16/12/2025

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Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

Asean talks postponed amid renewed Thai-Cambodian rift

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has no plans to upgrade the FT2 Federal Highway despite it recording its worst traffic service level in 2024, Dewan Negara was told yesterday. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said upgrading the 34.59km stretch from KUALA LUMPUR: Mastery of new technologies must go hand in hand with preserving national identity and cultural heritage, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. Speaking at the Seri Negara Conservation completion ceremony, Anwar said restoring the heritage building was not just about conservation but reaffirming the meaning of independence and national identity for younger generations. Once a symbol of colonial grandeur, Seri Negara – taken over by PETALING JAYA: Major social media and messaging platforms with at least eight million users in Malaysia will be automatically deemed registered from Jan 1, 2026, as regulators step up oversight of large online platforms operating in the country. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said the move will be implemented under a dispensation of formalities provided in Section 46A of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 known as the Deeming Provision. In a media statement, the regulator said the measure is aimed at ensuring that large-scale internet messaging and social media service providers comply with Malaysia’s legal and regulatory framework in an orderly, consistent and effective manner. The step follows the licensing framework for internet messaging and social media service providers introduced on Jan 1, 2025, which was designed to strengthen platform accountability and enforce compliance with Malaysian laws. The Deeming Provision will apply to platforms meeting the criteria, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. “This initiative also ensures that all platforms involved bear clearer responsibility for user safety, particularly in safeguarding children and families,” the commission said. Service providers already registered as Applications Service Provider Class licensees will remain registered, with the Deeming Provision taking effect only after their current registration expires. Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com Major online platforms ‘automatically registered’

“We are still coordinating and monitoring the situation closely,” Anwar told reporters after attending an event at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies yesterday. He added that the decision to defer the meeting was taken to “get everything in order” while diplomatic channels remain active. Despite the delay, Anwar stressed that Asean engagement on the issue has not paused. “We are still appealing to them to stop the fighting. This is very critical,” he said.

Meanwhile, FT5 (Jalan Klang– Sabak Bernam) at BR104 recorded a “LOS A”, showing it can still handle existing traffic, so no upgrades are planned. The West Coast Expressway, expected to be fully completed in 2026, could serve as an alternative to ease FT5 congestion. – Bernama According to Anwar, he remains in daily contact with leaders and officials to prevent further escalation and to keep lines of communication open. Responding to questions on developments in the Gulf of Thailand, including concerns over a potential blockade and its impact on maritime security and trade, Anwar said discussions were ongoing. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared again despite both countries signing the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord on Oct 26 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit. The joint declaration was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and witnessed by current Asean chairman Anwar and United States President Donald Trump. However, about a week ago, both sides accused each other of provocations along contested areas. In November, Anutin announced a suspension of the peace agreement, alleging that Cambodian forces had laid new landmines in remote jungle areas, leaving several Thai patrol soldiers seriously wounded. Tensions escalated further when Thailand and Cambodia traded accusations over who initiated a brief firefight along the border. On Dec 8, Thailand carried out air strikes, marking a renewed flare up in hostilities. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) has been postponed to Monday, Dec 22, at Thailand’s request. The meeting will be chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, in Malaysia’s capacity as the current Asean Chair. Earlier, Anwar attended the launch of The Man Who Could Move Mountains: Reflections on the Social Activism of S.M. Mohamed Idris , a commemorative book honouring the late Penang-based consumer rights champion. Anwar, who wrote the foreword, paid glowing tribute to the late Mohamed Idris, affectionately known as Uncle Idris, describing him as a man of integrity.

o Deferment allows more time to coordinate, monitor situation closely while diplomatic channels remain active, says PM

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

despite to de-escalate tensions and safeguard regional diplomacy. Anwar said the postponement was requested by the parties involved to allow more time for coordination and confidence building measures, even as Malaysia and other Asean partners continue to urge restraint. ongoing efforts

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for today has been postponed amid renewed skirmishes along the Thailand– Cambodia border, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said,

Anwar presenting the book to Consumers Association of Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kader, who is the brother of Mohamed Idris, at the launch. – BERNAMAPIC MCMC stressed that affected platforms will continue to operate their global services as usual. Strike balance between technology, heritage: Anwar

Lumpur, which is scheduled to begin operations on Dec 31. On FT28 (Kepong–Sri Petaling), Nanta noted the Sungai Besi–Ulu Kelang Expressway has helped ease congestion, but upgrading FT28 is also not viable due to similar cost and social concerns. conserving eight heritage buildings, including Seri Negara and Carcosa, and constructing a new bridge linking them to the Perdana Botanical Gardens. Built in 1896 by first British resident-general Sir Frank Swettenham, Seri Negara was his official residence from 1904. – Bernama generate RM7.85 billion by 2035, covering sites such as Dataran Merdeka, Seri Negara, Merdeka 118, the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial and Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. Khazanah is tasked with

Middle Ring Road 2 at Census Station BR903,” he said. Replying to Senator Tiew Way Keng, Nanta said the government is instead considering a new highway to disperse traffic and alternative public transport via the Light Rail Transit 3 from Shah Alam to Kuala with historical preservation, rejecting the idea that economic progress must erode heritage. He urged this approach to serve as a model nationwide, through collaboration between government agencies, local authorities and the corporate sector, to ensure cities remain culturally rich, sustainable and people-centred. The government’s Kuala Lumpur Heritage Project (Warisan KL) aims to conserve historic assets as economic and community drivers. Warisan KL is projected to

Kuala Lumpur to Port Klang is no longer economically viable due to high land and asset acquisition costs and potential social impacts. “Based on 2024 traffic data, the level of service at Census Station BR101 was ‘LOS F’, indicating heavy congestion, similar to FT28 of the the government in 1982 – should now serve as an inclusive space for all Malaysians, rather than being an exclusive domain for elites. “These historic buildings becoming preferred spaces for the ruling elite is not wrong, but ordinary citizens must also enjoy them. “Seri Negara belongs to the entire nation, reflecting its narratives, history, arts, culture and literature, in line with Madani principles of inclusivity,” he said. Anwar stressed that high investment development can coexist

FT2 Federal Highway upgrade ‘economically unviable’