
Putra Heights fire: Rental assistance extended until next year
State Housing and Culture Committee chairperson Borhan Aman Shah said the decision to continue the RM2,000 monthly rental assistance was made to ensure that victims have appropriate shelter until their homes are repaired.
'Initially, the state government...

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Deputy Works Minister warns contractors against seeking extensions on public projects
KOTA KINABALU: The government will no longer entertain requests for extensions of time (EOTs) from contractors involved in public infrastructure projects, as part of stricter efforts to ensure timely delivery. Issuing the firm warning, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said this directive is especially relevant to Package 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway project, stressing that the delays experienced during Package 1A, which saw multiple EOT approvals, must not be repeated. 'We have learned from Package 1A. We do not want similar delays for Package 1B, which was only awarded at the end of last year. "Any delay is a loss to the people, the government, and the contractors themselves,' he told reporters during a site visit to the SK Pekan Lahad Datu project on Tuesday (July 15). Ahmad, who is on a three-day working visit to Sabah, explained that Package 1A consists of 15 work packages (WPs), while Package 1B comprises 19 WPs that were newly awarded in late 2024. He said previous experiences have shown that when one contractor is granted an EOT, others tend to follow suit, resulting in cascading delays across the entire project. 'Eventually, everyone gets an extension, and the whole project is delayed. We cannot afford for that to happen again,' he said, adding that under his administration and that of Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, the ministry will not tolerate weak or fabricated excuses for EOTs. Citing examples from Package 1A, Ahmad said some contractors were given up to four or five EOTs, causing project delays of up to three years. He also reminded contractors that they are responsible for maintaining the roads under their segments during construction, not the federal road maintenance concessionaires. 'If these roads are not maintained, they will deteriorate and cause prolonged hardship for users. We do not want the public to continue suffering because of project delays,' he added. Ahmad also urged all stakeholders to focus on completing their projects AOT (ahead of time) not EOT, saying early delivery benefits all parties. 'Contractors save on operational costs, the government avoids unnecessary variation orders, and the public gets access to essential infrastructure sooner,' he said. As an example, he said if a contractor saves three months on a project with monthly operational costs of RM300,000, they stand to save RM900,000, while the government also avoids excess payments. Ahmad also reminded all stakeholders: 'Cosider this as an early warning … don't say later that you were not told. Let's avoid EOT for Package 1B and deliver on time, if not earlier.' Later, Ahmad inspected the progress on the RM29mil SK Pekan Lahad Datu upgrade project, which involves the replacement of 26 classrooms, four teachers' quarters, and various other facilities. The project, launched in April 2022, is currently 35% complete and is scheduled for completion by July 11, 2026. To prevent delays, Ahmad instructed the contractor to work overtime and recommended using Deed of Assignment (DOA) arrangements with suppliers, enabling direct government payment to speed up procurement. He also urged contractors to submit claims more than once a month and called on project officers to expedite material approvals to avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks. Ahmad also stressed that no EOT will be tolerated for the school project, and that the contractor must follow the timeline to ensure more than 1,900 students, expected to grow to 3,000, benefit from improved learning facilities on time. Established in 1937, SK Pekan Lahad Datu is one of the oldest schools in the district and currently operates in two sessions. The project is being implemented by the Public Works Department, through Special Project Team 2, with Bumi Daya Sdn Bhd as the main contractor.


The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
KKDW to open KEMAS kindergartens for autistic children nationwide
MELAKA: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will introduce KEMAS kindergartens specifically for children with autism across all states beginning next year. Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang announced the initiative following requests from rural communities seeking better educational access for children with special needs. Rubiah highlighted that while private institutions already offer such facilities in urban and suburban areas, rural families often struggle with affordability. 'KEMAS, as an agent of societal change, has agreed to implement this special kindergarten programme, starting with a pilot project in Melaka. Insya-Allah, we will expand it nationwide next year,' she said after visiting Tabika KEMAS Istimewa @ KEMAS Hang Jebat. The programme aims to provide dedicated care to help children with autism reach their full potential. Rubiah emphasised the need for trained teachers and structured support to nurture these children effectively. Meanwhile, Melaka State Housing, Local Government, and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin revealed that RM300,000 has been allocated to upgrade three special KEMAS kindergartens in Melaka Tengah, Jasin, and Alor Gajah. The funds will improve teaching aids and facilities, including air conditioning, to enhance student comfort. – Bernama

Barnama
8 hours ago
- Barnama
KKDW To Open KEMAS Kindergartens For Autistic Children In All States
MELAKA, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will begin opening Community Development Department (KEMAS) kindergartens for children with autism in every state starting next year. Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said the initiative was prompted by requests from rural communities who want children with special needs to have access to education. 'There are already such schools in several states, particularly in urban and suburban areas, opened by private parties. But the issue is that rural communities cannot afford to send their children to these schools. 'That is why KEMAS, as an agent of societal change, has agreed to implement this special KEMAS kindergarten programme, starting with a pilot project in Melaka. 'Insya-Allah, we will expand it to all states next year,' she said after visiting the special KEMAS kindergarten pilot project, Tabika KEMAS Istimewa @ KEMAS Hang Jebat, here today. Also present was Paya Rumput assemblyman and State Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin. Rubiah said the special KEMAS kindergartens would be gradually expanded to the district levels in each state, as catering to children with special needs is a new undertaking for the agency. "These special children require dedicated care to help unlock their full potential. We hope these classes will achieve even greater success, that the teachers will become even more effective, and that we can nurture these children and help them realise their true abilities," she said. Meanwhile, Rais said the state government has allocated RM300,000 to three special KEMAS kindergartens in Melaka Tengah, Jasin and Alor Gajah to meet the needs of rural residents with special needs children.