06/02/2026

FRIDAY | FEB 6, 2026

2 Modi on two-day visit to Malaysia from tomorrow o ‘Official trip at Anwar’s invitation offers opportunity to boost bilateral trade and regional cooperation amid global power shifts’

NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi will make a two-day official visit to Malaysia during which he will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. It will be his third visit to Malaysia, said India’s External Affairs Ministry in a statement on Wednesday. Modi’s visit, which is being undertaken at Anwar’s invitation, offers an opportunity to boost bilateral trade and regional cooperation amid global power shifts. He will interact with members of the Indian community as well as industry and business representatives. The 10th India Malaysia CEO Forum is also scheduled during his visit beginning tomorrow. “The India-Malaysia relationship is multi faceted and growing,” said the statement. It highlighted various areas of cooperation such as trade, investment, defence, security, maritime affairs, digital and financial technology, energy, healthcare, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people ties. Malaysian High Commissioner to India Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa said India and Malaysia enjoy close and multi-faceted relations but there is plenty of scope for growing collaboration in emerging technologies, semiconductor industry, higher education and energy as well as private sector linkages. “This is an important visit for Malaysia as it will enable the two leaders to build on the goodwill generated during Anwar’s visit to New Delhi in August 2024.” Malaysia-India ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the visit, Bernama reported.

“In the current global environment, it is important to have stable relationships. Malaysia and India are reliable partners and share common views on many regional and international issues. “With India’s strong focus on trade and economic issues in its engagements with Asean, Malaysia can be a gateway for Indian companies in their regional aspirations. “Likewise, we encourage Malaysian companies to take advantage of India’s large market,” said Muzafar. Modi’s visit signals the growing importance of Kuala Lumpur in India’s “Act East” policy, and is expected to culminate in expanding economic and strategic ties between the two countries, said Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Global India Insights CEO Manish Chand. He said Anwar has positioned Asean as a key player in the Global South and a rising force to be reckoned with when Malaysia chaired the 11-member regional bloc last year. Modi’s last official visit to Malaysia was in November 2015 when, apart from bilateral engagements, he participated in the Asean– India Summit and East Asia Summit. He also made a brief stopover in Malaysia in May 2018 during a scheduled visit to the region. Chand said Modi is likely to pitch for more investments from Malaysia in India’s infrastructure sector and the two sides would also discuss expanding security cooperation. “One can expect broader discussions on enhancing cooperation in shaping a rules based international order and in promoting the interests and aspirations of the Global South.”

HIGH RECOGNITION ... His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, presenting the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Mahkota Wilayah which carries the title ‘Datuk Seri’ to Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Seri Hashim Hamzah in conjunction with Federal Territory Day 2026 at Istana Negara yesterday. The King conferred awards, decorations and medals on 54 individuals at the ceremony. – PIC COURTESY OF SULTAN IBRAHIM SULTAN ISKANDAR FACEBOOK PAGE

States have authority over land matters, places of worship: Minister

Warning against religious extremism KUALA LUMPUR: The National Unity Ministry takes seriously any form of religious extremism that could undermine social harmony and national security, said its minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. identified and prosecuted under existing laws, including the Sedition Act, the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act.

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Unity Ministry has emphasised that matters relating to the management of places of worship and affairs of non-Muslim religions in the states fall under the jurisdiction of state governments. National Unity Minister Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang said state governments hold authority over religious affairs and land matters as outlined in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution (State List). “Any issue involving land use or the management of places of worship should be addressed in line with state laws, and through dialogue and community cooperation,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. He was responding to Ganabatirau Veraman (PH-Klang) on proposals for a mechanism or national body to oversee non Muslim religious affairs and places

Religions, Penang’s Non-Muslim Places of Worship Coordination Committee, Selangor’s Special Religious Committee for Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs, and similar committees in the Federal Territories and other states.” He said 531 pro bono mediators operate across nine community mediation centres to resolve conflicts at the community level without resorting to court litigation. He warned that the government would not tolerate anyone using religion to spread hatred, incite division or stir racial and religious tension. He said the ministry backs the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers in identifying and prosecuting offenders under the Sedition Act, the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act. – Bernama

of worship following reports of temples built without permission on private land. Aaron said the government guarantees religious freedom while upholding the rule of law, including land management and development under the relevant authorities. He said while land matters are under state jurisdiction, the ministry serves as a facilitator to ensure that religious issues are handled fairly and in line with the Constitution and Rukun Negara. Aaron said the ministry has set up several committees for this purpose, including the National Unity Advisory Council, the Interfaith Harmony Committee and the Unity Issues Management Committee. “All state governments have set up special committees to oversee non-Muslim religious affairs, including Sarawak’s Unit for Other

He said the government would ensure that social media remains a safe, ethical and responsible platform and no tolerance would be given to any form of extremism, whether in the physical or digital space. Aaron said the ministry has taken various approaches, including developing 19 community integration platforms and sites covering social, educational, sports and economic spaces to encourage interaction among Malaysians of different backgrounds. He said the ministry, through the National Archives of Malaysia, is also working to bring the heritage and memorials of national leaders closer to the public. Aaron added that the National Historians Council has been established and is chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, together with 17 experts to oversee and review the writing of national history to ensure it is accurate, credible and based on evidence. – Bernama

He said the government would not compromise with any individual or group that misuses religion to spread hatred, create division or threaten public order. “Although freedom of speech is guaranteed, it is not absolute and must not be abused to touch on racial, religious or royal institution issues,” he said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address for the ministry in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday. He was responding to an interjection by RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) who raised concerns over action against individuals alleged to have caused racial and religious tension, including organising movements or gatherings that could disrupt public order. Aaron said the matter is currently under investigation by police with the cooperation of the Attorney-General’s Chambers. He added that those involved would be