26/03/2025

WEDNESDAY | MAR 26, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Coconut milk traders warned against diluting product

OSH Amendment Act key to safer workplaces PUTRAJAYA: The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) (Amendment) Act 2022 must be fully adhered to as it plays a crucial role in protecting workers and ensuring a safer work environment, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. He added that his ministry is committed to enforcing compliance among employers to ensure social security protection for all workers. “We must ensure that OSH laws are followed and that our workers receive the social security protection they deserve. After a hard day’s work, they should be able to return home safely,” he said during the ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday. Sim added that his vision for the ministry is to ensure that every worker in the country returns home safely at the end of the day. The Act, passed by Parliament on March 16, 2022, mandates that employers conduct workplace risk assessments and appoint health and safety coordinators. – Bernama A total of 23 types of goods are listed under the scheme during the implementation period, including imported buffalo meat, local beef, mackerel, selayang fish, large yellow onions, large imported shallots, small Indian shallots and garlic. – Bernama Festive price scheme checks to be intensified ALOR SETAR: Continuous monitoring and inspections by enforcement officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will be intensified throughout the implementation of the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme. The ministry’s Kedah director Muhammad Nizam Jamaludin said the operation will focus on locations such as supermarkets, farmers’ markets, public markets, Ramadan bazaars and shopping centres. He warned that there would be no compromise for traders who breach the rules by selling goods above the controlled price, failing to display pink price tags, or not displaying price tags or price lists for controlled items. “Our personnel will be in plain clothes to be more effective. If we wear uniforms, people recognise us. So we have to blend in. Traders are advised to comply with the scheme if they do not want to face strict action under the Price Control and Anti Profiteering Act 2011,”he said. KUCHING: Switzerland is deepening its ties with Sarawak by focusing on investment opportunities and fostering collaboration in security, peace and multilateral engagement. Swiss Ambassador to Malaysia Chantal Moser said these key areas were discussed during her courtesy call on Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday. “I am very interested in understanding Sarawak’s vision and Malaysia’s overall journey in ensuring the well-being of its people. “Coming to Sarawak provides a fresh perspective on the potential that exists in this region,” she said, adding that this was her first visit to Sarawak since beginning her mission in Malaysia on Jan 1 this year. She noted that Sarawak and Switzerland have engaged in several investments over the years, and Switzerland is eager to expand this collaboration further. – Bernama Switzerland eyes stronger ties with Sarawak

SEREMBAN: Coconut milk traders have been warned not to exploit the increase in demand for freshly extracted coconut milk ahead of Aidilfitri by adulterating the product purely to increase profits. Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Dr Fuziah Salleh said demand for fresh coconut milk would inevitably rise during the festive season, especially as it is now a controlled item. “Currently, we do not have a mechanism to measure how much water is mixed with coconut milk, unlike imported and local rice mixtures, which can be quantified. “So it is indeed difficult to determine. However, if such incidents do occur, consumers can report them to the ministry and we will investigate,” she said. She was speaking during a ground visit to a supermarket here on Monday to monitor the implementation of the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, accompanied by Negeri Sembilan ministry director Muhammad Zahir Mazlan. The scheme, covering 26 items, will be enforced for 15 days from March 24 to April 7. Fuziah said the ministry is carrying out Op Pantau throughout Ramadan and Aidilfitri , and that a special system known as Aduan Suri o Ministry urges public to report adulteration or profiteering as demand spikes ahead of Aidilfitri

Fuziah reminded traders not to sell coconut milk-based food items, including lemang and pulut , at unreasonably high prices that burden consumers. – BERNAMAPIC

allows consumers to report traders attempting to profiteer during the festive season, Bernama reported. She also reminded traders not to sell coconut milk-based food items, including lemang and pulut , at unreasonably high prices that burden consumers, noting that the ceiling price of coconut milk has been set at RM17.50 per kg in Peninsular Malaysia. “If traders claim that the high price of lemang is due to an increase in coconut milk prices, they are committing an offence under profiteering

regulations and may be prosecuted. “Although lemang prices vary depending on size and location, traders should sell them at reasonable prices. (The ministry) does not regulate lemang prices, but we will monitor the situation,” she said. She added the ministry has deployed enforcement officers nationwide to carry out monitoring and enforcement at strategic locations, including public markets, farmers’ markets and shopping centres selling festive essentials.

Rapid KL On-Demand expands to seven new zones KUALA LUMPUR: Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd will launch seven additional operational zones under the Rapid KL On-Demand service tomorrow to accommodate growing demand. continue their journey with Rapid KL On-Demand. “For users in Putrajaya, more route options are now available through the Kummute app, connecting passengers to areas typically underserved by public transport,” the statement read. he said. Since its expansion to 17 new zones on Feb 1, the service recorded its highest daily ridership of 4,732 passengers on March 18. With the launch of the new zones on March 27, Rapid KL On-Demand will operate a total of 93 vans across 33 zones in the Klang Valley.

In a statement issued yesterday, the company said the new zones include Kampung Ampang Indah–Taman Sri Watan, Ampang Hilir–Kampung Datuk Keramat and LRT Ampang–Ampang Jaya, with each zone serviced by four vans. Two vans each will be deployed for the remaining four zones: MRT Putrajaya Sentral– Precincts 14 and 16, Putrajaya International Convention Centre, MRT Putrajaya Sentral– Cybersouth Dengkil and Desa Pinggiran Putra– Desa Gemilang Putrajaya. The new zones, which can be accessed via the Trek Rides application, connect with train services and the Jalan Ampang bus lane. “Previously, only the Jalan Genting Kelang and Jalan Klang Lama bus lanes had access to this service. Now, all bus lane users can enjoy and

To meet rising demand, Rapid KL On-Demand will also increase service capacity in the seven zones launched on March 10 by providing an additional van for each zone. These include Taman Melati–Gombak Setia, Bukit Antarabangsa–Setiawangsa, and Bangi– Uniten as well as Wangsa Maju–Sri Rampai, Titiwangsa–Chow Kit, Bandar Kinrara–Jalan Puchong, and Taman OUG–Kuchai Lama. Rapid Bus acting chief executive officer Ku Jamil Zakaria said the service enhancement follows encouraging user response. “This is to ensure the service remains convenient for users and gives more people the opportunity to experience Rapid KL On-Demand,”

The service, which operates from 6am to 11.30pm, offers guaranteed seating with bookings available through the Mobi, Trek Rides or KUMMUTE applications, depending on the area. A promotional fare of RM1 per journey remains in effect. Payments can be made using the Touch ’n Go card, MyRapid Concession Card, OKU Smile Travel Pass or Unlimited Travel Pass (My50, MyCity and Family Pass). For more information, the public may visit Rapid KL’s official social media platforms or the website www.myrapid.com.my. – Bernama maintenance and upgrades, with the latest works under way at the Lingkaran Tengah Utama (LTU) expressway. “Recently, a 400m damaged stretch in Package 5C1 of the LTU in Bentong (was widely shared). The Public Works Department has taken immediate action, with repairs expected to be completed by Wednesday,” he said. On the construction of four temporary rest areas along the LTU, Razali said they were expected to be ready a few days before Aidilfitri. – Bernama

Over three million vehicles expected in Pahang for Aidilfitri KUANTAN: A total of 3.14 million vehicles are expected to enter Pahang from March 27 to April 7 for the festive celebrations, said state Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Razali Kassim. on April 5, with about 216,000 vehicles. LPT1 is expected to see its highest traffic the following day, with an estimated 119,000 vehicles. “So, I urge all road users to plan their journey, as Hari Raya Aidilfitri is expected to fall on Monday. Travelling to hometowns earlier may help avoid traffic congestion,” he said after launching the 2025 Aidilfitri Safety and Ops Siaga Campaign on Monday. He said of the total, 2.24 million vehicles were expected to use the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway, while 903,000 were projected to travel via the East Coast Expressway 1 (LPT1). Razali said traffic volume was expected to peak during the festive period, with the Kuala Lumpur– Karak Expressway likely to reach its highest volume Razali said the state government remained committed to ensuring the safety and comfort of highway users by carrying out regular