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KUALA LUMPUR — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the harmony enjoyed by Malaysia today stems from mutual respect and the willingness to share space as a nation anchored in unity.

In this regard, Ahmad Zahid said in a post on his X account that these values must continue to be preserved to ensure the country’s peace and stability remain safeguarded for future generations.

“Cultural and religious diversity is among the key foundations that shape the nation’s identity. In our differences, we learn to understand one another. In diversity, we find the strength to continue living as one united society,” he said.

In the post, he also extended Thaipusam greetings to all Hindu devotees in Malaysia celebrating the festival and expressed hope that the unity enjoyed by the nation will continue to be preserved so that Malaysia remains peaceful, stable and prosperous for the present and future generations. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (picture) today conveyed Thaipusam greetings to all Hindus celebrating the festival.

In a Facebook post, Anwar said Thaipusam is rich in meaning, symbolising sacrifice, reflection, spiritual strength and the value of patience.

As such, he said the discipline and perseverance demonstrated throughout the observance of Thaipusam  deserve respect and collective appreciation.

“Orderliness and harmony in every religious and cultural celebration in this country reflect unity within the diversity of Malaysians, and differences are not something foreign, but a reality that has long shaped Malaysia’s identity,” he said.

In this regard, he hoped Thaipusam would bring peace of mind to all Hindu devotees, while continuing to nurture mutual respect and harmony within the country’s multiracial society.

He also expressed hope that Thaipusam would be observed with gratitude and decorum, while upholding propriety and values that form the foundation of communal life. — BERNAMA

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MUAR — Approximately 12 hectares (30 acres) of peat forest at Batu 13, Bukit Naning, near the Johor State Farmers’ Organisation (PPNJ) Estate, was reported to be on fire today.

Operations Commander, Fire Superintendent II Norshuhada Amasari, said upon receiving a call at 9:00 am today, a total of 15 personnel from the Muar Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), assisted by 10 personnel from Zone 4 BBP, rushed to the scene.

He noted that the firefighting operation, located 27 kilometers (km) from the Muar station, involved the station’s Team B supported by one Fire Rescue Tender (FRT), an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) unit, a three-tonne truck, three Rapid Intervention Motorcycles (RIM), and a water tanker.

“Upon arrival at the location, our team found a forest area along with part of a palm oil plantation covering approximately 30 acres, on fire. We have carried out firefighting operations divided into two sectors (A and B).

“For Sector A, involving the initial 20 acres, the operation utilised a 700-foot hose line, three breeching units, four nozzles, one pump unit, and an open water source,” he said in a statement today.

He added that for Sector B (10 acres), the extinguishing method involved two 600-foot hose lines, two breeching units, three nozzles, and one pump unit provided by the Air Hitam Voluntary Fire Brigade (PBS).

“This operation also involves several other agencies, including six members of the Voluntary Fire Brigade, five from the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), four police officers, five from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), five from PPNJ, and five from the Public Works Department (JKR).

“Also deployed were two water tankers from Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd (SAJ) and one from the Muar Municipal Council (MPM). As of 5:00 pm today, firefighting operations are still ongoing,” he said. — BERNAMA

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KULIM — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (picture) said the status of the investigation into the assault case involving the son of Pandan Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, will be determined based on the progress of the police investigation.

According to him, whether the case should be classified as No Further Action (NFA) or otherwise depends on the results and clues found in the investigation.

“When an incident occurs and then a police report is made, the real duty of the police is to conduct an investigation and this investigation will be carried out continuously and its progress depends on new clues that we find.

“So whether the classification of the case will be included as an NFA or otherwise at this stage, I leave it entirely to the professionalism of the police force,” he told reporters when met after the Kulim Bantuan Wang Ehsan flood aid presentation to flood victims here, today.

Saifuddin Nasution said he did not intend to give any direction that could be considered conclusive on the status of the police investigation into the case. 

He said this was because the matter could be considered as interfering with the investigation process, if the police found new causes or clues in their investigation.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said he continued to express sympathy for the incident involving the son of the former Economy Minister.

“I have contacted him to ask him how he is, not only when the incident happened, but also afterwards and I leave it to the professionalism of the police force,” he said.

Earlier, the media reported that Rafizi intended to send a letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail regarding the case involving the attack on his son.

Rafizi also plans to propose NFA status because no developments have been reported after six months of the attack.

In the incident on August 13 last year, Rafizi’s only son, aged 12, was attacked by an unknown individual at a shopping mall in Putrajaya. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), through an integrated operation, detected and shut down the transmission activities of a Fake Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in Genting Highlands, Pahang recently.

In a statement today, the MCMC said the integrated operation carried out together with a telecommunications company was the result of continuous monitoring, technical intelligence, and network analysis to identify communication service disruptions and the spread of fraudulent SMS to users.

“On Jan 19, 2026, a team from MCMC successfully detected two vehicles being used to carry out transmission activities of the Fake Base Station.

“Inspections at the location confirmed the interception of telecommunications networks believed to be used for sending fraudulent SMS messages to victims, thus proving that the activity was carried out in a planned manner,” according to the statement.

According to the MCMC, the fake BTS equipment and control devices have been seized for further investigation, and the case is being investigated under Section 239(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 [Act 588] and Regulation 16(1)(b) of the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000. 

Anyone convicted under the relevant act can be fined up to RM1,000,000 or imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both, while an offence under Regulation 16, Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000, carries a maximum fine of RM300,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.

The MCMC affirmed that the commission will not tolerate any form of misuse of communication networks that could affect public safety and the integrity of the country’s telecommunications system.

In this regard, enforcement actions will continue to be enhanced to ensure the country’s communication network remains safe and protected, according to the MCMC. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will tighten their enforcement to ensure that no middlemen or agents are involved in exploiting the management of Ramadan 2026 bazaar site rentals in the capital. 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the enforcement is in line with the government’s move to reduce the rental rate for Ramadan bazaar sites this year from RM500 to RM400, which is to ease the cost of living, particularly in the capital.

“The government has taken steps to reduce the rate (for the 2026 Ramadan bazaar site rental), and the next step will be enforcement to ensure there are no middlemen acting as agents to reap excessive profits.

“We want to make sure that the cost of living comes down and to ease the burden on Kuala Lumpur residents,” she told reporters after officiating the Kuala Lumpur MADANI Carnival here today.

Also present were the Prime Minister’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan. 

DBKL will organise Ramadan bazaars this year at nine locations, while hawkers’ associations will manage 32 other locations.

In another development, Hannah said improvements to disability-friendly infrastructure in the Federal Territories require cooperation from multiple ministries and agencies.

She said her ministry, through the Federal Territories Department (JWP), works closely with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, particularly the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and conducts engagement sessions with the disabled community in several areas around the capital.

“Our aspiration is to have more pedestrian infrastructure that is friendlier to persons with disabilities, but the most important thing for them begins with registration.

“So parents must ensure that their children with disabilities are registered because the disability card is important. Everything starts with registration, because once registered, the data exists, and only then can various authorities plan infrastructure and benefits for this group,” she added. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) views seriously the misuse of telecommunications equipment for criminal activities following the seizure of SIM boxes and cards in a recent integrated operation with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in Kajang.

MCMC said 50 SIM boxes, 5,000 SIM cards and related equipment were seized during the operation for investigation under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) and the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000.

It said the devices were misused to create fake online accounts on a large scale, bypass security controls on digital platforms and facilitate fraud and other cybercrimes, thereby threatening the integrity of the national communications network and the safety of users.

“The misuse of SIM boxes and bulk SIM cards, including foreign SIM cards, enables criminals to create fake accounts to carry out fraud and online crimes, putting users at risk.

“For offences under Section 239 of Act 588, those convicted may be fined up to RM100,000 or imprisoned for up to two years, or both,” it said in a statement today.

MCMC said the misuse of SIM boxes and cards to create fake online accounts poses a serious threat to national security, adding that telecommunications service providers must tighten SIM card registration controls to ensure digital security.

The commission will continue to work closely with PDRM and other enforcement agencies to safeguard national security, prevent the misuse of telecommunications services and ensure compliance with existing laws and regulations. — BERNAMA

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