16/10/2025

THURSDAY | OCT 16, 2025

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Technical fault at power plant triggers outage in Klang Valley, Johor Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Independent Power Producer facility in Malacca. The national utility company confirmed this in a statement on its Facebook page. “TNB’s technical teams are currently on the ground and working diligently to restore electricity supply in stages to all affected areas.” By 5.23pm yesterday, power had been successfully restored in Petaling Jaya. TNB later confirmed that by

5.30pm, electricity had also returned to several other locations, including Damansara City, Sri Hartamas, Danau Desa, SPPK Cheras, Ampang, Bukit Jalil, Sri Damansara, Kota Puteri and Pasir Gudang Darat. It also said electricity supply was fully restored at 5.54pm. The outage, which lasted for about an hour in some areas, caused widespread disruption across the region. Several major shopping malls

were temporarily affected, including the high-profile Tun Razak Exchange in Kuala Lumpur, where retail and business operations were briefly halted. The power failure also triggered traffic chaos, worsened by heavy rain in the afternoon. With traffic lights not operating in several areas, major roads in the Klang Valley were severely congested, with vehicles crawling bumper to bumper.

A doctor at University Malaya Medical Centre, who requested anonymity, told theSun that the traffic lights surrounding the hospital were also down during the outage, worsening the gridlock. “The traffic lights here are not working, and this has caused a massive traffic jam around the hospital area.” TNB has assured the public that it is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates. Mandatory age limit for social media SIPITANG: Malaysia will soon require all social media platforms to implement ‘electronic Know Your Customer’ (eKYC) identity verification to ensure users under 13 do not own accounts. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the move aims to protect children online and ensure that community guidelines set by the platforms are properly enforced. “When I met representatives from social media platforms last month, I made it clear that Malaysia will make identity verification mandatory, especially to prevent children below 13 from having accounts. “I will present the exact timeline to the Cabinet before making an announcement,” he told reporters after officiating at the ‘Nadi (National Information Dissemination Centre) on Wheels’ programme at the Sindumin state constituency yesterday. Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) deputy managing director (Regulation and Corporate) Datuk Zurkarnain Mohd Yasin and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj. Fahmi said MCMC would hold a meeting with social media companies next week to discuss immediate steps towards implementing the requirement. Beyond child protection, he said eKYC is also crucial to curb online scams and harmful content such as gambling and fake advertisements. “Many platforms have been misused by criminals for scams. As I mentioned in Parliament yesterday, 78% of all scam-related content taken down came from Facebook.”– Bernama Cabinet to discuss discipline, safety PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Cabinet will discuss firm measures to address issues of discipline and safety in schools, including the influence of social media among students. He added that recent serious incidents in schools called for immediate intervention. “We will be holding a meeting on this matter. When we look at it closely, almost everything stems from smartphones, social media and apps. “So, perhaps today or tomorrow, I will convene a Cabinet meeting to deliberate on the issue. Firm action must be taken. Of course, there will be various reactions (from the public), but action is necessary.” – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: A technical fault at a power plant triggered yesterday’s widespread blackout that plunged parts of the Klang Valley and Johor into chaos, cutting power to homes, malls and major roads during peak hours. Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) said the outage was traced to an incident at the Edra Power Plant, an

Shazeli pointing at photographs of seized evidence from the incident during a press conference at the Selangor contingent police headquarters. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Weapons used in stabbing case bought online: Police

platform involved and believe the boy’s parents were unaware of his purchases. The attack took place between 9am and 9.30am in a school toilet, where the 16-year-old female student suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest. A post-mortem confirmed she died at the scene. “The victim was found in the toilet, and based on our investigation, we believe the suspect followed her inside.” A handwritten note was recovered from the suspect during his arrest. “I can confirm that the note was found on the suspect, not in the toilet where the incident occurred. It is now being examined by our investigating officers.” The note, now making rounds on social media, allegedly carried a cryptic message: “The world is fake. I have already won”. Investigations so far suggest there was no prior relationship or known interaction between the suspect and the victim. Initial findings also ruled out bullying as a motive. “Based on early investigation, the

motive appears to be linked to emotional instability and possible influence from media or social media content.” He added that police have recorded 57 witness statements, including from students, teachers, family members and school counsellors. The suspect, who had no record of disciplinary problems, was apprehended by teachers before being handed over to police. A urine test confirmed he was not under the influence of drugs, and no evidence has emerged of any diagnosed mental illness. Further investigation revealed the suspect harboured unspoken romantic feelings towards the victim. “He had feelings for her but never expressed them. It was more of a secret admiration, and the victim was unaware.” He added that the suspect, a Form One transition student, and the victim, a Form Three student, were from different classes and age groups, with no indication they had communicated before. Police have not ruled out

emotional impulses as a factor, and a psychiatric evaluation would be conducted to assess the suspect’s mental state. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. Following the tragedy, police have stepped up coordination with the Selangor Education Department to tighten security in schools. Under a directive from the national police chief, Mobile Patrol Vehicle units will conduct regular rounds at schools, including the one where the incident occurred. “Schools must be safe spaces. We will continue working with education authorities to ensure that any sign of risk is detected and acted upon swiftly.” The girl’s family claimed her remains on Tuesday morning after a post-mortem at the University Malaya Medical Centre. The case has sparked national debate over student mental health, online safety and the role of digital media in shaping young minds, issues now demanding urgent attention from parents, educators and policymakers alike.

o Cops tracing platform used to make purchase

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

SHAH ALAM: The 14-year-old boy who fatally stabbed his 16-year-old schoolmate in Bandar Utama on Monday bought the murder weapons online, a detail that has reignited concern over how easily minors could access knives and other deadly items on the internet. Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the suspect, currently under a seven-day remand until Oct 21, was in possession of two blades, a knife and a kerambit (small, curved knife), purchased online before the fatal attack. “The suspect acquired the weapons by purchasing them online. We believe only one, the knife, was used in the incident,” he told a press conference yesterday. Police are tracing the online