21/05/2026

THURSDAY | MAY 21, 2026

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1.6 million tonnes of subsidised cement for affordable housing

Search for injured elephant continues KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin has voiced concern over a Bornean elephant reportedly injured in Felda “Preliminary veterinary feedback (based on the video clip) suggests the wound has shown partial healing, although the closure is not ideal. “Importantly, there are no signs of severe infection that could

Through strategic collaboration with the police, Road Transport Department, Malaysian Highway Authority and other agencies, PLUS is committed to easing traffic flow and maintaining peak safety levels. Motorists can get live traffic updates via the PLUS app, PUTRI virtual assistant, X accounts @plustrafik and @lpt2trafik, variable message signs and major national radio stations. “PLUS advises highway users to use the Plus app, Waze or Google MECCA: Plush camel toys hanging in shops around the Masjid al-Haram are among the first “travellers” making their way back to Malaysia, aspilgrims begin sending home souvenirs ahead of the peak haj period. The camel plushies are among the most popular gifts, alongside dates, robes and other keepsakes for family members back home. The luggage and parcel delivery service coordinated by Tabung Haji has recorded 133 tonnes of shipments in the first 22 days of operations. Assistant manager of the Masyair Unit, External Services, Mohd Roshidi Loman said an average of five tonnes of items are being shipped daily, with the volume expected to increase further ahead of the wukuf (Day of Arafah) next week. “Most pilgrims are now trying to travel lighter before the masyair (peak phase of the pilgrimage), so they are sending their items early to focus more on their worship. Selangor recorded the highest usage of the delivery service so far,” he told reporters recently. Mohd Roshidi said total shipments this season are expected to rise to as much as 400 tonnes, compared with about 300 tonnes Kalabakan Selatan, Kalabakan. A picture and video clip showing the elephant with a wounded trunk prompted authorities to launch search and monitoring operations on May 13 and 14. However, the animal could not be located, delaying immediate rescue intervention. The case comes soon after the recent death of another Bornean elephant in Tongod, which is still under investigation. In a statement, yesterday, Jafry stressed that trunk injuries related to the missing pachyderm are particularly complex, with veterinary experts warning that even surgical reconstruction offers limited chances of restoring normal function. “Treatment would likely involve surgery to remove damaged tissue or reconstruct muscles, followed by intensive post-surgical care, feeding management and continuous monitoring for one to two weeks.

o Scheme extended to federal, state and private projects under 13MP

Maps to plan trips and check real time traffic throughout the festive season,“ the statement read. Highway users are reminded to ensure sufficient Touch ‘n Go or eWallet balance (for RFID and JustGO users), keep vehicles in good condition, drive carefully, rest adequately and follow traffic rules for everyone’s safety. For emergency assistance, call PLUSLine at 1800-88-0000 or LPT2Line at 1800-88-0220. – Bernama last year. For the 1447H/2026M haj season, Tabung Haji has appointed five logistics companies to handle pilgrims’ belongings – MASkargo Logistics, FGV Transport Services, TH Travel & Services, KTH Logistics and Pos Malaysia. Mohd Roshidi said all companies were selected following a comprehensive assessment of their operational capacity in the Holy Land and Malaysia, as well as their tracking systems, to ensure shipments can be properly monitored. He said Tabung Haji has standardised delivery rates at RM18 per kg for shipments to Peninsular Malaysia and RM23 per kg for Sabah and Sarawak. He reminded pilgrims to use only companies appointed by Tabung Haji to avoid issues such as loss or damage of belongings. “Pilgrims are not allowed to send certain items, such as zamzam water, without specific permission from Tabung Haji.” Mohd Roshidi added that deliveries to Malaysia take between seven and 21 days and so far, no additional taxes have been imposed on shipments belonging to Malaysian pilgrims. – Bernama immediately threaten the elephant’s survival. Rangers from the Sabah Wildlife Department are continuing close field monitoring,“ he said. The cause of the injury to the endangered animal remains uncertain. He stressed while snaring is being considered as a possibility, authorities are also investigating other possibilities, including accidental contact with sharp tools used in oil palm plantations. Jafry urged the public to avoid speculation while investigations are ongoing. He emphasised that the Bornean elephant is one of Sabah’s most iconic species and a vital part of the state’s environmental heritage. His ministry, together with the Sabah Wildlife Department and other stakeholders, remains

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

priced at about RM90,000, will be sold at RM70,000, with the government absorbing around RM20,000 per unit. For buyers unable to secure financing, the government has allocated RM40 billion under the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme, offering financing guarantees of up to 120% and repayment periods of up to 16 years. Nga said monthly repayments could be as low as RM300 or roughly RM10 a day. He added that the main objective of the initiative is to help control construction costs so that affordable housing prices do not increase. “When building material costs are controlled, there is no reason for house prices to go up. Supply must also remain sufficient. We hope more industry players will come forward to help the rakyat , just as the Cement and Concrete Association of Malaysia has done. “A good government is one that solves problems, not one that merely talks about them,” he added.

track usage volumes across projects nationwide.” Nga said the initiative is part of the Madani government’s broader cost-of-living response, alongside Budi95, Budi Diesel, STR, SARA and the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme. He warned that enforcement will be strict against any developer found misusing the scheme, including blacklisting and withdrawal of licences. “We do not want anyone receiving subsidised cement and then reselling it for profit. To prevent abuse, I will use the ministry’s powers against any developer who misuses this scheme. “They can be blacklisted and denied future Advertising Permit and Developer’s Licence approvals,” he said. The minister said the programme also supports Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad’s Rumah Mesra Rakyat projects, with nearly 6,000 units planned this year. He said each unit, originally

PUTRAJAYA: In a move to shield Malaysia’s construction sector from global economic headwinds and rising material costs, the government will continue the Simen Rahmah scheme, allocating 1.6 million metric tonnes of cement to support the construction of 500,000 affordable homes under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the scheme, which offers cement below market prices, has been expanded to include affordable housing pro jects by the Federal Government, state governments and the private sector. Nga said that under the scheme, implemented in collaboration with the Cement and Concrete Association of Malaysia, bulk cement is priced at RM290 per tonne — 31.8% or RM135 lower than the market price of RM425 — while 50kg bagged cement costs RM17.50 per bag, a saving of 29.7% or RM7.40 compared with the market rate of RM24.90. “This is a very large subsidy pro vided by the industry. We are deeply grateful to the cement industry for stepping forward to help Malaysians, particularly those in need of affordable housing,” he said at a press conference yesterday. Nga said the move is aimed at stabilising construction input costs and preventing knock-on increases in house prices amid inflationary pressures and global economic uncertainty. “Through this measure, I hope construction material costs can be controlled. I also want to ensure that housing prices do not increase.” He stressed that strict governance mechanisms will be enforced through the national Housing Department’s Housing Integrated Management System (HIMS), with quantity surveyors (QS) required to certify usage to prevent leakage and abuse. “To ensure there is no leakage, all applications must be processed through the HIMS. Developers must also obtain verified QS certification before accessing subsidised cement, while real-time monitoring will

committed to ensuring that wildlife cases are managed responsibly, professionally, and based on scientific assessment. – Bernama Haj pilgrims send gifts home early

Nga said the initiative will lower cement prices for eligible projects from the market rate of RM425 per metric tonne to RM290 per metric tonne. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

PLUS activates holiday traffic plan KUALA LUMPUR: Plus Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) expects more than 2.2 million vehicles on its highway network daily during the back-to back holidays beginning tomorrow. For the East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2), traffic flow is expected to reach up to 50,000 vehicles per day during peak periods. celebrations – Hari Raya Aidiladha, Wesak Day and the official birthday of His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim. Peak travel days for vehicles leaving the Klang Valley are expected to fall on May 22, 23, 26, 28, 29, 30 and 31. For return journeys to the Klang Valley, peak days are forecast for June 4, 5, 6 and 7.

and obtain the MyPlus-TTA digital travel schedule via the PLUS app,“ the statement read. To ensure optimal safety and comfort, PLUS will activate Smart Lanes at 33 traffic-prone locations to boost lane capacity, while deploying over 500 PlusRonda and LPT2Ronda personnel for 24-hour patrols. PLUS is also optimising operations by opening all toll plaza lanes and monitoring real-time traffic through its Traffic Monitoring Centre.

“Highway users are advised to plan their balik kampung or holiday trips earlier to avoid congestion. The public is also encouraged to refer to

In a statement yesterday, PLUS said the surge in traffic is due to the convergence of the mid-year school holidays with three major