Latest news with #EPU
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Melaka sets RM1,279 PGK threshold for JKM aid applications
MELAKA: A Poverty Line Income (PGK) threshold of RM1,279 has been set as a key criterion for individuals applying for Social Welfare Department (JKM) assistance in Melaka. State Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Kalsom Nordin confirmed the figure during the State Legislative Assembly session. The rate, determined by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) under the Ministry of Economy, is based on the Household Income, Expenditure and Basic Amenities Survey conducted by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). 'The PGK for Melaka is set at RM1,279, while the federal rate is RM1,198 for the entire household, (based on data) released by the EPU in 2022,' Kalsom said in response to a query from Datuk Zaidi Attan (BN–Serkam). Four assistance schemes are available under the PGK framework: Child Assistance, Senior Citizen Assistance, General State Assistance, and Disabled Persons Assistance. Applicants exceeding the PGK threshold may still qualify for other schemes, including the Disabled Workers Allowance (income limit RM1,700), Chronic Patient and Disabled Persons Care Assistance (RM5,000 and below), Bantuan Anak Pelihara, and the Apprentice Training Allowance—both without income restrictions. Additional subsidies include the Autistic Children's Learning Fee Subsidy (per capita income RM4,000 and below) and Childcare Fee Subsidy (per capita income RM800 and below). As of June 2025, JKM has disbursed RM79.8 million to 29,247 recipients across various aid programmes. – Bernama
Metro
13-07-2025
- Health
- Metro
Until I had one, I was ignorant about the reality of miscarriages
'It's not good news'. That was the text I sent to my mum, my in-laws and my boss as I left an early ultrasound clinic last July. As my husband and I cycled home through eyes filled with tears, I received replies from all of them. My mum was on her way over, my in-laws ready to jump in the car to be with us, my boss's message full of sorrowful words and pleas not to think about work for one second. She would handle everything – she would speak to HR; to my team; and manage my workload. I should take as long as I needed and focus on myself, my husband and my needs over the next couple of weeks. I'm fortunate that during that time – the worst in my life – I had one less thing to worry about. This is not the case for so many people. In fact, unless your baby loss happens after 24 weeks – when it is considered a stillbirth, rather than a miscarriage – parents-to-be are not eligible for any statutory leave. Now, the government is set to make amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, which would see them get 'at least' a week – although specifics have not been laid out. The most common miscarriage symptom is bleeding. However, light spotting can also be normal in the first trimester, which can make any sign of blood very scary for pregnant women. It is recommended that anyone experiencing vaginal bleeding should contact their maternity team to be checked over. Other symptoms include: Cramping and pain in your lower tummy No longer experiencing pregnancy symptoms A discharge of fluid or tissue Find out more here (Those who have a stillbirth, or lose a child under 18, are currently entitled to two weeks off, which in my opinion is nowhere near enough). In total, I took just over a fortnight off after my miscarriage – but could have taken longer if I wanted. I had gone for a private early reassurance scan at seven weeks, before I was supposed to fly abroad for a friend's wedding. It was my first pregnancy and I just wanted to know everything was looking OK. But like up to 20% of women, I was about to have a miscarriage before 12 weeks. I was told by a kind doctor that there was no heartbeat, that they would normally expect to see one by this point, and that the chances of one developing after this point were slim to none. I expected the miscarriage would follow shortly after. I was wrong. Unless it happened naturally before then, the next step would be to wait a week and go to the Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU). It was important to wait, she said, in case there was any change. So we went home and waited. I sobbed. I screamed. I made guttural sounds I didn't know I was capable of making. And I frantically Googled 'How likely is it that a seven week foetus will develop a heartbeat?. I held on to a small glimmer of hope – even if my husband gently repeated the kind doctor's words that in 18 years of doing her job she had never seen it happen. The lowest I felt day was on day seven. The EPU is basically A&E. You can get appointments there but generally that's for follow up. So you have to wait. We arrived for the 9am opening and sat down among hordes of anxious couples looking for reassurance that their babies were OK. Over the course of the day, the room emptied out, sometimes others would come in, and yet we stayed. We spent seven hours waiting to be seen in a windowless room, not daring to move or dart out to get food unless our names were called. It was torture. When it did start – on my wedding anniversary no less – the pain was excruciating In the end, there was still no heartbeat. We were told by an empathetic doctor that this was likely a chromosomal issue – as is the case in most early miscarriages – and heartbreakingly, I'd have to wait another week as they couldn't accept my private scan as proof. However, if the miscarriage hadn't started naturally within that time, they would book me in for a medical procedure to get it underway. With this news I could start to mourn my longed-for baby; the grief overwhelming. But I also felt unable to leave the house. What if the miscarriage started when I decided to go out? I couldn't face the thought of it. The doctors warned me about the pain. They warned me that unless I bled through two sanitary pads per hour for two or more hours, or had a fever, it was 'normal' and I could handle it at home. My mind boggled. When it did start – on my wedding anniversary no less – the pain was excruciating. Out at dinner, I couldn't eat. Couldn't think of anything else except the stabbing in my abdomen. It sounds like something from a Greek tragedy, but it was during this moment that the woman on the table behind us announced her pregnancy to friends. She talked about not feeling particularly excited. I could write countless words about all the horrendous parts of miscarriage. The fact that you still have pregnancy symptoms; the bleeding that goes on and on and on; the limbo of waiting to lose your baby and having to see it in the loo. When I returned to work, I was still bleeding. I was still crying in the bathroom most days. It took me a long time to feel like myself again. I can't think too hard about that time last year without getting emotional. So I hope with every bone in my body that the government not only makes statutory bereavement leave longer than a week for those who have suffered miscarriages, but that they also increase time off for parents who are grieving post-24 week losses and children. Because forcing people in the throes of grief to work – or take sick leave – is inexplicable to me. More Trending Yes, the loss is different to losing an adult child. It's different to a stillbirth. But it is a bereavement. It's not sickness. As I heard MP Sarah Owen say on the radio this morning, no one says 'get better soon' during a miscarriage, but they do say 'sorry for your loss'. View More » And it's time employers acknowledge that loss. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: My holiday breakfast buffet hack is controversial but it's a money saver MORE: Alcohol has made my soulmate a monster – I sleep with defence spray MORE: I got a massive tattoo of this UK city to prove my love Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Malay Mail
08-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Putra Heights gas pipeline blast: Home reconstruction, repair works progressing ahead of schedule, says Selangor MB
SHAH ALAM, July 8 — Reconstruction and repair works on homes damaged in the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion in Subang Jaya have begun and are progressing ahead of schedule, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said today. He said the positive development has seen 22 to 24 per cent of the rebuilding and repair work completed so far, involving homes in Taman Putra Harmoni and Kampung Kuala Sungai Baharu, according to a report by Bernama today. 'As of now, based on assessments by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), three homes in Taman Putra Harmoni will be rebuilt, while 46 units will undergo repairs. The remaining 46 are in the final phase of structural and crack-point testing. 'In Kampung Kuala Sungai Baharu, 17 homes were affected — 11 will be rebuilt, and six repaired,' he said during a briefing on the Putra Heights incident at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly today. Regarding compensation claims for house repairs, Amirudin said residents of Taman Putra Harmoni have filed claims amounting to RM458,440.50, while residents of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baharu have submitted claims totalling RM884,934 to date. He added that all affected residents have until October 27 to submit their claim documents to the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), which is facilitating the process. 'Following the assessment, the state government will propose to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to raise the repair cost ceiling from RM30,000 to RM60,000, taking into account the cost of roof tiling and the replacement of fittings such as water tanks,' he said.
Metro
07-07-2025
- Health
- Metro
I had a miscarriage - no one should be forced to work through it
'It's not good news'. That was the text I sent to my mum, my in-laws and my boss as I left an early ultrasound clinic last July. As my husband and I cycled home through eyes filled with tears, I received replies from all of them. My mum was on her way over, my in-laws ready to jump in the car to be with us, my boss's message full of sorrowful words and pleas not to think about work for one second. She would handle everything – she would speak to HR; to my team; and manage my workload. I should take as long as I needed and focus on myself, my husband and my needs over the next couple of weeks. I'm fortunate that during that time – the worst in my life – I had one less thing to worry about. This is not the case for so many people. In fact, unless your baby loss happens after 24 weeks – when it is considered a stillbirth, rather than a miscarriage – parents-to-be are not eligible for any statutory leave. Now, the government is set to make amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, which would see them get 'at least' a week – although specifics have not been laid out. The most common miscarriage symptom is bleeding. However, light spotting can also be normal in the first trimester, which can make any sign of blood very scary for pregnant women. It is recommended that anyone experiencing vaginal bleeding should contact their maternity team to be checked over. Other symptoms include: Cramping and pain in your lower tummy No longer experiencing pregnancy symptoms A discharge of fluid or tissue Find out more here (Those who have a stillbirth, or lose a child under 18, are currently entitled to two weeks off, which in my opinion is nowhere near enough). In total, I took just over a fortnight off after my miscarriage – but could have taken longer if I wanted. I had gone for a private early reassurance scan at seven weeks, before I was supposed to fly abroad for a friend's wedding. It was my first pregnancy and I just wanted to know everything was looking OK. But like up to 20% of women, I was about to have a miscarriage before 12 weeks. I was told by a kind doctor that there was no heartbeat, that they would normally expect to see one by this point, and that the chances of one developing after this point were slim to none. I expected the miscarriage would follow shortly after. I was wrong. Unless it happened naturally before then, the next step would be to wait a week and go to the Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU). It was important to wait, she said, in case there was any change. So we went home and waited. I sobbed. I screamed. I made guttural sounds I didn't know I was capable of making. And I frantically Googled 'How likely is it that a seven week foetus will develop a heartbeat?. I held on to a small glimmer of hope – even if my husband gently repeated the kind doctor's words that in 18 years of doing her job she had never seen it happen. The lowest I felt day was on day seven. The EPU is basically A&E. You can get appointments there but generally that's for follow up. So you have to wait. We arrived for the 9am opening and sat down among hordes of anxious couples looking for reassurance that their babies were OK. Over the course of the day, the room emptied out, sometimes others would come in, and yet we stayed. We spent seven hours waiting to be seen in a windowless room, not daring to move or dart out to get food unless our names were called. It was torture. When it did start – on my wedding anniversary no less – the pain was excruciating In the end, there was still no heartbeat. We were told by an empathetic doctor that this was likely a chromosomal issue – as is the case in most early miscarriages – and heartbreakingly, I'd have to wait another week as they couldn't accept my private scan as proof. However, if the miscarriage hadn't started naturally within that time, they would book me in for a medical procedure to get it underway. With this news I could start to mourn my longed-for baby; the grief overwhelming. But I also felt unable to leave the house. What if the miscarriage started when I decided to go out? I couldn't face the thought of it. The doctors warned me about the pain. They warned me that unless I bled through two sanitary pads per hour for two or more hours, or had a fever, it was 'normal' and I could handle it at home. My mind boggled. When it did start – on my wedding anniversary no less – the pain was excruciating. Out at dinner, I couldn't eat. Couldn't think of anything else except the stabbing in my abdomen. It sounds like something from a Greek tragedy, but it was during this moment that the woman on the table behind us announced her pregnancy to friends. She talked about not feeling particularly excited. I could write countless words about all the horrendous parts of miscarriage. The fact that you still have pregnancy symptoms; the bleeding that goes on and on and on; the limbo of waiting to lose your baby and having to see it in the loo. When I returned to work, I was still bleeding. I was still crying in the bathroom most days. It took me a long time to feel like myself again. I can't think too hard about that time last year without getting emotional. So I hope with every bone in my body that the government not only makes statutory bereavement leave longer than a week for those who have suffered miscarriages, but that they also increase time off for parents who are grieving post-24 week losses and children. Because forcing people in the throes of grief to work – or take sick leave – is inexplicable to me. More Trending Yes, the loss is different to losing an adult child. It's different to a stillbirth. But it is a bereavement. It's not sickness. As I heard MP Sarah Owen say on the radio this morning, no one says 'get better soon' during a miscarriage, but they do say 'sorry for your loss'. View More » And it's time employers acknowledge that loss. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: I may have incurable cancer but I'm happier than ever MORE: My family day out was ruined by hundreds of swearing hikers MORE: I've worked hard to lose weight only to be met with Ozempic accusations Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Malay Mail
06-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Sarawak to build 20,000 affordable homes by 2030 amid housing mismatch, says deputy premier
KUCHING, July 6 — The Sarawak Government is planning to build 20,000 units of affordable housing between 2026 and 2030 under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), as part of its commitment to ensure more Sarawakians have access to decent and affordable homes. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the move comes in response to a growing mismatch between the number of available housing units and the actual number of households across the state. Speaking at the 2025 Azmi Real Estate Annual Gala Dinner here last night, Dr Sim cited 2023 statistics showing that Sarawak had about 770,000 housing units, while the number of heads of households was only around 630,000. 'This shows an excess of around 140,000 housing units, largely due to rural-to-urban migration and the purchase of homes for investment purposes,' he was quoted as saying in a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas). Dr Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, stressed that the state government is working hard to correct this imbalance and ensure housing development meets the real needs of the people. 'Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), we only managed to build 3,000 units. But under the 13MP, from next year until 2030, the Sarawak Economic Planning Unit (EPU) is proposing a total of 20,000 units. That's a jump from 3,000 to 20,000,' he said. To make homeownership more accessible, especially for low-income earners, Dr Sim said the state has introduced a number of support measures, including a RM10,000 deposit assistance scheme for first-time homebuyers and housing loans with interest rates as low as one per cent for the B40 group. He added that these low-interest loans are provided through the state's own financial body, Mutiara Mortgage and Credit, for homes priced under RM300,000. — The Borneo Post
