16/09/2026

IS S N 314 1 -1517

WEDNESDAY SEP 16, 2026

RM1

9 773141 151009

Search hampered by rough seas

Rescuers race to find 129 still missing after passenger ship capsizes in Java Sea.

Malaysian Paper www.thesun.my RM1.00 PER COPY

Report on — page 7

SCAN ME No. 9276 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195)

Progress with purpose Report on h page 2 Experts outline priorities for a more inclusive, sustainable and meaningful Malaysia as the nation moves forward.

PRIDE AND PANACHE ... (from left) Siti Norbaizura, 38, Mohd Radhi Abas, 58, and Siti Shaliwana, 40, among participants dressed in traditional attire and displaying the Jalur Gemilang during the Kayuhan Fashionista: Bulan Kebangsaan Dua Sambutan Satu Jiwa programme in Putrajaya yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Exploring new energy frontiers PM to discuss proposal for Petronas to explore for oil in the Maldives.

New MyKad rolls out

Report on — page 4

Report on — page 5

Public urged to wait as existing cards remain valid and records will be retained.

WEDNESDAY | SEPT 16, 2026

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Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH

Malaysia Day: Marking milestones, framing futures

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has made significant strides over the past 63 years, with experts saying the country’s next phase of development should focus on ensuring its economic and infrastructure gains translate into a better, fairer and more secure quality of life for all Malaysians. As the public celebrate Malaysia Day today, academics and experts from various fields highlighted the progress made while identifying areas that need greater attention, including the economy, housing, governance, transport, the environment, healthcare, education, national identity and opportunities for youth. 0 ECONOMY Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) economist Prof Dr Nanthakumar Loganathan said Malaysia’s economy had remained relatively stable in recent years, with steady growth and a stronger ringgit compared with several other Asean currencies. However, he said global uncertainty continued to weigh on the economy, while the government’s large subsidy burden could create longer-term fiscal pressures. He added that the cost of living and poverty remained key issues Malaysia had yet to fully resolve, despite government efforts to address them. 0 HOUSING UTM property economics and finance associate professor Dr Muhammad Najib Razali said housing affordability remained a problem despite the expansion of housing supply and home ownership. He added that rising house prices, land and construction costs, financing constraints and a mismatch between housing locations and household needs continued to make suitable homes inaccessible to many Malaysians, particularly in urban areas. He also said the housing policy needed to be better integrated with transport, employment and land-use planning, with greater emphasis on effective implementation. 0 POLITICS Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Novel Lyndon said Malaysia had matured in areas such as electoral competition and maintaining national unity, but its political institutions had not developed at the same pace. He cited political instability, party-hopping, corruption, weak institutional independence and the continued politicisation of race and religion as challenges. He also said concerns raised by Sabah and Sarawak reflected deeper questions over constitutional recognition, equitable development and meaningful participation in national decision-making. 0 TRANSPORT Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said Malaysia’s dependence on cars was rooted not only in transport policy but also in fragmented urban planning. He added that sprawling cities, poor connectivity between residential areas, workplaces and

public transport, and inadequate active mobility infrastructure had made private vehicles the default option for many Malaysians. 0 ENVIRONMENT National University of Singapore Southeast Asian Studies lecturer Dr Serina Rahman said Malaysia needed to rethink development that came at the expense of its natural environment. She said protecting remaining forests, karst landscapes, coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows should take priority. She also said a wellbeing-based approach could also better balance economic needs, poverty reduction and environmental protection. 0 HEALTH UKM public health specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said Malaysia was not preparing quickly enough for its ageing population. She added that with the country expected to become an aged nation by 2036, rising chronic diseases, frailty and dementia would place increasing pressure on healthcare systems and families. She said Malaysia needed stronger long-term care and a larger workforce, including geriatricians, rehabilitation specialists, community workers, counsellors and home-care providers. 0 IDENTITY UKM anthropology and sociology senior lecturer Dr Velan Kunjuraman said Malaysia needed to strengthen a shared national identity beyond race, religion and state affiliations. He added that identity was shaped from an early age through families and schools, while social media could amplify racial and religious divisions. He called for more meaningful interaction between communities and greater emphasis on equity and inclusion to build a stronger sense of common belonging. 0 CHILDREN Universiti Teknologi Mara Social and Policy Studies lecturer Prof Dr Yarina Ahmad said development must ultimately be measured by whether children were safe and able to grow in supportive environments. She highlighted persistent concerns over child poverty, school dropout, access to education and healthcare, abuse and weakening family structures. She called for stronger support for families and tougher enforcement against abuse and neglect to ensure children could grow in safe environments. 0 EDUCATION International Islamic University Malaysia associate professor and Centre for Teaching Thinking director Dr Suhailah Hussien said Malaysia had made significant progress in expanding access to education, but socioeconomic and geographical disparities remain.

o Experts weigh in on national progress and potential across key sectors

and responsibility to society.

She said future reforms must prioritise equity and inclusion, ensuring children with fewer advantages received the support they needed to succeed. She also said education should go beyond academic knowledge by helping young Malaysians understand their identity, purpose

She added that young Malaysians wanted to contribute to the country, but this must be matched by fair opportunities and the ability to live with dignity. She also emphasised the need for better governance and management of public resources to secure the country’s future.

0 YOUTH Muda

secretary-general Ainie Haziqah Shafii said Malaysia needed to address the rising cost of living and create better opportunities for youth to build stable and fulfilling lives.

WEDNESDAY | SEPT 16, 2026

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Who are we as Malaysians?

SELAMAT Hari Malaysia , my dear fellow Malaysians. For the past five years, I have shared my thoughts with you around National Day and Malaysia Day. Each year, I reflected on the many challenges facing our beloved nation – our economy, education, corruption, political reforms, climate change, artificial intelligence (AI) and the rapidly changing world around us. These challenges remain relevant and important. This year, I would like to speak about something even more fundamental – who we are as a people. I often ask myself a simple question. What do all Malaysians have in common? Before we are Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans, Orang Asli or Eurasian and before we belong to different political parties or hold different opinions – who are we? We are all sons and daughters of Malaysia. Many of us become husbands and wives. Many become mothers and fathers. We celebrate when our children succeed. We lose sleep when they struggle. We worry when our parents grow old. We grieve when those we love leave us. We hope the next generation will enjoy a better life than we did. When we strip away everything else, we discover something beautiful and enlightening. We are far more alike than we are different. I grew up in a small town called Pusing in Perak. My closest childhood friends were Malays, Chinese and Indians. We played sports together. We swam in the old mining pools and rivers together. We often visited and slept over in one another’s homes. I honestly cannot remember asking anyone what race they were before deciding whether they could be my friend. Children have a remarkable gift. They see people before they see labels. Perhaps somewhere along the journey of adulthood, we lose a little of that wisdom. Every child born into this world is a gift to humankind. None of us had the privilege to choose the colour of our skin and where we were born. Faith is indeed a deeply personal matter. None of us chose our first language and the family into which we entered this world. Every one of us can decide, every single day, what kind of Malaysian we want to become. That choice has always been ours. And it will always be. Whatever our faith may be, all religions teach us the same fundamental truth and wisdom, that every human life possesses dignity. Whatever our faith, surely none teaches us to despise another human being because of race or religion. At Sunway, I always strive to ensure we are “colour-blind, passport-blind and religion-blind.” As a nation of diverse cultures and creeds, our diversity is indeed a strength to be

This Malaysia Day, let us work together to improve our country

schools, religious organisations and parents cannot do it alone. Every citizen has a part to play. A better Malaysia is not something we inherit. It is something we build, together. The world will not wait for us. AI is transforming how we live, learn and work. Climate change is reshaping our future. Our neighbours and other countries around the world are investing heavily in innovation, education and human capital. While the world races forward, Malaysia cannot afford to be left behind and be distracted by fear, suspicion and endless division. Our children deserve better than that. They deserve a nation confident enough to compete with the rest of the world. Whether Malaysia remains competitive regionally or globally is really a question of how well prepared our next generation is for that competition. Our duty as fathers, mothers and grandparents is to prepare our next generation to meet this very fierce, intensive and relentless competition. In spite of all the challenges before us, I remain hopeful. Whenever I meet young Malaysians, I am encouraged by their curiosity, creativity, compassion and confidence. Perhaps they will succeed where previous generations, including mine, have sometimes fallen short. Perhaps they will finally build the Malaysia we have always dreamt of. I sincerely believe they can and pray they will succeed. Every one of us will leave this world one day. People are unlikely to remember which political party we supported. They will probably not remember the arguments we fought and debated on social media. But they will remember whether we left Malaysia in a better state than we found it. Kinder, fairer, more united, more stable and more hopeful. That, to me, is the true meaning of patriotism. Not merely loving our country for what it is today, but loving it enough to help it become the Malaysia that we can all be proud of. This is our home and shared inheritance. This is our responsibility and shared destiny. Let us build bridges strong enough for the next generation to cross. Let us foster a more stable, just, inclusive and sustainable future for our beloved country. Because the Malaysia we leave behind is the Malaysia our children will inherit. Together, with conviction, let us build a nation worthy of them. We are all in this together and may we all be blessed, always. Selamat Hari Malaysia. Tan Sri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah, KBE AO A fellow Malaysian.

Malaysians could learn from children, says Cheah, as they look beyond labels and just see people as people. – 123RFPIC

“

Every one of us will leave the world one day. People are unlikely to remember which political party we supported. They will probably not remember the arguments we fought and debated on social media, but they will remember whether we left Malaysia in a better state than we found it.

much further Malaysia might already have progressed if we had devoted the same energy to solving our common problems as we have spent fighting and arguing over our differences. Imagine if we competed to build better schools instead of sharper slogans, if we invested more in educating our children than in insulting one another. Imagine if we became known not for the loudest voices, but for the wisest ideas on how to build a better nation. On a global scale, imagine if America and China chose to work together as brothers and not rivals. Surely, the world would be a far better place for all humanity. When I was a young boy, poverty shaped my life. It taught me education is the most powerful pathway out of hardship and misery towards a life of dignity. That conviction never left me. The success of my business career has given me the privilege to set up the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation to make quality education accessible to as many young Malaysians as possible, regardless of race and background. This is why I transferred, in perpetuity, my entire equity in the Sunway Education Group

cherished. We must deepen our resolve to build a country where all may live with dignity and a true sense of belonging. Hatred is learnt. Respect can also be learnt. Division is cultivated. Unity can also be cultivated. The question before us is not whether Malaysia can become a more united nation. The question is whether each of us is prepared to become a more generous Malaysian. Because nations do not become better by themselves. People do. Throughout history, there have always been those who unite people. Unfortunately, there are also those who sought to divide us. Division is easy. It takes little effort to convince one community to fear another. It takes far greater courage to build trust. Often times, there is a heavy price to pay for doing what is right and just. We must remain steadfast in our convictions to uphold the ideals that bind us as a nation. Every generation is eventually remembered by the bridges it built or the walls it left behind. Our generation will be no different. Sometimes I wonder how

Cheah says it is our responsibility as Malaysians to love our country today and to make it a country all can be proud of. – HANDOUT PIC (Sunway International Schools, Sunway Colleges and Sunway University) to the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation in a not-for-profit structure. The foundation no longer belongs to me nor my family. It belongs to Malaysia for the benefit of present and future generations of Malaysians. More than RM4 billion has been gifted and endowed in perpetuity through the foundation, with over RM1.05 billion in scholarships and grants awarded to date. Every scholarship awarded is not simply another student entering college or university. It is a family lifted out of the vicious cycle of poverty and misery. A dream restored. A future rewritten. That, to me, is nation-building. Yet governments alone cannot build a great nation. Businesses,

WEDNESDAY | SEPT 16, 2026 4 Anwar to discuss Maldives venture with Petronas MALÉ (MALDIVES): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will discuss a proposal with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) for the Malaysian energy company to explore the possibility of oil exploration in the Maldives. Anwar, who is also Finance minister, expressed confidence in Petronas’s capabilities and extensive international experience in the energy sector. “I believe in the strength of Petronas throughout the world, from Canada to Turkmenistan to Sudan and to Suriname, Peru and Brazil. I do not think it is too much of a problem to come closer here to Maldives,” he said. Anwar was speaking at a joint press conference with Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu at the President’s Office here yesterday. He was responding to matters raised during his discussions with the Maldives leadership as part of his two-day official visit to the island republic. Petronas has an international presence across various energy markets, with Anwar pointing to its operations in several countries as an indication of the national oil company’s capabilities. Anwar was on the last day of his two-day official visit to the Maldives yesterday. – Bernama

Umno facing backlash for joke on Catholic priests, nuns

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI

o Controversy carries added political weight because it unfolded at important national platform: Specialist

leaders in Sabah and Sarawak. “Those leaders are accountable to multi-religious electorates and cannot afford to appear indifferent when the beliefs of communities are treated insensitively.” Still, he added that the row is unlikely by itself to break federal political cooperation, given the broader interests underpinning relations between Putrajaya and regional coalitions. “Relationships between the federal government and regional coalitions involve many larger matters, including development funding, the Malaysia Agreement 1963, state rights, infrastructure and federal stability. “However, repeated religious controversies could gradually weaken trust and give regional parties stronger reasons to distance themselves from national parties.” He stressed that Sabah and Sarawak remain crucial to federal political stability, making respect for religious diversity important to sustaining political cooperation. Novel also said the remarks could deepen concerns among Christian communities over whether delegates and leaders grasp the seriousness of mocking another faith. He said Christians could draw comparisons with how authorities and political leaders would respond if Islamic religious figures or institutions were treated in a similar fashion. “The principle should be consistent. Every religion deserves the same basic respect. Freedom of political speech does not remove the responsibility to preserve social harmony, especially in a diverse country,” he noted. “When such figures are used in sexually suggestive or demeaning humour, Christians may feel their faith has been trivialised.” He noted that from a political sociology perspective, words spoken at a major party assembly help define who feels respected, included and recognised within the national political community. He said the controversy is further complicated by an inaccurate reference to Psalm 129, which deals with suffering, deliverance and overcoming oppression, noting that the words used in the joke did not appear in the passage – a misstep that could deepen unease among Christians. Novel said Umno should acknowledge the error, withdraw the reference and offer an unconditional apology, stressing that the same respect shown to Islamic scriptures and religious figures must also be extended to Christianity and other faiths. He said the key lesson for Umno is that political strength in a diverse federation cannot be built solely by appeals to its traditional base, but must also inspire confidence among citizens who do not share the same religion or ethnicity.

PETALING JAYA: A joke about Catholic priests, nuns and the Bible delivered from the floor of Umno General Assembly has reignited concerns over the party’s sensitivity to religious diversity, with a political analyst saying it could further strain efforts by the party and Barisan Nasional to rebuild support in Sabah and Sarawak. The remarks risk reinforcing perceptions among non-Muslim Malaysians that Umno remains insufficiently attuned to the country’s religious make-up, said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia political analyst Prof Dr Novel Lyndon. He said the controversy carries added political weight precisely because it unfolded at Umno’s most important national platform, rather than an informal or private setting.

deeply rooted in the culture and communities of indigenous groups, such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Kadazandusun and Murut. “Remarks that may be regarded as ordinary political humour in one setting could be received very differently in East Malaysia. “When religious figures are used as material for political humour, communities may feel their identity is being viewed through a narrow peninsular lens.” He added that Umno’s challenge is compounded by its lack of organisational presence in Sarawak, where Sarawak-based political identity and local parties dominate. In Sabah, Umno continues to operate but faces stiff competition from regional parties and an electorate increasingly drawn to Sabah-based leadership. “For voters in East Malaysia, development remains important, but dignity, identity, religious freedom and state rights are also major considerations. “A party cannot expect to gain support merely by offering development or highlighting its federal influence. It must also demonstrate that it understands the cultural and religious realities of the region.” Novel said regional parties could seize on the controversy to argue that peninsular-based parties fail to understand Sabah and Sarawak, while opposition parties could cite it as evidence that Umno has not moved far enough towards becoming a genuinely inclusive national party. He said the fallout could be felt most among urban and younger voters, Christian Bumiputera communities and religiously mixed families, and could complicate relations between Umno, the federal government, and political

“Although (the joke) was reportedly made by one delegate and may not represent Umno’s official position, the setting gives it greater political significance. “People may interpret what is said, and how party leaders respond, as reflecting the culture and values tolerated within the party,” he noted. “While Umno has the right to champion Malay and Muslim interests, it is also a major party in the federal government and must respect all religious communities.” Novel said the issue cut especially deep in Sabah and Sarawak, where Christianity is

FOSTERING UNITY ... Participants colouring batik patterns yesterday during the Fashionista Ride: National Month ‘Two Celebrations, One Soul’ event in Putrajaya, held in conjunction with the Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day celebrations. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

‘Politicians must value respecting others over applause’ PETALING JAYA: Political leaders must stop using provocative jokes to win applause to avoid offending religious communities, said unity advocate Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, following criticism over a joke about Catholic priests and nuns at the Umno General Assembly. He added that remarks mocking religious figures could offend communities and erode social harmony, stressing that respect for religious beliefs must apply equally in Malaysia’s multi-religious society. rile up an audience. For them, earning a cheer seems to matter more than treating others with basic decency. “Freedom of speech is not freedom to insult or stir up division. In a nation made up of many faiths and backgrounds, jokes that mock religious figures offend and fray the ties that hold us together. respecting religious sensitivities. Lee said the principles of courtesy and morality under the Rukun Negara should guide public discourse, including remarks at political events. “Our Rukun Negara asks us to value courtesy and morality. “This incident shows how far some public figures stand from those very principles. “Parties should help their greater care when discussing religion and ensure political discourse does not come at the expense of respect for other faiths. “Although an apology was eventually offered, the caution remains clear. Malaysia’s harmony is something we nurture every day. It should not be put at risk by one thoughtless speaker. “Our shared respect for one another is what keeps Malaysia united. Careless jokes wear that respect away, little by little.”

“The public needs to see that protections for religious respect are applied promptly to everyone, no exceptions. When people’s most sacred beliefs are mocked, minority communities could feel unwelcome and overlooked.” He emphasised that the episode highlights the need for political parties to ensure their members understand the importance of

members understand that basic respect is not optional, it is essential.” He also called on political parties to draw up clearer guidelines for speakers at major gatherings to prevent remarks that could offend religious communities. He explained that such guidelines would encourage speakers to exercise

He said political figures need to be mindful of their choice of words, particularly at major gatherings where their remarks could reach a wide audience. “Too often, politicians reach for provocative or insensitive remarks to

Lee also said citizens should use Malaysia Day today to renew their commitment to building a united, peaceful, inclusive and prosperous nation for all. – BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI

WEDNESDAY | SEPT 16, 2026

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‘Do not rush to replace MyKad, current cards valid’ o Applications for new version open tomorrow but govt wants to avoid unusual congestion at NRD counters applications and replacements each month. He said this includes for new MyKad, as well as replacements for damaged or lost cards. damaged cards. “There is no issue. The records will remain the same,” he said when asked whether details such as subsidised fuel eligibility would be affected.

Four boys killed after falling into drain KULIM: Four boys have died after allegedly falling into a drain while attempting to retrieve a football at Taman Desa Kayangan in Sungai Karangan. Kulim police chief Supt Syamsul Sinring said two of the victims died at the scene while the other two succumbed to their injuries while being taken to the Kulim Hospital. He identified the victims as Muhammad Zafril Arsyad Muhamad Azrin, 12, Muhammad Iman Nuruddin Khairol Anuar, 10, and step-siblings Muhamad Aeril Aziz Muhamad Zafis, 12, and Muhammad Arif Naufan Abdullah, eight. He said interviews with the victims’ mothers revealed that the boys had left home to play football before the ball reportedly fell into a drain at the location. He added that there were no witnesses to the incident, while the drain is estimated to be about three metres deep and 1.8m wide. – Bernama KULIM: A 39-year-old woman died after she was allegedly stabbed 13 times by her husband following an argument at their home in Taman Tiram near here on Monday night. Kulim police chief Supt Syamsul Sinring said the victim, identified as S. Sila, was taken to the Kulim Hospital by family members and pronounced dead at 9.30pm. He said the 43-year-old unemployed suspect went to the Lunas police station at 8.40pm and reported that he had stabbed his wife at their home. Syamsul said the incident occurred in the master bedroom of the single-storey terrace house, Bernama reported. “Preliminary investigations found that the incident stemmed from an argument believed to have been triggered by jealousy. “An inspection of the scene found traces believed to be blood on the bedsheet, pillow, headboard and several items on the bed. A total of 11 samples related to the incident were collected.” A police team, together with forensic personnel, arrived at the scene at noon to carry out an inspection. Initial checks identified a skull among the remains. Based on the condition of the remains, investigators believe the skeleton had been inside the drum for at least three weeks. As of the latest update, no arrests have been made. The Malacca government has moved to reassure residents over water safety following the discovery, given that the site forms part of the catchment area supplying raw water to the state’s treated water system. State secretary Datuk Salhah Salleh said ongoing water quality monitoring has detected no breach of set parameters, and treated water supplied to consumers remains safe. She added that the state government would step up monitoring and sampling in the area and continue working with police and relevant technical agencies on the matter. Wife dies after alleged stabbing

“If the number suddenly jumps to 500,000 because people want to get the new MyKad, that is what we want to avoid.” He emphasised that those replacing their old MyKad with the new version would not lose their existing records, including eligibility details for government programmes or subsidies. He stressed that the data custodian remains with NRD and the replacement would work the same way as ordinary MyKad replacements for lost or

Saifuddin highlighted that the new version would replace the current MyKad, which has been in use for about 12 years. He said Malaysia has a strong record in protecting the integrity of its identity card system, with only about 600 detected bids to falsify MyKad over the past 12 years. He also said such forged cards may have been used to get through routine checks but would not pass transactions involving government or private-sector systems.

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN

processed under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution. He said Nurul Arini has since completed her foundation studies and received an offer dated Aug 17 to pursue medicine at Universiti Putra Malaysia. Saifuddin said about 24 million MyKad have been issued to Malaysians aged 12 and above, while NRD processes between 180,000 and 200,000 MyKad

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians have been advised not to rush to replace their MyKad when applications for the new version open tomorrow, as existing cards remain valid and all linked records will be retained. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the new MyKad, which comes with about 50 new security features, would be made available in phases, beginning with 40 National Registration Department (NRD) offices nationwide. He said the government wants to avoid unusual congestion at NRD counters, especially as the MyKad is now widely used for government-linked transactions, including welfare aid and subsidised fuel purchases. “The old MyKad can still be used until we phase out the card. My advice is for people not to rush so that we can avoid extraordinary congestion,” he noted. “The most important thing is that transactions requiring MyKad are not disrupted,” he told reporters after visiting a student whose MyKad application he helped expedite last year in Port Dickson yesterday. The event was held for Nurul Arini Abdulllah and her mother Wan Nordin. Saifuddin visited Nurul Arini last year to hand over her MyKad after her application was SEREMBAN: Police have received two reports concerning the proclamation document allegedly signed under duress by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim, seeking to remove the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said following the reports lodged by Ismail, police would classify the case to determine the appropriate direction and scope of the probe. “I can confirm that two police reports were lodged by Ismail. It is our duty to classify the reports based on the nature and direction of the probe. I leave it to the wisdom of police to handle the complaint.” He was speaking after presenting a sponsored Umrah package to Nurul Arini Abdullah, 19, who was among those assisted by the National Registration Department in obtaining her identity card last year. Saifuddin Nasution advised the

Saifuddin said those replacing their old MyKad with the new version would not lose their existing records, including eligibility details for government programmes or subsidies. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Cops receive reports of signing proclamation document under duress

Skeleton in drum classified as murder PETALING JAYA: Police have confirmed that a skeleton discovered inside a drum at the Durian Tunggal Dam reservoir reserve in Machap Baru, Malacca is human, with a post-mortem classifying the case as murder. of the drum and cut open its upper section to check its contents, only to find what appeared to be a skeleton, prompting them to alert the police.

allegation of duress or undue influence, that is for police to probe. “We should not be passing comments because police may have already opened an investigation paper. “So, let them determine whether there was duress or undue influence,” she said after attending the Fashionista Ride: National Month “Two Celebrations, One Soul” programme here yesterday. Azalina said she is confident that Negeri Sembilan Umno and Barisan Nasional could find a way forward, given their understanding of the roles and relationship between the menteri besar and the Yang di-Pertuan Besar. “I believe we have to give Negeri Sembilan Umno and the state exco time and space to find a solution. “We have to respect that they are looking into the matter. I believe the federal government and Umno central leadership should not interfere because this is a state matter.” – Bernama

public to respect the rule of law and refrain from making assumptions that could disrupt the investigation or public order. Ismail had previously claimed that he was forced to sign the document before lodging a police report on Sept 8 to facilitate an investigation by authorities. Media reports quoted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying the allegation needed to be verified by the lawyer who was present during the signing process. The Umno president said the party would not interfere in the matter, and fully respects the royal institution, laws and customs of Negeri Sembilan. Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Ismail’s claims that he was forced to sign the document should be left to police to investigate. “I think when there is an

Alor Gajah district police chief Supt Ahmad Abu Bakar said the confirmation followed post-mortem findings, and the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which covers murder. The drum, which had been cemented shut, was found roughly 15m from the main road. Police called in the Fire and Rescue Department for aid in moving it to the roadside so that it could be transported to hospital for further examination. Ahmad said investigators are working to determine the victim’s sex and cause of death, with the results of a continued post-mortem examination expected. A complete set of clothing, including cloth, a shirt and trousers, was found with the remains. The discovery was first reported by three anglers, aged between 25 and 35, who had been fishing near the dam’s water catchment area at 11.40am. The men reportedly grew suspicious

WEDNESDAY | SEPT 16, 2026

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Bharatanatyam costume gets M’sian twist

KUALA LUMPUR: What began as a costume designed for a Bharatanatyam production has evolved into an expression of Malaysian identity, with artiste and choreographer Kamini Manikam weaving Malay, Chinese and Indian cultural elements into the classical Indian dance attire. The costume combined Malay songket , Chinese silk and the traditional visual language of Bharatanatyam while maintaining the movement and structural requirements of the classical dance form. Kamini said the design was conceived as a national Bharatanatyam costume that could reflect a distinctly Malaysian identity without compromising the origins and grammar of the art form. “I created the costume in 2015 for my LIPSTICK Series 2: sHE, woMAN, feMALE, a social thematic production. It accompanied an original thillana composition about Malaysia, our region, our people and the spirit of living together. “I envisioned it as a national Bharatanatyam costume, a classical Indian dance garment that could carry a distinctly Malaysian identity while still honouring the art form’s origins,” she told Bernama. For the blouse, Kamini used Chinese silk with a cheongsam -inspired visual language, while the trousers were constructed from songket to reflect the richness of the Malay textile tradition, with the overall design o Choreographer integrates songket and Chinese silk into traditional Indian dance attire

Nationality Regarding Indian Dance in Malaysia. It later featured in Merdeka celebrations and travelled overseas, including for performances in India and Japan. Kamini, who has performed more than 400 times locally and internationally, said her background in Bharatanatyam and the performing arts had shaped the way she viewed clothing as “moving architecture”, adding that performing internationally in the costume gave her a sense of belonging as a Malaysian artiste. The philosophy behind the 2015 costume later evolved beyond the stage, culminating in the creation of the Malaysian sarong saree , which brings together the visual language of the Indian saree with Malaysian sarong and batik elements. The idea was revived when Kamini was invited to perform a piece inspired by the Malacca Chetti community, whose traditional attire includes the kebaya and sarong , while the saree is also worn for special occasions. This prompted her to revisit earlier sketches exploring how the Indian saree could be combined with the Malaysian sarong and batik . Unveiled on Aug 1, 2026 at the Auditorium Muzium Negara during The Peranakan Exchange, the six-metre garment incorporates batik motifs and rhythmic patterns on its main body, contrasting colours in the pleated section and elaborate motifs on the pallu , creating a distinctive visual effect when worn or in motion. Kamini said both creations were ultimately driven by the same question of identity, how traditional art and attire could reflect not only ancestral roots but also the lived experience of Malaysians who have grown up alongside different cultures. “I wanted to wear Malaysia, not only one part of Malaysia,” she said. – Bernama

Kamani said the philosophy behind the national Bharatanatyam costume (left) evolved beyond the stage, culminating in the Malaysian sarong saree (right). – KAMINI MANIKAM FACEBOOK PIC

geometry required for Bharatanatyam, and introduced the Malaysian textiles only where their weight, stiffness and drape could work with the movement,” she said. She said the colours of the Malaysian flag were used as the unifying palette, with the red blouse representing Chinese influence and blue songket trousers expressing Malay heritage, while the white and yellow pleated elements and classical ornamentation retained the Indian identity. The costume subsequently attracted interest from the classical dance community and was documented by Japanese scholar Mayuri Koga in a 2016 research paper titled Ethnicity and

remaining rooted in Indian classical aesthetics and Bharatanatyam. “My intention was never to place three cultures beside one another like separate decorations. I wanted them to inhabit one performing body – one body, one rhythm and one soul,” she said. Kamini said the costume had to meet the practical demands of Bharatanatyam, which requires movements including araimandi posture, deep bends, kneeling, turns, jumps, expansive arm lines and vigorous footwork. “The classical construction principles were therefore my non-negotiable foundation. I retained the fitted, stitched logic and visual

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WEDNESDAY | SEPT 16, 2026

7

Cambodia playing the victim, Thailand tells mediators

autonomous region, with unofficial results suggesting no single bloc is on course to dominate the new 80 member parliament. The race has largely been shaped by rival camps from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the former separatist movement that negotiated autonomy with the Philippine government. One is led by MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, the other by Abdulraof Macacua, a former MILF commander appointed interim chief by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr last year. With 98.56% of votes counted in the party-list race, the camp aligned with Macacua led with 35.2% of votes, ahead of the bloc associated with Murad with 32.4%, according to partial and unofficial results from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, a church-backed election watchdog. A third party, the BARMM Grand Coalition, has 20.5% so far and could hold the balance of power in coalition negotiations. Benedicto Bacani, executive director of the Institute for Autonomy Bad weather hampers ferry rescue BANJARMASIN: Rescuers brought ashore yesterday nearly two dozen survivors from a passenger ship that capsized off Java at the weekend, their evacuation delayed by bad weather, officials said. Dozens of people remain unaccounted for three days after the Virgo Transport 8 , which carried 213 passengers and 30 crew, went down on Sunday. Six people have died while 108 have been rescued alive and 129 others are still missing, the national search and rescue agency, Basarnas, said in a statement yesterday. The death toll and the missing figure have remained unchanged since Sunday. The ferry had lost contact with its shipping company shortly after leaving Surabaya for Banjarmasin on Borneo. Footage released by the rescue agency on Monday showed the capsized vessel with a part of the hull visible above the water line. Basarnas said that 22 survivors were brought to a harbour in Banjarmasin yesterday, after bad weather had prevented their rescue a day earlier. “The plan was to evacuate them to Trisakti Port yesterday but adverse weather conditions prevented us from doing so,” local search and rescue agency head I Putu Sudayana told reporters. “We cannot fight nature, the swells and waves in the area were extremely high.” Four bodies were also airlifted to Banjarmasin yesterday, Basarnas said. Nearly 1,100 rescuers, including from the navy and police, were involved in the search operation, which also included more than a dozen vessels and five aircraft, the agency said. – AFP

o Arbitration hearing begins

SINGAPORE: Thailand accused Cambodia yesterday of “playing the role of a victim” in a dispute over maritime resources, as the Southeast Asian neighbours brought their dispute before mediators. The hearing at the Singapore outpost of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) comes after the countries fought two rounds of border clashes last year. In May, Thailand unilaterally pulled out of a framework agreement with Cambodia that aimed to resolve overlapping maritime border claims, but denied any link to their land dispute. Cambodia subsequently initiated a UN-backed conciliation process at the PCA, saying it hoped to return to constructive negotiations. Opening Bangkok’s case before a five-member panel of international legal experts, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Cambodia sought to “vilify Thailand through false narratives, distortion of facts, and unfounded accusations ... including at international forums”. “It does this by playing the role of a victim with a sense of self righteousness aimed at claiming the moral high ground,” he said. Last year’s clashes left dozens of people dead and displaced more than a million before a ceasefire. Thailand has said it withdrew from the framework agreement, called “MoU 44”, because “no progress had been made” in implementing it. The 2001 memorandum of understanding covers a resource-rich

maritime territory of around 27,000 sq km to which both Cambodia and Thailand lay claim. Cambodia said last week that it had resorted to conciliation “after Thailand unilaterally terminated the agreed bilateral framework” through which the two nations had “negotiated their overlapping maritime claims for more than two decades”. Prime Minister Hun Manet said in June that the move was also to “protect Cambodia’s sovereignty and maritime rights in accordance with international law”. Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn told the PCA panel yesterday that Phnom Penh saw the process “as a means to rebuild trust, not as a form of escalation”. Cambodia’s goal was to agree with Thailand on a “single, all-purpose maritime boundary”, or alternatively agree to jointly develop and equitably share resources until a boundary is drawn, he said. “Cambodia sincerely hopes that Thailand will engage constructively in this process.” Sihasak said Thailand was also seeking maritime delimitation and to rebuild trust. Set up in 1899, the PCA is the world’s oldest intergovernmental dispute-resolution body and resolves disputes between countries and private parties by referring to contracts, special agreements and treaties, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The PCA office here is the Hague based court’s first in Asia. – AFP

Australian diplomat and international lawyer Katrina Cooper chairs the commission hearing the conciliation proceedings in Singapore. – REUTERSPIC

Moro factions eye unity talks MANILA: Coalition talks may be needed to choose the first elected chief minister of the Moro and Governance, a policy research group focused on autonomy and governance, said neither camp appeared likely to secure the 41 seats needed for a majority, making coalition-building essential.

Ousted Indonesian finance minister was upset JAKARTA: Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, who was sacked as Indonesia’s finance minister on Monday, said yesterday he was upset to be removed from his job, but was half expecting the decision.

He said cooperation would be the best outcome for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao because it could strengthen peace and political stability. “The best scenario for me is the unification of the MILF,” he said. The election drew about an 80% turnout, according to election officials, with roughly 1.8 million votes cast from 2.39 million registered voters. Voters elected party, district and sectoral representatives who will make up the 80-member parliament tasked with selecting the region’s first elected chief minister. The vote is widely viewed as the most significant milestone since a 2014 peace agreement between Manila and the MILF paved the way for greater autonomy in the south. In one of the remote islands in the region, Tawi-Tawi, civil society leader Arlene Sevilla said she and her family made a point of voting, with all four of her children travelling home from Manila to cast their ballots. – Reuters

President Prabowo Subianto removed Purbaya as finance minister and named his deputy, Suahasil Nazara, to the top finance job, in a move that surprised markets, but was also seen as an attempt to restore trust in fiscal policies. After a terse handover ceremony at the Finance Ministry, Purbaya told reporters he found out about his termination in a phone call with the president’s spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi on Monday. Purbaya was seen receiving a phone call and leaving in the middle of a parliamentary meeting just hours before Suahasil was sworn in. “Last night, going to sleep was difficult. I was upset, but now it’s not too bad,” Purbaya told reporters. “Tonight I can sleep soundly,” he said, adding he had half expected to be fired over a recent decision he took. He did not elaborate. While he said he had no policy disagreement with the president, Purbaya said his ouster partly had to

Suahasil (left) receiving a memento from Purbaya at the Finance Ministry in Jakarta yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

ceremony, Suahasil asked all stakeholders to open their doors for collaboration. He has pledged to safeguard Indonesia’s fiscal credibility and abide by the legislated fiscal deficit limit of 3% of GDP. A veteran technocrat, Suahasil, 55, is well known to investors and analysts, some of whom said he would likely reassure investors. – Reuters

do with differences with other officials. Prabowo’s sacking of Purbaya came just days after the former economist marked one year as finance minister. Purbaya said his tenure was “decent”, citing rising economic growth. He said he would spend his retirement fishing in a pond at the back of his house. Speaking at the handover

WEDNESDAY | SEPT 16, 2026

8

Boost Arctic role, EU urged

Tribunal sentences to death seven Hasina-era leaders DHAKA: A court here sentenced seven senior leaders of the former ruling party, including two ex-ministers, to death in absentia yesterday for their role in trying to crush the 2024 uprising. The seven men, members of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, were convicted of crimes against humanity including murder, as well as instigating and provoking killings. They include the party’s former general secretary, Obaidul Quader, as well as fellow former minister Mohammad Ali Arafat. They were sentenced by a three-member tribunal headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. “We are happy with the verdict,” said prosecutor Md Aminul Islam. As many as 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024, according to the United Nations, when Hasina’s government attempted to suppress the student-led uprising. Hasina’s 15-year rule ended in August 2024, when she fled her palace by helicopter to India. She was sentenced to death by hanging in absentia in November 2025. State-appointed defence lawyer M Hasan Imam said the seven men were not directly involved in the killings and that the court could have handed down a lesser sentence than death. “They were not directly involved in the killings, they have been convicted due to their fellow activists and supporters,” he said. The other five men are AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Saddam Hussain and Sheikh Wali Asif Enan. The court also ordered that half the assets of five of the men be distributed as compensation to the families of those killed or injured in the uprising. Yesterday’s sentencing brings the total number convicted in trials connected to the 2024 protests to 68. Of those, 22 have been sentenced to death, though only four are in custody. – AFP Stop preparing for war in space, China tells US BEIJING: China urged the United States yesterday to “stop preparing for war” in space, after the US Space Force confirmed it had deployed weapons into orbit for the first time. Beijing and Washington are key geopolitical rivals and have long sought to expand their interests – and strategic footprints – in space. The US Space Force said on Monday that it had deployed “on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending ... against hostile adversary action”, without providing specifics. China’s Foreign Ministry opposed the move, warning against the “weaponisation of outer space, turning it into a battlefield”. “We urge the US side to stop expanding its military capabilities and preparing for war in outer space,” ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news briefing. The US Space Force singled out China as a threat in its announcement, saying Beijing “develops and operates space and counterspace capabilities as part of a military modernisation strategy”. It also named Russia, another geopolitical rival, which it said “believes space supremacy will be a decisive factor in future conflicts”. The militarisation of space is as old as the space race itself; as soon as the Soviet Union launched the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into orbit in 1957, Washington and Moscow began exploring ways to both arm and destroy such spacecraft. The biggest worry was once about nuclear weapons in space, but the superpowers and other countries signed the Outer Space Treaty in 1967, banning weapons of mass destruction in orbit. – AFP

o Leaders see Russia’s ambitions as a threat

ROVANIEMI: Twelve European countries meeting in Finland on Monday urged the European Union to beef up its presence in the Arctic, a geopolitical battleground caught between Russia and US President Donald Trump. “We call for the European Union to take on a more strategic and proactive role in the European Arctic,” the countries’ leaders wrote in a joint statement following a European Arctic Summit in the town of Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, attended by Denmark, France, Germany, Greece and Sweden. The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc was in need of icebreakers, but it was not immediately clear if she was proposing joint acquisition or urging member states to bolster their own capacities. Given “the situation that we are in, and the opening of maritime routes, we need icebreakers or ships that are able to navigate in these very difficult” conditions, Kallas told reporters. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has suggested the EU could direct part of its surge in defence spending on a “European icebreaker capability”, which is traditionally considered a civilian capability, among other equipment vital to Arctic security. Interest in the Arctic has grown substantially since the adoption in 2021 of the EU’s latest policy strategy for the region. Trump’s repeated threats to bring Greenland, a vast, autonomous Danish territory, under US control have since then triggered a diplomatic crisis among Washington’s allies. While his tone has cooled since the beginning of the year, EU countries are determined to increase their presence in the region, well aware of a super power on the other side of Finland’s long eastern border. Pointing to “the significant and long-term threat Russia poses”, countries said Moscow’s ambitions to increase its influence in the Arctic and its “hostility towards Europe, including the increase in hybrid activities, highlight the need to strengthen the EU’s Arctic policy”. Officials present included Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, EU foreign policy chief Kallas and EU Council President Antonio Costa, as well as leaders from countries such as Romania and Greece. “What happens here is not a regional story. It is a European one,” Costa said. No formal decisions were to be taken at the summit. But it comes as the European Commission

Kallas and Orpo in Rovaniemi on Monday. – AFPPIC

be incarcerated or die in custody than others. Hanson also said she was sorry if she had offended Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with recent comments in which she disparaged the leader’s late mother for living in public housing. Albanese condemned the “mean and nasty” remarks, which sparked calls from an opposition lawmaker to “leave mums out of it”. Hanson’s long history of provocative comments appears to have done little to dent her popularity. An opinion poll conducted by Resolve Strategic on behalf of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers released on Sunday showed 27% of Australians would vote for Hanson’s party – one percentage point behind the ruling Labor Party. – AFP was adopted in 2021, reflected in the number of high-level guests from non-Arctic countries. The Arctic region is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, according to experts, leading to severe consequences for both the environment and local livelihoods. As sea ice melts, countries such as Russia, China and the United States have been ramping up activity in the region, racing to claim natural resources and new maritime routes. China and South Korea sent container ships to attempt to transit the Northern Sea Route in Russian waters in August, testing its viability as the passage remains free of ice longer each year. – AFP

is expected to present a new Arctic strategy in a matter of weeks, which will steer the union’s approach to the Arctic over the coming years. Countries and leaders can still have a say on the final document, “so in that sense this is a timely meeting”, said Tuomas Tikkanen, senior adviser on European Affairs to Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who initiated the summit. “The idea is essentially to strengthen the EU’s common strategic approach to the Arctic in this situation, where the geopolitical and economic significance of the region is growing considerably,” he said. Interest in the region has increased significantly since the EU’s last Arctic policy

Hanson sorry over ‘primitive’ comments SYDNEY: Australian far-right leader Pauline Hanson offered a rare but qualified apology yesterday after she described the country’s indigenous people as “primitive”. separate interview with News24 that she was “not the most eloquent speaker”. “I’ve always put my foot in my mouth in the way I come out and say things,” she said.

“I regret saying that because I don’t want to upset people. That wasn’t my intention to hurt people.” Indigenous Australians, whose ancestors have lived on the continent for more than 60,000 years, have average life expectancies about eight years shorter than the rest of the population. Several factors contribute to the disparity, with chronic health issues, higher poverty rates, limited access to healthcare in some communities and complex socio-economic causes often blamed. Indigenous people are also far more likely to

For years a political outsider, Hanson’s One Nation has surged this year to become one of Australia’s most popular parties, according to opinion polls. Long known for racist and inflammatory statements about minorities, Hanson drew outrage from across the political spectrum on Monday for describing indigenous Australians in a podcast as the “most primitive race on Earth”. She told reporters in Canberra yesterday that “if I’ve offended people by using that, then I will apologise for that”. The senator for Queensland said in a