Latest news with #UtusanMalaysia
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Part-time journalists call for basic health protection ahead of Hawana 2025
MELAKA: Working without a fixed income and often clocking in extra hours just to make ends meet—this is the harsh reality faced by many part-time journalists in Malaysia. Despite receiving no formal benefits or job security, these media professionals continue to contribute to the industry with dedication, all while hoping for at least basic health protection as a token of appreciation for their role in national journalism. Part-time journalist with Utusan Malaysia, Amran Ali, 52, said he and others in similar roles hope for access to an affordable medical scheme, ideally covering them until the age of 70. "Although we are not permanent staff, the work and risks we take on are no different from those faced by full-time journalists, including assignments in remote or difficult-to-reach areas. "Some of us work without annual leave, EPF contributions, or any form of medical coverage," he told Bernama. Amran expressed hope that the upcoming National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 would serve as a platform to amplify the voices of part-time journalists, who are seeking support mechanisms such as health contributions, emergency aid funds, or access to clinic treatment cards. Echoing his views, Meor Riduwan Meor Ahmad, 49, urged the government to consider a dedicated initiative to provide registered part-time journalists with at least basic benefits, such as accident insurance. "I believe safeguarding the welfare of part-time journalists will improve the quality of reporting and help formally recognise their role while providing a safer work environment," he said. Currently, the Tabung Kasih@Hawana fund, introduced during the Hawana 2023 celebration, assists active and retired media practitioners in need of help or facing health challenges. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Communications, is implemented through the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama). At the Hawana 2024 celebration in Kuching, Sarawak on May 27 last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional RM1 million allocation for the fund this year. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil also announced that, starting July 2024, all part-time media personnel will receive a one-year Perkeso (Social Security Organisation) contribution, fully funded by Bernama. The highlight of Hawana 2025 is scheduled for June 14 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTC KL), where the Prime Minister will officiate the event. Around 1,000 media professionals from Malaysia and abroad are expected to attend. Organised by the Communications Ministry, with Bernama as the implementing agency, the celebration features a series of events including a pantun festival held yesterday, a pre-launch ceremony with strategic partners at Wisma Bernama this Tuesday, and a media forum co-hosted with the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) on June 14.
The Star
5 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Tunku Azizah wins acar buah competition
Compiled by CHARLES RAMENDRAN, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN ATTENDEES of the recent Pahang Women's Institute Carnival were in awe when the winner of the acar buah (spiced fruit pickle) competition was announced. Up against 10 other participants, Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Almarhum Sultan Iskandar emerged the winner of the competition, which she secretly participated under the pseudonym Aminah Mahmood, Utusan Malaysia reported. Participants were required to prepare their dishes at home before submitting their entries at the event. Her Royal Highness kept her identity hidden from both the judges and fellow contestants. The competition chief judge, 74-year-old Siti Rokiah Lebai Rahmat, was emotionally overwhelmed when the true identity of the winner was revealed. 'In all my 39 years as a food judge, I have never tested Her Royal Highness' dishes. 'Our judging is solely based on the quality and extraordinary taste of a dish. 'The gravy of the acar prepared by Her Royal Highness was thick but not oily. Every slice of fruit was well marinated with balanced flavours and spices. 'It was so special and appetising,' she said. The Tengku Ampuan Pahang, who is known for her passion for traditional cuisine and culinary arts, said the pickle recipe was what she usually prepared for her family. > A study revealed that cases of mental illness have surged by 70% in Asean countries over the past 35 years, affecting more than 80 million people. According to Berita Harian , the study, which was published in The Lancet Public Health, also revealed that the rise was mainly among teenagers aged between 15 and 19. It also revealed that the number of smokers in Asean countries rose by 63% in the same period, with 137 million people currently in the habit. The study found that smoking-related diseases was the cause of 11% of deaths in the region. Singapore recorded the lowest mortality at 70 deaths for every 100,000 men while Cambodia the highest at 350 deaths. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Once ‘aunty', now ‘sayang': 70-year-old Malaysian woman marries 47-year-old neighbour
Mr Mohd Shaiful Nizam Yeop Mat Isa and Ms Rapeah Sani (middle) are surrounded by their family and friends during the mass wedding ceremony. PHOTO: SHAMSUL ANUAR NASARAH/FACEBOOK Madam Rapeah Sani never expected to get married again at the age of 70, but little did she know that love was right next door. She got to know Mr Mohd Shaiful Nizam Yeop Mat Isa in October 2024, when the 47-year-old man moved to her rural hometown of Lenggong in Perak from Kuala Lumpur . As Mr Mohd Shaiful lived in a house nearby, Madam Rapeah often shared her homecooked meals with him. Being twice-married, she did not expect the bachelor to develop romantic feelings for her. However, her cooking captured his heart. 'I used to call her 'mak ngah' (aunty) but now I call her 'sayang' (darling),' Mr Mohd Shaiful told Malay daily Utusan Malaysia. Both are unfazed over their 23-year-old age gap. 'We accepted it as that is how fate works,' Mr Mohd Shaiful told another Malay newspaper Sinar Harian. They were among 25 couples who got married at a mass wedding ceremony in Lenggong on May 25. The wedding was attended by Perak Chief Ministe r Saarani Mohamad and Lenggong MP Shamsul Anuar Nasarah. The mass wedding was held to mark the distinctive date of May 25, 2025 , or 25.5.25, reported the New Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Jailed comedian confirms returning home for Aidiladha
COMEDIAN Yassin Yahya (pic) has confirmed that he will be returning to Malaysia before Hari Raya Aidiladha. The member of the comedian group, Senario, said he is still in jail in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but he added that he would be boarding a flight before June 6. 'Wait for my return to Malaysia. God willing, I'll be back very soon,' Utusan Malaysia reported him as saying. Yassin shared this latest update during a live session on TikTok via the account of his close friend, Rifkarl on Sunday. Saiful Apek & Yassin Yahya Senario - Gegar Vaganza 8 (GV8) 2021 It is understood that his wife, Farah Waheeda Maharidan, 46, and their child are also in Jeddah to accompany him during his return home. During the 30-minute session, Yassin answered various questions from fans, including how he has been during his time there. The 47-year-old also said he would be appearing in the theatre production titled Muzikal Lawak Bangsawan: Mimpi Tuanku @ Senariounion at the Panggung Bangsawan Melaka on June 28. Previously, it was reported that Yassin had been serving a six-month prison sentence in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, since October last year for possession of a prohibited substance – cannabis. He is expected to be released earlier than scheduled for good behaviour. > The daily also reported that actress and social media personality Siti Elizad has hit back at netizens who criticised her husband, Shamsul Baharin Abdul Rahman, claiming he cannot provide her with a luxurious lifestyle. Elizad, whose full name is Siti Elizad Mohd Sharifuddin, said that while her life may not appear lavish to some, she is happy in her own way. 'Stop saying ridiculous things about my husband. What looks ordinary to you is extraordinary to me,' she said. Elizad said this in a post showing photographs of the couple during a motorbike convoy while celebrating her 41st birthday on Sunday. 'Our little home, meals at rest stops, RM80 hotels, laughing throughout the bike ride, taking boat rides. Those things already make me grateful,' she said. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Expunging criminal records
THE Prisons Department has a good idea. It wants to expunge ex-inmates' criminal records from the central database after five years. This is to give former prisoners, once they are released, a chance to seek employment to rebuild their lives. For sure, the stigma of their criminal record will be a hurdle to start a new life. Despite the department's numerous programmes with willing employers, ex-inmates find it hard to get jobs. The job market is more hostile to former prisoners. It cannot be denied that there are businesses that employ ex-inmates, but they are few. Plus, they don't pay much. Yes, everyone must be given a second chance, but it must be done in such a manner that it doesn't end up as another money-making scheme for those who are put in charge of this. To be fair to the Prisons Department, it didn't say anything about contracting out anything, but this caveat needs to be entered, as outsourcing by government agencies at times turns out to be just that. But we are getting ahead of the story. First things first. Amendments need to be made to the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969 (Act 7), which the Prisons Department is drafting. As we understand from what Prisons Department director-general Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak told Utusan Malaysia, every year, more than 300,000 prisoners and remand detainees are released. That is a huge number. Will the records of all of them be expunged after five years? Not quite. Only the ones who exhibit good behaviour based on assessments by the department. Meticulously done, we hope. Why five years? In the view of Aziz, who has been in charge of prisoners for some time, five years is enough for inmates to change for the better. It is not exactly a best practice of prisons around the world, but five years has become a global indicator. In the United States, where recidivism is said to be high, with 76 per cent ending up back in jail, five years is thought to be not good for all prisoners. We are not sure if our Prisons Department has done such a study, but five years may work for some, and not for others. Again, meticulous assessment is the key. Another is to deepen investments in inmates' education so that they can walk out of the prison with provable skills. Not that the department isn't investing in the education of its inmates, but more needs to be done. The skills must be useful to the job market, meaning what is taught must match what the employers want. Even our universities are not doing a good job of this. No one wants a formerly incarcerated person to return to the overcrowded prisons, least of all the Prisons Department. Relapse among ex-inmates means a bigger budget to house and feed them, which it can ill afford. So, too, the ex-inmates because losing the second chance means that there won't be a third. Employers must help them make a fresh start.
