Latest news with #RuangBicara
Barnama
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Barnama
Additional Allocation Needed For Road Maintenance
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Works Ministry (KKR) requires additional allocation for road maintenance, as it is becoming increasingly urgent to ensure that infrastructure remains in optimum condition. Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the main causes of road damage in Malaysia include weather factors such as heavy rain and heat, overloaded vehicles, and the natural lifespan of the roads. 'Typically, after 10 to 20 years, they need to be maintained to ensure they remain safe for use. However, we at the ministry are facing a shortage of funds. 'To properly maintain roads this year, we need RM4 billion. However, we only received RM2.2 billion – a shortfall of RM1.8 billion or 45 per cent. Nevertheless, we will continue efforts to secure a bigger budget for next year,' he said after appearing as a guest on Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara programme today. Based on data from the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), he said 13 per cent of road accidents are due to road conditions such as the absence of road markings, potholes, and inadequate lighting. 'Seven per cent are caused by vehicle-related factors, while human error remains the main contributor to road accidents at 80 per cent. 'The annual death toll from road accidents remains high at around 6,000, underscoring the need to address recurring causes, including factors related to road conditions," he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad said the MyJalan mobile application, launched in August 2023, has made it easier for the public to lodge complaints about damaged roads, with all reports accepted under the 'no wrong door' policy. This includes complaints beyond the ministry's jurisdiction, which are then channelled to the relevant agencies, such as the Rural and Regional Development Ministry for rural roads, the Housing and Local Government Ministry for municipal roads, and state Public Works Departments.
Barnama
16-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
MAIDAM Transforms Asnaf Lives Through Education, Entrepreneurship
KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIDAM) has transformed the lives of asnaf groups, including helping them break out of poverty, through high-impact education and entrepreneurship programmes. Its chief executive officer Associate Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan said that strategic collaboration with institutions of higher learning and private hospitals has enabled asnaf children to be trained in nursing, eventually securing permanent employment. 'So by the end of their studies, they will undergo formal training in hospitals and then move straight into employment. This completes the circle — zakat funds are being used in a truly optimal way,' he said on Bernama TV's 'Ruang Bicara' programme last night. In addition, Ahmad Azrin stated that more than 70 per cent of the state's zakat collection is distributed to the poor and needy, with the current focus on developing productive capacity, which encompasses financial, emotional and spiritual support. He said MAIDAM's success has also been recognised with the receipt of the National Zakat Award under the entrepreneur category, proving the effectiveness of its empowerment programmes in producing self-reliant zakat recipients. 'MAIDAM's assistance is not just financial; we also provide emotional and spiritual support,' he said. He added that MAIDAM is also leading innovative initiatives in Islamic fund management, such as wakaf-based investments through Exchange Traded Funds and a solar energy wakaf project, which is currently undergoing approval. He said MAIDAM emphasises the importance of an integrated approach to poverty management, and is working on data integration between agencies to expedite and streamline the aid distribution process. 'We cannot take a siloed approach; instead, we need the cooperation of all parties to address poverty issues,' he said.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MAIDAM empowers asnaf through education and entrepreneurship in Terengganu
KUALA LUMPUR: The Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIDAM) has successfully uplifted asnaf communities through targeted education and entrepreneurship programmes, breaking cycles of poverty. Associate Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan, MAIDAM's chief executive officer, highlighted the council's strategic partnerships with universities and private hospitals. These collaborations enable asnaf students to train in nursing, securing stable employment upon graduation. 'So by the end of their studies, they will undergo formal training in hospitals and then move straight into employment. This completes the circle — zakat funds are being used in a truly optimal way,' he said during an appearance on Bernama TV's 'Ruang Bicara' programme. Over 70 per cent of Terengganu's zakat funds are allocated to the poor and needy, with a strong emphasis on productive capacity development. This includes financial aid, emotional support, and spiritual guidance to ensure holistic empowerment. MAIDAM's efforts have earned recognition, including the National Zakat Award in the entrepreneur category, validating its success in creating self-sufficient zakat recipients. Beyond financial aid, MAIDAM pioneers innovative Islamic fund management, such as wakaf-linked investments through Exchange Traded Funds and a solar energy wakaf project awaiting approval. Ahmad Azrin stressed the need for integrated poverty management, advocating for inter-agency data sharing to streamline aid distribution. 'We cannot take a siloed approach; instead, we need the cooperation of all parties to address poverty issues,' he added. - Bernama
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia's NIISe to launch in October with AI border security
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) is scheduled to become operational in October, marking a significant upgrade in Malaysia's border security through artificial intelligence (AI). Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban confirmed the system will screen visitors before they depart their home countries, preventing ineligible individuals from boarding flights to Malaysia. Zakaria explained that current systems lack integration with other agencies like the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). NIISe will consolidate data for more efficient decision-making. 'Tourists will be screened in their countries of origin. If flagged as ineligible, airlines will automatically deny boarding,' he said during an appearance on Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara. The system also introduces a chatbot feature, enabling the public to seek information without visiting counters or making calls. This aligns with the Home Ministry's push for AI adoption under the theme 'AI for KDN, KDN for AI.' Additionally, KLIA's autogate system will integrate AI-powered facial recognition to improve integrity by reducing human intervention. 'Technology helps minimise decision-making biases,' Zakaria noted. Enforcement against illegal immigrants remains a priority, with 49,000 detained this year and 1,064 employers penalised for harbouring them. - Bernama
Barnama
14-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
NIISe To Be Operational In October
KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Immigration Department (JIM) is set to begin using the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) in October, a move aimed at enhancing border security through artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the entry control system would be used to screen visitors and tourists prior to their departure from their country of origin to Malaysia. 'Currently, we have separate systems that do not allow access to data from other agencies, such as the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), but now, we will integrate all the data to produce a more effective output before making any decisions. 'Through this system, tourists and visitors will be screened in their countries of origin before departure. If they are found to be ineligible to enter (Malaysia), the airline will automatically prevent them from boarding,' he said when appearing as a guest on Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara tonight. He said the application of NIISe was among the department's initiatives to utilise AI technology to enhance the efficiency and integrity of its service delivery to the community. 'Through NIISe, we will also introduce a chatbot, allowing the public to ask questions directly through the system without needing to make phone calls or visit counters,' he said. According to him, the use of AI technology in JIM's operations was also in line with the Home Ministry's direction to expand the use of technology within the ministry under the theme 'AI for KDN, KDN for AI'. Zakaria said the autogate system using quick response (QR) code technology at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) would also incorporate AI for facial recognition, thereby addressing integrity issues more effectively. 'I see that in managing integrity, this technology greatly helps us reduce human involvement in decision-making. That is why we are moving towards fully using autogates at our entry points,' he said.
