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No. 9147 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195)

Love in a blended family often grows slowly through small but consistent moments. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Two mothers share their journey of earning trust and finding their place within modern stepfamilies. page 3 Built with love

INSIDE

Boy who dreams of becoming PM meets Anwar.

Perak top scorer turns family hardship into strength.

Minor Offences Act to cover more crimes: Home minister

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page 4

page 5

NATIONAL 2 theSun on Sunday MAY 10, 2026

Eight-year-old gives letter to prime minister

RM31m allocation for Pulau Banggi KUDAT: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced a special allocation of more than RM31 million to drive development in Pulau Banggi, ensuring the residents of Malaysia’s largest island are not left out of national development. He said the allocation, through the federal government and the Prime Minister’s Department Implementation Coordination Unit, includes the development of roads, bridges as well as health, education, security and jetty facilities. He elaborated that the projects involve the upgrading of roads and bridges in Kampung Limbuak Laut, Kapitangan, Damaran and Bayangan Laut, as well as improvements to the Pulau Banggi police station and health facilities at the Karakit health clinic. He added that also listed are projects to upgrade school dormitories in Pulau Banggi and Pulau Balambangan, the implementation of projects related to national security and defence by the Defence Ministry, and the upgrading of the Karakit public jetty at the ferry terminal. “I want Pulau Banggi to be an example to the people who are marginally poor or isolated that the Madani government feels responsible for upholding the dignity and capabilities of every citizen,” he said at a reception with the residents of Pulau Banggi yesterday. Also present were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan. The event was also attended by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Sabah Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and Banggi assemblyman Datuk Mohammad Mohamarin. On land transport infrastructure, Anwar said the project to upgrade the Kampung Limbuak Laut to Kampung Pengkalan Darat road is being implemented by the Sabah Public Works Department at a cost of almost RM44 million. “This project is important because good roads would open up economic, educational and health access for the people in the interior of the island.” He also announced an additional government contribution of RM1.25 million, which will be coordinated by agencies under the Office of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs). Anwar added that the funds would benefit the residents through the implementation of education, institutional empowerment, green technology, health and human development programmes, Bernama reported. He said to strengthen the safety net and daily facilities in coastal areas, the government has approved an allocation of RM1 million to upgrade the jetty in Kampung Dogoton for the use of residents and enforcement agencies.

KUDAT: Mocked by friends for dreaming of becoming the prime minister one day, eight-year-old Syam Aariz Rayyan Abdullah from Pulau Banggi managed to hand over a letter to none other than Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here yesterday. For the youngster, the brief meeting with Anwar at his gathering with the local community of Pulau Banggi was not just a sweet moment, but also a testament that a child’s dream should not be taken lightly. Syam Aariz arrived with his mother Norsakinah Junaidi, 33, at the venue at 8am solely to wait for the opportunity to meet Anwar and hand over the letter he had written himself. Norsakinah said her second child was very eager to write the letter after being informed that Anwar would be visiting Pulau Banggi. Brief meeting encourages child to continue believing dreams should not be extinguished

Anwar receiving the latter from Syam Aariz during their meeting at a reception with the residents of Pulau Banggi yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

“I told him of Anwar’s visit and he told me that he wanted to write a letter to him because his friends and teacher laughed at him when he said he

wanted to become the prime minister. “He said: ‘So, I want to write a letter. I want to prove it. I want to send it to the prime minister. Please, mama, deliver my letter to the prime minister’,” said Norsakinah. She added that Syam Aariz’s enthusiasm was clearly evident when he coaxed her to go early to the event location because he was too excited to meet the country’s leader. As soon as he had the opportunity to meet Anwar, the joy on his face was evident, Bernama reported. For the child, that brief meeting was not just a sweet memory, but also an injection of motivation to continue believing that dreams should not be extinguished just because they were once laughed at. Norsakinah said as a mother, she will continue to support her child’s interests and aspirations, especially in education, because she believes that success starts with self-confidence and hard work. For Syam Aariz, the letter might just be a piece of paper, but for his mother, it is a symbol of the courage of a child from Pulau Banggi to express his dreams and prove that great ambitions start with the courage to believe.

Syam Aariz arrived at the venue at 8am for the chance to see Anwar. – BERNAMAPIC

Umno 80th anniversary represents key milestone: Party president KUALA LUMPUR: Umno’s 80th anniversary celebration is not merely a commemoration of the party’s long history since 1946, but also a key milestone in shaping its future direction, said its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Umno’s continuity and strength as it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2046. “This means that the aspects of this year’s Umno celebration was the success in translating several major agenda items involving the interests of various segments of society.

before a capable lineup of future leaders can steer Umno towards its 100th anniversary in 2046.” He added that efforts to strengthen the party again are being carried out gradually by focusing on internal unity and regaining grassroots support, Bernama reported. Ahmad Zahid explained that it involves reforms to the party’s internal structure as well as the implementation of several strategic initiatives on a national scale.

general election in 2018, Ahmad Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said the party was facing a serious crisis of confidence at the time. “From my observation, Umno experiences a crisis almost every 10 years and the latest in 2018 was not just a crisis but a crisis of declining public confidence,” he noted. “For the next 20 years, I have stressed the need to develop a new generation of leaders, and I must first lay a strong foundation

celebration and experience gained over these 80 years should serve as guidance in preparing agendas for the next 20 years and beyond as Umno continues to exist in the country’s political arena for 100 years.” Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, said among the most meaningful

“First is the response to the Rumah Bangsa initiative. Secondly, the support from NGOs, professionals, individuals and opinion leaders, as well as influencers through the Musyawarah Nasional and National Collaboration.” On Umno’s disappointing performance after the 14th

He said the significance of the party’s eight decades in the country’s political landscape should serve as a reflection to further strengthen strategic planning, including producing capable future leaders to ensure

NATIONAL 3 theSun on Sunday MAY 10, 2026

Patience, sincerity key to acceptance of stepmothers

PETALING JAYA: Stepmotherhood should no longer be viewed through outdated stereotypes, experts say, as blended families continue to prove that strong family ties can grow beyond biological relationships. Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Centre for Human Sciences senior lecturer Dr Noradilah Md Nordin said healthy family functioning should not be measured solely against the image of a “traditional” nuclear family, as every family structure comes with its own strengths, dynamics and adjustment processes. She said blended families often face unique emotional transitions in the early stages, particularly in relation to role adjustment, trust-building and managing expectations within the household. “However, consistent positive interactions, healthy communication, patience and emotional support can gradually help stepfamilies build stable and loving relationships. “Over time, blended families can develop deep emotional bonds and a strong sense of belonging, even if the journey may look different from traditional family experiences,” she said. On society’s perception of stepmothers, Noradilah said greater empathy and understanding are needed to reduce emotional pressure caused by stereotyping and misconceptions surrounding the role. “Cultural and social PETALING JAYA: Not all Mother’s Day stories come wrapped in tradition, some are still being written slowly in blended families, where stepmothers are learning that love sometimes starts with patience, not perfection. For Rozita Abidin, 52, her journey as a stepmother began with fear and curiosity, as she stepped into an unfamiliar family dynamic while learning to understand her role within a blended household. “I knew I was not part of the children’s lives from the beginning, so I had to learn to understand my place within this family. “In the beginning, I tried not to force the relationship too much. I spent more time observing, listening, and learning what they were comfortable with,” she said. Rozita believes many people misunderstand stepmothers by expecting them to immediately become a “mother” in the same way as a relationship that has been built since childhood. She said in reality, these relationships take time, and love in a blended family often grows slowly through small but consistent moments. “I built trust with my stepchildren through simple things. For example, being Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

‘Building trust, spouse support help create healthy communication within blended family, greatly reduces misunderstandings and emotional pressure’

Describing her approach to building trust, Intan said she prioritised natural interaction rather than forcing closeness. “I spent time with them whenever possible, asked about their school life and joined activities that could help strengthen our bond as a family.” She also recalled small but meaningful moments that signalled growing acceptance, including family trips and everyday shared experiences. “My husband plays a key role in helping explain situations to the children and building understanding. Good communication helps avoid misunderstandings. “Harmony is built slowly through small, consistent efforts.” Intan added that harmony in blended families requires time, space and emotional understanding among all members. Her advice to other stepmothers is to focus on gradual trust-building.

when things are not always easy.” Meanwhile, for Intan Marliana Mohd Saidi, 35, her journey into stepmotherhood began with careful preparation and awareness of the emotional adjustments required. “Before becoming a stepmother, I had already thought carefully about what it would take to win the hearts of my stepchildren and my husband’s family. “I knew it would not be easy, so I tried to approach things calmly and avoid making the situation awkward. Alhamdulillah , over time, I managed to build a bond with them even though I already have my own child.” Intan acknowledged that negative judgements are still present, but said she remained focused on proving her role through actions rather than assumptions. “I had to stay strong and overcome negative judgements to prove that I am capable of looking after the family well.”

emotional negotiation adjustment. “These relationships do not form instantly, but develop gradually through ongoing interaction and communication,” she said. Noradilah emphasised that the role of the biological parent, particularly the spouse, is crucial in helping blended families build healthy and stable relationships. She highlighted that in many blended households, the biological parent often acts as an “emotional bridge” between the stepmother and the children, influencing how family members adjust to the new dynamic. “Children often observe how their biological parent treats the stepparent. When the parent consistently shows respect, reassurance and emotional support towards the stepmother, children are more likely to gradually accept the new family structure in a healthier way.” She added that the biological parent plays an important role in making the stepmother feel accepted within the family. She said simple efforts such as involving the stepmother in family activities, supporting her decisions could help strengthen family relationships over time. She also urged families, schools and communities to encourage open conversations about diverse family dynamics without stigma or comparison to conventional family structures. – BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI this process. “When your partner offers understanding, avoids comparisons and helps build healthy communication within the family, it greatly reduces misunderstandings and emotional pressure.” Rozita emphasised that in taking care of her emotions, she learned not to set overly high expectations too quickly, and instead allowed herself time to rest, seek support from trusted people and remember that relationships take time to grow. “This experience has taught me a lot about patience, empathy and sincerity. I learned that love is not only about blood ties, but also about the effort to continue showing up and caring, even adaptation, role and mutual

expectations often make the adjustment process more emotionally complex. “In many Asian societies, including Malaysia, there is still a strong expectation that families should function according to a traditional or ‘ideal’ family structure. Because of this, blended families may sometimes be misunderstood or viewed differently,” she said. She said comparisons with biological mothers, fear of judgement and concerns about acceptance within the extended family network may also affect the emotional wellbeing of stepmothers during the adjustment period. “Blended family adjustment requires empathy, patience, realistic expectations and support not only from family members but also from society,” she said. Noradilah said long-standing stereotypes shaped by films, fairy tales and popular culture continue to fuel negative perceptions towards stepmothers, despite the growing presence of blended families in modern society. “Stepmothers are often unfairly judged through outdated narratives that portray them as controlling, distant or less caring compared with biological mothers.” Noradilah said such portrayals fail to reflect the emotional complexities involved in blended family dynamics, where relationships require time and trust-building among all family members. “Blended families are complex family systems that involve present when they needed someone, listening without judgement, respecting their space, and not trying to replace their biological mother. “I believe sincere relationships cannot be forced.” Rozita said there were several small moments that meant a great deal to her, including when her stepchildren began sharing stories about college, asking for her opinion, or calling her spontaneously when they needed help. To others, she said, these moments may seem small, but to her they were clear signs that they were starting to accept her presence. “The support of my spouse was also very important throughout

Strong family ties could grow beyond biological relationships: Academic

Maryam and Ryzal with their children Rina and Rian. – BERNAMAPIC

Bicultural couple instil Korean, Malay values in children

nurtured through everyday habits. “For example, the way we greet people is different. In South Korea, when meeting elders, we usually say annyeonghaseyo (hello), but we don’t shake hands or kiss the hand like in Malay culture. So when Rina goes to South Korea, she still greets people the Malay way. “Now, I’m trying to get Rina to say annyeonghaseyo and gomapseumnida (thank you). I also teach them to always say ‘thank you’ when receiving something and to offer their seats to older people,” she said. “In Korean culture, the youngest family member usually prepares the spoons and dining utensils before meals as a sign of respect for elders. So I teach my children that too because it’s something I practise in daily life,” she explained. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Rina and Rian – the adorable children of social media influencers Maryam Yoo Narae and Ryzal Ibrahim – continue to capture the hearts of netizens, with their personalities, intelligence and entertaining antics, reflecting a blend of two distinct cultures. Raised in a bicultural household that combines their mother’s South Korean heritage and their father’s Malaysian roots, the couple’s eldest child, five-year-old Rina, is not only fluent in more than one language but is also being brought up with the values of respect and good manners. One-year-old Rian is also being raised in much the same way as his older sister. Maryam, 34, better known online as Maryam Duriankimchi, said she believes values such as respect and courtesy can be

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday MAY 10, 2026

Hardship fuels teen’s determination to succeed

Trash Hero Kuching leads fight against littering KUCHING: For most people, a Saturday morning at Kuching Waterfront means a leisurely stroll, coffee with friends or a quick jog overlooking the Sarawak River. However, for a growing group of volunteers armed with gloves, litter pickers and rubbish bags, it has become a weekly mission to keep the city clean, one piece of trash at a time. In less than an hour during a recent clean-up at the Old Court House near the waterfront, volunteers from Trash Hero Kuching collected 19kg of rubbish, including cigarette butts, plastic cups, food wrappers, bottles and other single-use waste. Trash Hero Kuching leader Shahrul Izhar said the movement was born out of a simple frustration shared by a few friends who frequently encountered rubbish while exercising around the city. “You want to enjoy the environment, but everywhere you look, there is trash. It hurts the beauty of the place and stray cats and dogs end up eating from the rubbish,” he told Bernama recently. Shahrul, a civil servant, said the group first started in June 2023 with only three people cleaning up around the Kuching Civic Centre area, without any major plans or expectations at the time. “Every Saturday, just two friends and I spend only an hour cleaning up, yet the amount of rubbish we collect never fails to shock us. We once collected up to 100kg of rubbish within an hour at Pasir Panjang Beach in Santubong,” he said. Shahrul shared that some clean-up programmes now attract as many as 100 volunteers through collaborations with Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara and institutions including universities. Beyond picking up rubbish, the Kuching native said the group also hopes to educate the public on the importance of waste reduction and avoiding single-use plastics. “We clean, we educate and we change. Through social media and our activities, we want people to realise that everyone has a role in protecting the environment,” he said. Despite growing support, Shahrul hopes more people, especially youths, will continue stepping forward to volunteer, even if only for an hour every weekend. Co-leader Dr Brian Sim Mong Huat, 33, said many people are unaware of the amount of waste in public spaces until they take part in a clean-up themselves. For Brian, the activity has become more than just volunteer work, describing the weekly clean-ups as therapeutic and rewarding, especially when seeing immediate results after clearing heavily littered areas. “People may think a place looks clean, but once you start paying attention, you realise there is rubbish everywhere,” said the doctor from Sarawak General Hospital. He said the most commonly collected items are cigarette butts, plastic cups, takeaway containers and food packaging, reflecting the growing problem of single use waste in public spaces. What began as a small initiative among friends has since grown into one of Kuching’s most active environmental volunteer movements, attracting students, government agencies, villages and private companies. – Bernama

Student hopes academic success can help ease burden of parents battling health problems

Four, I never scored an A in Mathematics. After joining this programme, combined with my own effort and guidance from teachers, I eventually improved my performance and achieved better results in SPM,” she said. Raja Intan said she had received an offer to further her studies at Perlis Matriculation College in accounting and had also been called to attend an interview at the Institute of Teacher Education campus in Physical and Health Education. She added that the incentive received would be utilised as best as possible to prepare for her studies and purchase necessities. The Cikgu Saarani Tuition programme, introduced in 2010, has helped 250 students pursue studies in professional fields including medicine, engineering, the military and various other careers. Meanwhile, the Perak Menteri Besar Scholarship, introduced in 2019, has benefited 7,627 students sitting for the SPM, STPM and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia examinations, involving allocations exceeding RM8.12 million. The programme is expected to continue inspiring youths in Perak to achieve greater success while strengthening efforts to produce a knowledgeable and competitive generation capable of contributing to the state’s future.

IPOH: Witnessing his parents struggle with health problems over the past few years has become the driving force for 18-year-old A. Divesh to excel academically and change his family’s circumstances for a better future. The former student of SMJK San Min said he realised that only through education could he secure better employment opportunities and help ease his family’s burden. “My father, C. Anbarasan, 51, who previously worked as an assistant manager at an entertainment centre in Genting Highlands, had to stop working in 2021 after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, while my mother, Ooi Paik Luan, 47, who worked at a hotel in the same area, retired early in 2019 after suffering a stroke. “I turned these hardships into a source of strength to continue studying hard so that I can change my family’s fate one day,” he told Bernama after the Perak menteri besar’s meet-and-greet session with outstanding students of the Cikgu Saarani Tuition Programme on Thursday. Earlier, Divesh was among 36 outstanding students under the Cikgu Saarani Tuition programme and the Perak Menteri Besar Scholarship who received special incentives totalling

RM36,000 at the event officiated by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The younger of two siblings, who scored 8A+, 1A and 1A- in the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, also said he had received an offer to further his studies at Gopeng Matriculation College and was awaiting several other suitable offers. Asked about the incentive received, Divesh described it as a form of appreciation that would be put to good use in preparing for his studies and other necessities. Meanwhile, Raja Intan Irdyna Raja Idzwan, 18, who obtained 8As in the SPM examination, said the Cikgu Saarani Tuition programme had been one of the catalysts for her success by helping improve her understanding of subjects and boosting her confidence in examinations. The former student of SMK Raja Permaisuri Bainun said the step-by-step learning approach implemented in the programme made it easier for her to understand subjects she had previously found difficult, while also providing opportunities to share knowledge with other students. “For example, when I was in Form

Retiree turns coconut husks into thriving business TANAH MERAH: For most people, coconut husks are merely waste that is burned or discarded, but for a retiree in Kampung Batu Hitam, they are viewed as “gold” capable of generating substantial income through the modern agricultural industry. Armed with experience and knowledge gained while serving at the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board, Wan Zamri Wan Ya, 61, has successfully transformed coconut husks into high-quality planting medium products now in high demand across Peninsular Malaysia.

Wan Zamri said he began working on coconut husk-based products nearly nine years ago after recognising the strong potential of the waste material in the agriculture and ornamental plant sectors. “Now, I produce two main products, namely coconut coir dust (cocopeat) for fertigation crops and chopped coir for the flower plant industry. “I see this industry is still underdeveloped in Kelantan even though demand is high because previously many entrepreneurs sourced coconut husk products from Thailand to be used as planting medium,” he told Bernama recently. The former assistant economic affairs officer said the idea of producing coconut husk-based products initially arose from his wife’s gardening needs before attracting interest from friends who also wanted to use the gardening medium. “From there, I realised this business opportunity was huge, especially in Kelantan because not many people are seriously involved in it,” he said. According to Wan Zamri, the use of coconut husk dust and chopped husks

Wan Zamri (right) said he is able to process about two tonnes of coconut-husk products a month. – BERNAMAPIC

Wan Zamri added that he is currently able to process about two tonnes of coconut-husk products a month, selling coconut husk dust at RM12 for 70 litres and shredded husk at RM25 for 105 litres. “I don’t sell by the kilogramme because the coir has different moisture levels, whether dry or wet,” he added.

helps retain soil moisture, has high water absorption capacity and is suitable as organic fertiliser to reduce farming costs. He said demand for his products continues to grow and they are now marketed throughout Peninsular Malaysia, with supplies of coir sourced from local coconut farmers.

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday MAY 10, 2026

Navy struggling to sustain ageing fleet, says chief

“The government needs to give us the tools to ensure that we are able to undertake this task,” he said. The government has acknowledged the challenge, with about 80% of procurement deals signed during the recent Defence Services Asia and Natsec Asia 2026 exhibition involving the Navy. However, Zulhelmy noted that defence spending continues to compete with other national priorities, with Malaysia’s allocation remaining at around 1% of gross domestic product in recent years. “This is a small amount compared with other nations. Some nations spend 2.5% of their GDP. We are asking for 1.5%,” he said.

becoming increasingly difficult to manage. “Geographically, Malaysia is unique. It is two big chunks of land divided by a huge amount of water. Our maritime border is twice that of the land border,” Zulhelmy said. He stressed that as a maritime nation, the Navy plays a vital role in protecting the country’s maritime domain and upholding national sovereignty. “You need a credible navy to do it.” The Navy has managed to sustain operations by keeping ageing vessels mission-ready through discipline, experience and careful maintenance, but Zulhelmy acknowledged that this was not a long-term solution.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy recently marked its 92nd anniversary, but much of its fleet is already more than 40 years old. “More than half of our ships are over 40 years old. But because of the maintenance culture of the Navy, we are still operating,” Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain told Bernama in a recent exclusive interview. “It’s getting more and more difficult to maintain. At this point, you are paying more for corrective maintenance than preventive maintenance.” For the naval force tasked with securing one of Southeast Asia’s most strategically exposed maritime domains, the strain is

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Army is tightening security along the country’s borders to curb smuggling and cross-border crimes ahead of the Aidiladha celebrations later this month. Army chief General Datuk Azhan Md Othman said the force remains on constant alert to ensure the continued security and sovereignty of the nation’s borders. “We will further tighten control at every border, especially along the northern border between Malaysia and Thailand. “It is during festive periods like this that activities violating regulations tend to occur,” he said after officiating the Army Run 2026 in conjunction with the 93rd Army Day celebration yesterday. According to Azhan, existing operations along the country’s borders will continue to ensure there are no security breaches at the nation’s entry points. Earlier, he said the army would continue strengthening the deployment of personnel and assets along the country’s borders to ensure border security remains safeguarded and under control. He said the effort is being supported by the latest technology, including the use of drones, scrambler motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and optronic equipment. The media previously reported that the army successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle 20 cattle from Thailand, estimated to be worth RM225,000, during an operation at the border on May 4. On Army Run 2026, Azhan said the event received an encouraging response, with the participation of 6,000 people comprising members of the Malaysian Armed Forces, government agencies, the private sector, amateur athletes and the public from across the country. – Bernama Army steps up border security to curb smuggling are not going to be able to do it later,” he said. He also pointed to challenges arising from dependence on foreign defence systems, including issues linked to the Littoral Combat Ship programme and supply arrangements involving foreign original equipment manufacturers. Zulhelmy said Malaysia continues to work with many countries, including China, in line with its non-aligned approach. He stressed that war still remains the last resort. “If we go to war, it means that all other efforts have failed. “The Armed Forces are like an insurance policy. You pay for something that you hope never to use.” – Bernama

Despite the limited allocation, he said the Malaysian Armed Forces had still managed to procure fighter jets, submarines and other defence assets. “But the task at hand is getting incredibly difficult, especially with whatever is going on around us,” he said, referring to the global supply crisis. Zulhelmy acknowledged that many Malaysians are more concerned about daily living costs such as food and fuel, making it difficult to justify higher defence spending. “Looking at the current situation on the ground, people are more worried about putting food on the table, but if you are not prepared to defend what we have today, we

Putrajaya plans wider scope for minor offences

workforce gaps but also allows inmates to reintegrate into society while earning an income. “We have received encouraging feedback from employers, while the recidivism rate among former inmates involved in the programme remains very low,” he said, as reported by Bernama. Under the employment initiative, inmates are housed in secured accommodations provided either by employers or at facilities rented by the ministry at National Service Training Centres. “They stay at these facilities where monitoring can be carried out effectively. They go to work during the day and return to the accommodation in the evening instead of remaining in prison,” he added.

as every case will undergo a proper screening process,” he said. Saifuddin explained that the hiring of prison inmates as workers is carried out through detailed assessments by prison authorities, including evaluations of behaviour, disciplinary records and whether they are first-time offenders. “We assess their attitude, level of cooperation during imprisonment and whether they have maintained good discipline.” The minister said the initiative has so far involved more than 900 employers from various sectors, including services and plantations facing labour shortages. He added that the initiative not only helps industries fill

Amendment aimed at easing prison overcrowding and expanding inmate work programme, says minister

JOHOR BAHRU: The Home Ministry is in the final stages of amending the Minor Offences Act 1955 to broaden the definition of minor offences beyond crimes punishable by four years’ imprisonment or less. Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the proposed amendment would allow offences carrying jail terms of up to 10 years to be classified under the category. He said the move is aimed at reducing overcrowding in prisons, where the inmate population has exceeded 87,000

against the original capacity of 75,000, exposing inmates to risks such as disease outbreaks, fights and uncomfortable living conditions. Saifuddin said the amendment would also expand the existing inmate employment programme run by the Prisons Department, which currently only involves prisoners serving sentences of less than four years. “If the eligibility threshold is increased to offences carrying sentences of up to 10 years, the pool of eligible inmates will be much larger. However, this will not be implemented arbitrarily

Three held in RM7.25m silica sand bust IPOH: About 5,000 tonnes of silica sand and mineral processing equipment worth RM7.25 million were seized in Kampar during an integrated operation at a premises found to be operating without a valid permit. Balveer Singh said the operation was carried out following intelligence gathered on a premises in Kampar suspected of conducting silica sand processing activities without a valid permit.

“Initial investigations found that the premises had been operating since 2024. “The facilities were used specifically to process silica sand before it was stored and subsequently shipped overseas,” he said in a statement. He said the sand supply found at the location was sourced from a housing project site around Ipoh. Balveer Singh added that inspections by Perak Land and Mines Office officers on two lorries carrying sand found that both drivers failed to produce mineral transfer documents for transporting the material. – Bernama

General Operations Force Northern Brigade commander SAC Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said three men aged between 20 and 30, believed to be business owners and lorry drivers, were arrested during Ops Bersepadu Khazanah on Thursday. He said the operation involved the GOF Northern Brigade in collaboration with the Department of Minerals and Geosciences, the Perak Land and Mines Office, the Inland Revenue Board and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kampar district police headquarters.

Members of Ops Bersepadu Khazanah inspecting the silica sand found at the premises during the raid.

NATIONAL 6 theSun on Sunday MAY 10, 2026

Awe over 1,000-year-old manuscript

Hand-written Quran artefact reflects use of natural materials and resourcefulness of early Muslim communities

authenticity of this treasure.” Nik Ilham said the manuscript began its journey from Yemen to the Malay Archipelago during the era of early Islamic preacher Sheikh Jumadil Kubra. According to him, the manuscript was preserved in Indonesia for over 500 years before being brought to Narathiwat about five years ago during the Covid-19 pandemic. “To ensure this invaluable heritage of Islamic civilisation continues to be preserved, strict security procedures are implemented and visitors are not allowed to touch the artefact,” he added.

forest,” he said. As the manuscript was produced entirely from ancient organic elements, preserving it requires thorough methods, free from modern chemicals and solvents. Cleaning and restoration works are carried out every six months, Bernama reported. “The surface of these animal skin pages is extremely sensitive. The use of chemicals or alcohol-based liquids could cause the original ink to crack while the texture of the sheets could also be damaged. “That is why we only use organic preservation methods to maintain the value and

“All the basic materials were specially sourced from Hadhramaut in Yemen.” The manuscript reflects the use of natural materials and the resourcefulness of early Muslim communities in using elements from their surroundings. Written entirely by hand in ancient Kufi script, the manuscript used organic carbon ink produced from natural sources. “People in the past used materials obtained directly from nature. A mixture of wood and date palm bark was burned to produce ink before being combined with several other organic materials from the

NARATHIWAT: Quran manuscript believed to be more than 1,000 years old and displayed at the Museum of Islamic Cultural Heritage and Al-Quran Learning Centre here not only holds immense Islamic historical value, but also reflects the ingenuity of early civilisations in utilising natural organic materials to produce the sacred text. Weighing about 50kg, the manuscript was produced A

during the Abbasid era using 346 sheets made from animal skin and carbon-based ink derived from natural materials, placing it among rare and valuable ancient Islamic artefacts preserved in the region. Museum officer Nik Ilham Nik Yusup said the manuscript was produced with exceptional craftsmanship using hundreds of processed animal skins to create durable sheets for writing.

Additional 186 trains for Aidiladha, school holidays

May 29 to 31 and June 1 to 7, while 9,180 tickets are available for the Klang-Ipoh-Klang EMU Plus route for journeys from May 22 to 24, May 29 to 31 and June 5 to 7. Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd CEO Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri said response for previous additional train service during Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri was encouraging, especially for high demand routes such as in the Johor Bahru sector, Bernama reported. He said the government initiative, through the Road to Rail campaign, has had a positive impact in encouraging the public to use public transport, especially train services, which are safer, comfortable and efficient. “The rise in demand reflects passenger confidence towards the national rail service.” Meanwhile, sales for the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha to the East Coast, announced on

KUALA LUMPUR: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd has prepared an additional 186 trains for the Electric Train Service and EMU Plus for Hari Raya Aidiladha and school holidays from May 22 to June 7. It said the additional trains will create 58,380 seats for increased passenger demand, with tickets being sold beginning yesterday via the KITS Style app, its official website and its ticket kiosks at selected stations. The KL Sentral-Padang Besar-KL Sentral route is offering 15,702 tickets for journeys from May 22 to 26, May 29 to 31 and June 4 to 7. There are also 7,584 tickets each for the KL Sentral Butterworth-KL Sentral and KL Sentral-Ipoh-KL Sentral routes for the same period. In addition, 18,960 tickets for the KL Sentral-JB Sentral-KL Sentral route are available for journeys from May 22 to 26,

Azlan said response for previous additional train service during Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri was encouraging, especially for high demand routes such as in the Johor Bahru sector. – BERNAMAPIC

KL Sentral, limited to 274 seats from tomorrow, with tickets priced as low as RM56 compared with the original RM80.

is also offering a 30% discount on tickets for the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha Superior Seater train ride from Tumpat to

April 24, was positively received, with 447 out of 912 tickets being sold. Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd

Education retains its importance in the Malaysian landscape for parents, students and stakeholders. The changes are fast paced with new developments in new fields of study such as cybersecurity, data protection, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning in education, digital education and artificial Intelligence. Leading the way are universities, who are invited to showcase their latest programmes, curriculum and content in our Education Focus for 2026.

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theSun on Sunday MAY 10, 2026

WORLD 7

Asean wraps up summit with unity call

CEBU: President Ferdinand Marcos said on Friday Asean members were “frustrated” by the years-long failure to successfully implement a five-point peace plan in Myanmar, suggesting “fine-tuning” was in order. “Perhaps the context has changed a little bit. Unfortunately, we have not seen any progress,” he said. A Thai diplomat confirmed that Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow had suggested Asean invite his Myanmar counterpart for a meeting. “We need to change the way we are engaging with Myanmar,” the diplomat said on Friday. Maratee Nalita Andamo, deputy spokesperson for Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Department, said the “proposal was for engagement with Myanmar at the political level, and it was the start of a discussion”. She said it had been received “in a positive light”. However, a potential softening of the 11-member bloc’s stance is not palatable to every member. “Consensus on this matter is fraying,” said Dr Siew Mun Tang, a senior fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute There were member states ready to “let bygones be bygones”. “There’s no way you’re going to turn back the clock, right? So, let’s move forward,” he said in describing the view of those states. He said Thailand’s porous border with Myanmar made it an “urgent national security” issue. Marcos said Asean members had left their Friday afternoon session asking “what more can we do?” Even a small shift in policy could potentially be of benefit, he said. “Sometimes, when you move the parameters one millimetre, it makes all the difference,” he said, insisting that would not mean abandoning human rights. “We’re asking all the member states, all the leaders and their ministries, what that millimetre shift could possibly be. “There are no definitive answers as yet, but we are certainly going to work on it very, very hard.” – AFP ‘Tiny shifts’ in approach to Myanmar

JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities yesterday located two Singaporeans who went missing after Mount Dukono erupted on the Pacific island of Halmahera, officials said, but it was unclear whether they were alive. “We have identified the coordinates of their locations. It’s near the crater rim. This is on LAPU-LAPU CITY: As the 48th Asean Summit and Related Meetings ended on Friday in Cebu, the message from leaders was one of steadiness, stressing that the bloc would respond not with division, but with coordination, diplomacy and collective action. “For Asean, challenges present us with opportunities that have further strengthened our resolve to work more closely, to listen more carefully and to act more purposefully,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr said at the summit opening. At Friday’s plenary session, Marcos urged Asean leaders to strengthen regional energy coordination, safeguard food supply chains and protect Asean nationals caught in global crises. “Asean solidarity must be measured by our ability to act in concert to safeguard our peoples wherever they may be,” he said. The summit later adopted an Asean Leaders’ Statement on the Response to the West Asia Crisis, while leaders also pushed for stronger energy security mechanisms, regional food resilience and closer economic cooperation. Marcos said Asean leaders were united in calling for peace in West Asia and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Bloc willing to confront difficulties

Hun Manet (left) and Anutin greet each other at the meeting arranged by Marcos (centre). – AFPPIC

two thermal drones, have been deployed, focusing the search around the crater, covering an area of about 700m, Iwan said. Evacuations were hampered by extreme terrain and continued eruptions. Authorities on Friday evacuated 17 people – seven Singaporeans and 10 Indonesians. – Reuters Marcos and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung agreed to establish a “long-term rice trade mechanism”, aimed at stabilising rice supply between the Philippines and Vietnam. At a gala dinner on Friday, Marcos reflected on how Asean had once again been tested by events beyond the control of its member states. “The strength of Asean has never depended on the absence of difficulty. It has grown on our willingness to confront difficulties,” he said. – Bernama

volcano in North Maluku province began erupting on Friday, spewing ash as high as 10km. Survivors told police the three missing people were dead, police chief Erlichson Pasaribu said on Friday. At least 100 rescuers, military and police personnel, as well as and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet shaking hands beside Marcos following talks aimed at easing tensions over their border dispute. “This meeting was arranged by the Philippines as a way to provide its good offices in our capacity as chair of Asean for 2026,” Marcos said. The leaders agreed to continue dialogue and extend the work of the Asean Observer Team monitoring the ceasefire. Food security also emerged as a major theme of the summit.

drone footage and is consistent with witness accounts,” said Indonesian rescue agency head Iwan Ramdani. Both appeared to be 20m-30m from the rim of the main crater, said disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari. Rescuers have not located an Indonesian missing since the Among the summit’s key outcomes was the adoption of the Cebu Protocol amending the Asean Charter, the first amendment since 2007, seen as a major step toward Timor-Leste’s eventual full membership after a 14-year wait. A defining moment unfolded during a trilateral meeting brokered by the Philippines between Thailand and Cambodia. On Thursday evening, cameras captured Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

Missing Singaporean hikers located near crater of volcano

Tamil Nadu winning party seeks court help HYDERABAD: Movie actor-turned politician Vijay’s party, the winner of April’s Tamil Nadu assembly election, is asking India’s top court to direct the state governor to invite it to form the next government. Vijay met Tamil Nadu governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Friday to stake a claim to form the government.

the governor to take “immediate action” as per the constitution. An Indian state governor’s position is largely ceremonial, but the role can become crucial in constitutional disputes or when elections produce a hung assembly. In Kolkata, Modi and BJP leaders yesterday attended the oath-taking ceremony of West Bengal state chief minister Suvendu Adhikari. Adhikari, 57, is the first BJP chief minister of the eastern state. BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, ending the 15-year rule of three-term chief minister Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress. – Bernama

TVK has fallen short of the required 118-seat majority, but it has received support from the Indian National Congress and leftist parties to make up for the shortfall. A TVK member has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking directions for the Tamil Nadu governor to invite the single largest party to form the government. Stalin, in a post on X, also raised concerns about the delay in government formation and urged

Vijay emerged as the strongest contender for chief minister’s post after his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won 108 seats in the 234 member assembly, followed by 59 seats for former chief minister M.K. Stalin’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and 47 for the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), a regional party allied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Modi congratulating Adhikari in Kolkata. – AFPPIC

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WORLD 8

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Russia fighting Nato-backed force: Putin

Gulf clashes test fragile ceasefire

CAIRO: The US and Iran appeared no closer yesterday to finding an end to their war after the two sides traded fire in the Gulf amid a tenuous ceasefire. Recent days have seen the biggest flare-ups in fighting in and around the Strait of Hormuz since a ceasefire began a month ago, and the United Arab Emirates came under renewed attack on Friday. Washington has been awaiting Tehran’s response to a US proposal that would formally end the war before talks on more contentious issues. Speaking in Rome on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US was expecting a response that day, although an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tehran was still weighing its response. The UAE said its air defences engaged with two ballistic missiles and three drones from Iran on Friday, with three people sustaining moderate injuries. Iran has repeatedly targeted the UAE and other Gulf states that host US military bases. In what the UAE called a major escalation, Iran stepped up attacks this week in response to Trump’s announcement of “Project Freedom” to escort ships in the strait, which he paused after 48 hours. After meeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Rubio questioned why Italy and other allies were not backing Washington’s efforts to reopen the strait, warning of a dangerous precedent if Tehran were allowed to control an international waterway. The US also ratcheted up sanctions to pressure Iran. The US Treasury announced sanctions against 10 individuals and companies for aiding efforts by Iran’s military to secure weapons and raw materials used to build Tehran’s Shahed drones. – Reuters US appeals court ruling on tariffs NEW YORK: The Trump administration on Friday appealed a court ruling that found a 10% global tariff imposed in February was not justified under a 1970s trade law. The US Court of International Trade ruled on Thursday in a 2-1 decision that Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act was not meant to address trade deficits that occur when the US imports more goods than it exports. The court, however, only blocked the tariffs for three importers that sued – two small businesses and the state of Washington. While the ruling applies to a set of levies due to expire in about two months, it marks another setback for Trump’s tariff ambitions and comes a week before he is due to discuss trade tensions with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The Supreme Court ruled in February that Trump had no authority to impose the earlier tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, leading Trump to impose replacement tariffs of 10% on all imports using Section 122 of the Trade Act. The new tariffs were a temporary replacement and they were due to expire on July 24 unless extended by Congress. The Trump administration still plans broader tariffs on major trading partners by invoking a third law that has withstood legal challenges, Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which covers unfair trade practices. It has three Section 301 tariff investigations underway due for completion in July. – Reuters

‘Our cause is just’

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that his soldiers in Ukraine were fighting an “aggressive force” backed by all of Nato and described his war goals as “just”, in a combative address to the annual Victory Day parade on Red Square. Putin has made the memory of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II a central narrative of his 25-year rule, and authorities typically mark the parade with pomp and grandeur. But a spate of Ukrainian long-range attacks in recent weeks prompted the Kremlin to ramp up security measures and downsize this year’s celebrations. The parade was vastly scaled back compared with previous years, with no military hardware on display for the first time in nearly two decades and only a handful of foreign dignitaries in attendance. Both Moscow and Kyiv agreed to observe a three-day ceasefire over the event, following a last-minute appeal from US President Donald Trump. Moscow had threatened a “massive” strike on central Kyiv if Ukraine disrupted the proceedings. In an address to the parade, attended by Russian military units as well as soldiers from North Korea, Putin invoked the Soviet victory to rally support for his army in Ukraine.

Putin attending a ceremony to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in central Moscow. – AFPPIC

attack the parade and in a separate statement confirmed his government would adhere to the ceasefire to enable the swap of 1,000 detainees from each warring side. “Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be returned home,” Zelensky said. Both the Ukrainian air force and Russian Defence Ministry reported fewer drone attacks on Friday night. – AFP

“The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today,” Putin said. “They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire Nato bloc. And despite this, our heroes move forward,” he said. “I firmly believe that our cause is just,” he said later. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree on Friday ordering the Ukrainian military not to

Green Party leader Zack

Polanski (centre) celebrating with the party’s newly elected Mayor of Lewisham, Liam Shrivastava (centre right) and supporters in Lewisham, south London

on Friday. – AFPPIC

Labour takes beating, Starmer vows to stay on LONDON: Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed on Friday to stay in office to “deliver change” after his Labour Party suffered heavy losses in English local elections and parliamentary votes in Scotland and Wales, deepening doubts over his ability to govern. likely form the main opposition in Scotland and Wales.

moment of contrition when he said he took full responsibility for the losses and admitted his government had made some “unnecessary mistakes”, including failing to offer hope to Britain when the party took power. But he argued voters were more frustrated with the pace of change than with his government, and vowed to set out “the steps that we will take to deliver the change that they want and that they deserve”. In what seemed to be a nod to the latest government reset, Starmer said he would double down on efforts to address a cost-of-living crisis compounded by conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. – Reuters

Early results underscored the fracturing of Britain’s two-party system, with the Labour and Conservative parties losing votes not only to Reform, but to the left-wing Green Party at the other end of the political spectrum, and to nationalists in Scotland and Wales. Despite the losses, Starmer’s allies signalled their support for a man whose popularity ratings have sunk to among the worst for any British leader. “I am not going to walk away,” Starmer told reporters in Ealing, west London, a rare bright spot where Labour retained control of the council. To Labour activists, he showed a

Just under two years after winning a landslide national election, Starmer saw voters punish his Labour government, with support evaporating even in its traditional strongholds in London, former industrial regions in central and northern England, and in Wales. The main beneficiary was the populist Reform UK party of Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, which gained more than 1,000 council seats in England, and will