16/01/2026

FRIDAY | JAN 16, 2026

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Climate Bill to be tabled in Parliament by March

Safer Internet Day event to promote ethical use of AI KUALA LUMPUR: Safer Internet Day, to be celebrated on Feb 8, will focus on promoting the safe, responsible and ethical use of the internet and AI. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that the large-scale community event, which brings together digital safety education, smart technology and family-friendly entertainment, would be held at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa here. It said the organisation of the event, in conjunction with International Safer Internet Day and celebrated annually in more than 170 countries, aims to promote the safe, responsible and positive use of the internet, particularly among children and young people. “With the theme ‘Smart Technology, Safe Choices: Safe and Responsible Use of AI’, the event emphasises the importance of making wise digital choices in leveraging technology and AI, in line with the current needs of the evolving digital landscape. “The main focus is on children, youth and families so that technology is used ethically and responsibly.” During the event, the public will be presented with various activities, including an interactive internet safety exhibition, pocket talk sessions with experts, community activities, smart technology demonstrations and the official launch of the Safe Internet Campaign, Bernama reported. The event will feature a mini-concert by local artistes as a relaxed approach to reach out to people from all walks of life, while also conveying digital safety messages in a more family-friendly atmosphere. MCMC said Safer Internet Day supports efforts to build a Madani Civil Society, a society that is knowledgeable, resilient, competitive, sensitive and responsible in the online environment. It added that the public is invited to attend and help celebrate Safer Internet Day, and to join in creating a safer internet ecosystem for everyone. challenged, and education on portion control and diet, especially reducing carbohydrates and prioritising protein, is essential. She often reminds patients that while skipping rice might seem difficult, failing to control their diet could lead to far more serious consequences, such as heart disease or kidney failure. Rohana called on policymakers, the government and insurance companies to invest in effective obesity medications, highlighting that some ethnic disparities still exist in access to treatment and willingness to pay. “By combining medical therapy with education, empathy and multidisciplinary care, we could promote a holistic approach, such as one that reduces stigma and encourages individuals to achieve sustained health improvements.”

o Plan represents part of ministry’s push to move from policy planning to concrete action

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

CYBERJAYA: The long-awaited National Climate Change Bill will be tabled in Parliament by March, marking one of the first major deliverables under the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry’s first 100-day agenda for 2026. Its newly appointed minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the Bill is expected to provide Malaysia with a clear legal framework to address climate change. It is a central part of the ministry’s push to move from policy planning to concrete action, in line with the country’s commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. He said 2026 would be a decisive year for action, echoing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call for tangible outcomes from government policies. “If previous years were about planning, this year is the year of implementation and acceleration. “The people no longer want to hear promises. They want to see real results,” he said yesterday. Also present at the event was the ministry’s new deputy minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh. Arthur said the National Climate Change Bill will be tabled for its first reading alongside a companion Bill to establish a National Climate Change Authority. KUALA LUMPUR: Over half of Malaysian adults are classified as obese but many avoid treatment due to self-blame, even though untreated hormonal and metabolic conditions could worsen health outcomes, experts say. Malaysian Obesity Society president Prof Dr Rohana Abdul Ghani said obesity care remains underutilised partly because of stigma, with many patients feeling ashamed to seek help, believing their condition reflects personal failure rather than a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder. “Many patients wrongly blame themselves for their weight, but obesity is often caused by underlying physiological and hormonal factors. “In women, conditions such as Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Arthur (centre) said the urgency to act is greater than ever, citing increasingly frequent floods and heatwaves as evidence that climate change is no longer a distant threat. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

loss are improving overall health, focusing on restoring health rather than appearance.” Rohana said for patients who are morbidly obese, the focus should shift from prevention to preventing obesity-related complications, such as using functional therapies. “We will continue to advocate better access to treatment and recognition of obesity as a medical condition that requires proper management,” she said, adding that obesity should be treated as a chronic disease rather than a lifestyle failure. She also said urbanisation contributes to obesity through sedentary lifestyles, while Malaysia faces unique challenges, such as costly and less accessible healthy food. She highlighted that cultural habits such as feeling obligated to finish all food served need to be must move fast, set weekly targets, monitor progress and remove bureaucratic obstacles. The world will not wait for us to resolve the climate crisis.” He stressed that the ministry would take a firm stance against environmental offences. “I will not compromise on any illegal logging, unlicensed mining or encroachment into forest reserves. “We must ensure every inch of the nation’s natural resources is managed with full transparency so that the benefits return to the people, not to parties seeking to profit at the expense of the environment.” He also urged swift action on disaster management as well as climate adaptation. “Early warning systems must be strengthened according to schedule, with no bureaucratic delays. “The wellbeing of the people is our highest KPI and 2026 must be the year in which plans turn into real results for Malaysians.”

“Earlier weight-loss medications relied mainly on appetite suppression by targeting the brain alone. While initially effective, their benefits diminish over time and rapid weight regain often occurs once treatment is stopped. “Newer injectable obesity treatments target both the brain and the gut, helping regulate appetite more effectively, so weight regain happens more slowly when treatment is reduced or stopped, making them a better option for patients who need medical support.” She emphasised that treatment should start early as weight gain becomes harder to reverse, and healthcare providers should act without delay. “Historically, weight loss and organ protection were difficult to achieve due to limited treatments, but newer drugs that enable significant weight The ministry also plans to devolve regulatory powers over scheduled waste to Sabah and Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 through amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974, also targeted for tabling by March. Other initiatives include expanding the Low Carbon City 2030 Challenge to drive urban transformation, launching a nationwide “Plastic-Free, Earth-Safe” campaign, and providing financial incentives for states to protect forests and biodiversity. He said RM250 million will be allocated for the forest conservation cause in 2026, including funds for community rangers tasked with addressing illegal logging and wildlife poaching. He acknowledged that achieving all 10 key performance indicators (KPIs) in 100 days would be a major challenge but remained optimistic. “Starting today, there is no more ‘wait and see’. Every department

polycystic ovary syndrome are highly prevalent, while in men, issues such as hypogonadism also contribute to weight gain. “These conditions need to be properly identified and diagnosed so that appropriate treatment can be given,” she said yesterday after an event announcing that an injectable obesity treatment would be available here soon. Rohana, who is also senior consultant endocrinologist, said some patients struggle with persistent“food noise”, which makes appetite control extremely difficult, and stressed the need for medical intervention. She said many patients turn to supplements in an attempt to manage their weight but these products are often poorly regulated, with inconsistent dosing, and have been linked to serious complications, including liver and kidney failure. When asked if it would be tabled in the upcoming parliamentary session next week, he said the first reading of the Bill would most likely take place then. The Bill was previously delayed to allow broader consultations with state governments and industry players, amid concerns that uneven enforcement could undermine its effectiveness. Arthur said the urgency to act is greater than ever, citing increasingly frequent floods and heatwaves as evidence that climate change is no longer a distant threat. “The climate change agenda is a matter of national survival. We no longer have the luxury of time to merely discuss it. We are now in the phase of action.” He also outlined other targets under the 100-day plan, including formulating a National Carbon Market Policy to boost private sector and financial participation in carbon trading under the Paris Agreement.

‘Obesity care underutilised due to stigma’