09/01/2026

FRIDAY | JAN 9, 2026

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Former army chief, wives remanded in graft probe o MACC says investigation paper opened over alleged corruption involving military tenders PUTRAJAYA: A former army chief of has been remanded for seven days, while his two wives were remanded for six and three days respectively from yesterday to assist investigations into alleged corruption involving army procurement tenders. The remand order was issued by Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah following an application by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) at the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning. The three arrived at the court compound at about 10am in a van and a car belonging to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Nadi tightens security after Johor break-ins and thefts JOHOR BAHRU: The National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) is conducting security assessments at affected centres following a series of break-ins and thefts reported in Johor last year. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said in a statement that the measures include improvements to access control, enhanced physical surveillance and the implementation of more targeted security awareness programmes at the community level. According to the statement, the steps are aimed at reducing the risk of recurring incidents, improving staff preparedness and strengthening the role of local communities in crime prevention efforts. Between September and December 2025, a total of 13 break ins involving Nadi facilities were recorded in Johor, resulting in the loss of cash and damage to assets. It said the incidents not only compromised the security of public facilities but also disrupted Nadi’s daily operations and the delivery of services to local communities. Meanwhile, MCMC expressed its appreciation to police, particularly the Johor Contingent Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department and the Pontian district police headquarters, for their swift action in arresting suspects believed to be involved in the break-ins and thefts. – Bernama Crocodile in flood prompts evacuation BEAUFORT: Floodwaters brought an unexpected danger to Kampung Naparan Gadong when the sighting of a crocodile in the area prompted residents to flee their homes and seek refuge at the temporary relief centre at the Kampung Padas Damit hall here. Siti Nortinah Tangkim, 33, whose house is located near Sungai Padas, said thigh-deep floodwaters had drawn a crocodile into her neighbourhood, adding that it had attacked two dogs in the area. “So, for our safety, we evacuated here,” she told Bernama at the relief centre yesterday. The mother of three, who is eight months pregnant, said the crocodile attack forced her to move to the shelter yesterday out of fear for her children’s safety. Sixty-six-year-old Risnah Madin from Kampung Mentulud said floodwaters initially reached only her ankles before rising rapidly, adding that she managed to bring only essential documents when she was rescued. Meanwhile, Kampung Padas Damit chief Jaris Sabli expressed hope that a permanent temporary relief centre would be built in the area, near the Padas Damit Health Clinic, mosque, hall and public toilets. – Bernama

ways to implement an online age verification system to better protect children, including an ‘age assurance’ approach to determine users’ actual ages. He said the system has already been implemented in Australia since December, following legislation that prohibits children under 16 from using social media, with certain exceptions. For Malaysia, he said the commission is examining the use of government-issued identification documents such as identity cards and passports for age verification, alongside a proposal to limit platform registrations to users aged 16 and above. He added that the most suitable mechanism is still under review, with further details on its implementation expected to be announced by mid year. – Bernama presence of monsoon surges that bring heavy rainfall can occur at any time, and requires continuous monitoring,” he said. Ambun added that MetMalaysia conducts round-the-clock weather monitoring and will issue early warnings once signs of monsoon surges are detected. He advised the public to obtain the latest weather updates from official MetMalaysia channels and to comply with instructions from the authorities, including evacuation orders, to reduce safety risks during extreme weather events. – Bernama “All suspects, consisting of nine men and eight women aged between 20 and 60, were detained between 8.30pm and 11.30pm on Monday when they turned up at the MACC Putrajaya office to have their statements recorded. “Initial investigations found that all suspects were believed to have offered bribes to senior officers of the Malaysian Army (TDM) in return for obtaining supply and maintenance projects with TDM,” said the statement, as reported by Bernama. MACC Investigation Division senior director Datuk Zainul Darus, when contacted, confirmed the arrests and said the case is being investigated under Section 16(b) of the MACC Act 2009. On Dec 29, the MACC seized six bank accounts believed to belong to a senior army officer and his family members to assist investigations into a corruption case involving Malaysian Army procurement projects. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 in relation to the case.

at the platform level. “Through this Act, platforms are required to take earlier preventive steps to reduce risks and protect children before harm occurs,” he said. Addressing public concerns over surveillance, Mano said Onsa 2025 does not target individuals or private one-to-one communications, but instead focuses on risk management and harmful content handled by service providers. He said the Act balances the roles of all parties, with platforms required to provide more effective safety tools and settings, parents given clearer guidance and the public encouraged to be more aware and report harmful content. Meanwhile, Mano said the Communications Ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, is studying On Tuesday, the MACC remanded 17 company directors suspected of being involved in the army procurement tender cartel network. In a statement on its official TikTok account, the MACC announced that the five-day remand order until Jan 10 was issued by Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah after an application was made by the MACC at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning. moderate to heavy intensity and has the potential to increase the risk of disasters if conditions persist. As a reminder for the public to remain prepared, he said MetMalaysia typically issues warnings for thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds under three severity levels, namely Alert (Yellow), Warning (Orange) and Danger (Red). “The alert level indicates a potential risk of extreme weather that still requires serious attention from the public. “Although the monsoon is expected to end in March, the All three, dressed in orange MACC lock-up attire, were escorted into the court complex by MACC officers. On Wednesday, the man and his wives were detained at about 7pm after giving statements at the MACC headquarters here. On Dec 23, MACC officers went to the Defence Ministry, with investigations focusing on projects carried out through open tender procurement methods as well as procurements under the Army Responsibility Centre.

The trio, dressed in orange MACC lock-up attire, arriving at the court compound. – BERNAMAPIC

Online Safety Act 2025 ensures safer internet KUALA LUMPUR: The enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2025 (Onsa 2025), which came into effect on Jan 1, aims to make the internet safer for families and children by clearly defining the responsibilities of online platforms. he said when appearing as a guest on a Bernama Radio programme on Wednesday. Mano said children are among the most vulnerable groups in the digital environment.

A study by the United Nations Children’s Fund, together with international and local partners, identified more than 100,000 children in Malaysia as being at risk of online sexual exploitation. He said enforcement operations by the police have uncovered hundreds of thousands of files related to child sexual abuse, underscoring the need for a more systematic and comprehensive approach. “This Act gives parents greater confidence that their children’s safety no longer depends solely on their own monitoring, but is also supported by systems and safeguards factors supported the development of thunderstorms. He said the main factors influencing extreme weather included wind direction and speed, as well as wind convergence in specific areas. “Throughout the Northeast Monsoon season, the most concerning factor is the presence of monsoon surges, as they can cause continuous rainfall lasting between one and three days,” he said during an interview on the Malaysia Petang Ini programme aired on Bernama TV on Wednesday. According to Ambun, such prolonged rainfall could occur at

Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (telecommunications infrastructure) Mano Verabathran said the move comes amid growing internet use among families and children, which has also led to a rise in online scams, cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content. “We want a safer digital space, where platforms are accountable, actions against harmful content are more consistent and users feel more confident when they are online. Our approach is phased and balanced. “The goal is not to punish, but to prevent harm and build a more trusted digital environment for all Malaysians,” thunderstorms and strong winds may still occur from time to time in areas not typically affected by the Northeast Monsoon if atmospheric conditions are conducive to the formation of extreme weather. Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) deputy director-general Ambun Dindang said apart from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, which are usually affected during the monsoon season, the west coast of all three regions could also experience similar conditions if atmospheric

Extreme weather still possible outside typical monsoon KUALA LUMPUR: Heavy rain,