DEWAN RAKYAT NEWS-IN-BRIEF: FEB 12

KPKM TARGETS 30 PCT REDUCTION IN GRAIN CORN IMPORTS BY 2030

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is targeting a reduction of at least 30 per cent in grain corn imports by 2030 via a large-scale expansion of cultivation areas.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said 15 private companies have expressed readiness to participate in a pilot project in Perlis involving more than 2,000 hectares.

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“We will negotiate with agencies such as FELDA and FELCRA to expand corn plantations, as it is a key component of livestock and fish feed,” he said when responding to a supplementary question from Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) on the involvement of agencies such as FELDA and FGV in national grain corn production during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mohamad said the government is also considering various incentives, including tax reduction, to attract participation from more industry players, as the initial cost of grain corn cultivation is relatively high.

In addition to corn, the ministry is stepping up research on livestock feed formulations using palm waste and other alternative protein sources such as Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to stabilise operating costs in the country’s livestock industry.

-- BERNAMA

JWP SETS UP TASK FORCE TO STUDY FEASIBILITY OF AMENDING FEDERAL CAPITAL ACT

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Federal Territories Department (JWP) has established a special task force to examine the feasibility of amending the Federal Capital Act 1960, including proposals for the appointment of councillors as a mechanism to provice check-and-balance on the Mayor’s powers.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Lo Su Fui said the task force involves a team of researchers from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) with expertise in law, urban planning and political science.

“The study will also compare the appointment methods of the Kuala Lumpur Mayor and councillors with those in selected capital cities.

“The findings will be examined together with views of relevant stakeholders, and proposed amendments will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PH-Setiawangsa) regarding the government’s stance on the Public Accounts Committee’s recommendation that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) appoint councillors, like other local authorities, to serve as a check and balance on the Mayor’s authority.

-- BERNAMA

GOVT DRAFTING MANDATORY PAID INDUSTRIAL TRAINING POLICY, PROPOSES AMENDMENTS TO EMPLOYMENT ACT 1955

KUALA LUMPUR -- The government is drafting a new industrial training policy, including proposed amendments to the Employment Act 1955, to ensure students’ welfare is protected and mandate the payment of allowances to trainees.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education Adam Adli Abdul Halim said the initiative under the 13th Malaysia Plan outlines the implementation of a mandatory paid industrial training scheme to address the issue of low allowances and strengthen training quality.

“The government’s main focus is on developing a new industrial training policy and proposing amendments to the Employment Act 1955 to include industrial trainees and safeguard the students’ welfare.

“This initiative is implemented under the Ministry of Human Resources to encourage more industry players to offer training placements,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Adam Adli was responding to a question from Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) on the government’s move to set a minimum industrial training allowance rate across sectors to alleviate the students’ cost-of-living burden.

-- BERNAMA

GOVT CONTINUES BKHT INITIATIVE, ALLOCATES RM1.5 MLN FOR 2026

KUALA LUMPUR -- The government has allocated RM1.5 million this year to continue the Property and Crop Damage Compensation (BKHT) initiative due to wildlife conflicts nationwide.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said in Kelantan alone, 145 applications have been approved, with compensation totalling RM379,000 to ease the burden of residents affected by wildlife attacks, particularly by macaques and monkeys.

“The government is aware that these species have strong survival instincts and reproduce rapidly, making this conflict an ongoing challenge. However, the ministry will give serious attention to addressing this issue,” he said during the Dewan Rakyat session today.

He was responding to a supplementary question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai) regarding the government’s measures in addressing the escalating problem of macaque and monkey attacks.

-- BERNAMA