28/03/2025

FRIDAY | MAR 28, 2025

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‘Restore harmony after temple relocation dispute’

Sultan: Nip deviant teachings in the bud SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has ordered relevant agencies to conduct regular monitoring to ensure that previously eliminated deviant teachings do not resurface. The Sultan urged that deviant teachings be curbed at an early stage to prevent them from spreading and corrupting Muslims. “I wish to remind Muslims, especially in Selangor, to continuously strengthen their faith and beliefs to avoid being misled by teachings or ideologies that deviate from the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah creed.” Sultan Sharafuddin was speaking at an iftar event with the people, Hari Raya contribution presentation ceremony and the opening of Masjid Raja Bendahara Tengku Badar Shah in Denai Alam on Wednesday. The newly constructed RM24.1 million mosque can accommodate up to 4,500 congregants at a time. The Ruler said it is the responsibility of every Muslim to refer to mufti and fatwas when they encounter any misleading teachings or contradictory doctrines, and promptly report them to the Selangor Islamic Religious Council. He also advised Muslims to always uphold honesty and integrity, especially in managing assets related to asnaf groups or zakat funds, as well as in handling haj and umrah packages, Bernama reported. Sultan Sharafuddin expressed the utmost regret over fraud committed by unlicensed haj and umrah travel agencies. “This deplorable act can also tarnish the sanctity of Islam in the eyes of non Muslims. I urge and appeal to you (Muslims) to always remember the severe punishment of Allah that awaits. “We may escape punishment in this world but we can never evade the severe judgment of Allah on the day of reckoning.” Earlier, Sultan Sharafuddin, accompanied by the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah, was greeted upon arrival at the mosque by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, state executive council members and mosque leaders. The Sultan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to officiate at seven new mosques in the state during Ramadan, in addition to distributing RM35.2 million in aid from the Selangor Zakat Board to 75,207 recipients from various districts. Border posts open till 12pm for Raya BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Operating hours at land border posts between Brunei and Malaysia will be extended from 10pm to midnight on Tuesday until April 6 in view of the upcoming festive Hari Raya celebration. The Brunei Immigration and National Registration said the extension is at the Ujung Jalan Control and Inspection Complex, Labu Temporary Control Post, Kuala Lurah Temporary Immigration Control Post, and Sungai Tujoh Immigration Control Post. Normal operating hours for these control posts are from 6am to 10pm. Border crossings often record an increase, especially during festive seasons as families in Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak visit one another. The sighting of the new moon by Brunei, to determine the first day of Hari Raya, will be on Sunday. – Bernama-Xinhua

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on relevant stakeholders to restore harmony with all communities following the dispute over a site earmarked for a mosque where a temple was located. Anwar said the new mosque committee, textile company Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd and religious scholars should play their roles in strengthening ties with the people, whether they are directly or indirectly affected by the dispute. “A peaceful nation is a prosperous one. Stability attracts investors and drives business growth. Seeking ethical, respectful resolutions is not a sign of weakness as some critics claim. “It reflects Madani values – compassion, justice and kindness – not only for Muslims but also for all communities. “If we only seek to be heroes for our own race, the nation will fracture. True leadership means speaking for all, not inciting division and disregarding truth and justice,” he said at the Masjid Madani groundbreaking ceremony near Jalan Masjid India yesterday. The mosque is being built on waqf land owned by Jakel Trading, previously home to the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple. “This is waqf land – a mosque must be built here,” said Anwar. The government’s decision to construct the new mosque in the city centre was made after careful consideration, ensuring concerns were addressed through meaningful dialogue. In Islamic law, waqf land is permanently dedicated as a charitable endowment, with its benefits reserved for religious or charitable purposes. Crucially, the land itself is inalienable – it strengthen ties with people directly or indirectly affected by issue, says PM █ BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com o New mosque committee, Jakel Trading, religious scholars should help

Anwar officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

including 592 in the main prayer hall. Jakel Trading said it had acquired the land in 2012 and secured construction approval in 2021. The company’s legal head Aiman Dazuki said construction had been delayed out of respect for the temple’s relocation process, adding that it had also offered to cover the associated costs. On Tuesday, reports confirmed that the temple management had agreed to relocate, resolving the dispute. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said discussions with stakeholders had helped identify a new 4,000sq ft site for the temple, just 50 metres from its original location.

cannot be sold, gifted or inherited. “My stance in ministerial meetings has been unwavering. Solutions must come through negotiation, no matter the challenges. “From the start, I have been firm. I support dialogue and compromise, but our decision stands. This mosque will be built.” The decision to build the mosque was made to accommodate the growing number of Muslim congregants in the area. The four-storey Masjid Madani, spanning 12,142sq ft, will house a library, an event hall and an arts and cultural space to introduce Islam to the wider public. Located on Jakel-owned land at Lot 328, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, the mosque is set for completion within two years and will accommodate around 2,900 worshippers,

Bolster nation’s cyber defence system, say experts KUALA LUMPUR: The country’s cyber defence system must be strengthened to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology, particularly amid growing threats from radical extremist groups that use cyber attacks for generating income. Universiti Teknologi Mara Media and Information Warfare Studies Centre security and political analyst Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin said while Malaysia’s cyber defence system remains relevant, it must be reinforced, particularly in terms of speed and precision. “Among the key strategies which can be used to enhance cyber security are strengthening capabilities in line with hackers’ evolving modus operandi, and refining cyber emergency training, such as the National Drill, to ensure a high level of readiness.” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said that the government did not bow to the threat. He emphasised the need to bolster the country’s cyber security by allocating additional funds to several agencies, including the police and Bank Negara Malaysia. Noor Nirwandy highlighted the importance of international collaboration in developing a stronger and more resilient cyber security framework. He said the National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) has been effective in monitoring cyber threats to the country. Noor Nirwandy emphasised the need for greater collaboration between the government, private sector and the public to foster a cyber security-conscious culture and strengthen preparedness against evolving threats. Udzir said the cyber attack on MAHB’s digital system also posed a risk to national stability. “Cyber attacks of this nature can damage reputations, erode stakeholder trust, lead to operational losses and incur significant compensation costs. It is time for us to invest in national cybersecurity, particularly for critical infrastructure.” Nur Izura, who is also UPM Centre for Strategy and Corporate Relations deputy director (Strategic Management), and a member of Cyber Security Academia Malaysia, suggested exploring the use of artificial intelligence technology to further strengthen the nation’s cyber security framework. She also emphasised the importance of reducing Malaysia’s dependence on foreign cyber security systems by advancing its own technological capabilities.

Noor Nirwandy was referring to reports that Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad’s (MAHB) digital system had recently been targeted by hackers demanding a ransom of US$10 million (RM44 million).

“Our country has many experts, including agencies like Nacsa, which can be further strengthened.” – Bernama

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology cyber security expert Assoc Prof Dr Nur Izura