Why wasn’t bus firm’s licence revoked earlier, asks ex-official

 Former road safety department director-general Suret Singh says action should have been taken as the bus firm involved in the Gerik crash had failed JPJ’s safety criteria.

The bus carrying 42 UPSI students was travelling from Jerteh, Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim, Perak, when it crashed at Km53 of the East-West Highway, killing 15 passengers. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 A former top road safety official has asked why the bus company involved in the fatal Gerik crash did not have its licence revoked earlier even though it had failed all seven safety audit criteria set by the road transport department (JPJ).

Suret Singh, the first director-general of the road safety department, said the deaths of the 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students could have been avoided if the company’s licence had been cancelled before this.

Suret lamented the lack of enforcement which failed to identify the company’s audit failure, saying enforcement agencies had the authority to revoke the licence of the company based on the findings.

“If the authorities had done their job with integrity, the licence would have been cancelled. The minister himself admitted this publicly. There was a safety guarantee audit, and it clearly failed.

“The company’s licence could have been suspended or revoked. The law is already there. So why wasn’t it cancelled earlier on?” he asked on the Keluar Sekejap podcast hosted by Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan.

The bus, carrying 42 UPSI students, was travelling from Jerteh, Terengganu, to the university’s main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, on June 9 when it collided with a car at Km53 of the East-West Highway in Gerik.

Thirteen students died at the scene and two more died while receiving treatment in hospital.

On Friday, bus driver Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle was charged with 15 counts of dangerous driving and one count of reckless driving. He is also being investigated by JPJ and has had his vocational driving licence suspended.

Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the bus company had failed all seven safety criteria set by JPJ, including appointing a safety officer, monitoring bus speeds via GPS and adhering to the maximum eight-hour driving limit for drivers.

JPJ said the bus operator and leasing company are also being investigated. However, Suret said these actions were too late and revealed systemic failures.

“It’s high time we table a white paper (on road safety) in Parliament. I’ve seen agencies being formed, then dissolved. Programmes are prioritised, then dropped.

“Each ministry (and agency) must answer – the transport ministry, works ministry, health ministry, police and JPJ. What are their roles?”

Khairy backed Suret’s call for a white paper, since the issue of road safety could only be resolved via a cross-agency solution.

The former Umno Youth chief also said the government was often reluctant to enforce the law against bus companies for fear of losing political support.

“Perhaps because many of these bus companies are small and medium-sized enterprises, Bumiputera companies, and so on. The laws are there, but we only give warnings.

“We should be giving them the ‘red card’, instead we keep giving them ‘yellow cards’,” said Khairy.

Suret, who had also previously chaired the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, said Malaysia had one of the lowest safety policy implementation rates among peer countries.

He added that Malaysia did not need more task forces when it already had 51 solid recommendations from the panel that probed the fatal Genting crash in 2013, which saw 37 lives lost after a bus plunged into a ravine.

“Just carry them out. The problem is enforcement,” he said.

Suret pointed out that recommendations to install speed limiters and seat belts in buses had been floated in 2013, but only partially carried out.

“It’s already in the recommendations. What’s missing is the will to enforce them.

“We can’t keep blaming the same factors after every tragedy. Someone is dropping the ball.” - FMT

Defect and face RM10mil suit, Warisan’s election hopefuls warned

 Warisan candidates will sign an agreement pledging their loyalty to the party until the end of their term, if elected in the coming Sabah polls.

Warisan president Shafie Apdal said over 65% of the party’s candidates for the upcoming Sabah polls will comprise younger candidates. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Warisan said it will file a RM10 million suit against any of its assemblymen who defect after winning seats under the party’s banner in the upcoming Sabah state election.

Party president Shafie Apdal said Warisan’s candidates would be made to sign a binding agreement pledging their loyalty and commitment to the party until the end of their term, if elected.

“I have prepared this as a preventive measure. If any candidate who wins on a Warisan ticket leaves the party, we will take them to court and sue them for RM10 million.

“Every candidate nominated must understand and agree to this condition (in order to be fielded as a Warisan candidate),” he said, according to Sinar Harian.

Shafie said the proactive measure was necessary despite the enactment of Sabah’s anti-hopping legislation, as defections have regularly threatened political stability in the Bornean state.

The former chief minister added that many have expressed interest in representing Warisan at the state polls, but said over 65% of the party’s candidates would comprise younger candidates.

In 2023, Warisan had said they would take legal action against 11 assemblymen who defected from the party to back the ruling state government.

The 11 who quit Warisan after the 2020 state polls were Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Hassan A Gani Pg Amir (Sebatik), Peter Anthony (Melalap), Juil Nuatim (Limbahau), Mohamaddin Ketapi (Segama), Rina Jainal (Kukusan), Norazlinah Arif (Kunak), Mohammad Mohamarin (Banggi), Chong Chen Bin (Tanjong Kapor), Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari (Petagas) and Hiew Vun Zin (Karamunting). - FMT

Indonesian volcano spews colossal ash tower, alert level raised

 Residents have been urged to wear face masks to protect themselves from volcanic ash.

The height of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki’s eruption column was observed at approximately 10,000m above the summit. (Photo by AFP)

JAKARTA:

 A volcano in eastern Indonesia spewed a colossal ash tower into the sky today, authorities said, after they raised its alert level to the highest of a four-tiered system.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,584m twin-peaked volcano on the tourist island of Flores, erupted at 5.35pm local time, the volcanology agency said in a statement.

“The height of the eruption column was observed at approximately 10,000m above the summit. The ash column was observed to be grey with thick intensity,” it said, after the alert level was raised.

There were no immediate reports of damages or casualties.

Geology agency head Muhammad Wafid said residents and tourists should avoid carrying out any activities within at least 7km of the volcano’s crater.

But he warned of the possibility of hazardous lahar floods – a type of mud or debris flow of volcanic materials – if heavy rain occurs, particularly for communities near to rivers.

He also urged residents to wear face masks to protect themselves from volcanic ash.

In November, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted multiple times killing nine people and forcing thousands to evacuate, as well as the cancellation of scores of international flights to Bali.

There were no immediate reports of cancelled flights after today’s eruption.

Laki-Laki, which means man in Indonesian, is twinned with the calmer but taller 1,703m volcano named Perempuan, after the Indonesian word for woman.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”. - FMT

Manglish to mastery: How AI and TikTok are reshaping English learning in Malaysia

 

Letter to Editor

MORE Malaysians are turning to TikTok and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve their English.

From short grammar videos to interactive chatbots offering real-time feedback, digital platforms are reshaping how English is learned, helping learners build clarity and confidence.

But how reliable are these tools? Can short videos and AI-generated responses really replace structured instruction? And what does this shift mean for the future of English education in Malaysia?

This shift responds to a long-standing challenge. Despite English being a core subject in Malaysian education, expressions like “Can go already,” “I want to follow you,” and “Yesterday I go KLCC” remain common. While widely understood, they reflect persistent gaps in fluency and accuracy.

Malaysia ranks highly on the EF English Proficiency Index, yet many still struggle to speak English comfortably, especially in formal settings.

This is not entirely due to a lack of motivation or confidence level. It stems from linguistic interference, an exam-oriented education system, and the anxiety many feel about being judged or making mistakes in
public.

One major issue is what linguists call first language interference. A sentence like “I want to follow you” often comes from a direct translation of “Saya nak ikut awak,” which in English means “I want to come with you.”

Malay verbs do not change with tense, which explains common mistakes such as “Yesterday I go.” Malay also allows omission of subjects, resulting in sentences like “Is raining now.”

These are not random errors. They are predictable outcomes from navigating multiple languages simultaneously.

Prepositions present another ongoing challenge. Phrases like “good in singing” or “married
with her” are frequently used. Are they grammatically correct? No.

But have you ever wondered why they seem so acceptable? English prepositions are inconsistent and difficult to master through rules alone.

They require repeated exposure and real-world usage, which traditional classrooms often fail to provide.

Manglish, the local blend of English, Malay, and Chinese, adds richness to informal conversation but complicates the shift to formal English.

While it fosters local identity, it often obscures grammatical rules and blurs the line between casual and standard usage.

For many learners, code-switching between the two remains difficult. At the core of this issue is how English is taught.

Malaysian education has traditionally focused on grammar memorization, structured writing, and national exams.

Speaking skills, spontaneous communication, and peer-to-peer interaction often receive less emphasis. As a result, students may write well but hesitate to speak, fearing embarrassment or judgment.

Now, English learning is no longer bound by chalk and talk. Why? Digital platforms are

changing the game.

On TikTok, Malaysian educators and language influencers explain grammar, correct common errors, suggest better word choices, and demonstrate how English is used in everyday conversation.

These short videos are accessible, culturally relevant, and often the first time learners find English engaging and easy to follow.

AI tools such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek also offer new opportunities. These platforms provide a private and supportive space where users can practise English, ask questions, and receive instant corrections.

Simulated conversations offer practical speaking experience without fear of judgment. For learners who associate English with stress or shame, this offers a sense of safety and control.

Beyond grammar and pronunciation, these tools are rebuilding something far more important: confidence.

Learners can take ownership of their progress. Mistakes are treated as part of the learning process, not as failure.

The pressure that often surrounds English learning begins to fade, replaced by self-direction and curiosity.

Much of this progress is made possible through AI and Tiktok. For younger learners, this could mark a generational shift.

Children who engage with AI writing tools and educational TikToks from an early age are more likely to develop communicative competence, comfort with trial and error, and confidence in using English
across settings.

As digital learning becomes part of everyday life, fear around English may finally give way to fluency. Modern linguistics increasingly values communicative competence over grammatical perfection.

Fluency is not defined by sounding like a native speaker. It is about the ability to convey ideas clearly, effectively, and with confidence, even if the grammar is not flawless.

What matters most is being understood. English in Malaysia is evolving. It is being shaped by culture, global access, and now, by digital innovation.

With the help of AI and platforms like TikTok, learners are no longer tied to outdated models of instruction. They are developing their voices in new and empowered ways.

This is no longer only a language issue. It is about opportunity, inclusion, and identity. And it
is already unfolding in every video viewed, every question asked, and every learner who
chooses to speak despite their fears.

So the question remains, can we afford to overlook the role of AI and TikTok in English learning today?

Shazlin Niza Abdul Razak is an English language lecturer at the Centre for Foundation Studies in Science (PASUM), Universiti Malaya.

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

- Focus Malaysia.

Are Muslims forbidden to draw living animals? Netizens debate in a compelling social media post

 

ONE man’s meat is another man’s poison. But it doesn’t always have to be a comparison between meat and poison. 

It could be about spirituality and that is what a recent topic is about which garnered quite the attention on the cyberspace.

According to netizen @taufiq_tuah in a post on X, it is forbidden for an artist of the Islamic faith to draw a living animal.

“Every painter will be in hell. Every picture he draws represents a spirit for him, and he will be punished with it in hell,” he said.

But what constitutes a living animal? @taufiq_tuah said that according to scholars, what was forbidden depends on two distinguishing features in the artwork:

1/ It has a head.

2/ If it has a head, it is not forbidden as long as it doesn’t have eyes.

@taufiq_tuah continued that this applies to sketching and carving too which were included as forbidden acts as according to the Hadith.

For the non-muslims and some muslims, this is certainly something new.

Netizen @KaiserMalaya said those cartoonists who drew for the magazine Ujang, Gempak and Gila-Gila will be in hot water. However, @NShnauzer said this was stupid.

Another sceptical netizen also cautioned against believing in what @taufiq_tuah said. “It is best to consult with the people who are good in the religion. A simple google and you can get answers from Ustad Azhar Idus or the other ustaz who can be trusted,” he advised.

Netizen @nurulainiRM further pointed out that the magazines used for preaching also used such drawings. “But why is no one complaining?” she wondered. 

But @siRedssssss was a believer. He said artists will begin by drawing portraits. Two years after drawing, he will then hang it on the wall.

Subsequently, flowers would be placed there as an act of worship, and much later, it becomes a doll.

Despite the bleak tone of the topic, @mazin_lufiass managed to inject some humour in it by stating that it was fine to draw Gundam robots.

 “Gundam robots do not have a soul as they are machines. So draw the portrait of a Gundam robot holding a flower or a Gundam wearing a Kebaya, or a Gundam bathing in the water fall,” he said.

Perhaps @aratilah29 has a solution to this predicament too. According to her, the artist could draw living figures but make an “X” on their necks to deny them life. She said this was something she learned a long time ago as a child. — Focus Malaysia