Bernama news in brief: Nov 26

ARMED FORCES FOIL ATTEMPT TO SMUGGLE  OUT 1.32 TONS OF KETUM LEAVES   

ALOR SETAR -- The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), through its Second Infantry Division Headquarters, have foiled an attempt to smuggle 1,322 kilogrammes of ketum leaves worth an estimated RM40,000 to neighbouring countries at the border area in Padang Terap on Nov 24.

MAF said in a statement today that the seizure was happened when the team was on patrol at the border area at Batu Sempadan 29/190 at about 5.03 pm.

The smugglers decided to flee into the forest, abandoning their vehicles and goods after noticing the team’s presence.

In addition to the ketum leaves, the team also seized four motorcycles, cash in Malaysian and Thai currencies, as well as mobile phones estimated to be worth over RM77,000.

-- BERNAMA

TERENGGANU NRD TO ASSIST FLOOD VICITMS WITH LOST DOCUMENTS

KUALA TERENGGANU -- The Terengganu branch of the National Registration Department (NRD) will mobilise two teams under the MEKAR (Menyemai Kasih Rakyat) programme to assist flood victims who have lost their identification documents in the disaster.

Its director, Mohamad Nasir Kareem, said the team would facilitate the application and replacement of documents within 24 hours at the nearest NRD office. 

“We have always reminded the public, especially residents of the high-risk areas, to make early preparations such as keeping important documents in a safe place,” he said when contacted today.

 According to the department’s records, a total of 5,189 MyKads were reported missing during the monsoon season (December and January) due to floods, crime and negligence.

-- BERNAMA

PENANG ZAKAT AIMS TO COLLECT RM136 MLN IN TITHE THIS YEAR 

GEORGE TOWN -- Penang Zakat (ZPP) is optimistic about collecting RM136 million in zakat (tithe) this year, compared to RM122.4 million last year, its chief executive officer, Amran Hazali said.

He said until October, ZPP has collected 72 per cent of its target and believed it would be able to achieve it by the end of this year.

 He said ZPP has channelled RM1.94 million in COVID-19 Special Zakat Assistance to 3,881 recipients this year.

-- BERNAMA

MBI URGES CONTRACTOR TO EXPEDITE IPOH SEWERAGE TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT 

IPOH -- The Ipoh City Council (MBI) has urged project contractor, Syarikat Mangkubumi Sdn Bhd to expedite the completion of the regional sewerage treatment plant and sewerage network around Ipoh.

Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said they wanted the company to complete the project by June next year instead of its expected completion date in 2023 as complaints about road conditions by motorists have been increasing due to the project.

"Every month, I chair a meeting that monitors this project and we will also negotiate with the company so that they can complete the project earlier,” he told reporters here today.

-- BERNAMA