EL NINO: 35 CLOUD SEEDING OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT FROM FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2026
KUALA LUMPUR -- A total of 35 cloud seeding operations (CSOs) were carried out at several strategic locations nationwide between February and June this year as a mitigation measure to address the El Nino phenomenon and safeguard water resources.
Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the operations were aimed at enhancing rainfall potential to increase water levels at dams, mitigate the impact of a hot and dry spell and help address haze episodes.
“To reduce the impact of hot and dry weather on water supply, CSOs are carried out in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), subject to favourable mesospheric or atmospheric conditions,” he said during Question Time in the Dewan Negara today.
He was replying to Senator Michael Mujah Lihan’s question on the mitigation and adaptation measures planned to address the impact of a strong El Nino phenomenon through early 2027, particularly on water resources, food security and public health.
-- BERNAMA
PROGRESSIVE WAGE POLICY RAISES PAY FOR 51,363 WORKERS, EXCEEDS INITIAL TARGET
KUALA LUMPUR -- The implementation of the Progressive Wage Policy (PWP) has recorded a 15.79 per cent increase in median wages for entry-level workers, benefiting 51,363 employees to date.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the median monthly wage for the group had increased from RM1,900 to RM2,200, surpassing the initial target of 50,000 participating workers.
“For non-entry-level workers, the median monthly wage rose by 10.86 per cent, from RM2,199.15 to RM2,438, representing an increase of RM238.86 per month,” he said during Question Time in the Dewan Negara today.
He said 4,025 employers have participated in the initiative, which is supported by a RM300 million government allocation for the 2025-2027 period, while a comprehensive impact assessment report is being prepared to examine the feasibility of expanding the PWP in the future.
-- BERNAMA
MOTAC OPEN TO RECOGNISING TAMIL MUSIC, SONGS AS NATIONAL HERITAGE
KUALA LUMPUR -- The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) is open to recognising Malaysian Tamil music and songs as National Heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005.
Deputy Minister Chiew Choon Man said certain processes based on their artistic, cultural and historical significance must first be undertaken, in accordance with Subsection 67(2) of the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645).
“For recognition as National Heritage, the works must undergo research, documentation and evaluation based on their heritage and historical significance, including their connection to Malaysia's history,” he said during Question Time in the Dewan Negara today.
He was replying to Senator K. Saraswathy’s question on the government's mechanisms and allocations to identify, document and archive local Tamil music and lyrics as heritage treasures that reflect the nation's diverse identity.
-- BERNAMA
GOVT TO REVIEW ONE PER CENT SARA MDR FROM TIME TO TIME
KUALA LUMPUR -- The government will review from time to time the one per cent merchant discount rate (MDR) imposed on merchants participating in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiative, particularly to ensure that it does not place an undue burden on small traders and retailers.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the implementation of SARA does not involve any cost to aid recipients, as the charge is borne by participating merchants through the MDR, which is deducted from the value of each sale.
“The government continuously evaluates and reviews proposals to reduce the charges imposed, and the MDR will be reviewed from time to time, particularly for small traders and retailers, to ensure that it does not burden them,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Senator Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan in the Dewan Negara today.
He said the MDR collected is channelled back to the Yayasan MyKasih to cover the operational costs of implementing SARA, including system development and maintenance, technical support, merchant training, transaction monitoring and complaint management.
-- BERNAMA