13/08/2025

WEDNESDAY | AUG 13, 2025

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Bullying will not be tolerated, minister warns

Low compliance to price transparency rule KUALA LUMPUR: Since the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Medicine Price Labelling) Order 2025 took effect on May 1, the Health Ministry has found that a significant number of private healthcare facilities have yet to comply with the requirement to display medicine prices. Of the 1,639 facilities monitored nationwide, only 900 or 55% had complied, while the remaining 739 fell short of the standard. Health Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the findings show the need for follow-up action, including stronger monitoring, further guidance sessions and phased enforcement against non-compliant premises. He told the Dewan Rakyat this when responding to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN–Kuala Langat) on the status and effectiveness of the price display rule at private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies in controlling healthcare service charges. Lukanisman said the ministry will also conduct a study next month to evaluate the impact of the medicine price display initiative. “The findings will serve as a key reference in shaping more comprehensive and sustainable policy reforms, especially those aimed at setting fair pricing and enhancing transparency across private healthcare facilities. “This is important to create a private medical and pharmacy service system that is more transparent, fair and consumer-focused.” To a supplementary question from Dr Ahmad Yunus on consultation fees, which he noted have not been reviewed in over 30 years, Lukanisman said the ministry is holding extensive engagement sessions with the Malaysian Medical Association on the matter. – Bernama Autistic student will have spot at university PETALING JAYA: A student with autism who was reportedly denied the opportunity to apply to a public university will still be offered a place at a public higher education institution, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. He said he has ordered an investigation into the case, which will be resolved soon. “We will ensure he can study at one of the public universities he applied to. “Most recently, I was informed that the International Islamic University Malaysia is also reviewing the case to see if he can be placed there. “I believe that is one of his preferred universities,” he said at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Zambry was responding to Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong, who had asked about the ministry’s efforts to assist outstanding students with disabilities to gain entry into public universities. A mental health advocacy group recently raised concerns over the case of a student, Aniq, who was reportedly blocked from applying to a public university due to his autism diagnosis. Aniq, who earned a matriculation GPA of 3.83 and met both general and programme specific entry requirements, had submitted his preferred courses through the University Central Unit system during the second phase of the application process. However, his selections later disappeared in a subsequent stage. Zambry emphasised that a qualified applicant should not face discrimination when seeking admission into public universities. He explained that institutions typically require verification of the applicant’s disability type to ensure appropriate accommodations can be provided based on available resources. “The issue that arose was that he applied under the person with disability category and some universities wanted to know the specific type of disability so that accommodations can be made based on his condition.” – By HARITH KAMAL

o Higher Education Ministry outlines harsher penalties, from fines to expulsion and promises no protection for offenders Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

serious or criminal cases are promptly referred to the authorities. When asked for an update on the investigation into the death of cadet trainee Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, Zambry said the task force is expected to finalise its report soon. Syamsul Haris was a cadet trainee from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Skudai Reserve Officers Training Unit. The 22-year-old died on July 28 at Kota Tinggi Hospital after completing training at the Combat Inoculation Range, Army Land Training Centre in Kota Tinggi, Johor. A special committee comprising representatives from the Defence, Home and Health ministries was formed to review the case. “We anticipate the findings soon. On Monday, I met with the family and spoke with the mother. She formally requested a reinvestigation, and I have conveyed the matter to the Attorney General’s Chambers.” Zambry stressed that the ministry would not shield perpetrators of bullying or violence in higher learning institutions. “If it’s serious and a criminal offence, we will immediately report it to the police.” On Aug 1, police launched a detailed investigation into the cause of death. Kota Tinggi district police chief Superintendent Yusof Othman said statements from witnesses and medical officers would be recorded to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

warnings, up to 24 hours of community service, fines of up to RM500, bans from certain campus areas, expulsion from student residences, suspension or permanent expulsion from the university.” For private institutions, Zambry said the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555) places responsibility on chief executives to oversee student welfare and discipline, including the prevention and management of bullying. He stressed that the ministry practises zero tolerance towards bullying and will cooperate fully with authorities. “Public universities have taken steps including fostering a zero-tolerance stance, creating channels for reporting, increasing CCTV coverage, running awareness campaigns, strengthening character development programmes and establishing standard procedures for addressing misconduct.” To a supplementary question from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN–Alor Setar) on the “You Touch, You Go” approach by Mara Junior Science Colleges – where swift action is taken upon detecting bullying – Zambry said

PETALING JAYA: Thirty-one cases of bullying have been reported in eight public universities over the past decade, the Higher Education Ministry revealed yesterday, vowing zero tolerance for such misconduct. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir told the Dewan Rakyat that the incidents, recorded between 2014 and 2025, involved both physical and cyberbullying. He said contributing factors included social and psychological issues, campus environments, social media influence and lack of parental supervision. “The ministry will not protect offenders and will cooperate fully with the authorities to ensure transparent and professional investigations.” Students in public universities found guilty of bullying may face disciplinary action under Regulation 3(1)(a)(2) of the Student Disciplinary Rules, which were standardised through amendments in 2024. “Penalties vary according to the seriousness of the offence and include KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must build cities that are not only liveable but “lovable” by embedding sustainability and inclusivity into every facet of urban development, said UN-Habitat Assembly President and Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. In his special keynote address at the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF), Asean Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF) and Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals (MGMAC) yesterday, Nga outlined three core priorities for his ministry – housing, public infrastructure and waste management. He said Malaysia has already achieved 98.4% of its 500,000 affordable homes target under the 12th Malaysia Plan, delivering 492,000 units. The rebranded People’s Residency Programme will incorporate sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting, solar panels and urban farming spaces. Through Urbanice Malaysia, the ministry has also rolled out the community hub initiative, in which unused public housing spaces are converted into community facilities, while Think City’s Kita Untuk Kita programme offers grants for the urban poor to improve and personalise their living environments. On climate action, Nga said Malaysia is seeking US$20 million (RM84.6 million) from the Global Climate Adaptation Fund to implement nature-based solutions in the city alongside efforts to build 100 Madani parks each year. Last year, the target exceeded with 109 parks and 115 million trees planted under the Malaysian National Greenery Programme. The number of trees planted surpassed the original five-year goal of 100 million. On waste management, Nga announced plans for 18 waste-to-energy plants across Peninsular Malaysia to help meet the national target of 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050. “In 2023 alone, we spent more than RM2 billion on solid waste management, public Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Build liveable and ‘lovable’ cities, says Nga

Nga visited the Housing and Local Government Ministry booth after attending the opening ceremony of Asean forums (ASUF, AGMF and MGMAC) at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

resource-efficient Malaysia.” Nga urged Asean cities to align local policies with global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, New Urban Agenda and the Asean Smart Cities Network. “The path to a better future begins at the local level and extends to the global stage. Malaysia invites all Asean member states to walk this journey with us.” Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who delivered an opening address at the forum, said Asean’s cities – which are home to more than 370 million people and generating 70% of the bloc’s gross domestic product – must be “living laboratories of sustainability and innovation”, ensuring no one is left behind as urbanisation accelerates. “Urbanisation must be a force for equality, not division,” he said, urging Asean cities to embed inclusivity, embrace digital transformation and scale up proven climate solutions.

cleaning, landfill operations and leachate treatment. “By turning ‘trash into cash’ and ‘waste into energy’, we can manage waste sustainably while contributing to our renewable energy goals.” Nga said the initiatives fall under the Circular Economy Blueprint for Solid Waste 2025–2035, led by the newly formed National Circular Economy Council, which will also enforce the Extended Producer Responsibility Policy framework. Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, he said the ministry will expand the use of industrialised building systems and modular construction in public housing to reduce costs, noise pollution and waste. He said transit-oriented development will also be integrated into future housing projects to improve access to jobs and education through public transport. “These measures will not only cut pollution and costs but pave the way for a greener, more