Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by haya

Prunning of the warn meter not working?

haya — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:22:18 +0800

-- Please keep your post concise to ensure a speedy review from us. We suggest 250 words or less. --

As per: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=faq&article=6

CODE

All warnings will expire 6 months after it was issued. Warning prunes are done automatically by a script which runs on the first day of each month only. As such, if your warning was due to end on the 3rd of February for example, it will only be removed on the 1st of March. As of 21st March 2006, all warn prunes will reduce your meter by 10%, but the logs will remain.

Despite this, a warning issued on 11 Aug 2025, is still on my warn meter, nearly 10 months later

Are the warnings still expiring after 6 months, and is the warning prune script still working?

NRD corrects ‘Islam’ status on Christian woman’s

haya — Fri, 29 May 2026 14:07:31 +0800

NRD corrects ‘Islam’ status on Christian woman’s MyPR card — with the exact same mistake
Friday, 29 May 2026 1:07 PM MYT

Indonesian Christian woman Yanti, who has been in Malaysia for 49 years and is a Malaysian Christian's widow, shows the new MyPR card she received today which still has the same error on her religious status. - Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

PUTRAJAYA, May 29 — An Indonesian Christian woman today came to the National Registration Department (NRD) headquarters in Putrajaya with the hope of receiving a new permanent resident identification card (MyPR) that would correctly reflect her religious status as a non-Muslim.

The 68-year-old woman, who prefers to be known as Yanti* and is the widow of a Malaysian man, was previously given a MyPR card with the word “Islam” printed.

But Yanti was left disappointed after coming all the way from Johor by car today, as the NRD issued her a new MyPR card with the exact same error as her old MyPR card.

Lawyer Annou Xavier told reporters that his client Yanti was born in Indonesia in 1958 to Christian parents: “And all along she has always practised the Christian faith and the Christian religion.”

Annou said Yanti came to Malaysia by boat in 1977, and that she was rescued by people from a nearby Felda settlement after her boat met with an accident.

Annou said she later married a Malaysian Christian man named Sunny* through a Chinese customary marriage that same year: “That marriage has been recognised as a legitimate marriage.”

Annou explained that the couple’s traditional Chinese marriage was recognised legally in Malaysia as it took place before the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 came into force, and confirmed that the couple’s four children’s status as Malaysian citizens at birth also showed that their marriage was legitimate.

The 1976 law, which only came into force in 1982, requires non-Muslim couples in Malaysia to register their marriages.

Yanti had in the 1980s applied for permanent residency in Malaysia, and was given a MyPR card with the word “Islam” written on it and with the word “binti” added to her name.

When met here outside the NRD’s headquarters, Yanti confirmed to reporters that her original name in Indonesia did not carry the word “binti”.

“So she’s never been a Muslim in Indonesia, she’s never been a Muslim in Malaysia, she married Sunny who’s a Christian, she’s got four children... they are Christian. She has never in any way practised Islamic faith,” Annou said.

But after her Malaysian husband passed away in July 2024, Yanti was unable to claim his pension from the Public Service Department (JPA), with Annou saying: “It was rejected because they had classified her as ‘Islam’.”

Yanti still has the pension card which carries both her name and her husband’s name, and which she received well before her husband’s death.

Her husband Sunny had worked at the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).

Lawyer Annou Xavier said his client Yanti was never a Muslim and has always been a Christian, but that a new MyPR card with the same erroneous record of "Islam" as her religious status had been issued to her today. - Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Annou said Yanti then asked lawyers for help to write a letter to NRD to ask for the religious status on her MyPR card to be changed from “Islam” to reflect her actual status as a non-Muslim.

Annou said Yanti had applied this past February for the religious status on her MyPR card to be corrected, and that she recently received a notification in an NRD app informing her that her MyPR card could be collected.

The app notification said the status of her application was “Sedia diambil” (Ready to be collected).

“So we came today with that notification, just to be informed that she was also given that exact same IC with the word ‘pemastautin tetap’ (permanent resident) and with the word ‘Islam’.

“I think essentially the application has been rejected, this is what I gathered, the application to change the status of ‘Islam’ to ‘non-Islam’ has been rejected,” Annou said, adding that the new MyPR card was handed over to his client by an NRD officer without any explanation.

Saying that Yanti was “disappointed”, Annou said he would seek her instructions on the next steps that she wishes to take, including whether she wants to file a court case.

*Yanti’s and Sunny’s full names have been withheld for privacy reasons.

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...-mistake/221802

Journalist POV of 8 March 2014

haya — Thu, 28 May 2026 14:25:51 +0800

Missing plane, missed sleep and a 12-year mystery
By FARIK ZOLKEPLI
Wednesday, 27 May 2026

PETALING JAYA: Zulkifli Abd Rahman had heard the talk on the grapevine when he came into office in the morning – a plane was supposedly missing.

In the newsroom, he asked around and the colleagues from The Star Online informed him that there had been reports that the said aircraft had landed safely in China after experiencing technical problems.

“That’s good, I thought, as I began the day’s work,” said The Star’s Senior News Editor.

But Zulkifli, who was manning the newsdesk that day, was not prepared for the shock that followed on that fateful March morning.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on the night of March 8, 2014 had indeed disappeared from the face of the earth, with all 239 people on board.

Twelve years on, it remains one of the greatest aviation mysteries of all time.

Even now, yet another underwater search has been mounted in the southern Indian Ocean, bringing back memories of the frantic days in the newsroom with sleepless nights and unanswered questions.

“The night before, I heard reports about the KL-Beijing flight which was believed to have gone missing from radar screens. In the morning, I did not think much of it,” said Zulkifli.

It was much later in the day that realisation and panic sank in. There was confusion all round as international news networks and social media platforms continued flashing reports about the missing MAS flight, and bewildered relatives of passengers demanding answers in Beijing.

“By noon, we still had no answers. Had the aircraft crashed? Was it on land or at sea? Were there survivors? Or had it landed somewhere else entirely?”

Reporters were assigned to contact MAS officials, aviation experts and government authorities, while others rushed to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to gather information from airline personnel and distraught family members waiting for answers.

“At first, it was feared it had crashed into the sea near Vietnam. Later in the day, shocking information trickled in. The plane may have turned around and headed towards Indonesia and then further south,” said Zulkifili.

At the office, it was a mad scramble. How do you report something when nothing is known?

“As the authorities started setting up command centres and preparing press conferences, senior editors all came back into the office to oversee coverage,” he said.

The following day, the Sunday Star carried the headline “Mystery of MH370”.

Zuhrin Azam Ahmad, then The Star’s Putrajaya bureau chief remembers the chaos at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on March 9.

“When I arrived, all seemed normal, but as the day unfolded, more and more family members began gathering, waiting for any news of their loved ones on the flight.

“Journalists from many countries made KLIA, specifically Sama-Sama Hotel, their temporary home for months. They represented hundreds of news outlets,” he said.

He described the atmosphere among local and international media personnel gathered at KLIA, hotels and press centres as relentless and chaotic.

“There was a battalion of reporters. Journalists pursued officials through hotel lobbies, coffee houses and corridors, often turning brief encounters into impromptu press conferences.

“We even followed them to their cars. Never had there been such a huge presence of foreign newsmen in Malaysia,” he recalled.

Competition among media organisations was intense as reporters raced to secure updates ahead of rival news outlets. Tensions also flared among journalists trying to keep pace with competing reports, as the officials had little to offer.

“The conversation was always about who had the story first and why others did not,” he said.

The round-the-clock coverage also introduced many journalists to unfamiliar aviation and satellite communication terminology, including ATC (Air Traffic Control), Inmarsat, ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System.), waypoint IGARI (specific aviation location) and satellite “handshakes”.

“Some updates came in at 3am,” he said, adding that uninterrupted sleep became a luxury.

Many learnt all about Diego Garcia, an atoll used by the United States as an airbase, with the plane said to have landed there and the passengers held hostage.

There were also wild rumours about the plane being found, about bodies floating in the Malacca Strait, and of supposed press conferences to announce such findings.

“Journalists not only had to chase actual stories but also overcome wild rumours floting around, especially on social media,” said Zuhrin.

For many journalists who covered the tragedy, the disappearance of MH370 remains one of the most emotionally draining and professionally challenging assignments of their lives.

For the first two weeks, there was always hope. The plane would be found, there would be survivors, the rescuers believed.

However, two weeks later, everyone was finally resigned to the fact that the plane was gone and the passengers were probably lost forever.

Then Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak mouthed the sombre words on March 24: “The aircraft likely ended in the southern Indian Ocean.”

On March 25, The Star produced another iconic cover, with the names of all the people on board the plane in the shape of the words MH370.

A huge search operation was carried out from just after the plane’s disappearance until May the following year. Several other searches were also conducted over the years in the southern Indian Ocean.

The latest search operation for the missing aircraft, conducted by marine robotics company Ocean Infinity, scanned more than 7,500 sq km of seabed in the southern Indian Ocean in two phases between March 2025 and January 2026. Again, it failed to locate the wreckage.

A total of 28 operational search days were completed across both phases, covering approximately 7,571 sq km of seabed within the designated search area.

But to this day, that Sunday Star headline remains relevant: The “Mystery of MH370” remains just that.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026...12-year-mystery

Weekly gathering of seniors for language classes

haya — Thu, 28 May 2026 13:54:34 +0800

Weekly gathering of seniors for language classes brings joy, reduces boredom
By ANNABELLE LAWRENCE
Thursday, 28 May 2026

IPOH: Ki haal ji? That’s Punjabi for “How are you?”

Since March, a motley group of senior citizens has been coming together every Thursday to learn Punjabi, Mandarin, English and, of course, Bahasa Malaysia.

The free language classes are purely a case of “Made in Malaysia”, as the participants come from different ethnic backgrounds.

Marldea Abbas, 66, said the classes help participants appreciate the multicultural environment around them.

“There are people from many races here, so we learn each other’s languages and try speaking with our friends in their own language.

“It is easier to make friends here because we are learning together,” said Marldea.

An observation of their classes showed a sense of camaraderie among them. For instance, when asked to answer questions using Punjabi words, they often “accidentally” respond in English, causing the whole class to laugh.

The lessons, which are courtesy of the Perak Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE), are held at the Waller Court flats every Thursday morning.

Another participant, K. Kamala, 63, said learning simple greetings in other languages has helped attendees become more connected to one another.

“When you greet your Chinese friend in Mandarin, they feel happy because you are speaking in their language. It helps us make more friends and become closer,” she said.

For Daniel Chuah, 63, learning a new language has been a meaningful experience that he thoroughly enjoys.

“When I go home, I practise with other people around me,” he said.

Punjabi language instructor Kuldeep Kaur Mohan Singh, 68, said teaching others her mother tongue has given her much joy.

“I feel delighted when others learn my language. We start with small greetings and slowly form simple sentences,” she said.

Kuldeep said that joining the programme has also helped reduce her screen time and kept her occupied in a more meaningful way.

“Before this, I spent a lot of time on my phone at home. But now, half my day is spent doing activities and interacting with people.

“And the people are nice and cooperative. They make my day beautiful,” she added.

Perak UTC PAWE supervisor Syazaki Hasan Nawawi, 32, said the classes, which began in March, were introduced to encourage senior citizens to continue learning and stay mentally active.

“We plan to introduce more languages, such as Tamil,” he said, adding that the programme is open to PAWE members aged 40 and older.

“The response has been very encouraging. One participant was especially excited to learn Punjabi because he recently got a Punjabi neighbour and wanted to communicate better with him.”

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026...reduces-boredom

EU Commission aims to restrict satellite internet

haya — Thu, 28 May 2026 13:53:16 +0800

EU Commission aims to restrict satellite internet providers
Thursday, 28 May 2026 | 11:00 AM MYT

BRUSSELS: The European Commission has proposed to reserve two-thirds of licences for satellite internet services to European Union operators in a bid to slash dependence from US tech companies and to boost European providers.

"More than ever high-capacity, widely available satellite connectivity is essential to strengthen the resilience of the EU’s communication networks," said EU Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen on Wednesday.

Current EU licences for the use of the harmonised 2 GHz frequency band are set to expire in May 2027, prompting the commission to propose restrictions on who should be allowed to operate the networks in the future.

Since the current rules were introduced in 2008, the global market for satellite internet has changed drastically, with US companies Starlink and Amazon among the market leaders.

Under the commission plans, one-third of the spectrum are to be dedicated to government use, including for security and military purposes, and provided by an EU operator.

The remaining two-thirds are to be for commercial use, to ensure internet coverage where terrestrial networks are not available. Of this, 50% is to be reserved for EU operators with the remainder open to foreign providers.

The proposed restrictions aim to "to encourage the diversification of suppliers and incentivise the entry into the market of EU suppliers," the commission said.

EU countries and the European Parliament still have to scrutinise and adopt the plans. – dpa

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2...ernet-providers

TNB’s RM43bil grid modernisation gears up for

haya — Thu, 28 May 2026 12:07:51 +0800

TNB’s RM43bil grid modernisation gears up for rapid growth in data centre demand
Thursday, 28 May 2026 | 10:45 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) RM43 billion grid modernisation programme is gearing up to meet Malaysia’s growing data centre demand, with future energy requirements already incorporated into broader national generation planning to ensure long-term system readiness.

Speaking at the Datacentre and Cloud Infrastructure Expo 2026, TNB chief grid officer Hasmarizal Hassan shared how the utility is preparing grid infrastructure to support the sector’s rapid expansion, including connection capacity, delivery timelines, and long-term system planning.

A key focus is TNB’s Green Lane Pathway, which has reduced grid connection timelines for data centres from 36 months to as little as 12 months, Hasmarizal was quoted as saying in TNB’s social media post.

As of March 2026, a total of 33 projects have been delivered under the framework, reflecting TNB’s recognition that connection speed is a key factor in strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional data centre hub.

"To manage large-scale demand growth, TNB is also adopting a cluster-based grid strategy, concentrating transmission infrastructure investments across identified growth corridors,” he said

He said Johor remains one of the key active clusters under the strategy, with further nationwide expansion planned to support scalability while maintaining overall system reliability.

Hasmarizal also said the approach is aimed at ensuring the grid remains capable of supporting rising demand for digital infrastructure as Malaysia continues to attract data centres and other high-growth, high-value investments.

The MADANI government focuses on industries that create better jobs, facilitate technology transfer, drive innovation, and promote long-term economic growth. - Bernama

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/business/busines...a-centre-demand

Wasians are everywhere in pop culture. Is it the b

haya — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:45:36 +0800

Republic of Wasia? This mixed race moment isn’t the boon you think it is
Lauren Ironmonger
Lifestyle writer
May 21, 2026 — 7:40pm

Lately I’ve been seeing hotter, more successful versions of myself everywhere.

There was Hudson Williams, star of HBO’s queer hockey series Heated Rivalry, and Lola Tung, lead of teen romance The Summer I Turned Pretty. Then there’s Charles Melton in season two of Netflix’s Beef, pop star Olivia Rodrigo and indie darling Mitski. During the Milan Winter Olympics, free skier Eileen Gu and figure skater Alysa Liu dominated my social media feeds.

Yes, “Wasians” (portmanteau slang describing people who are half white, half Asian) are everywhere.

I’ve watched on with joy and fascination as this tide of Wasian pride has crested over popular culture. As a Wasian myself (although back in my day we called ourselves Eurasian, halfies or mixed), I’m genuinely happy to see people like myself celebrated.

But I’m also troubled by the narrative I see unfolding, one that only includes a certain type of biracial person – emphasis on the “W” in Wasian.

This narrative – a celebration of Wasian representation as a boon for diversity – evades the point: whiteness is what makes us more palatable; a Goldilocks-esque vision of not too Asian, not too white, but just right.

My mum, a Vietnamese refugee, met my dad, who has German and British ancestry, in Melbourne. They moved to Sydney shortly before I was born and raised me in a predominantly white inner-city suburb – a conscious decision towards “assimilation”, my mum recently told me.

It’s common for mixed race people to discuss feeling like we’re caught between two worlds. I’ve certainly felt this – the pang of longing when listening to family members talk in a language I only have a passing familiarity with, and, conversely, of being seen as “other” by white friends.

I attended a weekend Vietnamese school in Marrickville for a time, but remember little besides a few nursery rhymes, the horror of my stern teacher’s detachable bun and being teased by my classmates for not looking like them (my own version of the famous Mean Girls line, “If you’re from Africa, why are you white?” ).

Fellow Wasians, seeing themselves on the big and small screen, have flocked around this shared phenotype and experience of “betweenness” like moths to a flame. In April, Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey assembled a squad of high-profile Wasians, comprised of Williams, Liu, Tung and Katseye singer Megan Skiendiel, for her Madwoman music video.

“Welcome to the ‘The Republic of Wasia’,” declared NPR last month. Countless think pieces ensued. In the United States over the past few weeks, thousands of Wasians have gathered in major cities like New York and San Francisco.

But I think we’re missing something when conversations about mixed race identity start and end with this idea of exclusion, as I’ve seen some people frame it.

Conversations about diversity tend to point to Wasian actors – from Keanu Reeves to Olivia Munn and beyond – as instances of representation.

According to a Hollywood diversity report from UCLA, 22 per cent of leads in streaming films in 2025 were multiracial, the second-largest share after white actors. Non-mixed Asian leads comprised just 2 per cent.

For most of my life, I’ve been able to move deftly between these two identities, playing up my whiteness or Vietnameseness as the situation requires. My racial ambiguity allows me to access spaces my Asian peers cannot.

Being Wasian is a chameleonic identity that meant in kindergarten I was on the delivering, not receiving, end of schoolyard taunts directed at Asian friends. The next week I’d show up to school in an ao dai, or traditional Vietnamese dress, emblazoned with an Australian flag (sorry Dai Le, I did it first), flaunting my mixed heritage.

Olympic freestyle skier Eileen Gu pulled this off on a much larger scale when she switched from team USA to China, going from immigrant success story and poster child for the American dream, to a symbol of a more globalised, cosmopolitan China.

My legal name, which bears no trace of my Asian heritage (I do have a Vietnamese middle name), also affords me certain privileges. My mixed race friends, who carry the first and last names of their Vietnamese families, have described to me the racism they’ve experienced – whether it’s on a resume or coffee cup.

Yes, I’ve been confused for Asian colleagues, fetishised by men on dating apps for looking “exotic” and been typecast by white peers (shout out to my well-meaning old housemate who loved giving me paintings of pandas and The Beatles standing in rice paddies wearing conical hats).

And sure, these microagressions grate.

But have I experienced the systemic racism my Asian friends have? Was I subject to the wave of xenophobic hate that swept the world during the pandemic? No.

Race, after all, is constructed, and the treatment of biracial people in history is complex.

Australian journalist Jane Hutcheon explored this in a stage show about her mother Beatrice’s experiences growing up mixed race in 1920s Shanghai.

“‘Hybrid’ children weren’t exactly viewed as an exotic blend of east and west. They were, as author Vicky Lee described them, a kind of ‘unwanted by-product of a colonial encounter’,” she wrote in a piece for this masthead.

And I’m only really talking about mixed-race Asian people here. The reality for Indigenous people, and the painful history of the Stolen Generation, shapes their experience of racism in very different ways.

Conversations around mixed race people still, by and large, centre whiteness. The very terms “Wasian” or “Eurasian”, and the mass gatherings they have inspired, ignore people who might be “Blasian” (Black and Asian), or in Australia, Aboriginal-Chinese.

Asian, too, tends to be code for east Asian, not South Asian, while popular culture representations of interracial couples – like Netflix’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – tend to privilege those with one white partner.

It seems to me that Wasians, in 2026, have become a new model minority, or post-racial ideal.

In an essay on Substack, Patrick Kho writes that “Wasians are the new face of eugenics”, arguing figures like Eileen Gu and Alyssa Liu have been “co-opted by an extremist mixed-race eugenics movement”, pointing to conspiracy theories the athletes were designer babies.

Like many Wasians living in the west today, I’m a product of imperialism: my mother escaped Vietnam after the war (the “US” or “Vietnam” war, depending on who you ask); my father’s ancestors were early European settlers. You could argue the platforming of mixed race Asians in 2026 is a continuation of this thread; the gaze of empire turned brightly upon the children it helped create.

It’s not my intention to tear down people like myself. I just hope this cultural moment, rather than turning the Wasian community in on itself, huddled around this buzzword that’s so limited in whom in includes, is not where the conversation stops.

Source: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/lifestyle/...513-p5zwap.html

Tenancy cleanup after Selangor takes over PPR

haya — Mon, 25 May 2026 15:22:28 +0800

"However, Borhan noted that the current rental rate of RM124 a month fell short of actual upkeep requirements.

“KPKT has given RM2.3mil for one year to cover maintenance costs.

“The state government has to top this up because rental collection alone is not enough for maintenance,” he said."

Read more at: https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news...-takes-over-ppr

WTAF

Even if had 100% rental payment compliance rate how is RM124/month to pay for ongoing maintenance?

Never too late to write a will

haya — Mon, 25 May 2026 08:54:35 +0800

Never too late to write a will
By ALLISON LAI
Monday, 25 May 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: Frozen inheritance assets has reached a staggering RM90bil, with experts attributing this to a lack of estate planning among Malaysians.

According to official statistics, the frozen assets include properties, shares, investments, and other capital belonging to deceased persons that cannot be distributed yet due to unresolved legal or administrative matters.

And if this does not pose a big enough headache, there is also the total in unclaimed money which stands at RM13bil.

The Accountant-General’s Department listed unclaimed money to include salaries, dormant bank accounts, insurance payouts, and deposits yet to be claimed by the rightful individuals; amounts range from several ringgit up to thousands of ringgit and more.

While frozen inheritance assets involve the estates of the deceased, unclaimed money can also entail living individuals.

Financial Planning Association of Malaysia general manager Alice Wong said many younger professionals and middle-income earners in the country still believe that estate planning is only necessary for the wealthy or elderly.

With such a mindset, many do not consider writing a will, she said.

“The reality is, if you have assets and dependants and a wish for how things should be handled after you are gone, a will is relevant,” she said in a recent interview.

Wong said cultural attitudes also play a role, as many families remain uncomfortable discussing death and inheritance matters.

She said many mistakenly believe that assets will automatically go to the “right people”.

“If you die without a will, your estate is distributed according to the Distribution Act for non-Muslims, which follows a fixed legal formula that may have nothing to do with what you actually want,” Wong pointed out.

She said another common misconception is that a will alone will allow families immediate access to assets.

“In practice, assets are often frozen upon death, and the will still needs to go through the courts to obtain a Grant of Probate before anything can be distributed,” she said.

A Grant of Probate is a court document that gives an executor – usually a trusted family member, friend or named lawyer – the authority to manage and distribute a deceased person’s estate according to the will.

Wong said some people also wrongly assume verbal promises or informal notes to be sufficient.

“Spoken instructions and casual, unwitnessed writings carry no legal weight and are one of the biggest causes of family disputes after someone passes away,” she said.

Wong advised Malaysians to start with a legally valid will, review their Employees Provident Fund and insurance or takaful nominations regularly, and keep proper records of assets and liabilities.

“Estate planning does not have to be overwhelming. Getting proper guidance early can save your family a great deal of stress and complications down the road,” she said.

Lawyer Joshua Kong said a common legal problem families face when someone dies without proper estate planning is disagreements over how inherited properties should be handled.

“The root of the problem is that a property suddenly has multiple new legal owners after the death, and these new owners disagree on whether it should be sold, or for how much,” he said.

Kong said a properly considered and drafted will could potentially prevent years of legal disputes among surviving family members.

“A will can dictate how the deceased’s properties are to be dealt with, including how it should be sold and who gets the proceeds of the sale,” he said.

If there is no will, Kong said distribution of assets for non- Muslims will instead follow the Distribution Act, which determines how an estate is divided among surviving family members.

He said disputes involving inherited properties could become increasingly complicated over time, especially when beneficiaries themselves die and their shares are transferred to the next generation of heirs.

“Those next of kin may have different ideas on how to deal with the property, and the cycle continues,” he said.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026...to-write-a-will

Local councils urged to use AI to slash red tape

haya — Fri, 22 May 2026 16:13:26 +0800

Local councils urged to use AI to slash red tape
By TARRENCE TAN
Friday, 22 May 2026

PUTRAJAYA: Local councils must abandon their “business as usual” mindset and embrace artificial intelligence (AI) to slash red tape in serving ratepayers, says Nga Kor Ming.

The Housing and Local Government Minister issued a wake-up call to local authorities (PBTs) nationwide, warning that a digital overhaul is needed to ensure Malaysia remains globally competitive for the next two decades.

“I propose that we review and improve our existing systems by focusing on digital transformation.

“In line with the ease of doing business agenda and our business direction for the next 20 years, this is critical for the civil service, especially PBTs, so that we remain competitive.”

Speaking at the ministry’s Excellence Appreciation Ceremony 2025 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre yesterday, Nga said the government is actively rolling out the “AI at Work 2.0” initiative.

The programme equips civil servants with generative AI tools, such as Google Gemini, to automate tedious manual labour.

The first phase of AI at Work 2, introduced in Dec 2024, was a pilot to test AI integration in government workflows.

Nga said these tools will allow government officers to generate reports, analyse data and summarise documents at unprecedented speeds.

“This not only reduces manual workloads but also allows civil servants to focus on strategic tasks and resolve the people’s issues more effectively,” he added.

However, Nga stressed that technological upgrades must be paired with a radical mindset shift, urging civil servants to evolve into “global thinkers”.

He said the success of a nation is no longer determined solely by its resources, but by a workforce capable of anticipating global shifts in trade, technology and geopolitics.

“We can no longer work within a narrow scope or get too comfortable with routine approaches.

“We must understand local issues while remaining highly attuned to global developments so that every policy and decision boosts the nation’s competitiveness.”

Nga pointed out that Malaysia is currently in a prime position to attract foreign investment, citing the strengthening ringgit and recent recognition from JP Morgan, which named Malaysia one of the most resilient economies in Asia.

He added that sustaining this economic momentum requires civil servants at all levels to act swiftly and adapt to current demands.

At the event, Nga presented the Excellent Service Award to 441 ministry personnel for their performance in 2025.

While setting high-level targets, Nga said the ministry has not lost sight of grassroots issues, having successfully executed over 15,000 infrastructure upgrading projects this year.

These included improvements to public toilets, parks and roads, as well as enhancements to solid waste management and public cleanliness.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026...-slash-red-tape

Targeted petrol subsidy review key to fiscal

haya — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:50:06 +0800

Targeted petrol subsidy review key to fiscal sustainability, says economist
By The Borneo Post Team on May 21, 2026, Thursday at 7:01 AM

KOTA KINABALU (May 21): The proposal to review targeted petrol subsidies, particularly involving high-income groups, is an important step towards strengthening Malaysia’s fiscal position and improving economic resilience amid current challenges, according to an economist.

Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Development and Planning, Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy (FPEP), Prof Dr Caroline Geetha B Arokiadasan, said subsidies are intended to reduce living costs and improve the welfare of consumers and producers.

She said the government has long implemented blanket subsidies regardless of income levels, covering households such as the B40 (lower income), M40 (middle class) and T20 (high income).

However, rising government expenditure and global economic pressures mean such an approach may no longer be sustainable in the long term.

“Adjustments are necessary because the current economic situation requires the government to spend more prudently and in a more targeted manner,” she said in a statement.

“The focus is no longer whether subsidies should exist, but rather determining which groups truly deserve to receive such assistance.

“The T20 group has been identified as consuming nearly 40 to 50 percent of the country’s petrol subsidies, placing significant pressure on government spending,” she added.

Geetha said implementing measures such as quota systems or tiered pricing mechanism could help reduce the government’s financial burden while strengthening fiscal sustainability.

She noted that among the key challenges in implementing targeted subsidies is ensuring income data remains accurate and updated to prevent eligible recipients from being excluded.

She also stressed the importance of establishing a subsidy distribution system that is transparent, accountable and maintains a high level of integrity.

In addition, Geetha said support systems, including public transportation, should be strengthened to provide alternatives to private vehicle use.

On the impact on living costs, she said economic reforms typically involve an initial adjustment period before stabilisation occurs.

“At the initial stage, there may be some imbalance as people adapt to changes, but society will eventually adjust,” she said.

She added that more accurate subsidy reforms could help prevent excessive borrowing or tax increases to cover government expenditures.

“Increasing national debt will have major implications for future generations and may reduce the government’s capacity to channel funds into critical sectors such as education, healthcare and infrastructure development,” she said.

Geetha said targeted subsidy reforms could also encourage more prudent consumption practices, including carpooling, greater use of public transportation and reducing unnecessary travel.

“Subsidy reform is a step that must be implemented immediately to ensure the sustainability of the country’s finances and strengthen Malaysia’s economic resilience in the future,” she said.

Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/05/21/ta...says-economist/

30 years’ jail, 8 lashes for senior citizen over

haya — Tue, 19 May 2026 09:10:02 +0800

30 years’ jail, 8 lashes for Petra Jaya senior citizen over sexual assault of neighbours’ children
By Desiree David on May 18, 2026, Monday at 3:31 PM

The accused is escorted by a policeman at the Kuching Court Complex. — Photo by Desiree David

KUCHING (May 18): A 69-year-old man was sentenced separately in the Sessions Court here to a total of 30 years’ jail and eight strokes of the cane for sexually assaulting his neighbours’ young children.

The man from a village in Petra Jaya pleaded guilty to two counts framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (Soaca) 2017.

The Section, punishable under Section 14 of the same Act, carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and caning upon conviction.

Judge Iris Awen Jon sentenced the accused to 15 years in prison and four strokes of the cane, effective today, while Judge Noorhisham Mohd Jaafar also sentenced him to 15 years in prison and four strokes of the cane, ordering the sentence to run consecutively after the accused completes his first prison term.

The courts also ordered the accused to undergo rehabilitation and counselling throughout his detention period.

Iris further ordered the accused to be placed under police supervision for two years after serving his sentence, while Noorhisham imposed a three-year supervision order.

According to the first charge, the accused sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl at around 4pm on May 11 at his house in a Petra Jaya village.

For the second charge, he committed the offence against a then eight-year-old girl at around 4pm at the same location on Aug 20, 2023.

Based on the facts of the case, the mother of the 12-year-old girl was informed by her daughter and niece, who is now 10, that they were molested by the accused at a house in separate incidents.

The accused touched the victims’ chests and private parts, as well as ordered them to undress.

A police report was lodged and the accused was arrested on May 14.

Police investigations revealed the victims knew the accused as he frequently visited their house and took them out for meals.

In one of the incidents, the accused lured the 12-year-old victim by offering the use of a mobile phone to access social media applications and promising to take her out for a walk before committing the sexual assault.

The accused warned both victims not to tell anyone about the incidents.

As a result of the incidents, both victims were left traumatised and fearful.

It is understood that the younger victim she still remembers the 2023 incident as it happened on her birthday.

Deputy public prosecutors Chuah Kai Sheng and Marvind Kaliyani handled the prosecution separately, while the accused was unrepresented by counsel.

Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/05/18/30...bours-children/

Malaysia Airlines sees strong demand

haya — Mon, 18 May 2026 11:02:10 +0800

Malaysia Airlines sees strong demand
By VICTORIA ARUL
Monday, 18 May 2026

PETALING JAYA: Since reporting improved operational reliability, Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd (MAG) says Malaysia Airlines’ performance reflects the effectiveness of its recovery initiatives amid today’s evolving operating environment.

MAG chief executive officer of airline business Bryan Foong said the aviation industry continues to navigate a highly dynamic operating environment, and adaptability remains critical.

Moody’s Ratings said the outlook on global energy market growth prospects highlighted mounting operational and financial pressures on airlines as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt global energy and transport networks.

The report highlighted that even if the conflict remains contained, prolonged and unresolved negotiations would keep oil and energy supplies tight, pushing up costs, including airline fuel.

“Malaysia Airlines is closely monitoring external developments and evolving market conditions while maintaining the agility to respond where necessary,” Foong said.

He explained that the group remains focused on its long-term sustainable growth, as it aims to chart the broader industry landscape.

Foong shared that regional travel demand has accelerated across key markets, including Malaysia, Greater China and North Asia, which has led to a broad-based surge, highlighting sustained confidence in Malaysia Airlines’ international network.

Foong added that the group sees strengthening travel demand from East Asia, underscoring Malaysia Airlines’ opportunity to capture this growth.

“This is reflected in our ongoing network expansion, including the resumption of direct services to Fukuoka, the launch of new routes to Shenzhen and Changsha, as well as increased frequencies across Asean, South Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe to support growing connectivity and travel demand,” he said.

The airline recorded a 30% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase in passenger traffic in March, before growth moderated to 8% in April, which Foong attributed to seasonal factors and a high base effect following a particularly strong March.

He pointed out however that Malaysia Airlines continues to see strong leisure and business travel demand across its key markets, reflected in healthy y-o-y demand growth.

“Demand from Malaysia rose by 18% y-o-y, while Australia and New Zealand recorded a 60% increase.

“Asean markets grew 10%, North Asia rose 46%, and Greater China saw a 40% uplift, underscoring continued momentum across the network,” he told StarBiz.

Foong noted MAG is collectively focused on delivering sustainable growth, enhancing disciplined capacity management, and maintaining its operational reliability.

The group recently saw resilient performance driven by continued operational gains that sustained on-time performance (OTP) above 90% over two consecutive months while consistently exceeding its 85% target since January 2026.

“While peak travel periods naturally bring added complexity, MAG is committed to scaling up operational discipline, agility and real-time coordination,” Foong said.

“Through stronger day-to-day coordination and a shared focus on operational discipline, we implemented several enhancements, including earlier boarding processes; expanded Service Recovery Team support at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, improved gate management, and closer coordination between operating crew and ground teams and with external stakeholders such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (Air Traffic Control) and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd,” he explained.

Foong emphasised that this enabled the airline to achieve an OTP of 85.39% in April 2026, ranking fourth among Asia-Pacific’s most punctual airlines, based on Cirium data. “Malaysia Airlines also recorded a 99.91% completion factor and 89.77% on-time departures during the month, which marked continued improvement from 81.18% OTP in March 2026 and 73.61% in February 2026,” he said.

Foong credited the achievement to the group’s ability to maintain a full flight schedule, underpinned by the dedication, resilience and professionalism of MAG’s workforce.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/business/busines...s-strong-demand

Can offenders with mental disorders face charges

haya — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:42:57 +0800

Can offenders with mental disorders face charges in court?
By Milad Hassandarvish
Monday, 18 May 2026 7:00 AM MYT

A bystander restrains a woman allegedly carrying a knife during the Rain Rave Water Music Festival in Bukit Bintang before police officers arrived at the scene. — Viral video screen grab

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — The recent knife-wielding incident at the Rain Rave Water Music Festival in Bukit Bintang has raised questions surrounding the treatment of individuals with mental disorders within the Malaysian legal system.

A 28-year-old woman, charged with carrying an offensive weapon in public, was ordered by the court to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Here’s a look at how Malaysian law interprets mental health in relation to criminal liability and the potential consequences for crimes committed by individuals found to have mental disorders.

According to lawyer Rajsurian Pillai, Malaysian law does not automatically exempt individuals with mental disorders from criminal liability.

He added that the legal landscape can be divided into two distinct categories: individuals who are mentally ill but still possess an understanding of their actions, and those who are officially deemed to be of “unsound mind” at the time of the offence.

This differentiation is crucial in determining the applicable legal consequences.

“A person is not criminally liable if, at the time of the act, because of ‘unsoundness of mind’, they were incapable of understanding the nature of the act or knowing that the act was wrong or against the law,” explained Pillai.

Citing the Penal Code’s Section 84, he said the law articulates that nothing is an offence committed by a person who, at the time of doing it, by reason of unsoundness of mind, is incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that he or she is committing what is either wrong or contrary to law.

“This provision emphasises that a mere diagnosis of a mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, is not enough to excuse criminal liability.

“So, a person may have a medically diagnosed mental disorder and yet still be held criminally liable,” Rajsurian added.

Sharing a similar sentiment, lawyer Dinesh Muthal said while individuals with an unsound mind can indeed be charged with crimes, the acceptance of a guilty plea hinges on the verification of the defendant’s mental state at the time of the crime.

“People with an unsound mind can be charged in court, but their plea of guilt would not be taken if there is a plea of insanity,” he said, indicating that the intersection of mental health and law requires thorough examination and scrutiny.

Before any trial can commence, Dinesh said, a psychiatric evaluation is a pivotal step in the process.

Under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code, if a defendant is suspected of being of unsound mind, the judge will delve into the facts surrounding the case, potentially receiving evidence from a qualified medical officer.

According to Dinesh, the psychiatric evaluation process can take between one and three months, during which the suspect may be detained in a psychiatric hospital for observation or, depending on the severity of the crime, placed under house arrest.

If deemed unfit to stand trial, individuals may remain in psychiatric care until they demonstrate stability and an adequate understanding of the proceedings.

“Even if the person was found to be of sound mind at the time of committing the crime, if they exhibit unsoundness after, they must be kept in a mental hospital facility,” said Dinesh.

In the case of the woman arrested at the festival, she was ordered by the court to undergo a psychiatric assessment at Hospital Bahagia in Ulu Kinta, Perak, in light of suspected mental health issues.

Currently held at Kajang Prison, the court has set June 4 for her next appearance, where her mental state and the circumstances of her actions will be further assessed.

The implications of these legal frameworks were also observed in a high-profile case involving a 15-year-old student charged with the alleged murder of his 16-year-old schoolmate at Bandar Utama School in Petaling Jaya.

The three-month psychiatric evaluation conducted by Hospital Bahagia indicated that the teen was mentally capable of understanding the trial proceedings, which are set to commence in August.

According to the charge sheet, the boy allegedly murdered his schoolmate in the girls’ toilet of SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (4) on Oct 14 last year.

The charge carries the death penalty or a jail term of 30 to 40 years, and 12 strokes of the rotan if convicted.

However, under Section 97(1) of the Child Act 2001, the death sentence cannot be imposed on a child at the time of the offence.

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...in-court/219948

Putra Heights explosion: Independent probe finding

haya — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:23:31 +0800

Putra Heights explosion: Independent probe findings submitted to Federal Govt, says Selangor MB
Saturday, 16 May 2026 | 8:08 PM MYT

JOHOR BARU: The Selangor government has submitted the investigation report on the gas pipeline explosion incident in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, obtained from the Independent Committee to the Federal Government last month.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the move was made after the committee presented the results of the report to the state government.

"In the past month, I have submitted it to the Federal Government, (now) just waiting for feedback. If there is feedback, I will submit it (to the public)," he said at a press conference after officiating the Siswa Kita Selangor South Zone Roadshow at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), here on Saturday (May 16).

He said this when asked to comment on the progress of the Independent Committee's investigation report.

Amirudin said the report would be released to the public after obtaining permission from the Federal Government.

According to him, the report can be seen as a study for the future so that such incidents can be avoided from recurring and follow-up steps can be taken.

A total of eight individuals were appointed to the Independent Committee, which is chaired by senior research fellow of the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Centre (DPPC) of the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), UTM, Dr Khamarrul Azahari Razak.

Amirudin was previously reported to have said that the independent panel, which was approved by the state executive council, had professional qualifications in various related fields such as slopes, hills, oil and gas.

They, among others, reviewed and assessed technical reports issued by the police, fire brigade and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DSHH) previously.

The incident on April 1 last year left approximately 1,254 people from 308 families affected with 87 houses destroyed and 148 others requiring repairs.- Bernama

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026...ays-selangor-mb

Widening access to mental health services

haya — Mon, 18 May 2026 08:45:36 +0800

Widening access to mental health services
By GRACE CHEN
Monday, 18 May 2026

MORE people in Selangor are seeking free mental health services through the state government’s Sehat programme.

The two-pronged programme comprises Talian Sehat – a counselling hotline – and weekly community counselling sessions known as Hab Sehat.

Hab Sehat coordinator Dr Amiera Shakina Mohamad Nadzir said screening tests conducted on the 4,297 users, who registered via the Selangkah app for Hab Sehat services up to 2025, highlighted the strong need for such support. Of the respondents, 12.5%

said they were suffering from severe stress, 18.5% from intense anxiety while 6.5% had severe depression.

“The story is bigger than these numbers because not every mental health struggle shows up in official statistics.

“What we are seeing locally, especially through screening programmes and services like community counselling hubs, is an increase in people coming forward for assessment and support,” said Dr Amiera, a general practitioner specialising in psychiatry.

“People may look fine from the outside, but internally something else might be going on that needs attention.”

She highlighted several warning signs that could indicate someone was having mental health issues.

These include feeling tired, unmotivated and emotionally drained, she said.

Conversely, they may also feel anxious, physically restless like their mind cannot switch off.

“Another thing to look out for is someone who may have difficulty controlling emotions or reacts more strongly than usual,” said Dr Amiera.

She added that in cases of burnout, a person may feel like they were running on empty but still try to keep going.

“There are also those who have trouble concentrating, and feel lost and directionless.

“Others facing mental health issues may choose to isolate or withdraw from social connections,” she said.

Dr Amiera stressed that mental health issues should not be confused with mental illness.

Not all mental health issues require medication, she said.

“Many cases can improve with counselling, therapy, lifestyle changes or psychosocial support.”

She cautioned against labelling people with mental health issues as being “soft” or “typical of the strawberry generation.”

“This can lead to lack of support for those who are suffering from it, increased feelings of shame or isolation and potential worsening of mental health conditions,” she said.

Selangor Counselling Centre (PKS) coordinator and clinical psychologist Megat Syaiful Izzuddin Megat Mokhtar said the provision of state-organised mental health support showed Selangor as a progressive state.

“Just as governments invest in preventing physical diseases, they must also invest in protecting mental well-being before problems become crises.

“Early support improves quality of life, strengthens productivity, reduces healthcare costs and builds healthier communities all round.”

Free counselling sessions

Persatuan Kaunselor Malaysia Antarabangsa (Perkama) assistant secretary Dr Aslina Ahmad, who is also Hab Sehat coordinator, said the first phase of counselling was held from October 2024 to March 2025.

In that year, the community counselling sessions took place in nine locations – Bandar Utama, Pandamaran, Sungai Tua, Pandan Indah, Sungai Pelek, Kuala Kubu Baru, Sungai Air Tawar, Ijok and Morib.

The number of Hab Sehat was increased to 11 with the inclusion of Kampung Tunku and Lembah Jaya.

“Under phase one, 540 slots were booked with the 9am to 10am sessions being the most popular,” she said.

“The Petaling district recorded the highest percentage of bookings.

“This can be attributed to the higher awareness of mental health here,” said Dr Aslina.

“The largest number of respondents were women from the 20 to 40 age group.

“One of the largest groups of respondents were students.

“Many of them sought help for issues like balancing studies and part-time work, managing money and family responsibilities, and adjusting from student to working life,” she added.

Overall, slightly over 40% of appointments were repeat sessions.

The second phase, which kicked off in August 2025, ended in January.

This phase also involved physical events as well as regular appearances on a radio station.

In total, 18 events took place in various locations on topics like parenting, suicide prevention and the role of counsellors in community development.

Hab Sehat, which was temporarily halted, is expected to resume on July 4 and continue until Dec 26.

As before, the sessions will be held at 11 locations in Gombak, Petaling, Hulu Selangor, Klang, Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Langat, Sepang and Kuala Langat districts.

Sessions are typically held in assemblyman service centres every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, except on public holidays.

Perkama and Sehat also collaborated with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

Young Counselling Scholars to hold bowling and swimming classes.

Some of the events were held in conjunction with the Jualan Rahmah and Karnival Sihat programmes.

Webinars were also held covering topics like substance abuse awareness as well as reducing the stigma around mental health.

In April 2025, Perkama counsellors went on Selangor FM – a regional Malay-language radio station operated by RTM.

They were featured in “Curahan Hati”, a weekly hourly slot airing every Wednesday at 9.30pm where listeners could share their feelings.

Various topics were discussed including anger management, and inculcating self-confidence.

In 2026, the frequency was increased to two slots, on Wednesdays as well as Fridays, featuring professionals involved in counselling, social work, psychology and other professions.

Reducing stigma Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin told StarMetro that the budget allocation for Sehat programme had doubled from RM700,000 in 2025 to RM1.5mil in 2026.

“Sehat programme is the state government’s long-term commitment to ensure that mental health support can be accessed more widely, quickly and without stigma.

“It is hoped that it can continue to be expanded from a basic intervention approach into a more holistic and sustainable community mental health support ecosystem.

“It aims to ensure that more Selangor residents – especially youths, students, low-income families and vulnerable groups – can get easily accessible assistance before an issue becomes more serious.

“The Selangor government is hoping the Sehat programme can grow into a model for state-level mental health intervention that not only focuses on treatment, but also on prevention, public education and building a community that is more attentive to the emotional well-being of society,” said Jamaliah.

Appointments must be made through the Selangkah app.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news...health-services

Scam gangs shift to Sri Lanka

haya — Mon, 18 May 2026 08:42:32 +0800

Scam gangs shift to Sri Lanka
Monday, 18 May 2026

A surge in arrests of suspected foreign scammers in Sri Lanka has authorities concerned that the island is fast becoming a hub for online crime, following sweeping crackdowns in hotspots Cambodia and Myanmar.

Officials say some scam networks forced out of countries in South-East Asia have simply shifted to new bases, increasingly moving operations to Sri Lanka – an attractive destination due to a relaxed visa regime and reliable, high-speed Internet.

Since the start of the year, police have arrested more than 1,000 foreigners for alleged involvement in cybercrime, spokesman Fredrick Wootler said, a jump from 430 for the entirety of 2024 and even fewer last year.

Fraud compounds where scammers lure Internet users into fake romantic relationships, cryptocurrency investments and betting platforms have flourished across South-East Asia.

Those conducting the scams are sometimes willing con artists, and other times trafficked foreign nationals forced to work.

Officials say the networks operating in Sri Lanka target victims across Asia, including in India, Vietnam and the Philippines, but there are growing concerns Sri Lankans could be next.

Authorities are also investigating whether foreign syndicates were involved in a recent cyberattack on the Sri Lankan treasury that resulted in around US$2.5mil (RM9.8mil) in losses.

China, which has stepped up cooperation with regional governments in recent years to crack down on scam networks, has acknowledged the geographical shift.

Beijing’s embassy in Colombo said illicit activity in Sri Lanka had risen following enforcement actions in Cambodia, Myanmar as well as the United Arab Emirates.

“The Chinese government attaches great importance to this trend,” the embassy said in a statement, pledging closer cooperation with Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies.

The networks displaced from Myanmar and Cambodia, where authorities have stepped up raids and deportations, exploit the island’s 30-day tourist visas for nationals of more than 40 countries, while others can easily apply for permits online.

As cases surge, immigration authorities are now playing a larger role in investigations.

“We are getting our agents directly involved because of the increase in the number of cases handled by police,” an immigration official said on condition of anonymity.

The expansion of criminal networks mirrors a broader regional crisis.

A United Nations report issued this year estimated that at least 300,000 people have been trafficked into scam compounds across South-East Asia.

While Sri Lankan officials say they have not identified foreigners being trafficked into the country, dozens of Sri Lankans have been rescued from scam compounds abroad over the past year.

Wootler said authorities were doing all they could to tackle the growing problem, deporting foreigners who overstay their visa and ensuring those who engage in online crime are “punished by our courts”. — AFP

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanp...ft-to-sri-lanka

S Korea professor organ donation saves 3 lives

haya — Mon, 18 May 2026 08:40:06 +0800

South Korean professor’s organ donation saves three lives
Saturday, 16 May 2026 | 11:31 AM MYT

SEOUL: A 63-year-old professor with over two decades of teaching experience donated her organs, saving three individuals just days before South Korea’s Teachers’ Day celebrated on May 15, according to the Korea Organ Donation Agency.

Kim Mi-hyang donated her liver and both kidneys at Samsung Changwon Hospital on Sunday (May 10) after she was declared brain-dead.

According to the agency, Kim collapsed at home on April 17 after having headaches and dizziness, and she did not regain consciousness.

Her family agreed to donate her organs, saying the choice reflected her values and how she lived her life.

“As much as we wanted to save my mother, we also wanted her to help other patients,” her daughter, Park Da-bin, said in a statement.

“Even though we were not financially well off, she always liked giving to others.”

Lee Sam-yeol, president of the Korea Organ Donation Agency, said Kim had been both an educator and a volunteer, and that she “practiced noble love through organ donation even in her final moments.” - The Korea Herald/ANN

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanp...ves-three-lives

Come all the way to Msia, go all the way to Perlis

haya — Fri, 15 May 2026 09:56:43 +0800

Four Chinese nationals arrested in Kuala Perlis for suspected housebreaking
Thursday, 14 May 2026 | 6:25 PM MYT

KANGAR: Four Chinese nationals were arrested in Kampung Wai, Kuala Perlis, on Wednesday (May 13) for suspected housebreaking.

Kangar OCPD Asst Comm Yusharifuddin Mohd Yusop said the suspects, aged between 45 and 52, were arrested at 4.30pm following a public tip-off about a suspicious MPV in Taman Sentosa, Kuala Perlis.

He said a team of officers from the Kuala Perlis police station, along with the district Criminal Investigation Department and marine police intelligence unit, tracked down the vehicle, but its driver sped off to avoid arrest.

"The suspects also attempted to ram through the Kampung Wai roadblock before the vehicle was stopped by officers on site," he said in a statement on Thursday.

Yusharifuddin added that they refused to cooperate and would not open the vehicle's doors, even after police identified themselves and showed their authority cards.

"The driver reversed and nearly hit an officer, so police smashed the windows. The suspects tried to flee but were arrested after a scuffle," he said.

Yusharifuddin added that police seized suspected housebreaking tools, including mobile phones, walkie-talkies, flashlights, black hats, wigs, gloves, a master key, an iron rod, pliers, and screwdrivers, along with the vehicle, which was rented in Kuala Lumpur.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that they had entered the country via Kuala Lumpur International Airport last Tuesday as tourists.

The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code, and all suspects have been remanded until May 18, he said. - Bernama

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026...d-housebreaking

But "beer" in root beer and "dog" in hot dog lebih

haya — Fri, 15 May 2026 07:30:09 +0800

Ex-Astro employee jailed four years for converting 731 customer accounts to corporate access
Wednesday, 13 May 2026 8:11 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 — A former employee of a pay television station was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment by the Sessions Court here today after pleading guilty to 731 charges of tampering with the company’s database over nearly seven years.

Judge Izralizam Sanusi imposed a four-year jail sentence on Nora Idayu Jaafar, 49, for each charge and ordered all sentences to run concurrently from today.

Today’s proceedings took about five hours as the court read out all 731 charges against Nora Idayu before she entered her guilty plea.

According to the facts of the case, Nora Idayu, who had worked with Astro since 2003, was granted access to the company’s internal AMDOCS Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system through two user IDs registered under her name.

Checks on the Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) and CRM systems revealed that 731 regular customer accounts had been unlawfully converted into corporate accounts using the accused’s two user IDs between October 30, 2013 and August 20, 2020.

The accused’s actions were not authorised by Astro, as corporate accounts were non-paying accounts created solely for the company’s internal use, while regular customers were required to subscribe through paid customer accounts instead of accessing Astro services through corporate accounts without authorisation.

Under the charges, Nora Idayu, who worked in the Commercial Support Unit, was accused of tampering with data by converting 731 regular customer accounts into corporate accounts, despite knowing that the act would result in unauthorised changes to the database contents.

The offences were allegedly committed at the Astro office at Menara Icon, Jalan Tun Razak here under Section 5(1) of the Computer Crimes Act 1997, which carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to seven years, or both.

Earlier, lawyer Daniel Annamalai, representing the accused, pleaded for the prison sentences for all charges to run concurrently, citing his client’s clean record and bipolar disorder, which affected her emotional stability and judgment.

“The accused began working in 2003, but became involved in these offences after getting married in 2013 due to extreme domestic pressure and financial difficulties caused by her former husband, who was a compulsive gambler.

“An excessively harsh sentence may worsen the accused’s mental health condition, whereas a balanced sentence would allow her the opportunity to undergo rehabilitation and continue receiving treatment,” the lawyer said.

However, deputy public prosecutor Siti Aina Rodhiah Shikh Md Saud urged the court to impose a heavy sentence, stressing that the offences were committed consistently and systematically over a very long period.

“The accused’s actions have affected the integrity and reliability of Astro’s computer systems, particularly the CRM system, which is the company’s core customer management and transaction system,” she said. — Bernama

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...e-access/219831