Latest news with #Fatimah
The Star
18 hours ago
- General
- The Star
Tangkak murder victim's mum had 'bad feeling' a month before tragedy
TANGKAK: A month before her daughter's death, Fatimah Seman had a premonition that something terrible was going to happen. That feeling became a horrifying reality when her daughter, in her 30s, was found dead in her home at Taman Cahaya near Sungai Mati in Bukit Gambir here earlier this week. 'As a mother, I just had this feeling that my daughter was going to die,' the 67-year-old said through tears when met at her home in Kampung Pengkalan Kota near Durian Chondong here on Wednesday (June 4). ALSO READ: Man remanded for suspected murder and arson Fatimah recalled that her late daughter, the second of four siblings, had called her on Monday (June 2), asking to come to her workplace at an oil palm weighing station to collect rice she had bought from Thailand. 'She seemed fine when we met, and I did not expect anything to happen. "But that night, I told my husband that we would be 'sent' something," she said, adding that her daughter had been married for about two years. She claimed the suspect in her daughter's murder had grown increasingly distant and controlling, even cutting off her contact with the family. Fatimah added that at around 4am on Tuesday (June 3), the suspect allegedly set fire to four vehicles parked outside her home. 'When police arrived at around 11am to investigate the fire, I told them that my daughter could not be contacted and I was afraid for her life,' she said. Tangkak OCPD Supt Roslan Mohd Talib said initial investigations indicated that family issues may have led to the crime. ALSO READ: Woman dies after husband allegedly slits her throat in Johor 'Investigations so far show that the motive for the attack was domestic problems. "The case is still under investigation, and we are identifying witnesses to assist in the case,' he said when contacted. He added that the investigation began on Tuesday after police received a report about several vehicles being allegedly set on fire by the suspect, which eventually led them to uncover the murder. 'Although we believe the murder occurred on Monday, the exact time is still being determined. "The victim was found unconscious and her body, with slash wounds on the throat, was covered with a blanket in the living room. 'We also recovered and seized a blood-stained knife believed to have been used in the incident,' he said. Supt Roslan said the 33-year-old suspect has a criminal record for an offence under Section 427 of the Penal Code for mischief. He also said the unemployed suspect has been remanded for seven days until Tuesday (June 10) to assist in the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder and Section 435 of the same law for causing mischief by fire. He added that the victim's body has been sent to Hospital Melaka's forensic unit for a post-mortem. Earlier on Wednesday, the suspect, wearing a purple prison uniform, was brought to a Tangkak Magistrate's Court for the remand process. While in the court holding cell, he began reciting religious phrases and screaming so loudly that he could be heard outside the building. Magistrate Lee Kim Keat issued the remand order following an application by the investigating officer from the Tangkak police district headquarters, which only took about 20 minutes before the suspect was taken back in a police truck for further investigation.
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Fatimah: Authenticity of Pesta Kaul must be preserved for future generations
Fatimah and other guests pose for a group photo after officially launching Pesta Kaul Sungai Kut Muara. MUKAH (June 2): The authenticity and cultural significance of the Pesta Kaul Sungai Kut Muara must be preserved to reflect the true spirit of the traditional Melanau celebration passed down through generations, said Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. 'If tourists want to witness an authentic Kaul festival, they should come and experience the Pesta Kaul in Mukah,' she said when officiating the opening ceremony of the festival today. Fatimah praised the collaboration between the older and younger generations in ensuring the annual continuation of the cultural event. 'The involvement of both senior and upcoming generations ensures the continuity of the authentic Pesta Kaul,' she said, when officiating at the opening of the Pesta Kaul Sungai Kut Muara today. Fatimah congratulating the committee members for successfully carrying out the responsibility of continuing this cultural legacy. Looking ahead, Fatimah proposed strengthening the celebration further by 2026. 'We can enhance the Pesta Kaul with more structured planning through discussions between local village committees (JKKK) and district office,' she said. She stressed the importance of refining and elevating festival activities, showcasing the innovation and craftsmanship of the Melanau people, particularly in traditional raft-making for the symbolic Serahang procession. To preserve the unique identity of Pesta Kaul, Fatimah highlighted the importance of traditional Melanau attire as a defining feature of the festival, and urged focus on traditions rooted in pre-Islamic and pre-Christian Melanau culture. 'The authenticity of Pesta Kaul must be preserved and passed down. The younger generation must understand its significance through oral storytelling competitions or written narratives about the Kaul,' she explained. Workshops on Serahang making should also be organised to prevent the loss of this cultural craft, she added, while urging the community to safeguard their unity and cultural space against negative external influences. In addition to the cultural aspects, Fatimah also outlined several completed and upcoming development projects under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) in Dalat, and emphasised the importance of education. She noted that the government continues to provide substantial support for early childhood education, ensuring access to quality schooling for children in rural areas. fatimah abdullah lead Melanau community Pesta Kaul
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Sarawak govt contributes RM10,000 to Lions Nursing Home for Gawai
Fatimah presents a Kenyalang Gold Card to one of the residents of Lions Nursing Home in Kuching. KUCHING (June 1): Lions Nursing Home Kuching today received a festive contribution of RM10,000 from the Sarawak government during a visit by Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. Fatimah said the contribution was part of the ministry's ongoing outreach to senior citizens during festive seasons. 'From our delegation, on my left is the Director of the Sarawak Welfare Department, Tuan Haji Semawi. 'In our brief discussion just now, he said that we still have the funds, and we are going to donate RM10,000 – that is our Gawai gift and our ziarah (visitation) gift for today,' she told a press conference held in conjunction with the Program Ziarah Warga Emas Sempena Sambutan Hari Gawai Dayak dan Hari Raya Aidiladha 2025 at the nursing home on Saturday. Fatimah also announced that Kenyalang Gold Cards and the Senior Citizen Health Benefit (SCHB) initiative would be extended to eligible residents of the home. She said the effort aimed to improve access to health services and support systems for senior citizens in the state. 'The Kenyalang Gold Card will allow them to receive discounts and rebates from our strategic partners, especially pharmacies and private hospitals,' she said. She also highlighted that the SCHB initiative, which provides RM500 annually per eligible recipient, will continue next year. This benefit is available to those with household incomes below RM7,000, to support medical treatment at private clinics and hospitals. 'I have to thank Dr Asmah (Nazahiyah Said), Head of the Private Medical Practice Control Branch, Sarawak State Health Department, who has been helping us from the beginning to ensure this health benefit becomes a reality, especially in identifying potential panel clinics,' she said. Fatimah expressed appreciation to Lions Nursing Home and its chairperson Datin Ellis Suriyati Omar for their service and commitment. She noted that Ellis' contributions to society extend beyond the state level. 'She is very active not only locally but also globally through the Lions Club. Because of her involvement, we have nominated her for a state-level Women's Day award under the social activist category,' she said. The visit also included officers from her ministry, the Sarawak Welfare Department, the Social Development Council, and researchers currently conducting a state-wide study on aging in Sarawak. 'This is a comprehensive study covering over 3,000 respondents across urban and rural areas, including different ethnic groups and gender segments. It is being carried out by a consortium involving Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia and University of Technology Sarawak,' she said. She said the findings from the study would be crucial in preparing Sarawak for the challenges of becoming an aging state by 2028. 'We want to understand the profile of our senior citizens – what issues they face depending on where they live, their gender, and their ethnicity – so we can provide the right support systems,' she said. Fatimah stressed that the state government is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of all age groups, from children and women to at-risk individuals and senior citizens. 'Our ministry's responsibility is to ensure that no one is left behind in the state's development. Everyone, whether young or old, rich or poor, deserves proper attention,' she said. The minister recalled a previous visit to the home during Chinese New Year, where a resident broke down in tears and expressed a longing for family visitation. 'That memory has stayed with me. Our visit today is to give cheer and confidence. You are not alone, we are with you,' she said. Fatimah commended the Lions Nursing Home for its 30 years of continuous service despite financial challenges, describing its contribution as a testament to the organisation's credibility. 'Congratulations and thank you. May God guide us in our quest to provide care and comfort to the needy and disadvantaged in our society,' she said. fatimah abdullah Kuching Lions Nursing Home
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Streamlined MyKad procedure a relief for Sarawakians without K-indicator
Fatimah visits the service counters. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (May 31): The process of registering for a MyKad with the K-indicator – signifying Sarawakian status – has now been simplified for newly-registered Malaysian citizens born in Sarawak, thanks to new conditions and streamlined procedures implemented by the National Registration Department (JPN). The improved process has already begun to benefit many Sarawakians, especially those who had previously faced hurdles in confirming their status. 'Now, the procedure is so much easier; they only require us to provide our current identification card (IC) and other supporting documents to prove we were born in Sarawak, and they will immediately replace it,' said Jerremy Chua, 41, who came to the Sarawak National Registration Department (JPN) office here to apply for the K-indicator. Jerremy Chua Chua, who was born in Sarawak but has lived in Johor Bahru for over two decades due to work, explained that his MyKad had been reissued in Johor without the K-indicator – something he hadn't noticed at the time. 'I was not aware of the benefits that come with having a Sarawakian status, so I didn't pay any mind to the missing K-indicator on my IC until the immigration officer questioned me about my nationality status. 'It was difficult to return to my hometown as I would only be granted a visitor's pass,' he said. He added that now, with the streamlined process, he can put his concerns to rest. 'I am married to a non-Sarawakian and we have a son born in Johor Bahru. Now that I am officially recognised as a Sarawakian, with the K-indicator on my MyKad, I can also apply for my son to obtain Sarawakian citizenship,' he said. Fatimah speaks to the visitors at JPN. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad Also at the JPN was Rayani Usman, 38, who expressed her happiness over the new implementation for Sarawakian IC registration. 'I came here to inquire about the procedure to apply for a MyKad with Sarawakian status for my daughter, as my family lives in Peninsular Malaysia. I feel at ease knowing that she is eligible to receive Sarawakian citizenship,' she said. Rayani, an Indonesian citizen, has been married to a Sarawakian for more than 10 years and is currently undergoing the process to apply for permanent residency. 'I am glad knowing that my citizenship won't hinder my child from acquiring Malaysian citizenship and Sarawakian status,' she added. Rayani Usman This initiative reflects the state government's commitment to resolving the issue of registered Malaysian citizens in Sarawak being denied the K-indicator on their MyKads, denoting them as Sarawakians and excluding them from all state initiatives. They were met following State Minister for Women, Children, and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah's official visit to the state JPN office here yesterday. Speaking to the media after her meeting with JPN officials, Fatimah said that following the state Cabinet approval on Sept 26, 2024, JPN Sarawak now has the authority to approve Sarawakian status for individuals born in the state. citizenship JPN K indicator MyKad
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sarawak to become ageing state by 2028 amid citizenship application delays, says Fatimah
Fatimah visits the state NRD in Kuching. KUCHING (May 30): A total of 628 citizenship applications, out of the 1,567 received between 2018 and last year, are still being processed as of April 30 this year, said State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. She said the applications were submitted under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution to the state National Registration Department (NRD). 'The Sarawak state-level Special Working Committee has also received 66 citizenship applications under the same Article from September 5 last year and February this year,' she said following a working visit to the NRD at Bangunan Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Haji Bujang here today. As of last month, Fatimah said the state NRD had received and approved 42 applications for the inclusion of the 'K' indicator in the MyKad for the children involved. Of these, 27 applications were processed in Sibu, 12 at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Kuching, and one each in Mukah, Bintulu, and Miri. She added that the Special Task Force, meant to address citizenship issues, received 5,243 applications across Sarawak in 2023. Of those, 2,602 were approved for the issuance of identity documents, she disclosed. 'The task force's Technical Committee, which convened on May 15 this year, also approved 3,885 out of 7,981 applications received in 2024. However, out of the total 13,224 applications received overall, she said 6,737 were rejected for various reasons such as having foreign documents, lack of proof of birth in Malaysia, lack of certification by community leaders, and incomplete supporting documents. On the Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS), Fatimah highlighted concerns on Sarawak's declining birth rate and a shift in gender ratio. 'Based on the statistics we have, Sarawak recorded more baby boys than baby girls. As this trend continues, our boys may grow up facing a limited choice of girls as future spouses,' she remarked. She said not only is Sarawak experiencing fewer births in recent years, but life expectancy is rising. 'Sarawak's life expectancy is in the 70s, which is relatively high, though still below Singapore's 80 years,' she noted. With life expectancy increasing and birth rates slowing, Sarawak is expected to become an ageing state by 2028, she pointed out. 'We must prepare for this. What are the needs, the support systems, and the challenges faced by senior citizens? These are the questions we must address,' she said, stressing the need for early preparations to ensure senior citizens can live with dignity and enjoy a good quality life. Statistics from her ministry showed there were 9,381 births as of April this year. In comparison, 30,235 births were recorded in 2024, with 33,743 births in 2023, 32,740 births (2022), 28,261 births (2021), 33,964 births (2020), and 36,117 births (2019). ageing state citizenship applications fatimah abdullah lead
