25/03/2025

TUESDAY | MAR 25, 2025

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Timely financial aid boosts Aidilfitri preparations for civil servants KUALA LUMPUR: Financial aid provided through the second phase of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and the Bantuan Khas Kewangan Aidilfitri (BKKA) is helping Malaysians prepare for Hari Raya celebrations. for his family. Hisham Rahim, 28, said the STR money would enable him to purchase better quality cookies and snacks for visitors. About 8.5 million recipients, making up 60% of the adult population, will receive up to RM650 each, Bernama reported. this year’s financial aid has been the most substantial he has received in his 26 years as a civil servant.

Civil servant Mohd Fadhli Jobli, 38, said the BKKA payment would help him fund his journey home to Samarahan in Sarawak. “I thought there would be no more financial aid for civil servants since the government announced a salary hike and special assistance last month. This support is a big relief.” On social media, Khairul Nizam shared that

“This year has been exceptional, with a salary increase and two rounds of financial aid in February and March.” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently announced the government would provide BKKA payments of RM500 for civil servants in Grade 56 and below and RM250 for pensioners, with payments due this week. Malacca launches initiatives to benefit Orang Asli MALACCA: The state government here has introduced health insurance and death benefit coverage for Orang Asli community leaders and schooling aid to protect the welfare of the community, said Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. “The health insurance and death benefit coverage would benefit 93 community leaders, including Tok Batin (headman), the Council of Customs and the Orang Asli Village Management and Development Committee, with an allocation of RM40,000. “The schooling aid would benefit 700 students from preschool to secondary levels, with an allocation of RM700,000,” he told reporters after an Orang Asli leadership discourse and iftar event on Sunday. He said the initiatives align with the state government’s goal of nurturing a prosperous and competitive society by focusing on welfare, education and economic opportunities to ensure no one is left behind. “The state government strives to cater to the needs of Malacca Orang Asli and ensure they can enjoy progress just like other communities. “There are 1,986 Orang Asli in Malacca. We will continue to preserve the customs, culture and heritage of the community.” – Bernama Heavy traffic expected during holiday period SHAH ALAM: A surge in traffic is expected on the West Coast Expressway, with an estimated 140,000 vehicles passing through during the Aidilfitri travel period, following the completion of additional sections of the highway. Its general manager Syed Mohammed Idid said the projection aligns with past festive trends, which have consistently recorded average daily traffic of between 130,000 and 150,000 vehicles. He added that the South Taiping-Banting stretch is expected to experience the highest traffic volume. After the completion of sections 5, 8, 9 and 10 in 2019, the average daily traffic was at about 60,000 vehicles. The opening of the Assam Jawa interchange (Section 6) on Nov 20, 2023 saw this figure rise to 70,000. “The momentum continued with the launch of the South Taiping section (Section 11) on March 12 last year, completing the entire Perak alignment and pushing the average daily traffic beyond 80,000.” – Bernama

“We had not bought any yet because we were waiting for our salaries, so this aid came just in time.” The government began distributing STR Phase Two payments yesterday, allocating RM1.7 billion compared with RM1.5 billion last year.

The funds have allowed recipients to buy essential cooking ingredients, festive cookies and cover travel costs for the holiday period. Pasar Dato Keramat traffic warden Mohd Azlan Ahmad, 61, said the STR payment helped ease the cost of buying essential items

Singapore coffee ban raises food adulteration concerns

o Stricter licensing, inspections and penalties needed to address sale of such products: Expert PETALING JAYA: Singapore’s ban on March 11 on a Malaysian-made instant coffee mix containing tadalafil, a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction (ED), has raised concerns about food adulteration in Malaysia. Experts warned that unregulated consumption of tadalafil, especially when mixed with caffeine, poses serious health risks. Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Drug Research Assoc Prof Dr Darshan Singh said many consumers are unaware that their coffee may contain this pharmaceutical substance. He said when consumed with caffeine, tadalafil could trigger adverse reactions, such as headaches and low blood pressure. “When taken in large quantities and over a prolonged period, it could cause chest pain, palpitations, vision loss, dizziness and nausea. “For individuals with chronic illnesses, especially cardiovascular conditions, consuming adulterated products could lead to life-threatening events.” He said tadalafil tablets are usually crushed and mixed with coffee extracts. The Singapore Food Agency reported that it detected tadalafil in “Kopi Penumbuk” instant coffee mix, which was being sold on local e commerce platforms. While Malaysia has laws to prevent food adulteration under the Food Act 1983, enforcement remains a challenge. Under Section 13(1) of the Act, selling food products containing harmful substances could result in a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment. However, small-scale traders and roadside vendors often escape detection, making regulation difficult. Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Under Section 13(1) of the Act, selling food products containing harmful substances could result in a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

Darshan stressed the need for stricter licensing, increased inspections and harsher penalties to address the sale of such adulterated products. “Authorities are also urged to launch public awareness campaigns to educate consumers on the risks of unknowingly consuming adulterated products.” Unauthorised inclusion of tadalafil in food and beverages is a growing concern. Men’s health and urological specialist Dr Datesh Daneshwar warned that women and children are also at risk if they consume such adulterated products as they could experience dizziness, headaches, hormonal disruption and other serious side effects. He added that up to 70% of Malaysian men aged over 40 experience some degree of ED. “ED is not just a condition. It is often a

symptom of deeper health issues, such as diabetes or chronic prostatitis.” He said in younger men, ED is often reversible and linked to chronic pelvic pain, prostatitis or psychological stress rather than circulation problems. “I see many men in their 20s and 30s struggling with ED due to neuro-muscular inflammation rather than vascular issues.” Despite ED being treatable, cultural stigma prevents many men from seeking medical help, leading them to rely on unregulated treatments. Datesh urged men to seek professional treatment instead of turning to unverified herbal or “natural” supplements promising instant results. “We must normalise conversations about male sexual health. It is an essential part of overall well-being.” “Those who do not have a halal certificate can quickly apply so that they can market their products not only locally but also internationally.” Mahabbah Carnival organiser Zaini Aboo Hassan welcomed the proposed collaboration and expressed hope that discussions could be held soon to realise it. He said the carnival has received extraordinary response since it opened on March 2, recording about 200,000 visitors. “We are targeting 500,000 visitors by March 30, which is the last day.” – Bernama

State govt offers collaboration on entrepreneur carnival KEPALA BATAS: The Penang government has offered to collaborate on the Mahabbah Carnival to organise a bigger event through Penang Halal International (PHI). Development Council and the Prime Minister’s Department Implementation Coordination Unit. He said through such a collaboration, the carnival could be held twice a year.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the collaboration would bring together more entrepreneurs and provide a bigger space for them to promote their products. “Apart from PHI, we could collaborate with zakat entrepreneurs under the Penang Islamic Religious Council, Penang Bumiputera

“We could do one carnival with PHI, such as the Penang International Halal Trade Expo as previously organised, but it would be organised in collaboration with the Mahabbah Carnival. “We could have another mega event with the Penang Islamic Religious Council and the Penang Bumiputera Development Council as a marketing platform for entrepreneurs.