18/7/2026

SATURDAY | JULY 18, 2026

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Malaysia to develop own refugee management system

Over 2,700 motorcycles seized since 2025 PETALING JAYA: More than 2,700 motorcycles have been seized and 461 individuals hauled up by police since 2025 in a stepped-up crackdown on illegal street racing and mat rempit activities. In a written parliamentary reply, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said enforcement was carried out through Ops Samseng Jalanan, particularly at identified illegal racing hotspots in Kuala Lumpur. “Police conducted 71 operations throughout 2025, resulting in 290 arrests under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Between January and May, another 79 operations were conducted, resulting in 171 individuals being charged or facing action under the same provision.” Saifuddin said the figures reflected more aggressive and continuous police enforcement, especially at six locations identified as hotspots for illegal racing and mat rempit activities. “Apart from arrests, police have also seized vehicles under Section 64 of the Act as a stricter preventive measure. “A total of 1,766 motorcycles were seized in 2025, while another 972 were seized between January and May 2026,” he said. He added that vehicle seizures were aimed at preventing motorcycles involved in illegal racing from being used repeatedly, while creating a stronger deterrent effect among offenders. To strengthen enforcement, Saifuddin said authorities would continue conducting integrated operations with agencies that include the Road Transport Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Puspakom and other relevant agencies. He said the use of technology, including closed-circuit television cameras and drones, would also be expanded to improve detection, monitoring and evidence gathering for prosecution. “At the same time, preventive approaches through Op Didik, community policing programmes, the involvement of school liaison officers, as well as monitoring of social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram will continue to be strengthened.” The measures were aimed at preventing youth involvement in illegal racing and mat rempit activities, while promoting a more disciplined and responsible road user culture. – by Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi Govt takes ‘corporate mafia’ claims seriously KUALA LUMPUR: The government takes seriously any allegations involving “corporate mafia” activities that could undermine the integrity of public institutions and public confidence in them, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. She added that ongoing investigations should be allowed to proceed independently, transparently and comprehensively, in accordance with the law and established procedures. “The government believes that any follow up action should be guided by the findings of the investigation to ensure that every decision is based on facts, justice and the rule of law,” she said in a written reply published on the Parliament website yesterday. Azalina was replying to Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer about the status of investigations into an alleged “corporate mafia” case and a proposal to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the matter. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will develop its own mechanism to manage refugees and asylum seekers without relying on foreign entities, as stipulated under National Security Council Directive No. 23 on the Policy and Mechanism for the Management of Refugees and Asylum Seekers. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the

o Approach will focus on enforcement, welfare coordination and safeguarding national security: Ahmad Zahid

Local students still prioritised at universities KUALA LUMPUR: The admission of international students to public universities does not affect local students’ chances of securing places, including those applying with Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, matriculation or diploma qualifications. The Higher Education Ministry said data from the MyMoheS system as of Dec 31, 2025 showed international students accounted for 8.9% of total enrolment at public universities, comprising 56,565 of 634,706 students. It said most international students were enrolled in postgraduate programmes, while undergraduate programmes at public universities continued to prioritise local students. Overall, enrolment at public and private higher education institutions stood at 1,264,541 students, with international students making up 12.6%, or 159,138 students. “The admission of international students at the undergraduate level is implemented based on the ‘over and above’ principle, meaning they are admitted outside the existing quota. “Admissions to postgraduate programmes, such as master’s and doctoral studies, are based on academic qualifications and the university’s research capacity,” the ministry said in a written reply uploaded to the Parliament website yesterday, Bernama reported. It was replying to Raub MP Chow Yu Hui, who asked for details on the number of international students at public higher education institutions by university, field of study and country of origin over the past five years. Breaking down enrolment at public universities, the ministry said 520,105 students were enrolled in undergraduate programmes, of whom 96.56%, or 502,212, were Malaysians, while international students accounted for 3.44%, or 17,893. It said Malaysia’s reputation for academic quality, research excellence, teaching expertise and competitive education costs have made the country a preferred destination for students from more than 180 countries. The directive, signed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on June 14, 2023, is part of efforts to manage refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia. formulate a comprehensive refugee policy following the implementation of the Refugee Registration Document, given that Malaysia hosts more than 126,000 registered Rohingya refugees, Bernama reported. Ahmad Zahid said the government, through the National Security Council under the Prime Minister’s Department, in collaboration with various ministries and government agencies, had strengthened Directive No. 23.

“The government’s enforcement strategies are often undermined by the presence of enablers among local residents who act out of personal interests, such as rental profits or access to cheap labour,” he said in a written reply published on the Parliament website. He was replying to Jempol MP Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli about the government’s efforts to

Ahmad this would include providing eligible refugees with access to healthcare, education and employment. “Effective management Zahid said

mechanism would focus on efficient management and enforcement, as well as policy coordination involving access to welfare and social services, while safeguarding national security and sovereignty.

AT THE DEWAN RAKYAT

of refugee issues also requires a balance between enforcement of national laws and the community’s social responsibilities.

Ahmad Zahid said effective management of refugee issues also requires a balance between enforcement of national laws and the community’s social responsibilities. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Alipay+ tourist payments nearly double

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

from spending by international visitors. It was addressing concerns raised by Semporna MP Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal on the monitoring of fund outflows and potential domestic tax leakage arising from cross-border digital transactions. The ministry said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) would continue strengthening efforts to improve the accessibility, speed and affordability of cross-border payment systems while ensuring they remain secure. “BNM will continue to intensify efforts to enhance access and speed of cross-border payments and make them safer and more affordable,” it said. The ministry added that the efforts would further support regional economic integration by facilitating transactions for individuals, businesses and travellers across borders.

2.2 million transactions respectively in the corresponding period last year.” The ministry said the partnership, introduced in 2024, had enabled tourists, particularly from China, to make payments more conveniently using payment apps familiar to them in their home countries. It added that the initiative had supported an increase in inbound cross-border QR payments, while allowing Malaysian businesses to tap into international tourist spending. “This development demonstrates how the digitalisation of payment systems can support the growth of tourism and trade activities in driving the national economy,” it said. The ministry also said seamless and secure payment facilities had broadened access for local merchants, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises, to benefit

PETALING JAYA: Foreign tourist spending through the Alipay+ ecosystem in Malaysia surged 89.6% to RM824 million in 2025, from RM435 million in 2024, according to the Finance Ministry. In a written parliamentary reply, the ministry said transaction volume through the cross-border payment platform rose 60.4% to 10.5 million, from 6.6 million in 2024. It said the growth reflected the increasing adoption of digital payment services among international visitors, particularly those from China. “The upward trend continued into 2026, with transaction values rising to RM255 million and transaction volumes increasing to 3.5 million in the first quarter, compared with RM173 million and