MetMalaysia denies offers to procure jobs, services via social media

KUALA LUMPUR, JUN 30 -- The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) denies allegations of issuing any applications or offers related to the procurement of work, supplies or services via social media applications. MetMalaysia, in a statement today, informed that it was taking the matter seriously after receiving complaints about irresponsible individuals posing as department officials to offer non-existent procurement deals.  "The department has never issued any such applications or offers via social media applications such as WhatsApp or Telegram, nor via email other than the department's official email," the statement said. MetMalaysia also filed a police report regarding the matter and advised members of the public who are victims or receive suspicious applications to immediately file a report with the authorities to assist in the investigation. All MetMalaysia procurement matters are officially carried out only through the eProcurement System in accordance with the government procurement procedures and regulations in force. "The public, companies and suppliers are advised to always be vigilant and to first check the validity of any offer or application associated with MetMalaysia," the statement said. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, JUN 30 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) denies allegations of issuing any applications or offers related to the procurement of work, supplies or services via social media applications. MetMalaysia, in a statement today, informed that it was taking the matter seriously after receiving complaints about irresponsible individuals posing as department officials to […]

PM Anwar Returns Safely from Turkmenistan, Resumes Official Duties in Penang

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has safely returned to Malaysia from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, early this morning following his official visit to the Central Asian nation. In a brief statement shared on social media, Anwar expressed gratitude for his safe return and announced that he would immediately resume his official responsibilities in Penang. “Alhamdulillah, I have safely arrived in my homeland early this morning from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Today, I resume my duty in Penang for some official events, God willing,” he said. The Prime Minister’s visit to Turkmenistan was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new opportunities for cooperation in strategic sectors between the two countries. Anwar is scheduled to attend several official programmes in Penang as part of his ongoing duties under the Malaysia MADANI agenda.   -- MINUTESMY  -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has safely returned to Malaysia from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, early this morning following his official visit to the Central Asian nation. In a brief statement shared on social media, Anwar expressed gratitude for his safe return and announced that he would immediately resume his official […]

Social Media Trends, Safety Lapses Contributing To Hiking Emergencies – Expert

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 -- The tendency among some individuals to underestimate the mountain, fuelled by the pursuit of instant popularity on social media, has been identified as one of the main factors contributing to the rising number of missing hikers and emergency incidents in the forest. Mountain Medicine Society Malaysia president Muhamad Aliff Abdullah said that although more people are taking up outdoor recreational activities, safety awareness among enthusiasts has not grown in tandem with the rising popularity of the activity. He said that the abundance of aesthetic content on digital platforms has given rise to a trend of “express hikers” who are obsessed with chasing peaks or ticking off mountains, for fear of missing out (FOMO). “Many people see hiking as a low-risk activity, while the mountain environment can change very quickly and unpredictably. Problems arise when social media doesn’t reflect the reality of the challenge, but only shows the beautiful end result. “As a result, many go for challenging category trails without basic experience, proper physical training, and without honestly assessing their own abilities. This can lead to a reduced ability to make rational decisions due to extreme fatigue, hypothermia, or acute mountain sickness (AMS),” he told Bernama recently. Muhamad Aliff, an expert in wilderness medicine and high-altitude hiking and climbing, explained that emergencies in the forest are usually the result of a chain of weaknesses, including equipment preparation, fitness levels, terrain, and mental assessment of hikers. He said that among the common critical mistakes in the field are failing to maintain team discipline, refusing to turn back during bad weather, as well as relying too heavily on gadgets without basic navigation and survival skills. Commenting on beliefs surrounding missing hiker incidents and mystical elements or forest taboos, Muhamad Aliff, who is also the 7 Continents Exploration Club of Malaysia (KE7B) president, said that while elders’ customs and advice should be respected as part of culture, modern science must remain the priority. “Many traditional taboos, such as not speaking loudly or not leaving the group, actually carry important safety elements. However, scientifically, what is often seen as ‘mystical disturbances’ is usually caused by dehydration, panic, lack of sleep, or or reduced oxygen to the brain, or high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE),” he said. In this regard, he suggested that hiking safety management in the country be reformed through a more modern and structured risk management system. Muhamad Aliff also proposed a standard mountain risk-rating classification system, as well as mandatory digital registration systems, including QR codes, live tracking, or emergency beacons for high-risk routes. He also called for stricter action against those engaging in hiking activities without a permit, as well as efforts to strengthen rescue expertise through a national-level outdoor recreation safety education module. “Mountains cannot be challenged with ego. The best reform lies not only in law enforcement, but in building a more mature safety culture within the outdoor recreation community,” he said. Meanwhile, Norimah Abd Karim of Persatuan Malim Gunung Perhutanan (MGP) Selangor said SOP violations, such as ignoring team discipline and refusing to use the ‘buddy’ system in the rush to reach the summit first, remained the biggest challenge faced by mountain guides. With over 10 years of experience, including completing the Trans Titiwangsa expedition, she warned that it is risky for hikers to carry minimal gear just to appear like professional trail runners on social media. “There are hikers who focus more on getting interesting content that they are willing to take risks and neglect their own safety. In fact, there is a trend where they go on ‘Trans’ trips (covering several peaks in one expedition) without enough preparation. “Going with friends on what is expected to be a leisurely hiking experience often turns out differently when faced with the real situation in the field,” said the private sector worker, has been doing mountain guiding since 2022. Norimah said that to minimise risks in the future, she supports the Forestry Department’s move to make MGP services mandatory for hiking activities above 500 metres above sea level, as well as the use of digital tracking applications and efforts to continuously strengthen safety education campaigns. Forest and hiking safety issues have once again come under the spotlight following a series of tragedies, including the case of Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing at Gunung Batu Putih, Tapah, last Saturday, with search and rescue (SAR) efforts still ongoing. Nur Izzati Humaira Azizul, 19, went missing on May 23 while descending Bukit Changkat Asa in Hulu Bernam, Selangor, before her body was recovered four days later by search teams, while in October last year, 34-year-old Mustaqqeem Mansoor died from hypothermia during an expedition at Gunung Liang Barat in Perak. These fatal incidents add to the case of Mohammad Ashraf Hassan, 29, who went missing during the Gopeng Ultra Trail event at Bukit Batu Putih, Gopeng, in March 2019, which remains an unresolved mystery to this day. --BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 — The tendency among some individuals to underestimate the mountain, fuelled by the pursuit of instant popularity on social media, has been identified as one of the main factors contributing to the rising number of missing hikers and emergency incidents in the forest. Mountain Medicine Society Malaysia president Muhamad Aliff Abdullah […]

TNB’s RM43 billion grid modernization supports rapid growth in data center demand

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd's (TNB) RM43 billion grid modernisation programme is set to meet the growing demand for data centres in Malaysia, with future energy needs being factored into a more comprehensive national generation plan to ensure long-term system readiness. Speaking at the Data Centre and Cloud Infrastructure Expo 2026, TNB Chief Grid Officer Hasmarizal Hassan shared the steps the utility company is taking to provide grid infrastructure to support the rapid development of the sector, including connection capacity, implementation period and long-term system planning. Among the main focuses is the TNB Green Lane Line, which has reduced the grid connection period for data centres from 36 months to as little as 12 months, according to Hasmarizal in a post on TNB's social media. As of March 2026, a total of 33 projects have been implemented under this framework, reflecting TNB's recognition that connection speed is a key factor in strengthening Malaysia's position as a regional data center hub. "To manage large-scale demand growth, TNB is also adopting a cluster-based grid strategy, focusing on transmission infrastructure investments in identified growth corridors," he said. He said Johor remained among the key active clusters under the strategy, with further expansion across the country planned to support scalability and maintain overall system reliability. Hasmarizal said the approach aims to ensure the grid remains capable of supporting the increasing demand for digital infrastructure in Malaysia, continuing to attract data centre investments and other high-value investments. The MADANI government focuses on industries that create better job opportunities, facilitate technology transfer, drive innovation and promote long-term economic growth. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) RM43 billion grid modernisation programme is set to meet the growing demand for data centres in Malaysia, with future energy needs being factored into a more comprehensive national generation plan to ensure long-term system readiness. Speaking at the Data Centre and Cloud Infrastructure Expo 2026, TNB Chief Grid Officer […]