06/03/2025

THURSDAY | MAR 6, 2025

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Govt boosting efforts to combat transnational crimes KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is strengthening efforts to combat transnational crimes, particularly cybercrime, through strategic cooperation with several foreign countries by way of extradition processes and treaties, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah. He said Malaysia is collaborating with countries such as Indonesia and Thailand to expedite the extradition of fugitives involved in various crimes, including cybercrime. “Through Asean platforms such as the Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime and Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crimes, Malaysia plays a key role in leading several working groups, particularly in the areas of maritime piracy, human smuggling and money laundering, Bernama reported. “These platforms facilitate discussions on transnational crime, the exchange of intelligence and the development of collaborative strategies among Asean member states to address these challenges,” he said in the Dewan Negara. He was responding to Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol’s question on government cooperation with other Asean nations to tackle cyber fraud, illegal gambling and cross-border criminal activities. Shamsul Anuar said several bilateral meetings have also been held, through the Asean National Police to facilitate information sharing on crime syndicates, enabling operations to be carried out based on real-time intelligence. “The success of this collaboration is evident in joint operations between the police and foreign law enforcement agencies. The exchange of information among Asean nations has significantly enhanced efforts to curb cybercrime and other transnational criminal activities more efficiently.” He said Malaysia also strengthens its global partnerships via MoUs and agreements with other countries such as the US and China. Anwar to visit states for Madani iftar KUALA LUMPUR: Starting next week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be visiting various states to attend Madani iftar events. His senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah said in each state Anwar would also chair a special state development meeting with key state leaders and agencies. “He has emphasised that the agenda to eradicate hardcore poverty remains his top priority in discussions with state government leaders and agencies,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) daily briefing, which was streamed live on Anwar and PMO Malaysia’s Facebook pages yesterday. Tunku Nashrul said efforts would be made to increase incomes of target groups, job opportunities, access to education, healthcare, housing and living standards. He said as of Dec 31, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Perlis had successfully achieved zero hardcore poverty. – Bernama dishonest about receiving millions of ringgit from the Selangor government when he was its economic adviser. It also implied that he deceived the public by stating that he received a salary of RM1 as an economic adviser, committed a criminal offence and betrayed the people’s mandate. Anwar claimed that the slanderous statements were false, malicious and disparaging, adding that he was highly respected nationally and internationally as someone who is against corruption. He also denounced allegations that he was politically motivated. – Bernama

CASUAL EXCHANGE ... Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi with Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu at an engagement session with Zon Pantai Barat fishermen in Bagan Datuk yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Malaysia exploring use of thorium as nuclear fuel

and advanced nuclear technology while ensuring that nuclear technology usage meets the highest safety standards, with backing from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) statutes. Addressing Prabakaran’s original question on nuclear cooperation with other countries, Chang said Malaysia supports and plays an active role in the peaceful development and use of nuclear science and technology, both internationally and nationally, Bernama reported. He added that Malaysia has been involved in multilateral collaborations with international organisations since the country joined the IAEA in 1969. “The ministry, through the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, has also been a member of the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (Inpro) under IAEA cooperation since 2012. Inpro consists of 47 member countries, including Japan and France.” Chang said through Inpro, the country and other members are involved in long-term projects and collaborations on innovations in reactors, fuel cycles and institutional approaches that promote the sustainable development of nuclear energy.

o Country to collaborate, acquire technology transfer from China and India on potential applications of element: Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia aims to collaborate, share knowledge and acquire technology transfer from China and India in the use of thorium as nuclear fuel, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang. He said at present, the two countries are at the forefront of utilising this technology. Chang said the use of thorium as nuclear fuel is still in its early stages and no country has yet mastered the technology. “For example, in China, the thorium molten salt reactor is considered a fourth-generation reactor, which is the most advanced and safest to date. However, even there it is still in the development phase, and China’s small modular reactor (SMR) is only expected to be operational in 2029.” He was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) on the use of thorium as nuclear fuel, in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

To another supplementary question from P. Prabakaran (PH-Batu) on the same issue, Chang said the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, through the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, has established a pilot plant for the extraction and purification of thorium from local minerals such as monazite, to explore its potential role in future fuel supply chains. Thorium is an element with potential applications in nuclear energy. Unlike uranium, it is more abundant, produces less long-lived radioactive waste and has a higher melting point, making it attractive for next-generation nuclear reactors, particularly molten salt reactors. Chang said the ministry has been involved in SMR capacity development since 2024 through a United States programme - Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology. He said the programme supports countries interested in exploring the potential of SMRs

PM, Kuala Terengganu MP settle defamation suit amicably KUALA LUMPUR: The suit filed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against Kuala Terengganu MP Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim was settled amicably in the Kuala Terengganu High Court yesterday. Datuk Hassan Abdul Gani at the Kuala Terengganu High Court today (March 5),” Nair said in a statement. Nair said both parties conveyed their appreciation to the judge and court officers involved and expressed hope that the decision would be accepted and respected by all parties and not be turned into something that could jeopardise prosperity and harmony in Malaysia.

He said both parties agreed to end the dispute after considering the impact of the suit as well as the legal costs that they would incur since many bigger or more important issues need attention. He added that it followed Ahmad Amzad’s action to withdraw the statement made by him on Dec 7, 2022. He said the settlement is a mutual agreement, and Anwar withdrew the suit with no liberty to refile and with no order as to costs.

The suit was filed over Ahmad Amzad’s alleged defamatory statement that Anwar lied when he said he only received a salary of RM1 when he was the Selangor economic adviser. Lawyer Datuk S.N. Nair, representing Anwar, said both parties reached an out-of-court settlement and agreed to issue a public statement. “The settlement was recorded before Judge

In the statement of claim filed on Dec 22, 2022, Anwar, who is also PKR president, claimed that Ahmad Amzad had made several statements to a group of customers while dining at a restaurant on Dec 7. Anwar said the statements implied, among other things, that he was untrustworthy and