Latest news with #RM50
The Star
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
‘More youths showing interest in agriculture'
Many are unaware of the grants to assist youths in starting up their own business in farming, livestock farming, fisheries or agro-based industries. — Filepic IF you are between 18 and 45 years old and want to venture into farming, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is offering a start-up grant worth up to RM30,000. Johor Fruit Farmers Association chairman Alvins Lo said many people were unaware of the 'Geran Agropreneur Muda' (GAM) to assist youths in starting up their own business in farming, livestock farming, fisheries or agro-based industries. 'Interest among youths towards the agricultural sector has increased in recent years. 'We have been receiving many inquiries from youths looking for entrepreneurship opportunities and subsidies in the agriculture sector, which is a good sign,' he said in an interview. As such, the association organised an agricultural talk in Yong Peng attended by about 40 youths. Lo said the association invited Batu Pahat Agriculture Department's urban farming unit assistant officer Muhamad Izad Zolzali who spoke about incentives and subsidy programmes available for the participants to apply. Lo (left) presenting a token to Muhamad Izad who shared about the incentives for young farmers. 'He promoted the GAM initiative, which was met with enthusiasm from the attendees as the grant addresses the needs of young farmers by providing them non-cash assistance. 'The speaker gave a detailed explanation about the eligibility of the grant and common reasons for rejection,' said Lo. He added that Muhamad Izad also gave tips and recommendations for their application such as financial planning and harvest estimates. Lo said there was an opportunity for GAM recipients to further apply for another initiative called GAM Scale-up, to help them with upstream activities. 'The scale-up grant, worth up to RM50,000 per individual, would be disbursed in the form of agrotechnology, mechanisation and automation equipment. 'In the question-and-answer portion of the event, Muhamad Izad addressed the participants' concerns and advised them to register their business as an enterprise to ease subsidy applications as well as enjoy future benefits,' he added. Apart from disseminating information about the incentives, the talk was also a way of bridging the gap between the government agency and young farmers. Lo said the association would continue working closely with the ministry to organise more talks to promote initiatives such as the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices and Maximum Residue Limits for pesticide use. 'It is through good agricultural practices and management that we can ensure our farmed products reach consumers in a safe and edible condition to improve market standards. 'I also took the opportunity to encourage the young farmers to join the association as a platform to communicate and build strength to contribute to agricultural development,' he said.
The Star
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Malaysia's 'flying roti canai' draws long queues at Expo 2025 in Osaka
The sight of Muiz tossing roti canai dough in the air is part of the crowd-pulling appeal at the Malaysia Pavilion. – BERNAMApic OSAKA: "Flying roti canai" has turned out to be a crowd-puller at Expo 2025 Osaka, drawing visitors to the Malaysia Pavilion with its skilful preparation and irresistible buttery aroma. The sight of roti canai being expertly tossed high into the air by Muhammad Muiz Ruzaini and Mohamad Zul Imran Zulkifle, combined with the tempting smell, has whetted the appetites of visitors. Some are willing to queue for up to two hours. Muiz said he did not expect to be selected as part of the Malaysian delegation to Expo 2025 Osaka, where he would showcase the rich flavours of Malaysian cuisine on the world stage. What makes the experience even more rewarding is the overwhelming response from visitors, the Kedahan said when met at the expo recently. "Many visitors praised the delicious roti canai and gave positive feedback, both in terms of taste and our presentation. "After they ate, many would come up and say 'oishī' (delicious). Some even repeated it seven times," he said, adding that most of the visitors were from Japan, South Korea and China. The freshly made roti canai, served with chicken curry and dhal, is priced at 1,680 yen (almost RM50) per serving. Daily sales average between 1,000 and 1,600 pieces, underscoring its growing popularity among visitors from the above three countries and elsewhere. The pan-fried flatbread – a popular choice at any time of the day in Malaysia – is skilfully stretched, flipped and spun in the air to create a layered texture. Crispy and flaky on the outside but soft on the inside, the roti canai was ranked among the top 100 street foods in the world in 2023 by global food database TasteAtlas. Zul Imran, a roti canai maker from Penang, hoped that the popularity of roti canai at the expo would help cement its place on the global culinary map and attract more tourists to visit Malaysia. "I hope the Malaysia Pavilion roti canai becomes the number one dish at Expo 2025," he said. Japanese visitor Yoko Yoshinaga described the dish as "sweet, with a unique texture, and addictive". "This is my second time having roti canai. I first saw it on X (formerly Twitter), and the unforgettable taste brought me back. I lined up again just to relive the experience," she said. Yoshinaga, who visited Malaysia 30 years ago, praised the nation's development, calling it a peaceful and modern country. Another visitor, Hanako Sekimukai, who tried roti canai for the first time, said she was pleasantly surprised by its flavour. "I've been to Malaysia before, but I never had the chance to try roti canai. The chicken curry served with it wasn't too spicy, which made it even more enjoyable," she said, adding that the cultural performances at the pavilion brought back fond memories of her time in Malaysia. Located on a 2,654.52sq m site across three floors, the Malaysia Pavilion reflects the nation's diverse culture and dynamic economy. Under the theme "Weaving a Future in Harmony", the pavilion highlights Malaysia's commitment to a sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking future. Expo 2025 is a six-month fair that began on April 13 and will go on until Oct 13. It is the second world expo in Osaka after Expo 1970. – Bernama
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Woman charged with abusing niece
CHUKAI: A restaurant operator was charged in the Sessions Court here with abusing her cousin's daughter. The 52-year-old woman pleaded not guilty after the charge was read before Sessions Court judge Wan Suhaila Mohd. According to the charge, the woman, who had custody of the 15-year-old girl, is alleged to have neglected and caused physical injuries to the teenager. The offence was allegedly committed at 5.30pm at a restaurant in Binjai near here between March and May 22, Bernama reported. She was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides a fine of up to RM50,000, a jail term of up to 20 years, or both upon conviction.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
KPDN seizes RM50k worth of subsidised LPG in Mantin
SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has foiled an attempt to siphon subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) worth an estimated RM50,000, following a raid on an illegal storage facility in Mantin. Its director, Muhammad Zahir Mazlan, said the raid was conducted under Ops Gasak after a week-long surveillance of the syndicate's activities. He said checks at the premises revealed that it was being used as an illegal storage and transfer point for subsidised gas into unauthorised cylinders, mostly carried out at night to evade detection by the authorities. "The raiding team successfully seized 150 LPG cylinders of various brands and sizes, along with decanting equipment and several business documents believed to have been used in the illegal operation. "The total value of the seizure is estimated to exceed RM50,000. "The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which provides for a maximum fine of RM1 million, or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction," he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Restaurant operator charged with abusing niece
CHUKAI: A restaurant operator was charged in the Sessions Court here today with abusing the daughter of her cousin in Binjai. The accused, a 52-year-old woman, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read before Judge Wan Suhaila Mohd. According to the charge, the woman, who had custody of the 15-year-old girl, is alleged to have neglected her, resulting in physical injuries to the teenager. The offence was allegedly committed at 5.30 pm at a restaurant in Binjai near here, between March and May 22 this year. She was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides for a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor Noor Asyikin Hashim prosecuted while the accused was unrepresented. The court granted the accused bail of RM6,000 with one surety and fixed July 1 for the next case mention.
