Latest news with #Guang
New Straits Times
04-08-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MyKad eases access to Sara aid, brings relief to longhouse residents
SERIAN: Longhouse residents deep in Sarawak's interior are breathing a sigh of relief as they can now access the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid directly using their MyKad at nearby grocery shops — without having to travel to town or deal with cumbersome procedures. Besides saving time and cost, the approach ensures the government's targeted aid reaches those in need directly and without delay. Tuai rumah (longhouse head) of Kampung Reah Baru Longhouse, Guang Latip, 69, said previously, the residents had to travel 35km to Serian town just to withdraw the aid. "In the past, it was quite difficult to claim the aid because we had to go to the bank, but now it's very convenient as we just use our MyKad and can go directly to the shop to buy food and daily essentials," he told Bernama. cHe said the system was more efficient, particularly given Sarawak's vast geography and its large number of communities living in remote areas. Guang said all 78 families in the longhouse, which was built in 2011, including nearby residents, are eligible to receive Sara aid this year. Meanwhile, aid recipient Minang Dawi, 43, a housewife with three young children, expressed gratitude, saying the method has made things much easier for her. "I don't have to leave my children behind just to claim the aid in town. Now I can use my MyKad directly to buy milk, rice and groceries," she said. She hoped the government would consider the number of family members when determining the amount of aid, rather than basing it solely on household income. For Madlein Ngaran, 52, the aid has been a great help as she lives alone in the longhouse. "When the aid can be used just with MyKad verification, I can manage my grocery needs on my own without depending on my children," she said. The Sara programme is a targeted cash initiative that has now been expanded to 5.4 million recipients, covering 700,000 existing eKasih recipients and 4.7 million Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients. Under Budget 2025, allocations for STR and Sara have been increased to RM13 billion from RM10 billion previously, with the annual Sara aid raised to RM2,100 from RM1,200 last year. The initiative is part of the Madani Economy framework, which focuses on empowering low-income households through fair opportunities, better living standards and comprehensive social protection. In conjunction with National Day, the government has also announced a one-off payment of RM100 to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above under the Sara programme. The initiative is expected to benefit 22 million people, involving an additional RM2 billion, bringing this year's total allocation for STR and Sara to RM15 billion – the highest in the nation's history. As of July 29, a total of 4,500 registered retail outlets nationwide have joined the SARA programme, offering over 90,000 essential items in 14 categories, including rice, eggs, medicines, hygiene products, school supplies and personal care items. – BERNAMA
New Straits Times
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: China-Malaysia Film Culture Festival showcases diverse cinematic talents
KUALA LUMPUR: Popular Malaysian films Guang, directed by Quek Shio Chuan, and Sepet, by the late Yasmin Ahmad, are among the country's cinematic representatives at the Second China-Malaysia Film Culture Festival, running from June 5 to 8. A total of six Chinese and three Malaysian movies will be screened in conjunction with the festival at GSC Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur, and GSC Gurney Plaza in George Town, Penang. The Chinese film lineup includes The Goddess (1934), Hong Kong's It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World (1987), Creation Of The Gods 1: Kingdom Of Storms (2023), Creation Of The Gods 2: Demon Force (2025), Honey Money Phony (2024), and A Place Called Silence (2024). The other Malaysian film is Blooms Of Happiness (2025), directed by Ryon Lee. The festival, organised by Lomo Pictures Sdn Bhd with support from the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), GSC International Screens, and the China Film Archive, was officially launched today by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching at GSC Mid Valley Megamall. Also present at the event were Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, the festival's organiser Aron Koh, its head of exhibition Pan Vui Shang, and China Film Archive director Li Tao. Koh highlighted that this year's festival brings together a compelling lineup of cinematic works from Malaysia and China, ranging from restored heritage films and contemporary hits to forums exploring the intersection of cinema with extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI). "This year's festival offers audiences an immersive cultural exchange through the universal language of film," he said. Koh added, "This festival offers a unique platform for filmmakers, industry professionals, and young enthusiasts from both countries to share their passion and perspectives. Through dialogue and collaboration, it highlights the power of cinema to celebrate diversity and bridge cultures." Teo emphasised the festival's broader significance, saying, "The festival is more than a celebration of cinema; it is a growing platform for deepening cooperation and joint creation between our two countries. With our shared cultural affinity and minimal language barriers, we see greater potential for co-productions across film, animation, and new technologies." Koh noted that this year's festival marks a first for China's newly restored 1934 silent classic, The Goddess, starring Ruan Lingyu, a defining work in Chinese film history. "As for the Malaysian films, they represent heartfelt storytelling rooted in local culture, offering audiences a rich view of Malaysia's cinematic voice," he added. The festival also features special industry programmes, including a forum on AI and filmmaking, as well as an acting workshop led by renowned Hong Kong director Clifton Ko. Lomo Pictures also announced a long-term strategic partnership with Beijing Tianying Holdings Group, with plans to co-develop the first-ever XR co-production between China and Malaysia. "This marks a new chapter in transnational film-tech collaboration, underlining Malaysia's growing relevance on the global creative stage," Koh said. He added that following its Malaysian chapter, the festival will travel to Xi'an, China, further expanding the conversation and cultural bridge across borders. Hans affirmed that film unites people across countries, and Malaysia is ready to share its cinematic treasures with other nations while also getting acquainted with state-of-the-art developments in Chinese cinema.
