23/04/2026

THURSDAY | APR 23, 2026

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Govt ramps up measures to shield economy

Cash aid for individuals affected by Sabah water village fire SANDAKAN: The Federal Government yesterday announced a compassionate aid of RM1,500 for families affected by a major fire in Kampung Bahagia on Sunday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the assistance will be coordinated and channelled through the Implementation Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department and the National Disaster Management Agency. Describing the incident as among the most serious fire disasters in the country, he said his visit was aimed at offering support to those affected and discussing immediate follow-up measures with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. “While this is not a long-term solution, it is an immediate measure. I want the assistance to be delivered promptly, as the families need assurance,” he told reporters here. Earlier, Anwar visited the temporary evacuation centre at the People’s Housing Project hall in Taman Batu Sapi and inspected the blaze site in Kampung Bahagia. Also present were Hajiji and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud. The fire that broke out on Sunday in the water village destroyed about 1,000 houses, affecting an area of more than four hectares. Meanwhile, Anwar said the Education Ministry has agreed to provide immediate assistance of RM300 to 454 Malaysian students from 12 schools in the Sandakan area to enable them to purchase uniforms, books and other school necessities. He said children affected would also be given priority to return to school as soon as possible, including temporary flexibility on wearing uniforms, as well as transport assistance from temporary evacuation centres to schools, if needed. “I asked some of the students why they were not going to school, and they said they did not have uniforms. “For every Malaysian child affected, the government, through the Education Ministry, will provide RM300 so they can quickly purchase uniforms, books and other essentials. “I do not want the families to bear additional burdens and these children must not be left behind in terms of their education,” he said. Anwar also expressed appreciation for the swift response by the state government, district office, relevant agencies and non-governmental organisations in coordinating assistance, including food, clothing, temporary shelter and security for the residents. He said the government would continue to focus on the welfare of all those affected on humanitarian grounds, including individuals who have yet to register. “I am also informed that many have not registered due to concerns about possible action being taken against them. “I want to assure them, that for now, our priority is their safety and welfare,” he said. – Bernama

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Ministries directed to boost resilience by limiting overseas travel, reduce face-to-face meetings, go digital and expand use of online platforms: Minister

discussed, with the government assessing wider industrial impact and potential policy responses. On reports claiming that Malaysia exported 200 million litres of diesel to Australia, Fahmi clarified that the allegation was inaccurate. He said the fuel in question is tied to international commercial contracts and multinational storage operations in Malaysian waters and does not involve domestic fuel supply. Separately, he said the government is also monitoring supply chain disruptions linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which were raised at the Economic Action Council meeting. Authorities warned that disruptions involving petrochemical products such as ammonia, urea, helium and plastics are already affecting industries. As an initial mitigation step, the Association of Banks in Malaysia has allowed small and medium enterprises facing financial stress to negotiate directly with banks for more flexible financial arrangements. On foreign policy, Malaysia is closely monitoring developments following the United States’ seizure of an Iranian vessel, while reiterating its call for renewed negotiations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to ease regional tensions.

PETALING JAYA: The government is intensifying efforts to safeguard fuel stability, strengthen supply chains and address mounting economic pressures, including unemployment and misinformation as global and domestic challenges deepen, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said yesterday. Speaking at a weekly press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Fahmi said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had directed all ministries and agencies to prioritise measures to reinforce fuel supply resilience. Among them are reducing face to-face meetings, limiting overseas travel and expanding the use of online platforms and government facilities for official meetings, training sessions and programmes. He said the Cabinet also reviewed a recent disruption to baggage handling services at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which was caused by a power outage and restored five hours later following a briefing by the Transport Minister. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) has been instructed to implement immediate Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said findings from the 2025 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) showed the trend was driven by demographic changes, including smaller family sizes, migration of younger generations to urban areas and changing household economic circumstances. “As more senior citizens live alone, we can no longer regard their care as solely the responsibility of families. Demographic shifts and current economic pressures call for a new, more comprehensive and community-based approach,”he said in a statement yesterday. Through its Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing), UPM stressed the need to strengthen home and community-based support systems through the active involvement of neighbours, volunteers and senior activity centres as part of a daily support network. Ahmad Farhan said early detection mechanisms for at-risk senior citizens should also be enhanced through data integration among agencies and closer cooperation involving local communities, healthcare facilities,

corrective measures, including increasing manpower at key passenger touchpoints and submitting weekly progress reports to the Transport Ministry. On public sector efficiency, Fahmi said 155,000 civil servants have registered under the work from-home initiative, resulting in estimated fuel savings of 334,000 litres, or about RM678,000, since April 15. The chief secretary to the government has also been tasked with gathering similar data from the private sector to assess nationwide savings from remote working arrangements. Fahmi said authorities have received 463 content takedown requests as of 7am yesterday. “According to platforms, Facebook accounted for 185 requests, followed by TikTok with 142 content items and Threads with 131. “Of the total, 65 investigation

papers have been opened. One case has been brought to court for prosecution, five have received Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission advice for compound action, while the rest are still under investigation.” He added that most of the flagged content involved misinformation on fuel prices and toll charges. Fahmi said the government is also preparing additional measures to support workers affected by ongoing energy-related economic pressures, with further refinements to be discussed at next week’s National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meeting involving the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). He added that supply chain concerns including shortages of key materials such as plastics, ammonia, urea and helium linked to global shipping disruptions were

Seniors living alone signal need for better community care PUTRAJAYA: The increasing number of senior citizens living alone in Malaysia is not merely a lifestyle shift, but a sign of changing social structures that could have serious implications for their wellbeing, safety and quality of life.

Ahmad Farhan said more seniors are living alone due to demographic changes, including smaller family sizes and the migration of young generations to urban areas. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

decade, he said, adding that the growing number of senior citizens living alone should serve as an early warning on the need for a more inclusive, sustainable and responsive long-term care system. “UPM remains committed to contributing through research, policy support and community interventions to ensure every Malaysian can age with dignity and wellbeing.” – Bernama

ensure no one is left behind in accessing healthcare.” Ahmad Farhan also said ageing should be treated as a cross-sector policy agenda requiring coordination across healthcare, welfare, housing, transportation and community development, in line with the concept of age-friendly cities and communities. Malaysia is expected to become an ageing nation within the next

the Social Welfare Department and religious institutions. He said barriers to accessing services, particularly transportation constraints highlighted in the NHMS findings, must be addressed urgently as they affect the ability of senior citizens to obtain regular treatment. “The provision of mobile healthcare services, community transport and outreach programmes in rural areas must be expanded to