26/07/2025

SATURDAY | JULY 26, 2025

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Police to ensure peaceful, orderly rally today: IGP

Bill on house arrest being finalised, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is finalising a new Bill relating to house arrest to reduce overcrowding in prisons, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the working papers on the Bill have been submitted to the Cabinet and have received policy approval. “The next process is to carry out an amendment matrix.” He added that the Home Ministry has to sit with the Attorney-General’s Chambers for it and once that is done, it would be tabled. “The issue is the definition of shackles. One interpretation of shackles (currently) is only handcuffs (but) I tend to interpret shackles as including devices. “As there is a mistake in terms of interpretation, let the drafters resolve it. I promise that as soon as they resolve it, I will return to the Cabinet to seek approval in terms of amendments.” He was winding up the motion for the Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia 2023 for the Home Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday. Saifuddin Nasution said there is overcrowding in prisons, with 83,808 prisoners at present, exceeding the original 76,311 capacity of prisons. He said among the causes of the congestion is remand detention, with 65% to 70% of the total number of prisoners remanded for drug-related Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire JITRA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to a ceasefire and to withdraw their troops from the border. He said both countries have agreed, but have requested for some time as their troops were already stationed at the border and needed time to pull back, Bernama reported. “Yesterday, I had a phone conversation with the acting prime minister of Thailand and the prime minister of Cambodia, because of Malaysia’s position and their respect for us. “I am grateful because when I spoke with them, both responded respectfully. Why? Because Malaysia is a peaceful and stable country,” he said at the 2025 Anti-Drug Day celebration here. On Thursday, Anwar reached out to his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to convey Malaysia’s concern over the escalating tensions. He appealed directly to both leaders for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further hostilities and to create space for peaceful dialogue and diplomatic resolution. Thai and Cambodian forces reportedly clashed on Thursday in a disputed area along their shared border, with both sides accusing the other of initiating the latest confrontation. Tensions between the two nations have been rising since May 28 following a deadly border clash.

cases under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 involving Section 15(1) (entering drugs into the body), Section 12(2) (possession of drugs in small quantities) and Section 33C (repeat offence). He added that the implementation of house arrest with electronic monitoring is among the solutions currently being formulated to address the issue of remand detention, which accounts for 35% of the congestion. On refugees being handled by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Saifuddin Nasution said the Home Ministry believes there is a need for checks and balances on the refugee registration process. He said the process is currently carried out entirely by the UNHCR, without the involvement of any government security agency such as the police, Immigration Department or other agencies for verification and monitoring purposes. “The process is all done by themselves – the interview, assessment and issuance of the card. Are there government agencies to verify and cross-check? The answer is no. It is all up to the consideration of UNHCR.” Saifuddin Nasution also reminded all participants joining the rally in the federal capital today to comply with security guidelines and the law. He said the government remains committed to the principle of freedom of expression. – Bernama

inconvenience, as traffic flow is expected to be affected, Bernama reported. “In carrying out our responsibility to maintain national security, we assure the people that public safety will continue to be maintained, while at the same time, the rights and freedoms of the people will be respected. “We believe that a balance between democratic rights and the rule of law can be achieved through close cooperation and a shared sense of responsibility.” Mohd Khalid expressed appreciation for the public’s trust in the police and called on all parties to act with prudence and maturity. On July 18, acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad was reported as saying that organisers had notified Dang Wangi district police headquarters of the planned rally. He had said over 2,000 personnel would be deployed for security control during the rally. including through technology transfer that would be finalised by the end of this year. Mohamed Khaled said Turkiye, prior to becoming a producer of defence products, also underwent a process of technology transfer from other countries before successfully developing its defence industry. “Malaysia has the same aspiration. “Hopefully, the good bilateral relations and strategic collaboration between Malaysia and Turkiye can help propel the local defence industry.” – Bernama

o ‘We respect people’s right to assemble harmoniously and express views, in line with Federal Constitution, democratic values practised in the country’

KUALA LUMPUR: Police respect the people’s right to assemble peacefully and express their views, in line with the Federal Constitution and the democratic values practised in the country, said IGP Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail. He said police would do their part to ensure that the rally scheduled for today at Dataran Merdeka is held in a safe and orderly manner. “In that spirit, police are committed to facilitating this rally to ensure it takes place smoothly, safely and with respect for shared public spaces,” he said in a statement.

Mohd the cooperation of all parties is greatly appreciated to ensure that a harmonious atmosphere is maintained during the gathering. He advised participants to be mindful of existing legal provisions and help preserve peace and security in the surrounding areas. “It is our hope that every voice expressed will be conveyed in a respectful manner, grounded in the values of courtesy and the social norms of Malaysian society.” Mohd Khalid urged members of the public not directly involved in the rally to plan their travel and check traffic updates to avoid any Khalid said

‘Construction of second batch of LMS vessels on schedule’ ISTANBUL: The construction of the second batch of three littoral mission ships (LMS) by Turkish defence firm Savunma Teknolojileri Muhendislik at the Istanbul Shipyard is proceeding according to schedule, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. MoU for defence acquisitions during my official maiden visit to Turkiye in June last year. vessels are launched into the water, they would enter a critical phase involving integrating various systems to be used on board, before Malaysia takes full delivery of the three ships by the end of 2027. industry,

“The progress of this construction is definitely important because it serves as the benchmark for the new procurement approach by the government,” he said after surveying the ship construction at the Istanbul Shipyard on Thursday. Mohamed Khaled was accompanied by Naval Chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain and a delegation from the Defence Ministry. He said after the

He added that the procurement of the vessels would be followed by an Industrial Collaboration Programme which has the

He said the first LMS is expected to be launched in April next year, followed by the second in June and the third in August. “The construction of the second batch of LMS marks the first procurement following the signing of the government-to-government

potential to significantly impact the l o c a l d e f e n c e

Mohamed Khaled (fourth from left) with Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali (third from left) and Zulhelmy (second from left) during the visit to view the LMS construction at the Istanbul Shipyard on Thursday. – BERNAMAPIC