Latest news with #KEMAS
Sinar Daily
5 hours ago
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Seremban housewife turns velvet wire art into lucrative business
She first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts 20 Jul 2025 04:01pm Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. Photo by Bernama SEREMBAN - What started as a hobby driven by a passion for art has now become a lucrative source of steady income for a housewife here, thanks to her creativity in crafting flowers from velvet wire. Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. "I started learning how to do velvet wire arrangements after being captivated by a tutorial on Instagram. I became interested, bought the wire, and tried it out. I saw that the results were quite good. "It was quite difficult at first, but eventually it became easier once I got the rhythm and pattern down to make creations like flowers, keychains, decorations, and bouquets,' she told Bernama when met at her home here. The mother of four said that small velvet wire arrangements can be completed within five minutes, while larger ones like bouquets take up to two hours and that her creations are sold at prices ranging from RM3.50 to RM250 depending on the type and customer request. Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. Photo by Bernama She said most customers usually order velvet bouquet arrangements and decorative flowers as gifts for convocation or retirement events, as they remain beautiful and do not wilt like real flowers, making them lasting keepsakes. "Alhamdulillah, the response has been very encouraging. Every month I earn over RM1,500 from these arrangements, and once made up to RM8,000 when the product went viral on social media,' she said, adding that she runs the business from home. The Jempol native said she is one of the entrepreneurs guided by the Community Development Department (KEMAS), from which she received a one-off assistance of RM5,000 through the Quick Win Programme. Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. Photo by Bernama Siti Amirah added that she continues to actively participate in various courses organised by KEMAS, particularly for micro-entrepreneurs, to deepen her business knowledge. "My dream one day is to open a shop to sell my crafted and decorative products on a larger scale. Even if it's a small venture, I'm satisfied when my customers are happy with my handiwork,' she said. She also shared that she has no intention of letting her talent go to waste, but instead plans to use it to create meaningful products for herself and for lovers of floral art. - BERNAMA
The Sun
5 days ago
- General
- The Sun
KKDW to open KEMAS kindergartens for autistic children nationwide
MELAKA: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will introduce KEMAS kindergartens specifically for children with autism across all states beginning next year. Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang announced the initiative following requests from rural communities seeking better educational access for children with special needs. Rubiah highlighted that while private institutions already offer such facilities in urban and suburban areas, rural families often struggle with affordability. 'KEMAS, as an agent of societal change, has agreed to implement this special kindergarten programme, starting with a pilot project in Melaka. Insya-Allah, we will expand it nationwide next year,' she said after visiting Tabika KEMAS Istimewa @ KEMAS Hang Jebat. The programme aims to provide dedicated care to help children with autism reach their full potential. Rubiah emphasised the need for trained teachers and structured support to nurture these children effectively. Meanwhile, Melaka State Housing, Local Government, and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin revealed that RM300,000 has been allocated to upgrade three special KEMAS kindergartens in Melaka Tengah, Jasin, and Alor Gajah. The funds will improve teaching aids and facilities, including air conditioning, to enhance student comfort. – Bernama
Barnama
5 days ago
- General
- Barnama
KKDW To Open KEMAS Kindergartens For Autistic Children In All States
MELAKA, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will begin opening Community Development Department (KEMAS) kindergartens for children with autism in every state starting next year. Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said the initiative was prompted by requests from rural communities who want children with special needs to have access to education. 'There are already such schools in several states, particularly in urban and suburban areas, opened by private parties. But the issue is that rural communities cannot afford to send their children to these schools. 'That is why KEMAS, as an agent of societal change, has agreed to implement this special KEMAS kindergarten programme, starting with a pilot project in Melaka. 'Insya-Allah, we will expand it to all states next year,' she said after visiting the special KEMAS kindergarten pilot project, Tabika KEMAS Istimewa @ KEMAS Hang Jebat, here today. Also present was Paya Rumput assemblyman and State Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin. Rubiah said the special KEMAS kindergartens would be gradually expanded to the district levels in each state, as catering to children with special needs is a new undertaking for the agency. "These special children require dedicated care to help unlock their full potential. We hope these classes will achieve even greater success, that the teachers will become even more effective, and that we can nurture these children and help them realise their true abilities," she said. Meanwhile, Rais said the state government has allocated RM300,000 to three special KEMAS kindergartens in Melaka Tengah, Jasin and Alor Gajah to meet the needs of rural residents with special needs children.
Barnama
13-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Velvet Wire Bouquets Bloom Into Steady Income For Housewife
REGION - SOUTHERN > NEWS By Sarinah Mat Kasim SEREMBAN, July 13 (Bernama) -- What started as a hobby driven by a passion for art has now become a lucrative source of steady income for a housewife here, thanks to her creativity in crafting flowers from velvet wire. Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. bootstrap slideshow 'I started learning how to do velvet wire arrangements after being captivated by a tutorial on Instagram. I became interested, bought the wire, and tried it out. I saw that the results were quite good. 'It was quite difficult at first, but eventually it became easier once I got the rhythm and pattern down to make creations like flowers, keychains, decorations, and bouquets,' she told Bernama when met at her home here. The mother of four said that small velvet wire arrangements can be completed within five minutes, while larger ones like bouquets take up to two hours and that her creations are sold at prices ranging from RM3.50 to RM250 depending on the type and customer request. She said most customers usually order velvet bouquet arrangements and decorative flowers as gifts for convocation or retirement events, as they remain beautiful and do not wilt like real flowers, making them lasting keepsakes. 'Alhamdulillah, the response has been very encouraging. Every month I earn over RM1,500 from these arrangements, and once made up to RM8,000 when the product went viral on social media,' she said, adding that she runs the business from home. The Jempol native said she is one of the entrepreneurs guided by the Community Development Department (KEMAS), from which she received a one-off assistance of RM5,000 through the Quick Win Programme.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
SST on imported goods including fruits maybe reviewed
BANGI: The government will review the implementation of the revision and expansion of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) on several selected imported goods including fruits such as apples and mandarin oranges, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the fruits are not produced locally but are instead imported entirely from foreign countries, hence it should be reconsidered before imposing SST of between five and 10 per cent. 'I believe it is reasonable for (the new SST rate on certain goods) to be reviewed and I think there will be an adjustment for certain materials to be categorised for tax at five to 10 per cent. '(But) don't take that conclusively,' he told reporters after officiating the Community Development Department (KEMAS) Teachers' Day Celebration, here today. Earlier, Mydin Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin Mohamed described the move to impose SST on imported fruit as unreasonable because it also affects low-income consumers. Commenting further, Ahmad Zahid said the views put forward by Ameer Ali should be brought to the Cabinet meeting as it touches on the people's needs for imported fruits. 'The revenue from fruit tax to the country is not that high. So if SST is imposed, the price will increase. 'I know the purpose (of imposing SST on imported fruits) is to protect local fruits but we do not produce apples and mandarin oranges. I am sure the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy are also looking into the matter,' he said. On June 9, the government announced a targeted review of the SST rate which will take effect from July 1, 2025. The sales tax rate will remain the same for essential goods, while a rate of five or 10 per cent will be imposed on non-essential or discretionary goods. At the same time, the scope of service tax has also been expanded to cover six new services such as rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education and beauty.
