Penang to roll out second phase of iSejahtera payments from Aug,2025

 

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will proceed with the second phase of iSejahtera payments for this year via electronic funds transfer to 9,405 recipients from Wednesday (Aug 6).

State social development, welfare and non-Islamic affairs xommittee chairman Lim Siew Khim (pic) said the disbursement, amounting to RM1,721,300, reflects a continued commitment to the people’s welfare.

She said Phase 2/2025 payments will only be made to new applicants who registered before June 30 each year, while applications received after that date will be processed for Phase 1/2026.

"For Phase 2/2025, the breakdown and number of recipients are as follows: the senior citizen appreciation schene covers 7,187 recipients totalling RM1,437,400; single mother assistance is for 317 recipients, amounting to RM317,000;

"The golden housewife appreciation scheme involves 1,280 recipients totalling RM1,280,000; and aid for persons with disabilities will be given to 621 recipients amounting to RM124,200,” she said in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 5).

Lim said the state government has disbursed RM53.83mil to 285,816 recipients across various categories under Phase 1 and Phase 2 from January to July.

This included RM41,987,600 for the senior citizen appreciation scheme to 209,938 recipients, and RM1,064,400 for single mother assistance to 10,644 recipients.

"Other categories comprise the golden housewife appreciation scheme with RM4,423,100 for 44,231 recipients; RM3,121,600 for 15,608 persons with disabilities; the Anak Emas one-off payment of RM540,200 to 2,700 recipients; and the one-off death benefit contribution totalling RM2,695,000 for 2,695 recipients,” she added.

She urged all applicants to promptly update their bank account details to ensure smooth disbursement for Phase 1/2026.

Further information on the iSejahtera programme can be obtained by contacting the Kemara Unit at 04-650 5699 / 5700, visiting the iSejahtera office on Level 44, Komtar, during working hours from 9am to 5pm, or registering online via the official portal. – Bernama

How goats changed his life

Breeding success: Lee (centre) with some of his animals at the Wild Run last year. Lee’s farms boast a range of activities – goat, deer and fruit farming as well as vermicomposting, fish breeding and cold storage facilities.

“Farming is about resilience. Yes, we had losses, but with some government assistance and a lot of hard work, we bounced back.” Jason Lee Nyuk Soon

KOTA KINABALU: What began as an “accidental” purchase at a local market has blossomed into one of Sabah’s most inspiring agricultural success stories.

Jason Lee Nyuk Soon, a trained accountant, never planned to become a breeder. He stumbled into livestock farming purely by chance.

More than a decade later, he is being celebrated across the nation after clinching the prestigious Anugerah Perdana and Anugerah Penternak Jaya, winning RM60,000 and RM20,000, respectively.

He received both awards from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the National Farmers, Breeders and Fisher­men’s Day 2025 celebrations here on Sunday.

Sharing his journey, Lee said he was visiting a weekly tamu (traditional marketplace) in Kota Belud in 2014, merely to see what was available.

He came across an elderly couple trying to sell a pair of goats.

“They said they needed money urgently, so I bought the animals. The next day, the couple called and sold me another pair,” said the 49-year-old.

At the time, Lee kept the goats as a hobby behind his parents’ house in Kg Tombovo, Putatan, using simple fencing and infrastructure.

But as the herd grew, so did his interest and commitment.

He built more shelters and began learning breeding techniques from scratch.

His hard work paid off by the third year, when he recovered his initial RM500,000 investment.

Encouraged by the results, he expanded operations to nearby Kg Duvanson, where he now runs a larger facility complete with staff quarters, a feed processing plant and training rooms.

One of Lee’s most innovative moves was introducing vermicomposting by using earthworms to convert goat waste into organic fertiliser.

“We used to sell raw manure at RM10 for a 20kg bag. Now, we sell the vermicompost at RM5 per kg,” he said, adding that he can produce up to five tonnes of the organic compost each month.

The fertiliser is now used by durian and avocado farmers throughout Sabah.

Remarkably, worm farming now contributes nearly 50% of his Borneo Integrated Farm’s total income.

Today, Lee’s farms boast a range of activities – goat, deer and fruit farming as well as vermicomposting, fish breeding and cold storage facilities.

He has also set up cold storage outlets in Putatan and Keningau, selling fresh goat’s milk, meat and other locally produced goods.

Controlling the entire chain from farm to table, he said, ensures quality, freshness and better returns for the hard work.

Lee’s farms also employ odour-­control techniques such as fermented silage feeding to minimise smells, which is important as the facilities are located near residential areas.

Despite his success, the journey has not been without setbacks.

Lee said his farms had been hit by floods multiple times, with the most recent incident occurring in February.

Yet, he remains undeterred.

“Farming is about resilience. Yes, we had losses, but with some government assistance and a lot of hard work, we bounced back,” he said.

For Lee, the key to success lies in what he calls the three Ps – patience, passion and perseve­rance.

Although he did not pursue a career in his field of study, Lee said his accounting background has been invaluable in managing finances and growing the business sustainably.

“Cash flow is king. You need to reinvest wisely, track your spending and avoid leaking money,” he added.

Lee said he hopes his story can shift mindsets and encourage more young people to explore careers in agriculture.

He also attributed his success to his wife, family and God for their support and guidance

-  By SANDRA SOKIAL,

New medical innovations to address rising cancer burden in Malaysia

 

The Hospital Picaso medical team is showcasing a cutting-edge, minimally invasive therapy for patients with prostate cancer 

Prostate, pancreatic and liver cancers remain among the most pressing health challenges in Malaysia, with late-stage diagnoses continuing to impact patient outcomes.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Malaysian men, with many cases detected only at advanced stages.

Liver cancer is also one of the most common cancers among Malaysians, while pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest due to late detection and limited treatment options.

In Petaling Jaya, Hospital Picaso – a dedicated centre of excellence for advanced surgery and integrated oncology – is responding to these challenges with next-generation treatment options.

It is the leading hospital in Malaysia to offer Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), a non-thermal ablation technique that targets cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.

This innovation represents a significant advancement in prostate cancer care, giving patients more precise options with fewer long-term complications.

“This technique gives us a targeted way to treat prostate cancer, while reducing damage to surrounding structures,” said Hospital Picaso consultant urologist Datuk Dr Loh Chit Sin.

“This treatment can help patients to retain urinary continence and preserve erectile dysfunction.

“These outcomes address two of the biggest concerns men face – maintaining quality of life while seeking effective care.”

Known as Irreversible Electro­poration (IRE), this technique utilises high-voltage electrical pul­ses to destroy cancer cells without the use of heat.

This method allows treatment near delicate structures, such as nerves, ducts and blood vessels, making it suitable for tumours in the prostate as well as liver, pancreas and kidneys.

It reflects a more personalised approach to cancer care that supports both survival and post-­treatment well-being.

Building on this advancement, Hospital Picaso is also introducing the Electrochemotherapy (ECT), further expanding its interventional oncology capabilities.

ECT combines short electrical pulses with localised chemotherapy to enhance drug absorption directly into tumour cells.

It is particularly effective for difficult-to-access or previously unresponsive tumours in the liver and pancreas.

By concentrating treatment where it’s needed most, while limiting systemic side effects, ECT offers new hope to patients with limited options.

New technologies are expanding what’s possible but early detection is still key to better outcomes.

“When we detect prostate, pancreatic or liver cancer early, we’re able to offer options that are less invasive and more targeted,” said Dr Loh.

“With techniques like Irreversible Electroporation and Electrochemotherapy, we’re not just treating the disease – we’re giving patients more control over their treatment journey.”

At Hospital Picaso, these innovations represent more than medical advancement.

They mark a shift in how cancer care is delivered – giving patients better options, making treatments more precise and helping people live more fully during and after recovery.

KKLIU: 2321/EXP 31.12.2027