Latest news with #Fairuz
Al Jazeera
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Jazeera
Songs of Love and War
This film is about the stories of conflict behind four classic Arab songs. Middle Eastern political songs often provide insights into historic events as well as into the songwriters and performers themselves. Where are the Millions?, commissioned by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, directs its anger at countries that stood by during the first Palestinian Intifada. Alone is a song performed by Lebanese singer Fairuz. Its true meaning is unclear, but some say it relates to an attack from southern Lebanon on an Israeli town in 1974. Letter to a 1967 Soldier is a rallying cry to Egyptians to fight back after defeat in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. The final song, Tell the Sun, was banned in Egypt after the 1967 War. It might be about a political execution or young men building the Suez Canal. Whatever their true meaning, all four songs combine the dual passions of conflict and a deep love for Arab identity.
Sinar Daily
18-06-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
SST is good but needs improvement, experts say
SHAH ALAM - Economic experts believe that the Sales and Services Tax (SST) is still considered the best system for implementing targeted taxation in the country, given the suitability of the local economic landscape. Malaysian Tax Accountants Association (Mata) deputy president Dr Mohd Fairuz A Razak however said that the government still needed to make several improvements to make it more effective compared to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that was previously introduced in the country. He said that the improvements should include exempting taxes specifically on all food items, vegetables and fruits comprehensively so that these related items truly meet the targeted needs. 'SST is indeed more people-friendly at this time because its tax rate is not imposed uniformly compared to GST. 'However, essential goods, including imported food products, should not be taxed since they are important elements in the lives of the people, even though some of them may be considered luxury items enjoyed by the affluent. 'My question is, how will the government ensure the separation of luxury items such as vegetables, fruits and livestock products can be enforced comprehensively without burdening distributors and retailers? 'Most importantly, are all food items, vegetables and imported fruits only enjoyed by high-income groups? What about onions, salt, mangoes and bananas that are also daily foods for the B40 group?' he said when contacted by Sinar on Tuesday. Certain fruits considered 'luxury item' like avocados, are now also enjoyed by people from various groups, including those with low incomes. Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that the government was not ready to reintroduce GST at the time because the economy of the people has not yet fully recovered. Anwar said that the government chose to continue with the more targeted SST system because it only imposed taxes on certain goods, particularly luxury imported items. Therefore, Fairuz said that all essential goods, including those imported from abroad, should also be exempted from SST tax. 'The country indeed imports a lot of essential food from other countries. So, one way is for the government to exempt food to ensure it is more targeted. 'If not, it will become a major issue and backfire on the government again because essential food is a necessity for living, not merely something fancy enjoyed by certain groups,' he said. Fairuz emphasised that the implementation of targeted SST could only be achieved if the government conducts a thorough review of the list of goods that would be taxed. He said certain fruits considered 'luxury item' like avocados, were now also enjoyed by people from various groups, including those with low incomes (B40). He also advised the government not to rush into expanding SST because many among the people and traders were still confused about the actual number of items subject to tax. Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said that the implementation of frequently changing tax policies in the near term would only burden the people and traders. However, he believed that SST could be considered a more suitable tax system to implement in the country's economic landscape if it remained consistent. 'So, the issue is more about the method of implementation and enforcement of the policy more consistently to ensure that the SST system is more effective in its implementation,' he said. He explained that the current implementation of SST showed positive results in line with the government's need to increase national revenue in a targeted manner. 'This means that the existing system must meet the targets or objectives of the government to improve their financial position by reducing the fiscal deficit and making the Federal Government's debt more stable,' he said.
Daily Express
05-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Stop the blame game, solve UMS water crisis together
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan has urged all parties involved in the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) water crisis to stop blaming each other and focus on finding a solution. 'Enough with finger-pointing and turning social media into a battlefield,' he said in a statement. Fairuz stressed that the Water Department and UMS must work together constructively instead of publicly shifting blame. 'They should meet, talk, go on-site, and address the issue maturely. Emotional exchanges online won't solve the problem,' he said. * 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
The Star
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Sabah aims to keep traditional sports alive, especially among youth
KOTA KINABALU: Plans are underway to expand traditional sports competitions to every district in Sabah in a bid to preserve the state's rich cultural heritage. Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan ( pic ) said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that traditional games are not forgotten, especially among the younger generation. 'Games such as arm wrestling, slingshot, blowpipe, mopiri (a traditional fire-starting method using a stick and coconut husk), membujak (a heritage game involving spear-throwing at a target) and others are more than just entertainment, they are cultural symbols that must be preserved and passed down,' he said. Fairuz stressed on the importance of maintaining cultural identity in the face of modern influences such as electronic sports (e-sports), adding that rural communities continue to play a key role in preserving such traditions. Fairuz made the remarks after officiating the Traditional Sports Competition held in conjunction with the state-level Kaamatan Festival 2025 at SMK Bahang Hall on Saturday. This year's competition saw encouraging participation from local youth, a positive sign that traditional sports are still valued and enjoyed. Fairuz said the ministry, with support from agencies such as the Sabah Sports Board, PETRONAS and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry, plans to bring such competitions to all major zones and districts in the state. He said youth involvement is vital to ensuring the continuity of Sabah's heritage. 'Without the old, there is no new. 'If the younger generation forgets or fails to carry on these traditions, our traditional games will fade with time,' he said. Fairuz also encouraged parents to expose their children to traditional sports from an early age, either through participation or by attending local competitions.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
From arm wrestling to ‘mopiri', Sabah plans to revive traditional sports state-wide
KOTA KINABALU: Plans are underway to expand traditional sports competitions to every district in Sabah in a bid to preserve the state's rich cultural heritage. Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that traditional games are not forgotten, especially among the younger generation. 'Games such as arm wrestling, slingshot, blowpipe, mopiri (a traditional fire-starting method using a stick and coconut husk), membujak (a heritage game involving spear-throwing at a target), and others are more than just entertainment, they are cultural symbols that must be preserved and passed down,' he said. He stressed the importance of maintaining cultural identity in the face of modern influences like electronic sports (e-sports), adding that rural communities continue to play a key role in preserving these traditions. Fairuz made the remarks after officiating the Traditional Sports Competition held in conjunction with the state-level Kaamatan Festival 2025 at SMK Bahang Hall on Saturday (May 24). This year's competition saw encouraging participation from local youths, a positive sign that traditional sports are still valued and enjoyed. Fairuz said the ministry, with support from agencies such as the Sabah Sports Board, PETRONAS, and the Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry (Maffi), plans to bring these competitions to all major zones and districts across Sabah. He stressed that youth involvement is vital to ensuring the continuity of Sabah's heritage. 'Without the old, there is no new. If the younger generation forgets or fails to carry on these traditions, our traditional games will fade with time,' he said. He also encouraged parents to expose their children to traditional sports from an early age, either through participation or by attending local competitions.
