Latest news with #BuletinTV3
Free Malaysia Today
19 hours ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt mulls allowing EPF Account 2 for health insurance payments
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said 32% of the total healthcare costs in Malaysia were paid out-of-pocket by patients instead of being covered by insurance. PETALING JAYA : The government is considering allowing Malaysians to use the funds in their EPF Account 2 to pay for their health insurance premiums, says health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad. If implemented, it would benefit 16 million EPF members who would have access to private healthcare, Buletin TV3 quoted him as saying. Dzulkefly said the approach had been implemented in several countries. He also pointed out that 32% of the total healthcare costs in Malaysia were paid out-of-pocket by patients instead of being covered by insurance. 'Only a small percentage (from the EPF Account 2) would be used for the insurance payment. Members won't even feel it as it's not coming out of their pockets but their EPF accounts. 'This is the best way. At the end of the day, our people will get the necessary coverage, like in Singapore,' he said, reiterating that this would be on a voluntary basis. Funds saved in EPF Account 2 are accessible for education, healthcare, housing, and a partial withdrawal at age 50. For health withdrawals, they are limited to treatment costs for illnesses approved by EPF, the purchase of healthcare equipment and fertility treatments. Bank Negara Malaysia previously called on insurers and takaful operators to review their repricing strategies for more 'reasonable implementation' after reports of a 40% to 70% hike in medical insurance premiums this year. Insurers and takaful providers said the increased premiums were 'unavoidable' in light of rising claims and medical inflation.
Focus Malaysia
4 days ago
- Focus Malaysia
Elderly Haj pilgrims scammed; outraged Malaysians demand 'religious figure' is exposed
Editor's Note: Siti Kasim has reacted with furore the involvement of a religious figure who allegedly scammed 47 elderly Malaysian pilgrims while claiming how they deceived their victims with their scull caps and robes. 'The worse kind of people are the ones that use religion to make their fortune,' fumed the human rights activist and lawyer in her recent Facebook post. 'And there are plenty of them around in Malaysia. Wearing their skull caps and their robes with the black marks on their foreheads, they become a symbol of piety when some of them are devils in disguise. 'I totally despise these people and I'm certain they will rot in hell! Despicable!' FOR many, performing the Haj pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where years of toil are needed to fork out for the expenses. So imagine the shock and outrage of Malaysians upon hearing the news that 47 senior citizens had allegedly fallen victim to a Haj scam by a local agent involving a well-known religious figure. These unfortunate victims were allegedly blackmailed and held against their will along with having to trek through dangerous routes to avoid detection by the authorities or worse, to make do without food or water. Reacting to the widely publicised scam, digital creator JalalMisai (@jllmisai) asked just who was this 'well-known religious figure?' And why was the advertisement blurred out in the media reports? Siapa agamawan terkenal tu..? Kenapa kaburkan poster iklan haji tu..? Jemaah dah bayar RM30k tapi dapat layanan macam pelarian di tempat orang.. — JalalMisai (@jllmisai) June 14, 2025 'Pilgrims paid up to RM30,000 but only to be treated like refugees in a foreign land,' lamented the poster who cited a Berita Harian news report on the apparent scam. One netizen wanted the relevant individual to be named and shamed while pointing out that these sorts of cases could lead to wider ramifications. Not least the Saudi authorities could reduce the quota for Malaysians because the reported scam breached haj visa ruling. Some commenters contended that both the scammer and religious influencer were Malay and their identities had not yet been revealed. They wondered where were those who constantly played the race card claiming that 'non-Malay crooks were a protected lot' given that the alleged Malay criminals in this case were not exposed'? It was also argued that whenever a VVIP is allegedly linked to a scandal, their identities are shrouded in mystery. On the contrary, the ordinary Joe will be roundly named and shamed. One commenter wondered if such is democratic practice considering that senior leaders of the country who are majority Muslims have remained silent on this issue. Another surmised that perhaps the tell-tale sign that the package was a scam was its lower than usual price. Reporting on the same news, Buletin TV3 (@BuletinTV3) quoted a relative of some of the victims who claimed that the senior citizens were 'psychological manipulated'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Buletin TV3 (@buletintv3) This made the calls to reveal the identities of the scammers even louder. Thankfully, one netizen furnished the original advertisement which was blurred by Berita Harian for netizens to judge for themselves. One netizen warned this will lead the erosion of trust for the clergy and religious influencers. Always go through the Pilgrimage Funds Board a.k.a. Tabung Haji was the advice of one commenter. No need to resort to external sources and be at risk of such scams. There are probably a slew of legal implications preventing the media from exposing the identities of the alleged scammers. But what of the cops? According to Bernama, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code following three reports lodged by the victim's next of kin – two in Mantin (Negeri Sembilan) and one in Ayer Hitam (Johor). Muhammed Hasbullah said the police will also work with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Tabung Haji and the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) to blacklist companies offering Haj packages without approval so as to prevent people from becoming victims. But surely there should be no reason why the cops cannot issue a statement and reveal the relevant suspects. Why the delay? – June 16, 2025
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Teluk Intan crash: FRU truck lacked seat belts; lorry violated GPS rules, says Transport Ministry
KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Both vehicles involved in the fatal Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) truck crash in Teluk Intan last month were found to have breached key safety standards, according to a preliminary report released by the Transport Ministry. The FRU truck, which was carrying 18 personnel from Unit 5 Sungai Senam, lacked essential passive safety features, including seat belts in the rear cabin and front seats, according to a report published in Berita Harian today. The bench-type rear seats had no restraints, and the absence of seat belts is believed to have significantly increased the severity of injuries during the May 13 collision. Investigators found that most of the passengers were likely thrown forward upon impact, particularly towards the front-left section of the cabin, causing multiple secondary impacts between individuals and the cabin interior. Unsecured objects in the cabin may have also turned into projectiles, compounding the risk.'The combination of missing restraint systems and unsecured objects is believed to be a major contributing factor to the high number of severe injuries and fatalities in this incident,' the report stated. It added that urgent attention is needed to improve safety standards in such vehicles. Meanwhile, in another report published by Buletin TV3 today, the same report also revealed that the lorry involved, which was transporting stones, had not met mandatory GPS installation and operational requirements as stipulated under Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) guidelines. The lorry's GPS system was inactive, prompting the ministry to issue a show-cause letter on May 23. This non-compliance breached Item 11 of the Service Level Requirements and Section 57 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715). The guidelines require all commercial vehicles to be fitted with functional GPS to monitor speed and location, with exemptions only for school buses operating across fewer than three districts. Operators are expected to use GPS data for monitoring, disciplinary action, and record-keeping, while preventing tampering or data falsification. Failure to comply could result in fines, imprisonment, or suspension or revocation of licenses. While dashcams are not yet mandatory, the ministry said new safety regulations may require their installation starting in early 2026. The crash on May 13 occurred at approximately 8.50am, killing eight officers at the scene, with another later succumbing to injuries at Teluk Intan Hospital. Nine others were injured. The FRU personnel were en route back to Ipoh after completing duty at the Chitrapournami celebration.
New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- New Straits Times
'She wasn't her cheerful self,' says grandma of Gerik crash victim
KUALA LUMPUR: Nur Fadila Farhana Muhammad Isma, one of the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students who perished in the tragic bus crash in Gerik early this morning, had appeared uncharacteristically withdrawn just a day before the incident. Her grandmother, Dayang Ismail, 68, recounted how the 21-year-old had seemed unusually quiet during a tahlil prayer gathering yesterday, held in memory of her late grandfather. "She took many photos with family members, but spoke very little. We noticed she wasn't her usual cheerful self. No wonder she seemed lost in thought yesterday," Dayang was quoted as saying by Buletin TV3. Dayang said she received a phone call from one of her children earlier this morning, informing her that Nur Fadila had been admitted to Ipoh Hospital. However, the family was initially unaware of how serious her condition was. "It wasn't until midday that we were told she had passed away. I was shocked and heartbroken," she said. Nur Fadila's remains are expected to be laid to rest in her hometown of Besut. She was among 15 people killed when the bus they were travelling in collided with a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) along Jalan Jeli-Gerik near Tasik Banding, Perak. The crash, which occurred at 1.10am, involved a bus chartered by UPSI students and a Perodua Alza. A total of 33 individuals sustained injuries. According to the Civil Defence Force (APM), personnel from the Banun Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) arrived at the scene at 2.11am to find the bus overturned and the Alza severely damaged. Several victims, some with broken limbs and others with minor injuries, were rushed to Gerik Hospital for treatment. It is understood that the UPSI bus had been travelling from Jerteh at the time of the crash. Federal police Federal police have confirmed that a full investigation is underway.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Nine-year-old boy allegedly sodomised by schoolmate
PETALING JAYA: A 12-year-old boy who allegedly sexually assaulted his nine-year-old schoolmate cannot be prosecuted under Malaysia's current legal framework, highlighting a significant gap in the country's child protection laws. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat confirmed that while the 12-year-old suspect has been arrested and investigated for the alleged sodomy incident, he cannot face charges in court due to Section 113 of the Evidence Act 1950. The law stipulates that children below 13 years of age are considered incapable of committing rape based on an 'irrebuttable presumption,' effectively placing them beyond prosecution for such offenses. According to Buletin TV3, the alleged sexual assault occurred approximately two months ago between the two boys, who attend the same primary school in Kelantan. The victim subsequently informed his mother about the incident, prompting her to file a police report. 'The incident took place once and following that, the victim's mother came forward to lodge a police report,' Mohd Yusoff was quoted as saying. The police chief expressed concern about the legal limitation, calling for amendments to address what he sees as an increasing problem involving underage perpetrators. 'Therefore, I am of the view that this section should be amended to allow for the perpetrator to be charged, as there have been many cases involving suspects who are also underage children,' he said. The case underscores ongoing debates about how Malaysia's legal system should handle serious crimes committed by children, particularly as incidents involving juvenile offenders continue to emerge across the country.
