21/08/2026

FRIDAY | AUG 21, 2026

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KLIA security gets major overhaul

o 17 measures approved, with six immediate steps to tighten screening and controls at airport: Transport Ministry

the measures are progressively expanded to other international entry points based on threat levels, operational requirements and the suitability of each location,” the statement said. The ministries also said the government was committed to implementing all recommendations professionally, with integrity and in accordance with the law, while taking into account individual rights, data protection, as well as the interests of passengers and the aviation industry. The measures are expected to strengthen national security, improve the integrity of Malaysia’s international entry points and maintain confidence among Malaysians, tourists and the international aviation community in the country’s security system.

short, medium and long-term actions. The medium-term phase will focus on strengthening technology, assets and human resources, while the long-term phase will involve transforming systems, information sharing and governance, as well as expanding the measures to other international entry points nationwide based on risk levels and the suitability of each location. The plan was drawn up following several incidents that raised concerns over the integrity of national security controls, including the detention of a Malaysian citizen in Indonesia over alleged involvement in drug smuggling, as well as several high-profile security incidents. “KLIA will serve as the pilot location for implementation before

and relevant staff,” both ministries said in the joint statement yesterday. In addition, police personnel will be increased at strategic locations as a deterrent, with additional General Operations Force personnel deployed for each shift at the airport’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. “The government will also strengthen security and intelligence information-sharing through the National Immigration Command Centre.” A joint technical committee, chaired by the secretaries-general of both ministries, will also be established immediately to coordinate implementation, resolve cross-agency issues and monitor the overall action plan. The six measures form the short term priorities under a broader 17 recommendation plan covering

█ BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

the integrity of the country’s border security system. The six priority measures include targeted risk-based screening of flights, passengers, crew and baggage identified as high-risk, as well as tighter security vetting and access controls for aviation personnel and others requiring access to restricted areas. “The government will also strengthen drug screening for aviation personnel through pre employment, periodic and random testing involving pilots, cabin crew

PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has approved 17 recommendations to strengthen security screening, risk management and controls at KL International Airport (KLIA) and the country’s international entry points, with six immediate measures to be implemented as “quick wins”. The measures, contained in a joint memorandum by the Home Ministry and Transport Ministry, are aimed at addressing concerns over

New higher education law in the works: Zambry

‘Rethink engineer shortage’

█ BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s talent needs in the electrical and electronics sector shouldn’t be framed purely as a shortfall of degree-qualified engineers, says Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. He said industries also required diploma-level talent and existing workers with specialised skills, with the frequently cited shortage of almost 60,000 engineers needing to be examined according to actual workforce requirements. “If we go deeper, the requirement actually relates to the needs of the respective industries. It does not necessarily have to be at degree level. It may be needed at diploma and certificate levels.” Zambry said his ministry was working with other ministries, agencies and industries to better align talent development with market demand. This included expanding stackable programmes for existing workers who required additional training as companies introduced new machinery and technologies. He said a worker who had spent a decade in an industry might not require another full qualification but could instead undergo targeted upskilling at universities, polytechnics and community colleges. He also said the broader challenge was no longer simply whether graduates could secure employment, but whether their jobs matched their qualifications, skills and productivity. “The issue is no longer simply whether graduates are unable to get jobs. What matters is whether graduates are getting jobs that do not match their qualifications, skills and productivity. “We need to shift from graduate employability to graduate earning power.” The PSKG 2026-2030 will guide the ministry’s graduate employability agenda over the next four years, including efforts to strengthen alignment between higher education, industry and changing labour-market requirements. Zambry said greater attention is needed on underemployment and graduates’ mobility into higher-skilled occupations rather than relying solely on headline employment rates. He also urged employers to play a greater role in developing the talent they required. “The problem with you (industry players) most of the time, you expect us to provide certain numbers of engineers, but you don’t come forward to work together with us.” Zambry said universities could provide engineering fundamentals, but companies also needed to identify and help develop specialised competencies required by their technologies. He said industries should serve as “co educators” alongside higher education institutions through training, upskilling and closer collaboration on workforce needs. – by Faiz Ruzman

KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry will set up an independent committee and formulate a transitional legal mechanism as part of efforts to repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (Auku) and replace it with a new higher education law. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said a separate group would also be established to develop the proposed One Higher Education Act, while stakeholders across the higher education sector would be involved in the process. He said the transitional mechanism was necessary to ensure universities could continue operating under a valid legal framework while the new legislation was being developed. “There must be a transitional mechanism. We do not want to announce the repeal today, only to be faced with the question of how universities will function when there is no Act governing the legal aspects. “So, we need to find an interim legal mechanism while we work towards the new framework. “It will take a little time, so I hope everyone can be patient. We want to create a new Act and we cannot leave anyone out. All parties will be involved.” Zambry said this after launching the Graduate Employability Strategic Plan 2026 2030 here yesterday. He added that although preliminary work on the One Higher Education Act had already begun at ministry and policy levels, the independent committee would undertake a broader examination before the legislation was finalised. Zambry said Auku could not be viewed solely through provisions concerning students, as it also provided the legal foundation for the establishment and governance of universities, academic matters and the position of academic staff. He said only seven of its 44 sections directly concerned students, while the remaining provisions dealt with other aspects

Zambry (second from left) at the launch of the graduate employability plan at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. The plan is aimed at empowering the competitiveness and employability of local graduates in alignment with current industry needs. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement on Aug 16 that Auku would be fully repealed, with no replacement legislation restricting or suppressing student activities. Anwar said students should instead remain subject to laws generally applicable to all citizens. Following Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said any replacement legislation would focus on the administration and management of universities and university colleges, with student matters excluded from the new framework. The Higher Education Ministry had earlier said the proposed One Higher Education Act was already outlined under the Malaysia Higher Education Plan 2026-2035, with the broader reform intended to address institutional autonomy, academic freedom, governance and accountability across the higher education system.

of university administration. Zambry said the proposed overhaul would also have to address academic freedom, including existing restrictions affecting academics under the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000 (Act 605). He said the exercise would also examine the alignment of other legislation governing higher education, including Act 605 and the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996, saying the existing laws were not fully harmonised. “We have to look at the academic context as well. Do not forget that academics and lecturers are also the foundation of universities, and they need the freedom to express their views. “When we change this, it cannot simply be a change of name while the old matters remain. We have to look at it in the context of the present and the future.” The government’s move follows Prime

Umno committed to ensuring stability in govt: Azalina KUALA LUMPUR: Umno is committed to the stability of the Federal government and will continue to honour the Unity government agreement signed after the 15th General Election (GE15), said Umno Information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. based on mutual respect without erasing their respective political identities, orientations or positions.

agenda is implemented and people’s wellbeing remains the foremost priority until the end of the term,” she said in a statement yesterday. On claims that Umno had “betrayed” PKR in the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, she said the matter should not be assessed in isolation or based on state level political developments, but assessed calmly and responsibly based on facts. – Bernama

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said differences at the Federal level must be managed maturely to prevent them from affecting governance and public confidence. “Our priority must be to ensure that the Federal government remains stable, reform

She said the agreement was signed to establish and ensure the stability of the Federal government throughout the 15th Parliament, with cooperation among parties