08/06/2025

NATIONAL 2 ON SUNDAY JUNE 8, 2025 S’gor Ruler laments rise in haj scams

Royal Office Facebook page yesterday. His Royal Highness and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin also extended Hari Raya Aidiladha greetings to Muslims across Malaysia in the post. Sultan Sharafuddin called on Muslims to uphold the sanctity of the haj by ensuring that all arrangements are made through licensed and recognised agents and companies authorised by the authorities to manage haj and umrah affairs. Their Royal Highnesses prayed that Malaysian pilgrims would be granted a mabrur haj and return home safely. – Bernama

SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed sadness and disappointment over the rise in fraudulent haj travel packages affecting Muslims in the country. His Royal Highness said it was especially disheartening that those exploiting the situation were Muslims themselves, who were willing to deceive their fellow believers for personal gain. The Sultan decreed that stern action be taken against any individual or travel agency offering haj packages that take advantage of and deceive Muslims. Sultan Sharafuddin made the remarks in a post on the Selangor

Sultan Sharafuddin performing the solat sunat Aidiladha at Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, in Shah Alam yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

M’sia backs Thai-Cambodia border dispute measures

Ministers extend festive greetings KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Aidiladha underscores the spiritual essence of Islam and reinforces the values of sacrifice, sincerity and submission to Allah’s will. He expressed hope that Aidiladha would deepen faith, strengthen love and help build a more united, peaceful and prosperous Malaysian society. “May every sacrifice we make, big or small, be a means to draw closer to His pleasure. For those returning to their hometowns for the celebration, please drive carefully and patiently. Cherish this festive time with your loved ones to foster unity and strengthen bonds of kinship,” he said in a post on X. He also invited fellow Malaysians who do not celebrate Aidiladha to embrace the spirit of unity in diversity by visiting and connecting with one another, emphasising that Aidiladha is not only a celebration of sacrifice for Muslims, but also a reflection of compassion and togetherness for all Malaysians. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said in a post on X that Aidiladha serves as a powerful reminder of the values of sacrifice, sincerity and obedience to Allah SWT. “It immortalises a story filled with valuable lessons, when Prophet Ibrahim A.S. was willing to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail A.S. out of obedience to the command of Allah SWT. In His mercy, Allah SWT replaced the sacrifice with an animal, symbolising His love for those who are obedient servants. “May this Aidiladha nourish the spirit of sacrifice and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among all people. Let us celebrate with gratitude and humility.” Also extending their Aidiladha greetings on their respective social media accounts were Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. – Bernama

Several initiatives taken, including agreeing to discuss issue through Joint Boundary Commission on June 14 in Phnom Penh, says Anwar

The Yang di-Pertuan Muda of Terengganu Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, accompanied by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and other state leaders, performed the prayers at Masjid Al-Muktafi Billah Shah. The Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, accompanied by Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, State Secretary Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani and state executive councillors, performed the solat sunat Aidiladha at Masjid Sultan Iskandar, Bandar Datuk Onn. The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and the Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud performed the prayers at Masjid Diraja Tuanku Munawir, Kuala Pilah. phone conversation on Friday. She said Anwar had expressed readiness to assist both sides in resolving the dispute. “Thank you, PM Anwar Ibrahim, for the call this afternoon to discuss the Thai-Cambodia border situation and to express readiness to help both sides to resolve the matter. “I reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to a peaceful resolution through existing bilateral mechanisms, while safeguarding our sovereignty in accordance with international law,” she said in a post on her official X account on Friday. Malaysia as the current Asean chair, is understood to be closely monitoring developments on the border issue. On Friday, Paetongtarn announced that Thailand had established a special task force to address security concerns along its border with Cambodia. She said the army had been assigned to coordinate operations and maintain readiness to respond to any development, prioritising the protection of sovereignty while safeguarding international relations to ensure national security.

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia supports the measures taken by Thailand and Cambodia in addressing the border dispute involving both countries, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “I spoke with both the prime ministers. They have taken several measures that we support, namely the June 14 talks regarding the Thailand Cambodia border dispute. “I’m ready to follow and provide the cooperation required. So far, both governments have taken the stance of continuing negotiations amicably,” he said after performing the solat sunat Aidiladha with about 15,000 congregants at Masjid Putra yesterday. On May 28, Thai and Cambodian troops were involved in a brief skirmish in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province, which reportedly resulted in the death of

a Cambodian soldier. Cambodia has since announced its intention to bring the border dispute to the International Court of Justice. Thailand has reportedly reiterated its commitment to resolving the issue peacefully in accordance with international law as well as existing agreements and memoranda with Cambodia. Following the tension, the two neighbours have agreed to discuss the issue through the Joint Boundary Commission scheduled to be held in Phnom Penh on June 14. This is expected to be a crucial step towards a peaceful long-term resolution between the two Asean neighbouring countries, Bernama reported. Meanwhile in Bangkok, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she had discussed the Thai-Cambodia border situation with Anwar during a

Aidiladha celebrated with festive spirit nationwide KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims nationwide celebrated Hari Raya Aidiladha with grateful hearts as thousands of congregants, including leaders, filled mosques to perform Aidiladha prayers yesterday. In Kedah, the Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah performed Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Albukhary in Alor Setar with about 2,000 congregants, including Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and State Secretary Datuk Seri Norizan Khazali. Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud, performed Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Muhammadi in Kota Bharu.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, together with about 15,000 congregants, performed the solat sunat Hari Raya Aidiladha at Masjid Putra, Putrajaya, with the mosque’s Grand Imam Dr Muhamad Zakuwa Rodzali delivering the sermon titled Korban dan Semangat Kebersamaan . In Selangor, the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah performed the s olat sunat Aidiladha with more than 10,000 congregants at Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, which was also attended by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. Also in attendance was the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.

In Perlis, the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail performed the solat sunat Aidiladha at Dataran Istiadat, Istana Arau in Arau. Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said Aidiladha teaches the meaning of true sacrifice, sincerity and obedience to Allah SWT, Bernama reported. Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib and his wife Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah performed Aidiladha prayers with over 5,000 congregants at the Penang State Mosque. The Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, accompanied by