Latest news with #SMK
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Siblings hit right note with modern take on dikir barat
KOTA BARU: While most teenagers their age are glued to gadgets, three brothers from Kampung Chengal here are captivating audiences on a different stage, as rising stars in the modern dikir barat scene. Ahmad Afnan Khudri Mohd Osman, 17, his younger brother Ahmad Rifqi Rafie, 14, and their youngest sibling, 10-year-old Ahmad Nawfal Iman, have won the hearts of Kelantanese audiences with their soulful vocals and youthful take on the traditional art form. Students of SMK and SK Kampung Chengal, the trio began singing at a young age, performing at school functions and village events. Their passion for dikir barat, a traditional Malay musical performance native to Kelantan, was nurtured within the family, where musical talent runs deep. "Our interest in singing began in primary school. We used to perform at school and later joined dikir barat sessions in the village bangsal (stages)," said Afnan. "Our youngest brother, Iman, started singing with us when he was just in Standard Two." The boys credit their uncle, who regularly brought them to dikir barat performances, for introducing them to the art. However, their turning point came when they met modern dikir barat personality 'Poyie Gasi', who helped them break into the wider scene. "Poyie was the one who brought us to the main stage and introduced us to the wider dikir community. From there, everything changed," said Rifqi. Since then, the trio have performed at a variety of events, from family gatherings to major expos and even official state programmes in Kelantan. Their popularity has continued to grow, particularly on social media, where clips of their performances have gone viral. Among their popular renditions are Ubi Lambung, Kelantan Bumi Bertuah, Segar Angin, and their own original, Rindu Hatiku Rindu. Iman has also impressed audiences with his version of Putus Terpaksa, originally sung by popular vocalist Ziana Zain. Their parents, Mohd Osman Mahamad, 39, who is self-employed, and housewife Anis Harnita Muhamad, also 39, are their strongest supporters. "We give them 100 per cent support. This is their passion, and as long as they enjoy it and it brings something positive, we won't stop them. Alhamdulillah, they've also received overwhelming support from the public," said Anis. Despite having to juggle their studies with performance commitments, the boys have learned to strike a balance. Anis said the siblings sometimes receive up to 10 show invitations a month, although some periods are quieter. Even so, she said, the boys remain grounded and focused on honing their craft. "Our dream is to keep dikir barat alive among the younger generation and show that tradition can be cool too," said Afnan.
New Straits Times
24-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Customs Dept's new digital system to end practice of 'picking officers' to process documents
JOHOR BARU: The Customs Department has rolled out a fully digital import and export documentation system designed to eliminate revenue leakages, fast-track clearance, and end discretion by personnel in processing trade documents. The Malaysian Customs Import/ Export Document System (MyCIEDS) platform allows forwarding agents and importers to submit supporting documents online via any internet-enabled device — a shift from the previously manual, officer-specific process. Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin said with MyCIEDS, logistics agents can no longer pick their preferred officers to process documents. "There is no more picking officers. The system assigns cases automatically. Officers must process whichever document appears on their screen," she said after the system's southern zone launch today. The new platform, developed by Edaran IT Services, integrates with the existing Customs Information System (SMK) and currently supports more than 1,350 registered companies involved in trade activities nationwide. The rollout began in stages from January. Among the system's key benefits are real-time transparency and submitted documents tracking, which allows Customs officers and forwarding agents to monitor the status instantly. The system also eliminates the need for physical visits or paperwork handovers, streamlining the process and reducing operational costs. With its automated and integrated features, the risk of human error and potential fraud is significantly reduced. Additionally, goods can be released faster, as the digital platform enables multiple officers to review documents simultaneously, speeding up clearance procedures, she said. Anis said MyCIEDS also fortifies Customs' gatekeeping role by standardising document review and removing discretion, thereby plugging a common loophole that allowed manipulation or selective processing. The system, she said, is also able to stop agents' attempts to conceal under-declared goods or facilitate preferential treatment. She said the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Madani framework, particularly its focus on governance and service delivery agility. "This is not just a technical upgrade. It's a leap forward in public service governance," she said. . The system also benefits Malaysia's standing in global trade indices and is expected to enhance cross-border efficiency, reduce compliance costs, and improve trust in enforcement. Customs officers have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the new process and provide technical guidance to agents. Strict audits and enforcement action await non-compliant parties. "This is not a burden. It's a catalyst for efficiency," said Anis, urging both Customs staff and stakeholders to fully embrace the system. MyCIEDS is backed by the Technology Depository Agency (TDA) under the Finance Ministry through its Industry Collaboration Programme (ICP), marking a successful public-private synergy in digital reform.
Sinar Daily
03-07-2025
- General
- Sinar Daily
Fire destroys teacher's room, administration office at SMK Dang Anum
The building had been undergoing an electrical wiring upgrade at the time of the incident. By SINAR DAILY REPORTER 03 Jul 2025 04:17pm A fire broke out early Thursday morning at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Dang Anum, Merlimau, in the building housing the teacher's room and administration office, causing significant damage to the structure. - Photo by Bernama JASIN – A fire broke out early Thursday morning at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Dang Anum, Merlimau, in the building housing the teacher's room and administration office, causing significant damage to the structure. The fire, which occurred at 5.30am destroyed four teacher's rooms in the school. Fire and Rescue Department Operation Commander Senior Fire Officer I Mohd Sukur Md Ali from the Merlimau Fire and Rescue Station said no casualties were reported as the school was not in session at the time of the incident. "We received an emergency call at 5.36am and dispatched the first team to the location within two minutes," he said in a statement on Thursday. A fire broke out early Thursday morning at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Dang Anum, Merlimau, in the building housing the teacher's room and administration office, causing significant damage to the structure. - Photo by Bernama Upon arriving at the scene, the team confirmed that the fire involved the teacher's rooms on the first floor of the school building. The fire spread over an area of about 80 x 60 square feet, causing 80 per cent damage to the affected rooms. Firemen used two 200-foot hoses and three water jets from fire hydrants to suppress the flames. A total of 19 firefighters from four fire stations were involved in the operation, which included teams from Merlimau, Jasin, Padang Temu and Bukit Katil. Short Circuit Suspected as Cause A suspected short circuit has been identified as the likely cause of the fire at the school. The building, which housed a teacher's room, Design and Technology (RBT) room, Moral Education room and Graphic Communication and Technical (GKT) room, had been undergoing an electrical wiring upgrade at the time of the incident. Melaka Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Zaidi Maat confirmed that initial investigations revealed no signs of foul play. However, he noted that further investigation will be carried out with the assistance of the K9 detection unit to rule out the possibility of arson. "We need to assess if there was any malicious intent, but at this point, there is no evidence to suggest that," he said. The fire department also faced challenges in battling the blaze due to low water pressure at the scene. "We had to source water from the nearby Taman Baru Merlimau because the local water pressure was insufficient. "For firefighting, the required water pressure should be at least 1.7 bar to ensure water can be pumped effectively into our vehicles. Unfortunately, the pressure that morning did not meet that standard," he said. Meanwhile, State Exco for Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Datuk Rahmad Mariman confirmed that the building had been undergoing electrical upgrades since 16 weeks ago, with completion expected in 10 weeks. He stressed that a thorough investigation will be conducted and if the fire was caused by contractor negligence, no leniency would be shown. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing and authorities have vowed to take appropriate action depending on the findings. Fire and Rescue Department More Like This
The Sun
24-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Alam Haikal breaks through autism barrier to ace STPM
MACHANG: Born with autism, but blessed with a heart full of fire and determination, Alam Haikal Jansari Anuar is not one to be defined by labels. The 20-year-old student from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Machang has done what many thought impossible. He not only aced his Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination but also emerged as the school's top scorer with a perfect cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.0. Opting for business studies, Alam Haikal never saw autism as a hindrance and turned the challenge into fuel that powered his extraordinary focus in academics. 'I've never felt ashamed or less than others. I believe every weakness comes with its own strengths. What I achieved today is nothing but a blessing from Allah.' 'I'm not ashamed of being an autistic child because my mother is the inspiration of my life, and my teachers have been the guiding lights on my path,' he told reporters at SMK Machang today. According to Alam Haikal, who aspires to be an educator, his success was not solely the result of hard work, but also stemmed from spiritual discipline and exceptional perseverance. The third of six siblings, he dedicated six hours a day to revision, including a special study session from 3 am to 6 am while the world was still asleep. 'For every subject, I used different learning techniques. I know I'm not the same as others, so I created my own learning style according to my capabilities. 'I had initially targeted a CGPA of just 3.5. I never expected to get all As and be the top student at the school,' said Alam Haikal, who had previously achieved 5As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination. Behind Alam Haikal's success stands a strong mother, Norlaila Ismail, 53, a resilient woman who has raised three children with disabilities alongside her ex-serviceman husband, never once giving up. 'Alam is the first in our family to achieve this level of academic success. I'm very grateful and pray that he continues to succeed,' she said.
Associated Press
13-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Kootenay Resources Announces the Sleeper-Magnificent-Knapp ("SMK") Gold-Silver Exploration Project in Central British Columbia
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / Kootenay Resources Inc. (TSXV:KTRI) (the 'Company' or 'Kootenay') is pleased to introduce its 100%-owned Sleeper-Magnificent-Knapp (SMK) Project, a large-scale, early-stage exploration property with significant discovery potential for gold, silver, and associated critical metals in central British Columbia. The project, located roughly 25 kilometers southwest of Fraser Lake, BC covers 3,6234 hectares of prospective ground and forms part of the Company's objective for the discovery of Tier One mineral deposits. The property is situated within the same mineral belt as other key projects in Kootenay's portfolio of high quality early-stage exploration properties. Strategically positioned with road access, nearby power infrastructure, and proximity to resource-friendly communities, the SMK Property represents a compelling epithermal and porphyry exploration opportunity in one of Canada's most prospective yet underexplored mineral regions. Kootenay continues to expand and define vein outcrops in two main mineralized trends at surface at SMK and is pursuing a dual target model. The vein systems, in conjunction with alteration zones mapped at surface are interpreted as upper-level extents of an intermediate-sulfidation epithermal gold-silver system with porphyry copper-gold potential at depth (click here to see an aerial map). The project boasts high grade surface results today including assays ranging from below detection up to 25.99 g/t gold (Sample MK10-389, BC Assessment Report #32330) and 455 g/t silver (Sample SK21-134, BC Assessment Report #40117). Sampling to date defines two strong multi-kilometer trends for follow up. Two major vein trends are identified by previous work, including: The project is road accessible and only 25 kilometers from the Company's exploration office at Fraser Lake. 'We're excited to formally introduce the SMK Project,' said Dale Brittliffe, VP Exploration. 'With significant surface results, large-scale untested structures, and proximity to infrastructure, SMK is preparing permit applications for trenching and first-pass drilling to unlock its discovery potential.' Kootenay Resources considers trenching and first-pass drilling essential to evaluate high-priority targets and assess potential porphyry feeder zones beneath the established epithermal system. Additionally, the Company is pleased to announce that it intends to complete on a best efforts basis, a non-brokered private placement (the 'Private Placement') for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $200,000. The Private Placement will consist of a combination of non-flow-through and flow-through common shares. Under the Private Placement, the Company will offer, non-flow-through common shares of units of the Company (each, a 'Unit') at a price of $0.06 per Unit and flow-through common shares of units of the Company (each, a 'FT Unit') at a price of $0.075 per FT Unit , raising aggregate combined gross proceeds of up to $200,000. Proceeds received from the Private Placement will be used for the development of the Company's Moyie Anticline Project, other resource properties (eligible for 'Canadian exploration expenses, which are flow-through mining expenditures) and general working capital requirements. Each Unit shall be comprised of one common share of the Company (a 'Common Share') and one-Common Share purchase warrant of the Company ('Warrant'). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.12 for a period of 5 years from the closing of the Private Placement. Each FT Unit shall be comprised of one common share of the Company (a 'FT Common Share') share (as defined under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and of one Non flow-through Common Share purchase warrant of the Company, (a 'NFT Warrant'). Each NFT Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.15 for a period of 5 years from the closing of the Private Placement. Proceeds received from this Private Placement will be used for the development of the Company's exploration projects (eligible for 'Canadian exploration expenses, which are flow-through mining expenditures) and general working capital requirements. The securities to be issued under the Private Placement will be offered by way of private placement in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Quebec, and such other jurisdictions as may be determined by the Company, in each case, pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws. The Private Placement is anticipated to close on or before July 25, 2025, or as decided by the Company ('Closing') and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The common shares to be issued under the Private Placement will have a hold period of four months and one day from Closing. In connection with the Private Placement, arms-length finders may receive a cash fee in respect to their subscribers equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds. Furthermore, the Company announces subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval the closing of its previously announced private placement (see news release dated October 17, 2024) for aggregate gross proceeds of $57,626. An aggregate total of 624,281 common shares will be issued and consist of: Proceeds received will be used for the development of the Company's Moyie Anticline Project, other resource properties (eligible for 'Canadian exploration expenses, which are flow-through mining expenditures) and general working capital requirements. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'U.S. Securities Act'), or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. Background Kootenay Resources Inc's stated mission is the discovery of a Tier One deposit and as such focuses on those areas with demonstrated geologic potential for such deposits. The Company is exploring two regions, in the southeastern portion of BC on its flagship Moyie Anticline property and in Central BC with its generative program including several promising gold-silver-copper properties in the Nechako plateau of central British Columbia. Kootenay Resources Inc. welcomes partners for exploration projects and currently has one mineral property under option to Centerra Gold Inc., and three Nechako projects under option to fellow junior exploration company Rokmaster Resources Corp. Qualified Persons The Company's technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and reviewed and approved on behalf of Kootenay by Dale Brittliffe, V.P. Exploration for Kootenay, a Qualified Person. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. About Kootenay Resources Inc. Kootenay is an exploration company actively engaged in the exploration and discovery mineral projects in British Columbia, Canada. The Company was formed as a spin-out of Kootenay Silver Inc in which prospective Canadian assets were transferred to Kootenay Resources Inc. The transaction was completed in October of 2021, Kootenay Silver currently holds 5.4 million common shares of Kootenay. On behalf of the board of directors of the Company: James McDonald, Director For additional information, please contact: James McDonald, Director at 403-880-6016 Raj Kang, Director at 604-601-5650 CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: The information in this news release has been prepared as at June 12, 2025. Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as 'forward-looking statements', constitute 'forward-looking statements' under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'expected', 'may', 'will' or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Kootenay as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by law, Kootenay expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in Kootenay's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. More particularly, this news release contains statements concerning the anticipated Private Placement. Accordingly, there is a risk that the Private Placement will not be completely sold, or the Private Placement will be completed within the anticipated time or at all. SOURCE: Kootenay Resources Inc. press release
