n

n

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — As Malaysia bade farewell to the Yap Shing Xuen today, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh honoured the 16-year-old by placing a Team MAS national volleyball jersey in her casket at Nirvana Memorial Centre in Kuala Lumpur before it was sealed ahead of her cremation.

Yap, a secondary school student in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, was brutally murdered at her school on October 14.

She was found in a school toilet, and two sharp weapons believed to have been used in the attack were recovered at the scene.

The cremation ceremony was held after five days of prayers and final tributes at Nirvana Crematorium in Shah Alam.

n

n

n

n n

n

According to Yap Shing Xuen’s mother, Wong Lee Ping, Shing Xuen enjoyed playing volleyball and lived an active life. — Picture from Facebook/Hannah Yeoh

n

n

Yeoh said she spoke with Yap’s mother, Wong Lee Ping, about giving her daughter the national jersey, and Wong replied that her daughter would have loved it.

“Shing Xuen enjoyed playing volleyball and lived an active life. Our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with the family for their painful loss. Malaysia mourns with them,” Yeoh said in a Facebook post.

Yeoh added that she intends to take action in the coming days to combat harmful subcultures affecting youth, including incel-related behaviour.

n

n

n

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 20 — The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) has assured that the supply of raw materials and vegetables will remain stable and sufficient throughout the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) season, which coincides with the rainy period and possible floods.

Fama chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli said the prices of these supplies were also expected to remain relatively low, as there was sufficient production of raw materials and vegetables.

He said the agency was collaborating with importers to increase stock availability, while Fama had also made the necessary supply preparations.

“Overall, the supply is stable and sufficient. We anticipate that rain or floods may occur in the East Coast, but not in other areas such as the West Coast. Hence, there will be inter-regional supply support — for instance, if there is a shortage in one area, we will source from another to ensure adequacy.

“So far, preparations are about 80 per cent complete, with assistance from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) for emergency situations. We just hope there will not be simultaneous heavy rains and floods in both coasts,” he told reporters here today.

Aminuddin was met after officiating the Food and Agro-Based Industry Carnival (IMAT) at Padang Kota here, which was officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and also attended by Fama director-general Abdul Rashid Bahri.

MTL 2025/2026 is expected to begin next month and last until March 2026, with the monsoon transition phase forecast between late October and November.

The country is expected to experience increased thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds, especially in the evenings and at night, which could affect the supply of raw materials and vegetables.

Meanwhile, commenting on IMAT, Aminuddin said Penang was the second state to host the carnival after Sabah, with a targeted sales value of RM700,000 and 15,000 visitors expected.

He said the carnival served as a platform for consumers to access local products while helping entrepreneurs expand market networks and generate economic activity in the state.

“The carnival, a flagship programme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Fama, aims to enhance entrepreneurship, competitiveness and youth participation in agro-marketing.

“It also showcases business and technological opportunities in food processing, with upcoming editions planned in Sarawak and Selangor,” he said.

Aminuddin said through IMAT, Fama was also establishing a marketing network for agrofood products to increase the income of target groups, entrepreneurs, farmers, breeders, retailers, wholesalers and exporters.

At the event, 12 entrepreneurs received Fama grants and assistance worth RM375,030, comprising the Young Agropreneur Grant (six recipients), Rezeki Tani assistance (five recipients) and the Agrotourism Grant (one recipient). — Bernama

n

n

n

SEREMBAN, Oct 20 — A man was killed in a three-vehicle collision at KM 13, Jalan Bahau-Rompin, Jempol, near here yesterday.

Jempol police chief Supt Norhisham Mustapar said the accident occurred at about 11.40pm, with the 32-year-old victim, who was driving a Perodua Viva, confirmed dead at the scene due to severe head injuries.

“Investigations found that the incident occurred when a 39-year-old man, who was heading from Bahau to Rompin, lost control of his Proton Persona vehicle, which then veered into the opposite lane.

“The Proton Persona then clipped a Honda City, driven by another 39-year-old man, before colliding with the victim’s Perodua Viva, causing the Proton Persona vehicle to catch fire,” he said in a statement today.

He said the Proton Persona driver suffered minor injuries while the Honda City driver escaped unscathed.

Norhisham added that the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and urged witnesses to contact the investigating officer, Insp Muhammad Fasha Haiqal Mohd Faisal, at 016-3627746 to assist with the investigation. — Bernama

n

n

n

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to use the occasion of Deepavali today to promote unity, reach out to those in need, and strengthen the spirit of togetherness that underpins the nation’s strength.

Anwar emphasised that as a nation rich in cultural diversity and traditions, it is essential to continuously nurture and reinforce mutual respect and understanding among all communities.

“Deepavali arrives with joy, bringing the spirit of the Festival of Lights, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

“May this Deepavali be celebrated with hearts full of gratitude and a renewed spirit of intellectual awakening, so that the dignity and progress of the people continue to rise, paving the way for a more harmonious and prosperous Malaysia,” Anwar said in a Facebook post today.

The prime minister also extended his Deepavali greetings to all Hindus. — Bernama

n