Man hurt trying to stop snatch thieves outside Kampung Pandan temple

 Two men on a motorcycle had snatched a gold necklace from a 60-year-old woman earlier.

Screenshot from the video showing two men on a motorcycle snatching the gold necklace from the victim outside Sri Sundara Ganesar Temple in Kampung Pandan.

PETALING JAYA:

 A man was injured after trying to stop two snatch thieves who stole a woman’s gold necklace outside the Sri Sundara Ganesar Temple in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday afternoon.

The incident, which occurred on Lorong Lima at about 2pm, was caught on CCTV footage which has since gone viral.

Wangsa Maju deputy police chief Syahrul Anuar Abdul Wahab said the 60-year-old woman was about to enter her car when two men on a motorcycle approached and snatched the gold necklace she was wearing.

Several bystanders, including relatives of the woman, tried to stop the snatch thieves but were unsuccessful.

Lazim said the woman has not lodged a police report, as she was left shaken by the incident.

“Her nephew told police she did not sustain any injuries,” he said in a statement today.

“However, his father hurt his hand when he tried to stop the duo.”

Police have met with the temple’s secretary and are working to obtain CCTV footage to help track down the snatch thieves. - FMT

Melaka simplifies polygamy process, approvals within 21 days

 Executive councillor Rahmad Mariman says polygamy applications could take months before being approved previously.

Melaka education, higher education and religious affairs committee chairman Rahmad Mariman said the state government managed to reduce the approval waiting time in collaboration with the state shariah court.

MELAKA:

 The Melaka government has simplified the process for Muslims wishing to practise polygamy by reducing the approval time to 21 days, provided the application meets all requirements.

Education, higher education and religious affairs committee chairman Rahmad Mariman said this reform was implemented by the state government in collaboration with the Melaka shariah court.

“In the past, it could take months, but now we have improved the process and applications can be approved within 21 days as long as the documents are complete,” he told reporters outside the Melaka legislative assembly at Seri Negeri here today. - FMT

SST expansion postponed, says report

 The scope of the expansion of the sales and service tax is being refined, according to a Treasury spokesman.

A finance ministry spokesman said the expanded SST would be introduced at a later date. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The Treasury’s planned expansion of the sales and service tax, or SST, has been postponed, according to a news report.

The Star quoted a finance ministry spokesman as saying the expanded SST would be introduced at a later date, adding that its scope is being refined.

The spokesman also said the Treasury had already carried out engagements nationwide with various industry players as part of finalising the new SST scope and tax rates.

“The guidelines and scope are now being refined to ensure a smooth implementation,” they said.

The expansion of the scope for the SST was supposed to be implemented from May 1.

However, there have been calls from the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), among others, for the expanded SST to be put on hold in view of the US’s tariffs on Malaysian imports.

While Donald Trump’s administration has postponed the tariffs imposed on nations, including Malaysia’s 24% rate, Washington has maintained the 10% blanket duty on almost all US imports.

In November, finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said the expansion of the SST was expected to generate RM51.7 billion in revenue in 2025.

This would represent an additional revenue of RM5 billion over the current SST collection forecast of RM46.7 billion. - FMT

From AI to robotics: The creative forces driving change in dental education

 

Letter to Editor

EVERY year on April 21st, the world observes World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID), a day designated by the United Nations to encourage creative thinking and innovation as essential tools for solving global challenges.

In an era marked by rapid technological transformation, WCID holds increasing significance for academic fields that must continuously adapt to shifting landscapes, and dental education is no exception.

As dentistry integrates emerging tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, the need for creative and forward-thinking approaches in dental academia has never been more urgent.

Creativity and innovation in dental education

Dental education is undergoing a metamorphosis, driven by evolving technologies, societal needs, and new healthcare challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, necessitated remote learning innovations and accelerated the adoption of digital platforms.

But beyond crisis adaptation, there is a broader call for integrating creativity into the foundation of dental education.

Creativity, defined as the generation of novel and useful ideas, is essential for developing innovative pedagogies that respond to modern demands such as interprofessional collaboration, sustainability, and equity in dental care.

Byrne and Glasser (2023) emphasise that cultivating creativity in dental academics is key to ensuring that future dental professionals are not only technically proficient but also adaptive and reflective thinkers capable of addressing diverse community needs.

Recently, these ideals were powerfully embodied during the 26th Dental Students’ Scientific Conference (DSSC) and the 2nd Dental Students’ Talent & Innovation Competition (DSTIC) 2025 with the theme ‘Innovate, Educate, Elevate: Digital Technology Impact on Learning and Research in Dentistry’.

It is an annual event where final-year dental students from the Universiti Malaya showcase their research findings through oral or poster presentations.

These events brought together forward-thinking students and academics to showcase innovative research, technology-driven projects, and creative approaches to dental practice and education.

From AI-based diagnostic tools to artistic interpretations of oral health awareness, the conference echoed the very spirit of WCID: celebrating originality, curiosity, and bold thinking in academic spaces.

The celebration of WCID thus becomes more than a symbolic gesture. It serves as an annual checkpoint for dental institutions to assess how well they are nurturing creativity and innovation within their programs.

Fields (2022) underscores that WCID has inspired educational initiatives worldwide that combine fun, imagination, and hands-on problem-solving to stimulate learning environments that foster original thinking.

The rise of robotics and AI

The rise of robotics and artificial intelligence represents one of the most exciting yet debated advancements in dental innovation.

With machines capable of conducting procedures with unmatched precision and consistency, the question arises: Can robots replace human dentists?

The integration of robotics into dentistry is already well underway. Robots are being used for implant placement, orthodontics, maxillofacial surgery, and even routine diagnostics.

A recent review by Xia et al. (2024) details how robotics, paired with AI, can automate complex procedures, minimize human error, and improve patient outcomes, creating a paradigm shift in oral healthcare delivery.

However, most researchers argue that robots will augment, not replace, human dentists.

Kathuria (2024) notes that while dental robots offer incredible precision and efficiency, they lack the ability to make empathetic, ethical, and context-driven decisions, elements that remain at the heart of patient-centred care.

Another example, AI algorithms can analyse radiographs and clinical data to assist in early detection of dental caries, pulp diseases, and structural anomalies.

This allows for faster and more accurate diagnoses in operative procedures like fillings, root canals, and restorations (Pandey & Lakhanam, 2024). 

This viewpoint is echoed by Lubart et al. (2021), who present a model in which robots act not as independent replacements, but as collaborators “Humbots,” in a creative partnership with human professionals.

This co-creative model sees robots supporting dental practitioners by handling repetitive tasks and enhancing the precision of complex procedures while leaving diagnosis, ethical judgment, and interpersonal care to humans.

The gap between perception and practice

Despite the technological promise, there remains a significant gap in knowledge and acceptance among dental professionals.

A 2023 study found that while a majority of dental practitioners believe that AI will improve dental care, over 50% fear it could eventually replace human dentists.

Yet, most respondents lacked practical experience with these technologies (Alanya-Beltran et al., 2023).

This calls for an urgent curriculum shift. Dental schools must not only teach the technical use of robotics but also foster critical and creative thinking to explore the ethical, social, and psychological implications of these tools.

Creativity is not optional. It is a necessity for navigating the complexities of a technology-driven future.

Events like DSSC and DSTIC 2025 offer a blueprint for this shift. By providing platforms where students can apply creativity to real-world challenges, these conferences go beyond theory and stimulate active innovation.

They affirm that the next generation of dentists will need to be innovators, communicators, and collaborators—not just clinicians.

Conclusion: A future forged in creativity

World Creativity and Innovation Day is a powerful reminder that progress in dental education must be fueled by imaginative thinking, technological literacy, and ethical insight.

As robotics and AI continue to revolutionize clinical practice, dental academics are called to lead with innovation, not fear.

By embracing creativity, dental educators can ensure that future dentists are not only technically equipped but also humanistically grounded—ready to collaborate with machines, not be replaced by them.

The success of events like DSSC and DSTIC 2025 underscores that creativity is already thriving in dental education—and with the right support, it can shape the future of the profession.

Azwatee Abdul Aziz is an associate professor at the Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.

Street begging scenes over the years

 

MANY people assume that prostitution is the oldest profession, literally believing what they have read. However, professions are highly skilled occupations that require prolonged training and recognised qualifications, but not those offering sexual services.

For those caught short of money, I imagine they would start by begging rather than offering sexual services. In any case, both ventures were not the oldest professions.

The earliest human activities were hunting and gathering, later growing plants and breeding animals for a steady supply of food.

I grew up in Pandamaran in the 1950s and 1960s. Then, elderly Chinese men individually went to each house to beg.

Like most other poor villagers, we had no money to spare. So I would scoop half a condensed milk-size can of raw rice and pour it into the beggar’s large metal mug.

Over the past 56 years, I have been living in Kuala Lumpur, but no beggars showed up at the house door to beg. Instead, I was regularly approached by beggars while dining at eateries, and their favourite haunts are traditional coffee shops that allow them to enter and exit unhindered.

(Image: The Star)

There were intervals when the number of beggars on the streets appeared to be less. Either they were not able to operate freely or there was no need for them to beg for food, content with what was provided for them through charity, by individuals or organisations, or government bodies.

Legislations may also have some effects. An old law that predates independence can be found in the Minor Offences Act 1955 under Section 27(c) which states that individuals found begging in a public place when they have the ability to earn a living can be fined or imprisoned.

Also, the Destitute Persons Act 1977 defines begging and outlines the care and rehabilitation of destitute persons and allows for the taking into custody of individuals who are begging and refusing to be taken into a welfare home.

And Section 32 of the Child Act 2001 makes it illegal for anyone to cause or allow a child to be on a street, premises, or place for the purpose of begging or receiving alms and is applicable even if there is a pretence of singing, playing or offering something for sale.

But these laws did not deter beggars who were either not aware or chose to ignore them. They could be elderly or disabled Malaysians counting on the public’s sympathies, or foreigners who regard Malaysia as a happy hunting ground, compared to stiffer competitions in home countries.

There are still shaven-headed males, mostly foreigners, wearing yellow ropes masquerading as Buddhist monks asking for cash or selling lucky charms.

Many people were taken in as they appeared gentle in demeanour by smiling, walking and speaking softly. I was approached by one last Sunday.

In recent years, begging activities were like a business venture, with syndicates roping in the elderly, sick, disabled or anyone suffering severe injury on one of the limbs. These beggars would be provided with transport to targeted areas and given food and shelter.

Many foreign beggars in Malaysia were found to be Muslim Rohingyas, who originated from Bangladesh, and large numbers were settled just across the border in Myanmar’s coast and also in Pakistan, which was formerly known as West Pakistan, with Bangladesh as East Pakistan.

(Image: NST)

In 1982, Myanmar’s nationality law denied them citizenship, leading to widespread discrimination and persecution.

In 2017, a violent military crackdown resulted in a mass exodus of over 740,000 Rohingyas to Bangladesh, and later many fled to Malaysia, India, Thailand and Indonesia.

As of November 2023, there were 62,382 Rohingya refugees or 58% of the total refugee population in Malaysia registered with UNHCR. Other refugees and asylum seekers from Myanmar, such as the Chin and other ethnic groups, are also substantial, totalling 30%.

Last Thursday, a 40-year-old disabled beggar was stabbed to death by a 28-year-old beggar in front of a bank in Shah Alam after the deceased refused to move away from his usual begging turf when demanded by the younger man who possessed a disabled person card.

Begging at some choice spots could be lucrative and stakes must be high for physical altercation to occur, and in this case leading to death.

It is no longer just a nuisance and the public need to be aware that some of the beggars could be armed and dangerous. How times have changed! 

YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.