Akmal slams Anwar on obsession with Najib, netizens clap back on rule of law

 

UMNO Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh slammed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for criticising those he deemed having “an obsession” with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal and former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“This is not an obsession with Najib, dear Prime Minister, but we are defending his right to serve (the remainder of his jail sentence) under house arrest, as the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had granted him.

“We have never held street protests to question court decisions like what your supporters did once upon a time. We only want Najib to get his rights,” he said in a social media post.

However, some netizens reacted to Akmal’s comments to Anwar, reminding him of the need to uphold the rule of law in Malaysia.

A user on Facebook asked the UMNO Youth leader to show that he understands the law and that he should not undermine the rule of law.

“Talking about fairness & rights… shame on you…as a politician, you should understand the law & not undermine the rule of law. He should never have been on the pardons list in the first place. Fair to all others seeking pardons?” the user wrote.

Another user reminded Akmal that Najib was found guilty by the court of law, and that was fair and square for the ex premier.

“He was found guilty in three courts with a total of nine judges. Fair and square. Akmal is doubting the trial process as being unfair. He should go back to Standard 1,” the user said.

One user asked whether Najib was being fair to the population when he squandered billions from government coffers.

“What is fair to you? Was Najib fair to all of us when he squandered billions from us? Did he ever think about how much debt now and the next generations will have to pay back because of him?”

Anwar reiterated that he had no involvement in the pardon process for Najib, who is serving a prison sentence for misappropriating RM42mil from SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Najib’s original 12-year sentence and RM210mil fine were reduced by the Pardons Board to six years and RM50mil, respectively, following his petition for a royal pardon filed on Sept 2, 2022.

Anwar emphasised that the decision was made by the former King and the Pardons Board, not him, and he only submitted Najib’s appeal application as part of his duty, stating, “I submitted the application for review, not made the decision.”

He dismissed accusations of political motives despite relying on Najib’s party, UMNO, for support and criticised the “obsession” with Najib, noting that other high-profile cases are ongoing.

Anwar stressed his commitment to legal processes and good governance, urging focus on broader national issues rather than fixating on Najib’s case. —  Focus Malaysia

Chinese birth rates hit record low in Malaysia, MCA warns

 

MALAYSIA is grappling with a historic low in birth rates, with only 93,500 babies born in the first quarter of 2025, an 11.5% decline from the previous year.

The ethnic Chinese community faces a particularly acute crisis, with just 7,350 Chinese babies born in the first four months of 2025, an 8.6% drop and the lowest in Malaysia’s history. The Chinese fertility rate stands at a mere 0.8 children per woman, far below the replacement level of 2.1.

Wanita MCA national chairperson Wong You Fong described this as a “serious warning sign that we are facing a demographic, social, and cultural crisis”.

She warned, “If this trend continues, we are not only looking at a shrinking population, we are facing the very real possibility of becoming a marginalised minority in our own country.

“Such a shift will inevitably weaken our political representation, economic influence, and cultural presence.”

Wong attributed the decline to economic pressures like high living costs, unaffordable housing, and inadequate childcare, noting that many young adults “are choosing not to marry or have children, not because they don’t want to, but because they feel they can’t”.

She urged urgent action, stating: “There is no room for complacency. This is a defining moment. If we truly care about our future as a community and as a nation, we must act now – with urgency, empathy, and purpose.” —  Focus Malaysia

The hidden power of proximity: How living near school transforms family life

 

WHEN choosing a place to live, especially for families with school-aged children, one crucial factor often overlooked is proximity to school.

While it might seem like a small detail, living nearby can have a meaningful and lasting impact on both children and parents.

From smoother daily routines to stronger community connections, living close to school offers a range of practical and emotional benefits.

One of the most immediate and tangible advantages is the significant reduction in commute time. Long drives, early morning bus rides, and the stress of beating traffic can all take a toll on families.

Living near school shortens that commute, allowing children to walk or bike, and parents to avoid the daily scramble.

This not only reduces stress but helps children begin their day with a sense of calm and focus—an important foundation for learning.

In addition to easing morning routines, living close to school often results in better attendance and punctuality.

Proximity removes many of the barriers that lead to lateness or absenteeism, such as traffic jams or unreliable transportation.

It goes without saying that students who attend school regularly tend to perform better academically and socially, making consistency a key factor in long-term success.

Another benefit is the increased opportunity for involvement. When the school is nearby, it becomes easier for both children and parents to participate in extracurricular activities, school events, and parent-teacher meetings.

This involvement helps children feel more connected to their school community and allows parents to stay engaged in their child’s education in a more meaningful way.

Living near school also helps foster a strong sense of community. Families in the same neighborhood often have children attending the same school, which leads to natural opportunities for friendships, support networks, and shared experiences.

Children can form bonds with classmates they also see after school or on weekends, enriching their social development and sense of belonging.

Furthermore, a shorter commute can promote a healthier lifestyle. Walking or cycling to school builds physical activity into a child’s daily routine, which can improve focus, mood, and overall well-being.

It also encourages independence and environmental awareness at a young age—skills that carry lifelong benefits.

While homes near good schools can come with a slightly higher price tag, families often find that the long-term savings are worth it.

Reduced transportation costs, fewer hours spent commuting, and less need for before- or after-school care all contribute to financial efficiency.

And on a broader scale, these homes tend to hold their value well. Proximity to a reputable school is a highly desirable feature for future buyers, offering long-term value for homeowners.

Ultimately, choosing to live near a school is about more than saving time. It’s about creating a better day-to-day experience for your family, fostering stronger educational outcomes, and building a lifestyle rooted in connection, health, and convenience.

For families seeking balance and quality of life, few decisions are as impactful as planting roots close to where children learn and grow.

That being said, award-winning property developer HCK Capital diversifies from the industry with its very unique education city series.

Unlike other developments where education is nearby, these education cities host colleges or even elementary school within the development itself, taking the word “nearby” to the next level.

Schools aren’t just nearby. It is right below your home. And it is not just education, but quality education.

Take for example, edusentral in Setia Alam plays host to renowned Peninsula International School Australia while edusentral comes with the prestigious SEGi College, Subang Jaya. What else can the savvy parent ask for?

Find out more about these projects at: https://hckgroup.my/ongoing-projects - Focus Malaysia

MCMC to review big gap in 4G coverage among telcos across Malaysia, says Fahmi

 

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said he had instructed MCMC to provide detailed reports showing both the national aggregate and individual telco CoPA, broken down by state. — Bernama pic

CYBERJAYA, May 17 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will examine the disparity in 4G Coverage of Populated Areas (CoPA) among telecommunications companies (telcos) in different locations, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

He said that although Malaysia has achieved an overall 92 per cent 4G CoPA nationwide, coverage levels vary significantly between telcos.

“Some telcos have CoPA as low as 76 per cent, while others go up to 86 per cent,” he told reporters after officiating the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2025 celebration here today.

Fahmi said he had instructed MCMC to provide detailed reports showing both the national aggregate and individual telco CoPA, broken down by state.

“We want to make sure that when Malaysians pay for Internet packages, they receive coverage across the country - not just in selected areas. We’re paying for nationwide access,” he said.

Fahmi stressed that 4G services must be available throughout Malaysia, and that the government had been actively working to enhance network-sharing among telcos.

“I’ve worked hard to get all telcos to participate in network sharing, and we formalised this through a recently published framework,” he said.

On another development, Fahmi said the soon-to-be-enforced Online Safety Act (OnSA) 2024 would play a crucial role in holding social media platforms accountable for the content they host, particularly in protecting users from scams and online harm.

He emphasised that OnSA would compel platforms to share the responsibility of ensuring a safer digital environment.

“One of the key objectives is to make sure that social media platforms are responsible for the kind of content available on their platforms,” he said.

Fahmi also raised concern over the lack of action by major platforms, especially Facebook, in tackling scam and gambling advertisements, despite these being paid content.

“For example, there are many scam and gambling ads, yet Facebook hasn’t done enough to remove them - simply because scammers are paying for them,” he said.

“As such, we’re waiting for the Online Safety Act to receive royal assent, and once it comes into effect, we believe that the OnSA will play a pivotal role,” he added.

Passed by Parliament in December last year, the OnSA will require social media platform providers to meet three core responsibilities: ensuring platform safety, protecting children under the age of 13, and limiting access to harmful content.

Platforms will also be required to issue clear user guidelines, including terms of use, and provide mechanisms for users to report harmful or offensive content. — Bernama

Awas! Polis tiada kaitan dengan iklan dapatkan semula wang

 Bukit Aman menasihati orang ramai jangan terpedaya dengan iklan menawarkan ‘khidmat mendapatkan semula wang telah ditipu’.

Polis tiada kaitan dengan iklan ‘tawar khidmat’ yang memaparkan lambangnya serta perkataan ‘Royal Malaysia Police, Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID)’. (Gambar Bernama)

PETALING JAYA:

 Bukit Aman menasihati orang ramai supaya berwaspada dengan iklan di media sosial mengaitkan polis dengan ‘khidmat mendapatkan semula wang telah ditipu’.

Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersial (JSJK) berkata ia tiada sebarang kaitan dengan iklan tersebut, yang memaparkan lambang polis dan nama jabatan.

Pemangku Pengarah JSJK Hasbullah Ali berkata ia suatu cubaan penipuan dan menasihati orang ramai jangan terpedaya.

“JSJK tidak mempunyai sebarang kaitan dengan iklan tersebut dan perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan adalah palsu serta satu cubaan penipuan,” lapor Bernama.

Polis mengesan iklan itu di Facebook yang memaparkan lambangnya serta perkataan ‘Royal Malaysia Police, Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID)’. - FMT

33 migrant workers sue recruitment firm, govt over alleged job scam

 In their suit, the workers say they were left stranded after paying RM25,000 each in recruitment fees for promised jobs with a monthly salary of up to RM2,500.

Migrant workers shown in a file pic of a workers’ dormitory. A group of 33 workers from Bangladesh alleged they were left stranded in 2023.

PETALING JAYA:

 A group of migrant workers from Bangladesh are suing a recruitment company and the government for leaving them jobless in Malaysia after an alleged jobs scam involving payment of tens of thousands of ringgit each in fees.

The 33 workers seek a court declaration that they were victims of human trafficking and a jobs scam.

In their statement of claim, the workers sought RM1.71 million in compensation from the company, made up of RM25,000 each in fees to a “recruiting agent”, and RM27,000 being 18 months’ promised salary of RM1,500 a month from October 2023 to March 2025.

They also seek payment of RM1,500 a month in promised salary from April 2025 until the disposal of the suit.

The workers also seek compensation from the government, a declaration that the authorities were negligent, and a court order to prevent their detention by the immigration department pending the disposal of the suit.

In the statement of claim, the workers said they were brought to Malaysia after being promised employment as construction workers and had been assured by the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia of the authenticity of the job offers.

They said they were promised a monthly salary of between RM1,500 and RM2,500, but were asked to pay fees amounting to RM25,000 each to obtain quota approvals, levies, temporary work passes, health checks, and commissions for the job agents.

They said in the claim that they realised only later on that it was the responsibility of the employer to pay all these costs.

The workers said they arrived in Malaysia in batches between June and October 2023 but were left without a job.

They were asked to hand over their travel documents and passports, before being housed in several dormitories in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, which they said were owned by the company.

The workers said they later learned that the job offers were not genuine and they had to remain in the dorms for several months, being supplied with only basic necessities to cook for themselves.

The workers then lodged a complaint with migrant worker rights group Tenaganita, which led to an investigation by the labour department, according to the legal firm of Saleh & Aizac, which filed the suit at the High Court in Shah Alam in March. - FMT

Sabah PKR sees need to preserve ties with GRS ahead of polls

 The party’s state chairman, Mustapha Sakmud, says informal talks have been held with the ruling state coalition, which he describes as being open to an alliance.

Sabah PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud at the launch of the state party’s election machinery in Kota Kinabalu today. (Facebook pic)

KOTA KINABALU:

 The good relationship between PKR and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah must be maintained in preparation for the coming state elections, says Sabah PKR chairman Mustapha Sakmud.

Mustapha said that although PKR has decided to team up with Barisan Nasional for the elections, cooperation with GRS would be discussed further.

“We have held informal discussions with GRS … I know they understand, and they are open to cooperation. However, GRS has stated that if Pakatan Harapan and BN cooperate, they will contest solo.

“We will let GRS decide,” he said at the launch of Sabah PKR’s state election machinery by PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar. - FMT