Latest news with #DrZalihaMustafa
Malay Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Minister launches KL Creative and Merdeka 118 grants to boost cultural vibrancy in capital
KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa yesterday launched the KL Creative and the Merdeka 118 Community Grants programme to support creative and cultural projects in Kuala Lumpur. In a Facebook post, Dr Zaliha said the grants programme represents a policy investment that brings together cultural values, people's creativity, and the city's economic potential. 'It offers an opportunity for anyone, regardless of background, to contribute to shaping a more inclusive and vibrant identity for Kuala Lumpur. 'Through this initiative, we are creating space for the people from all walks of life to help shape the face and soul of Kuala Lumpur. This is the true strength of a city, when its citizens become the drivers of change,' she added. Dr Zaliha said that physical development without culture would leave the city of Kuala Lumpur dry and soulless for its people, echoing a quote often cited by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from Mark Twain (during his visit to Washington, DC): 'Impressive and modern building, but culturally barren.' — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
29-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Strong response for Labuan-KK express ferry service, says Zaliha
The Express Kinabalu ferry service between Labuan and Kota Kinabalu resumed last month after a three-year hiatus. (Bernama pic) LABUAN : The Labuan-Kota Kinabalu express ferry service has seen a surge in passengers since resuming operations on May 27, following a three-year suspension. To date, more than 3,700 commuters have used the direct sea route, with each trip operating at full capacity of more than 100 passengers. The revival of the service, linking the duty-free island to Sabah's capital, has been hailed by federal authorities as a much-needed boost to regional connectivity. Federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa described the ferry's return as a key development for Labuan's socio-economic growth. 'This express ferry is not just a transportation service, it is a vital connector for regional economic, social and development networks,' she said. Speaking to reporters at the Labuan International Ferry Terminal after welcoming passengers from Kota Kinabalu, Zaliha said the service facilitates community mobility, daily activities, and the transport of goods within local supply chains. She expressed satisfaction with the strong public reception, noting that the ferry is popular among a wide range of travellers commuting between the two cities. 'This route offers a more convenient and time-saving alternative to the roll-on/roll-off ferry via Menumbok, especially for passengers without vehicles,' she said. While the ro-ro ferry is generally preferred for travel to nearby districts such as Menumbok, Kuala Penyu or Beaufort, the express ferry provides a direct, faster option to Kota Kinabalu. Zaliha also expressed hope that the operator would continue to enhance the service, including shortening the travel time, to meet the growing demand.
Malay Mail
29-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Labuan express ferry back in service after three years, gets maximum capacity each trip to Kota Kinabalu
LABUAN, June 29 — The Labuan-Kota Kinabalu express ferry service has seen a surge in passengers since resuming operations on May 27, following a three-year suspension. To date, more than 3,700 commuters have used the direct sea route, with each trip operating at full capacity of over 100 passengers. The revival of the service, linking the duty-free island to Sabah's capital, has been hailed by federal authorities as a much-needed boost to regional connectivity. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa described the ferry's return as a key development for Labuan's socio-economic growth. 'This express ferry is not just a transportation service – it is a vital connector for regional economic, social and development networks,' she said. Speaking to reporters at the Labuan International Ferry Terminal after welcoming passengers from Kota Kinabalu, Dr Zaliha said the service facilitates community mobility, daily activities, and the transport of goods within local supply chains. She expressed satisfaction with the strong public reception, noting that the ferry is popular among a wide range of travellers commuting between the two cities. 'This route offers a more convenient and time-saving alternative to the roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry via Menumbok, especially for passengers without vehicles,' she said. While the Ro-Ro ferry is generally preferred for travel to nearby districts such as Menumbok, Kuala Penyu, or Beaufort, the express ferry provides a direct, faster option to Kota Kinabalu. Dr Zaliha also expressed hope that the operator would continue to enhance the service, including shortening travel time, to meet the growing demand. — Bernama
Malay Mail
18-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
KL growth must be ‘liveable for all generations', says FT minister in call for balanced city planning
KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 — Physical development in Kuala Lumpur must be balanced with social needs to ensure the city remains conducive and liveable for all generations, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa. She said rapid development must also be accompanied by the capacity of the education system, basic amenities, and support for the local community structure. 'Without a doubt, rapid development in Kuala Lumpur will continue to expand, but the need to align development approvals with the readiness of supporting infrastructure such as schools, clinics, road networks, public transport pressure and green spaces must be considered from the earliest stages of planning. 'The siloed approach between developers and local authorities must be replaced with comprehensive planning that considers the overall impact on the area,' she said in a Facebook post yesterday. Earlier, Dr Zaliha chaired the Federal Territories Ministerial Council Meeting, which serves as an engagement platform between her and Kuala Lumpur MPs, together with agencies such as the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Education Department (JPWPKL) and PLANMalaysia, to discuss development policies for the federal capital. 'Unlike other states which have executive councillors and assemblymen, the federal territories require a more dynamic approach to policy coordination between the federal government and MPs. As such, this meeting also served as an engagement session with the JPWPKL and PLANMalaysia to foster a stronger and more responsive understanding of policies that reflect on-the-ground realities. 'I also stated that the involvement of MPs in development issues must be more pragmatic, taking into account data, long-term impacts and environmental readiness, and not merely driven by perception or populist approaches that could only affect policy adaptation,' she added. In a related development, Dr Zaliha said she received a courtesy call yesterday from Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing to strengthen strategic cooperation in the tourism sector within the federal territories. The discussion between the two ministers focused on efforts to elevate Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan as the country's premier tourism destinations, each with their own unique strengths. She also invited the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to collaborate in promoting the Borneo Flora Festival, which will be held in Labuan for the first time, with a target of attracting over 50,000 visitors. In addition, Putrajaya Corporation and Tourism Malaysia have also been asked to refine the development of more creative new tourism products in Putrajaya, with the aim of extending tourists' stays and offering fresh and unique experiences to encourage returning visitors. — Bernama
Malay Mail
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Dr Zaliha orders FT Ministry, JPJ to plug legal loopholes as abandoned vehicles pile up in KL, Putrajaya
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — The Federal Territories Department (FTD) has been directed to hold discussions with the Road Transport Department (RTD) to examine the loopholes in existing legislation relating to the disposal of abandoned vehicles in the federal capital and Putrajaya. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the action needed to be expedited following the high number of public complaints regarding abandoned vehicles in urban areas. 'In Kuala Lumpur alone, public complaints regarding abandoned vehicles reach over 2,500 cases every year. This is not a small number and should not be allowed to continue. 'However, we are faced with several legal constraints, including abandoned vehicles on private premises that cannot be towed to the local authority (PBT) depot as well as vehicles that have been at the depot for a long time but have not yet been disposed of due to legal obstacles,' she said in a Facebook post yesterday. Earlier, she visited Car Medic Sdn Bhd, a licensed automotive treatment centre that carries out the disposal of vehicles that have been declared written-off, to personally observe the implementation of a faster, more orderly and sustainable disposal process. Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said observes the disposal of vehicles that have been declared written-of at Car Medic Sdn Bhd, a licensed automotive treatment centre. — Picture from Facebook/Dr Zaliha Mustafa Dr Zaliha stressed that abandoned vehicles cannot continue to mar the city, hence a comprehensive solution needs to be jointly formulated by the relevant agencies. She also encouraged owners who want to dispose of their vehicles voluntarily to visit a licensed automotive treatment centre. 'The process is simple and the owner will receive cash payment based on the condition of the vehicle,' she said. — Bernama
