KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim departed for Tokyo today to lead the Malaysian delegation on the Madani Diplomacy mission to strengthen strategic cooperation and national energy security, as the world faces a global energy supply crisis.

In a Facebook post, Anwar said that during the visit, he will hold a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to discuss the development of bilateral relations and to pioneer new Malaysia-Japan cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy, investment and energy security.

The Prime Minister said that he will also deliver a keynote speech at the 31st Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia, as well as a special lecture at the University of Tokyo on the challenges and future of this region in an increasingly challenging global landscape.

“Pray that our mission runs smoothly and brings beneficial results for the people and the country,” he posted.

Yesterday, the Foreign Ministry in a statement announced that Anwar’s official visit to Japan will begin today until June 10 at the invitation of the Japanese government.

Japan continues to be one of Malaysia’s most important economic partners, ranking as the country’s fifth-largest trading partner in the world since 2024. — Bernama

KUALA NERANG, June 9 —The government is strengthening pondok institutions nationwide through strategic collaboration between religious agencies and pondok managements to develop a more dynamic and progressive educational framework.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Zulkifli Hasan said the current focus is on strengthening the pondok education ecosystem in the country.

He said the effort is being carried out through close cooperation between the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the Malaysian Islamic Dakwah Foundation (YADIM) and pondok institutions nationwide, including those in Kedah.

“We are listening to the views of pondok institutions and identifying their needs. At the same time, we are working together to develop the pondok framework that we envision for the future,” he said when met at the launch of Kedah Madani Daie Coordination Centre and Darull Hikmah 2026 Daurah Kitab Turath programme here yesterday. 

According to him, Jakim, Yadim and pondok institutions were in the midst of working towards developing the framework so that such institution could move in tandem with the national education mainstream without neglecting the identity and traditions of turath studies.

Zulkifli said the government acknowledged the significant potential of pondok institutions to continue growing and playing an important role in producing knowledgeable and morally upright generations.

He said the government had also increased the allocation for maintenance and upgrading works for pondok schools, religious schools and tahfiz institutions from RM150 million last year to RM200 million this year.

“Last year, we successfully carried out maintenance and upgrading works involving about 1,600 pondok institutions, tahfiz centres and religious schools throughout the country. This year’s allocation is underway and several states have already received assistance for repair works and facility improvements,” he said.

He said the initiative was among the government’s commitments, as announced by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to ensure that the welfare and development of Islamic educational institutions continue to receive attention. 

Commenting on the Darull Hikmah, he said the institution had successfully offered quality educational programmes, particularly in Arabic language proficiency and advancement of Islamic knowledge since its establishment in 2019. — Bernama

KOTA BHARU, June 5 — Mastering artificial intelligence (AI) in newsrooms is no longer seen as an option but a critical necessity in navigating an increasingly challenging and competitive media landscape.

As digital transformation accelerates, failure by media organisations to integrate AI technology into their operations may undermine efficiency and productivity, while increasing the risk of falling behind in an increasingly competitive environment to remain relevant to audience needs.

However, despite the benefits of the technology in speeding up news production, concerns have emerged over excessive reliance on AI and digital sources, which are feared to erode core journalistic values, including on-the-ground reporting, long regarded as central to quality journalism.

These concerns stem from ongoing debates about a growing tendency in some reporting to rely heavily on social media or online sources, with information then processed using AI without direct verification at the scene.

According to Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dr Syed Agil Shekh Alsagoff, AI can be an effective tool in boosting newsroom productivity; however, it cannot replace the experience and editorial judgement of journalists in the field.

He said the strength of journalism in producing high-impact reporting continues to lie in journalists seeing situations first-hand, engaging with communities, and verifying information through multiple sources before publication.

“If journalists become too reliant on AI and digital sources, the culture of field reporting could gradually diminish. Yet being on the ground remains essential to understanding the real context of an issue and obtaining a more accurate picture,” he told Bernama.

He said field reporting not only gives journalists valuable experience but also helps produce more comprehensive stories with stronger narratives based on first-hand observation at the scene.

He explained that this is different from reporting that relies too heavily on AI and social media, which risks making news feel ‘flat’, as technology can only process data without truly understanding the emotions and sensitivities of communities.

“Being at the scene allows journalists to better understand the emotions, atmosphere and reality of what is happening, in a way that technology cannot fully capture. For example, during a disaster, reporters on the ground can convey the news narrative more effectively.

“While AI and social media can help produce reports quickly, they cannot replace journalists witnessing first-hand the suffering of victims, the fear during conflicts, and the grief of families who have lost loved ones,” he said.

He stressed that journalism is not just about reporting facts but also about understanding the pulse of human experience and societal realities, while requiring ethical reporting grounded in a strong presence in the field.

At the same time, he did not dismiss the benefits of AI, which can be used wisely, particularly in research, data analysis and multimedia content production, stressing that it must be balanced with core journalistic values.

“AI is a useful tool, but journalists still need to be on the ground to see, hear and understand issues for themselves. Without that, reports may be produced quickly, but they risk losing their human touch and humanity,” he said.

As such, he said the National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) 2026 celebration on June 20 should be used as a platform to strengthen the balance between technological advancement and human values in journalism to ensure the media industry remains relevant and trusted by the public.

Carrying the theme ‘Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility’, the culmination of this year’s Hawana celebration will be held at the PICCA @ Arena Butterworth Convention Centre in Penang and will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Organised by the Ministry of Communications, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) as the implementing agency, Hawana serves as a platform to recognise the contributions, dedication and professionalism of media practitioners in Malaysia. — Bernama

KOTA KINABALU, June 13 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to make a one-day visit to Sabah today to attend several official and community programmes.

The Prime Minister will begin his visit by attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sabah Southern Madani Link project at Dewan Lundayeh, Sipitang, at 11 am.

The project involves the construction of a 330-kilometre, 275-kilovolt (kV) electricity transmission line from Sipitang to Tawau. It is expected to play a key role in strengthening Sabah’s power supply grid by balancing energy distribution between the west and east coasts of the state.

After the programme in Sipitang, Anwar is scheduled to return to Kota Kinabalu to attend the Melangkah Bersama Madani: Wanita Beriman, Wanita Bertahan programme, which will be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) at 2.30 pm

He will then officiate the National Unity Week 2026 celebration at 4 pm.

The ceremony will be held at the Likas Sports Complex grounds here, marking the final programme of the Prime Minister’s visit.

The four-day National Unity Week 2026 celebration will conclude tomorrow. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Sovereign countries should not be timid in defending free trade and opposing punitive tariffs or discriminatory policies, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said as a sovereign interdependent country, Malaysia took its position on tariffs very clearly, and has been appealing to countries to be more affirmative and more pronounced in their views on free trade and multilateralism.

“Do we agree that there should be punitive tariffs or discriminatory policies? (No,) we don't. Do we support free trade? (If yes), then say it as a policy.

“Of course, you know the limits, but you (still) have to say it. Otherwise, you are not contributing to this new thinking,” he said during a question-and-answer session following his keynote address at the Nikkei Forum in Tokyo, Japan, today.

The session was broadcast live on television and social media. — Bernama

TOKYO, June 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake an official visit to Japan from June 8 to 10 at the invitation of the Japanese government, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

He will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and senior government officials.

“The Prime Minister will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony, followed by a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi,” the ministry, widely known as Wisma Putra, said in a statement today.

According to the ministry, the meeting will provide a pivotal opportunity for both leaders to review progress in bilateral relations and chart new avenues for cooperation following the elevation of Malaysia-Japan ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December 2023.

Key areas of discussion are expected to include green technology, energy resilience and transition, environmental cooperation, defence and regional security, as well as higher education.

The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the statement said.

During the visit, Anwar is scheduled to deliver a special lecture at Tokyo University and a keynote address at the 31st Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia, underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening ties and fostering dialogue with Japan and the wider region.

Recognising Japan’s enduring role as a major source of foreign direct investment and a key economic partner, Anwar will also participate in business roundtable sessions with Japanese industry leaders to explore new high-value investment opportunities in Malaysia.

Japan has remained one of Malaysia’s most important economic partners, ranking as the country’s fifth-largest trading partner globally since 2024.

In 2025, total bilateral trade amounted to RM142.96 billion (US$33.39 billion).

As of December 2025, a total of 2,872 manufacturing projects involving Japanese participation had been implemented in Malaysia, with investments reaching RM107.9 billion (US$31 billion).

According to Wisma Putra, these projects have generated 347,346 jobs. — Bernama

TOKYO, June 10 — The world is currently facing a shortage of leadership clarity rather than power, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

Speaking at the Nikkei Forum on “Navigating Strategic Uncertainty”, Anwar urged renewed global cooperation to address mounting geopolitical challenges, stressing that effective leadership requires a clear sense of direction amid global uncertainty.

“The sailors of old could not predict every storm. They could not control the currents, nor could they see beyond every horizon. What they possessed was a clear sense of direction,” he said.

He said the world does not lack power but clarity, with institutions needing reform and renewal rather than abandonment, cooperation preferred over division, and leadership requiring initiative rather than resignation.

“If we remain guided by these principles, I earnestly believe we can transform today's challenges into tomorrow's opportunities,” he said.

Anwar’s address was the first item on the agenda of the 31st Nikkei Forum, under the theme “Working Together for a More Resilient and Prosperous Asia”. — Bernama

TOKYO, June 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here tonight for a three-day official visit to Japan, aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties and participating in the 31st Nikkei Forum.

The aircraft carrying the Prime Minister touched down at Haneda International Airport at 8.20pm local time (7.20pm Malaysia time).

Upon arrival, Anwar was received by Malaysia’s Ambassador to Japan Datuk Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany, Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomoaki Shimada, Chief of Protocol Tadayuki Miyashita and Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata.

The visit is Anwar’s first official trip to Japan since assuming office as Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister in November 2022, although he previously made two working visits in 2023 and 2024.

The Prime Minister’s busy itinerary begins on Tuesday at the University of Tokyo, where he is scheduled to deliver a special lecture titled “Humanity in a Human-Machine Civilisation”.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, will later join a roundtable with 29 selected Japanese business leaders and hold meetings with several Japanese companies, including one-on-one sessions with representatives from six firms.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister will attend the 31st Nikkei Forum, themed “Working Together for a More Resilient and Prosperous Asia”, where he is expected to deliver a keynote address titled “Navigating Strategic Uncertainty”.

Later that day, Anwar will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister of Japan, followed by a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi.

The visit is expected to yield outcomes including four Memoranda of Cooperation and two Letters of Intent covering defence and regional security, healthcare, energy transition, environmental cooperation and education, as well as a Joint Statement under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.

Anwar is accompanied on the visit by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Steven Sim Chee Keong and senior government officials.

The Prime Minister and his delegation are scheduled to depart for Malaysia on Wednesday afternoon. — Bernama 

SIPITANG, June 13  — The implementation of the Sabah Southern Madani Link (SSML) electricity grid project demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that development initiatives and basic amenities reach communities in Sabah’s interior regions.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the project is in line with the Malaysia Madani policy, which emphasises fair and equitable development, rather than concentrating progress solely in major urban centres.

He said genuine development would not have a comprehensive impact if basic facilities continued to bypass remote areas, particularly in Sabah’s interior.

“That is why I am deeply concerned and want to ensure that development is distributed evenly throughout every part of the state, including the interior. This is what distinguishes our approach from that of some other countries, where development is focused only on major cities,” he said when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the SSML project here.

Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.

The SSML project involves the construction of a 275-kilovolt (kV) electricity transmission line linking Sabah’s west and east coasts, playing a crucial role in strengthening the state’s power supply grid and balancing energy distribution across Sabah.

The project, which commenced on September 17 last year, is scheduled for completion on September 16, 2028, at a cost of RM198 million. As of May 26, the project had reached 17 per cent completion.

Anwar said the energy grid project carries significant importance as it requires the dedication and perseverance of workers who traverse the dense forests of southern Sabah to build electricity infrastructure for the people.

“I am moved and pleased to see those transmission towers stretching across the wilderness. Imagine the workers whose job requires them to enter the forests and leave their families behind, all to develop electricity supply infrastructure for the people of Sabah. To all of you, I extend my deepest appreciation for this sacrifice,” he said.

Commenting on criticism from certain quarters in Parliament over the substantial development allocations for Sabah and Sarawak, the prime minister said the government stood by its decision as part of efforts to narrow infrastructure development gaps in the two states. — Bernama

KUCHING, June 1 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to attend this year’s Sarawak state-level Gawai Day celebrations to be held here on June 21, said Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He added that the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar will be the guest of honour at the event, which is also expected to be attended by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadilah Yusof.

“We will hold the Niti Daun (parade) in Kuching on June 20, while on June 21 the highlight of the state-level Gawai Day celebration will be a gala dinner attended by distinguished guests,” he said.

He told reporters this at the 2026 Gawai Dayak Day Open House at the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) Complex here today.

According to him, Gawai Dayak continues to serve as an important platform for showcasing the culture, traditions and heritage of the Dayak community to people of all races.

“The tradition of ‘ngabang’ (visiting one another), which is practised by the people of Sarawak, symbolises unity, as every celebration is observed together regardless of race or religion,” he said.

At the same time, Uggah described the response to the Gawai Dayak Open House held today as encouraging, with attendance believed to have exceeded the initial target of 2,000 visitors. — Bernama

KANGAR, June 5 — The long-delayed Perlis Malaysia Sports School project in Bukit Chabang near Padang Besar is expected to be completed by January 2027, according to Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah.

He said the construction progress of the project has reached about 60 per cent and remains on track for completion within the projected timeline, with the federal government demonstrating a strong commitment to ensuring the project’s successful implementation.

“I met the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, last March, and he was very committed to helping Perlis and resolving the issue involving the Perlis Sports School.

“I sought his assistance, and the very next day he informed me that instructions had been issued to expedite the construction and completion of the sports school,” he told reporters after the State Assembly sitting today.

Abu Bakar said the sports school, named after the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, is expected to serve as a catalyst for the development of sports in the state and help produce more talented athletes in the future.

On April 27 last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in a Facebook post, stated that the Perlis Malaysia Sports School project, which had been abandoned for the past 12 years, should be handed over immediately to a capable government-linked company to ensure its completion. — Bernama

TOKYO, June 11 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reaffirmed the Unity Government’s commitment to its coalition partners, saying it would not take any action that could be perceived as a betrayal of the existing political consensus.

Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, said the government remained stable, with all parties continuing to respect the understanding reached to ensure the country’s political stability.

“So far, I have not heard any such views. In fact, members of the Cabinet and the leadership represented in it have consistently maintained that the Unity Government at the national level must remain strong,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

The Unity Government, formed after the 15th general election in 2022, comprises PH, Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and several other parties.

Anwar, who is also PKR president, was commenting on claims that several former Bersatu state assemblymen could join PKR following recent developments in the political relationship between Bersatu and PAS.

PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang on Monday announced that the party had formally decided to end its political cooperation with Bersatu after taking into account reports, studies and current assessments of the relationship between the two parties.

Anwar stressed that the coalition’s political approach remained rooted in consultation, discussion and cooperation, rather than abruptly severing ties.

“In politics, this business of divorcing, pronouncing ‘talak’ and remarrying is not our way. We negotiate properly, discuss matters properly and cooperate properly. For now, the Unity Government remains intact, although there are some differences of opinion at the state level,” he said.

He said decisions made at the state level were the responsibility of the respective leadership and those involved should be accountable for them.

The prime minister said the government’s main focus remained on implementing the national development agenda, including fulfilling international commitments and strengthening economic cooperation.

Anwar is scheduled to attend the Asean-Russia meeting in Kazan next week before travelling to Turkmenistan to explore cooperation opportunities in the energy sector, particularly in relation to gas resources. — Bernama