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Lonely deaths rise as Malaysia’s

haya — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:40:42 +0800

From ‘kodokushi’ in Japan to Perak villages, lonely deaths rise as Malaysia’s ageing population grows
First Published: Friday, 09 Oct 2026 7:00 AM MYT

KUALA KANGSAR, Oct 9 — Although she suffers from several health conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure, Jahara Hashim never fails to go to the Senior Citizens Activity Centre (Pawe) in Manong town, located about a 30-minute bicycle ride from her home in Kampung Changkat Manong.

At the centre, a community initiative under the Department of Social Welfare, the 75-year-old woman takes part in various activities with other senior citizens, rather than spending her days alone at home, where she has lived by herself since her husband died 22 years ago and their two children got married.

Despite repeatedly being invited by her children to live with them, Jahara insists on staying in her own home. And the remedy for her loneliness is the activity centre.

For the past five years, her daily routine has been to cycle to the Pawe as early as 8am and return home at about 1pm. The routine also serves as a point of reference for the centre’s staff and her friends, who would notice if she failed to turn up as usual.

“My children do worry about me (cycling to the centre every day). They tell me to just rest at home in case anything happens to me. But staying at home can be boring,” she told Bernama.

According to Jahara, her children keep in regular contact with her, checking on her and visiting her every week.

Behind closed doors

Jahara may live alone, but her whereabouts and health are constantly monitored by her family as well as her friends at the Pawe. However, not everyone living alone has the same support system as she does.

The media frequently reports the discovery of bodies in homes days after the individuals had died, with one common thread in many of these cases: the deceased lived alone.

In Japan, discovering decomposing bodies of people who lived alone is not something new. Known as kodokushi, or lonely death, the issue has in recent years also attracted increasing media attention in Malaysia.

Media reports quoting Associate Prof Dr Rahimah Ibrahim, director of the Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing at Universiti Putra Malaysia, estimated that around 3,500 cases of people dying alone occur annually in Malaysia.

She based the estimate on microdata, citing Perlis, which has a population of about 300,000, as an example. The state recorded 80 cases of sudden deaths involving people living alone between 2022 and August 2024.

The cases involved people from various age groups, including elderly people who had never married, had no children or had been neglected by their families; individuals with chronic illnesses or mental health conditions living apart from the community; as well as single young people living alone in urban areas.

In Perak, the state Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) recorded 15 cases of people found dead alone inside their homes between 2021 and July this year. Four of these cases were recorded in 2025 and another four between January and July 2026, indicating an upward trend.

The situation is particularly concerning as Perak has the highest proportion of elderly people in the country, with 10.8 per cent of its population of 2.58 million aged 65 and above, according to the latest data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia. About 15.3 per cent of Perak’s population were aged 60 and above.

With the growing number of senior citizens living alone, coupled with children moving to cities and changing family structures, ‘lonely deaths’ are no longer isolated incidents but an emerging social challenge requiring the attention of families, communities and the government.

Role of community

Commenting on the 15 lonely death incidents reported by Perak JBPM, its director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the department handled the cases after members of the public or police called for assistance to open the doors or grilles of the homes concerned.

She said in most cases, the bodies were already beginning to decompose and had started to emit an odour, with some of the individuals believed to have been dead for more than a week.

“Not all were elderly people… there were also individuals in their 30s and 40s.

“However, we are now seeing more older people living alone as their children have moved away or work far from home. There are also married couples without children who live apart due to work commitments,” she told Bernama.

She also said that when accidents occur at home involving people in such circumstances, they may face difficulties in getting timely assistance.

“Therefore, I urge children who live far from their parents to maintain regular contact with them and keep the telephone numbers of their closest neighbours so that their parents’ well-being can be monitored.

“At the same time, neighbours and the local community must also play a role by looking out for senior citizens and individuals living alone in their respective areas,” she said.

Sayani added that village heads and village development and security committees should know how many vulnerable individuals live in their respective areas to facilitate the provision of assistance during emergencies or disasters.

She said cooperation among agencies, including the Ministry of Health, Department of Social Welfare, local authorities and religious institutions, is also important to gather data and formulate more comprehensive measures to protect senior citizens living alone.

“Perak is also known as one of the preferred states for retirement and has a large senior citizen population. So, there is a possibility that the number of people living alone will continue to rise,” she said.

Programmes for senior citizens

Meanwhile, Perak Women and Community Development Secretariat director Jamilah Zakaria said the state government has introduced various programmes to empower the elderly and safeguard their welfare, particularly those living alone.

“As we know, the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) provides an activity centre for senior citizens (Pawe) in every district. In Perak, we have about 23 such centres, and the state government collaborates with JKM and Pawe to provide programmes focused on empowering elderly people.

“This enables them to stay active and engage with the community,” she said in an interview with Bernama.

She said the programmes, including ‘We-Fit’ which focuses on health and physical fitness, are designed to ensure the well-being of senior citizens.

“Through the We-Fit programme, which we have introduced in the districts, we provide information on healthy eating. We work with the state health department and district health offices, which bring in dietitians to help senior citizens understand appropriate portion sizes, calorie intake and other aspects of healthy nutrition.

“We will also be conducting roadshows in all 12 districts (in Perak) and in each district, we will be collecting data on the number of senior citizens and their health status, including their body composition assessments, particularly their body fat percentage and muscle mass.

“Based on this data, we can plan programmes that are appropriate for each district,” she said, adding that the data also helps raise awareness of the risk of sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength and function.

“Through health screening and education, senior citizens can better understand their physical condition and are encouraged to take preventive measures through physical activity, strength training and appropriate nutrition.” — Bernama

Drillz: https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/10...on-grows/238208

7 months of no Pornhub

haya — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:29:40 +0800

Pornhub returns for Australians, but only if Apple says you’re over 18
David Swan
October 7, 2026

Pornhub is switching explicit content back on for Australian iPhone and iPad users who have confirmed their age with Apple, seven months after its owner gutted the site in protest at the new age verification laws.

Aylo, the Montreal-based company behind Pornhub, said on Wednesday that age-verified iOS users in Australia would now be served “a standard adult user experience”. The statement made no change for Android or desktop users.

Since March 9, when the eSafety Commissioner’s Age-Restricted Material Codes took effect, Aylo has served Australian visitors a stripped-back version of Pornhub. Explicit videos were replaced with podcasts, lifestyle segments and branded merchandise, as this masthead reported at the time.

The codes require high-risk services such as Pornhub to check users are over 18 before showing them pornography. Breaches carry penalties of up to $49.5 million each.

Aylo’s reversal is largely on the back of updates to Apple’s settings. Since September, Australians have had to confirm they are adults, by scanning an identity document or using a credit card, before downloading 18+ apps or switching off certain safety settings.

Apple’s web content filter and communication safety tools are switched on automatically for anyone who has not confirmed they are over 18.

“In our view, Apple’s Australian device-level age-verification update offers one of the strongest and hardest to circumvent protections currently available for helping prevent minors from accessing age-inappropriate content,” Aylo said in a statement from Alex Kekesi, its vice-president of brand and community.

Aylo has argued for years that age checks belong on the device rather than on individual websites. It said this approach protected children “without requiring adults to surrender unnecessary personal information to multiple apps and websites”, and avoided systems that could be dodged with a VPN.

Aylo did not say how Pornhub identifies which visitors have passed Apple’s check, or whether eSafety had approved the approach.

Sex workers had warned the restrictions would cost them money. Scarlet Alliance, the national peak body for sex workers, told this masthead in March that blocking compliant sites would push viewers to offshore platforms that are less likely to check who appears in their videos or to take down content uploaded without consent.

“That leaves sex workers not earning income from their content,” Mish Pony, the group’s chief executive, said at time, “with obvious flow-on effects – lower earnings and being pushed into working in ways that are less safe.”

Wednesday’s change restores full access only for iPhone and iPad users who have confirmed their age with Apple.

The regulator stopped short of endorsing the move. An eSafety spokesperson said services could use a range of age-assurance methods as long as they could show those methods were “fair, accurate, robust and effective” and complied with Australian privacy law.

“It remains the responsibility of individual services, including Aylo, the provider of Pornhub, to ensure the measures they use meet their obligations under the Online Safety Act,” the spokesperson said. eSafety encouraged a “layered approach” to age assurance.

Aylo has fought age verification laws across several markets. It claimed Pornhub’s traffic fell 77 per cent in Britain after similar rules came in there, before it blocked UK visitors entirely. In March, two VPN apps jumped more than 100 places in Australian App Store rankings within hours of the codes taking effect.

eSafety designed its codes to work across several layers of the internet. If a non-compliant site keeps serving children, the regulator can lean on Apple and Google through the App Store code to block it.

Aylo is now urging Google and Microsoft to copy Apple’s approach and called on Apple to roll it out globally.“The technology exists. A precedent exists,” the company said.

Source: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology...007-p613ll.html

MEF calls for sustainable wage growth

haya — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:02:33 +0800

MEF calls for sustainable wage growth
Noor Syahhira Hady
Business
25/09/2026
9:59 am

KUCHING: Malaysia needs wage growth tied to productivity, skills and career progression rather than repeated minimum-wage increases.

Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) senior adviser for Government, Media & International Engagement Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the country needed a comprehensive and sustainable wage strategy rather than treating the minimum wage as the main response to wage and cost-of-living challenges.

MEF was responding to Economy Minister Datuk Seri Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir’s call for Malaysia’s wage agenda under the 13th Malaysia Plan to go beyond minimum-wage protection to include stronger wage progression and better pay for highly skilled workers.

Akmal Nasrullah had also said incentives under the Progressive Wage Policy should be linked with productivity, training and upskilling.

Syed Hussain said the minister’s position was aligned with MEF’s view that higher wages needed to be supported by higher productivity, stronger skills and greater value creation.

“MEF welcomes the Economy Minister’s recognition that investment numbers alone are not enough and that better-paying jobs, productivity, skills development and stronger local businesses must be part of the equation.

“The same principle applies to wages. Higher wages must be supported by higher productivity, stronger skills and greater value creation. Simply increasing the wage floor every two years does not, by itself, constitute a sustainable wage policy,” he said.

He called for a more comprehensive national wage framework covering wage protection, wage progression and productivity-linked career advancement.

“The minimum wage is a floor. It should not become the ceiling, nor should it become the default mechanism for determining the entire wage structure.

“If the wage floor is repeatedly increased without sufficient attention to the wages of semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled workers, we risk worsening wage compression rather than solving it,” he said.

Citing the latest Salaries and Wages Survey 2025, he said the median monthly wage of Malaysian citizens increased 5.3 per cent to RM2,940.

The median wage for skilled workers stood at RM5,057, compared with RM2,223 for semi-skilled workers and RM1,758 for low-skilled workers.

Syed Hussain said the figures reinforced the need to focus on wage ladders and career progression rather than concentrating almost exclusively on the minimum wage.

“Malaysia needs to ensure that a worker who acquires new skills, takes on greater responsibilities and becomes more productive sees a meaningful increase in earnings.

“That is what a genuine progressive wage system should achieve, progression, not merely periodic adjustment of the wage floor,” he said.

He also said wage policy could not be considered separately from the cost of living.

He agreed with the Economy Minister that higher nominal wages might not translate into better living standards if the cost of housing, food, transportation, education, utilities and other essentials continued rising.

At the same time, he called for greater attention to the cost of doing business, particularly for MSMEs.

He said employers, particularly MSMEs, were facing margin pressure from rising operating and financing costs, utilities, logistics, compliance requirements and other business expenses.

“Delayed payments, slower cash-flow cycles and difficulties in obtaining financing could place additional pressure on businesses already operating on relatively thin margins.

“For some smaller businesses, the issue is no longer simply whether they can afford to increase wages. It is whether they can remain financially sustainable while absorbing the cumulative increase in the cost of employing people,” he said.

He said wage increases that were not accompanied by improvements in productivity, business efficiency and the wider cost environment could ultimately be absorbed through higher prices, reduced hiring, lower margins, slower expansion or weaker business viability.

He stressed that wage policy should therefore focus on raising real incomes rather than nominal wages alone.

“Ultimately, if the cost of living rises immediately after a wage increase, workers will not experience a meaningful improvement in purchasing power.

“We must therefore increase real incomes, not merely nominal wages. That requires managing the cost of living as well as the cost of doing business,” he said.

Syed Hussain also stressed that the cost of employing a worker extended beyond the basic monthly wage.

“Employers also incurred EPF, SOCSO, EIS and HRD Corp contributions, as well as insurance, overtime, leave, medical benefits, training, recruitment, uniforms, equipment, welfare and other employment-related costs.

“Therefore, every increase in basic wages has a multiplier effect on the total cost of employment,” he said.

He said policymakers should assess wage proposals based on their total employment-cost impact, particularly on MSMEs and labour-intensive sectors.

“An increase in the basic wage is never just an increase in the basic wage from the employer’s perspective.

“It affects the entire wage structure and can trigger corresponding increases in statutory contributions, overtime costs and wage compression throughout the organisation.”

The government is expected to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Progressive Wage Policy by the end of 2026 or early 2027, while the current policy is scheduled to run until the end of 2027. He said the review should examine not only how much wages had increased, but whether the policy had generated higher productivity, better skills and competencies, meaningful career progression and improved business competitiveness.

He added that the assessment should also consider whether the policy had strengthened the retention of skilled workers, increased the adoption of technology and automation, created higher-value employment and delivered sustainable wage growth without undermining business viability.

“The real test of a wage policy is not how much the wage has been increased on paper, but whether workers are genuinely better off and businesses remain sufficiently competitive to continue investing, hiring and creating better jobs,” he said.

He also supported Akmal Nasrullah’s call for investment to be assessed by its ability to generate skilled employment, raise productivity and strengthen local companies rather than simply by its headline value.

He said Malaysia needed investment that created quality employment, transferred technology, developed Malaysian talent, strengthened local suppliers and raised productivity.

“At the same time, we must ensure that domestic companies, particularly MSMEs, are not placed under excessive cost pressures that weaken their ability to participate in these value chains.

“A competitive investment environment required policy stability, predictable regulation, access to financing, efficient approvals, reasonable compliance costs and a productive workforce.”

Syed Hussain also called for wage issues to be addressed through a coordinated whole-of-government approach involving not only the Ministry of Human Resources but also the Economy, Finance, Investment, Trade, Domestic Trade, Education and other relevant agencies.

“The Government cannot increase wages in isolation and expect the rest of the economy to absorb the impact indefinitely.

“We need to look simultaneously at wages, productivity, skills, inflation, housing, transport, financing, business costs, taxation, statutory employment costs and the competitiveness of Malaysian companies.

“If we want Malaysians to earn more, we must create an economy capable of paying more,” he said.

He said MEF would continue to put employers’ perspectives forward through the Majlis Perundingan Gaji Negara (MPGN) and relevant tripartite mechanisms.

“The federation looked forward to engaging with the government to ensure Malaysia’s wage policy remained fair to workers, sustainable for employers and supportive of national competitiveness.”

Source: https://www.sarawaktribune.com/mef-calls-fo...le-wage-growth/

Any other state assembly speaker dare to say this?

haya — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:35:14 +0800

Broaden horizons, be ready for international stage, DUN Speaker tells S’wak youth
By Churchill Edward on September 22, 2026, Tuesday at 8:02 PM

Asfia (front, centre) in a photocall with other distinguished guests and participants. – Photo by Roystein Emmor

KUCHING (Sept 22): Sarawak’s future leaders must broaden their horizons and be prepared to engage confidently on the international stage, said Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.

He said proficiency in an international language, particularly English, was important for young people aspiring to leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.

“You must not be scared to speak another international language if you want to be a leader of the future,” he said during the “Seminar Aku Kasih Malaysia: Pimpinan Belia Negeri Sarawak” at the DUN Auditorium in Petra Jaya here today.

Asfia said English was widely used in international diplomacy, trade and commerce, as well as in science, technology and artificial intelligence.

“As you visit the world, the world visits you,” he said.

He said young leaders would increasingly interact with foreign leaders, parliamentarians, businesses and visitors, making the ability to communicate internationally an important skill.

“How can you speak on the Asean forum? How can you speak in a forum of the United Nations? And when you speak to foreign visitors, when you meet foreign MPs, what language will you speak?” he asked.

Asfia recalled attending a Commonwealth parliamentary meeting in Namibia where some Malaysian MPs left because they could not understand the language being used.

“Do you expect the Namibians and Africans to speak Malay?” he questioned.

He urged young Sarawakians not to limit themselves to their immediate surroundings, but to have the confidence to engage and make an impact beyond their own environment.

Asfia also cautioned against viewing English negatively, noting that the language had evolved through the incorporation of words from many other languages and had become an important medium of international communication.

Turning to governance, he urged the younger generation to understand how political and governmental systems evolve rather than taking existing institutions for granted.

“All systems evolve. The question is in what direction is that system evolving?” he said.

Asfia said Malaysia practised a parliamentary democratic system and explained different forms of democracy, including the first-past-the-post electoral system used in Malaysia and preferential voting systems.

He also discussed what he described as some limitations of democracy, citing situations where immediate economic concerns, such as access to food, could take precedence over the form of government.

Asfia also highlighted the distinction between unitary and federal systems, stressing the importance of understanding Malaysia’s federal structure.

He said Sarawak and Sabah had their own governments, constitutions, governors and chief ministers before the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

Touching on Sarawak’s history, he stressed that the state’s history predated the arrival of James Brooke, noting that Sarawak had been under the Sultanate of Brunei before the establishment of the Brooke administration.

He also outlined the circumstances surrounding James Brooke’s involvement in Sarawak and the subsequent Brooke administration under James Brooke, Charles Brooke and Charles Vyner Brooke.

Asfia further highlighted the distinctive nature of the Sarawak DUN, noting that its members could speak in English, Malay and native languages.

He contrasted this with proceedings in the national Parliament, while stressing that multilingual ability remained practically important for leaders engaging with international counterparts.

Responding to a question from a youth participant, Asfia said society needed to cultivate a positive culture that allowed talented young people to develop and rise based on their abilities.

He said some cultures could discourage or hold back younger or more capable individuals who might otherwise have the potential to advance into leadership positions.

“We pray that we get a positive culture that encourages those who are talented, those who are young,” he said.

He said those in positions of influence should be willing to recognise ability and give credit where it was due.

“If the suppressor is clever, beautiful, so be it. You have to give credit when it is due,” he said.

Asfia cited the election of former United States president Barack Obama as an example of a society allowing an individual from a minority background to rise to the country’s highest political office.

He contrasted this with cultures that prevent talented young people from advancing.

“But when there’s a culture that doesn’t want the best to go up, that culture is doomed to destroy itself,” he said.

Asfia urged young people to make full use of the opportunities available to them to acquire knowledge, broaden their horizons and prepare themselves for leadership.

He cited a saying attributed to Saidina Abu Bakar, the first Rashidun Caliph and a close companion of Prophet Muhammad, on the importance of young people in determining a country’s future.

“If you want to know the future of a country, look at the faces of its young people,” he said.

He also referred to former Indonesian president Sukarno’s emphasis on the potential of young people to bring about major change.

“Make use of your youth,” he added.

Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/09/22/br...lls-swak-youth/

Average wage of Malaysians up 4.1 pct to RM3,803

haya — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:33:25 +0800

Average monthly salary, wage of Malaysians up 4.1 pct to RM3,803 in 2025
21 Sep 2026 01:06pm

PUTRAJAYA - The average monthly salary and wage of Malaysians increased by 4.1 per cent to RM3,803 in 2025, compared with RM3,652 the previous year, according to the Salaries and Wages Survey Report 2025 published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) today.

At the same time, the median monthly salary and wage increased by 5.3 per cent to RM2,940 from RM2,793 in 2024.

It said the total number of monthly salary and wage earners rose to 12.01 million, up from 11.96 million in 2024, adding that, of the total, Malaysians accounted for 10.38 million, or 86.4 per cent of all full-time paid employees.

"The services sector, which represents 71.5 per cent, was the main contributor to the increase in the number of wage earners, rising by 1.8 per cent to 7.42 million people. Meanwhile, mining and quarrying remained the highest average monthly salary and wage at RM6,175, followed by services (RM3,993), manufacturing (RM3,357), construction (RM3,188) and agriculture (RM2,575),” DOSM said in a statement today.

In terms of skills, DOSM said skilled workers, who accounted for 36.6 per cent of all salary earners, recorded the highest average monthly salary and wage at RM5,799, compared with RM5,582 in 2024.

Meanwhile, the semi-skilled category, which accounted for 55.6 per cent of salary earners, recorded a 4.2 per cent increase in average salary to RM2,714 from RM2,604, while the low-skilled category rose by 2.6 per cent to RM2,184 from RM2,128.

"Selangor recorded the highest share of salary earners, at 25.6 per cent of the total number of paid Malaysian workers, followed by Johor (13.6 per cent) and Sarawak (7.6 per cent),” it added.

The DOSM said five states recorded average monthly salaries and wages above the national level, namely Putrajaya at RM5,417, Kuala Lumpur (RM4,955), Selangor (RM4,258), Penang (RM3,912) and Labuan (RM3,887).

It said the positive growth in average and median monthly salaries and wages in 2025 reflects improved labour market conditions and workers’ incomes.

"Looking ahead, continued efforts to increase productivity, strengthen skills and create high-value jobs are important to support sustainable real wage growth and workers’ well-being.

"In line with the aspirations of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), developing a competitive and productive workforce and strengthening labour market reforms are important to support sustainable and inclusive wage growth,” it added. - BERNAMA

Source: https://www.sinardaily.my/article/741035/fo...-rm3803-in-2025

Chinese traditions enrich Sarawak’s multicultural

haya — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:14:29 +0800

Chinese traditions enrich Sarawak’s multicultural heritage
Danny Wong
Sarawak News
20/09/2026
6:13 pm

Wong (seated fourth right) with other dignitaries and audience during the event.

SIBU: The Malaysian Chinese community’s commitment to preserving traditional festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival reflects the country’s rich multicultural heritage and Sarawak’s long standing practice of cultural diversity.

Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong Branch chairman Wong Ching Yong said the practice had gained recognition beyond Malaysia, particularly among visitors and compatriots from China.

He said they were often impressed by how Chinese communities in Malaysia continued to celebrate traditional festivals while passing their customs and cultural values from one generation to the next.

“This is not only a cultural characteristic that we can be proud of, but also a precious heritage passed down through generations of the Chinese community on this land,” he said at the Mid-Autumn Festival Night jointly organised by Farley Sibu and the SUPP Dudong Youth Wing at the Farley stage along Jalan Salim here on Saturday (Sept 19).

Wong, who is also Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) deputy chairman, said Sarawak’s multicultural and multifaith environment had allowed different communities to preserve and celebrate their respective traditions and beliefs.

He said the Sarawak Government had supported this approach through various forms of assistance, with allocations to other religious units in the state reaching RM120 million this year.

According to Wong, such support was important in maintaining Sarawak’s distinctive social fabric, where cultural and religious diversity formed an integral part of community life.

He said festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival also provided an opportunity for families and communities to come together, strengthen social ties and pass cultural traditions on to younger generations.

“The continued celebration of traditional festivals demonstrates that cultural heritage can be preserved while people of different backgrounds continue to live together in mutual respect and harmony,” he said.

Wong also touched on concerns raised by residents in the Lanang parliamentary constituency, particularly those involving daily needs and basic infrastructure.

He said elected representatives had an important role in raising such concerns, coordinating with relevant authorities and advocating for solutions, particularly when matters involved different levels of government.

Wong said his pledge at a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in Sibu Jaya on Sept 16 to work towards securing greater funding for local needs was made in response to concerns raised by residents.

He maintained that MPs should continue to advocate for their constituents even when issues involved areas under the jurisdiction of other levels of government.

However, he stressed that his remarks were driven by residents’ concerns and expectations regarding their livelihoods and development needs.

The Mid-Autumn Festival Night brought members of the community together in a festive celebration featuring traditional cultural elements, giving families and residents an opportunity to celebrate the occasion and strengthen community ties.

Source: https://www.sarawaktribune.com/chinese-trad...tural-heritage/

NRD cracking down on false birth information

haya — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:32:46 +0800

NRD cracking down on false birth information
By FAZLEENA AZIZ
Tuesday, 16 Jun 2026

PETALING JAYA: More stringent checks on births of babies is being carried out by the National Registration Department (NRD) following the discovery of false information in the registration of births in its system.

In several social media posts, the Federal Territory NRD said several arrests were made after the department’s screening system detected false statements submitted in the registration of official documents, including births.

The arrests were part of the department’s Ops Terancang to curb the use of false information in its registration process.

In a social media post on June 11, a 56-year-old local man was arrested after the NRD screening system detected false statements submitted in the registration of official documents.

The case was brought to the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court for prosecution on the same day.

The NRD said based on the charge, the individual in question was found to have knowingly submitted false information when applying for a First-Time Identity Card at the identity card division of the Kuala Lumpur NRD office.

Offenders can be punished with a fine, jail or both.

The NRD said even though non-citizen couples come to the NRD to register the birth of their child, it does not mean that their child will be issued a green birth certificate.

“In the case of children of non-citizens, the NRD will issue a pink Non-Citizen Birth Certificate. This shows that the birth has been legally registered, but is not proof of Malaysian citizenship.

“A birth register means birth record while citizenship is determined by law,” the NRD said.

Lawyer Larissa Ann Louis, who handles cases of stateless children and citizenship, cautioned prospective parents not to use intermediaries or agents or they may end up as suspects in fraudulent birth registration.

“Do not pay for a new born baby as it’s technically a form of baby trafficking.

“Agents of middlemen will provide you with a birth certificate with your name as the child’s parent following payment.

“But when applying for a MyKad at 12 years old, the NRD will seize the fraudulent birth certificate.

“The child becomes stateless because you don’t know the heritage of the child. By then, your agent has disappeared.”

Louis said parents can be charged with giving false information.

OrphanCare Foundation advised prospective adoptive parents to exercise due diligence.

“This is necessary to avoid potential disappointment later, particularly when registering the child with the NRD.

“They should conduct thorough background checks on the institutions and the services they provide before proceeding with the adoption process. This helps ensure the adoption is carried out legally and in accordance with Malaysian laws,” it said.

OrphanCare, which runs a baby hatch system, said it also provides a compartment for birth mothers or family members to leave documents that help identify the babies, such as information regarding their race, religion, birth records and other relevant details.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026...rth-information

Malaysians of mixed heritage reflect diversity

haya — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:03:17 +0800

Malaysians of mixed heritage reflect diversity
By N. TRISHA
Wednesday, 16 Sep 2026

What makes Malaysia special is the diversity of its people.

Product engineering team leader Surachai Chan Somchit is a third generation Malaysian of Siamese and Chinese heritage.

He said his mixed background reflected the importance of embracing different cultures without demanding uniformity.

Born and brought up in Penang, Surachai grew up speaking English, Bahasa Malaysia and some Hokkien.

“While I embrace both sides of my parents’ heritage, with my mother being Taoist and father Buddhist, as a Malaysian I also celebrate multiple cultures and festivals.”

He values the ability to live, work and connect with others of different backgrounds in Malaysia.

His wife, recruitment officer Divyana Grace Velautham, who is also of mixed race, hopes Malaysians will continue to show kindness and understanding to one another.

Growing up in Kuala Lumpur, Divyana was exposed to a blend of cultures and speaks English, Bahasa Malaysia, Bisaya and Tamil.

Her father is Tamil, while her mother is Bisaya, an ethnic group found in Sabah and Sarawak.

“To me, Malaysia Day means moving away from an ‘us versus them’ mindset and embracing a sense of ‘we’.

“This should extend to everyone, regardless of nationality, race or class, especially those who may need assistance.”

Insurance agent Syouzi Morishita said Malaysia Day is about remembering the sacrifices made by our leaders, who put the country first.

Born and raised in Penang, Morishita is half-Chinese and half-Japanese.

He speaks English, Japanese and Mandarin at home, and picked up Bahasa Malaysia and Hokkien in school.

His Malaysian identity became even stronger while living abroad, he said, including when looking for spices to add to his food.

“We are a mix of cultures who get to enjoy each other’s celebrations.”

Drillz: https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news...flect-diversity

Court orders sale of siblings’ KL bungalow

haya — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 07:02:04 +0800

Court orders sale of siblings’ KL bungalow after 15-year family feud
V Anbalagan
Published 2026-09-15

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has ordered the sale of a bungalow beneficially owned by three children of an ophthalmologist after finding that their relationship had broken down irretrievably following more than 15 years of litigation.

Justice Arziah Apandi said the court-ordered sale was necessary to break the deadlock over the property in Lorong Raja Uda 1, off Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz here.

The bungalow was registered solely in the name of the eldest brother, Aziz Al-Akbar Noor, because his two sisters were minors when their late father bought it in 1978.

However, the court found that Aziz owned one-third beneficially while holding the remaining two-thirds in trust for his sisters in equal shares.

The middle sister, Jelinar Noor, had been living in the bungalow exclusively since 2001 without paying rent to her siblings.

Arziah said the evidence showed there was no realistic prospect of the siblings cooperating over the property.

“The relationship has broken down irretrievably,” she said in the grounds of judgment.

The judge said Aziz, the plaintiff, was effectively excluded from the benefit of his one-third interest, as he moved out in 1990 and had not returned to the property since 2007.

“Without a court-ordered sale, the plaintiff will remain a one-third owner and trustee indefinitely, with no practical means of realising his interest,” she said.

Arziah also rejected Jelinar’s argument that Aziz was a bare trustee who had no power to sell the property.

She said the fact that he lacked an independent power of sale did not prevent the court from exercising its statutory powers under the Trustees Act 1949, Courts of Judicature Act 1964 and Rules of Court 2012.

“The limited powers of a bare trustee are the very premise upon which Section 59 of the Trustees Act 1949 operates,” she said.

Arziah noted that Aziz and the younger sister, Shamsinar, had offered to sell their shares to Jelinar, but she had not responded.

She said a court-ordered sale would not deprive Jelinar of her entitlement because she would receive one-third of the net sale proceeds.

The judge also said the younger sister needed her share for medical expenses and to purchase another property.

She said given the siblings’ advanced ages, leaving the dispute unresolved could create further complications if any of them died, including issues arising from faraid.

Arziah ordered the property to be sold within 12 months, subject to a minimum price of 90% of its new market valuation.

Jelinar was also ordered to vacate the property within 60 days.

The net proceeds, after sale expenses, are to be divided equally among the three siblings.

Arziah said any rental claim falling within the applicable limitation period could be pursued at an assessment or inquiry.

Ivanpal Grewal acted for Aziz while L Prakash represented Jelinar and Ahmad Shahrizal Abdul Aziz acted for Shamsinar.

Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...ear-family-feud

S. Korea aims to save seniors lost in digital age

haya — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:53:51 +0800

South Korea aims to save seniors lost in digital age
Hawon Jung
Mon, September 14, 2026

A little cheer rose for 79-year-old Hwang Sun-hee after she managed to place an online order at a training session in South Korea, which has one of the world's starkest digital divides for seniors.

Age gaps in digital literacy are a global concern, yet the gulf has widened massively in the hyper-connected and fast-ageing country, prompting national campaigns to bridge it.

"You can't do anything without smartphone apps or a kiosk machine... It's too much for old folks," Hwang said at a senior community centre in Suwon, south of Seoul, during government-organised digital survival training.

The so-called grey digital divide has provided some striking examples in the nation of about 52 million, home to world-leading smartphone and memory chipmakers.

Last year, several baseball clubs began reserving a small number of tickets for on-site sales after reports that older fans, cash in hand, approached younger people at stadiums and pleaded with them to buy tickets from machines.

Nearly 90 percent of taxi drivers use ride-hailing apps, yet more than 80 percent of South Koreans over 60 still hail cabs by hand, a survey showed.

A 71-year-old retired public servant at the same training session as Hwang recalled spending over 30 minutes trying to flag down a taxi on a busy Seoul street.

The cabs kept passing him to pick up younger riders just metres away who were using smartphone apps to hail their rides.

"I felt utterly useless," the man, who gave only his surname, Park, told AFP.

South Korea's wide divide

The digital divide can also pose a real threat, leaving older people vulnerable to high-tech crimes such as online scams or limiting their access to medical services, experts say.

A state survey last year found that 60 percent of South Koreans over 60 struggle to use public and commercial services due to lack of digital skills -- compared with just six percent of those under 40.

"The intergenerational digital divide (in South Korea) appears wider than elsewhere," said Kim Jeung-kun, professor of senior business at Kangnam University in Seoul.

He noted that the nation's "intensely compressed" industrialisation happened in just a few decades, while it took centuries in many Western countries.

South Korea -- which had a GDP per capita below $100 in the wake of its 1950-1953 war -- is now the world's 15th largest economy, according to the IMF.

"Many of our elderly grew up at a time when many had no electricity, landline phones or proper schooling," Kim added.

The nation's older cohort is massive -- South Korea is what the UN calls a "super-aged society", where more than 20 percent of the population is over 65.

In response, South Korea's public tech training for the elderly began in 2020, when businesses and services turned online during the Covid-19 lockdown.

A wish to be 'born young'

Hwang, echoing others in the two-hour class, said she's made it this far by relying on her children for daily tasks she once managed herself -- including enrolling in her favourite dance class at the local community centre.

"Before, I could easily do all of these just by calling or showing up in person," Hwang said.

Officials now provide nationwide training for the "digitally vulnerable" for using mobile devices, apps, and AI. Vans packed with tech devices and mock kiosks drive to community centres and regional festivals popular among the elderly.

In 2025, over 65,000 sessions were held for some 650,000 people over 60.

Hwang gathered along with 30 neighbours for a session in August, practising how to pay hospital bills at mock kiosks, patting a prancing robot dog, or asking their phones: "Gemini, tell me about tomorrow's weather."

She has undergone similar training several times -- and said the lessons helped her confidence -- but noted she was "so envious of young people who can do all this so easily".

"I wish I had been born young in today's world," Hwang added.

Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/s...sycsrp_catchall

Poor people age quicker than the rich

haya — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 14:50:53 +0800

Poor people age quicker than the rich
By AGENCY
Saturday, 12 Sep 2026 | 10:00 AM MYT

A team of Canadian and Swiss researchers has added to a growing body of evidence that low earners are more likely to be in worse health and age sooner than their more financially secure peers.

“People with less wealth tended to have lower levels of function and suffered larger declines in mobility and ability to perform daily activities as they aged,” publisher PLOS Medicine said, following an analysis of health data for almost 32,000 people between the ages of 50 and 85 in United Kingdom and Canada.

Carried out by doctors at Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and the University of British Columbia (UBC), the research showed that the poorest 60-year-old in England can have the walking speed of the wealthiest 75-year-old.

The team sought to clarify the association between wealth and measurements of physical well-being such as walking speed, grip strength, lung capacity and hearing as well as how well people could manage routine but essential activities such as dressing, bathing and eating.

PLOS described the findings as “correlational,” noting that the authors pointed out that the data did not include “childhood factors” or access to private healthcare.

However, the team said in the paper that the link between socioeconomic status and health held when “common risk factors, including health behaviours, weight status, chronic conditions, and social connections,” were taken into account.

The research is not the first to demonstrate a link between wealth and health, with the UBC-HUG team noting that “socioeconomic inequalities in functional ageing trajectories have previously been reported.”

In a 2020 paper published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States, a University College London team said they found that signs of old age can typically be seen “much earlier in poorer people,” with gait speed almost 40% lower among the less well-off and a 10% difference in memory decline.

The UBC-HUG team said that their research added to the field by comparing data across countries, yielding fresh insights between regions and sexes.

According to Stephanie Schrempft of HUG, the data suggest that low income and socioeconomic status affect men and women differently when it comes to health and biological ageing.

“The least wealthy women struggled more with mobility and daily activities yet had better lung function than the least wealthy men,” she explained. – dpa

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health...r-than-the-rich

Money woes could cause your brain to age faster

haya — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 14:47:30 +0800

Money woes could cause your brain to age faster: study
By AGENCY
Saturday, 12 Sep 2026 | 10:00 AM MYT

Persistent money troubles have been linked to faster brain ageing in a new study.

The effect was particularly pronounced among men, those who had disadvantaged childhoods and people with a greater genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Supporting those facing financial hardship and reducing poverty could help prevent dementia cases in the future, researchers suggest.

For the study, published in the journal Innovations In Aging, experts at UCL analysed data from 2,759 people in Britain taking part in the MRC National Survey of Health and Development, also known as the 1946 British cohort study.

The group was asked about household income at three points – at ages 26, 43 and 53. People were classed as having persistent low income if they were in the bottom 20% at least twice, which included about one in six taking part in the study.

Hardship included struggling to manage on their income or having trouble paying bills.

The study found that people who experienced persistent money struggles or poverty in early and middle adulthood performed worse on cognitive tests at age 53.

And among people who had brain scans, analysis showed those who had lower incomes had worse brain health by 69 to 71.

The link was stronger in men, those who had poorer childhoods and people with a genetic variant which raises the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Dr Jacques Wels, of the unit for lifelong health and ageing at UCL, said: "Most studies on cognitive ageing look at financial hardship at only a single point in time.

"Our study using several decades of data allows us to see that it is the accumulation of hardship over many years that is linked to the worst cognitive health outcomes, rather than occasional episodes of adversity.”

The link could be down to money troubles impacting the "bandwidth” in parts of the brain that process the likes of attention and decision-making, the study suggests.

Those facing persistent financial problems in adulthood may place chronic stress on the systems involved in cognitive processing, leading to impairments over time.

Researchers said that, "given the current climate of cost-of-living crisis where a record number of households are reporting financial adversity,” the findings "further illustrate the importance of supporting vulnerable households”.

Professor Praveetha Patalay, also of UCL, added: "Our findings suggest that supporting people facing financial hardship and reducing chronic poverty could also help prevent cognitive decline and dementia cases in the future.” – dpa

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/living...ge-faster-study

Malaysia wants to be an AI nation by 2030

haya — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:01:54 +0800

Malaysia wants to be an AI nation by 2030 — what does that mean for Malaysians?
By Soo Wern Jun
First Published: Friday, 11 Sep 2026 7:00 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming part of everyday life, from how people search for information and communicate to how businesses serve their customers.

Now, the government wants to take that further, aiming to make Malaysia an “AI nation” by 2030.

What does that actually mean for Malaysians in their daily lives?

National AI Action Plan 2026 to 2030

The National AI Action Plan 2026–2030 is the government’s roadmap for increasing the responsible adoption and development of AI.

By 2030, the government wants AI to contribute an additional 1.2 percentage points to GDP growth and place Malaysia among the top 10 countries globally in the Global AI Index.

It also aims to create 300,000 jobs attributable to AI by 2030.

Changes that have taken place

One of the most visible changes could be how Malaysians deal with the government.

The plan calls for an AI-augmented civil service, using AI to improve public-service delivery and administrative efficiency.

MyGOV Malaysia is an early example.

As of July 2026, it had more than 2.9 million users and offered 52 services from 19 government agencies, including MyJPJ, MySejahtera, PriceCatcher, Portal Manfaat, Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and immigration-related services.

The government is now testing agentic AI on MyGOV.

Unlike a conventional chatbot, agentic AI can understand what a user wants, identify the relevant service and, where authorised, help carry out the required steps.

The government has cited checking a police summons and proceeding to payment as an example.

The rollout is being phased in, with data privacy, security, accuracy and human oversight among the government’s considerations.

What has AI incorporation so far

The examples of government services that have incorporated AI include:

MyJPJ — driving and vehicle services
MySejahtera — health services
PriceCatcher — consumer price information
Portal Manfaat — government assistance information
STR — cash aid-related services
MySPR Semak — election information
Immigration — passport and immigration services
Examination services — examination results

The Ministry of Digital has confirmed the 19 participating agencies but has not published a complete agency-by-agency list in its latest announcement.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo has described Malaysia’s AI push as a “whole-of-nation” approach, involving government, industry, academia and the public.

Jobs will change

The government is looking at creating 300,000 AI-attributable jobs by 2030, although it has not published a breakdown by occupation.

TalentCorp has identified emerging roles including AI engineers, AI and machine-learning application engineers, AI integration engineers, data scientists, data engineers, AI auditors and AI ethicists.

Its study covers 949 roles across 10 sectors, including electrical and electronics, aerospace, energy and power, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, global business services, ICT and retail.

The government is also targeting 700,000 workers for reskilling under its Malaysia Digital 2030 Action Plan, through programmes such as Jelajah AI MyMahir.

No need to panic, try to adapt

AI is expected to change the way Malaysians work, but the government’s approach is not simply about replacing workers with machines.

TalentCorp has warned that hundreds of thousands of Malaysian workers could be significantly affected by technological changes if reskilling and upskilling are not intensified.

Its response includes programmes such as Jelajah AI MyMahir, which provides practical AI training to different groups.

In other words, the message is less “AI will take your job” and more “your job may change, so learn how to work with AI”.

In line with this, the government has set a target to transform 80 per cent of the population to be digitally literate by 2030.

Free AI education

The government is already providing free digital and AI courses through Rakyat Digital, covering areas such as generative AI, cybersecurity and cloud technology.

Under AI Untuk Rakyat, the government is targeting 100,000 Malaysian youths aged 18 to 30 through 2027, with the programme rolling out in phases from August 31, 2026.

Those who complete and pass all required modules will receive a free three-month subscription to a suite of selected AI applications and software.

Beyond jobs and government services

The government is also working to expand AI adoption in healthcare, education, transportation, agriculture and small businesses.

That could mean AI supporting personalised learning, helping healthcare professionals, improving agricultural monitoring or assisting small businesses with routine tasks.

At the same time, the government is putting greater emphasis on AI safety and responsible use.

AI Malaysia Berhad, established on July 28, 2026, is the country’s national AI agency, with responsibilities that include AI policy, implementation of the national AI agenda, governance, capability development and the Malaysia AI Safety Institute.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil has said organisations adopting AI should do so responsibly, transparently and ethically, while consumers need confidence that their data is protected.

What does becoming an AI nation mean for Malaysians?

For most people, it does not mean receiving a new government benefit simply because Malaysia has an AI strategy.

It means AI is expected to become increasingly embedded in government services, workplaces, education and businesses.

It is about preparing Malaysians for a country where AI plays a much larger role in how people work, learn and access services.

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...laysians/234187

79 year old still can have love affair?

haya — Sat, 05 Sep 2026 19:47:12 +0800

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Why PAS’ grip is growing in Perak

haya — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:27:57 +0800

From ‘family gatherings’ to electoral might: Why PAS’ grip is growing in Perak
Lu Wei Hoong
Published Sep 03, 2026, 05:00 AM

PARIT BUNTAR/SELAMA, Perak – Whenever Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) deputy commissioner Misbahul Munir Masduki is in his constituency, he holds gatherings for more than 20 male party members and supporters.

The “family” gatherings, known as usrah in Arabic, are part of PAS’ grassroots political outreach, combining religious discussion, community ties and conversations about current affairs.

“At least once a month, I will meet them in the same village, but at different houses, to discuss religion and answer questions about current affairs,” Misbahul, the Parit Buntar MP in northern Perak state, told The Straits Times on Aug 23. Parit Buntar is a small town located just south of the Penang border.

Such grassroots organisation – combining religious outreach with community engagement – has been a key feature of PAS’ political activism in Perak and has since spread nationwide. Over the decades, the approach helped the opposition Islamic party build a durable support base among Malay-Muslim voters.

PAS’ roots in Perak stretch back to Malaya’s first general election in 1955, when the party – then known as the Pan-Malayan Islamic Party (PMIP) – won its sole parliamentary seat in Krian, which was later renamed Parit Buntar following successive electoral boundary changes.

From grassroots to political force

PAS has spent two decades building a formidable grassroots network in Perak, helping it overtake UMNO as the state’s dominant Malay political force in the 2022 general election.

Now, closer cooperation between PAS and UMNO – which are respectively part of Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Barisan Nasional (BN) – could strengthen PAS’ bid for state power at the next general election, due by February 2028.

A win in Perak would allow PAS to expand its dominance beyond its current four-state bloc of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis.

But seat negotiations, a fightback by ruling coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the emergence of Parti Wawasan Negara could affect the electoral equation.

The religious gatherings are just one part of PAS’ grassroots machinery. Misbahul and his team also organise activities to strengthen ties with locals, including a 5km Independence Day brisk walk along a road flanked by irrigation canals and harvested padi fields.

They also distributed 50 boxes of basic food necessities, crowdfunded by party members and supporters, to needy residents.

That afternoon, Misbahul met 15 padi farmers to discuss rising pesticide prices and delayed government subsidies, promising to raise their concerns in Parliament. At the same time, his wife hosted a cake-baking workshop for 30 women.

Political analyst Kamles Kumar said Perak PAS could leverage its strong Islamic education networks and rural grassroots movements to BN’s advantage.

“With rising conservatism and PAS’ growing rural support base in Perak, messaging from Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) – the PH component party tasked with countering PAS – may fall on deaf ears,” Kamles, the Malaysia country lead at Asia Group Advisors, told ST.

“Its less charismatic and more progressive stance limits its ability to appeal to voters already sceptical of PH.”

Except in 2018, PAS has secured close to 40 per cent of the vote in Parit Buntar at every general election since its first contest there.

In the 2022 general election, PAS emerged as the dominant Malay political force in Perak, winning four of the 24 parliamentary seats and 17 of the 59 state seats; UMNO was reduced to two parliamentary seats and eight state seats.

UMNO president Zahid Hamidi narrowly retained southern Perak’s Bagan Datuk, winning by just 300 votes. With support from PH, UMNO eventually formed the Perak state government and joined the federal government as a junior partner.

Old foes, new calculations

The political landscape shifted in 2026, as BN and PN moved towards closer cooperation in Negeri Sembilan, while running separate campaigns in Johor.

PAS is holding its annual party congress, or muktamar, from Sept 2 to 5 in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

The recent state polls have strengthened the case for closer PAS-UMNO cooperation in Malay-majority areas such as Perak, even as the political landscape within opposition bloc PN becomes more fluid.

Wawasan, formed largely by former Bersatu figures, has emerged as a new player, potentially broadening PN’s appeal among Malay voters less inclined towards PAS’ religious narrative.

However, as both are component parties of PN, Wawasan and PAS could complement each other, appealing to different segments of the Malay electorate rather than competing for the same voters.

Adib Zalkapli, managing director of geopolitical risk firm Viewfinder Global Affairs, said: “Wawasan could be useful in winning over moderate Malay voters who may not be too comfortable with PAS.”

Perak PAS deputy commissioner Akmal Kamarudin welcomed a united PAS-UMNO front in Perak, modelled on Negeri Sembilan. Ahead of the Aug 1 state election, BN and PN cooperated in the contest and went on to win a two-thirds majority, defeating the incumbent PH government.

“My personal view is for PAS and UMNO to work together as they did in Negeri Sembilan. It’s more harmonious. But we don’t mind going solo. We will adhere to the central leadership’s decision,” Akmal told ST on Aug 22 while visiting his constituents in Selama, a Malay-dominant seat in northern Perak.

PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said PN’s chances of winning Perak could rise to 75 per cent if it were to cooperate with BN, based on PN’s analysis.

But he warned that seat negotiations could be a stumbling block.

“With such a high winning chance, I believe BN will try to claim seats from us...

“If grassroots leaders receive invitations to meet them, inform the party leadership. Don’t go alone... Don’t promise or give them hope that they may contest any seat,” Samsuri, who is also a PAS vice-president, told hundreds of delegates at the Perak PAS convention on Aug 9.

While welcoming the Malay-Muslim unity narrative, UMNO Parit Buntar division deputy chief Mua’ammar Ghadafi Jamal said the leadership should be cautious in choosing allies to form a government. “Sincerity is the key,” he told ST.

Political analyst Adib says a PAS-UMNO alliance could materialise amid the current push for Malay unity.

“(But) seat negotiations will be the trickiest part between the two. Giving up safe seats to another party for the sake of what they call Malay unity is a difficult proposition. Very likely, the negotiations will be influenced and shaped by division leaders,” he told ST.

He added that PH needs to prepare to contest Perak on its own, without UMNO.

Still, four out of five northern Perak Malay voters interviewed by ST support PAS, including street food vendor Kak Ani, 46. She praised Perak assemblyman Akmal for helping resolve a past shop-lot dispute.

“I couldn’t operate at my old site, but he stepped in with government agencies to help. He even buys my kueh for charity during Ramadan,” she told ST after serving a bowl of laksa on Aug 22.

To broaden his appeal among non-Malay voters, many of whom have traditionally backed PH, Akmal brought in Mandarin-speaking PAS grassroots leader Ahmad Bakhtier Muslim, 60, to assist with a visit to senior citizens born before Malaysia’s independence.

Ahmad greeted an 83-year-old Chinese grandmother, asking: “Popo, how is your health?” before Akmal presented her with a goodie bag, cash aid and a Malaysian flag to mark Independence Day, which fell on Aug 31.

To assuage Chinese voters’ concerns about pork supplies following the closure of a pig farm in neighbouring Selangor in February, Akmal said that existing pig farms in Perak will not be shuttered as long as they fulfil zero-pollution discharge requirements.

“It’s a non-Muslim’s right to eat pork, as long as there is no pollution. Not only pig farms, but poultry, goat and cattle farms must also adhere to zero-pollution requirements,” he told ST.

Perak has about two million voters, of whom 34 per cent are Chinese and 12 per cent are Indian, with the remainder being Malay. This makes non-Malay support potentially important in a state where PAS’ strongest base is Malay-Muslim.

PH fights back

To challenge PAS’ strength in northern Perak’s Malay-Muslim belt, Pakatan Harapan component Amanah is pushing back.

Led by deputy president Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who lost Parit Buntar in 2022, the team is running targeted activities to rebuild support.

“We have 2,500 members in 60 branches who help us run constituency work,” Parit Buntar Amanah chief Adnan Abd Rahman told ST, expressing hope that PH and Umno can sustain their cooperation in Perak.

One such effort to reconnect with younger voters was an Aug 21 youth meet-and-greet in Parit Buntar, where 30 attendees received food aid boxes and a briefing on government entrepreneurship grants.

Among those receiving aid was Junairi, a 28-year-old factory worker. But he remains unsure who to vote for, saying the political alliances could still change.

“The coalition cooperation could change at any time. So let’s see how it goes,” he said, between bites of hot beef noodle soup served at the event.

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/f...rowing-in-perak

Proton domestic sales hit all-time high in August

haya — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:45:08 +0800

Proton domestic sales hit all-time high in August
Thursday, 03 Sep 2026 | 5:50 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton recorded an all-time high in monthly domestic sales in August 2026, while total group sales of 22,632 units marked its best overall monthly performance since January 2010.

“The breakthrough was supported by strong demand for the company's popular ICE offerings, another record-setting month for Proton e.MAS and overseas sales that pushed year-to-date (YTD) export volume beyond the full-year total for 2025 after just eight months,” the national carmaker said in a statement.

Proton said total sales, comprising domestic, export, Proton e.MAS and smart vehicles, rose 22.7% from July.

Cumulative sales for the first eight months of 2026 reached 141,421 units, up 40.2% year-on-year.

Based on estimated total industry volume, Proton said its market share stood at 27.9% in August, bringing its YTD market share to 25.6%.

The Proton Saga recorded 7,347 units in August, bringing YTD sales to nearly 60,000 units, 33.3% higher than a year earlier.

The Proton S70 recorded an all-time monthly high of 3,235 units, lifting YTD sales to 17,953 units and surpassing its full-year 2025 volume.

Meanwhile, the Proton X50 recorded 2,274 units, while the Proton X90 posted sales of 471 units.

“By achieving the highest monthly domestic sales volume in Proton’s history, we have reached an important milestone that reflects the confidence customers place in our products and services.

“Our range continues to offer technology, design, quality, safety and performance, supported by a strong value proposition,” deputy chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Rashid Musa said.

Proton e.MAS also recorded an all-time monthly high of 6,047 units in August, bringing YTD sales to 27,860 units.

The Proton e.MAS 5 accounted for 4,818 units, while the e.MAS 7 and e.MAS 7 PHEV recorded 613 units and 616 units, respectively.

Exports of Proton and Geely models reached 2,477 units in August, the highest monthly export volume since January 2011.

Year-to-date exports rose to 6,059 units, exceeding the 6,000 units exported for the whole of 2025.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/business/busines...-high-in-august

Malaysian singer Yasin Sulaiman discharged from

haya — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 07:47:06 +0800

Malaysian singer Yasin Sulaiman discharged from Hospital Bahagia after 4 years
By ANNDREA A. WEBBER
Thursday, 03 Sep 2026 | 2:30 PM MYT

Malaysian artiste Yasin Sulaiman has been discharged from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Perak after spending more than four years at the psychiatric facility.

The news was announced by his friend Akbar Azmi, a member of nasyid group Brothers, in a Threads post on Wednesday (Aug 2).

"Alhamdulillah, finally, after more than four years, Yasin Sulaiman, better known as Yasin Brothers, has been allowed to return home from the hospital.

"Ya Allah, that was a long time. His children have also grown up. Alhamdulillah, he was supposed to serve 30 years and had previously been convicted and sentenced to prison," he said.

Akbar added that he had contacted Yasin, 50, to find out more about his current condition.

"He's on his way and is near Tapah. Wait for my latest update with him later. Insya-Allah, we are very happy," he said.

Yasin was arrested at his home in Kota Damansara in March 2022 after police found marijuana plants believed to be his, along with cultivation equipment and packets of marijuana leaves.

The Mimpi Laila singer, who has two children, was subsequently convicted of drug trafficking under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 at the Petaling Jaya Magistrate's Court.

In August 2024, the Shah Alam High Court sentenced Yasin to life imprisonment and 16 strokes of the cane after finding him guilty of three drug-related charges.

Yasin was acquitted and discharged by the Court of Appeal in April last year after medical reports and psychiatric evaluations confirmed that he had bipolar disorder.

He was subsequently ordered to be placed at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, subject to the consent of the Sultan of Selangor.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entert...a-after-4-years

Survey finds Malaysian manufacturers favour GST

haya — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 07:03:13 +0800

Survey finds most Malaysian manufacturers favour GST, saying SST’s cascading taxes raise costs and erode competitiveness
By Milad Hassandarvish
First Published: Thursday, 03 Sep 2026 2:16 PM MYT
Last Modified: Thursday, 03 Sep 2026 4:18 PM MYT

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) president Jacob Lee Chor Kok briefs the media on the survey at Wisma FMM, Bandar Sri Damansara September 3, 2026. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 — A new survey by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has revealed that a significant majority of local manufacturers are calling for a return to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, citing deep-seated concerns over the current Sales and Service Tax (SST) framework.

The findings, released today at Wisma FMM, showed that 61 per cent of respondents back the reintroduction of the GST to replace the existing SST.

The shift in sentiment is driven largely by frustrations over “tax cascading” — a phenomenon where unrecoverable taxes on raw materials and business inputs become embedded in final production costs, ultimately hurting competitiveness.

According to the FMM survey, 60 per cent of manufacturers pointed to higher production costs caused by embedded taxes in the supply chain, while 59 per cent highlighted the issue of unrecoverable taxes on business inputs.

“These findings point to concerns not only over the tax burden but also over the predictability and administrative complexity of the existing system,” said FMM president Jacob Lee.

Compliance and administrative burdens were flagged by 45 per cent of respondents, while 42 per cent reported greater uncertainty due to frequent changes in tax scope, exemptions and interpretation.

According to the findings, the preference for GST appears to be rooted in its design rather than just the tax rate itself.

Some 65 per cent of manufacturers highlighted the GST’s input tax credit mechanism as a major advantage, noting that the current SST structure leaves many businesses with unrecoverable input costs.

Additionally, 52 per cent argued that the GST offers greater transparency than the current system.

On the GST rate, 68 per cent of respondents favoured a rate of five per cent or below, with 41 per cent selecting three per cent as their preferred rate.

Only a small fraction (two per cent) indicated they would be comfortable with a rate exceeding six per cent, while 20 per cent remained unsure.

Lee noted that implementing a systematic input tax credit mechanism would be far more effective than relying on the current fragmented approach of category-specific exemptions and reliefs.

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2026/0...tiveness/233768

No mandatory dating app ID checks as govt targets

haya — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:40:48 +0800

No mandatory dating app ID checks as govt targets romance scams
By Iylia Marsya Iskandar, Amalia, Azmi, Hakim Mahari
August 23, 2026 @ 11:01pm

KUALA LUMPUR: There are no plans to introduce mandatory identity verification for dating app users, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. Instead, she said the government was focusing on stronger platform safeguards, improved scam detection and greater public awareness to tackle online fraud.

While identity verification could help reduce fraudulent accounts, she noted it was not a complete solution, as scammers continued to exploit stolen identities, compromised accounts, mule accounts and sophisticated social engineering tactics. "Effective protection requires complementary safeguards implemented across the digital ecosystem," she told the New Straits Times.

These included detection and removal of fraudulent accounts, impersonation attempts and coordinated scam networks; behavioural and technical measures to identify suspicious activities; accessible reporting mechanisms; timely enforcement action and preservation of information to support investigations.

Yesterday, the NST reported that in the past four years up to June, 462 Malaysians — more than 70 per cent of them aged between 21 and 40—lost a combined RM32.7 million to scams originating from people they met on dating platforms.

That works out to an average of almost RM20,000 disappearing every day between January 2022 and June this year.

Rather than asking victims for money outright, syndicates are using dating platforms to build trust before steering victims to cross-platform crimes, including fake investment schemes, bogus trading platforms and cryptocurrency scams — leaving victims with devastating financial losses.

Teo said the government continually reviewed online safety risks and international regulatory developments to determine whether additional safeguards were necessary for Malaysia.

This included assessing measures adopted in other jurisdictions, such as identity verification, age assurance, account integrity measures and broader platform safety requirements, while considering their effectiveness, proportionality, privacy implications and compatibility with Malaysia's legal framework.

"There is no decision to introduce mandatory identity verification for users of dating applications," she said.

Teo said romance scams should not be viewed as a problem limited to dating apps, as many cases began on social media platforms or messaging services before progressing to private communication channels.

"So romance scams are increasingly a cross-platform crime rather than one associated with a single online service.

"The government adopts a layered and risk-based approach to combating online scams, recognising that no single measure can eliminate this threat."

Teo said online service providers played an important role in strengthening trust and safety measures, including detecting and removing fraudulent accounts, impersonation attempts and coordinated scam networks.

Platforms should also deploy behavioural and technical measures to identify suspicious activities, provide accessible reporting and complaint mechanisms, take timely enforcement action against accounts used for scam activities, and preserve relevant information to support investigations, she said.

The government would continue disrupting the scam ecosystem through action involving communications channels, online services and digital infrastructure exploited by criminal syndicates, Teo said.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, she added, would continue working with telecommunications service providers and online platforms to reduce opportunities for scammers to misuse digital services and communication networks.

Financial institutions also played a critical role by strengthening fraud detection capabilities, identifying suspicious transactions, intervening before funds were transferred and supporting rapid financial intervention through the National Scam Response Centre.

Teo said these efforts were complemented by public awareness initiatives, including the Kempen Internet Selamat, to educate people about recognising scam tactics and reporting suspicious activities promptly.

"Ultimately, protecting users online is a shared responsibility.

"Effective protection depends on stronger platform safeguards, coordinated enforcement, rapid financial intervention and informed users who remain vigilant against scam tactics," she said.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/...s-romance-scams

How a few words of Mandarin can go a long way

haya — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:38:39 +0800

How a few words of Mandarin can go a long way

JOHOR BAHRU: A trip to a car workshop might not seem like the obvious place to discover the value of learning another language. But for Muhammad Aizat Nor Rahman, one conversation was enough to make the point.

The 36-year-old recalled meeting a Chinese workshop owner who initially seemed reluctant to engage with him. Once Aizat introduced himself in Mandarin, however, the mood changed and the conversation became noticeably more relaxed.

It was a small moment, but one that reinforced why he had chosen to learn the language in the first place.

“To me, language is a gateway to culture,” he told Bernama. “That is why I view language learning as an excellent platform for fostering unity, especially in Malaysia’s multiracial society.”

For him, even imperfect attempts are often met warmly. He said Chinese Malaysians generally respond positively when they hear him trying to speak Mandarin – not because he speaks it flawlessly, but because the effort itself signals an interest in meeting them halfway.

“Learning different languages does not mean forgetting our own cultural roots,” he said. “We learn their language, and at the same time, we can teach them Malay.”

For beauty therapist G Yuashini, 25, the value of Mandarin became especially clear at work.

Yuashini, who attended a Chinese primary school, returned to the language after almost eight years of barely using it when she realised some elderly patients at the clinic where she worked struggled to understand explanations in Malay or English.

Terms involving skin conditions, allergies and steroids could be confusing, so being able to explain them in Mandarin made those conversations much easier.

“I learnt the language to help others, not just for my own benefit,” she said.

That practical connection also appears in the classroom for Nurfatin Syafiqah Yasin, 24, a teaching assistant at an international school.

Many of her students are Chinese, and being able to speak Mandarin gives her another way to communicate with them while building rapport.

A Spanish language and linguistics graduate from Universiti Malaya, Nurfatin is hardly unfamiliar with the idea that language can shape how people understand one another. She is equally clear, however, that learning additional languages does not diminish the role of Malay.

“Malay remains an integral part of daily life, while mastering an additional language allows us to step outside our own circles, meet more people and gain insight into more cultures,” she said.

In a multilingual country like Malaysia, a few extra words may not solve every misunderstanding – but they can make it much easier to begin talking.

Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...n-go-a-long-way