01/05/2026

FRIDAY | MAY 1, 2026

3 Boosting trust in national institutions

o Govt move to limit PM’s tenure to 10 years among four key agendas to strengthen institutional accountability, says minister

Urgent meeting with PH sought to resolve issues over principles KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has called for an urgent meeting between its political bureau and that of Pakatan Harapan (PH) to resolve several issues involving the core principles of the respective parties. Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the proposal is in line with Clause 5(c) of the MoU on the formation of the Unity government, which stipulates that disputed policy matters should be resolved through a consultative council. He said the matter was decided at the Umno political bureau meeting on Wednesday, which discussed the political crisis in Negeri Sembilan. Asyraf Wajdi said Umno views seriously the latest developments involving the state’s royal and customary institutions, which have triggered major polemics and serious misunderstandings among component parties of the Unity government in the state. “Umno has received a comprehensive briefing from Negeri Sembilan Umno Liaison Committee chairman (Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias) on the actions of Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblymen who have lost confidence in the menteri besar (Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun) over his alleged disregard for the state’s customary institution and constitution. “Umno respects the BN assemblymen who have maintained their loss of confidence in the menteri besar but will continue to support the Unity government in Negeri Sembilan to ensure stability and the wellbeing of the people,” he said in a statement yesterday. He added that Umno remains firmly guided by its constitution, particularly Clause 3.1, which upholds the Malay Rulers’ institution as a pillar of the nation’s sovereignty. On Monday, all 14 Umno-BN assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan unanimously withdrew support for the state government led by Aminuddin, citing the ongoing leadership crisis. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Aminuddin would continue carrying out his duties as menteri besar as decreed by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir. – Bernama commitment in this regard is clear, to leave a legacy of a stronger, more credible and just legal and institutional system, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani to build a highly accountable nation centred on the people’s wellbeing.” She despite challenges, including the need for coordination across ministries, resource constraints and the difficulty of building consensus, the government remains committed to ensuring that each reform step is implemented in a pragmatic, structured and impactful manner. “The Madani government’s also said

society organisations, community representatives as well as academic and legal experts, Bernama reported. “This session serves as a platform to align understanding while strengthening collective commitment among stakeholders towards implementing the national legal and institutional reform agenda,” she said in a statement. Azalina added that the approach is in line with the Madani Accountability Framework 2026, which is based on the principles of transparency, accountability, delivery effectiveness and inclusive stakeholder participation.

ensuring public administration system upholds integrity and remains transparent and fair. Azalina said she had presented short and medium-term implementation strategies for the four agendas during a townhall session with DAP MPs and state assembly representatives on the current status of the Madani government’s legal and institutional reform agenda. She added that the session would be followed by engagements with other political parties and stakeholders, including civil that the

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years is among four key agendas forming the government’s core focus to strengthen institutional accountability, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

She said the separation of the roles of attorney-general and public prosecutor, the enactment of a Freedom of Information Act and the establishment of a Malaysian Ombudsman Act are other priorities. She said the four agendas are central to efforts to strengthen public trust in national institutions while

Decision of Umno to back Negeri Sembilan govt hailed

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publicly would help ease tensions on the ground. However, Loke acknowledged that unresolved matters between the Yang di-Pertuan Besar’s institution and the Undang (the state’s traditional chieftains) remain beyond the government’s direct control. “That must be resolved properly within those institutions, and we cannot interfere. Our role at the government level is to ensure the administration continues as normal. “The menteri besar, exco members and state assemblymen are all functioning and working as usual and that, I believe, is what will guarantee stability.”

loss of confidence in Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. “What this means is that even the Umno president does not agree with forming a new government or a backdoor takeover. So, the current government stays. The Unity government in Negeri Sembilan continues (in order) to ensure stability and the smooth running of the state administration.” Loke was speaking after attending the China-Malaysia Readers Forum on the English edition of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume V) at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur yesterday. He added that clarifying this position

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP has welcomed the Umno political bureau’s decision to continue backing the Unity government in Negeri Sembilan, saying the resolution is aligned with party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s own position as conveyed to the Cabinet. DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the bureau’s statement effectively signals that no new state government would be formed and that the existing state administration would remain in place – even as all 14 Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblymen have declared a

Fahmi speaking at the event in Putrajaya yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

‘Consultations with social media platforms on eKYC almost over’ PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is close to completing its engagement sessions with social media platforms on implementing electronic Know-Your-Customer (eKYC) verification to enforce a minimum age of 16 for new accounts. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said MCMC has held consultations with all major platforms and relevant stakeholders since the start of the year, including with MyDigital ID. “The intention is for the verification process to utilise MyKad, passport and MyDigital ID to confirm a user’s age. the ministry-level Jom Baca Bersama 2026 programme themed “Reading Builds the Nation”. Fahmi said new social media accounts would be limited to those aged 16 and above, with under-16s not permitted to register at all. He added that feedback from social media platforms has been positive, with engagement sessions progressing smoothly. “We are seeing some platforms taking the lead. For example, Bigo Live has from the outset implemented identity verification mechanisms. “In recent days, I was also contacted by a party representing several international eKYC service providers. Fahmi had previously said the government’s aim is for all social media platforms to implement eKYC verification by the end of the second quarter of 2026 to enforce the minimum age requirement. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said the proposal to impose an age limit on social media use among teenagers should be studied comprehensively, with input from all stakeholders. On the Jom Baca Bersama programme, Fahmi encouraged a stronger reading culture among ministry staff and the wider public as part of efforts to foster a more informed and positive mindset.

“I understand MCMC is nearing completion of discussions with the platforms. I will receive further details before we announce the enforcement date to restrict the creation of new accounts,” he said yesterday after officiating at

“I have asked MCMC to engage with them, especially if there are applications used in other countries such as Australia for age verification that we could consider.”

“A reading culture is vital in shaping minds, not just for acquiring knowledge but also for cultivating positive thinking.” – Bernama