08/02/2026

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday FEB 8, 2026

Support measures for Ramadan bazaar traders

IPOH: The Perak branch of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry recorded seizures valued at RM3.57 million from enforcement operations conducted throughout 2025. Its director Datuk Kamaluddin Ismail said the figure reflects the government’s firm action in combating offences under the ministry’s jurisdiction. “In addition, a total of 124,917 inspections were conducted at business premises across the state. As a result, 1,275 cases were found to have violated various laws enforced by the ministry. “The total value of compounds imposed also increased to RM1.13 million compared with RM358,200 in 2024, indicating that compliance levels among traders still need improvement,” he said in his speech at the Perak branch appreciation ceremony with strategic partners on Friday night. On a separate matter, Kamaluddin said the agency’s commitment to public welfare is also reflected through the implementation of initiatives under Payung Rahmah, including the Madani Rahmah Sales programme and the Rahmah Ramadan Bazaar. “From January to December 2025, a total of 1,876 Rahmah Sales programmes were implemented compared with 943 programmes in the previous year, with total sales reaching RM92.43 million, up from RM64.09 million in 2024. “The programme benefitted more than 2.34 million consumers across Perak, providing direct benefits to local communities throughout the state,” he said. Kamaluddin added that the state office has also been active in raising consumer awareness through educational programmes, consumer rights campaigns and advocacy initiatives. “Among the achievements in 2025 were second ranking in the Gerakan Pengguna Negeri SeMalaysia, first place in the Gerakan Pengguna Siswa SeMalaysia through the Ipoh Campus of the Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia and second place in the Battle of Buskers competition through Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.” – Bernama Trade seizures worth RM3.57 million recorded in 2025

Minister says RM100 fee relief and digital tools introduced to ease operating costs in Lembah Pantai

SHAH ALAM: A defamation suit filed by former minister in the prime minister’s department (religious affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar against influencer Ramzi Kamil has been amicably settled at the High Court. Mohd Na’im filed the suit on Dec 23, 2025 over allegedly defamatory statements published on Ramzi’s Facebook page on Nov 23 and 25, 2025 concerning the vaccination of haj and umrah pilgrims. Based on a consent judgment obtained by the media yesterday, both parties agreed to an out-of-court settlement, which was recorded before Judicial Commissioner Helmi KUALA LUMPUR: The Lembah Pantai parliamentary office will contribute RM100 per trader at the Taman Sri Sentosa and Bazaria Pantai Dalam Ramadan bazaars this year, reducing the bazaar fee from RM400 to RM300. Speaking at the launch of the Touch ’n Go Group x Lembah Pantai Ramadan Bazaar programme yesterday, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil also announced a RM30,000 contribution to the Federal Territory Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Association in recognition of its role in managing trader-related issues. “Although the Minister of Federal Territories had set the rental fee at RM400 per trader, we will contribute RM100 each, so traders at both bazaars in Lembah Pantai will only pay RM300 and refunds will also be made to those who paid more than the adjusted rental fee. “Meanwhile, the contribution to the association is intended to encourage them to continue their efforts, particularly in supporting local traders in Lembah Pantai,” he said. Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

For other Ramadan bazaars across Kuala Lumpur, except those managed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Fahmi said discussions are ongoing with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to provide similar assistance. “This is part of a programme under the Safe Internet Campaign, which will be announced at a later date,” he added. Fahmi said a total of 325 units covering all stalls at both bazaars were handed over under the initiative, including canopies, aprons, Touch ’n Go e-wallet soundboxes and e-POS360 BlueTap devices. “Such an initiative aims to help traders prepare for the upcoming festive month and slightly reduce their operating costs.” He encouraged traders to fully utilise the devices, adding that the technology would help streamline sales and daily operations during the busy Ramadan period, which is less than 10 days away. Fahmi also highlighted that managing Ramadan bazaars in recent years has faced challenges involving site allocation and coordination between organisers and enforcement authorities. Hamzah during in-chambers proceedings on Thursday. Under the consent judgment, Ramzi expressed regret and issued an apology for the inappropriate use of defamatory words and expressions that had created a negative impression of Mohd Na’im. He also undertook not to issue similar statements in future. The court further issued a mandatory injunction requiring Ramzi to delete two Facebook posts containing the defamatory statements from his account “Rembo Melaka” within 24 hours from the date of judgment. He, his agents and any related parties are also prohibited from

Mohd Herman, Mohamad, Fahmi and Touch ’n Go CEO Praba Sangarajoo posing during the launch yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

manage cash flow but advised them to borrow only what they can realistically repay. He also thanked local authorities for supporting traders and ensuring smooth bazaar operations. “Through these initiatives, our goal is to empower traders while maintaining strong collaboration with local authorities,” he said. Touch ’n Go Digital chief operating officer Mohd Herman Sarbini said the platform is proud to provide tools and platforms to help small traders grow their businesses in the digital economy. The initiative aims to support SMEs in building a more systematic and digitally empowered business model, ensuring the benefits reach the wider community. judgment document. In addition, Ramzi is required to pay RM5,000 in settlement costs to the plaintiff within seven days from the date the settlement was recorded. In his statement of claim, Mohd Na’im alleged that Ramzi, a detox product seller, had portrayed him as forcing pilgrims to take vaccination and implying he was unfit to hold a religious affairs portfolio. He further contended that the statements suggested pilgrims were denied a choice and compelled to forgo haj and umrah if they refused vaccination on religious grounds. – Bernama

“In Lembah Pantai, the main issue is stall layout arrangements. Therefore, I had urged the association, which is familiar with the traders, to prioritise local traders as much as possible while accommodating a large number of participants, so that the benefits can reach as many traders as possible.” Federal Territory Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Association chairman Datuk Mohamad Abdullah expressed support for initiatives to assist hawkers and small traders in Lembah Pantai, including bazaar stall refunds, special Ramadan loans and collaboration with local authorities. He said the special Ramadan loans are intended to help traders publishing, broadcasting, sharing or repeating the statements in any form. Ramzi also undertook to place a disclaimer on his social media accounts stating that he does not consent to, support or take responsibility for any third-party republication of the statements without his permission. “A complete, clear, unequivocal and unconditional public apology text provided by the plaintiff must be uploaded by the defendant on his social media platform within 24 hours from the date the consent judgment is recorded and shall remain public for 30 days,” according to the

Influencer apologises as defamation case ends in settlement

Foreign worker crushed to death in crane incident KUALA LUMPUR: A Bangladeshi worker was killed after being crushed by a “spider lift” crane he was operating along Jalan Perak here. signboard by the roadside. “Preliminary investigations found that the crane, which was operated by remote control, is believed to have struck the edge of the pavement before toppling and overturning.

Mohd Zamzuri said the drivers and passengers of both vehicles were not injured, while the crane operator was pronounced dead at the scene by an assistant medical officer from the Kuala Lumpur Hospital. He added that police are conducting further investigations to identify the contractor company that owns the crane,

verify work permit approvals from Kuala Lumpur City Hall and obtain closed-circuit television footage from the scene. The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Anyone with information are urged to contact the Tun H.S. Lee Traffic police station at 03-2071 9999 or any police station. – Bernama

Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief ACP Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said in the 10.40pm incident on Friday, the 32-year-old victim was carrying out repair work on a building

“The crane crushed the victim and two vehicles nearby,” he said in a statement yesterday.