KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has filed a judicial review application challenging the Attorney General’s decision to prosecute him over a Facebook post allegedly capable of causing public fear.

The application was filed at the High Court Penang on February 27 and is scheduled for hearing on June 16, according to his lawyers Messrs Aizat Izuan Shakeel, Harian Metro reported yesterday.

In a statement, the firm said the case goes beyond Akmal’s personal circumstances and raises broader constitutional and systemic issues.

“This application is not merely about one individual, but about the principle that justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done fairly for all Malaysians without exception,” the lawyers were quoted as saying.

The legal team said the application raises questions over alleged selective prosecution, inconsistent treatment in similar cases, and whether the charge complies with Article 8 of the Federal Constitution on equality before the law.

They also argued that freedom of speech, while protected under the Constitution, must still operate within legal limits.

“Such perceptions, if left unaddressed, could erode public confidence in the principles of justice that underpin the nation’s legal system,” they said, referring to concerns over inconsistent enforcement.

Dr Akmal’s lawyers said he would continue to respect the judicial process and leave it to the court to decide on the issues raised.

The Merlimau assemblyman was charged at the Magistrates’ Court in Bukit Mertajam on August 22 last year over a Facebook post dated August 11 that was alleged to have caused public alarm.

He pleaded not guilty under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum penalty of two years’ jail, a fine, or both upon conviction.

GEORGE TOWN, June 5 — The Penang State Health Department (JKNPP) has issued 597 notices for smoking within the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site here, through 114 enforcement operations since 2022.

State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the world heritage site was gazetted as a smoke-free zone since 2015 and is now subjected to the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).

“Throughout last year, 106 notices were issued. However, that number has increased this year, with 127 notices issued so far, surpassing the previous year’s total.

“In view of this, we will continue to step up monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance with the stipulated regulations,” he told reporters after launching the Penang Smoke-Free (PENBAR) promotional materials at the George Town World Heritage Site here today.

Gooi said the increase in notices shows some individuals still fail to comply with the ban despite ongoing educational and advocacy efforts.

He said under Act 852, individuals found smoking in smoke-free zones can face a compound fine of RM250 for each offence.

“We understand that alongside continuous public education, enforcement action must be taken to ensure compliance within the George Town World Heritage Site,” he said.

He added that the state government and JKNPP are intensifying public awareness by installing more promotional materials and warning boards.

Gooi said besides the George Town Heritage Site, several other locations in Penang have also been gazetted as smoke-free zones under Act 852, namely the Jalan Utama Municipal Park, Jalan Air Terjun Botanical Gardens, Air Itam Dam, and Teluk Bahang Dam on the island.

On the mainland, the ban covers the Mengkuang Dam in Berapit and the Ampang Jajar Town Park.

Earlier, Gooi and 70 personnel from the JKNPP Enforcement Division distributed campaign leaflets at premises and fitted banners and special sunshades on trishaws to boost tourist awareness of the smoking ban within the heritage zone. — Bernama

GEORGE TOWN, June 8 — Penang-based non-governmental organisation One Hope Charity has committed to allocating an annual budget from funds it raises to support government hospitals and clinics.

Its chairman and founder, Datuk Chua Sui Hau, said the organisation has been providing continuous support to government hospitals and clinics as part of its efforts to strengthen the public healthcare system.

He said hospitals equipped with adequate medical facilities would enable healthcare workers to perform their duties more efficiently and effectively.

He added that this would also allow more patients to receive quality treatment.

“Between 2021 and 2025, our organisation has channelled fundings of over RM100 million to patients in need and also equipment to government hospitals and healthcare facilities,” he said, adding that the organisation’s funds were made up of donations from the public, including generous donors from overseas.

He said the organisation has been donating equipment to government hospitals on a case-by-case basis for the past seven years.

In previous years, the organisation also donated equipment to government hospitals in Sabah and Sarawak.

“We are now committed to donate equipment to government hospitals and healthcare facilities every year,” he said during a presentation ceremony for RM1 million worth of equipment to 20 government hospitals and clinics in Penang and Kedah.

“What is most encouraging for us is that when we revisit hospitals that previously received donations, we still see the equipment that was donated years ago continuing to be used to help patients to this day,” he added.

He said this strengthened their belief that every contribution to the healthcare sector is not just short-term assistance, but a long-term investment that benefits society for years.

Chua said the selected government hospitals and clinics would submit a list of equipment they need based on the allocation provided to each facility.

“We will then purchase the necessary equipment and present it to the hospital or clinic,” he said.

Among the hospitals set to benefit from the programme this year are Penang Hospital (RM100,000), Seberang Jaya Hospital (RM100,000), Sungai Bakap Hospital (RM70,000), Balik Pulau Hospital (RM50,000), Bukit Mertajam Hospital (RM50,000), Kepala Batas Hospital (RM50,000), Kulim Hospital (RM100,000), Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar (RM100,000), Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani (RM100,000) and Baling Hospital (RM30,000).

Additionally, five district health offices (PKD) and five district dental health offices (PKPD) will receive equipment worth RM30,000 and RM20,000 each respectively.

“When government hospitals are better equipped, the greatest beneficiaries are the people at the grassroots level, especially the B40 group,” Chua said.

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow commended One Hope Charity for its continued contributions and commitment to the welfare of the people.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has taught us that a strong healthcare system is no longer optional, but a necessity,” he said.

He said this was why the state and federal governments continue to strengthen healthcare facilities and service delivery to make them more efficient, inclusive and resilient.

He said the Health Ministry has provided significant assistance to Penang through various development projects amounting to RM191.8 million between 2023 and 2030.

“In addition, we can see ongoing projects at Penang Hospital—at least two or three major projects that were approved or planned under previous Malaysia Plans and are now being implemented under the current plan,” he said.

He said One Hope Charity’s annual programme would contribute much-needed medical equipment, supplies and healthcare facilities.

“I believe every piece of equipment donated is not just an asset to the hospital, but an investment that helps save lives, speeds up treatment, and improves the quality of healthcare services for our people,” he said.

He added that One Hope Charity has also consistently raised sufficient funds to assist patients in need of surgery and other treatments.

He expressed hope that more parties would emulate the spirit shown by One Hope Charity so that efforts to strengthen the public healthcare system can continue to be driven collectively.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm warning for Perlis, Penang, and parts of Kedah and Johor, with heavy rain and strong winds expected until noon today.

In a post on its official Facebook page this morning, MetMalaysia said the warning covers the entire state of Perlis as well as several districts in Kedah, namely Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Yan, Pendang and Kuala Muda.

The warning also extends to the whole of Penang and parts of Johor, involving Tangkak, Muar and Batu Pahat.

MetMalaysia said the warning, issued at 8.35am, was based on weather conditions indicating thunderstorms with rainfall intensity exceeding 20 millimetres per hour, or expected to persist for more than an hour.

The department noted that thunderstorm warnings are short-term alerts that are valid for no more than six hours from the time they are issued.

Members of the public are advised to stay updated through MetMalaysia’s official channels and take necessary precautions during adverse weather conditions.

GEORGE TOWN, June 4 — Penang will implement new water tariff for domestic and non-domestic consumers starting July 1 after its implementation was postponed for 12 months.

State Transport, Infrastructure and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the average domestic water tariff rate for the first 35 cubic metres (m³) of water used per month has been set at RM0.93 per m³.

He said the adjustment involved a maximum increase in water bills of RM2.55 per month for 82 per cent of domestic consumers or households who use 35 m³ of water or less per month, equivalent to about 8.5 sen per day.

“For the first band, which is the first 20,000 litres (20 m³), ​​the increase is only three sen from 62 sen to 65 sen while for the use of 20,000 litres to 35,000 litres (20 m³ to 35 m³), ​​the rate increases by 13 sen from RM1.17 to RM1.30.

“However, the average calculation is made based on the use of the first 35 m³ because that is the benchmark commonly used in the tariff structure," he said at a press conference at Komtar, here today.

Zairil informed that Penang is still among the states with the cheapest water tariffs, in fact the second lowest in Malaysia after Perak (RM0.89) and is still below the national average (RM1.12).

Explaining further, he said that for non-domestic consumers, the average new tariff rate for the first 500 m³ per month is RM2.28 per m³ and the maximum increase in water bills involves 27 per cent non-domestic consumers such as factories, hotels, shopping malls, business premises and government offices that use 500 m³ of water or less per month is RM77.70 per month or RM2.59 per day.

“Therefore, non-domestic consumers who use 500 m³ per month will pay RM1,141.70 per month starting 1 July 2026 compared to RM1,064.00 per month previously. The difference is lower for those who use less than 500 m³ per month,” he said.

He said the tariff adjustment was necessary to ensure sustainable water supply services and support continued investment in the development and maintenance of water infrastructure in the state.

Meanwhile, Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk K.Pathmanathan said the tariff adjustment only involved domestic and non-domestic consumers while houses of worship and welfare institutions, the shipping sector and other categories would not be subject to any increase with the tariff rates remaining unchanged.

He said for consumers with large households, they could apply for a rebate through the Family Friendly Rebate Scheme offered by PBAPP, which is a rebate of RM20 on each bi-monthly water bill for eligible households.

On July 30, 2025, the federal government gazetted new water rates for Penang as well as nine other states and the Federal Territory of Labuan, however, the State Executive Council had directed PBAPP to postpone the implementation of the new rates for a year until July 1, 2026. — Bernama

GEORGE TOWN, June 5 — The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) issued 17 compounds last month to individuals found feeding pigeons and crows as part of efforts to curb the growing population of pest birds in urban areas.

In a statement today, MBPP said feeding birds was among the key factors contributing to the increasing population of pest birds, particularly pigeons and crows, on the island.

“The compounds were issued under Section 47(1)(g) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 against individuals who failed to comply with the prohibition.

“Throughout May, MBPP also conducted continuous control operations, during which 1,817 pigeons and 2,607 crows were culled, while 125 crow nests were destroyed to prevent a further increase in their population,” the statement said.

MBPP also said it would continue to step up control operations and enforcement activities from time to time to ensure a clean, safe and conducive urban environment for all Penangites.

The city council also reminded the public not to feed wild birds, as such action could contribute to an increase in the population of pest birds and adversely affect public hygiene and health. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit five states until 3pm today, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

It said that the areas involved are Perlis, Penang, and Kedah (Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Yan, Pendang and Kuala Muda).

“Similar weather conditions are also expected in Sarawak, involving Sibu (Sibu and Selangau) and Mukah (Tanjung Manis and Daro),” MetMalaysia said in a statement.

It added that in Sabah, the affected areas include the interior (Sipitang, Tenom, Beaufort, Keningau and Tambunan) and the west coast (Papar and Penampang). — 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