TMR

BY GLORIA HARRY BEATTY

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said it had warned Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in 2023 to tighten monitoring and regulatory oversight of development projects near water retention ponds in the capital.

In a statement, MACC senior investigations director Datuk Mohd Hafaz Nazar said the reminder was issued after investigations into approvals involving developments near retention ponds found no elements of corruption.

He said any breaches of conditions or developments affecting the function of retention ponds fall under the responsibility of local authorities, as monitoring, regulatory oversight and development approvals are within DBKL’s jurisdiction.

Mohd Hafaz said MACC had previously investigated allegations of abuse of power and misconduct involving approvals for several development projects allegedly affecting the function of retention ponds around Kuala Lumpur.

“In 2022, MACC opened investigation papers following complaints alleging abuse of power involving several Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Kuala Lumpur Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPSKL) officers between 2015 and 2021,” he said.

He added that the allegations investigated included the rezoning of several areas near retention ponds in the capital, including in Taman Wahyu, for development purposes.

According to Mohd Hafaz, the investigation papers were completed in 2023 and referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor, but the case was classified as no further action (NFA) after no corruption elements were identified.

Previously, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the government was awaiting the outcome of the anti-graft agency’s investigation following reports that the capacity of several flood retention ponds in Kuala Lumpur had significantly shrunk due to land transfers since 2015. 

The post MACC says DBKL was warned in 2023 over developments near retention ponds appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

IJM Corp Bhd non-executive chairman Tan Sri Krishnan Tan (picture) has been cleared of an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

In a bourse filing today, IJM said Krishnan had notified the company that the MACC, via a letter dated April 30, 2026, confirmed the investigation had been completed and classified as “no further action” (NFA).

Accordingly, no further proceedings or prosecution will be pursued, the company added.

The investigation was related to the voluntary take-over offer by Sunway Bhd.

The takeover tussle began in January 2026 when Sunway launched a surprise RM11 billion bid to acquire IJM at RM3.15 per share. 

The move was met with immediate resistance from IJM’s board and major institutional shareholders, including the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), who argued the offer significantly undervalued the group’s intrinsic assets, particularly its construction order book and infrastructure concessions.

The corporate drama intensified in March when the MACC launched its probe, coinciding with a heated exchange over valuations between the two giants.

The bid ultimately lapsed on April 6 after Sunway secured only 33.4% of valid acceptances—well short of the 50% threshold required to make the offer unconditional—effectively ending one of the most high-profile corporate contests in recent years. –TMR

The post IJM chairman Krishnan Tan cleared by MACC appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

KUALA LUMPUR — Young Malaysians should be equipped with knowledge, skills, values and confidence to face an increasingly fast-changing and complex global environment.

In his message in conjunction with National Youth Day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today’s youth represent the spirit, idealism and strength that will shape Malaysia’s future.

“I believe today’s young generation has the courage to think critically, voice views maturely, and drive reform for the nation’s progress.

“The MADANI Government will continue to expand opportunities in education, training, employment and entrepreneurship, including strengthening support for gig workers and young entrepreneurs,” he posted on Facebook.

Anwar stressed that mastery of knowledge and technology must be balanced with principles, integrity and awareness in building a more competitive and dignified society.

As part of the government’s youth empowerment agenda, the Prime Minister also said that he had announced an additional RM5 million allocation to the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) to strengthen youth development efforts nationwide.

“I am confident that the spirit, intellect and determination of the younger generation will be a key force in elevating Malaysia to a more advanced, just and respected nation,” he added. — BERNAMA

The post PM Anwar: Youth must be equipped to face rapid and complex global change appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

PUTRAJAYA — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will continue strengthening its strategic cooperation with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), particularly in handling high-profile, large-scale and public interest cases.

Newly-appointed MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said such cases would continue to be referred to the AGC as the authority responsible for determining legal action on investigations conducted by the anti-graft agency.

“I will do my best to lead, reform and strengthen the MACC,” he said in a statement today following a courtesy visit to Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar yesterday.

The visit marked Abd Halim’s first official engagement since assuming office on May 13.

Meanwhile, Mohd Dusuki expressed appreciation for Abd Halim’s decision to make the AGC his first courtesy visit as the new MACC chief commissioner.

“The AGC and the MACC are inseparable. The cooperation between us will continue,” he said.

Also present were the head of the AGC’s Trial and Appeals Division, Datuk Seri Saiful Edris Zainuddin, and the head of the AGC’s Prosecution Division, Datuk Masri Mohd Daud. — BERNAMA 

The post Abd Halim: MACC to strengthen strategic cooperation with AGC appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

KUALA LUMPUR — Workplaces cannot be considered safe if employees are suffering from burnout due to unrealistic workloads or are subjected to bullying and harassment, according to Mental Health Advisory Council member Lee Lam Thye.

He said the Employment Hero’s Wellness at Work Report for 2024 and 2022 showed an alarming burnout rate among Malaysian employees, with 67 per cent of workers experiencing burnout in 2024, a significant jump from 58 per cent in 2022. 

“These are not ‘soft issues’. These are psychosocial risks – and they are just as dangerous as a slippery floor or faulty machinery. In fact, their impact can be even more devastating because they affect the mind.

“Just as we recognise the importance of physical health in ensuring that employees are able to perform their duties safely and effectively, we must now acknowledge that mental health is equally – if not more – critical in shaping productivity, decision-making, relationships, and overall organisational success,” he said in a statement today.

He said that mental health also underpins physical health, with chronic stress closely linked to serious conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, weakened immunity and sleep disorders.

Lee said that while productivity is often measured through absenteeism, or employees not coming to work, a more dangerous issue is presenteeism, where employees are physically present but mentally absent.

“They sit at their desks, but their minds are burdened by stress, anxiety, or depression. They cannot focus. They cannot perform. And sometimes they make critical mistakes. 

“This is not just a human issue; it is an economic issue. Presenteeism quietly drains productivity and impacts our national growth. If we ignore mental health, we are not only failing our people, we are failing our economy,” he stressed.

He said employers must recognise that creating a safe and supportive psychosocial work environment is a responsibility, not an option.

This includes promoting open conversations on mental health without stigma or discrimination; providing access to mental health resources, counselling, and employee assistance programmes; training managers to recognise early signs of mental distress and respond with empathy; ensuring reasonable workloads, work-life balance, and fair treatment at all levels; and establishing clear policies to address workplace bullying, harassment, and toxic cultures.

Lee also called on the government to recognise psychosocial risks within the national occupational safety and health (OSH) framework, with policies that treat psychological safety as seriously as physical safety.

“The reality we can no longer ignore today is that we do not just bring our skills to work, we bring our whole selves, including our anxieties, our depressions, and our psychological burdens. Breaking the silence on mental health is not just a trend; it is a modern workplace necessity.

“No one should have to suffer in silence. It is time we acknowledge that mental health matters—at every workplace, at every level, and for every individual,” he added. — BERNAMA

The post Lee Lam Thye: Workplaces not safe if employees face burnout, harassment appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

KULIM — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has denied a news report that likened drug trafficking activities in Langkawi to the operations of an international cartel.

According to him, the magnitude of drug trafficking on the resort island cannot be likened to the drug cartel led by drug trafficker Pablo Escobar who controls the entire drug trafficking complex.

“In Langkawi, it’s not that big of a deal, but that’s okay, the media (Harian Metro) chose to say that, that’s okay, that’s their choice.

“We just know, we act on all the intelligence information we have and our spying is not just after the media reveals it, no, it’s spying all the time and when the time comes, we will take action to raid, then we do it,” he said.

He told reporters after the ceremony on Instilling Noble Values at his Community Service Centre in Taman Sejahtera, Lunas here today.

He said that the investigation into drug trafficking activities in Langkawi was carried out comprehensively by focusing on all elements including organised crimes and allegations of involvement of law enforcement officers.

Saifuddin Nasution said that the police would not protect any individuals including members who were involved in the activity and would open investigation papers according to existing laws.

Commenting on the proposal of Kedah Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for the police to shoot drug dealer, Saifuddin Nasution said the drug issue needs to be addressed rationally.

He also explained that Kedah is among the states with the most serious drug problems, especially involving cases under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which is a repeat offence.

“So we have to sit calmly, with a cooler head, rationally and objectively. It is not as easy as saying ‘shoot’, that is to be popular, but it is not certain that it will solve the problem,” he said. — BERNAMA

The post Saifuddin denies drug activities in Langkawi like an international cartel appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.