Day: July 1, 2026

Cops Develop Driver Profiling System To Curb Drug And Drink-driving

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 -- The Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) will develop a profiling system involving drivers, companies and commercial vehicles to strengthen efforts to curb drug- and alcohol-impaired driving. Bukit Aman JSPT Director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said the initiative is being refined as part of proposals to tighten enforcement, including ensuring companies that employ such drivers are also held accountable for offences committed. "We are in the process of developing a profiling system for individuals, companies and vehicles, and are working with the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), while also submitting proposals to the government to strengthen laws so that not only drivers are penalised, but companies that hire them are also held responsible," he told a press conference at Bukit Aman today. Muhammed Hasbullah said the move follows an increasing trend of commercial vehicle drivers being detected driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, posing significant risks to road safety. He said that under the current Road Transport Act 1987, legal action is taken against individuals who commit offences, but the department is also proposing that employers or companies be held responsible. Muhammed Hasbullah also advised transport companies and commercial vehicle owners to conduct regular monitoring of their drivers, including urine screening tests, to ensure employees are not involved in drug abuse. Meanwhile, he said 121 lorry drivers were among 135 individuals detained after testing positive for drugs in 44 joint operations targeting commercial vehicle drivers along the North-South Expressway and East Coast Expressway from April to June. He said the figure was recorded from 713 urine screening tests conducted during the operation period, with 135 individuals detained in total. “Nearly 90 per cent of those detained were commercial vehicle drivers, involving 121 lorry drivers and 14 others,” he said. Muhammed Hasbullah said methamphetamine was the most commonly detected drug among lorry drivers in these operations, and based on current trends, some drivers are believed to be using illicit substances as a shortcut to sustain long driving hours. He said the operations, conducted by JSPT with cooperation from the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) Narcotics and the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), focused on trailer drivers, lorries, express buses, workers’ buses, school buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — The Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) will develop a profiling system involving drivers, companies and commercial vehicles to strengthen efforts to curb drug- and alcohol-impaired driving. Bukit Aman JSPT Director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said the initiative is being refined as part of proposals to tighten […]

In Echo Of Gerik Tragedy, Mother Elephant Refuses To Leave Dead Calf

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 -- The tragedy in Gerik, Perak, that gripped the nation on Mother's Day last year appeared to repeat itself today when a baby elephant was struck and killed by a vehicle, while its mother refused to leave the carcass for seven hours along Jalan Felda Nitar in Mersing early this morning. According to a video that went viral on social media, the female elephant was seen refusing to leave her dead calf after it was struck by a Perodua Bezza in the 2.28 am incident. A spokesman for the Johor Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), who confirmed the incident, said the department received a report at about 8.30 am before dispatching four personnel to the scene to conduct preliminary investigations. He said that upon arriving at the scene, officers found that a female elephant calf, estimated to be five years old, had died after being hit by a vehicle, while an adult elephant believed to be her mother was still at the scene. "Investigations also found that the elephant herd was identified as belonging to the Jamaluang-Mersing ID group. "The elephant calf was identified as a female measuring about 150 centimetres in body length, with no tusks, a front footprint width of 11 inches and a rear footprint width of 14 centimetres," he said. The Fire and Rescue Department said a 31-year-old man was trapped and suffered leg injuries after the car he was driving crashed into the elephant calf and plunged into a five-metre-deep ravine. The Perhilitan spokesman said the Elephant Capture Unit from the Johor Elephant Sanctuary also assisted in driving the mother elephant back into the forest, while the calf's carcass was later buried nearby. He said the department would conduct patrols tonight and tomorrow to ensure the safety of the mother elephant and prevent her from returning to the accident site. Warning signs indicating an elephant crossing had previously been installed in the area, he added. He advised the public to exercise caution when travelling through the area as it is quite dark and serves as an elephant crossing. In the Gerik incident on May 11 last year, a baby elephant became trapped beneath a container lorry after being hit, while an adult elephant believed to be its mother was seen trying to push the lorry in an apparent attempt to save her calf. The incident went viral on social media and drew widespread public attention to the issue of human-elephant conflict. -- BERNAMA

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 — The tragedy in Gerik, Perak, that gripped the nation on Mother’s Day last year appeared to repeat itself today when a baby elephant was struck and killed by a vehicle, while its mother refused to leave the carcass for seven hours along Jalan Felda Nitar in Mersing early this morning. […]

PM Anwar Reviews Manuscript on Nation-Building Ideals Ahead of Publication

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 1 -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his appreciation after being given the opportunity to review the manuscript of an upcoming book titled “Anwar Ibrahim’s Ideas in Civilisation of the Nation’s Culture.” The Prime Minister said he was pleased with the involvement of renowned academic figure and Malay language expert, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Nik Safiah Haji Abdul Karim, in refining and developing the content of the book, which is currently in preparation. The book is authored by Professor Dr. Salinah binti Ja’afar, a lecturer and linguistics expert from the Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya. According to Anwar, he was extensively interviewed by both academics, covering various aspects of his thoughts, experiences, and perspectives on life and nation-building. Anwar Ibrahim expressed gratitude to the authors for their efforts in documenting and analysing his ideas and worldview, which are shaped by years of experience, reading, and public service. He also voiced hope that the manuscript will be completed soon and serve as an important reference for future generations, particularly in strengthening national development, cultural civilisation, and values of self-identity for the benefit of society. The book is expected to contribute to academic and public discourse on Malaysia’s cultural and intellectual development. -- MINUTESMY

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 1 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his appreciation after being given the opportunity to review the manuscript of an upcoming book titled “Anwar Ibrahim’s Ideas in Civilisation of the Nation’s Culture.” The Prime Minister said he was pleased with the involvement of renowned academic figure and Malay language […]

Johor Polls: Kota Iskandar Assemblyman Acts As A Bridge For The People

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 -- The principle of being a "bridge to the people's concerns" has been the guiding principle of incumbent Kota Iskandar state assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad in carrying out his mandate as a representative of the people with an approach of listening, understanding and solving the problems of the residents. Pandak, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the seat in the Johor state election said that this guiding principle has motivated him to continue the various initiatives implemented throughout the last term, with priority given to resolving issues across all levels of society. "When we hold on to that principle, we are holding a trust. Elders always remember, so that when we die, we don't have to be asked about the trust we hold," he said in an interview with Bernama. Among the achievements he described as major successes are the construction of 12,000 units of affordable housing under the Johor People's Housing Programme which opens up opportunities for the middle-income group to own their own homes, in addition to the construction of a new mosque in Pulai Emas and the establishment of the Tunku Mohkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC). He said efforts to improve the administrative system with the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) have also enabled the licensing process for small traders to be expedited, with applications now being approved within a day. “We have also managed to recover nine acres (3.64 hectares) of land that was previously owned by the private sector to be developed as a commercial fishing hub. It will be developed in a more orderly manner, including the relocation of traders’ stalls,” he said. Pandak said the transformation of Kampung Sungai Melayu from a traditional fishing village over 160 years old to a new tourist destination has had a great impact on the local community. He said infrastructure development worth almost RM22 million had transformed the village to emerge as one of the main tourism products under MBIP, which is now receiving more than 100,000 visitors in conjunction with Visit Johor Year 2026. Asked about issues that still needed attention, Pandak said traffic congestion due to the rapid development of housing areas, especially on the route from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to Pulai Indah and Gelang Patah to Kampung Ulu Pulai was among the main complaints of the residents. According to him, several traffic dispersal measures had been and are being planned, including upgrading traffic lights to a smart system, the construction of two new flyovers and an elevated interchange connecting the area to Taman Sri Pulai and Taman Teratai. Regarding future plans if given the mandate again, Pandak said that the education aspect would continue to be given priority in addition to realising the construction of about 300 housing units in Gelang Patah town and more than 800 units in Taman Damai, Pulau Hijauan with prices below RM300,000 per unit. He also saw the potential to make Pendas a new tourism destination in Kota Iskandar taking into account the strength of the fishing sector involving the local population, by adapting the development approach implemented in Kampung Sungai Melayu. “In Sungai Melayu, we are developing the ecotourism sector by providing boat services to bring visitors to enjoy the beauty of the area, while in Pendas the fish catch is more and the fishing community is larger, so we see the potential to combine fishing and ecotourism activities to increase the income of the residents,” he said. In the Johor polls campaign this time, Pandak said the face-to-face approach remains a priority, but at the same time he is also taking advantage of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Threads to reach out to young voters who represent more than 131,000 voters in Kota Iskandar, one of the largest in Johor. The Kota Iskandar state constituency, which has 132,579 registered voters, is witnessing a four-cornered contest involving Pandak, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Dzulkefly Ahmad, S. Anna Pravina from Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Sahrudin Omar representing Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama). Johor state election polling day is on July 11, while the early voting is on July 7. -- BERNAMA

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 — The principle of being a “bridge to the people’s concerns” has been the guiding principle of incumbent Kota Iskandar state assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad in carrying out his mandate as a representative of the people with an approach of listening, understanding and solving the problems of the residents. Pandak, who […]

Johor Polls: Premanand Optimistic Of MUDA Breakthrough In Bukit Batu

KULAI, July 1 -- Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) candidate for the Bukit Batu state seat M. Premanand is confident the constituency can spark a new wave of support for the party in the 16th Johor state election. Premanand, 53, a first-time state election candidate, said he is optimistic MUDA can repeat its success in Puteri Wangsa at the previous Johor polls. He attributed his confidence to voters' support for MUDA's commitment to transparency and integrity, as well as the credibility of the party's founder, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, whom he described as consistently working hard for the people despite facing various challenges. "So, we are very confident that Bukit Batu could be our next target, or maybe all four seats could be ours because the people see MUDA's transparent ideology. If you want a people's representative like Syed Saddiq, you have to vote for MUDA," he told Bernama here today. Premanand said his status as a Kulai native who is well known among the local community, coupled with his experience as a trainer and organisational development consultant who has worked with various industries nationwide, would help him secure voters' support. Commenting on his development agenda for Bukit Batu if given the mandate, he said his main priority would be to expand employment opportunities and ensure residents receive decent wages that reflect current industry needs. He said a significant gap remains between industry needs and the skills possessed by young people, affecting their ability to secure well-paying jobs amid the rising cost of living. "I want people to earn decent wages without having to work in Singapore. If possible, I want Johor residents to work in Johor, and I want to make sure Bukit Batu becomes an example for Johor, or even Malaysia, in terms of wages," he said. Premanand said flooding in the constituency was also among the issues requiring immediate attention through efforts to strengthen flood mitigation measures. The Bukit Batu state seat will see a five-cornered contest involving Premanand, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate R. Kumaran, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Arthur Chiong Sen Sern, Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate G. Tamili and Independent candidate Datuk Kamaruzaman Ali. The 16th Johor state election will be held on July 11, with early voting on July 7. -- BERNAMA

KULAI, July 1 — Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) candidate for the Bukit Batu state seat M. Premanand is confident the constituency can spark a new wave of support for the party in the 16th Johor state election. Premanand, 53, a first-time state election candidate, said he is optimistic MUDA can repeat its success in […]

Johor PRN: PH PhD Candidate Wants to Create a Technology Generation in Tenang State

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 -- Despite the hustle and bustle of campaigning for the 16th Johor State Election (PRN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Tenang State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Elia Nadira Sabudin is still shouldering another big responsibility to complete her doctorate (PhD) studies. For the mother of four who is studying Electrical Engineering (Control Systems) at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), the struggle in the academic and political worlds has the same goal, which is to build the future of society through knowledge, education and human development. The 43-year-old Johor Wanita Amanah Vice-Chairman said his focus was not just on gaining voter support but also on offering his academic expertise to bridge the gap in education quality between rural and urban areas. "I think my strength is education. I want the children in Tenang not to differentiate themselves from the children in the city. They are actually equal, we can develop our children and give them better job opportunities through education," he said in an interview with Bernama today. The technology entrepreneur who owns a robotics education company also provides classes for school students and teachers using a syllabus that is in line with the Ministry of Education (KPM) standards. He said the initiative could help students venture into new technology fields such as coding, which had been introduced in schools around Labis, and could thus be fully utilized to produce more local skilled workers. Apart from that, Elia Nadira said that one of the first things he researched before contesting was the district development plan for the northern region of Johor, including a plan to develop the local community economy through the ecotourism sector. "When we check in the Segamat 2030 local plan, the matter has been gazetted to be made into a tourism centre but today it has not happened yet. So I am here with my main focus on making Tenang a tourist destination." "Tenang is a place with many tourist attractions but not many people know that this area can be promoted as ecotourism, coupled with the presence of the ETS (electric train service) station in Labis, it should boost the local economy more aggressively," he said. Elia Nadira, who previously contested in the Bukit Pasir state seat, will face competition from two candidates who previously contested in the Tenang state seat, including a former state assemblyman (ADUN) for the area. However, he sees the opponent's experience as not an obstacle but rather a catalyst to offer a different approach to voters by bringing a political narrative that is fresher and closer to the hearts of the people. "At the Barisan Nasional (BN) level, they are presenting a candidate who was previously an assemblyman (Mohd Azahar Ibrahim) and I don't think that's a big problem for me. They have done what they were supposed to do and today I am coming forward to do better than that," he said. Apart from that, Elia Nadira said the campaign atmosphere was carried out in a healthy and mature democratic spirit when all candidates from the contesting parties were able to interact and exchange views professionally. "We are also polite to the voters, they can accept our presence with a smile and we have met with the opposing party several times, so we can sit at the table, have a drink, take pictures, there is no problem," he said. Apart from Mohd Azahar, in the 16th Johor state election, Elia Nadira will be challenged by Normala Sudirman from Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Independent candidate Siti Aisyah Zobir in a four-cornered contest. A total of 172 candidates are contesting in the Johor state election which will take place on July 11, while early voting will be held on July 7. -- BERNAMA

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 — Despite the hustle and bustle of campaigning for the 16th Johor State Election (PRN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Tenang State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Elia Nadira Sabudin is still shouldering another big responsibility to complete her doctorate (PhD) studies. For the mother of four who is studying Electrical Engineering […]