SUNGAI PETANI, June 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he did not agree with the move to increase fuel prices when the country was facing a global supply crisis.

On the contrary, Anwar said the government would continue to try to cover the cost of fuel subsidies by incurring large expenses every month to avoid burdening the people.

“How much can we cover in a month? Not in the old allocation, but when the price of oil rose, we paid RM5 billion, RM3 billion a month.

“Then it went up to RM7 billion a month, now it has gone down to RM4 billion,” he said when launching the Madani  Rakan Muda Programme here today.

He said if the government released RM3 billion every month for a period of 10 months, the total would reach RM30 billion.

The Prime Minister said that although the amount was high, the government could cover it through austerity measures in addition to stopping the leakage of national funds.

Anwar also rejected the proposal from certain parties for the government to take out loans or go into debt to enable the government to continue to cover the cost of oil subsidies.

“If they ask for debt, I can go into debt now, but after I leave the government, the children will have to bear it. That is why the solution is not debt, so we do what we can,” he said.

Anwar said the government’s move has enabled the price of oil in the country, especially RON95 petrol which is set at RM1.99 per litre, to be among the lowest in the world.

At the ceremony, the Prime Minister also announced an allocation of RM2 million for the construction of the Padang Awam Multipurpose Hall in Taman Keladi here.

Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said PAS is targeting all 36 Kedah state seats in the next state election, while also seeking to capture the state’s only parliamentary constituency not currently under the party’s control.

According to Harian Metro, the Kedah menteri besar said PAS would attempt to wrest the Sungai Petani parliamentary seat from Pakatan Harahan (PH), which would give the party all 15 parliamentary seats in the state after winning 14 in GE15.

He added that PAS was also aiming to take the Kota Darul Aman, Bakar Arang and Sidam state seats, which are currently held by PH.

“PAS will lead a 36-0 victory. Anyone who wants to join PAS is welcome, anyone who wants to be friends is welcome, and anyone who wants to oppose us can wait.

“We will take the Sungai Petani parliamentary seat, making all 15 parliamentary seats ours, while increasing our DUN seats to 36. 

“We need to have that level of confidence so that our election machinery will share the same belief,” he told reporters after the launch of PAS Kedah’s election machinery at the Kedah PAS Complex in Kota Sarang Semut, Yan, last night.

Muhammad Sanusi said the target was not impossible, citing PAS’ performance in Terengganu, where the party won all 32 state seats in the 2023 state election.

He said he had similarly set a target of winning 33 state seats in Kedah ahead of the last state election, a prediction that materialised when the opposition secured only three seats.

“I once said we would win 33 seats, and we did. Now I say we can win all 36 seats, God willing. No one knows what the future holds,” he said.

The Kedah state assembly’s term expires in August 2028, following the state’s most recent election held in August 2023.

GURUN, June 16 — Two military personnel are believed to have died following a grenade explosion during a training exercise at the Hobart Camp Shooting Range here today.

The victims, a male and a female personnel member, were reported to have succumbed to their injuries while being transported to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital (HSAH) in Sungai Petani.

Kuala Muda police chief Assistant Commissioner Hanyan Ramlan, when contacted, confirmed the incident and said police received information regarding the case at about 12.30pm today.

Details surrounding the circumstances of the explosion and the type of training being conducted have yet to be officially disclosed.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence is expected to issue an official statement regarding the incident soon. — Bernama 

SUNGAI PETANI, June 7 — The federal government has approved an additional RM1 million allocation for AIMST University to ensure students from underprivileged families continue to receive education assistance.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the additional allocation would supplement the annual grant given to the private university.

“The Madani Government will ensure that the poorest students at this university continue to receive guaranteed assistance. Therefore, I am adding RM1 million specifically for that purpose.

“Last week, we announced an allocation of RM100 for every secondary school and university student to purchase books,” he said when speaking at the annual government grant presentation ceremony for AIMST University in Bedong, near here, today.

Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and MIC president Tan Sri Dr SA Vigneswaran, who is also AIMST University chancellor and chairman.At the ceremony, AIMST University received an annual grant amounting to RM25 million.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that despite various global challenges, the country's economic growth remains resilient and strong.

He said the national unemployment rate is currently at its lowest level, while investment performance has recorded an all-time high in the country's history.

“We are certainly grateful, but as I always say, 'shouldn't be lulled into complacency'. See the challenges. One of the major challenges, of course, is education; how to ensure that we continue to excel,” he said.

The Prime Minister said education is an important instrument in uplifting the dignity of the people and building a better future.

Therefore, he said the government places education as a key component that receives the highest allocation in the Budget every year. — Bernama

SUNGAI PETANI, June 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that community leaders must have a high level of patience in facing current challenges, while remaining committed alongside the Madani Government to realise the national development agenda.

He said that despite various accusations, it is the responsibility of leaders to continue fulfilling the trust given by the people.

“To develop (the country), it is more challenging and difficult and requires patience and wisdom. Patience is emphasised in the Quran and it is not easy.

“It is easy to just speak and hurl insults. For example, on the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), I was heavily criticised, but previously PAS, Bersatu all supported recognising the UEC – what is the difference now?” he said.

The Prime Minister said this when speaking at an engagement session with heads of federal departments and the Federal Village Development and Security Committees (JPKKP) in Kedah at Universiti Teknologi MARA here today.

Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari.

Anwar said community leaders must also have sufficient information and know the best ways to convey it to the public.

The Prime Minister said he would not entertain any jibes directed at him, but would instead continue focusing on the country's economic development agenda and do whatever he can to ease the burden on the people.

“No matter how difficult things are, when it comes to the problems faced by the poor, I have never said they should be postponed. If school toilets are damaged or houses are leaking, I will find a solution. Even if it means cutting ministers' allowances,” he said.

At the same time, he reminded the public to ensure that family institutions are well maintained and properly managed, while equipping children with skills in new fields and technologies so that they can become better than previous generations.

“In mastering artificial intelligence, we must have values, good morals and a religious foundation. If there are elements that could lead us astray, we must prevent them. A nation cannot progress by abandoning the foundations of faith and morality,” he said. — Bernama

SUNGAI PETANI, June 7 — Six family members, including a six-month-old baby, were killed in a collision between a lorry and a Proton X50 along Kampung Baru Pinang Tunggal near here this afternoon.

Tikam Batu Fire and Rescue Station chief, Asst Fire Supt Fauzi Shuaib said they received a call about the crash at 3.46 pm and a team of firefighters were immediately dispatched.

“The crash involved a 10-ton lorry with a Proton X50, with seven people onboard, including the baby.

“Six victims were pronounced dead at the scene by medical officials, while a girl, three, was seriously injured and taken to the hospital,” he said in a media statement today.

Four of the dead have been identified as Ahmad Shafiq Ahmad Shukri, 27; Nora Mhd Husin, 55; Jamaliah Sannusi, 27; and Ahmad Fahim Ahmad Shukri, 21.

“There is a boy, seven, and a baby, aged six months (gender has yet to be identified), who were also killed.

“The girl has been identified as Aulia Sofea Ahmad Shafiq, three, who suffered serious injuries in the crash,” he added. — Bernama

SUNGAI PETANI, June 8 — The three-year-old girl injured in yesterday’s crash at Kampung Baru Pinang Tunggal here is reported to be in stable condition. 

The victim, Aulia Sofea Ahmad Shafiq, who sustained serious injuries, received treatment at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital (HSAH) here before being transferred to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) in Alor Setar today. 

Kuala Muda district police chief ACP Hanyan Ramlan said she is still undergoing treatment. 

“The three-year-old girl is still receiving treatment. Although she sustained serious injuries, she is reported to be in stable condition,” he told reporters here today. 

Meanwhile, Hanyan urged the public not to speculate as it could interfere with the investigation. 

“Let us conduct our investigation. Do not speculate or offer views that may disrupt the investigation. 

“Thank you to the vehicle owners who have provided dashboard camera recordings. Witnesses or anyone with information about the incident are urged to come forward to assist in the investigation,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Aulia Sofea’s aunt, Siti Nur Atiqah Ahmad Shukri, 32, expressed hope that her niece will recover. 

“She is like my own child and I am willing to take care of her,” she said. 

In the incident at about 3.50pm yesterday, six family members, including a baby, were killed, while the three-year-old girl was seriously injured. 

The victims were travelling in a Proton X50 sport utility vehicle (SUV) that collided with a lorry carrying a load of soil while en route from Penang to Merbok to visit a family member’s grave. — Bernama