Latest news with #KKSHAM
The Star
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Addressing evolving needs of care facilities
Participants at the Selangor State Care Centre and Nurseries Guidelines for Improvement Workshop held in Shah Alam. — KK SHAM/The Star Selangor government held a Care Centre Guidelines Improvement Workshop to address the evolving needs of care facilities and aligning their operations with urban development. 'The workshop aims to identify the current needs of care centres, nursing homes and nurseries as well as to improve existing guidelines related to such facilities,' said Special Committee for Improvements of Care Services (JKPPP) chairman Michelle Ng after launching the workshop in Shah Alam. Ng chairs the Special Committee for Improvements of Care Services. For example, she said, a care centre was allowed to operate in Petaling Jaya where there were 200 households or a population of 1,000 but that ratio does not apply in reality today. The Subang Jaya assemblyman said with more people from neighbouring districts accessing the nearest or most convenient care facilities, rules needed to be adjusted to accommodate the numbers. 'There is also a discussion on whether there should be a certain radius allowance for the proximity of care centres and nursing homes to hospitals,' she said. Ng added that the workshop would help prioritise proactive and forward-thinking approaches to ensure the state's care centres, nursing homes and assisted living facilities operate at the highest standards. Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation president Datin Paduka Khatijah Sulaiman said care centres often chose to be located near hospitals for strategic reasons. 'This move prioritises residents' well-being by ensuring easier access to medical care, emergency response and appointments. 'Proximity can be crucial for timely responses to health situations, facilitating follow-up appointments and providing peace of mind for families who leave their parents or children at the care centres,' said Khatijah, who was one of the workshop's attendees. JKPPP has been entrusted to review, assess and improve laws related to care services for children, the elderly and persons with disabilities in Selangor. Ng said a survey was carried out, in April, involving care centres and nursing homes to get feedback on improving existing guidelines and regulations in the care industry. The committee comprises representatives from the Local Authorities Section and Sectoral Section of Selangor State Economic Planning Unit, Selangor Legal Advisor, Selangor Welfare Department, Selangor Health Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Selangor Town and Country Planning Department (PlanMalaysia) as well as local authorities.
The Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Selangor hits record-high RM432.1bil GDP in 2024, leading Malaysia's economic growth
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari— KK SHAM/The Star SHAH ALAM: Selangor continues to cement its position as Malaysia's economic powerhouse, achieving an astounding Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of RM432.1 billion in 2024, the highest among all states. Invest Selangor said in a statement that the stellar achievement marks a significant momentum from RM406.1 billion in 2023, making the state as the first ever to cross the RM400 billion threshold for two consecutive years. According to the statement, the outstanding performance reaffirms Selangor's role as the leading contributor to the national economy, accounting for a stellar 26.2 per cent of Malaysia's total GDP, an increase from 25.9 per cent the previous year. "Selangor's economic resilience and upward momentum are further evidenced by a robust year-on-year GDP growth rate of 6.3 per cent, outperforming the national average of 5.1 per cent. "This achievement reflects the state's strong economic fundamentals, sustained investor confidence and strategic efforts by the state to drive high-impact, inclusive and sustainable growth," the statement said. Invest Selangor further noted that last year, the state contributed 32.9 per cent to Malaysia's total manufacturing output as well as being the leading services sector, contributing 26.9 per cent to the nation's overall performance in the sector. "The services sector is the largest contributor to Selangor's GDP, accounting for 61.1 per cent and growing by 6.3 per cent to reach RM263.9 billion. "This growth is supported by subsectors such as wholesale and retail trade, food and beverages, accommodation, utilities, transportation, storage, information and communications as well as finance and insurance services including real estate and business services," the statement noted. The second-largest contributor is the manufacturing sector which accounts for 29.1 per cent and recorded a growth of 5.1 per cent driven by subsectors such as electrical and electronics, vegetable and animal oils, and fats, food processing, beverages and transport equipment. In the same statement, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the continued progress is a reflection of the collective commitment and hard work of all stakeholders, from the public and private sectors to civil society and the people. "Together, we have built a thriving ecosystem that not only attracts investment but also creates quality jobs and uplifts communities,' he said. The agency also expressed the state's commitment to champion regional economic leadership through business platforms such as the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2025, taking place from Oct 8 to 11 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). Invest Selangor chief executive officer Datuk Hassan Azhari Idris said the impressive performance is the result of long-term planning and targeted initiatives to attract quality investments across high-growth industries. "At Invest Selangor, we are focused on facilitating sustainable, innovation-driven investment while enhancing Selangor's global competitiveness. This October, SIBS 2025 will once again serve as a powerful platform to showcase Selangor's economic strengths and connect investors with real opportunities," he said. - Bernama
The Star
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
INTERACTIVE: Stricter rules on plastic waste imports
A worker opening the container of the seized plastic waste at Westport in Port Klang. — KK SHAM/The Star PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has tightened imports of plastic waste, a move hailed by campaigners as a major step in protecting human health and the environment. Under the updated Customs (Prohibition of Imports) (Amendment) Order 2025, which took effect on July 1, all imports of plastic waste involving waste, parings and scraps of plastics, must adhere to stricter rules and receive approval from government-owned certification body Sirim Bhd. Billed as RM9.73 for the 1st month then RM13.90 thereafters. RM12.33/month RM8.63/month Billed as RM103.60 for the 1st year then RM148 thereafters. Free Trial For new subscribers only
The Star
23-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Visit by Japanese Coast Guard vessel to strengthen partnership between maritime enforcement agencies
Japan Coast Guard (JCG) patrol vessel Mizuho safely docked at Port Klang Cruise Terminal. — KK SHAM/The Star THE Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) welcomed the arrival of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Mizuho class patrol vessel to Port Klang Cruise Terminal (PKCT) on Monday (June 23) for a five-day strategic mission. MMEA acting deputy director-general (Operations) Rear Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah said the Mizuho class patrol vessel's visit will strengthen the longstanding strategic partnership between both maritime enforcement agencies. Japan Coast Guard (JCG) patrol vessel Mizuho safely docked at Port Klang Cruise Terminal, while (third from left) MMEA acting deputy director-general (Operations) Rear Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah speaks to Japanese ambassador to Malaysia, Shikata Noriyuki (fourth from left) and JCG deputy commander (Operations) vice admiral Kanosue Hiroaki while others look on. — KK SHAM/The Star It also reflects JCG's confidence in MMEA's capabilities in enhancing maritime security cooperation amid increasingly complex regional challenges, he said. 'Both agencies will share experience and expertise as well as work towards a common goal in safeguarding regional waters from potential threats,' said Mohd Zawawi at the wharf of PKCT in Port Klang, Selangor. The JCG delegation was led by deputy commander (Operations) Vice-Admiral Kanosue Hiroaki. Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Shikata Noriyuki, who was also present, said the visit will further strengthen ties between the two maritime enforcement agencies, particularly in training, cooperation and technology sharing. 'Since 2006, the partnership between JCG and MMEA has played an important role in strengthening regional maritime enforcement capabilities,' he added. Highlights included a long-range acoustic device drill and a joint exercise between Mizuho and MMEA's vessel KM Banggi in the waters off Selangor.
The Star
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Skills training key to labour reform vision, says Sim
Sharing his thoughts: Sim speaking at the Human Resources Development Corp National Training Week (NTW) 2025 event in Klang. — KK SHAM/The Star KLANG: The vision for national labour market reforms includes improving the welfare of workers, and enhancing their skills and productivity, says the Human Resources Minister. With this in mind, Steven Sim said RM10bil was set aside annually for skills education, proving the government's commitment to prioritising extensive skills training. 'We want to familiarise Malaysians with skills training by making it a culture and a trend, and making it mainstream,'' he said at a Human Resources Development Corp National Training Week (NTW) 2025 event held here yesterday. Sim said this year's NTW, which targeted one million Malaysians, exceeded the target by training double the figure within the week-long period. He said although the training duration was short-term, the outcome had a strong impact on upskilling the participants. 'Studies have shown that over 35% of employers are recognising short-term courses when evaluating potential employees,' he added. Sim said bosses wanted to increase profits and workers wanted higher wages, adding that the conduit to realising both aims was higher productivity. 'And to achieve higher productivity, our workers must have better skills,' he added. The event yesterday, Logistics Unboxed: Empowering Workforce Beyond Borders, was aimed at empowering the logistics sector through accessible and inclusive skills training and learning. Sim described the sector as society's 'circulatory system', with shipping lanes, rail tracks, highways and distribution centres being the 'main arteries' and the final delivery system and network being the 'capillaries'. 'You can eat good nutrients and the best food in the world, but if your arteries and capillaries are clogged, your overall health will be affected. 'So even if we have the highest efficiency and technologies in production, if our logistics network is clogged, then society will be affected,' he pointed out. The minister said this was a lesson learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic when logistical delays caused backlogs with shipping containers being stuck globally, with the local shipping industry faced with various challenges. Elaborating on the logistics industry, Sim said like most modern services, the workers were rather 'invisible', adding that behind the tools, machines and vehicles, hundreds of thousands of workers kept everything running smoothly. 'We cannot just think about improving the equipment without also improving the work conditions and skills of these logistics workers,' he said.
