Dewan Rakyat News In Brief: Nov 25

KPKT ALLOCATES RM46.1 MLN TO 422 NON-MUSLIM HOUSES OF WORSHIP

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) has approved an allocation of RM46.1 million to 422 non-Muslim houses of worship (RIBI) nationwide, as of Sept 30.

Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the MADANI government, through the 2025 Budget, has allocated an additional RM50 million to continue the RIBI initiative.

“KPKT aims to provide funding to 200 RIBI, with a maximum allocation of RM250,000 for each house of worship. This target of 200 RIBI may increase if the amounts requested remain below the set maximum limit,” she said when replying to a question from Mordi Bimol (PH-Mas Gading).

-- BERNAMA

KESUMA PLANS NEW LEGISLATION TO UPGRADE ILP

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) is planning to draft new legislation related to Industrial Training Institutes (ILP) as part of efforts to reform and upgrade the educational institutions.

Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the proposal aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the country.

“We plan to introduce a reform, potentially involving a new act, to update ILP, including a more suitable name, as the courses offered have seen significant improvements,” he said when replying to a supplementary question from Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu).

He had wanted to know whether KESUMA will collaborate with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to recognise ILP as university colleges or universities.

-- BERNAMA

HEAL LINE RECEIVES OVER 68,000 CALLS SINCE ITS INCEPTION

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) has received 68,502 calls via the Mental Health Crisis Helpline, also known as the HEAL Line 15555, since its establishment.

Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said of this total, 42,415 calls, or 62 per cent, received support assistance.

Additionally, he noted that 140 individuals were identified as having attempted suicide, all of whom were successfully saved.

He was replying to a question from Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) 

-- BERNAMA

MAF TO MAINTAIN EXISTING SECURITY POSTS ALONG MALAYSIA-THAI BORDER

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) will maintain operations at the current security posts along the Malaysia-Thailand border, said Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari.

He said there are currently 11 Malaysian Army security posts along the Malaysia-Thailand border, covering a distance of 84.5 kilometres.

“The Ministry of Defence, through MAF, continuously monitors and analyses current threats when considering the addition of security posts. Based on the threat analysis at present, MAF will maintain operations at the existing security posts,” he said when replying to a question from Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa).

-- BERNAMA