30/08/2026

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday AUG 30, 2026

Perak mulls RM500 first-time marriage aid

Traders expect boost in holiday sales despite Narathiwat unrest PASIR MAS: Concerns among residents in the border area following a security incident in Narathiwat, Thailand, have not deterred traders in Rantau Panjang from hoping for an influx in visitors during the nine-day school holiday that began on Friday. Last Saturday, Narathiwat province was placed under a curfew from 10.15pm to 5am following more than 50 incidents, including bombings, the burning of local government offices and tyres. The loud explosions during the incidents also shook homes and raised concerns among residents in the Malaysia-Thailand border areas, including Kampung Lubok Gong and Kampung Tersang here. However, a Bernama survey at the Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex and around the town found that conditions on the second day of the school holidays remained under control, with traders expecting an increase in visitors over the weekend and ahead of National Day on Aug 31. Food and Thai products trader Afifa Umar, 42, said although visitor numbers were currently not as high as before, the school holidays gave traders hope of increasing their income as more people visit the duty-free area. After eight years in business, she sells various products including peanuts, cashews and sweet-and-sour fruit, and has increased her stock in preparation for higher demand. “On normal days, sales are around RM100, but during the school holidays they can reach almost RM500 a day. So we have increased our stock slightly compared with normal days,” she told Bernama recently. She also welcomed the development of new facilities under the Rantau Panjang Town Square and Observation Tower construction project, as well as the upgrading of the bus station, which is expected to be operational next year as they could potentially attract more visitors to the area. She expressed hope that more visitors would return to holiday in Rantau Panjang as they did in the past, enlivening the area and boosting the income of local traders. Meanwhile, Zila Abdullah, 36, from Kampung Temangan, Machang, said she and her husband, Azhar Musa, 36, who make frequent trips to Thailand, expected visitor numbers to increase ahead of National Day. Zila said the heightened presence of police, military personnel and relevant agencies gave people confidence to visit, but they should remain vigilant and comply with the authorities’ instructions following the security developments in the Thai border area. – Bernama

Proposed initiative for youths reflects state government’s concern, commitment to help ease financial burden of newlyweds, says exco

case has since been moved to another school, describing the transfer as an early precautionary step taken after an initial review. Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek had earlier directed the Integrity Unit to act in line with existing regulations over the girl’s death. According to an internal school source, Nur Qaira Alisha took part in an 80-metre race trial on April 14. She fell ill and received medical treatment on April 17, and her family lodged a formal complaint on May 10. She subsequently missed four months of school. She was later bedridden and put on oxygen support before she died at 7.49pm last Wednesday. people, particularly youths in Perak, to become actively involved in youth organisations and, in the process, develop leadership qualities, skills, a spirit of volunteerism and integrity,” he said. Winners of both the National Premier Youth Award and the State Special Youth Award received trophies and certificates, along with cash prizes ranging from RM1,000 to RM10,000, depending on their placing in their respective categories. In the male individual category of the State-level National Premier Youth Award, Muhammad Amizan Lokman, 28, representing Hulu Perak, emerged as the winner, followed by Muhammad Saiful Hanif Khairi, 29, representing Muallim, as runner-up and Muhammad Awliya Mohd Fauzi, 25, representing Kerian, in third place. In the female individual category, M. Ashhwina, 20, representing Larut Matang, took first place, followed by C. Vhainmathy, 21, representing Kerian, as runner-up and Nicole Tiuk Yu Xuan, 20, representing Hilir Perak, in third place. The Larut Matang District Youth Council emerged as the winner in the youth organisation category, followed by the Federation of Malay Students of the Peninsula (Ipoh Branch) and the Malaysian Youth Clubs Association (Teluk Intan Area). Winners of the 2026 Perak State Special Youth Award received RM2,000 in cash, along with a trophy and certificate, in each of the seven contested categories – charisma, entrepreneurship, resilience, young volunteerism, sports, persons with disabilities and uniformed associations.

Bernama reported. He added that specific eligibility criteria would also be established, including that applicants must be Perak natives or have resided in the state for at least 10 years. However, he said the final details and implementation of the proposed incentive would be subject to deliberation and approval by the State Executive Council before any official announcement is made. “The proposal is expected to be finalised ahead of the presentation of the state budget in November,” he said. Meanwhile, Khairudin said the National Premier Youth Award featured three categories, namely male individual, female individual and youth organisation, while the State Special Youth Award comprised seven categories fully funded by the state government. “I hope the winners will serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for young

IPOH: A proposal to introduce a RM500 First-Time Marriage Incentive for youths in Perak will be submitted to the relevant State Executive Council member for further discussion and refinement before being considered under the 2027 state budget. Perak Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Khairudin Abu Hanipah said the motion proposing the special incentive was unanimously approved during the recent fifth meeting of the Perak Youth Assembly. He said the proposal reflected the state government’s concern and commitment to helping ease

the financial burden faced by young people entering marriage. “We view this as a positive initiative that demonstrates the state government’s care and concern by providing some assistance to newly married couples,” he told reporters after representing Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad at the presentation of the state-level National Youth Premier Award and the State Youth Special Award 2026 here on Friday night. Khairudin said the proposed assistance would target youths aged between 15 and 35, in line with the definition of youth under the Youth Development and Sports Act 2007 (Act 668),

Khairudin said the incentive would target youths aged between 15 and 35, in line with the definition of youth under the Youth Development and Sports Act 2007. – BERNAMAPIC

Minister calls for probe into death of girl after school run

Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

and welfare are at stake,” he said, calling on the public to let the process play out fairly and professionally rather than rushing to conclusions. He also asked that the grieving family be given space and support during this difficult period. The case came to light after the girl’s father posted on social media, claiming his daughter, who had a known heart condition, was told by a teacher to take part in a running activity despite the family submitting medical documentation about her condition. The Kedah Education Department on Friday confirmed that the teacher connected to the

on April 14 at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Pak Kiau, but stressed that the probe needed to be exhaustive and conducted with integrity. “Nothing connected to this incident should be glossed over, and everyone involved must be given a chance to give their account,” he said in a statement, yesterday. He added that the family was owed a clear, thorough and evidence-based account of what actually took place, and that if the inquiry uncovers negligence, rule violations or misconduct, firm action should follow without exception. “There can be no half measures when children’s safety

PETALING JAYA: Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari has called for a comprehensive investigation into the death of an 11-year-old girl, who reportedly passed away from a heart-related condition after allegedly being made to join a sporting activity by a teacher. He said the Youth and Sports Ministry stood with the family of the late Nur Qaira Alisha Ahmad ‘Ilwan in their grief and offered condolences. The Sungai Petani MP noted that education authorities had already looked into a complaint the family filed over an incident