DAPSY urges Putrajaya to reconsider Waze ban, cites transparency and TuJu concerns

 

THE DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) has urged the government to review its directive prohibiting civil servants from using Waze for official duties, calling for greater transparency over the security concerns behind the decision.

In a statement, DAPSY said the government should adopt a more pragmatic approach to cybersecurity and provide sufficient justification for restricting the widely used navigation app.

The directive, issued following a meeting of the National Cyber Security Committee chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 20, took effect immediately.

The government cited concerns about the potential exposure of users’ location and movement data, noting that Waze’s data controller operates under Israeli law.

DAPSY acknowledged the importance of protecting national security and personal information but said the public had not been presented with sufficient evidence that Waze had compromised Malaysia’s security or misused users’ data.

“While DAPSY acknowledges the importance of strengthening cybersecurity, we question the rationale and justification of officials who proposed this blanket ban,” it said.

“Rather than reassuring the public, such a sweeping decision risks generating further questions and undermining public trust.”

Instead of applying broad restrictions, DAPSY proposed targeted safeguards for officials handling confidential information and sensitive duties, including military personnel, intelligence officers and senior security officials.

The group also raised concerns about the government’s recommendation to use TuJu, a locally developed navigation app created by the Malaysian Highway Authority in collaboration with Prosignal Consortium Sdn Bhd.

TuJu offers route guidance, estimated travel times, toll information, traffic updates and access to highway CCTV feeds.

However, the app’s navigation function was temporarily disrupted on Oct 22 while it underwent system upgrades, according to a notice from the highway authority. The notice did not specify when navigation would be fully restored.

“The government’s recommendation to replace Waze with the locally developed TuJu application has caused unnecessary confusion and dissatisfaction among the public,” DAPSY continued.

“Many users tried TuJu and highlighted technical shortcomings, proving that the application can hardly be a reliable and practical alternative.

“Banning a well-established application in favour of an alternative with significant technical issues risks further eroding public trust in government institutions.”

It urged the authorities to listen to public feedback and ensure that any replacement was practical, reliable and capable of meeting users’ needs.

The group reiterated that cybersecurity and data protection were important priorities, but said security measures should be supported by evidence, transparency and public trust.

DAPSY called on Anwar and the government to reconsider the directive and adopt a balanced approach that addresses legitimate security concerns without imposing unnecessarily broad restrictions.

It said the government should explain its rationale clearly and ensure that any navigation app recommended for official use meets appropriate security and performance standards. ‒  Focus Malaysia

“Having tobacco warnings in Chinese would yield meaningful outcome from boycott-happy Malaysians”

 

ACCORDING to the Oxford Language Club, the idiom “hit the nail on the head” means to be completely right about something or to accurately identify the core cause of a situation or problem.

It does appear that a Threader has definitely hit the proverbial nail on the head when proposing the novel solution to combating the filthy habit of smoking.

According to Threader Heston (@hestoncaxton), the age-old battle against smoking would be dealt a great boost with one simple measure – the warning labels should be purely in Chinese!

The trick is to remove the English and Bahasa Malaysia text on the dangers of puffing away and just leave the images of damaged lungs alongside Chinese text only.

Judging from recent reactions on the issue of Chinese-only signs/labels, it was surmised that Malaysians would switch to their de facto re-action which is to boycott the product/brand.

“Finally, after years, the Health Ministry (MOH) will have achieved its target of reducing the smoking habit through boycott,” the self-proclaimed “Cina sepet” (slang for slit-eyes Chinese) chimed sarcastically.

The idea elicited plenty of backing among netizens who applauded the poster for his creative thinking.

There were plenty of commenters who agreed with the sentiments, noting that it seemed almost a logical thing to do.

One Muslim anti-smoker suggested going the whole hog (pun fully intended) by putting porcine as an ingredient in cigarettes. One even suggested making this porcine label on ciggie boxes mandatory by law!

Difficult habit to kick

Taking a step further, a sarcastic citizen remarked that aside from the words “PORK” and “HARAM” written with large fonts to catch the attention Muslims, the digit “4” should also be printed on the packaging to deter superstitious Chinese.

Add “beef” to the list of ingredients to scare away pious Hindus and it was opined that ciggie sales would surely plummet with all major races finally having reasons to stay away (apart from the obvious health dangers).

Alluding to current brouhaha over boycotting of restaurants that are “halal and clean”, some commenters were non-plussed that such ire was not directed at an item decreed haram at fatwa (non-binding legal ruling or religious opinion on a point of Islamic law issued by a qualified Islamic scholar or mufti) level.

Editor’s Note: The Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs has declared smoking conventional cigarettes “haram” on March 23, 1995 due to its proven health hazards and self-destruction risks.

It was then pointed out that Malaysians are a selective bunch with a propensity to close one eye when it suits them. It was noted with incredulity that the lack of halal certification has not stopped many Muslims from consuming tobacco products.

“After all, Malay Muslims are known to be a hypocrite bunch,” mocked one commenter.

A politically-charged commenter believed that instead of Chinese, the text should be in Hebrew and all proceeds from ciggie sales be directed to Israel. “Only then would Muslims stop buying,” he opined.

This view, however, was countered by another fed-up commenter who was resigned to the fact that many Malaysians are simply addicted. Not even Jewish text would change that.

“Not smoking is like not being able to breathe, just like corruption,” he sighed, pointing to another inescapable disgusting habit among certain demographic in the Malaysian society.

Perhaps therein lies the harsh truth. Malaysians are swift to condemn certain things that are an affront to their senses but remain willfully silent on similar matters when it suits them.

As one perceptive Malaysian aptly puts it – “they like to choose their sins”. 

- Focus Malaysia

Human Resources Ministry lodges reports over alleged meddling in TalentCorp review

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry has lodged several reports with the authorities over alleged attempts to interfere with an ongoing review and investigation at Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp).

In a statement, the ministry said the interference included spreading misleading information, attempting to influence individuals within the agency and diverting attention from matters under scrutiny.

It said such actions could undermine the integrity and independence of the review and investigation.

The reports were lodged after the ministry received information and evidence, allowing the authorities to conduct an independent investigation.

"The ministry will leave it entirely to the authorities to examine the evidence, establish the facts and take appropriate legal action if warranted." it said.

The ministry and TalentCorp are undertaking organisational reforms to strengthen the agency's transparency, integrity and accountability.

A joint review by TalentCorp's management and the ministry identified several areas requiring improvement, including provisions in the company's constitution, compliance with internal policies, internal controls, and integrity and accountability mechanisms.

The ministry said the review must proceed independently and transparently, without undue interference or influence.

It said it would not tolerate attempts to exploit positions, influence or connections to compromise the process.

"The review and related investigations also involve TalentCorp employees and management. All parties must cooperate to ensure the process is conducted fairly and objectively.

"Any further action will be determined by the findings of the review and investigations," it said.

The ministry said TalentCorp's operations and strategic programmes would continue as usual throughout the process, with the agency remaining focused on its national talent development mandate. - NST

Bullying study findings to be revealed soon, says Nancy

 

A study on bullying will be released this week or next. - NSTP FILE PIC, for illustration purposes only.

KUALA LUMPUR: Findings from a study on bullying will be released this week or next, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said the study, conducted through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) in collaboration with universities, aims to identify suitable ways to address bullying, particularly among school students.

She said the ministry took bullying seriously and did not want it to become normalised to the point that victims lived in fear.

"We are very concerned about bullying cases. We do not want this behaviour to become normalised in schools to the extent that those being bullied are afraid. So, we want to find ways to help," she said after the recording of Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara programme at Wisma Bernama today.

Nancy said the ministry was stepping up advocacy efforts in schools with partners including the police and relevant experts to raise awareness of child safety and how to seek help in risky situations.

She said parents played an important role in giving children the confidence to report bullying incidents, while schools needed to strengthen advocacy efforts so pupils knew whom they could trust for help.

"The existing advocacy module will be improved with greater emphasis on bullying, in addition to personal safety, safe and unsafe touch, and awareness of sexual abuse," she said.

Nancy said the ministry previously targeted 300 schools for advocacy programmes, and efforts would continue alongside improvements to the modules. - BERNAMA

Ismail denies he resigned as MB

 

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim has denied China Press’ report that he has signed his resignation letter amid a leadership and administration crisis in the state.

“This is just political games, not true. I did not resign,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted on WhatsApp.

Earlier, the Chinese-language daily published an article titled “Ismail Lasim has signed resignation letter” concerning the Negeri Sembilan royal crisis, as speculation about a possible change of menteri besar by next week swirls.

The dispute, which began in April, saw customary territorial chieftains (undang) proclaiming the abdication of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, with Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar succeeding as state ruler.

Ismail’s role in the crisis has been controversial, as he initially claimed to have signed the proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz under duress but later declared it valid along with his state executive council.

Tuanku Muhriz revoked the appointment of the entire exco except Ismail on Sept 20 in response, decreeing the menteri besar to submit to him a new list of names, which has yet to be fulfilled.

A screen capture of a video showing Negeri Sembilan ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir giving Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim an earful on Oct 16

The state ruler was also recently seen on video giving Ismail a public dressing-down over his shifting allegiance in the royal and customary dispute.

'Who's their source?'

Lenggeng assemblyperson Asna Amin similarly denied the report to Malaysiakini and described it as mere gossip.

“The menteri besar said no such thing; this is gossip,” he said.

Ismail’s press secretary, Fasha Musthafa, also denied the report and questioned the newspaper's source of information.

“The menteri besar is working as usual today. Where did China Press get its source (for the report)? (This is) not true,” he told Malaysiakini.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan Umno chairperson Jalaluddin Alias today emphasised that all parties should give space to the state leadership to resolve its own affairs.

The Jelebu MP made the statement in Dewan Rakyat when responding to Hulu Terengganu MP Rosol Wahid, who raised the matter in Parliament.

“Hulu Terengganu does not need to worry; this matter will be resolved. Let Negeri Sembilan settle its own affairs,” said Jalaluddin, who is also Pertang assemblyperson. - Mkini

Suhakam concerned by viral video normalising child marriages

 Children's commissioner Al Adib Samuri calls for Malaysia to emulate Indonesia, Jordan and other countries and ban those under the age of 18 from marrying.

A recent viral TikTok video was purportedly posted by a man who claimed to have married a 15-year-old, drawing negative reactions from netizens. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A Suhakam commissioner has voiced concern over a viral video that appears to normalise child marriages on religious grounds, saying the interests and wellbeing of children must come first.

Suhakam children’s commissioner Al Adib Samuri pointed out that, in 2014, the national fatwa council found that most child marriages in Malaysia did not take place for the benefit of the children involved.

Rather, he said, they were aimed at covering up “mistakes” or the “shame” of families involved, Harian Metro reported.

“In fact, some use child marriages to cover up sexual offences against children,” he was quoted as saying.

Adib, who lectures at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Islamic studies faculty, said having the blessing of a child’s parents does not guarantee that the minor understands what it means to get married.

“Under the age of 18, they are easily influenced by family pressure, feelings of fear or shame, as well as the promise of an easier life.

“When the husband is far older, the girl will have a harder time speaking up,” he said, adding that Islam prioritises the wellbeing of children.

This follows a viral TikTok video posted by a man who claimed to have married a 15-year-old recently, resulting in negative reactions from netizens who questioned the girl’s maturity and ability to agree to marriage.

Some also raised concerns about the risk of children being exploited or groomed before marriage.

Adib urged Malaysia to emulate Indonesia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Morocco and only allow those aged 18 and above to get married.

The children’s commissioner pointed out that these countries bar those under 18 or 19 from marrying, although the courts allow child marriages in certain circumstances.

“Malaysia can take the same approach, with the shariah courts given discretion to allow it in some cases,” he said.

“Marriage is a sacred institution in Islam, so we want to ensure it’s built upon genuine readiness (to marry), rather than serving as a shortcut to cover up problems.” - FMT