06/05/2026

WEDNESDAY | MAY 6, 2026

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Over 190,000 spyware attacks recorded in 2025

Momogun proposed as

inclusive Sabah ethnic identity KOTA KINABALU: The term “momogun” has been proposed as a shared identity for Sabah’s indigenous groups, replacing the acronym “KDMR”, referring to Kadazan, Dusun, Murut and Rungus, which is seen as insufficiently inclusive. Sabah Institute for Development Studies CEO Prof Datuk Dr Ramzah Dambul said the acronym should be reassessed as it is viewed as systemically marginalising certain ethnic groups. He explained that the term is dominated by representation from the Dusunic cluster, including Kadazan and Dusun, and the Murutic group, such as Murut, but lacks representation from the Paitanic cluster, including the Sungai community. “The proposal is strongly supported by a resolution from the Momogun Convention in August 2024, in which 74 ethnic associations across Sabah agreed to adopt momogun as a common identity. “As such, momogun should be elevated as a more generic, equitable and inclusive umbrella identity to unite the three main clusters – Dusunic, Murutic and Paitanic – without discriminatory sentiment.” The term momogun refers to original inhabitants, landowners or early settlers, derived from the old local word pogun , meaning ancestral land. It is also broadly equivalent to “indigenous” or “native” in English. Sabah is home to 35 indigenous groups and more than 200 sub-ethnic communities, speaking more than 50 languages and about 90 dialects. Ramzah, a former deputy vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah, emphasised that adopting the term would not erase distinct ethnic identities. “Communities will still identify with their respective groups, such as Dusun Bundu, Rungus or Lundayeh. Momogun serves only as a unifying label, replacing KDMR, which does not reflect Sabah’s unique socio cultural diversity.” He added that from a public policy perspective, unifying communities is crucial as a common denominator in national demographic statistics. He also likened the move to the successful grouping of “Orang Asli” in Peninsular Malaysia and the “Dayak” identity in Sarawak. He said consolidating diverse sub-ethnic groups into a larger, unified data category would enable more accurate and effective policymaking. “It would facilitate targeted allocation of resources and interventions, particularly in addressing rural poverty, economic access and educational opportunities in Sabah.” Therefore, he called on the Kadazandusun Cultural Association to formally recognise the term momogun to lend institutional legitimacy to the grassroots resolution. – Bernama

o Current trend places Southeast Asian firms at growing risk, says expert

communications over extended periods. “Designed for stealth and persistence, the tools allow threat actors to build a detailed picture of organisational activity and extract high-value intelligence, reinforcing the growing role of advanced spyware in long-term, targeted intelligence gathering. “Spyware is particularly dangerous for businesses in Southeast Asia because it operates silently, extracting what matters most: sensitive data, strategic insight and corporate intelligence. “In today’s uncertain economic environment and complex geopolitical climate, the intelligence becomes even more valuable, allowing attackers to observe, collect and exploit information over time, turning a single infection into a sustained breach of trust, competitiveness and operational security. “To counter this, organisations from the region need to move beyond traditional security, adopting intelligence-led, AI-powered solutions that are able detect and disrupt threats before data is compromised.” Tung said to reduce the risks of malicious spyware attacks, Kaspersky experts recommend organisations to always keep software

which is secretly installed on a user’s computer to collect their data. “Spyware’s surveillance activity leaves users open to data breaches and misuse of private, confidential data. It also affects network and device performance, slowing down daily user activities. “On a year-on-year (YoY) basis, Kaspersky monitored the highest surge in spyware attacks against organisations in Singapore (111%), followed by the Philippines (85%) and Malaysia (75%). “Indonesia logged a 35% surge and Vietnam has an 8% YoY increase. Only Thailand witnessed a decline of 53%.” In March 2025, Kaspersky uncovered Operation ForumTroll, a targeted cyberespionage campaign that exploited browser vulnerability to infiltrate organisations across media, government, education and finance, Tung said. “Attackers used highly personalised phishing emails, disguised as invitations to the Primakov Readings forum, to gain initial access. “Once inside, they deployed spyware tools such as LeetAgent and a more advanced variant known as Dante, both linked through shared infrastructure and techniques, pointing to a coordinated and well-resourced operation.” He also said the campaign highlights how spyware underpins modern cyber-espionage by enabling attackers to covertly monitor systems, capture sensitive data and track internal

Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded a total of 194,692 cases of spyware attacks last year, ranking it the third behind the Philippines and Singapore in the Southeast Asia region. Kaspersky Asean and Asia Emerging Countries general manager Simon Tung said the surge in spyware attacks is placing Southeast Asian businesses at greater risk. Tung said in 2025, Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company, foiled more than 800,000 spyware attacks targeting organisations in the region. “A total of 818,939 attacks were blocked last year, 18% more than the detections in 2024. “Our business solutions and data showed we are entering an era of threat actors looking beyond business disruption. “We are seeing a rise in targeted intelligence gathering in Southeast Asia, turning corporate networks into rich hunting grounds for sensitive information,” Tung said in a statement. He added that spyware is a type of software Johor leading state in affordable housing agenda ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor has strengthened its position as a leading state in the affordable housing agenda after recording Malaysia’s highest performance for applications under the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme, with financing reaching RM1.1 billion. Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the achievement involved 8,963 approved applications to help B40 and M40 groups facing documentation constraints or irregular incomes own homes. “This year, the prime minister has allocated over RM20 billion for (the scheme). “It covers 8,963 applications and RM1.1 billion in funding, proving Johor builds the most affordable homes under RM200,000,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Johor State Legislative Assembly in the Sultan Ismail Building at Kota Iskandar yesterday. He was replying to a question raised by Nor Rashidah Ramli (BN-Parit Raja) on the latest status of the state’s affordable housing projects, especially in Batu Pahat and Parit Raja, and the measures to ensure young individuals could afford to own homes.

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updated on all the devices they use to prevent attackers from infiltrating their network by exploiting vulnerabilities

Mohd Jafni said the initiative is part of the state’s strategy to turn the homeownership dreams of the younger generation into reality. – MASRY CHE ANI/THE SUN

He added that in Parit Raja, development includes 497 units, including the Bandar Genting Pura Kencana project slated for completion in January 2028. He also said Johor offers the Bangsa Johor Transit Homes initiative, a rent-and-save scheme helping tenants accumulate up to RM11,000 for home deposits over five years. He said the initiative is part of the state’s strategy to turn the homeownership dreams of the younger generation into reality. – Bernama

Mohd Jafni said the state government rolled out major 2025-2026 reforms with direct aid, including RM5,000 home purchase grants, RM2,000 move-in aid and RM2,500 rental support, allowing them to receive up to RM7,000 in financial aid. On the status of projects in Batu Pahat district, he said 3,142 Johor Affordable Homes units have been identified to date, covering completed units, under construction and those planned up to 2030.

Call to embrace diversity, strengthen unity PUTRAJAYA: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming called on Malaysians to embrace diversity and strengthen unity as the solid foundation for building a stronger and resilient nation. mutual respect, understanding and inclusivity. “Malaysia’s diversity is not a weakness, but one of our greatest strengths. We must live up to the true spirit of ‘Malaysian Dream’ and nation building by fostering unity, respecting differences and working together for the common good.” Speaking at a closed-door dialogue session with church leaders nationwide, Nga emphasised that Malaysia’s strength lies in its multicultural fabric, urging all citizens to uphold He added that the Madani government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s

He said the government is expected to pay RM60 billion in petrol subsidy this year due to the war that erupted in West Asia. He also highlighted encouraging economic indicators, including rising foreign direct investment, a strengthening ringgit and improving macroeconomic stability, which he said reflect renewed investor confidence. – Bernama

leadership is on the right track in restoring investors’ confidence and rebuilding the nation’s economic and social foundations. Nga, who is also UN-Habitat Assembly president, said targeted subsidy programmes such as the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah, Sumbangan Asas Rahmah and the Budi Madani fuel subsidy initiative are helping to ease the cost of living and providing relief to the public.