28/07/2025

MONDAY | JULY 28, 2025 3 Combat sports to address bullying: Minister KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has proposed that a special dialogue be held between her ministry, the Education Ministry and the National Combat Sports Federation to find a solution to the issue of bullying among school students. She said a punitive approach, such as suspension alone, is insufficient. Instead, students involved should be given proper guidance and opportunities to channel their energy positively through structured activities, such as combat sports. “I want us to hold a dialogue with the Education Ministry and the combat sports association to explore how we can better address school bullying cases, especially those where the ministry takes disciplinary action, such as suspension. “We must not give up on these children. We can guide them and help channel their energy into sports. Combat sports are governed by rules, and through them, students can learn discipline. “Bullying and acts of violence against fellow students are unacceptable, and we must help them understand that.” Yeoh told reporters this during the 2025 National Combat Sports Championship. The championship, which began on Thursday (July 24) and concluded yesterday, brought together more than 2,000 athletes nationwide who competed in the five main disciplines of combat sports – silat , wushu , karate-do , muay thai and wrestling, reported Bernama. Yeoh said combat sports not only build physical strength but also form discipline among young people to train them to control their emotions and actions. She expressed confidence that sports serve as a powerful platform to help students discover their potential, especially those who are still exploring their interests and talents. “By watching sporting events, a sense of curiosity and interest is sparked. That desire to try is crucial – if they don’t try, they’ll never know whether they have talent.” Yeoh believes that with the right guidance every student has the potential to shape a successful future and ultimately become a valuable asset to the nation’s development. ‘Prioritise education savings scheme’ KOTA KINABALU: State governments and public and private agencies are encouraged to prioritise the National Education Savings Scheme (Simpan SSPN) as the main option for incentives to employees and students. Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said Simpan SSPN, managed by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), is crucial in ensuring access to education is not hindered by financial constraints. “Since 2004, PTPTN has focused on promoting savings to reduce dependence on loans. Over two decades, Simpan SSPN has maintained strong performance each year and gained public trust,” he said when officiating at the Simpan SSPN Heritage Children’s Carnival 2025 on Saturday. Mustapha said total deposits under Simpan SSPN reached RM21.93 billion across 6.98 million accounts as of June 30, a milestone reflecting consistent support since its launch in 2004. He urged parents to consider Simpan SSPN as the preferred savings vehicle to secure their children’s education. “Saving for education is a long-term investment that ensures our children’s future,” he said, adding that deposits in Sabah alone amounted to RM689.84 million from more than 500,000 accounts. – Bernama

Bringing Sara closer to the people

RANAU: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will collaborate with the Finance Ministry to expand access to essential items for recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the ministry had proposed that recipients be allowed to use their Sara aid at mobile Jualan Rahmah Madani programme locations, in addition to existing participating retailers. He said, at present, Sara recipients could only purchase basic items at 4,152 participating supermarkets and retail outlets across the country, including 470 in Sabah. “This initiative enables Sara recipients, o Govt expands affordable goods programme with RM300m boost to Jualan Rahmah, aimed at reaching rural areas, easing access and aiding local businesses

had implemented the programme, adding that six carnival tours would be held across the country this year. “The carnival in Ranau, held in conjunction with the Buy Malaysian Goods campaign, is the second in the series this year and we expect around 60,000 visitors throughout the three-day event.” Armizan said the main goal of the initiative was to bring government services, particularly those under the ministry, closer to the people, especially at the grassroots level. “The carnival also serves as a catalyst in empowering the Buy Malaysian Goods campaign through the theme Jom Beli Lokal (Let’s Buy Local) as part of ongoing efforts to support local products and strengthen the domestic economy. “It is also a strategic move to boost domestic economic growth while helping local entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium enterprises expand their market reach. “At the same time, the initiative provides a platform to showcase the quality of local products, which can become the preferred choice and ultimately reduce reliance on imported goods.”

particularly in rural and interior areas, to use the aid credited to their MyKad to make purchases at mobile Jualan Rahmah locations,” he told reporters after launching the ministry’s Sabah Zone Carnival 2025 on Saturday night. Armizan said the additional RM300 million allocation for Jualan Rahmah would enable the ministry to increase its frequency nationwide, with a target of 20,000 series throughout this year, Bernama reported. “For Sabah, the ministry is targeting 2,276 Jualan Rahmah series throughout this year. As of July 26, a total of 1,089 have already been implemented. We will adopt several approaches to ensure the target is achieved by year-end.” He said the approaches included increasing the range of items offered and enhancing cooperation with strategic retail partners. “Through these improvements, the people will have more choices. The ministry can no longer act alone as it did in the past. For example, today’s Jualan Rahmah is carried out in collaboration with retail partners.” Commenting on the programme, Armizan said this was the second year the ministry

Armizan said expanded Jualan Rahmah and ‘Buy Local’ drive aim to ease living costs, support small businesses and strengthen the domestic economy. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Commission confirms abuse in medical visa scandal

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

The “counter setting” operation at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has been under scrutiny since late last year, focusing on claims that foreign nationals were granted medical treatment visas without complying with standard procedures. theSun had earlier reported concerns from healthcare industry experts about loopholes in the medical tourist visa process, alleging that some visa holders never sought treatment at the approved medical centres. In October last year, investigators seized 156 social visit pass application files (under the Medical Treatment Pass category), linked to a syndicate involving officers from the Immigration Department’s Visa, Pass and Permit Division in Putrajaya.

power by Immigration officers who approved medical visas for foreign nationals from several countries, despite knowing the application documents were incomplete and failed to meet the requirements set out in the Malaysian Immigration Circular No. 10/2001,” the statement said. The commission has decided to refer the investigation findings to the Attorney General’s Chambers. “This is in line with Paragraph 30(1)(c) of Act 700, with a recommendation that criminal charges be brought against the Immigration officers involved – under provisions of Act 574 of the Penal Code, Act 155 of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and/or Act 150 of the Passport Act 1966.”

PETALING JAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has confirmed a case of power abuse in the Immigration Department linked to the “counter setting” scandal involving corrupt practices and visa irregularities for medical tourists. In a statement, the EAIC said its special task force – established under Section 17 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700) and chaired by Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik – had completed its investigation into the scandal. “It was found that there had been abuse of