19/07/2025

SATURDAY | JULY 19, 2025

3 Online radicalisation fuels rise of campus extremism

Fomca urges crackdown on power thieves

PETALING JAYA: Excessive speed was the main cause of the June 9 bus crash that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Upsi) students, according to a preliminary investigation report released by the Transport Ministry yesterday. The report confirmed the bus was travelling at 117kph – nearly twice the 60kph speed limit on the East–West Highway near Tasik Banding – when it overturned and crashed. “Kinematic analysis showed the vehicle exceeded the safe cornering threshold of about 111.3kph to 114.5kph,” the report noted. The driver lost control, causing the vehicle to skid and overturn to the left, KUALA LUMPUR: Electricity theft can no longer be treated as a minor technical offence as it costs the government billions of ringgit annually and requires immediate, decisive action, according to the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca). Federation chief executive officer Dr T. Saravanan said the government, regulators and Tenaga Nasional Berhad must invest in stronger detection systems – including smart meters, real time monitoring and data analytics – to identify suspicious consumption patterns. “Enforcement efforts must be intensified, not only targeting the operators of illegal mining farms but also extending legal accountability to landlords, enablers and financiers who profit from or facilitate these activities.” He stressed the need to urgently revise the legal framework on electricity theft to ensure penalties match the scale of the crime. “Fines must be proportionate, and prison terms should reflect the seriousness of these offences.” Saravanan also proposed that Malaysia consider creating regulated pathways for legal crypto-mining operations. – Bernama Police probe student’s fall at Sabah school KUALA LUMPUR: The death of a Form One female student who allegedly fell from a third-floor dormitory at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustafa Limauan in Sabah is now under police investigation, according to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. She said the ministry is fully cooperating with authorities regarding the incident. “The ministry’s top management and I visited the family at the hospital to ensure their needs are met and their welfare is taken care of. “The Sabah Education Department has also provided immediate assistance, including psychosocial support for the family,” she posted on Facebook. Fadhlina called on the public to refrain from speculation that could disrupt the investigation and to respect the family’s privacy. – Bernama Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

university who spoke to the daily, two shared that they had personally encountered extremist content online, often through platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. One student described stumbling upon a page that “looked like it was just sharing facts about Islam” but regularly included anti Muslim rhetoric, mistranslations of Quranic verses and posts accusing Muslims of being violent or deceptive. Muhammad Zikrul Hakim, 20, said the topic of extremism feels “very relevant” to students today. “We get exposed to so many things online without realising what they are. If no one teaches us how to think critically, we’ll just absorb whatever we see.” He urged authorities to use more engaging visuals to reach younger audiences. “Use things such as infographics or mind maps, something visual, something we’ll actually pay attention to.” Wan Muhammad Khalis Indra, 25, noted, “A lot of us are just curious. We want to explore ideas. But that’s also what makes us vulnerable, because we don’t always know when a message is dangerous.” Another student, Suafiudin, 27, called for more structured academic guidance. “There should be proper subjects that teach us how these ideologies work. If we don’t understand the mechanics of it, we won’t know how to avoid it.” An anonymous respondent added, “Universities can only do so much. We need to start from young. Parents should teach real religious knowledge from early on, not just leave us to learn from TikTok or YouTube.” As students navigate an increasingly digital landscape, both experts and young voices agree that education alone is not enough. A stronger collective effort involving families, institutions and policymakers is needed to stop ideological manipulation at its root. meet legal and safety requirements.” The report concluded that the crash was a preventable tragedy caused by human negligence, weak compliance with safety protocols and a lack of operational oversight. In a statement released alongside the report, the ministry said the findings were tabled at the Cabinet meeting yesterday and made public in the interest of transparency and public awareness. The report was independently compiled by a Special Task Force led by the ministry’s chief inspector of air accidents, with input from technical experts and relevant agencies. It also clarified that the investigation focused solely on safety factors and does not interfere with any ongoing criminal proceedings.

o Expert warns of fanatical ideologies spreading on social media, urges early intervention in schools and at homes

PETALING Religious extremism is quietly seeping into university spaces through digital narratives aimed at influencing impressionable minds, according to Universiti Islam Selangor Faculty of Islamic Civilisation Studies associate professor Dr Mariam Abd Majid. “Young people are in a phase of searching for identity and meaning. Extremist groups know this and exploit it by wrapping their messages in what looks like intellectual or religious reform,” she told theSun . She said social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Telegram and Discord have enabled radical ideologies to spread beyond JAYA:

extremists, but the early signs are there, and they need to be addressed before it escalates.” To counter the threat, she proposed embedding anti extremism modules into the national curriculum, strengthening core religious subjects such as Aqidah and Fiqh , and equipping counsellors and lecturers to recognise ideological red flags. “We need students to think critically, not just follow charismatic voices online,” she said. Out of four students from the

public scrutiny. “They use short, emotionally charged content that feels convincing because it mimics academic arguments. But it’s a distortion,” she explained. Mariam warned that some students gradually disengage from campus activities and adopt more rigid, fringe perspectives. “They start idolising controversial preachers, criticising mainstream institutions and joining closed religious circles off-campus. “Not all of them become

Mariam proposes embedding anti-extremism modules into the national curriculum, strengthening core religious subjects and equipping counsellors and lecturers to recognise ideological red flags. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Speeding blamed for Upsi bus tragedy that claimed 15 lives

injuries,” the report stated. Road conditions at the crash site were within acceptable safety standards and there was no indication of adverse weather at the time. The highway is classified as Category R3, with a maximum speed limit of 60kph. The report also pointed to regulatory breaches by the bus operator. “The operator was found to have committed offences under the Land Public Transport Act 2010, including the use of unauthorised drivers and manipulation of licensing documentation. “The Land Public Transport Agency has pledged enforcement action based on these findings. Stern action will be taken against any operator who fails to

Both drivers had prior traffic summonses, including for speeding, although the report did not confirm if these were directly linked to the incident. Investigators highlighted the absence of key safety systems on the bus, including a Speed Limiting Device and active GPS tracking, which could have enabled real-time monitoring and potentially prevented the speeding. Structural weaknesses of the bus worsened the outcome. The lack of seat belts and poor roof integrity were identified as contributing factors to the high number of casualties. “The penetration of the guardrail into the cabin’s main impact zone – where most victims were seated – was a critical factor in the severity of the

where it struck a W-beam guardrail that pierced the cabin, leading to severe injuries and fatalities. Although the driver claimed the brakes had failed, investigators found no evidence of mechanical malfunction. Preliminary checks revealed possible signs of brake overheating, though this was likely due to excessive or improper use. A full technical evaluation will be included in the final report. The investigation also revealed serious licensing and operational violations involving both drivers. The designated backup driver, 53, was found to hold a Group E licence that had expired in 1998. The main driver, aged 39, held a valid PSV licence and was driving at the time of the crash.