Latest news with #Mata
Daily Express
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
How ‘Ejen Ali' could spark STEM interest among students
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2' features the armoured 'Satria suit', which is powered by artificial intelligence to assist the young agents on their missions. (WAU Animation pic) PETALING JAYA: In recent years, interest among Malaysian students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has been in decline. According to the education ministry, only around 15.2% of students chose the science stream for the 2023/2024 academic year, while over 100,000 students failed science and mathematics subjects in last year's SPM examination. Advertisement This downward trend could negatively impact national development, as STEM is a key driver of technological progress and innovation. Without a young generation interested and skilled in STEM, achieving developed-nation status becomes increasingly difficult. So, while this may sound surprising, it is heartening that sources of entertainment such as the local animation 'Ejen Ali' could help promote the value of science, engineering and technology. The futuristic world of Cyberaya in 'Ejen Ali' showcases advanced tech based on STEM principles such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and renewable-energy sources in the form of Azurium. 'Ejen Ali' gives students a clear picture that STEM is not merely theory confined to classrooms, but is something that can be applied in real life. Then there's 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2', the recent full-length feature that has won the hearts of Malaysians, grossing over RM50 million within 18 days of screening nationwide. The film introduces the armoured 'Satria suit', powered by artificial intelligence to assist Mata agents in their missions. The suit not only transforms to fit its user's needs but is also equipped with detection and defence systems. While it is clearly fictitious, its notable appearance in the movie could inspire young viewers to explore an interest in technology and engineering. Additionally, 'Ejen Ali' opens up space for discussions within families and schools about the importance of values like integrity, social responsibility, and ethics in the use of technology. This is essential as, to prevent misuse, technological advancement must be accompanied by moral acuity. The animation teaches students that being a scientist or engineer isn't just about intelligence – it is also also about being kind, ethical and responsible. On that note, beyond just watching 'Ejen Ali', parents and teachers are crucial in nurturing students' interest – by explaining technological concepts in a simple and relatable manner, for example, or by taking children to science exhibitions, supporting their participation in innovation competitions, or involving them in STEM-related activities. Ideally, 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2' will continue to be a source of inspiration and catalyst for interest among the younger generation. The film features even more advanced tech and a deeper storyline than its predecessors, which will hopefully attract more students to view STEM as an exciting and promising field for the future. This article was written by Amirul Eqhwan Rahim, administrative officer at Universiti Malaya's Centre for Foundation Studies in Science.
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.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
AG: Owner of Pennsylvania home care agency gets a month in prison for Medicaid fraud scheme
BERKS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — The owner of a Pennsylvania home care agency will spend a month in prison for a Medicaid fraud scheme, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Friday. Gavin Mata, 36, will also be on parole for 22 months and five years of probation after he pled guilty to felony Medicaid fraud and perjury charges, Sunday said. Mata was the owner of A Part of Our Family Home Care Agency, which now has a '404 Error' when you go to its website. Sunday, in a statement, said Mata went through 'great lengths' to carry out the scheme. 'The defendant went to great lengths to perpetrate this fraud scheme, falsifying records and reporting bogus hours for employees without their knowledge,' Attorney General Sunday said. 'Medicaid Fraud takes money and resources away from Pennsylvanians in need of care.' Sunday said false information was submitted in claims between 2020 and 2022 to Medicaid by Mata, such as hours or services that were never performed. Sunday mentioned some patients never signed up for, or got care from, Mata's company. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now When Mata was eventually brought to testify about his payroll records, he lied, Sunday said. Restitution in the amount of $235,778 will also be paid by Mata for collecting reimbursement. The Attorney General's Office investigation included a presentment from the 47th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Eric Stryd of the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Section. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Owner of Berks personal care agency sentenced to prison for Medicaid fraud
The owner of a Bally-based personal care agency has been sentenced to state prison for running a scheme that defrauded Medicaid. Gavin Mata, 36, of Bronx, N.Y., was sentenced Wednesday by Berks County Judge Thomas Parisi to one month in prison, followed by 22 months of parole and five years of probation. Mata was also ordered to pay $235,778 in restitution. Mata pleaded guilty in April to felony Medicaid fraud and perjury, as well as a separate count of Medicaid fraud on behalf of the company. He had been charged following an investigation by the state attorney general and a formal accusation of a crime made by the 47th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. According to officials from the attorney general's office: The investigation showed that between 2020 and 2022 Mata and his company, Part of Our Family Home Care Agency, submitted claims for Medicaid reimbursements using false information or claiming to have provided services that were never done. Some of the claims involved patients that never signed up for or received care from A Part of Our Family, while others regarded employees who were unaware Mata had submitted false claims for hours they allegedly worked. During the grand jury investigation, Mata also testified untruthfully about payroll records. In all, officials documented that Part of Our Family received over $488,349 from Medicaid for nonexistent services. 'The defendant went to great lengths to perpetrate this fraud scheme, falsifying records and reporting bogus hours for employees without their knowledge,' Attorney General David Sunday said in a statement Friday announcing Mata's sentencing. 'Medicaid fraud takes money and resources away from Pennsylvanians in need of care.'
The Courier
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
How Dundee United new boy Zac Sapsford fumbled Bukayo Saka jersey when his bottle crashed
Dundee United's first summer signing Zac Sapsford has revealed how he missed out on a signed Bukayo Saka jersey when his bottle crashed – literally. The Australian forward arrives at Tannadice with a hidden skill, and it caught the eye of ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Spain superstar Juan Mata, a teammate at Western Sydney Wanderers last season. Sapsford, 22, has a talent for bottle flipping and, after showcasing the ability over lunch during an away trip, Mata challenged the youngster to land THIRTY in a row in return for a shirt of his choice. Sapsford opted for Arsenal ace Saka – and came agonisingly close. Instead, he was tasked with weeks on the coffee run. 'I'm pretty good at bottle flipping,' he told the Row Z FC podcast. 'We were at a hotel and had just finished dinner and I was doing some bottle flips. Juan said, 'wow, you are really good at that'. Then he told me that if I got 30 in a row, he'd get me whatever jersey I want. 'I said, 'make it a signed [Bukayo] Saka jersey, and I'll do it'. So, I started, and the whole team was watching. It's getting very pressurised. I had like 28 in a row and flipped it up…then it fell. 'Everyone was all around me – even the coaches – and it was not good. I was that close. 'Instead, my punishment was to get him seven coffees whenever he wanted!' Nevertheless, the tale speaks to the rapport shared by the erstwhile teammates; two men at the opposite end of their career journeys. Mata, 35, boasts a World Cup, two European Championship and a Champions League among an astonishing haul of medals and Sapsford readily admits that the mercurial midfielder is TOO GOOD to learn from. However, his influence was still tangible. 'On the pitch, there's not much to learn from Juan – because he's too good,' he continued. 'You can't really take too much from him because you look at some of the things he does and say, 'I'll never be able to do that'. 'But off the pitch, he is an amazing person and the bits of advice he gave me in different scenarios was invaluable. 'Whether it's reacting to coming off or being annoyed at being benched one week; he'd tell me how he went through those things at top-level clubs. 'Those types of things helped me through the season, and to have someone like that somewhat mentoring you was a cool thing.' Sapsford has penned a three-year deal with the Tangerines and, along with Moldova international Iurie Iuvo, represents the first pieces of Jim Goodwin's summer rebuild at Tannadice. And he told United fans what to expect. Asked what attributes he would bring to the Scottish game, Sapsford said: 'I'd say my link-up play. 'I like to drive with the ball if I get the chance; I'm really good at that. And although I'm not super tall, I like to win most of my aerial duels. Goalscoring and assists, too. I like to set players up and find the killer pass. 'I'll never stop running and I love putting all my energy out there. I'll never come off the pitch feeling like I haven't given everything.' Sapsford, who still harbours a dream of making the Australia World Cup squad next summer, added: 'What I am expecting (in Scotland) is a lot of physicality. 'I'm happy with that. I like a bit of contact in games. That's what football is for and I'm ready for anything.' You can listen to the full episode of Row Z FC here.
