22/04/2025

TUESDAY | APR 22, 2025

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Sultan calls for stronger border security, Sg Golok buffer zone o ‘Priority must be the construction of Lebir Dam as it is crucial in addressing flood challenges’

No Cabinet shake-up despite losses in PKR polls: PM PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has firmly stated that PKR’s internal elections have no bearing on the federal administration, brushing aside speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle. “This is a matter of party leadership and the process went smoothly. If there are any concerns or confusion, they can be addressed within the party framework. “The elections proceeded well, and we’ll hold a special meeting this Wednesday. Again, this is strictly party business. “There’s no question of it affecting the state or federal governments. Everything is running as usual and smoothly.” Anwar, who is also PKR president, stressed that Cabinet positions are based on performance, not party politics. “I assess them based on their work – not political manoeuvring,” he told reporters at the Higher Education Ministry Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration. Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, his deputy Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz. The PKR divisional elections, which concluded on Sunday, saw several members of Anwar’s administration losing their party posts. One of them was Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister and PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who lost the Setiawangsa division chief post to actor director Datuk Afdlin Shauki. Afdlin garnered 631 votes to Nik Nazmi’s 563. Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim also failed in his bid to become Hang Tuah Jaya’s deputy division chief, receiving 791 votes against Zamzizul Nordin’s 1,905. On Sunday, Energy Transition and Water Transformation Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir lost the Johor Bahru division chief post to Johor PKR Youth chief Mohamad Taufiq Ismail, who secured 709 votes to Akmal’s 587. – Bernama Zahid, Gibran discuss regional concerns JAKARTA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi paid a courtesy call on Indonesia’s Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka yesterday, during which they discussed several important issues, including halal matters, labour concerns, the welfare of fishermen, regional developments and the ongoing situation in Palestine. Ahmad Zahid’s productive 45-minute meeting with Gibran at the Vice-Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta was also attended by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Malaysia’s Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin. Regarding halal matters, the two leaders discussed opportunities for collaboration in the US$1.3 trillion halal sector, as well as challenges that could be tackled jointly. These included the mutual recognition of halal certificates issued by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia and the Indonesian Ulema Council. “We will coordinate and engage in detailed discussions not only regarding the production of halal products but also on marketing strategies,” he said at a press conference after the meeting. The two countries also agreed to enhance the process of sending workers from Indonesia to Malaysia through the One Channel System and to address the management of fishermen who encroach territorial waters, as outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed in 2012. – Bernama

KOTA BHARU: The Sultan of Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V has voiced serious concern over security along the Malaysia–Thailand border, urging swift action to construct a wall and establish a buffer zone in the Sungai Golok area. Delivering his royal address at the opening of the third term of the 15th Kelantan State Legislative Assembly yesterday, the Sultan called for the proposal to be finalised without further delay. He also highlighted the pressing need to resolve Kelantan’s recurring flood problems, stressing the urgency of advancing all phases of the integrated river basin projects for Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Golok. “Priority must be given to the construction of the Lebir Dam, as it is crucial in addressing Kelantan’s flood challenges,” he said. Turning to agriculture, Sultan Muhammad V urged all relevant government agencies, departments and companies to stay focused on their core responsibilities while stepping up efforts to safeguard food security for the state and nation, reported Bernama. “I strongly encourage both the government and public to explore and cultivate high potential crops, such as coconut and durian, as viable income sources in the agricultural sector.” In line with the Kelantan Agricultural Development Enactment (2022), he called for the immediate establishment of a produce collection centre in Lojing to avoid missing out on key opportunities for revenue, investment, and economic growth. On urban development, the Sultan pressed local authorities to ensure that towns across Kelantan remain clean, attractive and well managed. “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the National Landscape Department for its strong collaboration with the Kota Bharu Municipal Council Islamic City in successfully implementing the landscape project in Kota Bharu town. “Additionally, I hope all local authorities, with full government backing, will tackle the issue of abandoned buildings and tap into the economic potential of our cities to further drive local development.” In addition, His Royal Highness stressed the importance of accelerating infrastructure KEPALA BATAS: The Education Ministry is ready to implement the home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) approach during the Asean summits in May and October to help ease traffic congestion and to ensure the summits proceed smoothly. Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry is currently in the process of identifying the schools that will be affected. “There is no issue. The matter has been thoroughly discussed within the ministry,” she told reporters after attending the symbolic ceremony of wearing the Jalur Gemilang badge at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi yesterday. She was responding to a proposal by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to implement work-from-home and PdPR arrangements during the summits – a proposal that will be brought to the Cabinet for consideration. Mohamad reportedly said the proposal stemmed from the challenges and inconveniences faced by the public, particularly in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, due to road closures during the recent state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia.

Sultan Muhammad V urged swift approval of a proposed wall and buffer zone along the Malaysian Thai border in Sungai Golok during his royal address. Also present was Sultanah Kelantan Sultanah Nur Diana Petra Abdullah. – BERNAMAPIC

industry demands. “Key priorities should include developing the manufacturing sector to attract investment, upgrading clean water supply and road infrastructure, advancing agriculture and tourism, and strengthening other high potential industries.” On federal-state cooperation, Sultan Muhammad V expressed satisfaction with the positive relationship between both levels of government, highlighting the federal government’s role in advancing Kelantan’s development. “Priority should be given to infrastructure projects approved under the 11th and 12th Malaysia Plans, collaborative land-use strategies for agricultural productivity and the implementation of biodiversity conservation initiatives across the state.” Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector and industry through the National TVET Empowerment Agenda, allowing public and private sectors to jointly create modular, industry relevant training programmes. She added that the ministry is also expanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) efforts, such as #MySTEMAmbassadors and STEM4ALL, for rural and underprivileged students. “In 2024, more than 200,000 students took part in STEM boot camps and robotics competitions, but digital equity remains a challenge.” To tackle this, the ministry is setting up hybrid solar-powered classrooms and satellite internet in 180 schools across Sabah and Sarawak to bring innovation to all areas and reduce inequality. Fadhlina said while Malaysia’s bilingual system already includes Bahasa Melayu and English, the ministry is now adding elective languages such as Mandarin, Tamil and Asean languages such as Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese. “Asean’s strength lies in its cultural, linguistic and traditional diversity. To harness this, we must prepare our youth to be multilingual, adaptable and culturally competent.”– Bernama

development and offering competitive tax exemptions to attract greater investment into Kelantan. “For example, the East Coast Rail Link project is set to bring strategic value to the state, particularly through the establishment of a cargo-oriented development zone in Pasir Puteh and a transit-oriented hub in the emerging township of Tunjong. “Beyond enhancing Kelantan’s transport network, the project is expected to generate significant economic multiplier effects for my people. It is therefore vital for the public to seize this opportunity and benefit from the spillover of such a major development.” He also urged the state government to explore alternative education platforms, especially in Technical and Vocational Education and Training to better meet current In a separate event, Fadhlina also announced that the ministry is retraining more than 100,000 teachers nationwide in digital pedagogy and 21st century teaching tools, in alignment with the Asean Work Plan on Education (2021–2025). She said the initiative, which focuses on enhancing teachers’ professional development, is being carried out in collaboration with Google for Education, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) and local universities. “Malaysia recognises that the education sector must shift from passive knowledge transmission to active skills cultivation, creativity, critical thinking and lifelong learning. We are at a crossroads. The choice is between marginal adaptation and bold transformation. Malaysia is choosing the latter. “The Asean Work Plan on Education (2021- 2025) lays out a robust framework for cooperation and Malaysia is fully aligned with its vision,”she said in her speech at the Empowering Education Summit 2025: Shaping Asean’s Future Through Skills and Innovation. Fadhlina said Malaysia is enhancing the collaboration between the Technical and

Home-based classes OK during Asean summits: Minister