Latest news with #RM800
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
GOF seizes over RM800,000 worth of ‘Royal Cannabis' in Pasir Mas
PASIR MAS: A team from the General Operations Force (GOF) Ninth Battalion seized 22.5 kilogrammes (kg) of compressed 'Royal Cannabis' ganja, valued at over RM800,000, in an operation near Banggol Kulim here today. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made when a patrol team spotted a Proton Wira Aeroback driven by a man behaving suspiciously at around 6 am. 'GOF personnel pursued the car, prompting the driver to speed up to evade arrest before abandoning the vehicle by the roadside with the engine still running,' he said when contacted by reporters today. He said a search of the vehicle uncovered three bundles, each containing 45 packets of compressed ganja. 'We believe the drug smugglers used packaging resembling 'kain pelikat' boxes to deceive the authorities. 'The suspect has not been located, and it is understood that each kilogramme of compressed ganja is estimated to be worth RM36,000,' he said. He added that all the drugs and the vehicle were handed over to the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division of the Pasir Mas District Police Headquarters (IPD) for further action, with the case investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Barnama
6 days ago
- Barnama
GOF Seizes Over RM800,000 Worth Of ‘Royal Cannabis' In Pasir Mas
PASIR MAS, May 29 (Bernama) -- A team from the General Operations Force (GOF) Ninth Battalion seized 22.5 kilogrammes (kg) of compressed 'Royal Cannabis' ganja, valued at over RM800,000, in an operation near Banggol Kulim here today. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made when a patrol team spotted a Proton Wira Aeroback driven by a man behaving suspiciously at around 6 am. "GOF personnel pursued the car, prompting the driver to speed up to evade arrest before abandoning the vehicle by the roadside with the engine still running," he said when contacted by reporters today.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
Barn owl nest box project aims to protect padi fields from rat menace
Handle with care: Hasber (right) demonstrating to Abdul Aziz how to hold barn owls correctly, with a nest box seen in the background. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star KEPALA BATAS: Every padi planting season, farmer Abdul Aziz Hashim endures sleepless nights worrying about the crops on his 2ha padi field. Besides the unpredictable weather, thousands of rats have been destroying his crop, slashing his income by nearly 50%. "These rats usually come out at night and feast on the matured padi. It gets worse during harvest time. "I have tried using pesticides and rat poison to try to eliminate the pests. "I spend thousands of ringgit each planting season just to protect my crops," the 43-year-old lamented. However, Abdul Aziz, who has been a farmer for about 20 years, now realises that the use of chemicals is harmful to the environment and health. "Pesticides do not only contaminate the padi fields but also pollute the surroundings and kill other animals," he said. Farmers like Abdul Aziz are now relieved that they can now consider a more friendly form of rat control: using Eastern barn owls to hunt the rats. Native to Peninsular Malaysia, the Eastern barn owl's voracious appetite for rats helps protect crops. This pilot project by Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Barn Owl and Rodent Research Group (BORG) will see 20 barn owl nest boxes installed at fields belonging to farmers under the B40 group in Paya Keladi, Kepala Batas. The nest boxes are designed to attract owls to nest in them without additional human intervention, with Abdul Aziz saying the new method will help manage the rodent population effectively. "It will reduce the need for chemical poisons," he explained. "Although the use of barn owls was practised in the past by local farmers, there was little to no monitoring of rodent problems in the fields, which made it harder for farmers to protect their crops." USM's Assoc Prof Dr Hasber Salim said his team initiated the project to help farmers adopt environmentally friendly practices. "Rat damage can reduce yields by up to 60%. With barn owls present, farmers experience less crop loss, which translates to higher income and better quality harvests as one barn owl family can hunt up to 3,000 rats per year,' he said. Under this pilot project carried out in collaboration with Malaysia's national rice agency Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), each nest box can serve an area of about 5ha to 10ha. Each nest setup costs about RM800, depending on location and logistics, with funding made possible through a RM42,671 (US$10,000) grant from GlobalGiving, a US-based non-governmental organisation. The project will be monitored over a period of three years. Each week, BORG members will collect owl pellets – regurgitated remains of prey – to identify the species of rats consumed and estimate the number of pests removed. 'We will analyse the pellets to get actual data. 'That's how we estimate that a single owl family can eat up to 3,000 rats a year,' he said. Hasber added that the initiative draws on past experience of using barn owls in oil palm plantations under a similar conservation project with the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation. "Although barn owls have been used in padi fields since the 1970s, the practice has been largely neglected in recent years. 'We're bringing back a proven concept but with improved planning and monitoring,' he said. Hasber added that instead of using the outdated density of one nest per 40ha, his team is now using a high-density model of one nest per five to 10ha.
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah students shine at Social Project Challenge 2025
The Sabah school teams gathered for a photo opportunity before their turns for the elevator pitch. KOTA KINABALU (May 27): Three teams of 17-year-old aspiring changemakers studying at All Saints Secondary School, Kota Kinabalu, and Keningau Vocational College emerged as grantees for Social Project Challenge 2025 hosted by myHarapan and sponsored by Yayasan Telekom Malaysia (TM) during the bootcamp and pitch contest from May 23 until May 25 at Crystal Crown Hotel, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. There were 15 shortlisted teams nationwide and 10 teams were chosen to receive grants of RM800 to carry out their social projects in the next three months. The teams were initially shortlisted from 70 entries from 30 teams who attended online training and pitched their ideas before the list was further narrowed down to 15 teams who were fully sponsored to attend a three-day physical bootcamp followed by an elevator pitch. They were given the exact five minutes to present their ideas and another 10 minutes for the judges to ask the presenters questions. All Saints' all-male quartet pitched their Mini H20 Purifier, a water filter which they designed for rural villagers in Sabah who have a limited access to clean water. The team members were Boy Foo E Nang, Ryan Adriel, Mirza Abreshyam and Joshua Robin. There were two teams from Keningau Vocational College (KVC) who made it to the list of the 10 winners. The first team developed a project titled Sign & Tell which intends to teach sign language to hearing school students and teachers so they can communicate better with hearing-impaired individuals for a more inclusive environment. This team was made up of five female students – Victoria Jacob, Rosselina Senora, Iris Sofea, Daffeny Jeanne and Aleysa Felix. The second team consisted of three students and they were Nur Adawiyah Balqis, Nur Syaidattul Akma and Syehekeel Daniel Hanry who developed a food and paper waste management system in collaboration with a local farm. They named their project Waste 2 Awareness. The All Saints Secondary School's team was coached and managed by Siti Azizah Md Yussof while the teams from Keningau Vocational College were chaperoned and mentored by Vienny Balakrishnan and Dr Sirhajwan Idek. These 10 winners will be presenting their projects again after the three-month implementation phase at another event and the success of their projects might secure them more grants with greater amount to further scale up their social projects. The Social Project Challenge (SPC) is a programme that seeks to introduce youth to social entrepreneurship and equip them with skills as well as provide them the resources including grants and network to kickstart their social enterprises. This programme has been initiated by myHarapan also known as Youth Trust Foundation which is a not-for-profit association established to empower young Malaysians by supporting youth projects and initiatives that lead to better nation-building.
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Selangau lass Nani Saban crowned 'Kumang Gawai Dayak' at Sibu Division celebration
Nani flanked by Nelly (left) and Amenda (right) in a photo with the prizes. SIBU (May 25): Nani Saban from Sekuau, Selangau was crowned as 'Kumang Gawai Dayak' at the Sibu Division pre-Gawai Dayak celebration held here last night. She walked away with RM4,000 in cash, a trophy, a sash, a hamper and a certificate. The 'Lulong' title (first runner-up) went to Nelly Mujan Rogelio from Sungai Asap, Belaga, who received RM3,000, along with a sash, a trophy, a hamper and a certificate. The 'Selinggar Matahari' (third place) went to Amenda Alannie Ambrose Luta from Pasai Siong, Sibu, who received RM2,000, a sash, a trophy, a hamper and a certificate. Seven other participants—Natasha Malviana Nyandang, Fravelian Jelika Radi, Adreana Filsie Sanau Anselm, Manisha Vyonnie Gelebat, Juliana Ungan Merayang, Olivia Ceilo Oliver, and Anesonia Aking—each received RM800 and a certificate as a consolation prize Sri Aman MP Dato Sri Doris Sophia Brodie, who was the guest of honour at the event, presented the prizes to the winners. Kumang Gawai Dayak lead Sibu Division pre-Gawai Dayak celebration
