DEWAN RAKYAT NEWS-IN-BRIEF: FEB 9

GOVT REMAINS FIRM AGAINST MINING IN PROTECTED AREAS - DEPUTY MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) remains firm that no Operational Mining Scheme approvals will be granted for mining activities in protected areas, including Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK).

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Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the existing policy also imposed a ban on mining activities in protected reserve areas, water catchment areas and environmentally sensitive areas.

“This policy aims to ensure that the mining industry is not seen as threatening environmental sustainability and remains in line with the principles of responsible and sustainable development,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said this in response to a question from Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) on whether the government is willing to amend regulations on land use in HSK to allow controlled and sustainable mining activities while preventing illegal mining that is harmful to the environment.

-- BERNAMA

LPQB FORMS TASKFORCE TO REVIEW ARTICLED CLERK CURRICULUM

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) had on 15 December last year approved the formation of a special taskforce to review and enhance the curriculum for the articled clerk pathway in the country, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said the special taskforce would comprise experts from public and private higher education institutions as well as representatives from the Bar Council.

“A proposal paper is currently being prepared to establish the taskforce, outlining the terms of reference (deliverables) and the costs involved, and will be presented at the LPQB meeting this month,” he said during a question-and-answer session.

He was responding to a question from S. Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput) on when the LPQB will execute its function in opening applications for articled clerk training and the detailed timeline for the process.

-- BERNAMA

‘MATCH OF HOPE’ AIMS TO RAISE RM100,000 FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN IN GAZA

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Parliament Caucus for Palestine today launched a humanitarian initiative, “Match of Hope: Solidarity for Mothers and Children in Gaza”, aiming to raise RM100,000 to assist those affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Head of the Malaysian Parliament Caucus for Palestine Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the programme aims to provide essential supplies to mothers and babies facing hardships.

“Every contribution carries an impact that goes beyond its financial value. It restores dignity, security and hope to mothers giving birth in deprived circumstances,” he said in a statement today.

Syed Ibrahim, who is also the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, said the programme would include a friendly football match involving MPs from across parties, former national players and strategic partners, scheduled to take place at Stadium Merdeka on Feb 12 from 8 pm.

-- BERNAMA