Latest news with #MaktabRendahSainsMARA
New Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Sungai Kim Kim waste pollution victim aspires to become a neurosurgeon
PASIR GUDANG: A survivor of the Sungai Kim Kim toxic waste pollution incident and former Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Johor Bahru student, Irfan Wafiy Idham Wazir, 18, achieved outstanding results in the recent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, scoring 9As. His achievement is all the more remarkable given the ongoing health issues he has faced over the past six years, which have significantly affected his mobility. Irfan Wafiy has myokymia, an incurable disease that causes certain parts of the body to tremble and be in a weak state. It may require a sufferer to rely on a cane, among other things. Prolonged activity causes him pain in both legs, and he tires easily. Nevertheless, he has shown that his condition is no obstacle to pursuing his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon. This determined teenager not only excelled in all subjects but also earned A+ grades in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Islamic Education and Mathematics. "Alhamdulillah, I've had a passion for medicine since I was young. After experiencing the health effects of the river contamination first-hand, my interest in medical science deepened even further," he said. He has applied for the 2025/2026 academic session via UPUOnline, aiming to pursue medicine at Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi MARA or the International Islamic University Malaysia. "I also hope to continue my studies in Australia and have applied for scholarships from Khazanah Nasional, the Public Service Department and Mara's Young Talent Development Programme. "I initially wanted to study in the UK, but the costs are too high," he said when met recently. Irfan previously relied on a walking stick and said the pain still lingers, even six years after the toxic waste exposure. Nevertheless, his determination to succeed has enabled him to progress from using a wheelchair and walking aids to now walking unaided — though not without limitations. "I still feel pain, especially in my left leg — sometimes even touching it is unbearable. I'm older now, and I can't rely on walking aids forever. When the pain subsides, I can walk without the stick for short periods. But when it returns, I have to rest." Reflecting on his five years at MRSM, Irfan said the early years were the most difficult as he juggled chronic pain with a demanding academic schedule. "I couldn't take part in outdoor or sports activities at all. This success was only possible thanks to the support of my family, teachers, and friends. "In my first year at MRSM, my results weren't great because I was still on medication that made me drowsy and affected my concentration. Once I stopped the medication, I was able to focus." His mother, Norlela Abu Hashim, 52, expressed pride and emotion over her son's achievements. "Alhamdulillah, Irfan now uses the walking stick less often. He helps me with house chores, but afterwards, he needs to rest due to the pain. "I can see his spirit is stronger and he's more independent. "When he told me he wanted to study abroad, I could only support and pray for his success. "As a mother, I won't stop him from chasing his dreams, even though I still worry about his health." Norlela also said that the court case involving her husband, Idham Wazir A. Wahab, 55, and other victims of the Sungai Kim Kim river pollution will resume this August. "It's a long process, but I still hope for justice and proper compensation for Irfan." He is among 41 plaintiffs who were victims of the Sungai Kim Kim toxic waste pollution who are seeking RM30 million in damages from 12 defendants, including the Johor state government and the Menteri Besar. The plaintiffs filed the suit in July 2019 against the 12 defendants, including the Johor government, the state Environment Department, the state Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Syarikat P Tech Resources Sdn Bhd, and an employee, along with two of its directors. In their statement of claim, the plaintiffs alleged that the defendants failed to ensure the safety and protection of Pasir Gudang residents from toxic waste pollution and did not promptly mobilise the State Disaster Management Committee to address the pollution in Sungai Kim Kim. The claims cover general and special damages, with specific attention to Irfan Wafiy, the worst-affected victim. The chemical waste pollution incident, first reported on March 13, 2019, affected the health of over 2,000 people and led to the closure of 111 schools in Pasir Gudang.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ahmad Zahid pays courtesy call on Penang Governor
GEORGE TOWN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, during his official visit to the state. The Rural and Regional Development Minister, who also attended a dinner with the Penang Governor, noted with earnest attention the ideas and views that Ramli shared, describing them as highly inspirational and reflective of a strong concern for people's welfare and unity. "I hope Tun Ramli continues to be blessed with good health as the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang. May his leadership bring prosperity and harmony to the people of Penang," he said in a Facebook post on Monday night (May 12). Earlier, Ahmad Zahid attended the proclamation ceremony for Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Kepala Batas, previously known as MRSM Kepala Batas and the launching of the Penang Halal Industry Development Council in Seberang Jaya. On May 1, Ramli, 84, was sworn in as the ninth Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang in a full ceremonial event at Dewan Sri Pinang, taking over from Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak. – Bernama
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
16 MRSM students suffer suspected food poisoning
JOHOR BARU: Around 16 students from Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Johor Baru have experienced symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever, suspected to be caused by food poisoning. State Health and Environment Committee Chairman Ling Tian Soon said upon receiving information about the incident from MRSM around 2pm today, the Johor Baru Health Office was immediately instructed to take further action. "Sixteen students showing symptoms were sent to various government and private healthcare facilities. "The Johor Baru Food Safety Division from the district health office has gone to the MRSM to carry out an investigation," he said during a press conference at the JumpX Launch Ceremony at a shopping mall here today. Ling said the incident reportedly began last night, and by this afternoon, the number of symptomatic students stood at 16. He added that although the exact cause of the poisoning has yet to be identified, it is believed to have originated from food served at the canteen, and samples will be taken by the health office for testing. "The health office will collect food samples from the canteen and interview the affected students to gather information for further investigation. "In the meantime, we advise that the canteen operations be temporarily halted for cleaning, and only resume once approved by the health department," he said. Earlier, a screenshot of a Facebook post went viral, in which a user claimed they had to rush from Melaka to Johor Baru after their child complained of vomiting, possibly due to food poisoning. The post alleged that many students were affected before tagging MRSM Johor Baru as the location.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PM Anwar tells states to resolve poverty and flood issues, praises Penang's housing initiative
SEBERANG PERAI, March 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today urged all states to prioritise resolving the people's issues. He said state governments should also address social issues such as poverty, floods and public housing while pushing for infrastructure development. 'If you ask me, aside from infrastructure development, I would say the priority is to solve the issue of extreme poverty and floods,' he said in his speech at the Madani state-level iftar event at Masjid Abu Ubaidah Ibni Al-Jarrah in Bandar Tasek Mutiara today. He then commended the Penang state government for its Madani affordable housing initiative, the largest housing project to date, which is expected to be launched this year. The initiative involves building nearly 38,000 residential units with a gross development value (GDV) of RM13 billion in Batu Kawan and Seberang Jaya. It will offer homes priced between RM300,000 and RM420,000, mainly targeting the B40 and M40 income groups. Meanwhile, Anwar also urged parents to cooperate and support the government's decision to implement changes to further push the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) agenda. He said starting next year, 70 per cent of admissions to Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) must be for the STEM stream. 'This decision may not be well received by some of you but this is necessary for us to meet industry demands for a highly skilled workforce, especially in advanced technology fields,' he said. He said even if there are objections to this, it will not be entertained. 'We will lose out if we give in. We have bought in Infineon, Nvidia, Arm Limited, Microsoft and Google into Malaysia, but we are still short of local talents to meet the industry's needs,' he said.
