05/12/2025

FRIDAY | DEC 5, 2025

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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