Latest news with #Datuk
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Khaled on US role in RM57 million upgrade of Kota Belud army camp
Published on: Wednesday, July 02, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 02, 2025 By: Amir Anuar Text Size: Khaled said the cooperation includes joint exercises, military aid and infrastructure development, all of which enhance preparedness and upskill troops. TAWAU: Malaysia's openness in working with the United States on a RM57.6 million upgrade of the Kota Belud Paradise Camp Firing Range is seen as a strategic form of defence diplomacy aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stressed that such cooperation does not compromise Malaysia's long-held principle of neutrality and non-alignment with any global power bloc. 'We remain neutral. We are open to making friends and working with any country that wishes to help strengthen our national defence,' he said at a press conference after officiating the 2025 Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Carnival at Tawau Sports Complex. Also present were Defence Ministry Secretary General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, Army Chief General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, deputy secretaries and senior Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) officers. The project, a collaboration between the Malaysian Army and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), is scheduled for completion before the 2026 Exercise Keris Strike, an annual bilateral military drill. Khaled said the cooperation includes joint exercises, military aid and infrastructure development, all of which enhance preparedness and upskill troops. 'Countries such as Germany, Japan, Australia and the United States routinely practise this form of defence diplomacy, offering assistance based on our needs such as drones, radar systems and training,' he said. Beyond tactical and operational gains, Khaled said the initiative expands the broader scope of Malaysia and US military relations which already includes capacity building, equipment support, defence education, counter terrorism, border security, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian aid, intelligence sharing and participation in regional and global forums. * 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
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
55 vetted for free Rumah Kasih Johor homes
JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 55 candidates from various districts in Johor have been vetted to receive free homes under the Rumah Kasih Johor (RKJ) programme. Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Shukor said that 36 candidates would be supported, 18 rejected, and the remaining one would be suspended pending further evaluation. He said that candidates were selected during an RKJ selection committee meeting that he chaired today, with presentations by seven district offices – Batu Pahat, Mersing, Kota Tinggi, Kulai, Pontian, Johor Bahru, and Kluang. "The meeting is a manifestation of the state government's determination to ensure that selection is fair and based on the true needs of the public. "We cannot only view it from the administrative aspect, but view it with empathy and integrity so that the homes given can really be a ray of hope to those who have been neglected," he said, adding that the decision was made through consensus and based on strict criteria. Machap, Kota Iskandar, Johor Jaya, Tiram, Mahkota, Mengkibol, Paloh, Tenggaroh, Semarang, Seri Medan, Pekan Nenas, Panti, Pasir Raja, Johor Lama, Layang-Layang, Kahang, Penawar, and Kukup were among the state constituencies involved in the programme, and Kota Iskandar assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad and Penawar assemblyman Fauziah Misri were also present at the meeting. The Johor government allocated RM67 million for the building of 500 free units under the RKJ programme, while in 2023, 50 units worth RM6.5 million were completed and handed to recipients, Mohd Jafni said. "This year, 165 units worth RM22 million are in the process of technical investigation and site visits, with the first building phase starting on May 15," he added.— BERNAMA
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Gig workers bill to be tabled in parliament by September, says Ahmad Zahid
BANGI: The Gig Workers Bill, a pioneering legislation designed to safeguard gig economy workers in Malaysia, is expected to be tabled in Parliament by August or September, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced today. Speaking after the Sharing Economy and Gig Industry Roundtable Session, Ahmad Zahid highlighted that the bill would be the first of its kind globally, offering dedicated protections for over 1.12 million Malaysians engaged in the sector. 'Several countries have amended existing laws to include gig workers, but Malaysia is introducing a new act specifically for this industry,' he said. The bill aligns with efforts to build a fair, inclusive, and resilient future economy. Ahmad Zahid noted that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has shown interest in learning from Malaysia's approach in drafting the legislation. This was conveyed by Malaysian Gig Community Secretariat chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin, who is currently in Geneva to discuss the bill with the ILO. Additionally, the soon-to-be-established Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGiM) will play a crucial role in the national gig economy ecosystem. The commission, under the Prime Minister's Department, will oversee implementation, coordination, and compliance within the sector. 'SEGiM will strengthen self-regulation among platform providers while ensuring transparent policy enforcement,' Ahmad Zahid said. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation will continue as the technical secretariat, consolidating industry feedback and coordinating with the Human Resource Ministry. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier assured that all welfare concerns for gig workers would be addressed through the bill. Also present at the session were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Deputy Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: M Nasir: Man Senoi, 4U2C should discuss song performances for concert
KUALA LUMPUR: Music maestro Datuk M. Nasir has advised the hip-hop group 4U2C and composer Man Senoi to discuss their recent dispute. This follows a controversy concerning the group's intention to perform the composer's songs at their upcoming concert set for Sept 15 at the Idea Live Arena in Petaling Jaya. "Both sides have their rights; it's best to resolve things through discussion," Nasir said when asked to comment on Man Senoi's dissatisfaction over 4U2C's potential use of his material at their "WE 4U2C Live In Concert" event. "Singers who use a composer's song must first seek their permission. When a song is used, royalties also need to be paid to the composer," he explained at a press conference announcing his upcoming "Konsert Datuk M. Nasir Cipta 3" at the Hard Rock Cafe in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. His concert is scheduled for Sept 27 at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. It was recently reported that Man Senoi and his wife, Mama Rap, alleged that 4U2C, a group popular in the 1990s, did not seek their permission to perform their songs at the upcoming concert. They claimed that 25 of 4U2C's songs were copyrighted to their company, Zman Production.
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
JPKK reminded to uphold integrity in fund management
SEREMBAN: All Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) chairpersons and committee members are reminded to uphold integrity in managing funds entrusted to them, said Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. He said all allocations channelled through various initiatives are a responsibility that must be appropriately managed, and any form of misappropriation, abuse or implementation delays could tarnish the government's image and erode public trust. 'I want to stress that integrity in managing government funds is crucial. Every sen disbursed through any allocation is a trust from the people. 'The Sejati MADANI Initiative fund, for example, must be managed responsibly, transparently and effectively. It is not just financial allocation, but a symbol of the government's trust in the JPKK. Therefore, there should be no room for abuse, leakage or wastage,' he said in his speech at the 'Majlis Amanat Menteri Besar' with 434 JPKK members here today. Also present was senior state executive councillor Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias. The event also saw all JPKK members taking the Corruption-Free Pledge, witnessed by Negeri Sembilan Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission director Awgkok Ahmad Taufik Putra Awg Ismail. Aminuddin said appointments for the new JPKK term would be evaluated based on management performance, meeting implementation, achievements, and the execution of Sejati MADANI programmes. These components, he added, would serve as key indicators for the government, particularly state assemblymen, to ensure the quality and effectiveness of services provided. Meanwhile, Jalaluddin called on all JPKK chairpersons to work closely with their respective assemblymen to ensure smooth and effective implementation of development programmes. 'The core responsibility of the JPKK is village development and management. Do not turn the JPKK into a tool for personal gain or to undermine others,' he said.
