28/05/2025

WEDNESDAY | MAY 28, 2025

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‘Seek mental health support early for children’

to the Melasak Waterfall Tourism Centre and enhancements to the Sarawak Cultural Village. On the Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home programme, he said it had seen growing interest since 2020 and as of this month, 3,141 applications have been approved. He said in 2024, 560 approvals under the programme brought in RM111.6 million in fixed deposits, while 265 approvals in early 2025 added another RM65.3 million, with top participants from China, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the United States. New burial ground in Hulu Semenyih for Muslims PUTRAJAYA: The longstanding issue of Islamic burial land in Hulu Semenyih, which has persisted for over three decades, is expected to be resolved with the opening of a new Islamic cemetery there, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa. Zaliha said in a post on her Facebook page that Islamic cemeteries in Kuala Lumpur have now reached over 70% utilisation, with the remaining capacity estimated to suffice for only another five to seven years. “ Insya-Allah , with the opening of this cemetery, the need can be met for up to another 28 years.” Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar was previously reported as saying that deceased Muslims from Kuala Lumpur would be buried at a new cemetery gazetted by the government in Semenyih. Mohd Na’im said the new cemetery site, covering nearly 90ha, would be fully managed by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department. Zaliha also received a courtesy call from Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and his delegation at Menara Seri Wilayah yesterday. She said the finalisation of border demarcation between Kuala Lumpur–Selangor and Putrajaya–Selangor to ensure integrated border enforcement, maximising land use for planned development, streamlining land revenue collection and avoiding encroachment and overlapping jurisdiction were matters discussed. – Bernama Cockroach infestation causes food court in Penang to close GEORGE TOWN: The Penang City Council has ordered a food court complex in the Barat Daya district near here to be closed for 14 days from Monday after the discovery of cockroach infestation in the kitchen and food preparation areas. The council said in a statement that a cleanliness operation conducted at the premises found the cleanliness level of the food court was less than satisfactory, Bernama reported. “The food court complex has been ordered to close its premises immediately for 14 days effective from Monday until June 8, in accordance with By-Law 38 (1), By-Laws (Food Establishments) 1991. “In the operation, among the aspects that were given attention to were the licensing conditions set by the council such as the validity of the business licence, cleanliness of the premises, compliance of food operators and so on.” The council said it places emphasis on cleanliness to ensure that meals provided at food courts meet its hygiene standards.

IPOH: Parents of children who need mental health support should seek help early to prevent long-term emotional and developmental issues, especially amid a rise in post-pandemic psychological challenges, said Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta director Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony. He said early intervention could make a significant difference as young minds are more adaptable and responsive to therapy. “Many parents hesitate to seek help early o Timely intervention makes significant difference as young minds more adaptable, responsive to therapy, says hospital director

services are also available at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh and Taiping Hospital. Ian also warned that increased screen time and social media use are emerging as significant factors in declining mental well being among children and teens, Bernama reported. “When we were growing up, we didn’t have this level of digital exposure. Today’s children face constant pressure to keep up online, which can undermine their self-esteem and resilience.” Perak Human Resource, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said the conference is timely, given the rise in youth mental health issues. He cited findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, which revealed that 16.5% of children aged five to 15 in Malaysia were experiencing mental health problems, nearly double the rate reported in 2019. The three-day conference is being held at Casuarina Meru Hotel.

due to stigma or fear of what others might say, but delaying only helps make matters worse,” he said at the Malaysian Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Conference 2025 yesterday. Hospital Bahagia, one of Malaysia’s main psychiatric institutions, has seen a steady increase in mental health cases involving children and teenagers since the pandemic. Ian said while some young patients present conditions such as autism or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, others struggle with stress and emotional difficulties linked to academic pressure or family problems. “The key is to identify signs early, such as changes in behaviour, sudden withdrawal or difficulty coping at school.” He added that no referral letter is needed to seek treatment at Hospital Bahagia, which accepts walk-in patients and is staffed by a team of specialists and medical officers. He said the facility also works closely with schools and receives referrals from teachers who observe behavioural changes in students. Additional child and adolescent psychiatric

BOOKS GALORE ... The Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair being held from May 23 to June 1 at the World Trade Centre is drawing sizeable crowds. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

Sarawak on track to achieve target of five million tourists KUCHING: Sarawak’s tourism sector is on a robust growth trajectory with over 1.6 million visitors recorded in the first four months of this year, putting it on track to achieve its 2025 target of five million visitors, said State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. 2024, up from RM9.99 billion in 2023. From January to April this year, we have already generated RM4.07 billion,“ he said when winding up on behalf of the ministry at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly yesterday. Brunei Darussalam topped the list (1.89 million visitors) followed by Indonesia (653,883), Singapore (59,793) and the Philippines (46,853). Abdul Karim said under the 12th Malaysia Plan, Sarawak has allocated RM382.57 million, supplemented by an additional RM136.44 million under Projek Rakyat and RM49.9 million in federal funds via the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, to improve tourism infrastructure.

He said Sarawak welcomed 4.83 million visitors last year, a 23% increase compared with the previous year, and this exceeded 2019 pre pandemic figures by 3.63%. He said the majority of Sarawak’s international tourists come from neighbouring Asean countries, Bernama reported.

He said the visitor arrival to date had also given him the confidence that Sarawak could register RM12.73 billion in tourism receipts this year. “Tourism receipts reached RM12.45 billion in

He said the completed projects include conservation works on historic forts, ecotourism facilities at Santubong National Park, upgrades