22/08/2026

SATURDAY | AUG 22, 2026

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Berjaya founder takes to skies in pilotless eVTOL during China visit

█ BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Group (BCorp) founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan flew as a passenger in the EH216-S, a pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Guangzhou, China recently. He has become the first Malaysian to experience a flight in the world’s first certified eVTOL aircraft. The milestone was featured in a video posted on Instagram by Berjaya Corporation yesterday, showing Tan inside the autonomous aircraft during the flight last Friday. He used his mobile phone to record the experience. Relating his experience and comparing the aircraft with a helicopter, Tan praised its comfort and relatively low noise level. “I think this is better than a helicopter,” he said in the video. “The noise wasn’t too bad, I didn’t use headphones.” Berjaya Corporation Berhad chairman Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim Ismail and Tan, who is also BCorp adviser, had led a delegation to the EHang’s headquarters in Guangzhou last week. The Malaysian delegation was warmly welcomed by EHang founder, chairman and CEO Hu Huazhi and EHang chief financial

BANGI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he would wait for the complete report of the special task force investigating the management of Felda before making any official announcement. “The special task force has started work and I am waiting for the investigation to be completed, then we will announce it shortly. “(Its aspects include) all matters regarding management, improving management and, of course, identifying past problems, but what is important is current management and way forward,” he said after officiating at the Friendly Session with Felda Top Management and Managers at Tenera Hotel yesterday. Previously, the media had reported that the Special Task Force report on Felda was expected to be completed in a few months before being made public. Anwar said he would release the report to the public as soon as it is completed and asked the public to read it like the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on Tabung Haji. – Bernama ‘Announcement on probe after task force completes work’ It is uniquely designed as a pilotless air taxi, operated via a centralised command-and-control system rather than a human on board. officer Conor Yang. The delegation was also briefed and provided insights into EHang’s advanced air mobility technology platform, including its pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Ehang also introduced the delegation to the diverse applications, global airworthiness certification progress, technology research and development as well as the international business strategy of the advanced air mobility company. Later during the visit, Tan boarded the EHang EH216-S aircraft, experiencing firsthand its smart, safe and sustainable approach to personal air transport. The visit provided an insightful platform for both parties to exchange perspectives on the future of advanced air mobility. Developed by China’s EHang Corporation, the EH216-S is an autonomous air taxi designed to carry two passengers along preset routes using intelligent navigation and 16 independent rotors.

Tan experiencing the EH216-S aircraft flight in Guangzhou, China. – PIC COURTESY OF BERJAYA CORPORATION SDN BHD

Don’t turn action against TH into racial, religious issue: PM

BANGI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that efforts to address misconduct and management weaknesses in any institution should not be turned into a racial or religious issue. He said such action is taken based on the need to rectify shortcomings in the management of an organisation, regardless of the background or identity of the institution. Anwar said the approach also applied to action taken to address misconduct and management weaknesses at Tabung Haji, which he said should not be linked to the Islamic image associated with the institution. “There is also an Islamic party leader who said, ‘why are they always taking action against these Malay and Islamic agencies?’ The government takes action because they are under the government.

governance and affairs are conducted transparently and promptly, and that firm action be taken against those who have damaged Felda due to their greed.” Anwar said the success of an organisation or institution could easily be destroyed by rash and greedy actions if the principles of integrity are disregarded. Previously, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang claimed that the controversy surrounding TH had been deliberately exaggerated by certain parties simply because the financial institution carried an “Islamic brand”. The Marang MP said while his party did not deny the existence of shortcomings or misconduct in Islamic financial institutions, greater shortcomings at other institutions had not received the same level of attention.

o ‘Measures taken based on need to rectify shortcomings in the management of an organisation, regardless of background or identity of institution’

values, Bernama reported. He said he was committed to ensuring that investigations into governance and affairs involving Felda are conducted transparently and promptly, in line with the decree of His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim. He said the matter was conveyed to him during an audience with the King, who also ordered that firm action be taken against those found to have damaged Felda. “When I had an audience with His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim asked me to ensure that investigations into Felda’s

“If we identify a problem we will take action, and we should not turn this into a racial or religious issue. We do not ask whether it is a Malay company or a government company.” He was speaking at the Prime Minister’s 2026 engagement session with Felda’s top management and managers yesterday. Anwar said Malays and Muslims should be more firm in ensuring that institutions that carry an Islamic image are properly managed, as such institutions should set an example in terms of management, ethics and

Anwar sends letter to Indonesian president over Felda investment issue BANGI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he had sent an official letter to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto seeking special attention to Felda’s investments in the country, particularly the issue involving PT Eagle High Plantations Tbk (EHP). He said the move was prompted by the potential for financial losses of up to RM2.5 billion stemming from decisions made by the previous management, with expected returns now likely to be only around RM200 million. “This investment is subject to court proceedings in Indonesia. I have written to President Prabowo Subianto asking him to look into the matter. If it is not addressed, we could potentially lose RM2.5 billion and recover only RM200 million.” According to news reports, Felda has yet to recover the money as EHP is still contesting it in the Indonesian courts. Anwar was speaking during a meet-and-greet session with Felda’s senior management and managers at Tenera Hotel in Bangi yesterday. Also present were Felda chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir and director-general Datuk Dr Suzana Idayu Wati Osman. Anwar said the disclosure of the financial crisis figures was intended to ensure that Felda’s management at all levels understood the scale of the challenges it faces in its recovery efforts. “I want the managers to understand how difficult the recovery will be. This is not a problem caused by the managers. What does a Felda manager in Pahang or Johor have to do with it? But we all have to bear the consequences, and that is the problem. So, they need to understand this. “Issues involving investigations, enforcement and the courts are separate matters. But I want the managers to understand the full extent of these problems. I told Suzana that they need to understand the situation. “What I want to emphasise is that all Felda managers must fully understand the issues. They should not become discouraged, but recognise that these problems must be tackled.” On broader recovery efforts, Anwar gave an assurance that the government is committed to accelerating basic welfare projects, including funding to repair the homes of managers and settlers, rather than waiting until next year’s budget. He also stressed that the emphasis on governance, integrity and accountability is not intended to find fault with any particular party but to safeguard public trust and ensure that Felda regains its standing as an institution the country can be proud of. – Bernama