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Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Mada ready for Southwest Monsoon to ensure smooth padi planting in Muda Area
ALOR SETAR, June 6 — The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) is fully prepared for the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon, which is expected to bring dry and hot weather conditions this month, in an effort to ensure the success of the first padi planting season in the Muda Area this year. In a statement today, MADA advised farmers to adhere strictly to the scheduled planting calendar and to expedite padi planting in their fields to maintain a smooth agricultural cycle. 'To address the anticipated water shortage, MADA has intensified the operation of drainage water reuse pumps and booster pumps to increase irrigation supply and speed up water distribution to padi fields. 'MADA is also deploying mobile pumps directly to affected fields to help farmers access water from the existing irrigation network,' the statement read. The agency said it had also held briefings and coordination meetings with field officers and farmers to tackle irrigation challenges, while expanding its agricultural extension efforts to ensure farmers remain aligned with the planting schedule. 'Farmer cooperation is crucial during this dry season to ensure uninterrupted planting activities,' it said. MADA said efficient on-field water management is key to ensuring equitable and sufficient distribution throughout the season. It also encouraged regular field monitoring to reduce the risk of pest and disease outbreaks that could affect crop yields. As of yesterday, water levels at all three of MADA's main dams remain adequate, namely Pedu Dam at 66.34 per cent, Muda Dam at 66.87 per cent, and Ahning Dam at 68.52 per cent. 'These levels indicate that the overall water reserves are sufficient to support irrigation needs for Season 1/2025 in Muda Area,' the statement read. MADA added that water will be released from the dams and distributed in phases, according to the official Season 1/2025 Paddy Planting Schedule. The agency will also continue to monitor weather developments closely, relying on forecasts and advisories from the Malaysian Meteorological Department to prepare for potential heat waves or prolonged dry spells. — Bernama
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
‘Pasar malam' trader jailed 30 months after breaking into ex-Kedah MB Ahmad Bashah's home, stealing grass cutter
ALOR SETAR, June 5 — A pasar malam trader selling children's toys was sentenced to 30 months' jail and fined RM1,500 by the Magistrate's Court here yesterday after pleading guilty to breaking into the home of ex-Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah last week. Magistrate Nur Syifa Mohd Hamzah also ordered the night market trader, T Rakesh Kumar, 44, to serve an additional six months' jail if he defaulted on the fine. According to the charge, the accused was alleged to have committed housebreaking by entering the residence of the former Kedah Menteri Besar and stealing a grass-cutting machine at Taman Rakyat here at 2.50am on May 29. For the offence, he was charged under Section 457 of the Penal Code and punishable under the same section, which provides for imprisonment of up to 14 years and a fine or whipping. Earlier, the accused, who was represented by National Legal Aid Foundation counsel Aina Shafina Idrus Saidi, appealed for a lenient sentence, citing that he is married, has no fixed income, and is responsible for supporting his wife and parents. However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Sharmila Md Asri urged the court to impose a commensurate punishment as the offence was a repeat case and the accused had previous convictions for similar offences. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Court throws out suit by motorcyclist, says claim of car collision false
Alor Setar sessions court judge Noor Zaihan Ali said the plaintiff failed to prove his case on the balance of probabilities. (File pic) PETALING JAYA : A sessions court in Alor Setar, Kedah, has dismissed a negligence suit filed by a motorcyclist after ruling that his claim that a car collided with his motorcycle in 2017 is false. Judge Noor Zaihan Ali said T Vimalan had failed to prove his case on the balance of probabilities. She said Vimalan had admitted during cross-examination that the collision did not involve a car, while another witness, V Dhayanandh, also conceded that Vimalan skidded and fell on his own. Zaihan also pointed out that the driver of the car, Hashim Bakar, had only lodged a police report two years after the accident. The judge, however, assessed damages to injuries suffered by Vimalan at RM352,000. Vimalan had claimed that he was knocked down by a car driven by Hashim along the Masjid Aman intersection in Alor Setar at about 4am on Nov 3, 2017. In his statement of claim, he said he suffered multiple injuries, including complete brachial plexus injury to his right upper limb. He sought about RM1 million in damages for loss of earnings and orthosis to support his right arm from the owner of the vehicle, Yusof Bakar. The insurer of the car, Tokio Marine Insurance, suspected that something was amiss and instructed adjusters to investigate and verify the accident. They managed to trace Dhayanandh, a friend of Vimalan's friend, who lodged a police report stating that the plaintiff had skidded and injured himself on his own. Vimalan produced 14 witnesses, including Hashim, who claimed to have collided with his motorcycle. The insurer had called Kota Setar police criminal investigation department chief Zahrin Abdul Rahman, who affirmed that there was no evidence that a car had collided into Vimalan's motorcycle. Lawyer Imavathi Subramaniam represented Tokio Marine Insurance while Samreet Singh Sagoo represented Yusof and Hashim. Vimalan was represented by Inderjit Singh.
Free Malaysia Today
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
Factory closures prompt call for stronger social safety nets
Economist Yeah Kim Leng says displaced workers from the manufacturing sector must be allowed to attend training and upskilling programmes to improve their employment prospects. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : An economist warns that inadequate social safety nets for workers displaced by factory closures in Malaysia could lead to grievances over job losses, similar to those seen in the US. German auto supplier Continental last month announced it will cease production at its tyre manufacturing plant in Alor Setar by the end of the year, the latest in a string of major factory closures which have collectively impacted thousands of workers. Last year, American tyre company Goodyear announced it was shutting down its factory in Shah Alam after 52 years. Other notable manufacturers which have closed plants in Malaysia in recent years include Sony and Western Digital. Several Chinese-backed solar panel manufacturers are also reported to have halted or cut back on their operations here as a result of new US tariffs and duties on solar cell imports from Malaysia. Yeah Kim Leng of Sunway University said Continental's decision reflects shifting regional business dynamics, with Malaysia losing its manufacturing edge to neighbours like Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia due to higher costs. He said training and upskilling programmes were needed to help displaced workers secure new employment. 'This is important to prevent social problems. There are winners and losers when manufacturing becomes more globalised, and it's crucial that each country is able to cope with this,' he told FMT. 'The displaced workers must have a strong social safety net which will enable them to find new jobs or sources of income. 'That has to be in place. If not, it will lead to what we are seeing in America, which has accused other countries of stealing their manufacturing jobs. That is the extreme cost of globalisation.' US president Donald Trump, who first came to power in 2016 on the back of anger over lost manufacturing jobs, marked his second term in office by announcing sweeping global tariffs— partly in a bid to revive his country's domestic manufacturing sector. Many US towns have suffered factory closures, layoffs and industrial decline over the past few decades, with workers blaming globalisation, free trade agreements and outsourcing for the movement of their jobs to Mexico, China, and other countries. Trump tapped into these frustrations by campaigning heavily on a 'Make America Great Again' message, promising to bring back manufacturing jobs, renegotiate trade deals, and impose tariffs to protect US industries. Despite the loss of manufacturing jobs, Yeah said Putrajaya should be encouraged by the rise of investment into electronics and other advanced sectors. Last November, the government announced that Hyundai Motor would invest RM2.16 billion to assemble and produce six car models, including hybrid electric vehicles, in Malaysia. One month later, Chinese battery manufacturer EVE Energy inaugurated its first overseas plant in Kulim, Kedah. When fully operational, the facility will be able to produce up to 680 million battery cells annually and will employ 2,000 Malaysians in technical fields. Economist Geoffrey Williams told FMT Malaysia would need to remove various regulatory barriers, lower taxation and encourage free innovation to sustain manufacturer interest. 'Malaysia remains competitive, but it will always have to compete against regional countries which are larger and have lower costs of doing business,' he noted.
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Political suicide? Rafizi urges backers to support Nurul Izzah instead in PKR polls, warns her defeat would signal rejection of Anwar
ALOR SETAR, May 13 – In a shock move last night, PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has urged his supporters to instead back rival Nurul Izzah Anwar in the upcoming party central leadership election. Speaking at his campaign tour here, Rafizi said Nurul Izzah's defeat would reflect poorly on the party and be seen as a rejection of its president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — who is also her father. 'Let's say Nurul Izzah loses, what signal would it send to the people? This is just an example. If she loses, it will send a message that PKR members reject Anwar. That is why Nurul Izzah must win. She has to,' he was quoted saying by Malaysiakini. 'Because if she loses, we will go into the [next general] election in an unimaginable situation where we have to not only face the opposition but also political polemics both inside and outside the government.' Rafizi said he did not want PKR to face internal turmoil during the party polls only to suffer heavy losses in the general election. He blamed senior party leaders for pushing Nurul Izzah to contest, saying it had created an unnecessary issue driven by internal efforts to sideline division leaders aligned with him. Rafizi also said there had been a consensus within the central leadership council and political bureau that the top two positions should not be contested, in order to preserve party unity. However, he cautioned Nurul Izzah's supporters against belittling public intelligence when defending her candidacy amid accusations of nepotism. 'We can argue whether this is nepotism or not till kingdom come. But it doesn't matter. What matters is that the people can assess and make their own judgment when the time comes for the election,' he said. 'I just want to advise those who try to defend Nurul Izzah's decision, do not make statements that can be perceived as insulting the people's intelligence,' he added. The party's nomination which ended on Friday saw Anwar unchallenged for the president post, while for the deputy president position, Nurul Izzah will face incumbent Rafizi. Anwar has since said the 2025 PKR election should be considered a 'fight between loyal friends', while vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad also said the clash between Rafizi and Nurul Izzah is a 'healthy family contest'.
