Malaysia among top in world bullying list

Malaysia among top in world bullying list. Unfortunately, our country is ranked fourth out of 45, data shows.Source: The Star

PENANG SENIOR GOLFERS GOLF TOURNAMENT

 

PENANG SENIOR GOLFERS GOLF TOURNAMENT

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOUbGCWleP4/

Date & Time: September 14, 2025, with a tee-off at 1:30 PM.

• Location: Penang Golf Club.
• Organizers: Penang Senior Golfers Club (Penang SGC), supported by the Penang State Government and Penang Golf Club.
• Registration & Fees: RM130.00 for PGC members and RM230.00 for non-PGC members. Contact details for registration are provided on the poster.

Penang Golf Club

Penang Golf Club

https://penanggolfclub.com.my

Discover Penang Golf Club, the island's sole championship 18-hole golf course, boasting rolling fairways and manicured greens. The course featuring Bermuda ...

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Defence diplomacy the best option for Malaysia

Photo: Xinhua via AP

 CHINA’S Victory Parade on Sept 3 (pic) was more than pageantry; it was a warning shot about the future of war. With cyber, space and information warfare now centre stage, Malaysia must turn to its greatest strength – defence diplomacy.

Our ability to build trust, balance powers and shape regional security will determine whether South-east Asia remains stable amid intensifying rivalry.

The parade held in Beijing was more than a spectacle of power. It was a statement, a declaration that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is no longer simply modernising; it is also redefining warfare itself.

For Malaysia and Asean, the lesson is unmistakable – the battlefield of tomorrow will extend far beyond land, sea and air. It will be fought in cyberspace, outer space and the invisible realm of information.

The response must not be passivity but strategy and, above all, defence diplomacy.

For the first time, China showcased three new branches. The Information Support Force, the Cyberspace Force, and the Aerospace Force. These are not symbolic formations.

They signal the elevation of data and algorithms, satellites and electronic warfare to the same status as tanks, ships and aircraft.

China’s message is clear; victory will belong to those who dominate information, not just territory. It is a pivot from platform-centric power to information-centric warfare, an approach that mirrors Nato and US doctrines of multi-domain operations.

Military parades are theatre, but in Beijing theatre is strategy. To its people, China portrays: “We are secure and advanced.” To Washington, it signals: “We can fight across every domain.”

To its neighbours, the message is unmistakable: “We are no longer only a regional power; we are a global power.”

Malaysia can draw at least three key lessons from this signal. First, cyber and space resilience must become national priorities. Our financial systems, communications and power grids remain exposed to sophisticated cyberattacks.

Satellites and networks are potential first targets in any conflict. The upcoming Second Phase of Defence White Paper (2026 – 2030) must treat cyber and space security as essential pillars of national defence.

Second, strategic balancing has become a non-negotiable requirement.

Malaysia cannot afford to be ensnared in a great power rivalry, but we also cannot afford to remain silent. Defence diplomacy has emerged as a fundamental strategy. Engaging China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia and others is the instrument that protects our sovereignty and Asean’s neutrality.

Third, innovation in defence is an urgent imperative. The National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN) and Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) must prioritise dual-use technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, cybersecurity solutions and satellite applications. Without innovation, resilience will remain out of reach.

The lesson from Beijing is not that Malaysia should embark on an arms race. It is that we must strengthen defence diplomacy as the first line of security. Defence diplomacy is about building trust with partners, engaging competitors with clarity, and using dialogue to prevent miscalculation.

It means engaging in joint exercises, officer exchanges, technology collaboration and transparent communication.

For our country, it also means positioning ourselves as a bridge, a country trusted enough to convene conversations between rivals, but firm enough to defend our national interests.

China’s parade revealed a military ready to fight across every domain. But Malaysia’s strength does not lie in matching missile for missile. Our strength lies in building coalitions, shaping norms and leading through diplomacy.

The real contest of this century is not only about who parades the largest arsenal but who builds the most resilient, cooperative and stable security architecture. That is the contest where Malaysia, through defence diplomacy, must lead.

RAEISS ILMY RAMLY Dengkil, Selangor

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Financial literacy paying off for borrowers; Better protection with the Consumer Credit Act

PETALING JAYA: Financial literacy efforts are bearing fruit, with ordinary Malaysians describing how professional guidance kept them from falling into hidden debt traps.

For 20-year-old student Zharif Azhar, the lure of freebies nearly cost him financial instability.

“I almost signed up for multiple credit cards because of the free gifts they offered. Luckily, I attended a financial literacy session at university where planners explained the long-term costs of debt. 

“That talk opened my eyes, and now I budget carefully instead of rushing into commitments I can’t handle,” he said in an interview.

Housewife Izzati Hafnan, 46, said her biggest concern was her teenage daughter’s use of buy-now-pay-later schemes.

“When my daughter started using buy-now-pay-later plans for her shopping, I was worried she might get carried away. 

“I spoke to a financial planner who explained how easy it is for small purchases to pile up into big debts. 

“It gave me the confidence to set limits at home, and I now feel more at ease knowing she understands the risk.”

(Click To Enlarge)

For trader Nani Surya, 41, professional advice was a turning point in avoiding costly mistakes.

“Running a small shop, I used to think taking more loans was the only way to keep things moving. 

“But after sitting down with Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) for financial advice, I realised not every loan is worth it. 

“They showed me how to manage cash flow properly, and I avoided signing a loan that would have put my shop at risk,” she said.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old delivery rider Anas Safwan relied on strict self-discipline when faced with unstable income and mounting debt.

“As a rider, my income goes up and down every week, so when I had to pay off my motorbike loan and a few personal debts, I just relied on my self-discipline. 

“I keep a notebook to track every sen, cut down on eating out, and force myself to set aside cash before spending on anything else. 

“It was stressful without guidance, but I didn’t want to owe anyone more than I already did,” he shared.

According to AKPK’s Corporate Communications head, Roha-nizam Talib, efforts are expanding, particularly on financial literacy, under the newly passed Consumer Credit Act (CCA).

“AKPK will be one of the partners of the Consumer Credit Commission to help regulate credit providers so that they comply with requirements. 

“Once the CCA is fully enforced, providers will be required to assess more thoroughly before offering facilities, making it easier for us to assist customers.”

She added that AKPK has identified significant gaps in financial literacy, particularly among youths drawn to buy-now-pay-later spending for gadgets, coffee and even daily necessities.

“Our education programmes aim to reach as many Malaysians as possible, especially young people tied to the ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO) and ‘you only live once’ (YOLO) culture. 

“The goal is to ensure they understand the purpose of borrowing, their ability to repay and whether their income is sufficient to cover debt and daily expenses,” she said.

Since 2006, AKPK has provided comprehensive financial counselling, a mandate that will continue and expand with the CCA, Rohanizam added.

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• Better protection with the Consumer Credit Act

Report property transfers promptly

 

Those who fail to notify Lhdn or are late in doing so can be fined or jailed

• The Star Malaysia
• 10 Sep 2025

— AZMAN GHANI/THE STAR

New rules: transactions on property changes must be reported through the mytax portal.

KUALA LUMPUR: Parties involved in property ownership transfers in Malaysia must report to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) within 60 days for Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) purposes.

LHDN principal assistant director of the Stamp Duty & Real Property Gains Tax Operations Department Azman Muhammad said transactions such as sale and purchase, transfer of rights, transfer of ownership and assignment of property must be reported through the Mytax portal.

“It is the responsibility of the disposer (seller) and acquirer (buyer) to report the disposal and acquisition of assets to LHDN.

“Some do report, but are late. If reported late, a late penalty will be imposed under Section 29(3) of the RPGT Act.

“Prosecution can also be taken against those who fail to submit the RPGT Return Form, with fines of up to RM5,000 and imprisonment not exceeding 12 months, or both,” he said during Bernama

Radio’s “Klinik Cukai” programme on the subject of RPGT.

Azman said the RPGT was aimed at helping increase national revenue, educate the public on tax responsibility and curb speculation in the property market.

“RPGT is a tax imposed on capital gains. Generally, capital gains are not taxed. However, in this case, exemption should not be given due to the high value involved and rampant speculative activities.

“Malaysians who genuinely need homes are forced to buy at higher prices due to speculative activities in property sales. As such, the government believes that stabilising the property market through RPGT is necessary to assist the people,” he said.

Azman said RPGT rates were calculated based on the holding period of the property, with the rate decreasing according to the duration of ownership and disposer category.

For example, he said individuals who sell property within the first three years would be subject to a relatively high tax rate of 30%, followed by 20% in the fourth year and 15% in the fifth year.

Details of RPGT rates for other categories, including individuals, companies and foreigners, can be checked on LHDN’S official website, www.hasil.gov.my.

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