Latest news with #RM2.8mil
The Star
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Corporate support crucial for B40 students'
Big impact: (Seated from left) Southern District Education (PPDS) chief officer Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad, Farm Fresh chief operating officer Azmi Zainal, Fadhlina, BPSHKPM deputy senior assistant Abidin Marjan and Education Sponsorship division head of department Mohd Bustaman Abdul Aziz posing for a picture during the STPM Scholarship Opening Ceremony at SMK Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah in Jawi, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star NIBONG TEBAL: Aid in the form of cash relief for B40 students can go a long way in helping them get better quality education, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. She said it makes a difference when corporations come forward to support the education ecosystem. 'Through programmes where private corporations provide aid, it helps improve students' lives and the quality of their educational experience. 'It gives these children the space and motivation to continue to progress in life,' she told reporters after officiating a ceremony for scholarships for STPM students by Farm Fresh Berhad in Jawi yesterday. Fadhlina said 500 Form 6 students from 10 states who fall under the B40 category will benefit from the contribution. 'They will receive RM100 every month from May to December. 'The company will contribute a total of RM2.8mil between 2025 and 2029 towards this cause. 'This will help these students cover their needs. It will have a direct impact on their education,' she added. When asked how they identified students in need of the aid, Fadhlina said 70% to 80% of Form Six students fall under the B40 category. 'We have the data, and these students are picked at random,' she explained. She also voiced hope that other companies would offer aid for B40 students. 'We are providing a dedicated platform for companies to contribute through structured corporate social responsibility programmes that have a direct impact on students,' she said.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Bung Moktar, wife's final bid fails
PUTRAJAYA: Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad failed in their final attempt to challenge the Court of Appeal's decision ordering them to enter their defence on three corruption charges involving RM2.8mil. As a result, Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette are scheduled to enter their defence on corruption charges before Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad on Aug 18. A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, unanimously dismissed the couple's application yesterday stating that they had failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances or a miscarriage of justice that would justify a review of the call for defence ruling. Justice Che Mohd Ruzima sat with Court of Appeal judges Justices Azizul Azmi Adnan and Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid. On Nov 18 last year, a Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim allowed the prosecution's appeal and overturned the High Court's decision to acquit Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette, and ordered both to enter their defence. Justice Che Mohd Ruzima said the Court of Appeal has always exercised caution when invoking its power to review earlier decisions, as such a review, on the face of it, runs contrary to the principle of finality, Bernama reported. The judge said that when counsel for Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette submitted that there had been an injustice in the case, the court observed that the couple had an alternative remedy. 'The point raised before us can be canvassed in an appeal from the Sessions Court, should a conviction subsequently be recorded. 'We are of the view that the threshold requirements for leave to review the prior decision of this court have not been met. 'We are also of the view that this is a point that may validly be raised at the end of the defence case. 'For these reasons, we find that the threshold requirement for leave to review this court's previous decision has not been fulfilled. 'Therefore, this application is dismissed,' he said. In September 2022, the Sessions Court ordered the couple to enter their defence. The couple succeeded in overturning the ruling through revision applications they then filed at the High Court. This prompted the prosecution to appeal to the Court of Appeal. Bung Moktar, 65, who was then the non-executive chairman of Felcra Bhd, was charged on May 3, 2019, with two charges of accepting bribes of RM2.2mil and RM262,500 as an inducement to obtain Felcra's approval for a RM150mil investment in Public Mutual unit trusts. He was alleged to have accepted the bribes from Public Mutual Bhd's investment agent Madhi Abdul Hamid through Zizie Izette, 46, at Public Bank Taman Melawati Branch, Kuala Lumpur, between 12.30pm and 5pm on June 12, 2015. Bung Moktar was also charged with receiving RM337,500 in cash from Unit Amanah consultant, Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar, under the name of Zizie Izette for the same reason and place on June 19, 2015, while Zizie Izette was charged with three counts of abetting her husband over the matter at the same place, date and time. On April 9, this year, the Sessions Court allowed the couple's application to stay the defence proceedings pending the outcome of the review application.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Appellate court dismisses final review bid by Bung Moktar, wife over graft case
PUTRAJAYA: Kinabatangan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad failed in their final attempt to challenge the Court of Appeal's decision ordering them to enter their defence on three corruption charges involving RM2.8mil. This followed a decision by a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, which unanimously dismissed the couple's application for leave to review the decision on Thursday (May 22). Justice Che Mohd Ruzima, who sat with Court of Appeal judges Datuk Azizul Azmi Adnan and Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid, said the couple failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances or a miscarriage of justice that would justify a review of the ruling. On Nov 18 last year, a Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim allowed the prosecution's appeal and overturned the High Court's decision to acquit Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette, ordering both to enter their defence. The couple filed the leave applications in March this year under Rule 105 of the Rules of the Court of Appeal 1994, contending that the previous Court of Appeal panel lacked jurisdiction to hear the prosecution's appeal and wanted the review panel to reinstate the High Court ruling. In delivering the court's decision, Justice Che Mohd Ruzima said the Court of Appeal had always exercised caution when invoking its power to review earlier decisions, as such a review, on the face of it, runs contrary to the principle of finality. The judge said that when counsel for Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette submitted that there had been an injustice in the case, the court observed that the couple were not without an alternative remedy. "The point raised before us can be canvassed in an appeal from the Sessions Court, should a conviction subsequently be recorded. We are of the view that the threshold requirements for leave to review the prior decision of this court have not been met. "We are also of the view that this is a point that may validly be raised at the end of the defence case. For these reasons, we find that the threshold requirement for leave to review this court's previous decision has not been fulfilled. Therefore, this application is dismissed," he said. In Thursday's proceedings, the prosecution was represented by deputy public prosecutors Law Chin How, Mohd Fadhly Mohd Zamry and Maziah Mohaide, while lawyers Datuk Seri K. Kumaraendran and M. Athimulan appeared for Bung Moktar and Zizie Izette, respectively.
The Star
15-05-2025
- The Star
GOF nabs 13 over illegal sand mining in Kedah
ALOR SETAR: The General Operations Force (GOF) has arrested 13 people for suspected involvement in illegal sand mining during raids at three separate locations in Kedah on Wednesday (May 14). Northern Brigade GOF commander Senior Asst Comm Shahrum Hashim (pic) said the suspects, aged between 20 and 70, were believed to be illegally extracting sand from rivers in Kulim, Bukit Selambau and Kuala Muda. The raids were conducted by the intelligence branches of the Northern Brigade Headquarters and the 1st and 2nd Battalions, together with the Kedah Land and Mines Office. "Interrogations revealed that the site owner had been carrying out the illegal activity for the past year, selling the sand in nearby markets at around RM400 per lorryload. "Further checks showed that the site owner did not have a valid permit or licence from the Land and Mines Office to extract sand from the river,' he said in a statement on Thursday (May 15). He said the illegal activity allowed the suspects to profit by defrauding the state government. "In addition to the arrests, four excavators, six lorries, a bulldozer, a tractor, two sand suction structures, engines and other equipment were also seized. "The total value of the seized items is estimated at over RM2.8mil. "The case is being investigated under Section 426 of the National Land Code 1965. The Northern Brigade GOF is actively monitoring and patrolling areas across Perak, Penang and Kedah to curb illegal activities,' he said. – Bernama
The Star
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Charity jam returns for day of fun, giving
Rajaa (seated, centre) with Charity Jam Session organising committee members and supporters announcing the event happening on May 4 at Eastin Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Charity Jam Session (CJS) will return for its 24th edition on May 4, continuing its tradition of raising funds through a day-long celebration of music, food and drinks. Running from noon to midnight, the event is jointly organised by Professional Culinaire Association, Society of The Golden Keys Malaysia, Food Aid Foundation and Rotary Club of Metro Kuala Lumpur, with Eastin Hotel Kuala Lumpur as venue sponsor and co-organiser. Launched in 2000 by founder and organising chairman SS Rajaa as a one-off fundraiser, CJS has grown into an annual event that is now Malaysia's longest-running charity gig and a platform for local musicians to shine. Among the acts taking part are the Strollers, Mojo Hand, The Retro Groovers, Vishnu and BATS House Band, Plan D, The Cauliflower Robbery, Sunny Rashid, Sounds of Jane, 50/50 and Small Stones, as announced at a pre-event press conference in Petaling Jaya. Attendees can purchase food and beverages using CJS coupon, with proceeds going towards University Malaya Medical Centre's (UMMC) Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Food Aid Foundation. Silent auctions and lucky draws will also be held throughout the day, with prizes including hotel stay vouchers. Since its inception, CJS has raised over RM3.6mil, with a total of RM2.8mil going towards purchasing lifesaving equipment and subsidising medical care for critically ill children, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
