most weddings held at mosques in and around Songkhla.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
Barn owl nest box project aims to protect padi fields from rat menace
Handle with care: Hasber (right) demonstrating to Abdul Aziz how to hold barn owls correctly, with a nest box seen in the background. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star KEPALA BATAS: Every padi planting season, farmer Abdul Aziz Hashim endures sleepless nights worrying about the crops on his 2ha padi field. Besides the unpredictable weather, thousands of rats have been destroying his crop, slashing his income by nearly 50%. "These rats usually come out at night and feast on the matured padi. It gets worse during harvest time. "I have tried using pesticides and rat poison to try to eliminate the pests. "I spend thousands of ringgit each planting season just to protect my crops," the 43-year-old lamented. However, Abdul Aziz, who has been a farmer for about 20 years, now realises that the use of chemicals is harmful to the environment and health. "Pesticides do not only contaminate the padi fields but also pollute the surroundings and kill other animals," he said. Farmers like Abdul Aziz are now relieved that they can now consider a more friendly form of rat control: using Eastern barn owls to hunt the rats. Native to Peninsular Malaysia, the Eastern barn owl's voracious appetite for rats helps protect crops. This pilot project by Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Barn Owl and Rodent Research Group (BORG) will see 20 barn owl nest boxes installed at fields belonging to farmers under the B40 group in Paya Keladi, Kepala Batas. The nest boxes are designed to attract owls to nest in them without additional human intervention, with Abdul Aziz saying the new method will help manage the rodent population effectively. "It will reduce the need for chemical poisons," he explained. "Although the use of barn owls was practised in the past by local farmers, there was little to no monitoring of rodent problems in the fields, which made it harder for farmers to protect their crops." USM's Assoc Prof Dr Hasber Salim said his team initiated the project to help farmers adopt environmentally friendly practices. "Rat damage can reduce yields by up to 60%. With barn owls present, farmers experience less crop loss, which translates to higher income and better quality harvests as one barn owl family can hunt up to 3,000 rats per year,' he said. Under this pilot project carried out in collaboration with Malaysia's national rice agency Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), each nest box can serve an area of about 5ha to 10ha. Each nest setup costs about RM800, depending on location and logistics, with funding made possible through a RM42,671 (US$10,000) grant from GlobalGiving, a US-based non-governmental organisation. The project will be monitored over a period of three years. Each week, BORG members will collect owl pellets – regurgitated remains of prey – to identify the species of rats consumed and estimate the number of pests removed. 'We will analyse the pellets to get actual data. 'That's how we estimate that a single owl family can eat up to 3,000 rats a year,' he said. Hasber added that the initiative draws on past experience of using barn owls in oil palm plantations under a similar conservation project with the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation. "Although barn owls have been used in padi fields since the 1970s, the practice has been largely neglected in recent years. 'We're bringing back a proven concept but with improved planning and monitoring,' he said. Hasber added that instead of using the outdated density of one nest per 40ha, his team is now using a high-density model of one nest per five to 10ha.
Saudi Gazette
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Cabinet emphasizes highest standards of services to ensure pilgrims' comfort and safety
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The Saudi Council of Ministers on Tuesday emphasized the highest standards of efficiency, quality, coordination, and integration among relevant authorities while implementing the annual plan for the Hajj pilgrimage season of 2025. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session in Jeddah on Tuesday. While reviewing the Hajj plan, the Cabinet noted that the Kingdom's efforts aimed to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims, supported by the extensive development projects and advanced infrastructure, which enhance all aspects of service and facilitate the performance of Hajj rituals for pilgrims from all around the world. The Cabinet expressed the pride of Saudi Arabia, its leadership and people, in the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques and receiving millions of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors. This reflects the Kingdom's pioneering Islamic role and longstanding commitment since its unification by the late King Abdul Aziz. The Cabinet prayed to God Almighty to enable pilgrims to complete their rituals in peace and return safely to their homelands. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary stated that the Cabinet reviewed the content of recent talks and meetings between the Kingdom and various countries aimed at strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation on regional and international issues. The Cabinet also discussed the Kingdom's participation in the recent summits between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as with China. These engagements reaffirmed the Kingdom's support for international initiatives promoting sustainable development and regional stability, contributing to a prosperous future for all nations. The Cabinet welcomed the announcement of a new oil discovery in the neutral zone between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It described the development as a positive step that enhances cooperation in the energy sector and reflects the success of joint exploration and development efforts. The Cabinet reviewed regional and international developments, reiterating the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian cause. It called for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, the facilitation of humanitarian aid, and the cessation of violations by Israeli occupation authorities of international laws and norms. The Cabinet praised the launch of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition's regional program for Sahel countries, inaugurated in Mali. The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation among member states in combatting terrorism and its financing through joint action and the exchange of expertise. On the domestic front, the Cabinet lauded the transformative initiatives under the Health Transformation Program, which have enhanced the quality and comprehensiveness of healthcare, improved preventive and traffic safety measures, and advanced digital health services in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. The Cabinet also acknowledged the Kingdom's recent achievements and high rankings on global indices, including its second-place position among G20 countries in the UN International Telecommunication Union's 2024 ICT Regulatory Tracker. The Council affirmed that the Kingdom remains committed to comprehensive and sustainable development through economic diversification, optimization of its competitive advantages, stimulation of local and foreign investment, empowerment of Saudi citizens, and the creation of job opportunities across various sectors. The Cabinet approved the organization of the General Authority for Food Security. It endorsed amending the organization of housing support, as stated in the decision. The Cabinet adopted a mechanism for integrating the roles of relevant entities in monitoring non-ionizing radiation. The Council approved the establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the Marshall Islands at the level of non-resident ambassador, and authorizing the minister of foreign affairs or his deputy to sign the draft protocol in this regard. It authorized the minister of foreign affairs or his deputy to sign a draft agreement between Saudi Arabia and China regarding the exemption of airline crew members from entry visas. The Cabinet approved a memoranda of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the cultural field between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and each of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Tunisia, the Ministry of Culture of Russia, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Benin. The Cabinet approved an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Kosovo in the field of air transport services. It approved a MoU between the General Authority for Competition of Saudi Arabia and the Competition and Antitrust Council of Iraq for cooperation in promoting competition and combating monopolistic practices, and another MoU of cooperation on development cooperation between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Italian Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Prisons Dept proposes amendments to clear ex-inmates' records after 5 years
KUALA LUMPUR: The Prisons Department is in the process of drafting amendments to the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969 (Act 7) to allow the criminal records of former inmates to be expunged from the central database after five years. This initiative aims to give former prisoners a chance to seek employment and rebuild their lives without being burdened by the stigma of their past. However, the expungement of criminal records will be carried out based on assessments by the department, taking into account the former inmates' good behaviour. This will help them find employment and support themselves after being released from prison. Speaking to Utusan Malaysia, Prisons Department director-general Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak said each year, more than 300,000 prisoners and remand detainees are released, yet their records remain in the central database for life, making it difficult for them to find jobs. "The five-year period is a critical time for someone to change, and if they show good behaviour during this time, why should they continue to be punished by their records? Abdul Aziz said the five-year period is an appropriate time for retaining someone's records in the database. "Five years is considered suitable as it is a benchmark used in other countries. The most critical time for change is within two years. If someone has demonstrated good behaviour over five years, why would they want to return to crime?" he added. This proposal has received support from various parties advocating for reform in the criminal record registration system to help former prisoners reintegrate into society more effectively. In 2014, the idea of removing the requirement to declare past criminal records on job application forms was brought forward by Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who was then Deputy Home Minister. The proposed amendment is seen as a progressive move towards giving ex-convicts a second chance, potentially reducing recidivism and contributing to social stability. The Prisons Department hopes the amendment will be approved soon so that former inmates who have changed and shown good behaviour can be removed from the criminal record list, thus opening a new chapter in their lives. This initiative not only reflects the country's commitment to social rehabilitation but is also in line with international practices that provide individuals who have made mistakes the opportunity for personal reform.
