10/04/2025

THURSDAY | APR 10, 2025

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Royal couple offers congratulations KUANTAN: The Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have congratulated Datuk Nazri Abu Bakar on his appointment as the new Pahang state secretary, effective Tuesday. Their Majesties said in a statement that the appointment recognises Nazri’s experience and dedication in carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to him with wisdom and integrity. “Leadership marked by wisdom, decisiveness and strong commitment is vital to ensuring the continued excellence of the state’s public service for the well-being of the people. “May Allah SWT guide and grant Datuk Nazri the strength to fulfil this responsibility with integrity and blessings,” said a post on the official Facebook page of the Royal Family of Pahang. The royal couple also prayed for the success of all initiatives under Nazri’s leadership and that they would bring meaningful progress to the state, further elevating Pahang’s standing at the national level. Nazri previously served as Pahang state financial officer. He succeeds Datuk Seri Zulkifli Yaacob, who retired yesterday after 36 years of service. – Bernama Higher government aid brings relief to families KUALA LUMPUR: The increase in Sumbangan Asas Rahmah aid to RM200 per month, which took effect this month, has been welcomed by its 5.4 million recipients, especially those with families. For Rozanawati Mat Salleh, 38, a housewife in Ulu Tiram, Johor, the higher aid amount has eased the financial burden of supporting a family of six, including two school-going children. “With the increase in assistance to RM200 a month, we are now able to buy more kitchen essentials, even if it only lasts about two weeks. “So, my husband’s salary as a lorry driver can go towards our children’s school expenses.” This year, the Madani government raised the total assistance to RM2,100 for households categorised as poor and hardcore poor in the eKasih database , an increase from RM1,200 last year. The assistance of RM100 per month was credited to recipients’ MyKad from January to March this year. Beginning April 1, the rate was increased to RM200 monthly, benefiting 5.4 million recipients, an almost eightfold rise from the previous 700,000. In addition to Sumbangan Asas Rahmah, the second phase of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah was disbursed, starting March 24, reaching 8.5 million recipients. This represents 60% of Malaysian adults, with assistance of up to RM650. For single mother, Nurul Adila Izhar, 31, from Jelutong, Penang, the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah assistance has significantly impacted how she manages her family’s daily expenses. “It has really helped me cover our basic needs – buying kitchen essentials, paying for my child’s education, ensuring that we have nutritious food and covering daily costs like transport and utility bills,” said Nurul Adila, who is raising her child alone, following the death of her husband. Another recipient, Syamim Mansor, 29, from Shah Alam, Selangor, said that the assistance has helped ease the cost of caring for her young child. “I use the money to buy diapers and formula milk for my baby,” said the private sector employee. – Bernama

INTRICATE WORK ... The Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah observing silk weaving during a media conference held in conjunction with the Piala Tunku Azizah competition at Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC Putra Heights blast victims to return home this week

o ‘Residents whose dwellings have minor damage gone back, further assessment for houses with severe problems’

He said all 56 state assemblymen, including those from the Opposition, will each contribute RM200 for recovery efforts. He added that all state executive councillors would donate RM1,000 each to the Tabung Prihatin relief fund established for this purpose. “In addition, Selangor civil servants in Grade 48 positions and above will contribute RM50 each to the fund.” Amiruddin, who is also Gombak MP, estimated that RM102,000 would be raised through these contributions. The Tabung Prihatin was launched two days after the explosion, which occurred on the second day of Hari Raya. Amirudin said the Selangor Land and Mines Office would begin offering mobile services starting next Monday to assist residents who lost property documents in the explosion. “This service will allow affected residents to obtain reprinted land titles free of charge.” He said for homes that sustained more than 40% structural damage, further discussions would be held with the Local Government Development Ministry next Monday to determine appropriate long-term solutions.

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdeska@thesundaily.com

“Water and electricity supply will be restored to these homes, and they are now deemed habitable,” said Amirudin. He also announced a large-scale gotong royong event scheduled for this weekend. The initiative will involve the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation, Persatuan Misi Kemanusiaan Selangor, local councils and volunteer groups including Team Selangor and Selangor Volunteer. “The cleanup will focus on the 270 affected homes and will take place on Saturday and Sunday. “Selangor Volunteer and Team Selangor will coordinate the work across two housing areas, with 1,000 volunteers expected to participate in clearing debris and preparing the homes for reoccupation.” He added that recovery efforts also include the disbursement of the first round of rental assistance for families still in temporary accommodation, and this is expected to be completed by next week. Amiruddin said 16 families have accepted temporary accommodation such as Airbnb units offered by the state. gas supply issues faced by a number of companies and factories affected by the closure of the pipeline, and the Energy Commission will hold a meeting with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers regarding the matter.” Fahmi, who is also the spokesman for the Madani government, said this at the post Cabinet meeting media conference yesterday. He said it is a priority of the government to ensure the restoration of the gas supply. “We also understand that the investigation process is still ongoing.” He added that five telecommunications companies, namely CelcomDigi, Maxis, TM

SHAH ALAM: All victims of the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, who were temporarily housed at the Dewan Camelia relief centre, were given the go ahead to return to their homes, with the centre officially closed last night. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari also announced that residents at the Masjid Putra Heights relief centre would be allowed to return home in stages by the end of the week. “The decision was made to allow residents whose homes sustained minor damage to return, while houses with more severe damage will undergo further assessment,” he said at a media conference at the Selangor State Secretariat yesterday. “A standard aid package will be provided to assist with repair works, as recommended by the Recovery Committee.” Following minor repair works and technical assessments by the Fire and Rescue Department, 270 homes have been declared safe for reoccupation. PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Human Resources Ministry to obtain a complete list of factories and companies affected by the gas pipeline disaster in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya from the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti). Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the move aims to gather information regarding affected workers and understand the challenges faced by the companies involved. He said both ministries are dealing directly with the companies and would scrutinise and follow up with several actions. “The Cabinet has also been informed about

On ongoing investigations, Amirudin said 118 individuals have been summoned by police, although details about their identities remain undisclosed. Data on firms, workers affected being gathered

Unifi, U Mobile and YES, would offer aid and recovery support to the victims to ease their financial burden. He said the assistance and recovery support provided include service fee waivers (for prepaid and postpaid services) for a certain period, free device and SIM card replacement for affected customers, as well as free 5G Wi-Fi services at the temporary evacuation centre in Putra Heights. “The provision of telecommunications support and recovery assistance to affected customers will be based on needs from time to time and will vary according to the telco company.” – Bernama