Bernama news brief Nov 30

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CHERAS IRB BRANCH FOR SANITISATION WORK

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Cheras branch of the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) will be temporarily closed for four days beginning today until Dec 3 for sanitisation work. It will be fully operational on Dec 6.

In a statement today, IRB said all appointments that had been approved through the e-Janji Temu system at the counter, were cancelled.

"Customers will have to apply for a new appointment when the counter re-opens. Customers are also recommended to check the list of HASiL offices and branches that are temporarily closed before going to any premises to avoid any inconvenience.

“For enquiries please contact the board through the Hasil Care Line at 03-8911 1000 or 603-8911 1100 (overseas); Live Chat results and feedback forms are on the IRB's official portal at https://maklumbalaspelanggan.hasil.gov.my/MaklumBalas/ms-my/, ” said the statement.

-- BERNAMA

POLITICAL LITERACY EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE ENHANCED BEFORE UNDI  18 - MYC

KUALA LUMPUR -- Political literacy education needs to be empowered at the school level in preparing youth to support the Undi 18 agenda, says assistant secretary-general of the Malaysian Youth Council (MYC) Kavita Maheendran.

She said the education system in the country is still seen as not being able to prepare youths aged 18 to face the challenges as an election candidate by just feeding them with civic and general knowledge education because it would only expose them to the history of politics and did not emphasise on the fundamental aspects of a democratic state.

"Subjects like political science, sociology, world economy, world history, international relations and administration and public policies must be introduced in the school syllabus. Without the experience, expertise and critical thinking, youth in the country will be distracted and will not be able to champion issues that affect Malaysians.

"The ability of youth voters in making assessments and research on manifestos, parties and politicians and making decisions must be strengthened. Law enforcement without a 'soft-landing or a smooth transition plan can result in failure among youths in the political world,” she said in a statement here today.

-- BERNAMA

DBIM THREE-MONTH PROGRAMME TO EMPOWER 70 INDIAN YOUTHS

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Dewan Belia India Malaysia (DBIM) programme is being held beginning this month until January 2022 to promote political awareness and activism to 70 Indian youths aged between 16 and 30.

DBIM in a statement today said the youth empowerment programme is a platform for them to channel their opinions and suggestions on national policies and politics, as well as debate proposals related to national policy, law and Indian society.

“During the programme, various political awareness workshops, simulations of parliamentary debates and discourses on national policies will also be held. The programme will also focus on tabling the motions for five specific ministries including the Youth and Sports Ministry and Education Ministry during the conference which will be held virtually,” it said.

DBIM said the programme organised by an independent secretariat together with Undi 18, is spearheaded by youth leader and activist Kiran Raj Sathivel with the support of several organisations, leaders and activists of the Indian community including Batu Member of Parliament P. Prabakaran.

-- BERNAMA

MALAYSIAN TRAVELLERS EAGER TO TRAVEL AS COUNTRY REOPENS - VISA RESEARCH

KUALA LUMPUR -- Sixty-five per cent of Malaysians are looking forward to traveling locally while 40 per cent intended to travel internationally for leisure by the middle of 2022, the Visa Voice of the Consumer research has found.

Visa in a statement today said the study found that the top three considerations for Malaysian travellers include having received a vaccination (66 per cent), stability of the COVID-19 situation at their travel destination (66 per cent) and a reduction of global cases of COVID-19 infections (56 per cent).

Visa Malaysia country manager Ng Kong Boon said that even as state and country borders open for travel, personal safety remains a priority for consumers thus why businesses must continue to be nimble in managing restrictions and preventing future infection waves.

“One of the activities all travellers do regardless of destination is making payments. This is why digital payments will play a crucial role in both stimulating business recovery and limiting physical contact for the spread of infection,” he said.

According to the research, China, Australia and Japan followed by neighbouring countries Thailand and Singapore are top overseas travel destinations for Malaysians.

-- BERNAMA