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Former MP urges stronger protection for gig workers exposed to extreme weather. Keeping riders safe, rain or shine

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SCAN ME No. 9192 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195)

Securing food chain Report on h page 2 Expert calls for stronger legal framework to respond to climate disruptions and global supply shocks.

The push for a National Food Security Act by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu comes amid growing concerns over El Nino-driven droughts, flooding and global food supply disruptions. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Young adults at risk

More inclusive digital future Accessibility must be central and services built into platforms from ground up: Minister

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Home minister says nearly 75% of drug abuse cases involve Malaysians aged 15 to 39.

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 24, 2026

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Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Food Security Act needed to fix crisis loopholes

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has no shortage of food-related policies, yet an expert opined that the absence of a single, legally binding framework continues to leave the country exposed during emergencies — a concern that is becoming harder to ignore as climate disruptions and global supply tensions intensify The push for a National Food Security Act by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu comes amid growing concerns over El Nino-driven droughts, flooding and global food supply disruptions. Universiti Putra Malaysia agricultural economist Prof Datuk Dr Mad Nasir Shamsudin said Malaysia’s food governance architecture is currently spread across multiple policies and agencies, but lacks statutory coordination. “Malaysia’s food security strategy is primarily driven by the National Food Security Policy 2030 and the National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030. “Thus, Malaysia does not lack food policies. But the main issue is it lacks a legally binding framework that integrates and coordinates them,” he told theSun. He said responsibilities are currently distributed across multiple ministries, including the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Health Ministry, Finance

their operations during difficult periods. “Supply chain disruptions that consumers experience as higher food prices translate, for farmers, into reduced production, crop losses, livestock mortality or, in the case of perishable products, an inability to access markets when transport and logistics networks are disrupted.” He added that any future Act should adopt a systemic rather than siloed approach. “A National Food Security Act should not focus on a single intervention because food security is a systemic issue,” he said. He recommended prioritising irrigation and water management, followed by supply chain reform, technology adoption and targeted subsidies. “The immediate priority should be irrigation and water management, as climate-related droughts and floods directly affect agricultural production. “This should be followed by supply chain reform to reduce post harvest losses, improve logistics and ensure food reaches consumers efficiently. “Technology adoption should also be promoted to enhance productivity and climate resilience, particularly through precision agriculture and early warning systems. “Subsidies should be more targeted and outcome-based, supporting long-term resilience rather than short-term dependency.” He added that, together, these measures would strengthen Malaysia’s ability to withstand climate shocks, supply disruptions and future food security challenges. – By HARITH KAMAL costs, increase poultry production expenses, and ultimately contribute to higher food prices for consumers.” On response capacity, Mad Nasir said Malaysia can manage short-term disruptions through buffer stocks and alternative sourcing, but structural weaknesses become more apparent during prolonged crises. “If a major food-exporting country imposes sudden export restrictions, Malaysia can respond relatively quickly in the initial stages. “However, the effectiveness depends on the availability of alternative suppliers and the duration of the disruption.” He stressed that a meaningful Act must go beyond policy statements. “It should establish a comprehensive governance framework, mandate inter-agency coordination and data sharing, and provide legal authority for early warning systems, strategic reserves and emergency response mechanisms.”

and animal feed inputs. “Structural dependency is real and will not be resolved by technology alone,” he said. He noted that limited arable land, ageing farmers and shrinking agricultural labour pools restrict expansion in domestic production. “Realistically, the goal should not be self-sufficiency but strategic sufficiency,” he said, adding that Malaysia should focus on improving domestic output for key staples while diversifying import sources and strengthening buffer stocks. He said labour shortages remain the most immediate constraint, particularly due to reliance on foreign workers and low youth participation in farming. “Too few local young people are entering farming to offset the loss of older farmers leaving the industry.” Other bottlenecks include fragmented land holdings, rising input costs and slow technology adoption, he added. “Farmers operating near subsistence margins do not adopt technology because the risk-return profile does not justify it.” Abdul Rahman said policy responses must prioritise stabilising farmers’ economic conditions before pushing for modernisation. During climate disruptions or supply shortages, farmers face cash flow crises, with limited financial buffers to absorb shocks. “Crop failures, declining yields, rising input costs, and disruptions to farm operations can rapidly erode household income and threaten livelihoods. “Many farmers have limited financial reserves and may rely on personal savings, family support, or informal sources of credit to sustain underscored by Malaysia’s exposure to global food shocks, with the country remaining a price taker for several key commodities. “Malaysia imports large volumes of rice, wheat, beef, dairy products and animal feed ingredients such as corn and soybean meal, limiting its influence over global pricing. “Malaysia is not completely at the mercy of external suppliers, but for several key food commodities, it is largely a price taker rather than a price maker.” He warned that global shocks such as El Nino events and geopolitical tensions could significantly disrupt feed supply chains, pushing up production costs and consumer prices. “The country imports virtually all of its grain corn requirements and a substantial proportion of its soybean meal needs, which are key ingredients in livestock and poultry feed. “Consequently, this will raise feed

o Current policy fragmentation leaves nation exposed during emergencies, warns economist

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s food production system is increasingly exposed to climate volatility, labour shortages and structural constraints that limit the country’s ability to achieve meaningful self-sufficiency, according to an agrotechnology expert. Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak Plantation and Agrotechnology Faculty associate professor Dr Abdul Rahman Saili said rice-growing areas, including those under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority and the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority, remain highly vulnerable to rainfall variability, making them particularly sensitive to El Nino and La Nina cycles. “Malaysia’s food production system is genuinely exposed,” he said, pointing to how dry spells reduce irrigation supply while excessive rainfall can destroy entire planting cycles. “El Nino-driven dry spells reduce water availability for irrigation, while La Nina and intensified monsoons cause flooding that destroys standing crops,” he said. Abdul Rahman added that climate change is also accelerating pest cycles and reducing yield stability, particularly for vegetables, which are highly sensitive to short term disruptions. “A single prolonged flood event can wipe out an entire planting cycle within days,” he said. He said structural constraints mean Malaysia is unlikely to achieve full self-sufficiency in food production, regardless of technological improvements. “Malaysia imports roughly 30 35% of its rice requirements, and remains heavily dependent on imports for wheat, dairy products He added that repeated global shocks from pandemics, wars and climate events have elevated food security into a national security concern. “Food security should increasingly be treated as a national security issue alongside defence and energy security. “Disruptions in food supply can threaten economic stability, social cohesion, public welfare and political stability, as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, export restrictions on staple foods, geopolitical conflicts and climate-related shocks,” he said. Food security, he added, should also be viewed alongside water security as a core pillar of national resilience. The urgency of reform, he said, is

Ministry, state authorities and disaster management agencies. “In the event of disruptions such as pandemics, export bans, extreme weather events or supply chain shocks, coordination can be slow because no single law mandates how these agencies must act collectively.” Mad Nasir added that the current system relies heavily on administrative mechanisms rather than legal obligations, particularly in data sharing and crisis response. “There is no statutory requirement for agencies to collect, integrate and share food security intelligence, climate data, production forecasts, import risks or stock levels.” He said a proposed Act would formalise coordination and strengthen crisis preparedness.

Climate and labour risks threaten Malaysia’s food output

MyKad-based diesel subsidy to cut 1bil litres in leakages: Minister The use of MyKad ensures only eligible Malaysian citizens receive subsidised diesel, while non-citizens must pay the market price. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

KOTA KINABALU: The targeted diesel subsidy programme under Budi Madani, which uses MyKad for verification, is expected to reduce fuel leakages by up to one billion litres annually, resulting in lower subsidy expenditure and a more stable domestic fuel supply. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said subsidy leakages had previously been prevalent in the diesel sector because MyKad-based verification was not as widely enforced as it was for RON 95 petrol. He said the use of MyKad ensures only eligible Malaysians receive subsidised diesel, while non-citizens must pay the market price. “We estimate that leakages can be reduced by one billion litres of diesel a year. This will not only curb improper subsidy payments but also help ensure a stable fuel supply in the country,” he said at a media briefing on the targeted diesel subsidy reform here yesterday. Amir Hamzah said the diesel

subsidy mechanism would mirror the targeted RON 95 subsidy model to be implemented nationwide. On the registration process, he said eligible recipients of the basic subsidy would not be required to register, as eligibility would be determined automatically through existing government databases. However, individuals seeking an additional quota of 100 litres per month under the Budi Diesel programme must apply through the designated online portal or seek assistance at Inland Revenue Board offices. Amir Hamzah also expressed confidence the use of MyKad would not pose difficulties, including in rural areas, as a similar mechanism has already been successfully implemented through the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme. The experience gained through Sara has shown that MyKad can be effectively used as a verification and redemption tool, he said. – Bernama

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 24, 2026

3 Majority of drug abuse cases involve productive citizens

Music festival rakes in over RM390m PETALING JAYA: A free water music festival held on Labour Day drew 415,000 visitors nationwide and generated an estimated RM392.33 million in economic returns, with every ringgit of public spending yielding RM36 in economic impact, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing told Parliament yesterday. The Rain Rave Water Music Festival 2026, staged in conjunction with the World Labour Day Celebration, was anchored at Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur, with simultaneous events across six states: Terengganu, Malacca, Labuan, Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Langkawi. Tiong said the RM15 million festival, jointly funded by the government (RM11 million) and private sector partners (RM4 million), served as a “signature event” under the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign aimed at strengthening event based tourism, increasing visitor spending and raising Malaysia’s global profile. “If entry had been charged at RM300 per person, comparable to other major music festivals, ticket sales alone could have raised at least RM75 million.” The government opted for free admission as a Labour Day gesture of appreciation to workers while encouraging wider public participation. Responding to Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, Tiong said the festival attracted about 150,000 domestic visitors and 100,000 international tourists from China, Japan, India, Bangladesh, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, generating RM320.43 million in economic returns. He added that simultaneous events in the six states brought in a further 165,000 visitors and RM71.9 million. “Visitor arrivals from January to May reached 17.5 million, a 3.4% increase from 16.9 million in the same period in 2025, reflecting continued growth in the post-pandemic tourism recovery.” He also said the event produced strong spillover effects across the capital, adding that Lot 10 recorded a 40% rise in visitors and a 45% increase in sales, while Sungei Wang Plaza saw a 31.3% jump in footfall. Tiong said hotels in Bukit Bintang and Kuala Lumpur reported near-full occupancy, supported by discounts of 30% to 50% across 80 hotels nationwide. He added that media impact was equally substantial, with 41 international media representatives producing nearly 10,000 media and digital outputs valued at an estimated RM77.5 million in publicity, alongside 1.9 billion social media impressions and 25.3 million livestream views. He also said at the Bukit Bintang hub, 63 food stalls and 15 craft stalls generated RM388,690 in sales, with some vendors reporting more than doubled earnings. Tiong attributed the event’s success to strong public-private collaboration involving malls, hotels, transport

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Individuals aged 15 to 39 account for nearly 75% of incidents in 2025: Home minister

spoken with incoming UN General Assembly president-elect Dr Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh, expressing hope that the upcoming General Assembly vote would draw support from over 140 countries – a threshold he said would constitute meaningful pressure on Israel. dismantling supply chains. Saifuddin also flagged the detection of fentanyl in vape liquids seized during raids – a development that warrants monitoring, although he said Malaysia’s situation remains less acute than that seen in countries such as the United States and Canada. He added that enforcement is further complicated by a shift towards online drug distribution, with syndicates exploiting digital platforms and anonymity. He also said operators frequently present themselves as middlemen, making prosecution harder. “Our laws still need to be updated,” he said. On the question of how users are treated by the legal system, Saifuddin said Malaysia is moving towards a public health-centred model. He added that amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act have decriminalised minor possession and consumption offences under certain provisions, and individuals who voluntarily seek rehabilitation would no longer receive a criminal record. operations more effectively.” He was responding to a question from Tampin MP Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa on the number of accidents and fatalities recorded over the past five years, and efforts to establish a national safety standard for hiking trails. Syed Ibrahim said the ministry, through the Forestry Department in collaboration with the Malaysian Space Agency, was developing a Hiking Trail Management System using geospatial technology, Geographic Information System and remote sensing. “The system would enable centralised management of hiking trail data, improved mapping and monitoring of trails, and enhanced search and rescue operations through accurate spatial analysis.” He added that the ministry, through the Forestry Department and the Wildlife and National Parks Department, viewed forest recreation safety as a key priority. He also said the department, with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme, had developed the National Mountain Risk Assessment and Management Guidelines to ensure activities in Permanent Reserved Forests were systematically managed.

PETALING JAYA: Nearly 75% of Malaysia’s drug abuse cases involve individuals between the ages of 15 and 39, underscoring a worsening crisis among the country’s most productive age group, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told Parliament yesterday. He said national figures show 192,857 drug abuse cases recorded

Saifuddin said despite large seizures and the dismantling of trafficking networks by police, headline enforcement numbers have not translated into meaningful progress on the ground. “The statistics do not show that the situation is improving significantly.” He emphasised that the National Anti-Drugs Agency cannot shoulder the burden alone, even as its rehabilitation programmes report an 80% recovery rate among those undergoing treatment. The agency operates across three pillars – prevention, enforcement support and rehabilitation – running community initiatives such as the Drug-Free Village Aspirations Programme, along with school outreach, public roadshows and volunteer anti-drug networks. Meanwhile, Bukit Aman’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department concentrates on He said a centralised digital hiking log system had strong potential to improve safety monitoring, risk management and emergency response coordination. “Such a system would allow authorities to systematically record hikers’ movements, speed up detection during emergencies, and support search and rescue

Kota-Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong, Saifuddin confirmed that the 15-to 39 age bracket makes up close to 75% of the 192,000 cases recorded in 2024. Saifuddin said district-level data further reveals that the problem is geographically concentrated, with

Pendang topping the list, followed by Kuala Krai, Bachok, Besut and Mersing – areas that are rural or semi-urban. He also said the scale of the crisis is also reflected within the prison system, adding

in 2024, up from 145,526 the previous year, and 141,817 cases last year. He added that last year’s tally translates to about 560 affected

AT THE DEWAN RAKYAT

individuals per 100,000 people, and cautioned that the true scale is likely higher due to under-reporting and cases that go undetected. He said amphetamine-type stimulants, including syabu and methamphetamine, remain the dominant substances, accounting for about 70% of all cases across the recorded period. Responding to a question from

that of the roughly 87,000 inmates held across 41 correctional facilities nationwide, approximately 70% are linked to drug-related offences, whether as convicted prisoners or remand detainees. He said at facilities such as Machang Prison, nearly the entire population falls into this category. minister told Parliament yesterday. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said Fire and Rescue Department data recorded 1,059 hiking and forest recreation accidents nationwide between 2021 and 2025, resulting in 63 fatalities and 87 injuries.

Govt mulls digital registration system for hikers

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: More than 1,000 hiking accidents over four years, including 63 deaths, have prompted the government to consider a national digital registration and monitoring system for forest trails, a

Syed Ibrahim said at present, hiking registration in forest reserve areas was carried out either manually or through online platforms managed by state forestry departments, in line with state jurisdiction over permit issuance. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

operators, tourism attractions and international brands. – By Kirtinee Ramesh Israel deliberately sabotaging US-Iran peace negotiations, says minister

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Cooperation, the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, BRICS and the UN Security Council, to halt Israeli aggression in Lebanon, end atrocities in Gaza, and stop incursions into the occupied West Bank. He also revealed that he had

MoU explicitly requiring full Israeli withdrawal – were a deliberate signal that it had no intention of accepting regional stability. Mohamad said Malaysia would step up diplomatic pressure through every available multilateral channel, including the Organisation of Islamic

in 14-point memorandum of understanding, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said. Speaking during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, yesterday, he said Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon – despite the breach of a

PETALING intentionally

JAYA:

Israel

is

derailing peace negotiations between the United States and Iran by pressing ahead with military strikes across the region

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 24, 2026

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PH names 56 candidates for Johor election

Digital accessibility not an option but necessity: Minister

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Digital accessibility should be a baseline expectation rather than a feature bolted on as an afterthought, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, urging Malaysia to make inclusion a central pillar of its digital transformation agenda. Speaking at the Global Accessibility Awareness Day celebration at the Malaysian Association for the Blind yesterday, Gobind said accessibility must be embedded into digital platforms and services from the ground up, not retrofitted once systems are already in place. “As Malaysia advances towards becoming a digitally driven nation, we must recognise that accessibility is no longer confined to physical infrastructure alone,” he said, noting that while ramps, tactile paths and accessible public facilities remain necessary, true inclusion in the digital age demands considerably more. Access to education, employment, healthcare, banking, transport and public services hinges increasingly on access to digital technology, making digital accessibility not just a technical consideration but also a fundamental prerequisite for participation in modern society, he said. Gobind cited figures showing that the number of registered persons with disabilities (PwDs) in Malaysia has grown from 736,607 in 2023 to 843,759 as of May, among them 69,322 individuals who are blind or visually impaired. He acknowledged that many more remain unregistered, suggesting that the actual number is likely higher. He said for those who are blind or visually impaired, the accessibility of digital tools could determine whether they are able to study, seek employment, access government services or manage their finances. When websites cannot be read by screen-reading software, when documents are formatted inaccessibly or when mobile apps lack proper navigation support, the result is a set of unnecessary barriers that shut people out of opportunities others take for granted. Gobind acknowledged that while Malaysia has made notable strides in expanding digital infrastructure, accessibility remains an area in need of sustained attention. He said accessibility features are too frequently only considered after systems have been built, leaving persistent gaps across websites, applications, educational platforms and workplace tools. He also said this approach must change and accessibility standards need to be mainstreamed across all levels of government and woven into every policy, service and digital programme. Agencies under the Digital Ministry, including the National Digital Department, the National Artificial Intelligence Office and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, are working to strengthen those standards and encourage more inclusive innovation. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, smart glasses, screen readers, voice-enabled tools and navigation aids, are increasingly opening new doors for people with visual impairments, he added. “Technology is becoming the great equaliser,” he said, arguing that when accessibility is built in from the start, a person should be evaluated on their qualifications, skills and performance, not their disability. Gobind pushed back against employer hesitancy around hiring PwDs, saying modern assistive technologies have made it possible for many workplace tasks to be carried out independently and effectively. He said hiring PwDs is not simply a gesture of corporate goodwill, it is also an investment in talent, diversity of thought and a more productive workforce.

o Coalition victory important for stability in Putrajaya, says Loke

Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) unveiled its full slate of 56 candidates for the Johor election on Monday, with prime minister and PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim saying the contest must be kept strictly between political parties and must not be dragged into matters involving Malay Rulers. The announcement was made at a gathering in Bukit Gambir, Tangkak as the coalition moves to defend its position in the state ahead of polling on July 11. “In a constitutional monarchy, there are boundaries. If there are problems or disagreements, we should resolve them through proper discussions,” said Anwar, urging all parties to avoid actions that could give rise to political misunderstandings. Among the candidates fielded are former Education minister Dr Maszlee Malik, who will contest Puteri Wangsa, and two sitting MPs – Pulai’s Suhaizan Kaiat, placed in Larkin, and Batu Pahat’s Onn Abu Bakar, who will contest Senggarang. PH is also bringing back two former state executive councillors, with Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar defending Semerah and Dzulkefly Ahmad contesting Kota Iskandar. Puteri Wangsa is shaping up as one of the more closely fought seats, with PH, Muda and Parti Bersama Malaysia all having indicated their intention to contest – a multi-cornered battle in a constituency previously held by Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz.

Anwar (centre) posing for a commemorative photo with the election candidates at the announcement ceremony in Bukit Gambir. – BERNAMAPIC

Because it is closely linked to stability in Putrajaya. If we want Anwar to continue as prime minister, we need to win in Johor.” Loke added that Johor has benefited substantially from federal-state cooperation over the past three years, enabling the state to attract significant investments and accelerate development. “Many of the developments taking place in Johor are supported by the federal government. “Without good relations between the two administrations, it would not have been possible to bring in so many investors.” Nomination day is set for Saturday, with early voting on July 7 and polling on July 11.

PH DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the coalition’s lineup balances experience with fresh blood, fielding young candidates and women across its 17 DAP seats, eight of which go to women candidates. The coalition’s youngest candidate is 28 years old. “We believe in women’s leadership and providing opportunities for young leaders,” he said. He framed a PH victory in Johor as vital to the stability of the federal government, arguing that the state and the centre are inextricably linked. “Why is victory in Johor important? deputy chairman and

Perikatan confirms two new component parties PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional (PN) has admitted Parti Pejuang Tanah Air and Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) as new component parties, bolstering the opposition coalition’s ranks just days before nomination day for the Johor election. “The council agreed to approve the applications by Pejuang and PCM to join PN.” Pejuang, led by former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, brings with it a notable political lineage, while PCM’s inclusion further widens PN’s multiparty tent ahead of what is expected to be a keenly contested state election. Conspicuously absent from the night’s discussions was the status of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, a question that looms large over the coalition’s internal cohesion. Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin confirmed that the matter was not raised. “It was not discussed. The focus was only on new party membership,” he said briefly before leaving the venue.

PN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar confirmed that the decision was reached during a two-hour supreme council meeting on Monday night, during which only two items were on the agenda, namely party membership and seat allocations for the Johor polls.

Ahmad Samsuri said negotiations on seat distribution among component parties would continue yesterday, with the coalition aiming to finalise allocations before nomination day this Saturday.

The omission drew attention given lingering speculation over Bersatu’s standing within PN, with no resolution in sight ahead of the election. – BY THESUN TEAM

‘Trade unions must proactively grow membership’

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

applications

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also as an enduring platform for worker protection, conflict prevention and labour movement development. He said the country had 786 registered trade unions with over 1.06 million members as of the end of 2024, and urged unions to take the first step in engaging members meaningfully and creating more participation opportunities. The government has set aside RM6.1 million for Trade Union Affairs Programmes nationwide this year, comprising RM3.5 million for training, education, research, digitalisation and governance, and RM2.6 million for outreach and corporate social responsibility initiatives. For Peninsular Malaysia, 325 grant

RM2.88 million. Ramanan indicated that the allocation could grow if funds are properly utilised and accounted for. He described trade unions as strategic government partners in ensuring economic growth remains equitable, adding that fair treatment of workers drives productivity, benefits employers and ultimately strengthens the nation. Human Resources Deputy Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan and Trade Union Affairs Department deputy director-general Anita Ahmad were also present.

KUALA LUMPUR: Trade unions must take a more proactive stance in drawing workers into their ranks, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, noting that union membership accounts for just 6% of Malaysia’s total workforce despite more than a million workers already being registered. Speaking after officiating at the Trade Union Affairs Programme grant presentation for Peninsular Malaysia yesterday, Ramanan said unions should not be viewed merely as a last resort during workplace disputes, but

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 24, 2026

5

‘Entrenched public scepticism undermines TVET potential’

Document tampering not ruled out

KOTA KINABALU: Elements of tampering in several documents linked to the late Zara Qairina Mahathir cannot be conclusively ruled out, the Coroner’s Court was told yesterday. Forensic document examiner Dr Linthini Gannetion, a certified handwriting expert with a PhD in Forensic Document Examination from Universiti Sains Malaysia, cited removed pages, different ink types, obliterated writings and inconsistent dating patterns as the basis for her findings. “Based on my observations, the removal of pages, differences in ink types in certain parts, the presence of obliterated writings and differences in the dating pattern of certain pages mean that elements of tampering in Y1 to Y15 cannot be conclusively ruled out,“ she said. Documents marked Y1 to Y15 were confirmed as pages torn from the “Love and Peace” diary believed to belong to Zara Qairina. The diary contained only 106 ruled pages against 228 in a reference book of the same type, indicating mass removal, while different tear marks suggested the pages were not removed in the same manner. Linthini, the 74th witness in the inquest, said she could not conclusively identify the writer of several pages due to insufficient handwriting samples from the same period. However, writings on pages Y10B, Y11A, Y11B, Y12A, Y12B, Y13A, Y13B, Y14A, Y14B, Y15A and Y15B showed significant similarities with Zara Qairina’s handwriting from February to mid-April 2025. She also noted that while Zara Qairina rarely dated her journal entries consistently, almost all pages in Y1 to Y15 were dated, except Y8B and Y13B. – Bernama

Aw the employability rate did not tell the full story, flagging uneven instructor quality across institutions and curricula that have failed to keep pace with industry. “What is still missing is consistency,” he said, adding that some programmes continue to teach outdated technologies due to inadequate infrastructure and weak industry linkages. “This leaves some graduates with skills that employers have already moved past, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence and electric vehicles,” he said. He described the overall effort as “trying to fill a bucket that has a slow leak” – real progress, but against a backdrop of rising demand for skilled workers. Aw said much of the improvement was attributable to work-based learning schemes such as ADI, under which trainees spend between 70% and 80% of their training period working within actual companies. He also cited the Code of Practice for TVET Programme Accreditation, developed jointly by MQA and skills department, as a mechanism for raising institutional standards. “When every institution is held to the same high bar, with skilled trainers and modern facilities, we stop producing just certificates and start producing the workforce Malaysia genuinely needs,” he said. “There is still plenty of work left to do, and no one should pretend otherwise,” he added. cautioned that

“Companies need to step forward and play a role in developing skilled talent. After all, these workers will support their businesses in the future,” he said. He pointed to Akademi Dalam Industri (ADI), which embeds trainees directly within companies, as a model for how employer institution collaboration can raise graduate outcomes. “The 95.9% employment rate is possible when students are enrolled in industry-based pathways such as ADI,” he said. Tan said elevating TVET was non-negotiable if Malaysia is serious about becoming a high income, technology-driven economy. “A nation cannot build advanced industries with university graduates alone. It also needs a strong foundation of highly skilled technicians, technologists and technical professionals,“ he said. Assistant professor Aw Yoke Cheng, a TVET panel assessor with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and assessor to both the Skills Development Department and the Technology and Technical Accreditation Council of the Malaysian Board of Technologists, agreed that the perception problem remained a significant hurdle. “No amount of policy reform will fix that unless we actively change how society values technical careers,” he said. He added that, however, young Malaysians appeared to be making the shift regardless.

o Negative perception of technical careers needs to be changed; companies must play role in developing skilled talent, say observers

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

459,558. Despite the numbers, observers say winning over parents remains a formidable challenge. “Parents today are still sceptical of TVET education. “This is due to the long history that tied TVET to low-end jobs with low-paying salaries. “Technical and vocational education is synonymous with plumbing, electrical wiring, mechanics and cooking,” said Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo’s science adviser Datuk Dr Bugs Tan. Tan, who formerly headed TVET Skill Education at ViTrox College, said industry must take greater ownership of talent development rather than ceding the role to government and training institutions alone. labour laws. He urged platform operators such as Grab and Foodpanda to introduce mandatory rest breaks, heat alerts through their applications, safe waiting areas and the right for riders to temporarily suspend work during periods of extreme heat without facing penalties or account deactivation. Santiago also pointed to China’s example, where nearly 200,000 labour union stations provide outdoor workers with drinking water, rest areas, charging facilities, meal heating equipment and cooling support. “Malaysia should explore similar heat shelters and rest points for delivery riders while developing a comprehensive National Heat Action Plan to address the growing risks posed by rising temperatures,“ he said. “We cannot pat ourselves on the back for passing the Gig Workers Act if it fails to protect workers from heat stress. The law should be reviewed to ensure greater protection from climate change,“ he added. Santiago stressed that extreme heat should be legally recognised as an occupational health hazard rather than treated as ordinary weather or a matter of personal responsibility, and called on platform companies to invest more in rider welfare. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup said last week that temperatures could reach up toto 37.5°C, with El Nino expected to take effect from July through the first half of next year and rainfall potentially dropping by as much as 40% during the period.

PETALING Technical

JAYA:

Malaysia’s

and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector has posted a 95.9% graduate employability rate, drawing cautious praise from experts who warn that entrenched public scepticism and inconsistent training quality continue to undercut the sector’s potential. The figure was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and National TVET Council (MTVET) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on May 28, alongside data showing that 56.86% of SPM school leavers, or 229,121 students, had chosen TVET as their first option, bringing total nationwide enrolment to

Protect gig workers from extreme heat, urges ex-MP

BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The government’s landmark Gig Workers Act has been lauded as a step forward for Malaysia’s 1.64 million gig workers but former Klang MP Charles Santiago said more needs to be done to shield delivery riders from growing threat of extreme heat. Citing findings that nine in 10 delivery riders reported working in hotter conditions – with symptoms including headaches, dizziness and fatigue – Santiago called for the legislation to be reviewed to incorporate stronger climate-related protections, even as he acknowledged the Act as a foundation worth building on. “For riders who are paid per delivery, there is no such thing as paid rest or sick leave. “If they stop working because of the heat, they stop earning. Yet the heat is only getting worse due to climate change,“ he said in a Facebook post yesterday. Santiago said many consumers remained unaware that the convenience of food and parcel deliveries often came at a cost to workers exposed to extreme temperatures for long hours, with limited legal recourse should they fall ill or choose to stop. While noting that the Occupational Safety and Health Department had introduced heat stress guidelines in 2016, he said voluntary guidance alone was insufficient – particularly as delivery riders were not recognised as employees under existing

A plume of smoke can be seen at the site of a fiery multi vehicle crash along the North-South Expressway yesterday. – SOCIAL MEDIA VIRAL PIC

Trailer driver killed in six-vehicle highway crash

BY THE SUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

reportedly confirmed that the incident involved six vehicles – a Dong Feng container lorry, the trailer, a Toyota Hilux, a van, a 10-tonne lorry, and a one-tonne lorry. He said four other individuals involved in the crash escaped without injury, while the drivers of the Dong Feng container lorry and the 10-tonne lorry could not be located.

his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining critical injuries. The trailer he had been operating, which was hauling a load of fence iron, was almost completely engulfed in flames, with around 80% of the vehicle destroyed by fire. Kulai Fire and Rescue Station operations commander senior fire officer II Khairil Mohd. Adzami

PETALING JAYA: A trailer driver lost his life following a multi-vehicle collision involving six vehicles on the North-South Expressway (southbound) at km31.9 near Sedenak-Kulai, Johor yesterday morning. The male victim, believed to be in

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 24, 2026

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BANGKOK: A Thai government plan to borrow US$12.2 billion (RM50.5 billion) to cushion the economy from higher oil prices is facing a legal test that could define the scope of its emergency powers to help struggling households and spur economic growth. Thailand’s Constitutional Court is reviewing whether the borrowing decree issued by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s administration qualifies as an emergency measure, after accepting a petition from opposition lawmakers last month. A ruling, expected by July 16, could shape both the fate of the loan and the pace of government support as growth weakens and fiscal room narrows in Southeast Asia’s second largest economy. A court ruling that disrupts the borrowing plan “could add another layer of uncertainty to the growth outlook”, said Lavanya Venkateswaran, senior Asean economist at OCBC, though solid exports and some external tailwinds could support near-term momentum. The Cabinet approved the decree in May, splitting funds equally between relief measures such as a US$5.3 billion consumer subsidy

Thai US$12b borrowing plan under review

US sea drones for Philippines MANILA: The US government has given four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicles to the Philippine military to boost Manila’s ability to monitor its waters and spot potential threats, the US Embassy in the Philippines said yesterday. The Philippines is taking delivery of the solar-powered sea drones, which can operate for up to 30 days without crews, as ties between the Philippines and China have been tested by Beijing’s installation of a floating structure in Scarborough Shoal and the imposition of sanctions by China on Manila’s defence secretary. The embassy said the drones, valued at US$13 million (RM53.8 million), demonstrated Washington’s commitment to its ally and would enhance the Philippines’ ability to detect and respond to maritime challenges, including illegal fishing, grey zone activities, and threats to freedom of navigation. “The Indo-Pacific’s waters are vast and contested, and the Philippines sits at the heart of it,“ the embassy said in a statement. In mid-June, US and Philippine forces held joint maritime drills in the South China Sea, involving air and coast guard assets. Last week, the Philippines said China had removed the floating structure on the hotly contested atoll after it lodged a diplomatic protest. China said the structure was for “scientific survey” work. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated those claims. The Chinese embassy in Manila has said the 2016 ruling only undermined bilateral ties and regional peace and stability, statements the Philippine Foreign Ministry has rejected. – Reuters

component, with limited impact on government operations, said political scientist Stithorn Thananithichot of Chulalongkorn University. “The government still has some room on the spending side to keep this project going. If there is no money, it can be halted … possibly shelving the project and waiting to use the fiscal 2027 budget,” he said, referring to the budget that will start in October. Even a ruling against the entire decree would have largely political, not destabilising, consequences due to the government’s parliamentary majority, Stithorn said. “Administratively, the government can explain the issue, but politically it will face heavy criticism.” – Reuters

o Constitutional Court to rule by July 16

decree, measures already rolled out under the plan will stand, Paradorn said. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said last week the borrowing decree is essential for the energy transition, citing Thailand’s heavy reliance on imported energy, nearly 10% of gross domestic product, as a key vulnerability. “If we do not act now, Thailand risks losing its competitiveness over time,” he said. The court could also allow the cost-of-living relief portion of the borrowing plan to stand while striking down the energy

scheme and funding a longer-term shift towards clean energy. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the main opposition People’s Party, which was among those that petitioned the court, told reporters last month he supported the transition to clean energy but opposed using an emergency decree to push it through. “The government has done nothing wrong,” Paradorn Prissananantakul, a minister attached to the prime minister’s office, told Reuters. “I am confident the decree will be passed.” Even if the court strikes down the

School shooting planned for more than a month MANILA: The deadly shooting inside a classroom at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, in the Eastern Visayas region of the central Philippines, that left three students dead and 20 others injured was planned for more than a month by the two suspects, who are both minors, the Philippine News Agency reported. Eastern Visayas Police chief Brigadier General Jason Capoy said investigators found that the 14- and 15-year-old suspects had been planning the attack since April or May. “Based on our information, as early as May 1, if I’m not mistaken, they had been planning for it since April or May,” Capoy said in a phone interview with reporters. He also expressed alarm over reports circulating online that the suspects had coordinated how to bring firearms into the school and were aware of the provisions of Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. Investigators said most of the bullets fired during the attack came from a Glock 9mm service firearm owned by a police officer, who is the aunt of one of the suspects. He said one of the suspects, the 14 year-old, was reportedly addicted to a mobile game called GoreBox, which supposedly features graphic violence and gun use.

Philippine National Police chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr has ordered investigators to build a strong case against all individuals who may have enabled the minors to gain access to the firearms used in the attack. – Bernama

Capoy said three students – two female and one male – were killed in the attack, while 15 sustained gunshot wounds and five were injured after jumping to safety.

A security guard checks a student’s bag as she enters Batasan Hills National High School in Quezon City. – REUTERSPIC

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 24, 2026

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Australia withholds Pacific climate fund reports

Top Indian tech supplier reports leak MUMBAI: A top Indian maker of iPhone parts has confirmed it was hit by a “cybersecurity incident”, with media reports alleging that Apple supplier specifications had been leaked. Industrial giant Tata Group is a lynchpin of Apple’s growing supply chain within the world’s most populous country. On Monday, reports said over 600 gigabytes of data, allegedly stolen from the conglomerate’s subsidiary Tata Electronics, were made available on the dark web. Specialist news site TechCrunch said it had found what appeared to be “Apple supplier specifications and Tesla manufacturing documents”. AFP could not independently verify the claims. Apple and Tesla did not immediately reply to a request for comment. A Tata Electronics spokesperson told AFP the company had identified an incident but that it had no impact on operations. “A few weeks ago, Tata Electronics identified a cybersecurity incident on some of our systems,” the spokesperson said. “Our response protocols were deployed immediately, and the incident has had no impact on our operations across businesses, which remain unaffected.” India has been a major beneficiary of Apple’s decision to broaden its production outside of China. The breach however is the latest incident to affect Tata Group, as it seeks to secure a larger share of supply chains. Last week, Tata Electronics said it had received a notice from local environmental authorities in Tamil Nadu, over claims of water contamination from its factory. But it said the concerns were “satisfactorily addressed” and that officials had “dropped any further course of action on this issue”. – AFP Cybersecurity norms outpaced in months SYDNEY: The most advanced artificial intelligence models are improving quickly enough to outsmart prevailing cybersecurity know-how within months, the Five Eyes spy agency alliance has warned. The risk posed by AI-enhanced hacking is in the spotlight, after US startup Anthropic said in April that its cutting-edge Mythos models had unprecedented abilities to find software vulnerabilities. The security agencies of Britain, the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand urged governments and businesses to act swiftly to prepare themselves as AI evolves. “The rapid pace of frontier AI development means cyber risk assumptions can become outdated in months, not years,” said a joint statement dated Monday. AI “lowers barriers for malicious actors and increases the speed and complexity of attacks”, the Five Eyes advisory said. “Breaches will occur. Preparedness helps you contain them quickly and prevent escalation into major operational and financial crises.” To improve cyber defences, organisations should integrate AI tools into their security operations, update old systems and limit access to critical systems among other steps, they said. Anthropic this month suspended access to Mythos 5 and a restricted version called Fable 5 to comply with a US national security order. Just days after publicly launching Fable 5, the company said it had received a government directive banning all foreign nationals from accessing the two models. The intervention is striking for a White House that has otherwise pushed to loosen AI oversight, even moving to block states from writing their own rules. – AFP

o Canberra cites risk of diplomatic damage

to the international relations” of Australia. Climate finance expert Ivan Diaz-Rainey criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the Tuvalu Trust Fund. “My greatest concern is that, unlike countries such as Australia, the Pacific islands are unlikely to have strong regulators or robust legal protections to guard against potential greenwashing,” he told AFP. Few countries are more exposed to climate change than Tuvalu, a chain of coral atolls reckoning with acidifying oceans, tropical disease and rising seas. Climate policy expert Wes Morgan said the trust fund’s fossil fuel investments were out of sync with Tuvalu’s dire predicament. “It is utterly incongruous that the Tuvalu Trust Fund, which counts Australia as a board member, would be investing in the means of Tuvalu’s destruction,” he said. One of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas, Australia has an awkward relationship with Tuvalu on matters of climate policy. Australia is eager to show its Pacific island neighbours it is serious about the threat they face. It helped to secure an upcoming leaders summit in Tuvalu ahead of this year’s top UN COP climate conference. But Tuvalu remains highly critical of Australia’s reliance on fossil fuels. Tuvalu Climate Minister Maina Talia in 2024

condemned Australia’s “immoral” decision to approve coal mining expansions. The Tuvalu Trust Fund was established in 1987 with help from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, providing crucial revenue to a nation reliant on foreign aid. In 2013, the UN Development Programme highlighted the Tuvalu Trust Fund as a leading example of a “national climate fund”. Investment advisory firm Mercer took over management of the fund in 2022. Mercer has since invested in funds that included Indian energy giant Reliance Industries, which owns the largest oil refinery in the world, and The Southern Company, the second-biggest greenhouse gas emitter in the United States. Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo told AFP he was personally disappointed to learn of these investments. But he said Tuvalu would need Australia and New Zealand’s support to change the fund’s investment strategy. “It’s not solely under Tuvalu’s control,” Teo said. “Tuvalu can’t take a unilateral decision on where funds are invested.” Australia said it would use its position on the Tuvalu Trust Fund to minimise its “exposure to fossil fuel investments”. Mercer said it managed the Tuvalu Trust Fund in “accordance with its established investment guidelines”. – AFP

SYDNEY: Australia has refused to release internal papers about a trust fund for Tuvalu, telling AFP the documents could inflict diplomatic “damage”. Gravely threatened by rising seas, low-lying Tuvalu relies on a US$200 million (RM827.9 million) trust fund to help foot the ballooning costs of climate change. The trust has been invested on Tuvalu’s behalf in funds exposed to coal mining, gas exploration and the world’s largest crude oil refinery, an AFP investigation revealed. Australia is the largest contributor to the Tuvalu Trust Fund and plays a key role overseeing how it is spent, filling one of three seats on its board of directors. Using freedom of information laws, AFP asked the Australian government to release internal reports shedding light on trust fund investment decisions. Australia’s Foreign Affairs Department delivered some publicly available documents but declined to release the internal papers, citing exemptions to protect diplomacy. The department said the documents should be withheld because they could “cause damage

Come clean on environmental costs, AI firms told LONDON: The United Nations called on major artificial intelligence companies yesterday to publicly disclose the full environmental cost of their data centres and use renewable power, as he launched a transparency initiative for the sector. Guterres (centre), sitting alongside former New York mayor Micheal Bloomberg, before his speech at the Climate Innovation Forum yesterday. – AFPPIC disclose their water, carbon and land use impacts and commit to powering all data centres with renewable energy by 2030 as he launched the UN’s AI Environmental Transparency Initiative. “If AI is to help build a better future, it must be honest about what it costs us now,” he said. buildings and industry is among the fastest ways to cut emissions and break reliance on imported fossil fuels. Guterres also launched a call to action on methane emissions, which included asking fossil fuel companies to fix leaks, stop routine flaring and adopt a science-based global standard.

The rapid development of data centres to fuel the AI revolution has drawn scrutiny from environmental groups for their high energy and water use and lack of transparency. “By 2030, they could use more power than all but five countries – and enough water to meet the basic needs of all 1.3 billion residents of sub Saharan Africa for an entire year,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said at an address during London Climate Action Week. He called on AI firms to measure and publicly

“I am urging the fossil fuel industry to step up and do what is long overdue,” he said, adding that methane is a potent greenhouse gas and is responsible for around one-third of current global warming. Guterres also announced he would convene world leaders in September ahead of the UN Climate Conference, COP31, in Turkiye, to help drive forward a “just transition” away from fossil fuels. – Reuters

AI firms are relying on voluntary net-zero commitments and renewable electricity targets to decarbonise their operations while many are also turning to gas or touting nuclear as a power source for new projects. Guterres said the world remains off track to meet global climate goals and criticised voices calling for more fossil use. He said deploying more renewable power projects and using those to electrify transport,