MoT Urges Public To Use BAS.MY To Ensure Continuation Of Subsidised Bus Service
Minister Anthony Loke said the government has allocated substantial funding to support this initiative, particularly in urban areas where the service is in operation.
'To convince the Finance Ministry to continue providing allocations to us, I need to show data and performance - that this service truly benefits the people.
'If the public doesn't use this service despite the affordable fares and convenience offered, we will struggle to justify further funding for its expansion,' Loke told reporters after launching the Kota Setar Bas.My service today.
Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is also the co-chairman of the Kedah State Development Action Council, and Kedah State Agriculture, Plantation and Transport Committee chairman Dzowahir Ab Ghani.
Loke said that the federal government has allocated RM78.5 million over five years, or RM15.7 million annually, to operate 13 SBST routes in Kedah.
The Kota Setar Bas.My service, which began operations in stages on June 1, has recorded approximately 30,000 users monthly, with numbers expected to reach 40,000 by the end of this month.
'We hope more people will use it. The cost to the government is fixed at RM15.7 million a year for Kedah, regardless of how many passengers use the service.
'The more passengers we have, the lower the average cost per passenger, making the government's investment more worthwhile,' the minister remarked.
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Borneo Post
31 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
Validity based on law
Hibah can be challenged in court by the heirs if there are weaknesses or non-compliance with legal or religious requirements. — Bernama photo HIBAH, which in Islamic law refers to assets voluntarily given or transferred to a beneficiary by a person during their lifetime, is generally viewed as final and not open to dispute. However, a recent decision by the High Court came as a shock to many when it annulled a 'takaful' (Islamic insurance) hibah worth RM1 million that had been given to the policyholder's widow. [This case involved a takaful policyholder who named his wife as the hibah recipient. But, after his death, his family filed a claim in the Syariah Court to challenge the takaful hibah, but the court upheld the widow's right to the funds. The family then brought the case before the Civil Court, which ruled in favour of the family and ordered that the funds be redistributed according to 'faraid', or Islamic inheritance law]. The case has sparked a heated debate on social media because the general perception is that hibah cannot be challenged by other heirs. Many netizens, who had placed full trust in the 'immunity' of hibah from legal disputes, questioned the validity of takaful hibah. Some even accused their takaful agents of being 'scammers' because there is no guarantee that the hibah cannot be challenged in court. 'It can be challenged' According to lawyer Dr Mahmud Abdul Jumaat, hibah is a voluntary transfer of property from a giver to a recipient during the giver's lifetime, usually done to avoid inheritance disputes later on. Hibah also refers to the immediate transfer of asset ownership, made without expecting anything in return and based on love or affection. 'However, in reality, hibah can be challenged in court by the heirs if there are weaknesses or non-compliance with legal or religious requirements, like, for example, the hibah document is unclear or incomplete. 'Similarly, if the gift (hibah) doesn't fulfil the pillars and conditions of Islamic law or lacks the recipient's consent, or the property is not fully owned by the giver, then heirs have the right to question its validity in court. 'Challenges usually arise when heirs feel dissatisfied, for example, if they believe the hibah undermines their faraid rights, or suspect fraud or coercion in the process,' he tells Bernama. Hibah also refers to the immediate transfer of asset ownership, made without expecting anything in return, and based on love or affection. — Bernama photo Mahmud says if a hibah is made while the giver is suffering from a terminal illness, it (gift) will be treated as part of the giver's estate and, hence, will be subject to the appropriate conditions. In such cases, he points out that the heirs may challenge the hibah on the grounds that it violates Islamic inheritance laws. He also clarified that under Malaysia's legal framework, hibah falls under the jurisdiction of both the syariah and civil courts. 'The Syariah Court holds specific authority to verify the validity of a hibah under Islamic law, while estate administration (distribution of estate after death) falls under civil jurisdiction, such as the Small Estate Office or the Civil High Court. 'Conflicts can arise if there's overlap or confusion between these two jurisdictions. 'For instance, heirs may challenge a hibah in Civil Court by claiming that the property concerned is still part of the estate and must be distributed via faraid, even if the Syariah Court has already confirmed the hibah as valid. 'This was exactly what happened in the recent takaful hibah court case, where a legal technicality (involving Schedule 10 of the Islamic Financial Services Act (IFSA) 2013 regarding hibah nominations) led to a contradiction between the syariah and civil court rulings. 'Overall, a hibah can be challenged if it doesn't meet religious or legal conditions. 'But if it is properly executed in line with syariah principles and legal requirements, it is usually upheld as valid, even if contested,' he explains. Understanding the procedures On experts and estate planning practitioners' assertion that hibah remains a relevant instrument for asset distribution as long as the procedures are carried out properly, Mahmud says the fact that hibah can be challenged does not mean it is automatically invalid or illegal. Rather, it simply means hibah is not an 'untouchable' instrument immune from scrutiny. 'If something is challengeable, it doesn't mean it's inherently bad. 'Just like a 'wasiat' (will) or any other legal document, hibah offers a good solution for estate planning, but it must be executed carefully in accordance with Islamic principles. 'In fact, under Islamic law, hibah is permissible and considered a suitable practice as long as it doesn't contradict faraid and fulfils syariah requirements. 'The recent court case highlights the importance of understanding the legal processes involved in hibah, rather than rejecting its benefits outright,' he says. Dr Mahmud Abdul Jumaat Mahmud adds that it is important to realise that the court challenges usually stem from technical or procedural weaknesses, and not because the concept of hibah is invalid. Pointing to the recent court case, he says it involves specific legal provisions (takaful hibah nominations under IFSA 2013), adding that the court decision is not final yet as it is expected to be appealed. Mahmud also observes that most other forms of hibah, such as property, cash or other assets, are recognised as valid as long as they fulfil the necessary conditions. 'Therefore, the people need not panic, but should instead focus on strengthening their hibah procedures. 'Hibah continues to be an important tool for Islamic estate planning in Malaysia. 'It allows the wishes of the deceased to be honoured – for example, protecting the welfare of specific family members or chosen recipients – without breaching faraid, if handled correctly. 'What's crucial is to understand that hibah is not an absolute guarantee on paper alone. 'It requires proper understanding and correct execution to ensure the giver's intentions are fulfilled smoothly and without future disputes,' he says. Alternatives According to Mahmud, aside from hibah, there are several alternative methods to transfer wealth or assets to the loved ones that carry a lower risk of being challenged. These include direct transfers during one's lifetime through standard ownership transfers or gifts, without relying on formal hibah documents. 'For example, a husband may give cash or transfer property ownership to his wife legally while still alive. 'Once the property is registered in the wife's name, it becomes her absolute right and is no longer considered part of the husband's estate after his death. 'In other words, assets given during the giver's lifetime are not subject to faraid distribution because the ownership has already changed hands before death. 'These direct transfers – whether via a deed of gift, transfer of ownership at the land office for real estate, or bank account balance transfer – can help avoid disputes as other heirs no longer have a claim on the assets given as gifts. 'In addition, married couples may consider joint ownership arrangements – for example, registering assets like a house or bank account under both husband and wife's names. 'Depending on legal practices, this method sometimes allows the asset to automatically pass to the surviving joint owner without going through the inheritance process.' Mahmud also points out that for Muslim couples in Malaysia, a wife can also make a claim for joint matrimonial property in the Syariah Court after the husband's death, and vice versa. Through this claim, the court will determine a portion of the jointly acquired assets as the wife's rightful share. This portion is removed from the deceased's estate and cannot be disputed by other heirs as it already belongs to the wife. Another alternative is to use a trust as an asset distribution tool. The asset owner can appoint a trustee institution or trust company, such as Amanah Raya Bhd or a private trust firm, and transfer specific assets to the trustee through a formal trust agreement, with instructions that the assets be held for the benefit of a chosen recipient. 'For instance, a father might place a sum of money or property into a trust for his child under certain conditions. 'Upon his death, those assets would not be included in his estate because they were already placed in trust during his lifetime. 'The trustee would then distribute the assets to the child according to the terms of the trust, and other heirs could not challenge it because legally, the assets no longer belonged to the deceased at the time of death,' he says, adding that trusts usually involve costs and require professional management. 'Wills can be challenged' Explaining that Muslims can also consider making a will, Mahmud says this is permissible within certain limits, one of which is that only up to one-third of the estate (after deducting debts) can be given to non-heirs. Additionally, a will cannot include faraid heirs – unless with the consent of all other heirs. A will is a written or verbal declaration by someone about how their assets should be distributed after death and it only takes effect upon their passing. 'If the will exceeds the legal limit, or is made in favour of a faraid heir without the consent of others, it can be challenged. 'Any portion exceeding one-third will revert to faraid distribution, and any bequest to an heir without consent will be invalid, unless all other heirs agree to it. 'For Muslims, a will must be validated by the Syariah Court via a will confirmation order, whereas for non-Muslims, the probate process must be conducted in the Civil Court before assets can be distributed. 'Wills take time and may be contested if there are questions about their validity,' he adds. 'Documents must be complete' To ensure a hibah is strong and less likely to be challenged, Mahmud says both the giver and the recipient must make sure that its documentation is clear and complete. It should include details such as the identities of the giver and the recipient; a description of the asset to be given as gift; declarations of the offer and acceptance; signatures; and witnesses. He also says the hibah documents must be free of ambiguity and meet all requirements of Islamic law and existing regulations. 'It's always better for a hibah to be done in writing – rather than verbally – as written documents serve as strong proof of intention and mutual consent. 'Moreover, anyone planning to gift assets through hibah is encouraged to seek Syariah Court confirmation and prepare formal documentation. 'Confirmation from the Syariah Court (via a hibah confirmation order) certifies the validity of the hibah under Islamic law and makes it binding on other heirs. 'It's also advisable for the hibah giver to seek professional advice from a syariah lawyer, religious institution officer or estate planning consultant before and during the process,' he says, adding that the experts can ensure no technical aspects are overlooked, such as in the case of property, whether or not it is still under mortgage; or if there is a need to obtain bank consent; or for takaful hibah, whether or not the correct nomination procedures have been followed. Conditional hibah Al-Isra' Group associate manager Reefa Shahidah Mohd Razali, meanwhile, believes that the issue of takaful hibah being disputed in court would not arise if its implementation followed the existing legal framework under IFSA 2013. She explains that the hibah used in the current takaful industry is 'conditional hibah' – a direct gift made by the policyholder to the nominated recipient in the takaful certificate. Reefa Shahidah Mohd Razali 'There's no basis for accusing takaful agents of misleading clients because the implementation of this hibah is based on valid legal provisions under IFSA 2013, specifically Schedule 10, which outlines the hibah instrument. 'Hibah management in today's takaful differs from older plans that existed before IFSA 2013. 'Before the Act was enforced, most plans used the concept of 'wasi' (trustee), not absolute ownership-based hibah. 'That's why there was confusion in the past – it was not clearly stated whether the gift to heirs was through hibah or wasi. 'Today, it's clear. In current takaful plans, conditional hibah is valid and legally grounded,' she points out, adding that hibah nominations are valid and cannot be contested unless there is an element of fraud or breach of contract. 'Everything is based on the law. 'In fact, we encourage clients to fully understand the concept of conditional hibah before signing any policy.' — Bernama
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
'It's our best': Sarawak brings signature products to penetrate the Singapore market at Malaysia Fest 2025
SINGAPORE (Bernama): Mi kolok, layer cakes, chocolates, white pepper, and black pepper were among the signature products from the Land of the Hornbills available at the Sarawak Pavilion at the Malaysia Fest 2025 expo currently taking place in Singapore until Sunday (Aug 3). Sarawak Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) Director Norsalawaty Abdul Kadir said these products have their own uniqueness, making them suitable not only for selling directly to visitors but also have export potential. "For example, the Borco branded chocolate from D Mummy's Recipe sold here are made of Bornean cocoa and comes in dabai (Borneo olive), empelajo, and sour brinjal flavours. These are fruit and vegetables grown in Sarawak. "Other markets might have chocolates that contain hazelnut or almond, but Sarawak has empelajo which has a richer taste than almond,' she told Bernama. Norsalawaty said five entrepreneurs from the state have been selected to participate in the Sarawak Pavilion at the expo. She said this first-ever participation by the Sarawak state government through the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED) has been well-received, and hoped that more aspiring entrepreneurs would take part in the expo next year. "We have also matched Sarawakian entrepreneurs and business people with exporters in Singapore. "All the entrepreneurs that we brought here are export ready, including in terms of production capacity, in addition to having the required certification such as halal certification,' she said. Norsalawaty said for the first time at this Malaysia Fest, FAMA had brought in 400 kilograms of citron from Sarawak to allow visitors to sample and enjoy the agricultural produce as part of the "Island of Tropical Fruits' segment. "For the time being, citron is not yet widely grown in Sarawak. If there is demand here, we hope it can motivate our farmers,' she said. FAMA had brought in about 10 tonnes of tropical and seasonal fruit to the expo this time. Jutaan Purnama Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Saiful Hammidi Hamid, said the company's products such as Purnama Taste branded mi kolok, mi kampua and mi pok are looking for opportunities to be exported to Singapore and the wider market. He believed Sarawakian products have their own market as well as able to penetrate the wider international market. "Our products are now marketed not just in Malaysia but also in Paris this year following our participation at the expo there. They have been very well received. We started small through cargo export and recently we started using containers,' he said. Malaysia Fest 2025 themed "Unlock The Treasures of Malaysia' is taking place from July 31 to August 3 at Hall 5A and 5B, Singapore Expo from 10 am to 10 pm. Organised by MegaXpress International with the cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through FAMA, the programme offers 321 booths and is participated in by 220 Malaysian entrepreneurial companies. - Bernama
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Thailand agrees to Malaysia, US and China observers for GBC meeting in Kuala Lumpur
Japan's Ambassador to Thailand Otaka Masato reacts next to a woman, injured from an artillery shell that struck a 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station on July 24, which also resulted in multiple fatalities, as foreign military attaches from major powers and Asean member countries and diplomats from 23 countries inspect the site, following a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, in Sisaket province, Thailand, August 1, 2025. -- REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa BANGKOK (Bernama): Thailand has agreed to the inclusion of representatives from Malaysia, this year's Asean Chair, alongside the United States and China as observers at the upcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, set to take place in Kuala Lumpur next week. Acting Defence Minister General Natthapon Nakpanich welcomed the consensus on holding the extraordinary GBC meeting in Malaysia from August 4 to 7, expressing appreciation for the collaborative effort. "It is my pleasure to confirm that Thailand accepts the proposal to include representatives from Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair, US and China, who have been providing assistance since July 28, as observers to the GBC meeting,' he said in a statement. He added that the participation of observers from Malaysia, the United States, and China is scheduled to take place on August 7. Natthapon also expressed his sincere appreciation to all parties involved in making the preparations possible, particularly to the Malaysian side for its excellent coordination in arranging this important meeting. Last Thursday, Thailand's Defence Ministry proposed that the upcoming GBC meeting be held on neutral ground, suggesting Malaysia as the venue, and recommended that it run from Aug 4 to 7 to allow sufficient time for comprehensive discussions. Conflict at the Thai-Cambodian border began with a brief skirmish on May 28 and escalated into armed clashes on July 24. On Monday, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire following a special meeting hosted in Putrajaya by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the current Asean Chair. - Bernama
