Flood-hit paddy fields causes Malaysia to lose 5.3 million bags of rice from potential supply, says deputy agriculture minister Posted on 10/12/2024 KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 — Malaysia has lost the potential output of 5.3 million 10-kilogramme (kg) bags of rice due to the ongoing floods, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. He said this loss has significantly impacted the country’s rice supply. “This year’s floods are exceptionally severe, and they are indeed affecting the supply of white rice within our nation. “Up to this point, we have lost 5.3 million 10 kg bags of rice due to the floods affecting our country,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to an additional question from Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) about the effectiveness of initiatives carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) in addressing the shortage of white rice supplies. Arthur further said that KPKM has set up the Padi Crop Disaster Fund to provide support to padi farmers in mitigating their flood-related losses. “Farmers are eligible for assistance of RM1,800 per hectare for up to three hectares depending on the extent of damage incurred, in addition to a new scheme launched in October, the Agrobank’s Padi Crop Takaful Scheme, which allows farmers to apply for aid up to RM3,000 per season,” he said. This year, the ministry has allocated RM30 million for repairs of infrastructure damaged by the floods. To address the shortage of white rice, Arthur said KPKM has introduced four institutional and industry reforms measures and strengthened the Gelombang Padi programme. These reforms include separating the powers and functions of padi management institutions, banning the mixing of white rice and imported rice, enhancing enforcement regulations and reinforcing the governance of the National Farmers’ Organisation (NAFAS) and the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP). All these measures will come into effect on Jan 1 next year, he said. — Bernama News
Biden in historic Amazon trip as Trump return sparks climate fears Posted on 18/11/2024 US president Joe Biden has cut a diminished figure on his last swing through South America as leader. (AP pic) LIMA: US president Joe Biden will make an historic trip to the Amazon rainforest on Sunday to promote his record on fighting climate change ahead of a G20 summit overshadowed… Read More
Appeals Court sets Feb 28 decision on MyCC’s appeal over RM86.77m proposed fine against Grab, subsidiaries Posted on 20/11/2024 PUTRAJAYA, Nov 20 — The Court of Appeal has set February 28 next year to deliver its decision on the Malaysian Competition Commission’s (MyCC) appeal challenging the High Court’s ruling to quash its proposed RM86.77 million fine against Grab Inc and its two subsidiaries over the e-hailing company’s alleged anti-competitive… Read More
Labour group joins opposition against extra hours for nurses Posted on 25/11/2024 A health think tank previously said the nursing sector is already overburdened by shortages and demanding shift schedules. PETALING JAYA: A workers’ group has joined in the calls for nurses’ 42-hour workweek to be maintained instead of raising it to 45 hours. The Labour Solidarity and Learning Resources Association (LLRC)… Read More