14/01/2026

WEDNESDAY | JAN 14, 2026

4 Selangor to swiftly license, modernise pig farms: MB

Govt expands travel initiative SERDANG: The government has expanded its FlySiswa initiative to include four new categories of students, widening travel assistance for those from Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan and the peninsula. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said students from the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage and government-linked universities are now eligible for subsidised flight tickets, along with those from the Institut Latihan Jabatan Tenaga Malaysia and universities linked to or funded by state governments. Previously, only public university students qualified. “The four groups are now included under FlySiswa, which the Madani government launched in 2023.” More than 60,000 students are expected to benefit in 2026, with an allocation of RM24 million. “Each student will receive a digital voucher worth RM400, which can be used for domestic flights back to their hometowns,” Loke said at the launch of the Karnival Pengangkutan Siswa Madani dan FlySiswa at Universiti Putra Malaysia. He added that the programme also covers students from matriculation colleges and the Institute of Teacher Education. “The expansion is part of the government’s effort to ease the financial burden of travel for students and ensure they could return home during festive seasons such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Gawai. “With this programme, students may travel home two to three times a year, depending on their planning and flight availability.” “Eligible students apply online, and vouchers are issued digitally, eliminating the need for printed coupons or forms. “Students also have the flexibility to use the voucher for one or multiple trips, depending on airfare costs.” He said since its launch, 119,790 students have benefited from FlySiswa and expressed hope that participation this year would reach full capacity. He also said the programme is currently limited to public higher education institutions, government agencies and government-linked institutions because student data is readily available. When asked whether private institutions would be included soon, Loke said no promises could be made, citing the lack of a central registry. – By Harith Kamal Public Commission. Operators that fail audits face suspension.” He also confirmed that the ministry is checking whether the bus and its operator comply with speed limiter devices, adding that action will be taken if they fail to install them. Last year, the ministry announced plans to make dashboard cameras compulsory in heavy vehicles to improve road safety. Loke said while video cameras are not yet mandatory, stricter enforcement, including onboard cameras and safeguards for speed limiters, is necessary as tampering has been detected during regular checks. Transport

o ‘Plan aligns with Sultan’s decree to end pollution, phase out traditional methods’

He emphasised that pig farming operations are privately owned and regulated, with the government acting mainly as a coordinator. On Saturday, the Selangor ruler ordered all pig farming operations in Tanjong Sepat, Kuala Langat, to be phased out and relocated to Bukit Tagar, with no new farms allowed in the area. In a statement issued by Istana Alam Shah, Sultan Sharafuddin said the relocation must be carried out in an orderly manner, in compliance with legal requirements and guided by public interest, environmental protection and social harmony. He also called for a detailed study to determine the actual demand for pork among non Muslims in Selangor, adding that there is no intention to export production and that the findings should guide the scale, capacity and land size of operations. Sultan Sharafuddin also emphasised that all related matters must be carried out without involving public funds and urged all parties to implement the decisions responsibly to safeguard public well-being and environmental sustainability.

“The immediate priority is to close the Kuala Langat site due to pollution concerns and expedite relocation to new sites that meet modern environmental standards. “ Tuanku has requested that the process be carried out quickly, and we will act on that directive.” He added that all necessary assessments, including an Environmental Impact Assessment, would be conducted at new sites to prevent similar pollution issues. “The new sites will serve local demand and will not lead to an increase in pig numbers.” The Selangor ruler previously expressed disappointment with a plan to allow pig farming in Tanjong Sepat, Kuala Langat, citing concerns over potential large-scale operations covering 202 hectares aimed at export markets. Amirudin said the state’s plan aligns with the Sultan’s wishes to end water pollution and phase out traditional farming, without creating mega-export operations. “Waste systems must operate independently, without discharging harmful materials into rivers or affecting surrounding areas.”

after presenting appointment letters to the National Information Dissemination Centre advisory panel. He emphasised that relocation would involve engagement and negotiation with operators. “As long as operations continue at the current sites, pollution from traditional livestock practices would persist. “Our first step is to phase out outdated management systems that contribute to odour and water contamination, and replace them with modern farming practices managed by the private sector. “No state funds or land are involved; all land is purchased by the operators themselves,” he said, dismissing claims that the state intended to establish a large-scale export hub. He said initial veterinary data shows that only 30% of Selangor’s pig population, about 120,000 pigs, currently meets local demand. He added that the existing sites are intended solely to satisfy this demand, and an independent body would conduct a full review of supply, demand and distribution, including supermarket purchases, to ensure proper planning.

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

SHAH ALAM: Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced that the state government is moving swiftly to license and modernise pig farms across Selangor, with a strong focus on environmental protection and public health. He said currently there are 22 pig farming areas in the state, with 69 active operators identified. “We no longer issue new licences, but we plan to relocate the operators as soon as possible, possibly within this year, following the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s decree to expedite the process.” Amirudin was speaking at a press conference at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Building

Residents in rural Sarawak receive emergency aid KUCHING: Tonnes of emergency food supplies reached

received about 800kg of food aid in each settlement. In the Ulu Sebauh district, each longhouse received about 1.2 tonnes, according to ground reports. “The food is from supply bases. The essentials are rice and other basic daily food necessities. “The amount for each location is determined by the population living there,” said the Civil Defence Unit. The worst-hit districts in the latest round of flooding are Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Tatau, Sebauh, Bintulu, Miri and Lawas. – By Joseph Peter

thousands of individuals in remote Sarawak who have been cut off from the outside world due to week-long floods. Reports from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department and Public Communications Unit yesterday showed the deployment of food supplies in the southern and central districts of Sri Aman, Tatau, Sebauh and other rural locations. Supplies are being delivered via rescue boats operated by fire and rescue teams and Civil Defence Unit teams. In the remote Tatau district, stranded longhouse residents

Rescue personnel offload emergency supplies for distribution to residents affected by flooding. – PIC COURTESY OF SARAWAK FIRE AND RESCUEDEPARTMENT

Transport Ministry to review use of telematics, dashcams in heavy vehicles

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL AND IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

after the launch of the Karnival Pengangkutan Siswa Madani dan FLYsiswa at Universiti Putra Malaysia yesterday. Concerns have resurfaced online, with passengers complaining that night bus drivers often use mobile phones while driving. A former express bus driver, who spoke to theSun on condition of anonymity, said many drivers operating at night rely on smartphones to stay awake. “Some drivers don’t just use their phones casually. “They use popular apps such as TikTok to watch videos, while others chat with family or friends through voice or video calls,” he said, adding

the start of the journey before resting, leaving the main driver alone for most of the trip. Accidents involving express buses, particularly during late-night or early-morning hours, occur frequently, especially during festive seasons and school holidays. On Jan 11, five passengers were trapped in a crash involving an express bus carrying 42 passengers and a lorry at Km1 of the North-South Expressway southbound. No fatalities were reported. Loke said audits are immediately conducted following public transport crashes. “RTD carries out the inspections, which are then submitted to the

that some even watch live videos on social media to stay alert during long journeys. “Although we know it is extremely risky, this behaviour has become common among express bus drivers,” he said, adding that some also communicate with fellow drivers on the road. “Driving alone for long hours can be tiring and boring without anyone to talk to, or even music for company.” The Road Transport Department requires express bus companies to provide a second driver for journeys exceeding 300km. However, the former driver said in most cases, the second driver accompanies the main driver only at

SERDANG: A recent express bus crash and growing reports of distracted driving have renewed scrutiny on safety standards in the industry, as the Transport Ministry reviews the use of telematics and dashcams in heavy vehicles. Its minister Anthony Loke said the ministry plans to appoint several companies to conduct proof-of concept trials for telematics devices, not only for buses but also for other commercial vehicles. “This is something the ministry is currently reviewing,” he told reporters