KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — Deepavali this year falls on October 27, the Malaysia Hindu Sangam said today, clearing confusion over the date of the festival.

Its president, Datuk RS Mohan Shan, said the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam had determined that the festival falls on that date.

He confirmed the date when asked to clear the confusion among some Malaysian Hindus because a few calendars had erroneously marked October 26 as the date for Deepavali.

“Hindus observe Deepavali on Saturthasi Tithi, the 14th day of the month of Iypasi, based on the Hindu panjangam calendar,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

Deepavali is celebrated as a significance of the triumph of good over evil. — Bernama

LONDON: Leicester City skipper Wes Morgan has said racist abuse in football has gotten worse since he started his career and the rise of social media makes it easier to target players.

The Jamaica international was speaking in the wake of England’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria, which was marred by a section of home supporters taunting black players with monkey chants and Nazi salutes.

“I have to say (racist abuse) is worse but on the basis that when I first started there wasn’t the social media aspect to it all,” Morgan told Sky Sports at a Black History Season event.

“That seems to be the catalyst for most of this racist behaviour that is happening. At the moment it’s an easy way to target players and say negative things. That is a problem in itself.

“The social media side needs to be taken care of.”

Morgan said he was approached by the Premier League to be a part of their new BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) advisory committee formed with the aim of dealing with racism in the sport.

“It’s a great opportunity and I’ve got something to offer,” the 35-year-old added.

“We’re going to try and make changes for future generations to improve the game for them so it’s easier for them to come through without having to go through racism in any capacity.”

PUTRAJAYA: Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) menegaskan pengiraan jumlah nilai yang perlu dikembalikan oleh penerima notis kompuan yang didakwa menerima dana 1MDB dibuat mengikut undang-undang.

Timbalan Ketua Pesuruhjaya (Operasi) Azam Baki berkata, pengiraan itu sudah dijelaskan dalam Akta Pencegahan Pengubahan Wang Haram dan Pencegahan Pembiayaan Keganasan 2001.

“Kita mengikut undang-undang, bukannya suka-suka. Apa yang dikatakan Ketua Pesuruhjaya SPRM Latheefa Koya adalah apa yang mengikut undang-undang.

“Kalau ada yang pertikaikan cara pengiraan itu, terpulang, setahu kita, tidak ada silap pengiraan,” katanya dalam sidang media di Ibu Pejabat SPRM, hari ini.

Azam berkata demikian mengulas kenyataan Ahli Parlimen Pontian Ahmad Maslan yang mempertikai jumlah dana yang diterima dan jumlah wang dituntut SPRM.

Sebelum ini, SPRM bertindak mengeluarkan notis kompaun terhadap 80 individu dan entiti yang dipercayai menerima dana daripada 1MDB.

Latheefa, berkata notis dikeluarkan mengikut Seksyen 92(1) Akta Pencegahan Pengubahan Wang Haram, Pencegahan Pembiayaan Keganasan dan Hasil daripada Aktiviti Haram (AMLATFPUAA 2001).

Seramai sembilan individu termasuk adik Najib Razak, Nazir, juga bekas pengerusi Kumpulan CIMB, Ahmad dan bekas pengerusi Felda Shahrir Samad, di samping 43 entiti politik dan 23 syarikat disenaraikan menerima sehingga RM420 juta daripada 1MDB.

Menyentuh mengenai perkembangan terkini kompaun berkenaan, seramai 10% penerima memberi persetujuan untuk membayar semula dana tersebut.

“40% menyatakan akan mengambil tindakan undang-undang terhadap SPRM, 45% hantar surat untuk membuat rayuan manakala tiga individu tidak mahu menerima serahan notis kompaun berkenaan,” katanya.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Azam memaklumkan SPRM sudah menubuhkan sebuah pasukan khas bagi mengesan aset milik 1MDB di seluruh dunia.

“Pasukan ini akan mengesan aset dan mengenal pasti penyiasat di setiap negara untuk bekerjasama dalam usaha ini,” katanya.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — The Education Ministry has stepped to mediate a conflict between Universiti Malaya (UM) and graduate Wong Yan Ke who was denied his civil engineering degree after his protest stunt during the convocation ceremony earlier this week.

Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching told reporters both parties must engage to reach an amicable resolution, The Star reported today.

“We are in the process of doing that,” she was quoted saying after launching the “Back-to-School” programme at SK Klang Gate.

Teo was also reported saying that she personally felt it was wrong of the university to refuse Wong the scroll for his bachelor’s degree when he went to collect it on October 16.

“Personally, I disagree with this,” news portal Malaysiakini quoted her saying.

Wong is in the spotlight for his carrying a placard on stage on October 14 to demand the resignation of UM vice-chancellor Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim as a show of protest against the latter’s alleged racial remarks during the October 6 Malay Dignity Congress.

Malaysia’s oldest university has since filed a police report against Wong, who is now being investigated for intentional insult to provoke a breach of the peace under Section 504 of the Penal Code.

The controversy has divided the country into two main camps, with one supporting UM and calling for action against the graduate and other saying attention should be given to Wong’s message against racism.