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MALAYSIA has launched an improved green lane system at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 (KLIA T1) to speed up customs clearance for international passengers.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the system, which includes two green lanes and one red lane, is aimed at easing congestion at the Customs clearance area.

“The green lane is for passengers who have nothing to declare or are not carrying any prohibited items, whereas the red lane is for passengers who need to declare the items,” he said during a press conference held at KLIA T1 yesterday.

The green lane initiative is implemented by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) in collaboration with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) as well as the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.

Loke said that previously, all arriving international passengers were required to queue in a single lane and have their luggage screened through an X-ray scanner.

“This led to long queues of up to 15 to 20 minutes, especially during peak hours.

“There was also congestion at the baggage claim area as passengers had to queue twice, once to collect their bags and again for Customs inspection,” he added.

The Seremban MP said the introduction of the green lane would not compromise national security, as officers would continue monitoring passengers through risk assessments, with high-risk travellers redirected to the red lane, according to an English daily.

KLIA Terminal T1 handles between 80,000 and 90,000 passengers daily, with international travellers accounting for about 60% of total traffic, he said, adding that the initiative would help manage passenger flow more efficiently ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VMY2026).

The system will be implemented on a trial basis for one month until Feb 26, after which it may be extended to KLIA T2 and other international airports, including Penang, Johor Bahru and Kuching.

At present, the Customs area has four lanes, with one reserved for flight crew and the remaining three for passengers.

Separately, Loke said vehicle users can now obtain their physical driving licences on the spot following a move to simplify the application process. 

The physical licence remains optional, with motorists who drive only within Malaysia able to continue using the digital version. 

Applications can be made at all Road Transport Department and Urban Transformation Centre counters nationwide, with a printing fee of RM20 for Malaysians and RM100 for non-Malaysians.

The minister said the printing fee will be waived for individuals aged 60 and above, holders of Class A1 and A licences, as well as registered person with disability (PWD) cardholders with the Social Welfare Department.

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SOME 135 arrests linked to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activities were recorded nationwide between 2022 and 2025, based on data compiled by state religious authorities.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s (PM) Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan (picture) said the cases fall under state jurisdiction in accordance with the State List of the Federal Constitution, according to an English daily. 

“Such cases fall under state jurisdiction in line with the provisions of Item 1, List II-State List, Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.

He was responding to a question from Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) on the number of arrests recorded over the four-year period and the subsequent action taken by authorities.

“Enforcement is not strictly limited to arrests,” he added.

Zulkifli said the government remains vigilant in enforcing Shariah criminal laws, covering not only LGBT cases but also other misconduct such as musyahaqah (lesbianism), sodomy and men posing as women.

Further elaborating, he said action is also taken in cases where individuals are suspected of involvement in LGBT activities, even when evidence is insufficient.

Zulkifli explained that such measures include providing advice and counselling, as well as issuing orders for individuals to attend awareness and rehabilitation programmes related to offences deemed contrary to morality and Islamic teachings.

Zulkifli added that the government also runs missionary programmes and special courses aimed at community guidance, alongside support to help affected individuals secure employment or venture into business activities.

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KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a continuous rain warning, at the alert level, for several areas in Sarawak and Sabah, effective from this Friday.

MetMalaysia, in a statement, said continuous rain is expected in several districts in Sarawak, namely Bintulu, Miri and Limbang, from Jan 30 to 31.

Similar weather conditions are also forecast for several districts in Sabah, involving Tawau (Kunak and Lahad Datu), Sandakan (Telupid, Kinabatangan, Beluran and Sandakan) and Kudat, from Jan 30 to Feb 1. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — Newly elected Kinabatangan Member of Parliament Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar (picture) took his oath as a member of the Dewan Rakyat at Parliament today.

The swearing-in ceremony was held before Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, ahead of the Ministers’ Question Time session.

Mohd Kurniawan Naim won the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election on Saturday with an increased majority of 14,214 votes in a three-cornered contest.

He defeated Warisan’s Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman, who secured 5,638 votes, and independent candidate Goldam Hamid, who garnered only 946 votes.

The Kinabatangan by-election was held following the death of the incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, who was also Mohd Kurniawan Naim’s father, on Dec 5 last year. 

In his proclamation speech after the swearing-in ceremony, Johari expressed hope that Mohd Kurniawan Naim would provide the best service to the residents of his constituency, apart from playing a constructive role in the Dewan Rakyat for the benefit of the people and the nation.

“I hope the Honourable Member will continue the legacy and contributions of his late father by making meaningful contributions, and that he will serve with excellence and dedication,” he said.

Mohd Kurniawan Naim also posed his first question in the Dewan Rakyat to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during Ministers’ Question Time on the potential for attracting investment into rural areas, including the Kinabatangan constituency. — BERNAMA

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by NURNABIHAH DINI 

THE government’s move to allow Year One enrolment at age six is based on international benchmarks and will be implemented in stages to safeguard pupil welfare and system readiness.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) showed that more than 70% of countries globally have adopted six as the entry age for primary education.

“Based on Unesco figures, 137 countries have implemented the age of six for Year One. Malaysia should not be left behind,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Anwar stressed, however, that the government was mindful of concerns over preparedness and would not rush implementation. He said enrolment for six-year-olds would begin with a voluntary and phased approach, giving parents time to decide while allowing schools to prepare.

“We do not want parents to feel shocked or forced. That is why we are giving time for preparation, including a full year before implementation,” he said.

To support the policy, Anwar said the government has expanded infrastructure and staffing across the education system, including primary schools, vocational colleges, matriculation colleges and teacher education institutes.

He said 10,514 classrooms across 6,469 primary schools have been expanded, with 150 new classrooms completed in 2025 and another 350 scheduled for 2026. An additional RM800 million has been allocated this year to recruit 18,000 new teachers.

“There is a lot of preparation involved and a lot of spending. The additional allocation is meant to meet immediate needs,” he said.

Anwar rejected the notion that children could become “test subjects” for a new policy, saying not all six-year-olds would be required to enter Year One immediately and readiness would be assessed.

“What matters is whether there is preparation – teachers, facilities and support. To say everything is perfect, perhaps not, but we cannot delay indefinitely,” he said.

He added that postponing the move could disadvantage children, arguing that today’s children mature earlier and are more cognitively prepared than previous generations.

“In general, children now are more mature, smarter and have greater exposure,” he said, while stressing the need to give them adequate space and support.

Anwar also said the policy is not compulsory at this stage and parents will continue to have flexibility, especially during the initial rollout.

“This is not a decision that will harm the country. It is a decision that must be considered carefully and supported by all parties,” he said, adding that weaknesses identified during implementation would be addressed progressively.

He reiterated that the Education Ministry, Finance Ministry and Economy Ministry are working together to ensure funding, curriculum readiness, teacher deployment and parental concerns are properly managed.

“If the country wants to move forward, it has to take proactive and brave steps. If there are problems, we fix them,” he said.

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KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen 16 bank accounts involving RM10.2 million and seized RM87,000 in cash, vehicles and jewellery worth RM220,000 on Jan 20 under Op Nature, a joint operation by the Selangor MACC and Negeri Sembilan MACC.

According to an MACC source, a company director being investigated by the MACC has also been remanded from today till Jan 30.

“Meanwhile, the Negeri Sembilan MACC has also remanded four individuals, including a senior (Environment Department) officer on Tuesday (Jan 20) till today (Jan 26),” the source said, adding that the remands were part of an investigation into e-waste factories and the illegal disposal of scheduled waste.

Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that investigations were ongoing under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009 and did not deny the possibility of further arrests. — BERNAMA

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