Latest news with #RM5
The Star
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Jamal Abdillah now a successful cattle farmer
Compiled by BENJAMIN LEE, ALLISON LAI and R. ARAVINTHAN THE golden voice behind hits like Kekasih Awal Dan Akhir is now hoping to expand his cattle farming to selling burgers, minced meat and meatballs, Utusan Malaysia reported. Datuk Jamal Abdillah, 66, said he started a commercial cattle farm in 2023 after his previous farm in Bagan Serai, Perak, was well received by customers. Having begun with 25 cows on a 2ha field, he said his commercial farm now has many more cows, motivating him to work harder. 'I plan to expand my business to manufacturing food products using beef, like burgers, minced meat and meatballs.' Jamal also said that he has started rearing goats and ornamental fish at his farms which he said had great potential to meet market demand. His plan is to sell his products in Teluk Intan, Perak, as it is his hometown. He also spoke of his fondness for giant freshwater prawns from Sungai Perak. 'The taste is different,' he said. > For four-year-old Nur Aisya Khadeeja, her world has been one of silence. Her father, Muhamad Razmein Abdullah, first noticed his only child was non-verbal about two years ago. 'We noticed she was unable to speak and was unresponsive to sounds,' he told Harian Metro. Muhamad Razmein, 30, was distraught when medical tests revealed narrowed auditory nerves in both of Nur Aisya's ears, severely impacting her hearing. Even with hearing aids, her condition barely improved. 'Doctors have recommended cochlear implant surgery, but we can't afford it due to the high cost which can go up to RM115,000,' said Muhamad Razmein, a delivery rider. His wife Haslinda Mohd Zamidi, 35, works as an administrative officer. The family, who live in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, has only managed to save about RM5,000 for the surgery, which is scheduled for July 17. For now, a charity organisation is collecting funds for the family. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a, it denotes a separate news item.
The Star
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Pineapples go from field to fortune
Fruitful industry: Mohamad (left), Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup (right) and Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali (second from right) looking at bags made from pineapple threads. — THOMAS YONG/The Star JOHOR BARU: Malaysia's pineapple industry has grown into a billion-ringgit venture, with farmers earning up to RM9,000 a month, marking a major milestone in the country's agri-food success story. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the nation recorded RM1.3bil in pineapple output value in 2024, a 34% increase from the previous year. He added that the country's pineapple production volume rose 17% to 520,000 metric tonnes, cultivated across 13,000ha of productive farmland. 'This shows that pineapples are not just a fruit we enjoy, but a true engine of rural economic development,' he said at the inaugural Malaysian Pineapple Day celebration yesterday. Mohamad said Malaysia now has over 8,000 pineapple growers and more than 300 companies involved in the sector. The self-sufficiency level for pineapples has reached 103%, enabling Malaysia to meet domestic demand and expand its export potential. He highlighted the case of a Johor farmer who doubled his income from RM180,000 to RM350,000 annually by making use of drone technology. In Pahang, the Hijrah Asnaf Pineapple Farming programme has helped 18 participants, mainly from underprivileged groups, earn monthly incomes of up to RM5,000 after just a few months of cultivation. 'The Federal Government has allocated RM75mil for pineapple development in Sarawak under the 12th Malaysia Plan.' Mohamad praised Sarawak's innovation in using pineapple waste as livestock feed and the launch of the new Sarawak Gold variety as an alternative to the MD2 premium hybrid. Mohamad said in Kedah, artificial intelligence and satellite imaging are being used to monitor crops, boosting yield by 30% while reducing operational costs by 40%. He said these technological advances are helping Malaysia prepare to meet growing demand from foreign markets such as China and Singapore. Mohamad said Johor remains the top pineapple-producing state in the country, contributing 68% of total cultivated land.
New Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sabah's SMJ Energy now worth RM5b after three years of operation
PUTATAN: Sabah's state-owned oil and gas company, SMJ Energy Sdn Bhd, is estimated to be worth RM5 billion based on its current asset value after operating for just three years. Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said this was a significant achievement for a company that began with only RM50 million in capital from a state government injection when it was founded three years ago. He said the success was due to SMJ Energy's investments in Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas)-owned companies. "As many are aware, and as we have explained and announced on several occasions, SMJ Energy was established following the signing of the Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) with Petronas three years ago. "The state government provided us with RM50 million in seed capital, and from that, we went on to invest in Petronas-linked companies. "According to the latest valuation, this RM50 million company is now worth RM5 billion, with a sizeable portfolio of assets," he told reporters after launching Petagas Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) annual general assembly here today. Masidi, who is also chairman of SMJ Energy, was commenting on the current performance of the Sabah government-linked company (GLC). He said the achievement was the result of the hard work of professionals hired to manage and operate the company, without political interference. "Our operations at SMJ Energy are fully commercial; that's the key factor behind the company's strong performance. "In fact, last year alone we recorded a profit of RM350 million, managed by a team of just 30 professional staff," he said. Masidi said SMJ Energy now also holds a 50 per cent stake in a Petronas oil field through the Samarang Production Sharing Contract (PSC).
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Risda Carnival 2025 targets 10k visitors with 60 local delicacies
KUALA LUMPUR: The Rasa Asli Desa Risda Carnival 2025 kicked off today, running until June 30, with organisers targeting over 10,000 visitors. The event features 28 entrepreneurs from 13 states presenting more than 60 types of local culinary delights. Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) Datuk Rubiah Wang highlighted the ministry's support for rural entrepreneurs, particularly smallholders under the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda). 'Programmes like this not only add value in terms of marketing and sales, but also provide a real space to strengthen brands, business matching and market network development for rural entrepreneurs,' she said during the launch at Wangsa Walk. Rubiah noted that many participating entrepreneurs earn between RM5,000 and RM10,000 monthly, with some already recording RM1,000 to RM2,000 in sales on the first day. She expressed confidence in achieving the carnival's RM200,000 sales target. Themed 'Rasa Tulen, Sentuhan Istimewa' (Authentic Flavours, Special Touch), the event blends tradition with creativity, featuring dishes like kek lapis, rendang maman, and gulai temenung. Noorazlina Saramali, a 32-year-old entrepreneur from Beaufort, Sabah, shared her enthusiasm for introducing Sabahan specialties like kelupis and kucong to urban visitors. 'Kelupis is glutinous rice cooked with coconut milk and steamed in the same way as kucong, but kucong has a peanut filling flavoured with shrimp. I want to introduce kelupis to the people of Kuala Lumpur because this food is rarely available here,' she said. Siti Hajar Husnan, 39, from Negeri Sembilan, brought Johor's burasak and lepat loi, typically seasonal treats now available year-round thanks to retort processing. 'Actually, this is a seasonal food, but when we process it using the retort method, it can last up to a year and can be eaten anytime. We also sell it online on Shopee and TikTok, good thing there is always demand,' she said. The carnival also features the RisSMart 24 brand stall by Risda Agri Food Sdn Bhd (RAFI), offering pastries, wagyu skewers, and tom yam bowls. Additional activities include traditional cooking demos, a nostalgia-themed night showcase, and a kids' beauty pageant.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Karnival Jom Heboh returns, draws crowds in Johor Baru
JOHOR BARU: Karnival Jom Heboh (KJH) heads south after a successful run in Kuala Lumpur last month. The three-day event kicks off today at Padang B, Angsana Johor Baru Mall, and will run until Sunday. For the first time, Malaysian Pineapple Day is being celebrated on a grand scale at KJH, adding a vibrant, festive twist and elevating the status of the tropical fruit — a national pride — to new heights. Organised by Media Prima Bhd in collaboration with the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board, the carnival begins at 9am daily and features a wide variety of activities, prizes and attractions. This iconic event, which has drawn over 300,000 visitors at each location, has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the "Longest Running Outdoor Event", thanks to its extensive lineup of crowd-pulling programmes. In Johor Baru, visitors can look forward to interactive booths hosted by the New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP), Studio Tonton Drama Sangat (STDS), Studio Jom Heboh, Hot F and Vocket, with chances to win prizes and join in engaging activities. Today, crowds began arriving as early as 9am, with thousands flocking to exhibition booths. NSTP Business Development and Special Projects manager Tengku Kaifi Mirza Tuan Cherit said more than 2,000 visitors are expected at the NSTP booth, which features simulation and virtual reality games as its main draw. He said for as little as RM5, families can try out the specially curated simulation and virtual reality experiences. "For this edition of KJH, NSTP is bringing the thrill of driving through the NSTP Car Sim Experience, where visitors can test their driving skills in a realistic simulation that mimics the experience of being on an actual race track. "Meanwhile, the virtual reality game offers an exhilarating experience similar to riding a real roller coaster. "NSTP is only charging a low fee of RM5 to give more children and families the opportunity to enjoy the exciting simulation and virtual reality experiences," he said when met. Tengku Kaifi added that visitors to the NSTP booth will also receive complimentary copies of three newspapers; Berita Harian, Harian Metro and the New Straits Times, along with a goodie bag filled with various snacks and beverages. Meanwhile, trader Mohd Farhanuddin Mohd Osman, 42, described KJH 2025 Johor Baru as being filled with fresh and engaging content, including various exhibitions, particularly those related to pineapples, as well as Media Prima showcases. "The most interesting booth was NSTP's, as my two children had much fun with its fun simulation and virtual reality games that offered a unique experience. "In fact, both of them want to come back again tomorrow because they didn't get enough of NSTP's simulation games," he said. Housewife Siti Asiah Karim, 39, from Taman Molek, said her five children were thrilled to try out the simulation and virtual reality games specially brought in by NSTP to enliven this edition of KJH. "This is a new experience for my two sons, aged 12 and 10, as they are avid video game fans. But this is the first time they had the chance to experience simulation and virtual reality gaming," she said.
