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No. 8857 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195)

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Residents association chief questions the need to outsource when the current smart parking system is functioning well. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

INSIDE page 2 Outsourcing outcry Residents associations question wisdom of Selangor govt decision to privatise parking at four local council areas, and express concern motorists may no longer enjoy discounts for early payment of summonses. page 6 page 3

Eight Appeals Court and 14 High Court judges to be sworn in on July 28.

Largest affordable housing project offering 37,368 units launched in Penang.

Authorities proactive in ensuring shark catches carried out sustainably.

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NATIONAL 2 theSun on Sunday JULY 20, 2025 Every fatwa undergoes rigorous process: Sultan

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Tengku Permaisuri S’gor proclaimed UIS chancellor BANGI: The Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin has been proclaimed as the first chancellor of Universiti Islam Selangor (UIS). policy, Bernama reported. “However, I am of the view that, given the many religious schools established by the Selangor Islamic Religious

On May 10, Selangor Islamic Religious Department director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad announced via Facebook that the Selangor government and Lembaga Zakat Selangor would no longer sponsor undergraduate studies in the Middle East starting this year. Sultan Sharafuddin said the state government is now focusing its sponsorships on students at local Islamic universities such as UIS, as it believes these institutions are equally capable of providing high-quality education. He added that he is aware that some parties, including many parents, disagree with the new

“Only then will the Fatwa Committee meeting be held, based on Section 48(2) of the Selangor Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2003.” It said every study is presented during the Fatwa Committee meeting with scholarly value and includes two way discussions between researchers and committee members. The sighah (wording) of the fatwa will then be reviewed and harmonised during the Technical Committee for the Harmonisation of Fatwa Meeting. “This sighah will be submitted to the Selangor Islamic Religious Council members’ meeting to carefully evaluate the proposed fatwa and make a recommendation to the Sultan of Selangor for gazettement. “If the Sultan of Selangor consents to the gazettement of the fatwa , only then will it be submitted to the State Executive Council meeting.” The post said the legal advisor’s chamber would then review it before it is published in the Selangor government gazette. – Bernama

Council and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department, which have shown strong academic performance and produced excellent students, it is only fitting that these outstanding students continue their studies at UIS.” Sultan Sharafuddin also officially proclaimed UIS as a full fledged university and named the university’s convention centre as Dewan Sultan Idris Shah. The Tengku Permaisuri also presented scrolls to 50 postgraduates.

The Letter of Appointment was officially conferred by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah during the university’s 27th Proclamation and Convocation Ceremony held in Kajang yesterday. In his address, Sultan Sharafuddin reminded students sponsored by the Selangor government and Lembaga Zakat Selangor to first learn and master Arabic at local Islamic universities before pursuing studies in Middle Eastern institutions.

SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said every fatwa issued in the state goes through a structured and thorough process. The Sultan also decreed that this diligence involved taking into account views from various parties, particularly from the state Fatwa Committee and syariah law experts. A post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page said each ruling must go through a process of complete data collection, comprehensive information gathering and a precise understanding of the issue before it is discussed. A Muzakarah Pakar (expert discussion) is then held to thoroughly deliberate on the matter, attended by religious scholars, academics and relevant stakeholders as well as officers from authorised bodies. “If no firm resolution is reached, a Bahthul Masail (discussion of issues) will be convened. This is a more focused and smaller-scale discussion aimed at resolving complex matters in greater detail and depth.

BUILDING SOLIDARITY ... Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim interacting with Orang Asli dancers at the opening of the national-level Unity Week celebration 2025 in Batu Kawan yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Swearing in on July 28 for judicial appointees

‘Organiser failed to comply with syariah -related conditions’

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

married couples. It emphasised that these recommendations did not constitute blanket approval for the entire programme. The department said the organisers failed to resubmit the complete programme module for review after the panel’s guidance, effectively bypassing the vetting process. “Had the organisers complied with the conditions set in 2022, the recent incident alleged to have occurred during the eHati programme at IDCC Shah Alam would not have happened.” The director also said the Selangor Islamic Religious Council is currently revising its guidelines on religious and spiritual programmes to ensure stricter compliance and clarity moving forward. Meanwhile, police have also launched an inquiry paper to identify any possible criminal offences under the Penal Code related to the programme. On July 13, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said statements would be taken to verify allegations, including claims that certain types of water used during the session caused hallucinations. The programme’s founders Diyana Tahir and Rahim Shukor have been remanded for three days for investigation, along with four others who attended the eHati Love Intensive event, and allegedly removed their clothes during the session.

PETALING Spiritual intimacy and marital programme organiser eHati International Sdn Bhd had failed to fully comply with the syariah -related conditions issued during a previous clarification session in 2022, said Selangor Islamic Religious Department director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad. He said in a statement yesterday that the department had denied giving formal approval for the eHati programme. “A clarification panel appointed by the department obtained an explanation from the organisers of the eHati programme following a complaint received from a participant. “The complainant at the time alleged that activities contradicting syariah law had taken place during the programme.” The organisers were shown to have used a video demonstrating female “self-pleasure” as a method to strengthen marital intimacy. The panel advised that such content must be removed, and any future programmes must strictly comply with syariah principles. The department also recommended that a disclaimer be included stating that the video content was meant solely for JAYA:

The plan was developed in collaboration with Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Mara. The Tunas Madani Programme was designed with the specific objective of building the capacity of Bumiputera graduates to transition from being job seekers to opportunity creators through entrepreneurship. Penang Bumiputera Development Council chairman Tan Sri Khalid Ramli said the target is to enable at least 100 graduates to participate in the first phase of Tunas Madani, with 80% of participants successfully establishing active businesses within 12 months. “The housing project involves the construction of three housing projects with a total of 3,231 residential units in Permatang Pauh, with a total development cost of RM1 billion.” He said the initiative aims to open up opportunities for the Penang Bumiputera community to own affordable homes equipped with basic amenities and a conducive environment.

Appointment process went through all necessary stages, including JAC assessment, discussions with Malay Rulers and King’s consent, says PM

PERMATANG PAUH: Eight newly appointed Court of Appeal judges and 14 High Court judges are scheduled to be sworn in on July 28, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the appointment process had gone through all the necessary stages, including assessment by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), discussions with the Malay Rulers and the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. “Many have asked me why it was not announced earlier. I cannot answer arbitrarily because the process of appointing judges involves the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. “It needs to go through discussions with the Rulers and after it is agreed, it will then be brought back to the Agong for consent,” he said, when launching the Bumiputera

Master Plan, Tunas Madani and JKP Sdn Bhd Housing Project here yesterday. He said no judges were removed or dismissed as some parties had portrayed, Bernama reported. At the event organised by the Penang Bumiputera Development Council, Anwar launched the Penang Bumiputera Development Master Plan 2026-2035, the Tunas Madani Programme and the JKP Sdn Bhd Housing Project as initiatives to assist the Bumiputera community in Penang. The launch of the Penang Bumiputera Development Master Plan 2026-2035 will be the main strategic guide in driving the development of the Bumiputera community in Penang continuously, inclusively and sustainably over a 10-year period, based on the Rukun Madani.

NATIONAL 3 theSun on Sunday JULY 20, 2025

Parliament to debate 13MP, key reforms this meeting

Late sittings expected during

Dewan Rakyat debate SUNGAI PETANI: The upcoming Dewan Rakyat session is expected to stretch into the night as the tabling and debate of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) takes centre stage. Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said his office had received a wide range of motions from MPs, signalling a packed and intense session. Johari added that the sitting is likely to continue into the night, with proceedings starting daily at 10am and potentially running until 10pm or 11pm to accommodate the tight schedule. He also said the tabling of the 13MP is especially significant as Malaysia holds the Asean chairmanship this year. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) will be the main focus of the Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament, which will be held from tomorrow until Aug 28. Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said the tabling of 13MP by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to take place in the second week of the Dewan Rakyat meeting on July 31. The 13MP, which sets the direction for the country’s development from 2026 to 2030, is the first by the Madani government under Anwar’s administration as the 10th prime minister of Malaysia. He previously said the 13MP was formulated with a focus on the economic empowerment of the people through increased income, inclusive and sustainable economic structural reforms, as well as strengthening governance and efficiency in public service delivery. Apart from that, it also emphasises regional justice, human capital development, and policy reforms to strengthen Malaysia’s

Parliament also continue to be implemented and streamlined, especially in strengthening the role of each special select committee of Parliament. “The participation of the special select committee needs to be expanded because its role is quite significant, with its members comprising government and opposition MPs with experience, qualifications and great influence. “When discussing an issue in the special select committee, we see that it is not in favour of the government or the Opposition, rather the decision made is to represent the people as a whole,” he said. On the positions of Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in the Dewan Rakyat following their resignations from the Cabinet, Johari said the two leaders would be transferred to the government backbenchers area. He said it is a normal practice for any MP who is no longer a member of the administration or the Cabinet to move his seat to the backbenchers area. stalls, shops and a children’s playground. In addition, the development would also feature a central park and a vertical school. Nga said the project forms part of housing reforms under the 13th Malaysia Plan. He added that the ministry and SkyWorld have agreed on several key features, including a 10-year warranty covering water leakage and piping issues, low maintenance fees set at RM0.18 per sq ft (RM162 per month) for 10 years, with additional charges only for the use of clubhouse facilities on a pay-per-use basis, and a high construction quality benchmark with a Qlassic score of 85%. Each unit will be priced between RM225,000 and RM420,000 with freehold status, and be open to all Malaysians, regardless of state of origin. Nga also expressed confidence that Anwar would become the first Malaysian leader to successfully deliver 500,000 affordable homes under the 12th Malaysia Plan. As of March 31, a total of 492,360 units, or 98.5%, of the target has been achieved. Of this number, 179,769 units have been completed, 235,862 are under construction and 76,729 are in the planning stage.

Development blueprint and institutional bills among major focus until Aug 28

session will last for eight days starting on Aug 4, before the ministers wind up for four days starting on Aug 18. This session is also expected to be held in a more lively atmosphere, with a comprehensive policy debate, given that it is the main meeting before the focus shifts to the tabling of Budget 2026 at the scheduled meeting session in October. Apart from the 13MP presentation, Johari said this session is also expected to see the tabling and debating of several important Bills involving aspects of institutional reform, government governance, public services and issues related to the welfare of the people. In accordance with the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 (PSA), which has been approved by His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim, Johari said efforts and measures to reform Batu Kawan. Rumah Bakat Madani will offer full condominium facilities at affordable prices. Each unit will measure 900 sq ft, comprising three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gymnasium, sports courts for badminton and pickleball games, a multipurpose hall, kindergarten, surau , retail

competitiveness the global level in line with the principles of Madani Malaysia. In this regard, Johari said this Dewan Rakyat session would provide adequate debate time for MPs to discuss the contents of the plan, while calling on all elected representatives to be professional and use the debate space well. “We want the debate (session) to be more substantive and Members of Parliament should not politicise the situation so much that we drift too far. “MPs need to stay focused on what issues we are discussing and how (they) can help the government by suggesting things that the government may have overlooked. “That is our role,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently. Based on the Dewan Rakyat calendar, the 13MP debate as a historic milestone during the launch ceremony in Penang yesterday, calling it the most ambitious housing project ever undertaken by the government. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was also present at the launch, SkyWorld has been appointed to develop the project, which includes 6,368 units in Seberang Jaya and 31,000 in at

Paris Court to rule on Sulu claim annulment

KUALA LUMPUR: The Paris Court of Appeal has reserved its decision to Dec 9 on Malaysia’s application to annul a US$14.9 billion (RM63 billion) final award in the arbitration case filed by individuals claiming to be heirs of the defunct Sulu Sultanate. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the court reached the decision following a hearing on July 7, during which arguments were heard on the merits of Malaysia’s bid to annul the award. She said the claimants had attempted to delay the proceedings to respond to the written opinion of the French public prosecutor, but the court rejected the request and proceeded with the hearing. “In this context, Malaysia places its confidence in the Paris Court of Appeal process and decision in bringing a definitive end to the so-called Sulu Claimants’ illegal global enforcement efforts, similar to the positions adopted by the Spanish and Dutch courts.” The government also reiterated the need for greater transparency in third party litigation funding to prevent misuse against sovereign nations. “Malaysia continues to push for a global framework that places transparency at the centre of third-party litigation funding, ensuring the mechanism intended to promote access to justice is not misused as a tool of lawfare against sovereign states. “International arbitration must be protected from attempts to extort sovereign nations under the guise of arbitration claims,” Azalina added. She emphasised that the federal government remains resolute in defending Malaysia’s sovereignty and upholding the integrity of international arbitration. The arbitration case stems from proceedings initiated in Spain by eight Filipino nationals claiming to be heirs of the now-defunct Sulu Sultanate. They sought billions of dollars from Malaysia over historical issues related to Sabah. – Bernama

Malaysia’s biggest affordable housing project launched in Penang

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The government has launched its largest affordable housing initiative to date – the Rumah Bakat Madani project – which will deliver 37,368 residential units across Penang. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming described it

Anwar flanked by SkyWorld Development Group founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Ng Thien Phing (right) and its CEO Lee Chee Seng, accompanied by Nga and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during the ceremony yesterday. – PIC COURTESY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRY

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday JULY 20, 2025

Ministry unveils plan to pair state festivals with celebration BATU KAWAN: The National Unity Ministry is developing a new strategy for next year’s Unity Week by introducing a 2-in-1 concept at the state level, combining the celebration with ethnic minority cultural festivals unique to each state. National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the initiative aims to honour the heritage of ethnic minorities while providing Malaysians with a platform to appreciate the cultural diversity that defines the national identity. “For example, Perak will feature the Siamese community through the Songkran Festival, Sarawak with the Melanau’s Kaul Festival, Sabah with the Rungus’ Magahau Festival, Kelantan with the Orang Asli Temiar celebration, and Johor with the Bugis’ Lepa-Lepa Festival. “The ministry remains committed to fostering unity, nationhood, goodwill and volunteerism among Malaysians. These efforts are guided by the Federal Constitution, the Rukun Negara and the National Unity Policy,” he said at the national-level Unity Week celebration held at Batu Kawan Stadium yesterday. The third edition of Unity Week, hosted in Penang, was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul and National Unity Deputy Minister K. Saraswathy. Aaron said the National Unity Index now in its third cycle is expected to reach a score of 0.7, reflecting current levels of unity among Malaysians. The index assesses key indicators such as inter-ethnic relations, perceptions of national identity and social beliefs, serving as a key reference for policy development and unity initiatives. – Bernama www.kpdn.gov.my/ms/jualan rahmah. Launched on Jan 11, 2023, the programme is a year-round initiative aimed at supporting low-income communities by boosting local retail activity and reducing the cost of living. Discounted items include chicken, fish, eggs, sugar, bottled cooking oil, flour, rice, personal care goods, and household cleaning products. Meanwhile, Jezlily said 1,343 liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, worth nearly RM40,000, were seized under Ops Gasak, which began in Pahang on May 1. The seizures followed eight raids based on public complaints, intelligence, and routine inspections – four in Kuantan, two in Raub, and one each in Temerloh and Rompin. – Bernama

Traditional games draw crowds at Unity Week

Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the figure represents individuals or organisations actively engaged in agriculture, with the interior zone – comprising Keningau, Sook, Nabawan, Tambunan and Tenom – accounting for 26% of the state’s total. “This number is expected to rise further, given the vast potential of undeveloped agricultural land in the interior areas,” he said when launching the Road to National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day Series 2 programme in Sook on Friday. In response to the growth, the ministry has ramped up efforts through various agencies to strengthen the sector in these rural areas. BATU KAWAN: The traditional games booth set up by the Museums Department at the national-level Unity Week celebration has emerged as one of the main attractions, particularly among younger visitors. Held at the Batu Kawan Stadium complex, the booth features more than 20 traditional games and sports – including sumpit , galah panjang, baling getah, boling kelapa, kaki hantu, batu seremban, congkak, teng teng and dam ular – all reflecting the cultural richness and diversity of Malaysian society. National Museum curator Mohd Jamil Harun said the games were not merely on display but available for visitors to try, allowing them to relive nostalgic memories while introducing traditional pastimes to a generation increasingly unfamiliar with them. “Younger visitors are especially drawn to kaki hantu and kerchang , a traditional game from the Orang Asli community. Many are unfamiliar with how to play, so our secretariat demonstrates the proper technique. Interactive activities evoke nostalgia and introduce heritage pastimes to younger generation

Dusun and Orang Asli villages, the Malaysia Tanah Airku and Susur Masa exhibitions by the Museums Department, and the National Library Pavilion. With the theme “Harmony in Diversity”, the celebration also features a lively mix of programmes, including Food Unites, Madani Sales, local handicrafts and product booths, a durian fiesta, unity run, traditional sports, e-sports championships, Kembara Ilmu , the Penang Book Festival, Wayang Pacak , the Open Boria competition and the Primary School Ethnic Dance contest.

her a new and exciting experience, even though some games were already familiar to her. “I often play congkak at school, but here I got to try games like timbang chapteh and boling kelapa . It was really fun because I discovered traditional games I’d never seen or even heard of before,” she said. A total of 35 activities have been lined up for visitors throughout Unity Week celebration, which began on Thursday and concludes today. Highlights include the Rumah KAMI exhibition, the Kadazan

the establishment of the Sook Area Farmers’ Organisation, a coffee processing facility in Sapulut, Nabawan, padi field restoration in Tulid and the cultivation of taro and onions in Sook, Bernama reported. Plans are also underway to introduce high-value crops such as MD2 pineapples. Arthur said the federal and state governments remain committed to supporting agricultural development through strategic policy planning, technical assistance and rural infrastructure investment to boost agri-food productivity. He highlighted the role of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) as the lead agency for agri-food marketing services, saying it plays a critical part in maintaining the food security chain by ensuring supply availability, affordability, usage stability and sustainability. Last year, Sabah Fama was “It’s the same with lastik tin . We provide rubber slingshots like those once used to aim at lizards. They don’t know how to use them correctly, which is why programmes such as the celebration are crucial – at the very least, they create awareness and appreciation for our heritage,” he told Bernama yesterday. To boost participation, the team also organised daily activities and competitions throughout the four-day event – including timbang chapteh, baling damak and sepak raga gelung – all aimed at reviving interest in traditional sports. To further engage families and children, the booth offered interactive DIY workshops where participants could make batu seremban, kites and even craft their own congkak boards. These handmade games could be taken home, giving participants a meaningful and memorable connection to Malaysia’s heritage. Mohd Jamil said such activities help instil interest and appreciation for the artistic and creative value within traditional games. “We’ve had a very encouraging response since yesterday. Visitors have been coming non-stop from 9am to 10pm. It’s heartening to see not only children but also their families joining in enthusiastically.” Amirah Farwizah Tan Ammar Firdaus Tan, 12, a pupil from Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent Butterworth, said the booth gave

Children having a go at the traditional game of batu seremban during the celebration. – BERNAMAPIC

Sabah records highest agricultural holdings SOOK: Sabah recorded the highest number of agricultural holdings in the country, with a total of 159,259, according to the interim report of the 2024 Agriculture Census. Initiatives include allocated RM13.8 million for the implementation of 313 projects and programmes, benefiting over 29,000 entrepreneurs and generating RM83 million in sales.

Rahmah sales in Pahang top RM25 million in six months

KUANTAN: The Rahmah Madani Sales Programme in Pahang has recorded RM25 million in sales over six months since its launch in January. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Pahang director Jezlily Jamaluddin said the figure was achieved through 744 events across the state, drawing more than 713,000 visitors. “This year, we aim to organise 1,008 programme sessions, offering essential food and non food items at prices 10% to 30% lower than the local market,” she told Bernama. She said rural communities were also benefitting, with the programme held at each of Pahang’s 42 constituencies at least twice a month. The programme schedule is available on the ministry’s Pahang Facebook page and its website at

“With the upgrading of tamu (rural markets), strengthening of retail networks and strategic engagement with farmers at grassroots level, Fama is confident Sabah can become a key pillar of the national food security agenda,” he added. On the programme, Arthur said the event celebrates the contributions of farmers, breeders and fishermen to the country’s agri food development. “This edition in Sook marks the final stop before the national-level celebration, which will be held in Kota Kinabalu from Aug 1 to 3. “This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate 50 years of the programme and even more so as Sabah hosts the national event again after 30 years. The last time it was held here was in 1995.”

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday JULY 20, 2025

Parking privatisation move met with scepticism

Penangites lose more than RM112m to cybercrime GEORGE TOWN: Penang recorded more than RM112 million in losses from cybercrime cases involving online financial fraud in the first six months of this year. Acting Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said statistics showed RM70.1 million was recorded in the first half of 2024 for the same crime, showing an increase of RM42.9 million. “From January onwards, Penang police have carried out eight raids on call centre syndicates, with the arrest of 75 individuals, consisting of 51 men and 24 women. “Of the total arrests, 39 were locals while 36 were foreigners, and we are conducting operations from time to time to combat fraudulent syndicates,” he said at a press conference on Friday. He also warned the public not to fall for calls, messages or offers that seem too good to be true and to verify information with the authorities or official sources beforehand. On another matter, Mohd Alwi said police are identifying an illegal money-lending syndicate which hired two men, who were arrested, to assist in the investigation into a fire at three houses in Tasek Gelugor on June 24. He said the men are believed to have committed arson and investigations found that a borrower was among those affected by the fire. “Once the investigation by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department is completed, we would try to identify and track down the (loan shark) who hired the two suspects,” he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire. – Bernama Man suspected of burying infant arrested KUANTAN: Police arrested a man on suspicion of concealing the birth and death of an infant at Kampung Melayu Desa Kayangan in Brinchang, Cameron Highlands. District police chief Supt Azri Ramli said information was received from the suspect’s father, who found the baby’s body. “The suspect’s father saw a patch of ground that had been dug up when he was going to a water tank located behind their house. He then found the dead baby wrapped in cloth and called the police.” Azri said the 19-year-old suspect, who works as a cleaner at a homestay, admitted to burying the remains of the two-day-old baby born to his 21-year-old stepsister. The man has been remanded for four days to assist in investigations. – Bernama

Ű BY MAHADHIR MONIHULDIN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Selangor residents associations express concern over state govt decision to replace existing system

and which have not. Why can’t (we) invest in similar technology to make fee collection easier?” He added that under the previous Barisan Nasional administration, parking was also privatised and managed by a third party, a system that eventually failed. “When Pakatan Harapan came into power in 2018, they cut ties with the private company and introduced the Flexi Parking app to manage payments.” Petaling Jaya Section 5 Residents Association president Tunku Johan Mansur said the concession could affect local government finances and result in higher costs for residents. “With rising operational costs, residents are concerned that any loss in local council revenue resulting from this deal could lead to increases in assessment rates.” He called for greater transparency before any additional decisions are made. Petaling Jaya Section 11 Residents Association president Dr Renuka Yogalingam said she has no objection to privatisation, provided it improves services without raising parking fees. “We expect the parking system to work better if it is privatised, with more innovative ways to collect fees. We do not want parking fees to increase, especially since many retirees would be burdened by it.” Renuka also said many senior citizens struggle with parking apps, and suggested a more accessible solution. “Parking apps are not suitable for retirees who are not tech-savvy. It would be better if there was an option to pay via Touch ‘n Go, which users could top up anytime. “As long as the authorities engage with the public and propose a sustainable solution, I think the public would be fine with the move.” Last week it was reported that Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd has been appointed to handle the implementation of the Smart Parking System (SIP) by Selangor Menteri Besar Incorporated after a request for proposal was issued. State Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the company was appointed for the first phase of implementation, involving the Petaling Jaya City Council, Subang Jaya City Council, Shah Alam City Council and Selayang Municipal Council.

PETALING JAYA: Residents associations have spoken out on the Selangor government’s decision to award a parking concession to a company that would take over fee collection and enforcement at four local council areas starting Aug 1. They questioned the need for privatisation, particularly since a smart parking system is already in place. Petaling Jaya Jawatankuasa Rukun Tetangga Section 6 chairman Rajesh Mansukhlal said the decision brings more questions than answers.

that new concessionaire, motorists may no longer receive discounts for early payment of parking summonses. He urged the state government to look to Penang for an example of a parking system that uses enforcement vehicles and technology. “Penang has enforcement (technology) that detects which vehicles have paid for parking under the

“Is the state government not capable of managing parking on their own? If the parking fee collection has not been enough, why privatise car parks when the company might encounter the same problems?” He told theSun instead of outsourcing the task, the state government should consider hiring consultants to improve the existing system. He also expressed concern

The rubble of the double storey house that collapsed into the river. – SUNPIC

Brothers cheat death after house collapses into river LAWAS: Two brothers escaped with minor injuries after their riverside double-storey house collapsed yesterday. Department in a press update. Rescue teams rushed to the scene and reported that they found the boys alive at about noon. members were not home at the time of the incident.” Rescuers treated the brothers for minor injuries.

The rescue unit leader advised neighbours to take the boys to Lawas Hospital for further checkups and observation if necessary. The cause of the collapse is being probed and the local council has been notified. – By Joseph Peter

The incident happened at Kampung Seberang Masjid Lama Awat-Awat in Lawas, Sarawak where there are hundreds of houses built along the riverbank. The house was reported to have collapsed at about 10am, said the Fire and Rescue

The brothers have been identified as Izzan Syahruddin, 12 and Izzan Syahrizal, 18. “The two boys told our rescue teams they were sleeping in their room when the house collapsed. “They said their other family

NATIONAL 6 theSun on Sunday JULY 20, 2025

Sharks vulnerable to overfishing

PETALING JAYA: Sharks caught in Malaysian waters are mostly by-catch and not the main target of fishermen, according to the Southeast Asian Marine Resources Institute. It said those landed were solely for domestic consumption and not sold or exported abroad. “A total of 5,610 tonnes of sharks were landed in 2024, a slight decrease from 5,737 the previous year. “None of the five shark species – the Great Hammerhead, Smooth Hammerhead, a Hammerhead sub species, Oceanic Whitetip and the Whale Shark (pic) – listed under the Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 have been landed, as fishermen are now more aware of the prohibitions in place.” The institute also said most of the shark species landed were those commonly found in Malaysian waters, and the Fisheries Department remains highly proactive in ensuring that shark catches are carried out sustainably, without ensuring conservation Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com Species not targeted by fishermen while authorities active in

She stressed that shark management requires a mix of strategies, such as international cooperation, sustainable fishing, protecting habitats and addressing threats to vulnerable species. “Malaysia already bans the exploitation of endangered shark species under the Fisheries Act. Marine parks protect key habitats, harmful (fishing methods) such as pukat pari are banned, and artificial reefs help support shark breeding. “More can be done, such as introducing catch quotas, minimum size limits and better fishing methods to avoid unintentional shark catches. For this, more detailed and widespread biological data is needed.” Rumeaida said UMT has been working closely with the department and WWF Malaysia since 2022 on a study titled “Understanding the Fisheries, Biological and Socio-Economic Aspects of Threatened Sharks and Rays” in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, of which she is project leader. “Through this research, we have collected valuable biological data, including age, growth, reproductive status and genetic structures, identified key hotspot areas and proposed practical mitigation measures based on socio economic risks and feasibility assessments. “With the ongoing efforts and strong commitment of the department and WWF-Malaysia, shark populations in Malaysian waters can be sustained,

causing a significant decline in population. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science deputy dean (Academic and Student Affairs) Assoc Prof Dr Rumeaida Mat Piah said sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine park ecosystems. She added that a decline of shark populations could have serious negative impacts on coral reef ecosystems and marine biodiversity at marine parks. “As apex predators, their absence could trigger a cascade of effects, such as imbalances in prey population, alterations in habitat structure and a reduction in overall biodiversity. “Based on current data, it is hard to say if landing over 5,000 tonnes of sharks is a cause for concern, as there is no set limit for what is considered too much. “The drop could mean fewer sharks in the sea or simply less fishing activities targeting them. “Further research is needed to estimate the maximum sustainable yield or precautionary threshold for shark landings to serve as a benchmark for sustainable management.” Rumeaida highlighted that Malaysia has taken steps to protect shark populations, including supporting the Food and Agriculture Organisation International Plan of Action for Sharks and developing two national shark conservation plans in 2006 and 2014.

but further steps such as stronger enforcement, catch limits, improved fishing methods selectivity and more population studies are needed to support future species-specific management plans.” She also said a common misconception is the small number of sharks seen at markets or landing ports has little impact. “But unlike bony fish, sharks grow slowly, mature late, have long gestation periods, produce very few offspring and may not reproduce every year. These traits make them highly vulnerable to overfishing and slow to recover once their numbers decline.” She added that addressing overfishing and illegal shark harvesting in ecologically sensitive areas requires a comprehensive approach that includes stricter regulations, enhanced enforcement, community involvement, the promotion of sustainable fishing practices and increased investment in research and monitoring efforts.

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theSun on Sunday JULY 20, 2025

WORLD 7

Radioactive soil delivered to Japan PM office TOKYO: Dozens of bags of mildly radioactive soil collected from near the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant were delivered yesterday to the Japanese prime minister’s office, in an effort to show it is safe for reuse. Soon after the March 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster, authorities scraped a layer of contaminated soil from swathes of land in Fukushima to reduce radiation levels. A vast quantity of soil, 14 million cubic metres, has since been stored at facilities near the Fukushima Daiichi plant, with the government setting a 2045 deadline for its transfer elsewhere in the country. Most of the stored soil contains low levels of radiation equivalent to or less than one X-ray a year for people who directly stand on or work with it, the Environment Ministry said. But with few willing to take the contaminated earth, the government took it upon itself to reuse some of the soil to show it is not dangerous. Workers unloaded yesterday bags of the dirt from a truck in the front yard of the prime minister’s office in central Tokyo, with earlier reports saying it will be used in flower beds. A layer of ordinary soil around 20cm deep will sit on top of the Fukushima soil, according to the Environment Ministry. Opinion polls suggest that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s coalition could lose its majority in upper house elections today, a result that might push him to resign after less than a year in office. – AFP Yoon indicted for abuse of power SEOUL: Jailed ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol was indicted on additional charges yesterday as a special prosecutor continues investigating him for his short-lived declaration of martial law in December. The new charges include obstruction of the exercise of others’ rights by abuse of authority, ordering the deletion of records and blocking the execution of arrest warrants, the prosecutor’s office said in a briefing. Yoon has been on trial on charges of insurrection, which is punishable by death or life imprisonment, facing additional charges since the special prosecutor was appointed in June to take over the cases against him. Yoon has denied all wrongdoing. His lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new charges.

Espionage group targets vital S’pore infrastructure

the company changed how it supports US government customers “in response to concerns raised earlier this week to assure that no China based engineering teams are providing technical assistance” for services used by the Pentagon. Earlier on Friday, Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican who chairs the chamber’s intelligence committee and also serves on its armed services committee, sent a letter to Hegseth about Microsoft’s reported practices. Cotton asked the US military for a list of contractors that use Chinese personnel and more information on how US “digital escorts” are trained to detect suspicious activity. In a video posted on X on Friday, Hegseth said he was initiating a two-week review to ensure China-based engineers were not working on any other cloud services contracts across the Defence Department. – Reuters their seventies were reported missing. Sancheong county told all residents yesterday to “evacuate immediately to a safe area”. The county has a population of some 34,000 people. South Korea typically experiences monsoon rains in July, but the country’s southern regions saw some of the heaviest hourly downpours on record this week, official weather data showed. The Ministry of Interior and Safety said yesterday at least four people have been killed in rain-related incidents and more than 7,000 residents have been forced to evacuate. A total of 729 cases of public infrastructure damage have been reported, including 388 flooded roads, 133 landslides and 57 river facility collapses. Private property damage reached 1,014 cases, including 64 flooded buildings and 59 submerged farmlands. South Korea is regularly hit by flooding during the summer monsoon period, but is typically well-prepared and the death toll usually relatively low. – AFP

assistance to the US military after a report in investigative journalism outlet ProPublica sparked questions from a US senator and prompted Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to order a two-week review of Pentagon cloud deals. The report detailed Microsoft’s use of Chinese engineers to work on US military cloud computing systems under the supervision of US “digital escorts” hired through subcontractors who have security clearances but often lacked the technical skills to assess whether the work of the Chinese engineers posed a cybersecurity threat. Microsoft, a major contractor to the US government, has had its systems breached by Chinese and Russian hackers. It told ProPublica it disclosed its practices to the US government during an authorisation process. On Friday, Microsoft spokesperson Frank Shaw said

group” that has attacked defence, technology and telecom organisations in the US and Asia. Beijing routinely denies allegations of cyber espionage and says it opposes all forms of cyberattacks and is in fact a victim of such threats. The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent after office hours. Critical sectors under threat include energy, water, banking, finance, healthcare, transport, government, communications, media, security and emergency services, according to Singapore’s cyber agency. Reuters earlier this week reported that the Taiwanese semiconductor industry and investment analysts had been targeted by hackers as part of a string of cyber espionage campaigns. Microsoft on Friday said it will stop using China-based engineers to provide technical

SINGAPORE: Authorities here said on Friday they were responding to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure by an espionage group alleged by security experts to be linked to China. “UNC3886 poses a serious threat to us and has the potential to undermine our national security,” Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam said in a speech. “It is going after high value strategic threat targets, vital infrastructure that delivers essential services.” He neither gave details of the attacks, citing security risks, nor mentioned any consequences. Mandiant, a cybersecurity firm owned by Google, has described UNC3886 as a “China-nexus espionage Attacks threaten national security

One dead, three missing after Korea landslide SEOUL: A landslide triggered by torrential rain killed at least one person in South Korea, the national fire agency said yesterday. Three people were also missing after the landslide buried two houses in a village in southern Sancheong county, officials said, as heavy rain continued to pound the country. “At least three people have been reported missing and we have recovered one body,” said an official at the Sancheong county fire station. The official said one person in his twenties, and a couple in

The impeached and deposed former leader has been jailed at Seoul Detention Centre since earlier this month, and a court earlier this week rejected his request to be freed from detention. – Reuters Media reports on Air India crash speculative, says NTSB head

Cows taking shelter on the verandah of a damaged house at a farm in Yesan. – REUTERSPIC

immediately respond to requests for comment. Homendy said investigations of this magnitude take time and that NTSB will continue to support the AAIB probe. – Reuters

off, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with early assessment of evidence. GE Aerospace, Boeing, Air India, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and AAIB did not

before the June 12 crash, raising questions over the position of the engine fuel cutoff switches. A recording of dialogue between two pilots supports the view that the flow of fuel was cut

killed

260

people

were

BENGALURU: The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair Jennifer Homendy said on Friday media reports on the crash of an Air India Boeing Dreamliner that

premature and speculative. An initial probe released last week by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found confusion in the cockpit shortly

theSun on Sunday JULY 20, 2025

WORLD 8

Trump slaps US$10b suit on Murdoch, newspaper

Gaza students sit for high school exams Palestinian students in the Gaza Strip sat for their Tawjihi (high school matriculation) exams yesterday in an exceptional electronic session, amid Israel’s war. The third round of exams, known as the complementary session, is designated for students who failed or missed up to two subjects from the 2023 academic year. Due to extreme conditions, the Palestinian Ministry of Education launched the exams remotely, using a special digital platform. “This extraordinary step was taken in light of the genocide and devastation Gaza continues to endure,” said Education Minister Amjad Barham during a press conference in Ramallah. He said the exams were originally scheduled for Dec 12, 2023, but had been postponed due to the Israeli assault. According to ministry spokesperson Sadeq Al-Khudour, the exams are conducted in two daily sessions, 9-11am and 2-4pm, depending on whether students are sitting for one or two subjects. A pilot test was conducted on Thursday to ensure technical readiness. The ministry also announced plans for upcoming exams for students born in 2006 and 2007, with two full Tawjihi rounds expected to take place electronically once the current phase concludes. Al-Khudour said out of 78,000 high school students in Gaza, 4,000 have been killed since the start of the Israeli offensive. Another 4,000 students took their exams abroad, while 70,000 remain, most of whom are expected to sit for exams later this year and next. – Bernama Microsoft likely to sign AI protocol BRUSSELS: Microsoft will likely sign the European Union’s code of practice to help companies comply with the bloc’s landmark artificial intelligence rules, its president said on Friday, while Meta Platforms rebuffed the guidelines. Drawn up by 13 independent experts, the voluntary code of practice aims to provide legal certainty to signatories. They will have to publish summaries of the content used to train their general purpose AI models and put in place a policy to comply with EU copyright law. The code is part of the AI Act, which came into force in June last year and will apply to Google owner Alphabet, Facebook owner Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral and thousands of companies. “I think it’s likely we will sign. We need to read the documents,” said Microsoft president Brad Smith. “Our goal is to find a way to be supportive and at the same time one of the things we really welcome is the direct engagement by the AI Office with industry,” he said, referring to the EU’s regulatory body for AI. Meta reiterated its criticism of the code. “Meta won’t be signing it. This code introduces a number of legal uncertainties for model developers, as well as measures that go far beyond the scope of the AI Act,” said Meta chief global affairs officer Joel Kaplan. The social media giant has the same concerns as a group of 45 European companies, he said. – Reuters GAZA: Around 1,500

years, and the two were photographed and videoed together at parties. The Wall Street Journa l article published on Thursday was damaging because it indicated a shared interest in sex. The Journal reported that Trump had wished Epstein a happy 50th birthday in 2003 with a “bawdy” letter, part of an album of messages from rich and well-known figures. According to the Journal , the Trump letter contained the outline of a naked woman and had the future president’s signature. It ends with “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret”. Trump reacted in a series of furious social media posts, saying “it’s not my language. It’s not my words.” “I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women,” he said. US media has published drawings done by Trump in the past, with several dating to the early 2000s when he used his celebrity status to donate sketches for charity. – AFP

Publisher stands by story before he could face trial supercharged the narrative.

When Trump returned to power for a second term in January, his supporters clamoured for revelations about Epstein’s supposed list of clients. But Bondi issued an official memo this month declaring there was no such list. The discontent in Trump’s “Make America Great Again” base poses a rare challenge to the Republican’s control of the political narrative in the United States. It remained unclear whether a court would authorise the unsealing of the grand jury testimony. But even if such material were made public, there is no assurance it would shed much, if any, light on the main questions raised in the conspiracy theories, particularly the existence and possible contents of an Epstein client list. Asked on Friday by reporters if he would pursue the broader release of information related to the case, Trump did not answer. Trump was close with Epstein for

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump sued media magnate Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal for at least US$10 billion (RM42.5 billion) on Friday over publication of an article on his friendship with alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The defamation lawsuit, filed in federal court in Miami, saw the 79-year old hitting back at a scandal threatening to cause serious political damage. The Journal reported on Thursday that in 2003, the then-real estate magnate wrote a suggestive birthday letter to Epstein, illustrated with a naked woman and alluding to a shared “secret”. The lawsuit, which also names two reporters, the Dow Jones corporation, and Murdoch’s parent company News Corp as defendants, claims that no such letter exists and that the paper intended to malign Trump. Dow Jones, the Journal’s longtime publisher, said it is standing by the story. “We have full confidence in the rigour and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit,” a Dow Jones spokesperson said in a statement. In another bid to dampen outrage among his own supporters about an alleged government cover-up of Epstein’s activities and 2019 death, Trump ordered US Attorney-General Pam Bondi to seek the unsealing of grand jury testimony from the prosecution against the disgraced financier. In a filing in New York, Bondi cited “extensive public interest” for the unusual request to release what is typically secret testimony. Epstein, a longtime friend of Trump, was found hanging dead in a New York prison cell while awaiting trial on charges that he sexually exploited dozens of underage girls at his homes in New York and Florida. The case sparked conspiracy theories, especially among Trump’s far-right voters, about an alleged international cabal of wealthy paedophiles. Epstein’s death, declared a suicide,

A protester holds a sign outside the White House demanding the release of all files related to Epstein. – AFPPIC

US rejects changes to WHO pandemic response rules WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday rejected changes agreed last year to the World Health Organisation’s pandemic response, saying they violated the country’s sovereignty. privacy or personal liberties,” they said in a joint statement. Countries had until yesterday to lodge reservations about the amendments. Conservative activists and vaccine sceptics in Britain and Australia have waged public campaigns against the changes.

Rubio and Kennedy disassociated the United States from amendments to the International Health Regulations, which provide a legal framework for combating diseases, agreed last year at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. “We regret the US decision to reject the amendments,“ said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He stressed the amendments “are clear about member states sovereignty”, adding that WHO cannot mandate lockdowns or similar measures. The changes included a “commitment to solidarity and equity”, in which a new group would study the needs of developing countries in future emergencies.

The amendments came about when the Assembly failed at a more ambitious goal of sealing a global agreement on pandemics. Most of the world finally secured a treaty in May, but the United States did not take part as it was withdrawing from WHO. The United States took part in the May June 2024 negotiations but said it could not support a consensus as it demanded protections for intellectual property rights. Rubio and Kennedy said the changes “fail to adequately address WHO’s susceptibility to political influence and censorship during outbreaks.” – AFP

President Donald Trump on returning to office on Jan 20 immediately began his nation’s withdrawal from the UN body, but the State Department said the language from last year would still have been binding on the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr said the changes “risk unwarranted interference with our national sovereign right to make health policy”. “We will put Americans first in all our actions and we will not tolerate international policies that infringe on Americans’ speech,