Latest news with #Anfaal
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Selangor may go after Rawang developer's BOD
More than 500 non-bumi owners in Taman Amansiara, Rawang, had unknowingly bought units meant for bumiputra from the developer. — Filepic Selangor government may hold the board of directors (BOD) of a defunct developer responsible for selling bumiputra units to non-bumiputra buyers in Rawang. The liquidator has been given three months to identify the former directors and compile records of outstanding debts and unclaimed payments, said Taman Templer assemblyman Anfaal Saari. A total of 574 homeowners in Taman Amansiara, who had unknowingly bought bumiputra- designated units, have been unable to obtain their strata titles as they were told to pay hefty penalties. The amount, totalling RM7.89mil, is equivalent to the 7% bumiputra discount on the purchase price of the units. Anfaal said during a recent meeting, Selangor housing and culture committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah had instructed the liquidator to carry out the actions against the former directors. 'The next step is to determine the appropriate legal recourse, whether through a letter of demand or legal action against the former directors,' she told StarMetro. Anfaal: Next step is determining the appropriate legal recourse. Anfaal said while the company and its directors were legally separate entities, former directors often formed new companies to avoid accountability. 'We do not want to see this modus operandi repeated.' She added that Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) would review the liquidator's actions before any decision was made. 'One of the suggestions is to seek state executive council approval to waive the 7% penalty imposed on homeowners.' Anfaal said efforts were being made to find a solution that maintained adherence to state housing policy while also protecting the rights of homeowners. The meeting also involved the liquidator, land office representatives and Taman Amansiara Joint Management Body (JMB). In 2023, buyers received a notice from the liquidator that they had been sold units meant for bumiputra. The liquidator found that about 90% of units were sold to non-bumiputra buyers. Taman Amansiara JMB president Susan Lawrence said the buyers hoped for a favourable outcome. 'I don't understand why owners are unfairly being asked to pay the 7% penalty when we bought the units at full price without receiving any discount,' said Lawrence, who is one of the affected owners. StarMetro had previously reported that Selangor government had waived RM15.32mil in penalty fees for 207 non-bumiputra homeowners in USJ One Park, Subang Jaya. Under the policy, developers are required to set aside a percentage of available units in a scheme for purchase by bumiputra buyers. Selangor enforces a 40% bumiputra quota, together with a 7% discount. There is a strict mechanism that housing developers must adhere to before the units can be sold to non-bumiputra buyers.
The Star
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
A matter of safety net
A WOMAN who wants to conquer the world must first be able to sign her own cheque book. That's what my grandmother drummed into my head when I was growing up. My grandmother had felt strongly that women should work, even if they had the luxury of being ladies of leisure. My grandmother, a mother of 10, was a housewife. As my grandfather was attentive, and my aunts and uncles filial, she was never in want. But she was well aware that not all women were as fortunate. That was why she constantly reminded her granddaughters on the importance of being independent. There were numerous benefits of earning one's keep, she'd tell me. First is the liberation from not having to depend on others. Second is the sense of purpose; an idle mind is the devil's workshop, while an active one is a sanctuary for progress and wisdom. Lastly, you will get to have the final say. From a solo holiday trip right down to the kind of rims you'd like your car tyres to sport, the choice could be yours alone to make and enjoy. As of February 2024, the Labour Force report by the Statistics Department showed that among women in the country, the percentage who are working was only 56.5% while for men, the figure stood at 83.1%, highlighting the gender gap in the country. A 2023 survey conducted by Selangor government through the Selangkah app revealed that one of the main reasons women did not join the workforce was family responsibilities, which included childcare. Selangor women empowerment and welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari, while speaking at an Ampang Jaya Municipal Council Women's Day event, said 13% of women in the survey stated inflexible working hours made it difficult for them to hold on to a job and meet their family's needs at the same time. 'Another 13% said they wanted to emphasise quality care and the safety of their children,' said Anfaal. The percentage of Selangor women who are unpaid family workers was also the highest in Malaysia at 20%, she added. I recently attended a workshop to develop the full potential of women in the workplace. It was organised by a voluntary organisation which focusses on facilitating 30% women representation on the boards of companies listed on Bursa Malaysia. During discussions to exchange ideas, gain insights and receive guidance on navigating the path to leadership, out popped the usual topic of guilt in leaving one's children in the care of others when reporting to work. One participant, who is a development associate of a company, summed up the situation beautifully. 'Those who are bold enough to embrace change are the ones who have what it takes to be in leadership roles and enjoy the perks that come with it, such as being able to afford better education opportunities for their children,' she said. A mother-of-two, who is now a partner of an international accounting firm, said it all boiled down to personal choice. While she works in Kuala Lumpur, her family resides in Penang. To see her family, she has to frequently travel to and fro. Many women in the working world are mothers, a company chief operating officer said. 'It is not wrong to choose your family. Whatever you decide, that is the right decision,' she said. However, it must also be remembered that women who are financially independent will always have a safety net for themselves. It will also give them the mandate to make important decisions for the family, from the quality of care for ageing parents to leaving lasting legacies for their own children. Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the Government aims to raise female labour force participation to 60% by 2030 through measures such as expanded childcare, reskilling and gender-inclusive workplace initiatives.
The Star
25-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
One portal to access welfare services info
A NEW digital portal on registered care services across the state will be made accessible to the public. The portal called 'Sejagat' includes childcare centres, rehabilitation facilities and senior care providers, said Selangor executive council member Anfaal Saari. The women empowerment and welfare committee chairman said the initiative currently in its first phase used artificial intelligence (AI) and generative technology to dynamically map and update data from multiple government agencies including the Welfare Department (JKM) and Statistics Department. 'Sejagat is a dynamic platform. 'It is designed to be flexible and responsive so that we can adjust the data as needed,' she said after attending the 'Sembang Santai, Dasar Sampai' town hall programme. The event at a hall located in a Shah Alam shopping centre involved representatives from local councils along with district and land offices. Although the 'Sejagat' portal was in its early stages and currently only accessible to selected internal stakeholders, the long-term plan was to make it publicly available, said Anfaal. 'Let's say someone is caring for an elderly parent who has suffered a stroke. 'With Sejagat, they will be able to find the nearest registered centre offering stroke rehabilitation or senior care,' she said. The centralised access to the data is expected to provide better direction and clarity to caregivers and families seeking welfare support, she added. The portal, Anfaal said, was also intended to benefit local industries and policymakers. 'When the data is fully mapped, we can identify areas that has demand for services, but lack the supply. 'This helps us address mismatches between supply and demand.' She said access to the portal might first be extended to local authorities for feedback before the full public rollout. She added that the committee planned to present the next phase of the portal during the Selangor International Care Summit in October. On another matter, Anfaal said she was aware that some childcare centres were reluctant to accept infants under 12 months old. 'There are concerns about accidents or negligence that some care centres do not want to take on. 'This concern is valid and needs to be taken seriously,' she said. 'It is a matter that should be discussed at federal level with Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.' Anfaal said current regulations set by JKM was a carer-to-baby ratio of 1:3, meaning one caregiver is responsible for three children under the age of one. She suggested the government either review this requirement or provide subsidies to childcare operators to help ease their operational burden. 'So far, I have received one or two personal complaints, but I have asked JKM Selangor to gather more detailed information on the issue,' she added.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
S'gor crowns businesswomen icons
(From right) Zuraini, Anfaal, Adibah and Siti Faridah on stage at the award ceremony. — KK SHAM/The Star FIVE entrepreneurs from Selangor received recognition during the state's Women Digital Entrepreneur Icon Awards. Adibah Nor Mokles was named the 2025 Women Digital Entrepreneur Icon while four others received the Best Women Entrepreneur Awards. The event, held at Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Abdul Aziz in Shah Alam, marked the closing of the Young Women Entrepreneur Digital Media Incentive Programme (Usahanita Digital). The programme is an initiative under the Selangor women empowerment and community welfare committee, via Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS). In a media statement, WBS said the programme provided training, guidance and exposure in digital marketing, content creation and digital business management. Over 200 participants went through five phases of screening. Ten finalists were selected for the final pitching round and to attend the award ceremony. WBS said the finalists presented business plans in fields such as food, early childhood education, beauty spas, handicrafts, education technology and pet care products. They were evaluated by judges from various agencies, including Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation, Platform Selangor, Hijrah Foundation, Yayasan Wakaf Khadijah, and Appengage. The five winners received cash, trophies, business matching grants and opportunities for overseas industry visits in November aimed at making their businesses more competitive. Also present at the awards ceremony were Selangor State Economic Planning Unit (sectoral Section) chief assistant director Zuraini Harun and WBS chief executive officer Siti Faridah Abdul Samad. WBS said it hoped such initiatives would foster a more progressive, innovative and independent generation of young women entrepreneurs. Selangor women empowerment and welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari launched the ceremony. She encouraged women to explore new ideas, learn new technologies and contribute positively to their families and communities. 'Women who dare to dream and pursue their ambitions are crucial for building economic resilience not only for themselves, but also for their families and society,' she said. 'If the potential of women, who make up half of Selangor's population, is not fully honed and polished, the state's progress cannot be maximised.'
The Sun
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Selangor Women's Convention 2025 to strengthen role of women in state's development
KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Women's Convention 2025 on June 28 at the Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC) will serve as a comprehensive platform to empower women and enhance their role in the state's social and economic development. State Women Empowerment and Welfare Committee chairman Anfaal Saari said the programme, organised by the Selangor Women and Family Development Standing Committee, through Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS), is targeting more than 1,000 participants representing government agencies, academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), industry and women from various walks of life. 'This convention is part of the implementation of the Selangor Women's Policy 2024-2026 and serves as a crucial platform to showcase policies and best practices in women's participation in the workforce, community entrepreneurship and digital empowerment,' she said after launching the WBS Volunteers and Khairat Darul Ehsan (KDE) here today. Themed 'Meneroka Kekuatan, Mencipta Kejayaan', the convention will feature three main components, namely Her Career Convention, Hasil Suri Expo and Digital Entrepreneur Pitching. Anfaal said the Her Career Convention focuses on women's career development through technical education and vocational training, including in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as the care economy, with the participation of 30 companies. The Hasil Suri Expo will feature participation from 56 WBS Centres across Selangor, showcasing and marketing their respective community products, while the pitching session will involve 41 young female entrepreneurs presenting innovative digital ideas in competition for a special Digital Entrepreneur grant. Commenting on the state's target to increase women's workforce participation to 75 per cent by 2030, up from the current 69.9 per cent, Anfaal said several strategies are being implemented, including collaboration with TalentCorp and the organisation of the Career Comeback programme. 'Among the approaches introduced is the flexible work policy in state government-linked companies such as MBI Corporation. The feedback has been very positive because it helps women who need to care for young children or elderly parents,' she said. The state is also organising the Care Summit programme in October and expanding the Usahanita Digital initiative, a training and grant programme targeted at female entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to accelerate the business digitalisation process. 'Through this programme, we help B40 and M40 women entrepreneurs registered with SSM to grow their businesses digitally. Several participants from the first cohort have successfully gained customers from abroad,' she explained. At the same event, Anfaal also announced the official launch of the KDE initiative, a continuation of the Mesra Selangor programme which provides death benefit (funeral) assistance of up to RM1,000 to the next of kin of the deceased. She added that more than 2,000 visitors attended the event today, including recipients of a special state grant of RM2,000 who participated in a care-giving course since last year. Anfaal expressed hope that the Selangor Women's Convention 2025 will serve as a catalyst for creating a comprehensive ecosystem for women's empowerment, offering career opportunities, including entrepreneurship, to women who are not yet formally engaged in the workforce. 'Through this platform, women can hone their potential and build strategic networks with various parties,' she said.
