10/06/2026

IS S N 314 1 -1517

WEDNESDAY JUN 10, 2026

RM1

9 773141 151009

Beyond bricks and mortar

Doctors’ association says staffing shortages must be addressed alongside new hospital projects. Report on — page 5

Malaysian Paper www.thesun.my RM1.00 PER COPY

SCAN ME No. 9178 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195)

New political equation? Report on h page 3 PAS-Bersatu split fuels speculation of fresh alignment with Umno as Islamist party seeks to reposition itself at centre of Malay-Muslim politics: Analysts

KL’s skyline rises beyond a belt of greenery, highlighting the challenge of balancing development with environmental protection as calls for action on climate and conservation grow more strident. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Report on — page 4

NGO warns poor implementation is leaving Malaysia vulnerable to floods, heatwaves and environmental decline. Green goals, weak action

Report on — page 2

Rewarding responsible drivers

Motorists with clean records can enjoy up to 65% off insurance premiums through MyJPJ under Cermat Madani Programme, says Loke.

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 10, 2026

FOLLOW

ON INSTAGRAM

2

Malaysian Paper

@thesundaily @t

AI race must put humanity first, warns Anwar

DPM urges continuous upskilling for Kemas educators PUTRAJAYA: Kemas educators must be given continuous opportunities to upgrade their skills, strengthen their competencies and adapt to evolving educational needs, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development minister, said lifelong learning, professional development, certification and skills enhancement should remain key priorities to ensure Kemas educators stay relevant and well equipped to meet future challenges. “A strong culture of lifelong learning, upskilling and professional recognition is essential to ensure they remain prepared for the demands of a rapidly changing educational landscape,” he said at the 2026 Kemas Educators’ Day celebration yesterday. He also stressed that improving the learning environment is equally important, noting that quality education requires both conducive facilities for children and adequate support for educators. “Children thrive in a positive learning environment, while educators deserve facilities that enable them to perform their duties effectively and comfortably,” he said, while encouraging Kemas educators to embrace innovation and explore new approaches in early childhood education. Ahmad Zahid also pledged continued support from the ministry, including sustained funding for the upgrading and maintenance of Kemas preschools and childcare centres nationwide. “I will ensure that Kemas and its leadership are fully supported. The ministry will continue to provide the necessary resources to improve educational facilities across the country,” he said. Kemas currently operates nearly 11,113 preschools and childcare centres nationwide, supported by 12,166 educators. Reflecting on Kemas’s 55-year history, Ahmad Zahid said the institution has played a pivotal role in expanding access to education, particularly for children in rural, remote and underserved communities. “Since its establishment, Kemas has helped shape the educational journey of more than 8.4 million Malaysian children. “That is Kemas’s true legacy. It is not merely about building classrooms or teaching literacy and numeracy, but also about nurturing confidence, shaping character and developing future generations,” he said. Also present were Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad, Kemas director general Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Man and more than 300 Kemas educators. – Bernama

Despite these contradictions, he urged young people not to lose hope. “You are not here to perpetuate a corrupt or unjust system. You must have the conviction to challenge it, but you must do so wisely,” he said. On AI and international cooperation, Anwar said Malaysia would continue strengthening ties with major powers and Asean partners, highlighting Japan as a model of how discipline, culture and resilience could drive national success. “It is not just technology that made Japan successful. It is also character, culture and discipline.” Reiterating Malaysia’s commitment to dialogue, multilateralism and peaceful conflict resolution, Anwar said the country continued to engage all sides in international disputes while maintaining strong ties across the Middle East, Asia and the West. “There is no answer to conflict except dialogue and peace,” he said. He reminded students that while AI would transform economies and societies, it could not replace the values that defined humanity. currently participating in the scheme. Loke added that AI risk assessment could also lower the base premium for high-scoring motorists, compounding overall savings beyond the rebate alone. On the programme’s broader goals, Loke said the government ultimately hoped to move towards a fairer insurance ecosystem where motorists who complied with traffic laws and maintained good driving records were rewarded. He said the first three months served as a promotional period to encourage motorists to adopt the MyJPJ application. “During this period, everyone will receive the rebate. But ultimately, our goal is to reward motorists who genuinely maintain good driving records. “If motorists who accumulate many summonses receive the same rewards as responsible drivers, the programme loses its purpose. We want prudent drivers to be the ones who benefit,” he said. Looking ahead, Loke said the initiative could eventually extend beyond discounts to include reduced base premiums for drivers with exemplary records. “This is our first step towards reducing insurance costs for consumers while encouraging more prudent driving,” he said. Also present at yesterday’s launch was Berjaya Corporation Berhad founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan.

now wield enormous influence over the platforms and standards that shape the future,” he said. Anwar praised the University of Tokyo’s efforts to promote multidisciplinary learning, cautioning against what Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset described as the “barbarism of specialisation” – where technical expertise was pursued without regard for humanity. “Education must be more than the accumulation of information and knowledge. It must cultivate wisdom, character and compassion,” he said. While acknowledging AI’s transformative potential, Anwar said machines remained incapable of experiencing the emotions and moral judgement that defined human existence. “AI can produce words of comfort without knowing grief, or create beauty without ever witnessing it.’ During a question-and-answer session, he challenged students to become agents of positive change rather than passive participants in an unjust world order. “Too many speak of peace while supporting war. We talk about justice, but tolerate gross injustice. We speak of compassion, yet allow millions to suffer,” he said.

o PM urges nations to counter global inequality, injustice with ethical digital growth

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

technological advancement alone. “Artificial intelligence will continue to advance, but its purpose will be shaped by our laws, institutions, universities and moral courage,” he said. He stressed that technological progress could not be considered genuine advancement if it existed alongside war, oppression and widening inequality. Referring to conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon and other parts of the world, Anwar said humanity continued to grapple with violence and injustice despite unprecedented advances in technology. “There is a profound irony in our age. While we celebrate extraordinary technological achievements, human suffering continues to scar our world,” he said. He also warned of the growing concentration of technological power among a handful of countries and corporations controlling data, chips, cloud infrastructure and AI models. “The digital divide is widening, not shrinking. A handful of players

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim warned yesterday that the global race to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) risks deepening inequality, eroding compassion and amplifying injustice unless humanity remains at the centre of technological progress. Delivering a special lecture titled “Humanity in a Human-Machine Civilisation” at the University of Tokyo, Anwar said AI’s greatest challenge was not technological but moral, urging nations to build a digital future grounded in ethics, wisdom and human dignity. “As we stand at the precipice of a massive technological paradigm shift, genocide, war, inequality and injustice continue to stare us in the face. Can we, in good conscience, claim that such advancements are truly worthy of humankind?” he asked. Anwar said Malaysia’s goal of becoming an AI nation by 2030 must be guided by human values, not KUALA LUMPUR: Motorists with clean driving records will qualify for an additional 10% rebate on their motor insurance premiums from Sept 10 under the government’s Cermat Madani Programme but until then, all MyJPJ users renewing their insurance will receive the discount regardless of driving history. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the rebate, available to motorists renewing their motor insurance and road tax via the MyJPJ application, is stackable with the existing No Claim Discount (NCD) of up to 55%, bringing total potential savings to 65% for eligible drivers. “For example, if a motorist is already entitled to the maximum 55% NCD and has a good driving record, they can receive an additional discount of up to 10%, bringing the total discount to 65%,” he told reporters after the programme launch on Tuesday. He said the programme, which took effect on June 9, would be rolled out in two phases. During the first phase, running from June 9 to Sept 9, all motorists renewing through MyJPJ would receive the additional rebate as a promotional measure to drive adoption of the application. From Sept 10, however, eligibility would be determined by an AI powered risk assessment system Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

“What distinguishes humanity is not intelligence alone, but empathy, conscience, integrity and care for one another,” he said. Save up to 65% on vehicle insurance via MyJPJ until Sept 9

Loke launching the Cermat Madani programme at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, accompanied by (from left) Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan, RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli and ministry deputy secretary-general (Management) Datuk Normah Osman. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

only RTD and police summonses. Loke said one of the longstanding problems for insurers had been the absence of reliable driving record data. “Previously, insurers had no direct way of assessing whether a driver had traffic offences, accident records or a poor driving history. “Through this integration, they can now receive a risk score while personal data remains protected,” he said. Ten insurance companies are

drawing on records from the Road Transport Department (RTD) and police databases. “The scoring methodology is determined by the insurance companies. We do not set a specific threshold on the number of summonses a person can have. “Insurers will assess the driver’s overall risk profile and decide the level of discount to offer,” Loke said. He noted that local council fines would not be factored into the assessment, which at present covers

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 10, 2026

3

Speculation surfaces about PAS-Umno realignment

‘No conspiracy to topple Negeri Sembilan govt’

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: PAS has formally severed its political cooperation with Bersatu, fracturing the Perikatan Nasional (PN) opposition bloc and triggering what could be the most significant realignment in Malay politics ahead of the 16th general election (GE16). The decision, announced following a Special Central Working Committee meeting on Monday, was made after the party reviewed political reports, assessments and guidance from its Syura Council. “The special meeting has resolved to end political cooperation with Bersatu,” said PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang in a statement. “The party, however, has left the door open for future arrangements, and will explore a form of political understanding and electoral pact in the spirit of Muslim unity ahead of the upcoming state elections and GE16 while continuing to engage academics, professionals, political leaders and activists.” PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari framed the split as a strategic and ideological recalibration rather than an emotional reaction to short-term pressures, describing it as a “bitter pill” taken in pursuit of longer KUALA LUMPUR: DAP secretary general Anthony Loke deflected allegations of a political conspiracy between Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Umno to topple the Negeri Sembilan government, saying the voters would be the final arbiters. “Let the people make the assessment and decide. “The people have eyes to see what is happening, and I leave it to the people to judge,” he said, adding that the dissolution of the state assembly had already been carried out and the election campaign would proceed as planned. He was speaking after launching the Cermat Madani programme here yesterday. Loke declined to comment on alleged revelations linked to Bersatu involving purported political arrangements with PAS and other parties. “In politics, we must have hope. We cannot be disappointed. We must have hope.” When asked whether PAS’ split with Bersatu had any connection to Pakatan Harapan, he was dismissive. “That is their problem.” The remarks came after a 13-page letter, allegedly from Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to PAS leaders, claimed that PN had held early discussions with Umno aimed at removing Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. Dated May 25, the letter alleged multiple meetings between PAS, Bersatu and Umno before 14 Umno Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen withdrew their support for Aminuddin’s administration.

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

status Umno’s involvement, reviving talk of a possible Muafakat Nasional 2.0 framework. “I think the discussions, or purported discussions, between Umno and PAS at an informal level suggest that PAS has realised it needs Umno in this equation. “There is no clear path for PAS to regain kingmaker status without some form of cooperation with Umno. It needs that cooperation.” He said any revival of cooperation was more likely to emerge at state level first, identifying Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Pahang and Perak as key battlegrounds where electoral arithmetic could force pragmatic alignment. “In Negeri Sembilan, where the competition between PH and Barisan Nasional is almost 50-50, PAS could become the deciding factor. The same applies to Malacca, Pahang and Perak, where each side may come to depend on the other.” Azmi said such dynamics mirrored the original logic of Muafakat Nasional, where Umno and PAS had cooperated after Barisan Nasional lost federal power. without

o Observers describe severing of ties by Islamic party with Bersatu deliberate attempt to reposition itself at centre of Malay-Muslim politics

PETALING JAYA: PAS’ decision to sever ties with Bersatu has cracked open Malaysia’s opposition bloc, triggering fresh speculation of a Umno-PAS realignment even as analysts caution that the structural fault lines that once sank Muafakat Nasional have not gone away. Observers describe the break as a deliberate attempt by PAS to reposition itself at the centre of Malay-Muslim politics without committing to any new formal alliance. Universiti Malaya political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the split does not automatically translate into a return to Umno but it has cleared political space for recalibration. “PAS’ decision to end its political cooperation with Bersatu does open a psychological and strategic pathway towards Umno but it does not necessarily mean PAS is ready to fully return to Umno. For now, PAS is creating new negotiating space.” Awang Azman said PAS is carefully framing the move under the banner of “ ummah unity”, a narrative carrying both ideological weight and tactical value. “ Ummah unity should be interpreted on two levels. On the ideological level, it is consistent with PAS’ long-standing narrative of Malay-Muslim political unity. “But on the practical level, it also functions as a negotiation tool, term political stability. He also pointed to festering internal tensions within PN, including disputes over the inclusion of smaller parties and friction in Perlis and Negeri Sembilan, as having eroded grassroots morale and ground-level cooperation. “PAS and Bersatu can no longer continue under the same umbrella following yesterday’s decision,” Fadhli said, signalling an expected restructuring of the opposition coalition. Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, while expressing regret, stressed that the termination was made unilaterally by PAS, and reaffirmed his party’s commitment to PN. “As a founding party of PN, Bersatu will remain firmly committed to the pact and continue strengthening its people-centric agenda.” He urged members to remain resilient, and affirmed that there was “wisdom behind what has transpired”. Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the split came as no surprise, arguing that the PAS-Bersatu arrangement had always rested on political convenience rather than genuine trust.

depth. In the long term, this could lead to Bersatu being marginalised as a key vehicle of Malay politics.” He said the impact on Pakatan Harapan (PH) would depend on whether Malay opposition fragmentation persists or gives way to new consolidation. “In multi-cornered contests, a PAS-Bersatu split could benefit PH and BN. But if PAS succeeds in forming a new alliance with Umno or creates a one-on-one electoral formula in Malay seats, PH’s position could become more difficult.” Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said the development came as no surprise and effectively marks a turning point for Bersatu within the opposition bloc. He said PAS’ current positioning reflects an implicit recognition that it could not achieve kingmaker

allowing PAS to exit Bersatu’s orbit without appearing opportunistic.” He said structurally little had changed since the collapse of Muafakat Nasional in 2022, when PAS and Umno had previously attempted cooperation before internal tensions derailed the arrangement. “What has changed is the balance of power. Umno is now seen as more stable than in the pre GE15 era while PAS appears keen to align with a party perceived to have a political future.” Awang Azman warned that Bersatu stood to be the biggest casualty of the realignment, arguing that its political strength had long depended on PAS’ grassroots machinery and religious legitimacy. “Without PAS, Bersatu risks becoming a Malay elite party lacking traditional grassroots

Perikatan Nasional opposition bloc fractured

Abdul Hadi confirmed the decision by PAS to break cooperation with Bersatu following a Special Central Working Committee meeting on Monday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

down following a series of political developments involving statutory declarations by several assemblymen, and was replaced by Bersatu’s Abu Bakar Hamzah. PAS leaders strongly criticised the handling of the episode which eventually led to Muhyiddin stepping down as PN chairman. PAS vice-president and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar subsequently assumed leadership of the opposition coalition in May. – BY HARITH KAMAL

“We remain in the Unity government. That is our foundation, and it must be respected. “However, the door should remain open for discussions and new approaches should political dynamics evolve.” Relations between PAS and Bersatu had been deteriorating since last year when a leadership crisis in Perlis sharply deepened mistrust between the two parties. Then Perlis menteri besar Mohd Shukri Ramli, a PAS leader, stepped

“We had already expected this to happen. Any collaboration must be surrounded by sincerity and must not contain elements of betrayal,” he said at an event in Putrajaya yesterday. Ahmad Zahid described recent Umno-PAS engagements as constructive, reflecting openness to dialogue amid shifting political dynamics. He stressed that his party’s commitment to the Unity government remains firm.

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 10, 2026

READ OUR

HERE

4

Malaysian Paper

/thesun

Enforcement of green policies remains weak, says NGO

Penang gazettes 15 heritage sites

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

helping to raise public awareness on the importance of protecting natural habitats. He said such releases are conducted periodically, particularly when there is a surplus of suitable wildlife that could contribute to species enrichment in selected habitats. Among the locations that have benefited from previous species release programmes is Langkawi Island, where the released wildlife has shown positive adaptation to its natural environment. “The survival of wildlife depends greatly on the availability of food sources, suitable habitats, water resources and breeding opportunities.” He also urged the public to play an active role in protecting wildlife by reporting illegal hunting activities, snare traps or the use of poison to the nearest department office. “Conservation is a shared responsibility and public cooperation is crucial in ensuring the sustainability of the country’s wildlife and natural ecosystems.” – Bernama The Cherok Tok Kun inscription, on the grounds of St Anne’s Church in Bukit Mertajam, is carved into a large boulder and bears Sanskrit text linked to early Hindu-Buddhist influences in the region 1,500 years ago. It was discovered in 1845 by British East India Company officer Colonel James Low. The remaining gazetted sites are the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce building, the Penang Museum Board building, the Municipal Building, the High Court, the Malay Mosque on Acheen Street, Sheikh Omar’s Tomb, the Leng Eng Seah Association building and the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower. GEORGE TOWN: Penang has for the first time gazetted heritage sites under its own state enactment, formally protecting 15 landmarks spanning the state’s prehistoric, colonial and multicultural history – 15 years after the law was passed. The sites, gazetted on May 7 under the Penang Heritage Enactment 2011, include Fort Cornwallis, the Guar Kepah Archaeological Site, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Penang Free School, Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, St George’s Church and the Cherok Tok Kun inscription. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the gazettement was the result of extensive documentation, research and stakeholder engagement, followed by evaluation and approval by heritage experts. He said no official state-level cultural heritage gazettement has been carried out under the enactment since it was passed in 2011, making the latest exercise the first of its kind. He described 2026 as a milestone year for heritage conservation in Penang, saying the scale of the exercise marked an achievement not seen in decades. “More importantly, this gazettement effort reflects the diversity and inclusive spirit of Penang’s cultural heritage.” The 15 sites represent different chapters of the state’s history. For example, Fort Cornwallis, built by the British East India Company after Captain Francis Light landed in Penang in 1786, is the largest surviving fort in Malaysia and stands as a reminder of the state’s colonial and maritime origins. The Guar Kepah Archaeological Site in Seberang Perai contains evidence of prehistoric human settlements dating back thousands of years and is known for the discovery of skeletal remains dubbed the “Penang Woman”.

o ‘Malaysia continues to rely on short-term development priorities but climate crisis requires broader structural changes’

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s green policies are failing to translate into meaningful action on the ground, with experts saying weak implementation and short-term development priorities are leaving the country increasingly exposed to worsening floods, heatwaves and environmental degradation. Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Sejahtera Malaysia (Grass Malaysia) president Mohd Yusaimi Md Yusof said although Malaysia has introduced numerous green policies and environmental initiatives, execution remains inconsistent, particularly at the local government level. “We continue to rely on short-term development priorities whereas the climate crisis requires broader structural changes, including in energy, transport, land use, food security and forest protection.” He emphasised that while natural factors contribute to environmental disasters, human activity in Malaysia often intensifies their impact. He cited deforestation, peatland exploitation, development in environmentally sensitive zones, poor drainage systems and weak land-use planning as key drivers behind worsening floods and landslides. He also referenced the Quranic reminder in Surah Ar-Rum, Verse 41, which highlights how environmental destruction is linked to human actions and negligence, serving as a call for reflection and reform. “This is not merely a weather issue, but also a matter of policy and development management,” he noted. On development priorities, Mohd Yusaimi noted that economic growth continues to take precedence over environmental protection in many decision-making processes. “There is a tendency to prioritise projects that generate rapid economic growth, even

Mohd Yusaimi called for a clearer national roadmap to reduce fossil fuel dependence, accelerate renewable energy adoption and strengthen forest conservation efforts. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

climate stress is already affecting human life and religious practices. Mohd Yusaimi added that environmental degradation is closely tied to issues such as water security, mental health, agriculture and cost of living pressures. A 2022 Health Ministry study found that around 30% of Malaysians experienced mental health issues, while environmental researcher Dr Qing Li, author of Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing , has warned that disconnection from nature could worsen both physical and psychological wellbeing. Looking ahead, Mohd Yusaimi urged Malaysia to prioritise forest protection, flood adaptation, energy transition, sustainable agriculture, public transport improvements, mental health support as well as stricter environmental enforcement over the next five years. “Malaysia does not lack green policies, but it still lacks sufficiently bold and consistent action,” he highlighted. “If we continue to prioritise short-term economic growth without accounting for environmental costs, we will simply pass this crisis on to future generations.”

when they have significant impacts on forests, water resources and local communities,” he said, adding that environmental costs are often undervalued. He noted that if long-term ecological and social impacts were properly accounted for, many development decisions would look very different. Mohd Yusaimi said NGOs are increasingly concerned that Malaysia’s climate response is not matching the urgency of the crisis. He called for a clearer national roadmap to reduce fossil fuel dependence, accelerate renewable energy adoption and strengthen forest conservation efforts. “Without stronger and more transparent commitments, green targets risk remaining promises that are difficult to measure and achieve,” he stressed. He also highlighted what he described as an under-appreciated issue, namely the direct link between environmental degradation and human wellbeing, including public health, safety and quality of life. He pointed to global extreme heat conditions, including reported fatalities during the 2024 haj season, as an example of how

Over 757,000 turtles hatched and released in Terengganu KUALA NERUS: A total of 757,869 baby turtles were hatched and released into the sea in Terengganu last year, underscoring the effectiveness of ongoing marine conservation efforts to protect endangered turtle species and preserve the country’s marine biodiversity. Fisheries director-general Datuk Adnan was speaking to reporters after the release of 570 baby turtles at the Pulau Redang Marine Park in conjunction with World Oceans Day, themed “Protect the Sea, Sustain Fisheries”. He said Terengganu is the country’s primary nesting ground for green turtles, with key nesting sites located at Chagar Hutang Beach and Pasir Panjang Beach on Pulau Redang, Rantau Abang Beach in Dungun as well as Geliga Beach and Ma’Daerah Beach in Kemaman. and awareness programmes were conducted during the year to enhance public understanding on the importance of protecting marine ecosystems and endangered wildlife. “Protecting turtles means protecting marine ecosystems, safeguarding fisheries resources and preserving the nation’s natural heritage for future generations.”

Adnan Hussain said the achievement was recorded under the Terengganu Turtle Management and Conservation Programme, which also documented 13,180 green sea turtle nests and the collection and incubation of 1.07 million turtle eggs in 2025. He said the programme recorded an encouraging hatching success rate of 71.07%, reflecting the effectiveness of conservation and incubation initiatives undertaken by authorities. “Every hatchling that returns to the sea represents renewed hope for the survival of this species and serves as an important indicator of the health of the marine ecosystem that we collectively inherit and strive to preserve.”

Meanwhile, Wildlife and National Parks Department director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said 32 wildlife specimens, comprising mammals, birds and birds of prey, were released in conjunction with the World Oceans Day celebration. The release involved 22 jungle fowl, four woodcocks, two porcupines and four eagles from three species, namely the red-backed sea-eagle (brahminy kite), changeable hawk-eagle and white-bellied sea-eagle. Abdul Kadir said the wildlife release programme forms part of the country’s broader biodiversity conservation efforts while also

In addition to green sea turtles, the programme recorded 308 leatherback sea turtle nests and 23 hawksbill sea turtle nests throughout the past year. According to Adnan, conservation efforts have also contributed significantly to the state’s ecotourism industry. In 2025, turtle conservation centres in Terengganu attracted 219,095 visitors, including 185,804 visitors to the Turtle Conservation and Information Centre in Rantau Abang. He added that 186 conservation education

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 10, 2026

5 ‘Address staff crisis first before building more hospitals’

Two trawlers detained, RM7,500 worth of fish seized KUALA NERUS: Two trawlers, one believed to have been operated by Vietnamese fishermen, were detained by the Fisheries Department (DOF) during an Op Naga enforcement operation in waters off Pulau Redang yesterday. Fisheries director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said the overnight operation, conducted between 11pm on Monday and 6am yesterday, uncovered various breaches of licence conditions and offences under the Fisheries Act 1985. He said the first vessel was detected carrying out trawling activities about eight nautical miles off Pulau Redang, within the 12-nautical-mile fishing prohibition zone around the island. “Also detained was a Zone C trawler suspected of operating without a valid licence and manned by a skipper and four Vietnamese crew members,” he said in a statement here yesterday. Adnan said inspections uncovered several suspicious elements, including discrepancies between the vessel’s licensed identification photograph and its actual physical appearance. He said the vessel was fitted with five additional oil tanks, with only one containing fuel and the remaining four empty, believed to be part of an evasive operational tactic. Adnan said DOF enforcement officers also seized about 1,500kg of various types of fish, estimated to be worth RM7,500. He added that employing foreign skippers and crew members without permission, operating vessels without a valid licence and violating the 12-nautical-mile fishing restricted area were serious offences under the law. – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Police are tracking down five men suspected of stealing Telekom Malaysia (TM) cables in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) on Monday, after footage of the incident, which involved several luxury vehicles, was widely shared on social media. Brickfields police chief ACP Hoo Chang Hook said police became aware of the incident through the footage. Preliminary investigations found that the incident occurred at about 4.30am along Jalan Dato Sulaiman, TTDI. “A witness, who was carrying out topographical work in the area, noticed five men removing cables from a utility manhole using a BMW car. “The witness confronted the group, prompting all the suspects to flee the scene in three BMW cars – two white and one black,” he said in a statement yesterday. Telekom Malaysia representatives have also assisted investigators and estimated the losses resulting from the theft at approximately RM20,000. “An investigation paper has been opened, and the case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft and Section 235 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,” he said. – Bernama Police seek five men over TM cable theft

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Nation faces severe shortage of specialists and nurses while only 529 of 5,000 positions offered to medical grads being accepted, says MMA president

“We have indeed received a request (letter) from the company to discuss the matter. As of now, we have not met, and we do not know what they intend to discuss,“ he said. Norway had previously revoked the export licence for Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and related launcher systems to Malaysia, citing national security concerns. According to the official website of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS, the procurement contract for the NSM was inked between the RMN and the company in April 2018. The contract, valued at 124 million euros (RM571.9 million), was intended to equip the navy’s six new Littoral Combat Ships. – Bernama private hospitals with more than 1,400 beds and over 450 registered private clinics. Thirunavukarasu said the Health Ministry should expand programmes enabling public patients to receive treatment at private facilities, noting that nearly 100 private hospitals had already been shortlisted to provide services including cardiology, nephrology and radiology imaging. “The capacity already exists. We should be using it,” he said. The MMA also pressed for stronger investment in healthcare digitalisation, arguing that patients were far more frustrated by long waiting times, misplaced records and repeated tests than by the absence of new buildings. Thirunavukarasu highlighted the Health Ministry’s plans to fully digitalise primary healthcare by 2027 and establish a single national health record accessible across both public and private facilities. This system would allow patients on months-long public hospital waiting lists to be referred swiftly to private providers without losing continuity of care, he said. “No new building. No new land. Just a faster solution for the patient,“ he said. He further urged policymakers to address the root causes of the workforce shortage through sustained healthcare funding, improved recruitment and retention policies and the creation of an independent Health Service Commission – a body that would manage healthcare recruitment, postings and career progression outside the constraints of the broader civil service structure. “Doctors are not leaving because others are taking them. They are leaving because the system pushes them out,” he said. Thirunavukarasu stressed that resolving the crisis required coordinated action from the Finance Ministry, Public Service Department and Higher Education Ministry, not just the Health Ministry. “By all means build the hospital. But ensure the workforce is planned before the first brick is laid,” he said.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia risks building hospitals it cannot staff unless the government urgently addresses a deepening healthcare workforce crisis, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has warned, even as it welcomed plans for a new 500-bed public hospital in the city. Cautioning that infrastructure investment alone will not resolve the country’s healthcare woes, MMA president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said the nation faces a shortage of nearly 11,000 specialists, nursing vacancies of about 18% – or some 14,700 unfilled positions out of 84,000 – and a stark collapse in junior doctor uptake, with only 529 of the 5,000 positions recently offered to medical

“That was not a failure of construction. It was a failure of workforce planning,“ he said. “Our hospitals are not short of demand. They are short of staff.” While acknowledging that the Petaling district’s population of more than 2.3 million, including over 800,000 in Petaling Jaya, warrants additional healthcare capacity, the MMA argued that existing resources, particularly in the private sector, remain underutilised. Petaling Jaya alone has 12

graduates being accepted. “A hospital is not its walls. It is the doctors, nurses and specialists inside it, and Malaysia has a problem that we cannot build our way out of,” he said, following the Selangor government’s decision to expedite land allocation for the proposed facility. Thirunavukarasu pointed to Hospital Pasir Gudang as a cautionary tale, a completed facility that could not be fully operationalised due to insufficient doctors and nurses.

Thirunavukarasu said policymakers need to address staff shortage woes through sustained healthcare funding, improved recruitment and retention policies and the creation of an independent Health Service Commission. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

3 Turkiye-built navy ships to be delivered by 2027 KUALA LUMPUR: All three Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 (LMSB2) are expected to be fully commissioned by the end of 2027. conference after the 2026 Ministry of Defence and Malaysian Armed Forces Education Excellence Award presentation ceremony at Wisma Perwira ATM here yesterday. Mohamed Khaled said this follows the successful launch of the first vessel Tunku Laksamana Abdul Jalil on May 24.

He added that the LMSB2 programme is a government-to government (G-to-G) cooperation project between Malaysia and Turkiye aimed at bolstering the nation’s maritime sovereignty. Meanwhile, commenting on the RM1 billion claim against a Norwegian defence firm, Mohamed Khaled said the ministry has received a request from the company to discuss the matter. He stressed the ministry will proceed with the claim according to established procedures.

Mohamed Khaled added that the second vessel in the Batch 2 series was successfully launched at the Istanbul Shipyard in Turkiye on Sunday. “The vessel has been named Raja Laut , after the late 19th-century Selangor nobleman and visionary administrator. The naming and launching ceremony was graced by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.“

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the construction of the vessels in Turkiye is progressing smoothly and remains on schedule as set when the contract was signed in 2024. “We expect these ships to be delivered to our navy by late 2027. According to the estimated timeline, the first vessel will be commissioned in October, followed by the second in November, and the third in December. Everything is progressing well,“ he said at a press

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 10, 2026

FOLLOW

ON FACEBOOK

6

Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

S’pore to advance Asean integration SINGAPORE: The city-state will push for deeper regional integration and enhance external partnerships to navigate global challenges when it assumes the Asean chairmanship next year. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said these two key areas will be Singapore’s agenda in spearheading the bloc. He said Asean will continue to work on strengthening partnerships because the region cannot operate alone, given its diversity. “Asean has always wanted a region that is open and inclusive, where we engage all major partners,” he said during a dialogue session organised by the Singapore Press Club on Monday. He said Asean hopes to strengthen cooperation with all key partners and bring them together in the region, maximising the prospects for continued stability and prosperity. Wong said Asean’s outlook on the Indo-Pacific is that it does not want to see a region dominated by a single power. He believed the region should engage all major players, find common ground and advance areas of shared concern or cooperation. “We do not want to see zero-sum competition here or to have exclusive commitments to any single party. “We also do not want to see a world that’s divided into competing spheres of influence, where there is one sphere dominated by a single power here in Asia, another sphere in the western hemisphere, and then another sphere in Europe.” Wong said the bloc is progressing well in terms of trade and investments, but is still looking into seamless interoperability across different economies. – Bernama

Race to rescue trapped victims

o Power outages hamper hospital care

formal economy. UN officials estimate from trends that between 10,000 and 20,000 refugees stand to get jobs over the next year, although the pace of expansion hinges on administrative processes and practical access to jobs. Refugees still face challenges such as restrictions on freedom of movement and finding ways to adapt to life after decades spent dependent on aid in camps, Mazou said. – Reuters Schools, which had reopened on Monday after a break, remained closed as authorities checked the condition of buildings, thousands of which sustained minor to severe damage, said Rafaelito Alejandro, head of the office of civil defence. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded 23 strong aftershocks. – Reuters early on Monday about 20km off the coast of Sarangani province, with tremors felt strongly across Mindanao and as far as the city of Manado, 420km in the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Officials said they hoped the death toll would not rise further as rescue operations continued, with more than 400 people injured and four still missing. Scenes of devastation were visible in parts of General Santos, which is home to more than 700,000 people and now under a state of calamity, with several buildings collapsed and debris strewn across streets beneath a tangle of toppled power lines and utility posts. Officials scoured damaged buildings to assess damage and worked to restore power and water for residents. The quake came eight months after the country suffered its deadliest tremor in 12 years, when a shallow 6.9 magnitude quake hit off the central island of Cebu, killing 79 people.

Scanners have so far detected no signs of life from the remaining two. “It’s difficult to accept, as a mother, that my son is still trapped,” said Dioslinda Deluvio, distraught as she waited outside the building for news of her son. “My only call is to have him retrieved today so we can be at peace,” said the 65-year-old mother. The 7.8-magnitude quake struck

by a powerful earthquake that has killed at least 41 people and injured hundreds, to reach two people still believed to be trapped inside. Regional fire officer Edgar Tanawan, who is leading the operation, said two people had been pulled out alive from the commercial building housing a grocery store and other businesses, but a third was found dead.

GENERAL SANTOS: Rescuers searched yesterday the rubble of a collapsed building in the southern city of General Santos, the worst hit

A rescue worker uses a dog to look for trapped people at a collapsed store in General Santos. – REUTERSPIC

Thai jobs for refugees model offers regional lessons BANGKOK: More than 5,500

Since the programme’s launch in October, Thai authorities have worked with employers to ensure refugee workers receive legal protections, healthcare coverage and at least the minimum wage, Mazou said. As part of the initiative, refugees are receiving special identity cards to open bank accounts, obtain mobile SIM cards and verify their legal status, steps Mazou said were critical to integrating them into Thailand’s

model for other countries in Southeast Asia grappling with the problem of protracted displacement. The approach could offer lessons for countries such as Bangladesh and Malaysia that host large refugee populations, showing how they can contribute to the economy while remaining under legal protections and government oversight. “If it works here, it will have an impact on the region,” Mazou said.

shortages worsened by armed clashes with Cambodia. As a result, Thailand allowed about 80,000 refugees from Myanmar to work legally, in a policy change significant for a population that has lived for decades dependent on humanitarian aid in nine shelters along the shared border. Raouf Mazou, UNHCR assistant high commissioner for operations, said Thailand’s efforts could become a

Myanmar refugees living in camps along Thailand’s border have found jobs since Bangkok eased employment curbs last year, an approach that offers a regional example, a UN refugee official said. The step came in response to a sharp decline in global humanitarian funding, in part as US President Donald Trump slashed foreign aid and Thailand battled growing labour

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 10, 2026

7

China, North Korea agree to expand ties

The H-1B programme offers 65,000 visas annually, with another 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees, approved for three to six years. Employers seeking a visa for a foreign worker before Trump’s proclamation typically paid about US$2,000 to US$5,000 in fees depending on various factors. Trump, in imposing the hefty new fee, in a proclamation said the H-1B programme “has been deliberately exploited to replace, rather than supplement, American workers with lower-paid, lower-skilled labour”. The fee does not apply to visas granted to foreign citizens already in the United States on student visas. – Reuters ICC chief prosecutor suspended THE HAGUE: A key governing body of the International Criminal Court on Monday suspended chief prosecutor Karim Khan as he faces sexual abuse allegations against a member of his office. The 21-member bureau of the Assembly of State Parties (ASP) decided to refer Khan’s case to the wider ASP that represents every member country of the ICC. The bureau decided “by qualified majority ... to suspend the prosecutor from duty with immediate effect pending the final decision of the Assembly of States Parties as the competent decision-maker,” the body said in a statement. “The bureau emphasises that this suspension is not an indication of the final outcome.” The decision will have little practical impact on the functioning of the court, as the 55-year old Khan stepped aside in May last year, taking a leave of absence to fight the allegations that he denies. He has already been removed from pleading in the ICC’s most high-profile case against former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte. A special session of the ASP will be convened as soon as possible to discuss the Khan case, according to the statement. The 55-year-old Briton hit the headlines when he sucessfully applied for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over the Gaza war. He was among the first to be sanctioned by Israel’s ally, the United States, which expressed outrage over the arrest warrants. – AFP Massive swells, gales batter NZ capital WELLINGTON: Waves of up to 11m and gale force winds battered New Zealand’s capital yesterday, prompting mandatory evacuations along parts of Wellington’s south coast and disrupting transport services. Authorities ordered residents to leave waterfront properties in Owhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay and Breaker Bay, warning that emergency services would not respond in evacuated zones. Hundreds of residents complied as conditions worsened. The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office said swells were overtopping coastal roads, while wind gusts near 100 kph were recorded at the Wellington Airport. In the wider Wairarapa region, gusts reached 137 kph alongside similarly large waves. Flights in and out of Wellington were disrupted, with several cancellations reported and one small aircraft blown over. Cook Strait ferry services operated by Interislander and Bluebridge were also suspended. MetService said average wave heights were around 6m, but peak waves nearly doubled that. The severe conditions were expected to ease today, though evacuation measures will remain in place. Road closures were enforced along much of the south coast and authorities urged the public to stay clear of exposed coastal areas. – Bernama

o Xi, Kim plant fir tree

neighbours’ “special relationship”, added Lim Eul-chul, a professor at South Korea’s Kyungnam University, while Beijing emphasised practical state-to-state ties and its initiatives for international order. “North Korea removed elements that could make it look like a subordinate, dependent or beneficiary party, and rewrote the relationship as one between equals,” said Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification. “It amplified signals of solidarity.” Xi and first lady Peng Liyuan attended a performance of Chinese and North Korean songs, accompanied by Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, that highlighted “the value and closeness of DPRK-China friendship,” KCNA said. It was referring to the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Chinese-North Korean relations had reached a “new historical starting point”, Xi said at a banquet hosted by Kim for the 65th anniversary of the neighbours’ friendship treaty, KCNA added. – Reuters

to the airport, waving flags and shouting friendship slogans. Earlier, the leaders jointly planted a fir tree in the grounds of a key political training school for party cadres, which Xinhua said symbolised “ever-renewing friendship”. On the second day of his visit to China’s only formal treaty ally, Xi had also visited Pyongyang’s Sino-Korean Friendship Tower that commemorates Chinese soldiers who died in the Korean War, the agency added. Both agreed to strive for closer strategic communication through visits by high-level officials, KCNA said. Kim told Xi he would fully support the “One China principle”. Despite the expressions of goodwill, however, analysts saw contrasting priorities in the official summaries of the visit. While Xinhua detailed proposals ranging from high-level exchanges to trade and agriculture, along with restoration of transport links, KCNA cast the summit more broadly as a pact of equal partners, the analysts said. Pyongyang stressed regime dignity and the

BEIJING: President Xi Jinping wrapped up yesterday his first visit to North Korea in seven years, saying it had established a deeper, more comprehensive understanding yielding a clearer path for development of ties, the official Xinhua news agency said. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Xi agreed to expand cooperation in the areas of politics, economy and culture at a summit in Pyongyang that opened a new chapter in ties, the North’s official KCNA news agency said. “The mutual understanding between China and North Korea has become deeper and more comprehensive, and the direction of future development has become clearer and more defined,” Xi told his hosts at a luncheon before his departure. Kim waved both hands as Xi’s plane taxied down the tarmac, in footage from China’s state broadcaster CCTV, after an enthusiastic send off by Pyongyang residents, who lined the road

Kim (centre left) and Xi (centre right) inspecting an honour guard at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Monday. – AFPPIC/KCNA VIA KNS

US$100,000 H-1B visa fee unlawful, rules court BOSTON: A federal judge on Monday struck down a US$100,000 (RM405,955) fee President Donald Trump imposed on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, concluding that it constituted an unlawful tax Congress never authorised. president was authorised to impose under federal immigration law, which gives him the power to restrict the entry of certain foreign nationals when he deems it “detrimental to the interests of the United States”.

The judge cited the Supreme Court’s February ruling striking down Trump’s sweeping tariffs he pursued under a law meant for use in national emergencies. Under the logic of the justices’ decision in that case, Trump similarly had no authority under immigration law to levy a tax, Sorokin said. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers in a statement said the Trump administration is confident Sorokin’s order will be reversed on appeal. “President Trump has clear legal authority to restrict entry of any class of aliens he determines is not in America’s best interests, and that is exactly what he did,” she said.

But Sorokin concluded that the fee was not a penalty but a tax that the Republican president lacked any authorisation from Congress to issue and that the State Department and US Citizenship and Immigration Services could not implement. “Here, the substance and application of the US$100,000 payment reveal that it is a tax, regardless of what the payment is called,” wrote Sorokin.

District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston issued the ruling in a lawsuit filed by 20 Democratic state attorneys general challenging a fee Trump announced in September that dramatically raised the cost of obtaining H-1B visas, which tech companies in particular rely heavily on to bring on foreign workers. The administration argued the fee constituted a lawful monetary penalty that the