10/09/2025

WEDNESDAY | SEPT 10, 2025

3 ‘Age checks on TikTok useless without SIM card reform’

M’sia champions women as peacemakers

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Women must not only be seen as victims of conflict but also recognised as leaders, protectors and agents of peace, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. Unveiling Malaysia’s first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP WPS) 2025–2030, Nancy said the framework aims to strengthen women’s role in peacebuilding while addressing gender inequality. “If women are not included, inequality will persist, which undermines their protection. But when women are part of peace and reconciliation, they help make peace more durable.” She admitted advancing the agenda was not easy, with some quarters still resistant. “If we fail, women suffer – and women are mothers, sisters and daughters who hold families and communities together,” she said, adding that Malaysia is working with Asean, the UN and regional partners to share experiences. Nancy said Malaysia’s participation in 39 peacekeeping missions had already earned UN recognition. She stressed that women’s empowerment must also extend into the economy. “Financial independence builds confidence and creates stronger communities,” she said, citing the government’s 60% female workforce participation target. Measures include childcare and elderly care subsidies, lactation rooms at workplaces and collaboration with police unit D11, which tackles sexual crimes and domestic violence, she added. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who launched the plan at the 2025 Asean Women, Peace and Security Summit, said women must be central to peace processes. “The WPS agenda is not paperwork. No peace will last if half of humanity is left outside the door. It is not an add-on to diplomacy but part of its foundation,” he said. Citing a study by UN Women, he noted that peace agreements are 35% more likely to endure for at least 15 years when women are meaningfully involved. “Inclusivity and sustainability must go hand in hand with women’s participation. “Imagine if every peace process had women fully engaged. Together, we can ensure women are not just at the table, but leading in building resilient and peaceful societies.”

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Pre-registered numbers, weak digital identity systems leave loopholes for criminals and undermine credibility : Expert

He warned that criminals exploit fake or pre-registered numbers to hide their real identities, making it nearly impossible for authorities to track them. “Only once the government implements proper governance on digital identity can it credibly instruct social media platforms to remove accounts that don’t meet verification standards.” MCCA, he added, has long raised the issue at both domestic and international levels but with limited response from authorities. “We don’t defend TikTok or other platforms. We also criticise them when necessary. But before blaming them, the government must first put its own house in order.,” Siraj said. Echoing the concern, International Islamic University Malaysia deputy legal adviser Dr Sonny Zulhuda described the availability of pre-registered SIM cards as “alarming”, regardless of how widespread the practice is. “The quantity does not matter. As long as a criminal can easily obtain a pre-registered SIM card, he or she can execute criminal intent with little difficulty. The fact that they are available at all is already alarming ab initio (from the beginning),” he said. Sonny added that the use of such SIM cards undermines law enforcement’s ability to trace online crimes. “To establish criminal liability, the first gateway is registration identities. Under Section 114A of the Evidence Act, there is a presumption of publication against anyone whose name or identity is attached to an electronic platform. “If illegal content is posted using an account linked to another person’s name, the police are entitled to investigate that individual because their identity appears. This legal presumption, however, breaks down when fake or pre-registered SIM cards are used,” he said. Both experts agree that until Malaysia strengthens SIM card registration and builds a solid national digital identity framework, proposals for stricter age verification on social media will remain largely rhetorical. Siraj said the government must return to the root of the problem by fixing internet identity registration before turning to platforms. “Why are criminals so bold on social media? Because they have no identity. They know they can’t be tracked. Even if chased, they won’t be caught, because no one knows who they are. “Once the government strengthens identity verification at the SIM card and internet level, it will then be in a better position to ask platforms to remove accounts that don’t meet requirements, such as those using fake names or profile pictures.”

PETALING The government’s plan to tighten age verification on social media platforms such as TikTok risks falling flat unless Malaysia first addresses weaknesses in SIM (subscriber identity module) card registration and digital identity systems, experts warn. Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil said while concerns over online threats to children are valid, the real problem lies at the “gateway” of internet access – the widespread availability of pre registered SIM cards. “If the government only focuses on social media platforms, it will always be problematic. Look online and you can still find SIM cards already registered under other people’s names being sold JAYA:

enabling stronger monitoring and enforcement. “Our main weakness is governance of digital identity. Without fixing that, we don’t have a strong voice to demand accountability from international platforms.” Siraj added that the failure to enforce proper SIM registration also undermines Malaysia’s credibility abroad. “Foreign SIM cards can even be bought here without registration. So, pushing age checks on social media while ignoring this makes the government’s approach look rhetorical.”

openly. This issue has persisted for more than a decade,” he told theSun . He said such SIM cards are frequently used by cybercriminals to conceal their identities. “The gateway for criminals remains open. If the government is not serious about tackling this, then pushing TikTok or other platforms is meaningless. You cannot fix the roof when the foundation is already broken,” Siraj said. He pointed to countries such as Germany, where SIM card registration is integrated with national digital identity systems,

INTELLIGENT URBAN SYSTEMS ... Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming (second from left) said 36 of 156 local authorities have adopted smart city initiatives under PLANMalaysia’s guidance during a press conference after the 8th Asean Smart Cities Network annual meeting yesterday. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Law repealed, suicide attempts no longer criminal

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Another user @Scary_Drama9 responded that the provision was originally framed as a deterrent. The idea was that the fear of legal punishment might discourage suicide attempts. However, he added that in reality it had the opposite effect – “instead, it led to fear of seeking professional help”. Many concluded that the change was overdue. “This is a good move. They need help, not jail time,” one user wrote. The repeal is expected to shift Malaysia’s approach from punishment to care, recognising suicide as a public health concern and ensuring those at risk receive the support they need.

Public reaction has been largely positive, with many Malaysians welcoming the move as a compassionate step. User @tobifreakazoid on Reddit said: “This is a good first step. Now those attempting suicide can come forward and seek help without fear of being locked up.” User @momomelty commented: “Nice. Finally something good”, while user @djzeor described it as “a first step towards caring for the rakyat”. Others questioned the rationale of the old law, pointing out how criminalisation did little to prevent suicides. “I can’t even begin to understand the logic for criminalising it in the first place,” said user @Sekhmet_D.

individuals who survived a suicide attempt could face a fine or imprisonment of up to one year. Rights group and mental health advocates had long argued that criminalisation only discouraged vulnerable people from seeking help. Incidentally, World Suicide Prevention Day is today. The repeal aligns with the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2023, which equips police, firefighters, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency personnel, civil defence officers and social welfare officers with powers to forcibly enter premises to rescue individuals in danger of self-harm. Rescued persons must then be referred for psychiatric evaluation within 24 hours.

PETALING JAYA: Attempted suicide will no longer be a crime in Malaysia when Section 309 of the Penal Code is repealed today, marking a major shift in how Malaysia addresses mental health crises. The enforcement of the Penal Code (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2023 [Act A1691] was announced in a federal gazette dated Sept 9, with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said setting the enforcement date under subsection 1(2) of the Act. Under the old provision,