22/08/2025

FRIDAY | AUG 22, 2025

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‘Nation capable of thwarting espionage’ A 33-second video has been widely circulated on TikTok, using the Queen’s image and mimicking Her Majesty’s voice, purportedly to convey aid to Malaysians in need of financial assistance. – Bernama PETALING JAYA: Malaysia possesses strong intelligence capabilities and a comprehensive security framework to counter espionage threats posed by foreign elements, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in Parliament yesterday. He said espionage is a global threat affecting all nations, and Malaysia is no exception. “We classify espionage as a serious national security issue that must be addressed comprehensively,” he said in response to a question from Lubok Antu MP Roy Angau Gingkoi on preventive and intervention measures taken by the government. Saifuddin Nasution said espionage typically involves stealing sensitive political, military or economic information without authorisation. He said the modus operandi often begins with identifying targets, gathering data for profiling and understanding an organisation’s structure. He added that perpetrators may act through insiders or enter Malaysia as tourists. “Some insiders are recruited with promises of rewards, others coerced through threats and some influenced by ideology.” He highlighted the growing use of cyber espionage, with intruders gaining covert access to information systems via phishing, malware or spyware. He said the stolen data is then transmitted to handlers through the dark web or encrypted channels. Saifuddin Nasution outlined a three pronged national response to combat such threats – prevention, detection and enforcement. “Prevention measures include continuous monitoring of watchlists and blacklists as well as the strengthening of security vetting procedures, especially for foreigners working in Malaysia. “On detection, intelligence agencies are enhancing expertise and coordinating information security programmes to safeguard critical data. “Cooperation with international bodies such as Interpol and Aseanapol also forms part of Malaysia’s strategy.” He cited the 2022 arrest of a Malaysian woman in her 30s who had been recruited by Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. He said her mission was to kidnap two Palestinian men, but police successfully rescued them and detained her. His remarks came amid renewed scrutiny of Malaysia’s security measures following the Aug 6 arrest of two Chinese nationals for allegedly trespassing by flying drones into a restricted area of the Defence Ministry headquarters. Fake TikTok account of Queen detected KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Press Office (RPO) has detected a fake TikTok account which uses artificial intelligence technology to mimic the voice of Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia Raja Zarith Sofiah. According to a post on the official Facebook page of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, the RPO said the video featured a voice resembling that of Raja Zarith Sofiah’s, allegedly promising financial assistance. “The public is advised to remain cautious and not be easily influenced by such fake accounts which are often used by scammers for fraudulent purposes on social media platforms. “The RPO wishes to stress that impersonation and misuse of identity are offences under the law.” Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Malaysia may soon have dedicated Law Ministry

ensuring stability and the rule of law.” He stressed the importance of a strong legal and judicial system as the backbone of a free, independent and democratic nation. He added that ongoing reforms are essential to reinforce the rule of law and “end the era of arrogance and abuse of power within the executive, judiciary and legislature”. “Political arrogance in the past weakened our legal institutions and even tainted the judiciary with corruption and abuse.” He praised Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said for her persistent push for change, describing her initiatives with the Attorney-General’s Chambers as “historic reforms that will restore confidence and dismantle perceptions of abuse of power”. On regional peace, Anwar commended the leaders of Laos and Cambodia for agreeing to a ceasefire following recent tensions, calling it a triumph of diplomacy and a testament to Asean’s spirit of consensus and respect. He said Asean’s quiet but firm approach to conflict resolution is “a model for maintaining peace and stability”.

o Accesstojusticemustnotbeconfinedtoelitesbutextended to every citizen, especially the poor and marginalised: Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: As part of sweeping reforms to restore integrity, fairness and trust in the legal system as envisaged by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, a dedicated Law Ministry could soon be a reality. Anwar said the move would bring greater coherence to the legal system and position Malaysia to engage more effectively with regional partners in advancing the rule of law. “Such reforms are not abstract but vital to ensure Asean’s relevance in a rapidly changing world. By aligning with regional best practices, Malaysia will be better placed to shape a more just and responsive order,” he said at the closing of the Asean Law Forum 2025. Anwar said Malaysia’s chosen theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” as Asean chair, is not a slogan but a genuine pledge to ensure Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

that no one is left behind. He said access to justice must not be confined to the elites but extended to every citizen, especially the poor and marginalised. “Justice must be accessible to all. Too often, the vulnerable are sidelined and denied due process. True development means that education, healthcare and the legal system must all be inclusive. “Sustainability, meanwhile, is about building institutions that endure, rooted in integrity, fairness and public trust.” He urged Asean nations to expand mutual legal assistance, strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms and address emerging challenges such as digital governance and artificial intelligence. “Dialogue and principled diplomacy have always been Asean’s way. Strengthening mediation, arbitration and conciliation is not only about legal processes but also about

Anwar and Azalina at the Asean Law Forum held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

PM explains call for more Thai-Cambodia observers KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has defended Malaysia’s call for additional Asean observers to monitor the ceasefire along the Thai-Cambodian border after acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai publicly rejected the proposal. Phumtham had described the proposal as interference in Thailand’s border dispute with Cambodia. countries, before any reinforcements are called in from home bases. He said this is not an unusual step but rather a practical solution to balance manpower needs across observer missions. “There is no contradiction here. The statement simply says that we should start with embassy staff first,” he said, adding that Malaysia is not seeking to deviate from the agreed Asean framework. Thailand rather than seek reinforcements from outside sources. It was also reported that Cambodia had asked Malaysia to send more observers, claiming that Thai troops had attempted to provoke clashes along the border. Meanwhile, Asean law ministers concluded the ALF with the signing of a joint declaration on strengthening international commercial arbitration and mediation. The declaration reaffirmed Asean’s

Anwar said the proposal was in line with existing Asean agreements and was aimed at ensuring that monitoring missions remain effective and credible. He said while certain locations such as Bangkok already have an adequate number of observers, other sites are under-staffed and require reinforcements to function properly. “For example, in Bangkok we have 10 observers. But in another location, only two. So, we said the number needs to be increased,” he said after closing the Asean Law Forum (ALF) 2025 yesterday. Anwar said additional personnel would first be sourced from defence attaches and embassy staff already stationed in the respective

Phumtham had told Thai media that he had turned down the suggestion, stressing that the long-standing tensions along the Thai Cambodian border were bilateral matters that should not be opened to external involvement. “I told him that we don’t allow outsiders to take part in the operations,” said Phumtham. He insisted that ceasefire monitoring should continue to be carried out by the Asean Interim Observer Team as mandated during the recent General Border Committee meeting in Malaysia. Phumtham added that if additional observers were truly required, Asean states must rely on their existing military attaches or embassy staff from the eight Asean embassies in

commitment to upholding the rule of law, enhancing access to justice and supporting economic growth. The ministers pledged to develop a robust regional framework for arbitration and mediation, aligning it with international conventions such as the New York Convention and the Singapore Convention on Mediation. The declaration further underscored inclusivity, with ministers stressing that arbitration and mediation must remain accessible to businesses of all sizes and communities across Asean. – By Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi