Latest news with #RM1.2mil
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
Treasure hunt to raise funds for kids with Down syndrome
Children from Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation performing at the pre-launch of the Kiwanis Motor Treasure Hunt in Petaling Jaya. —Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star THE annual Kiwanis Motor Treasure Hunt by Kiwanis Club of Kuala Lumpur (KCKL) is heading to the beach for its 42nd edition. This year's event will take participants from Petaling Jaya, Selangor, to Tanjung Bungah, Penang, from July 26 to 28. Held since 1984, it is unofficially the 'longest running motor treasure hunt event' in the country, said organising chairman Joanne Sin. 'Last year, we managed to raise RM350,000. This year's target is RM400,000. 'Proceeds from the treasure hunt will go towards supporting Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation's (KDSF) Early Intervention Programme and therapies for children with Down syndrome aged six months to six years. Lim (right) with Sin at the pre-launch event. 'The KDSF vision is to create equal opportunity and a healthy learning environment that removes all labels to allow children with Down syndrome to have a fair chance in education and be able to attain their fullest potential.' Sin said the non-governmental organisation had raised RM310,000 from sponsors, on top of collections from donations and advertisement space sales in the souvenir programme. She was speaking at a pre-launch event at KDSF National Centre in Petaling Jaya. Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei, who was present, praised the initiative. Sin says KCKL has raised RM310,000 from sponsors, on top of collections from donations and advertisement space sales. 'This treasure hunt also serves as a platform for raising awareness, building community and celebrating these individuals,' said Lim. Founded in 1989, the national centre offers services such as sensory integration intervention, autism movement therapy, rhythmic movement training and water-specific therapy. Over 2,000 children have benefitted from KDSF's programmes to date. KCKL president Chan Kin Hou said operating costs increased in recent years, while fundraising has become more challenging. 'Our annual operating costs of around RM1.2mil covers therapy services, educational programmes, facilities and staff.' Sin said the three-day treasure hunt promised to be 'a brain-teasing adventure and community bonding experience'. Chan says the annual operating costs of RM1.2mil covers therapy services, educational programmes, facilities and staff. She added that they plan to step up the treasure hunt's challenges. It will start at KDSF National Centre on July 26 and finish in Penang on the same day. The winners will be announced the next day, followed by a prize-giving dinner and family oriented activities. A total of 24 teams have signed up, with 36 slots still available. Registration closes on July 4 or when all slots are filled up. Entry fees are based on the room arrangement at Hotel Mercure Penang in Tanjung Bungah. For details and registration, visit
The Star
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Smooth ambulance transfers, new facilities in Segamat
Ambulance responses in Johor are coordinated through the MECC that ensures clinic and hospital-based support. — Filepic SEGAMAT Hospital is equipped to handle medical emergencies within the district, a Johor exco says. These include calls that involve road transfers of patients between medical facilities. Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the hospital's six ambulances met the district's emergency and inter-facility transfer needs. 'The hospital maintains a daily bed occupancy rate of 78%. 'This is within manageable limits,' he said during the state assembly meeting held at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar. He was replying to N. Saraswati (BN-Kemelah), Ng Kor Sim (PH-Jementah) and Fauziah Misri (BN-Penawar) who raised concerns about ambulances and health services within their respective constituencies. Ling said Segamat Hospital had begun operations at a RM75mil facility that was handed over for use on Feb 25, 2023, and officially opened on April 1 that year. He said a new RM26mil health clinic would open in Segamat on July 31. 'Ambulances attend to about 78% to 89% of calls in the Segamat district within 15 minutes. 'The remaining 11% to 22% of calls receive ambulance assistance within the 16- to 34-minute range,' he added. Ling further said that nearby health clinics were also equipped with ambulances and assist in covering emergencies closer to their areas. 'These efforts are coordinated through the Medical Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC), a system used nationwide. 'It ensures that ambulance response is not solely hospital-based but includes clinic support as well,' he added. Ling said Johor would soon receive 45 new ambulances under a federal initiative. The state government, he said, was also funding four additional ambulances for the Tangkak, Batu Pahat, Mersing and Kota Tinggi districts. 'To improve emergency services, RM1.2mil has been allocated to upgrade emergency wards in 12 public hospitals across the state,' he said. Ling said the funds, announced by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, would be used for medical equipment purchases and renovation works. 'This reflects our commitment to enhancing the public healthcare system and providing a more comfortable, efficient environment for patients,' he added. ― By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH and RHEMA SENG
The Star
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
RM1.2mil allocation for Buddhist, Taoist houses of worship
The Selangor state-level Wesak Day celebration at Maha Karuna Vihara in Shah Alam included multicultural dance performances. OVER 150 Buddhist and Taoist houses of worship will benefit from a RM1.2mil allocation under Selangor's Five Religions Financial Aid Scheme (Limas) for 2025. The allocation was presented during the state-level Wesak Day celebration at Maha Karuna Vihara in Elmina, Shah Alam. State executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han said the aid could be used for repairs, maintenance and upgrades of religious facilities. 'Through Limas, we have channelled systematic yearly allocations to temples, churches and viharas,' said Ng, who co-chairs the state's Special Committee on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism. 'This year, RM1.2mil is being disbursed to Buddhist and Taoist houses of worship under phase one of Limas 2025.' Ng (second from right) presenting the RM1.2mil mock cheque to (from left) Sri Saranankara, Ming Ji and Chean Kiat during the state-level Wesak Day celebrations. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star Ng said Selangor had provided such support since 2009, reflecting its long-term commitment to religious harmony, inclusion and cultural preservation. The celebration was jointly organised by Selangor government and Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia (TBCM), with support from Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council and Maha Karuna Buddhist Society. TBCM president Tan Leng Huat said, 'Our national theme for Wesak this year is 'Empathy and Wisdom based on Harmony'. 'It means using empathy and wisdom as the stimulant for harmonious living.' Tan said the inclusion of multicultural dance performances, including a 'Tarian Muhibah' at the event represented major ethnic identities through a single choreographed piece. Buddhist temple chief high priest B. Sri Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thera said the presence of multiple Buddhist traditions and representatives from other faiths was a reflection of Malaysia's strength in diversity. Present were Selangor Economic Planning Unit (local authority section) deputy director Mohd Sha'walludin Aziz, Selangor State Assembly Speaker Lau Weng San, Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Pua Pei Ling and Kota Kemuning assemblyman S. Preakas. Venerable Jue Cheng, the Fo Guang Shan chief abbess for temples in Singapore, Malaysia, India and Thailand also attended, as did Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia secretary-general Daozhang Lau Chean Kiat, Malaysian Buddhist Association Selangor and Kuala Lumpur branch chairman Venerable Ming Ji and Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council president Lilian Tay.
The Star
12-05-2025
- The Star
Power theft soars 300% as illegal mining booms
Energy Commission (ST) Johor regional director Nazlin Alim Sadikhi checking on the cryptocurrency mining machines during the raid in Iskandar Puteri on Aug 28. PETALING JAYA: The global transaction of cryptocurrency has led to a rise in illegal mining, causing a nearly 300% jump in electricity thefts between 2018 and 2024 in Malaysia, reveals Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). The cases were detected through TNB's joint operations with the Energy Commission, the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and local councils. 'Joint operations and nationwide raids have successfully shut down illegal mining setups, contributing to an increase in detected cases from 610 in 2018 to 2,397 in 2024. 'These enforcement actions have safeguarded the stability of the power grid,' TNB said in a statement to The Star. Between January 2020 and December 2024, TNB said the average number of crypto-related electricity theft cases stood at 2,303 per year. ALSO READ: Don't let power thieves profit 'For the same period, the average number of complaints related to cryptocurrency was 1,699, with an average of 340 per month. 'The number of complaints reflects increasing public awareness of reporting on illicit crypto mining activities,' it added. Under the Electricity Supply Act, anyone who tampers with or alters any electrical installation is liable to a fine of up to RM1mil, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. Offenders could also be charged with theft or mischief under Sections 379 and 427 of the Penal Code. Among the mechanisms utilised to detect suspicious excessive usage of electricity were through continuous consumption patterns analysis. 'Additionally, we work closely with the relevant authorities and stakeholders to uphold fair and sustainable electricity usage, therefore ensuring reliability for all customers,' it added. To enhance its strategies in combatting illegal crypto mining, TNB had expanded the deployment of its smart meter which could improve detection of electricity theft and enable efficient monitoring. The smart meter is a device that records the daily electricity usage and communicates this information to TNB via radio-frequency waves for monitoring and billing. TNB has also proposed stricter legal enforcement under the Electricity Supply Act while employing artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to further improve detection and flagging of suspicious consumption of electricity among users. There have been a number of reports about cases of illegal electricity connections. In January, news emerged that about 60 house and shop owners in Perak were saddled with electricity bills ranging from RM30,000 to RM1.2mil due to illegal electricity connections by their tenants who engaged in cryptocurrency mining. On April 30, police dismantled a syndicate on April 30 for stealing electricity for illegal bitcoin mining in Hulu Terengganu and Marang in Terengganu. Amid the global digital economy, Malaysia has the potential to be a key hub for blockchain technology and digital assets and use of technologies like tokenisation, stablecoins and cryptocurrencies.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Mum with ailing child helps others in the same boat
Turning point: When her daughter Mahiyaa was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia in 2021, it changed Lavaniyah's life in more than one way. KLANG: When her daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia in 2021, little did Lavaniyah Ganapathy know that it would change her life in more than one way. Initially devastated, Lavaniyah, 40, quickly set about seeking the best treatment option for her then six-year-old daughter Mahiyaa Bala Jeganath. 'We were told that Mahiyaa needed Car T-Cell therapy, which was only available in Singapore. 'Luckily, my daughter had medical insurance coverage which paid for the RM2.2mil incurred for the treatment,'' said Lavaniyah, who also has two sons aged eight and six. The turning point in Lavaniyah's life came six months after her daughter's diagnosis at a children's oncology day-care centre her daughter went to. 'I caught sight of a family that appeared to be panicky and deeply troubled. 'I asked my husband to find out what was wrong and he came back and told me that the family desperately needed RM750,000 for their child's cancer treatment. 'As a mother, I understood the pain the child's mother must have been feeling and I immediately set about seeking financial help for them,'' said Lavaniyah. With the help of a non-governmental organisation, she managed to raise the amount in just four days and the initiative left her wanting to do more. She then registered the Children Cancer Association Malaysia (CCAM) in 2022 which has to date raised funds for more than 50 children, including paying treatment costs, ranging from RM100,000 to RM1.2mil, for 12 of them. Lavaniyah explained that CCAM would pay the cost of the treatments incurred by the children directly to the respective hospitals. 'I am doing this because I want to lessen the pain suffered by other parents when their children are diagnosed with cancer. 'Although I had the funds for my daughter's treatment, I was still devastated and frightened of losing her. 'Imagine the trauma experienced by parents who could not afford to pay for the much-needed treatment,'' said Lavaniyah. Mahiyaa, now 10, is in remission, attending school and has put her ordeal behind her. Lavaniyah, who also helps to run her family-owned shipping business, said she intends to help more children as CCAM has now been given tax exemption status. She hopes to rope in corporate sponsors to join her to ease the challenges suffered by families that could not afford cancer treatment for their children. 'In my advocacy work, I also push parents to get medical insurance for their children as well as to consult a doctor as soon as possible when their children fall sick as early detection is very crucial,'' she added. Those in need of financial aid for children with cancer can reach out to CCAM at 016-331 2427 or e-mail them at info@
