24/09/2025

WEDNESDAY | SEPT 24, 2025

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Measures taken to prevent use of deactivated MyKad

PETALING JAYA: Hari Cuci Malaysia or Malaysia Cleanup Day 2025 is set to raise the bar by rallying more than 100,000 participants nationwide and collecting at least 3,000kg of used cooking oil in a single day – two records organisers are confident of achieving. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the initiative, first introduced last year as a ministerial programme, has now been elevated to a national event, with the last Saturday of September officially designated as Hari Cuci Malaysia. BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com Govt to ensure no misuse of RON95 petrol subsidy GEORGE TOWN: The government will introduce several control measures to ensure RON95 petrol subsidies are properly targeted and not misused, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. He said the measures aim to verify that those requiring more than 300 litres a month, such as e-hailing drivers, are genuinely eligible, with confirmation from their respective companies. “If eligibility is confirmed, they can apply with company support. We can verify usage through e-hailing system records to ensure that the fuel is genuinely used for work. “The government will also restrict excessive daily usage,” he said after launching the national-level Mega E Invoicing Tour series 2/2025 yesterday. He said preparations for the subsidy rollout are going smoothly, with all oil companies confirming their readiness, adding that machines for in-store use have been provided and activated by most oil firms. – Bernama

“Now when we deactivate a MyKad, it will immediately sync with the MOF’s system. If someone tries to use that card, whether for Sara claims or to buy fuel, it will automatically be blocked,” he said yesterday. Saifuddin Nasution said while the number is small compared with the 18 million MyKad in circulation, the implications are serious. He said without the fix, the loophole could have enabled widespread Budi95 subsidy abuse. He added that MOF has also prepared a fallback in case of technical issues. “People can go to the counter and key in their MyKad number manually. The system will recognise it. We don’t want people to get angry, so we want to make it easy until the system stabilises.” other nations.” He said Malaysia Cleanup Day 2025 has three objectives, namely to strengthen civic awareness on cleanliness, prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and promote environmental sustainability through recycling. With tourism now Malaysia’s second largest source of national revenue, Nga said the country is on the right track. “Recently, Time Out magazine and TripAdvisor ranked Malaysia as Asia’s most popular destination, with projections of over 40 million international tourists this year, the highest ever, surpassing Thailand, and positioning the nation as not only a yesterday to begin a historic two-day official visit to Timor-Leste, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and supporting the nation’s imminent inclusion as Asean’s 11th member. Welcoming him on arrival were President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao. Also present were Malaysian Ambassador to Timor Leste Datuk Amarjit Singh Sarjit Singh and Timor-Leste’s Chief of Protocol Juvencio Martins. Accompanying Anwar are Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Department and the Foreign Ministry. The welcome ceremony included an inspection of a static guard of honour, followed by the presentation of the Tais , a traditional handwoven textile of deep cultural significance to the Timorese people. The ceremony also featured a traditional welcoming troupe and a school drum band performance. Anwar was also invited to join Ramos-Horta in a ride on the Mini

Moke, an open-top classic vehicle that has become a familiar sight at state events in Timor-Leste. Ramos Horta drove the car, with Anwar seated beside him in the front, while Gusmao rode in the back. The use of the Moke, long associated with Ramos-Horta’s personal style and informal public outreach, added a distinctive cultural touch as the trio travelled together from the airport to a nearby hotel. This marks the first visit by a Malaysian prime minister to Timor Leste in 22 years, Bernama reported. Malaysia was the first Asean nation to establish an embassy in Dili, doing so on the eve of Timor-Leste’s independence in May 2002. The visit is expected to strengthen practical cooperation. More than 1,000 Timorese have benefited from training under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme while 55 students are currently pursuing studies in Malaysia. Economic and people-to-people ties have also grown, boosted by Batik Air’s direct Kuala Lumpur-Dili flights launched in June 2025 and the introduction of 30-day visa-free travel for Malaysians in August. regional hub but also a global tourism focus. “Next month, Malaysia will again be in the international spotlight as we host the Asean Plus Summit, welcoming world leaders including the US president, prime ministers of China and India as well as leaders from Brazil and South Africa. “Therefore, it is the responsibility of every Malaysian to ensure that our country remains clean, beautiful and prosperous. Waste must be properly managed and not thrown into drains, causing flash floods.” He urged Malaysians to join the cleanup drive on Saturday at Pantai Cahaya Negeri, Port Dickson. He said MyKad deactivation is also handled carefully to safeguard personal data. Earlier, he visited NRD counters and noted that services were being handled well. “I had the chance to interact with people who came from around Putrajaya, Kajang, Bandar Putra and Subang. They considered the waiting time reasonable, about 30 minutes, with everything completed on the same day.” He said NRD staff had been instructed to work overtime if needed. On Monday, the Home Ministry said applications for MyKad chip replacements had surged from about 30,000 to 40,000. The RM10 replacement fee has been waived until Oct 7, with the government to absorb about RM714,660 in costs.

o 100 cases detected where cards reported lost, taken off NRD system, being used to claim Sara benefits, says minister

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

National Registration Department (NRD) system were still used to claim Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) benefits. “When someone reports that his MyKad is lost, the NRD immediately deactivates it in the system. But Sara is managed under the Finance Ministry (MOF), and when the scheme was rolled out our systems were not synchronised. “So, although the card was already deactivated by the NRD it could still be used for Sara aid. said at the pre-launch ceremony yesterday. Nga said last year’s cleanup day had secured three Malaysia Book of Records milestones – the largest nationwide gotong-royong with over 55,000 participants, the longest continuous cleanup programme and the highest single-day waste collection of 4,645.50 metric tonnes. “Held in conjunction with World Cleanup Day on Sept 20 and recognised by the United Nations, this event underscores Malaysia’s commitment to global sustainability efforts. “With Malaysia entrusted to hold the UN-Habitat presidency, it is only fitting for us to set a good example to

PUTRAJAYA: Deactivated identity cards are still being used to claim subsidies, the Home Ministry revealed, as it moves to close a loophole ahead of the nationwide rollout of the Budi95 fuel scheme on Sept 30. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said about 100 cases had been detected where cards reported lost and deactivated in the

Malaysia Cleanup Day expected to break records

“This year, we have adopted a whole-of-nation approach, involving school students, government agencies, GLCs and industry associations such as the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association. “Strategic partners including housing developers PR1MA and Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad, cleaning service providers such as SWM as well as private companies and NGOs like the Tzu Chi Foundation, I Earth You and Roman Catholics Archdiocesan Office for Human Development are also taking part. “With this collective support, we are confident the initiative will succeed in breaking two more records,” he

Anwar in Timor-Leste for two-day official visit DILI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here

Anwar being driven to a hotel in a Mini Moke by Ramos-Horta with Gusmao in the rear seat. – BERNAMAPIC