Latest news with #RM2.5mil
The Star
2 days ago
- General
- The Star
Funds needed for KGV school hall
IT is not often we hear of students who left school decades ago coming forward to help their alma mater, either financially or in kind. Former students of SMK King George V (KGV) in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, had planned to build a clubhouse like what the Old Paulians did for St Paul's Institution, but decided to build a multipurpose hall instead. Old Georgian Association (OGA), led by their former president and state police chief Datuk Osman Salleh, had dropped plans for a clubhouse in place of a multipurpose hall about 10 years ago. The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, who is also a former student, performed the groundbreaking ceremony in July 2016 and, at the same time, urged former students to contribute. OGA carried out several fundraising activities over the years and managed to raise more than RM1mil for the project. But the association is still short of funds, as the cost has since increased to an estimated RM2.5mil. Abdul Aziz showing an artist's impression of the new school hall. OGA committee member Abdul Aziz Hamzah said the project was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and inability to raise the targeted amount. Abdul Aziz, who has been the school's Parent-Teacher Association chairman since 2018, said efforts were now underway to raise the funds as the project's piling work started in February. 'The school desperately needs a bigger hall, as the current one, which used to have only one badminton court and where legend Datuk Punch Gunalan used to train, can only accommodate some 300 students. 'The new hall will, among other things, have four badminton halls, a stage, toilets and changing rooms, and it will be able to accommodate up to 800 students,' he said, adding that the present hall could not be expanded as it was a heritage building. The school currently holds its assemblies and other events that require the attendance of all students in an open area. KGV, established in 1923, was initially known as the Government English School. In 1928, its name was changed. Today, it has some 870 students in forms one to five. Abdul Aziz said OGA, which has some 1,000 members, was bent on building the hall as a mark of gratitude. 'We Old Georgians would like to leave behind a legacy and to be forever connected to the school. 'But to make it happen, we need to raise more funds so that the hall can be completed on schedule by September next year,' he said, adding that the date was also significant as it would mark a century of the renaming of the school. He said once completed, the hall could also be used to hold examinations, teaching and learning activities as well as sporting events. Abdul Aziz said the new hall, which was being built near the school's famous Georgian Green field, could also be used during sports festivals or tournaments such as rugby, cricket and softball, which KGV was known for. 'OGA will hand over the hall, which we plan to call Georgians Hall, to the school once it is completed. 'We are hoping former students will come forward and support us financially and even make contributions in instalments if they wish to,' he said, adding that the PTA would also be roped in to help. Those wishing to contribute can call 018-979 7455 (Aziz), 019-660 7288 (OGA secretary Eric Lee) or deposit their donation to the association's RHB Bank account (2550 4700 0002 91).
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Umno-PKR ties in unity govt intact despite Tengku Zafrul's exit, says Johari Ghani
BATU PAHAT: Umno's cooperation with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) within the unity government remains intact despite Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz's resignation from the party, says Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. Johari, who is Umno vice-president, said both parties must remain united in their efforts to ensure the country's political stability. "For example, in government, I play a role in national development as a minister. Political developments are normal, but they should not affect the strength of our coalition within the Unity Government and the country," he said. He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Madani Adopted Village (KAM) programme handover ceremony for the Plantation and Commodities Ministry at Kampung Parit Bilal here on Saturday (May 31). On May 30, Tengku Zafrul, who is the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, announced his resignation as a Umno Supreme Council member, Kota Raja division chief and party member. On Saturday's programme, Johari, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, said RM2.5mil has been allocated to Kampung Parit Bilal and Kampung Parit Ahmad under the ministry's Madani Adopted Village initiative. The funds would go toward implementing various development projects, including upgrading educational facilities, houses of worship and basic infrastructure, he said. He said the initiative also involves strategic cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies, the Batu Pahat district office, Johor state development office, village development and security committees and local community leaders. "Among the activities planned are entrepreneurship training, such as chocolate-making courses and outreach programmes under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) MyCommodity initiative," Johari added. – Bernama
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Comfort Gloves expects local firms to maintain resilience
PETALING JAYA: Comfort Gloves Bhd (CGB) expects local glove manufacturers to be well-positioned to maintain their resilience despite ongoing global trade uncertainties, bolstered by favourable US import tariffs that provide a competitive edge over other major Asian exporters. 'While the sector is currently managing short-term pressures including anticipated sequential sales declines due to intensified global competition and potential market share adjustments in the European Union, the industry's fundamentals remain strong,' the company said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday. For its first quarter ended March 31, 2025, it reported a net loss of RM10.62mil, compared with a net loss of RM10.63mil a year earlier. 'This was mainly attributed to significant reduction in foreign exchange gain by RM5mil, lower inventory provision and written down of RM2.5mil as well as a lower recognition of deferred tax credit amounting to RM2.8mil,' it said. Revenue during the quarter rose to RM106.61mil from RM67.21mil in the previous corresponding quarter.
The Star
04-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Sabah to implement state-wide water fluoridation policy
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will commit to water fluoridation as part of its health policy, to be implemented at administrative level. This comes after data showing 63.3% of 12-year-olds in Sabah suffer from dental caries, the highest rate in the country and more than double the national average. "This is more than a health issue – it's about equity and quality of life. Water fluoridation is a proven, cost-effective solution," said dentist Datuk Dr Roland Chia, who is also the Chief Minister's political secretary, during the 13th Borneo Congress and Trade Exhibition on Saturday (May 3). The fluoridation programme was halted in Sabah 1989 over supervision issues. In 2011, an attempt was made to revive it backed by RM2.5mil in federal funding but it failed to take off. Dr Chia did not state when implementation would begin but said technical discussions are underway. Currently, only 11 of Sabah's 84 water treatment plants are equipped with fluoride feeders, covering just 3.7% of the population. Major towns such as Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau still receive non-fluoridated water. A special task force has been formed under the Joint Action Committee for Health Development in Sabah to oversee the rollout co-chaired by federal Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam and Community Development Minister Datuk James Ratib. According to Sabah Health Department deputy director Dr Thaddius Herman Maling, the state is also facing a shortage of dental professionals with only 306 government dentists at 44 public and 213 private clinics, translating to a dentist-to-population ratio of 1:4,754. "The issue is not just numbers. Many out-of-state dentists leave after two years, which disrupts continuity of care. We urgently need more Sabah-born dentists," he said. To address this, Dr Chia said the state fully supports Universiti Malaysia Sabah's plan to establish a dentistry programme. "Once we have a dental school, we can train and retain our own professionals. This is about equity and long-term resilience," said Dr Chia.
New Straits Times
29-04-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Melaka needs RM25mil to resolve street lighting problem
Keywords: News Roads Lighting Nst Melaka Allocation Works Department Street Lights Marris Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer Related Articles Nation Jan 31, 2025 @ 5:06am Pahang govt identifies dark Karak highway stretches, seeks funds for street lights Crime & Courts Mar 17, 2025 @ 10:21am Melaka road rage: Man lands punch at traffic lights Nation Apr 9, 2025 @ 9:11pm 1.6mil LED lights illuminate Taman Jubli Emas in Alor Star [WATCH] Nation Feb 8, 2025 @ 8:54pm Melaka allocates RM2.5mil in aid to 5,812 Chinese community recipients
