At least 13 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, including five children

Guardian:

At least 13 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, including five children, civil defence agency says

Attacks bring total number of Palestinians killed by Israel to 425 since October ceasefire took effect

Agence France-Presse

Fri 9 Jan 2026 09.45 AEDT

Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli attacks in the Palestinian territory on Thursday killed at least 13 people, including five children, despite a ceasefire that has largely halted the fighting.

Four people including three children were killed when a drone struck a tent sheltering displaced people in southern Gaza, agency spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP.

In the north of the Gaza Strip, an 11-year-old girl was killed near the Jabalia refugee camp and a strike on a school killed one person, while a drone near Khan Younis in the south killed a man, the agency added.

Two more Palestinians in Gaza, including a child, were killed in other attacks, reported the agency, which operates under Hamas authority.

When asked by AFP, the Israeli military said it was checking the reports.

Later on Thursday evening, four more people were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a house in an eastern area of Gaza City, Bassal said, adding that rescue work to search for several people who were missing had begun.

“The death toll has risen to 13 as a result of Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip since this morning in a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement,” he said.

Earlier on Thursday, the Israeli military said a projectile was launched “from the area of Gaza City toward the state of Israel” but that it fell within the Gaza Strip.

“Shortly after, the (military) precisely struck the launch point,” it said in a statement.

Since 10 October, a fragile US-sponsored truce in Gaza has largely halted the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, but both sides have alleged frequent ceasefire violations.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told AFP that the strikes in Gaza on Thursday “confirm the Israeli occupation’s renunciation of its commitment to the ceasefire”.

Israeli forces have killed at least 425 Palestinians in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

At least 21 people were killed on 22 November in Israeli strikes, making it one of the deadliest days in Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect.

The Israeli military said militants have killed three of its soldiers during the same period.

Anwar says Ataturk wreath-laying is mandatory protocol for all heads of state visiting Turkiye

Anwar says Ataturk wreath-laying is mandatory protocol for all heads of state visiting Turkiye



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the ceremony is not a matter of personal choice nor does it reflect the ideological stance of any leader, but is a long-established diplomatic requirement practised by the Turkish government. — Bernama pic

Friday, 09 Jan 2026 8:59 AM MYT


ISTANBUL, Jan 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the laying of a wreath at the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkiye, is a mandatory official protocol that must be observed by all heads of state during official visits to the country.

Anwar said the ceremony is not a matter of personal choice nor does it reflect the ideological stance of any leader, but is a long-established diplomatic requirement practised by the Turkish government.

“All heads of state undertaking official visits are required to perform the ceremony. Whether one agrees or not, it is part of the official programme that has been set,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference yesterday before he departed for home after concluding his three-day official visit to Turkiye.

Anwar said the practice applies regardless of the political party or leadership governing Turkiye and has been observed by all Malaysian prime ministers who have previously undertaken official visits to the country.

“Regardless of which government is in power in Turkiye, that is the requirement. All Malaysian prime ministers who previously made official visits, whether Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad or Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, also went through the same ceremony,” he said.


Anwar said the act of paying respects should be viewed within Turkiye’s historical context, particularly the role played by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in leading the resistance against attempts by the Allied powers after the First World War to fragment the territory of the Ottoman Empire, which ultimately led to the country’s liberation and the formation of the modern republic.

“Therefore, the Turkish people view Mustafa Kemal within that context. Of course, I have my own strong personal views, because during the period when he led and governed, there were certain decisions that I feel were not in line with my views, particularly on matters relating to Islam, language reform and script changes.

“… however, that does not erase his contributions, his role, or the way the Turkish people regard a great figure who succeeded in liberating their country from attempts to dismantle it and turn it into part of European colonial territories,” he said.

In this regard, Anwar advised the public not to make hasty judgments or pass condemnation without understanding the historical context and established international diplomatic practices that are customary in relations between nations. — Bernama

***

I truly despise those Malaysian politicians who exploited Anwar's wreath laying at the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk to criticise his (PMX) Islamic credentials - low down guttersnipe disgusting slander

MCA leader pans Pahang MB's 'DAP easier to work with' remark

MCA leader pans Pahang MB's 'DAP easier to work with' remark


Published: Jan 8, 2026 10:50 PM
Updated: 1:50 AM


MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon criticised Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail’s remark that DAP is “easier to work with” than MCA.

This comes after Berita Harian reported the Pahang BN chairperson saying this during his speech at an Islamic religious school in Pahang today.

In response, Chong (above) urged the Umno leader to clarify his intentions and elaborate further on the “difficulty” faced when working with MCA.

"As the Pahang BN chairperson, what exactly is Wan Rosdy trying to express with these remarks?

“Regarding what issue, and who? This is important, so that we, especially those in Pahang MCA, can better understand what he means,” Chong said in a statement today.

Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail


During his speech, Wan Rosdy also reminded the public to “not be fooled by the opposition’s lies” which claimed that the coalition government in Pahang was “secular in nature”, and that it had abandoned the interests of the Malay-Muslim community.

He mentioned that the presence of DAP state executive councillors in the Pahang government made it easier to handle administrative matters, in comparison to working with MCA.

“Over these past three years, sometimes it is much easier to work with them (DAP) than with MCA.

“Sometimes they also offer good advice regarding our shortcomings, and they inform us of ‘potholes’ in the road ahead,” Wan Rosdy added.

He also said that parties should not allow frequent infighting over political differences, which results in factionalism within the Malay community, adding that “other races will benefit most” from this.

Did DAP admit to their mistakes?

Meanwhile, Chong urged Wan Rosdy to elaborate on DAP’s “advice” regarding BN’s shortcomings.

“Is it because they have admitted their mistakes regarding their smear campaign against the Lynas rare earth processing plant, and the ‘Great Wall of China’ in Kuantan?” he asked, with the latter referring to a perimeter wall at the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park.

Meanwhile, Chong also reiterated that as a BN component party, MCA would continue to work hard for the rakyat, and would strive to regain public support, especially from the Chinese community.

He stressed that they would continue to defend their party's ideology as one of moderation, instead of extremism.

"As for the performance of MCA and DAP, we leave it entirely to the people to judge,” he said.

Military Watch:

Tensions Flare in the U.S. as ICE Executes Unarmed Citizen: A New Paramilitary Force Under the Trump Administration?

North America, Western Europe and Oceania , Ground

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

January-8th-2026

---

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Personnel

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel on December 6 executed a 37 year old a resident of the Twin Cities, Renee Nicole Good, during an incident that was captured on film and has ignited significant tensions within the United States. The mother-of-three was shot dead in the head during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, prompting calls for the agency’s personnel to leave the state. Footage showed Good inside her Honda Pilot outside her house surrounded by ICE personnel, one of whom opened fire and shot her in the head after she began to move the vehicle. When her neighbour, a medic, sought to administer first aid, she was blocked from doing so, with the lack of medical care leading to Good’s death from her injuries. Although Federal officials have claimed that Good was seeking to ram them with her vehicle when she was shot, analysts have widely questioned this assertion citing on video evidence of the incident.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Personnel

Although ICE is a civilian federal law-enforcement agency, it has increasingly exhibited several traits commonly associated with paramilitary organisations. These include militarised equipment and tactics, use of body armour, helmets, assault rifles, armoured vehicles and tactical entry teams, and dynamic raids using stacked formations and forced entry. It also uses a hierarchical, centralised chain of command, with operational planning that looks closer to military tasking than to traditional local policing. Its operations without local law enforcement participation, in residential neighbourhoods, and using surprise raids, has created widespread perceptions that it functions more like an expeditionary force rather than a community-based police agency. As a result, although it is officially a militarised civilian law-enforcement agency, its several common characteristics with paramilitary forces have contributed to the significant controversies surrounding it. These controversies emerged from early 2025 as the organisation significantly expanded both its manpower and its operations in residential areas.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Personnel

The execution of Renee Nicole Good was far from the first controversy involving  Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, with multiple shootings of unarmed civilians having taken place in the past. The standards used to recruit for the agency and the training standards of personnel, having long been criticised as sub-standard, with multiple U.S. senators having formally raised concerns with the Department of Homeland Security regarding how hiring standards and training protocols are being maintained. These concerns deepened as some recruits were found in training to have disqualifying criminal backgrounds or to have failed failed drug testing. Nevertheless, the widespread and systemic issues stemming from illegal immigration have led these issues to be overlooked to allow the agency to clamp down on illegals and associated human trafficking activities in major cities. Supporters of ICE’s escalated operations have argued that its paramilitary characteristics and recent expansion are necessary to respond to the severity of the threat posed by illegal migration. 

Trump orders his ‘representatives’ to buy US$200 billion in mortgage bonds

FMT:

Trump orders his ‘representatives’ to buy US$200 billion in mortgage bonds

The US president’s plan to buy US$200 billion in mortgage bonds could boost the economy, similar to the Federal Reserve’s pandemic-era quantitative easing program

It was unclear what funds US President Donald Trump meant when he said the two government-backed mortgage firms held US$200 billion in cash. (EPA Images pic)

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he is ordering his representatives to buy US$200 billion in mortgage bonds to bring down housing costs, though he provided no specifics.

“Because I chose not to sell Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in my First Term … it is now worth many times that amount — AN ABSOLUTE FORTUNE — and has US$200 BILLION DOLLARS IN CASH,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

“I am instructing my Representatives to BUY US$200 BILLION DOLLARS IN MORTGAGE BONDS. This will drive Mortgage Rates DOWN, monthly payments DOWN, and make the cost of owning a home more affordable,” Trump wrote.


Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte said on X that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will execute the purchase.

It was not immediately clear what funds Trump was referring to when he said the two government-owned mortgage finance companies had US$200 billion in cash. The combined cash and cash equivalents listed on the two firms’ balance sheets in their third-quarter earnings reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission was less than US$17 billion as of Sept 30.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for more information on Trump’s statement.

Affordability of everything from groceries to homes has become a hot political issue even as Trump has occasionally dismissed affordability concerns and blamed inflation on his Democratic predecessor.

His public approval has mostly sagged since his inauguration as Americans worry about the economy.

Trump’s call to purchase US$200 billion in mortgage bonds could provide stimulus to the economy akin to what the Federal Reserve did when it also bought those same types of bonds during the pandemic and its aftermath, as part of an effort called quantitative easing.


But in the Fed’s case, it used money it created as the US central bank to fund the purchases. No other entity would have the same ability, which could mean tapping resources that might go to another use.

Trump has pressed the Fed to cut interest rates aggressively and his policy, if implemented, would likely provide some of the lift he’s been seeking.

***

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac was worth less than US$17 billion as of Sept 30 yet he claimed it is worth US$200 billion - one mighty snake oil salesman

‘Sanusi opening a can of worms in trying to retake Penang’ – says senior lawyer

theVibes.com:

‘Sanusi opening a can of worms in trying to retake Penang’ – says senior lawyer

S. Raveentharan, who was a former Batu Uban assemblyman, said that Kedah is challenging the validity of the Federal Constitution by questioning the legitimacy of Penang to exist as a sovereign state.

Updated 22 hours ago

Published on 08 Jan 2026 10:12AM

Former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that Sanusi's bark is worse than his bite. - January 8, 2026



by Ian McIntyre



KEDAH Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor will likely regret pursuing a legal course to challenge the sovereignty of Penang as a state under the Federation of Malaysia, said a senior lawyer and former PKR leader.

S. Raveentharan, who was a former Batu Uban assemblyman, said that Kedah is challenging the validity of the Federal Constitution by questioning the legitimacy of Penang to exist as a sovereign state.

Only through such arguments can Sanusi lay claim to seeking more compensation from the federal government over the alleged lease of Penang to the then British colonial forces, he said.

While Sanusi is entitled to pursue what he feels are his rights, is such an exercise worthwhile, as it would cost money - taxpayers' money, Raveentharan asked.

"He is opening a can of worms. If historical narrative is to be taken, the world over will be in turmoil. What about Singapore?"

Sanusi should perhaps advise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on how to retake Singapore, which was once part of the Malay Sultanate states.

What about the territorial boundaries that the colonial powers enacted the world over - should such territories be redrawn based on historical anecdotes or perspectives, said the former PKR deputy secretary - general.

According to Raveentharan, the residents of neighbouring Penang and Kedah, are friendly to each other, as both have family and friends living across the boundary.

"In fact, the congestion in Penang is driven by Kedahans commuting between both places as the former caters to many jobs for those residing in Kedah."

Raveentharan said that Sanusi should not use the court as a platform to drive a wedge and polarise the country even further.

"There are many versions of history. At times, it is narrated by the victors, but leaders of today should focus on what they are facing now, not just about what happened centuries ago. Sanusi should focus on developing Kedah and using Penang as a springboard to stimulate growth in his home state."

Meanwhile, former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that Sanusi's bark is worse than his bite.

"All talk, no action. He should practice what he preaches by going straight to the Federal Court as permitted by Article 128. Let the Federal Court rule and decide whether there is any legal basis or just a show (sandiwara) to score cheap political points to distract attention from his failed governance and economic mismanagement of Kedah.

Kedah has indicated that it expects to initiate legal proceedings over its claim to Penang and the Prai mainland before the end of this year.

This follows an extensive review of historical documents and legal considerations, while some local historians have also expressed support for this quest, claimed Sanusi.

Sanusi was reported as saying that the state’s legal team is carefully examining the appropriate legal angles before filing the case in court.

“Before the end of this year, I expect we will bring the case to court. Our team is working, the legal process involves many technical aspects, and while the team is ready, the angle we will take is still under consideration,” said Sanusi.

Previously, he was quoted as saying that he wants more compensation from the federal side for the alleged illegal seizure of Penang from the Kedah Sultanate, one of the oldest reign monarchy in the region.

Penang, through the federal government, is now paying RM10 million annual honorarium to Kedah based on the historical agreement that colonial trader Francis Light purportedly sealed with the Kedah Sultanate in 1786. - January 8, 2026.

***

All, Kedah including Penang, had belonged to Siam (Thailand)

My first marriage ended due to 'parti yeye', says ex-wife of army captain

My first marriage ended due to 'parti yeye', says ex-wife of army captain

Hariz Mohd
Published: Jan 8, 2026 7:00 AM
Updated: 2:14 PM



An ex-wife of an army captain said her marriage fell apart after about 18 months, allegedly due to wild party habits among military officers.

“My first marriage crumbled because of ‘parti yeye’ culture in the armed forces,” said the woman, who only wished to be identified as Zhane.

The 37-year-old teacher met her ex-husband when they were still studying before getting married in 2012.

She had suspected her then-husband’s activities from the early stages of their marriage, but she said she decided to give him a chance and avoid embarrassing him.

However, the situation deteriorated when she stumbled upon a spare phone that was allegedly hidden inside the officer’s backpack.

Suspicious, Zhane, who was pregnant at the time, checked the device before discovering an exchange of intimate messages between the officer and another woman.

“I then used the phone to text that woman. I introduced myself (as his wife) and politely told her to stay away from my husband.

“But instead of stopping, I learned the woman had been going in and out of the base’s officers’ mess hall more frequently after that,” she told Malaysiakini.

Zhane claimed that based on her own investigation and information shared by neighbours in the army housing complex, her ex-husband had been involved with at least three “yeye girls” during parties held inside a Johor military base.

Inaction by top brass

The camp’s top brass allegedly knew about these parties but purportedly chose not to act on the matter.

Zhane said she tried to go through the proper channel, reporting the problem up the chain of command, but to no avail.

“I did some digging about immoral activities inside the camp, because as a wife, I also want to find out what I can do to rectify the situation and improve myself.

“The more I dig, the more I find out (about such activities), including ugly (social media) posts by ‘yeye girls’ who could simply go in and out of the officers’ mess hall.

“Who gave them permission? Because a military base is supposed to be a restricted area for civilians,” she asked.

Their marriage issues reached their peak in 2013 when Zhane pretended to return to her hometown and caught her former spouse in the act.

She said she then confronted the officer and an alleged “yeye girl”, which led to a brawl between the two women at the camp’s parade square and ultimately, a divorce.

‘Blessing in disguise’

Zhane, who has since remarried, believed the recent viral social media posts on “parti yeye” culture are a blessing in disguise for the wives and families who had been suffering.

She claimed the problem had persistently affected military families for decades despite numerous complaints.

READ MORE: ‘Parti yeye’ continues to plague armed forces

Calling it “budaya sampah” (rotten culture), the woman expressed hope that the armed forces and Defence Ministry would eradicate the problem once and for all.

“This has been happening for decades, and has been raised in discussions among army wives and young officers.

“If this issue had not gone viral, I don’t think any action would have been taken to stop this. Internal whistleblowers were often silenced, and sometimes even subjected to threats.”

Good officers face pressure

The mother of six, however, stressed that not all military officers are involved in such activities.

She said many good officers refused to join “parti yeye” despite facing pressure and repercussions.

“It is all up to the leadership of the battalion. If you get a boss who is good and cares about the welfare of his officers and their families, it is a blessing.

“Kagat (Armed Forces' Islamic Services Corps) should also be empowered so it can curb this problem from getting worse,” Zhane added.

She also urged the armed forces to be more supportive of the welfare of military families, including after separation.

Malaysiakini has reached out to the armed forces for a response.

Allegations that “parti yeye” were still being held in officers’ mess halls surfaced over the weekend on social media, with some users publishing pictures of such events and urging the authorities to investigate.

Some netizens also claimed that low-ranking officers were forced to provide alcoholic drinks and women from outside the camps for their superiors.

This prompted the Defence Ministry to order an investigation into the matter.

What can Malaysia do if foreign social media firms ignore local laws? Here’s what lawyers say

What can Malaysia do if foreign social media firms ignore local laws? Here’s what lawyers say



From January 1, 2026, companies for platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube are automatically licensees in Malaysia. — AFP pic

Friday, 09 Jan 2026 7:00 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 — Now that Malaysia has declared that social media and internet messaging giants with at least eight million local users come under the country’s laws from January 1, can anything be done if these overseas-based companies break or ignore the rules?

What happens if these companies do not have a local office or even appoint a local representative in Malaysia to answer for any non-compliance? What options would Malaysia have?

Lawyers told Malay Mail that Malaysia could go overseas to get non-compliant platforms to pay penalties, with one lawyer also suggesting slowing down the speed of accessing such platforms.

Not sure what these platforms are? Think of apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, TikTok and YouTube.


Here’s what lawyers say

Foong Cheng Leong, co-deputy chair of the Bar Council’s Intellectual Property Committee, noted that the Malaysian government had since January 1, 2025 tried to compel these service providers to register themselves as licensees.

But since not all service providers had done so — with some even pushing back on the requirements — he said the government used its powers under the Communications and Multimedia Act’s (CMA) Section 46A to declare these companies as licensees from January 1, 2026.


Just like other licensees under CMA, these social media and internet messaging firms will now face legal consequences if they do not comply with local laws and licence conditions, he said.

“Foreign companies run a peril if they do not comply with law, rules and regulations,” he told Malay Mail.

For example, if companies do not comply with regulator Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) directions, they can be punished under CMA’s Section 53 with a maximum RM1 million fine or maximum 10 years’ jail or both, he said.

“Practically, it may be hard to enforce if they choose to ignore, especially if they will never step foot in our jurisdiction,” he said.

“Perhaps the government will have to be a bit more creative in dealing with foreign companies operating in Malaysia who ignore our laws. The traditional fine and imprisonment may not work,” he said.



Lawyer Foong Cheng Leong said more creative methods may be needed for foreign-based licensed companies who ignore Malaysian laws while operating social media and internet messaging platforms here. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa



Foong proposed some possible methods of enforcement against non-compliant foreign service providers, including slowing down or “throttling of the speed to access the platform”.

He said that the Malaysian government could carry out civil action by going to courts overseas to enforce damages outside of Malaysia.

“Yes, in fact, Section 39(3) of ONSA has this provision. A civil debt may be recoverable in other countries by filing it in court,” he said.

He was referring to the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA), which also applies to these platforms from this January onwards as they are now CMA licensees.

Section 39 states that MCMC may impose a maximum RM10 million financial penalty on such companies which fail to comply with their duties under ONSA, with Section 39(3) stating that this financial penalty “may be recoverable as a civil debt” that has to be paid to MCMC.

Foong suggested the government could also freeze assets, including intangible assets in Malaysia such as intellectual property rights in the form of trademarks and patents.

No ‘buts’, being licensed in Malaysia means platforms must obey local laws

Sathish Mavath Ramachandran, co-chair of the Bar Council’s Legal Tech, AI and Sandbox Committee, said the automatic registration was fair as it only affects several major platforms.

He said the automatic registration is a “positive development and most welcome, timely, topical”, as it would help fight online harms such as scams, illegal betting and gambling.

“This is part and parcel of a broad policy objective — to tackle cyber crimes such as online fraud, cyberbullying and child sexual offences, and to enhance accountability of platforms operating in Malaysia,” he told Malay Mail.

He said MCMC will regulate these foreign companies as they are now licensees, which means they must now comply with MCMC’s licence conditions, standards and directions.

“It is the law. They must comply. Or MCMC will enforce it under the CMA. And ONSA applies to them also. And all other Malaysian laws,” he said.

He said these licensed platforms — which make money from Malaysians such as through advertisements — are effectively being told that they have to follow the law just like any other CMA licensees: “If you want to do business in Malaysia, you have to comply with Malaysian law.”


Being licensed = Possible for money laundering probes on suspicious transactions

By turning these platforms into licensees, it would mean there are more options to enforce local laws on them — including laws on cyber crimes, he said.

He gave the hypothetical example of MCMC investigating complaints about group chats on apps being used to fund terrorism or facilitate terrorism financing or discussing how to build weapons, and what would happen if a platform refuses to do anything about this.

In such a scenario, he said Malaysia’s anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing regulator Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) could step in to investigate, regardless of whether the platform is a foreign or local company.

For platforms which get income from paid subscriptions to its services such as group chats, he said BNM could restrict these platforms from receiving fees from Malaysians, if there is non-compliance.

He said companies can also be required to pay a digital tax or service tax as they would be considered to be doing business in Malaysia.

Options to ensure platforms follow the law

Sathish said MCMC could impose civil penalties or pursue prosecution for criminal liability, adding that Malaysia can also go abroad to enforce court orders on platforms that refuse to comply.

Previously without ONSA, MCMC had to resort to going to court to get an injunction order against Telegram and two Telegram channels “Edisi Siasat” and “Edisi Khas”, to stop the two channels from publishing and circulating 33 allegedly defamatory and harmful articles.

But with ONSA in place since this January, MCMC has the power to order platforms to remove harmful content or to block accounts with harmful content, he said.

He said MCMC also has the option to publicly “name and shame” offenders who put up harmful content on these platforms.



Malaysia’s guarantee of no censorship of Internet means Malaysians would be able to continue using platforms, as the government would be unlikely to block access to platforms, Sathish said. — Picture by Choo Choy May



Unlikely for Malaysia to ban or block apps for non-compliance

What if these platforms choose not to comply with their obligations under Malaysian laws, such as breaching their licence conditions by not appointing a local representative?

“If they do not comply, it jeopardises the license,” he said.

If the license for any of these platforms is revoked and they become unregistered, they “cannot operate in Malaysia” and would effectively be blocked in Malaysia, he said.

Calling this the “ultimate sanction”, Sathish however said the government would not ban or restrict access to non-compliant platforms: “That won’t happen.”

He said Malaysians would be able to continue using these platforms, pointing out that MCMC now has the full range of powers under Malaysian laws to take action against all these platform providers.

Sathish also pointed out a ban would not happen as CMA, the Bill of Guarantees by both MSC Malaysia and its successor Malaysia Digital had said there would be “no censorship of Internet”.

CMA’s Section 3(3) states that nothing in this law shall be interpreted as “permitting the censorship of the Internet”, while the latest Bill of Guarantees guarantees that the Malaysian government would “ensure no censorship of the Internet”.

In a recent interview, MCMC told Malay Mail that the regulator’s focus is not to ban platforms, but to instead work with them to ensure Malaysians’ online safety by fighting the “common enemy” such as paedophiles and scammers.


Recommended reading:

‘Fighting the common enemy’: Nine big online harms that Malaysia’s tackling by regulating social media companies

Here’s what Malaysians can expect as social media firms come under Malaysian laws now

Here’s why social media firms may come to love Malaysia’s new Online Safety Act

From experiment to explosion: How an AI image of Maduro’s arrest fooled millions

From experiment to explosion: How an AI image of Maduro’s arrest fooled millions



This AI image showing Nicolas Maduro flanked by US forces went viral across social media after being created by an X user with fewer than 100 followers. — Picture via X/Ian Weber

Friday, 09 Jan 2026 7:00 AM MYT


WASHINGTON, Jan 9 —The man who created an AI-generated image of Nicolas Maduro that went viral has come forward, telling AFP he was shocked the fake racked up millions of views online.

The image depicting Maduro flanked by US forces exploded across social media after Washington seized the Venezuelan leader and his wife in a raid on Caracas on Saturday. Many posts called it the first photo of Maduro in custody.

But the X user who first posted the image, who goes by Ian Weber and describes himself as an "AI video art enthusiast" based in Spain, told AFP in an exclusive interview that he used Nano Banana Pro, an image generator within Google's Gemini, to create it.

"I never expected this to become the most shared picture worldwide," he said Tuesday in a series of direct messages on X, where his account has fewer than 100 followers.


As the news broke, Weber gave the image generator a simple prompt, according to a screenshot of the chat shared with AFP. Translated from Spanish, it read: "Nicolas Maduro detained by American assault forces. Put granular photo."



He cropped out the Gemini watermark and posted the result on X within 20 minutes of US President Donald Trump announcing the operation on Truth Social.

"I just wanted to see if an account on X with fewer than 78 followers at the time could make a picture go viral organically," he told AFP.


Almost immediately, it did.

Weber watched as users asked Grok, Elon Musk's AI tool, to verify the image. In some cases, the chatbot responded that it was authentic.

Prominent accounts misrepresented the image, and further manipulated versions soon spread online.

"That was when the avalanche began," Weber said. "Everyone was suddenly desperate to publish the first picture of his arrest."

AFP and other news agencies quickly debunked the fake, noting that Gemini said it contained a SynthID, an invisible watermark attached to AI content created using Google's tools.

Trump also posted an image he said showed Maduro in custody aboard a US naval ship, in which the deposed Venezuelan president appeared in a different outfit and was blindfolded.

Weber's creation still continued to spread.

On Monday, he commented under his original post to say he created the image with AI, but the reply has almost no engagement.

He told AFP he cannot edit the post without purchasing X's premium services, and that he has not deleted the original for fear fact-checkers would lose "traceability" of the image.

"I never intended to claim that this was the first picture of Maduro being detained," he said. "If an account with only 78 followers can have this kind of impact, imagine what an influencer with millions of followers is capable of." — AFP

Maduro Storyline Ignites Regional and Global Panic Pattern

Maduro Storyline Ignites Regional and Global Panic Pattern   In a dramatic escalation of US policy toward Latin America, President Donald Trump ordered a pre-dawn military raid on Caracas, Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation led to Maduro’s transfer to New York, where he and Flores pleaded not guilty to US federal charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and weapons offenses. Maduro declared himself innocent and a “prisoner of war,” while his son accused the US of kidnapping. Former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, condemning the raid but calling for “peace and dialogue” with Washington, proposing a “balanced and respectful” cooperative agenda while insisting Venezuela would “never return to being the colony of another empire.” For his part, Trump has placed Rodríguez on a “short leash,” demanding she crack down on drug trafficking, expel Iranian and Cuban operatives, halt oil sales to US adversaries, release detained Americans and eventually hold free elections before stepping aside—warning she could pay a “bigger price” than Maduro if she resists, while asserting the US will “run” Venezuela temporarily to exploit its oil reserves. The intervention has sparked widespread backlash: Russia denounced it as “international banditry” and a harbinger of global chaos, warning of resurgent neo-colonialism and urging Maduro’s release. The UN Security Council held an emergency session, with many nations labeling it a crime of aggression. Meanwhile, Trump has extended similar threats to Colombia, calling its president a “sick man” enabling cocaine trade, and suggesting a similar raid “sounds good,” prompting President Gustavo Petro to vow he would “take up arms” in defense and demand loyalty from Colombian officers. According to some, the event marks a sharp return to assertive US interventionism in the region, raising fears of broader instability across Latin America. GhostofBasedPatrickHenry: For those that may be new here, or otherwise unfamiliar with my research on both Nicolas Maduro and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, here is a 10 minute clip that provides a decent summary. So we have some interesting signal in the developments surrounding Venezuela in the wake of Maduro's "arrest" by President Trump. After dismissing the idea that regime darling Maria Corina Machado would be installed as the new leader, Trump expressed support for Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, telling reporters that she was "picked by Maduro.” Strange that Maduro's preference would be honored. Rodriguez decided to honor former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez by being sworn in on top of his sarcophagus, which resides at a large monument in Caracas. She then followed it with a speech about Chavez, echoing rhetoric that Maduro (who once served under Chavez as his protege) often said, emphasizing that there was only one true president of Venezuela, and that is Nicolas Maduro. What is interesting is that, after searching through President Trump's Truth Social posts, I only found one instance of him ever referring to Maduro as "President Maduro" (despite posting about him countless times over the years,) and that was when he announced his arrest. It is rather strange how much respect and dignity is being given to Maduro in spite of everything else happening and the overarching narrative. It's almost like Trump and Delcy Rodriguez's rhetoric is identical. Then there is this little factoid: Eric Prince of Blackwater went to Venezuela and met with Delcy Rodriguez six years ago. Many analysts are [wrongly] pointing to this as the moment that Rodriguez betrayed Maduro. The fallout from Maduro's arrest has been interesting. It appears the move has turned him into a folk hero in South America and throughout the world, as he has become the symbol of defiance against American imperialism. Maduro's son is now giving speeches at large rallies being held in Venezuela, claiming that the Deep State's plan was to start a civil war in Venezuela in order to destabilize the Maduro government. The comment invokes memories of Syria, and how the operation against Assad was initially conducted. It certainly would fit a pattern that the Deep State likes to use to remove popular foreign leaders. What if the Maduro "arrest" subverted the civil war plot? Now Trump is promising to turn his crosshairs on Colombian President Gustavo Petro— whom I have demonstrated in the video above is at the tip of the spear of the war against the cartels. Yet Trump insists that Petro is a cartel drug lord, just like he accused Maduro of being. In a very cartoonish moment, Trump said Petro better "watch his ass." Petro is now vowing to fight the American imperialists, as he rallies Colombians in defense of their country. He called Trump a coward, saying, "Come and get me," in a moment that felt like a professional wrestling soap opera. It is also worth noting that Petro held a rally after Maduro's arrest, where he said that "a clan of pedophiles"— specifically, "friends of Epstein"— were attempting to take over Colombia and Venezuela and must be stopped. This all feels surreal. The only viable explanation I can offer that addresses all the contradictions and plot twists is the theory of TrumpaMania— that we are watching a cartoonish soap opera that is effectively narrative rope-a-dope against the Deep State PS - Here’s Trump calling Maduro a “violent guy,” then immediately accusing Maduro of stealing his dance moves. Now I’m convinced that it was Trump who suggested Maduro dance to make this whole charade as goofy as possible.