20/01/2026

TUESDAY | JAN 20, 2026

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Call to address abuse in physical, digital spaces

survivors to establish an association to provide support and raise awareness about burn injuries and gas safety. “In the future, we hope to collaborate with Fire Departments or relevant agencies to organise talks and awareness programmes.” Chua documents her experience in the memoir When an Explosion Knocks You Down , recounting her survival after sustaining burns over 80% of her body. “My message to others is: Whatever happens in the past does not define your future. Bad or unexpected things may happen to you now, but that does not mean things will not improve. Do not lose hope. Take one step at a time.” Immigration officer denies taking bribes SHAH ALAM: A senior Malaysian Immigration Department officer pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court yesterday to four counts of taking RM140,000 in bribes to illegally admit 56 Bangladeshi nationals into the country. Mastura Aziz, 48, entered her plea after the charges were read to her before judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin. She is accused of receiving bribes from a foreign national while serving as deputy assistant director at KL International Airport Terminal One as inducement to bypass official immigration procedures. The offences are alleged to have occurred on May 3, 7, 11 and 15 last year at a shopping centre in Sepang, the Kota Warisan Bandar Hawker Centre in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi and a petrol station in Persiaran Warisan Maju, Bernama reported. She is charged under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries up to 20 years’ jail and a minimum fine of five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher. The accused’s lawyer Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent applied for a reduced bail at RM10,000, citing his client’s unblemished record of attendance at all proceedings and her readiness to comply with any court-imposed conditions. The judge set bail at RM20,000 in one surety, ordering the accused to report monthly to the nearest MACC office. IJM confirms MACC presence at office KUALA LUMPUR: IJM Corporation Bhd has confirmed that officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Inland Revenue Board were present at the company’s office yesterday to obtain information as part of their process. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, it said it is cooperating fully with authorities. “The company is committed to upholding strong standards of corporate governance, transparency and integrity. “We would like to assure our stakeholders that our business operations are continuing as usual. The company will continue to monitor developments in this matter and will make timely disclosures should there be any material updates.” Earlier, it was reported that MACC is focusing its investigation on allegations involving IJM in connection with an alleged RM2.5 billion money laundering scheme. The report, quoting an internal source, said senior members of the company’s management bearing the title Tan Sri, as well as a company adviser, have been identified as persons of interest. – Bernama

o Safety must be actively built, protected and enforced, says NGO chairman

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia must act to protect its children and adults from rising violence, bullying and abuse, including online exploitation, warned Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. “These cases, whether occurring in schools, homes, workplaces or digital spaces, are a stark reminder that safety cannot be taken for granted. It must be actively built, protected and enforced.” He stressed that safety is more than merely the absence of crime, as it is also the presence of dignity, respect and protection. “Every child has the right to grow, learn and play without fear. Every adult has the right to work, communicate and live free from harassment, abuse and exploitation. “When any of these spaces becomes unsafe, trust collapses and long-term harm follows.” He also highlighted schools as a critical frontline. “Schools must be transformed into safe spaces, not sources of trauma. Zero tolerance must be enforced for bullying, sexual misconduct, abuse of power and violence. “Properly trained counsellors, mandatory reporting mechanisms and child-protection officers are essential to act swiftly when students are at risk. “Teachers and school leaders must be able to recognise signs of distress, grooming and abuse. Silence and cover-ups can never be allowed to protect reputations at the expense of children.” Family violence, neglect and emotional abuse often go unseen behind closed doors. Lee urged parents and caregivers to seek parenting education, mental health support and stress-management tools. He also called for empowering neighbours, teachers and health workers to report suspected abuse without fear of reprisal. Addressing workplaces, he said: “Bullying, sexual harassment, intimidation and exploitation are not part of office culture. They are violations of human rights. “Organisations must implement clear codes of conduct, confidential reporting channels and independent investigations. Workers must be assured that speaking up would not

Lee said bullying, sexual harassment, intimidation and exploitation are not part of office culture –they are violations of human rights . – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

laws to provide clear legal safeguards, expanded access to mental health services and counselling for victims and at-risk individuals, and safe, confidential reporting systems so that people can speak up without fear. Investigations must be swift and fair, with meaningful penalties to ensure accountability, he added. He also stressed on continuous public education to raise awareness about safety, respect and dignity. “Most importantly, we must stop normalising cruelty, silence and fear. A safe society is not built by looking away. It is built by speaking up, acting early and standing with victims. “Every child deserves a safe childhood. Every adult deserves a life free from abuse. And every space, physical or digital, must be governed by dignity, responsibility and care. Only then can we truly call ourselves a compassionate and just society.”

jeopardise their jobs or future careers.” He also warned about growing risks in digital spaces. “Cyberbullying, scams, sexual predators, grooming, extremist content and psychological manipulation are making online environments increasingly unsafe. “Stronger platform accountability, effective content moderation, digital literacy education and parental guidance tools are critical. “Laws alone are not enough. Enforcement, technology and public awareness must work together,” he noted. He also called for a united approach involving the government, schools, employers, parents, technology companies, NGOs as well as communities. “Protecting children and adults from harm requires collaboration across all sectors of society.” Lee outlined several key measures, such as stronger child-protection and anti-bullying

University explosion highlights need for gas safety education

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

underscored the need for basic gas safety education as many people remain unaware of the risks. “Gas safety should be treated as basic knowledge, such as fire drills or road safety. LPG tanks and gas systems are common in homes and buildings, yet many people do not fully understand the dangers.” She emphasised that the strong smell associated with gas leaks is a critical warning sign that should never be ignored. “Gas itself is odourless but additives are used so that leaks can be detected. If the smell is very strong, it usually indicates a leak and immediate action should be taken.” She is working with other burn

The building has been closed pending investigations, with HELP University saying it is cooperating fully with authorities, as well as the building owner and management. Students and staff were evacuated in accordance with emergency protocols. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered an urgent probe into the incident. Chua said she was deeply saddened by the explosion and expressed sympathy for those affected. “As a burn survivor, my heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims.” She added that the tragedy

built up. “When gas is trapped in an enclosed space, it becomes extremely dangerous. Even the slightest friction or spark could cause an explosion. “People assume it takes a big flame to cause an explosion, but that is not true.” The Jan 12 blast occurred at 11.40am during air-conditioning maintenance works at HELP University’s Bukit Damansara campus. Believed to have been caused by a ruptured air-conditioning compressor, the explosion originated from an area adjacent to a cafeteria on the fourth floor, causing an estimated 30% structural damage. Fortunately, it did not trigger a fire.

GEORGE TOWN: Last week’s HELP University explosion, which killed one man and injured nine, is a stark reminder that when gas accumulates unnoticed, disaster can strike in an instant, said burn survivor Eileyn Chua, 48. Chua, who survived a gas explosion at her Penang home in 2016, warned that the dangers of gas leaks are often underestimated, despite how little it takes for them to turn deadly. The practising lawyer said even ordinary actions, such as switching on a light, could trigger sparks if gas has