16/09/2026

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