30/12/2025

TUESDAY | DEC 30, 2025

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‘Civic education pivotal to help curb littering culture’

New Year foam party raises objections MIRI: An upcoming New Year countdown“public foam party”being planned by a group of private non-governmental bodies in the city has stirred up strong objections from certain community groups who are concerned with the type of activities that may take place. State Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Karim Hamzah yesterday urged for stricter scrutiny. He called on the Miri City Council and enforcement agencies to closely monitor the planned party activities. “The proposed party has faced strong objections from several community organisations. It is not organised by any government agency but by private non-governmental bodies. “Even so, government authorities have a duty to safeguard the broader interests of the community. “We have called for stricter scrutiny and I understand that the Miri City Council has met with the organisers to impose tighter controls on permitted activities.“ The proposed party to be held in a location near Miri City centre has received objections from a coalition of ethnic groups. Miri Kedayan Association, Miri Malay Association, Malaysian Welfare and Islamic Dakwah Association Miri and several other concerned groups have issued a public notice protesting the proposed party. They have expressed worries about the activities being planned, saying such public foam parties are alien to local cultures and may negatively influence the young. BY JOSEPH PETER newsdesk@thesundaily.com One dead, one injured in road crash with cow JASIN: A motorcyclist was killed and another was injured after their motorcycles collided with a cow crossing the road on the Alor Gajah-Central Malacca-Jasin Highway at Serkam on Sunday. Jasin police chief Supt Lee Robert said they received a report about the crash at 11pm and found that it involved two men, both aged 25, travelling from Merlimau to Jasin. “Initial investigations found that a cow suddenly crossed the road, causing the riders to crash into the animal and lose control, veering off into the left lane.“ One motorcyclist suffered severe injuries to his body and arms and was pronounced dead at the scene while the other sustained injuries to his face. The injured motorcyclist was taken to the Malacca Hospital for further treatment. The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Police urged anyone who witnessed the crash or has information to contact investigating officer Insp Wan Nuralia Asyikin Wan Ibrahim at 011-6464 8182 or the Jasin police headquarters Complaint Counter at 06-529 2222 (ext. 260). – Bernama

enforcement against littering in public places. He said enforcement officers have been instructed to uphold the new law, which aims to strengthen civic responsibility and public cleanliness, Bernama reported. “Anyone, including foreigners, who throws rubbish in public places will be fined RM2,000 and sentenced to 12 hours of public cleansing work,” he said. Meanwhile, Lee noted that although public service is a suitable method to instil discipline among stubborn offenders who ignore fines, its enforcement must be executed properly and fairly by relevant authorities. He noted that aside from the ministry’s initiatives, local authorities must also play their part by ensuring sufficient manpower is deployed on the ground to enforce the order effectively.

Citing Japan as an example, Lee said the country’s success in maintaining cleanliness is not merely due to laws, but stems from a mindset nurtured from a young age. “In Japan, when you walk along the streets, you will find that there are hardly any rubbish bins. People there have reached a stage at which if they have waste paper with them, they simply keep it in their pocket until they find a proper place to dispose of it,” he said. Lee also emphasised that integrity is a critical element in this issue, noting that individuals should not litter even when no one is watching. “Civic education is the key to all this, and there is no better place to instil it than in schools, to teach children from a young age to care for and love the environment, and not to do anything that would pollute it.” Over 265m scam calls, texts blocked this year KUALA LUMPUR: U Mobile Sdn Bhd has blocked more than 265 million scam calls and fraudulent SMS attempts nationwide since rolling out full-scale network-level scam protection across its 4G and 5G network as of December. In a joint statement, U Mobile and Cellusys said the initiative, powered by Cellusys’s advanced firewall technology, has enabled the telecommunications company to block scam attempts via screening all inbound calls and SMS at the network level, preventing suspicious communications from reaching customers’ devices. “The solution has protected U Mobile customers from scam calls impersonating authorities and institutions, SMS phishing attacks, spoofed or manipulated caller identities, and high-volume criminal campaigns.” U Mobile chief technology officer Woon Ooi Yuen said embedding the advanced scam protection solution from Cellusys reflects a commitment to safeguarding its customers against fraudulent activities. “As we expand our 5G network nationwide, security is a core priority because trusted connectivity is vital to a resilient digital economy.” Cellusys CEO Brendan Cleary said U Mobile’s deployment sets a benchmark for scam prevention in Malaysia and the wider region. “This deployment demonstrates what can be achieved when operators commit to proven, real-world defences rather than future roadmaps.” According to the statement, citing the Global Anti-Scam Alliance’s findings, 73% of Malaysians have reported experiencing scam calls or fraudulent SMS, with criminal groups increasingly targeting households, senior citizens and vulnerable individuals. – Bernama

o Community service orders is appropriate and overdue, but does not guarantee long-term shift in societal attitude: NGO chairman

KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of community service orders for habitual litter offenders is seen as an appropriate measure, but the ultimate solution to the nation’s cleanliness issues lies in strengthening civic education. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said while punishment in the form of shaming or public humiliation for habitual offenders is long overdue, it does not guarantee a long-term shift in societal attitude. He said apart from enforcement, the key to shaping a clean society that does not litter indiscriminately is a high level of civic awareness,

which must be cultivated from an early stage. “Even if you keep imposing fines on them (offenders), they do not bother. Some might pay, some do not. This acts more as a deterrent for certain people, but it is still not the solution to the problem. The solution lies in education, and it must be emphasised, beginning from school.” On Saturday, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming issued a final reminder that the community service order for littering offences would come into force on Jan 1, 2026 as part of stricter

EXPELLED AND ADRIFT ... A Kampung Seberang Batu Badak flood evacuee yesterday near his house in Segamat, which was hit by floods following continuous heavy rain on Friday and Saturday. – BERNAMAPIC

Bank accounts seized in bribery case

PUTRAJAYA: Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed yesterday that it has seized six bank accounts believed to be owned by an Armed Forces senior officer and his family to facilitate investigations into a corruption case involving an Armed Forces procurement project. Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that an investigation paper has been opened under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 over the matter. “MACC officers conducted searches at several companies The Malaysian

adding that several main witnesses, such as contractors believed to have secured Armed Forces contracts, would be called up. “MACC has recorded the statements of five company owners, and 10 witnesses were called up to assist investigations,” the source said, adding that MACC is looking into about 40 companies suspected to be involved in providing bribes. MACC is expected to expand its probe to include financial flows, project procurements and relations between individuals and companies involved, the source said. – Bernama

believed to be involved to secure related documents and evidence.” He said the investigation is now focused on the cash flow suspected to be deposited into the account owned by the senior officer. The suspect was supposed to have shown up at the MACC headquarters to provide his statement on Sunday, but was rushed to the hospital and admitted to the ICU on the day itself, an MACC source said. The suspect is receiving treatment and his statement has yet to be recorded, the source said,