Latest news with #Aidilfitri
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Over 20,000 companies use Sirim's testing, expertise every year
KULAI: It is estimated that more than 20,000 companies use Sirim's testing and expertise each year, said Sirim Bhd president and group chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad. He said this included the manufacturing, plastics, road construction and apparel sectors. "We have the expertise and facilities to conduct testing and verification at Sirim, apart from that, we also collaborate with all government agencies involved. "This is to ensure that what is used by the industries, including in terms of construction and so on, is safe for use," he said at the '2025 Sirim Silaturasa' event at Sirim Johor today. Johor State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han was also present. Ahmad Sabirin, who was asked to comment on industries that utilised Sirim's expertise, also said that Sirim had an artificial intelligence (AI) centre, which, among other things, provided training and guidance to industry players through a programme sponsored by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti). "Through this programme, we are targeting industries that use AI under the Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) ecosystem. "So, we want to ensure that this year, 40 companies will receive guidance and next year the government is targeting around 3,000 companies over three years, with the companies targeted to become mentors to smaller firms," he said. He said the initiative, which was supported by the government, would ensure that Malaysia continued to progress in line with the rapid development of technology. Earlier, the 2025 Sirim Silaturasa event, held in conjunction with Sirim's 50th anniversary, provided an opportunity for industry players, government agencies, media representatives and academic partners to interact and build closer ties through interactive engagement sessions. – Bernama Nation May 5, 2025 @ 12:32pm 20,000 people expected at Asean Summit Nation Feb 14, 2025 @ 10:19am Chap Goh Mei in Penang draws 20,000 visitors Nation Apr 5, 2025 @ 4:55am Over 20,000 attend Sabah govt Aidilfitri open house Nation Jun 4, 2025 @ 6:52pm Sultan of Brunei applauds IJN's expertise
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Heart And Soul: Proud aunt goes for director's blockbuster premiere debut
(From left) K Chandrasekaran (Abhilash's father), Datuk Gopikrishnan, Datin Latha Gopikrishnan, Arjun Chandra, Hiasuria Arjun, Shamini Hari Dass, Nirmala Chandrasekaran (Abhilash's mum), the writer, Abhilash Chandra, actor Irfan Zaini and actor Andy Teh. — NANA AZMI Do you have any real-life, heart-warming stories to share with readers? We'd love to hear from you. Please keep your story within 900 words. Photos are optional and should be in JPEG format (file size about 1MB, with caption and photo credit). There is no payment for stories, and we reserve the right to edit all submissions. Email your story to: heartandsoul@ with the subject "Heart and Soul". It's not often that one has the privilege of being invited to a film premiere! What more when the film has a family member as the film director. Exciting right? Well, that is exactly how I felt when I was invited for the premiere night of Blood Brothers: Bara Naga on April 7, 2025 by its co-director and script writer, none other than my nephew Abhilash Chandra. Now, a little about my nephew: From his teen years Abhilash was very passionate about chasing his dream: filmmaking. My one and only brother K Chandrasekaran, being deeply practical and wary of the uncertainties of the film industry, nudged his son towards a more 'secure' profession: law. He believed in stability; in success by society's standards. So, reluctantly, Abhilash shelved his dream and walked the long road to earning a law degree. After successfully completing his degree, Abhilash set forth to achieve his dream as some passions don't fade – they simmer. He went on to fulfil his one and only ambition by enrolling for Masters at the reputable Tisch School of the Arts, a branch of New York University that used to be in Singapore. And after a long and arduous journey in the film world he now stands tall behind the camera – exactly where he belongs! Going back to the premiere, Abhilash instructed all of us relatives to wear black which was the colour theme depicted in the very elegant-looking poster of his film. So off we went, nine family members, to IOI City Mall in Putrajaya where the premiere was held, with the men in black sober suits while the ladies not entirely in black, still nodded to the theme. I opted to go traditional, draped in a black sari. When we reached the mall, the atmosphere was festive, amplified by the Aidilfitri celebrations, and the presence of high-profile guests like the Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and film legends such as Datuk Yusof Haslam (who also happened to be the producer) added a touch of prestige. The event also featured a live performance of the film's theme song Bara Jiwa, which further energised the crowd. The crowd was vibrant and enthusiastic, with fans, media and industry insiders packing the venue to catch a glimpse of the star-studded cast that included the likes of Sharnaaz Ahmad and Syafiq Kyle. The mall shimmered with soft lights and promotional banners, but my nerves hummed louder than the music echoing through the atrium. Tonight was the premiere of a Malay film and I was walking into it not just as an audience member, but as the aunt of the co- director. My nephew had a real feature premiering on the big screen! And yet, I felt a pinch of displacement. It wasn't my crowd. I knew my wavelength was a few decades off the young fans who were there. But, still, there was something beautiful in it. I was a quiet observer in a generation's moment, absorbing their excitement like warmth from a fire I no longer danced around, but appreciated from the edge. But then I saw him – my nephew – standing beside the film's poster, laughing modestly while cameras clicked around him. He wasn't the little kid who once spent hours watching films on the laptop. He was a filmmaker, surrounded by people who saw him that way. Pride swelled in my chest, flushing out the awkwardness. I realised I didn't need to belong to this world; I already had a place in his. Just being there, witnessing that moment, was enough. On reflection, days later, I realised that it wasn't just a movie screening – it felt like a cultural moment, with fans eager to witness what many are calling a new benchmark for Malaysian action cinema; a celebration of Malaysian identity. The cast reflected the country's diversity, and fans praised it for uniting audiences across races and backgrounds. The film didn't just tell a good story – it looked and sounded great. From high-octane fight scenes to the hauntingly powerful theme song Bara Jiwa, it delivered cinematic flair that rivalled international thrillers. And the result was a blockbuster. Yes, Abhilash's directoral debut Blood Brothers that he co-directed with Syafiq Yusof actually made it to becoming one of the highest-grossing Malaysian films ever. The numbers speak volumes: over RM76mil in earnings. Authentic, raw and brimming with heart, the film caught the attention of local film goers. Abhilash's story is not just about immersing himself in every heartbeat of filmmaking. It's about honouring one's true calling. He proved that sometimes, the detour doesn't derail the dream – it deepens it.
Daily Express
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Exempt mandarin oranges, dates from SST, says PKR MP
Published on: Thursday, June 26, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 26, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung said small businesses and traders rely on the seasonal demand for fruits like dates to cover operational costs. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung today urged the finance ministry to consider exempting more fruits from the expanded sales and service tax (SST), particularly mandarin oranges and dates. He proposed that special SST exemptions be made for the two fruits during the Chinese New Year and Aidilfitri festive seasons, describing it as a targeted fiscal approach that would be sensitive to the cultural and religious needs of Malaysians. 'These two fruits are inseparable from major Malaysian festive celebrations – Chinese New Year and Ramadan, as well as Hari Raya Aidilfitri. 'Imposing a 5% tax on these fruits not only increases consumers' burden but also contradicts the core principle behind the expanded SST's implementation, which is to only target specific groups,' the PKR MP said in a statement. If the two fruits are not exempted, he said the expanded SST would place even greater pressure on small businesses and traders that rely on the seasonal demand for these fruits to cover operational costs. Lee's call followed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's announcement this morning that imported apples and oranges would be exempted from the expanded SST, which comes into effect on July 1. Although he believed that there was no need to consume imported fruits, Anwar acknowledged that many from among the B40 income group would buy apples and oranges, in part due to their affordability. The finance ministry previously said the expansion of the SST from July 1, including a 5% rate on imported fruits, was aimed at boosting local agricultural demand and strengthening food security. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
BusinessToday
20-06-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
DOSM Report Shows Ramadan Bazaars Drove RM3.2 Billion In Sales, 280,000 Jobs In 2025
Malaysia's vibrant Ramadan and Aidilfitri bazaars generated an impressive RM3.2 billion in total sales and engaged 281,876 workers in 2025, according to a report released today by the Department of Statistics, Malaysia (DOSM). The 'Report on Statistics Ramadan & Aidilfitri Bazaars 2025' highlights a notable improvement in performance compared to 2023. The total sales value for both bazaars in 2025 rose by 12.9% from RM2.5 billion in 2023. This growth was accompanied by a 17.6% increase in the number of persons engaged, underscoring the significant economic activity and local entrepreneurship fostered by these festive markets. The DOSM survey, conducted from March 2 to March 30, 2025, covered bazaars registered with Local Authorities (LAs) nationwide. State and District Highlights Selangor emerged as the top-performing state, recording the highest combined sales value of RM0.7 billion and engaging 38,811 persons. Johor followed with RM0.5 billion in sales and a leading 44,525 persons engaged, while W.P. Kuala Lumpur registered RM0.4 billion in sales with 16,142 persons engaged. Collectively, these three states contributed 47.5% of the total national sales value for Ramadan and Aidilfitri bazaars. At the administrative district level, Johor Bahru recorded the highest combined sales value at RM261.1 million, surpassing Petaling (RM184.7 million) and Gombak (RM122.0 million). Ramadan Bazaar Performance Specifically, Ramadan bazaars contributed RM2.6 billion in sales in 2025, reflecting a positive growth of 14.9% compared to 2023. Selangor led state-level sales for Ramadan bazaars at RM558.0 million, followed by W.P. Kuala Lumpur (RM361.9 million) and Johor (RM331.5 million). Petaling district topped the Ramadan bazaar sales with RM163.9 million. The number of persons engaged in Ramadan bazaars also saw a sharp increase of 18.7% to 241,379. Johor registered the highest number of persons engaged at 37,415, while Johor Bahru district led with 21,295 workers. Aidilfitri Bazaar Performance Aidilfitri bazaars also performed well, with total sales increasing by 5.1% to RM0.6 billion compared to RM0.5 billion in 2023. Johor led state-level sales for Aidilfitri bazaars with RM144.3 million. Johor Bahru district again recorded the highest sales at RM99.0 million. The number of persons engaged in Aidilfitri bazaars increased by 12.0% to 40,497, with Johor recording the highest number at 7,110 persons. Vendor Satisfaction and Food Waste Management A survey conducted by DOSM indicated high satisfaction among Ramadan and Aidilfitri bazaar vendors: 83.0% were satisfied with the bazaar locations. were satisfied with the bazaar locations. 70.5% were satisfied with promotional activities by organizers. were satisfied with promotional activities by organizers. 69.3% were satisfied with traffic control measures. were satisfied with traffic control measures. 73.2% expressed satisfaction with visitor turnout. In a commendable effort to reduce food waste, 56.0% of Ramadan Bazaar vendors reported offering discounted prices to minimize surplus. Furthermore, 77.3% expressed willingness to donate unsold food to selected institutions, and 84.2% were open to sharing excess food with fellow vendors. Systematic food waste management also saw 3.9% of vendors channeling surplus to processing factories, 6.2% collecting for organic composting, and 7.4% utilizing recycling methods for leftovers. These findings highlight the continuous efforts by vendors and organizers to improve both the economic and operational aspects of these culturally significant bazaars. Related
New Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Kayda captivated by her fiancé's kind personality, caring attitude
KUALA LUMPUR: Singer Kayda Aziz has revealed that her fiancé's exceptional character and caring nature were key factors in her decision to choose him as her future husband. The 34-year-old artiste, whose real name is Wan Nur Khaleda Roslan, explained that her relationship with Muhammad Syafiq Othman, 35, which began in 2023, started casually. "I met him through friends. Many of them have known Muhammad Syafiq for a long time, but we had never crossed paths. "So, when we finally met, I was surprised by how many people spoke so highly of him. "It was only after getting to know him better that I understood why. He's a genuinely lovely person," she told BH Online. The daughter of renowned singer Datuk Sheila Majid also believes that finding a kind-hearted man is a rare feat in today's world. "It's very unusual to find a truly kind and generous man nowadays. He's hardworking, responsible, and very trustworthy. I've also witnessed how dedicated and supportive he is towards his family," she said. "Honestly, that's what truly captivated me. My grandmother always said that when you're looking for a partner, you must find a good person. "He is exactly the person I've been searching for all this time. I prioritise a person's character, then their work ethic. "Looks aren't a priority, but for me, he's still handsome," she quipped playfully. When asked about her wedding plans, Kayda said that no date has been set yet, as there are still many arrangements to finalise. "God willing, perhaps next year. I still need to attend a marriage course, submit documents, book a mosque, await confirmation from the imam or tok kadi, and handle many other things," she said. Kayda added: "Next year, maybe early in the year before Aidilfitri or possibly after. It all depends on God's will." Commenting on the challenges of marriage preparations, Kayda shared that she's feeling positive, thanks to the unwavering support from her family and friends. "My family is incredibly supportive, but I am a little apprehensive because I've heard stories from friends about the complexities of getting married. "However, with my family's backing, I'm confident that everything will be made easier," she said. Yesterday, it was reported that Sheila expressed her delight by sharing a social media post showing her eldest daughter, Kayda, engaged to her chosen partner, Syafiq. The Instagram entry featured Kayda in an elegant pink traditional dress, accompanied by Sheila's words of gratitude and prayers for a smooth event.
