Latest news with #AhmadZahidHamidi
The Star
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia, Russia to sign MOU on disaster management
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will work closely with Russia to boost its disaster management through joint training, knowledge exchange and coordinated emergency response, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said a memorandum of understanding between the two countries is expected to be signed some time this year. 'As Asean Chair this year, Malaysia remains committed to regional leadership in disaster response,' he told a joint press conference with Russian Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (Emercom) Minister, Colonel General Alexander Kurenkov yesterday. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the national disaster management agency (Nadma) committee chairman, said Malaysia welcomed Russia's offer on capacity-building programmes for our officers, including a specialised training course in Vladivostok in September. 'We are exploring broader collaboration, including technology transfer in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications for disaster monitoring,' he added, Bernama reported. He said Malaysia and Russia agreed to conduct joint search and rescue training between the Special Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) and Russia's RUS-03 team. Ahmad Zahid expressed appreciation to Russia for the offer to train the SMART team and the invitation to allow senior officers from the Fire and Rescue Department to participate in a specialised course at a leading university in St Petersburg. The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for the working relationship between Nadma and Emercom, particularly through regional initiatives under the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group and the Asean Committee on Disaster Management. Meanwhile, Kurenkov said several key areas were discussed during his meeting with Ahmad Zahid, including the professional training and education of firefighters and rescue personnel. 'Emercom's academies offer a wide range of programmes for international specialists, not only for firefighters and rescuers but also for medics, dog handlers and UAV operators,' he said. He also emphasised Emercom's interest in understanding Malaysia's modern approaches to fire and rescue training, noting the value of exchanging best practices. He said both sides are committed to improving mutual early-warning capabilities and risk communication related to natural disasters, particularly in the areas of prevention, prediction and risk management using the systems of space monitoring and distant zoning of Earth.
The Star
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
SST on imported goods up for review
Nice to meet you: Ahmad Zahid shaking hands with a member of Kemas during the Teachers Day celebration. — Bernama BANGI: The expansion of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) on several imported goods, including fruits such as apple and mandarin oranges will be reviewed, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said the decision to impose the SST of between 5% and 10% on fruits not produced locally should be considered. 'I believe it is reasonable for (the new SST rate on certain goods) to be reviewed and I think there will be an adjustment on certain materials to be categorised as taxable. '(But) don't take that conclusively,' he said after officiating the Community Development Department (Kemas) Teachers Day celebration yesterday. Earlier, Mydin Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin Mohamed described the move to impose SST on imported fruit as unreasonable because it also affects low-income consumers. Ahmad Zahid said the views put forward by Ameer Ali should be brought to the Cabinet meeting as it touches on the people's needs for imported fruits. 'The revenue from fruit tax to the country is not that high. If SST is imposed, the price will increase,' Ahmad Zahid said, Bernama reported. 'I know the purpose (of imposing SST on imported fruits) is to protect local fruits but we do not produce apples and mandarin oranges. I am sure the Finance Ministry and the Economy Ministry are also looking into the matter,' he added 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. The scope of service tax has also been expanded to cover six new services such as rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education and beauty.
Malaysiakini
19 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Govt may reassess SST on imported fruits, DPM says
The government may reevaluate the planned imposition of a five percent sales and service tax (SST) on imported fruits, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Highlighting that fruits such as apples and mandarin oranges are exclusively imported, he reportedly said the proposal to tax such items should be reconsidered.
The Sun
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Kemas teacher salary scheme to be revised
BANGI: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will review the salary scheme for Community Development Department (Kemas) teachers, aiming to elevate their role and better protect their welfare. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the welfare of Kemas teachers, whether in terms of allowances, promotion opportunities, social protection or recognition, must be prioritised and structured appropriately. 'To raise outstanding children, we must start by uplifting their educators. We cannot expect extraordinary results if our teachers are only provided with the bare minimum. 'That is why I want a comprehensive and phased strategic improvement plan implemented for Kemas educators,' said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, when launching the Kemas Educators' Day celebration here today. Also present were KKDW secretary-general Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar and Kemas director-general Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Man. Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that with continued support, focused training, and a work ecosystem that values its educators, Malaysia could nurture more dynamic and competitive Kemas teachers who remain the backbone of community education in the country. Meanwhile, he said KKDW aims to establish at least one kindergarten (tabika) for children with special needs in every district nationwide by 2027. He said this effort was to ensure that children with special needs are not left behind in receiving early education through the implementation of the Tabika Tunas Istimewa@Kemas, which begins this year. 'This initiative will start in Melaka this year. God willing, we will try to ensure that no Malaysian child is left behind in accessing early education, regardless of their circumstances,' he said. On the Smart Classroom@Kemas project, a pilot initiative for smart classrooms introduced by Kemas, Ahmad Zahid said it would be a game changer in propelling the early childhood education system into the digital era. 'My aspiration is for at least one smart kindergarten to be established in every district by 2026,' he said, expressing hope that skills-based education, such as technical and vocational education and training (TVET), could begin from an early stage. Ahmad Zahid also expressed pride in other Kemas achievements, including the graduation of 61,032 young huffaz (Quran memorisers) through the Kemas Pre-Tahfiz Programme at 4,229 centres. 'This programme is one of the major accomplishments that I consider a game changer in the early childhood education system. Starting with just 100 kindergartens in 2023, the programme has seen rapid growth. 'God willing, by 2026, we are targeting more than 9,700 Tabika Kemas to be involved, with the participation of over 145,000 young huffaz, surpassing our initial target of 140,000,' he said. He added that to date, Kemas operates 10,567 kindergartens and 577 nurseries (taska) nationwide, providing care and early education to 221,012 children from diverse backgrounds.
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Sabah state polls: BN central, state leaders in sync
BANGI: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed claims by certain quarters that there is discord between the central and state BN leadership ahead of the upcoming Sabah state election. The Deputy Prime Minister said the leaderships remained aligned in principle and were merely conducting coordination efforts in preparation for the state polls. 'Upon review, I found that sometimes statements (by central and state BN leadership) are taken out of context. There are no differences in principle between the state's stance, especially UMNO and BN, and the central leadership's position. 'We frequently hold negotiations and discussions (regarding preparations for the Sabah state election),' he said at a press conference after officiating the National Community Development Department (KEMAS) Educators' Day at the national level here today. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid, who is also UMNO president, said that Pakatan Harapan (PH) need not act as a 'bridge' to connect BN and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for the upcoming state election. 'This is because BN and PH are in agreement. Our decision is to open doors to other parties and coalitions (for cooperation). 'This matter is currently in the pipeline. I don't think a bridge or any other channel is necessary, God willing, we will engage in broader negotiations beyond GRS,' he said.
