Grab driver dumbfounded at why tourists tend to flock Indian temples, Chinese “tokong”

Grab driver dumbfounded at why tourists tend to flock Indian temples, Chinese “tokong”

A FRIENDLY conversation between a Grab driver and his Swiss passengers led to this loaded query, “Why do tourists only seem to visit Indian and Chinese places of worship when visiting Malaysia?”

This came about after Threader nsazriel asked his Swiss lady passenger who was accompanied by her three children to popular tourist destination, the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves, “where’s next.”

To his astonishment, the itinerary listed famed Thean Hou temple and two other non-Muslim houses of worship as destinations of interest.

When asked if they were on a temples-only visit, it was revealed that the recommendations were from ChatGPT on places to visit in Kuala Lumpur.

He then advised them to skip items #3 and #4 and to try instead some other attractions for a more varied visit such as Putrajaya, KLCC, the Tun Razak Exchange, also known as (aka), TRX or even a bird park for the matter.

Privately, he proclaimed his disappointment at the Tourism Art and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) officials who seem to be interested in highlighting temples.

More so, he was saddened that there was not one destination to promote Malay culture in Kuala Lumpur should a tourist enquire.

This somewhat narrow perspective has managed to drum up more loud protests from like-minded folk with the post generating 5.7K likes, 541 comments, 332 re-posts and 81 shares at the time of writing.

One commenter firmly believed that the root cause for this skewed information was because ChatGPT was only reading info from the relevant websites that promoted these destinations.

It was insinuated that “our own tourism bodies” were responsible for omitting a long list of other attractions in the likes of Dataran Merdeka, National Mosque aka Masjid Negara, Central Market aka Pasar Seni, KL Tower aka Menara KL or even the Telecommunications Museum aka Muzium Telekom.

An obviously non-Madani supporter was quick to use this as a stick to beat the incumbent administration, slating the “stupid ministers for promoting a water fest instead.”

One rental car vendor further claimed that this was down to foreigner’s reliance on English-language websites.

Stark reality

Taking the trouble to highlight better destinations than the usual Batu Caves, he even translated Malay-language websites so that visitors could sample the country’s “Truly Asia” flavours.

The fact that many tourists knew of or had visited Batu Caves didn’t seem to go down with quite a few commenters.

One commenter pointed to pop artists Dua Lipa’s posting pictures of her visit to the limestone caves during her tour, exclaiming it’d give the wrong impression of Malaysia.

Making no bones whatsoever, one frustrated observer lamented that the capital city bore no reflection of a Malay identity.

“There should be a Malay museum, Malay houses, ancient Malay palaces, as well as a museum dedicated to Malay culture,” he proclaimed, adding that this is Tanah Melayu.

Few things to note about this Thread. Firstly, there is a nagging suspicion that this is more mischief from cybertroopers hell-bent of peddling the narrative that Malay culture and identity is under threat.

The numerous comments denoting unhappiness that Batu Caves and other non-Muslim houses of worship being a cultural highlight clearly underlines the type of demographic that is harping on such issues.

Secondly, this is another ploy to attack the current government, in particular MOTAC.

To downplay the successes of attracting tourists for Visit Malaysia 2026, all manner of tactics are used to instead show it failing. This includes overly-promoting non-Muslim houses of worship as places of interest.

Last but not least, is the fact that the claims of the alleged Grab driver and various commenters are simply NOT true.

A quick search of the MOTAC website and many other popular platforms on KL attractions will point to a host of places to visit, including the Twin Towers, National Mosque, the National Monument and various botanical parks.

Simply put, to claim that the info is NOT there is a LIE.

Unless the query was to locate specifically houses of worship, ChatGPT or any AI application would have included various other sites such as museums.

Yes, Batu Caves and Then Hou temple are famed KL tourist attractions. What’s wrong with that? – July 19, 2026

Anwar defends KWAP over eFishery loss, says RM12.9b profit puts setback in perspective

Anwar defends KWAP over eFishery loss, says RM12.9b profit puts setback in perspective



Responding to questions in the Dewan Negara, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also finance minister, said KWAP’s RM163.4 million investment in eFishery had gone through a rigorous investment process involving professional fund managers, feasibility studies and approvals by its investment panel and board, without political interference. — 

First Published: Monday, 20 Jul 2026 11:12 AM MYT
Last Modified: Monday, 20 Jul 2026 1:25 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today defended Retirement Fund Inc’s (KWAP) investment in Indonesian aquaculture technology startup eFishery, stating the losses should be viewed against the fund’s overall strong performance while pledging greater scrutiny of future investments.

Responding to questions in the Dewan Negara, Anwar, who is also finance minister, said KWAP’s RM163.4 million investment in eFishery had gone through a rigorous investment process involving professional fund managers, feasibility studies and approvals by its investment panel and board, without political interference.


He stressed that individual investment decisions were made independently by professionals and did not require the approval of the Finance Ministry.

“I chose to announce the investment because it involves public funds,” he said, referring to KWAP’s investment in the Indonesian startup, which is now embroiled in an alleged fraud involving its management.


“The individuals responsible are already in prison,” he said, adding that the case showed even experienced global investors could be deceived.


Anwar noted that KWAP was not alone in backing eFishery, pointing out that some of the world’s most prominent investment firms, including Singapore’s Temasek, Japan’s SoftBank, Sequoia Capital, Aqua-Spark, Abu Dhabi-based 42XFund and Indonesia’s Northstar, had also invested in the company.

While acknowledging the losses, Anwar urged lawmakers to assess KWAP’s performance in its entirety.


“The loss was RM160 million, but KWAP recorded RM12.9 billion in net profit, with fund growth of RM9.3 billion. If we want the fund to be even more careful, we must evaluate it holistically by looking at its overall performance and action plans,” he said.

He added that KWAP had also recorded annual compound growth of more than 8.5 per cent and continued investing in Malaysian startups under programmes such as Gear Up, including companies like LaPasar and ZUS Coffee.

Nevertheless, Anwar said the government supported investigations into the investment and had instructed KWAP and the Finance Ministry to cooperate fully with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“If there are elements of wrongdoing, the MACC must investigate. I have instructed that full cooperation be given,” he said, adding that preliminary information did not indicate misconduct by KWAP but the investment process should still be thoroughly examined.

Responding to concerns over whether sufficient due diligence had been carried out before the investment was approved, Anwar said KWAP’s investment panel comprised professionals, while representatives from the government sat only on the board and did not make investment decisions.

He said the eFishery investment had undergone multiple rounds of auditing by internationally recognised firms, yet the alleged fraud still went undetected.

“This is a lesson for us. Even if world-renowned auditors approve something, it is no guarantee of success,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, Anwar noted that Goldman Sachs, despite its global reputation, had also been implicated in transactions linked to the sovereign wealth fund.

“It means we cannot rely entirely on auditors or experts. We must also look at values, governance and integrity,” he said.

On whether the government would tighten investment policies following the episode, Anwar said KWAP’s strong returns reflected the dedication and expertise of its management, but acknowledged the need to learn from the incident.

He said the alleged fraud appeared to have occurred despite investment decisions being made in accordance with international standards of transparency and accountability.

“Investment, especially in startups, always carries risks. There will be losses from time to time, but we will not compromise on corruption or leakages,” he said.

Anwar added that the government would continue reviewing its investment processes while allowing the MACC to examine both the investment process and the decisions made by KWAP’s investment panel.

The Retirement Fund (Incorporated) (KWAP) confirmed on July 18 that it invested RM163.4 million in scandal-hit Indonesian aquaculture startup eFishery, saying it is pursuing all available avenues to recover the funds.

The public pension fund issued the statement following recent media reports on its investment in eFishery, whose former chief executive was convicted earlier this year over financial fraud.

KWAP said the broader eFishery case involved “deliberate financial manipulation and misrepresentation of the company’s financial reporting.”

It noted that eFishery co-founder and former chief executive Gibran Huzaifah was sentenced by the Bandung District Court on April 29 to nine years’ imprisonment after being convicted of embezzlement and money laundering.

The startup was once regarded as one of Indonesia’s leading agritech companies before allegations of accounting fraud unravelled its rapid rise and led to criminal proceedings against its former leadership.

KWAP disclosed that its total investment in eFishery amounted to RM163.4 million, representing about 2.51 per cent of the company’s shareholding.

It stressed that it was a minority shareholder and that the majority of eFishery’s shares were held by other investors, including major global institutional investors that were similarly affected by the misconduct.

Fresh US-Iran strikes and Hormuz vessel fire push oil prices above US$90

Fresh US-Iran strikes and Hormuz vessel fire push oil prices above US$90

An oil tanker unloads imported crude oil at a terminal in Qingdao, China, amid concerns over global energy supply disruptions as the US launches fresh strikes against Iran and reports of fire aboard a ship crossing the Hormuz Strait on July 20, 2026. — AFP/China OUT pic

First Published: Monday, 20 Jul 2026 11:26 AM MYT


HONG KONG, July 20 — Oil prices surged in early Asian trade on Monday after the United States struck Iran for a ninth consecutive night and a vessel caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz.

The gains reflected growing fears that renewed fighting in the Middle East could disrupt oil shipments through the strait, a key corridor for global energy supplies.


Brent crude for September delivery rose 2.72 per cent to US$90.50 (RM370.15) a barrel by around 0100 GMT. It had briefly crossed US$91 (RM372.19), its highest price since June.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate gained 2.39 per cent to US$84.46 (RM345.44).


Britain’s maritime security agency UKMTO said a ship was on fire in the strait on Monday, in waters around 15 kilometres northwest of Oman.


It did not specify the cause of the blaze.

US President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday evening that the United States was hitting Iran “very hard” in retaliation for the recent deaths of American troops in the Middle East.


Separately, Kuwait’s military said Monday it was responding to an Iranian drone attack targeting its territory. — AFP

Call for Malays to avoid using chopsticks as it glorifies Chinese heritage gets short shrift, trolled

Call for Malays to avoid using chopsticks as it glorifies Chinese heritage gets short shrift, trolled

“NOT the brightest bulb”. “As dumb as a rock”. “Not the sharpest tool in the shed”.

Take your pick. These idioms and similes describing someone who is not very intelligent or who struggles to understand simple things could all describe an anonymous suggestion that Malay-Muslims should refrain from using chopsticks.

The post by Meingl (@meinmokthar) on X of an anonymous thought sent to him further contended that the use of chopsticks was created to worship deities of Chinese emperors.

This historian of questionable authority also saw fit to declare their use as haram as they were not part of Malay-Muslim culture, thus prompting Meingl to wonder if one should be fearful of a pair of chopsticks.

meingl

@meinmokhtar

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Takkan dengan chopstick pun takut kot

12:22 PM · Jul 16, 2026

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This little piece of xenophobia elicited plenty of responses that range from the surprise, confusion and downright derision at this glaring example of narrow-mindedness.

Not holding back, a few commenters pointed out that the Chinese Muslim population was not only larger but also older, than the Malays, that there is no need to flaunt one’s Islamic credentials here is the clear retort.

Some more well-travelled netizens used GIFs to reflect the sentiments of Hui and Ugyhur Muslims in China upon seeing this comment that sought to equate chopstick use as un-Islamic practice.

The sense of disbelief was evident in the number of comments ridiculing the nonsensical suggestion that dining utensils represented a threat to Malay identity. One commenter surmised that the anonymous poster was a “waste of oxygen”.

Reflecting the absurdity of the suggestion, many netizens bombarded the post with similarly ridiculous analogies.

One countered that forks, knives and spoons be similarly distanced as they were tools for spreading the Christian faith, sarcastically positing that the utensils were once placed in the shape of a cross while the diners said grace.

Another hilarious comment came from @abuhndhlh who asked if Malay-Muslims could consume chicken chop or was it only permissible if it had been served with pulut kuning (yellow glutinous rice) during Parameswara’s reign in ancient Melaka.

A budding stand-up comic even suggested giving up eating altogether as it followed the behaviour of animals, highlighting the nonsensical logic of the anonymous messenger.

It was also recommended that people with such shallow thinking refrain from making their ignorance public knowledge. It was further pointed out that the chopstick-fearing messenger had confused different Chinese traditions that led to his ill-informed pronouncement.

Few things to note from this slice of social media bombast.

Firstly, there is a concerted effort to push a narrative that seeks to demonise virtually everything to do with Chinese culture.

Be it the Unified Examination Certificate or harmless eating utensils, the campaign is in full swing as demonstrated by this message. Nothing is too trivial for cybertroopers to rage-bait to inflame communal ill-feeling.

Secondly, it is worth noting that enough citizens see it for what it is, a shameless ploy to keep minds closed and as insular as possible with everything and anything used to stoke fears of cultural identity erosion.

The question that needs asking though is how many are falling for this shtick? – July 19, 2026

‘Everyone's afraid to die’: Struggle to recruit soldiers in Ukraine turns violent

‘Everyone's afraid to die’: Struggle to recruit soldiers in Ukraine turns violent

32 minutes ago
Sarah Rainsford

Eastern Europe correspondent , Kyiv

BBC
Vasyl Krupych, a serving soldier, was assaulted while out searching for draft dodgers


Vasyl Krupych knows what it is to fight for Ukraine.

He describes terrifying scenes from battles in the eastern Donbas region where, sometimes praying, sometimes crying, the machine gunner somehow survived the onslaught by Russian troops.

But last December, by then serving in the rear, Krupych was attacked by his own countrymen whilst out searching for draft dodgers.

He says two men ignored demands to show their documents and fled. When his patrol gave chase, Krupych was badly beaten with a crowbar. He spent six weeks in hospital.

"He broke my rib, I was lying there and couldn't breathe," the veteran recalled in a recent interview.

"What did we fight for, if soldiers can now get beaten?"
Surge in violence

Ukraine's military ombudswoman says such attacks are now "regular" and "a major problem" as the country struggles to mobilise men to fight in the fifth, draining year of Russia's full-scale invasion.

It's not a topic people here care to discuss much, wary of feeding Russian propaganda.

But the latest National Police Service report recorded more than 600 assaults on recruitment officers to date and warned that the aggression has become "increasingly threatening".

The first big alert came in April when several recruiters were stabbed, one fatally. Then this month in Lviv, some 200 protesters surrounded officers attempting to detain a suspected draft dodger and smashed and overturned their car.

The riot made headlines as President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned violence against serving soldiers.

His controversial decision since then to sack Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov – over a clash of character and vision with Ukraine's commander-in-chief – means attempts to address the conscription crisis will stall.

But the anger that just exploded in Lviv suggests that the need is urgent.

'Busification'

The reasons appear to range from plain fear of the front line – now everyone knows someone who's been injured or killed - to a reluctance to sign up for a war that has no end in sight.

The only surge of enthusiasm since the initial rush to the front was in late 2023, when Ukraine launched a counter-offensive to seize back territory in the south-east.

It didn't last.

That's when the "brutal mobilisation" phase began, according to opposition MP Oleksandr Honcharenko.

He blames that for the backlash.

"These officers are hunting for people on the streets and sometimes using quite violent methods," the MP says.

"Violence leads to violence. It's a huge problem and it's going to get worse."

Ivan Stupak said that Ukraine's high command was forced to use "busification" to tackle a lack of manpower on the battlefield

Military analyst Ivan Stupak agrees.

"We started to suffer a lack of manpower on the battlefield, constant losses," he recalls. "Ukraine's high command had to refill these losses so they started busification."

That's the term Ukrainians use for mobile patrols that end up with men bundled into buses, and off to serve.

"When they need an extra 5,000 men, they start grabbing them - and if they refuse it turns into fights on the street."

The professor's story

So for every story of a draft officer attacked, there are accounts of violence by recruiters themselves.

Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner recorded more than 6,000 such complaints last year - double the 2024 tally. They include claims of abuse and unlawful detention as well as poor conditions at recruitment centres.

Kyrylo Ogdansky still gets upset when he talks about what happened to him in Dnipro last November.

Kyrylo was brutally beaten by recruiters despite being exempt from the draft


The university professor, who is exempt from the draft, was approached in the street by a man in plain clothes who wanted to check his call-up status.

There are rules about such patrols, including having police officers present, so Ogdansky objected.

Then he was assaulted.

"One of them knocked the phone from my hand and two pushed me into the bus from behind. When I asked what's happening, one started to beat me to the head. He hit me in the nose several times," Ogdansky tells me.

He remembers the threat to send him straight to the front line. "He said 'I can call the commander and you'll go to Pokrovsk'."

Kyrylo spent two weeks in hospital following the attack and has made formal official complaints


Instead, the professor spent two weeks in hospital with a suspected neck injury and big purple-black bruises beneath his eyes.

He has made formal official complaints but was hesitant about speaking publicly, aware that such things look bad for Ukraine in the middle of a war.

"Russian propaganda uses such things very actively. But such a problem exists," Ogdansky explains his decision.

"If everyone is silent, then why would it stop? I understand the problem of conscription, but no official has the right to act like this."
Vasyl's story

It's clear that Vasyl Krupych experienced horrors at war.

He volunteered at the very start and has survived some of the grimmest battles.

Krupych is proud of his service - a tattoo on his neck declares "Glory to the Ukrainian Armed Forces" – but he suffers from nightmares.

When his vehicle was hit by an FPV drone, he was badly injured but managed to drag one friend to safety. He saw two others burned to death.

Now, when we discuss the increase in attacks against draft officers, his words drip with hurt.

It's not just about what he suffered himself: that case is still going through the courts. It's also the gulf between what he has endured and those doing everything possible to avoid the same.

"We are doing our duty. We fought, we defended our people - and now they are attacking us."

I wonder what he thinks might motivate people to serve, instead of coercing them, and he mentions raising salaries.

But then he shrugs.

"It can't be done differently, it can't. Our lads need to be replaced. But nobody volunteers," he says.

"Everyone is afraid to die."

What to do?

In his six months as defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov did start introducing reforms to tackle the growing crisis.

He began with moves meant to make military service more attractive: fixed-term contracts for new recruits, with the option to defer further service, and better salaries, especially for the riskiest roles.

But it was an early work in progress and overhauling conscription was still on his to-do list when he was sacked.

Proposals have included handing draft patrols over to police, who are less personally invested in the task. There's talk of proper training, too, for officers, and psychological screening.

Ukraine does admit openly that it has a problem, which is new.

But it now has only an acting defence minister, and still no solution.

Iran strikes US targets in Syria, Jordan, Kuwait as conflict spreads

Iran strikes US targets in Syria, Jordan, Kuwait as conflict spreads



A plume of black smoke and flames billows over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City on July 18, 2026. — AFP pic

First Published: Monday, 20 Jul 2026 1:25 PM MYT

• US-Iran fighting intensified, with renewed strikes, rising American military deaths and escalating attacks around the Strait of Hormuz.
• Oil prices climbed above US$91 a barrel as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz heightened concerns over global energy supplies.
• Despite a collapsed truce, Washington said it remains open to diplomacy while Iran expanded strikes against US-linked regional targets.

TEHRAN, July 20 — Washington and Tehran traded strikes on Monday as US deaths in the renewed fighting climbed to three and more ships came under attack in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Oil prices surged to a one-month high as the United States and Iran tussled for control of the vital strait, with Brent crude rising above US$91 (RM372) a barrel – the highest price since June 11.


Since the start of the war on February 28, Iran has struck back by targeting US allies and military assets in its own neighbourhood, and by virtually blocking the waterway through which a fifth of world oil supplies transited prior to the war.

A preliminary deal aimed at ending the war has collapsed as the foes fight to break a deadlock over the Strait of Hormuz.


Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Monday that two oil tankers trying to transit the strait “exploded and were brought to a halt”, according to a statement reported by the Tasnim news agency.


The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Monday that a vessel was on fire in the strait, citing information from military authorities. The fire’s cause has not been verified.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on countries around the world to share the burden of protecting global shipping.


“It’s clear that Iran, at least some people in Iran, want to control the straits and hold that as leverage against the world,” Rubio told reporters.

“The United States will do and continue to do what it needs to, to protect global shipping, but other countries need to begin to step up and provide, whether it’s hardware or finances, to help carry that burden,” he said.

A fragile truce between Iran and the United States was shattered following reports of Iranian attacks on ships in the strait, though Rubio said he will “continue to try” to reach a diplomatic solution.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday that it successfully completed the ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran.

The attacks were meant to “further diminish Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz”, CENTCOM wrote on X.

The fresh fighting came after a weekend in which the US announced three new US military fatalities and one service member missing in action.

Two were killed during Iranian missile and drone attacks on Jordan Friday, while another service member died in northern Iraq during the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, CENTCOM said.

President Donald Trump said Sunday the latest US strikes on Iran “hit them very hard” in honour of the American fatalities.

The deaths brought to 17 the confirmed number of American military fatalities since conflict began.

On Friday, Iran’s health ministry reported that 50 people had been killed in recent fighting and more than 500 wounded.

Iran strikes neighbours

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced on Monday that they had hit targets in Syria, Jordan, and Kuwait overnight.

In Syria, Iranian forces launched “a surprise attack on the enemy special operations command centre in the Al-Tanf region”, according to a Guards statement carried by state media.

In Jordan, the Guards said it targeted US military aircraft stationed at Aqaba Airport “with ballistic missiles, causing severe damage to a number of them”.

The Guards also said they hit US military targets based in Kuwait, including an early-warning radar system that was “completely destroyed”.

Kuwaiti air defences were “engaging hostile drone attacks following Iranian aggression”, its army said early Monday.

Bahrain’s interior ministry also said that its air raid sirens had sounded and urged citizens and residents to head to “the nearest safe place”.

Strait as ‘leverage’

On Sunday, the Revolutionary Guards said two ships attempting to transit the strait were stopped.

“Four violating ships, with the mischief and support of American terrorists... intended to disrupt and exit the Strait of Hormuz via an unsafe route, two of which had an accident and were stopped in place,” the Guards said, adding that the other two ships abandoned their journey.

Rubio said on Sunday that Tehran “can’t have an MOU that’s alive if they’re violating the terms of it”, referring to the memorandum of understanding signed last month.

“I think we’re always open to diplomacy. It has to be real. It has to be a deal that they’re willing to live by,” Rubio said, ahead of travelling to the Philippines for a meeting of foreign ministers with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“What I will say is that the United States always remains open to a diplomatic solution. We’ve tried multiple times with Iran, and we’ll continue to try.” — AFP

PwC tapped to chart Penang’s roadmap for international financial hub, says CM

PwC tapped to chart Penang’s roadmap for international financial hub, says CM



Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this decision was made by the PIFC special task force committee. — Bernama file pic

First Published: Monday, 20 Jul 2026 1:34 PM MYT


GEORGE TOWN, July 20 — The Penang state government has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services Sdn Bhd (PwC) as the consultant to prepare the white paper, framework and action plan for the proposed Penang International Financial Centre (PIFC).

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this decision was made by the PIFC special task force committee.


“The letter of appointment was issued to PwC on June 15 and the company has returned the Letter of Acceptance, confirming its agreement to all the terms and conditions of the appointment,” he said in a statement issued today.

He said PwC was given 20 weeks to complete the white paper, strategic framework (blueprint) and action plan as well as set the direction for the establishment of the PIFC.


He explained that the white paper will detail the strategic rationale and regulatory framework and set the direction for the establishment of the PIFC while the strategic framework (blueprint) will cover the governance structure, institutional readiness, infrastructure requirements and incentives, as well as the structure and focus of the financial services that will shape the PIFC.


“The action plan will detail the phased implementation of the PIFC, including the actions, responsibilities, key performance indicators (KPIs) and accountability structure required to operate it,” he said.

Chow said PwC presented a progress report on the preparation of the white paper for the committee review on July 17.


“Based on the preliminary findings of its study and presentation, PwC said the main rationale for establishing the PIFC would be aligned with Penang’s economic mainstay, the global electrical and electronics (E&E) supply chain,” he said.

He said this advantage will indirectly create opportunities for the state to continue driving innovation in related industries while contributing to Penang’s overall economic growth.

“To ensure that the PIFC is developed in a structured and transparent manner, PwC has also been asked to conduct engagement sessions with stakeholders, including strategic partners, local and international industry players, regulatory authorities, academics and all other relevant parties,” he said.

He said this is to ensure that the proposals developed are comprehensive, viable and aligned with the country’s technology ecosystem development strategies.

Chow said the state is confident that the initiative will serve as a catalyst for the creation of a technology-driven financial ecosystem.

“It will enable industries in the northern region to become more innovative and competitive, while supporting Penang’s economic growth and further strengthening the national economy in the future,” he said.

Woman’s body found with hands, legs tied in Kota Tinggi river

Woman’s body found with hands, legs tied in Kota Tinggi river



The unidentified woman’s body was found after police received information from members of the public at about 9pm. — Picture by Ahmad Zamzahuri

First Published: Monday, 20 Jul 2026 1:41 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 — A woman’s body was found floating in Sungai Tanjung Serindit, Ulu Papan, Pengerang, Kota Tinggi last night, shocking residents after the victim was discovered with both her hands and legs tied with rope.

The unidentified woman’s body was found after police received information from members of the public at about 9pm, Kosmo! Online reported today.


Kota Tinggi district police chief Superintendent Yusof Othman said a team from the Kota Tinggi district police headquarters and the Johor police contingent’s forensic unit rushed to the scene after receiving the report.

“Initial examination found that the victim had died at the scene, with both her hands and legs tied with rope.


“The identity of the deceased is still being established, while the cause of death remains under investigation,” he said in a statement today.


The body was sent to Pasir Gudang Hospital for a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.

The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for suspected murder.


Police have urged anyone with information about the incident or knowledge of any missing woman to come forward.

How ‘worthless’ water waste is becoming a profitable building material in Penang

How ‘worthless’ water waste is becoming a profitable building material in Penang



Workers manufacture cement bricks using recycled water treatment sludge at Alam Aliran Kualiti’s facility in Bukit Mertajam, where scheduled waste is being transformed into commercial construction materials. — Bernama pic

First Published: Sunday, 19 Jul 2026 11:07 AM MYT


BUKIT MERTAJAM, July 19 — What was once regarded as little more than waste from water treatment plants is now being transformed into high-value construction materials through an innovative circular economy initiative.

The breakthrough is the result of a collaboration between Alam Aliran Kualiti (M) Sdn Bhd (AAK) and the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), which has successfully converted water treatment plant residue, which is classified as scheduled waste (SW204), into raw material for cement brick production.


The initiative makes PBAPP the first water operator in Malaysia to adopt a circular economy model for managing water treatment plant residue, while AAK becomes the country’s first facility to process SW204 into raw material for cement bricks.

Beyond reducing reliance on landfill disposal, the project demonstrates how waste previously considered to have no commercial value can be converted into quality construction products through sustainable technology and innovative waste management.


AAK Project Head G. Karthigayan said the technology was developed through a strategic partnership with PBAPP to provide a more sustainable solution for managing water treatment residue.


Our objective is not only to help water operators manage residue more efficiently, but also to change the perception that water treatment waste is merely something to be discarded.

“With the right technology, strategy and management approach, this waste can be transformed into a resource with economic value. Material that previously ended up in landfills can now be repurposed into commercial products,” he told Bernama during a recent visit to the company’s factory.


He explained that the process begins at the Sungai Dua Dewatering Plant (SDDP), where residue from the water treatment process undergoes belt press dewatering technology to separate water from solids. The recovered water is returned to PBAPP’s water supply system, while the remaining alum sludge is transported to AAK’s brick manufacturing facility in Bukit Minyak.

At the factory, the sludge undergoes chemical treatment to produce aggregates, which are then used as the primary raw material for manufacturing cement bricks using conventional production methods and a proprietary formulation developed by the company to meet industry quality standards.

“This technology enables the recovery of about nine million litres of water per day that would otherwise have been discharged into the river. The volume is sufficient to meet the daily water needs of between 10,000 and 12,000 households,” he said.

In addition to reducing waste sent to landfills, Karthigayan said tests have shown that the bricks produced using recycled sludge offer better fire resistance than conventional cement bricks.

The plant has the capacity to produce up to 150,000 bricks daily, although current production ranges between 70,000 and 100,000 bricks, depending on the volume of sludge supplied by SDDP. The bricks have already been commercialised and are being used in construction projects while also being sold through hardware stores across Penang.

Karthigayan said the technology was developed over nearly five years of intensive research and development, supported by extensive technical evaluations and regulatory approvals, given that SW204 is classified as scheduled waste under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

He added that the product has obtained ISO 9001 certification and is currently undergoing certification by the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim) and the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) to expand its use within the construction industry.

The project is implemented under a 15-year design, build, operate and maintain (DBOM) contract, under which AAK bears the full cost of capital investment, construction, operations and residue management, while PBAPP serves as the project owner and oversees auditing and compliance.

According to Karthigayan, the arrangement enables PBAPP to reduce its operational and capital expenditure while ensuring that AAK assumes full responsibility for scheduled waste management, environmental compliance and safety standards.

He added that AAK is also set to be recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) in the “Largest Belt Press System Dewatering Plant” category for developing and operating a 10-million-litre-per-day dewatering facility capable of processing up to 450 metric tonnes of sludge daily. — Bernama

Workers manufacture cement bricks using recycled water treatment sludge at Alam Aliran Kualiti’s facility in Bukit Mertajam, where scheduled waste is being transformed into commercial construction materials. — Bernama pic
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First Published: Sunday, 19 Jul 2026 11:07 AM MYT


BUKIT MERTAJAM, July 19 — What was once regarded as little more than waste from water treatment plants is now being transformed into high-value construction materials through an innovative circular economy initiative.

The breakthrough is the result of a collaboration between Alam Aliran Kualiti (M) Sdn Bhd (AAK) and the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), which has successfully converted water treatment plant residue, which is classified as scheduled waste (SW204), into raw material for cement brick production.


The initiative makes PBAPP the first water operator in Malaysia to adopt a circular economy model for managing water treatment plant residue, while AAK becomes the country’s first facility to process SW204 into raw material for cement bricks.

Beyond reducing reliance on landfill disposal, the project demonstrates how waste previously considered to have no commercial value can be converted into quality construction products through sustainable technology and innovative waste management.


AAK Project Head G. Karthigayan said the technology was developed through a strategic partnership with PBAPP to provide a more sustainable solution for managing water treatment residue.


Our objective is not only to help water operators manage residue more efficiently, but also to change the perception that water treatment waste is merely something to be discarded.

“With the right technology, strategy and management approach, this waste can be transformed into a resource with economic value. Material that previously ended up in landfills can now be repurposed into commercial products,” he told Bernama during a recent visit to the company’s factory.


He explained that the process begins at the Sungai Dua Dewatering Plant (SDDP), where residue from the water treatment process undergoes belt press dewatering technology to separate water from solids. The recovered water is returned to PBAPP’s water supply system, while the remaining alum sludge is transported to AAK’s brick manufacturing facility in Bukit Minyak.

At the factory, the sludge undergoes chemical treatment to produce aggregates, which are then used as the primary raw material for manufacturing cement bricks using conventional production methods and a proprietary formulation developed by the company to meet industry quality standards.

“This technology enables the recovery of about nine million litres of water per day that would otherwise have been discharged into the river. The volume is sufficient to meet the daily water needs of between 10,000 and 12,000 households,” he said.

In addition to reducing waste sent to landfills, Karthigayan said tests have shown that the bricks produced using recycled sludge offer better fire resistance than conventional cement bricks.

The plant has the capacity to produce up to 150,000 bricks daily, although current production ranges between 70,000 and 100,000 bricks, depending on the volume of sludge supplied by SDDP. The bricks have already been commercialised and are being used in construction projects while also being sold through hardware stores across Penang.

Karthigayan said the technology was developed over nearly five years of intensive research and development, supported by extensive technical evaluations and regulatory approvals, given that SW204 is classified as scheduled waste under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

He added that the product has obtained ISO 9001 certification and is currently undergoing certification by the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim) and the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) to expand its use within the construction industry.

The project is implemented under a 15-year design, build, operate and maintain (DBOM) contract, under which AAK bears the full cost of capital investment, construction, operations and residue management, while PBAPP serves as the project owner and oversees auditing and compliance.

According to Karthigayan, the arrangement enables PBAPP to reduce its operational and capital expenditure while ensuring that AAK assumes full responsibility for scheduled waste management, environmental compliance and safety standards.

He added that AAK is also set to be recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) in the “Largest Belt Press System Dewatering Plant” category for developing and operating a 10-million-litre-per-day dewatering facility capable of processing up to 450 metric tonnes of sludge daily. — Bernama

Pakatan did well with or without PAS’ support since 2008: Their role in division and galvanisation cannot be ignored — Phar Kim Beng

Pakatan did well with or without PAS’ support since 2008: Their role in division and galvanisation cannot be ignored — Phar Kim Beng


First Published: Monday, 20 Jul 2026 9:30 AM MYT
Last Modified: Monday, 20 Jul 2026 9:33 AM MYT


JULY 20 — Malaysian politics has always been shaped by coalitions rather than by any single political party acting alone.

Since the watershed election of 2008, PAS has occupied a pivotal position in determining whether opposition forces could unite sufficiently to challenge the long-standing dominance of Barisan Nasional or whether political fragmentation would once again favour the incumbent.


The elections of 2008, 2013, 2018 and, in a different configuration, 2022 demonstrate that PAS has often held the balance between cooperation and division.

Its strategic choices have influenced not only electoral outcomes but also the broader stability of Malaysia’s political system.


In 2008, PAS worked closely with PKR and DAP under the loose Pakatan Rakyat framework. The unprecedented cooperation among Malay-Muslim, multiracial and reform-oriented parties denied Barisan Nasional its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time since 1969.


PAS’s willingness to compromise on ideological differences was indispensable to that breakthrough.

The same formula largely endured in 2013. Although Pakatan Rakyat won the popular vote, it fell short of forming the federal government because of constituency boundaries and the first-past-the-post electoral system.


Nevertheless, PAS remained an important component of the opposition alliance, helping to consolidate support across both urban and rural constituencies.



PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. — Bernama pic



The relationship fractured after 2015 following disagreements over the implementation of hudud legislation and differing visions of governance.

The dissolution of Pakatan Rakyat fundamentally reshaped Malaysia’s political landscape. By the time of the 2018 general election, PAS contested independently.

Yet the party continued to command significant Malay-Muslim support, while Pakatan Harapan succeeded in winning Putrajaya through a different coalition that included Bersatu. Although PAS was no longer inside the coalition, its electoral strength remained a decisive factor in determining how votes were distributed among competing blocs.

The 2022 general election again underscored PAS’s importance. As the dominant component of Perikatan Nasional, PAS emerged as the single largest political party in Parliament by seat count. No coalition secured an outright majority, making coalition-building inevitable.

Ultimately, Pakatan Harapan formed the Unity Government together with Barisan Nasional and parties from Sabah and Sarawak, but the electoral weight of PAS fundamentally shaped the negotiations and the composition of the opposition.

These episodes illustrate a broader lesson. PAS has repeatedly demonstrated that it possesses the organisational reach and electoral influence to determine whether Malaysian politics becomes more collaborative or more polarised.

When major political actors are able to cooperate despite ideological differences, Malaysia has generally experienced greater political stability. Conversely, when political competition becomes defined by mutually exclusive identities, governing becomes considerably more difficult.

This does not imply that any party should subordinate its principles. Rather, it highlights the realities of coalition politics in a plural society.

Successful governance in Malaysia requires compromise, constitutional respect and the willingness to work across political and communal divides.

As Malaysia continues to evolve, voters may wish to evaluate not merely which party gains the largest number of seats, but also which political arrangements are most capable of providing stable governance, sustaining economic growth, strengthening constitutional institutions and preserving national cohesion.

The experience of the elections from 2008 through 2022 demonstrates that PAS has been an influential actor in Malaysia’s political development.

Whether its influence contributes more to cooperation or to sharper political competition depends not only on PAS itself but equally on the choices made by every other political party and, ultimately, by the Malaysian electorate.

* Phar Kim Beng is a professor of Asean Studies and a director at the Institute of International and Asean Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia.