Latest news with #Perlis
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Deputy finance minister: 4.8 million SARA recipients use MyKad to buy essentials at 3,700 outlets nationwide
GEORGE TOWN, June 21 — A total of 4.8 million out of 5.4 million recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid have used their MyKad to purchase basic necessities at registered premises nationwide as of this month. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said Perlis recorded the highest usage rate at 94 per cent, followed by 93 per cent in Sabah and Kedah, while Penang recorded 88 per cent. She said the figures reflect the growing effectiveness of the initiative, supported by various awareness and promotional efforts at both federal and state levels. 'The ministry will continue to strengthen awareness campaigns to ensure more people benefit from this government aid, which is aimed at easing their financial burden. 'We have also significantly expanded the number of recipients from 700,000 to 5.4 million since April,' she told reporters during a SARA outreach programme at a hypermarket here today. At the event, Lim met with 100 SARA recipients in Penang as part of the ministry's effort to engage directly with urban communities. She said to date, 3,700 retail premises have registered under the programme nationwide, enabling recipients to shop closer to home. In Penang alone, 190 such premises are available. Lim added that starting May 1, the programme was enhanced by expanding the list of eligible items to 14 categories, including household and personal hygiene products, medicines, and school supplies like uniforms and shoes. She also said that the maximum SARA aid for 2025 has been raised to RM2,100 from RM1,200, a 75 per cent increase. In total, the combined allocation for the SARA and Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) programmes has been raised to RM13 billion this year, marking the highest cash aid provision in the country's history. — Bernama
Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Siblings of alleged abuse victim placed in grandparents' care, say Perlis authorities
KANGAR, June 21 — The elder brother and younger sister of an 11-year-old girl believed to have been abused by their biological parents are now under the care of their paternal grandparents, while the victim is still being treated at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital (HTF) here. Perlis Social Welfare Department (JKM) director Ku Chik Ku Mat Esa said the department would take steps to obtain an interim custody order and identify suitable family members to care for the children. If no suitable guardian is found, they will be placed under JKM's care. 'Perlis JKM has sent a counsellor to meet the victim's siblings, a 12-year-old brother and a one-year-old sister, who are now with their paternal grandparents and are in good condition,' he told reporters after the Perlis state government's monthly assembly, here today. Ku Chik said the 11-year-old girl is currently under the care of HTF Paediatric Unit, where doctors are treating her injuries and assessing her cognitive development. Meanwhile, he said the department would also be meeting other family members to assess their acceptance of the situation and any trauma they may be experiencing. On Thursday, Bernama reported that police detained a married couple at a house in Arau early yesterday morning on suspicion of abusing their 11-year-old biological daughter since 2023. The couple has been remanded for six days starting yesterday for further investigation. Arau district police chief Supt Ahmad Mohsin Md Rodi was quoted as saying that the 37-year-old couple was arrested at 1.30 am after Perlis JKM received a complaint from a member of the public. In the Bernama report, Ahmad Mohsin said a medical examination at HTF revealed that the girl sustained injuries to the head, lips, chest, right rib, back, arms and calves, believed to be from being hit with blunt objects and scalded by hot water. — Bernama * If you suspect child abuse, call the following hotlines for free and confidential support: Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7); Talian BuddyBear at 1800-18-2327(BEAR) (noon-midnight daily); and One Crisis Centre (24/7) Wilayah Persekutuan at 03-26155555 (Kuala Lumpur General Hospital), 03-61454333 (Sungai Buloh Hospital) or 03-83124200 (Putrajaya Hospital).
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Parents nabbed over alleged abuse of girl since 2023
Arau police chief Ahmad Mohsin Rodi said the most recent incident of abuse was believed to have taken place yesterday. (Freepik pic) PETALING JAYA : Police have arrested a married couple in Perlis on suspicion of abusing their 11-year-old daughter since 2023, after the girl was found with injuries on various parts of her body. Arau police chief Ahmad Mohsin Rodi said the couple, both aged 37, were arrested at their home in Taman Desa Saujana at 1.30am today after the welfare department (JKM) received a complaint on suspected physical abuse. 'JKM received a tip-off via its hotline around 12.15pm yesterday. It was reported that the child had been physically abused by her biological parents,' he said, according to Bernama. A JKM child protection officer then visited the couple's house at 10.40pm yesterday before taking the girl, who studies at a Chinese vernacular school in Kangar, to a children's home pending further investigation. She was then taken to Tuanku Fauziah Hospital for an examination, which found injuries believed to be caused by blunt force and exposure to hot water on the victim's head, lips, chest, right ribs, back, arms, and legs. Mohsin said the girl, who had both old and new injuries, was referred to the hospital's paediatric unit for treatment. He added that the most recent incident of abuse was believed to have taken place around noon yesterday. The girl was purportedly caned on the back by her father for misbehaving. The couple has been remanded for six days.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Perlis cops arrest couple for allegedly abusing 11-year-old daughter since 2023
ARAU, June 19 — A couple was arrested early this morning at their home in Taman Desa Saujana here for allegedly abusing their 11-year-old daughter since 2023. Arau police chief Supt Ahmad Mohsin Md Rodi said the 37-year-old husband and wife were detained at 1.30am after the Perlis Social Welfare Department (JKM) received a public complaint about suspected physical abuse. According to initial investigations, the most recent incident is believed to have occurred at about noon yesterday when the girl was allegedly caned on her back by her father for misbehaving. 'JKM received the tip-off via its hotline around 12.15pm yesterday. It was reported that the child had been physically abused by her biological parents,' he said in a statement today. Later that night, a JKM child protection officer visited the house at 10.40pm and took the girl, a pupil at a Chinese vernacular school (SJKC) in Kangar, to the Arau Children's Home to facilitate further investigation. A medical examination at Tuanku Fauziah Hospital (HTF) in Kangar revealed injuries on the victim's head, lips, chest, right ribs, back, arms, and legs — believed to be caused by blunt force and exposure to hot water. 'The girl had both old and recent injuries and has been referred to the hospital's Paediatric Unit for further treatment,' he added. The couple has been remanded for six days beginning today to assist with the investigation under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
2 held over false claims involving Perlis school projects
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said the men were released on MACC bail of RM10,000 with one surety tonight. KANGAR : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained two men in connection with an investigation into false claims involving more than RM2 million in 2022. According to a source, the duo, aged 43 and 50, were arrested between 4pm and 4.10pm today when they turned up to give their statements at the Perlis MACC office here. The two are believed to have used five construction companies to undertake maintenance, upgrading and repair works at five secondary schools in Perlis, involving an allocation of RM2.459 million. The source said the men were released on MACC bail of RM10,000 with one surety at 9.30pm tonight. They were previously arrested by the Selangor MACC in 2023 and charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code in connection with the same project in Selangor. Meanwhile, Perlis MACC director Nor Adha Ab Gani confirmed the arrest and said the case is being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.
