Latest news with #RM1.25mil
The Star
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Keeping media standards high
Yong says the sponsorship will also be spent on upskill training for media personnel, the corporate sector and government agencies. A total of 548 entries have been received from media practitioners vying for recognition in Malaysia's journalism awards. Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) said there were a total of 60 entries more than the previous year. Fifty-eight media organisations from all over the country, including Sabah and Sarawak, are participating in MPI-PETRONAS Malaysian Journalism Awards 2024, which will be held in conjunction with a media night in Kuala Lumpur on June 20. MPI chief executive officer Ainol Amriz Ismail said the event had garnered up to RM1.25mil in sponsorship, with PETRONAS putting in RM450,000 as the main sponsor for award night prizes. The media practitioners are competing in both traditional and emerging media formats, comprising 21 categories including environmental, social and governance (ESG) journalism, radio broadcasting, podcasting, video documentary work, live streaming, and investigative reporting. For the media night, MPI collaborated with Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and received RM799,500 in sponsorship from 51 organisations, including corporate entities, ministries, government agencies, and media organisations. 'The total amount of sponsorships is 15% more than last year,' Ainol Amriz said during a sponsors appreciation event in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. 'The number of organisations has also increased, from only 22 last year. 'The increase is a sign of confidence in MPI,' he added. A town hall on how corporations, government agencies, and sponsors could obtain opportunities for coverage in the media was also held during the event attended by 130 representatives of 41 organisations. MPI president Datuk Yong Soo Heong, in a press conference after the event, said sponsorship for the awards had several main selling points. 'One is to be able to attend a function where the best in Malaysian media will be in the same room. 'Sponsors will be able to mingle with the editors, chief editors and reporters to get to know how they work. 'They can improve their ways when it comes to interacting with the media to achieve higher visibility. 'It is also a prestigious event. This year, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof will be attending the event,' he said. Yong said the money received from sponsors would also go towards upskill training, not only for journalists but also those working in corporate and government agencies. 'What you see today is not just a form of contribution and encouragement. 'It is also a sign of lasting friendship which has taken time to build,' said Yong, adding that MPI had been receiving support for its awards night for the past 45 years. Some 1,000 guests are expected to attend the awards night. To mark the occasion, a coffee-table book detailing the generosity of its major sponsors and featuring the work of former journalists will be one of the souvenirs.
The Star
14-05-2025
- The Star
Sabah eco-tourism destinations get RM1.25mil boost for upgrades
Liew (right) with Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar at the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. KOTA KINABALU: Four eco-tourism attractions in Sandakan, Sabah will receive major upgrades with a RM1.25mil allocation. The funding covers the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Agnes Keith House and the upcoming Martin & Osa Johnson Gallery. This includes RM750,000 from the federal government and RM500,000 from the Sabah government. Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the upgrades are part of a broader strategy to showcase Sabah's rich biodiversity. "Sandakan is blessed with incredible wildlife and these upgrades will add value to the visitor experience while ensuring the long-term conservation of our natural heritage. "These are not just facilities for tourists but critical conservation sites. "The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, for example, has played a vital role in global wildlife conservation since it opened in 1964," she said during her visit to the centres on Wednesday (May 14). Liew said the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre is the only one of its kind globally, which provides a sanctuary for the endangered species and is also a research and environmental education hub. The funding will also support the development of the Martin & Osa Johnson Gallery at the PWD 2002 Building in Sandakan. The gallery will showcase the exploration history of the husband-and-wife duo, Martin and Osa Johnson, who documented the wildlife and cultures of the Kinabatangan region in the 1930s. Liew said the gallery, which will complement the nearby Agnes Keith House, is expected to enhance the cultural tourism offerings in Sandakan, which already draws around 21,000 visitors annually. The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre are located in Sepilok, a forested area about 25km from Sandakan.
The Star
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Johor sees drop in dengue cases, rise in HFMD
JOHOR BARU: Johor recorded a decline in dengue cases with 147 cases in epidemiological week 19 (ME19) from 171 cases the previous week. State health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said of the 147 cases, 50 (34%) were epidemic locality cases and 97 (66%) were non-epidemic locality cases. 'The cumulative cases for ME19 (May 3 to 9) also declined, at 2,446 compared to 6,328 cases in the corresponding period last year," he said in a statement on Tuesday (May 13). He said Johor Baru district has the highest number of cases with 113 (76.9.%), followed by Kulai with 14 (9.5%), Muar and Kota Tinggi with five cases each (3.4%). They were followed by Segamat and Batu Pahat with three cases (2%) each, and Mersing, Tangkak and Kluang with one case (0.7%) each. 'There were no cases recorded in Pontian," he said. He also noted that Kulai, Muar and Kota Tinggi saw an increase in cases from ME18 to ME19. He said four dengue-related deaths have occurred in the state to date, against eight for the whole of last year. Ling said 2,508 notices for a total of RM1.25mil were issued this year to date, with 69% of the offenders settling their fines. On a related matter, he said hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) incidences in Johor had exceeded the alert level since early this year and showed a greater frequency than the last two years. Ling said 1,964 cases were recorded in ME19 against 1,687 in ME18, an increase of 16.4%, bringing the cumulative HFMD cases this year to date to 13,415. He said the majority of those affected were children aged below six (10,773 cases, 80.3%), followed by those between seven and 12 years (2,269 cases, 16.9%), with the remaining patients aged 13 and above. 'There were seven HFMD clusters in ME19, bringing the total cumulative clusters to 86 involving 30 kindergartens, 21 pre-schools, 15 childcare centres, a primary school and a private residential area. He also reminded operators of early education institutions to take precautionary measures to minimise the risk of infection. 'Practise and observe high standards of hygiene and immediately report to the District Health Department in case HFMD is detected on the grounds," he said.
The Star
02-05-2025
- The Star
Three nabbed for illegal iron ore mining in Rompin
KUANTAN: Three men, including two Bangladeshi nationals, were arrested for suspected illegal iron ore mining at Sungai Ganoh in the Bukit Ibam Forest Reserve, Muadzam Shah, on Tuesday. The arrests were made around 3am during a joint operation by the General Operations Force (GOF) 7th Battalion and the Pahang State Enforcement Unit, known as Op Bersepadu Khazanah. According to a statement by the GOF Southeast Brigade, checks revealed that the mining site was operated by a local man, along with two Bangladeshis. The site owner could not produce a valid mining licence, while the two foreigners had no valid identification documents. All three men, aged between 40 and 50, were detained. Authorities also seized equipment and machinery worth about RM1.25mil. The case is being investigated under the State Mineral Enactment 2001 and the Immigration Act 1959/63. - Bernama
