05/12/2025

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FRIDAY DEC 5, 2025

‘Student loan burden impacting workplace output’ Financial stress linked to repayments reducing productivity of low-income

SCAN ME

RM1

FRIDAY | DEC 5, 2025

Nurturing change Leaders of youth eco-activism – P12

WEEKLY FOCUS MONDAY Technology and social media

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WEDNESDAY Fashion and beauty

THURSDAY Home and living

FRIDAY Travel and leisure

SATURDAY Food and beverage

Malaysian Paper www.thesun.my RM1.00 PER COPY Report on — page 4 Charged with graft p 21 Offering affordable stays for families of patients p 22 Selangor theme park to highlight mangrove forests p 25 How Malaysian auditor made jump into acting – 123RFPIC SCAN ME No. 8994 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) Ex-senior political secretary to PM Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin and businessman Albert Tei Jiann Cheing each face four counts of corruption involving alleged bribes linked to mineral exploration licence approvals in Sabah. earners by up to 15%, says MEF president.

Report on h page 6

Shamsul Iskandar and Tei arriving at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Issues among topics discussed by premiers of both nations at 12th Annual Leaders’ Retreat hosted by city-state. M’sia, S’pore find common ground on air traffic, maritime boundaries Report on — page 2

Polytechnic and community college degree holders record 98.8% employment rate in 2024: Higher Education minister Things looking up in job market for local graduates

Report on — page 3

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King allows use of his airboats for flood rescue operations KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim has granted the federal government permission to deploy two of his high powered airboats for flood rescue operations. unpredictable weather and to ensure that rescue agencies were prepared should a second wave of flooding occur, Bernama reported. airboats were mobilised to rescue, evacuate and assist flood impacted residents in Johor. The assets were also used to deliver food supplies to Orang Asli settlements in Kluang, which were cut off by the disaster. As of yesterday morning, four states remain affected by floods. “The two airboats, now stationed at Istana Negara, are expected to enhance operational efficiency and speed up the delivery of emergency aid.” In March 2023, three of the King’s Meanwhile, a separate post on the Facebook page stated that Sultan

New chief judge of

Ibrahim received a briefing in Johor Bahru from 21st Special Service Group Commander Mejar-Jen Datuk Ahmad Shuhaimi Mat Wajab. The briefing covered the group’s procurement plan under the 13th Malaysia Plan, preparations for the second phase of the Special Service Regiment’s Diamond Jubilee celebration in Malacca, among others.

Malaya pledges to boost judicial efficiency PUTRAJAYA: The newly appointed Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Hashim Hamzah has pledged to enhance the justice delivery system, emphasising the importance of judges writing grounds of judgment and speeding up court trials. Speaking after his oath-taking ceremony at the Dewan Persidangan in the Palace of Justice, he said his appointment to the third highest position in the judiciary comes with responsibility. “You must bear in mind, being CJM (chief judge of Malaya) my jurisdiction is big – the whole of the peninsula.” He added that as of October, courts across the peninsula collectively had 393 Sessions Court judges, magistrates, High Court judges and judicial commissioners. Calling the role “tough”, he said he nonetheless had to do the work. He said his first mission is to monitor judges in fulfilling their duty to prepare written grounds of judgment, especially in cases that proceed on appeal to the Court of Appeal. “I have seen some not writing their grounds. If you don’t write your grounds, it will hinder proceedings in the Court of Appeal,” he said, adding that he did not want that to happen. Hashim, who is the 15th CJM, said there were some cases in some courts, particularly in Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam, in which the hearing dates had been fixed for 2027 and 2028, which he described as far too late for litigants. He said he has to find a way to expedite the hearing dates, including the possibility of requesting for more judicial commissioners. Hashim also thanked His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim and all those who were involved in the process of his appointment. – Bernama

SINGAPORE: and Singapore have reached a key understanding in their ongoing discussions on the Flight Information Region, with both sides agreeing that any future arrangement must ensure smooth and unhindered air traffic movements. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia recognises Singapore’s need for safe and efficient air flow into the Changi and Seletar airports while Malaysia similarly requires free movement of flights to Sabah and Sarawak. “Whatever the arrangement, it should not frustrate the free movement of air traffic. If we accept that principle, I think we can move ahead with more certainty,” he said at a joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong after the 12th Annual Leaders’ Retreat here yesterday. On maritime boundary issues, Anwar said both nations must work towards an amicable resolution, stressing that the neighbours should pursue progress, Bernama reported. “I concede, it is more complex, but if we have a clear commitment to try and resolve it, I’m sure we can make progress. “I’ve told Prime Minister Lawrence, my colleagues in the Cabinet and the officials that we must work towards an amicable resolution. Even if it is not in full, at least progress in part,” he said. Anwar was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan during the one-day working visit. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi were also part of the According to a statement posted on Sultan Ibrahim’s Facebook page, the King consented to the use of the airboats in view of the current Malaysia

M’sia, S’pore find common ground

o Leaders of both nations agree on need for safe, efficient air traffic flow and amicable solution to maritime boundary issues

Anwar being greeted by Wong during the retreat in Singapore yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

peoples,” Wong said. At present, Singapore has two diplomatic missions in Malaysia – its high commission in Kuala Lumpur and a consulate in Johor Bahru which began operations in 2009.

strengthening ties between the peoples of the two nations. “This will allow Singapore to provide consular services to Singaporeans there and deepen the already robust ties between our

official delegation. Meanwhile, Wong welcomed Malaysia’s decision to formally approve its proposal to establish consulates in Sabah and Sarawak, hailing it as an important step in

Ministry records achievements in energy, water and sewerage services PUTRAJAYA: The provision of affordable electricity, water and sewerage services to the public is among the key achievements of the Energy Transition and Water generated 3.9 gigawatts of renewable energy with RM12 billion in investments, in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap target of 70% renewable energy by 2050. Malaysiaku programme and the Public Service Reform National Convention 2025, which will be held from today until Sunday at Dataran Putrajaya. adjustments are made monthly instead of every six months.” The ministry has also strengthened the resilience of energy and water infrastructure against extreme weather through the use of flood analysis and risk assessment

Fadillah said major achievements in the water sector include amendments to the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655) after over 18 years and the National Water Services Commission Act 2006 (Act 654). He said the Water Sector Transformation Plan 2040 was introduced to position Malaysia as a regional and global water hub by 2040 and implement new water tariff adjustments effective Aug 1, including special tariffs for data centres. The Non-Revenue Water (NRW) programme has been expanded with RM2.53 billion in funding for the period 2025 to 2030 to reduce NRW from 34.3% in 2024 to 28.8% by 2030.

The ministry, together with the Energy Commission, has also carried out an open tender for the Battery Energy Storage Technology project to ensure grid stability in tandem with rising renewable energy uptake, and has also introduced a new electricity tariff structure based on the “user pay” principle, effective July 1. The new tariff structure minimises impact on 85% of domestic users and offers energy-efficiency incentives to domestic consumers and MSMEs. “Additionally, an automatic fuel adjustment mechanism has been introduced to replace the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through, in which fuel cost

technology, and upgrades to the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme. He said the Department of Irrigation and Drainage has accelerated flood mitigation projects using designs based on future rainfall projections. He added that the government is also encouraging the use of reclaimed water in the data centre sector, with Johor pioneering such initiatives through a project involving Indah Water Konsortium and Johor Special Water to process treated effluents for data centre cooling systems.

Other achievements include the Net Energy Metering 3.0 Programme, which concludes this year and has supplied 2,500 megawatts of solar capacity to consumers while the Solar Atap Scheme enables individuals to generate their own power and receive energy credits for surplus electricity channelled to the national grid. “Low-income groups are also supported by the government through subsidies such as the RM40 electricity bill rebate.” He said this in a written reply to Bernama in conjunction with the Rancakkan Madani Bersama

Transformation Ministry under the Malaysia Madani administration, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He said the ministry plays a vital role as the lead agency in the governance of energy and water sectors, Bernama reported. Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation minister, said it has recorded major achievements in the sectors via energy transition, tariffs, energy efficiency and policy reforms. Among them is the Large-Scale Solar Programme, which has

FRIDAY | DEC 5, 2025

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Job market looking up for Malaysian graduates

Local coalitions resonate with Sabahans: Analyst

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Sabah’s political trajectory is increasingly mirroring the transformation seen in Sarawak, in which state-based coalitions have solidified their dominance and parties from Peninsular Malaysia have been steadily pushed to the margins. Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the shift reflects the image of local identity politics once dominated by peninsula-based parties, including Barisan Nasional (BN), which long regarded Sabah as its electoral “safe deposit”. He said peninsula-based parties are now struggling to build meaningful traction in Sabah. In contrast, homegrown coalitions such as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Warisan continue to resonate strongly with the state electorate, even if neither has managed to command outright dominance. “Since the fragmentation of Umno after 2018 and the political turmoil that followed, Sabah has increasingly mirrored Sarawak’s model. Ethnonationalist sentiment has grown stronger, and peninsular parties have become the early victims of this rising localism,” he told theSun . He said the deepening shift towards state-centric politics has placed GRS and Warisan at the forefront of political contestation, adding that their longer-term viability would depend on internal cohesion rather than external competition. “GRS and Warisan are expected to continue competing with each other for a long time. However, any party would be hindered if internal crises arise from struggles for power and positions. Therefore, the survival of both depends on the stability and loyalty within their own leadership.” Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said the evolution towards localised politics has contributed to a fragmented landscape, in which no single party or coalition has the ability to secure decisive control of the state assembly. “As a result, political instability, especially in the form of shifting alliances, would continue for quite some time.” He added that with coalition politics becoming the norm rather than the exception, Sabah should expect frequent realignments and post-election negotiations to determine who forms the government. He also said this would shape Sabah politics for several electoral cycles as local parties continue to consolidate influence while peninsular coalitions attempt to stay relevant. The results of the 17th Sabah state election saw GRS clinch 29 of the 73 seats contested, followed by Warisan with 25 seats. BN secured six, independents won five, while United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation secured three. Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku won two seats while Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat, Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional each captured one seat. Analysts say Sabah’s political recalibration closely resembles the path taken by Sarawak after the 2018 general election. Once a dominant bloc within BN, Sarawak’s four major component parties, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Parti Rakyat Sarawak, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party and Progressive Democratic Party quit BN on June 12, 2018 and formed Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). Their exit came in the wake of BN’s historic defeat in GE14 and was driven by concerns that remaining in BN would tarnish Sarawak’s political standing, particularly as BN was weighed down by the 1MDB scandal. Leaving BN allowed Sarawak leaders to distance themselves from negative federal baggage, strengthen their bargaining position with the then PH-led federal government and present GPS as a purely Sarawak-first coalition free from Peninsular Malaysia interference.

PETALING JAYA: The job market is looking friendly to Malaysia’s new graduates, who are increasingly joining the workforce, with public universities, polytechnics, and community colleges reporting employment rates almost 95% in 2024, according to the Higher Education Ministry. Speaking at the Dewan Negara yesterday, its minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said 99,503 graduates from public universities secured jobs, while 5,343 remained unemployed. He said polytechnic graduates fared slightly better, with 98.8% being employed, leaving only 199 without work, adding that community college graduates also saw a 98.8% employment rate, with just 55 students unemployed. “The ministry remains committed to continuous efforts to address graduate related issues through a comprehensive approach, including focusing on talent development, industry needs and national economic growth. “Emphasis is also placed on initiatives to enhance graduate value, including strengthening the TVET ecosystem and ensuring that the direction of higher education aligns with market demand.” He said the key initiatives by the ministry to boost graduate employability include: 0 skills training & upskilling: programmes for final-year students and graduates to enhance existing skills and learn new ones; 0 EXCEL programmes: experiential and competency-based learning integrating industry, community and research; 0 industry partnerships: work-based learning with companies such as Intel, Nvidia, Huawei and Turkish Aerospace Industries, giving students hands-on experience in real-world settings; and 0 strategic collaboration: synergy with platforms such as the National Employment Council and Industry Advisory Committees to address job-matching and skill gaps. “There are also programmes to strengthen entrepreneurship among students through action plans implemented by the ministry via universities and polytechnics.” Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com o Employment rate for 2024 at nearly 95%, says Higher Education Ministry Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is stepping up its enforcement on racial content online, reporting 1,583 posts between Jan 1 and Nov 30, with 1,066 of them taken down by service providers. In a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, the Communications Ministry said content removal actions are carried out in accordance with existing legal frameworks to ensure freedom of expression is not misused, regardless of an individual’s or entity’s background or political affiliation. “This approach helps maintain a balance between individual rights and public interest for the common good. “With regard to the criteria raised, the actions taken by MCMC are in line with its responsibilities and requirements under the

Zambry said the ministry would focus on transforming higher education from a hands-on approach to a holistic minds-on approach to better prepare graduates for the workforce. – BERNAMAPIC

Education Plan 2026-2035, the ministry would focus on transforming higher education from a hands-on approach to a holistic minds-on approach with the aim of better preparing graduates for the workforce. Responding to remarks by Senator Datuk Prof Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman that some graduates take unrelated jobs, such as engineering graduates becoming e-hailing drivers for higher income, Zambry said the ministry plans to align graduate numbers with market demand and address skill mismatches through bridging and reframing programmes. He also said graduates in humanities or social sciences are being guided to highlight marketable skills such as research, writing and communication, while STEM education now incorporates the arts, transforming STEM into STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) to develop balanced, holistic thinkers. “Adaptive and transferable skills are also emphasised through work-based learning programmes, especially in the final year, ensuring students acquire competencies relevant to the job market.” under Section 233 of Act 588 for misusing network services or applications, including social media, to create and disseminate false content or content that is excessively offensive with the intention, among others, to harass or annoy others.” To enable MCMC to conduct reviews and further investigations into such issues, official complaints may be lodged via the complaint portal at https://aduan.mcmc.gov.my or written complaints submitted to any MCMC state office. Investigative actions relating to 3R issues fall under the responsibility of the police, in accordance with legal provisions such as the Sedition Act 1948, Act 574 and Act 588, whereas prosecution decisions are made by the Attorney-General’s Chambers. – By Qiranna Nabilla Mohd Rashidi

Zambry said universities review courses every three to five years to ensure they remain relevant, with traditional programmes such as civil and electrical engineering now being integrated across multiple disciplines to adapt to the global shift from hands-on to minds-on learning. He was responding to a question posed by Senator Musoddak Ahmad, who asked why, despite the initiatives, graduates continue to pursue programmes that do not match emerging industries, high-level job matching remains limited and talent continues to leave the country due to a lack of domestic opportunity. “This is a question we often discuss when addressing talent and the so-called ‘brain drain’, which happens when skilled individuals leave the country. “At the same time, we need to examine the issue from a broader perspective. “One issue is that some courses are lagging behind, which requires attention. “While we have qualified professors, universities have received feedback that certain courses remain on offer despite low demand.” He said under the National Higher provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act (Act 588) to ensure that information is disseminated responsibly, without spreading false information or hate speech. “The measures also aim to protect the integrity of the constitutional monarchy and democratic institutions from any attempts to incite hatred or contempt.” The ministry also said it takes seriously the spread of content involving race, religion and royalty (3R) sentiments by irresponsible parties, as such content could threaten national unity and harmony. Accordingly, the Communications Ministry, through MCMC, works closely with police to enforce Act 588 as well as other laws such as the Penal Code (Act 574). “Action may be taken against any individual

MCMC steps up enforcement on racial content PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian

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Stress from student debt reducing productivity: MEF

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING Employers

JAYA:

Malaysian

PUCHONG: Eighteen families affected by the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire can heave a sigh of relief as their homes in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, Puchong have been fully repaired and rebuilt. The handover of keys yesterday marks a milestone in government disaster assistance under the Housing and Local Government Ministry Sentuhan Kejayaan 2025 programme. Speaking at the ceremony, its minister Nga Kor Ming said the programme reflects the commitment of the government to rebuilding lives. He highlighted the creation of the National Housing Disaster Trust Fund, Malaysia’s first fund designed to provide comprehensive support for disaster victims. “Compared with previous governments, when disasters such as fires or floods occurred, district offices could only provide RM5,000 or, at most, RM10,000. The rest was borne by the (affected individuals) themselves. “But under the Malaysia Madani aspiration, I proposed to the Cabinet that any house damaged by a major disaster not only receive financial assistance and support, but for the first time in history, destroyed houses will be rebuilt. “This is proof that the government truly cares for the people.” Also present at the ceremony were Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin and Petronas Gas Berhad CEO Abdul Aziz Othman. Nga also acknowledged that reconstruction of homes in Taman Putra Harmoni, the site of the gas pipeline incident, has yet to begin due to unresolved complaints and ongoing court cases. “Some residents did not agree to receive government assistance or have taken legal action. As a result, although funds and machinery are available, these legal disputes prevent Federation (MEF) president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said financial stress linked to National Higher Education Fund Corporation loan repayments is reducing workplace productivity by up to 15%. He told theSun MEF’s engagements with employers revealed that the debt has become a part of the financial burden faced by fresh graduates and early-career employees whose salaries have not kept up with rising living costs. “Impacts observed include reduced focus and cognitive overload, in which financially stressed employees spend work hours worrying about bills and repayments. “There is lower engagement and motivation, higher absenteeism because employees may take part-time jobs or gig work, and increased requests for salary advances or early wage access, which is a sign of financial strain. “Overall, financial stress, of which the debt is a part, could reduce productivity by an estimated 10% to 15% based on internal employer observations and HR feedback shared with MEF.” He added that loan obligations also influence career decisions and Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Perak exempt from rare earth ban IPOH: Perak continues to enjoy a special exemption by the federal government to export rare earth elements (REE), despite the ban on exporting the material being in effect until 2027, as the state is still in the pilot project phase. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state was given special permission to export to prevent material that has already been extracted from being wasted, with approval being granted from time to time until it is halted by the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry. “But for the time being, we (Perak) are still allowed (to export), and we are working to build the NR-REE (non radioactive rare earth elements) industry, not just the upstream industry (for) extraction, but also the midstream industry to separate the element and the downstream industry. “We want to develop an industry that could grow and produce end-products from REE,“ he said at a press conference after officiating at the Perak Geospatial Aspirations event on Wednesday. On Nov 13, the federal government implemented a short-term moratorium on the export of raw REE from 2025 to 2027, in support of the development of the midstream industry. Meanwhile, Saarani said the state government welcomes the presence of external parties who wish to share technology, but emphasised that Perak would not permit any party that wants to extract the state’s natural resources without joint development. – Bernama parliamentary statement on Dec 3, in which he revealed mounting student debts of RM257.56 million among higher-income households and RM10.23 billion among aid recipients (as of Oct 31). “Employers be positioned as debt collectors, guarantors or the party responsible for repayment compliance. The root of higher education loan repayment difficulties is income stagnation, especially within B40 and lower-M40 segments.” theSun on Dec 4 reported that expert and survey findings showed repayment failures stem from different causes. Low-income borrowers lack sustainable income, middle-income groups are squeezed by childcare, loans and rising living costs, while high-income defaulters delay payment out of attitude or choice, not affordability. The report was a follow-up to Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud’s must not

He also said employers remain cautious due to practical risks. “Some employees with very tight cash flow may sign up but later request reversal, creating administrative loops. “Employers worry about being blamed for arrears if employees resign, are terminated or go on unpaid leave. Smaller companies with basic payroll systems may find frequent changes difficult to track.” Syed Hussain said employers could still play a supportive role in improving financial resilience without being made liable for repayments. “Employers should not be expected to shoulder financial obligations related to student loans, but they could run financial management programmes, educate younger employees on the importance of structured repayments and work with the corporation to conduct on-site briefings or digital clinics during employee onboarding.

employees, especially in sectors in which wages remain compressed.” On salary deductions, Syed Hussain said employers support voluntary arrangements but emphasised that participation must be strictly initiated by the workers. “Employers are generally supportive of voluntary mechanisms, provided that the process remains voluntary and employee-initiated, the administrative burden is minimal and there is no implied obligation or liability on employers. “However, MEF emphasises that employers should not be turned into debt collectors for government agencies. “Any deduction scheme must be opt-in, based on written employee consent and simple to administer, similar to the Employees’ Provident Fund, Socso or zakat deductions, and non-punitive, meaning no penalties for employers due to delays, system errors or employee status changes.”

o ‘Impacts observed include cognitive overload, absenteeism and high turnover’ “Employees may job-hop in search of higher salaries to ease repayment pressure. Fresh graduates with higher education loan debts may avoid formal sector jobs that enforce direct deductions, leading to higher turnover or preference for gig or contract roles. “Some resign to pursue freelance or gig platforms offering faster cash flow, even if long-term career progression is compromised. “The debt is a structural factor contributing indirectly to retention challenges among younger turnover patterns among younger workers.

Houses of 18 families affected by gas pipeline fire rebuilt

Nga poses for a photograph with a homeowner in front of a rebuilt unit at Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru during the handover of keys ceremony. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

construction from moving forward.” “To address this, we have appointed Sime Darby as the master developer for Taman Putra Harmoni. As the original developer of Putra Heights, they already have building plans and a master plan, which would speed up the process. “I appeal to everyone to adopt a spirit of compromise. The government comes with sincerity to help.” He praised Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad for fast-tracking reconstruction. The agency rebuilt and repaired the 18 homes with a total allocation of RM4.85 million. “Normally, building a house takes 24 months under the Housing Act. But I told them we cannot wait, work must be done day and night. “That is how we completed it

pipeline leak triggered a massive explosion and subsequent fire, with flames soaring up to 30m. On Oct 18, 36 Putra Heights residents filed a civil suit at the Shah Alam High Court against five parties over the incident, which left 150 people injured and destroyed numerous homes. The plaintiffs named Petronas Gas Bhd, Hong & Hong Homes Sdn Bhd, Pinterest Ventures Sdn Bhd, the Subang Jaya City Council and the government as defendants. The residents appointed former attorney-general Tommy Thomas as their lead lawyer. They are seeking compensation for property damage, health issues, emotional distress and are demanding accountability and transparency from the authorities.

within six months,” Nga said, adding that all work was fully funded by the government. One of the beneficiaries, Zainuddin Abdul Halim, 61, expressed gratitude for the support and recounted his family’s ordeal. “ Alhamdulillah , I am grateful for the assistance provided. Although it cannot fully replace what we lost, it has helped us continue our lives. “There are just a few things still unresolved – electricity, water and minor issues but we are grateful for what we have. “We cannot live as before. We have to adjust our lives now. Thankfully, I had insurance. The disaster coverage helped a lot.” On April 1, a serious industrial accident struck Putra Heights in Subang Jaya when a Petronas gas

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Duo claim trial to graft charges o Ex-political secretary to PM and businessman deny wrongdoing in case involving RM176,000

In the same court, Tei was charged with four counts of giving bribes, totalling RM176,829.03, to Shamsul Iskandar. Tei, 37, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. “I understand (the charges). I plead not guilty and claim trial,” he said. Tei is charged with two counts of giving bribes of RM100,000 and RM40,000 to Shamsul Iskandar. He is also charged with two counts of giving bribes in the form of furniture and electrical goods worth RM14,580.03 and RM22,249 respectively to Shamsul Iskandar. The four charges, framed under Section 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law, provide imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe that was the subject matter of the offence, if the bribe can be assessed, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. Ragging culture exists, KOTA KINABALU: A discipline teacher told the Coroner’s Court here that a ragging culture exists among senior students at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha. The admission came from the school’s disciplinary unit secretary Muliati Alihuddin, 42, who is the 56th witness, during questioning on Wednesday by Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan at an inquest into the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. Amir Shah: In general, how would you describe the level of student discipline at the school since you became a discipline teacher? Muliati: Normally, the reported cases involve mobile phones, as they are prohibited. We conduct surprise inspections in the dormitories. Other disciplinary issues include students skipping Subuh prayers, improper personal appearance, such as wearing short headscarves, and not wearing the school badge. Amir Shah: What is the most serious case the school has ever encountered? Muliati: The most serious was the Zara Qairina case. We have not faced any criminal cases before this. Amir Shah: Were there any cases of ragging between senior and junior students? Muliati: Yes. Ragging cases usually involve male students. We have never received reports of ragging among female students. It usually involves light tasks such as fetching water or ironing clothes. Amir Shah: Earlier, you mentioned various programmes to discipline students. Is caning still implemented? Muliati: Previously, yes, but no longer. Only the senior assistant for student affairs is allowed to cane. Amir Shah: In general, should caning be implemented? Muliati: I think it is appropriate. There should be a devolution of power. Let us try implementing caning. The softer approach is not effective, it wasn’t like this in the past. Zara Qairina was pronounced dead at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory. – Bernama Zara Qairina inquest told

KUALA LUMPUR: Former senior political secretary to the prime minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin was charged in the Sessions Court yesterday with four counts of corruption involving RM176,829.03 in connection with mineral exploration licence approval in Sabah. Shamsul Iskandar @ Yusre Mohd Akin, 50, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him before Judge Suzana Hussin. “I understand (the charges), (I) plead not guilty and request trial,” he said. Shamsul Iskandar is accused of agreeing to accept a bribe of RM100,000 in cash from businessman Albert Tei Jiann Cheing, 37, at a hotel car park in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin on Nov 24, 2023. The payment was allegedly given as inducement for him to assist companies in

All four charges were framed under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act. The section provides a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe, if it can be assessed, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. Suzana set Jan 8 for mention and allowed bail of RM150,000 in two sureties. “The court also sets three additional conditions, namely that the accused must report to the nearest MACC office once a month, surrender his passport to the court until the case concludes, and refrain from disturbing prosecution witnesses,” the judge said.

which Tei had interests to obtain mineral exploration licence approvals in Sabah, although the matter was not connected to his principal affairs, Bernama reported. Shamsul Iskandar is also charged with receiving another bribe of RM40,000 in cash from Tei for the same purpose at a premises in Jalan Medang Serai, Bukit Bandaraya on Jan 29, 2024. He also faces two additional charges of receiving bribes in the form of furniture and electrical items worth RM14,580 and RM22,249 respectively from Tei for similar purposes. The two offences were allegedly committed at a premises in Jalan Medang Serai between Dec 7, 2023 and Jan 31, 2024, and at Jalan P14a 1/1, Precinct 14 in Putrajaya between Feb 26 and March 5, 2024.

Members of the Civil Defence team trying to calm the deer after it was captured. – R. ANBALAGAN/THESUN

Residents shocked by escaped deer loitering in housing estate

Ű BY R. ANBALAGAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

animal was finally captured. In its bid to escape, the deer ran into a back lane and fell into a drain. The team blocked both ends of the back lane and were able to eventually subdue the deer by binding its limbs. The deer suffered injuries from its fall into the drain and died as the team was lifting it into a cage for transport to a safe place for release. Efforts to resuscitate the animal were unsuccessful. The deer’s owner, Mohd Nasri from Kampung Gadong Jaya, arrived at 12.47pm to claim the animal. He said the deer had escaped from his property almost a month ago.

playground at 10am. I was shocked to see the deer and this is the first such occurrence at our housing area. “I then alerted the local Perhilitan office but was referred to the Civil Defence headquarters,” he said. Civil Defence operations officer Aminudin Suhaimi said at the scene they received a call at about 10am and arrived at about 10.15am with a team. The deer darted away once it spotted the team and evaded capture by running throughout the housing estate. The rescue team had a tough time chasing the deer as it jumped over plants and hid in bushes. It took almost an hour and a half before the

SEREMBAN: An escaped deer surprised residents of Suriaman 2B housing estate in Bandar Sri Sendayan here yesterday. The animal was involved in a “cat-and-mouse” chase with authorities for over an hour in the housing area, before it was captured. Unfortunately, it died due to injuries suffered during the chase. The deer was initially spotted by several residents, including the area’s resident association committee member, M. Anumanthan. “It was loitering near the futsal court beside a

FRIDAY | DEC 5, 2025

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Rain forecasts raise fears in Indonesia and Sri Lanka SIBOLGA: Forecasts of fresh rain yesterday raised fears of more damage in flood-hit Indonesia and Sri Lanka, after earlier deluges killed more than 1,500 people in four countries. In Indonesia, the meteorological agency warned that the three hardest-hit provinces on the island of Sumatra would see “moderate to heavy” rain between yesterday and today. The downpour started overnight, but has not reached the intensity that led to destructive flash-flooding and landslides last week. The death toll yesterday stood at 776, revised down slightly from a day earlier as information arrives from remote, inaccessible areas. More than 560 people remain missing, with patchy communications making it hard to confirm whereabouts. At a shelter in Pandan in North Sumatra, 54-year-old Sabandi said she is still traumatised by the floods that swept mud into her home last week. She waited out the floods on her roof for two days, stranded without food or water, before she was evacuated. “My house was filled with mud. The mud was so high that we could not enter the house.” While across Asia seasonal monsoons bring rainfall that farmers depend on, climate change is making the phenomenon more erratic, unpredictable and deadly. Two weather systems dumped massive rainfall on all of Sri Lanka, Sumatra, parts of southern Thailand and northern Malaysia last week. The scale of the disaster has made relief efforts challenging. In Indonesia’s Banda Aceh, an AFP reporter said the line for fuel at one gas station extended four kilometres. Elsewhere, survivors reported food shortages, price gouging and looting. In Sri Lanka, forecasters said the northeast monsoon was due to arrive from yesterday afternoon. Landslide alerts were renewed for some of the worst-hit areas of the central region and residents were advised not to return home as the already saturated slopes could collapse under more rainfall. The main highway from Colombo to Kandy, a distance of 115km, was reopened for 15 hours a day, as workers cleared mounds of soil and boulders. On an alternative route between the regions, an AFP reporter saw traffic moving at a crawl as vehicles navigated badly damaged tarmac. At least 479 people have been killed in Sri Lanka and hundreds remain missing, with the president appealing for international support. Authorities estimate they will need up to US$7 billion (RM28 billion) to rebuild homes, industries and roads, a tough ask for a country still emerging from its worst-ever economic crisis three years ago. – AFP

Thailand seizes assets in cyberscam crackdown

o All those responsible must be brought to justice under law: PM

BANGKOK: Thailand has seized more than US$300 million (RM1.23 billion) in assets tied to criminal networks running multi-billion dollar scam centres in Southeast Asia, said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Wednesday. The announcement comes after authorities across Asia, Europe and the United States targeted Cambodia’s Prince Holding Group and its global business network with asset seizures and freezes worth billions of dollars. In October, US authorities indicted Prince’s Chinese-born founder Chen Zhi, accusing him of presiding over forced labour camps in Cambodia where trafficked workers conduct online scams. Anutin said alleged scammers targeted with asset seizures valued

Some scam workers go willingly to the cyberfraud hubs while others are trafficked and held in prison-like conditions. Britain has frozen business and London property assets worth more than US$130 million and linked to Chen’s network, while Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong each swooped in with seizures as high as US$350 million. The US Justice Department in October called Prince Group “one of Asia’s largest transnational criminal organisations” and seized around US$15 billion worth of bitcoin that US authorities allege are criminal proceeds from the company’s networks. Prince this month denied that it or Chen had committed any crimes. – AFP

Cambodian senator, businessman and ally of former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. About US$290 million in assets were seized from two Thais with suspected links to scam operations. Anutin did not say when the seizures occurred. Cyberscam operations have mushroomed across Southeast Asia, often operating from unassuming office blocks or warehouses where con artists target internet users living all over the globe.

at more than US$300 million were “among the big ones”, including Chen, a Cambodian senator and two Thai nationals. “All those responsible must be brought to justice under the law.” The Thai Anti-Money Laundering Office on Tuesday said it has seized around 100 items belonging to Chen worth 373 million baht (RM48 million), including land, cash, luxury goods and jewellery. Authorities said they have also confiscated assets worth nearly US$15 million from Kok An, a

Hong Kong removes mesh nets linked to deadly fire HONG KONG: Authorities here yesterday rushed to remove all mesh netting on buildings undergoing renovation across the city after the materials were blamed for fanning a blaze that engulfed seven high-rise apartment blocks at the Wang Fuk Court complex last Wednesday, killing at least 159 people. The government on Wednesday ordered the immediate removal of scaffolding nets on all public and private residential buildings by tomorrow to “protect public safety and put residents and businesses’ minds at ease”. Renovation work across the financial hub will effectively grind to a standstill for an undefined period of time as inspectors verify that the netting meets safety standards. Police have arrested 21 people in their probe into the fire. Among them are 15 construction companies employees suspected of manslaughter, including two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction, the main contractor at Wang Fuk Court. A further six from the fire service installation contractor have been arrested on suspicion of fraud.

had told Parliament on Aug 3, 2021 that she had accompanied a rape victim to make a police report and claimed that the police officer who interviewed the victim had made comments about the victim’s attire and the fact that she had been drinking alcohol. She later admitted in Parliament that the anecdote was untrue. – Bernama Authorities said substandard plastic mesh and insulation foam used during renovation work at the estate likely fuelled the 40-hour inferno, while fire alarms were also not operating properly. Wang Fuk Court residents were told by authorities last year that they faced “relatively low fire risks” after they complained about fire hazards posed by the renovations, the city’s Labour Department said. City leader John Lee has ordered a judge-led committee to investigate the fire and review oversight of building renovations. Development Secretary Bernadette Linn on Wednesday said more than 200 private buildings, along with more than 10 public housing and government buildings, will have to remove the netting, and contractors must bear the costs. Of the 159 bodies found since the blaze, authorities say 140 have been identified, namely 91 women and 49 men, aged between one and 97. The government said more than 2,900 residents have been put in temporary accommodation, with 1,152 staying in hostels, camps or hotel rooms. Another 1,765 residents have moved into transitional housing units. – Reuters

Linn said more than 200 private buildings, along with more than 10 public housing and government buildings, will have to remove the netting, and contractors must bear the costs. – REUTERSPIC

Singapore politician loses appeal in false testimony case KUALA LUMPUR: The Singapore High Court yesterday dismissed opposition leader Pritam Singh’s appeal against his conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee, local media reported. Privileges (COP). Justice Steven Chong said the lower court judge’s decision to convict Singh was sound and supported by evidence, CNA reported. Addressing the media, the Aljunied Group Representation “I certainly took too long to respond to Raeesah’s lie in Parliament. I take responsibility for that.”

(Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act 1962 for wilfully providing a false answer during an examination before Parliament’s COP. His charges relate to his testimony before the COP, which had been convened in November 2021 to investigate a lying controversy involving then Working Party member Raeesah Khan. Raeesah, then Sengkang GRC MP,

The Elections Department of Singapore clarified in February, following Singh’s initial guilty verdict, that the ruling did not affect his status as an MP as it did not meet the disqualification threshold. Singh was charged on March 19, 2024, under the Parliament

On Feb 17, the Workers’ Party secretary-general was fined S$14,000 (RM44,380) for two counts of giving false testimony while under oath to the Parliament’s Committee of

Constituency (GRC) MP said while disappointed with the verdict, he respects and accepts the judgment without reservation.

FRIDAY | DEC 5, 2025

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WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump yesterday brought together the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for what he hailed as his latest peace triumph despite ongoing violence on the ground. He expressed hope that the agreement would pave the way for the United States to gain control over critical minerals in DRC, a violence-torn region home to many key ingredients in modern technologies, such as electric cars. Rwandan President Paul Kagame met Trump and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi in the newly renamed Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace, which Trump shuttered as part of sweeping government cost-cutting. The White House said the two leaders would sign a peace agreement, more than five months after the countries’ Foreign ministers met Trump and announced another deal to end the conflict. On the eve of the meeting, intense fighting raged in eastern DRC, where the Rwandan-backed armed group M23 has been gaining ground in recent weeks against Kinshasa’s forces. Trump has boasted that DRC, where hundreds of thousands of people have died over several decades, is among a long list of wars he has ended since he returned to office in January. DRC said the agreement with Trump would include a peace agreement, regional economic integration framework and a “strategic partnership” on natural resources. Presidential spokesperson Tina Salama said Kinshasa has been adamant on peace on the ground before proceeding to a second stage of economic development. Rwanda has made the end of its “defensive measures”contingent on Kinshasa neutralising the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, an ethnic Hutu group with links to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Kagame, who is expected to meet separately with Trump, last week publicly accused DRC of delaying the signing of an agreement. DRC Communication Minister Patrick Muyaya in turn said the fighting on the ground showed a lack of seriousness by Rwanda. – AFP BERLIN: Anyone who provides false or incomplete information during the naturalisation process will be barred from becoming a German citizen for 10 years, German Press Agency reported. This is set out in an amendment to the draft law on designating safe countries of origin by decree, which was approved by the Bundestag’s Interior Committee on Wednesday. The change comes in response to investigations into the trade of forged language certificates in several German states. The draft is to be discussed and voted on in plenary today. Another proposed change would remove the right to state-funded legal assistance for people held in deportation detention or departure custody, a right introduced only last year. – Bernama-dpa TRAM COLLISION IN POLAND INJURES AT LEAST 35 WARSAW: At least 35 people were injured after two trams collided in the southern Polish city of Krakow on Wednesday, according to Polish media, Xinhua reported. The crash occurred at 6pm local time (1700 GMT) on Bienczycka Street, when a moving Tram Line 5 struck a stationary Tram Line 52 near a major traffic roundabout. According to police and the tram transport company, two people, including one of the tram drivers, suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital in life-threatening conditions. Emergency services carried out a large-scale rescue operation and several tram lines had to be diverted. Investigators are probing the cause of the crash. – Bernama-Xinhua Trump to sign Rwanda, DRC accord GERMAN NATURALISATION BAN OVER FALSE INFO

Washington sends ICE agents to New Orleans McLaughlin said the New Orleans operation would target‘illegal criminal aliens’ wanted for‘home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto and rape’. – AFPPIC

potentially violating even some of their due process rights.” She also expressed concern about federal agents concealing their faces with masks and not being readily identifiable, news portal Nola.com reported. “If you are a masked person and not necessarily identifiable as an officer, you are coming up to people and grabbing them, it can be a real safety issue for everyone around, including the Border Patrol or ICE agents.” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the New Orleans operation would target “illegal criminal aliens” wanted for “home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto and rape”. “Under Trump and Noem, we are restoring law and order for the American people.” The Trump administration claims that most of the undocumented migrants swept up in the immigration crackdown have committed or are wanted for crimes. However, in a study published last month, the Cato Institute said only 5% of those taken into ICE custody since Oct 1 have a violent criminal conviction and 73% have no criminal conviction at all. – AFP

after US President Donald Trump said he plans to send National Guard troops to the southern US city, an action he has taken previously in Los Angeles, Washington and Memphis. “The governor called me. He would like to have us go there. He has asked for help in New Orleans and we are going to go there in a couple of weeks.” Trump has said the troops are needed in the cities to address crime and assist with the sweeping immigration crackdown he pledged to carry out during his White House campaign. Critics dispute this, with the mayors of Los Angeles and Memphis both saying the troops are not needed. The Louisiana governor is a Republican but the New Orleans mayor-elect is a Democrat. Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, who takes up her post on Jan 12, expressed concern on Wednesday about how immigration raids have been carried out in other cities. “Do we want the most violent criminals off of our streets? Absolutely. Yes. I do not think anyone is going to object to that. “But what we have been seeing across the country and in other cities is that Border Patrol appears to be targeting brown people and

NEW ORLEANS: The US Homeland Security Department launched an immigration crackdown on Wednesday in New Orleans, the latest Democratic-run city to be targeted by the Trump administration. “The men and women of the department’s law enforcement have landed in The Big Easy,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, using the nickname for the Louisiana city. She said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents “will remove the worst of the worst from New Orleans, Louisiana, after the city’s sanctuary politicians have ignored the rule of law”. Sanctuary policies enacted by local authorities in New Orleans limit the cooperation of local law enforcement with federal immigration agents. The crackdown in New Orleans comes a day o Mayor-elect concerned over how raids have been carried out in other cities

BR I E F S

Britain to boost facial recognition to curb crime LONDON: Use of facial recognition technology will be expanded across Britain’s police forces to help track down criminals, the government said yesterday, as it proposed a new body to oversee its use. treated like suspects on an almost daily basis.“ The Metropolitan Police use live facial recognition at major events, such as soccer matches and the Notting Hill Carnival, to identify people on its watch lists. out of control, with over seven million people in England and Wales scanned by facial recognition cameras in the last year, according to police records.

“Live facial recognition could be the end of privacy as we know it,” said its director Silkie Carlo, adding that with the possibility of the government introducing mandatory ID cards with facial biometrics, “we are hurtling towards an authoritarian surveillance state that would make Orwell roll in his grave”. The government said it would launch a 10-week consultation to examine the benefits of the technology and any safeguards needed to ensure public confidence, including privacy protections. It proposed creating a single body to oversee and regulate police use of facial recognition and similar technologies. – Reuters

The technology also helps police in criminal investigations search footage from phones, video doorbells and CCTV against its database of images of people taken on arrest. Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said facial recognition is the biggest breakthrough in catching criminals since DNA matching. “It has helped take thousands of dangerous criminals off our streets and has huge potential to strengthen how police keep us safe. We will expand its use so that forces can put more criminals behind bars and address crime in their communities.” Big Brother Watch said surveillance is already

The technology is used by London’s Metropolitan Police, which has made 1,300 arrests using facial recognition in the last two years, including rapists, domestic abusers and violent criminals, and found more than 100 sex offenders who had breached their licence conditions. However, civil liberties group Big Brother Watch called the planned expansion of facial recognition a grave threat to privacy. “Laws in Europe protect the public against facial recognition mass surveillance, but Britain is an outlier in the democratic world, with the public now watched by these cameras and