23/03/2026

MONDAY | MAR 23, 2026

4 DAP public rift squashed after firm order by Loke stakeholders.

National Artiste Day celebrates arts community KUALA LUMPUR: National Artiste Day serves as a tribute to the country’s arts community for its role in shaping culture, nurturing creativity and fostering unity among Malaysians, the Communications Ministry said. It said the annual observance on March 22, which coincides with the birth anniversary of the late legendary artiste Tan Sri P. Ramlee, was gazetted to recognise the contributions of those in the arts industry who have enriched the nation’s cultural landscape. The day also honours the legacy of P. Ramlee, whose influence continues to resonate across generations. The National Archives said the occasion also marks what would have been the 97th birthday of the iconic figure, widely remembered for his versatility as an actor, director and musician. The agency noted that the late artiste, whose real name was Teuku Zakaria Teuku Nyak Puteh, was born in Penang to a seafarer from Lhokseumawe, Aceh, while his mother hailed from Kubang Buaya in Butterworth. According to the National Archives, P. Ramlee received his early education at several institutions, beginning with Sekolah Melayu Kampong Jawa from 1935 to 1938, followed by Francis Light English School (1939), the Japanese Navy Academy (Kaigun Gaiko) from 1942 to 1944 and later Penang Free School in 1947. “The spirit of unity he instilled and portrayed in his films has ensured they remain relevant to this day, while his songs continue to be cherished by people from all walks of life.” – Bernama

land use. Residential land is charged at about RM0.50 per square metre in rural areas and RM0.70 in urban areas, subject to a minimum of RM40 and RM50 per lot respectively. Commercial and industrial lands are charged at RM2.80 per square metre in rural zones and up to RM3.25 in urban zones. Overall increases range between 29% and 200%, although significantly higher hikes have been reported in cases involving land reclassification, such as agricultural land being taxed at commercial rates. To ease the burden, the state government has opened an appeals process and introduced a 50% rebate this year, provided the final payable amount does not fall below the 2025 rate. Non-profit educational institutions are subject to a capped annual rate of RM50 per title. Chow urged affected landowners to submit appeals to the relevant district land offices and the Penang Land and Mines Office at Komtar. State authorities have maintained that the revisions are part of efforts to update land valuations and ensure sustainable revenue for the state.

o Meeting between present and former CMs to be convened to resolve dispute amicably

He said while there is a need to review rates, particularly in commercial zones, the approach must be balanced, responsive and considerate. He added that quit rent involving educational institutions, including public schools, should not be increased excessively and should remain at a nominal level. Earlier reports indicated that more than 1,000 appeals had been filed following the implementation of the revised rates at the start of the year. Lim has been critical of the hikes. The former chief minister said voters would not have supported the state leadership had they been aware of the increases. In a separate statement, he welcomed Loke’s intervention and said he would refrain from making further public statements or holding press conferences on the issue until the meeting takes place. He claimed that some increases were “more than 3,000 times”, and said his parliamentary office in Bagan, along with his service centre in Air Putih, has assisted about 800 landowners in filing appeals. Under the revised structure, quit rent varies according to

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

Chow and Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng to end their public exchanges over the hikes, stressing the need to uphold party discipline. He said a meeting involving both leaders would be convened to resolve the dispute amicably, amid growing concern over their continued public disagreement. He also said the party’s central leadership views the spat seriously, noting that airing internal policy differences in public is “unhealthy and inappropriate”, particularly at a time of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. “Our focus must remain on serving the people and safeguarding public interest,” he said, adding that party leaders must refrain from public bickering and instead work together constructively. He added that differences of opinion should be addressed through internal channels. At the same time, Loke acknowledged that concerns over the revised quit rent rates must be taken seriously as they reflect grievances from various

PETALING JAYA: Once a familiar presence in homes and neighbourhoods, sparrows are now vanishing from Malaysia’s urban landscape, a quiet but alarming decline that could signal deeper environmental distress. As the world marked World Sparrow Day on Friday, concerns are mounting over the rapid disappearance of the birds, long regarded as one of the closest avian companions to humans. Consumers’ Association of Penang senior education and environmental officer N.V. Subbarow said sparrows, particularly the common house sparrow, are increasingly at risk of extinction due to a convergence of environmental and human-driven pressures. “Twenty-five years ago, sparrows were ubiquitous. They lived closely alongside humans and were part of our daily lives,” he said, recalling how the birds once nested within homes and fed on grains commonly found in traditional households. He said older architectural designs played a key role in sustaining sparrow populations. Wooden and thatched houses, often built with small gaps and exposed beams, provided ideal nesting sites that sheltered the birds from predators. “These structures allowed sparrows to build safe nests away from larger birds that would otherwise prey GEORGE TOWN: A simmering public rift within DAP over Penang’s controversial quit rent hikes appears to have been brought under control, with party leaders closing ranks following a firm directive from secretary-general Anthony Loke. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he would submit a detailed report on the revised quit rent rates to Loke and abide by instructions to refrain from further public comment on the matter. “I will prepare a report to be submitted to him on the implementation of the new quit rent rates that came into effect on Jan 1.” He added that he would comply with Loke’s directive not to discuss the issue in the media to “avoid negative perceptions and impact on the party, its leadership and the state government as a whole”. On Saturday, Loke, who is also Transport minister, called on Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Alarming drop in sparrow population in urban spaces

on their eggs and chicks.” However, he rapid urbanisation has since reshaped these environments. “Modern concrete buildings and the widespread use of air conditioning have eliminated many of the crevices and openings sparrows depend on. “Today’s housing structures are not sparrow-friendly. The small spaces they need simply no longer exist.” Changes in food storage and consumption patterns have further compounded the problem, he added. “In the past, grains were stored in sacks within homes, making them easily accessible to sparrows. Today, food is typically sealed in containers, cutting off a key food source. “At the same time, shifting urban lifestyles have reduced the availability of food scraps and grains the birds once relied on.” The use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture has also contributed significantly to the decline by reducing the insect population, a vital source of protein for sparrows, while contaminating their habitat, he said. “The scarcity of insects and grains is one of the main reasons sparrow numbers are falling.” Environmental degradation has worsened the situation, with the destruction of wetlands, loss of shrub vegetation and shrinking breeding grounds further diminishing their numbers, said Subbarow. “Urban expansion, pollution and even emerging concerns such as microwave radiation have also been said

Subbarow said the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture has contributed significantly to the decline by reducing the insect population, a vital source of protein for sparrows, while contaminating their habitat. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/ THESUN

awareness, research and proactive conservation efforts to reverse the trend, including preserving green spaces and reducing chemical use. “Our generation grew up watching sparrows and even singing songs about them. It is important that future generations also have the chance to experience their beauty.” He said without urgent intervention, the once-common sparrow could soon become a rarity or even disappear entirely from city life.

“When sparrows disappear, it is not just about losing a bird species. It indicates that the environment is becoming less suitable for life, including human life,” said Subbarow. In earlier generations, sparrows, alongside crows, pigeons and chickens, coexisted closely with humans. “Today, however, many children, particularly in urban areas, are growing up without ever encountering the small brown birds.” He stressed the need for greater

cited as additional stress factors.“ Globally, conservationists are increasingly focusing on the issue. The International Union for Conservation of Nature continues to monitor species under threat, underscoring the urgency of protecting even common birds such as sparrows. Beyond their ecological role, sparrows serve as vital bio-indicators of environmental health. Their decline may point to broader imbalances within urban ecosystems.