Latest news with #RMK12
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Zahid: All ‘sick projects' in Sarawak must be fully implemented under 13th M'sia Plan
Ahmad Zahid (first left) chairing a special meeting on the implementation of development projects in Sarawak with state officials at Sheraton Hotel here. – Photo by Chimon Upon. KUCHING (May 30): All delayed or problematic federal projects in Sarawak under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12), which are categorised as 'sick projects' , must be fully implemented under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Speaking at a press conference after chairing a two-hour special meeting with Sarawak officials at the Sheraton Hotel today, Zahid said the 403 affected projects, valued at RM21.73 billion, must proceed without delay across all five rolling plans of RMK13. 'Firstly, all allocation issues from RMK12 and even some from RMK11, have been resolved. This includes matters such as land acquisition, which the Sarawak government has agreed to expedite,' he said. 'Secondly, alignment conflicts that required adjustments in implementation have also been settled,' he said. Of the 403 projects, 178 (44.71 per cent) are still in the 'pre-implementation' phase, with 155 of these approved between 2021 and 2025. He added that 91 of the projects will be issued the Standard Specification Tender documents by the end of 2025. 'I take seriously the report that there are five delayed projects due to site issues such as permits, land acquisition, and pipeline alignment overlaps. 'Additionally, weather conditions have also contributed to project delays,' he said. Ahmad Zahid said the resolution of these problems now allows for streamlined implementation under the upcoming national development plan. He also announced that reconstruction works will begin after Gawai for 14 houses in Kampung Lereng Bukit, Miri, destroyed by a landslide on Jan 29. To accelerate delivery, Ahmad Zahid said federal implementation authority will be delegated to Sarawak's state agencies instead of continuing to rely on federal departments like Felcra Berhad and GiatMARA. In terms of education development, he announced the upcoming opening of the Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM) campus in Kota Samarahan, which will welcome its first batch of 200 students in September. The college is expected to expand its enrollment to 1,000 students by 2028. 'KPTM will serve as a feeder institution for Sarawak-based universities and also channel students to Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM) for degree and postgraduate programmes. 'What's important is aligning courses with student interests and workforce needs, to prevent mismatches between what is offered and what is demanded in the job market,' he said. He also addressed issues affecting 21 KEMAS (Community Development Department) kindergartens and nurseries (tabika and tadika) across Sarawak, noting that some, such as in Sebuyau, have been resolved. To ensure accountability, Zahid has appointed Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang to monitor the progress of project implementation weekly. The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) remains committed to accelerating infrastructure development through programmes such as Rural Roads (JALB), Rural Water Supply (BALB), Rural Electricity Supply (BELB), and other community facilities. 'Sarawak, especially its rural areas, deserves the same development priority as any other region in Malaysia,' Zahid added. Also present were Deputy Minister of KKDW Datuk Rubiah Wang, KKDW Head Secretary Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben, and Deputy State Secretary Datu Buckland Bangik. 13th Malaysia Plan ahmad zahid hamidi development education sick projects
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Over 200 Johor projects worth RM10.8bil remain unimplemented, says MB
JOHOR BARU: More than 200 projects in Johor valued at RM10.8bil and approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan (RMK11) nearly a decade ago have yet to be implemented, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The Johor Mentri Besar said the projects were approved in 2016, but have stalled despite funds already being allocated. "There are a total of 222 projects worth RM10.8bil that are still in the pre-implementation stage. The state government views this as a serious matter, as allocations for the projects have been approved, yet the work has not been carried out. "Imagine the number of development and upgrade projects, including those involving hospitals, schools, and roads, that have not reached the people," he said during the state assembly sitting on Monday (May 26). Onn Hafiz said he had brought the matter up with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his recent visit to Johor. "Every time we have our state action council meeting, I raise this issue and have the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) follow up with the ministries involved. "With the Prime Minister's approval, the Johor government has decided that all state executive councillors will meet with the ministries involved in the projects. "This is to ensure the projects are carried out as soon as possible for the benefit of the people," he said. Onn Hafiz also thanked Anwar for approving nine major projects that would greatly benefit Johoreans. "We would like to thank the Prime Minister, as out of the 10 projects we requested, nine have been approved under RMK12, Rolling Plan Five. "This includes the Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2 project and several involving highways," he said, adding that Anwar had chaired the Johor Special Development meeting on Friday (May 23).
Daily Express
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Marine Gallery Building project
Published on: Thursday, May 22, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 22, 2025 Text Size: The information centre at Simpang Mengayau. KUDAT: Work has begun on the first and largest marine gallery in Sabah which is expected to be completed by May 28, 2027. The project is adjacent to the newly reopened Visitor's Information Centre, another key development also under RMK12 (Twelfth Malaysia Plan). Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the gallery would be supervised by Sabah Parks. 'The gallery will showcase the diversity and uniqueness of Sabah's marine life and feature a highly interactive and engaging educational tourism (edu-tourism) concept, promising another significant attraction to Sabah's growing tourism sector. 'We warmly invite visitors to rediscover the beauty, culture, and natural serenity of the newly enhanced Tip of Borneo,' she said. Meanwhile, the iconic Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, fondly known as the Tip of Borneo, is now officially reopen to the public following a revitalisation project initiated by the Ministry. Advertisement Liew inaugurated the newly-completed Visitor's Information Centre on Monday, underscoring the cultural significance and tourism potential of the site. 'In 2018, the 11-hectare Tip of Borneo was gazetted for public purpose and placed under the care of my Ministry. Since then, we have committed to protecting, enhancing, and promoting this remarkable landmark for the benefit of both locals and international visitors,' she said. The site had been temporarily closed since January 2022 to undergo essential upgrades aimed at improving the visitor experience while preserving the natural charm of the location. Liew said the upgrading project was implemented under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan and works were officially completed on Sept. 30, last year. The Visitor's Information Centre houses facilities such as a souvenir shop operated by Kadaiku, offering locally made crafts and products and a café, set to open. 'The Ministry intends to hand over the management of the area to Sri Pelancongan Sabah (SPS) to ensure more systematic and sustainable tourism operations. Plans are afoot to introduce activities aimed at making the Tip of Borneo a more vibrant destination,' she said. They are part of the Ministry's continued efforts through the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to promote tourism in the area and empower the local economy, while ensuring Sabah's unique landmarks remain accessible, informative, and welcoming. Liew urged visitors to play their part in maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of the site. 'Let us work together to keep this iconic destination pristine for future generations. Dispose of waste responsibly, respect the environment, and help us maintain the serenity and natural charm that make this place so special,' she said. Located at the northernmost tip of Sabah, where the South China Sea meets the Sulu Sea, the Tip of Borneo is one of the most photographed and visited natural attractions in the state, known for its panoramic ocean views and historical importance. Visitors can also look forward to the return of the Music Fest at the Tip of Borneo, scheduled for December this year. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
21-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Tip of Borneo reopens with upgraded facilities
Liew (right) signing the plaque to mark the official opening of the Visitor's Information Centre at the Simpang Mengayau in Kudat. With her are from left: Effendi Mahany (STB Product Manager), Thonny Chee (SPS Chief Executive Officer), Wong Su Vui (member of the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks), Peter Lintar (Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks), and Datuk Josie Lai (Permanent Secretary to KePKAS). KUDAT (May 21): The iconic Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, fondly known as the Tip of Borneo, is now officially reopened to the public following a revitalisation project initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS). Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew officiated at the reopening ceremony on Monday by inaugurating the newly-completed Visitor's Information Centre, underscoring the cultural significance and tourism potential of the site. 'In 2018, the 11-hectare Tip of Borneo was gazetted for public purpose and placed under the care of my ministry. Since then, we have committed ourselves to protecting, enhancing and promoting this remarkable landmark for the benefit of both locals and international visitors,' she said. According to the minister, the site had been temporarily closed since January 2022 to undergo essential upgrades aimed at improving the visitor experience while preserving the natural charm of the location. Liew said the upgrading project was implemented under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK12), and works were officially completed on September 30, 2024. The Visitor's Information Centre houses facilities such as a souvenir shop operated by Kadaiku, offering locally made crafts and products, and a café, set to open soon. 'The ministry intends to hand over the management of the area to Sri Pelancongan Sabah (SPS) to ensure more systematic and sustainable tourism operations. Additionally, plans are underway to introduce activities aimed at making the Tip of Borneo a more vibrant destination,' said the minister. These enhancements, she added, are part of the ministry's continued efforts through its agency, the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), to promote tourism in the area and empower the local economy, while ensuring Sabah's unique landmarks remain accessible, informative, and welcoming. Liew called on all visitors to play their part in maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of the site. 'Let us work together to keep this iconic destination pristine for future generations. Dispose of waste responsibly, respect the environment, and help us maintain the serenity and natural charm that make this place so special,' she said. Located at the northernmost tip of Sabah, where the South China Sea meets the Sulu Sea, the Tip of Borneo is one of the most photographed and visited natural attractions in the state, known for its panoramic ocean views and historical importance. Visitors can also look forward to the return of the Music Fest at the Tip of Borneo, scheduled for December this year. Also present were the ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Deputy Permanent Secretary II Alesia Sion, Liew's Political Secretary Vivien Lee Mee Peng, Chairman of Sabah Parks Peter Lintar, Director of Sabah Parks Dr Maklarin Lakim, CEO of Sri Pelancongan Sabah Thonny Chee, CEO of Sabapak Eco Remystar Taylor, and STB Product Manager Effendi Mahany. The minister also announced the Marine Gallery Building project adjacent to the Visitor's Information Centre, another key development also under RMK12, which began on November 28, 2024, is expected to be completed by May 28, 2027. Liew said the gallery which will be supervised by Sabah Parks, is set to become the first and largest marine gallery in Sabah. 'Once completed, the gallery will showcase the diversity and uniqueness of Sabah's marine life and feature a highly interactive and engaging educational tourism (edu-tourism) concept, promising another significant attraction to Sabah's growing tourism sector. We warmly invite visitors to rediscover the beauty, culture and natural serenity of the newly enhanced Tip of Borneo,' she added.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Catching infectious diseases in foreign workers before they spread
As a developing nation, Malaysia's economy is heavily reliant on foreign labour, who play a vital role in supporting several of our economic sectors. Currently, foreign workers are sourced from 15 countries for seven critical sectors, which are manufacturing, construction, domestic work, agriculture, hospitality and services, mining, and farming. As of December 2024, the Immigration Department reported over 2.3 million foreign workers in the country, making up 14.6% of the total workforce. The government's policy under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 (RMK12) is to cap the proportion of foreign workers at no more than 15% of the total national workforce. According to data from the Human Resources Ministry (as of Sept 30, 2024), the majority of foreign workers are employed in the manufacturing sector, with a total of 771,327 individuals, followed by construction (698,407), and hospitality and services (448,572). With so many of them here, health screening for foreign workers is not only essential for their personal well-being, but also important in our public health management strategy. This is where the Foreign Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (Fomema) comes in. 'Somebody needs to screen them so there is reduced risk of infection to our community. 'Delayed detection could lead to outbreaks, increased healthcare strain and potential risks to the local population,' says Fomema's medical division general manager Dr Mohd Ridzal Mohd Zainal. Prior to arriving here (legally), all foreign workers have to pass a medical examination at the source country. Dr Mohd Ridzal explains: 'After the medical screening, they are permitted to go back home until their permit is approved to work in Malaysia, so during this gap period, they can contract an infectious disease because they are not being quarantined. 'Bear in mind, those who are here legally also mingle with illegal or undocumented workers, so there is a risk of getting infectious diseases. 'Guidelines from each source country are different from ours, hence annual medical screening has been mandatory since December 2023 so we don't miss any diseases.' Tuberculosis tops list Once they arrive here, these workers have to go for another comprehensive medical examination conducted at Fomema-appointed clinics, which includes a physical examination, blood/urine test and chest X-ray to detect tuberculosis (TB). Fomema screens for eight infectious diseases that create the biggest impact on public health. If the workers pass, they can proceed to get their work permit. Last year (2024), Fomema's records show that there were more than 15,000 cases of communicable diseases, with TB being the most prevalent, followed by hepatitis B and filariasis (see pie chart above). 'The data includes newly-arrived cases plus those who are already here. 'The cases among new arrivals are fewer because the government has imposed a strict quota on the number of new arrivals. 'Although less than 1% of foreign workers have been diagnosed with these eight diseases, there is still a risk as they could transmit them to others. 'If we detect the diseases through our medical examination, the workers will be deported,' says Dr Mohd Ridzal. Due to governmental sensitivity, he is unable to share which countries the foreign workers typically afflicted with infectious diseases usually come from. But the top three diseases and their source countries have been consistent since 2021. He says: 'TB is endemic in these countries; Malaysia is also endemic for TB, but the percentage is small. 'If they have active TB, we treat them first before sending them back as they are infectious to others. 'But if they have latent TB (non-active), we send them back immediately.' He points out that detecting TB via a chest X-ray is globally accepted and cost efficient, although the interpretation must be correct. The X-rays are monitored digitally by Fomema's radiologists via their X-ray quality control centre. 'If the quality indicator is not met, we will instruct the panel to redo the X-ray. 'Most TB transmission is through a cough, i.e. the respiratory system, so if they have active TB, the bacteria will travel from the lungs to the mouth and into the air. 'Latent TB has the potential to become active and we don't know when that will happen, hence those with latent TB are not permitted to work in Malaysia,' he says. Having said that, Dr Mohd Ridzal adds that those with a previous Covid-19 infection could also have scarring in the lungs, so if the doctor is unsure whether the scarring is due to TB or post-Covid infection, Fomema refers the case to a specialist to confirm diagnosis. 'For hepatitis B, we detect it every year. 'This viral infection causes no or few symptoms, so if the workers don't go for screening, they don't know they have it. 'The detection of this disease helps alert the foreign worker and guides employers on appropriate follow-ups.' Detection does not necessarily mean active disease or transmissibility, but it allows appropriate treatment to be administered before they are repatriated. Burden of 'new' disease Filariasis was included in Fomema's health screening in December 2023 and quickly shot to the third spot the following year. 'We were quite shocked at the numbers and realise the burden is there. 'It's a disease where their leg starts to swell because there are worms inside,' says Dr Mohd Ridzal. Filariasis is caused by several round, coiled and thread-like parasitic worms belonging to the family Filariodidea. This parasite is transmitted by various mosquito species, including those in the genera Culex, Anopheles, Coquillettidia, Aedes, Mansonia and Ochlerotatus, depending on the geographic area. Most of these vectors are present in Malaysia. There are different types of filariasis, with the common one being lymphatic filariasis (LF), also known as elephantiasis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infection is usually acquired in childhood and causes hidden damage to the lymphatic system. The painful and profoundly disfiguring manifestations of the disease – lymphoedema, elephantiasis and scrotal swelling – occur later in life and can lead to permanent disability. People affected by LF are not only physically disabled, but also suffer mental, social and financial losses, contributing to stigma and poverty. In 2023, 657 million people in 39 countries were living in areas that require preventive chemotherapy to stop the spread of infection. Dr Mohd Ridzal says: 'The treatment for filariasis is part of a global programme in collaboration with our Health Ministry and WHO. 'However, we have not established it yet so we have to repatriate them until the programme is established. 'Once the treatment begins and the worm is dead, foreign workers can continue working in Malaysia.' Similarity with locals For non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the trend is similar to our Malaysian population with diabetes, heart disease and hypertension (high blood pressure) topping the list. Signs of active TB (within red circles) can be seen in this chest X-ray. — Fomema Dr Mohd Ridzal says: 'I think when they come here, they follow our culture, and eating and lifestyle patterns! 'If they have diabetes, then we have to make sure it is controlled – we are not so hard on them if they can manage it well. 'There is a process we follow, and if the diabetes is still uncontrolled or worsens, then they cannot work. 'However, for communicable diseases, we have to take swift action, report the disease to local health authorities to carry out contact tracing, etc – just like during the early days of Covid-19.' Overcoming challenges Some of the challenges in tackling communicable diseases include unsuitable/unhygienic living conditions, e.g. in restaurants and rumah kongsi (shared facilities) with poor ventilation. Dr Mohd Ridzal says: 'TB treatment is free for everyone, but foreign workers are unaware of this, or maybe they are afraid of the consequences of losing their job if they get treated. 'There is also a risk of losing their legal status for those with latent TB so they try to avoid the system – sometimes, it's difficult to get them to undergo treatment as they run away. 'The danger of the disease itself becoming an outbreak is more than the cost of treatment.' If they go for an X-ray, they can get treated for active TB, but their chances of getting a work permit is gone. 'We're still trying to improve our system to see how to overcome this because we need them to grow our businesses,' says Dr Mohd Ridzal. One suggestion is to allow those with latent TB to work, but monitor them every few months, while those with active TB can get a conditional work permit after completing treatment. Fomema's pre-screening results are confidential, but once the foreign worker is diagnosed with a communicable disease, he or she is unfortunately blacklisted. In the works is an app for foreign workers to manage health conditions such as diabetes. 'When you ask a foreign worker what is his address, he doesn't know, so we are working with the Home Ministry on how to locate them so we can do the contact tracing faster in the event of a communicable disease. 'We also need to have safety awareness among employers because having a healthy lifestyle is important for every worker,' he concludes.
