05/03/2026

THURSDAY | MAR 5, 2026

3 Govt to proceed with plans for Sosma amendments

Cardiac care services to be expanded with better infrastructure

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Heart patients can expect shorter waiting times as the Health Ministry rolls out a series of short and medium-term initiatives to expand capacity, improve infrastructure and upgrade equipment at invasive cardiology laboratories (ICLs). Health Deputy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib told the Dewan Negara yesterday that new ICLs at Malacca, Miri, Sibu and Tawau hospitals are expected to be operational by 2027. “Two additional ICLs at Sultan Idris Shah Hospital, Serdang, are slated for 2028, complementing the seven existing ICLs, while equipment in 10 hospitals with cardiology services will be replaced under the Third Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan. “The upgrades aim to ensure the current 26 ICLs provide safe, high quality angiogram and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) treatments,” she said. Hanifah Hajar was responding to a question from Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar on steps taken to tackle long waiting times for heart patients needing angiograms and coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries as well as the ministry’s plans to enhance infrastructure, hospital facilities, manpower, specialists, and equipment. She highlighted plans to expand cardiothoracic operating theatres, optimise cardiac intensive care units (CICUs) and replace high-tech equipment to gradually increase treatment capacity and reduce reliance on outsourcing. “On workforce development, the ministry is strengthening the parallel pathway for cardiothoracic surgery, which has been producing graduates since 2022, while Universiti Teknologi Mara will produce its first graduates in 2027. “We project 45 new cardiothoracic surgeons by 2027, nearing the target of 46 by 2028,” she said. Hanifah Hajar also emphasised that intake for cardiology subspecialty training has doubled from 20 to 40 slots annually this year, with the total number of cardiologists expected to reach 200 by 2030, up from 61 currently, factoring in attrition. She also said the ministry is encouraging more nurses and allied health staff to pursue basic and advanced diploma post-training to enhance the competence of cardiac service support teams. Hanifah Hajar said that last year, the outsourcing of heart cases to the National Heart Institute involved 2,894 angiogram cases, 2,137 PCI procedures, 770 heart bypass surgeries, and 132 valve surgeries. She said since 2024, 2,682 angiogram cases, 1,758 PCI cases, and 900 heart bypass surgeries have been outsourced to private and university hospitals under the Hospital Services Outsourcing Programme. – By Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi

o Home Ministry says reforms will address rights concerns while preserving key national safeguards

Human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) had alleged that at least six minors were arrested under the law, including a 17-year old boy said to have been detained in Alor Setar on Feb 15. Its executive director Azura Nasron, said a formal complaint had been lodged with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner by the Pengkalan Kundor assemblyman over the alleged arrest. However, Federal CID director Datuk M. Kumar said there were no records of any detention involving a 17-year-old on Feb 15, as claimed. Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (Kubang Kerian–PN) similarly raised concerns over the lack of public and parliamentary disclosure on Sosma cases. Ramkarpal urged the Home Ministry to act with urgency, noting that even Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had acknowledged that aspects of the law may be unfair. “These measures aim to ensure that all new developments are inclusive, safe and future-ready, benefiting not only PwD but also elderly residents,”she said, adding that developers are encouraged to incorporate ageing-in-place units equipped with safety and smart living elements. Aiman Athirah warned that developers who fail to comply with universal accessibility or universal design requirements risk having their planning and building approvals rejected by local authorities in addition to facing enforcement action under existing laws. She said local authorities may exercise powers under Section 70 (23) (A) and (B) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133) to conduct inspections during construction to ensure compliance with approved building plans. “In cases of non-compliance, they can also implement checks and balances and, if necessary, withhold the issuance of the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) for the project, and the project supervising person is required to oversee this matter.” Aiman Athirah added that the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has established the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, which includes the Accessibility Audit Implementation body. She said the council is tasked with ensuring compliance with the Malaysian Standard for accessibility and universal design in buildings – with audits aimed at identifying the needs and challenges PwDs face in accessing the built environment. – By Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi

PETALING JAYA: The government will press ahead with plans to amend the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), amid intensifying scrutiny over alleged human rights breaches but maintains that the controversial law will remain in force as a critical safeguard against serious security threats. In a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, the Home Ministry acknowledged concerns raised by various quarters over provisions perceived to impinge on fundamental liberties. “As such, improvements to Sosma will be undertaken while ensuring the law remains relevant as a safeguard for national security, without neglecting the protection of individual human rights and the rule of law, which form the foundation of Malaysia’s democracy. “Sosma remains a crucial legal instrument needed to address

Aiman Athirah said acoustic and visual controls would form essential components of the revised standards, including the use of calming colours such as pastels and subdued patterns on walls and floors. She stressed that such design measures help minimise overstimulation, which can trigger discomfort or stress among neurodivergent individuals. “PLANMalaysia is also reviewing the Universal Design Planning Guidelines to ensure local authorities enforce consistent accessibility requirements while developers are encouraged to integrate ageing-in misuse. He pointed to the detention of a 16-year-old girl, who was held under Sosma from Jan 14 to Jan 23, 2026, in connection with an investigation under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 as an example of how the legislation could be wrongly applied — particularly against minors who should instead be dealt with under the Child Act. He questioned whether the case reflected a clear abuse of the law and pressed for greater transparency over Sosma detentions. In a separate development, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) denied claims that minors were being held under Sosma in February.

more accommodating for individuals with cognitive disabilities and neurodivergent conditions, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “This includes the creation of designated calming spaces in public areas, such as soundproof safe rooms with dim lighting to help such individuals de-escalate during moments of crisis or sensory overload. “Sensory management is also a key focus, including minimising the use of flickering or buzzing fluorescent lights and replacing them with natural light or dimmable LEDs.” She was responding to Senator Manolan Mohamad, who sought details on the new standards to complex and structured security threats,” it said. The ministry was responding to Ramkarpal Singh Karpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor–PH), who had asked whether the Act would be repealed or amended. It stressed that Sosma is necessary to combat offences such as terrorism, organised crime syndicates, migrant smuggling and threats to national sovereignty – offences it said could not be effectively addressed under ordinary criminal law procedures. The law has long attracted criticism from civil society groups and lawmakers over its wide detention powers. Ramkarpal previously called for Sosma to be repealed or amended, citing concerns over its alleged

Major housing overhaul for persons with disabilities PETALING JAYA: Housing for persons with disabilities (PwD) is poised for a major overhaul, with the government moving to tighten planning and public spaces ensure that existing housing and environments are genuinely friendly to those who are neurodivergent. place concepts with safety features and smart living technologies in new housing projects.

guidelines and introduce mandatory adaptable dwelling standards to ensure mobility, safety and long-term liveability in new developments. The Housing and Local Government Ministry said it is in the final stage of approving Draft MS 1184:2025, which sets out updated parameters allowing homes to be easily modified to suit the needs of PwDs and the elderly. Its deputy minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu told the Dewan Negara yesterday that the draft introduces “adaptable dwelling” standards designed to make residential areas

Aiman Athirah said adaptable dwelling standards are designed to make residential areas and public spaces more accommodating for people with cognitive disabilities and neurodivergent conditions, including autism and ADHD. – AI GENERATED IMAGE BY SYED AZAHAR SYEDOSMAN/THESUN