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KUALA LUMPUR, June 9— Special Function Officer to the Home Minister, Mohd Hisyamuddin Ghazali, has been appointed as the new Director General of the Community Communications Department (J-KOM).

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the appointment took effect yesterday.

Mohd Hisyamuddin replaces Datuk Ismail Yusop, whose service ended on Sunday after leading the department for more than a year.

“May he continue to excel in carrying out the trust placed in him to strengthen effective government communication that earns the confidence of the people,” Shamsul Azri said in a Facebook post.

A photograph shared with the announcement showed that the appointment was witnessed by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

Shamsul Azri also recorded his appreciation to Ismail for his service and contributions throughout his tenure at the department. — Bernama

KOTA KINABALU, June 7 — Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is expected to decide on the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation's (Upko) application to join the coalition as a component party on June 18.

GRS secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said he is currently conducting engagement sessions with Upko leaders to gather the necessary information before preparing a paper for consideration at the coalition's Supreme Council meeting on that date.

“The GRS meeting is scheduled to take place on June 18 and an official decision is expected to be made then,” he told reporters after officiating the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) Initiative programme here today.

Armizan, who is also Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, described Upko's application as a positive development towards uniting Sabah-based parties under a common political platform.

He said a key condition for Upko's admission is its commitment to GRS’ four core principles: Sabah First, Sabah Forward, Sabah Prosper and Sabah United.

On May 29, Upko formally submitted its application to GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also Sabah Chief Minister, through its president, Datuk Ewon Benedick.

GRS currently comprises five component parties: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah and Parti Cinta Sabah. — Bernama

Authorities are cracking down on photographers and videographers traveling in Bali on tourist visas -- even if they are not getting paid for their images.

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JOHOR BAHRU, June 1 — Johor DAP has clarified that the party had offered to appoint incumbent Skudai assemblyman Marina Ibrahim to helm a statutory body and not a government-linked company (GLC) as seen in a letter that went viral.

Johor DAP vice-chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said there is a difference in a statutory body and a GLC.

He said Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching had stated that she offered Marina to lead a statutory body and not a GLC.

“Statutory bodies are established by an Act of Parliament or state enactment to fulfill specific public policy or socio-economic objectives, while a GLC is incorporated under the Companies Act 2016 and the government acts as a majority shareholder.

“In this recent issue, Teo had offered Marina to helm a statutory body that is related to social welfare work.

“This is actually a good fit for Marina who has been passionate and known for her welfare activism over the years.,” he said when contacted by Malay Mail today.

The DAP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) member was responding to criticism that the party is allegedly using positions in GLCs as political tools.

Sheikh Umar said the unnamed statutory body was a right fit for Marina based on her work in welfare activism.

“In fact, the party’s leadership felt Marina would be able to perform well and assist in shaping policy by being appointed to the statutory body.

“The proposed appointment by DAP is not a form of reward that is used to lure or motivate someone to perform a task,” he said, adding that it is normal for DAP to initiate moves that are strategic for the party’s long term.

Meanwhile, Johor Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Aminolhuda Hassan said that such appointments, especially to statutory bodies, was a normal practice for any political parties that are part of the government.

The Johor Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) chief also clarified that for such appointments only eligible and hardworking party members who have promise will be considered.

“Generally, the person being considered will normally be a subject matter expert or have a good knowledge of the field that the statutory body is established under,” he said, adding that statutory bodies, unlike a GLC, are under the purview of the government and not a corporate company.

PASIR PUTEH, June 7 — Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students who survived a bus crash in Gerik, Perak, on June 9 last year are still recovering from their trauma, thanks to the continued support of their families, friends and the university.

A crash survivor, Abdul Wafiy Kamaruddin, 24, said he has managed to deal with the trauma of using public transport, even though he had trouble being inside vehicles following his ordeal, thanks to the university’s continuous counselling support for survivors.

“Initially, I was afraid when getting into vehicles and would worry, but Alhamdulillah I’m getting better in stages and now I don’t have trouble taking the bus or public transport.

“The UPSI counsellors always follow up on those of us who survived the crash and that really helped our emotional recovery,” he told reporters during a UPSI gathering for students and families involved in the crash in Tok Bali today.

He recounted how he saw many of his fellow students staggering around injured right after the crash, while he was fortunate to sustain only minor injuries.

“I was sitting in the last back seat on the right side. When I regained consciousness after the crash, I saw many of my friends injured and wanted to help them, but I was not physically able to do so.

“I could only help those near me, and this has haunted me for almost two to three months before I managed to slowly recover,” Abdul Wafiy said.

He also pointed out that many survivors have improved emotionally after receiving various forms of support.

“So far, 27 survivors are more stable and are recovering emotionally. This shows how vital families, friends and educational institutions are in helping victims like us carry on with life after facing tragedies,” he said.

He admitted that the June 9 crash, which killed 15 UPSI students, would remain with him for the rest of his life.

Everyone on the bus was in a festive mood because of Aidilfitri, he recalled, with laughter and smiles all around.

“But in the blink of an eye, 15 of us were killed and for those of us who survived, our lives have changed forever,” he said.

Besides focusing on his recovery, Abdul Wafiy also shares his experience and views on road safety on various platforms, having appeared as an invited panellist at the Road Safety Congress in November last year. — Bernama

REMBAU, June 11 — A nine-year-old boy was killed after being struck by a sport utility vehicle (SUV) while walking along KM1 of Jalan Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin (PPRT) Legong Ulu in Kota here yesterday.

Acting Rembau police chief DSP Azmi Ali said that in the incident, which occurred at about 5.30pm, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining severe head injuries.

“The body was taken to the Forensic Unit of Rembau Hospital for a post-mortem examination, while the driver did not sustain any injuries,” he said in a statement.

The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. — Bernama

ALOR SETAR, June 14 — Police have identified one of two men whose bodies were recovered from the Kedah River today as a 16-year-old boy who had been reported missing two days earlier, adding that there was no indication the deaths were linked.

Harian Metro reported Kota Setar police chief Assistant Commissioner Syed Basri Syed Ali as saying that the teenager, identified as Saw Chee Wan, was believed to have left his home on June 12. Family members identified him through a pendant necklace he had been wearing.

According to police, Saw had a learning disability and was reported missing from his home in Kampung Seberang Perak, about two kilometres from where his body was found.

The teenager's body was discovered by Alor Setar City Council cleaning workers at about 9am near Taman Pesisiran Jeragan in Ampang Jajar.

Firefighters later recovered the body from the river.

The national daily also said that police later identified the second victim as Muhammad Amin, also known as N. Thiagarah, 46, from Tanjung Bendahara who had also been reported missing on June 12.

Syed Basri said investigations found that Muhammad Amin had previously received treatment for mental health issues.

Although the two bodies were found about 100 metres apart, police said investigations showed the cases were unrelated.

A forensic examination found no evidence of foul play, and both cases have been classified as sudden deaths.

The bodies were taken to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Police also confirmed that a motorcycle found near the scene belonged to Muhammad Amin, based on identification by his younger brother.

Syed Basri urged the public not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the two bodies.

Earlier reports said the bodies of two men, aged 16 and 46, were found in the Kedah River near Titi Taman Pesisiran Jeragan today.

IPOH, June 13 — Buildings constructed without planning permission are illegal and will not be allowed access to water or electricity supplies, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said.

He said the policy was intended to prevent the emergence of illegal settlements, including those linked to foreign communities such as the Rohingya.

“The issue of Rohingya refugees falls under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Department, which conducts regular inspections and enforcement operations.

“However, the government’s policy is clear. Anyone entering the country, whether on humanitarian grounds or as a refugee, must obtain government approval,” he told reporters after visiting an unclaimed money mobile counter here today.

Nga was commenting on reports of an unauthorised four-storey building constructed by the Rohingya community in a remote area of Sungai Tekali, Hulu Langat, Selangor.

Meanwhile, he said the government had revoked 26,108 business licences operated by foreign nationals through 4,000 enforcement operations carried out nationwide as of May this year.

“Foreign nationals are not allowed to run businesses or hold business licences. They may work as employees, but they cannot own businesses,” he said.

Nga added that local authorities nationwide had been directed to step up enforcement efforts, while urging the public to report the presence of illegal immigrants or any suspicious activities to the authorities.

On the unclaimed money campaign, he said RM13 billion is currently available for claim and encouraged the public to check their status.

“The process is simple. Citizens only need to bring their identity card and a bank statement,” he said.

Nga said the initiative is in line with Section 13(1) of the Unclaimed Moneys Act 1965, under which funds left untouched for more than seven years are transferred to the Unclaimed Moneys Account managed by the Accountant General’s Department.

“The money belongs to the rightful owners, but many are unaware that they have unclaimed funds,” he added.

“Starting this week, we will launch the campaign beginning in the Kepayang state constituency, with Pakatan Harapan elected representatives visiting constituencies across Perak to assist the public in reclaiming their money,” he said. — Bernama