Day: August 8, 2024

PUTRAJAYA, The Inter-Faith Harmony Committee (HARMONI) meeting here today approved the proposed Malaysia Harmony Charter as a medium for unity and harmony among Malaysians. The charter encompasses six principles, 12 harmony values, 32 guidelines and nine directions, and will contain a guideline covering permissible and avoidable matters in strengthening relations among the country’s multi-ethnic, religious and cultural society. The Ministry of National Unity and the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) in a joint statement today informed that HARMONI also agreed to establish the Programmes and Activities Management Bureau, the Education and Promotions Bureau and the Religious Issues and Mediation Bureau.

KUALA LUMPUR, The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP) hopes for increased allocations to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through Budget 2025. Its deputy minister Datuk R. Ramanan said that with larger allocations, various initiatives could be implemented to assist SME players, including providing grants to expand their businesses. ‘As the backbone of the national economy, we (KUSKOP) hope to upgrade SMEs in the country and offer them business opportunities, not only domestically but also internationally. ‘Therefore, we will submit our proposals and requests on this matter to the Finance Ministry, and thereafter, we will await their feedback,’ he

KOTA KINABALU, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick paid a courtesy call to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in Kinabalu Tower here today to discuss the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and other matters. Ewon, who is United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) president, said the discussion touched on the approach of Sabah’s MA63 demands and the Federal Constitution, especially relating to the state’s entitlement of federal revenue. “Although nine demands regarding Sabah’s rights in MA63 have been fully resolved, there are still many things that are being negotiated, including the 40 per cent entitlement of federal revenue.

GEORGE TOWN, The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has called on authorities to implement a tax on unhealthy foods as a measure to curb obesity and related health issues. Its president Mohideen Abdul Kader said this call follows the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, which revealed that Malaysians are facing a non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis with a rise in overweight and obesity rates. ‘One major concern is the impact of ultra-processed food (UPF) products on weight gain and the risk of several NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer. ‘In fact, ultra-processed foods, which are high

SHAH ALAM, Police arrested five men including two foreigners believed to be involved in abducting two brothers from a woman’s house in Jenjarom, Kuala Langat on Aug 5. Kuala Langat police chief Supt Ahmad Ridhwan Mohd Nor @ Saleh said they received a complaint from a 29-year-old local woman at 8.45 am on the day of the incident claiming her two younger brothers were taken away by some unknown men armed with iron rods. He said in the incident at 7 am, the complainant claimed that several men came to her house in a car before calling the two victims