Latest news with #Afiq
Borneo Post
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
S'wak's Metadise to spotlight ‘Tech Me to Sarawak' metaverse project at expo in California
Afiq briefs the attendees on the Metaverse project during the launch today. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 17): Sarawak's digital innovation platform Metadise will showcase its 'Tech Me to Sarawak' project at the upcoming Augmented World Expo (AWE) in California, US next month. The project, developed by Metadise Sdn Bhd, highlights Sarawak's five tourism pillars – Culture, Nature, Adventure, Food, and Festival (CNAFF) – through an immersive metaverse experience. Speaking at the launch event at The Podium here today, Metadise director Afiq Fadhli Narawi said the platform integrates storytelling, virtual interaction, e-commerce, and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to offer a modern take on Sarawak's attractions. This is a great opportunity to expose Sarawak to a global audience, he said, noting that the project is currently in its beta stage and has recently secured funding support from the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). 'Users can interact with digital replicas of iconic attractions, including the Darul Hana Bridge, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Carpenter Street, and the Borneo Cultures Museum, with integrated booking systems and NFT purchasing features in the pipeline,' he elaborated. 'Whether you want to promote an event or replicate a building or a local university in virtual space, the platform offers that flexibility.' Metadise also acts as a digital innovation hub in Kuching, focused on driving technology adoption, immersive learning, and collaboration in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and metaverse development. For more information, visit Augmented World Expo california Metadise metaverse Tech Me to Sarawak
New Straits Times
10-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Fomema stepping up clinic audits, biometric checks
KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (Fomema) says it is aware of syndicates helping unfit workers bypass medical checks. "We take these matters very seriously," said Fomema chief executive officer Dr Afiq Farhan Md Hanif. He said such cases were either detected through Fomema's internal systems or reported via credible feedback from the public or employers. Impersonation and the use of falsified documents, such as fake passports, he said, undermined the integrity of the foreign worker medical examination process and compromised public health safeguards. Fomema, he added, worked closely with enforcement authorities to facilitate investigations into fraudulent practices. "We maintain regular engagement with panel service providers to enforce strict identity verification procedures during the medical examination process. "In cases where a suspicious identity is detected, we immediately work with the clinic to verify the information and escalate the matter to the authorities." If a suspected false identity is reported, Fomema will block the medical submission. "We will notify the Immigration Department and the individual will be required to complete an online identity verification process. Fomema has a dedicated platform for this," Dr Afiq said. If the identity is confirmed to be false, the individual will be disqualified from the medical examination and must repeat the screening at a different designated clinic, under stricter scrutiny. "In such cases, Fomema may escalate the matter to enforcement authorities for further action." This close cooperation, he said, helps ensure that irregularities are swiftly addressed. Checks and Balances Dr Afiq said Fomema's internal data management and verification systems played a vital role in maintaining the integrity of medical examinations. "All submitted medical examination results are reviewed and verified by our trained in-house medical officers, who are alert to inconsistencies in the submitted data. "Suspicious findings, including irregular test results or potential identity mismatches, are flagged for further investigation." He said this process serves as a critical safeguard against malpractice and reinforces Fomema's commitment to a secure and reliable screening process. Fomema also has a dedicated team that conducts ground inspections to ensure panel clinics adhere to standard operating procedures (SOP). Clinics found to have violated SOPs will be investigated, potentially leading to the suspension or revocation of their panel status. "We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of accuracy, accountability, and public trust," said Dr Afiq. Strengthening Processes Dr Afiq said Fomema is actively strengthening its processes to ensure the correct person undergoes the medical examination. "Some of the key measures implemented include cross-checking data via Fomema's online portal with Immigration Department records to prevent registration using falsified documents." All panel clinicians are also required to verify the identity of each foreign worker by inspecting their original passport. Fomema, he added, also works closely with the Immigration Department to integrate biometric fingerprint verification at clinics. "This is to further verify the identity of the foreign worker, ensuring that the individual at the clinic is indeed the genuine passport holder." He said Fomema actively engages with panel clinics and other partners to raise awareness of cases involving falsified identities. "While Fomema is not the authority responsible for verifying passport authenticity, we take a proactive approach by sharing real cases detected through our systems or reported by the public and employers.
Straits Times
07-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Muslim inmates value religious guidance, care for their families: Fitrah
SINGAPORE – Spiritual and family needs are highly ranked by Malay/Muslim inmates, said Mr Mohamed Farik Omar, executive director of Fitrah (Family and Inmates Throughcare Assistance Haven). Knowing that there are provisions for both these needs gives inmates hope, said Mr Farik. Fitrah is a programme by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) to provide enhanced support services for Muslim inmates and their families in Singapore. 'Spiritual guidance helps to manage their emotions (during incarceration),' Mr Farik told The Straits Times on the sidelines of a faith-based motivational talk for Muslim inmates on May 7. 'Family touchpoints through visits and letters are also important, as these give them a sense of hope that their families are supportive of them. These are the two important things they (inmates) will consider.' The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) works with the Yellow Ribbon Community Project, which visits inmates' families to monitor and assess the types of assistance they require. Added Mr Farik: 'In a way, the inmates who are (serving time) feel assured that the Community is helping their families to meet their socio-economic needs through the grassroots or the Community.' The motivational talks, a collaboration between the SPS and Muis through Fitrah, have been jointly organised since 2021. They provide deep religious insights and personal reflections to inspire inmates to take ownership of their rehabilitation journeys, said SPS, which added that there are other faith-based programmes for non-Muslim inmates. Ustaz Dr Izal Mustafa Kamar (left) and Fitrah executive director Mohamed Farik Omar at Tanah Merah Prison School on May 7. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN Roughly 30 inmates attended the talk at the SPS Cluster C auditorium, and Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, was also present to observe the session. Themed 'Understanding Destiny and Strengthening Faith', the talk was delivered by Ustaz Dr Izal Mustafa Kamar, Deputy Mufti of Singapore (Fatwa Development and Research). He quoted examples from the Quran and simplified the content so that inmates could better understand the wisdom and lessons behind the examples. Among some of the questions asked by inmates were the dua or personal prayer, and the issue of fate. The speaker explained that the essence of the stories in the Quran is to take responsibility for one's actions and not blame others for one's wrongdoing. One inmate, known only as Afiq, said motivational talks, religious guidance and Friday prayers have kept him grounded after he was sentenced in 2024 to seven years imprisonment for drug trafficking. Prison inmate, Afiq (not his real name), said motivational talks, religious guidance and Friday prayers have kept him grounded. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN Afiq told ST that he had not been close to his religion for the last 30 years. But seven months in remand helped him adjust and adapt to prison life. 'I found myself working out more, reading more and turning more to God spiritually, which I have not done in my life,' said Afiq, who is single and had graduated in March 2025 with a diploma in media (content production and management) via the prison school. 'Going back to God keeps me grounded and calms me when I'm feeling down.' While unsure about the future, Afiq said he welcomed the positive changes he is going through in prison. After graduating from the media course, Afiq, previously an audio technician, now works at the prison's multime dia hub. He gets to dabble in videography, photography, podcasts, subtitling and translations. The 44-year-old is also i n charge of setting up the prison's auditorium. Afiq said he hopes to get a job in the media industry when he is released from prison. Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
New Paper
06-05-2025
- New Paper
SMRT Trains fined $240,000 over accident that killed technical officer
Rail operator SMRT Trains was fined $240,000 on May 5 over an accident at Bishan Depot in March 2020 that killed one of its technical officers. The company was convicted of an offence under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, as it had failed to take reasonable measures to ensure its employees' safety at the depot in Bishan Road. On March 23, 2020, Mr Muhammad Afiq Senawi, 30, and a colleague were using a hydraulic press machine (HPM) to replace some train-related components. Mr Afiq had placed a component into the machine, and activated the piston to carry out the task. However, he had failed to remove a similar older component. Due to a pressure build-up, a spacer rod that weighed nearly 3kg flew out of the machine, broke through the fencing gate near the machine, and struck his face. Mr Afiq was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he died of face and chest injuries at 10.15am that day. Coroner Christopher Goh later ruled his death to be an unfortunate misadventure. Among other things, an investigation later revealed that SMRT Trains had failed to install a pressure gauge for the HPM after dismantling it for repairs. On May 5, Ministry of Manpower prosecutor Kimberly Boo told the court that the spacer rod had not been secured to any other component, adding: "There was thus a hazard of the spacer rod displacing from its position and shooting out during operations." She also said that a maintenance work record dated June 11, 2018, stated that the hydraulic pressure gauge was damaged. As a result, there was no indication of the pressure of the HPM available when it was in operation. The damage was reported to an engineering maintenance manager, who instructed for the gauge to be dismantled. However, he later overlooked its reinstallation. Another work record dated Dec 16 that year stated that the pressure gauge was sent for calibration. Court documents stated that the most recent maintenance of the HPM prior to the tragedy was carried out on Jan 2, 2020. The gauge was still not installed then. Ms Boo said: "(SMRT Trains) had failed to ensure that a pressure gauge, which was a safety measure identified in the HPM operation manual, was installed for the HPM. Once the activating lever was pulled by the operator, the piston would continually move downwards to generate a downward push motion. "Even though HPM operators were not required to monitor the exact pressure involved in the operation, the presence of a pressure gauge would provide an indication to operators on whether the force applied in any installation or removal had increased disproportionately." SMRT Trains had also failed to limit the pressure setting of the HPM, which would reduce operators' exposure to a force far beyond what was necessary for its intended use, thus lowering the risks of harm the operators are exposed to. SMRT Trains was charged in court in 2023.
AsiaOne
06-05-2025
- AsiaOne
SMRT Trains fined $240,000 over accident that killed technical officer, Singapore News
SINGAPORE – Rail operator SMRT Trains was fined $240,000 on May 5 over an accident at Bishan Depot in March 2020 that killed one of its technical officers. The company was convicted of an offence under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, as it had failed to take reasonable measures to ensure its employees' safety at the depot in Bishan Road. On March 23, 2020, Mr Muhammad Afiq Senawi, 30, and a colleague were using a hydraulic press machine (HPM) to replace some train-related components. Mr Afiq had placed a component into the machine, and activated the piston to carry out the task. However, he had failed to remove a similar older component. Due to a pressure build-up, a spacer rod that weighed nearly 3kg flew out of the machine, broke through the fencing gate near the machine, and struck his face. Mr Afiq was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he died of face and chest injuries at 10.15am that day. Coroner Christopher Goh later ruled his death to be an unfortunate misadventure. Among other things, an investigation later revealed that SMRT Trains had failed to install a pressure gauge for the HPM after dismantling it for repairs. On May 5, Ministry of Manpower prosecutor Kimberly Boo told the court that the spacer rod had not been secured to any other component, adding: 'There was thus a hazard of the spacer rod displacing from its position and shooting out during operations.' She also said that a maintenance work record dated June 11, 2018, stated that the hydraulic pressure gauge was damaged. As a result, there was no indication of the pressure of the HPM available when it was in operation. The damage was reported to an engineering maintenance manager, who instructed for the gauge to be dismantled. However, he later overlooked its reinstallation. Another work record dated Dec 16 that year stated that the pressure gauge was sent for calibration. Court documents stated that the most recent maintenance of the HPM prior to the tragedy was carried out on Jan 2, 2020. The gauge was still not installed then. Ms Boo said: '(SMRT Trains) had failed to ensure that a pressure gauge, which was a safety measure identified in the HPM operation manual, was installed for the HPM. Once the activating lever was pulled by the operator, the piston would continually move downwards to generate a downward push motion. 'Even though HPM operators were not required to monitor the exact pressure involved in the operation, the presence of a pressure gauge would provide an indication to operators on whether the force applied in any installation or removal had increased disproportionately.' SMRT Trains had also failed to limit the pressure setting of the HPM, which would reduce operators' exposure to a force far beyond what was necessary for its intended use, thus lowering the risks of harm the operators are exposed to. SMRT Trains was charged in court in 2023. [[nid:481768]] This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
