Bernama news in brief: June 23

MAPIM LAUNCHES HUMANITARIAN AID FUND FOR AFGHANISTAN EARTHQUAKE

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Malaysia Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (MAPIM) launched the Afghanistan Earthquake Humanitarian Aid Fund today after an earthquake struck yesterday. 

Its president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said in a statement that the fund was launched with the cooperation of the Afghanistan embassy here.

He also urged humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia to come together to provide aid.

“MAPIM is ready to cooperate with any NGO at the national and international level to coordinate emergency aid to Afghanistan,” he said.

-- BERNAMA

DRAFT AMENDMENT OF THE DBP ACT 1959 HOLISTIC, NOT FOCUSED ONLY ON ENFORCEMENT - AWANG SARIYAN 

KUALA LUMPUR -- The draft amendment of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Act 1959 does not only involve enforcement matters but is holistic, DBP board of governors chairman Prof Datuk Seri Dr Awang Sariyan said. 

Awang Sariyan said in a statement today that the aspects focused in the draft amendment was DBP’s role as the language’s main body in the country in certification, grading, licensing, enforcement and internationalisation.

According to him, the aspects suggested were important for DBP’s function.

“If the draft amendment is passed, DBP has clearer authority in fulfilling its function as the main authority of the Malay language in the country, ”he said.

-- BERNAMA 

ELV POLICY: UKM RESEARCHERS CONDUCT STUDY ON ABANDONED VEHICLES

KUALA LUMPUR -- A team of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) researchers are conducting a study on the End of Life Vehicle (ELV) policy to overcome the issue of broken down and abandoned vehicles.

UKM Traffic and Road Safety Psychology Expert Prof Dr Rozmi Ismail said the study will look at several issues related to the proposed policy including the age and aspects of unsafe vehicles and those that are suitable for disposal.

“Data shows that there are over 7 million broken down and abandoned vehicles scattered throughout Malaysia, imagine what will happen in 20 years’ time if owners do not have the awareness to dispose of their vehicles,” he said in a statement.

To realise the policy, many things need to be taken into consideration, including the needs of the lower income group, he added.

-- BERNAMA