06/01/2026

TUESDAY | JAN 6, 2026

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‘Bribery claims must not derail tobacco control measures’

KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu exco and Kijal assemblyman Datuk Razali Idris was fined RM2,000 by the Sessions Court here yesterday after being found guilty of making seditious remarks during the launch of Bersatu’s machinery for the Kemaman by-election three years ago. He paid the fine in court, avoiding a three-month jail term. Razali, 59, and a former Bersatu information chief were charged on Nov 24, 2023 with uttering seditious words by alleging that a court decision was controlled by the government. The offence allegedly occurred at Padang Astaka Chukai, Kemaman in Terengganu between 9.30pm and 11.30pm on Nov 10, 2023. The charged was brought under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, punishable under Section 4(1), which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000, up to three years’ jail, or both. DPP Izzat Amir Idham urged the court to impose a custodial sentence, calling the offence serious. “The accused is a person of high standing and influence. A fine alone could be seen as easily bearable and would lack a deterrent effect.” Lawyer Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud, representing Razali, pleaded for no jail term, citing his client’s contributions to national politics. “The statement did not impact public order or national security. A prison term exceeding 12 months or a fine above RM2,000 would disqualify him as an assemblyman under Article 48 of the Federal Constitution, triggering a by-election.” Four prosecution witnesses and four defence witnesses, including Razali, testified during the trial. – Bernama Politician fined for seditious remarks Probe on alleged misconduct at military bases KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry has directed the Armed Forces to conduct an internal investigation into allegations that unauthorised individuals had entered military camps and that immoral activities had taken place within the premises, as claimed in widely spread social media posts. It said it viewed the allegations seriously, stressing that such claims do not reflect the culture, values or actual practices of the Armed Forces, which are founded on discipline, professionalism and strict adherence to security procedures. “If the allegations are found to be true, firm action will be taken without compromise against any party involved. “The public is advised not to engage in speculation or make premature conclusions that could mislead society and damage the reputation of the ministry and the Armed Forces.” It added that the ministry and the Armed Forces remain committed to upholding discipline, integrity and professionalism among defence personnel, and will not tolerate any conduct that could undermine the image and credibility of the nation’s defence institutions. – Bernama

He said the Act reflects decades of evidence-based policy development and Malaysia’s commitments under the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). The council said all stakeholders must remain committed to ensuring the Act’s success, despite what it described as “continued pressure” from industry players and “certain interest groups seeking to dilute its impact”. Murallitharan stressed that effective tobacco control depends on consistent and equitable enforcement nationwide, warning that weak or selective implementation risks undermining public confidence and rendering the law ineffective. “Implementation must be uniform. Tobacco and nicotine products do not harm people selectively, and enforcement cannot be selective either.” He cautioned that tobacco control efforts in Malaysia still have “unfinished business”,

areas, particularly in designated non-smoking zones. “These gaps must be addressed decisively to protect the public from exposure to tobacco smoke, reduce smoking prevalence in line with endgame targets and prevent the normalisation of smoking among children in public spaces.” He noted that compliance remains weak in public walkways, city centres and high-density urban areas, including Kuala Lumpur, where exposure to secondhand smoke persists. To shield public policy from industry interference, the council proposed a formal code of conduct governing government interactions with the tobacco and nicotine industry, in line with Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC, continuous benchmarking against international standards and a review of minimum sales prices for all nicotine products. “Tax policy alone is insufficient if products remain affordable. Price and access must be addressed together,” said Murallitharan.

o Act 852 is result of public health evidence, global best practices, efforts to safeguard citizens from nicotine addiction: NGO

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

pressure or intimidation to distract it from the core mission of protecting public health through strong and enforceable laws. “The country must remain focused on safeguarding public health, particularly through the effective implementation of tobacco control legislation.” He highlighted that the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) is Malaysia’s first standalone, comprehensive tobacco control law, encompassing tobacco, vaping and all nicotine products under a single legal framework. “Act 852 did not emerge overnight. It is the result of public health evidence, global best practices and Malaysia’s obligation to safeguard its people, especially children, from nicotine addiction.”

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control has sounded the alarm over recent allegations of bribery linked to efforts to weaken the country’s tobacco control policies, warning that such claims must not be used to “derail or discredit the implementation of effective public health laws”. It said any allegations should be investigated through proper legal channels, stressing that they must not be exploited to obstruct the enforcement of Malaysia’s tobacco control measures. Its president Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy said the nation must not allow allegations, KUALA LUMPUR: A spike in concerning social incidents involving school students last year has heightened parental fears over child safety, pushing the government to launch a regulatory “sandbox” trial programme effective Jan 1. The trial, a collaboration between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and major platforms, is designed to assess existing technical capabilities and refine regulatory controls in a contained setting before a nationwide rollout. Unlike Australia, which has implemented an outright ban for under-16s, Malaysia’s strategy is not one of prohibition. Instead, the focus is on strengthening and clarifying age verification systems to ensure robust enforcement. Child clinical psychologist Dr Noor Aishah Rosli endorsed the measured approach and called it an important long-term safeguard to protect young people from being overwhelmed by harmful digital content. The rise in social media addiction among children and adolescents is alarming. Recent studies show that nine in 10 children have social media accounts and average a staggering eight hours a day on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. Adding to the concern, 2020 Unicef report Our Lives Online revealed that 91% of Malaysian teenagers aged between 13 and 17 are daily internet users, and 70% have encountered harmful content online. Noor Aishah clarified that solving this crisis extends beyond government regulation, stressing that laws would have a limited impact without proactive parental support at home to monitor, guide and foster digital literacy.

pointing to previous regulations that allowed exemptions and grey Trial programme to refine social media regulations

Noor Aishah said laws would have limited impact without proactive parental support at home to monitor, guide and foster digital literacy. – AI IMAGE BY SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

stepping into defined roles, such as a team captain, and learning to navigate frustration under a coach’s guidance, young people develop emotional resilience and a clear personal identity. “This builds authentic self-worth and purpose. It is the opposite of the passive, algorithm-driven experience on social media.” He said ultimately, this shift away from digital dependency could sharpen a teenager’s focus and motivation, boosting performance not only on the field but also in the classroom and beyond. – Bernama

powerful antidote to social media’s passive hold. The Kolej Poly-Tech Mara sports science lecturer believes that channelling teenagers’ time into sports could actively build discipline, goal-setting skills and healthier mental wellbeing. “Cutting back on social media also directly translates to better sports performance. When you reclaim those hours, you create real opportunities for meaningful, physical engagement.“ He highlighted that sports forge a stronger sense of self, and by

“The greatest danger is passing a law but seeing no real change in behaviour. Children learn by watching and imitating, not just by being told what to do. If parents are constantly glued to their phones, kids see that as normal and copy it. “Parents must lead by example through their own discipline. Show them how to balance screen time and they will follow. Effective control starts at home, naturally.” National futsal team fitness coach Syafique Faudzil expanded on the call for proactive solutions, championing organised sport as a