Government & Policy across Malaysia
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BARMM polls head for hung parliament as no party reaches 41 seats
Unofficial results from Monday's election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao show no party winning the 41 seats needed to form a government in the 80-member parliament. The Bangsamoro Federalist Party and the United Bangsamoro Justice Party lead with about 32 and 29 seats respectively, leaving the BARMM Grand Coalition as likely kingmaker before the Oct 30 opening session.
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EU proposes ban on social media and AI chatbots for under-15s
The European Commission is drafting a Child Act that would bar under-15s from social media, video-sharing, AI chatbots and online games. Teens aged 13-14 would need parent-opened accounts with strict controls, while children aged 3-12 would be limited to child-friendly services. The plan is due to be presented by Ursula von der Leyen and Henna Virkkunen before talks with member states and the European Parliament.
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Melaka denies neglecting silat, channels RM174,734
The Melaka state government has denied claims that it does not support pencak silat, revealing RM174,734 in funding for the sport this year. State Youth, Sports and NGO Exco Datuk VP Shanmugam said the allocation covers training, competitions, coach allowances and preparations for SUKMA XXII Selangor 2026.
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Melaka CM's Office denies Ab Rauf signed assembly dissolution document
The Melaka Chief Minister's Office has denied claims that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh signed a document to dissolve the state assembly before Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam. Media chief Norhafizah Sati said the viral WhatsApp message is false and urged the public and media not to believe it.
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Malaysia offers US$100m loan, opens PTA talks with Maldives
Malaysia is considering a US$100 million (RM430 million) soft loan facility to the Maldives and has opened negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement. PM Anwar Ibrahim said the fiscal financing instrument is being refined by Bank Negara Malaysia and Maldivian financial authorities, with a joint commission meeting to be hosted in Kuala Lumpur next year.
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Perlis Raja Muda: FCoEE Phase II grants grow to 36, MAIPs gives aid at Medan mosque
The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, said FCoEE's Phase II Research Grants (2024/2025) have grown to 36 short-term grants covering asnaf entrepreneurship, zakat, waqf, financial literacy, health, STEM and employability. He spoke after presenting MAIPs contributions at Masjid Raya Al-Mashun in Kota Medan, Indonesia, where FCoEE also held the ICOHOPE conference.
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Fahmi: Sarawak electoral boundary review already under way, no date set
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the electoral boundary review process has already begun but gave no commitment on completing it before Sarawak's next election. He spoke to reporters in Kuching after visiting a Borneo Post photographer whose Kampung Tabuan Dayak home was damaged by an Aug 25 storm. The Election Commission says the review is at the fourth of 16 constitutional stages, with public display of draft boundaries open until Sept 30.
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Anwar: BRICS summit and bilateral talks raise Malaysia's global standing
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia's participation in the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit in India and a series of bilateral meetings have strengthened the country's international standing and drawn investor interest. He met the leaders of Russia, Iran, India and Ethiopia, and said Indian companies are keen to cooperate in automotive, engineering, AI and advanced manufacturing. Anwar has since arrived in the Maldives for an official visit.
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Nancy Shukri: SDG progress needs partnerships beyond government policy
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri told the 5th Malaysia Sustainability Leadership Summit 2026 in Kuala Lumpur that Malaysia's UN Sustainable Development Goal progress depends on partnerships across sectors, not government policy alone. She cited a 56.6% female labour force participation rate in 2025 against 83.3% for men, with 4.89 million women outside the workforce and 42.8% of them citing caregiving duties.
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Malaysian embassy in Muscat advises citizens in Yemen to avoid sensitive areas
The Malaysian Embassy in Muscat issued a consular notice urging Malaysians in affected areas of Yemen, particularly around Mocha and Taiz, to limit non-essential movement and stay away from sensitive areas including military infrastructure, airports and ports. They are also encouraged to register via the e-Konsular portal and contact the embassy for consular assistance.
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Abu Bakar urges Perlis Bersatu chairman to step in and resolve branch crisis
Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah has urged state Bersatu chairman Izizam Ibrahim to go to the ground to resolve the mass resignations affecting three divisions - Kangar, Arau and Padang Besar. He said his own Hujung Tanjung branch remains intact and he is still a Bersatu member, stressing the PN mandate.
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PAC begins Tabung Haji RCI proceedings, calls JPM senior deputy secretary-general and TH CEO
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) began proceedings on Lembaga Tabung Haji to examine the implementation of recommendations in the RCI Report 2014-2020. The first nearly four-hour session called the Senior Deputy Secretary-General of JPM, the TH CEO and senior management. PAC will recall witnesses and table its report in the Dewan Rakyat.
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Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri urges MA63 progress in Malaysia Day message
Sabah's Head of State Tun Musa Aman used his Malaysia Day 2026 message to press for continued engagement on the state's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, including the 40 per cent revenue entitlement. He also highlighted development gaps in basic infrastructure, water, electricity, roads, healthcare and education, and called for racial and religious harmony to be safeguarded.
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MB: no unilateral power to remove Negri Sembilan ruler
Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said he has no unilateral power to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, and that any such move must follow the state constitution. He said a proclamation alone does not create constitutional authority, and the matter should be settled through legal processes.
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Stalin unwell: DMK's grand triple celebration in Chennai postponed
The DMK's annual triple celebration, planned for September 15 at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai, has been postponed after party leader M.K. Stalin came down with fever and an infection. General secretary Duraimurugan said a new date will be announced soon.
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Ministry weighs OKU category for Rukun Negara speech contest
Malaysia's National Unity Ministry will consider adding a category for persons with disabilities to the Rukun Negara Speech Competition. Deputy Minister R Yuneswaran said the mechanism would be discussed with stakeholders after the national final at the Melaka International Trade Centre today. This year's contest drew over 10,000 entries.
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EU draft law would bar under-15s from opening social media accounts
The European Union is preparing to propose a law that would set an EU-wide minimum age of 15 for opening an autonomous social media, chatbot or online gaming account. Younger children would be placed on tiered, parent-controlled accounts, and platforms would be required to remove addictive features such as infinite scrolling. The proposal is due to be presented on Thursday in Strasbourg.
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Abang Johari: Sabah, Sarawak must hold one-third of parliamentary seats
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg said Sabah and Sarawak must hold one-third of total parliamentary seats if the number of Dewan Rakyat seats is increased. He said the ratio follows the Cobbold Commission and IGC reports and underpins claims under MA63, with boundary mapping left to the Election Commission. He spoke after officiating a semiconductor talent development ceremony at CENTEXS in Santubong, Kuching.
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Anwar praises close Malaysia-Maldives ties during official visit
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim praised Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's warm hospitality as a reflection of the extraordinary friendship and trust between the two countries. He said Malaysia and the Maldives share principles as small nations that must speak up, including on climate change, and stressed that new technology must align with moral values. The two-day official visit ended today.
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Awang Tengah: MA63 and IGC Report key to Malaysia's future
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said respecting MA63 and the IGC Report is fundamental to preserving the spirit behind Malaysia's formation, in a Malaysia Day 2026 message. He noted Sarawak drew over RM116 billion in domestic and foreign investment in the five years since 2021, and called for unity to be preserved.
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Salleh: Sabah and Putrajaya should build a partnership, not dwell on the past
Former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak said in a Malaysia Day message that Sabah's relationship with the federal government should grow as a genuine partnership rather than be framed by past disputes. He said upholding Sabah's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 does not mean distancing the state from Malaysia, and called for cooperation on education, healthcare, infrastructure and the economy.
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Henry Jinep: Don't turn religion into jokes for political gain
Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Marine) and Tasik Biru assemblyman, has rebuked recent remarks by Umno Sepang chief Datuk Noorazli Said that referenced Catholic priests, nuns and the Holy Bible in a sexually suggestive manner at the Umno general assembly. In a statement, Henry stressed that religion and holy scriptures must never be turned into jokes or political fodder, and that an apology alone is insufficient. He highlighted Sarawak's religious harmony as a model for Malaysia.
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MICCI urges Budget 2027 to cut business costs and uncertainty
The Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) has called on the government to focus Budget 2027 on reducing costs and uncertainty burdening business operations. It wants GST reconsidered against the SST expansion, more pragmatic measures against the illegal alcohol and tobacco trade that costs an estimated RM5.6 billion a year in lost revenue, and clear service level agreements with government agencies.
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Sarawak to host 2029 Islamic Solidarity Games, says Abdul Karim
Sarawak has been awarded hosting rights for the 2029 Islamic Solidarity Games, which will involve 57 OIC member nations, according to Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. He said the Games will be centred in Kuching, with Serian possibly hosting some events, and could cost between RM400 million and RM450 million. An agreement has been signed and Sarawak will also co-host the SEA Games next year.