Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by smallbug

KL folk to get paid when disposing of old cars

smallbug — Wed, 20 May 2026 02:10:40 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/kl-...8080245d4&ei=18

OWNERS of old and unused cars in Kuala Lumpur can now earn money for disposing of their vehicles under a new initiative introduced by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

Under the programme, DBKL-appointed contractor Car Medic Sdn Bhd will assist with the ownership transfer applications before starting the disposal process.

Owners are required to submit copies of their vehicle grant and photographs of the car before an appointment is arranged to begin the deregistration procedure.

Once the process is completed, the vehicle will be towed to a facility in Bandar Teknologi Kajang, Semenyih, Selangor, where it will be dismantled and disposed of.

Depending on the vehicle’s model and condition, owners stand to receive between RM100 and RM2,000 in compensation.

Announcing the initiative on Monday (May 18), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the scheme was aimed at tackling the growing number of abandoned vehicles in the capital.

"Between 2022 and 2025, DBKL received more than 9,400 complaints involving abandoned vehicles.

"Of that figure, 4,637 vehicles were towed away, of which 4,622 were disposed of, while the remainder were reclaimed by their owners.

"Meanwhile this year, as of May, 1,504 vehicles have been towed, with 367 still undergoing the disposal process," she told reporters after visiting the contractor’s facility in Semenyih with Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud for a briefing on the disposal process.

A company spokesman said it had been authorised by the Environment Department to carry out vehicle disposal since 2020.

"A total of 1,888 vehicles have been disposed of by us," he said, adding that the facility also accepts applications for motorcycle disposal, although no compensation will be provided to owners.

Ulu Bendul closed after 4 sus leptospirosis cases

smallbug — Thu, 14 May 2026 05:21:30 +0800

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...sembilan/219834

SEREMBAN, May 13 — The Negeri Sembilan Health Department (JKNNS) has detected four suspected cases of leptospirosis, or rat urine disease, at the Taman Eko Rimba Ulu Bendul recreational park in Kuala Pilah.

JKNNS said one patient was admitted to hospital while three others received outpatient treatment after showing symptoms including fever, headache and muscle pain.

“All cases had a history of visiting and carrying out water activities at the recreational area, while clinical samples have been taken for confirmatory tests,” the department said in a statement today.

It said a risk assessment found the environment at the recreational park conducive to the spread of leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira bacteria that can spread through contaminated water, soil or food.

Following the cases, the recreational area was temporarily closed to allow cleaning, sanitation and water quality monitoring works to be carried out as part of prevention and control measures.

JKNNS also advised the public to avoid water recreational areas during the rainy season, maintain cleanliness, avoid swimming with open wounds and practise good personal hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. — Bernama

Not mandatory yet to change to the new Mykad

smallbug — Tue, 05 May 2026 20:08:22 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/lifestyle/other/j...6a441d97&ei=112

Starting June 2026, there’s a new MyKad with improved security features. Some of the improvements include a built-in QR code for faster digital verification.

This new rollout marks the sixth generation of the MyKad. The current version, which uses a microchip to store personal information, was introduced in 2001, and the last update was in 2012.

Do you need to change your old MyKad?

Amid news of the new MyKad rollout in June, there appears to be confusion among online users.

An online digital and personal loan marketplace portal shared an explanatory video about the new MyKad. The video explained how to replace the MyKad online, and shared that individuals can collect their new ID within 90 working days. The new MyKad will be disposed of if it wasn’t collected after that period.

However, the video’s caption caused confusion because it implied everyone could throw their old MyKad away soon.

The National Registration Department (JPN) set things straight

JPN said it’s true that a new MyKad can be collected within 90 working days after application, and the process to replace the MyKad online was accurately outlined in the video.

But, JPN added that it’s not mandatory to change to the new MyKad when the new version is released.

JPN said to wait for the official announcement and to check official sources for confirmation.

Based on JPN’s Facebook post dated 10 January 2026, our current MyKad is still valid, although the newly improved version will be released. In the same post, JPN advised everyone not to be rash with their decisions.

TLDR: Please keep your old MyKad if it’s still functioning and in good condition.

It’s important to keep your MyKad safe with you anywhere you go because those who fail to produce their identification card may be subject to action under Regulation 25(1)(n) of the National Registration Regulations 1990. If found guilty, the individual may face prison time for at least three years or a fine not exceeding RM20,000, or both.

10K CCTV cameras with enhanced tech installed

smallbug — Fri, 01 May 2026 12:35:25 +0800

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news...installed-in-kl

SOME 10,000 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed in Kuala Lumpur to help deter crime and enhance safety.

Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud said all the CCTV cameras, installed at major roads, intersections, public areas and commercial centres, were also integrated into a system powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

"This system does not merely record.

"It detects, analyses and triggers real-time actions, enabling faster and more coordinated responses between agencies.

"Incidents such as accidents, emergencies, unexpected traffic jam and flood risks can now be detected earlier, allowing actions to be taken before the situation worsens," he said during a press conference at Menara DBKL 1 today. (April 30)

One of the key features of the system, according to Fadlun, is its facial recognition technology.

"Once we scan a person's face, we can easily locate him if he is a crime suspect, as long as he is still in Kuala Lumpur.

"The system also contains geo-fencing capabilities, which allow us to track the movements of suspects based on the data obtained from scanning their vehicles.

"The data will be stored in the system for 60 days," he added.

Another feature of the system is the Integrated Public Address System, which enables direct alerts at locations before enforcement teams arrive.

"This public address system is currently available in KLCC, Bukit Bintang, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman," said Fadlun.

"At KLCC, this system has been used to warn people against engaging with illegal photography touts, through voice announcements that are played every 10 minutes in five languages (Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, Tamil and Arabic).

"It will also be brought to Dataran Merdeka after this," he said.

He further stated that the system could also analyse behaviours to detect suspicious movements and unusual activities, as well as trigger automatic alerts to the Kuala Lumpur Command and Control Centre (KLCCC).

"Since 2020, we have spent RM500mil to operate the CCTV cameras and the system.

"Moving forward, we wish to also use the system to manage traffic in the city.

"We are engaging with the Transport Ministry on this," he added.

Also present were Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh.

Fadil said the system has increased the police's efficiency in tackling crimes, by about 50%.

"The facial recognition and geo-fencing helped us to track the suspects' movements and what vehicles they were using.

"Currently, we are placing our staff in KLCCC to monitor the CCTV together with Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

"We are also trying to bring the system into the police force to further increase our efficiency.

"I hope that the system can be improved from time to time, and more local councils as well as the private sector can integrate their CCTV cameras into the system," he added.

Meanwhile, Yeoh said the system allowed better coordination and information sharing between different agencies to ensure that the city is safe for everyone.

"We are also constantly seeking feedback from the police and communicating with the contractor to resolve any issues being raised with the system.

"There are also no issues of privacy intrusion, as the CCTV cameras are only installed in public areas," she noted.

No logic to banning of Shamsiah F.'s memoir

smallbug — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:15:02 +0800

Would have been an interesting historical read..

No logic to banning of Shamsiah Fakeh memoir

From Martin Vengadesan

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/other/no-log...4e6d79719&ei=14

I was dismayed to read a post by publisher Gerakbudaya indicating that the memoirs of two Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) members have been banned.

According to the publisher, it was served with a notice from the home ministry on the banning of the memoir of Shamsiah Fakeh entitled Memoir Shamsiah Fakeh: Dari Awas ke Rejimen ke-10.

The other book to suffer this fate was Komrad Asi (Rejimen 10): Dalam Denyut Nihilisme Sejarah.

I have to question the logic behind banning books that have been in circulation for many years.

As a reporter with The Star, I interviewed the late Shamsiah in 2008, a few months before her passing. I read her memoir as part of my preparation for the interview, and her story is a most fascinating one that sheds light on forgotten eras of our history.

In 2009, I travelled to southern Thailand in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the CPM’s laying down of arms and met and spoke to former leaders Chin Peng and Abdullah CD.

I also read their memoirs. Whatever you believe about their actions, they were most definitely weakened and harmless at the point at which I met them, and their stories deserved to be told.

My own mentor, the late Syed Husin Ali, placed great emphasis on learning our history so that we can understand how we arrived where we are today, and use those lessons to shape the future.

Just a few months ago, my friend Ranjit Singh Malhi published a book entitled Forgotten Malaysian History: Restoring Voices, Reclaming Truths.

We should not fear the past but seek to learn from it. If nothing else, the timing of such a ban is particularly absurd.

At a time when there are those using freedom of speech to promote divisive ideologies and hate speech between religions and races, why should memoirs recounting a distant era be viewed as a threat?

FBI episode 17

smallbug — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:00:15 +0800

Anyone watch this yet?

Tengku International... totally random name, right?

X Files reboot

smallbug — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 22:05:27 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/other/ex-eas...09a551beb&ei=73

A decade on from leaving EastEnders, a former star of the soap has landed a lead role in the big-budget X-Files reboot.

Written and directed by Sinners Oscar-winner Ryan Coogler, Himesh Patel has been lined-up to star in the glitzy pilot – picked up by Hulu – alongside Danielle Deadwyler.

Patel, 35, quit Albert Square in 2016 after playing Tamwar Masood since 2007; he auditioned the day he sat his final GCSE exam.

During his time on EastEnders, he won an Inside Soap Award for best wedding with co-star Meryl Fernandes and also co-wrote an episode of spin-off EastEnders: E20, which he also starred in.

For The X-Files, he has stepped into the lead male role but is taking on a brand-new character alongside Deadwyler, rather than them playing Fox Mulder and Dana Scully again, as previously portrayed by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson.

The new show’s official description reads: ‘Two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents form an unlikely bond when they are assigned to a long-shuttered division devoted to cases involving unexplained phenomena.’

This premise differs slightly from the original show, which debuted in 1993, as Anderson’s Scully was assigned to debunk the work of extraterrestrial believer Mulder’s work.

It initially ran for nine seasons and spawned two spin-off movies, the most recent of which was 2008’s The X-Files: I Want to Believe, which was released six years after the show ended.

Anderson and Duchovny then later returned for a six-episode tenth season in 2016.

Time to end the Rapid KL bus monopoly?

smallbug — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 11:20:02 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/other/time-t...a722f5c13e&ei=7

For the average Klang Valley bus commuter, waiting is a gamble. Apps promise a 15-minute arrival that stretches to 30. Two buses arrive together, or none at all.

Rapid KL has carried the burden of public buses for years. But the reality is simple: monopolies, however well-intentioned, rarely deliver consistent excellence.

It’s time to rethink how our buses are run. What if we allowed one or two more operators into the system, under strict government control?

By adopting a performance-based bus contracting model, like the ones used in Singapore and London, we could turn our bus network from an afterthought into a dependable part of daily life.

The missing link in our transit strategy

LRT3 and MRT3 matter. These new rail lines will form the backbone of the system. But rail alone cannot move a city.

A multi-billion-ringgit train network is only as good as its first- and last-mile connections. Today, many Malaysians are willing to take the train but avoid buses altogether. It’s not irrational, but learned behaviour.

A usable public transport system needs a critical mass of buses running at high frequency. The ideal commute isn’t just a smooth MRT ride; it’s knowing, with certainty, that a bus will arrive every 10 minutes and get you where you need to go quickly.

Without that reliability, buses remain a last resort instead of a first choice.

Competition as a catalyst

We’ve seen this story before. Thirty years ago, Telekom Malaysia dominated phone lines, and service was slow and unreliable. Once competition entered – Maxis, CelcomDigi, Unifi, U Mobile – coverage and quality improved rapidly.

The same logic applies to buses.

If the government allows multiple operators to bid for route packages, performance suddenly matters. Dropped trips, poor maintenance and low reliability stop being “normal” and start carrying real consequences: fines, penalties or the loss of contracts to better-performing rivals.

This is not deregulation. The government remains firmly in charge. It sets routes, controls fares, manages travel passes and ensures seamless integration across the network. Commuters shouldn’t care who operates the bus, only that it arrives on time.

Contracts are awarded and renewed based on clear performance metrics: punctuality (tight arrival windows), reliability (penalties for breakdowns and missed trips) and frequency (enough buses to sustain a true 10-minute headway).

Critics may point to the chaotic Bas Mini era as a warning. But this isn’t a return to the wild west. This is gross cost contracting: the private sector supplies operational discipline, while the government provides planning, oversight and enforcement.

Operators that perform well gain more routes in future tender cycles. Those that don’t lose them. It’s a self-improving system that a single-provider monopoly simply cannot replicate.

Why the bus matters

Buses in the Klang Valley are still treated as an afterthought. But if Malaysia is serious about reaching a 60% public transport mode share by 2050, rail cannot do all the work.

We cannot build train stations on every corner. It’s physically and financially impossible. But it is possible and necessary for every resident to live near a reliable bus stop.

For a real shift away from car dependency, buses must become precision tools, not fallback options. People will leave their cars at home only when they trust that buses can reliably connect them to rail stations, provide quick trips to schools, clinics and shops, and offer express routes that beat traffic into the city.

Fixing the first- and last-mile gap isn’t about adding more buses but about respecting commuters’ time. That means embracing competition, enforcing standards and rewarding performance.

If we do that, buses can finally become what they should have been all along: a high-frequency, dependable backbone of the Klang Valley’s transport system.

Flu reaches highest level in the US in 25 years

smallbug — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 11:56:08 +0800

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/05/health/f...-level-25-years

Flu continues to bring misery across the US, with all but four states showing high or very high levels of activity as a new virus strain called subclade K continues to spread.

By another measure – visits to the doctor for fever plus a cough or sore throat, which are common flu symptoms – the US is at its highest level of respiratory illness since at least the 1997-98 flu season, according to data published Monday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This is definitely a banner year,” said Dr. Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist and senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “It’s the worst we’ve had in at least 20 years. We’re seeing a majority of the country is experiencing very high levels of activity, and we’re still in the thick of it.”

It’s striking to see such an intense season coming off last year’s bad flu season, she noted, as bad years don’t typically occur back to back.

Nationally, about 8.2% of doctor visits were for flu-like symptoms during the last week of the year. At the same point last season, which was also brisk, that number was 6.7%.

In Massachusetts, which is reporting very high levels of flu activity, health officials urged people to get vaccinated.

“This is a moment for clarity, urgency, and action,” Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said in a news release. “These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. We are seeing children who are seriously ill, families grieving devastating losses, and hospitals under capacity strain.

“There is a simple, effective, and available way to address these concerns: vaccines,” he added. “They can prevent serious illness and hospitalization. And they save lives. If you have not yet been vaccinated against flu or COVID-19 this season, now is the time. It is not too late. Choosing vaccination is choosing to protect yourself, your family, your friends, your colleagues, and your community.”

Nearly all US states were at high or very high levels of flu activity in the latest data. Montana and Vermont reported low levels of activity, while South Dakota and West Virginia reported moderate levels. Nevada didn’t report flu data this week but showed high levels of flu activity in last week’s report.

In terms of severity – how many people have been hospitalized by the flu – this season is not a standout yet. The cumulative hospitalization rate is the third highest by this point in the season since 2010-11, but that could change as more people are infected.

“In the next 48 hours, if you haven’t been vaccinated, get vaccinated. Don’t wait,” said Dr. Michael Osterholm who directs the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. “You know, you may still be able to protect yourself from the the last parts of the seasonal epidemic, but you know, it takes us, seven to 10 days to develop some immunity relative to the vaccine, and so you don’t have a lot of time to waste,” he added.

The CDC estimates that at least 11 million people have had the flu this season, 120,000 have been hospitalized with it and 5,000 people have died.

The agency also received another report of a child’s death, bringing the total number of children who’ve died of influenza this season to nine.

Flu vaccinations have been dropping in children, from a high of 53% over the 2019-20 flu season to 42% at the same point this season.

The new flu data came the same day the US Department of Health and Human services announced a plan to modify the childhood vaccine schedule. The changes would recommend that kids get flu vaccines after a consultation with a health care provider, a provision called shared clinical decision-making, which could make the shots harder for people to access.

“To back off on a flu recommendation in the midst of a pretty severe flu year seems to me to be pretty tone-deaf, and that’s coming off an influenza year where we had the most childhood deaths from influenza in many years,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases.

Shots are also down in adults, from nearly 61 million in 2019-20 to roughly 48 million this year, CDC data shows.

Rivers said she didn’t think the lagging vaccination rates were playing a role in the high volume of cases this year.

“The vaccine is not really expected to protect against infection and therefore transmission. It’s really just about preventing severe illness,” she said.

Instead, she says, the new flu strain – subclade K, whichShe said that strain is just different enough from the flu viruses people have been exposed to in the past to get around our immune defenses.

Subclade K began to spread after strains were chosen for this year’s flu shots, which means the vaccines probably offer only partial protection against it.

“I think that this virus, like we saw in Australia and Japan and to some degree in the United Kingdom, has some legs to it,” Osterholm said. “I think you’re going to continue to see activity in communities for at least another three to four weeks of some real, substantial nature.”

WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube to be

smallbug — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:54:41 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/other/mcmc-w...13365eef3&ei=50

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 — Major social media and messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, will be automatically registered under a Malaysian licensing framework beginning Jan 1, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced today.

MCMC said the move is designed to bring large-scale service providers with eight million or more users in Malaysia under the country’s legal and regulatory oversight, strengthening accountability and compliance with local laws.

The new rule ensures that these global platforms bear clearer responsibility for user safety, particularly in safeguarding children and families from harmful content.

The initiative will ensure that the platforms operate within Malaysia’s legal framework in an “orderly, consistent and effective manner,” the regulator explained.

However, the commission clarified that the service providers involved will “continue to operate their global platform as usual.”

Instead of requiring each company to apply for a new licence, the MCMC is using a “Deeming Provision” under the Communications and Multimedia Act.

This legal mechanism automatically considers any platform that meets the eight-million-user threshold to be registered as an Applications Service Provider Class (ASP©) licensee.

Platforms that are already registered will have the new provision take effect once their existing registration expires.

MCMC said this approach aligns with international practices for regulating large-scale online platforms and is a continuation of a licensing framework that was first enforced last Jan 1.

The commission added that it will continue to work closely with service providers to strengthen online safety for all users in Malaysia.

Three social media platforms had successfully obtained ASP© licences as of July 1: WeChat International Private Limited, TikTok Private Limited, and Telegram Messenger Incorporated.

Meta platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, along with Google's YouTube were said to pending licensing, while X (now Twitter) insisted it did not meet the user threshold.

Road collapse in Kuala Lumpur’s Masjid India area

smallbug — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:25:47 +0800

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...an-bunus/197867

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — Another case of road surface subsidence has reportedly occurred near the Masjid India area here today, causing concern among the public and road users in the area.

The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said in a statement that the incident occurred along Jalan Bunus, Masjid India, in front of Bombay Jewellery, at 8.39am.

It added that teams from DBKL, Air Selangor, Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) and the Dang Wangi Police Headquarters have been deployed to the site to carry out inspections and technical assessments.

“For safety reasons, Jalan Masjid India has been temporarily closed to all vehicles from Lorong Masjid India 4 (beside the mosque) up to the affected section,” it added.

DBKL stressed that public safety is its top priority and that monitoring and technical evaluations are ongoing to determine the cause of the subsidence, adding that further updates would be issued from time to time.

This latest incident adds to a series of reported subsidence incidents around the city centre in recent months and raises questions about the condition of underground systems and the durability of ageing infrastructure in high-intensity areas like Masjid India.

In August last year, Indian tourist G. Vijaya Lakshmi fell into an 8-metre-deep sinkhole that opened beneath her feet as she walked along Jalan Masjid India one morning. Despite extensive search and rescue operations she was never found. — Bernama

Mandatory seatbelt use for passengers of private

smallbug — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 07:05:41 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/man...afd1dab9b&ei=60

PUTRAJAYA - The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will soon enforce the mandatory use of seatbelts for all drivers and passengers in private vehicles nationwide, said its director-general, Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.

Without disclosing the exact date for the start of enforcement, he said JPJ's current priority is to carry out advocacy programmes on seatbelt usage, including through the 'Klik Sebelum Gerak' campaign.

He said the campaign launched today aims to enhance road safety culture and highlight the necessity of seatbelt use for all vehicle occupants, both drivers and passengers.

"In line with this campaign, we will later announce the enforcement of seatbelt use for passengers of private cars.

"We will announce it in due course. For now, we are beginning with the 'Klik Sebelum Gerak' campaign first, and later we will confirm the date for (the seatbelt) enforcement for car passengers," he said at a press conference here today.

Individuals who fail to wear seatbelts may face fines of up to RM300 under the Motor Vehicles (Seatbelt and Child Restraint System) Rules 1978 (Amendment 2019).

He said the campaign demonstrates JPJ's commitment to ensuring that every journey starts with the most fundamental safety measure, wearing a seatbelt.

According to a study conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk of passenger fatalities by as much as 50 per cent in the event of an accident."In this regard, using seatbelts helps keep drivers and passengers securely seated during a crash, unlike those without seatbelts who are at a significantly higher risk of injury," he said.

"JPJ will continue to implement advocacy programmes, share information through various channels, and perform regular inspections to ensure optimal compliance.

"JPJ is highly committed to making seatbelt use a national safety norm and culture to protect the lives of all road users," he added.

Meanwhile, Aedy Fadly said enforcement of seatbelt use has already been implemented for express and tour bus drivers and passengers, effective July 1, 2025.

"We have already begun enforcement (for seatbelts), and we are issuing summonses to passengers who fail to wear them," he said.

The enforcement applies to buses manufactured after January 2020, while buses built earlier are given time to install seatbelts. - BERNAMA

Officers guarding VVIPs, royals to undergo

smallbug — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 20:50:21 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/igp...f1dea25dd&ei=83

HULU SELANGOR, Sept 2 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will make it compulsory for all officers and personnel tasked with safeguarding the nation’s top leaders and VVIPs to undergo a special security course aimed at strengthening preparedness while on duty.

According to Berita Harian (BH) report, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the move follows an incident in which a woman attempted to approach the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah, during the state-level National Day celebrations in Perak on Sunday.

“Security improvements will be reinforced through personal protection training that incorporates elements from the Special Action Unit (UTK) and commandos for all officers serving with the palace and state governments,” he was quoted as saying by BH.

Yesterday, police opened a disciplinary inquiry paper against the escorting officers involved to determine possible negligence during the incident.

Mohd Khalid said investigations into the 41-year-old woman also point to drug abuse issues.

Preliminary checks revealed the suspect has prior records related to drug offences and psychiatric treatment.

The case is being investigated under Sections 325/511 of the Penal Code for attempted grievous hurt.

Govt targets 13 million Malaysians for

smallbug — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:35:13 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/other/single...7fae0ee81&ei=58

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — The National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) expects 13 million Malaysians to be registered with MyDigital ID by the end of this year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today.

He said the digital identity system, which is currently used by about 3.8 million people, will eventually serve as a single log-on platform for both government and private sector services.

“Among the strategies is encouraging Malaysians to register for MyDigital ID, which will enable a single log-on for all transactions, including with the private sector such as banking and insurance, with about 3.8 million users onboarded so far,” he said in a press conference after closing the Police Special Dialogue Series III here.

He added that the Home Ministry, as the custodian of personal data under the National Registration Act, is seeking to amend the law to formally enable the use of MyDigital ID.

The Bill for the amendments was tabled for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.

“With MyDigital ID, Malaysians’ identities will be better secured, preventing data theft and misuse in transactions,” he said.

Last month, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said that the government is mulling new laws to encourage or mandate the registration of MyDigital ID among Malaysians.

She said that the voluntary nature of the current system was a major barrier to widespread adoption.

Foreign agents on the rise in Malaysia after firm

smallbug — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 16:54:08 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/other/foreig...15950bf872&ei=9

KUALA LUMPUR: The presence of foreign agents in Malaysia has increased following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s outspoken stance against injustices in Gaza and his support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, says government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, said Malaysia has become a target for certain parties due to Anwar and the government’s support for Palestine amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

Fahmi added that both Anwar and Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail had highlighted the matter.

“Anwar and the IGP have stated that due to our country’s firm position and the prime minister’s outspoken stance, the activities of certain agents from foreign countries have increased in Malaysia.

“This is certainly a challenge, but we are not intimidated. We remain steadfast in our support for Palestine,” he said during the launch of the 3D Gaza Time-Tunnel at Dataran Merdeka.

He also noted that Anwar’s firm position on Palestine has had a positive impact, with several world leaders adjusting their own stances on the conflict.

More than 500,000 people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation, destitution, and preventable deaths, according to a new UN-backed food security report released on Friday.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk said the famine was the “direct result” of the Israeli government’s policies.

Israel completely banned aid supplies from Gaza in early March before allowing very limited quantities to enter at the end of May, leading to severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.

PLUS to pilot high-speed toll payment system

smallbug — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:02:18 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/other/plus-t...b7caff5a3&ei=77

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — Malaysia is set to launch public trials of a barrierless toll booth system using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to ease congestion and modernise its toll collection process.

The trial, led by highway operator PLUS Malaysia, will begin in mid-August on the North-South Expressway and involve thousands of selected participants, Singapore’s The Straits Times reported.

If successful, the ANPR pilot will serve as a key component in Malaysia’s nationwide multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) toll system, which authorities aim to roll out by 2027.

“This pilot is a crucial step in our shift towards the MLFF system,” a source familiar with the project was quoted as saying, adding that it would assess ANPR’s performance in real traffic conditions.

The Works Ministry has endorsed the move to a MLFF system through a business-to-business model, with Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan telling Parliament this week that it will not impose any financial burden on the government.

Unlike current systems that require vehicles to slow down or stop, ANPR will identify vehicles via high-resolution cameras and charge tolls automatically using linked e-payment accounts.

The ANPR trial on Plus highways will start at nine toll plazas between Hutan Kampung and Sungai Dua in northern Penang.

To participate, users must download a free mobile app, register their vehicle number, and link a payment method such as a credit or debit card.

The system will use ANPR cameras to scan number plates, match them with a centralised database, and deduct tolls automatically without requiring drivers to slow down or tap a card.

Although vehicles in the trial will still pass through existing toll barriers, future phases may remove the physical gates entirely as the system matures.

ANPR has been shown to process tolls up to four times faster than radio frequency identification (RFID), which, like SmartTAG, still requires vehicles to reduce speed when approaching toll lanes.

The PLUS initiative mirrors similar systems in places like Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and Taiwan.

Russian plane vanishes mid-flight with 50 on board

smallbug — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:12:55 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/other/russia...8e3b9f19a&ei=12

A Russian passenger plane with nearly 50 people on board has gone missing near the border with China.

The An-24 plane, operated by Angara airline, was bound for Tynda when it went missing over the Amur region in Eastern Russia.

It was just a few kilometres away from its destination when it lost contact, Interfax and SHOT news outlets report.

Regional governor Vasily Orlov said there were 43 passengers, including five children and six crew members, on board.

He wrote on Telegram: ‘All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane.’

Emergency services told Interfax: ‘The An-24 plane was flying the Khabarovsk-Blagoveshchensk-Tynda route. Near the final point, it failed to check in. There is no contact with it.’

It comes after leading investigators blame Vladimir Putin for the downing of MH17 by Russian proxy forces over eastern Ukraine 11 years ago.

Eliot Higgins spoke on the anniversary of the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet with the loss of all 298 people onboard, including 10 British citizens.

Take Photos Of Speeding Buses And Lorries

smallbug — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:01:48 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/lifestyle/other/a...14139c3fa&ei=11

In light of the recent series of road accidents, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) are giving utmost attention to all complaints and reports received. This includes the examination of viral social media videos that depict heavy vehicles and express buses committing traffic violations.

The Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke, said immediate action will be taken by his ministry to ensure that the safety of road users is protected, Kosmo reported.

“If you see a lorry or bus speeding on the road, take pictures with your smartphone.

“For example, just a few days ago, there was a viral video of an express bus speeding, overtaking other vehicles, and showing an obscene gesture to the person recording the video.

“Don’t think that the viral video was not effective because there are those who said a complaint was lodged at JPJ but no action was taken.

“As soon as I saw the video, I sent a WhatsApp to the Director-Generals of JPJ and APAD to take action and suspend the (express bus) company,” he said during a press conference at his ministry recently.

Loke was referring to APAD suspending the Public Service Vehice Operator licence of Star Mart Ekspress Sdn Bhd for 30 days starting from 3 July following a viral video of the express bus being driven dangerously on 12 June.

MyGOV Malaysia app to launch next month

smallbug — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 18:44:07 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/other/mygov-...0ecc45b07&ei=21

PETALING JAYA: The MyGOV Malaysia mobile application, which will serve as the country’s single digital gateway for government services, is set to be launched in July.

Digital minister Gobind Singh Deo said the app is part of the government’s GovTech initiative and will allow Malaysians to access a range of public services through a single platform.

“This is part of the government’s plan to transform Malaysia into a digital nation. It is only right to ensure we have a single platform where Malaysians can deal with various government agencies seamlessly,” he said in a statement.

The app will offer seven core services, including passport applications, birth and citizenship registration, driving licence and road tax renewals, medical appointments and records, summons payments, land tax and assessment rates, and the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah.

Gobind said MyGOV Malaysia will be linked to MyDigital ID, enabling users to securely log in and verify their identities when using government services.

As of June 23, over 2.6 million users have registered for MyDigital ID. The digital ID will be linked to 34 government systems, with more to be added in the future.

Gobind said the MyGOV Malaysia app was developed in collaboration with private sector partners, including telcos and banks, to ensure a safe and user-friendly experience.

He also said the app would help reduce operating costs at Urban Transformation Centres nationwide and boost productivity by enabling more data-driven decision-making.

“The MyGOV Malaysia app will give Malaysians direct access to multiple services. This is part of our journey in transforming Malaysia into a digital nation,” he added.

DBKL aims for 70% of residents to use public

smallbug — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 13:33:49 +0800

https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/other/dbkl-a...3b8c6c5c6&ei=32

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Local Plan (PTKL) aims for 70% of the public to be using public transport by 2040, says city mayor Maimunah Sharif.

This is in conjunction with PTKL 2040’s primary goal of shaping Kuala Lumpur into an all-inclusive “green” city. In particular, DBKL aims to implement an efficient, low-carbon mobility system city-wide.

With 191 initiatives outlined in the plan, PTKL’s “City for All” theme places a heavy focus on sustainability, with the development and maintenance of green spaces a key concept in its spatial planning.

During a press briefing, Maimunah said DBKL might provide incentives to increase population density around transit zones where LRT or MRT stations are located.

“This is common in Japan, where people work, live, and play around transit zones. This helps lessen congestion and steers us in the direction of a low-carbon city,” she said.

Much of PTKL 2040’s zoning revolves around coordinating with the framework of Kuala Lumpur’s railway systems, especially the upcoming MRT3 network.

PTKL aims to create a transport network that allows the public to go from place to place with a walking distance of less than 400m.

There have been various public concerns regarding the accessibility of Kuala Lumpur’s public transport system in recent years.

Transport think tank My Mobility Vision identified first- and last-mile connectivity as one of the primary issues steering the public towards private vehicle use.

Last month, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the use of public transport in Malaysia was still low at around 25%.

Zahid suggested that this could be improved with a shift in user attitudes through a combination of reliable public transport systems and comprehensive awareness campaigns.