I'm ready to be probed over 'turtle eggs' controversy, says Bung Moktar
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (pic) says he is willing to cooperate with any investigation over the "turtle eggs" controversy to clear his name. "I am also not a fan of turtle eggs due to its cholesterol content which is not good for my health. "Those were not turtle eggs as claimed by some irresponsible quarters, but hard-boiled chicken eggs which had been shelled. Possession and consumption of turtle eggs are prohibited under the Sabah Wildlife Enactment 1997. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin had said that the state Wildlife Department had been asked to look into the matter.
Source:The Star
June 26, 2021 03:00 UTC
STPM results out on July 1
PETALING JAYA: The 2020 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) exam results will be released on Thursday (July 1). The results will be announced from noon onwards, said the Malaysian Examination Council (MPM) in a statement on Saturday (June 26). Alternatively the results can be checked via SMS by typing STPM (space) MyKad number (space) roll number to 68886 from 11am on July 1 until noon on July 9. Results will also be sent via email to candidates from 11am on July 1 for those who have provided their email addresses to MPM. For those who do not have Internet access, the state education department or district education department will identify the candidates and inform them of the best method to get their results, the MPM added.
Source:The Star
June 26, 2021 02:45 UTC
Rescue workers, families cling to hope for survivors of Florida building collapse
"We have hope because that's what our search-and-rescue team tells us, that they have hope," Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told a news conference. But the number of people unaccounted for remained constant throughout the day, meaning rescuers had not found any bodies or survivors. Below ground, rescuers who entered through the parking garage risked their own lives searching for survivors, occasionally being hit by falling debris, officials said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue chief Andy Alvarez recalled that his team once pulled a girl out of earthquake debris in Haiti eight days into the rescue effort. "Either the building is settling into the soil or maybe there is some compromise with the structure, a compromise within the building.
Source:The Edge Markets
June 26, 2021 01:52 UTC
Derek Chauvin, former US cop who murdered George Floyd, gets 22 1/2 years' jail
Still, Floyd family members and others were disappointed. And with good behavior, Chauvin, 45, could get out on parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence, or about 15 years. Floyd family attorney Ben Crump said the family had gotten "some measure of accountability" but is hoping Chauvin gets the maximum at his upcoming federal civil rights trial. "I do want to give my condolences to the Floyd family. Floyd family members had tearfully asked the judge to impose the maximum, which was 40 years.
Source:The Star
June 26, 2021 00:45 UTC
What happened to priority for senior citizens?
THE government has been urging senior citizens to register for Covid-19 vaccination, promising that they would be given priority as they are considered to be vulnerable to the disease. It appears that many senior citizens who registered months ago are still waiting for their vaccination appointment. I have also read about senior citizens who are husband and wife who registered together but only one is given an appointment and the other has to wait. Now, out of the blue, priority for vaccination is being given to lawyers and schoolchildren. I will not be surprised if the next group to be given priority are night market traders!
Source:The Star
June 26, 2021 00:33 UTC
Riders paint bad picture of employers
While this can be considered as an isolated incident, we just cannot ignore the fact that food delivery riders need to change their devil-may-care attitude towards traffic rules. Seeing food delivery riders risking their lives and that of other road users is very common these days. I am sure these riders have been properly trained on road safety by whichever delivery company they work with. Among consumers, these riders’ reckless behaviour could create a lot of negative brand association with the delivery company. As such, I hope more can be done by employers to make sure their riders behave responsibly on the road for the safety of others and themselves.
Source:The Star
June 26, 2021 00:22 UTC
Covid-19 symptoms linger after recovery
SEVERAL media practitioners, who contracted Covid-19, have reported experiencing post-recovery complications such as getting easily fatigued, having breathing difficulties and a loss of taste. She had contracted Covid-19 from an assignment, where another reporter had also tested positive. “I got infected even though I practised physical distancing by keeping one metre apart from others.”Diyana, however, did not experience severe Covid-19 symptoms, but she too highlighted the need to expedite vaccination for reporters. “I’m just really afraid of spreading it to my family.”Vaccination would be delayed for her, as she only recently contracted Covid-19, she said. “I was told by medical personnel that we experienced different categories of Covid-19 symptoms.
Source:The Star
June 26, 2021 00:00 UTC
Injecting hope for fast recovery
EVERYWHERE I went over the past week, I heard people talking about the Covid-19 vaccination. Another neighbour told my mum proudly the next day about her daughter who had got her first AstraZeneca jab a week before. In several WhatsApp groups I belong to, the Covid-19 vaccination topic is all the rage. It appears that the initial hesitancy among people about getting vaccinated is fast fading, although there are still some who remain sceptical. Economists have warned that the speed of economic recovery hinges on the success of the immunisation programme, which determines how soon we can reopen the economy.
Source:The Star
June 26, 2021 00:00 UTC
Webinar highlights how early detection can halt kidney disease
National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) notes that though Malaysians may be aware of the seriousness of chronic kidney disease (CKD), many may not be getting annual screenings to ensure good kidney health. However, with early detection and when managed properly, the rate of deterioration in kidney function can be reduced by as much as 50%. An annual blood test (renal function test) or urine test (to detect protein or blood in the urine) is crucial for early detection. Khairul Syazwali underwent dialysis and later, a successful kidney transplant, thanks to his older brother who donated a kidney. This is alarming since as many as 50,000 CKD patients in Malaysia undergo dialysis, with a significant number from underprivileged sectors.
Source:The Star
June 26, 2021 00:00 UTC
‘Never give up, even when it is tough’
Gui Brothers Sdn Bhd has over the years also helped hundreds of locals find employment. As their savings grew and with loans obtained on the basis of trust, Gui Brothers Enterprise was born in 1985. I was still doing my usual truck sales around villages while my wife helped to open up the sundry shop at 7am,” he said. Now, several of the Gui brothers and dozens of their children manage their businesses. Gui said throughout his journey he never gave up, even during tough times.
Source:The Star
June 26, 2021 00:00 UTC
Tough balancing act
A key question is how the additional government spending would affect the country’s sovereign ratings and in turn, hurt investor sentiment. “Country sovereign ratings are also a common parameter used to decide the amount of investment allocations by portfolio investors. “Any sovereign downgrade could trigger an adjustment to both price and volume of financial investments, ” he adds. According to Mohd Afzanizam, government finances make up a large part of the sovereign credit rating matrices. “I don’t believe at this stage it is mutually exclusive between sovereign ratings and livelihood, ” he says.
Source:The Star
June 25, 2021 23:59 UTC
Building exercise momentum
Hiking enthusiast Rita Chan, 50, turns to exercise videos online to maintain her fitness level although it is not the same as being outdoors. He said the rise in equipment sales was due to people spending more time at home. He said the implementation of the first MCO caught many off-guard, and this contributed to the surge in demand for exercise equipment. “Many fitness centres moved their training sessions online, so many people were buying equipment to keep up with their exercise routine at home,” she added. “So, although there has been an increase in home-range equipment sales, there are other setbacks to deal with,” said Au Yong.
Source:The Star
June 25, 2021 23:48 UTC
More mobile vaccination units needed for PJ seniors
MORE Covid-19 mobile vaccination units are required in the Petaling district to vaccinate seniors and other vulnerable groups in welfare homes. Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said there were only two units from the Petaling Health Office currently. “We certainly need more than two mobile vaccination units,” he said during an online press conference. He said 42 old folks homes in Petaling Jaya had registered for the mobile vaccination programme. He encouraged more welfare homes, including those that were operating without proper documentation, to register for vaccination.
Source:The Star
June 25, 2021 23:37 UTC
SOBA returns for 12th year
PETALING JAYA: The Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) 2021 is back for its 12th consecutive year to showcase the nation’s best up-and-coming local, non-listed companies and small and medium enterprises striving to carve a niche for themselves in the world of business. Star Media Group Bhd (SMG) CEO Alex Yeow said that during these uncertain times, Malaysia’s home-grown enterprises had proven that they were capable of taking challenges head-on. He said that since its inception, SOBA had highlighted more than 350 companies, with several past winners growing to become public listed. SOBA 2021 is organised by SMG with Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd, Maxis, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd and RHB Bank Bhd as Main Sponsors and Matrade as Official Trade Promotion Partner. RHB Bank Bhd Group Business & Transaction Banking head Jeffrey Ng said they were confident that SMEs could lead the rebuilding of a strong Malaysian economy.
Source:The Star
June 25, 2021 23:37 UTC
Changes aplenty in different Olympics but coach Eei Hui’s goal remains the same
PETALING JAYA: Chin Eei Hui is going for her fourth Olympic Games but as a coach for the second time. Peng Soon-Liu Ying are the only Malaysian mixed doubles representative at the Tokyo Games, slated from July 23-Aug 8. Eei Hui was Peng Soon-Liu Ying’s coach when the national No. I hope they will show a good fighting spirit more than anything,” said Eei Hui. On their training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia, Eei Hui said it had been solid.
Source:The Star
June 25, 2021 23:15 UTC