12/12/2025

FRIDAY | DEC 12, 2025

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Violence among minors saddens Ruler KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed sadness over the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Utama 4 in Petaling Jaya in October. “I never imagined that such a tragedy could happen in Malaysia, more so in Selangor. I could only think of the families of these students. I feel deeply for the family of the deceased.” Sultan Sharafuddin said he had given deep thought to what had happened. “I have listened to many views. One thing is certain, we cannot ignore this. I pray it won’t happen ever again, anywhere. It is more than just a disciplinary problem. It is about values, environment and digital influence. “Malaysians are quick to blame other people. Teachers are blamed, the Education minister is blamed, the ministry is blamed. We blame everyone except ourselves as parents,’’ the Ruler said in an interview with Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai in conjunction with his 80th birthday. “We have no idea what kind of games these minors are playing online. Is the content violent in nature? Do they promote forbidden content? “We expect teachers to be surrogate parents after the children are dropped off at the school gates.” Sultan Sharafuddin said the problem grows in the absence of support when families are too busy to connect, when schools focus more on grades than emotional well-being and when online platforms become a child’s primary source of social activities. The Sultan called for greater digital literacy and empathy education not only in schools but also for parents, Bernama reported. “Know what your kids are doing. Please take a more active role to talk to your children. They have become more connected online than ever but increasingly disconnected from empathy.” He said he is happy that the government is taking steps to prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media, saying it is apt. ‘Court victories affirm sovereignty’ KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s continued victories in international courts over claims by individuals asserting heirship to the defunct Sulu Sultanate mark a clear legal affirmation of the nation’s sovereignty and independence. Bar Council president Datuk Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said the Paris Court of Appeal’s decision to fully annul the US$14.9 billion (RM61.21 billion) “final award” provides legal clarity and reinforces the principle that valid jurisdiction is fundamental to any arbitration. He said the ruling also shows that international legal mechanisms could function effectively to prevent misuse or overreach within the arbitration process, Bernama reported. “The Bar Council recognises the government’s and the national legal team’s sustained efforts in defending Malaysia’s sovereignty through proper judicial channels.” The Paris Court of Appeal annulled the award issued on Feb 28, 2022 by arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa and ordered the claimants to pay €200,000 (RM961,000) in costs to Malaysia. The Sulu Special Secretariat’s War Room confirmed the decision was delivered on Dec 9, with Malaysia receiving the official judgment the next day. The court found Stampa had no jurisdiction as no valid arbitration agreement bound Malaysia. The same court had previously rejected recognition and enforcement of Stampa’s “partial award” on June 6, 2023, a decision later upheld by the French Court of Cassation. Former Bar Council president Salim Bashir also described the judgment as a legal acknowledgement of Malaysia’s sovereignty.

Selangor Sultan’s daughter heads honours list KLANG: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s daughter Tengku Zerafina headed the list of 98 recipients of state awards and honours conferred in conjunction with His Royal Highness’ 80th birthday celebration yesterday. Tengku Zerafina was awarded the Darjah Kerabat Selangor Yang Dihormati. Sharafuddin Idris Shah , which carries the title “Datuk Setia”, was awarded to Selangor Islamic Religious Council deputy chairman Tan Sri Mazlan Mansor, YTL Corporation Berhad executive director Datuk Mark Yeoh Seok Kah and Subang Jaya Medical Centre orthopaedic consultant surgeon Datuk Dr Anuar Onah. Sultan Sharafuddin arriving for the investiture ceremony at Balairung Seri in Istana Alam Shah yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Committee chairman Datuk Rizam Ismail, Road Transport Department Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli, Universiti Putra Malaysia Vice Chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah and Selangor Education Department director Dr Jafri Abu. Others honoured with the award were Federal Court Judge Datuk Azizah Omar, Court of Appeal Judge Ong Chee Kwan, Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Division Director-General Rear Admiral Fadhil Abdul Rahman, Royal Malaysian Navy Development Planning and Strategy Assistant Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Ahmad Shafirudin Abu Bakar and Royal Malaysian Air Force Personnel Services Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff Brig-Jen Hamdan Ahmad. – Bernama

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil led the list of 16 recipients of the Darjah Kebesaran Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Selangor, which carries the title “Datuk” for men and “Datin Paduka” for women. Among the other recipients of the same award were Selangor state financial officer Datuk Dr Haniff Zainal Abidin, state Rural Development, Unity and Consumer Affairs

At the investiture ceremony held at the Balairung Seri, Istana Alam Shah, Sultan Sharafuddin also conferred the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor , which carries the title “Datuk Seri”, to Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah Fook Ling. The Darjah Kebesaran Dato’ Setia Sultan

Dress code at govt offices relaxed for emergencies

o ‘Decision takes into account frontline services such as security, healthcare and others that public have direct interaction with’

Wednesday, among other things, had proposed that several front-line services, including police stations and other government premises, be exempted from the chief secretary to the government’s circular dated Dec 1, 2020. “Recently an issue arose where an individual was reportedly denied entry to file a police report due to a clothing issue. “So, the chief secretary to the government will review the circular and make some improvements,” he said at a media conference in Parliament. “Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s view is that on security issues involving police stations, for those who wish to make a report, there should be no circumstance that prevents them from making a police report.” On Tuesday, Malacca police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar was reported to have said that a woman was not allowed to enter the premises of a district police headquarters on Monday because she had violated the dress code set for government premises. He said the incident had been widely circulated on social media. The woman in her early 20s came to the police station with her mother in her 50s to file a report because they were involved in a road accident at 5pm.

PUTRAJAYA: The government has relaxed dress code rules at government counters and offices during emergencies or unusual situations to ensure that the public’s right to immediate services is not denied. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said this decision takes into account frontline services such as security, healthcare and others that the public have direct interaction with. “Relaxation of the dress code will be allowed in emergency situations and those outside normal circumstances to ensure customers’ rights to immediate service, as outlined in Section 3.2 of Appendix A of Public Administration Circular 1/2025,” he said in a statement. He added that emergencies and situations outside normal circumstances include accident and fire reports as well as disaster related matters that pose threats to lives and property.

Shamsul Azri said for routine matters at government counters and offices, department heads have the discretion to determine the appropriate and respectful attire based on current guidelines. He said customer relations would be improved to ensure that services are accessible, friendly, efficient and responsive in line with the Ihsan principles of the Madani core values, Bernama reported. He added that guidelines under Public Administration Circular 1/2025 require that attire be respectful and appropriate in line with the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara that focuses on courtesy and morality. On Wednesday, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the chief secretary to the government would review the Cabinet’s proposal regarding exemptions to the dress code for front-line services such as healthcare and security facilities. Fahmi said the Cabinet meeting on