06/03/2026

FRIDAY | MAR 6, 2026 5 State govts to handle Hindu endowments PUTRAJAYA: The National Unity Ministry is of the view that the management of Hindu endowments is better handled by state governments, as it is closely linked to the ownership and administration of land for the construction and management of temples. In a statement yesterday, the ministry said although matters relating to Hindu endowments fall under federal jurisdiction, they are directly connected to land matters, which are under state authority. Hindu endowments are provided under Item 15(c) of the Federal List in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, while land matters fall under state jurisdiction as stipulated in Item 2 of the State List in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. “This approach is important to ensure that the management and administration of Hindu endowments can be carried out legally, systematically and in accordance with the applicable state laws,” the statement said. The ministry said this approach has been implemented through the establishment of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board, in which although the enabling law was enacted by the federal government at the time, the authority to establish the board was given to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri. Accordingly, the ministry said if the Hindu community in any state sees a need to establish a Hindu endowment board, the proposal can be submitted to the respective state government. The proposal can then be brought up through the Council of Ministers for Unity together with the state ministers of unity for Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the state executive councillors for unity. “The federal government is committed to considering such proposals and enacting the appropriate legislation for their establishment. “This is also in line with Article 11(3) of the Federal Constitution, which provides that every religious group has the right to hold and manage their property according to the law,” the statement said. The ministry said the Madani government is committed to safeguarding freedom of religion while ensuring harmony and unity among the multi-religious communities. – Bernama Ministry denies failure over racial issues KUALA LUMPUR: The National Unity Ministry has denied allegations that it failed to address racial and religious issues, including controversies surrounding the construction of houses of worship and a recent incident involving the desecration of the Quran . National Unity Deputy Minister R. Yuneswaran said the ministry’s role is to help maintain harmony and provide input through the Harmony Committee. The committe comprises 12 members from various ministries, including the Home Ministry, National Security Council and police. The National Unity Ministry only has powers under the Rukun Tetangga Act 2012 and does not have legal authority to prosecute individuals involved in such incidents. “Our focus is to manage issues through meetings and discussions, ensuring appropriate input is considered. “Therefore, I disagree with such claims as I am involved in various meetings to address these matters,” he said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address for the ministry in the Dewan Negara on Wednesday. Yuneswaran was responding to Senator Datuk Mustafa Musa, who voiced concern that weak enforcement by the ministry had allowed racial and religious issues to be ridiculed, while stressing the need for education and awareness to prevent the public from being influenced by those who exploit such matters. – Bernama

Ornamental fish species worth RM35,000 seized

KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities seized 675 prohibited ornamental fish worth RM35,674 during a multi-agency enforcement operation targeting aquarium traders at the Ornamental Fish Market in Jalan Pudu yesterday. Federal Territories Department of Fisheries director Suhanah Kassiron said the integrated operation involved the Fisheries Department, police, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and the Wildlife and National Parks Department. “The species with the highest quantity was parrotfish, totalling 550. We also found flowerhorn and four arapaima,” she said after the operation. Suhanah said the seized fish species were taken to the Pudu police station before being transferred to a storage facility at the KL International Airport for further investigation. She said enforcement teams inspected six premises during the operation and detected several offences under fisheries regulations governing aquaculture activities in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. “We found that these premises did not possess valid permits and licences under the relevant fisheries regulations. “They were also found to be keeping, storing and trading prohibited fishes at their premises,” she said. Suhanah added that among the species discovered during the raid were sturgeon, midas and peacock bass, which are considered prohibited species due to the ecological risks they pose. “These fish can damage ecosystems if they are released into public waters. They are aggressive and can compete with local fish species,” she said. She urged the public to report any premises suspected of selling prohibited fish to the Fisheries Department so enforcement action could be taken. o Joint raid exposes six premises without valid permits or licences under regulations governing aquaculture activities in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya: Fisheries director Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Suhanah inspecting a suspected illegally imported species of crayfish during the operation yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

attentive to their children’s digital activities and not allow them to use devices for extended periods without supervision. “Devices are not babysitters. Parents also have responsibilities,” he said. The welfare event, held in strategic collaboration with the Federal Territories State Development Office and Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad, also saw RM500 in aid presented to 150 asna f recipients registered under the eKasih system in the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency. Fahmi said the initiative is in line with the Madani government’s aspiration, which emphasises a balance between economic growth and public wellbeing to ensure that no group is left behind in the nation’s development. – Bernama officers seized 304 turtles and terrapins, including species protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. He added that one of the premises involved had previously been raided for similar offences. Investigations are ongoing under relevant fisheries and wildlife conservation laws. Premises found operating aquaculture activities without valid permits may face a fine of up to RM1,000 or imprisonment of up to one year, or both, under the Fisheries (Inland Aquaculture) Rules for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan 2017. Authorities said the case may also involve offences under the Fisheries (Prohibition of Import etc of Fish) Regulations 1990 for possessing or trading prohibited fish species. Wildlife seizures may also be investigated under the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008, where applicable.

Suhanah added that the department had previously conducted awareness programmes and advisory campaigns for traders at the Pudu ornamental fish market. “However, we still found repeat offences. This time, we carried out a larger operation involving all premises simultaneously,” she said. Also present during the operation were Bukit Aman Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence deputy commander Supt Mohd Redzuan Zainol Abidin and Wildlife and National Parks Department Peninsular Malaysia assistant director Celescoriano Razond. Mohd Redzuan said the operation was coordinated following police intelligence and surveillance to prevent traders from moving or concealing illegal species before enforcement teams entered the premises. Meanwhile, Celescoriano said wildlife

Controls for under-16 social media accounts KUALA LUMPUR: Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to open their own social media accounts, although accounts managed by parents on behalf of their children are permitted. Sumbangan Ihsan Kasih Ramadan 2026 on Wednesday. Fahmi said the government is

implementing a regulatory sandbox with social media platforms to introduce a minimum age limit of 16 for new account registrations. He said Malaysia’s approach differs from the Age Assurance model used in Australia, with the country instead leveraging specific legislation relating to the MyKad as an additional security element for identity and age verification. “Children can still watch content such as on YouTube, but they cannot open their own accounts, as personal accounts allow unknown individuals to contact them,” he said. Fahmi also urged parents to be more

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the measure aims to protect minors from online safety risks, including cyber predators who may attempt to contact children through various social media platforms. “The key issue is who controls the account. We do not want children controlling the accounts themselves. “If the account is opened by parents, at least they will know if unknown individuals try to contact their children,” he said after the Sejahtera Madani Welfare Programme: