18/12/2025

THURSDAY | DEC 18, 2025

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Ű BY HIMANSHU BHATT newsdesk@thesundaily.com Anwar assures leap of reforms from 2026

colour or race — that’s atrocious,”he said. “A Chinese minister in charge of FT will not marginalise Malays. We work as a whole team. “Would a Malay minister marginalise Chinese and Indians?” He stressed that all members of the Cabinet have a role to play in ensuring the public service functions effectively for all races. “She represents the government, not DAP,” he said. He added that governance in FT requires teamwork, stressing that although the mayor and senior officers may be Malays, the responsibility remains to serve and protect the

He particularly cited contentious issues such as race and language that need to be handled with firmness. In particular, he lashed out at PAS politicians who criticised the appointment of DAP’s Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh as the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of the Federal Territories (FT) because she is Chinese. Anwar described the criticisms as harsh, discordant voices. He said the matter should not be made into a racial issue, assuring that the selection of Cabinet members is not based on skin colour. “To reject a person because of her

bold leap towards having more sensitivity and effectiveness, including in our enforcement bodies,” he said. “There must be firmness in ensuring the process of law is adhered to.” He said the matter was touched on during the first meeting of the newly reshuffled Cabinet earlier in the day. “It is important to restore confidence in institutions such as the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission), Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and so on,”he said. Anwar was speaking during a tea time meeting with chief editors of local and international news agencies at Seri Perdana here yesterday.

PETALING JAYA: A sum of RM1.87 billion has been approved for 37 rural road upgrading projects and 17 rural bridge projects in Kelantan this year under the Rural Roads Programme, the Dewan Negara was told yesterday. Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said of the projects, six have been completed, 32 are currently under construction, while 16 are at the pre implementation stage. “Kelantan has consistently received increases in terms of annual costs or budget allocations for projects implemented under the ministry. “Next year, Kelantan’s allocation will increase further by RM450.7 million,” she said during the oral question-and answer session. Rubiah was responding to Senator Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz, who sought an update on the status of rural development projects in Kelantan under the rural roads programme. She said monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for such projects were carried out through coordination meetings at the federal, ministry and state levels, alongside periodic reporting and on-site monitoring visits. “The ministry has implemented recovery and improvement measures to ensure that problematic projects can be completed according to plan and enhance the wellbeing of the rural population.” Earlier, she was responding to a question from Senator Michael Mujah Lihan on the latest status of the abandoned rubber smallholding rehabilitation programme in Sarawak. Rubiah replied that a total of 553ha of rubber smallholdings had been rehabilitated this year, while another 365ha are currently undergoing rehabilitation. She said 243ha of rubber smallholdings were rehabilitated in Sarawak last year, involving 142 smallholders, with an allocation of RM656,000. Kelantan gets RM1.87b for rural roads, bridges He also cautioned against acting like “moral police”, criticising incidents where individuals were barred from entering emergency-related public places such as police stations because of their attire. Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com interests of all communities. The prime minister also expressed disappointment over incidents of moral policing, including cases where individuals were targeted over their dressing, such as the recent pressures faced by all-girl pop music group Dolla. “Do not go overboard. If you do not want to see, don’t go,” he said, expressing concern over what he described as extremist views.

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed determination for his administration to take a “bold step” in instituting reforms in Malaysia in 2026. He said the focus of the first three years of the Madani Government he leads was to bring about stability. He added that the government intends to continue with the reforms it has implemented, such as subsidy rationalisation, since taking power. “I feel we have reached the point where we should move forward with a

Newly minted Youth, Sports minister reports for duty

marked the second Cabinet reshuffle under Anwar’s administration, following the first on Dec 12, 2023. Mohammed Taufiq, 29, is a medical doctor who has served as the Sungai Petani MP since November 2022. His father, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, is the Dewan Rakyat Speaker. He holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Bandung Islamic University in Indonesia and previously underwent medical training at several hospitals in Malaysia. In the 15th General Election, he secured 50,580 votes to defeat Perikatan Nasional candidate Dr Robert Ling Kui Ee, who garnered 49,465 votes. Mohammed Taufiq is also the vice chief of Angkatan Muda Keadilan and the Sungai Petani PKR division chief.

associations under the ministry, and more importantly, collaborate with other ministries to ensure that efforts to strengthen the youth and sports agenda – particularly in shaping a Malaysia Madani – can be realised. “So please allow me some time. I am confident that with the trust placed in me and the support of the ministry’s leadership, we will be able to elevate the ministry to greater heights.” On Tuesday, Mohammed Taufiq emerged as one of the new faces in national politics, representing the younger generation in the Dewan Rakyat. His appointment was announced by the prime minister as part of the Madani Government Cabinet reshuffle, which filled several vacant posts. It

o Pledges continuity at ministry, says youth development and elite sports key to unity

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

including the ministry’s secretary general, to provide more detailed explanations on current issues. Outlining his leadership approach, Mohammed Taufiq said youth development and high-performance sports would be among his key priorities. He stressed that youth development is essential in preparing a stronger future generation, while young people can also elevate sports as a platform for unity and national pride. “I will work closely with all

PUTRAJAYA: Newly appointed Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari hit the ground running, reporting for duty at the ministry on his first day in office yesterday following the Cabinet reshuffle. Speaking at a press conference, he pledged to continue and strengthen ongoing initiatives, stressing that both youth development and high performance sports play a vital role in fostering national unity. “Earlier, I took the oath before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong together with the deputy minister as well as other Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers. “First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for placing his trust in me and my deputy minister to jointly lead the ministry and ensure continuity in its work,” Mohammed Taufiq said. He was accompanied by his deputy, Mordi Bimol, on their first official day in office at the Youth and Sports Ministry Tower. He also expressed appreciation to former minister Hannah Yeoh and former deputy minister Adam Adli Abd Halim, crediting both for laying what he described as strong and effective groundwork during their tenure. “As this is my first day, there are many matters that require closer examination. I intend to review existing issues and receive briefings before outlining my policy direction,” he said, adding that he would meet the media again after receiving briefings from senior officials,

Mohammed Taufiq officially began his tenure as Youth and Sports minister, greeted by ministry officials in Putrajaya yesterday. Also present was his deputy, Mordi (second from left). – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

‘Strategic plan to boost healthcare for Orang Asli community’

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is finalising the Orang Asli Social Determinants of Health Strategic Plan 2025–2035 to ensure the community has access to healthcare services that is on a par with the general population. Newly appointed Health Deputy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said the

Asli under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Separately, she said 183 samples, or 5.7% of the 3,220 food samples analysed from January to September this year, were found to be non-compliant with the Food Regulations 1985. Hanifah said the samples involved meat, fish, vegetables and fruits sold at

public markets and retail outlets, including imported products inspected at entry points and in local markets. The inspections were carried out through a year-round risk-based food sampling programme to analyse various food safety parameters. – Bernama

Orang Asli community, towards a healthy, progressive society that is rooted in culture and environmental sustainability,” she said in the Dewan Negara yesterday. She was responding to a question from Senator Manolan Mohamad on whether the ministry has prepared a special health action plan for the Orang

plan was developed using a whole-of government and whole-of-society approach, involving 17 ministries and agencies, including the Orang Asli Development Department. “This is to ensure health interventions are aligned with the national social and economic development direction for the