09/12/2025

TUESDAY | DEC 9, 2025

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Call for stricter oversight on contractors, projects

MH370: MAS ordered to pay over RM13m

Ű BY THE SUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Anwar expresses concern over border clashes PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has voiced concern over renewed armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces along their shared border, adding that escalating tensions could undo years of diplomatic progress. “I offer my condolences to the families of those who have been killed or injured.” “The renewed fighting risks unravelling the careful work that has gone into stabilising relations between the two neighbours.” He emphasised that both Thailand and Cambodia are close partners of Malaysia and key members of Asean. He urged the governments to exercise maximum restraint, maintain open communication channels and make full use of existing regional mechanisms to manage the situation. “Malaysia stands ready to support steps that could help restore calm and avert further incidents,” he said, adding that Asean cannot afford for long-standing territorial disputes to spiral into repeated confrontations. “The immediate priority is to halt the fighting, safeguard civilians and return to a diplomatic path supported by international law and the neighbourly spirit on which Asean depends.” International media reported that Thai army spokesman Major-Gen Winthai Suvaree confirmed air operations along the disputed frontier, following accusations from both sides of ceasefire violations. He said Thai forces targeted several Cambodian positions to neutralise ongoing cross-border fire. PETALING JAYA: A Beijing court has ordered Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to pay more than 2.9 million yuan (about RM1.69 million) per case to the families of eight missing passengers from flight MH370, Reuters reported. Quoting state broadcaster CCTV, the report said the ruling covers eight cases, while another 47 related cases have already been settled and withdrawn, and 23 remain under trial. MH370 vanished on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board. Its disappearance remains one of aviation’s greatest unsolved mysteries. China’s state media reported that many plaintiffs initially sought larger sums, between 10 million and 80 million yuan per family, along with moral damage claims of up to 40 million yuan. Earlier settlements for more than 110 families resulted in compensation of up to 3 million yuan each. The Malaysian government approved a new seabed search this year, to be conducted by robotics firm Ocean Infinity over a 15,000sq km area in the southern Indian Ocean under a “no find, no fee” agreement. Operations are set to resume on Dec 30. Previous searches included a multinational effort with 60 ships and 50 aircraft from 26 countries, which ended in 2017, and a 2018 Ocean Infinity search that concluded after three months. MH370 lost contact with air traffic control less than an hour after takeoff and radar showed it had deviated from its planned route. The mystery continues to haunt the families, many of whom have long called for renewed searches to find closure. Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

He urged ministry officials to empower low-level officers to provide feedback from the ground, ensuring projects reflect the actual needs of communities. He added that the Works Ministry, which oversees infrastructure development, is a cornerstone of the country’s development agenda. He also said its success is critical for broader state and national growth. “We have major infrastructure projects in Sabah, including roads, water and electricity. Sabahans feel anxious because they are not yet fully confident and I do not blame them, even though we have approved the largest allocation in history. “The overall development and operating expenditure for Sabah is RM17 billion in total, with nearly RM1 billion for water and RM1.2 billion for electricity, yet some projects are still not completed. We understand their frustration, as they have felt neglected for a long time. “That is why I went down to Sabah on Saturday and told them we will monitor the projects and implementation programmes. As minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi will also oversee these projects.” Anwar emphasised that at the state level, in

Sabah, Sarawak, Perlis or Kelantan, projects must be implemented according to schedule and officers on the ground often have a better understanding of local needs than higher-level planners. “I have asked the chief secretary to allow all officers, including low-ranking staff, to provide feedback, not just on projects, but their suggestions as well. “For example, a school project may be approved, but if roads are in poor condition, that might not be included in the project. “Giving officers the chance to submit their observations ensures their input is considered, even if it falls outside existing processes.” He also highlighted that while smaller projects may be handled by other departments, large-scale infrastructure initiatives remain under the remit of the Works Ministry, underlining the its key role in driving development. “Today, I want to express appreciation for what has been done, but also to set high expectations moving forward. “We acknowledge progress made, but there is always room for improvement. Striving for excellence does not mean belittling past achievements, but recognising areas that need further work.”

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the ministry operates under strict governance and standard operating procedures. “Any claims involving the removal of safety barriers must be investigated to identify those responsible. In locations affected by erosion or similar risks, precautionary safety measures are consistently implemented,” he told reporters at the ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday. He emphasised that the department did not remove the barrier and investigations are already under way, including site inspections following any incident. “We are confident those responsible would be identified. For now, we do not know who removed the barrier, and we urge anyone with information to come forward.” The clarification comes after an SUV travelling to Gua Musang, Kelantan, plunged into a ravine on Friday, killing both the driver and a passenger. Police said warning signs and road barriers at the site were believed to have been removed by irresponsible parties. Preliminary investigations indicate the SUV was not speeding, and the crash was likely due to human negligence. The dash cam of the vehicle was missing, with only its mounting base recovered, and authorities would continue monitoring the site and take legal action. Nanta also highlighted the ministry’s close monitoring of landslide-prone areas during the rainy season through a command centre overseeing risk-prone zones nationwide. “We monitor not only landslides but also floods, and anything that could cause damage to roads or threaten the safety of road users.” On Budget 2026, he expressed gratitude, saying the allocation reflects the confidence of the prime minister and Cabinet in the ministry. He added that the funding comes with a responsibility to maintain world-class, sustainable and safe infrastructure. “The completion of seven hospitals, 14 health and underprivileged clinics, and two specialist centres has expanded healthcare access. In education, 127 projects worth RM88 million and KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on the Works Ministry to tighten oversight on contractors and closely monitor all ongoing projects nationwide to ensure they are completed on time. Speaking at the ministry’s monthly assembly, Anwar said thousands of projects, from state-level initiatives to national developments, must have their performances properly recorded and delays addressed immediately. “Delays in projects, even by a single month, cause hardship for those who depend on them. If a bridge meant to be completed in January is delayed to February, people suffer. Six months, they struggle. Ten months, they are in distress. But if your work is carried out with the right intention, I believe it could be done.” Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com o Delays cause hardship for those who depend on them, says PM

Ministry denies barrier removal at landslide site KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry has hit back at claims that a road barrier was removed at a deadly landslide site in Hulu Terengganu, insisting the Public Works Department was not involved.

Nanta (third from left) officiating at the Skuad Ihsan Madani launch during the Works Ministry monthly assembly. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

92 multipurpose school halls have addressed overcrowding and enhanced learning. “Hybrid solar upgrades in Sabah and Sarawak now provide 24-hour electricity to remote schools, while police lift upgrades benefit over 12,620 personnel and their families.” Highlighting infrastructure success, Nanta cited the Bagan Datuk–Kampung Sejagop Bridge, which improves connectivity and has gained international recognition. “MyJalan remains the government’s key platform for responsive, data-driven road maintenance. From August 2023 to September this year, 95.8% of complaints on ministry

managed roads have been resolved, while 30,527 were forwarded to other agencies under the No Wrong Door policy. “MyJalan 2.0 would bring smart integration, real-time tracking and safety analytics. Upgrades to 67 intersections with smart traffic lights have improved traffic flow and reduced accidents. “The government focuses not only on mega projects but also on initiatives that directly impact lives. We no longer wait for problems to arise; we are present from pre-construction to ensure we are ‘doing it right the first time’ and fully understand the realities on the ground.” – By Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi