KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — The MADANI Government will continue to empower the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as a credible and respected institution in efforts to eradicate corruption without compromise, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

The Prime Minister emphasised that efforts to strengthen governance, integrity, and the country’s institutional reform agenda form the core of building a fairer, more transparent, and competitive Malaysia.

This was stated by him during a courtesy call from MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman in Putrajaya yesterday.

“I stressed that integrity is not merely a requirement in the public service, but a crucial foundation to guarantee public confidence, attract quality investments, and determine a more sustainable future for the nation.

“The MADANI Government will continue to empower the MACC as a credible and respected institution in efforts to eradicate corruption without compromise to ensure that the country’s prosperity can be enjoyed by both present and future generations,” he said via a Facebook post. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 6 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today officially launched the GITC TVET Placement Centre (GTPC), the nation’s first integrated national talent placement platform aimed at bridging the gap between industry and skilled talent.

The platform, launched in conjunction with the National TVET Day 2026 celebration here will serve as a structured ecosystem connecting students, graduates, institutions and industry to facilitate industrial training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.

He said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to positioning TVET as a primary pathway to quality employment, higher income, social mobility and national economic competitiveness.

“TVET is no longer a secondary pathway but the primary route to quality employment, better income, social mobility and national economic competitiveness,” he said in his speech at the launch ceremony held here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National TVET Council chairman, said National TVET Day now symbolises the central role of TVET in Malaysia’s development agenda.

However, he noted that several structural challenges remained, including the mismatch between training programmes and current industry technologies, low wage perceptions that continue to stigmatise TVET careers, as well as gaps in instructor quality and training facilities that affect graduate readiness.

He said the launch of TVET 2.0 earlier today marked a new phase in the country’s efforts to create a more responsive and industry-driven TVET ecosystem.

As part of this transformation, he called on industry players to assume greater responsibility in talent development by acting as co-investors through the provision of training opportunities, facilities, mentorship and employment pathways.

“Investment in TVET is not a cost. It is an investment in productivity, competitiveness and the future of our nation,” he said.

Through GTPC, he said, industry players can register talent requirements and offer industrial training placements, apprenticeships and jobs, while students and graduates can build professional profiles, showcase competencies and secure employment opportunities.

The platform also enables institutions to monitor student progress more effectively and strengthen collaboration with industry partners.

Ahmad Zahid said the initiative would support skills-based hiring practices by emphasising competencies, practical capabilities and lifelong learning rather than academic qualifications alone.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid also highlighted the role of the Government-Industry TVET Coordination Body (GITC) as a strategic bridge linking government agencies, industry players and educational institutions to better align talent supply with workforce demand.

He urged GITC to evolve beyond its coordination role and become a catalyst for systemic change, particularly in high-growth sectors such as aerospace, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, renewable energy, cybersecurity and robotics. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 5 — Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has stressed that the suspension of access to the MyKhas portal for the Members of Parliament (MPs) for Petaling Jaya and Subang does not affect their rights or functions as elected representatives.

In fact, he said allocations channelled through the MyKhas platform are special funds under the prime minister’s purview and are separate from the facilities and entitlements provided to MPs through Parliament.

The communications minister also said residents in both constituencies would continue to have access to assistance despite the restrictions.

“The Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM) has clarified that residents in both parliamentary constituencies may still submit applications, which will be assessed and approved directly by the ICU.

“As such, there is no issue regarding applications or the allocation of funds,” he told a press conference after the Cabinet meeting today.

Fahmi was responding to claims by Subang MP Wong Chen and Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung that their offices had been denied access to the MyKhas system, affecting applications for People-Friendly Projects (PMR) allocations in their constituencies.

Yesterday, the ICU JPM assured the public that all allocations intended for the people would continue to be disbursed and managed directly to ensure that public welfare remains unaffected.

The agency also said it would continue carrying out its coordinating role in an orderly manner to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of government programmes and initiatives for the benefit of the public. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 16 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has assured that medicine supplies in Malaysia remain stable and sufficient, although a small number of products continue to be closely monitored.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry tracks 702 medicine types covering 3,739 registered products through monthly reports submitted by registration holders.

“As of May 8, 2026, 505 medicine types, or 72 per cent, had stock levels exceeding 90 days and were classified as low risk.

“Another 79 types (11.3 per cent) were categorised as moderate risk with supplies lasting between 60 and 90 days, while 118 items (16.8 per cent) had stocks below 60 days and were considered high risk,” he told Bernama in a written reply today.

The moderate and high-risk categories include antibiotics, cancer drugs, vaccines, antidotes, psychiatric medicines and cardiovascular treatments.

“Of the 118 high-risk items, only 14 were deemed critical due to reliance on a single registration holder or delays of more than a month for incoming supplies,” he said.

These include Fluorouracil (cancer treatment), Methylene Blue (used in diagnostic procedures), Linezolid (an antibiotic) and Coal Tar Solution for psoriasis treatment. 

However, Dr Dzulkefly said checks with MOH facilities and concession companies found that 13 of the 14 critical medicines still have stock levels exceeding 90 days. The remaining item, Carbinoxamine Maleate/Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride, is not listed in the MOH Drug Formulary.

“This means medicine supplies for patients at MOH facilities remain sufficient and are not currently affected,” he said.

Additional shipments of critical medicines are scheduled to arrive between June and September, while the ministry continues to work closely with industry players, suppliers and healthcare facilities to address potential supply disruptions early.

On June 14, Prime Minister’s economic adviser Nurhisham Hussein said that over 70 per cent of public healthcare medicine supplies currently have stock levels exceeding three months, while most critical medications have alternative treatment options available. — Bernama 

PUTRAJAYA, June 1 — Taxpayers can now file assessment appeals or apply for an extension of time to appeal tax assessments raised under the Income Tax Act 1967 through the new e-Assessment Appeal service on the MyTax portal.

However, the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) said the facility does not cover cases involving capital gains tax, withholding tax, or assessments arising from investigation activities.

In a statement today, the IRB said the initiative marks a shift from previous manual and document-based processes to a fully online system, eliminating the need for taxpayers to physically visit IRB offices.

“Among the new experiences for taxpayers include the ability to submit assessment appeals or applications for extension of time from anywhere and in real time,” the IRB said.

Taxpayers will also be able to track the status of their appeals or applications throughout the process and receive notifications, including letters of acceptance or rejection, as well as notices of approval for extension requests, online.

For access, the IRB said individual taxpayers may submit appeals or extension applications via the individual taxpayer role on MyTax.

Company directors, authorised officers, and administrators of organisations such as cooperatives, trusts, and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) may submit applications through the company director or organisation administrator roles. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 5 — The government is targeting at least 650,000 students to enrol in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes at 1,395 TVET institutions nationwide by December 31 this year.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the target follows a significant rise in student participation in TVET, which is increasingly becoming a preferred education and career pathway among parents and students.

“Last year, about 587,000 students enrolled in TVET institutions, compared with around 121,000 when the TVET Council was first established.

“This shows growing recognition among parents and students about TVET, and the fivefold increase in enrolment is a very positive achievement,” he told reporters after visiting the exhibition site for the 2026 National TVET Day celebrations at Dataran Putrajaya today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also chairman of the National TVET Council Committee, said the event is being held from today until June 7 to showcase high-quality TVET to students at institutions nationwide as well as prospective applicants.

He said the approach is important to meet labour market demand, particularly in developing skilled local workers to meet industry needs.

“We must meet labour market demand in the TVET sector, particularly in producing skilled workers for industries that need Malaysian talent, and this will in turn help raise the starting salaries of TVET graduates,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said the government is also aiming for TVET to become a first-choice pathway for students, even as academic routes through public and private higher education institutions continue to be strengthened, stressing that the current focus is to meet the actual needs of the labour market nationwide.

National TVET Day 2026, themed “TVET Pilihan Utama Kerjaya” (TVET as the Preferred Career Choice), is expected to draw 500,000 visitors, featuring a range of programmes that give visitors the chance to explore six main hubs: TVET and industry engagement, seminars, a career carnival, entrepreneurship, TVET challenges, and educational entertainment.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate at the highlight of the event tomorrow, underscoring the government’s continued commitment to developing a highly skilled workforce. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 4 — The government is turning to retired military personnel to help address labour shortages in the transport sector, including as lorry and bus drivers as well as skilled workers in the aviation maintenance industry, under a new collaboration between the Transport Ministry (MOT) and Defence Ministry (Mindef).

Speaking at the signing of a strategic Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) cooperation agreement between the two ministries today, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said agencies and companies under MOT had committed to offering 3,208 job opportunities in the ports, logistics, bus transportation and rail sectors.

“That is why agencies and companies under MOT have come forward to support this initiative by providing nearly 3,208 job opportunities in the ports, logistics, bus transportation and rail sectors,” he said in his speech.

Loke said the collaboration reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring members and veterans of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) could continue contributing to national development after completing their military service.

He said military personnel possessed qualities highly valued by employers, including discipline, integrity and resilience, as well as experience working in environments that require strict compliance with safety standards.

At a joint press conference later with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Loke said the initiative would also help address manpower shortages across various segments of the transport industry.

“Today we are focusing on the logistics sector, truck and bus drivers, where we are facing significant shortages. We do not have enough bus and truck drivers,” he said.

“This platform can provide opportunities for them to become truck and bus drivers. There are also other sectors that urgently require manpower, such as ports.”

Loke said there was considerable overlap between the skills developed in military service and those needed in civilian transport industries.

“The skill sets that we need in the transport sector already exist among military retirees because they drive multiple heavy vehicles in the forces,” he said.

He pointed in particular to opportunities in the aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry, which he said was expanding rapidly.

“Many Air Force personnel possess aerospace MRO skill sets. In the defence sector they work on fighter jets, while in the civilian industry they can work on private jets and commercial aircraft,” he said.

Loke said growing airline fleets and increasing investment in business aviation facilities would drive demand for skilled workers in the sector.

“When there is an urgent need for skilled workers, military retirees are the quickest group that can meet that demand,” he said.

“Because they already have those skill sets.”

He added that military retirees would require only limited additional training before entering the civilian workforce.

The transport minister also announced measures to simplify the conversion of military driving licences into civilian licences, allowing former military drivers to enter the logistics industry more easily.

“Obtaining a Class E licence costs between RM4,000 and RM5,000. Under this programme, we will allow direct conversion,” he said.

Loke explained that military personnel currently hold driving licences issued under the Armed Forces system, which cannot be used after retirement.

He said those participating through the Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (Perhebat) would be able to convert eligible military licences into civilian licences at no cost.

Khaled said the initiative was important as about 5,000 military personnel retire each year, with more than 4,000 of them aged around 40 and still capable of contributing to the workforce.

“It would be a loss if they did not work or participate in the country’s economic activities,” he said.

Khaled said many retirees still had young families to support despite receiving pensions.

“Even if they receive RM2,000, RM3,000 or RM4,000 in pension, they still have young families. They have children who need to be raised,” he said.

He added that Perhebat had shifted its approach to focus on matching military retirees with industries facing actual labour shortages.

“Previously, Perhebat provided training programmes that did not meet industry needs. Industries had vacancies in certain fields, but Perhebat was providing training in areas that were not aligned,” he said.

“Today we are bypassing that process.”

Under the programme, retiring military personnel will undergo a six-month transition period before leaving service, during which they may be attached to participating companies for training while continuing to receive their government salaries.

Khaled said the arrangement would allow retirees to secure employment immediately after retirement while continuing to receive their pensions.

“Then when they get a job, the company pays them and they also receive their pension,” he said.

As part of the initiative, Perhebat also signed memoranda of understanding with 10 transport-sector agencies, companies and industry associations, including Malaysia Rail Development Corporation, Infinity Logistics & Transport, MMC Port Holdings, Westports Malaysia and Pan Malaysia Bus Operators Association, to expand training and employment opportunities for retiring and former military personnel.

PUTRAJAYA, June 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed that all aspects of government digital service development be carried out internally to safeguard data security and sovereignty.

Madani Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who is also communications minister, said the prime minister conveyed the directive during the Cabinet meeting today.

Fahmi said the internal development of digital services would be coordinated by the Ministry of Digital through the National Digital Department.

“This takes into account data security and sovereignty aspects, direct access to source code, as well as talent development, particularly among civil servants,” he told a post-Cabinet meeting press conference here today.

In another development, Fahmi said the prime minister had instructed that firm action be taken against any party found abusing licences, visas or business facilities in the country.

“We leave it to the relevant authorities to take action in accordance with the law, and we remind all business operators to always comply with regulations and laws, especially those holding licences to conduct business or undertake commercial activities,” he said. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 16 — The Federal Court today ruled in favour of seven Orang Asli villagers by ordering that each receive RM20,000 in general damages following the destruction of their ancestral graves.

A three-member bench comprising Justices Datuk Nordin Hassan, Datuk Seri Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera and Datuk Lee Swee Seng unanimously allowed the villagers’ appeal and reinstated the earlier decision of the Kuantan High Court.

The ruling overturned the Court of Appeal’s October 2024 decision, which had favoured Agrobest (M) Sdn Bhd, a company involved in the prawn farming industry, and two of its employees.

Agrobest is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABSF International Group (M) Sdn Bhd and had entered into a 30-year lease agreement with the Pahang State Secretariat Corporation to develop sea prawn pond farming on the land concerned.

Delivering the unanimous judgment, Justice Lee said the High Court was “perfectly positioned” to assess the evidence and determine that the villagers had successfully established their connection to the grave sites and tombstones.

He said the destruction and desecration of the ancestral graves constituted an infringement of the villagers’ native proprietary rights, making them entitled to compensation as correctly determined by the High Court.

Justice Lee added that the High Court had properly evaluated oral testimony and rightly concluded that the villagers had proven their family connection to the burial sites that were desecrated.

He further said that Orang Asli communities retain the right to use and enjoy their ancestral lands unless those rights have been lawfully extinguished through compensation under the Land Acquisition Act 1960.

According to the court, the villagers had previously been directed by the Orang Asli Development Department (JKOA) to vacate and relocate from the area to make way for a large-scale prawn farming development without receiving compensation.

Despite relocating, the villagers continued returning annually to perform customary rituals at their ancestors’ graves.

The seven villagers, comprising Rosli Jedut, Atan Baro, Melah Hamid, Awang Bako, Esah Wir, Kasim Awang, and Majib Kasim, filed the lawsuit in 2019, alleging trespass and the destruction of graves at a burial site in Kampung Orang Asli Batu 20, Mukim Bebar, in Pahang’s Pekan district.

On July 11, 2023, the Kuantan High Court ruled that the villagers had successfully proven their claim against Agrobest and awarded each of them RM20,000 in general damages for the loss suffered as a result of the damage caused to the burial site.

The High Court also found that a backhoe contractor engaged by the company during excavation works had acted in a manner that failed to respect Orang Asli customs and traditions.

However, on October 22, 2024, the Court of Appeal overturned the ruling, holding that the villagers lacked legal standing to bring the action after finding insufficient proof that they were descendants of those buried at the site.

In June last year, the Federal Court granted leave for the villagers to appeal the appellate court’s decision. The appeal was heard over two days on January 26 and June 8 this year.

At today’s proceedings, the villagers were represented by lawyers Steven Thiruneelakandan, Yogeswaran Subramaniam, Hon Kai Ping and Ananthan Nithya Moorthi, while Agrobest and its employees were represented by counsel Henry Ngok Heng Hui, Vernise Ng Si Hui and Wong Yung Hang. — Bernama 

PUTRAJAYA, June 5 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today dismissed suggestions of reviving Muafakat Nasional (MN) 2.0, saying there have been no discussions on the matter between Umno and PAS.

“There have been no discussions on that,” he told reporters after visiting the exhibition site for National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Day 2026 at Dataran Putrajaya here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said Umno and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) priority remains ensuring political stability through the unity government formed with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and parties from Sabah and Sarawak.

“The most important thing is to ensure that the current government remains intact until the end of the 15th Parliament’s term,” he said.

Yesterday, PAS Youth proposed that Umno revive political cooperation through Muafakat Nasional ahead of the upcoming Johor state election.

On a separate matter, Ahmad Zahid said a political meeting involving Umno and PAS leaders held last night did not involve the presidents of either party and was focused on political collaboration and national issues.

He said politics is dynamic and BN remains open to political discussions and deliberations on national matters in the interest of preserving the country’s stability. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 12 — The Election Commission (EC) has announced the polling dates for the upcoming state elections in Johor and Negri Sembilan, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown in the southern region.

EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun confirmed that Johor voters will head to the polls on July 11, with nomination day scheduled for June 27 and early voting taking place on July 7.

Negri Sembilan will follow shortly after, with polling day set for Aug 1. Nominations for the state will be held on July 18, followed by early voting on July 28.

MORE TO COME

PUTRAJAYA, June 15 — The recovery of global oil supplies is expected to take time despite a peace deal between the United States and Iran, following infrastructure damage and disruptions to strategic trade routes caused by the conflict.

Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the ongoing global geopolitical crisis has significantly impacted the national economy, particularly regarding oil supplies, adding that any positive developments towards peace are highly anticipated.

However, he noted that the impact on the oil market and the global economy would not be immediate, as the recovery process requires time.

“If it is true that a peace deal can be reached, its impact may take time because of the process of clearing routes in the Strait of Hormuz and repairing infrastructure damaged during the war. So, it will take time to fully recover,” he told reporters after the Ministry of Economy’s monthly gathering today.

He was asked to comment on recent developments regarding the peace agreement reached between the United States and Iran.

He said the Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global oil trade, and any disruption in the area carries implications for energy costs and inflationary pressures in many countries, including Malaysia.

Consequently, he said the Economy Ministry would continue to monitor developments and maintain mitigation measures to ease economic pressures, including through the National Economic Action Council (MTEN).

“At the Ministry of Economy level, we remain committed to exploring the roles we can play to ease the ongoing pressures until the situation provides a clearer picture that this crisis has truly ended,’ he said.

It was reported today that the United States and Iran have reached a peace agreement, calling for an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations across all conflict zones, including Lebanon, which directly signals the end of a conflict in West Asia that has dragged on for more than three months. — Bernama