14/05/2025

WEDNESDAY | MAY 14, 2025

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King graces National Sports Awards ceremony PETALING JAYA: His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim attended the 2024 National Sports Awards ceremony held at a hotel in Subang Jaya yesterday. Nagulendran and National Sports Council director-general Jefri Ngadirin.

M’sia to get Maritime Patrol Aircraft from Italy by end 2026 TURIN (ITALY): Malaysia is expected to receive its first Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Italian aerospace, defence and security company Leonardo by the end of 2026, with the second aircraft scheduled for delivery three months later, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said both aircraft are part of a procurement deal worth nearly RM900 million, finalised in 2023 to strengthen the country’s defence and maritime surveillance capabilities. “As a maritime nation, Malaysia must have assets like these aircraft to carry out patrols. They will be equipped with state-of-the-art systems. “More importantly, the aircraft will be fitted with anti-submarine systems, enabling them to respond to related activities,” he said during a working visit to Leonardo’s facility on Monday. Present were Malaysia’s Ambassador to Italy, San Marino and Kosovo Datuk Zahid Rastam, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief Jen Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Goriman Khan, defence ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Mohd Yani Daud and Leonardo Aeronautics Division managing director Stefano Bortoli. Mohamed Khaled said the aircraft, whose airframe is built in Toulouse, France, would be outfitted with advanced systems including anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare capabilities before delivery to Malaysia. He described the procurement as a strategic investment to enhance Malaysian Armed Forces’ readiness in addressing regional security challenges, particularly in the South China Sea. “We know the South China Sea presents its own unique challenges, with rising tensions and conflicts. So, these acquisitions will greatly aid the country. “As of now, project progress has exceeded 60% and remains on schedule. We are satisfied with the ongoing work carried out by Leonardo.” The MPA procurement is part of RMAF’s acquisition plan under its Capability Development Plan 2055, which envisions the acquisition of six MPAs in phases. The MPAs to be received by the RMAF are designated as P-72M, and are based on the widely used commercial ATR 72-600 aircraft which is especially common in Southeast Asia, Bernama reported. The P-72M’s primary roles include anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare missions. The National Sports Awards, introduced in 1966, is the government’s highest recognition for athletes, coaches, officials and sports associations for excellence achieved. – Bernama bowl athlete to be crowned National Sportswoman. In receiving the highest award, the National Sportsman and Sportswoman took home a trophy, certificate and RM20,000 in cash. His Majesty also presented the Sports Personality Award to the Yang di-Pertua of Malacca Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam.

tournament starting today until Sunday. The doubles pair, currently ranked fifth in the world, defended their Olympic bronze medal for the second consecutive time after defeating the Danish pair Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen at the Paris Olympics. Nor Farah Ain achieved international fame after winning the women’s individual gold medal at the 2024 World Bowls Indoor Championships in Guernsey, Channel Islands in April last year. The world number one lawn bowler also made history as the country’s first female lawn

His Majesty presented the 2024 National Sportsman Award to national badminton men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who were represented by Badminton Association of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh. The 2024 National Sportswoman Award went to lawn bowl athlete Nor Farah Ain Abdullah. Aaron-Wooi Yik were absent as they are participating in the 2025 Thailand Open

The prestigious ceremony brought together Malaysian sports figures to celebrate the outstanding achievements of national athletes last year. Present were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and her deputy Adam Adli Abd Halim. Also present were Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr K

UN aviation body rules Russia downed MH17: Report

o ‘International Civil Aviation Organisation council to consider in coming

weeks what form of reparation is in order’

KUALA LUMPUR: The United Nations aviation council on Monday ruled that Russia was responsible for the downing of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine that killed all 298 passengers and crew, according to Reuters. Those on board included 196 Dutch citizens and 38 Australian citizens or residents, the Dutch and Australian governments said in separate statements, the report added. Both governments said the International Civil Aviation Organisation council (ICAO) would, in the coming weeks, consider what form of reparation is in order. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, was shot down over eastern Ukraine amid intense fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. The report added that in November 2022 Dutch judges convicted two Russian men and a Ukrainian man in absentia of murder for their role in the attack. Moscow called the ruling “scandalous” and said it would not extradite its citizens. Reuters reported that the case was launched in 2022 by Australia and the Netherlands. “The decision is an important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims of Flight MH17 and their families and loved ones,”

The reconstructed wreckage of MH17, seen after the presentation of the final report into the downing of the aircraft over eastern Ukraine in 2014 amid intense fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. – REUTERS FILE PIC

responsibility for this horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law,“ Wong was quoted as saying. ICAO lacks regulatory power but holds moral suasion and sets global aviation standards overwhelmingly adopted by its 193-member states, said the news report. A Dutch inquiry was conducted to determine that MH17 was shot down by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile. For Malaysia Airlines it was the second disaster of 2014, following the disappearance of MH370 on March 8 the same year. “If there is an allegation against someone, we act in accordance with the rule of law. We are a sovereign nation. Since he is a foreign national, we will use the appropriate legal channels like we always do.” On May 7, The Wall Street Journal reported that Malaysia had filed an extradition request for Leissner in connection with his role in the 1MDB scandal. The Malaysian government submitted the request to the United States Department of Justice in August 2024. Interpol placed Leissner on its Red Notice list last November, effectively alerting member countries to detain him if located. – Bernama

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp was quoted as saying. “This decision also sends a clear message to the international community: states cannot violate international law with impunity.” He added that the Netherlands and Australia want the ICAO council to order Russia to enter into negotiations over reparations, Bernama reported. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong reportedly said her government welcomed the decision and urged ICAO to move swiftly to determine remedies. “We call upon Russia to finally face up to its

Minister backs MACC probe into two Home Ministry officers PUTRAJAYA: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has voiced his full support for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in carrying out its duties following the arrest of two of the ministry’s officers in an anti graft operation dubbed Ops Outlander recently. Saifuddin said he would refrain from commenting further, stressing his trust in the integrity of the investigation process. On May 8, MACC confirmed the arrest of two home ministry officers and one civilian in an operation conducted in Putrajaya. The arrests were linked to an investigation into alleged corruption involving the fast-tracking of citizenship status confirmation applications.

On another development, Saifuddin said legal action against individuals facing criminal charges, including foreigners, would be carried out in accordance with Malaysian laws. Referring to former Goldman Sachs partner Tim Leissner from the United States, Saifuddin said legal proceedings had already begun under the Financial Monetary Act, and an Interpol Red Notice had been issued.

“MACC has ‘25 hours a day’ to go in and investigate. Let them do their job according to their responsibilities,” he said after the ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday. Saifuddin said this stance has been a consistent principle of his since the beginning of his tenure.