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TUESDAY JUN 9, 2026

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AirAsia revamps special-needs SOP after offloading family

Airline apologises for S’pore-Kuching flight denial; submits new safety device guidelines for approval.

Malaysian Paper www.thesun.my RM1.00 PER COPY Anwar slams ‘arrogant’ polls rhetoric shutting out rivals, races Denying any community a role in government strikes at Malaysia’s democracy, warns PM. TREMOR TERROR ... This frame grab from a UGC video footage courtesy of Deped Mahayahay Elementary School shows huddled schoolchildren in a field reacting as a structure (background) collapses during the deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Malita town, Davao del Sur province, the Philippines yesterday. – AFPPIC

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97% of M’sia’s marine protected areas face fossil fuel threats: Report Report

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RimbaWatch warns of systemic governance failure at global biodiversity hotspots.

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No pay, no say Report on h page 3 Former language studies student exposes Malaysia’s toxic internship crisis after working three months for no money at all.

TUESDAY | JUNE 9, 2026

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‘Excluding races, parties from govt is arrogance’ o M’sia’s constitutional democracy demands

PH wraps up Johor seat talks: Saifuddin

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PUTRAJAYA: Pakatan Harapan has completed seat negotiations for all 56 Johor state constituencies ahead of the upcoming state election, with the distribution among component parties now awaiting final endorsement by the coalition’s presidential council. PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the allocation was hammered out at a recent state-level secretariat meeting, but stressed that presidential council ratification – chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – remained a procedural necessity before anything could be considered binding. “We have finalised the distribution of seats. As a formality, after finalising it, I have to present it to the presidential council because I am only the secretariat chairman tasked with completing all seat negotiation matters,“ he told reporters after the monthly Home Ministry assembly at Setia Perkasa complex here yesterday. Saifuddin said he would convene the presidential council meeting soon, despite Anwar being scheduled to depart for Japan. He declined to reveal the seat breakdown among PH component parties, saying the figures would only be confirmed after the council’s approval. Drawing a parallel with the just concluded Negeri Sembilan negotiations, Saifuddin said the Johor process had been similarly smooth, with competing claims resolved through structured discussion. “In Negeri Sembilan there were three state seat negotiations and only one involved an overlapping claim. That has been resolved. In Johor, this was done in the recent (PH) secretariat meeting. The next process is to obtain confirmation (by the coalition’s top leadership).” prompt engineers PUTRAJAYA: The Communications Ministry aims to produce at least one prompt engineer at every National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) nationwide as part of efforts to strengthen artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and skills among young Malaysians. Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative goes beyond exposing youths to AI tools, focusing instead on equipping them with the expertise to develop applications that can address local community needs. “I would like to set a clear aspiration that we will work towards producing a prompt engineer at every Nadi centre across the country, whether in Teluk Ramunia in Johor or Pulau Banggi in Sabah. We want young people who understand not only how to use Gemini, Copilot and other AI platforms, but also how to harness these technologies to develop new applications that can help solve problems on the ground,” he said at the ministry’s monthly assembly The Johor state legislative assembly was dissolved on June 1, while the 36-seat Negeri Sembilan assembly on June 5. The Election Commission has confirmed it has received the official dissolution notices. Nadi centres to produce

constitutional that transcend changes in leadership. “Leadership may change from time to time, but the fundamental framework set out in the Constitution remains the guiding principle.“ Anwar said ministries and administrative bodies must reflect the country’s multiracial make-up, even as Bumiputera and Malay groups remain the majority. “When it comes to who should be alongside us in the government and in ministries that must represent people of various races and religions, the representation must reflect that diversity.“ He stressed that democratic legitimacy rests on honouring the will of voters and not on sidelining opponents or communities from governance. “In this system and practice of democracy, we must respect the choice of the people.” Anwar also rejected identity based hostility as incompatible with modern governance, arguing that citizens cannot choose their race or background and must not be judged or politically marginalised on that basis. “We do not choose to be Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban or Kadazan. We do not choose to represent a particular stance or identity based on skin colour.“ He said the Madani framework is designed to reinforce inclusivity, accountability and mutual respect, particularly in public discourse. Anwar also pushed back at critics who claim quick fixes are within reach, saying that genuine reform demands realism and steady implementation, not populist promises. “Everyone claims they can solve all problems. No. It is not that easy.” principles Sheikh Umar Baghraib Ali also weighed in, calling Onn Hafiz’s remarks arrogant and reminding the menteri besar of a time when BN sought DAP’s support during the Mahkota by-election campaign. Former MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, however, was reported to have defended Onn Hafiz, saying the remark was a political statement made in the context of BN contesting the Johor election on its own. He said Onn Hafiz’s remark should not be read in isolation. “He is saying that BN is going solo because of the feedback from the grassroots, and I’m saying, so if we go solo, and in the end do not make it, or do not have a majority, we will not work with DAP and don’t mind being in the opposition.” – by Harith Kamal

composition reflect the country’s diversity and that no leadership, however dominant, holds the right to shut out communities or rivals from the levers of power. “It is rather arrogant or conceited for us to decide to deny the rights of any race or party to participate in and be part of the government coalition,“ he said at the Communications Ministry’s monthly assembly here. Speaking against a backdrop of heightened political tensions ahead of coming elections, the prime minister said Malaysia’s system of governance is anchored in

inclusive representation; leaders have no right to deny participation based on race or politics, says Anwar

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

constitutional democracy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday, firing a warning shot at politicians who deploy divisive rhetoric during election campaigns. Anwar said Malaysia’s plural society demands that government

PUTRAJAYA: Excluding any race or political party from a government is an act of arrogance that strikes at the heart of Malaysia’s

The prime minister stressed that democratic legitimacy rests on honouring the will of voters and not on sidelining opponents or communities from governance. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Fahmi cautions against remarks that could strain ties

PUTRAJAYA: Pakatan Harapan Communications Director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has warned political leaders to mind their words, cautioning that careless statements risk straining ties among parties within the Unity government. His remarks were directed at Johor caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi who declared that Johor Barisan Nasional would not cooperate with DAP in the upcoming state election and that he would sooner relinquish his post than share the administration with the party. “ Terlajak perahu boleh diundur, terlajak kata buruk padahnya (words spoken are past recalling),” Fahmi said when met after the Roundtable Conference on Safe Media Reporting on Suicidal Behaviour here yesterday, but did not elaborate further. Parti Amanah Negara vice

yesterday, which was graced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Communications Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching and Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah. Fahmi said the initiative could help nurture a new generation of technologically skilled local talent while creating employment opportunities outside major urban centres. Meanwhile, he also called on the ministry to expand its community outreach programmes in collaboration with other ministries and agencies to ensure more Malaysians benefit from government services. He said the initiative would begin from June 12 to 14 in conjunction with activities surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with active participation from agencies including RTM and the Information Department. – Bernama

president Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, also present at the event, urged leaders to avoid hardened positions, noting that political circumstances were rarely permanent. “Do not burn bridges, whether in love or in disagreement. We do not know what the future holds, so there is no need to be extreme, inflexible or overly rigid.” Onn Hafiz had earlier reaffirmed his stance, with the Johor BN chairman making clear that there would not be a working arrangement with DAP under his watch. The comments drew an immediate rebuke from DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who accused the Johor BN chief of arrogance while ignoring the reality of BN-DAP cooperation at the federal level. Johor DAP deputy chairman

TUESDAY | JUNE 9, 2026

3 Ex-intern highlights urgent need for clarity, safeguards

M’sia vows to aid Philippines after earthquake PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has pledged support to the Philippines after a powerful offshore earthquake struck near Mindanao early yesterday, triggering tsunami warnings and precautionary evacuations, while authorities said there was no tsunami threat to Malaysia despite tremors being felt in parts of Sabah. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia stands ready to assist its neighbour following the earthquake, which measured between magnitude 7.8 and 7.9 and struck at a depth of about 50km off southern Philippines. He added that the government is closely monitoring the situation after tremors were reported in several areas of Sabah. The earthquake prompted tsunami warnings in parts of southern Philippines, with media reports saying Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr has directed emergency agencies to activate response and monitoring operations. The Foreign Ministry emphasised that the Malaysian Embassy in Manila is closely monitoring developments and coordinating with local authorities to safeguard Malaysians in the affected areas. Wisma Putra advised Malaysians residing in or travelling to the affected regions to remain vigilant. “Move to higher ground immediately if located near the coast, and follow all evacuation orders and safety instructions issued by Philippine authorities.“ In Malaysia, authorities confirmed that the earthquake posed no tsunami threat to the country. Separately, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry said tsunami warning sirens were activated briefly in several east coast districts of Sabah, including Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu, as a precaution following initial alerts. Its minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup urged residents, particularly those living in coastal areas, to remain calm and avoid panic. The Meteorological Department issued a tsunami advisory at 8.36am but lifted it after further assessment. Authorities have advised residents in coastal areas to remain cautious, avoid beaches and comply with instructions from emergency services while monitoring efforts continue. Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Clear written terms needed before placement begins but such documentation need not be formal legal contract: MEF

internships or work-based learning each year, pointing to MySIP as an existing good-practice model, with structured placements of at least 10 weeks and allowance benchmarks of between RM500 and RM600. She said companies that use interns to fill staffing gaps are misusing the system entirely. “Interns are not cheap machines to cover weaknesses in company manpower planning. “If an organisation lacks workers, hire workers. Do not hide manpower shortages behind the word ‘internship’,“ she stressed. She added that the difference between exploitation and education comes down to one thing: “Work challenges without clarity is stress. Work challenges with guidance is learning.” – by Faiz Ruzman need not be a formal legal contract. “The above need not be a complex legal contract. A simple. practical document would provide clarity while avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens. “Internships should remain primarily educational in nature and should not be used as a source of regular employment. “Where participation outside normal office hours is necessary for learning purposes, project requirements or special events, employers should communicate expectations clearly in advance. “Such activities should be reasonable, occasional and relevant to the objectives of the internship.” He said while the legal distinction between employees and interns is generally understood, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the scope of protection and responsibilities applicable to interns, particularly when they are engaged in workplace activities similar to regular employees. “There is value in developing clearer national guidelines that set minimum expectations regarding placement terms, workplace safety, conduct, grievance mechanisms and insurance coverage.” He also said internships must not be used as a source of regular employment and any requirement to work outside normal hours should be reasonable, occasional and directly relevant to the internship’s learning objectives. MEF said it is open to a phased framework to improve clarity and safeguards for interns nationwide. The former intern has called on the government to introduce tiered allowance guidelines based on education level and to require companies to prepare structured training plans before placements begin. “At least us interns would have a clearer view of what is expected for us to learn and give back to the company, rather than having us figure them out by ourselves from the written job description.”

PETALING JAYA: A 26-year-old former language studies student worked a full nine-to-six day, managed a company’s social media accounts and delivered three months of marketing content, yet he was paid nothing. The ex-intern, who requested anonymity, said he took a remote social media marketing internship after being promised RM250 a month, only to complete the entire placement without receiving a single sen . “I never made any complaint as there were not enough sufficient channels to place my complaints.” His offer letter stated his hours. The allowance was listed. But when the placement began, the money never came and there was no one to tell. He said the company handed him a live social media account with no briefing, no training plan

conducting writing reports, attending meetings and performing duties no different from those of salaried staff. Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman acknowledged the grey areas but stopped short of calling for statutory protections, adding that mandatory contributions or additional compliance costs could deter employers from offering placements altogether. He said MEF supports clear written placement terms before an internship begins, covering duties, duration, supervisors, allowance if any and safety coverage, but stressed that such documentation research,

and no guidance. “They just passed the task schedule and handed me their social media account to handle. There was no clear direction on what I must do.” His case is not unique. It has surfaced amid a widening public debate over whether interns in Malaysia are being put to work without pay, protection or recourse—a debate that activist Rashifa Aljunied brought to national attention through a series of posts on Threads from May 22. In a follow-up video on Thursday, Rashifa rejected the argument that interns are “only there to learn”, pointing to trainees managing social media accounts,

Syed Hussain said there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the scope of protection and responsibilities applicable to interns, particularly when they are engaged in workplace activities similar to regular employees. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

Law must catch up to broken trainee system: Labour specialist PETALING JAYA: When an intern reports every day at office hours, takes instructions from management, performs operational tasks and produces work that benefits the company, at what point does “trainee” become a cover for unpaid labour? That is the question labour and HR practitioner Dr Nadzrah Yusof is putting to Malaysia’s employers, universities and policymakers as a national debate over intern exploitation intensifies. to work after hours, then we must ask: At what point does the intern stop being a trainee and start functioning like a worker?” said Nadzrah, better known online as “Makcik Labour”. “Internship should be a learning platform, not a shortcut to obtain cheap labour. “If a company benefits from an intern’s work but the intern does not receive the learning benefit they are supposed to get, that is not a quality internship. That is exploitation called training,“ she noted. On compulsory university placements, Nadzrah said institutions and employers are jointly responsible for what happens to students on the job, and neither can walk away. deploying them. For internships outside university requirements, she said the gap is even more serious as campus oversight may not exist at all. Anyone entering a workplace, following company instructions and creating value for an organisation is entitled to basic safeguards regardless of how their role is labelled, she noted. Nadzrah also called for a minimum national framework that defines interns in law, requires written placement terms, mandates supervisors, ensures accident

Her answer is blunt: The system is broken and the law has not caught up. The HR consultant and Head of Learning at Elite Career Centre Sdn Bhd said the Employment Act 1955 does not define the word “intern”, leaving trainees in a legal grey zone even when they report for office hours, receive company instructions, perform operational duties and produce work that directly benefits the organisation. She also said the core problem is one of “status ambiguity” as interns could be students, trainees, workers or what she described as “temporary manpower labelled as students”.

She said Malaysia needs to stop looking at the label and start looking at reality. “If an intern comes in every day according to office hours, receives instructions from the employer, performs operational tasks, replaces the function of permanent staff, chases company output and is asked

“I see this responsibility as a shared duty of care between universities and employers,“ she said, adding that universities must check on students regularly, provide confidential complaint channels and assess whether employers are actually guiding them rather than simply

insurance or social protection coverage, establishes safe complaint channels and sets reasonable limits on tasks assigned to trainees. She cited TalentCorp and MyNext figures showing that between 250,000 and 280,000 students require

TUESDAY | JUNE 9, 2026

4 Protected marine areas exposed to fossil fuel activity

Media called to support govt efforts in suicide prevention PUTRAJAYA: More than 1,000 Malaysians die by suicide every year and the government wants the media to help change that. Suicide cases have remained above the 1,000 mark for the fourth consecutive year, with police data recording 1,079 deaths in 2025 – a marginal 3.14% dip from 1,114 in 2024 that authorities say offers little cause for comfort. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad described the figures as “deeply concerning” and “unacceptably high,” emphasising that the slight decline does not represent a meaningful improvement. “Suicide must no longer be seen as an isolated issue but as a national concern requiring collective action,” he said at a Round Table Discussion (RTD) on Safe and Responsible Media Reporting on Suicidal Behaviour yesterday. The session, jointly chaired by Dzulkefly and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, brought together media practitioners nationwide in what both ministries described as a historic cross-ministerial engagement. It culminated in the signing of the Malaysian Media Pledge – backed by the Malaysian Media Council, National Union of Journalists Malaysia, and the Malaysian Media Clubs Association – committing the press to responsible journalism in mental health coverage. Police data shows the upward trajectory has been steep: 981 cases in 2022, rising to 1,087 in 2023 – a 10.80% increase – before climbing further to 1,114 in 2024. Dzulkefly cited World Health Organisation data showing more than 703,000 individuals die by suicide globally each year, equivalent to one death every 40 seconds. He added that each death directly affects an estimated 135 others. He pointed to responsible media reporting as one of the most effective international interventions available, adding that sensationalised or overly detailed coverage risks triggering copycat behaviour among vulnerable individuals. “Through ethical reporting, the media does not merely inform, it could also play a role in saving lives,” he said, clarifying that the initiative seeks to promote ethical practice rather than curtail press freedom. At the policy level, the minister highlighted several government commitments: the National Mental Health Strategic Plan 2020– 2026, with suicide prevention prioritised under Strategy 8; the MySAVE programme focusing on prevention, early intervention, treatment and community support; and the HEAL 15555 crisis hotline, staffed by trained psychological officers. He also pointed to Malaysia’s repeal of Section 309 of the Penal Code in September 2025, effectively decriminalising attempted suicide, as a landmark shift from a punitive aproach to one centred on care, intervention and rehabilitation. The RTD forms part of a collaboration between the Health Ministry, Communications Ministry and the Content Forum Malaysia to develop guidelines on suicide-related content. – By Kirtinee Ramesh the cover of social visits. “The issue is that they are creating competition. “While locals pay taxes, (these foreigners) do not appear to be doing so. Their services are offered at much lower prices.” He also said enforcement agencies already possessed the legal provisions and manpower to act and should not hold back pending excessive inter-agency coordination.

o RimbaWatch report finds major overlap between industrial projects and conservation zones

Mustapha Park, Luconia Shoals National Park, Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area and the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area. Beyond projected risk, satellite data from SkyTruth’s Cerulean oil slick detection platform points to environmental harm. Between January 2023 and December 2025, 161 oil slick incidents were recorded within SME, affecting approximately 40,505 hectares – roughly eight times the size of Putrajaya, the report stressed. Adam said the situation at Luconia Shoals in Sarawak illustrated the breakdown in enforcement. He added that the park is gazetted as a Totally Protected Area, yet industrial encroachment has continued unabated. “Luconia Shoals has been encroached upon by at least 31 wells, five pipelines and seven platforms tied to multiple gas fields holding 14.3 trillion cubic feet of reserves. Many of these projects began after the park was gazetted in 2018.” He also said conservation status alone was proving insufficient to deter extraction. “Malaysia cannot claim to protect its oceans while allowing oil and gas projects to operate inside the areas meant to safeguard biodiversity. Without strong exclusion zones and enforceable laws, marine protection will remain protection on paper only.” Adam said existing environmental laws contained no provisions barring or discouraging oil and gas production within SME, including inside MPA. “It is concerning that existing marine governance practices and environmental laws do not bar or discourage oil and gas production from taking place in SME.”

Malaysia’s position within two of the planet’s most ecologically critical marine zones. “Malaysia sits within both the Coral Triangle and the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion, areas globally recognised for extraordinary marine biodiversity. “The ecosystems support fisheries, coastal protection, food security and tourism, but are increasingly being fragmented by fossil fuel exploration and extraction. “Using geospatial analysis, satellite monitoring and publicly available datasets, the study estimates that 38.5% of Malaysia’s maritime zone – nearly 20 million hectares – falls within SME.” He said these include MPA, Important Marine and Coastal Areas (IMCA), Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMA), Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA), and coral reef systems. He added that despite the ecological significance, only 5.3% of Malaysia’s waters are formally protected. The report finds that 87% of all SME overlap with oil and gas blocks. This includes 97% of MPA, 88% of IMCA, 96% of ISRA and 97% of Malaysia’s portion of the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion. Oil and gas concessions also overlap with 40% of mapped shallow coral reefs, exposing them to risks from seismic blasting, drilling, oil spills, sedimentation, vessel traffic and offshore infrastructure development. High-risk areas identified in the report include the Teluk Darvel Bay in Sabah, where exploration blocks overlap with reefs surrounding Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai, which are dive sites of global renown. Other case studies include the Tun

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Almost all of Malaysia’s Marine Protected Areas (MPA) have been exposed to fossil fuel activity, according to a new report, raising urgent questions over the effectiveness of the country’s marine conservation framework. A first-of-its-kind analysis by environmental watchdog RimbaWatch reveals that 97% of Malaysia’s MPA overlap with active or proposed oil and gas blocks – a finding the group describes as a systemic failure of marine governance in one of the world’s most biodiverse ocean regions. The report, titled Reefs at Risk: Mapping Fossil Fuel Threats to Sensitive Marine Environments in Malaysia, was released yesterday to coincide with World Oceans Day and Coral Triangle Day. Produced with technical support from geospatial monitoring firm SkyTruth, it is the first study to map the overlap between offshore oil and gas concessions, and Sensitive Marine Environments (SME) across Malaysian waters. RimbaWatch director Adam Farhan said the findings were particularly alarming given

GAGA FOR GADGETS ... Visitors browse

specialised underwater

housing units and advanced photography during the 20th Malaysia International Dive Expo 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/ THESUN

Immediate enforcement ordered over misuse of social visit passes

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

restaurants or others,” he told reporters after the monthly Home Ministry briefing at the Setia Perkasa complex yesterday. Saifuddin said enforcement against immigration violators was already an ongoing task under the ministry, including action against those who entered without valid documents, overstayed or misused their passes. He stressed that the current concern centred specifically on foreigners conducting trading activities under

Ismail said the matter was raised at last Friday’s Cabinet meeting after Anwar received complaints about visitors who entered the country on social passes but proceeded to run commercial operations. “What we discussed in the recent Cabinet meeting was that there have been incidents in which foreigners enter the country on social visit passes but conduct business while here. “They run businesses, whether salons,

PUTRAJAYA: Enforcement agencies have been ordered to act immediately against foreigners who misuse social visit passes to operate businesses in Malaysia, following direct public complaints received by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution

TUESDAY | JUNE 9, 2026 | 5

Heartiest Congratulations

YBHG. TAN SRI DATO’ DR. DAING A MALEK BIN DAING A RAHAMAN on the Conferment of Darjah Kebesaran Panglima Mangku Negara (P.M.N.) which carries the title “Tan Sri”

YBHG. TAN SRI DATO’AVINDERJIT SINGH A/L HARJIT SINGH on the Conferment of Darjah Kebesaran Panglima Setia Mahkota (P.S.M.) which carries the title “Tan Sri”

By

King of Malaysia in conjunction with His Majesty’s Official Birthday On 1 June 2026 (15 Zulhijjah 1447H) HIS MAJESTY SULTAN IBRAHIM

With Best Wishes From Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun, Founder and Advisor Board of Directors, Management and Staff

TUESDAY | JUNE 9, 2026

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Seven dead in Kashmir clashes MUZAFFARABAD: Seven people were killed and dozens wounded in clashes between police and members of a banned activist group in Pakistan administered Kashmir. Supporters of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an anti-government movement demanding economic and governance reforms, had vowed to press ahead with protests days after the local government banned the group under anti-terrorism laws. Commissioner Sardar Waheed, the top civilian official in the city of Rawalakot, where the latest clashes took place, said three civilians were killed and 40 wounded. Police confirmed in a statement that the incident left four officers dead and 23 wounded. Police said that the JAAC’s central office was sealed on Sunday and a ban on gatherings imposed in Muzaffarabad, the largest city in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Markets were open in Muzaffarabad while law enforcement agencies were patrolling the city yesterday after residents had rushed over the weekend to shops to stock up ahead of expected protests and lockdowns. Members of the JAAC have called their listing as a “terror” group “oppression”, saying they are demonstrating for legitimate economic and political rights. Authorities confirmed more than 70 JAAC members had been arrested over the weekend. – AFP Russian duo held in Bali drug probe JAKARTA: Authorities here arrested two Russian nationals suspected of smuggling drugs into Bali. The woman, 52, and the 40-year-old man were arrested after trying to smuggle close to 8kg of hashish in a suitcase from Thailand, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) said in a statement. “We have seized the evidence, 7.8kg of hashish,” BNN chief Suyudi Ario Seto said. The woman, identified by her initials “KK”, arrived in Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport before driving to Bali in a rental vehicle to meet the man at a seaport on Friday. The man, identified by his initials “SK”, picked up the woman and dropped her, along with the case, at an unidentified location before attempting to flee. Officials pursued the man and said he had been driving recklessly and hit several pedestrians before being stopped by authorities. Both were taken into custody on Friday, the agency said. An investigation to determine whether the pair are part of a larger syndicate is underway, BNN said. – AFP

Major quake rocks Mindanao

o Indonesian island of Sulawesi also hit

MANILA: The death toll in a powerful earthquake off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao yesterday has risen to at least 32 with dozens of people injured, disaster officials said, as Manila stepped up search and rescue operations. The 7.8-magnitude quake, which triggered tsunami warnings across several countries, hit early in the morning about 20km off Sarangani province, with the tremors felt strongly across Mindanao and 420km away in the city of Manado on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The Philippines mobilised military and disaster response teams and authorities were verifying preliminary reports of 32 people killed and 134 injured across Mindanao, mostly from falling debris and landslides, according to civil defence officials. Tsunami warnings were cancelled after more than six hours in the southern Philippines, northern Indonesia and Sabah, where residents in coastal areas had been told to evacuate immediately to higher ground. The disaster came eight months after the Philippines suffered its deadliest tremor in 12 years, when a shallow 6.9 magnitude quake hit off the central island of Cebu, killing 79 people. Two powerful quakes struck

People collect their belongings from a damaged house following an earthquake off Mindanao that was also felt in North Tabukan, Sangihe Islands regency, North Sulawesi province, Indonesia. – REUTERSPIC

Relations between India and Bangladesh soured after a 2024 revolution in Dhaka ended the autocratic rule of then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, an ally of New Delhi, who fled to India. A new government in Dhaka was elected in February, and relations have since slowly improved. Bangladesh and Indian border force chiefs were due to meet in New Delhi later yesterday. – AFP reduced to piles of concrete and rubble. Video shared by the local government showed the collapse of a building housing a fast food restaurant, with panicked onlookers fleeing as a cloud of dust spread quickly through the air. One General Santos hospital was evacuated due to concerns about cracks on higher floors. One of the buildings at the city’s Notre Dame of Dadiangas University collapsed but no one was inside. “I had to duck and shelter myself under the table. And it was very long and strong,” the university’s president Manuel de Leon told broadcaster DZMM. The Philippine seismology agency said there were more than 200 aftershocks, at least nine of those strong and felt across Mindanao, the highest at a magnitude 6.7. The quake struck just as schools were returning from a long break. A video shared by one school the moment the quake struck showed a large group of children sitting on the floor swaying rapidly from side to side, some hugging teachers, before fleeing en masse as a makeshift shelter collapsed nearby. Witnesses in Indonesia’s Manado said they felt the quake strongly. Only minor damage was reported, according to Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency. – Reuters

The Philippines and Indonesia experience hundreds of quakes each year and sit on tectonically complex parts of the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, a seismically active belt stretching from South America to the Russian Far East. Damage to buildings, utilities and infrastructure was still being assessed, but the worst affected area was General Santos, a city of about 700,000 people, where shops and buildings were damaged, some with broken signs and glass, others

Mindanao two weeks later, the strongest at a magnitude 7.4. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered an immediate disaster response in Mindanao, an island the size of South Korea, with agencies directed to prepare relief supplies and evacuation centres and be ready for possible rescue operations. “The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” Marcos said in a statement.

Filipinos stand near a collapsed building in General Santos. – REUTERSPIC

India deports 5,000 Bangladeshi migrants KOLKATA: India has deported nearly 5,000 Bangladeshi citizens since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party swept to power in West Bengal last month, according to official statistics. border with Bangladesh, where migration has historically been driven by economic hardship and family links. “We have started the work of deporting infiltrators who do not fall under the purview of the Citizenship Amendment Act,” Adhikari said, saying the government had “established holding centres in all districts” last month.

arrangements to deport the 836 soon,” Adhikari said. The deportation campaign comes against a backdrop of political tensions over immigration. Critics accused the party of conflating religious identity with illegal migration. Rights groups have previously accused India of pushing hundreds of Bengali-speaking migrants into Bangladesh without due process.

On taking power, the new West Bengal government ordered the establishment of detention centres for undocumented Bangladeshis and Rohingya refugees. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said nearly 5,000 Bangladeshi citizens had been deported across the border.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a sweeping victory in elections in the eastern border state of more than 100 million people, promising to “detect, delete and deport” illegal migrants. India shares a long and porous

“From these centres, 4,800 infiltrators have already been deported so far. “Another 836 people are in the holding centres ... we are making

TUESDAY | JUNE 9, 2026

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/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

Xi vows to deepen ties with N. Korea

o 21-gun salute welcome for president

the cancer specialist who became his own subject – took us into his confidence, and he lifted us all in the process,” Albanese said on X. He said the Richard Scolyer Chair at Sydney cancer centre Chris O’Brien Lifehouse would carry his name, adding: “One day when a cure is found, Richard’s name will be spoken.” Scolyer is survived by his wife, Dr Katie Nicholl, and children Emily, Matthew and Lucy. – Reuters Australia to reduce migration SYDNEY: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said yesterday migration levels are reducing, responding to an opinion poll showing a right-wing populist party ahead of governing Labor. Support for Australia’s One Nation party was 31%, ahead of Labor on 30%, a Newspoll published in The Australian newspaper showed. The poll of 1,240 people is the second major survey to show anti migration One Nation in a leading position. Asked by reporters about the surge in support, Albanese said the rise of populist political parties was a global trend, and he wants social cohesion at the core of Australian identity. Australia’s population reached 28 million in June. One Nation has seized on comparatively high recent net migration – government data shows 538,000 net arrivals in 2023, 429,000 in 2024, and 306,000 last year – as the cause of a housing shortage. The government has said high arrivals in those years are due to a backlog of students and workers entering the country. Albanese said people were struggling with housing and an economy that “isn’t working for them”. “We will reduce the net overseas migration over the next couple of years down to 225,000. We think that is the right number,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra. “The fact that we have people who have come from all over the world, proud to call Australia home, is something that is a national asset for us.” Almost half of Australians have a parent born overseas. – AFP Research Institute said on Sunday. It also estimates the North is stepping up output of fissile material beyond a level now sufficient for at least 30 more warheads. – Reuters resumed crossings at the Chinese border and stepped up exchanges, while Air China restored flights between the capitals in March. On the eve of Xi’s arrival, Pyongyang sought to flex its strength by unveiling plans for a 10,000 tonne naval destroyer and reaffirming its status as a nuclear-armed state. North Korea probably has a nuclear arsenal of about 60 warheads, up from 50 a year ago, the Stockholm International Peace

Xi also pledged to work with North Korea to promote fair and orderly multilateralism and inclusive economic globalisation to benefit the world, adding that long-term regional peace and stability were the common pursuit of both nations. Flags of both countries lined the main avenues of the North Korean capital in a video issued by Xinhua. Xi is accompanied on the state visit by wife Peng Liyuan, de facto chief of staff Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He hosted Kim and other leaders last year at a massive military parade in Beijing, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since then Pyongyang has

A 21-gun salute was fired as spectators dwarfed by huge portraits of the leaders chanted slogans and released colourful balloons, Xinhua news agency reported. Xi is expected to hold talks with Kim on the two-day visit, his first in seven years to China’s reclusive neighbour at a time when its economy, strengthened by growing trade and military ties to Russia, could boost Kim’s confidence in talks. Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, said the neighbours, along with Russia and Iran, share an interest in blunting US power and straining its alliances.

significant because it is his first international trip this year. “We must oppose hegemony, authoritarianism and all attempts and conspiracies to revive militarism that endanger regional security and stability,” Xi said, as Beijing looks to draw Pyongyang closer. Xi arrived in Pyongyang to a red carpet welcome from Kim and wife Ri Sol Ju, alongside a guard of honour while children presented bouquets of flowers, Chinese state media showed. A military band played both national anthems in a ceremony at the capital’s Kim Il Sung Square, the site of past military parades and state celebrations.

SEOUL: Ties between China and North Korea are at a “new historical starting point”, President Xi Jinping said yesterday in remarks published in state media as he arrived in Pyongyang for a rare summit with leader Kim Jong Un. China’s unwavering policy is to develop ties with the North and both will strengthen exchanges in all areas, Xi said in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper ahead of a visit seen as

Bear sighting forces closure of 94 schools

TOKYO: A bear roaming the streets of a Japanese city for three days forced the closure of nearly 100 schools yesterday, as dozens of hunters and officials searched for the animal. The city government of Utsunomiya, north of Tokyo, closed all 94 public primary and junior high schools in the area after receiving more than 10 reports of bear sightings since Saturday, including in a shopping arcade. “We have vehicles out to areas where a bear was seen to make people aware and to urge people to stay indoors or in vehicles,” said a city official, adding that dozens of hunters, police and local officials have been looking for the animal. It was not clear whether there is one bear or more, he said. A record 13 people were killed by bears in Japan last year, and there has been a jump in encounters as the animals emerge hungry from hibernation. In Utsunomiya, a regional capital and home to 510,000 residents, there were just two unconfirmed bear sightings in the previous year. The bear now being hunted was first spotted on Saturday morning, north of the city centre, and was described as being around a metre long. A series of sightings followed, including in a residential neighbourhood that day, at a shopping arcade on Sunday, and at a park, a high school and a junior school. Early yesterday, residents spotted a bear close to a wholesale market, the city official said. – AFP

SLOW DOWN, BE SAFE ... Greenpeace activists protest against the recommended speed limits on German highways by placing a 100kph sign over the official 130kph sign, near Kiefersfelden. – REUTERSPIC

Cancer specialist Richard Scolyer dies at 59 WELLINGTON: Richard Scolyer, the Australian cancer specialist who became a test case for an experimental treatment after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, has died aged 59, prompting tributes to a researcher whose work helped transform melanoma care. He died on Sunday night. Scolyer, a pathologist and co 2024 Australian of the Year with his longtime collaborator Georgina Long for advances in immunotherapy that have helped make advanced melanoma a treatable disease for many patients. Diagnosed in 2023 with The treatment included immunotherapy before surgery, an approach designed by Long and a team seeking to provoke an immune response against the cancer. A clinical trial began earlier this year. Scolyer publicly documented the illness, saying in a letter released after his death that he had spent his final years being open about glioblastoma to show what cancer patients and families endure and to offer hope that medical director of Melanoma Institute Australia, was named joint glioblastoma, one of the deadliest brain cancers, Scolyer agreed to a world-first approach that applied lessons from melanoma treatment to his own tumour.

researchers should keep pushing boundaries. “Having dedicated my 35-year working life to patient care, cancer research and improving lives, I wanted to keep contributing, even in my darkest hour,” he wrote. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia had lost “one of our brightest lights and one of our biggest hearts”. “Every day, this remarkable man –

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‘World in profound crisis’ o End wars, Pope urges politicians of help for the world’s migrants was challenging “the ethical foundation of the international order”.

Talks begin in Cairo over Gaza ceasefire CAIRO: Talks on advancing the fragile Gaza ceasefire have begun in Cairo between mediators and Palestinian factions, a Palestinian source familiar with the meeting told AFP. The discussions, which started on Sunday, come as violence continues to plague the territory despite the truce in place since October. The talks bring together mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye, along with representatives of several Palestinian factions, as efforts continue to push forward negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. According to the source, mediators were due to meet a Hamas delegation before midday yesterday, followed by a wider meeting including all participating factions. Egypt’s Al-Qahera News channel said Sunday’s talks focused on “the proposed roadmap for completing the implementation of the agreement”. “It was held in a positive atmosphere,” the channel reported, adding that there was agreement on the need to continue implementing US President Donald Trump’s plan. The talks come amid rising regional tensions, after Israel and Iran traded fire yesterday. Despite the Gaza truce technically in effect since October, daily violence has rocked the territory, over half of which is under Israeli military control in defiance of the ceasefire’s terms. – AFP ‘Stop underage nude images’ LONDON: Big tech firms operating in Britain must stop children circulating nude images on their phones or they will face legislation forcing them to do so, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said yesterday. The announcement is Starmer’s latest effort to protect children from the harmful impacts of technology. It comes as the Times reported that he is also planning to announce a ban on some social media platforms for those aged under 16. “Today I’m calling on tech companies operating in this country to introduce device controls that prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images,” Starmer said in a speech at London Tech Week. “This is not an impossible challenge.” Under the new plans, firms like Apple and Google would have to build or activate technical solutions on smartphones and tablets to detect and block nude images for children. Adults would still be able to take, share or view nude content. If companies do not act within three months, the government said it would bring forward legislation to force them to do so or risk facing fines or, as a last resort, the threat of criminal liability for bosses. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Google said it was deeply committed to protecting children online. “We are working constructively with UK partners to find effective, privacy preserving solutions that deter the spread of harmful content while ensuring a safe digital environment for young people,” a Google spokesperson said. The move is intended to stop children being exploited by abusers who share nude images with others or use them to blackmail minors. – Reuters

estimated 500,000 immigrants to apply for legal status. Leo, who issued a fervent manifesto last month urging governments to slow down the development of AI systems, called yesterday for “rigorous ethical vigilance” over how AI was used in warfare. He said that rising European military spending, which grew last year by the highest amount since the end of the Cold War, was “troubling”. The pope has called European rearmament a betrayal of democracy. Leo also offered some of his most in-depth remarks yet addressing the balance between Church and state. He urged protection of religious freedom, saying that faith “cannot be relegated to silence as though it were irrelevant to public life”. – Reuters

distrust,” the pope said in the address, which came hours after Israel and Iran renewed their attacks on one another in the most serious test of a two-month ceasefire. “Weapons can impose a temporary silence; but they can never build an authentic and lasting peace,” he said. Leo’s speech, delivered in Spanish, was a rare papal address to a national legislature and the first by a pope to Spain’s parliament. It is part of a week-long visit to the country in which the pontiff has met migrants and the homeless, and called on national leaders to stop dividing their electorates. The pope, whose Spain tour will culminate with the pontiff meeting migrants in the Canary Islands who braved dangerous Atlantic waters to enter Europe, said a lack

He said countries must look for solutions that go beyond “the mere management of flows” and should address the causes that force people to leave their countries of origin, including war, poverty and adverse weather. The pope told parliament that “the moral greatness of a nation is manifested above all in its capacity to accompany, protect, and love those lives that pass through the greatest fragility”. More than 3,000 people died in 2025 trying to reach the Canary Islands, off the western coast of Africa, often in makeshift dinghies, according to NGO Caminando Fronteras. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government has opened a mass amnesty programme, allowing an

MADRID: Pope Leo told Spain’s parliament that escalating conflict, deepening polarisation and widespread disregard for human rights had pushed the world into a profound crisis, in one of his most expansive political addresses yet yesterday. Leo, who has adopted a more forceful tone recently against the direction of global leadership, also firmly repeated his opposition to increased European military spending, urging politicians instead to end the wars ravaging the globe and help migrants. “The world is undergoing a profound spiritual and cultural crisis, which is manifested in violence, polarisation and mutual

Two men examining a fallen rocket half-buried in the ground on the outskirts of Jericho yesterday. – AFPPIC Iran fired nearly 30 missiles, says Israel

TEL AVIV: An Israeli military official said Iran fired nearly 30 missiles towards Israel since Sunday night, in the first exchange of fire between the two countries since a truce in April. “Last night the Iranian regime began firing ballistic missiles towards Israel ... they fired close to 30 ballistic missiles towards Israel,” the official told journalists yesterday, adding that Yemen’s Houthi rebels separately fired two missiles at the country. Israel’s military said earlier yesterday it had struck several targets at a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, Iran in retaliation.

Mayadeen television that Tehran’s strikes on Sunday came after weeks of restraint against Israeli aggression. Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards called the attack a “warning” after Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier in the day, threatening wider strikes in the event of repeated aggression. A separate Iranian attack targeting the headquarters of “terrorist groups” in Iraqi Kurdistan yesterday added yet more strain to hopes for a lasting peace. The Iranian government accuses the Kurdish parties of serving Western or Israeli interests. – AFP

twice to the commander of CENTCOM and they are discussing the situation,” the official said. Air raid sirens sounded across large areas of northern and central Israel, with explosions heard over Jerusalem earlier yesterday. The exchange of fire between the two countries is the first such incident since a truce was announced on April 8. Tehran has insisted any deal to permanently end the war must also halt the parallel conflict in Lebanon, where Israel was pursuing a campaign against Hezbollah. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ali Safari told Al

“In this complex, chemical materials are produced and used for ballistic missiles that are fired towards here, towards the state of Israel,” the official said. “The strikes and the damage to the complex disrupts their ability to manufacture various types of weapons.” The Israeli military said it also struck Iranian air defence systems. The official said the Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir had spoken twice to the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) over the past day. “Over the past day, the IDF chief of the general staff has spoken