Compiled by C. ARUNO, ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN and R. ARAVINTHAN

       A FUNERAL service operator in Klang has denied accusations of profiteering by funeral parlours amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Makkal Osai reported.

       Datuk Ruven Sharma, who runs a funeral service and casket-making company, said non-governmental organisations and others made the accusations online against them.

       He said that most funeral parlours understand the financial difficulties being faced by families.

       Ruven said in many instances, some provided free funeral services or accepted a nominal fee from the families.

       He added that they had even advised families on how to get government aid and other assistance.

       “The accusations are baseless and we have evidence to show how many free burials we have performed,” he said.

       > A group of 30 Indian farmers in Ipoh say the authorities have unfairly targeted them despite getting approval to clear land, Makkal Osai reported.

       Jeeva Nadaraja, one of the farmers, said they obtained approval from the Drainage and Irrigation Department in April to clear some reserve land at a riverbank.

       However, as they were about to begin the vegetabe plot, they received a letter from the department retracting the permission.

       Jeeva said they started the initiative to help youngsters who had lost their jobs and income.

       The group urged Batu Gajah MP V. Sivakumar to intervene.

       The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.