Latest news with #Chua
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
Melaka school alumni makes appeal to fund legal battle
MELAKA: The Canossian Alumnae Association of Melaka is appealing to former students of missionary schools to contribute towards a fundraising campaign to support ongoing legal proceedings involving the SK Sacred Heart Canossian Convent, a school located in the heart of the historic city. The association's vice-president Josephine Chua said that the Canossian presence in the state spans more than 120 years and its legacy faces serious uncertainty due to unresolved legal disputes over land ownership. "The Melaka state legal advisor has issued a demand for the Canossian Sisters to pay the respondents' legal costs as ordered by the court on Feb 3. "We also urgently require funds to file an appeal and meet other related legal expenses," she said in an interview here on Friday (May 30). Chua said that the association is determined to preserve the mission's longstanding contribution to education and community welfare in Melaka. "The Canossian Sisters have worked tirelessly to secure rightful registration of the land, but repeated legal setbacks have left them disheartened. "Through this fundraising initiative, we hope to ease their burden and support their continued fight for justice," she added. In April, Bandar Hilir assemblyperson Leng Chau Yen sought clarification from the state government on the criteria used to determine land use rights and ownership, particularly for institutions that have occupied the land for decades and hold significant historical value. In March, the Melaka High Court dismissed a judicial review application filed by two Catholic mission bodies contesting the state's claim over the land on which the Sacred Heart Canossian Convent is located. Known as Lot 6, the site has served as a residence for the Canossian Sisters and an orphanage since 1905. A primary school was established there in 1929, followed by a secondary school in 1950. According to court documents, the land was originally held under the Portuguese Mission. Historical records show that the original title deed, issued during the Dutch colonial era, was last known to have been in Father Alvaro Martins Corado's possession during World War II. The deed was lost following his arrest and subsequent death in Japanese captivity in 1944. The first applicant in the case, the Mother Superior of the Daughters of Charity of the Canossian Institute (Malaya) was legally established in 1957 to hold property on behalf of the Canossian Sisters. The second applicant, the Agent of the Commission for the Administration of the Estates of the Portuguese Missions in China and Singapore (commonly known as the Portuguese Mission), was incorporated under a 1910 colonial statute and also claims ownership of the land. Both applicants had made multiple attempts to obtain a new title deed, engaging in extensive correspondence and meetings with state authorities over the years. Those wishing to support the Canossian Sisters in their legal battle can contact 016-611 1201 for further details.
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Women's retreat builds resilience
The two-day retreat includes a mindfulness walk at Taman Tasik Permaisuri with a focus on the five senses. — Low Lay Phon/The Star A retreat in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 brought together nearly 100 women from various backgrounds to recharge and inspire one another. Held in Komune Living and Wellness in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, 'Enliven Women 2025' was organised by online-based programme Yoga for Mums. Among the women who benefitted from the overnight retreat was Maisarah Hanum Abd Latib, 40, from Flat PKNS AU2, Taman Keramat in Ampang, Selangor. 'During the mindfulness walk, I walked in silence, observing only what was around me,' the home-based tailor and single mother of five told StarMetro. 'As a busy mother, this gave me space to breathe and reflect, bringing calmness to my mind.' Her fellow participants included B40 mothers, homemakers, working professionals and young corporate employees. Through mindfulness and self-discovery in an emotionally safe space, the women were able to connect, recharge and support one another. For Maisarah and her fellow B40 mums, the retreat was a form of support by social enterprise Thrive Well that seeks to provide trauma-informed mental health services to underserved groups. Chua: Retreat aims to encourage all women to live the best life they can. Thrive Well clinical coordinator Hani Adriana Azman said retreat participants included nine B40 women from Flat PKNS AU2 and PPR Seri Semarak in Kampung Baru Air Panas, Kuala Lumpur. 'These women have completed our basic, advanced and ambassador-level programmes. 'At the ambassador stage, they are able to support mental health peers within their own communities,' she said. Certified mindfulness coach and Yoga for Mums founder Caleen Chua Yen Keng said the retreat was aimed at encouraging women to live the best life they could. Chua also guided participants during a 10-minute silent mindfulness walk at nearby Taman Tasik Permaisuri where they focused on their five senses and let go of judgement. 'In that silence, we uncover our own strength, resilience and calm,' she said. The retreat featured structured sessions including the life wheel workshop, lunch, a mindful eating session, a personal vision workshop, and group reflection and sharing. The initiative was endorsed by Women, Family and Community Development Ministry alongside Malaysia Retail Chain Association's (MRCA) women division. MRCA women division chief Aiveen Wong said the division's tagline 'Empower women, build nation' reflected the movement towards women's empowerment nationwide. 'Today, more women are stepping into the workforce with confidence and ambition,' she said. 'This retreat is about discovering that inner strength and helping each other grow. 'In 2023, women made up nearly half or 15.9 million of Malaysia's population of 33 million. 'That's more than a number, it is a sign of strength, resilience and potential,' she added. Wong said 219,000 females were born that year, representing the country's future women leaders. The event was supported by corporate and brand sponsors.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Winstar Capital to expand production capacity with 4 lines at new RM14.5m plant
KUALA LUMPUR: Winstar Capital Bhd's new facility, currently under construction in Ijok, Selangor, will boost annual manufacturing capacity to 15,285 tonnes from 6,705 tonnes. The target will be achieved through the acquisition of four additional aluminium extrusion lines. 'The new facility and the acquisition of four additional aluminium extrusion lines are part of our growth strategy, which will significantly boost our production capacity. This expansion is a key step in meeting rising demand and strengthening our market position,' Winstar Capital CEO Chua Boon Hong told reporters after the company's annual general meeting today. Winstar Capital has commenced construction of a manufacturing facility adjacent to its existing plant in Ijok, aiming to support its growth ambitions and meet rising demand. Known as the Lot 903 Facility, the new site, with an estimated cost of RM14.50 million, spans some 80,000 square feet and is designed to accommodate four aluminium extrusion lines along with expanded storage space. Chua said the expansion is progressing well under the original schedule, despite the current tariff episode created by the US government, which has disrupted the global supply chain. 'We anticipate stronger demand coming from our customers towards the end of 2025. We are likely to bring forward the installation of another two new aluminium extrusion lines by the first quarter of 2026, instead of only installing them in the second quarter of 2026,' he added. The new facility is financed through a combination of bank borrowings and internally generated funds, of which RM11.6 million in loans have been secured. In its presentation, Winstar Capital noted that the strategic expansion will boost the group's operational efficiency. Construction began in April 2024 with operations expected to commence by the third quarter of this year. The estimated cost of acquiring the new extrusion lines is RM9.55 million, which will be funded primarily with the proceeds from its public issue. Should there be any shortfall, the group intends to cover the additional costs using bank borrowings and internally generated funds. Chua said, 'With this expansion, we will be able to offer a broader range of extruded aluminium profiles to meet the diverse needs of our customers. As of Dec 31, 2024, we had a total of approximately 5,954 stock-keeping units for our aluminium extrusion segment and the trading and distribution of building materials segment.' He said that with higher tariffs imposed on Chinese aluminium product manufacturers by the US government, Winstar Capital has received a growing number of inquiries from potential European and US customers considering purchasing aluminium products from Malaysian manufacturers. 'Many of them are actively looking for alternative suppliers in Southeast Asia to reduce their overreliance on Chinese manufacturers. This shift in global sourcing is creating new opportunities for us,' Chua stated. Winstar Capital recorded revenue of RM203.39 million for FY24, marking an increase of RM49.7 million or 32.3% compared to RM153.69 million in FY23. The increase was mainly attributable to higher revenue from the aluminium extrusion segment, which rose by RM32.84 million, mainly due to greater demand from customers in the construction and property development industries. In tandem with the revenue growth, the group's gross profit increased by RM6 million, or 19.8%, from RM30.35 million in FY23 to RM36.35 million in FY24. Despite the increase in gross profit, Winstar Capital reported a decrease in profit before tax (PBT) by RM2.09 million, or 17.8%, from RM11.72 million in FY23 to RM9.63 million in FY24. The PBT margin decreased from 7.6% in FY23 to 4.7% in FY24.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
History and fun facts behind the Philippine flag, according to historian
National Flag Day is celebrated on May 28 every year, as declared in the Presidential Proclamation 374 under then-president Diosdado Macapagal in 1965. Historian Professor Xiao Chua shared with GMA News Online the history of the occasion as well as a few fun facts about the Philippine flag. According to Chua, the Philippine flag was designed by General Emilio Aguinaldo and was sewn by three women in Hong Kong including Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, as well as Delfina Herbosa de Natividad. 'Ito ay tinahi ng tatlong babae sa Hong Kong: Si Marcela Agoncillo yung isa, Delfina Herbosa, at anak ni Marcela si Lorenza,' he said. (It was sewn by three women in Hong Kong: Marcela Agoncillo, Delfina Herbosa, and Marcela's daughter Lorenza.) 'Sa Hong Kong after i-design ito ng Hong Kong Junta sa pamumuno ni Emilio Aguinaldo. So dala-dala ni Aguinaldo yung flag na yan noong muli tayong lumaban para sa ating kasarinlan noong nanalo tayo after 300 years of Spanish colonialism, napalaya natin ang Pilipinas, June 12, 1898,' he added. (In Hong Kong after it was designed by the Hong Kong Junta led by Emilio Aguinaldo. So Aguinaldo carried that flag when we fought again for our independence when we won after 300 years of Spanish colonialism, we liberated the Philippines, June 12, 1898.) The Philippine flag was first raised on May 28, 1898, Chua said. 'Noong May 28, sa araw na tinatawag natin ngayong Flag Day, nanalo ang mga puwersa ni Heneral Emilio Aguinaldo sa Battle of Alapan dito sa Imus, Cavite,' he said. (On May 28, the day we now call National Flag Day, the forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo won the Battle of Alapan here in Imus, Cavite.) 'Sa battle na yan na nanalo tayo laban sa Espanyol, sinelebrate yan sa isang teatro sa Cavite City noong gabi na yun. Doon unang inilabas ang watawat ng Pilipinas,' he added. (In that battle that we won against the Spanish, it was celebrated in a theater in Cavite City that night. That is where the Philippine flag was first raised.) According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the Philippine flag was banned in 1907 when Americans took over the Philippines. The NHCP adds that the Philippine Commission enacted the Flag Law of 1907 that prohibited Filipinos from displaying the Philippine flag even inside their homes. Senator Rafael Palma in 1919 sponsored Senate Bill No. 1 after Gov. Gen. Francis Harrison recommended that the law should be repealed since the distrust between the Filipinos and the Americans no longer exists. In the same year, the new law was approved and repealed the ban of the Philippine flag. Chua reminded Filipinos that the Philippine flag is a product of the Philippine revolution. He said that the Philippine flag also symbolizes the oneness of the Filipino people despite differences. 'Tandaan natin na yung watawat ng Pilipinas ay produkto ng kasaysayan ng himagsikang Pilipino. Ibig sabihin, nabuo yan dahil sa struggle natin to independence,' he said. (Let us remember that the Philippine flag is a product of the history of the Philippine revolution. It was created because of our struggle for independence.) 'Iyan yung mahalagang simbolo na kapag tumingala tayo, iisa yung watawat natin, iisa yung awit natin. It reminds us that, yes, we are different, iba-iba tayo, pero iisa din tayo,' he added. (That is the important symbol that when we look up, our flag is one, our anthem is one. It reminds us that, yes, we are different, but we are also one.) — LA, GMA Integrated News
The Star
4 days ago
- General
- The Star
Humanitarian theme in MRCS parade
Ling (standing at podium) and Chua (right) watching the MRCS Sibu march-past in Tun Zaidi Stadium. THE Malaysia Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Sibu branch's Annual Inspection Parade 2025 held in Sibu town, Sarawak, carries on a proud community tradition. MRCS Sibu chairman Penghulu Chua Hiong Kee described the event as a celebration of the society members' discipline, unity and selflessness. 'The parade is a powerful symbol of our dedication to serving humanity. This lies at the very heart of MRCS Sibu,' he said. At the Tun Zaidi Stadium, members marched in precision and saluted beneath fluttering flags bearing the symbolic colours of the MRCS. Chua emphasised that these displays reflected a readiness to serve in hard times. 'These show our commitment to humanitarian services and our willingness to give selflessly in times of crises, without expecting anything in return. As long as there is a need, there will be someone wearing the Red Crescent emblem, and who is ready to serve, comfort and heal,' he added. Chua also explained MRCS Sibu's vision of nurturing young people through its ranks, with juniors becoming cadets and eventually graduating into the Voluntary Aid Detachment unit. This approach fosters lifelong contributors to the humanitarian sector, he noted. 'The impact of your good deeds is bigger than you will ever know. 'Let us move forward together with strength and purpose.' The parade highlighted this year's World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day theme 'On the Side of Humanity'. Chua said the theme symbolised the organisation's daily mission to put people first, act with compassion and serve all individuals regardless of background, status or belief. 'It is a call to stand firmly on the side of kindness and service,' he added. Sibu district education officer Ahli Chikba called on parents and community to continue to support the role of MRCS in schools. 'Encourage children to join uniformed bodies like MRCS, not just for Physical Activity, Sports and Co-Curriculum Assessment marks but to deepen the meaning of humanity and volunteerism,' he stated in his speech that was read out by his representative Jeremy Ling.
