10/02/2026

TUESDAY | FEB 10, 2026

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‘Govt to manage, restore older houses of worship’

digital identity theft and the creation of malicious deepfake content. On data security, he said CyberSecurity Malaysia is in the final stages of developing the National Digital Trust and Data Security Strategy 2026-2030, aimed at strengthening public confidence in the country’s digital ecosystem. He also said as a further proactive measure, the ministry is detailing plans to establish a data commission as an independent regulatory body to safeguard national data sovereignty. He added that the development of local digital forensic capabilities is also underway and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. – Bernama Allegedly abused child under protection KUCHING: A Social Welfare Department protection officer has been stationed at the Saratok Hospital to ensure the safety and welfare of an 11-year-old girl suspected of being abused by her adoptive mother recently. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said a counsellor has also been assigned to provide emotional support to the child. “The case is still under police investigation and the victim has been admitted for medical treatment and examination. We will also discuss temporary placement arrangements for the child. “For now, no visits by any parties are allowed,” she told reporters after attending the Dayung Young Heritage Leaders programme yesterday. Saratok police chief DSP Mathew Manggie was reported as saying police arrested a 47-year old woman suspected of abusing her adopted child, resulting in physical injuries, in an incident at Taman Kim Hin in Saratok on Feb 5. He said the case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 following a police report lodged on Feb 7 by a teacher who was concerned about the victim’s safety. Meanwhile, Nancy said her ministry would continue to carry out advocacy programmes to raise awareness on abuse cases involving both adults and children. “The programmes aim to increase awareness, and we will also promote the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline to help protect individuals. “Through this hotline, children could also take the initiative to seek help on their own.” – Bernama ‘Travel ban does not apply to fresh graduates’ KUALA LUMPUR: Travel restrictions abroad will apply only to National Higher Education Fund Corporation defaulters with high or adequate income, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday. Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim said the action does not apply to borrowers who have recently graduated or who do not yet have an income, especially those in the B40 or M40 groups. “Only borrowers with high or sufficient income who are genuinely in default and meet certain criteria will face travel restrictions.” Adam Adli said currently, about 0.7% of all defaulters are subject to travel restrictions. He added that to ease the burden on graduates, the 12-month grace period for repayment after graduation is maintained, allowing them time to secure employment and a stable income. Borrowers unable to meet repayments are also allowed to restructure their loans based on their financial capacity until the age of 60. He also said to date, RM77.5 billion in loans has been disbursed to assist more than 4.26 million students nationwide. – Bernama

o We want to organise matters in a proper and structured way, says Nga

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PUTRAJAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry will work with state governments and local authorities to manage and restore older places of worship built before modern land and planning laws came into being, said its minister Nga Kor Ming. “There are houses of worship such as temples, shrines, churches and surau that were built before the National Land Code and the Local Government Act existed. “At that time, the laws were not even in place,” he told reporters after the Ops Siaga Raya 2026 launch ceremony at IOI City Mall yesterday. Nga emphasised that the ministry’s role is to coordinate orderly management, not to take harsh action. “We are not here to demolish. We want to organise matters in a proper and structured way. We have an open-door policy. “We also have the Non-Muslim Houses of Worship Unit, with which we assist with applications, restoration and maintenance.” He added that the ministry allocates RM50 million annually to assist non-Muslim houses of worship, while a separate RM2.6 billion allocation is provided for mosques under federal Islamic administration. He also said all planning applications must still be submitted and considered according to regulations. “We must handle this issue with tawaduk (humility), with wisdom and towards peace. Unity and harmony are the two main keys to our country’s success.” Nga also outlined preparations for Ops Siaga Raya 2026, adding that more than 15,000 Fire and Rescue Department personnel have been placed on standby. “80% of firefighters’ leaves will be frozen, as authorities step up fire prevention ahead of Chinese New Year and Hari Raya festivities. “The department has identified 18,000 buildings nationwide as fire-risk, prompting intensified inspections and enforcement.” He said festive celebrations must not come at the expense of safety. “Celebrations cannot override vigilance. When we celebrate, we must remain alert. Do not place unused items along emergency corridors and escape routes.”

Nga (third from left) poses for a photograph with one of the newly acquired Fire Rescue Tender vehicles. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

including electrical overloading, unattended cooking and unsafe fireworks use, urging parents to supervise children and ensure homes and premises are fire-safe. He also cautioned of peat soil fires in Johor, which burn underground, spread quickly and produce hazardous smoke affecting public health and the environment. In a related development, Malaysia has received 30 new Fire Rescue Tender vehicles worth RM60 million through a collaboration with China-based CLW Group, replacing engines nearly 30 years old. “These fire engines will be distributed immediately to states that need them,” Nga said.

Last year, the department conducted 21,429 building inspections, exceeding its target, and issued 11,260 fire safety notices. “The notices are not meant to punish, but to educate. We give building owners the opportunity to correct weaknesses before legal action is taken. “We want corrective action before tragedy happens, not regret after a building is engulfed in flames.” Nga said the department would carry out 14,000 fire safety education and outreach programmes this year through platforms such as Bomba Cilik, ‘Bomba Junior Cadet,’ ‘Bomba Siswa’ and other community initiatives. He highlighted potential festive hazards,

AI Governance Bill expected to be tabled in Parliament this year KUALA LUMPUR: The Digital Ministry is drafting an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament this year, to address increasingly complex technological threats, including the misuse of deepfake technology. develop or deploy AI systems. “Technology providers will be required to implement proactive risk management measures and take appropriate preventive steps to avoid harm to the public,” he said during the winding-up session of the debate on the royal address on behalf of the ministry at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. and harm, particularly to counter the growing sophistication of deepfake threats. “The mechanism is important as it allows the government to identify threat patterns more quickly and systematically. “With clearer and more organised information, mitigation and preventive actions could be implemented immediately before the threat escalates and causes wider impact.”

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said a strong and comprehensive legal framework is essential to regulate AI-generated content, safeguard information integrity and ensure the continued security of the country’s digital ecosystem. “Among the key elements of the Bill is the emphasis on accountability, which involves establishing clear responsibilities for entities that

He added that enforcement action could be taken under the proposed law in cases of negligence in which AI systems are misused for fraudulent purposes or pose threats to national security. He also said the Bill would also introduce a mechanism for reporting AI-related incidents

Meanwhile, Gobind said the government is also drafting a new Cyber Crime Bill to replace the Computer Crimes Act 1997. He said the proposed legislation would include specific provisions addressing the misuse of AI in cybercriminal activities, including