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No. 9030 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195)

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The council has been tasked with conducting a study and submitting recommendations to the Education Ministry. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Potential policy shift indicated by govt decision to reactivate National Education Advisory Council to review need for exams meant to assess progress of primary school pupils: Expert p y f yg y y f UPSR may return

Employers dropping probation models for contractual work to assess new staff before offering permanent positions. INSIDE

BN role in federal, state govts and local appeal of Warisan main features at Sabah by-elections.

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Welfare home for underprivileged girls appealing for aid to acquire premises for educational programmes.

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NATIONAL 2 theSun on Sunday JAN 11, 2026

‘Global hypocrisy persists over gaza’ KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said global leadership continues to fall short in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, adding that hypocrisy and moral failure are undermining efforts to uphold justice and accountability. “To me, I always use the term ‘divorce of conscience, moral deficit’. In fact, it’s hypocrisy and abandonment of reason and morality,” he said in an interview with Turkish public broadcaster TRT World’s One on One programme during his recent visit to Turkiye. He said the scale of the crisis raised serious questions about the international community’s understanding of the historical roots of the Palestinian issue. “You mean to say after all that’s happening in the world, you still fail to understand the historical antecedents of Palestine? I don’t believe this.” He said the failure to grasp the issue could not be explained by ignorance alone. “Except if you take a very strong fanatical Zionist line, racist line or anti-colour, whatever. But there’s no rhyme or reason why one cannot grasp.” Drawing comparisons with Europe’s own history, Anwar questioned whether humanity had learnt from past atrocities. “What happened to our historical experience in Germany? Haven’t we learnt anything?” Anwar said the situation in Gaza reflects a continuation of colonial injustice. – Bernama

King gives approval for Anti-Bullying Act KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim signed the Anti-Bullying Act 2026 at Istana Bukit Tunku yesterday. This was stated in a post on the Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar Facebook page. establish a specific mechanism to address bullying cases involving all victims as defined and provided for under the Act. The law allows the Education minister, Mara, Defence minister, Women, Family and Community Development minister as well as the Home Affairs minister to The Act, which was passed by Parliament on Dec 3, aims to

hear and determine bullying complaints lodged by victims. The tribunal will also be empowered to award appropriate compensation or issue suitable orders for the purpose of protection and justice for victims of bullying. – Bernama

manage and regulate bullying cases in educational institutions or other institutions under their respective responsibilities and jurisdictions. The post also stated that an Anti-Bullying Tribunal will be established as a dedicated quasi-judicial body to receive,

UPSR, PT3 exams likely to be reintroduced: Academic

Anwar meets new giant panda pair KUALA LUMPUR: The new giant panda pair, Chen Xing and Xiao Yue, which arrived from China on Nov 18, and have completed their quarantine period, were introduced to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Giant Panda Conservation Centre at Zoo Negara yesterday. Anwar arrived to officiate at the panda pair’s introduction ceremony at about 11.30am. He also signed the VIP visitors book and tour the panda exhibition area. Anwar announced that the government has approved an additional allocation of RM5 million for the operations and maintenance of Zoo Negara this year, following the conservation centre’s commendable function as a tourism and environmental education attraction. “When I visited previously last year, I announced an allocation of RM5 million to provide additional facilities and supervision at Zoo Negara,” Anwar said. – Bernama PETALING JAYA: There is a strong possibility that the Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR) and the Form Three Assessment (PT3) could be reintroduced, said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute for Inclusive Development and Advancement of Malaysia deputy director Dr Anuar Ahmad. He said this in the wake of the Education Ministry’s decision to reactivate the National Education Advisory Council to review the need for reactivate National Education Advisory Council to review need for examinations signals policy shift’ Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com ‘Education Ministry decision to

timing, said reinstatement should start with earlier cohorts to allow preparation as it would be unfair to impose UPSR or PT3 on students who have already gone through classroom-based assessment. Meanwhile, Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim welcomed the decision to reactivate the council to review the possible reinstatement of UPSR and PT3. She said any decision must be evidence-based and child centred, ensuring assessments support learning, skills development and progression rather than merely ranking students. She added that if UPSR and PT3 return, they should focus on understanding and critical thinking, be lower-stakes and combined with school-based assessments, with clear teacher guidance and transparent reporting to parents. She also urged the ministry to prioritise children’s learning and wellbeing over rankings, emphasising that decisions must be equitable and communicated clearly to build trust. Anuar

“This key difference was overlooked when UPSR was abolished without adequate preparation. This is why many parents still see UPSR and PT3 as necessary to ensure that their children are learning effectively.” Anuar suggested that UPSR should not be brought back in its previous high-stakes form, which caused stress and competition among schools and students, as it was originally meant only to assess basic reading, writing and numeracy skills in Bahasa Melayu, English and Mathematics. He said without standardised exams, readiness for secondary school had declined. “UPSR results allowed early identification of pupils struggling with basic literacy and numeracy, whereas under classroom-based assessment, pupils could progress year by year without mastering these skills, sometimes up to Year Six or Form One. “(Those) entering secondary school without basic literacy and numeracy struggle with lessons and are at higher risk of dropping out.” As for implementation

the examinations. Anuar said the move signals a policy shift as the council has been tasked to conduct a study and submit recommendations to the minister. “I believe this is a necessary step and the reintroduction is possible. Many parents felt that school-based assessments following the abolition of UPSR and PT3 lacked objectivity.” He said the implementation of school-based assessment was unclear, adding that UPSR and PT3 were abolished due to Covid-19 safety concerns rather than educational considerations. “When the school-based assessment was formally introduced in 2021, we could see that many aspects were not well mastered. Preparation was insufficient and classrooms were overcrowded. “How can effective classroom assessment be carried out when there are between 45 and 55 pupils in a class? It is simply not feasible.” He added that in developed countries, classroom-based assessment works because classes are smaller, with about 20 to 25 students.

Tun M undergoing treatment at IJN PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is still being treated at the National Heart Institute (IJN) for a fractured hip sustained in a fall at his residence on Jan 6. In a statement yesterday, his office said it was decided that physiotherapy without surgery was the best option for his recovery, following consultations with specialists from IJN, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital and Kuala Lumpur Hospital. “Considering his age, the rehabilitation process is expected to take a considerable amount of time. “For now, he will not be receiving visitors, except for close family members.” Mahathir and his family expressed their gratitude to those who have been concerned and sent well-wishes for his health and wellbeing. On July 13 last year, Mahathir, now 100, was rushed to IJN due to fatigue but was discharged the same day.

Anwar viewing Xiao Yue, the female giant panda, during the event at Zoo Negara yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

NATIONAL 3 theSun on Sunday JAN 11, 2026 Employers getting cautious with entry-level hiring

PETALING JAYA: The idea that Gen Z workers are hypersensitive to routine tasks and criticism does not tell the full story, say organisational psychologists. The reality is that workplace culture has changed faster than management practices, said Universiti Teknologi Mara Perlis Arau Campus Psychology and Counselling Unit head Rozainun Mahmod. “Gen Z grew up in environments with two-way communication, instant feedback and a strong focus on mental health. “When they push back on repetitive tasks, it’s rarely about low resilience. It’s about tasks that lack meaning, learning value or relevance to their growth,” Rozainun told theSun . “For many young employees, Workplace stress affecting more young workers PETALING JAYA: Stress, confusion and early disengagement are becoming routine for many young workers navigating today’s workplaces. Organisational psychology points to a simple cause – imbalance. Too much pressure with too little support, and performance as well as wellbeing both suffer. Universiti Teknologi Mara Perlis Arau Campus Psychology and Counselling Unit head Rozainun Mahmod said mental health support must help employees thrive without lowering accountability. “Mental health initiatives are not about leniency. Done right, they combine empathy, structure and clear expectations,” she told theSun . She said research shows that employees perform best when workloads, deadlines and responsibilities are balanced with guidance, clarity and opportunities to grow. “Without it, stress rises and engagement drops. Practical support matters. Counselling, mentoring and structured supervision help young staff manage pressure and build resilience while still meeting performance standards.” She added that task clarity is equally critical. “Ambiguous roles or objectives spark anxiety, particularly for early-career employees adjusting to professional norms. Clear expectations let staff focus on results, not guessing what’s required.” Rozainun said psychological safety is also key and workers must feel safe to ask questions, raise concerns and make mistakes without fear of embarrassment. “This is not lowering standards. It is creating a learning environment that strengthens resilience and productivity. “Early-career employees need support, structure and room to grow. Get the balance right and you boost wellbeing, performance and long-term commitment,” Rozainun said. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

From

the

recruiter’s

Companies recalibrating how job seekers being assessed amid cost pressures and productivity expectations, says association chief

ground-level perspective, Persatuan Insurans Krew dan Agensi Pekerjaan president Fiona Lau said mismatched expectations could complicate placements. “We do encounter fresh graduates who question starting salaries of about RM3,000 after being told during their studies that they could earn RM4,000 or RM5,000 upon graduation.” Lau said preferences around workplace structure and flexibility also influence hiring outcomes. “Some candidates place a stronger emphasis on flexibility at work and may be less comfortable with highly structured environments or close supervision. “From an employer’s perspective, this becomes part of the assessment process, as companies continue to look at readiness, responsibility and long-term commitment when making entry-level hiring decisions. “In certain industries, employers feel they do not have the time or margin to provide extensive training or absorb early mistakes. “It is important for fresh graduates to understand that entering the workforce requires adjustment, continuous learning and a willingness to build experience. “Education plays a key role in preparing them for these realities.” Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said employers do not expect fresh graduates to be fully job-ready on day one. He acknowledged that business realities have narrowed onboarding windows. “Employers recognise that fresh graduates are at an early stage of their careers, and do not expect them to be fully skilled or immediately productive. “However, rising operational costs, lean staffing structures and productivity pressures mean there is a growing expectation for graduates to demonstrate stronger baseline work readiness.” Addressing AI trends in the workforce, he said readiness expectations towards entry-levels have risen. “AI and automation have not reduced demand for fresh graduates in Malaysia but they have raised the bar on readiness, adaptability and value creation.

PETALING JAYA: Recruitment agencies and employers say entry-level hiring is becoming more cautious, with companies tightening onboarding timelines and relying more on internships or short-term contracts as expectations for early productivity rise. Association of Employment Agencies Malaysia president Datuk Foo Yong Hooi said employers are recalibrating how fresh graduates are assessed amid cost pressures and leaner staffing structures. “Companies increasingly expect new hires to contribute within a relatively short onboarding period as

told theSun . “With shorter onboarding timelines, employers are placing greater emphasis on whether candidates can adapt quickly and demonstrate basic workplace readiness early on. “This has led to more rigorous assessment at the early stages of recruitment, as companies seek to ensure candidates are able to meet role expectations before confirming permanent employment.”

employers operate under tighter cost structures, leaner teams and rising productivity pressures. “As a result, some employers have moved away from traditional probation models. “They are instead using internships or short-term contracts as extended screening tools before offering permanent roles, to better manage hiring risk and assess work readiness,” Foo

Employers are beginning to place greater emphasis on whether candidates can adapt quickly and demonstrate basic workplace readiness. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

Not right to label Gen Z workers as hypersensitive: Expert

than developmental. Rozainun defines feedback fragility as heightened sensitivity to criticism, and even constructive comments may trigger defensive reactions or emotional distress. “This is especially prominent among early-career employees who are still building professional confidence, self-esteem and workplace skills. Feedback at this stage is often interpreted not just as commentary on work but as judgement of personal competence. “When feedback feels personal rather than task-focused, it threatens identity. For Gen Z employees, this can seriously undermine long-term commitment to an organisation.” She added that feedback fragility has been closely linked to early turnover. Rozainun said this should not be misinterpreted as a lack of resilience but reflects differences

motivation comes from purpose, mastery and development. Tasks without context or skill-building opportunities can kill engagement, which often gets misread as oversensitivity. “Criticism also matters. Traditional top-down management – authoritarian, rigid or dismissive – clashes with the expectations of younger workers who value collaboration, transparency and psychological safety. “Vague or personal criticism is seen as a threat to self-worth. This is especially true for those new to the workforce and still forming their professional identity. The problem is the feedback, not the individual.” She said this “feedback fragility” could contribute to disengagement and early resignations, particularly when negative feedback is perceived as threatening rather

in feedback socialisation and coping resources. She said organisations play a critical role in shaping how feedback is received. “A culture that prioritises empathy, clarity and developmental intent can significantly reduce the negative effects of feedback fragility. “Feedback should be framed as a tool for growth, not punishment. When organisations train managers to deliver feedback effectively, employees develop psychological resilience.” Rozainun highlighted the importance of feedback management training for employees themselves. She said from the perspective of the Self-Determination Theory, reactions to routine tasks and criticism could be explained by whether organisations meet core psychological needs – autonomy, competence and relatedness.

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Kinabatangan, Lamag polls set to be close fight

Entrenched networks give BN structural advantage while Warisan draws local support from younger, urban voters: Political analyst Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Harapan back its candidates. “However, Warisan also has an advantage due to its strong performance in the previous state election and its position as a local party, compared with BN, which is often perceived in Sabah as a ‘Malaya-based’ party”, he added. The upcoming Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election will feature a three-way contest between BN, Parti Warisan and an independent candidate. BN’s Mohd Naim will take on Warisan’s Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman, a former Sukau assemblyman, and independent Goldam Hamid. Meanwhile, the Lamag state seat by-election will be a straight contest between BN’s Mohd Ismail Ayob and Warisan’s Mazliwati Abdul Malek. The Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and Lamag state seat became vacant following Bung Moktar’s passing on Dec 5. Bung Moktar had held Kinabatangan for six terms since 1999 and narrowly retained Lamag in the 17th Sabah State Election with a majority of 153. The Election Commission has scheduled polling for both seats on Jan 24, with early voting set for Jan 20.

this dynamic can strengthen cohesion but also create polarisation over party alignment or succession.” Lyndon also said the independent candidate in Kinabatangan could influence the race by drawing votes away from one of the main parties, highlighting local grievances or forcing major candidates to adjust their strategies. “If the independent has strong community legitimacy or family ties, the effect could be crucial in a close contest. “While the main contest is between BN and Warisan, independent candidates in Sabah could still influence outcomes in unpredictable ways,” he said. Echoing a similar view, Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections are expected to be closely contested, primarily between BN and Warisan. He said neither Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) nor Pakatan Harapan fielded candidates, which reflects a functional working relationship among the parties. “BN may hold an edge if supporters of GRS and Pakatan

successfully mobilises swing voters and engages youth constituencies.” Lyndon emphasised that Lamag, by contrast, is a straight two-candidate race with little room for vote-splitting. Here, success would depend on the cross-community appeal of candidates and alignment with local issues. “Warisan could challenge BN if the latter’s support is concentrated but not broad, as swing voters could be decisive.” He also said family-based political succession carries significant symbolic and relational capital, with Mohd Naim Kurniawan’s (son of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin) candidacy reinforcing voter loyalty among constituents tied to his late father’s legacy. “The passing of a long-serving representative often triggers emotional and social recalibration within the community. “Voters may feel nostalgia or loyalty, increasing support for a successor perceived to continue the legacy, while social networks previously maintained by the deceased could temporarily destabilise, creating openings for rivals. “In close-knit communities,

parliamentary seat will feature a three-cornered contest between Barisan Nasional (BN), Warisan and an independent candidate, while it will be a one-on-one fight between BN and Warisan in the Lamag state seat. This was announced by returning officer Eddy Syaizul Rizam Abdullah at Sri Lamag Hall yesterday. “The Election Commission (EC) has received nomination papers from three candidates for the parliamentary seat election of P187 Kinabatangan constituency and two candidates for the state seat election of N58 Lamag constituency.” The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election will see a contest between Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar representing BN, Warisan’s Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman and independant Goldam Hamid, while in the Lamag state seat, it will be a clash between Mohd Ismail Ayob from BN and Mazliwati Abdul Malek from Warisan. The nomination centre opened at 9am yesterday and the process of submitting nomination forms took an hour. For the Kinabatangan seat, Mohd Naim, 32, was the first PETALING JAYA: The upcoming by-elections in Kinabatangan and Lamag are shaping up to be closely fought contests, with political analysts highlighting both the advantages of Barisan Nasional’s (BN) entrenched networks and Warisan’s strong local appeal. According to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia political analyst Prof Dr Novel Lyndon, BN’s strength in constituencies stems from its role in the federal and state governments, providing visibility, access to resources and institutional legitimacy. “These factors reinforce local networks and voter perceptions of effectiveness, giving BN a structural advantage, particularly in rural and socially cohesive areas. “Warisan draws support from younger and urban voters, using

his nomination form at 9.06am, followed by Saddi, 67, at 9.18am and Goldam, 40, at 9.31am. Mohd Ismail, 44, was the first candidate to submit his nomination form for the Lamag seat at 9.04am, followed by Mazliwati, 53, at 9.07am. The by-election was called following the death of incumbent Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, on Dec 5. The EC has set a 14-day campaign period from the declaration of candidates until 11.59pm on Jan 23. The electoral roll for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections contains 48,722 individuals, comprising 48,526 ordinary voters and 196 police personnel as well as their spouses as early voters. The official vote tallying centre for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections will be at Dewan Sri Lamag. A total of 36 ordinary polling centres comprising 117 polling stations or channels and one early polling centre at the Kinabatangan district police headquarters, with one channel, will be opened. According to the EC, all polling centres will be open from 8am to 5pm, except for 20 polling centres local issues and fresh narratives to mobilise swing voters, making it competitive despite BN’s advantages.” Lyndon said both the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and Lamag state seat have traditionally been held by Umno, placing the onus on the party to retain them. He said Kinabatangan’s three cornered contest creates a fragmented electoral landscape, with BN holding a historical advantage through strong grassroots networks, while Warisan works to consolidate support across a mixed ethnic and rural electorate. “The presence of multiple candidates increases the risk of vote-splitting, potentially favouring the candidate with the strongest local ties. “Nevertheless, Warisan could remain competitive if it

By-election for parliamentary seat sees three-cornered contest KINABATANGAN: The by-election for the Kinabatangan candidate to submit

From left: Mohd Naim, Goldam and Saddi. – BERNAMAPIC

party logo/symbol and a photo of its represented leader. “Permissible materials such as advertisements, leaflets, stickers and posters must contain the printer’s and publisher’s name and address, except for flags, party symbol posters and images of the party leader or candidate. “Materials containing words that could incite ill-will, racial sentiment, religious sensitivities or sedition are strictly prohibited.”

monitor the campaigning activities of the candidates. Ramlan added that 39 observers from nine organisations will be participating in both the by-elections to ensure electoral transparency. He said candidates who have paid their deposits are subject to local authority bylaws regarding the display and distribution of campaign materials, which must feature the candidate’s photo,

in three state constituencies – Lamag, Kuamut and Sukau – which will close early at between 12pm and 4pm. Meanwhile, EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said a 65% voter turnout is expected for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections on Jan 24, Bernama reported. He also said the EC had established four election campaign enforcement teams to

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday JAN 11, 2026

Welfare home for girls appeals for public aid

MMEA to focus on strategic assets, modern tech PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is focusing on the procurement of strategic assets, infrastructure development and the adoption of modern technology, following a surge in its development expenditure to RM1.2 billion this year. MMEA director-general Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said the procurement of maritime surveillance aircraft, an operational vehicle replacement plan and the construction and upgrading of maritime complexes and jetties at strategic locations remain among the agency’s top priorities. “The development allocation for this year shows a significant increase of 101.43% compared with the previous year, reflecting the Madani government’s commitment to strengthening MMEA’s role as the nation’s primary maritime security agency under the Home Ministry,” he said in a statement. Mohd Rosli added that the first multi-purpose mission ship project has reached 58.3% completion, ahead of its original schedule and is expected to be fully completed next year. Meanwhile, the procurement of four AW189 Medium Lift helicopters has reached 44.66% progress, with the first aircraft expected to be received in July, Bernama reported. Under Budget 2026, MMEA has been allocated a total of RM2.29 billion, comprising RM1.09 billion for operating expenditure and RM1.2 billion for development expenditure. On the agency’s direction, Mohd Rosli said the Home Ministry has set a target to increase operational days at sea to 280 days, up from 250 days last year, in line with the need to strengthen presence in national waters. “MMEA will continue to practise a ‘whole-of-government’ approach through integrated cooperation with agencies under the ministry, including intelligence-sharing and joint operations, to ensure enforcement effectiveness for the safety of our waters, national sovereignty and the people’s wellbeing,” he said.

Rawang-based charity urgently needs to raise RM140,000 to secure property vital to education programmes

“The owner has offered the house to us at RM800,000, and we have been given until Jan 31 to raise the funds,” Meena said. She added that the welfare home has never owned property and has sustained its operations through public donations, annual food grants from the Social Welfare Department, in-kind contributions, educational assistance from the Hong Leong Foundation and food sponsorships from kind individuals. “If we are unable to secure this house, it would severely disrupt our daily and much needed operations. “We do not have a relocation plan as we have invested so much effort into making these houses conducive for living, learning and skills development for all our girls here,” she said. Currently, 20 children attend kindergarten and primary school at SJKT Rawang, while 34 others are pursuing Level 3 certification and diploma programmes in early childhood education under a vocational institution. The home also runs skill-based and cultural programmes, including diploma courses in baking and pastries, Bharatanatyam traditional dance, Silambam traditional martial arts, yoga, veenai , music, Mandarin, brain gym development and arts. Under the care of Dr Kumaran Adakalam, an officially appointed Pembantu Pelindung JKM , the home also receives and rehabilitates at-risk children referred by authorities. “Owning this house would mean stability and permanence,” Meena said. “It’s not just a building. It’s a sanctuary and a transformational space in which these girls feel safe, supported and hopeful about their future,” she added. The association is appealing to the public, companies and donors to help raise the remaining RM140,000 needed to secure the property and ensure continuity of care for the children. Donations can be made to Persatuan Kebajikan Sri Saradha Devi Illam Malaysia at RHB Bank account number 212 1340 0071 019, with contributors asked to indicate “Donation for House Purchase” and forward the transaction slip for receipt issuance. For more information, the association can be contacted at 016-906 7380 (Kumaran) or 014-643 5964 (Meena).

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: A welfare home for girls that has sheltered and nurtured underprivileged children for nearly three decades is appealing to the public for help to raise RM140,000 to purchase an RM800,000 house that is central to its daily operations and educational programmes. Currently, about RM660,000 has been raised through public generosity, leaving a balance of about RM140,000 to permanently secure the house. Persatuan Kebajikan Sri Saradha Devi Illam Malaysia, based in Rawang, was established in 1998 by devotees of Swami Srila Sri Paramahamsathasar to provide shelter, education and

Today, Sri Saradha Devi Illam houses 54 girls of different ages, many of whom are orphans or come from broken or single-parent backgrounds. Over the past 28 years, the home has nurtured more than 500 children. The association currently operates from two rented houses, paying RM1,200 and RM1,000 monthly. One of the houses, used for the main kitchen, dormitory, living room, activity spaces and areas for baking and culinary classes, has now been put up for sale by the owner, who is migrating overseas.

holistic to underprivileged young girls from across the country. According to its secretary V. Meena, the welfare home roots trace back to 1996, when the late Swami envisioned a safe space dedicated specifically to girls under the name of Holy Mother Sri Saradha Devi. In 1998, six girls were housed at a rented single-storey bungalow in Taman Sri Garing, Rawang. Over the years, as the number of residents grew and operations expanded, the home was moved to a larger rented premises in Taman Hijau, Rawang. development

Meena said the welfare home has invested effort into making the houses conducive for living, learning and skills development for girls. – Ɛ PIC COURTESY OF PERSATUAN KEBAJIKAN SRI SARADHA DEVI ILLAM MALAYSIA

Court to rule on emergency Parliament suspension challenge KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court fixed April 29 to deliver its decision on a judicial review application by two lawmakers challenging former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s advice to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to suspend Parliament during the Covid-19 emergency in 2021. lawmakers, submitted that the issue raised by his clients is of public importance and that the court has jurisdiction to decide the matter. Gurdial further submitted that sections 11, 14 and 15 of the Emergency Ordinance are unnecessary, irrational, mandatory provisions under Article 150(3) and Article 150(5) of the Federal Constitution, which require emergency ordinances to be debated in Parliament. “The requirement is mandatory that it shall be laid before the houses of Parliament, and it is for the Parliament to decide,” he added. Shamsul also submitted that the mandatory court orders sought against the prime minister were no longer possible, as he had resigned on Aug 16, 2021. “In short, it is submitted that the relevance of the remedies and reliefs sought by the applicants had been overtaken by events,” he added.

unreasonable and disproportionate. He argued that the incapacitation of Parliament and the state legislative assemblies under sections 14 and 15 was unreasonable for the purpose of combating the Covid-19 pandemic. “There was no basis whatsoever for the Parliament and the state legislative assemblies to be suspended, as other economic sectors, including night markets, were allowed to operate,” he said. Gurdial also submitted that the government had breached

Meanwhile, Senior Federal Counsel Shamsul Bolhassan, representing the prime minister at the material time and the government, submitted that the judicial review application is academic as the Emergency Ordinance expired in August 2021. “Parliament has already debated and revoked the Emergency Ordinance on Oct 25, 2021. Therefore, the application before this court doesn’t serve any utility,” he said.

Judge Datuk Aliza Sulaiman on Friday also fixed the same date to decide on two originating summons filed by the Malaysian Bar and Bersih 2.0, along with seven others. On July 24, 2024, the Federal Court granted leave to Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim and Perak state assemblyman Abdul Aziz Bari to commence the judicial review and remitted the case to the High Court for a hearing on its merits. Earlier, counsel Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar, representing the two

The applicants are seeking a declaration that the Cabinet’s decision, led by Muhyiddin, to advise the then 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to promulgate Section 14 of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021, which resulted in the suspension of Parliament, is unconstitutional, unlawful, without legal effect and ultra vires . – Bernama

NATIONAL 6 theSun on Sunday JAN 11, 2026

Call to recognise domestic caregivers as workers

Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA Every morning, Cikgu Noraini rises earlier than usual to care for her mother, who suffered a stroke, ensuring she is safe and comfortable. This daily routine is carried out without remuneration, leave or any assurance of future security, sustained solely by a daughter’s devotion. At 35, Noraini was a lecturer at a higher learning institution before her life took an unexpected turn when her mother required full-time care. She made the difficult decision to leave her academic career and return to her hometown in Malacca. This was the scenario described to theSun by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, reflecting the reality faced by many Malaysians who are forced to reduce their working hours or withdraw from the workforce altogether. “Cikgu Noraini is an example. Although she is a fictional character, she is actually the voice of thousands of caregivers who sacrifice without expectation of reward and who continue to wait for protection. It is time that this sacrifice is acknowledged as a significant contribution to the nation. “Responsibilities of this nature carry long-term consequences. Like many other domestic caregivers, Cikgu Noraini now lives without a stable income as her career has come to a halt and her savings are no longer growing, rendering her financial future increasingly uncertain. “She now lives apart from her husband and children in Kuala Lumpur, while her days are wholly devoted to caring for her mother – assisting with mobility, managing medication, monitoring emotional wellbeing and remaining constantly attentive to her LUMPUR:

Without proper categorisation, such individuals would be excluded from protection of social safety net, says minister needs,” Ramanan added. He said in recognising this reality, it has become imperative to formally acknowledge domestic caregivers as “workers” so that they may be included within the scope of social security protection. “Without such recognition, caregivers will continue to be excluded from the social safety net, placing their futures at risk after years of service caring for the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses and persons with disabilities. “From a personal standpoint, I regard home-based caregiving as a vital pillar within the nation’s economic and social ecosystem. Yet, their contributions remain largely invisible, despite caregivers facing emotional strain, health risks and persistent financial uncertainty.” Ramanan said years devoted to caregiving may ultimately translate into insecurity in old age, as the daily reality of care work remains largely unrecognised as employment within formal systems. He said through the Social Security Organisation (Socso),

Ramanan said social protection should be structured around life risks rather than employment status, in line with existing initiatives offered by Socso. – PIC COURTESY OF HUMAN RESOURCES MINISTRY

building a resilient care system, a responsibility we must collectively uphold. “I also commend the role played by the media, including theSun , whose report on Dec 30 titled ‘Call to formally recognise, support home caregivers’ has shed light on the challenges faced by domestic caregivers, including calls for formal recognition and support commensurate with their responsibilities and risks,” he added. For further details, Ramanan encouraged the public to visit www.Socso.gov.my/en/our services/protection/housewife or www.Socso.gov.my/en/our services/protection/self employed or Socso’s social media platform accounts.

employment protection or institutional support. In this context, domestic caregivers fall within both categories. “Malaysian citizens and permanent residents without an age limit, as well as self-employed individuals who work for themselves to earn a living, are eligible for Lindung Kendiri. Ramanan said a more flexible approach must be explored to ensure domestic caregivers are not excluded from lifelong protection, in line with measures extended to gig workers and homemakers. He said recognising domestic caregivers is the first step. “Supporting them is the next. Ensuring lifelong protection for caregivers is fundamental to

social protection should be structured around life risks rather than employment status, in line with existing initiatives such as “ Lindung Kasih” and “Lindung Kendiri” offered by the agency. “Lindung Kasih underscores the need to protect women and homemakers who shoulder caregiving responsibilities, roles seldom recognised as work, despite the tangible risks involved. “Housewives who have not reached the age of 55 and not yet reached the age of 54 on the first contribution date to Lindung Kasih are covered. “Meanwhile, Lindung Kendiri recognises individuals who bear risks independently, without the benefit of stable

Education retains its importance in the Malaysian landscape for parents, students and stakeholders. The changes are fast paced with new developments in new fields of study such as cybersecurity, data protection, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning in education, digital education and artificial Intelligence. Leading the way are universities, who are invited to showcase their latest programmes, curriculum and content in our Education Focus for 2026.

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theSun on Sunday JAN 11, 2026

WORLD 7

Victoria declares state of disaster as bushfires rage

Japan PM mulls snap election TOKYO: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering calling a general election in the coming weeks to capitalise on strong public support for her government, media reports said yesterday. Takaichi was appointed Japan’s first woman prime minister in October and her Cabinet is enjoying an approval rating of about 70%. But her ruling bloc only has a slim majority in the lower house, hindering its ability to push through her ambitious policy agenda. She is considering dissolving the lower house at the start of a parliamentary session on Jan 23, Yomiuri and Mainichi newspapers reported. That would mean an election would be “highly likely to be held in early to mid-February”, Yomiuri said. Some in Takaichi’s administration hold the “persistent view that it should move to dissolve parliament early while support ratings remain high, to solidify its foundation,” Mainichi said, without citing sources. Takaichi became Japan’s fifth premier in as many years when she was elected, initially as the head of a minority government. Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party regained their lower-house majority in November after three lawmakers joined the LDP. The ruling bloc remains a minority in the upper house. Takaichi hopes a bigger majority would help her implement her agenda of more “proactive” fiscal spending and stronger intelligence capacities, Yomiuri reported. – AFP Indonesia blocks access to Grok JAKARTA: Indonesia temporarily blocked Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot yesterday due to the risk of AI-generated pornographic content, becoming the first country to deny access to the AI tool. The move comes after governments and regulators from Europe to Asia condemned the app, with some opening inquiries over the creation and sharing of sexualised content. xAI, the startup behind Grok, said on Thursday it was restricting image generation and editing to paying subscribers as it tried to fix safeguard lapses that had allowed sexualised output, including depictions of scantily clad children. “The government views the practice of non-consensual sexual deepfakes as a serious violation of human rights, dignity and the security of citizens in the digital space,” Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said in a statement. The ministry has also summoned X officials to discuss the matter. Musk said on X that anyone using Grok to make illegal content would suffer the same consequences as if they had uploaded illegal content. X did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Indonesia, with the world’s biggest Muslim population, has strict rules that ban the sharing of content deemed obscene. – Reuters

SYDNEY: Victoria declared a state of disaster yesterday after bushfires destroyed houses and razed vast belts of forest. Temperatures soared past 40ºC as a heatwave blanketed the state of Victoria this week, with hot winds fanning some of the most dangerous fire weather since the “Black Summer” bushfires of 2019 2020. One of the most destructive bushfires ripped through almost 150,000ha near Longwood, a region cloaked in native forests. State Premier Jacinta Allan yesterday declared a state of disaster, giving fire crews 150,000ha of native forest razed

Hundreds of firefighters from across Australia have been called in to help. Millions have sweltered through this week’s intense heatwave. Hundreds of baby bats died earlier this week as stifling temperatures settled over the state of South Australia, a wildlife group said. The Black Summer bushfires raged across Australia’s eastern seaboard from late 2019 to early 2020, razing millions of hectares, destroying thousands of homes and blanketing cities in noxious smoke. Researchers report an average increase in temperature of 1.51ºC since 1910 for Australia, fuelling increasingly frequent extreme weather patterns over land and sea. – AFP

“Many of these major fires will continue to burn for days, if not weeks. “We are expecting more fires today as a result of lightning.” The worst blazes have largely been confined to sparsely populated rural areas where towns might contain a few hundred people. Photos taken this week showed the night sky glowing orange as the fire near Longwood ripped through bushland. “There were embers falling everywhere. It was terrifying,” cattle farmer Scott Purcell told national broadcaster ABC. Another bushfire near the small town of Walwa crackled with lightning as it radiated enough heat to form a localised thunderstorm, fire authorities said.

emergency powers to force evacuations. “It’s all about one thing, protecting lives,” she said. “And it sends one clear message – if you have been told to leave, go.” Three people missing inside one of the state’s most dangerous fire grounds had been found, Allan said. Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said at least 130 structures had been destroyed across the state, a figure that includes houses, sheds and other buildings. “We’ve seen significant livestock, cropping land and vineyards that have also been affected or destroyed,” he told reporters. Wiebusch said 10 major fires were still burning despite conditions easing.

Rescuers looking for survivors after a collapse at the landfill in Cebu City buried about 50 sanitation

workers. – AFPPIC

Rescuers scrambling to find survivors in landfill collapse MANILA: Rescue workers with backhoes dug through rubble in search of survivors yesterday in the shadow of a mountain of garbage that buried dozens of landfill employees in the central Philippines, killing at least four. About 50 sanitation workers were buried when refuse toppled onto them on Thursday from what a city councillor estimated was a height of 20 storeys at the Binaliw Landfill in Cebu City. they navigated the site, said rescuer Jo Reyes. Information from the disaster site has been emerging slowly, with city employees citing the lack of signal from the dumpsite, which serviced Cebu and other surrounding communities. Cebu City council member Joel Garganera said the death toll had climbed to four, with 34 still missing. people who were buried stayed,” he said. “It’s very difficult for the rescuers because there are really heavy (pieces of steel), and every now and then, the garbage is moving because of the weight. “We are hoping against hope here and praying for miracles,” he said when asked about the timeline for rescue efforts. At least 12 employees have so far been pulled alive from the garbage and hospitalised. “Every now and then when it rains, there are landslides happening around the city of Cebu. How much more (dangerous is that) for a landfill or a mountain that is made of garbage?” Garganera said in a phone call with AFP.

“The garbage is like a sponge, it really absorbs water. It doesn’t (take) a rocket scientist to say that eventually, such incidents will happen.” – AFP

“We cannot just jump to the retrieval (of bodies), because there are a lot of family members who are within the property waiting for any positive result.”

“The four casualties were inside the facility when it happened. They have staff houses inside where most

Rescuers were now facing the danger of further collapse as

theSun on Sunday JAN 11, 2026

WORLD 8

Seize city centres, says son of ousted Iran shah

Hamas alleges ‘American cover’ GAZA CITY: A Hamas official said on Friday Israeli strikes on Gaza “cannot happen without American cover”, the day after attacks killed at least 13 people. Since Oct 10, a fragile US sponsored truce in Gaza has largely halted the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, but both sides have alleged frequent violations. Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli attacks across the territory on Thursday killed at least 13 people, including five children. “Thirteen people were killed on Friday in different areas of the Strip on fabricated pretexts, in addition to the hundreds killed and wounded who preceded them after the ceasefire,” said Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim. “This cannot happen without American cover or a green light.” He accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of evading commitments and escalating attacks to sabotage the agreement. Bassem said the Palestinian movement had “complied with all its obligations” and was “ready to engage constructively with the next steps of the plan”. Israel has previously said it is awaiting the return of the last hostage body before beginning talks on the second phase of the ceasefire and has insisted that Hamas disarm. – AFP Greenlanders defy US threats NUUK: “We don’t want to be Americans,” Greenland’s political parties said after US President Donald Trump again suggested using force to seize the mineral-rich Danish autonomous territory. The statement on Friday came after Trump repeated that Washington was “going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not”. “We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders,” the leaders of five parties in Greenland’s parliament said. “The future of Greenland must be decided by Greenlanders.” Denmark and other European allies have voiced shock at Trump’s threats to take control of Greenland, where the United States has a base. Trump says controlling the strategic island is crucial for US national security given the rising military activity of Russia and China in the Arctic. “We’re not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland. That’s what they’re going to do if we don’t. So, we’re going to be doing something with Greenland, either the nice way or the more difficult way,” Trump said on Friday. – AFP

CARACAS: When explosions boomed in the night and US warplanes roared over Caracas, Jorge Suarez and his companions rushed for their guns. For these members of the “colectivos”, armed loyalists of the leftist leadership, the US raid that ousted Nicolas Maduro as their president was the most dramatic challenge yet. “We took to the streets, waiting for instructions from our leaders,” Suarez said. As proud defenders of the Venezuelan leadership’s socialist “Bolivarian revolution”, the ousting of Maduro convinced them that he was betrayed. Willians, a 43-year-old member of one collective, the Boina Roja, which translates to Red Beret, said: “What is clear is that there were many betrayals. “We don’t understand how the anti-aircraft system failed. We don’t know what happened with the rocket-launch system.” Established in their current form under Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chavez, the collectives are tasked with keeping social order on the streets but they are accused by opponents of beating and intimidating rivals. They have closed ranks behind Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy who took over as interim president. She has pledged to cooperate with US President Donald Trump over his demand for access to Venezuela’s huge oil reserves but has insisted the country is not “subordinate” to Washington. Willians said the collectives were resisting certain post-Maduro narratives, which he dismissed as PARIS: Major Iranian cities were gripped by new mass rallies on Friday night, as the son of the ousted shah urged protesters to seize city centres. The two weeks of protests have posed one of the biggest challenges to the theocratic authorities who have ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has blamed the United States. Following the movement’s largest protests yet on Thursday, new demonstrations took place on Friday, according to images verified by AFP and other videos published on social media. This was despite an internet shutdown imposed by the authorities, with monitor Netblocks saying early yesterday that “metrics show the nationwide internet blackout New rallies flare up

Authorities several members of the security forces have been killed, and Khamenei in a defiant speech on Friday lashed out at “vandals” and vowed the Islamic republic would “not back down”. He blamed the US for stoking the unrest in comments echoed by several other Iranian officials. US President Donald Trump again refused on Friday to rule out new military action against Iran after Washington backed and joined Israel’s 12-day war against the Islamic republic in June. “Iran’s in big trouble. It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago,” Trump said. Asked about his message to Iran’s leaders, Trump said: “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too.” – AFP say

in the Vakilabad district of Mashhad, a city home to one of the holiest shrines in Shiite Islam, people marched down an avenue chanting slogans. It was not possible to immediately verify the videos. Reza Pahlavi (pic) , the targeted protests. “Our goal is no longer just to take to the streets. The goal is to prepare to seize and hold city centres,” Pahlavi said in a video message on social media. Pahlavi, whose father Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was ousted by the 1979 revolution and died in 1980, added he was also “preparing to return to my homeland” at a time that he believed was “very near”. US-based son of Iran’s ousted shah, hailed the “magnificent” turnout on Friday and urged Iranians to stage more

remains in place at 36 hours”. In Tehran’s Saadatabad district, people banged pots and chanted anti

government slogans as cars honked in support, a video verified by AFP showed. Other images disseminated on social media and by Persian language television channels based outside Iran showed similar large protests

elsewhere in the capital, as well as in the eastern city of Mashhad, Tabriz in the north and the holy city of Qom. In the western city of Hamedan, a man was shown waving a shah-era Iranian flag featuring the lion and the sun amid fires and people dancing. In the Pounak district of northern Iran, people were shown dancing round a fire in the middle of a highway, while

Maduro loyalists suspect betrayal

Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez (right) presenting an award on Friday to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Padilla in honour of Cubans in Maduro’s security detail who were killed during the US raid. – REUTERSPIC

he said. The collectives also claim to run sports programmes, coordinate with hospitals and transport networks, and visit traders to keep price speculation in check. Fiercely committed to the “Chavista” cause, they felt the sting of betrayal in Maduro’s capture. “The betrayal must have come from someone very close to Maduro,” said Canchica. “Despite all the support Putin, China and North Korea have given us militarily, how can we react in real time when (the US) has more advanced technology than we do?” – AFP

that the Americans are going to come, dig in and take us out,” said Canchica. “They’ll have to kill us first.” Feared by opponents as a rifle wielding, motorcycle-mounted shock force, the collectives are welcomed in some neighbourhoods where they are credited with preventing crime and where authorities hand out subsidised food parcels. Canchica rejected the negative image they have gained. When demonstrators and some world powers were accusing Maduro of stealing an election in July 2014, “we stopped the shantytowns from rising up”,

mind games – such as “that Trump might bomb again, or that Delcy Rodriguez is with the US”. They respect her ideological pedigree. Rodriguez is the daughter of a far-left activist who died in the custody of the intelligence services in 1976. “I don’t think anyone would betray her father,” said Alfredo Canchica, leader of another collective, the Fundacion 3 Raices. “You can betray the people, but not your father.” However, collective members declined to be drawn out on how the post-Maduro phase might play out under Trump and Rodriguez, . “We don’t believe the threats