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Malaysia News

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed that Malaysia will continue to uphold the principles of justice, peace and sovereignty in its foreign policy, despite what he described as the erosion of values that have long underpinned relations among nations. He said the current geopolitical landscape has seen power and dominance increasingly overshadow truth, while international law is being applied selectively according to the interests of certain major powers. Against this backdrop, Anwar stressed that Malaysia will never compromise its principles, and will continue to champion peace, reject domination and imperialism, and stand firmly with those who are oppressed. "Justice cannot be seasonal, and human dignity cannot be measured according to geopolitical considerations," he said. The Prime Minister said Malaysia's foreign policy will remain anchored on independence, firmness and wisdom, without aligning itself with any major power bloc. Instead, he said, Malaysia will continue to build friendships based on mutual respect rather than dominance. On ASEAN, Anwar said the regional grouping remains the country's primary platform for advancing regional justice and stability. Although ASEAN is not without its shortcomings, he said its commitment to dialogue, engagement and consensus-building is far more valuable than rhetoric that only fuels hostility in an increasingly divided world. In the same address, Anwar criticised Norway's recent decision to revoke the export licence for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) system to Malaysia. He said the move was not the way Norway should treat a strategic partner such as Malaysia. The Prime Minister also revealed that he had received confirmation from United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Washington was neither involved in nor had it influenced Norway's decision. Looking ahead, Anwar said Malaysia will continue expanding its network of international partnerships, strengthening ties with existing partners while exploring new opportunities with countries across the Global South. He emphasised that Malaysia's diplomacy extends beyond relations between governments, serving as a means to create opportunities for the people, elevate the nation's standing, and ensure the country moves forward with confidence—guided by principle, prudence, courage and humanity. -- MINUTESMY

Malaysia Will Remain Principled, Reject Great Power Dominance in Foreign Policy – PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed that Malaysia will continue to uphold the principles of justice, peace and sovereignty in its foreign policy, despite .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2 -- Efforts to tackle bullying and prevent gangsterism among students must begin at the primary school level through strong character-building and discipline programmes, said Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Fadil Marsus. He said disciplinary issues involving primary school pupils have already been recorded, stressing that bullying and gangster influence must be addressed early before the problem escalates. “There are indeed cases involving primary school discipline. We do not deny this, but bullying and gangsterism is our priority,” he told reporters after officiating the Royal Malaysian Police (Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)) programme titled No Separated Students: Building Character, Instilling Discipline at Sekolah Kebangsaan La Salle 2 Jinjang. Fadil said the police will not tolerate any attempt by gangster elements to infiltrate educational institutions. The programme, conducted in collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Education Department, aims to strengthen cooperation between police and school authorities in shaping disciplined and independent students. Previously focused on secondary schools, the initiative has now been expanded to include primary schools nationwide. “This ongoing programme involves all schools, school liaison officers, and continuous two-way communication between the education sector and the police,” he added. Fadil also stressed that building the younger generation is a shared responsibility involving parents, schools, the community, and law enforcement. On concerns over social media misuse — including cigarette and vape-related content targeting students — he said police are aware of the issue and will take firm action. “Such things do happen. There are parties using various methods to attract young people. We will deal with it decisively,” he said. -- MINUTESMY

KL Police: Early School-Level Action Key to Curb Bullying, Gangsterism

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2 — Efforts to tackle bullying and prevent gangsterism among students must begin at the primary school level through strong character-building and discipline programmes, said Kuala Lumpur .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 2 — Media observers and industry advocates are calling for greater recognition and institutional support for freelance journalists, arguing that strengthening the profession is essential to building a more diverse, resilient and independent media landscape in Malaysia. As the global media industry continues to evolve, freelance journalists have become an increasingly important part of the news ecosystem. They often cover stories beyond the reach of traditional newsrooms, contribute specialised expertise and provide independent perspectives on issues of public interest. Despite their growing role, freelance journalism in Malaysia remains relatively underdeveloped. Many independent journalists, editors, photographers and content creators operate without stable income, legal safeguards, social security benefits or formal professional recognition. While some have transitioned to freelancing after leaving established news organisations, others have entered the profession as independent media practitioners from the outset. In countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and several European nations, freelance journalism is recognised as a viable long-term career. Freelancers benefit from professional associations, contractual protections, access to training programmes and, in some cases, government-backed grants that support journalism and creative industries. By comparison, Malaysian freelance journalists often face inconsistent payment practices, limited access to official events, challenges in obtaining media accreditation and a lack of institutional support. Many continue to work on short-term assignments without the employment protections available to full-time newsroom staff. Industry observers say a stronger freelance journalism sector would not only improve the welfare of media practitioners but also enhance the quality of public discourse. A larger pool of independent journalists could expand coverage of local communities, amplify diverse perspectives and produce more in-depth reporting on issues that may otherwise receive limited attention, particularly as many traditional media organisations reduce newsroom staffing due to financial constraints. They have urged policymakers to consider measures that would better support freelance media professionals, including clearer recognition of their role, fair payment guidelines, improved access to media accreditation, professional training opportunities and social protection schemes tailored to independent workers. Media organisations and professional associations have also been encouraged to play a greater role in promoting industry standards, safeguarding the rights of freelance journalists and supporting their professional development. Observers believe that as Malaysia continues to modernise its media industry, freelance journalism should be recognised as a permanent and valuable component of the country's news ecosystem, with stronger support contributing to a more vibrant, diverse and sustainable media sector.   -- PRESSKL -- MINUTESMY 

Experts Call for Stronger Support to Develop Malaysia’s Freelance Journalism Sector

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Media observers and industry advocates are calling for greater recognition and institutional support for freelance journalists, arguing that strengthening the profession is essential to building .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 2 -- The government is completing the regulatory framework under the Online Safety Act 2025 [Act 866], including finalising another regulatory instrument relating to private messaging features to clarify the obligations of digital platforms in dealing with harmful content, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is currently holding a public consultation to develop the Online Safety (Other Characteristics of Private Messaging Features) Regulations.  Fahmi said the public consultation, which began on June 19, was scheduled to end on July 20 before the regulations were finalized. "All these subsidiary legislations, codes and guidelines were drafted to detail the duties and obligations of licensed service providers under Act 866, in addition to providing clear guidance on compliance with statutory responsibilities," he said during the Ministerial Question Time session at the Dewan Rakyat today. He was answering a question from Rodziah Ismail (PH-Ampang) on ​​the status of the development of subsidiary instruments under Act 866, including regulations, guidelines and implementation mechanisms. Fahmi said the regulations were among 10 subsidiary instruments that included regulations, codes and guidelines that complemented Act 866, with four of them coming into force on Jan 1, 2026 simultaneously with the act. “It involves the Online Security (Fi) Regulations 2025, the Online Security (Form of Undertaking) Regulations 2025, the Online Security (Online Security Appeal Tribunal) Regulations 2025, and the Online Security (Period) Regulations 2025. "Two more subsidiary regulations were enforced on July 1, 2026, namely the Online Safety (Compounding of Offences) Regulations 2026 and the Online Safety (Online Safety Plan) Regulations 2026," he said. Fahmi said the implementation of Act 866 together with subsidiary regulations, codes and guidelines would ensure that social media platforms shoulder greater responsibility in creating a safer digital ecosystem, including detecting and addressing harmful content more proactively. He said platforms should not continue to rely on MCMC to identify and request that the content be taken down, but instead should implement automatic detection and enforcement. "This harmful content problem should not be handled by MCMC. This harmful content problem should be handled by the platform itself," he said. He said that since Jan 1 until yesterday, MCMC had identified 345,712 pieces of harmful content that were requested to be removed from digital platforms, with each application taking between 30 to 45 minutes as it required the preparation of documents and justification for the reason the content was classified as harmful. "If we take the number 345,712 that I mentioned earlier and multiply it by 30 minutes for each application, it means that from Jan 1 until yesterday, MCMC has used a total of 19.7 years of working time to file content that is believed to be harmful," he said. Fahmi said that of the total content requested to be taken down, approximately 91 percent involved gambling and scam content that was repeatedly produced by criminals and promoted through digital platforms. In this regard, he said MCMC is looking into the use of  AI agentic  technology to increase the efficiency of managing complaints and reduce the workload of officers, in addition to encouraging social media platforms to also utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technology to detect and take down content that violates community guidelines more quickly. -- BERNAMA 

Harmful content: MCMC completes regulatory framework, subsidiary instruments of Act 866 – YB Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — The government is completing the regulatory framework under the Online Safety Act 2025 [Act 866], including finalising another regulatory instrument relating to private messaging features .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — The Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) reaffirmed its commitment to environmental conservation and community development through the Navy People in MADANI Pure Souls Programme Series 2/2026, held at Sungai Tekala Eco Jungle Park and Sungai Lalang Baru Indigenous Village. Organised in collaboration with the Department of Indigenous People's Development (JAKOA), the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), and the Forestry Department, the programme featured a range of community-focused activities, including the distribution of essential food supplies, river-cleaning efforts, and the restoration of public facilities such as football fields to enhance the quality of life for local residents. As a symbolic gesture of support, the Assistant Chief of Staff of the Secretariat, First Admiral Ismail bin Othman, presented food aid to representatives of the Indigenous community, reflecting the Navy's continued commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of local communities. The initiative underscores the Royal Malaysian Navy's dedication to fostering stronger ties with communities through volunteerism, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility, while promoting sustainable development and collective efforts to preserve the nation's natural heritage.     -- Source: Kementerian Pertahanan Malaysia -- Credit FB: Kementerian Pertahanan Malaysia  -- MINUTESMY 

Royal Malaysian Navy Strengthens Community Ties Through Conservation and Welfare Initiative

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — The Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) reaffirmed its commitment to environmental conservation and community development through the Navy People in MADANI Pure Souls Programme Series 2/2026, .... read more

JOHOR BAHRU: The concrete walls and barbed wire that once symbolized physical restrictions are now being given a new look as Ayer Molek Prison is being revived as an iconic creative and local tourism hub known as Kota Jail. The 143-year-old historic monument, built in 1883, has been given a new lease of life as an arts, culture and community centre, thus saving the iconic structure from further deterioration.  Kota Jail Operations Director, Zul Abbas, said the premises' operation as a prison ended in 2005 before being completely abandoned around 2017. However, since December 2024, the area has been busy with human activity again. "Restoration, cleaning and reconnection of utilities such as electricity supply are being carried out to ensure the building's structure is safe before its doors open for the first time through the pre-launch phase on March 14, 2025," he told Bernama here recently. He said that since it was opened to the public, Kota Jail has sparked a new tourism phenomenon when it recorded an extraordinary attendance of more than two million visitors, including domestic and international visitors. "The special thing about this place is that it does not involve any large-scale reconstruction that could affect its historical value. On the contrary, the character of the peeling walls, rusty iron bars, and the emotional graffiti of past prisoners have been deliberately maintained." "The concept we hold is 'raw' (original) and 'beautifully broken' (aesthetically damaged). Any parts that collapse, are damaged or rot due to termites, we simply repair and ensure that they are safe for visitors without changing the original facade," he said. Image He said the strategy successfully translated the ruins of the past, which were rich in history, into a space for the future that was quite artistic. Zul said the detention cells are now filled with various creative economic activities involving local tenants, a contemporary exhibition space, a historical gallery and an aesthetic cafe that is a focus for young people. "To ensure the sustainability of the creative hub, which was developed entirely using its own funds at this early stage, Kota Jail plans to introduce several new tourism products such as backpacker-style accommodation, spirit-building programmes, pop-up bazaars, street fashion shows and periodic historical forums," he said. Image Zul said Kota Jail is not a conventional museum that is one-way, but rather functions as a dynamic 'third space' for the community. "We want the younger generation to come here not to look for paranormal things, but rather to learn about the heritage, origins, architecture of the past century, and appreciate the history that happened around us," he said. Located on Jalan Ayer Molek, Kota Jail is open every day from 10 am to 10 pm.  Entry to the general area is free, while tickets to the gallery are charged at RM5 for adults, RM3 for children, seniors and the disabled, and RM15 for foreigners. -- BERNAMA 

Malaysia Kota Jail: Transforming the Iron Curtain into a creative hub, tourist attraction

JOHOR BAHRU, July 2 — The concrete walls and barbed wire that once symbolized physical restrictions are now being given a new look as Ayer Molek Prison is being revived .... read more

KOTA BHARU, JUN 2 -- Five Chinese nationals, including two women, were injured after the car they were travelling in plunged into a ravine at a culvert construction project site at Kilometer 41, Jalan Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai near Machang, last night.   Machang District Police Chief Superintendent Azuhar Md Nor said his department received information regarding the accident from the public at approximately 12.01 midnight.  He said initial investigations found that the accident occurred at about 11.50pm involving a Toyota Prius driven by a 66-year-old Chinese man along with four other Chinese passengers.   "All of them were travelling from Temangan, Machang to Tok Bali, Pasir Puteh, guided by a navigation map application. "The vehicle is believed to have entered the culvert project site area which is still under construction and has not been opened to the public before falling into the ravine," he said in a statement today.   Azuhar said all the victims, consisting of three men and two women aged between 40 and 66, were rushed to Machang Hospital for further treatment.   The case is being investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, he said.   He also advised all road users to always be aware of warning signs, cones and barriers in construction work areas and not to rely entirely on navigation applications, especially at night, to avoid unwanted incidents.   Meanwhile, PBK 1 Operations Commander Mohd Fadzil Musa when contacted by Bernama said two victims were seriously injured after being trapped in the vehicle involved, namely Wang Fuying, 59, and Wang Yumi, 61, while the other three injured were Pan Jieyin, 66, Yang Chuan, 40, and Zeng Guojin, 65. -- BERNAMA 

Five Chinese nationals injured after car plunges into ravine in Machang

KOTA BHARU, July 2 — Five Chinese nationals, including two women, were injured after the car they were travelling in plunged into a ravine at a culvert construction project site .... read more

Online Safety Act, School Safety Among Focus Of Dewan Rakyat Today

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — The development of subsidiary instruments under the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 886), student safety in school and assistance for micro-entrepreneurs affected by the West .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has welcomed the passage of the Cyber Crime Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today, describing it as a significant step towards enhancing Malaysia's ability to combat increasingly sophisticated and cross-border cyber threats. He said the Bill, which will repeal the Computer Crimes Act 1997 (Act 563), reflects the MADANI Government's commitment to creating a safer, more resilient, and trustworthy cyberspace to safeguard the interests of the people and the nation. According to Zahid, the parliamentary debate on the Bill, which involved 48 Members of Parliament, covered a wide range of key issues, including the protection of fundamental rights, privacy, checks and balances, freedom of speech, the use of artificial intelligence (AI), deepfake threats, the protection of vulnerable groups such as women, children, and senior citizens, as well as enforcement measures, penalties, cyber literacy, and the implementation of MyDigital ID. "The passage of this Bill demonstrates the Government's determination to ensure that Malaysia's legal framework remains relevant in addressing technological advancements and the increasingly sophisticated cyber threat landscape," he said. Zahid also stressed that the new legislation will complement the country's existing legal framework while aligning Malaysia with its obligations under the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention) and the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime. He also expressed his appreciation to all Members of Parliament who supported the Bill's passage, as well as to the ministries, government agencies, professional bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and political leaders who contributed to the drafting and development of the legislation. He said the close cooperation among all stakeholders reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that Malaysia builds a secure, resilient, and trusted digital ecosystem capable of meeting future cybersecurity challenges. -- MINUTESMY

Datuk Seri Dr. Zahid Hamidi Welcomes Passage of Cyber Crime Bill 2026, Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Malaysia’s Digital Security

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has welcomed the passage of the Cyber Crime Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today, describing .... read more

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

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 .... read more

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