22/05/2026

FRIDAY | MAY 22, 2026

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Sultan Selangor calls for stronger solidarity among Muslims

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

peaceful coexistence among diverse communities, including during the Ottoman era. “In conjunction with this Aidiladha celebration, I also call upon all races, communities and followers of every religion in this country to respect one another’s sensitivities and live together in peace and harmony.” Sultan Sharafuddin and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor also prayed for Malaysian haj pilgrims, wishing them safe journeys, good health and a blessed and accepted pilgrimage. They also expressed hope that all pilgrims would have their religious obligations eased and return safely to Malaysia.

pilgrimage in Mecca as a powerful symbol of global Islamic solidarity, where millions gather regardless of rank, race or status. “Aidiladha teaches us the meaning of sacrifice, sincerity and the unity of the ummah ,” he said, adding that the pilgrimage reflects “a form of unity that carries immense value for the entire Islamic world”. Extending his message beyond the Malay-Muslim community, the Sultan also called on Malaysians of all races and religions to respect sensitivities and uphold harmony. He said Islamic civilisation had historically flourished during periods of

At the same time, he stressed that calls for Malay unity must not be misinterpreted as hostility towards other ethnic communities in the country. “I wish to stress that Malay unity should not be misinterpreted as an effort to create hostility towards other races in this country. “The strength of a united community will make the nation more peaceful, stable and foster mutual respect among its people,” he said. On Aidiladha, Sultan Sharafuddin said the occasion carries deep lessons of sacrifice, sincerity and unity within the ummah , pointing to the annual haj

Sultan Sharafuddin urged Malays and Muslims, from political leaders to ordinary citizens, to remain united, cautioning that continued disunity would ultimately lead to collective weakness. “If we continue to be divided and quarrel among ourselves, we will ultimately be the ones to suffer the losses and weaknesses that follow,” he warned. Drawing lessons from history, the Sultan said divisions within the Malay Muslim community had in the past allowed external forces to take advantage and weaken their position in the region.

PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has called for stronger unity among Malays and Muslims in Malaysia, warning that ongoing infighting and political disputes risk weakening the community and opening the door to external exploitation. In his Hari Raya Aidiladha 2026 royal address, the Sultan expressed concern over rising divisions, particularly among political actors, saying that recent disputes have caused unease among the public. MCMC issues demand against TikTok for offensive royal content Communications Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a statutory demand against TikTok over its alleged failure to promptly remove offensive and defamatory content targeting the royal institution. MCMC said the action followed the circulation of material linked to an account purportedly associated with His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim. It said the content included AI-generated videos, manipulated images and other material deemed offensive which could potentially contravene Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, as well as other penal provisions. “MCMC takes a serious view of any misuse of online platforms to disseminate content that is grossly offensive, false, menacing or detrimental to public order, particularly when it involves the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers,” it said in a statement yesterday. MCMC stressed that issues involving race, religion and royalty are highly sensitive and could undermine public order, national harmony and respect for constitutional institutions. It said despite prior engagements and notifications to TikTok, the platform’s moderation response remained unsatisfactory, particularly in ensuring the swift removal of harmful content and preventing its continued spread. It added that social media service providers are expected to exercise a higher degree of responsibility in safeguarding their platforms from unlawful and harmful content. Under the statutory demand, TikTok is required to undertake immediate remedial measures, including strengthening its content moderation systems, improving enforcement against content that violates Malaysian laws and community standards, and providing a formal explanation over the alleged moderation failures. “MCMC emphasises that it will continue to take necessary and proportionate action within its regulatory powers, including further legal measures where appropriate, to address the misuse of online platforms. On Wednesday, the Royal Press Office, via a post on the official Facebook page of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, revealed that an account using the name “Sultan Ibrahim Ismail” had allegedly used AI to circulate insulting content targeting the King. and Ű THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian

Seniors Bill to be tabled at next Parliament meeting

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Department officers as well as others involved in caregiving and we will also extend training opportunities externally.” Nancy said the government aims to train 2,000 professional caregivers this year, including welfare officers, caregivers for bedridden patients and community-based providers. “Caregivers play a vital role in ensuring human wellbeing, dignity and national resilience, and should be treated as frontline contributors rather than informal helpers.” She added that caregiving responsibilities continue to fall disproportionately on women, citing Malaysia’s female labour force participation rate of 56.6%, compared with over 83% for men, as many women leave the workforce due to unpaid care duties. Citing global figures, Nancy said more than 708 million women are excluded from economic participation due to unpaid caregiving responsibilities, describing it as a structural issue rather than a personal choice. She added that the government is developing National Care Standards for older persons and persons with disabilities to establish minimum benchmarks for safe, ethical and rights-based care. “The standards are being formulated through collaboration between industry players, academia, NGOs and government agencies to improve governance, competency and the long-term sustainability of the care sector.” Nancy said the direction is guided by key national frameworks, including the National Ageing Blueprint and the 13th Malaysia Plan, stressing the need for an integrated health and long-term care system. She added that Malaysia must move towards a system where caregivers are properly trained, supported and respected, as quality care reflects a more inclusive and progressive nation. She also said Malaysia is undergoing a significant demographic shift, with projections showing that by 2040, those aged 65 and above will account for more than 15% of the population. As of last year, the elderly population already exceeds 2.9 million people.

o Minister says delay due to ongoing stakeholder input and consultations on areas requiring improvement

PETALING JAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is pushing to table the long-awaited Senior Citizens Bill at the upcoming Parliament meeting, although its progress remains subject to final procedural clearance and continued review by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC). Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the legislation, which has faced repeated delays due to ongoing stakeholder input, remains a priority and could be tabled within the next six months. “The draft is already there. We are hoping for the next Parliament meeting. It is now a matter of procedures with other ministries and resubmitting it to the AGC for guidance and further input on areas that require improvement.” Nancy said the consultation process is still ongoing as more

proposed law is crucial in addressing issues such as elderly abandonment, while also strengthening standards in the caregiving sector, including training for welfare officers and other caregivers. On concerns over rising care costs, she said the government is currently providing support through tax relief for children caring for elderly parents at home, including those with disabilities. She added that proposals are also being considered to assist families who place elderly parents in private care homes, with recommendations submitted to the Finance Ministry for further review. “We want to develop trained professionals in this field. This includes our own Welfare

stakeholders continue to submit views. “There are still parties who want their views to be included. That is a positive sign. It shows people care and want us to take into account various aspects for the benefit of senior citizens.” She was speaking after officiating the Malaysian Care Ecosystem – Assuring the Quality of Caregivers seminar and stakeholder consultation jointly organised by the National Council of Women’s Organisations Malaysia and Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Medicine. Nancy said the Bill is being developed through a bipartisan Select Committee to secure cross party support. She stressed that the

BATTER BONANZA ... An exhibitor prepares pancakes at the Franchise International Malaysia 2026 exhibition at KLCC yesterday. The four-day trade investment event aims to accelerate cross-border partnerships and business matching opportunities. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN