Latest news with #Putrajaya-based
New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- New Straits Times
MMEA officers to face the music for flouting D-G's standing order in vessel release
KUCHING:The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has recommended the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) disciplinary authority take action against its Sarawak -based officers who released a detained vessel without complying with the MMEA director- general's standing order. The Putrajaya-based EAIC, in a statement late yesterday, said it opened an investigation after receiving a complaint that the Sarawak MMEA had released the vessel detained in Bintulu waters without adhering to protocols. It said its investigation found that there was non-compliance related to arrest procedures as stated in the MMEA director-general's standing order by the Sarawak MMEA in relation to vessels suspected of committing an offense in the Bintulu Zone waters. The statement did not give details of the incident in question or the name of the vessel that was released. From news reports, the most recent interdiction by the MMEA in Bintulu waters occurred on May 4. During routine patrols under Op Permai and Op Tiris, MMEA detained a tugboat operated by two Indian nationals, aged 20 and 28, near Sungai Kemena estuary. The vessel was allegedly operating without a valid skipper, a violation of Section 22(2A) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1953. Prior to this, on April 24, MMEA intercepted a Class C fishing vessel off the Penipah coast. The boat was found fishing illegally within 12 nautical miles from shore, in breach of its licence conditions. The skipper and six crew members, aged between 28 and 54, were detained. The case is being investigated under Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985, which provides for a fine up to RM20,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to two years or both, upon conviction.
New Straits Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Amateur Football League on alert as 'Phoenix clubs' rise from the ashes
KUALA LUMPUR: The Amateur Football League (AFL) has pledged to tighten screening procedures amid growing concerns over so-called ' Phoenix clubs ' — teams re-emerging under new names to dodge unpaid debts. On Friday, Timesport reported exclusively how certain teams have exploited loopholes in the amateur structure to rebrand and return to competition — often with the same people at the helm but using new club names, colours and badges. AFL chief operating officer Raimi Fakri Fuad admitted they are aware of such cases and have taken steps to address them, even though the AFL does not operate under the same licensing rules as the Malaysian Football League (MFL). "In the past, teams like Melaka FC and Sarawak United, who failed to secure national licenses for the M-League, still received support from the FA of Malaysia (FAM), and we discussed the matter with them," said Raimi. "FIFA's rulings usually target the individuals behind clubs with outstanding debts, not the teams themselves. The punishment tends to be transfer bans, not outright bans from competition." Raimi said the AFL has not finalised its lineup for the upcoming season, but stressed that applications are being thoroughly vetted with FAM's help. "Take Kelantan, for example. They applied to play in Division A1 last season but withdrew at the last minute. At the time, we pushed them to settle their debts if they wanted to compete. "If we shut the door on every team, we risk wiping out the league. But I'm not sure how far it goes when it comes to teams just 'changing skins'." He cited Putrajaya-based PT Athletic as a positive example. "They are a new team. Their documents and management aren't tied to any previous clubs with debt. They showed us a solid financial plan from the start." While the AFL doesn't enforce full club licensing yet due to its amateur status, Raimi pointed out they already apply administrative, legal, and financial screening although less stringent than the MFL's system. "We ask for bank statements or guarantee letters to verify funding, and we check if sponsors are genuine. It's not as strict as the MFL, but we're improving. "For the past two to three years, there was no licensing system at all. Now, we're working with MFL to implement their licensing programme from the outset next season." Raimi added: "People hold the AFL to high expectations, but we're still operating at an amateur level. The fact that we're being scrutinised like professionals means people are paying attention.
Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Malaysia warns Kashmir tensions may affect rice supplies
Malaysian Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said nearly 40 per cent of the country's imported rice came from India and Pakistan. PHOTO: REUTERS KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia warned on May 7 that tensions between India and Pakistan could potentially disrupt rice imports to the heavily dependent South-east Asian nation, prompting it to look elsewhere for supplies. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have escalated with India launching strikes on Pakistan following April's deadly attack on tourists in the Indian-administered side of the contested Kashmir region. Malaysian Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said nearly 40 per cent of the country's imported rice came from India and Pakistan. 'Their political and economic stability is crucial for food security in Malaysia,' Mr Mohamad told local daily New Straits Times. 'If a war or tensions occur that affect port operations or delivery infrastructure, rice imports to our country could be disrupted,' he said. India supplied white rice, while basmati rice came from Pakistan – both staples for most of Malaysia's 34 million residents. 'If the situation in that region escalates, it will certainly have a direct impact on us, particularly in terms of prices and supply continuity,' Mr Mohamad told the paper. Currently Malaysian rice supplies were stable, but the Putrajaya-based government was boosting ties with other rice suppliers in the region including Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. India and Pakistan exchanged heavy artillery fire along their contested frontier in Kashmir on May 7 after New Delhi launched missile strikes on its arch-rival, with deaths subsequently reported on both sides. New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing the deadliest attack in years on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, in which 26 men were killed. Islamabad rejected the charge. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
