Latest news with #Labuan
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Labuan batik set to dazzle the world: From local art to global fashion statement
LABUAN, Aug 12 — Labuan Batik is set to step onto Malaysia's fashion stage before making its mark internationally, celebrated for its vibrant colours, floral and marine-inspired motifs and deep connection to the island's cultural heritage. With distinctive artistry and innovative techniques, the craft is gaining momentum as one of Labuan's most promising cultural exports. The newly established Labuan Warisan (LAWA) Craft Gallery, officially opened by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, on July 27, has quickly become a must-visit destination for both local and international visitors. Within just weeks of its opening, the gallery has become a cultural hub, offering a first-hand look at the creative process behind batik-making and serving as a showcase of Labuan's distinctive artistry. Visitors can watch artisans at work, learn about the painstaking stages of batik production and purchase pieces that carry the island's identity. Labuan batik stands apart for its innovative use of sago, a starch extracted from the pith of the sago palm (Metroxylon sagu), as the primary resist material in place of conventional candle wax. Applied with a canting or brush, sago creates intricate patterns while being environmentally friendly and abundant in Labuan. This eco-conscious choice not only strengthens the island's sustainability credentials but also sets Labuan batik apart as an art form that reflects its unique natural resources. At the forefront of this movement is Mastura Abd Razak, 44, a Labuan-born Bruneian and the sole batik entrepreneur on the island. Labuan local Bruneian and the sole batik entrepreneur, Mastura Abd Razak, 44, crafting Batik Linut in the workshop at Galeri Lawa Labuan. — Bernama pic Trained by the Sabah branch of the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia), Mastura operates the business with her husband, Abd Rahmad Abd Malik, 45, who is from Sarawak. The couple's workshop at LAWA has become a focal point for cultural appreciation, skill transfer and heritage preservation. Mastura has also begun receiving orders from government agencies and corporate sectors, in addition to serving individual customers. Their enterprise enjoys full support from the Department of Federal Territories (JWP), whose backing has enabled the expansion of batik promotion initiatives and the participation of Labuan batik in local and regional exhibitions. Speaking to Bernama, Mastura believes such support is crucial to raising the profile of Labuan batik nationally and internationally. 'With continuous government backing, Labuan batik can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Terengganu's batik on the international stage. 'Within the next five years, I envision Labuan batik being worn by well-known models at fashion shows in Malaysia and abroad. It will be our island's gift to the world, a keepsake for visitors and a statement piece for global markets,' she said. Mastura said beyond the artistic value, the rise of Labuan batik also holds economic potential, as unique cultural products like batik offer a strong selling point for visitors seeking authentic souvenirs. She said if marketed effectively, Labuan batik could contribute to the island's creative economy, create job opportunities for local artisans, and position Labuan as a niche destination for cultural tourism. — Bernama
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
‘Justice for Zara' gains momentum in Labuan as thousands in black demand truth and end to bullying (VIDEO)
LABUAN, Aug 10 — The death of 13-year-old Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir from Sipitang, Sabah, has left a deep mark on the Labuan community, as more than 3,000 people from all walks of life turned up today for a solidarity rally to demand justice for her. The rally, held at the Labuan Food Court and coinciding with the Labuan Bike event, was organised by Kelab Wanita Sejahtera and led by Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Rafi Ali Hassan. The event drew a rare display of unity as local political leaders, including from PKR and Warisan, took to the stage to deliver impassioned speeches calling for truth, justice, and an end to violence against children. Many participants wore black attire and carried placards bearing Zara's name, 'Justice for Zara Qairina and 'Stop Bullying'. Mohd Rafi described the turnout as a powerful show of solidarity that transcended political and social lines. 'This is more than a political or social issue, it is a human one. We stand united in demanding justice for Zara,' he said in his address to the crowd. Zara Qairina, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on July 17. She had been rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of a religious school in Papar at about 4 am on July 16. In a significant development, her body was exhumed late last night and transported to Kota Kinabalu. A post-mortem has been scheduled for today at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I to assist ongoing police investigations into her death, which has drawn public outrage. — Bernama
Independent Singapore
03-08-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
CAD probes Tokenize Xchange operator, director faces fraudulent trading charge as users say their assets remain 'in transit'
SINGAPORE: The operator of cryptocurrency trading platform Tokenize Xchange, AmazingTech Pte Ltd (ATPL), and its related companies are under investigation by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) for potential offences including fraudulent trading, according to a joint statement from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Friday (Aug 1). Thirty-five-year-old ATPL director Hong Qi Yu was also charged on Thursday (July 31) with fraudulent trading, which carries a jail term of up to seven years, a fine, or both. The announcement of the investigation followed ATPL's announcement on July 20 that it is in the process of acquiring a digital financial services (DFS) licence from Malaysia's Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA), after failing to obtain a major payment institution (MPI) licence in Singapore. On the same day, the company informed users they had until Sep 30 to complete any withdrawals or transfers of assets, as it announced support for its Singapore staff in pursuing new career opportunities by then. Authorities said that Tokenize Xchange had been operating under an exemption from the Payment Services Act 2019 (PS Act) while MAS reviewed its application for an MPI licence. The exemption, which applied to entities already conducting activities that came under the Act when it came into force, ended on Jul 4 after MAS rejected its application. Authorities added that the operator is not licensed by MAS, and its activities were not supervised or regulated by MAS. 'Thereafter, ATPL was required to cease providing payment services, wind down its business in an orderly manner, and ensure that all monies and digital payment tokens received from its customers were returned,' MAS and SPF added. In mid-July, MAS received several complaints against ATPL over delays in processing customer withdrawals of funds and digital payment tokens. MAS told the firm to address these concerns and return all funds and digital payment tokens to customer accounts in an orderly manner, including covering any shortfall in their accounts. Through its engagements with the company, MAS subsequently found signs that the company did not have enough assets to meet customer claims and that it might have failed to keep customer assets separate from its own. MAS also found indications that the company might have made false representations regarding the segregation of its customers' assets when it applied for an MPI licence. The company was then referred to CAD for investigation. As of two days ago, some users online said on r/singaporefi that their assets remained 'in transit,' with one asking, 'Has anybody managed to successfully withdraw anything since July 4 till now?' /TISG Read also: Chocolate Finance secures US$15M in fresh funding after 'unusually high' withdrawals wipe out nearly 40% of its assets Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Selangor water tariffs to rise from Sept 1, no changes for low-use domestic users, new rate introduced for data centres
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The Selangor government today confirmed that new water tariffs for users in the peninsula and Labuan will take effect from September 1, following Cabinet's approval of a review aimed at improving treated water services for both consumers and industry. In a statement tonight, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the revision — led by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) — includes a newly introduced tariff category for data centres, which will now be charged RM5.31 per cubic metre due to their high water usage for cooling systems. For domestic households, there will be no change in tariffs for those consuming up to 20 cubic metres (m³), with the rate remaining at RM0.65/m³ and a minimum charge of RM6.50. However, rates will increase progressively for higher usage brackets. Households using between 20m³ and 35m³ will see an increase of RM0.30/m³ to RM1.62/m³, while those exceeding 35m³ will pay RM3.51/m³ — up RM0.88/m³ — for each additional cubic metre. 'For residents of low-cost homes, the increase will be minimal — just RM0.10/m³, bringing the new rate to RM1.18/m³, to minimise the cost of living impact, ' Amirudin said. Tariffs for condominiums and government quarters will also be revised, with the minimum charge for flats remaining at RM173/month, while estates and government quarters will pay RM20.90/month. For commercial and non-domestic users, the new rate will match the highest domestic tier at RM3.51/m³, with those consuming above 35m³ facing a further increase to RM3.83/m³. Places of worship and welfare institutions will continue to enjoy the lowest rate, with a marginal increase to RM0.76/m³. Amirudin also announced that the Selangor government would absorb the annual RM100,000 cost increase for places of worship and welfare institutions and expand its free water scheme to cover more lower-income households. 'More than 1.3 million Selangorians will continue receiving 20m³ of water for free monthly through the Darul Ehsan Water Scheme (SADE). The qualifying monthly household income threshold will be raised from RM5,000 to RM6,000 to reach more people, ' he said. To apply for the scheme, eligible residents can visit Air Selangor's official site beginning August 8. The state government will allocate RM52.7 million annually to support this initiative, Amirudin added, saying it reflects Selangor's commitment to balancing affordability with sustainable infrastructure investment. Among key improvements cited were the replacement of over 730km of old pipes since 2018, a reduction in non-revenue water losses from 27.7 per cent to 27.3 per cent, and a rise in reserve margins to 16.74 per cent as of June 2025. Selangor also plans to accelerate its pipe replacement rate to 300km per year and build two new water treatment plants — Rasau and Labohan Dagang 2 — at a combined cost of over RM8 billion, which will add 2,730 million litres per day to supply. 'These steps are crucial as the state targets a 20 per cent water reserve margin by 2030, ' said Amirudin.
Malay Mail
01-08-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Selangor water tariffs to rise from Sept 1, no changes for low-use domestic users, new rate introduced for data centres
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The Selangor government today confirmed that new water tariffs for users in the peninsula and Labuan will take effect from September 1, following Cabinet's approval of a review aimed at improving treated water services for both consumers and industry. In a statement tonight, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the revision — led by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) — includes a newly introduced tariff category for data centres, which will now be charged RM5.31 per cubic metre due to their high water usage for cooling systems. For domestic households, there will be no change in tariffs for those consuming up to 20 cubic metres (m³), with the rate remaining at RM0.65/m³ and a minimum charge of RM6.50. However, rates will increase progressively for higher usage brackets. Households using between 20m³ and 35m³ will see an increase of RM0.30/m³ to RM1.62/m³, while those exceeding 35m³ will pay RM3.51/m³ — up RM0.88/m³ — for each additional cubic metre. 'For residents of low-cost homes, the increase will be minimal — just RM0.10/m³, bringing the new rate to RM1.18/m³, to minimise the cost of living impact, ' Amirudin said. Tariffs for condominiums and government quarters will also be revised, with the minimum charge for flats remaining at RM173/month, while estates and government quarters will pay RM20.90/month. For commercial and non-domestic users, the new rate will match the highest domestic tier at RM3.51/m³, with those consuming above 35m³ facing a further increase to RM3.83/m³. Places of worship and welfare institutions will continue to enjoy the lowest rate, with a marginal increase to RM0.76/m³. Amirudin also announced that the Selangor government would absorb the annual RM100,000 cost increase for places of worship and welfare institutions and expand its free water scheme to cover more lower-income households. 'More than 1.3 million Selangorians will continue receiving 20m³ of water for free monthly through the Darul Ehsan Water Scheme (SADE). The qualifying monthly household income threshold will be raised from RM5,000 to RM6,000 to reach more people, ' he said. To apply for the scheme, eligible residents can visit Air Selangor's official site beginning August 8. The state government will allocate RM52.7 million annually to support this initiative, Amirudin added, saying it reflects Selangor's commitment to balancing affordability with sustainable infrastructure investment. Among key improvements cited were the replacement of over 730km of old pipes since 2018, a reduction in non-revenue water losses from 27.7 per cent to 27.3 per cent, and a rise in reserve margins to 16.74 per cent as of June 2025. Selangor also plans to accelerate its pipe replacement rate to 300km per year and build two new water treatment plants — Rasau and Labohan Dagang 2 — at a combined cost of over RM8 billion, which will add 2,730 million litres per day to supply. 'These steps are crucial as the state targets a 20 per cent water reserve margin by 2030, ' said Amirudin.
