08/08/2026

SATURDAY | AUG 8, 2026

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MCMC urges platforms to protect users SINGAPORE: Malaysia’s move to restrict social media access for users under 16 underscores the need for platforms to exercise greater accountability in ensuring a safe online environment, said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Its deputy director (development) Eneng Faridah Iskandar said the restriction was intended to ensure that every platform took proactive steps to protect vulnerable groups, particularly children navigating online content. She explained that platform providers, as the developers of social media products, were responsible for determining and implementing appropriate safety features. “Anyone who provides a product for consumption in the open market has to ensure that it is safe and secure for use. “Those who provide online content must also be aware of who is accessing their platforms,”she said on the CNA+ programme Talking Point , titled “Social Media Ban: Will it Work?” on Thursday night. Eneng added that MCMC has seen evidence of children suffering harm and abuse through their interactions on social media, stressing that the issue was a global concern and not unique to Malaysia. However, she stressed that the regulator did not seek to punish social media companies. Instead, it wanted to work with them to address those who exploited their services to commit online crimes. “We are not portraying platforms as the enemy. We want to work with them and hold them to a higher level of accountability and responsibility.” Malaysia began enforcing safeguards for social media users under 16 on June 1, requiring platforms to introduce measures aimed at strengthening online safety and protecting young people. The rules apply to services with at least eight million users, including Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube. The platforms are required to implement age-verification systems and prevent users under 16 from opening accounts. – Bernama Former chief justice dies at age 91 KUALA LUMPUR: Former chief justice Tun Mohamed Eusoff Chin died yesterday, aged 91. His death was confirmed by former Malaysian Bar president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab in a text message to Bernama. Mohamad Ezri cited a message posted by Mohamed Eusoff’s daughter Zuliana, who said her father died at 1am. Funeral prayers were held at Masjid Al-Hidayah in Kelana Jaya before he was laid to rest at the Section 9 Muslim Cemetery in Kota Damansara. Mohamed Eusoff served as Malaysia’s second chief justice from September 1994 to December 2000. Born in Batu Gajah, he began his career as a teacher in 1955 before pursuing legal studies in England. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in London in 1963 before joining the Judicial and Legal Service. During his long and distinguished legal career, Mohamed Eusoff held several senior positions, including magistrate, Sessions Court president, deputy public prosecutor, assistant registrar, legal adviser, parliamentary draftsman, High Court of Malaya judge and Court of Appeal president. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim conveyed his condolences to Mohamed Eusoff’s family. In a Facebook post yesterday, Anwar said Mohamed Eusoff had rendered great service to the nation, particularly in strengthening the judiciary. – Bernama

Canada eyes wider defence ties with Malaysia

o Proposed MoU expected to be signed next year could expand military training and industry collaboration

Malaysian exhibitions, including the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition. Several Canadian companies were already operating in Malaysia and Macaulay expressed confidence that successful ventures would encourage more firms to explore opportunities in the country, Bernama reported. He also reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, emphasising respect for international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Asean centrality and dialogue in resolving disputes. Macaulay also explained that the newly established SMR-IP position was intended to build reliable and trusted partnerships with countries across the Indo-Pacific. “The establishment of the SMR-IP position reflects Canada’s commitment to having a dedicated three-star military officer focused on strategic engagement with Indo-Pacific partners. “The creation of this position sends a strong signal that we want to deepen our partnerships,” he said. Macaulay, who has served in the Canadian Armed Forces for more than 35 years, added that his personal connection with Malaysia dates back to 1994, when he served alongside Malaysian troops under a Canadian battalion during a United Nations mission.

KUALA LUMPUR: Canada is seeking to strengthen defence cooperation with Malaysia through expanded military training and closer industry collaboration, according to its Senior Military Representative in the Indo-Pacific (SMR-IP) Lt-Gen Derek Macaulay. He said negotiations on a defence cooperation memorandum of understanding, under way since 2024, were progressing well and the agreement was expected to be signed next year. “I think the process has been successful and there is strong anticipation that the defence cooperation agreement, or memorandum of understanding, will be signed next year. “That would provide a solid foundation for us to explore further opportunities to work together, share knowledge and learn from one another,” he said. Macaulay was speaking to Malaysian media on the sidelines of the 37th Annual International Military Law and Operations Conference 2026 on Thursday. He added that the agreement would complement nearly seven decades of bilateral ties, with defence serving as a KUALA LUMPUR: The scheduled charging of former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was postponed to Aug 27 after he was unable to appear before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court yesterday due to a medical condition. The Bera MP is currently receiving treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN). He had been scheduled to face a charge under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act at 9am. However, the charge was not read out and no plea was recorded. His lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad said the prosecution had registered the charge but proceedings could not continue because of a health issue. “Given his health condition, the charge could not be read out and no plea could be recorded. “We explained to the court and prosecution what happened at the MACC headquarters on Aug 6. During the process, it was discovered that he had a health problem and needed to be taken to IJN,” he said. Amer Hamzah added that Ismail was due to undergo a procedure to have a pacemaker fitted. “In view of his condition, it was not practical for the charge to be read out at IJN. We therefore requested an adjournment and the court fixed Aug 27.” The proceedings remain subject to Ismail being medically fit to attend court. Amer Hamzah also disclosed that Ismail had suffered a fall about two weeks earlier and was admitted to Pantai Hospital. He had been scheduled for a follow-up examination at IJN the following Monday before the incident at the MACC Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

cornerstone of Malaysia-Canada relations since diplomatic ties were established in 1957. The two countries are set to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. Military education remains a key pillar of bilateral cooperation, with the Military Training and Cooperation Programme training more than 750 Malaysian officers since its establishment in 1966. The programme covers areas that include language training and professional military education. Macaulay added that Exercise Mantis, which focuses on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, has become an important platform for both countries to train and learn from each other since 2014. On defence industry cooperation, he said Canada’s Industrial Defence Strategy, launched in February, and Malaysia’s Defence Industry Policy, introduced in January, offered further opportunities for collaboration. Canada is keen to work with trusted partners such as Malaysia to strengthen both countries’ defence industries, while Canadian companies have shown growing interest in

Former PM’s proceedings deferred to Aug 27

Amer Hamzah disclosed that Ismail had suffered a fall about two weeks earlier and was admitted to Pantai Hospital. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THE SUN

anti-graft agency. The commission also seized RM170 million in cash in various foreign currencies and 16kg of gold bars estimated to be worth RM7 million as part of its investigation into alleged corruption and money laundering involving Ismail. The cash and gold were recovered during raids on residences and offices believed to have been used as “safe houses”. The seizures followed investigations into four of Ismail’s former senior officers, who were arrested in February 2025.

headquarters on Thursday. Ismail was at the headquarters from 9am until about 6pm that day as part of an ongoing investigation. “We’ll meet again on Aug 27. The charge will be read out, a plea will be recorded and any issues will be addressed on the same day,” Amer Hamzah added. The charge is understood to be linked to Ismail’s asset declaration. He had previously been called in several times by MACC to provide statements concerning the declaration submitted to the