29/04/2026

WEDNESDAY | APR 29, 2026 5 Deeper MACC reforms needed: Bar PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Bar has cautioned that appointing a new chief for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will not, by itself, rebuild public trust, stressing that deeper reforms are needed to safeguard the agency’s independence. Bar president Anand Raj acknowledged the appointment of Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman, effective May 13, but raised concerns about the broader framework governing MACC, particularly leadership tenure and autonomy. His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, consented to the appointment following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s proposal while Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar confirmed it on April 25. The appointment was made under Subsection 5(1) of the MACC Act 2009. The government expressed confidence that Abdul Halim’s experience and integrity would strengthen governance and enhance public trust, noting he is expected to intensify anti-corruption efforts. However, Anand warned that uncertainties over the chief commissioner’s tenure and annual contract renewals risk undermining confidence in the anti-corruption framework. He referred to the Bar’s earlier memorandum, which called for insulating MACC from executive influence through fixed leadership terms and stronger institutional independence. “The MACC must be reformed to ensure transparent appointments and an appropriate fixed term for its chief commissioner, to avoid uncertainty and unnecessary speculation,” he said. Abdul Halim brings extensive criminal law experience, having served as a deputy public prosecutor at the Attorney-General’s Chambers and later as a High Court judge presiding over criminal cases. Anand noted that Abdul Halim is well versed in principles of justice and the rule of law, including the presumption of innocence, proof beyond reasonable doubt, legal professional privilege, the right to counsel and fair trial guarantees. He is also expected to uphold natural justice and the integrity of the criminal justice system. Bid to transfer charges to High Court fails KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has dismissed the application by the former senior political secretary to the prime minister, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, to transfer five corruption charges made against him from the Sessions Court to the High Court. Justice Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin held that the applicant had not met the requirements under Section 417 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Deputy public prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan appeared for the prosecution, while counsel Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad represented Shamsul Iskandar. In the application filed on Feb 4, Shamsul Iskandar contended that the cases involve constitutional questions and complex issues of law, including matters relating to the Federal Constitution, adding that the transfer would not prejudice any party and would facilitate the proper determination of the issues raised. On Dec 4, 2025, Shamsul Iskandar was charged at the Sessions Court here with agreeing to accept RM100,000 in cash from businessman Albert Tei Jiann Cheing, 37, as an inducement to help Tei’s companies obtain mineral exploration licences in Sabah, although the matter was not related to his official duties. He also faces a charge of accepting RM40,000 in cash from the same individual for the same purpose, in addition to two counts of receiving bribes in the form of furniture and electrical appliances valued at RM14,580 and RM22,249, respectively. – Bernama Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

DPM backs dept status for enforcement division

o Domestic trade ministry’s move timely as personnel face heavier challenges to protect consumers, ensure market integrity: Zahid

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) KLIA commander Mohd Safrie Zakaria said the two cases were detected at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 on April 26 and 27 respectively. “For the first case at Terminal 1, the seizure was made on April 26 at about 3.30am. “A Chinese national, who arrived from Bangladesh, was checked and an inspection of his luggage found 3,300 units of injectable medicine labelled Tirzide,” he told a press conference at the Airport Management Centre near Terminal 1 yesterday. Safrie said the products were suspected to contain tirzepatide, classified as a controlled poison under the First Schedule of the Poisons Act 1952, and were not registered with the authorities. He said the first seizure was valued at about RM2.335 million. In the second case, Safrie said a Chinese woman, also arriving from Bangladesh, was CYBERJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has voiced support for upgrading the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s enforcement division into a full-fledged department, citing heavier responsibilities in combating subsidy leakages, price manipulation and digital trade offences. He said the division’s role has expanded well beyond monitoring the supply of essential goods, with officers now confronting increasingly complex commercial crimes across both physical and online markets. “Personally, if I am asked about the ministry’s enforcement division, I would say it is time for the division to be upgraded into an Enforcement Department. Bring it to the Cabinet. I will provide support, given the high level of challenges within its scope,” Zahid said at the launch of the National Consumer Policy 2.0 Enforcement Day celebration yesterday. He described the enforcement team as part of Malaysia’s frontline defence in protecting consumers and ensuring market integrity. “This is truly one of the country’s lines of defence. The duties are becoming heavier and the responsibilities are becoming greater. The rank should also be raised,” he added. Zahid praised the ministry’s enforcement record, noting that Op Tiris since 2023 had seized goods worth more than RM260 million in efforts to curb subsidy leakages. He said over one million inspections were carried out within a year, calling it a significant achievement.

Zahid at the 54th Enforcement Day celebration and launch of the National Consumer Policy 2.0 yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

produce informed, sustainable, and resilient consumers while fostering a more conducive ecosystem. He added that 30 advocacy video clips had been prepared to explain the policy, stressing that consumer activism should also encourage smarter behaviour. Armizan said enforcement officers are being positioned as “enforcer educators,” combining strength with knowledge. “They must have the muscle of an enforcer and the mind of an educator,” he said. Also present at the launch were the ministry’s Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh, its secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohd Sayuthi Bakar and Enforcement director general Datuk Azman Adam.

He also urged stronger regulation of the digital marketplace, stressing that online platforms should be held to the same standards as physical trade, including clear product information, transparent pricing and fair refund processes. “I would like to suggest that we strengthen existing laws and consider a more comprehensive framework, including moving towards a specific act for the digital market,” he said, warning that consumers are increasingly exposed to online fraud, algorithm-driven marketing, data misuse and unclear transactions. Earlier, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said National Consumer Policy 2.0 aims to

RM7.7m unregistered injectable medicines seized SEPANG: Authorities have seized RM7.735 million worth of unregistered injectable medicines believed to contain tirzepatide from the luggage of two Chinese nationals who arrived separately from Bangladesh at KL International Airport (KLIA). stopped at Terminal 2 at about 5.30am on April 27. “Checks on her luggage found 8,840 units of injectable medicine suspected to be unregistered, bearing the labels Tirzide and Tirzepe, and also believed to contain tirzepatide,” he said. indicated they were scheduled to remain in Malaysia for more than 30 days. Safrie said MCBA did not rule out the possibility that the products were meant for the local market, although investigations were still ongoing.

He added that the injectable medicines are linked to anti-diabetic treatment but are also widely marketed elsewhere for weight loss. He said legally available versions in Malaysia are typically sold in pen form, with each pen containing four doses and priced between RM1,200 and RM1,800. By comparison, he said the seized products were in syringe form, with each syringe representing a single dose, valued at RM300 to RM400 per syringe. The case has been referred to the Health Ministry’s Pharmacy Enforcement Division for further investigation. The offences involve the importation of unregistered products and importation of poisons without a valid licence. Investigations are being carried out under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 and the Poisons Act 1952. – By Faiz Ruzman

The second seizure was estimated at RM5.4 million, bringing the total haul to 12,140 units worth RM7.735 million. Safrie said the items were detected after airport scanners flagged suspicious needle like images in the passengers’ luggage, prompting further inspection. He said the medicines were believed to have originated from Bangladesh, adding that enforcement action was based on profiling, past cases and intelligence sharing between agencies. “For personal use, we allow it. But if they bring large quantities, we will seize it,” he said. He stressed that the quantity involved was inconsistent with personal use, as the luggage was primarily filled with injectable medicines. The suspects claimed the products were intended for use in China. However, checks