Latest news with #IsmailAbdMuttalib
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
QuickCheck: Are Tabung Haji branches being shuttered?
RUMOURS about the closure of public service branches can create unnecessary panic. Recently, questions arose regarding the status of Tabung Haji's branches. Is it true that no branches have been closed? Verdict: FALSE No branches of Tabung Haji, including those in rural areas, have been closed so far, said Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), during a Q&A session in Parliament on Thursday (July 24). "There are no branches closed," he said. "However, based on records, branches with very low transaction numbers will be replaced by a new product or initiative called Tabung Haji Gerak," he explained, adding that Tabung Haji Gerak is a mobile counter operating from one location to another. He added that its schedule would be announced via social media and websites to facilitate public access to information and attendance at the counter. He stated this while responding to an additional question from Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran) who wanted to know the number of Tabung Haji offices in states and districts and claimed that some offices would be closed. According to Zulkifli, there are currently 107 Tabung Haji branches still operating nationwide. Meanwhile, when responding to the difficulty some Malaysian pilgrims face in registering biometric data via the Saudi Visa Bio application, he informed that the issue is within the knowledge of his department. He said the problem is due to technical factors like mobile device compatibility, facial or fingerprint scanning inaccuracies, and the need for the application system to be upgraded according to current needs. "For the Hajj Season 1446H/2025M, Tabung Haji has taken several proactive measures to assist Malaysian pilgrims in using this application more easily," he noted. Tabung Haji also provides complete guidance and support to pilgrims through the official TH portal at to download and use the Saudi Visa Bio application. ReferenceS: 1. my/article/740156/berita/ nasional/tiada-cawangan-th- ditutup---timbalan-menteri- agama
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
In Dewan Rakyat today: Haj visa woes, foreign policy, current status of National Service Training Programme among highlights
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Issues related to the Saudi Visa Bio application for Haj visa applications and the achievements of Malaysia's foreign policy during its Asean chairmanship are among the highlights of today's Dewan Rakyat sitting. According to the Order Paper on the Parliament's web portal, Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) will ask the Foreign Minister to explain efforts to strengthen Asean centrality and unity in facing current geopolitical challenges during the Minister's Question Time. During the same session, S. Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput) will ask the Foreign Minister to outline the government's latest efforts to defend the rights of Muslims in Gaza following the brutality of the Israeli Zionist regime and the world's failure to halt such atrocities. In the question-and-answer (Q&A) session, Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran) will ask the Prime Minister about the government's efforts to resolve issues related to the Saudi Visa Bio application, which was found to be flawed when some Haj pilgrims failed to register their biometric data despite several attempts. Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (PH-Ledang) will pose a question to the Defence Minister regarding the current operational status of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0, including the number of phases completed, number of recruits involved, training locations, and key changes introduced compared to earlier versions. Following the Q&A session, the sitting will continue with the first reading of the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025, followed by the second reading of the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament is scheduled to run for 24 days, with one of the key highlights being the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan on July 31. — Bernama
The Star
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Curiosity and stress among main reasons for substance abuse among youths, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: Curiosity, stress and peer influence are among the main reasons why young Malaysians get involved in substance abuse, says Hannah Yeoh. The Youth and Sports Minister said this was among the findings of a behavioural study conducted in selected high-risk areas by the Malaysian Institute for Youth Research (Iyres) between September last year and February this year. "Among the factors leading respondents to use drugs and illegal substances were curiosity (30.1%), stress (20.9%), and peer influence (18.9%)," she said in a written reply to Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran) in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 23). While there was a slight decrease in the overall number of drug addicts in the country, she noted that the number of youths involved in substance abuse had increased. "Based on statistics from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), the number of drug and substance abuse cases among youths aged between 15 and 30 has increased over the past two years. "In 2023, a total of 46,401 youths were identified as being involved in drug and substance abuse. "This number rose to 55,369 last year, an increase of 19.3% or 8,968," she said. By ethnicity, she said Malay youths accounted for 76% of the total in both years. "The number increased from 35,280 in 2023 to 42,076 last year, a 19.3% increase," she added. She said Indian youths recorded an increase of 1,014 (34.5%), rising from 2,937 in 2023 to 3,951 last year. "Chinese youths showed an increase of 446 (19.3%), from 2,312 in 2023 to 2,758 last year," she said. Indigenous youths from Sabah and Sarawak recorded increases of 8.7% and 8.9%, respectively. "The 'others' category showed the highest relative increase, with 251 individuals (40.3%), although the actual number was small, from 623 in 2023 to 874 last year," she added. Yeoh said several measures and programmes have been implemented to curb the rise of substance abuse among youths. Among them is the Drug-Free Youth Campaign, launched on April 21, with stakeholders, the police, AADK and the University of Malaya Medical Centre. She said her ministry had also urged the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) to adopt improved guidelines for performances by foreign artists to better protect youths against the dangers of substance abuse.
