Latest news with #Muzaffar
Daily Express
8 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Make smoking, vaping Syariah offences, says academic
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. KUALA LUMPUR: The government should consider classifying smoking and vaping as Syariah criminal offences to reinforce public health efforts and curb addiction among Muslims in Malaysia, says a law academic. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim) Syariah and Law Faculty Associate Prof Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow, in a statement, said such a move would support ongoing efforts to combat smoking, which continues to have devastating health impacts on society. He noted that although cigarette smoking remains the most common form, the rapid spread of modern alternatives such as electronic cigarettes and vape devices has complicated the issue. Cigarettes, which contain toxic chemicals from the tobacco leaf and those produced during combustion, are known to cause harm to nearly every organ and are linked to numerous life-threatening illnesses. Citing global statistics, he said smoking contributes to around eight million deaths annually, with half of all smokers dying from smoking-related causes including cancer, heart disease, and lung complications. Vaping, which involves inhaling vapour from devices powered by batteries and atomisers, has similarly been linked to serious health issues including lung damage, cardiovascular disease, and impaired brain function, especially in young users. He referred to international studies showing vaping increases risks for asthma, strokes, and coronary conditions, and may affect brain development, leading to poor decision-making and impulsive behaviour. Muzaffar pointed out that Islam has long addressed the dangers of smoking, with a fatwa issued by the National Fatwa Council in 1995 declaring smoking haram due to the harm it causes to individuals and those around them. The 2015 fatwa further extended this ruling to electronic cigarettes and vape devices, but enforcement remains lacking, as many Muslims still downplay the severity of the issue. He urged for specific legal provisions to be added to the Syariah Criminal Offences Act and State Enactments, making smoking and vaping offences in their own right, beyond the current Ramadan-related restrictions, to reflect the seriousness of their health and moral implications. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Early onset of monsoon catches GHMC off guard
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation's monsoon preparatory work is wanting in a number of aspects, while the authorities blame the early monsoons for the predicament. Long stretches of roads are still dug up or not re-laid after being filled, posing danger for commuters. Nala de-silting is a half-completed job with the excavated silt heaped on the roadside at several locations. Widening of the stormwater drain has not been finished at several locations, and open drains continue to pose grave danger. Trenches dug for various works still lie open near Mehdipatnam foot overbridge, the Fort Road in Gudimalkapur, Road No.1, Banjara Hills and several other areas. 'The stretch from Virinchi Hospitals up to the Taj Krishna junction has been dug up for nearly two months., which has reduced the road width considerably leading to traffic issues. The restoration works have started only recently, after the monsoons have arrived, and the works are the cause of traffic snarls now,' shared Shafiur Rehman, a local resident. Restoration works have not even started on the stretch between Mecca Colony and Anas Model School in Tadban near Shamseergunj where the road was dug up for stormwater drain works. One more infamous instance is the road that passes via Qutb Shahi Tombs, a heritage complex and tourist location. The road remains dug up for years, say the residents of the surrounding colonies. 'Fun fact: A friend's kid was born when the Seven Tombs roadwork started. That kid is now going to kindergarten. Meanwhile, the road is still a crater-filled warzone. Time moves on. GHMC? Not so much,' posted one Muzaffar on social media platform X, in a long thread about the road's condition. At several other locations such as Chintalkunta, Jubilee Hills, and Serilingampally the trenches dug up for sewerage works have been filled up, but restoration works have not been taken up so far. GHMC is the sole authority to grant road cutting permissions to all agencies, whether private or public. The corporation collects road cutting charges from the utilities, so that the road can be restored after the work is finished. Officials in charge admit that there was inordinate delay in granting the road cutting permissions this time, due to hiccups in work redistribution in the Engineering wing. The works which were to begin in November, began towards the end of January. Added to it is the early arrival of monsoons, which were not expected till June-end. 'To the field level Engineering officials, we gave time up to June 10 to wrap up the pending works and make the roads motorable. Our teams are on the job,' assures a senior official. Part of the reason is also the transition from the agencies to which the Comprehensive Road Maintenance works were granted. During their five year stint, the CRMP agencies were authorised for granting the road cutting permissions on several major stretches, and also were responsible for restoration works. Desilting While GHMC has awarded tenders for desilting of stormwater drains much ahead of time, the work done is hardly enough to withstand one bountiful rain, as proven in case of Chandanagar area, which was flooded after Tuesday's rain. Commissioner of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency, who inspected the drain near the Lingampally Road Under Bridge (RUB), noted that the drain was clogged completely by volumes of garbage. HYDRAA forces had to be instructed to clear the trash and facilitate free flow of water. 'Silt was piled up by the drain at Aramghar crossroads, but not removed immediately. With one rain, all the silt would be back in the drain, along with the public funds spent on the work,' fumes a resident.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Muzaffar is Bank Pembangunan's new group CEO
PETALING JAYA: Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB) has appointed Datuk Muzaffar Hisham as its new group chief executive officer (GCEO), effective May 18, 2025. Formerly the GCEO of Maybank Islamic Bhd, Muzaffar brings with him over 20 years of regional banking experience, the development financial institution said in a statement. 'Muzaffar has a proven track record in driving business growth and regionalisation strategies across various sectors, including wholesale and retail banking, investment banking, treasury, asset management and client coverage,' BPMB said. He takes charge shortly after BPMB completed its acquisition and merger with Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd (SME Bank) and Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd (Exim Bank). Effective May 1, both Exim Bank and SME Bank became subsidiaries of BPMB, creating a combined asset base of about RM50bil. 'It is an honour to join BPMB at this important juncture. 'I look forward to working closely with the board, management and stakeholders to build on the bank's strong foundation,' Muzaffar said.
New Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Bank Pembangunan names former Maybank Islamic boss as new group CEO
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Maybank Islamic Banking group chief executive officer (GCEO) Datuk Muzaffar Hisham has been appointed as Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd's new GCEO effective immediately. He succeeded Roni Abdul Wahab, who had served as GCEO for three years since April 2022. Muzaffar has more than 20 years of regional banking experience, with proven track record in driving business growth and regionalisation strategies across various sectors. This included wholesale and retail banking, investment banking, treasury, asset management and client coverage. In Maybank Islamic Banking, he successfully expanded the scale and reach of Islamic banking, advanced global leadership in Islamic wealth management, and pioneered innovative digital solutions within the group. Bank Pembangunan chairman Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir said Muzaffar's proven leadership and deep understanding of the financial services landscape, both locally and regionally, will be instrumental in driving the bank's strategic direction. "We are confident that under his stewardship, Bank Pembangunan will continue to play a pivotal role in driving Malaysia's national development agenda and delivering long- term value for our stakeholders," he said in a statement. Muzaffar said he looks forward to working closely with the board, management and stakeholders to build on the bank's strong foundation. "Together, we will strengthen BPMB's role as a key development financial institution, dedicated to supporting Malaysia's socio-economic progress and sustainability ambitions. "I am committed to leading our efforts in delivering impact capital for national development," he added.
Borneo Post
28-04-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Employers urged to prioritise workplace safety in line with the law
Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow KUCHING (April 28): Employers must establish clear and comprehensive workplace policies to ensure the safety of all employees in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, said Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow. The Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's Faculty of Syariah and Law associate professor stated that employers are obligated to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of their employees both at the workplace and throughout their employment. 'Employers have a legal duty to take reasonable care of their employees' health and safety. An employer can be found liable for negligence if it breaches this duty,' he said in a statement today. The statement was issued in conjunction with World Day for Safety and Health at Work, observed annually on April 28 to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases worldwide. Muzaffar emphasised that workplace safety and health must not be taken lightly, cautioning that failing to implement proper safety rules and procedures could have serious consequences for workers. 'Although no specific regulation in the country requires employers to ensure employees' safety while commuting to and from work, employers should take steps to ensure the safety of their employees,' he said. He noted that in February 2023, the Social Security Organisation (Socso) revealed it receives about 60,000 reports annually related to work-related commuting accidents and occupational diseases. 'In 2022, a total of 64,168 cases were reported to Socso, of which 35,015 involved industrial or workplace mishaps, while 29,153 were commuting accidents. 'Tragically, 864 workers lost their lives, including 255 due to industrial accidents and 609 from commuting accidents, an increase from 525 workers, who died due to road accidents in 2021,' he added. Muzaffar urged employers to collaborate with the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and the relevant institutions such as the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), Road Safety Department of Malaysia, Road Transport Department, Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) to stay updated on the latest road safety guidelines. He said employers must ensure that these guidelines are accessible to raise awareness and promote road safety for those commuting to and from the workplace. employers lead Muzaffar Syah Mallow safety and health
