15/01/2026

Kin of intern killed in campus blast mourn their loss Three victims, including first-year

THURSDAY JAN 15, 2026

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Malaysian Paper www.thesun.my RM1.00 PER COPY Report on — page 5 Crash test needed for AI tools Report on h page 2 Social media platforms deploying artificial intelligent programs with weak safeguards expose users, particularly women and minors, to serious risks, including harassment, exploitation and blackmail: Expert SCAN ME No. 9034 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195) law student, remain hospitalised, says KL police chief.

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Made of clay, Ponggal pots symbolise prosperity, renewal and a deep sense of gratitude towards nature. – BERNAMAPIC

Siblings believe clay pots remain at heart of harvest festival despite drop in demand as modern alternatives gain popularity. Ponggal lifeline of third-generation family pottery business

‘Govt info machinery outpaced by opposition strategies’ Umno chief calls for stronger social media push to highlight hundreds of Madani initiatives for people.

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THURSDAY | JAN 15, 2026

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Govt to meet social media platform over concerns on chatbot Grok

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

to certain provisions of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 following his conviction for organising an assembly without prior notice. He said the move follows last week’s Cabinet decision to amend the Act, raising the question of whether it remains appropriate to continue with a court challenge. “The Cabinet has agreed in principle to amend the Act. The matter has been referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers to consider whether it is appropriate to proceed with the judicial review.” Fahmi added that the government’s position remains clear: amendments to the Act will be pursued as a matter of policy.

and children. He added that enforcement action would follow, noting that while X has responded, the reply was “inadequate” and amounted to a pro forma statement. Grok was temporarily blocked in Malaysia on Sunday after alleged misuse to produce obscene, sexually explicit, indecent and non-consensual manipulated images, including content involving minors and women. Separately, Fahmi said the Cabinet has decided to refer to the Attorney-General’s Chambers the question of whether to proceed with a judicial review related to the Amir Hariri Abd Hadi case. The case involves a constitutional challenge

they have reached out to X to try to hold a meeting next week,” he said yesterday. “There are a few matters that need to be finalised, but engagement is ongoing and we are awaiting final confirmation,” he told reporters after the Communications Ministry’s weekly media briefing. The engagement comes amid heightened scrutiny over Grok, following concerns that content generated by the AI system may contravene Malaysian laws and regulations. On Tuesday, Fahmi said MCMC is preparing to take legal action against X over Grok, which has been linked to the generation of obscene and offensive content, particularly involving women

PETALING JAYA: Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil yesterday said the government expects to meet social media platform X next week over concerns surrounding Grok, the AI chatbot developed by the company. He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been in contact with X to arrange the meeting, although several matters need to be finalised before it takes place. “As of 10am today, MCMC informed me that Discontent with X over content moderation Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH AND HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are growing increasingly disillusioned with social media platform X, accusing it of poor content moderation and allowing harmful material to proliferate since its rebranding from Twitter. Longtime user Kamaruddzamman opined that the platform deteriorated sharply following the change in ownership and name. “Ever since the platform changed its name to X, and with all the controversies surrounding its ownership, the whole site has just gone downhill,” he said. “What used to be fun, interactive and genuinely engaging is now almost unrecognisable. “The site is basically flooded with vulgar and soft porn content and there is almost no moderation.” He said the apparent lack of oversight has enabled almost anyone to post anything, with objectionable material spreading rapidly. “It is shocking how quickly a space that was once lively and informative turned into something so unsafe and chaotic,” he said, pointing to the rise of casual racism, bullying and harassment. “People can just target anyone and get away with it because there is little oversight. This is not just annoying or frustrating, it is also socially harmful.” Kamaruddzamman warned that young people, teenagers and other vulnerable groups are particularly at risk. “Being exposed to this content repeatedly could influence how people think, behave and even how they view relationships or society. “For a country such as Malaysia, where social cohesion and responsible online engagement are important, this is deeply worrying.” Another user, Erina, voiced support for the government’s consideration of legal action against the platform. “The problem goes way beyond a few harmful posts here and there. It is about the bigger picture; pornographic material, harassment, cyberbullying and a culture of abuse that could affect real-life behaviour.” She added that X must take responsibility for conditions on its platform. “Taking legal action is not just symbolic, it also sends a clear message that negligence and lack of accountability will not be tolerated. “It is a step towards making the platform safer and more responsible. People deserve to interact and share ideas without worrying about harmful content. If X wants to survive, it needs to clean up its act,” she said.

‘Digital trials needed before allowing AI tools in country’ o Without rigorous safety testing, users vulnerable to harassment, exploitation and blackmail: Lecturer meaning individuals or groups who intentionally cause digital harm, consistently stay ahead.

“Attackers use slang, misspellings or coded language to evade filters. Every time one trick is blocked, a new one appears and dangerous material continues to leak through.” He also said blocking access or legal action is not a perfect solution but remains necessary. “Blocks are not a perfect cure, as users can bypass them with VPNs, but they are important speed bumps. “They force tech giants to slow down and face accountability. The goal is not to push harm underground, but to make it harder to create and impossible to spread.” From a sociological perspective, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Anthropology and Sociology senior lecturer Dr Velan Kunjuraman warned that poorly moderated platforms risk reshaping social norms and values. “When a platform such as X is widely used for pornographic content and fails to moderate harmful material, it may normalise harmful behaviour, weaken shared moral norms and increase tolerance towards misinformation, harassment and exploitation.” He added that Malaysia’s international image could suffer as the country’s reputation as a religious nation may be undermined. He said young people and other vulnerable groups are especially at risk. “Unmoderated explicit content could affect mental wellbeing, distort understanding of relationships and sexuality, and increase exposure to online risks and exploitation. “Young adults and underage users are easily influenced and may be drawn into immoral activities.” He warned that prolonged exposure to explicit material could desensitise users and shift attitudes towards sexuality and relationships, with public protests possible if such content continues unchecked. He urged authorities to act decisively, saying regulators must enforce accountability to protect users, uphold local values and ensure safer digital spaces. “Stronger enforcement could build public trust and social wellbeing,” he added, noting that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission may introduce new policies to address similar issues in the future.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia should require a digital “crash test” trial before allowing AI tools and social media platforms to operate in the country, as weak safeguards are increasingly enabling the spread of explicit and harmful content online. Universiti Malaya Computer Systems and Technology lecturer Prof Dr Ainuddin Wahid Abdul Wahab warned that platforms deploying AI tools without rigorous safety testing expose users, particularly women and minors, to serious risks, including harassment, exploitation and blackmail. He stressed that companies must prove their systems are safe rather than let people rely on voluntary assurances. “At minimum, this means pre-launch safety testing, strict age protections and clear channels for victims to report abuse. “If a platform cannot demonstrate fast response times and regular independent audits to prevent harm, it should not be allowed on our digital roads.” His comments come amid growing scrutiny Ű BY HARITH KAMAL AND KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

of X, on which explicit material and AI-generated content, including those produced via its AI tool Grok, have drawn criticism from Malaysian authorities, prompting discussions on possible legal action. Ainuddin Wahid highlighted “jailbreaking” as a major vulnerability in AI systems, in which users deliberately manipulate tools to bypass built-in restrictions. “It is like tricking a librarian into handing over a forbidden book. “Many tools also lack proper checks on who is using them or how often. This turns the AI into an unsupervised printer for abuse.” He warned that once safety locks are breached, harmful content could be generated and spread at massive scale before platforms are able to respond. “Weak safeguards are like leaving a loaded gun on a park bench—anyone can pick it up and use it. “Just one photo and a name can be turned into fake explicit images or blackmail material in seconds. The damage spreads fast and is incredibly hard to remove.” He said while platforms often rely on detection and filtering systems, threat actors,

Velan warned that poorly moderated platforms risk reshaping social norms and values.

– MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Malaysia to be directly involved in Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Madani government would be directly involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 humanitarian mission involving more than 80 countries. international moral struggle that requires courage in upholding justice and humanitarian rights, regardless of borders, race or religion.

uncertainty and the continued suffering of the Palestinian people. During the meeting, Sani and Nadir also shared the achievements of the Sumud Nusantara mission, which broke global silence and amplified Gaza’s voice on the international stage. – Bernama

Earlier, Anwar received a courtesy call from Sumud Nusantara Command Centre director-general Datuk Sani Araby and Sumud Nusantara founder Nadir Al-Nuri. He said he was briefed on the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, stemming from a prolonged aid blockade, ongoing conflict

“We will mobilise all our efforts to assist and defend the rights of the Palestinian people. Justice can no longer be delayed in the pursuit of a dignified and independent Palestine.”

He said the government’s direct participation in the mission represents a continuation of the

THURSDAY | JAN 15, 2026

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‘Bolder digital strategies to reach wider audience’

PN leadership vacuum drags on PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional (PN) has yet to fix a date to decide on its new chairman, more than two weeks after the post was left vacant following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as coalition opposition leader. PN supreme council member Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the coalition had not determined when a meeting would be convened to resolve the leadership vacuum. “The decision will be made during a supreme council meeting before deciding who the candidate for chairman will be,”the PAS deputy president told theSun. Tuan Ibrahim, who is also Pahang PN chairman and Kubang Kerian MP, confirmed that no date had been fixed for the meeting but declined to elaborate. PN chief whip and PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan did not respond to calls or messages seeking confirmation of the meeting. The chairman’s post has been vacant since Jan 1 following Muhyiddin’s resignation on Dec 30. His decision to step down was followed by the resignation of four PN state committee chairmen, including Selangor PN chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali who also relinquished his secretary-general post. The others who were Perak PN chief Datuk Seri Faizal Azumu, as well as the coalition chiefs for Johor and Negeri Sembilan, Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal and Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker. The resignations came several days after political turmoil in Perlis which saw a PAS menteri besar step down before being replaced by a Bersatu leader. On Monday night, Bersatu’s supreme council, which met at the party’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya, accepted Muhyiddin’s resignation. However, the reasons behind his decision have yet to be made public. “The decision was mine alone and I will not explain it until a PN meeting is held,” Muhyiddin told reporters after chairing the meeting, which reportedly lasted four hours and stretched into the early hours of Tuesday. Further attempts by theSun to obtain clarity on the matter with other leaders also proved futile. Speculation is rife over who will succeed Muhyiddin, with several prominent figures emerging as possible contenders. Among them are Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and PAS vice-president and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar. Both wield considerable influence among members from the coalition and their parties. On Tuesday, a photo of Samsuri meeting with Muhyiddin was shared on Facebook with a caption – Alhamdulillah, Insya Allah . It added to the belief that Samsuri is among the frontrunners for the chairmanship. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o There must be stronger social media push to highlight hundreds of initiatives for the rakyat , says Zahid

Johari said Umno must now focus on fielding candidates who can function effectively as a team, instead of relying on individual prominence. “You can’t have everyone as a striker and you can’t have everyone as a goalkeeper. You need a complete team with different strengths. Unity must first be felt within the party before it can be projected to the public. “Before the people miss Umno, members must miss Umno. If we don’t value and strengthen our unity, how can we expect people to support us?” – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee dominates the public space,” he said, stressing that passivity is no longer an option in contemporary politics. In his speech, Zahid also referred to presentations by several ministers and senior leaders on concerns among various communities, including Malays, Chinese and Indians, as well as post-election analyses of the Sabah state election. He said that while party and coalition manifestos differ – including those of Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) – there are notable overlaps in the issues highlighted. “Almost all manifestos touch on the same issues such as the cost of living, unemployment and housing. This shows that the people’s problems are universal, regardless of which party or coalition is involved.” However, Zahid stressed that fundamental differences in approaches and policies exist and must be communicated more effectively to highlight the government’s distinctiveness and strengths. He urged Umno’s information machinery, along with those of other government parties, to strengthen communication strategies, particularly in engaging young voters and social media users, to ensure the government’s narrative is not drowned out. “We are part of the government. But being in government does not mean we should remain silent. The best way to defend ourselves is to confront issues with facts and strategy.” Zahid warned that failure to dominate the public communication space could have serious consequences for public support and political stability. Yesterday’s event marked the start of the 2025 Umno general assembly. The four-day assembly, originally scheduled for August last year, was initially moved to November before being postponed again as the party focused on the Nov 29 Sabah state election. More than 6,000 delegates are expected to attend, with discussions set to focus on the party’s direction, including whether Umno and BN will contest the next general election (due by Feb 2028) independently.

KUALA

LUMPUR:

The

government’s machinery

information

has been “outmanoeuvred” and outpaced by the Opposition’s social media strategies, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. The deputy prime minister pointed to weaknesses in message delivery and narrative control, saying these have prevented many government achievements from gaining public attention and support. “The Madani government has introduced hundreds of initiatives for the people, but many of these efforts have failed to gain traction online or reach a wide audience. “This has created space for anti establishment groups to shape public perception,” he told Umno’s information machinery at the World Trade Centre yesterday. Zahid was speaking at the Simposium Politik Era Digital 2026,

parties remain tied to a more restrained, establishment-style approach. “There are those who, when in opposition, are extremely vocal and aggressive on social media. But once they become the government, they abandon that approach and their popularity declines. We do not want to repeat the same mistake.” He admitted that parts of the ruling party’s machinery remain overly reliant on an “establishment” mindset, leaving them ill-equipped to respond to what he described as modern political “psychological warfare” and “side wars”. “We are attacked, yet we do not counterattack. We are attacked, yet we do not even defend ourselves. In the end, the opposing narrative

organised by the Umno information bureau. He said since the Madani government took office 38 months ago, 733 new initiatives have been introduced and implemented across sectors, including the cost of living, public welfare, employment and housing. “This figure was presented by the chief secretary to the government himself. The question is, how many people speak positively about these efforts? There are some, but not many. This is a problem we must acknowledge.” Zahid said the Opposition has been more effective in deploying aggressive social media strategies, often playing on anger and provocation, while government

The four-day Umno general assembly, which kicked off yesterdaty at the WTC, will bring together representatives from 191 Umno divisions nationwide. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Unity critical in Umno, members must close ranks: Johari Ghani KUALA LUMPUR: Umno can no longer afford internal divisions as the party faces a weakened political position, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said. international challenges. “We can no longer continue to differ among ourselves. The party is no longer as strong as it once was. We must unite to face the challenges domestically and from abroad.” Addressing repeated calls for political unity, Johari said cohesion should be assessed in the context of today’s political realities compared with the past. Asked whether Umno’s role in the Unity government helped bring Malay voters closer to the party, Johari said: “Honestly, I don’t have an answer. We have to wait for the election. That is the only real measure.”

“If we compare before and now, we are actually more united than people think. Today, no party has an absolute majority, yet we can still cooperate and govern the country together with many other parties and the country remains peaceful.” He added that this reflected a growing political maturity, with parties of different backgrounds and ideologies able to work together.

He stressed that unity is now critical for the party’s survival and country’s political stability. “Malaysia has entered a new political era where no single party can dominate on its own,”he told reporters after attending the president’s briefing ahead of the assembly. “Cooperation and compromise are unavoidable if we are to govern effectively and face both domestic and

He cited Sabah as an example, noting that Umno contested 45 seats but won only six, while Pakatan Harapan secured just one. “Electoral strength can no longer be defined in simple terms. In Sabah, the state government has to be formed through a coalition. There is no longer an absolute majority like in the past. We have to accept that reality.”

Johari said political differences must be managed strategically to ensure political stability, which in turn would allow the country to benefit from sustainable economic growth. “Political stability is important. When there is stability, we can give confidence to investors and ensure that economic development can be enjoyed by everyone.”

THURSDAY | JAN 15, 2026

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‘Clearer SOP for arrests of e-hailing drivers needed’

KLIA upgrades to improve passenger flow SEPANG: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd is enhancing operations and infrastructure at KL International Airport (KLIA) to streamline passenger flow and elevate travel experience in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said measures to reduce congestion, including refinements to screening and queue management processes, have contributed to smoother passenger movement. “Many of these improvements happen behind the scenes, but when passenger flow is clearer, travellers can feel the difference.” He said the improvements would influence KLIA’s standing in international airport benchmarks, such as Skytrax and the Airports Council International Airport Service Quality awards. On Tuesday, the airport operator unveiled Rimba, a nature-inspired environment for transit and transfer passengers at KLIA Terminal 1, to enhance comfort while reflecting Malaysia’s identity. Located in the satellite building, Rimba was launched on Jan 1. “With between 50 and 60 million passengers passing through KLIA each year, how travellers feel during transit matters. Rimba offers a more comfortable pause between flights while giving passengers a sense of Malaysia’s natural character,” said Mohd Izani. Spanning 970 square metres, Rimba features enriched greenery, locally crafted rattan lighting and garden-style seating. – Bernama Hotel raided over gay claims MALACCA: The state Islamic Religious Department and the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council have conducted a joint enforcement operation at a hotel here following claims that the establishment is “gay-friendly”. Malacca Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said the operation was launched following a widely spread post by an independent preacher. He said an inspection of 37 rooms at the hotel revealed no breaches under the Syariah Offences Enactment (State of Malacca) 1991. Rahmad said the operation was carried out under sections 56 (sodomy), 57 (attempted sodomy) and 58 (unnatural sex) of the Enactment. “The hotel’s business licence was seized to facilitate further investigation, as the owner was not present at the premises. “The hotel was ordered to close for one day and the owner of the premises was summoned to the council to provide an explanation. Should the explanation be satisfactory, the licence will be returned. Otherwise, further action may be taken.” – Bernama

Choo Kok Wah said the integrated urban governance model using AI technology in improving the efficiency of city services has also captured the attention of delegations from Indonesia and Singapore. He said the ability of JBIOCC to attract the attention of these countries through their visits to the Johor Bahru City Council Tower has previously opened up opportunities for strategic cooperation. Choo said the control centre functions as “eyes and ears” in monitoring security, crime, disasters, traffic congestion, infrastructure management, road damage and environmental cleanliness. “With JBIOCC, investor confidence in Johor Bahru in terms of its smart city planning and security levels would also be enhanced.” JBIOCC will monitor all activities in the city through 500 CCTV cameras with 15 smart AI features. Choo said JBIOCC is capable of detecting about 10,000 incidents every month, including road crashes, crimes, illegal dumping of waste, flash floods, road damage and operation of illegal traders. KUALA LUMPUR: The Land Public Transport Transformation Association has called on the government to introduce clearer standard operating procedures (SOP) for arrests and a dedicated legal aid mechanism for e-hailing drivers. In a press conference yesterday, its president Nathan Mathivanan said e-hailing drivers should not be presumed guilty, adding that current enforcement practices reveal weaknesses and no clear SOP for such drivers. “We urge e-hailing platforms to work with the government to establish a 24-hour legal aid bureau dedicated to e-hailing drivers, as access to legal advice at the point of arrest would help drivers understand their rights and reduce o Legal advice at point of arrest would help motorists understand rights, reduce potential harm: Transport association Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

drivers remain in police custody, and without the association’s intervention, the driver could still be detained today with no way to seek help.” Lawyer Vigines Shankar said a civil lawsuit may be pursued against the parties involved if necessary, as the driver’s treatment was considered excessive. “I hope we can establish clear SOP for handling arrests such as this. For this case, we will request a formal explanation from police on how it was conducted. “If necessary, we are prepared to file a civil lawsuit against the parties involved as we believe this treatment was excessive. We hope these issues could be resolved promptly. “I believe e-hailing drivers are a key part of Malaysia’s economy. As gig workers, their numbers are growing rapidly and they provide essential services.” He said many e-hailing drivers are innocent, whether they are transporting passengers, food or other items, and it is often unclear what is involved in each case. “This is not the first incident. There have been multiple cases, including food delivery riders being detained for carrying drugs. “I hope the agency and ministry can coordinate to establish clear SOP for handling arrests involving drivers.”

utilise existing integrated systems under the agency and the Road Transport Department to distinguish e-hailing vehicles (AH category) from private vehicles (AB category) during investigations. “While we do not question police investigation, the SOP must be properly regulated and updated. Reforming these procedures is the most important step.” On Dec 6, 2025, e-hailing driver Kantharaj Subramaniam, 45, accepted a two-way trip from Rawang to Bukit Beruntung. During the journey, the passenger briefly stopped at a residence and reportedly left an item that could have caused a fire while the driver, unaware of any wrongdoing, completed the trip. On Jan 6, police arrived at the driver’s home without a warrant, questioned his family and took him to the station. His car and phone remain in police custody, limiting his ability to work. Nathan said the passenger’s details were legitimate and the e-hailing company had fully cooperated with authorities, adding that the driver was wrongly treated as a criminal, leaving him psychologically affected. He warned that police records, even without charges, could prevent drivers from working in the future. “Authorities cannot wait while

potential harm.” Nathan also criticised the Land Public Transport Agency for failing to adequately address safety issues affecting e-hailing drivers nationwide. He said an inclusive memorandum containing 21 demands had previously been submitted to the Transport Ministry, including proposals for mandatory passenger identity verification and stricter enforcement. “While drivers are subjected to stringent identity checks, including daily selfie verification, passengers are able to register using anonymous or fake details, exposing drivers to safety risks. “In this case, we were fortunate that the passenger details were legitimate. If not, the driver would have been the victim, with no clear avenue for accountability.” Nathan said some e-hailing companies have introduced more comprehensive verification measures, urging all platforms to immediately adopt electronic Know-Your-Customer systems. He also proposed clearer identification for e-hailing vehicles, such as distinct number plates similar to taxis, saying current sticker-based identification could be easily misused and has damaged the reputation of legitimate drivers. “Enforcement agencies should

Johor Bahru control centre draws global attention JOHOR BAHRU: The establishment of the Johor Bahru Integrated Operations and Control Centre (JBIOCC) has attracted delegations from world economic powers such as China and the United States to see its operation for themselves. JBIOCC Urban Transport assistant director cum Commander Dr

Choo said JBIOCC is capable of detecting about 10,000 incidents every month, including road crashes, crimes, illegal dumping of waste, flash floods, road damage and operation of illegal traders. – BERNAMAPIC

departments in the field. “For example, if someone has a heart attack, anyone at the location can press the panic button to contact JBIOCC staff directly before it is channelled to the relevant parties.” He added that the existence of JBIOCC has boosted the city council’s success in achieving Level Three: Leading Smart City in the Malaysian Smart City ranking last year, making it the first local authority in Malaysia to achieve this level. – Bernama

provide latest information on traffic congestion and flash floods to road users. JBIOCC is also integrated with four panic buttons placed at public locations, namely at Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Youth Centre Johor Bahru, Dataran Bandaraya and Taman Tasik Merdeka. The panic buttons, which are connected to CCTV cameras at these strategic locations, will speed up the response of authorities or relevant

JBIOCC all incidents by sharing information with the departments and agencies responsible to ensure swift action can be taken within 24 hours. “The CCTV has facial recognition and vehicle registration number recognition features, helping enforcement to be carried out more effectively.” The operation of JBIOCC is supported by 10 LED information display systems on main roads, which will coordinate

THURSDAY | JAN 15, 2026 5 Cops probe alleged infant neglect Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com PETALING JAYA: Police have launched an investigation after a three-month-old boy was left with a fractured left thigh, allegedly due to neglect by a babysitter at a home in Taman Koperasi Polis. Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said officers received a report on Jan 9 at about 2.38pm, after the infant was found to have swelling on his left thigh, shortly after being placed in the babysitter’s care. “The baby was brought to hospital by his parents after he would not stop crying. “He was later referred to the Ampang Hospital, where doctors confirmed that he had sustained a fracture to his left thigh. The baby was sent to the babysitter for the first time on Jan 8.” He added that a police report was lodged by the doctor after the medical examination. “Investigations are being carried out under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for child neglect. “Police have identified a suspect and the actual circumstances of the incident are known. However, the case is still under investigation.” The infant remains hospitalised in stable condition for further treatment and observation. Headmaster, wife found dead KUCHING: A primary school headmaster and his wife were found dead with serious injuries to their bodies at a house in Taman Mutiara in Jalan Brayun, Sri Aman yesterday morning. Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the Sri Aman police headquarters received information from the public at about 6.55am regarding the discovery. He said a police team from the headquarters and Sri Aman Hospital medical personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. “Initial examinations confirmed that both victims, a 45-year-old man and his 44-year-old wife, were pronounced dead at the scene.” Mohamad Zainal said the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. Police are urging individuals with any information related to the case to contact investigating officer ASP Kalang, at 019 3317785 or the nearest police station. – Bernama “What we want to see is not limited to the case at hand, but extends to addressing (matters) on a broader scale. “Regarding procurement issues, the clean-up, as mentioned by Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled, needs to be carried out, and we must work together to achieve this.” On Jan 8, a former army chief was remanded for seven days, while his two wives were remanded for six and three days respectively, to assist in investigations into alleged corruption involving army procurement tenders. The commission also seized gold, a vehicle and cash in various foreign currencies, estimated to be worth RM6.9 million, as well as 23 Rolex watches with an estimated value of RM2 million. – Bernama

Family mourns student killed in explosion

o Three victims remain hospitalised, say police

supervisor, a 19-year-old student and a 22-year old Indonesian canteen worker. Reeya, a law undergraduate, suffered severe injuries, including a fractured skull and bleeding in the brain, and remains unconscious in intensive care. HELP University chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Paul Chan expressed his condolences yesterday, saying the institution deeply regretted the incident and would prioritise the welfare of those affected. “We extend our condolences to the family of the worker who died while carrying out maintenance work and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured students.” The explosion occurred at HELP University’s Bukit Damansara campus on Monday and involved an air-conditioning compressor in the building’s fourth-floor maintenance area. The Fire and Rescue Department said the blast happened in the compressor room during maintenance work and destroyed about one-third of the space. Soo’s body was released to his family from the Kuala Lumpur Hospital Forensic Department on Tuesday.

approached media personnel to request privacy. “Please respect our privacy. We would like to keep this mourning session just to ourselves.” According to the digital obituary display, the wake is scheduled to run from Jan 14 to Jan 16, with the funeral service set for 10am before the cortege proceeds to the Nirvana Crematorium in Shah Alam. Soo was a third-year mechanical engineering student at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman who was undergoing his industrial training and was due to complete it this week. Earlier, his mother shared a message on social media expressing sympathy to the family of another victim, first-year law student Reeya Kaur Thandal, while coping with her own grief. “I pray that Reeya will recover and God will give your family strength and faith at this trying time. “I am still grappling with my loss and I understand how you and your family must be feeling,” she wrote in a comment responding to a local English daily’s Facebook post. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus yesterday said three victims remain hospitalised; a 54-year-old contractor

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: The family of 24-year-old Soo Yu Jian, the sole fatality in the recent explosion at HELP University, gathered in quiet grief yesterday for a private wake attended only by close relatives. The wake was held at the Nirvana Memorial Park, where a subdued atmosphere prevailed and seating was limited to a small waiting area outside the hall. Floral arrangements lined the entrance as a digital obituary displayed Soo’s name and service details, while mourners moved in and out silently. theSun observed the victim’s mother, Margaret Chew, with two older relatives outside the hall at about 2pm before they entered for a closed-door family session. However, one family member soon

A digital obituary at the Nirvana Memorial Park displays an image of Soo, alongside details of the wake service. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

MACC detains another Armed Forces officer in corruption probe KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) detained another high-ranking officer of the Armed Forces to assist in investigations into a corruption case. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the officer was detained at 11am yesterday and is currently being investigated in accordance with the relevant legal provisions. an application to extend the remand period for the former army chief who was detained in connection with the procurement tender corruption case would be made based on the needs of the current investigation. MACC previously seized luxury assets worth more than RM2.2 million following a search of a residence in the East Coast believed to belong to the second wife of a former top army officer. on several high-profile cases in the near future. He said investigating officers have been instructed to intensify their investigations, including tracing and linking the flow of funds with the underlying motives and purposes, to ensure the preparation of corruption case involving procurement in the army, which implicates several senior officers, as well as probing a former minister who is alleged to have received about RM5 million from a developer, in connection with a billboard project and a land transfer in the capital.

Commenting on the investigation into the corruption case involving the army, Azam said he is scheduled to meet Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin next Wednesday to discuss issues related to the Mindef procurement process. He added that procurement issues within the ministry are on a broader scale than the case currently under investigation and require more comprehensive corrective measures.

comprehensive investigation papers. “If we say someone accepted a bribe, who gave it? If the money is found in an account, who transferred it? These are the elements I want my officers to establish. “We are moving towards completing the investigation papers in the near future for the case I was referring to,” he said on the Sembang Tamu podcast yesterday. The MACC is investigating a

He added that a former army chief who was previously remanded was released from custody on Monday, after his remand period expired. “MACC will inform of any further developments regarding the cases (of the two officers) in a press conference scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday).” Azam on Tuesday announced that

On Dec 23, the commission visited the Defence Ministry (Mindef) and investigated projects implemented through open tender procurement methods as well as procurement under the Army Responsibility Centre. Meanwhile, Azam said the MACC would complete investigation papers

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Brothers uphold traditional Ponggal pot crafting

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: For brothers Wadiveel and Nagendran Nadarajah, Ponggal is more than a harvest festival – it is the lifeblood of their family’s 70-year-old pottery business, in which every clay pot carries a story of tradition, skill and heritage. The siblings run Jeyam Brothers Creations Sdn Bhd, continuing a family legacy that has supplied handcrafted clay Ponggal pots to households across Malaysia for three generations. Yet, the brothers admit that times are changing. Demand for the pots has declined in recent years as celebration styles evolve and modern alternatives gain popularity. “When Ponggal falls on weekdays, many families celebrate more simply. “More people are also choosing stainless steel or decorative items instead of traditional clay pots,” Wadiveel said. Still, he expressed belief that the clay pot remains at the heart of Ponggal celebrations. Made from earth, it symbolises prosperity, renewal and a deep sense of gratitude towards nature. He explained that the ritual of allowing milk and rice to boil over in a new pot, accompanied by joyful cries of “Ponggalo Ponggal”, represents hopes

willing to learn the craft today. At the same time, mass-produced plastic and stainless steel items have reduced demand for clay pots, especially for everyday use,” said Nagendran. Even so, the company continues to distribute pots nationwide and has received individual overseas orders from customers in Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada. Nagendran said international customers value the use of premium grade clay and traditional firing techniques which result in superior quality, durability and authenticity. The brothers expressed belief that preserving the craft would require renewed appreciation, innovation and youth involvement. They also expressed hope that younger generations would see pottery not only as cultural heritage but also as a meaningful and sustainable modern business. added value as batik motifs are not only visually appealing but also reflect the nation’s artistic heritage and cultural identity. Her products are priced between RM4 and RM20 each. Fasiha estimates that more than 100 pieces of leftover fabric have been saved from disposal since she started the business, with the products receiving encouraging demand as souvenirs. Meanwhile, La Mode Fashion Academy founder Jessica Lee said beyond adding new value to materials often regarded as waste, upcycling batik and other types of used fabrics also plays an important role in educating the public, especially the younger generation, about sustainability and appreciation of local crafts.

and carefully filtered to remove impurities such as stones and roots. “It is then mixed with about 20% to 30% sand and kneaded until it reaches the right consistency. “Each pot is manually shaped on a pottery wheel, preserving skills honed over decades.” The freshly formed pots are sun-dried for eight to 14 days to ensure strength before being fired in a kiln for about 10 hours at temperatures reaching 1,050°C. Finally, each pot is hand-painted with colourful floral motifs, making every piece unique. Despite seasonal spikes during Ponggal, the brothers say sustaining the craft is increasingly challenging. Rising costs of raw materials, fuel and manpower coupled with a lack of interest among younger generations put pressure on traditional potters. “There are fewer young people of offcuts from batik garments sewn by her mother and sister. “At the beginning, there was no plan to produce upcycled items. But as the leftover fabrics kept accumulating, that’s when the idea came to turn them into usable products. “One of the easiest items to make is a coaster. The leftover fabric from a single garment could produce between five and 10 coasters, preventing the material from becoming waste,” she said when met at the Upcycle Batik Wear Festival recently. She also said it takes only about 30 minutes to produce 10 coasters, adding that the leftover material she uses is sourced from Terengganu. She said each product carries

o Handmade clay vessels symbolise prosperity, renewal and gratitude

doorsteps and families gather to cook Ponggal dishes at auspicious times. The third day, Maatu Ponggal, is devoted to honouring cattle for their vital role in farming and food production. Cows are bathed, decorated with garlands, beads and bells, and worshipped as symbols of agricultural prosperity. The festival concludes with Kaanum Ponggal, a day centred on family and community, when relatives gather to share meals and younger members seek blessings from elders. Behind each pot crafted at Jeyam Brothers Creations lies a painstaking traditional process. Wadiveel said clay is sourced locally KUALA LUMPUR: In the eyes of many, fabric scraps are merely leftover pieces of textiles with little value. In reality, the remnants could be given a new lease of life as souvenirs or decor items, as proven by The Batik Edit founder Fasiha Mohd Noh. The 35-year-old sees cloth scraps not as waste but as a resource with potential to be redesigned into high-value products that emphasise sustainability. Since August 2025, she has been using leftover batik fabric to produce small items such as coasters and scrunchies. The products are not only practical for everyday use but also can be purchased as souvenirs. Fasiha told Bernama the idea emerged organically, driven by her reluctance to discard the growing pile

for abundance and happiness to overflow into a household. “Ponggal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil community to give thanks to the sun, mother nature and farm animals for a bountiful harvest. “It also marks the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai, which is considered auspicious and usually falls on Jan 14 or Jan 15 each year.” The celebrations begin with Bhogi, a day of renewal when families clean their homes, discard old belongings and prepare for fresh beginnings. This is followed by Surya Ponggal, the main day of the festival. Colourful kolam designs adorn

Entrepreneur gives leftover batik fabric new lease of life

Fasiha, pictured alongside her products at the Upcycle Batik Wear Festival at the Semua House shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. – BERNAMAPIC

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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Crane derails passenger train BANGKOK: A crane at a China backed high-speed rail project in Thailand collapsed onto and derailed a passenger train yesterday, killing at least 22 people and injuring scores. Footage from the scene verified by AFP showed the crane’s broken structure resting on giant concrete pillars, with smoke rising from the wreckage of the train below. Rescuers worked to extract o Over 20 killed at China-backed project site passengers from the tilted carriages in Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeast of Bangkok. “At around 9am, I heard a loud noise, like something sliding down from above, followed by two explosions,” said local resident Mitr Intrpanya, 54, who was at the scene. “When I went to see what had happened, I found the crane sitting on a passenger train with three carriages. “The metal from the crane appeared to strike the middle of the second carriage, slicing it in half,” Mitr said. District police chief Thatchapon Chinnawong said 22 people had been confirmed dead and 80 more were injured.

No letup in scam centre crackdown PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s arrest of alleged scam centre kingpin Chen Zhi and his extradition to China was “not the end” of its battle to stamp out trans-border crimes, its foreign minister said. Last week’s arrest of Chinese-born Chen is a key step in an until now fragmented international campaign targeting scam networks in Southeast Asia. The extradition of Chen, sanctioned by several countries and indicted by the United States for wire fraud and money laundering, followed a joint investigation by China and Cambodia. “It’s a continued combat, and we have set measures and steps to eradicate this crime,” Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said. Cambodia has always been determined to crack down on transnational crimes, he told Reuters. “The fact that Chen Zhi was arrested and extradited to China is just reflecting this firm commitment of Cambodia to combat the crime. And it’s not the end of the combat.” He gave no details of the investigation but said full cooperation with Beijing had started months ago. Chen, an enigmatic billionaire in his late 30s, heads the Prince Group conglomerate, which is based in Cambodia, with scores of ostensibly legitimate businesses worldwide. Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan have frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in assets linked to Prince Group, while Britain and South Korea have imposed sanctions. Last year, US prosecutors seized about US$15 billion (RM60.77 billion) in bitcoin linked to Chen, and Cambodia has liquidated the Prince Bank he founded. It is not clear what Chen will be charged with in China, which set up a special task force in 2020 to investigate Prince Group, Chinese court documents showed. – Reuters

ceasefire deal in October, his calls proved unsuccessful in immediately ending the second bout of fighting. Besides efforts by Trump and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prak Sokhonn also outlined China’s involvement in the latest truce, such as key visits by a special envoy to Bangkok and Phnom Penh last month. “He met our prime minister, our defence minister, myself,” he said, also outlining similar meetings on the Thai side. “So it was a very, let’s say, active contribution from China.” Two days after the latest ceasefire, the top diplomats of China, Thailand and Cambodia met in Yunnan, where they agreed to rebuild mutual trust. – Reuters imposing advertising and marketing bans to restrict youth access. Health officials estimate 100,000 deaths occur annually as a direct or indirect result of smoking. The ministry said Vietnam had more than 15 million smokers in 2024. It warned that the affordability of cigarettes remained a barrier to reducing tobacco use, particularly among men. – Reuters The accident happened at a construction site that is part of a US$5.4-billion (RM21.88 billion) project backed by Beijing to build a high-speed rail network in Thailand. It aims to connect Bangkok to Kunming in China via Laos by 2028 as part of China’s vast “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative. “A crane collapsed onto a train causing it to derail and catch fire,” the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial public relations department said in a statement. Live footage aired by local media showed rescue workers rushing to the scene, with a brightly coloured train derailed on its side as smoke billowed from the debris. Thatchapon later said authorities were pausing the rescue operation due to “chemical leakage” at the scene. The Nakhon Ratchasima provincial department said the train was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said 195 people were on board the train and authorities were rushing to identify the deceased. Thailand already has around 5,000km of railway but the run-down network has long driven people to favour travel by road. Upon completion of the 600km high-speed railway, Chinese-made trains will run from Bangkok to Nong Khai, on the Mekong River border with Laos, at up to 250 km/h. – AFP

The damaged train lies on its side at the crash site. – MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT HANDOUT/REUTERSPIC

Thai troop deployment tests December truce PHNOM PENH: Thailand’s military continues to occupy civilian areas in Cambodia, having barricaded some with barbed wire and shipping containers, posing a risk to a truce between the neighbours who clashed twice last year, the Cambodian foreign minister said. “The situation remains calm, but there are some risks as well. So we hope that Thailand will remain committed to the full implementation of the ceasefire.” In response to questions With fighter jet sorties, exchanges of rocket fire and artillery barrages, the two neighbours battled for 20 days last month, following a July round of clashes. The December fighting

priority for us because we need to solve those problems to allow our people to go back home,” he said. Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said it was finalising internal procedures for the talks, which would happen after a new government takes office following a Feb 8 election. “The Thai side reiterates its full commitment to resolving differences through bilateral mechanisms and intends to resume JBC activities at the earliest,” it added. Besides an understanding not to beef up troops on both sides of the border, the Dec 27 truce also agreed on the return of displaced civilians. Although Trump was instrumental in halting the July clashes and then oversaw the signing of a wider also much lower than the rates seen in neighbouring Asean countries, including Thailand at 78.6% and Singapore at 67.1%. The ministry on Tuesday proposed further changes to the Tobacco Harm Prevention Law, including the expansion of smoke-free areas, the tightening of retail restrictions, the enlarging of health warnings to cover 85% of cigarette packets, and

killed 101 people and displaced more than half a million, in the latest flare-up of a century-old dispute between the countries. In recent weeks, Cambodia has asked Thailand for a meeting of the

from Reuters, Thai military and government officials referred to a statement on Monday by Thailand’s Foreign Ministry that dismissed Cambodia’s accusations as “baseless”. “The maintenance of current troop positions following the ceasefire constitutes direct compliance with agreed de escalation measures,”the Thai ministry said. “This cannot be misconstrued as territorial occupation.”

Up to 4,000 Cambodian families are unable to return to homes along the disputed frontier because of the Thai incursions, Prak Sokhonn (pic) told Reuters, despite a December agreement that halted weeks of clashes. “The Thai military is still occupying territories well inside Cambodia,” he said on Tuesday in a rare interview from Phnom Penh, listing at least four border locations as incursion sites.

Joint Boundary Commission, a two way effort to demarcate the border, but Bangkok has not confirmed its participation, according to Prak Sokhonn. “The occupied village will be a

Vietnam implements absolute cigarette excise tax HANOI: Vietnam will introduce an absolute excise tax on cigarettes from next year, with rates increasing incrementally to 10,000 dong (RM1.55) per pack by 2031 as part of a campaign to curb smoking. The amended Special absolute levy starting at 2,000 dong per pack and rising over the following four years. “The tax on tobacco for the 2012

Song , the official newspaper of the Health Ministry. Vietnam has raised tobacco taxes twice since 2013, but officials say the increases have had little impact on smoking. The Health Ministry reported that the tax burden on tobacco represents only 36.8% of retail prices, well below the 70-75% level recommended by the World Health Organisation, and

2025 period is very low and had no impact on reducing consumption, while Vietnam’s per capita income has steadily increased every year,” Phan Thi Hai, deputy director of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund, was quoted as saying by Suc Khoe Doi

Consumption Tax law, passed last year, will adopt a mixed tax regime starting from 2027, combining the existing 75% base rate with an