15/07/2026

WEDNESDAY | JULY 15, 2026

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Allow time for govt to complete mandate: Anwar

Benefit-sharing funds for resource extraction urged STATE governments should consider setting up community development funds to ensure residents affected by natural resource extraction share in the benefits, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup. Yesterday, he highlighted that the distribution of royalties, particularly from minerals, remain under state jurisdiction and the federal government cannot dictate how the proceeds should be allocated. “A more appropriate approach is not for the federal government to prescribe a formula for the use of royalties, but to discuss and encourage willing states to adopt suitable measures. “The proposed funds could be financed by mechanisms determined by state governments and used for community development, environmental rehabilitation and mitigating the impact of mining activities,” he told the Dewan Rakyat. Arthur was replying to Rushdan Rusmi (PN-Padang Besar), who asked how the government would ensure communities bearing the social and ecological costs of extraction benefit from royalty payments. He said the government remains open to sharing international best practices while respecting the division of powers between federal and state governments under the Federal Constitution. Arthur said at the federal level, the government would continue using incentives, legislation and policy to promote fairer benefit-sharing.

should be lower than Saudi Arabia’s, that has been fulfilled.” Anwar said comparisons with previous administrations must take into account the higher overall assistance now provided through Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah, Sumbangan Asas Rahmah, targeted RON95 support and Budi Diesel. “The overall assistance is far higher than before, although I do not want to make a direct comparison because the circumstances may have been different.” He emphasised that the government remains open to alternative proposals for lowering prices and has never claimed to possess every solution to the country’s economic challenges.

when crude prices climbed as high as US$139. He also asked whether Anwar would dissolve Parliament amid economic and political uncertainty and the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Defending the government’s fuel policy, Anwar said he has fulfilled his earlier pledge to keep Malaysian pump prices below those in oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. “Today, our price is

o ‘Comparisons with previous administrations must take into account higher overall assistance now provided by subsidies and aid’

Ű ALL STORIES BY FAIZ RUZMAN

can contest again. I have no problem with that,” he said. “Just do not be too confident.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday told the Opposition to give the government time to complete its mandate until the next general election after he was challenged over fuel prices and asked whether Parliament would be dissolved. “I believe the people want stability and they want the economy to grow. They do not want us to be engaged in politics all the time. So, give us time. We have a mandate until the next election and then we TOUGHER penalties alone will not eliminate illegal racing without behavioural change and wider involvement from families, community leaders and government agencies, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook yesterday. He said even severe laws would be challenged by some offenders, making public awareness and early intervention equally important. “Whatever the law, even if it is strict and carries heavy punishment, there will still be people who challenge it. “That is why other approaches are also needed. Elected representatives, community leaders and MPs must play their part by organising awareness campaigns and explaining to young people and the public that racing on public roads is extremely dangerous,” he told the Dewan Rakyat. Loke was responding to Datuk Yusuf Abdul Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis), who questioned whether existing penalties are sufficient after a Saturday crash near the Jabur toll plaza on the East Coast Expressway 1 claimed four lives. Yusuf said the collision comes about a month after five people, including four members of a family, were killed near Simpang Renggam. Loke said recent amendments would allow illegal racers to be prosecuted even before a crash occurs, instead of action being taken only after the fact. Replying to Khairil Nizam Khirudin should be determined according to local incomes and development costs rather than subjected to a single nationwide ceiling, said Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu yesterday. She said the approach is being considered under the National Housing Policy 2026–2035, which the ministry is finalising.

I do not want to be overconfident, and I think Hulu Terengganu should not be too confident.” Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) had earlier questioned why non-subsidised diesel has reached RM4.70 a litre

RM1.99 while the price in Saudi Arabia is more than RM2.40. Qatar and even the United Arab Emirates (UAE) raised fuel prices two months ago, although the UAE is a major oil and

AT THE DEWAN RAKYAT

when Brent crude is around US$80 (RM326) a barrel, compared with the administration of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak “If Hulu Terengganu has another proposal on how prices can be reduced, I can consider it. I have no problem listening.” ‘Road safety requires national, cross-ministry effort’ gas producer,” he stressed. “This is the economic reality that has changed. If it is said that I once promised Malaysia’s fuel prices

GOVT PROPOSES RAIL LINK INTO THAILAND THE government will extend the East Coast Rail Link from Tumpat to Rantau Panjang and is proposing a rail connection into Thailand using the same gauge, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The move aims to boost Malaysia-Thailand trade links and economic opportunities under the border economic zone. UNHCR RECORDS OVER 200,000 REFUGEES A TOTAL of 219,472 refugees and asylum seekers were registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Malaysia as of April, comprising 152,979 refugees and 66,493 asylum seekers, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He added that several fraudulent UNHCR card syndicates have been uncovered since 2023, including cases in Johor and Penang. NEW SYSTEM MULLED FOR FINANCIAL AID THE government is considering replacing the B40, M40 and T20 classification system with a Net Disposable Income framework to better target financial aid, said Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. The proposed approach would consider household commitments, living costs and demographics, while existing classifications remain in use pending further studies.

BR I E F S

Loke said recent amendments would allow illegal racers to be prosecuted even before a crash occurs, instead of action being taken only after the fact. – BERNAMAPIC

Rakyat on June 24, creates a specific offence for illegal racing under a new Section 42A. First-time offenders face fines of between RM2,000 and RM10,000, up to two years’ jail or both, while repeat offenders face a maximum fine of RM20,000 and up to five years’ jail. abandoned housing projects, involving 190,422 units with a combined gross development value of RM150.86 billion, were revived between December 2022 and May this year. The total comprised 1,446 troubled projects that obtained Certificates of Completion and Compliance, 133 that returned to normal progress and 36 abandoned developments that were fully restored.

why someone becomes involved in illegal racing.” He said more than 6,000 people die on Malaysian roads each year and urged all parties not to politicise road safety. The Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026, passed by the Dewan (Muar), who asked how the government plans to curb rising house prices and excessive construction that do not match local demand. She said the ministry has mapped affordable housing prices using median household income data by state and district from the Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey 2024. She also said 1,615 troubled and

(PN-Jerantut), he said road safety calls for a national, cross-ministry effort. “It does not only require political will, but also the will of the whole of society,” he stressed. “Behavioural change is also needed. There are psychological and other factors that may explain “The approach takes into account household income, development costs, land prices, market conditions and socioeconomic differences between states and districts. “It is more practical than setting a uniform national ceiling because homebuying affordability and development costs differ according to locality.” Aiman Athirah was replying to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

Local incomes should determine housing prices, says minister AFFORDABLE housing prices