21/08/2025

THURSDAY | AUG 21, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Ministry moves to draw more high-spending tourists KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will continue to focus its advertising and promotional efforts on attracting high-value tourists while maintaining initiatives for volume tourism under the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) campaign, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said claims that his ministry was solely focusing on potential tourists from China were inaccurate, stressing that efforts to attract international visitors also involved various other countries. 807,664 from 638,109. “We are not only focused on promoting the country’s tourism to China; we also aim to attract high-end and high-spending tourists,” he said when winding up the debate on the motion on the 13th Malaysia Plan on Tuesday. Tiong said all advertising and promotional efforts for VM2026 had been strategically planned and implemented across major markets, despite a lack of allocation. promoting Muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality, highlighting Quran based tourism with main attractions such as the Nasyrul Quran Complex in Putrajaya and Yayasan Restu in Shah Alam, Selangor.

“ITC has also carried out a tourism promotion mission to four major countries, namely China, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam as part of efforts to boost Muslim tourist arrivals, particularly ahead of VM2026,” he said. Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, while winding up the motion for her ministry, said the government encouraged pondok institutions catering to the elderly to register as Senior Citizens Activity Centres to enable them to receive appropriate government support and assistance. She said although the pondok education system provided lifelong learning opportunities for the elderly, the government could only channel

He urged all parties, including MPs, to support efforts to promote the country’s tourism and refrain from politicising or sensationalising the initiative. Tiong said the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry continues to focus on all tourism segments, including Muslim-friendly tourism, which offered significant potential. He said the ministry, through the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), is committed to developing and

He added that a comparison of foreign tourist arrivals between January and July 2024 and 2025 for 10 countries showed a significant increase. “Tourist arrivals from Singapore in 2025 rose by 25.5% to 10,288,256, compared with 8,397,886 in 2024; Indonesia increased by 8.2% to 2,197,288 from 2,031,111; China grew by 35.6% to 2,178,857 from 1,607,413; and India recorded a 26.6% rise to

The BBST Walk Street Mural Art is a tourist attraction in Sepang. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Pahang to develop RM75b hybrid shipyard complex KUALA LUMPUR: The Pahang government, through the Pahang State Secretary Incorporated, in collaboration with Teroka Majubina Holdings Bhd, signed a lease agreement for the development of the Tanjung Agas Hybrid Shipyard Complex in Pekan, Pahang, with a total investment value of RM75 billion. Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Sri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said this high-impact project covers an area of 408.92ha. “The project will commence eight months from now, and the complex will be developed in phases, comprising three main components. “The first component is the Green Vessel Recycling, which will serve as a green technology ship recycling centre. “The second component is the shipbuilding facility, providing ship construction and maintenance services. “The third is the tank farm oil platform, offering oil and gas storage facilities,” he said after the signing ceremony held here on Tuesday. Wan Rosdy said the mega development is expected to create up to 25,000 job opportunities for Malaysians, especially the people of Pahang. This would deliver significant benefits to the state and national economies, he added. “With the establishment of the hybrid shipyard complex, Pahang will emerge as a regional maritime hub, a green technology ship recycling centre and a competitive oil and gas hub in the region”. The memorandum of agreement signing ceremony for the lease was also witnessed by the Tengku Arif Bendahara of Pahang Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah. – Bernama “We cannot provide any assistance if they are not registered with us,” she said, addressing an interjection by Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang). – Bernama undertake and can apply for assistance from the ministry.

assistance if an institution was officially registered as a Senior Citizens Activity Centre. “We have advised operators of the pondok schools to establish activity centres. Once registered, they will be responsible for any activities they

‘Heavy-handed action could dampen patriotic spirit’

marriage increased from 28.2 years in 2016 to 29.9 in 2023 for men, and from 28.2 years to 30.6 years for women. “Financial factors, lack of suitable partners and prioritising career development are among the main reasons marriages are being delayed. As the age of marriage rises, the reproductive window shortens, which directly affects future birth rates. “Therefore, this important input should be taken into account when formulating state policies, interventions and action plans that inclusively address the needs of the population,” she added. – Bernama not intent. “This risks discouraging people from flying the flag altogether. In some countries, overly punitive flag laws have reduced civic participation instead of strengthening national pride,” she said. She added that while laws draw boundaries, genuine patriotism is best fostered through education and awareness. She said campaigns in schools, communities and on social media are more effective in building respect than fear of fines. “Strict enforcement risks creating hesitation, while education turns the Jalur Gemilang into a living symbol of unity and pride,” she said, urging more cultural sensitivity in outreach campaigns. “Not all groups share the same historical narratives or have equal access to official guidelines. By recognising Malaysia’s diversity, we not only uphold the dignity of the flag but also strengthen national pride across all communities.”

unity and projects a positive image of Malaysia abroad, stressing that the flag should unite Malaysians, not divide them. Retired International Islamic University Malaysia law professor Dr Ainul Jaria Maidin explained that misuse or incorrect display of the flag is an offence under Malaysian law. She said the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963 (Act 414) makes it illegal to misuse or alter national emblems, including the Jalur Gemilang , with penalties of up to RM20,000 fine, three years’ jail or both. “For minor cases such as flying the flag upside down, local authorities often act under the Minor Offences Act 1955, issuing smaller fines before escalating to prosecution under Act 414,” she said. However, Ainul Jaria cautioned that the law does not distinguish between genuine mistakes and deliberate misuse, and prosecutors need only prove improper use,

o Experts say although misusing Jalur Gemilang goes against the law, strict enforcement could discourage citizens from flying flag instead of strengthening national pride

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

poverty, particularly those who live alone in rural areas without close family support,” she said when reading a speech by the board director-general in conjunction with the Kelantan-level World Population Day celebration at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan here on Tuesday. Haslinda said according to the Statistics Department’s 2024 data, Kelantan is estimated to have a population of 1.9 million and is now undergoing a demographic transition with major implications for the state’s future. She said one of the main indicators of this change is the state’s total Faculty of Language Studies and Human Development senior lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Nawi Ismail said flying the Jalur Gemilang upside down, whether intentional or accidental, is unacceptable, with such cases often rising during the Merdeka Month. “All Malaysians, regardless of race and religion, as well as foreigners living here, must respect and honour the flag. “This includes displaying it properly, replacing damaged flags and disposing of them respectfully,” he said. Mohd Nawi added that respect for the Jalur Gemilang reflects national

PETALING JAYA: From upside down flags to worn-out banners, Malaysians are finding themselves fined and reprimanded but critics warn that heavy-handed enforcement could kill the very spirit of patriotism it seeks to protect. Recent arrests and warnings over the improper display of the Jalur Gemilang have reignited debate on whether strict enforcement instils respect or instead deters citizens from flying the national flag. Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

Kelantan heading towards becoming ageing state KOTA BHARU: Kelantan is projected to become an ageing state in less than a decade. fertility rate, which has declined from 3.6 children in 2014 to 2.7 children in 2023.

“Although this figure is still above the population replacement level of 2.1 children, the trend clearly signals that Kelantan is heading towards becoming an ageing state. “Among the factors contributing to this decline are the tendency to marry late, rising cost of living, lifestyle changes and the preference for smaller families,” she said. The number of marriages in Kelantan has also decreased from 22,347 in 2021 to 16,925 in 2023, while the average age at first

Kelantan National Population and Family Development Board director Haslinda Hassan said last year, 11.1% of Kelantan’s population were aged 60 and above and the figure is expected to reach 15% by 2032. “This is more than just about numbers; it carries major implications for the economy, workforce, social planning and healthcare system, with a shrinking young labour pool and growing need for elderly care. “What is more worrying, many elderly people are still living in