Latest news with #KemubuAgriculturalDevelopmentAuthority
The Star
09-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
PM: Take action and protect no one
Planting progress: Anwar visiting a padi-planting project under Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority at Desa Gemalai Baruh Padi Alami in Mulong, Kelantan. With him are Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud (in green) and other officials. — Bernama Anwar calls for unbiased probe into student's death KOTA BARU: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given his assurance that the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir will be investigated transparently without protecting anyone. He said the case should not be taken lightly, especially as various allegations have emerged, including that the victim had fallen, been pushed or bullied. 'Our child in Sabah has died; some say she fell, some say she was pushed, some say it was due to bullying. We do not take this lightly, and we do not want it to be turned into political fodder. 'Our instructions are clear – no compromise, regardless of whose child it is, whether the child of a minister or anyone else, I don't care,' he said at the Rancakkan Madani Kelantan Programme at USM Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, here yesterday. The Prime Minister said he had contacted Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to ensure the investigation is carried out fairly, Bernama reported. 'I asked whether there were any mistakes in the investigation into Zara Qairina's case. If there were, take action. 'This is a death. Regardless of whether it is the child of the poor or the rich, in the mountains, on land or at sea, we will pay attention because the investigation must be conducted transparently. 'I am saddened because she could have been my child or grandchild,' said Anwar. 'Due to suspicions, the Attorney General's Chambers has ordered the exhumation of the body for a second post-mortem.' Anwar said Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk M. Kumar has also been instructed to go to Sabah to monitor the investigation to prevent any perception that certain parties are being protected. 'This is the Madani government; we will not protect murderers,' he added. On a separate matter, Anwar urged pondok school teachers in the country to master information technology and AI to meet the challenges of the digital era. He said failure to grasp the latest technologies could cause the traditional religious institution to be overwhelmed by 'a new wave of attacks' of the mind that have replaced past forms of colonisation. 'If we do not master it, others will, and our children will adopt AI based on the frameworks of the United States or France. 'So, how do we change the approach to this AI framework? It is by ensuring our children have resilience, an understanding of Islam, intelligence and wisdom in knowing what they want to achieve,' he said in his speech at the opening of the Madani Ijtimak (Assembly) of Kelantan Islamic Scholars and Pondok Teachers 2025 at Universiti Teknologi Mara Machang campus here. Anwar also said it was time to rebuild the pondok institution as a stronghold of Islamic history to counter secular influences. 'Last month, I called in officials from the Finance Ministry to find a way to rebuild pondok (schools) as strongholds. Only then will Madani be realised in its true sense,' he added. Earlier, Anwar presented a contribution totalling RM1.03mil to representatives of pondok schools attending the National Umara'-Ulama Pondok Dialogue 2025. Previously, Anwar was quoted as saying that the government would restore and elevate the country's pondok institution so that it can remain a bulwark for safeguarding the faith, morals, and character of the Muslim ummah in line with current needs. He stated that this initiative involves collaboration between the Finance Ministry and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia to ensure that religious and pondok schools can be upgraded with new facilities and technology.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
KADA acts to protect rice crops during Southwest Monsoon
KOTA BHARU: The Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) has taken several proactive measures to prevent rice crops from being affected during the Southwest Monsoon, said its chairman Khalid Abdul Samad. He said current efforts include ensuring an uninterrupted water supply, cleaning irrigation canals and drainage systems, preparing the Kemubu 3 Pump Station, and reinforcing the remaining sheet piles. He said KADA also received an allocation of RM20 million from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security under post-flood funding for infrastructure repairs, farm road improvements, and irrigation system maintenance. 'With the Kemubu 3 Pump Station and the soon-to-be-completed sheet pile reinforcement, we hope to overcome water supply shortages, especially during dry spells. 'In addition, cleaning operations for the irrigation and drainage systems have had a positive impact in ensuring smooth water supply for crops. We will also use higher-quality seeds and fertilisers during this season to ensure optimal harvests,' he said. He told reporters this after attending the KADA chairman's morning assembly with staff at the KADA headquarters here today, which was also attended by KADA general manager Mohd Faizul Mustafa. Previously, Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the Southwest Monsoon is expected to begin on May 10 and continue until September, driven by consistent southwesterly winds across the region. Khalid said KADA now aims to achieve a rice yield of eight tonnes per hectare, after recording five tonnes per hectare in the previous season. 'As of today, total harvested rice stands at 44,931.9 tonnes, a significant increase compared to only around 11,997 tonnes in the first season. Although we've only harvested about 43 per cent so far, the yield is already higher than last season. 'Productivity has reached five tonnes per hectare, compared to four tonnes previously. Some areas have even hit eight tonnes, though that is limited to certain locations. 'We need to study what was done in those high-yield areas and apply the same practices elsewhere to increase output. While the ministry's target is around six tonnes per hectare, we're hoping to exceed that,' he said.
