Sabah cops probe alleged bullying of girl at school dormitory in Tenom

 The 10-year-old was reportedly injured and taken to hospital following the incident on June 11, say police.

Tenom police chief Azmir Abdul Razak said three people were called to the district police headquarters to assist in investigations, including those believed to have recorded and circulated a video of the incident. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Police are investigating an alleged bullying incident involving a 10-year-old girl at a school dormitory in Tenom, Sabah.

Tenom police chief Azmir Abdul Razak said a police report was lodged today.

The case is being investigated under Sections 325 and 507B of the Penal Code for assault and bullying, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.

“Preliminary investigations found that the incident is believed to have occurred on June 11 at a school dormitory in the Tenom district.

“The victim was reported to have been injured and taken to hospital for further treatment.

“Three people were called to the Tenom police headquarters to assist in investigations. They include those believed to have recorded and circulated a video of the incident.

“Several items of evidence were also seized for investigations,” Bernama reported him as saying today.

Azmir advised the public not to speculate on the case or share the video, saying doing so could affect the investigation and negatively impact the victim’s emotional well-being. - fmt

UTP’s top-40 breakthrough is worth celebrating but what comes next matters more

 

UNIVERSITI Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) has given Malaysians something worth celebrating. Its achievement as the first Malaysian university to break into the top 40 of the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings is no small feat.

It reflects years of hard work, strong leadership and meaningful collaboration with industry. More importantly, it sends a powerful message that Malaysian universities can compete with some of the best institutions in Asia.

But while rankings deserve celebration, they should not become the destination. They are milestones, not finish lines.

University rankings tell us how well institutions perform in areas such as teaching, research and academic reputation. What they do not tell us is whether that research is making a meaningful difference beyond campus walls.

A university can produce highly cited papers and still struggle to turn discoveries into products, companies or solutions that improve people’s lives.

This is where Malaysia faces its next challenge.

For decades, universities have largely been rewarded for publications, citations and research grants. These measures remain important because they reflect academic quality and global standing. However, they are only part of the picture.

The true value of research lies not only in creating knowledge, but also in applying that knowledge to solve real-world problems.

A medical breakthrough that reaches patients matters more than a paper that remains unread outside academic circles. A technology that helps manufacturers become more productive creates greater impact than a patent sitting unused in a filing cabinet.

This is why Malaysia needs to place greater emphasis on research impact.

Universities should be recognised not only for the number of papers they publish, but also for how effectively they translate research into innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.

Successful spin-off companies, commercialised technologies, improved public policies and new industries should become part of the national conversation about higher education excellence.

One reason behind UTP’s success is its close relationship with industry. This is a lesson other universities should take seriously.

Research becomes more relevant when universities work closely with businesses, government agencies and communities. Such partnerships help researchers identify real problems worth solving and create clearer pathways for turning ideas into practical applications.

Unfortunately, many promising innovations still struggle to leave the laboratory. Researchers often face complicated procedures, limited funding opportunities and lengthy commercialisation processes. Too many good ideas lose momentum before reaching the market.

If Malaysia wants to become a genuine innovation-driven economy, we must make it easier for researchers, entrepreneurs and investors to work together. Innovation should not be trapped by bureaucracy.

Countries such as South Korea, Singapore and Israel did not become innovation leaders simply because their universities performed well in global rankings. They succeeded because they built ecosystems that consistently transformed research into industries, jobs and economic value.

Malaysia already has many of the ingredients needed for success: capable universities, talented researchers, supportive policies and growing industrial capacity.

UTP’s achievement proves that Malaysian universities can earn international recognition. The next step is ensuring that academic excellence translates into economic opportunity, technological leadership and solutions that improve lives.

Ultimately, the true measure of a world-class university is not where it appears on a ranking table.

It is whether its discoveries become innovations, its innovations become industries, and those industries create opportunities for future generations. 

KT Maran is a Focus Malaysia viewer.

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

- Focus Malaysia.

Milo tarik with durian? Malaysia has officially entered its mad scientist era

 

THE Musang King season has arrived, which means Malaysians everywhere are once again doing what they do best, finding increasingly creative ways to put durian into absolutely everything.

For years, we have witnessed durian ice cream, durian cakes, durian crepes, durian pizza, durian coffee and even durian hotpot.

Somewhere along the way, someone looked at a perfectly innocent dessert and thought, “You know what this needs? More durian.”

Now, thanks to a viral TikTok video, the latest contestant has entered the arena: Milo tarik with durian.

Priced at just RM6, the drink combines two of Malaysia’s greatest loves. On one side, you have Milo tarik, the frothy beverage that has fuelled school sports days, mamak sessions and late-night football discussions for generations.

On the other side, you have Musang King durian, a fruit so beloved that some Malaysians willingly sit in traffic for hours and spend three-figure sums just to get their hands on it.

Naturally, someone eventually decided these two national treasures should meet.

The result is a drink that looks like it was created after a group of friends challenged each other with the phrase: “You won’t dare.”

To be fair, the combination is not entirely ridiculous. Milo is rich, creamy and chocolatey. Durian is rich, creamy and, well, durian.

Both are sweet, both are indulgent and both have a loyal fan base that will defend them with surprising intensity.

In theory, this could be Malaysia’s answer to a gourmet milkshake. In practice, reactions may vary.

For example, netizen Anak sarawak(sarawakian) said he wouldn’t even try it if it was free. A sarcastic RiE 1781 added that the hospital beds are already full.

“Sorry to ask. You don’t get stomach ache?” Azizimay wondered. Not to be outdone by the man, some netizens decided to show off their creativity too. 

“Try Musang King with mountain dew and ketum,” suggested adsxsx while netizen SHOPTIKTOK_TIKTOKSHOP cheekily asked for a durian burger.

Then there was Edfiez_Lo who wanted to combine nescafe, durian and tapai on top. Thankfully, he added at the end that the drinker should also call the ambulance first. 

But perhaps that is what makes Malaysia’s food culture so entertaining. We are a nation that refuses to leave well enough alone.

When other countries invent fusion cuisine, they combine culinary traditions. Malaysians combine whatever happens to be within arm’s reach.

Nasi lemak burger? Sure. Maggi goreng cheese? Why not? Teh tarik boba? Already done. Milo tarik with durian? Welcome aboard.

The most impressive thing might actually be the price. At RM6, the drink costs less than many fancy coffees and roughly the same as a decent plate of nasi lemak. 

In today’s economy, finding Musang King anywhere near that price point feels like discovering a rare Pokémon.

But check out this winning comment from netizen RedDevil07 too.

Of course, the internet has already done what the internet does best: react with a mixture of curiosity, excitement and mild concern.

Because no matter how strange a new food combination sounds, there will always be at least one Malaysian willing to queue up and try it. 

Usually while bringing three friends and filming the entire experience for social media.

So if you have ever wondered what happens when Malaysia’s favourite chocolate malt drink meets its most famous fruit, your answer has arrived.

Whether this becomes the next big food trend or remains a glorious one-off experiment is anyone’s guess.

But one thing is certain: if Milo tarik and durian can coexist in the same cup, perhaps there is hope for national unity after all. —  Focus Malaysia

Why global energy prices could affect your grocery bill

 

AS conflict in the Middle East continues to unsettle global energy markets, most discussions in Malaysia have focused on crude oil prices and fuel subsidies. Less attention has been paid to a more personal consequence: the potential impact on food prices.

For now, Malaysia’s food supply remains stable and food inflation has been relatively moderate. However, the link between energy and food is closer than many consumers realise.

From oil wells to dinner tables

Energy plays a role at almost every stage of the food supply chain.

Diesel powers tractors, irrigation systems and the lorries that transport produce from farms to markets. Natural gas is a key ingredient in fertiliser production, meaning higher energy prices can increase farming costs.

Malaysia also imports a significant portion of its food and agricultural inputs, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in global shipping costs, exchange rates and commodity prices.

When energy costs rise, those increases often ripple through the supply chain before eventually reaching consumers.

Subsidies under growing pressure

The government has repeatedly stressed its commitment to keeping essential goods affordable, but rising energy costs place additional pressure on public finances.

Fuel subsidies continue to absorb billions of ringgit annually, and policymakers face the difficult task of balancing fiscal sustainability with protecting household purchasing power.

Any future adjustments to fuel subsidies could raise transportation and logistics costs, which may eventually affect food prices.

Even if global tensions were to ease tomorrow, supply chains would take time to adjust. Economists have warned that the effects of higher energy costs can linger long after commodity markets stabilise.

Why households should pay attention

For many Malaysian families, food remains one of the largest monthly expenses. Even modest increases in grocery prices can place additional strain on household budgets, particularly for lower- and middle-income families already coping with higher living costs.

This is not simply an issue of inflation statistics. It is about how much purchasing power families retain at the end of each month.

That said, Malaysia cannot control global energy markets, but it can strengthen its ability to withstand external shocks.

This includes improving domestic food production, supporting agricultural productivity, reducing supply chain inefficiencies and expanding targeted assistance for vulnerable households.

Diversifying energy sources can also help reduce long-term exposure to global fuel price volatility.

The lesson from recent years is clear. Food security and energy security are closely linked. A disruption in one can quickly affect the other.

As global uncertainties persist, Malaysia’s challenge is not merely to react to rising costs but to build a more resilient system capable of weathering future shocks. 

Ahmad Nizam Che Kasim is a lecturer at the Faculty of Business & Communication, Universiti Malaysia Perlis.

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

- Focus Malaysia.