30/09/2024

MONDAY | SEP 30, 2024

4 More Penang-China collaboration to come

Law amendments to protect fishery resources

PUTRAJAYA: The Fisheries Department is set to amend the Fisheries Act comprehensively to better regulate aquaculture activities and enhance biosecurity measures, ensuring the protection of the nation’s fishery resources. Its director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said the detailed amendments, which cover various aspects of the fisheries sector, are expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat later this year. “These amendments will address issues such as illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, port state measures, monitoring, control and surveillance, marine protected areas, aquaculture, biosecurity, expansion and fisheries impact assessment,” he said. He added that on April 24, the Cabinet approved in principle the proposed amendments. The Bill is expected to be tabled during the Parliament session from Oct 7 to Dec 5. Adnan emphasised the importance of collective cooperation among stakeholders to effectively combat illegal fishing and eliminate IUU activities. He said the department has spearheaded the establishment of the National IUU Main Committee and the IUU Working Committee to combat IUU fishing. These committees involve various enforcement agencies, including the Sabah Fisheries Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and marine police working together to address the issue. “Malaysia is not exempt from the threat of IUU fishing by both local and foreign vessels. This is a complex, multi-dimensional problem that requires a strategic and multi-faceted approach. It begins with strengthening our monitoring efforts,” said Adnan. This year, 510 arrests have been made for violations under the Fisheries Act, resulting in fines totaling RM355,584, comprising RM75,263 from auctions and RM280,321 from compounds. Adnan also highlighted the department’s key role in promoting the aquaculture sector, particularly marine aquaculture, to support Malaysia’s blue economy goals. The National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030 outlines strategies to enhance food security by developing the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. – Bernama KUANTAN: The Museums Department is targeting two million visitors to its 22 museums nationwide this year, with a range of engaging activities already held and more planned to attract the public. Unity Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad said over 1.3 million visitors had visited museums in the first eight months of 2024. “Each museum management has its own key performance indicators and I hope all museum management teams will develop strategies to position museums as a key tourism product for the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026,”he said at the Semarak @ Muzium Sungai Lembing 2024: Museums and Education programme here on Saturday. He said museums must “open their doors” especially to the younger generation, and not remain exclusive to certain groups or historians. Hasnol also said the Museums’ Collection Donation campaign has been launched, in which the public can donate selected personal collections to museums, adding that donors will be credited if their items are displayed, and are eligible for tax deductions. Those interested in contributing personal collections can fill out a form available on www.jmm.gov.my, and submit a description and photo of their collection via email to koleksi@jmm.gov.my. – Bernama Plan to draw two million museum visitors

o State looking forward to cooperation in renewable energy, smart city initiatives and innovation sector

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has highlighted the potential for more collaboration with China that are in line with the Penang2030 vision. At the 75th anniversary celebration of the founding of the republic held here recently, Chow said Penang’s vision of becoming a family-focused, green and smart state by 2030 goes hand in hand with China’s own progress in sustainable development and technological advancement. “We look forward to continuing collaboration with China in fields such as renewable energy, smart city initiatives and innovation,” he said. Chow also commended China as a global economic powerhouse advancing in technologies such as AI, chipmaking and big data. He said over the past 10 years (2014-2023), Penang has garnered a total of RM13.2 billion in approved manufacturing investments from China. He added that Penang houses 53 Chinese companies, 46 of which are in manufacturing, five in global business services, and two in logistics. In his speech, Chow mentioned Chinese food and beverage chains operating in Penang such as Mixue Ice Cream and Tea, Tea Expert and Haidilao Hotpot. He also pointed out the increase in Chinese tourists visiting Penang. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the move could also facilitate a cleaner and healthier environment. “The vehicle-free zone implemented in Banda Hilir is a very forward-looking initiative and many places have seen this method as an alternative to development that is too oriented towards motor vehicles. “So, it will not only be able to overcome the problem of traffic congestion in the main tourist focus areas but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” he told reporters after attending the Malacca 2024 Green Awards presentation ceremony on Saturday. Nik Nazmi said he also received information that several states were interested in implementing vehicle-free zones and there are cities that have done it, such as Penang,

Chow (left) and Zhou (centre) viewing displays at an exhibition held during the event. – PIC COURTESY OF CHINA CONSULATE GENERAL

“The implementation needs to be looked at deeply since it involves various factors such as the suitability of the area, access to public transport and parking for vehicles coming from outside. All these need to be studied. However, I am sure many cities can do it by starting it for a certain period of time,” he said. On the Malacca Green Awards 2024, which has been held biennially since 2015, Nik Nazmi said it can be an important platform for government agencies, the private sector, industry and the community to implement green initiatives towards environmental preservation and sustainable development. “This is also a joint effort by the federal government, which is currently drafting the National Climate Change Bill to strengthen policies related to climate change and the carbon market in Malaysia, thus ensuring that the country is on the right track in dealing with the issue of climate change more “China and Malaysia are friends whose hearts are connected, and partners for a win win cooperation. Standing at the new historical starting point, the building of the China-Malaysia community with a shared future continues to stride forward,” he said. As notable milestones, Zhou cited a recent visit to China by His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim and China premier Li Qiang’s visit to Malaysia, which culminated in 14 bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as digital economy, green development, urban development and higher education. “In addition to economic ties, we look forward to enhancing cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges, building on “In the first eight months of this year, the state has received a total of 74,891 and 8,391 Chinese visitors via the Penang International Airport and Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal respectively,” he said. Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Penang Zhou Youbin expressed optimism for further mutual development between China and Malaysia.

comprehensively.” For this year, the four categories of awards are Green Culture, Green Project, Green Innovation and Green Community Programme, with a total of 50 entries from 30 government, private and community agencies in Malacca. On a separate matter, Nik Nazmi welcomed Malacca’s proposal to create the first environmental museum in Malaysia as a focal point for education and comprehensive awareness about the importance of environmental preservation, especially in relation to recycling practices. However, he added that it needs to be seen from various aspects, including the development budget to implement it. “We will examine the proposal from the Malacca government as everything depends on the approval of its feasibility budget. “An environmental museum in Japan was created and brought revenue because the tourism industry is quite lively there,” he said. – Bernama the shared history and vibrant connections between our two peoples.” Zhou said in the first eight months of 2024, bilateral trade between China and Malaysia surged to US$135.23 billion (RM557.86 billion), an increase of 11% compared with the same period last year. He added that during the plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, 300 important reform measures were made. “China abolished all the restrictive measures for the access of foreign investment in the manufacturing sector, and will continue to open up service sectors such as telecommunications, education and healthcare.” He also said the Chinese Consulate General in Penang will continue to work closely with the four northern states in the peninsula to strengthen China-Malaysia ties. More than 400 people attended the celebration on Sept 24, including leaders from DAP, MCA and Gerakan, and consul generals and honorary consuls from embassies.

Vehicle-free zone expansion option MALACCA: The successful implementation of a vehicle-free zone in Malacca can be used as a measure to eliminate congestion in cities nationwide. Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam in Selangor, in addition to Kuala Lumpur.

Water supply disruption possibility in Kedah ALOR SETAR: The Bukit Pinang Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Pelubang WTP are at risk of operational disruptions due to raw water turbidity. caused by continuous heavy rain. “The raw water turbidity readings have shown an increase and there is a risk of water supply disruption involving several districts. “Currently, the WTPs involved are still operating at 100%, but Sada recommends that Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada) said in a statement on social media the turbidity was

users in Kota Setar, Kubang Pasu and parts of Pendang make preparations by storing water and using it sparingly.” Sada added that users may contact its hotline at 1300-88-0017 or email complaints to aduan@sada.com.my. – Bernama