Latest news with #Emergency
The Star
15 hours ago
- General
- The Star
A life in headlines
CHAN Kuan Yuan has seen it all from the frontlines of journalism. In his 63 years as a reporter, Kuan Yuan had the rare privilege of covering momentous events – from reporting on the last two colonial governors of North Borneo to witnessing the birth of Malaysia – and many milestones that shaped modern-day Sabah. These rich experiences are now documented in his newly launched 130-page memoir, Sixty Years on the Frontlines of the Press. While history books record major events, Kuan Yuan said, newspapers tell the stories of how those events unfolded. 'Over the past century, the world and our society have undergone immense change. From isolation and underdevelopment, we've progressed into an age of advancement and civilisation. Today, we've even stepped into the era of artificial intelligence,' said the 90-year-old at his recent book launch. 'As a journalist who has spent more than 60 years in this field, I've witnessed and experienced these changes first-hand, with all the ups and downs, triumphs and failures, moments of joy and sorrow, anxiety and fear.' He said he decided to preserve these memories knowing they would eventually be swept away by time. Kuan Yuan began his career in 1958 as a copywriter at the Overseas Chinese Daily before joining The Borneo Times Chinese edition as a stringer. Over the years, he rose through the ranks to become chief editor at several newspapers, including Sandakan Jit Pao, Merdeka Daily News, Sabah Shi Pao and Morning Post, before retiring in 2021 with Asia Times. 'A newspaper is a collection of news and words for both information and entertainment. Its pages form a continuous record of society and humanity,' he said. While history books record major events, he said, newspapers tell the stories of how those events unfolded. 'The world changes in the blink of an eye, and countless events must be documented and conveyed by journalists. This work carries the mission of preserving and advancing civilisation and progress.' Kuan Yuan (seated left) celebrating the launch of his memoir with Chan (seated right) and fellow current and retired journalists. His memoir reveals he was far from being an ordinary journalist. Those who knew him describe Kuan Yuan as courageous and passionate – someone who never shied away from paying the price for publishing the truth. He recalled the pressure faced from the powers that be when The Borneo Times supported the formation of multi-racial political parties in North Borneo, while political forces then preferred the race-based model used in Peninsular Malaysia. At the book launch, Sabah Journalists Association advisor Datuk Muguntan Vanar disclosed that Kuan Yuan was detained for 18 months under the now-repealed Internal Security Act for ignoring censorship laws shortly after the Emergency was imposed following the May 13, 1969 riots. 'Keeping with the ethics of journalism, Kuan Yuan never revealed the sources of his articles. His book details these episodes. Believe me, I can relate to his stress and fears during questioning and his journey to Kepayan prison just for telling a story,' said Vanar. 'The worst part is that, like for many journalists, telling a story is our job. Kuan Yuan did not see any crime that deserved incarceration.' The book, Vanar said, offers a peek into Sabah's history and the thinking of its people before and after Malaysia's formation – all through the lens of a veteran journalist. It was a double celebration for Kuan Yuan – publishing his memoir and receiving this year's Tokoh Wartawan Sabah award. He is seen here with Vanar (left) and Chan. He describes the memoir as essential reading, especially for younger journalists navigating an era of social media noise and artificial intelligence. 'It reflects the ethics, good practices and high standards of journalism. It's both inspiring and a reminder of the ethics we must uphold, especially now, facing challenges not only from social media but also from modern tools like AI,' Vanar said. He also hopes the book will be translated from Chinese into English and Bahasa Malaysia for wider access. Datuk C.L. Chan, the book's publisher, said the memoir goes beyond storytelling; it celebrates a living record of Sabah's modern history through the eyes of a man who spent over six decades chasing stories and keeping the public informed. 'He served as chief editor of no fewer than eight newspapers in Sabah, including The Borneo Times, which was co-founded by my late father in 1956,' said Chan. The idea for the book came about during the Covid pandemic when Chan, compiling his own family memoirs, reached out to Kuan Yuan for insights into the press in those early days – from the ink-stained desks, the steady clack of typewriters, the old printing machines that always broke down at the worst time. 'The more he shared, the more fascinating it became. I encouraged him to write his own story, to reveal behind-the-scenes moments many may never have known,' said Chan. Initially, Kuan Yuan politely declined. But a year later, to Chan's surprise, he agreed – and true to his discipline, completed the manuscript himself. 'This is more than just a book. It's a tribute to a man who spent his life telling other people's stories and now, finally, tells his own,' said Chan. At the recent Kinabalu Press Awards, Kuan Yuan was honoured with this year's Tokoh Wartawan Sabah award for his decades of service and strong sense of social responsibility. To all working journalists, he offered this advice: 'Never underestimate your role. Carry your sense of mission proudly. Be dedicated and passionate, strive constantly for excellence. Let your light shine, not only to brighten your own path, but to contribute to the progress of society and the advancement of civilisation.' Sixty Years on the Frontlines of the Press is available at The Borneo Shop in Wisma Merdeka for RM40.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
V S Achuthanandan — Communist, mass leader, icon
End of an era' may be a cliché, but at times, it's the most appropriate phrase. The passing of V S Achuthanandan at 101 is such a moment. V S defined communist politics for about eight decades. He was the last survivor of the 32 leaders who walked out of the stormy national council meeting of the undivided CPI in 1964 to form the CPM. But it is not just the years that he lived through or the epochs that he witnessed or participated in — India's struggle for Independence, the Punnapra-Vayalar revolt of 1946 that paved the way for Kerala to join the Indian Union, the split in the Communist Party in 1964, the fight against the Emergency in 1975 or the country's tectonic shift from a planned economy to a free market in 1991 — that defined him. Comrade V S was the last living link to an Indian politics shaped by workers' and peasants' movements, and the idea that mass struggle could be a vehicle for social change. As I write this on a rainy day in New Delhi, I can't help but notice the visuals being beamed live from Thiruvananthapuram: Even school children could be seen milling around the AKG Centre to catch a glimpse of the departed leader. I can't help but think that even their grandfathers might not have been born when V S took up the red flag, while toiling as a tailor or lifting bales in a coir factory to earn his daily bread. Little wonder, then, that he chose to name his autobiography Life is a Struggle. As the news of his demise came in, there was a common thread in tributes, ranging from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to the grassroots worker: V S proved that life and struggle are not two different things. What makes Comrade V S a darling of the masses? It has as much to do with his commitment to the cause he believed in as with his passion. In the ever-changing world of realpolitik, V S chose to be a man of the party organisation for decades. One of the State Committee members of the undivided CPI that came to power in 1957 in Kerala, V S became a minister for the first time — Chief Minister to be precise — at the age of 82 in 2006. There were only two pillars in his world — the party and the people. As CM, the biggest allegation against V S was that he behaved more like the Opposition leader. The jibe was about the mass agitations he led — such as against encroachment in the tourist paradise of Munnar by powerful vested interests or the fast he underwent demanding a ban on the deadly pesticide endosulfan. What his opponents failed to grasp — and what the masses instinctively grasped — was that he was a man fighting the system, not the Opposition. It is precisely this conviction that made him an unlikely champion of the free software movement. His uncompromising stand on core issues of corruption, the environment and violence against women earned him a few foes but his popularity skyrocketed. As CM, he once famously refused to present an award to a then-star of Malayalam cinema who was battling charges of sexual harassment. That was V S. Setbacks only emboldened him, and he lived to fight another day. It remains a topic of academic interest how a dyed-in-the-wool party organisation man like V S became, overnight, a wildly popular mass leader in the 1990s. He was the biggest crowd-puller I have seen. His speeches, replete with sarcasm, drew in people of all persuasions. Imitating his speeches — that style of stressing a syllable here or pausing in the middle of a wisecrack there — became a subculture in school/college festivals, movies and TV shows. In his personal life, V S inculcated the same discipline as he did in the party as its long-standing state secretary. V S was not given to indulgences. In that, he leaves another model for India's youth to follow: Life is about discipline, courage and commitment. More importantly, he redefined youth when questions were raised about his fitness to be CM. Comrade V S demolished the sceptics by reciting a verse: Your age is not the grey or black/That rests upon your crown/But in the fire that burns your spirit/And a head that never bows down to tyranny. A few days ago, I was at the hospital where the dear comrade was admitted. His son, V A Arun, said: 'The fighter that he is, it won't be easy for death to conquer him.' V S will live on. Lal Salam, comrade. The writer is leader of CPI(M) in Rajya Sabha
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Supporting community-led responses to the illegal toxic drug and overdose crisis in Atlantic Canada Français
Funding will prioritize urgent needs at community level FREDERICTON, NB, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced $2.8 million in funding from the Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) to support four projects in Atlantic. These investments will directly support communities in Fredericton and Miramichi, New Brunswick, in Amherst, Nova Scotia, and in St. John's, Newfoundland. The ETF is part of the Government of Canada's efforts to help communities rapidly respond to emerging, critical needs related to the overdose crisis faced by municipalities and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. It provides support for a wide range of urgent interventions to bolster local capacity to help the most affected populations. Minister Michel highlighted a mobile outreach project led by the City of Fredericton and the John Howard Society. This project will expand outreach efforts in Fredericton, New Brunswick, by adding overnight services to support vulnerable populations by delivering supplies, providing transport to critical services, distributing naloxone, and offering overdose support and weather warnings year-round. Quotes "Communities across the country have called for help - and through the Emergency Treatment Fund, we are responding. This funding will deliver immediate support where it is needed most. We are using every tool available to connect people to care, address urgent local challenges, and keep our communities safe." The Honourable Marjorie Michel Minister of Health "Families and communities continue to feel the devastating impact of the fentanyl crisis. This funding will improve access to life-saving harm reduction services, health supports, and community-based programs for those who need it the most. Through ongoing collaboration, we can continue building a compassionate, evidence-informed approach that protects lives and supports recovery." David Myles Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Nature) "This project, led by the John Howard Society and supported by the City of Fredericton, is a vital step in addressing a key need identified in our Community Safety Task Force Report. By adding a mobile overnight outreach unit, we're ensuring vulnerable residents get the support they need when they need it most. This partnership reflects our commitment to a safer, more supportive Fredericton for everyone." Her Worship Kate Rogers Mayor of Fredericton "This initiative marks an important step forward in our commitment to providing comprehensive, around-the-clock support to individuals in need. By extending outreach efforts into the overnight hours, we aim to ensure that no one is left without access to essential services—regardless of the time of day. These new overnight outreach services will work in close coordination with existing daytime programs, creating a continuous and responsive support system that prioritizes safety, connection to services, and community care. We are proud to work in partnership with Fredericton Police and Fire on this initiative, and we thank all of the frontline workers and community partners who make this vital work possible." John Barrow Executive Director, John Howard Society of Fredericton Quick Facts Budget 2024 provided $150 million over three years for an ETF for municipalities and Indigenous communities to help provide rapid responses to the overdose crisis. Further to the 2024 ETF Call for Proposals, more than $100.5 million in funding is being provided for 102 projects. Projects will be made public when the agreements are in place. Associated Links Government of Canada supporting solutions and rapid responses to the substance use and overdose crisis Emergency Treatment Fund 2024 The Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy Get help with substance use Hope for Wellness SOURCE Health Canada (HC)
Scroll.in
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
VS Achuthanandan, former Kerala CM and veteran communist leader, dies at 101
VS Achuthanandan, former Kerala chief minister and veteran communist leader, died in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. He was 101. The former chief minister had withdrawn from public life after suffering a minor stroke in 2019, The Hindu reported. He had since been living with his son, V Arun Kumar, at his home in the state capital. Achuthanandan was admitted to a hospital after a cardiac arrest in June, The Indian Express reported. He had been on a life support system since then. The communist leader was born into a family of agricultural workers at Punnapra village in Alappuzha district in 1923. He lost his mother at the age of four and his father at 11. At an early age, Achuthanandan developed an interest in politics and joined the Travancore State Congress, The Indian Express reported. He became a member of the undivided Communist Party of India after he turned 17. In 1940, Achuthanandan joined a coir factory in Alappuzha and was urged by Communist leader Comrade P Krishna Pillai to bring the workers closer to the movement and ask them to fight for their rights. The communist leader was also actively involved in a militant agitation against the colonial rule in 1946, which culminated in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising, The Hindu reported. In 1954, Achuthanandan became a member of the Communist Party of India state committee and was promoted to the state secretariat three years later. However, Achuthanandan was one among the 32 leaders of the undivided Communist Party of India to walk out and form the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1964 after a prolonged inner-party struggle over political strategy. In 1965, the communist leader started his legislative career during the Assembly elections, contesting from the Ambalapuzha seat, but did not win. He won from the same seat in 1967 and 1970. Achuthanandan was also arrested for 21 months during the Emergency. The communist leader was elected as state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1980 and held the post for 12 years. He was the convener of the Left Democratic Front from 1996 to 2000. He served as the chief minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tharoor to be kept away from all Congress events in Thiruvananthapuram: Muraleedharan
T'puram: At a time when the status of Shashi Tharoor 's relationship with his own party remains uncertain, senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan has said the party has decided to keep the Thiruvananthapuram MP away from its functions in the state capital, from where Tharoor was elected for four consecutive terms. "It is up to the party high command to decide whether to take action against him or not. But we have decided that he should be kept away from all the party functions in Thiruvananthapuram," said Muraleedharan. In response, Tharoor said he had "nothing to comment". The state leadership has been distancing itself from Tharoor ever since he started defying the AICC leadership's directive. Despite his criticisms against former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi on the incidents that occurred during the Emergency, AICC has not responded strongly against him yet. It is at this juncture that the state leaders of the party have declared an "unofficial" ban on Tharoor for the party functions. He was not even invited for the campaigning for the Nilambur by-election last month.
