CLOSE to one million youths have successfully claimed their eBelia credit via ShopeePay. As of June 7, the programme has succeeded in generating sales amounting to 120% of the total amount disbursed by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) through ShopeePay. Additionally, some 140,000 sellers and traders that accept ShopeePay have already benefited from the eBelia programme.

Head of ShopeePay Malaysia Alain Yee said: ”As one of the newest mobile wallets to enter a crowded space, it is indeed humbling to receive the resounding support from eligible eBelia participants. When compared against MOF’s announcement, the bulk of the 1.7 million successful applicants have chosen ShopeePay. This is possibly because our e-wallet can be used both online and offline nationwide, with a reach as far and wide as Semporna, Sabah; Miri, Sarawak; Kemaman and Gong Badak in Terengganu and Bachok, Kelantan.”

Yee added that based on the preliminary data from June 1 till 7, user behaviour amongst eBelia recipients suggest that the programme has driven adoption of e-wallets and is likely going to lead to long term usage.

“Of the total successful eBelia applicants via our mobile wallet, about 40% are new ShopeePay users that activated their e-wallet just for eBelia. Additionally, we are positive that customer retention rate amongst these new users will be high as over 20% have already topped up their e-wallet at least once within the first week of using ShopeePay,” he explained.

On what the recipients have been spending on, Yee shared that many were seen to be using the eBelia credit on very practical purchases: daily necessities, food and beverages, books, as well as home and living items, among others. A closer look into the spending pattern of these eBelia youths for the past week reveals the following (Observations are made based on top 100 merchants by transactions recorded offline, online (merchants’ webstores and Apps), and on Shopee.

SINCE it was founded in 1994, aviation has always been a passion for Bell & Ross. Over the years, the watch brand has become a leading benchmark in the instrument watch field.

In 2011, the brand launched the eye-catching Red Radar. This year marks the return of this watchmaking UFO. The style of the new BR 03-92 Red Radar Ceramic version is as modern as ever, and brings its own innovative reinterpretation to the watch display. Its display breaks the traditional watchmaking codes by revisiting the graphics of an aircraft control radar.

The time can be read via a system of rotating discs, combined with an analogue hand. The dial is topped with a red sapphire crystal. The newcomer adopts the BR 03 case, which is 42 mm in diameter.

In constant pursuit of innovation and performance, on this occasion Bell & Ross has chosen to use ceramic. This high-tech material is scratch-resistant, yet soft to the touch.

THERE is good news for close to 15,000 University Malaya [UM] undergraduates returning to campus this October – homegrown retailer MR DIY will be distributing RM300 to each student to help them purchase essential supplies to facilitate their return to campus.

Dubbed #DIY4UM, the RM4.5 million cash aid distribution programme is being implemented in partnership with Touch ‘n Go via its eWallet platform.

The cash aid will be made to students on their Touch ‘n Go eWallets in three equal payments of RM100 each on Nov 1 and 30, and Dec 30.

Announcing the #DIY4UM aid programme, MR DIY CEO Adrian Ong said the programme was aimed at helping students make the back-to-campus transition as smooth and worry-free as possible.

He said: “The reopening of campuses is a major milestone for university students. After many months of lockdown, they will finally be able to reconvene on campus to fully benefit from the in-person learning experience and enjoy the academic social interaction with lecturers and fellow students alike.

“We believe it’s important that they are well equipped with protective and learning essentials to keep themselves safe while staying focused on their studies, which is why we are distributing this cash aid to undergraduates at University Malaya.”

He said students will be able to easily equip themselves with everyday student essentials, Covid-19 protective equipment and a wide range of stationery items at MR DIY retail stores as well as its online platform using the cash credit given.

In addition, the first 11,000 students who utilise the funds will be entitled to RM10 cashback when they spend a minimum of RM20 using the Touch ‘n Go Wallet.

The promotion applies at MR DIY Group stores, MR DIY Online, as well as the MR DIY mini programme available on Touch ‘n Go eWallet.

The programme is part of a strategic collaboration between MR DIY and Touch ‘n Go which was inked in July this year.

Commenting on the aid programme, Touch ‘n Go group chief executive officer Effendy Shahul Hamid said: “We are extremely pleased that the partnership between our companies has been extended into a benefit for society, in this case, students of University Malaya.

“We stand ready to support this initiative and we commend MR DIY for stepping up during these challenging times.”

All active Malaysian undergraduates at University Malaya are eligible for the aid. They are required to register online via Portal Maya UM by Oct 3, and ensure they have a valid Touch ‘n Go eWallet.

The initiative was lauded by Universiti Malaya’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr Mohd Hamdi Abd Syukor who said: “We are confident this initiative will be of great help to students as they return to campus.”

The #DIY4UM initiative is the latest in a series of collaborations between MR DIY and University Malaysia. MR DIY has for the past four years joined hands with UM and the Ministry of Education to organise the “DIY Made Simple” competition for schools with UM’s Community and Sustainability Center (UMCares).

The competition is a CSR initiative to cultivate awareness of sustainability among schoolchildren.

Visit MR DIY’s website at www.mrdiy.com, e-commerce platform at www.mrdiy.com.my, and social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.

MALAYSIAN consumer associations have been around since the 1960s. However, today we have few that are active and serve consumer interest.

They should continue to fight for consumer rights nationwide and address issues that require better consumer education, stronger laws and enhanced regulatory frameworks, especially in commerce.

Many of these associations face several challenges when it comes to consumer protection, despite existing legal frameworks such as the Consumer Protection Act 1999. The main issues stem from a combination of factors, including:

Limited awareness: Many consumers are not fully aware of their rights under consumer protection laws. This lack of awareness leads to consumers not filing complaints or pursuing justice when their rights are violated.

Weak enforcement: While there are laws in place, the enforcement of these laws can be inconsistent. Regulatory agencies sometimes lack the resources or the will to take effective action against businesses that violate consumer rights.

Online transactions: With the rise of e-commerce, there have been increasing complaints about fraud, counterfeit goods and scams. Consumer protection laws are still catching up to fully address issues arising from online transactions, leaving many consumers vulnerable.

Delayed resolutions: Consumers often face long wait-times when filing complaints or seeking compensation. Dispute resolution mechanisms can be slow, which discourages consumers from pursuing complaints.

Misleading advertisements: There have been cases of misleading or false advertising where consumers end up buying products or services that do not meet expectations. The penalties for businesses engaging in such practices are not always strong enough to act as a deterrent.

Price gouging: In certain industries, especially during times of crisis, for example, the Covid-19 pandemic, price gouging can be a significant issue, with some businesses exploiting consumers by drastically raising prices on essential goods.

The government also has a duty to see that consumer associations function as they should and continue to stay active, and that they are fully supported.

Consumers should take action to defend their rights and ensure they are not violated while pursuing consumer protection.

Bulbir is a former president of the Negeri Sembilan Consumers Association. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

THE Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) acknowledges the efforts of the government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in presenting Budget 2025.

The initiatives aimed at equitable economic growth, fiscal responsibility and governance reforms are commendable.

While the budget reflects positive steps in Malaysia’s fiscal policy and development, it falls short in addressing critical human rights concerns, especially in areas affecting marginalised and vulnerable groups.

Suhakam welcomes the government’s focus on children, including incentives for special needs children and tax breaks for parents of children with autism.

Efforts to tackle child malnutrition in public housing and the increased allocation to agencies dealing with online safety, child pornography and cyberbullying are positive.

The strengthening of relevant laws to address scams and cybercrimes targeting children as well as the introduction of new legal frameworks represent a proactive step towards protecting children in the digital age.

Despite these improvements, Suhakam stresses that the budget lacks clear plans to safeguard the rights of migrant workers, refugees and stateless individuals. These communities continue to face exploitation, with limited access to healthcare, education and legal protection.

Stronger frameworks are needed to prevent human trafficking and exploitation, ensuring these groups can access justice and basic services, in line with Malaysia’s international obligations.

The budget mentions infrastructure projects for rural and indigenous communities but fails to address the protection of indigenous peoples’ land rights.

Their participation in decision-making on development projects remains limited, often resulting in displacement and loss of traditional lands.

Suhakam emphasises the importance of the principle of free, prior and informed consent in all development activities to preserve their rights and cultural heritage.

On gender equality, Budget 2025’s focus on gender-based violence remains inadequate.

The absence of specific allocations for strengthening legal frameworks and support services for victims is alarming.

Suhakam urges the government to prioritise protection for women, particularly in addressing domestic violence, sexual harassment and workplace discrimination.

Malaysia’s ageing population continues to grow, yet their specific needs remain largely unaddressed. Access to healthcare, social protection and protection from abuse are essential human rights that cannot be overlooked. Suhakam calls for a comprehensive national ageing policy that guarantees the dignity and rights of elderly citizens.

In addition, while poverty alleviation is a government focus, the budget lacks a human rights-based approach to economic and social rights.

Marginalised communities continue to struggle with inadequate housing, food security and fair wages. Suhakam stresses the need for legal protections that ensure equitable access to resources, affordable housing and decent work for all, especially low-income families.

Mental health services, especially post-pandemic, remain critically underfunded.

While economic recovery is emphasised, there is limited attention to community-based mental healthcare.

Additionally, the budget does not sufficiently address the rights and needs of persons with disabilities (PwD). The lack of focus on accessibility, inclusive education and employment opportunities is concerning.

Suhakam urges the government to align its policies with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ensuring equal access to public services and economic opportunities for all PwD.

While institutional reforms are mentioned, Budget 2025 falls short in addressing access to justice for vulnerable groups.

Suhakam advocates for comprehensive legal reforms to ensure marginalised communities can access justice and hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable.

On a positive note, Suhakam recognises the increased budget for the judiciary, the boost to the National Cyber Security Agency in tackling online safety issues, including for children, and the anticipated Online Safety Bill.

The increase in cash aid under Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and the allocations for combatting child malnutrition in public housing areas are steps in the right direction.

Despite these initiatives, the minimum wage still does not reflect the actual cost of living, as evidenced by reports from Employees Provident Fund, Bank Negara Malaysia and Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency.

Additionally, the Baitul Mahabbah programme continues with no expansion to cover all children below 18 years, nor an indication of family or community placement.

Suhakam acknowledges the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and governance reforms.

However, we urge the government to ensure that its economic growth strategies are inclusive.

A budget must address not only fiscal concerns but also the protection of fundamental rights for all.

Suhakam

MANY will have forgotten a speech by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last May, in which he called for more frequent dialogues between people of different faiths to build bridges across cultures and religions.

Last November, Anwar spoke on the importance of moral empowerment and how the values shared by two religions – Islam and Confucianism – can guide us towards more ethical paths.

The big lesson we can learn from Confucius is that relationships in the family should be a model for larger circles of relationship. From Islam, we learn that we need to organise ourselves into a unified citizenry to shape a new era of global ethical governance.

Anwar’s remarks are timely as Malaysia has sunk into a deep moral crisis, and everyone needs to realise that if this crisis stays unresolved, it will cripple our nation. It is the crisis of dishonesty.

Johan Jaafar, a renowned journalist, had written two years ago: “Some believe integrity, the very foundation of honesty and consistency of character, is fast evaporating. We have changed as a nation, sadly not for the better. Dishonesty is a virus that is endangering the future of the nation.”

Imagine the consequences if every member of a family is dishonest: spouses are dishonest with each other, and as parents they are dishonest with their children. In turn, children are dishonest with their parents and siblings. The family will break up. This is Malaysia’s fate if we fail to eliminate the web of dishonesty before it enwraps us all in its coils like a million-tentacled monster.

The lack of honest responsibility infects the public and private sectors as well as their hybrid entities – the government-linked companies (GLC) and government-linked investment companies (GLIC).

Let us start by examining the visible signs of dishonesty within the public sector. Almost all of our cities have one common feature: unrepaired potholes and road depressions. It may take months for local councils to act, and when contractors are hired, they frequently use substandard materials.

But why is it dishonest for civil servants to be slow in addressing these issues? Officers are paid to be productive, and not to slack. Delays cost money, and the cost is unmeasured because vehicle repair expenses are borne by vehicle owners.

Many road users have suffered vehicle damage, bodily injuries, and some have even lost their lives due to long-unrepaired potholes and road iron covers that sit lower than the road surface. Little effort is made to raise these iron covers, which sink over time due to cracks in the surrounding concrete or when the road is resurfaced.

Walk through most of our cities and notice the poor maintenance that characterises many public buildings, infrastructure and amenities. The upkeep of drains is particularly appalling.

Litter on public streets and sidewalks often remains uncollected for weeks and months, yet
cleaning service contractors are routinely paid their monthly fees. Isn’t this blatant dishonesty?

Lately, it has been revealed that the C-suites of some GLC and GLIC routinely enjoy fully paid luxury overseas holidays regardless of whether their companies outperform or underperform. Are these legitimate job rewards?

Let us turn to the private sector. Everywhere you look, the monster of dishonesty is prowling. Our cities are dotted with People’s Housing Projects, yet many residents fail to pay the low maintenance fees, despite having Astro and owning cars.

We have not yet addressed fraud and tax evasion, but now we must turn to one of the most insidious forms of dishonesty, second only to political corruption: scams. All our lives are being touched by scams. If you have not been a victim, and do not know anyone who has, it simply means your turn has not come.

In 2022, RM804 million was lost to scammers, and the figure surged to RM1.34 billion last year, according to the Communications and Digital Ministry. In 2023, a total of 33,235 scam cases were reported to the National Scam Response Centre. The government believes the actual
losses may be higher, as many cases were reported directly to the police.

Victims have fallen prey to telecommunication scams, financial fraud, love scams, e-commerce scams, fake loans and bogus investments. Many have lost their life savings. Complaints about investment scams shot up by over 300% between 2019 and 2023, the Securities Commission revealed last week. Nearly RM1 billion has been lost to investment scammers so far this year.

The notorious scam, long known as the “macao scam”, may be more accurately described as the “jail scam” because the tactic used is to frighten victims into believing they have committed a crime and will be detained in jail.

Last year’s victims included many people in their 40s, 50s and 60s, and one person in his 20s. Among them were teachers and lecturers, managers, analysts, doctors, farmers, engineers, pensioners and civil servants.

The standard tactic involves a junior scammer posing as an official from a government ministry, such as the tax department, courier company, shipping company, bank, post office, insurance company or similar. You are informed that your name has appeared in a suspicious document.

Once you express concern, two senior scammers will take over, pretending to be a police sergeant and an inspector. They claim that a crime has been committed in your name and a warrant for your arrest has been issued, with detention pending investigation. The “good guy” sergeant offers you a way out – the usual one, of course: transferring large sums of money to several bank accounts.

A tragedy occurred at the end of last year when a 95-year-old retired civil servant, who had been scammed out of RM18,000, became deeply distressed. His health rapidly deteriorated and he passed away.

The scammers are a multiethnic force of locals. We know this because they are able to speak any language that their victims are most comfortable with. Backing up the scammers are large networks of collaborators with jobs that grant them access to databases, and who sell personal details, including phone numbers. Around 73% of mobile phone numbers used by approximately 20 million people in Malaysia have been leaked or sold to scammers.

Another network of collaborators are bank account holders who rent or sell their accounts to scammers. These accounts then become mule accounts to which scam victims are asked to transfer their money. Three months ago, the federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department disclosed that it had identified over 208,000 mule accounts linked to online scams and commercial crime activities.

These two networks cannot exist unless those in higher positions let it happen. Negligence is a form of dishonesty because superior officers are paid to remain vigilant.

The underlying reason for the spread of dishonesty is the erosion of the nation’s cooperative spirit. Honesty and cooperation are closely intertwined; honesty fosters trust, which is essential for effective cooperation. Trust signals reliability, encouraging others to cooperate, knowing they are dealing with fellow citizens who value truthfulness.

In the formative years of civilisation, religion and politics were the twin foundational pillars of society. State religions developed public rituals to ensure that the honesty and cooperative behaviour that once bound members of small hunter-gatherer tribes together as one family would persist, despite the large, unrelated populations characteristic of urban societies.

However, these same rituals are conducted today as mere requirements for obtaining a passport to heaven in the afterlife. All our religions are now mired in ritualistic shows of loyalty to God and conformity to set practices.

Although there are nine prominent religions in Malaysia – Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Jainism and the Bahai Faith – they have failed to mould a united front to uphold cooperative behaviour.

Many religions have exploited the nation’s multifaith diversity to expand their membership in line with supremacist leanings, competing with other religions instead of bonding as one genre to provide high standards of honesty and cooperative behaviour for all citizens. Such rivalry undermines trust.

One common occurrence demonstrates this self-centredness. We are used to labelling the people of other religions as “unbelievers” or “non-believers” despite every citizen professing to uphold the first principle of the Rukunegara – Belief in God. They should be called friends.

By maintaining their traditional conservatism instead of forging a united front, our religions have created a moral vacuum that allows the web of dishonesty to spread over society. Abundant sociohistorical evidence points to the conclusion that without trust and cooperation, a nation will perish.

The writer champions interfaith harmony. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

LONDON: The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned on Tuesday, saying he stepped down “in sorrow” after failing to ensure there was a proper investigation into allegations of abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps decades ago.

Welby, the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide, had faced calls to resign after a report last week found he had taken insufficient action to stop a person it described as arguably the Church of England’s most prolific serial abuser.

“Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury,“ Welby said in a statement.

“I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse.”

NEW YORK: The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal hush money case has put off ruling on whether the president-elect’s conviction should be thrown out on immunity grounds, enabling prosecutors to weigh next steps following his Nov. 5 election victory.

Justice Juan Merchan had been due to rule on Tuesday on Trump’s argument that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in July that presidents are immune from prosecution involving their official acts meant the New York state case should be dismissed.

Instead, Merchan granted a request by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office to have until Nov. 19 to consider how to approach the case in light of Trump’s looming inauguration in January 2025, email correspondence made public on Tuesday showed.

Trump’s scheduled Nov. 26 sentencing is now widely expected to be postponed.

Trump in May became the first U.S. president - former or sitting - convicted of a crime when a jury in Manhattan found him guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a potential sex scandal shortly before his first election win in 2016. Trump, who pleaded not guilty, has vowed to appeal the verdict after sentencing.

Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo wrote there were “competing interests” between ensuring a criminal case proceeds as usual and protecting the office of the president.

“The People agree that these are unprecedented circumstances,“ Colangelo wrote.

Trump is set to be the first felon inaugurated as president after his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.

At issue in the six-week Manhattan trial was a $130,000 payment made by Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about a sexual encounter she said she had with him in 2006 but which he has denied.

Trump’s defense lawyer Emil Bove wrote that the case ultimately needed to be dismissed to avoid interfering with Trump’s presidential duties.

“The stay, and dismissal, are necessary to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trump’s ability to govern,“ Bove wrote.

TRUMP FACED FOUR CRIMINAL CASES

Trump, 78, is hoping to enter office unencumbered by any of four criminal cases he has faced and which once were thought to have threatened to derail his 2024 candidacy to return to the White House after having served from 2017-2021.

The Republican Trump has portrayed the hush money case brought by Bragg, a Democrat, and the three other state and federal criminal indictments brought in 2023 as politically motivated attempts to harm his presidential campaign. He pleaded not guilty in all four cases.

“It is now abundantly clear that Americans want an immediate end to the weaponization of our justice system,“ Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement on Tuesday.

Special Counsel Jack Smith brought two of the cases against Trump, one involving classified documents he kept after leaving office and the other involving his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. A Florida-based federal judge in July dismissed the documents case. The Justice Department is now evaluating how to wind down Smith’s election-related case.

Trump also faces state criminal charges in Georgia over his bid to reverse his 2020 loss in that state, but the case remains in limbo.

The Supreme Court, in a decision arising from one of Smith’s two cases against Trump, decided that presidents are immune from prosecution involving their official acts and that juries cannot be presented evidence of official acts in trials over personal conduct. It marked the first time that the court recognized any degree of presidential immunity from prosecution.

In making the case for immunity, Trump’s lawyers said the jury that convicted Trump in the hush money case was shown evidence by prosecutors of his social media posts as president and heard testimony from his former aides about conversations that occurred in the White House during his 2017-2021 term.

Bragg’s office countered that the Supreme Court’s ruling has no bearing on the case, which they said concerned “wholly unofficial conduct.” The Supreme Court in its ruling found no immunity for a president’s unofficial acts.

MADRID: Schools in flood-hit towns in eastern Spain will be closed on Wednesday as the region braces for more torrential rains, officials said.

National weather office AEMET on Tuesday placed parts of Valencia as well as Catalonia in the northeast and Andalusia in the south and the Balearic Islands on orange alert -- the second highest level -- for strong or torrential rains until Thursday.

The alert comes two weeks after an exceptional Mediterranean storm caused Spain's deadliest floods in decades.

The October 29 storm killed 223 people, the bulk of them in the Valencia region, according to the latest official tally.

Dozens of town halls in Valencia, including Chiva, one of the worst-hit sites, suspended classes and closed public gyms because of the threats of more heavy rain.

“In response to the information provided by the emergency services, school and sports activities will be SUSPENDED from tomorrow until further notice,“ Chiva town hall wrote on X.

A military vehicle drove through towns in Valencia using a megaphone to warn of the expected storms and urge people not to make “unnecessary trips,“ images broadcast on Spanish public television TVE showed,

While the amount of rain that is forecast to fall in Valencia is less than what fell two weeks ago, local officials warned sewage systems are clogged with mud and could struggle to cope with significant precipitation making more flooding possible.

Outrage at the authorities for their perceived mismanagement before and after the floods triggered mass protests on Saturday, the largest in Valencia city which drew 130,000 people.

Classes were also suspended on Wednesday in parts of southern Catalonia as well as some towns and cities in Andalusia, inclusing Malaga.

MANILA: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the International Criminal Court (ICC) should ‘hurry up’ with its probe of his war on drugs, remaining firm in his defence of the brutal campaign as he said the investigation should start immediately.

“I’m asking the ICC to hurry up, and if possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow,“ Duterte said in a congressional inquiry on his war on drugs.

“If I am found guilty, I will go to prison.”

According to police data, more than 6,200 people died in anti-drug operations under Duterte’s presidency, during which police typically said they had killed suspects in self-defence.

Human rights groups believe the real toll to be far greater, with thousands more users and small-time peddlers killed in mysterious circumstances by unknown assailants.

“I assume full responsibility for whatever happened in the actions taken by law enforcement agencies of this country to... stop the serious problem of drugs affecting our people,“ Duterte said.

The ICC last year cleared the way for an investigation to into the thousands of deaths and other suspected rights abuses.

The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in March 2019, when Duterte was president. Appeals judges at the ICC subsequently ruled prosecutors still had jurisdiction over the alleged crimes because they occurred when the Philippines was an ICC member.

NEW DELHI: Residents of India’s capital New Delhi choked in a blanketing toxic smog Wednesday as worsening air pollution surged past 50 times the World Health Organization’s recommended daily maximum.

Many in the city cannot afford air filters, nor do they have homes they can effectively seal from the misery of foul smelling air blamed for thousands of premature deaths.

Cooler temperatures and slow-moving winds trap deadly pollutants each winter, stretching from mid-October until at least January.

At dawn on Wednesday, “hazardous” pollutant levels in parts of the sprawling urban area of more than 30 million people topped 806 micrograms per cubic metre, according to monitoring firm IQAir.

That is more than 53 times the World Health Organization recommended daily maximum of fine particulate matter -- dangerous cancer-causing microparticles known as PM2.5 pollutants that enter the bloodstream through the lungs.

By midday, when air usually is at its best, it eased to about 25-35 times above danger levels, depending on different districts.

The city is blanketed in acrid smog each year, primarily blamed on stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring regions to clear their fields for ploughing, as well as factories and traffic fumes.

‘Alarming’

But a report by The New York Times this month, based on air and soil samples it collected over five years, revealed the dangerous fumes also spewing from a power plant incinerating the city’s landfill garbage mountains.

Experts the newspaper spoke to said that the levels of heavy metals found were “alarming”.

Swirling white clouds of smog also delayed several flights across northern India.

The India Meteorological Department said that at least 18 regional airports had a visibility lower than 1,000 metres (1,093 yards) -- dropping below 500 metres in Delhi.

India’s Supreme Court last month ruled that clean air was a fundamental human right, ordering both the central government and state-level authorities to take action.

But critics say arguments between rival politicians heading neighbouring states -- as well as between central and state-level authorities -- have compounded the problem.

Politicians are accused of not wanting to anger key figures in their constituencies, particularly powerful farming groups.

City authorities have launched several initiatives to tackle pollution, which have done little in practice.

Government trucks are regularly used to spray water to briefly dampen the pollution.

A new scheme unveiled earlier this month to use three small drones to spray water mist was derided by critics as another “band-aid” solution to a public health crisis.

The WHO says that air pollution can trigger strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

It is particularly punishing for babies, children and the elderly.

A study in The Lancet medical journal attributed 1.67 million premature deaths to air pollution in the world’s most populous country in 2019.

TOY manufacturer Mattel have removed thousands of its ‘Wicked’-branded dolls off the shelves after discovering a x-rated printing error on the packaging.

The dolls were made in collaboration with the movie adaptation of the award-winning musical ‘Wicked’, fashioned after the characters.

CNBC reported that the website link printed on the dolls’ packaging lead to a pornographic website instead of the ‘Wicked’ movie adaptation’s official website.

Quoting Mattel’s apology statement, the company stated it was “aware” of a misprint on the doll’s packaging, mainly sold in US, intended to direct consumers to the movie’s landing page.

ALSO READ: M’sian netizens mock local uni for spelling ‘exercise’ as ‘eksesais’ in congratulatory post

“We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this. Parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children,” Mattel was quoted as saying.

The company also advised consumers who have already purchased the dolls with the misprint to throw away the packaging or “obsure”, as quoted, the website link.

Following the misprint revelation, several online retailers across the US have pulled the dolls off their shelves as of Monday (Nov 11).

However, it is unclear if the toy manufacturing company will release the dolls with the correct print details or provide stickers to cover the mistakenly printed link.

ALSO READ: ‘Rail My Life’: KTM’s free ride campaign poster leaves netizens amused at mistaken wording

GEORGE TOWN: Three local men, active in firearms smuggling, house break-ins, and luxury vehicle thefts that resulted in losses exceeding RM4 million, were shot dead during a shootout at Jalan Changkat-Pulau Burung, Nibong Tebal, earlier today.

Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said that at 5.30 am, a team from the Penang Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ) and Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) district police were conducting a crime prevention operation when they noticed two suspicious vehicles in the area.

“The police approached the two vehicles, a Honda Accord and a Perodua Myvi, which were acting suspiciously. Upon identifying themselves as police officers, the suspects suddenly fired several shots at our vehicles.

“The police team then returned fire in self-defence, and the three men, aged between 30 and 42, were found dead at the scene,“ he said in a press conference at the Penang Police Headquarters today.

He added that a search at the scene revealed a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, a box of Master bullets containing 50 rounds of 9mm Luger A USA ammunition, a box of 9mm Luger D62 ammunition containing 44 rounds, two machetes, a crowbar, a sledgehammer, and various other tools used in vehicle theft.

Hamzah said checks revealed that the Honda Accord used by the suspects was a stolen vehicle, which had been reported missing in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

He added that during the incident, the suspects were believed to be on their way to commit a robbery at a location they had already identified, which was not far from the site of the shootout.

“Initial investigations found that the three men were actively involved in luxury vehicle and 4x4 vehicle thefts, as well as house break-ins across the state since the start of this year.

“Their modus operandi was to target luxury homes, break in, and steal valuables, while the stolen vehicles would be smuggled into neighbouring countries and sold,“ he said, adding that the firearms used by the suspects were also smuggled from abroad.

He explained that none of the suspects had regular employment. The first suspect, aged 42, who was the gang leader, had 35 prior criminal offences and eight drug-related convictions; the second suspect had six previous drug-related offences, while the third suspect had no identification, and all three were believed to be criminal associates.

“With the elimination of these three criminals, police believe they have successfully solved 33 cases of vehicle theft, robbery, and house break-ins that have occurred in Penang since the beginning of this year,“ he said.

PUTRAJAYA: The founding couple of FashionValet Sdn Bhd, linked to the investment loss of Khazanah Nasional Bhd (Khazanah) and Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), continued giving their statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The vehicle carrying the couple arrived at MACC headquarters here at 2.50 pm.

Today marks the sixth day of their statements being recorded after the MACC detected several suspicious account transactions in its probe into investment losses totalling RM43.9 million.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki was reported to have said that the commission was reviewing and investigating the cash flow received by the e-commerce business platform founders.

MACC is also reported to have frozen several of the couple’s private and company bank accounts worth about RM1.1 million through Op Favish on Nov 6.

KUCHING: Ibraco Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Ibraco Ascent Sdn Bhd, completed its first delivery of mild steel cement-lined (MSCL) pipes from its new manufacturing plant at Demak Laut Industrial Park Phase III.

The inaugural delivery of MSCL pipes will be used to develop the water infrastructure within the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.

MSCL pipes are usually used for water developments due to their resilience and reliability in corrosive conditions.

The completion of this first delivery marks the full operational readiness of Ibraco Ascent’s pipe manufacturing plant to cater to the expansion of water infrastructure in Sarawak.

Ibraco Ascent’s pipe manufacturing plant was set up to facilitate Sarawak’s Water Supply Master Plan.

The plan is designed to meet the state’s growing water infrastructure needs and focus on achieving 100% water supply coverage across Sarawak.

The Sarawak Water Supply Master Plan has outlined the development of Sarawak’s water supply for the periods until 2025, 2040, and 2070, incorporating three strategic cores: water demand, water treatment and distribution, and water quality and sufficiency for both raw and treated water.

In addition to helping meet Sarawak’s strategic water needs, Ibraco Ascent’s pipe manufacturing plant is also sustainability-oriented in tandem with the Ibraco Group’s commitment to embrace ESG across its operations and generate tangible value creation for all its stakeholders.

Currently employing 35 local staff, Ibraco Ascent plans to expand its workforce to over 60 employees by 2025, broadening its production to include pipe fittings such as bends, tees and reducers.

This growth reflects the company’s commitment to community development and local employment.

Ibraco Ascent’s manufacturing plant is also equipped with advanced technologies, including automated welding systems, hydrostatic pressure testing, and bitumen coating stations, ensuring each pipe is built to last.

The company adheres to rigorous quality control measures, employing ultrasonic thickness gauges, hydrostatic testing equipment, and radiographic testing to maintain high production standards.

PETALING JAYA: The latest AHK World Business Outlook Fall 2024 Survey conducted among German companies in Malaysia reveals an optimistic forecast for 2025, with positive sentiment about both current conditions and prospects.

The survey highlights key insights reflecting the resilience and growth expectations of German businesses operating in Malaysia.

When asked to assess the current performance of their company, 92% of German businesses in Malaysia report conditions as “good or satisfactory”, which marks a significant increase of 10% compared to the same period last year.

Strong economic development and confidence among German businesses in Malaysia are expected to continue into next year, with 97% of respondents describing the outlook for 2025 as “favourable or stable”.

While Malaysia has always been recognised for its strong economic foundation, this year’s survey results demonstrate a significant boost in confidence, surpassing expectations from last year’s outlook and highlighting the continued resilience of Malaysia’s economy.

Reflecting this confidence, more than 63% of companies expect positive business development over the next 12 months, while 35% anticipate the current stability will be maintained. Only 1.8% predict a decline in performance, showcasing a predominantly positive outlook for the year ahead.

Additionally, four in 10 companies intend to increase investments in the coming year, suggesting a commitment to further growth within the business community.

Employment plans also appear to be promising, with almost half of the German companies in Malaysia indicating plans to ramp up hiring. An equal percentage (47%) intend to retain their current workforce, emphasising a dual approach to growth and stability in human resources.

While the survey paints a generally encouraging outlook for businesses in Malaysia, respondents identified several challenges that could potentially impact their economic development in the coming years.

Survey participants view demand, economic policy conditions, and lack of skilled workers as potential challenges. These insights underscore the need for ongoing vigilance and strategic planning as companies navigate both opportunities and uncertainties in a highly competitive and volatile global market.

Overall, the findings of the survey illustrate a strong confidence among companies in Malaysia, highlighting a positive trajectory for business development and economic growth in the coming year.

Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) executive director Jan Noether said, “The results of the AHK World Business Outlook Fall 2024 Survey align perfectly with our expectations for the future of German business in Malaysia. The strong sentiment and optimism reflected in the survey highlight the positive situation we are experiencing here and underscore our confidence in Malaysia’s economic stability and growth prospects. German companies are comfortable and committed to the Malaysian market, with a clear outlook for continued success and expansion in the year ahead. Moreover, Malaysia’s stable economic environment and supportive policies play a key role in stimulating further investment, reinforcing our belief in the country as a reliable and attractive hub for business growth.”

In Malaysia, the survey was conducted between Sept 23 and Oct 16, with 111 respondents from MGCC member companies, comprising mostly German companies with branches or subsidiaries in Malaysia, primarily from the manufacturing, trade, and services sectors.

The survey is part of the broader AHK World Business Outlook, a biannual global research initiative conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It surveys member companies from the network of German chambers of commerce abroad (AHK), which represent more than 40,000 companies in 93 countries.

PETALING JAYA: The Cisco 2024 AI Readiness Index revealed that only 14% of organisations in Malaysia are fully prepared to deploy and leverage artificial intelligence-powered technologies, up slightly from 13% a year ago.

This underscores the challenges companies face in adopting, deploying, and fully leveraging AI. Given the rapid market evolution and the significant impact AI is anticipated to have on business operations, this readiness gap is especially critical.

The Index is based on a double-blind survey of 3,660 senior business leaders from organisations with 500 or more employees across 14 markets in Asia-Pacific, Japan, and China (APJC). These leaders are responsible for AI integration and deployment within their organisations. The AI readiness index is measured across six pillars – strategy, infrastructure, data, governance, talent, and culture.

AI has become a cornerstone for business strategy, and there is increasing urgency among companies to adopt and deploy AI technologies. In Malaysia, 98% of companies report an increased urgency to deploy AI in the past year, driven primarily by the CEO and leadership team. Additionally, companies are committing a significant amount of resources towards AI, with 55% reporting that as much as 10% to 30% of their information technology (IT) budget is being allocated to AI deployment.

Despite significant AI investments in strategic areas such as cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and data analytics and management, many companies report that returns on these investments are not meeting their expectations.

“As companies accelerate their AI journeys, it’s critical they adopt a comprehensive approach to implementation and connect the dots to link AI ambition with readiness,” said Cisco Malaysia managing director Hana Raja.

“This year's AI Readiness Index reveals that to fully leverage the potential of AI, companies need a modern digital infrastructure capable of meeting evolving power needs and network latency requirements from growing AI workloads. This must be supported with the right visibility to achieve their business objectives.”

Anupam Trehan, vice-president, people and communities APJC, at Cisco, said: “As the race to adopt AI picks up pace, talent will be a key differentiator for companies. There is already a shortage of skilled talent across various aspects of AI. This means companies will need to invest in their existing talent pool to meet the growing demand. At the same time, it is crucial that all stakeholders – the private and public sectors, educational institutions, and governments – work together to develop local talent so that the entire ecosystem can benefit from the immense potential that AI offers.”

THE tragic crash of a Tesla Model Y in Toronto in October has raised serious concerns about the accessibility and usability of the car’s electronic door handles during emergencies. The fiery accident claimed the lives of four individuals: Neelraj Gohil (25), his sister Ketaba Gohil (29), Jay Sisodiya, and Digvijay Patel, leaving a sole survivor, a woman in her 20s.

The woman’s escape was made possible by Rick Harper, a Canada Post employee, who heroically smashed the car’s window with a metal pole. Harper described the survivor as “desperate to get out,” but unable to open the car’s doors from inside. Tesla vehicles rely on an electronic button to open doors rather than traditional handles, and if the car’s power system fails in a crash, the doors may become inoperable.

Concerns About Tesla’s Safety Design

While Tesla promotes a “safety-first design” and manual override mechanisms for emergencies, these features are not widely known or intuitive. The manual override involves removing a door panel and pulling a hidden cable — a process that could be difficult or impossible in the chaos and panic of a serious accident.

Safety experts and crash investigators have raised concerns that victims may not be aware of the override feature or may lack the presence of mind to locate and use it under duress.

The Accident

The Tesla reportedly crashed into a guardrail at high speed along Lake Shore Boulevard East. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but the crash’s aftermath has drawn attention to Tesla’s safety protocols, particularly in situations involving power failure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has several ongoing investigations into the Tesla Model Y, ranging from “unexpected brake activation” to “sudden unintended acceleration.”

A Heroic Rescue Effort

Harper’s quick action saved the survivor, but he was unaware that others were trapped inside due to the dense smoke. “I didn’t know there were other people in there. The smoke was so thick,” he said. It remains unclear if the other passengers also struggled to open the doors.

Broader Implications

This tragedy underscores the need for automakers to improve safety features in EVs, especially during power failures. Intuitive and easily accessible escape mechanisms are critical, and greater public awareness of emergency procedures is vital.

As investigators work to determine the exact cause of the crash, this incident highlights the balance that must be struck between advanced technology and real-world practicality in automotive safety.

[…] occurred to me – but Karen Blakeman has posted this advice – SEASONAL OPENING TIMES – NEVER TRUST GOOGLE’S ANSWERS (OR BING’S) (Dec 29) – information about open and closed times of shops might not be right – always […]

A couple of years ago (I think just after the initial acquisition and when Flickr was being expanded) they offered an "automatic uploader" that scoured your computer and uploaded all images automatically. This sounded great - until I realised you had no control on what was uploaded. My Flickr account has so much junk in it that it would be really hard to clear out - as I have my photos PLUS images I've purchased PLUS images I've downloaded and even scans and stuff like that which I'd never wanted uploaded. These aren't even in albums - so I can't delete them except one-by-one. Fortunately I have my privacy settings set - but not everybody did, and Flickr is a great source for competitive intelligence as a result. Some of the stuff you can find is in the category of "how stupid can you get" (and is a real lesson in the importance of privacy settings). I found a table for a major manufacturer giving volume sales per month 2016 vs. volume sales per month 2015 and YTD value sales. When I was doing the work it was actually current data - invaluable to my client as it was the sort of stuff you cannot ever expect to find but proves there is such as thing as serendipity.

I do recall some colleagues and friends saying that one of the mobile apps that did exactly that by default. Thankfully I have never used any of automatic uploaders. All photos are added manually one by one. Not exactly high tech but a lot safer.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has launched an investigation into G-Xchange Inc., the operator of GCash, following numerous complaints from users reporting unauthorized deductions on their e-wallet accounts.

GCash is a phenomenon.

One hundred twenty-two children – aged 1 to 17 – were killed in the first half alone of Rodrigo Duterte’s six-year bloody drug war.

Buhain was one of the two auxiliary bishops of Manila during the tenure of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin. He served alongside former Bishop Socrates Villegas, who was Sin’s spokesperson and is now the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan.

So the wait is over. When it was announced that Verizon was to buy Yahoo! there was concern as to what was going to happen to Flickr. Yahoo! never did much in terms of developing Flickr and what it did do was rubbish. Trying to add the location of your photo is an interesting experience … Continue reading SmugMug buys Flickr – should we stay or should we go? →

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Random Photo: Trashy Love

Hey geeks! Remember when Google rolled out goo.gl back in 2009? Yup, it was that long ago. Other than Bit.ly, it was the go-to tool for turning those ridiculously long URLs into neat, tiny links. Fast-forward 15 years, and Google's decided it's time to pull the plug on goo.gl. So, what does this mean for you, me, and the entire internet? Let's dive in. Why People Use URL Shorteners People use URL shorteners to create clean links because no one wants to share ugly, lengthy URLs. Shortened links also allow users to measure the performan...

Ah, the holidays—where buying gifts online should be about finding the perfect ugly sweater, not losing your credit card info to some sleazy scammer. But beware, the ''card declined'' scam that is on the rise and poised to play Grinch this season. ...

Car shoppers have been dealing with inflated vehicle prices for a few years now. With the average price of a new car still pretty high, one option that may have crossed your mind is to buy a car with a salvage title. In the vehicle marketplace, there’s a major stigma attached to buying salvaged cars, […]

The post Should You Buy a Car With a Salvage Title? appeared first on Clark Howard.

Once you’ve been in a car accident and the insurance company decides to total your vehicle, one of the main things you’ll have to decide is whether to keep the car or not. Insurance companies will typically “total” a vehicle if the cost to repair it is more than the car’s value. And in some […]

The post Should You Keep a Car That’s Been Totaled? appeared first on Clark Howard.

One major way to reduce your travel costs is to look for ways to save on your car rental expenses. That’s what money expert Clark Howard has done time and time again. Clark says he’s recently put into practice a new strategy to get car rental deals when he travels — and the deals have […]

The post Clark’s Updated Way To Shop for Car Rental Deals appeared first on Clark Howard.

It’s a natural inclination for parents to start thinking about a child’s education as soon as their baby is born. Considering the average cost of college in 2022 is more than $35,000 per student per year, a number that always seems to climb dramatically, it makes sense. Investing in a 529 plan allows parents to […]

The post When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Use a 529 Plan appeared first on Clark Howard.

In past years, contributing to a 529 plan presented a clear risk to parents and grandparents. It’s always been a tax-advantaged way to pay for college. But if the intended beneficiary didn’t go to college, or if they got a scholarship and didn’t need the 529 plan funds, it created a dilemma. You’d have to […]

The post Should I Contribute to a 529 Plan Only To Roll It Into a Roth IRA Later? appeared first on Clark Howard.

The number of drivers who let their insurance monitor their driving has more than doubled in less than a decade! While many drivers were once skeptical of the practice, the benefits are becoming more and more appealing as people make the switch to usage-based insurance. And as car insurance rates continue to climb, even more […]

The post Should You Allow Your Auto Insurance To Monitor Your Driving? appeared first on Clark Howard.

Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 1 million reports of identity theft! And the AARP found that, “American adults lost a total of $43 billion to identity fraud in 2023.” So, it makes sense that — if protection exists against identity theft exists — you want it. There’s no shortage of […]

The post What Is Identity Theft Insurance and Should You Buy It? appeared first on Clark Howard.

At a time when insurance premiums are skyrocketing, especially for home and auto insurance, people are looking for ways to save money. At 2.4% in September, inflation is much closer to the Fed’s stated 2.0% goal and a far cry from its 9.1% peak. From Dec. 31, 2021, to Oct. 27, 2023, the S&P 500 […]

The post Should I Insure My Cars and Home With the Same Company? appeared first on Clark Howard.

There’s a high chance your car insurance has gone up recently. If not, the bad news is it might increase at your next renewal. But there’s good news, too. You don’t have to simply accept an auto insurance increase! Take money expert Clark Howard’s advice to save. He says: “This year coming up in ‘25 […]

The post Why You Need To Re-Shop Your Car Insurance Right Now appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you’ve got comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, then there’s a good chance that your insurer will cover the cost of windshield repair or replacement. And insurance companies make it hard to resist! If you live in in Florida, Kentucky or South Carolina, for example, then your insurance can’t charge a deductible on […]

The post Should I Make a Claim on My Car Windshield? appeared first on Clark Howard.

If you’ve traveled enough, you’ve experienced a horror story with lost or misplaced luggage. Money expert Clark Howard says that airlines often struggle to get baggage from Point A to Point B. Airlines have gone through a roller coaster of sorts. The onset of COVID-19 sank travel demand in 2020 and 2021. When restrictions were […]

The post Should I Buy an AirTag for My Checked Airport Luggage? appeared first on Clark Howard.

When you go on a cruise, it’s a time to relax, free your mind of the cares of the world and be waited on – but there’s a cost to the latter. The people behind the great customer service you experience deserve to be rewarded. You may be wondering when it comes to cruises, which […]

The post Should I Tip on a Cruise? appeared first on Clark Howard.

So, you’ve found a great deal on a new TV. Now you have to decide whether to buy an extended warranty at the point of purchase. Will it be worth it? In this article, we’ll discuss whether an extended warranty for a TV makes financial sense and get money expert Clark Howard’s thoughts. Is an […]

The post Should You Buy an Extended Warranty for Your TV? appeared first on Clark Howard.

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After a double victory in 2024, the Yoshimura SERT MOTUL team have claimed the EWC Title. The Yoshimura SERT MOTUL squad have claimed victory in the Endurance World Championship title […]

The post Yoshimura SERT MOTUL claim the EWC Title with Bol d'Or victory appeared first on BikeSport News.