
DPMs, Cabinet Ministers convey condolences over death of Sarawak Premier's wife
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Ministers and Cabinet Ministers conveyed their condolences to Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg over the death of the Sarawak Premier's wife Puan Sri Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang today.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in a statement, described her passing as a great loss to the people of the state.
He added that her loss is not only felt by her immediate family but is also mourned by the people of Sarawak, who greatly valued her contributions and service.
'The Premier's late wife, whom I had the honour of knowing, was a gracious and gentle soul who was deeply committed to charitable and social work, especially in empowering women and communities in Sarawak.
'I represented the federal government this morning in visiting the Sarawak Premier's family, conveying our condolences and expressing the solidarity and prayers of all Malaysians in this time of sorrow.
'I pray that Allah will shower His mercy upon her soul, forgive all her sins, and place her among the righteous. May Abang Johari and his family be granted strength, patience and acceptance in facing this trying time,' he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, in a Facebook post, expressed his condolences and described her passing as a significant loss to the people of Sarawak.
'It is a great loss not only to the family of the deceased but also to the people of Sarawak. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Premier and all members of her family,' he said.
Several Cabinet Ministers also conveyed their condolences through official statements and social media posts.
-- MORE

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
MCA urges government to drop 5% tax on imported fruits, calls for stakeholder consultation
KUALA LUMPUR: The government should withdraw the 5% sales tax on imported fruits and engage stakeholders in consultations to assess the real impact of the tax expansion. MCA vice-president Datuk Lawrence Low said the move to impose tax on imported fruits such as apples, oranges, pears and grapes widely consumed by Malaysians would place an unfair burden on consumers and small traders. 'These are not luxury items. Fruits are part of the daily diet for many families and are used in religious and cultural practices. Taxing them will raise costs at every level and directly impact the rakyat,' he said at a press conference on Monday (June 23). Low said that while the government promotes healthy eating, taxing essential imported fruits sends a contradictory message, particularly as many of these fruits are not produced locally in sufficient quantities. 'We support the consumption of local produce, but Malaysia's climate doesn't allow for large-scale cultivation of temperate fruits. Apples and oranges, for example, remain staples in most households.' Low, who is also the MCA's economic and SME affairs committee chairman, warned that from July 1, small businesses will face increased operational costs, including expansion on SST, a hike in freight charges at Port Klang, and higher electricity tariffs. 'This does not help SMEs. If retailers absorb the added cost, they will face high operating costs; if they pass it on, the consumer pays more. Either way, it adds pressure.' 'Small traders are already struggling to comply with e-invoicing and other regulatory requirements. This tax is like death by a thousand cuts — it's affecting their ability to survive,' he said. Low highlighted that fruits such as apples and grapes are commonly used during festivals and ancestral prayers, while dates (kurma) hold cultural significance for the Malay community. He stressed that such fruits are everyday essentials, not luxuries. 'There's a misconception that imported fruits are only for the wealthy. But they're part of our food culture — found in supermarkets and wet markets alike. Everyone, regardless of income, consumes them.' He said MCA had received many calls from traders and the public expressing concern over rising costs and frustration with what they see as unfair taxation. 'This is not about rejecting taxation — it's about doing it wisely. The government must take a long-term view and avoid policies that erode public trust.' Low reiterated MCA's call for the SST to be replaced with a streamlined Goods and Services Tax (GST) at a lower rate of 3% to 4%, to avoid cascading taxes and improve transparency. 'MCA will continue to be a voice for the people. We stand with those struggling under the rising cost of living and will keep conveying their concerns to the government,' he said. On June 9, the government announced a targeted review of the SST rate, which will take effect from July 1. The sales tax rate will remain the same for essential goods, while a rate of 5% or 10% will be imposed on non-essential or discretionary goods. At the same time, the scope of the service tax has also been expanded to cover six new services, namely rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education and beauty.


Focus Malaysia
an hour ago
- Focus Malaysia
Shia flags flying in Malaysian streets trigger sectarian debate online
IT IS hard not to hear about the Israel and Iran war which has been raging on the news. An exceedingly vocal president of the United States Of America on X certainly helped sensationalise all that and more. But where do we stand in this great war that is far, far away from Malaysian shores, or according to Google AI, approximately 6,036 km away. This is a question best answered by a recent viral video where a convoy supporting the Islamic states could be seen cruising across the Malaysian streets. They ranged from Iran, Palestine, Hesbollah and many others. Netizens, however, were not impressed by the show of support since Iran and its allies were dominantly Shia, which are the mortal enemies of the Sunni Muslims. This is understandable, since the majority of Malaysian Muslims are Sunni. Suasana malam tadi di sekitar KL. — ًِ (@bckupacc99) June 22, 2025 Take it from netizen @adambennetttt_ who said flying a Hezbollah and IRGC flag is another level of delusion. According to him, women in Iran get killed just for not wearing a hijab. According to him, Iran doesn't care about Palestinians when the Israelist are killing them. However, @SonOfLenin69 disagreed, pointing out that Iran continued to fight against Israel through Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi which were their proxies. 'And just like that Shia slowly enters into the heart of the Malaysian people,' pointed out @FeisiTangg. Replying to his comment was an incredulous @sonotmez who said, 'You become Shia just by holding a flag?' 'It is okay because it is not a China flag,' said @TVivivanne. @kapastulin further pointed out that these people could support the middle east but they had trouble fulfilling their Zakat obligation. 'This is how the B40 spend their weekend,' added @ZzackIzzat. On a separate note, Malaysian representation in Iran is at an all time low. Only 13 Malaysians remain in Iran as regional tensions continue to escalate, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan confirmed. Among them are five students, while the rest include Malaysians who reside, work, or are visiting the country. One of the individuals is a tourist, another is employed in Iran, and six are long-term residents. There is also a permanent resident of Malaysia who holds Iranian citizenship and has chosen to stay. According to the minister, three Malaysians who had initially agreed to evacuate changed their minds at the last minute and decided to remain in Iran. The Foreign Ministry continues to monitor the situation and stands ready to assist remaining Malaysians in Iran should conditions worsen. —June 23, 2025 Main image: @bckupacc99 (X)


Malaysiakini
an hour ago
- Malaysiakini
Anwar's mid-term approval rating at 55pct
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has a 55 percent approval rating from voters at the midpoint of his administration's term, according to a nationwide survey conducted by independent pollster Merdeka Center. The survey, carried out between May 12 and May 23 this year among 1,208 registered voters, found that Anwar's relatively stable leadership and perceived economic improvements have contributed to a more favourable outlook among Malaysians.