09/06/2025

MONDAY | JUNE 9, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Police deny issuing travel ban on activist

Halal industry key driver of regional Asean growth KUALA LUMPUR: The rapidly growing halal industry is among nine sectors identified as key drivers of high economic growth in the Indonesia Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). According to International Islamic University Malaysia associate professor of economics Dr Muhammad Irwan Ariffin, other priority sectors include sustainable agriculture and agribusiness, tourism, green and renewable energy, the digital economy, transport and logistics, palm oil and downstream industries and Islamic finance. He added that the marine and fisheries industries are exclusive to the BIMP-EAGA sub-region. He also said the halal sector across both sub regions holds strong global demand for halal food, cosmetics, finance and tourism. “It shares Islamic values across Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, southern Thailand and Mindanao, making it a strategic goal to develop IMT-GT as a global halal hub,”he told Bernama. Turning to agriculture, Muhammad Irwan said the combination of vast arable land and tropical climate drives demand for high-value crops, organic farming, agro-processing and agribusiness value chains, which are essential for supporting rural economies. On the digital economy, he noted that increasing internet access in rural areas has fuelled the rise of e-commerce, fintech and digital skills development, alongside plans for smart cities and cross-border digital corridors. “The sub-regions, which are known for their rich biodiversity, natural parks and cultural heritage, are increasingly focusing on eco-tourism, halal tourism and cross-border travel circuits, supported by strategic initiatives such as the Visit IMT-GT Year 2023–2025 campaign,”he said. “In the Islamic finance sector, the large Muslim population and underserved rural communities present opportunities for inclusive growth through shariah -compliant financial services that support the development of small and medium enterprises across the regions.” Muhammad Irwan said while Asean’s broader goals for integration and connectivity are guided by the Asean Economic Community Blueprint 2025 and the Master Plan on Asean Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, both IMT-GT and BIMP-EAGA can align with these objectives through five key areas. Firstly, he explained the sub-regions could support Asean’s aim of narrowing development gaps by creating economic opportunities in peripheral areas often overlooked by national strategies, thus contributing to a more cohesive and inclusive community. Secondly, they can support seamless transport, trade facilitation and digital infrastructure, as outlined in MPAC 2025, by investing in cross-border infrastructure such as roads, ports and airports, and by coordinating border trade facilitation, Customs harmonisation and logistics. “For example, BIMP-EAGA has launched 210 priority infrastructure projects as of October 2024, including the expansion of border economic zones and connectivity corridors, directly supporting MPAC’s aim to physically link Asean markets,”he said. He added that the sub-regions could help increase intra-Asean trade and investment by developing regional supply chains in agriculture, halal products, tourism and manufacturing. “For example, IMT-GT’s Halal Industry Development initiative supports Asean’s bid to become a global halal hub. “IMT-GT and BIMP-EAGA also facilitate cross-border investments and SME partnerships, which deepen economic interdependence within Asean and integrate border regions into the broader Asean market.” He added the sub-regions can reinforce Asean’s mission to strengthen resilience, promote climate action and ensure sustainable development by encouraging green infrastructure and sustainable tourism, such as Unesco Geoparks. – Bernama

o IGP clarifies KLIA incident was due to routine monitoring of list, not restriction on travel rights

security or breach existing laws. “Police must provide further clarification regarding this matter. The Prime Minister’s Office will continue to monitor developments accordingly.” On Saturday, Fahmi claimed he was prevented from leaving Malaysia after recently being blacklisted from entering Sabah. In a Facebook post, he said he was barred from travelling after immigration officers at KLIA informed him he had been blacklisted. He said he arrived at KLIA at around 7.30am for a 9.35am flight. Upon reaching the international immigration clearance counter, he was redirected to the immigration office for further checks. “I arrived at KLIA at 7.30am and I was stopped at the international departure immigration counter and asked to wait in a temporary office while officers checked with the Travel Control Office.” After presenting his departure clearance pass and flight ticket, Fahmi said he was told police had not approved his exit from the country. “Non-revenue water is caused by various factors, including system inefficiencies, pipe leakage and water theft. “When pipe connections are poorly installed, leakage happens. There are also old pipes that have started leaking. Overall, we estimate that the country loses 40% of its treated water. This incurs high costs. “Therefore, our current priority is to identify methods to reassess the piping systems and replace damaged pipes.”– Bernama

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Razarudin added that a misunderstanding at the KL International Airport (KLIA) checkpoint on June 7 resulted in Fahmi being mistakenly flagged as subject to a travel ban. “This situation is currently under review and appropriate measures will be taken to improve existing procedures. “Police remain committed to upholding and respecting the freedom of movement of all Malaysian citizens. The individual concerned is free to travel in and out of the country as usual, subject to regulations set by the Immigration Department and other applicable laws.” Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had instructed police to review the alleged travel ban on Fahmi. In a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Anwar stressed that the Madani government upholds individual freedoms as long as they do not compromise national

PETALING JAYA: Police have denied activist Mohd Fahmi Reza Mohd Zarin, also known as Fahmi Reza, is under any travel ban despite claims he was stopped from travelling abroad. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain clarified that Fahmi’s name was only placed on a travel monitoring list as part of an ongoing investigation. “There is no official travel restriction imposed on Fahmi at this time. However, his name has been placed on a travel monitoring list for internal record-keeping and reference purposes as investigations involving him are ongoing.” He explained that the list is not a travel ban but part of routine monitoring procedures by authorities.

Putrajaya allocates RM790 million for state water projects KUCHING: The federal government has allocated RM796.4 million in loans to state governments this year to finance various water supply projects. Of these, 12 are in Sabah, two in Kedah and Perlis, one in Kelantan, three in Pahang and Terengganu, and five in Sarawak.

“These projects are at various stages of completion. Some are under implementation and seven are expected to be completed this year,”he said after attending an Aidiladha qurban event at Kampung Tupong Jaya. He added that the ministry is currently focusing on resolving the issue of non-revenue water.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the projects are part of government efforts to mitigate the impact of the Southwest Monsoon, which is expected to bring dry weather and potential drought. Fadillah said as of May, 28 projects under the initiative were underway.

The embassy also welcomed a visiting delegation from the Royal Military College, comprising 32 Putera cadets and five officers.

Malaysian embassy in Bangkok hosts Aidiladha event BANGKOK: The Embassy of Malaysia in Thailand hosted a gathering for Malaysians abroad and local guests on Saturday to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha. dedication in upholding Malaysia’s interests overseas.

Preparatory School. Bong added that the visit offered the students a unique opportunity to experience Hari Raya celebrations away from their families and friends. “The celebration served not only as a religious gathering but also as a meaningful occasion to strengthen the bonds among Malaysians in Thailand,” he said. – Bernama

The embassy also welcomed a visiting delegation from the Royal Military College, comprising 32 Putera cadets and five officers. The delegation, led by its commandant Brig-Jen Shaiful Azuar Ariffin, is in Bangkok for a one-week student exchange programme with Thailand’s Armed Forces Academies

Charge d’Affaires ad interim of Malaysia to Thailand Bong Yik Jui said while Aidiladha signified the values of sacrifice, devotion and unity among Muslims worldwide, it also serves as a reflection of the mission’s duty and