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Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Be mindful when sharing content on UPSI crash, Fahmi tells social media users
SINTOK, June 10 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has urged content creators and social media users to exercise caution and uphold proper etiquette, when sharing or producing content related to the tragic accident which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students in Gerik, Perak, early yesterday morning. He said that this reminder was to protect the privacy and emotions of the victims' families. 'I urge everyone to give the families of the victims as much space and privacy as possible. I came across a piece of content made by an individual at the scene of the incident, and inside the bus. 'Although the message is a message of condolence, for me it is an accident area which is under investigation by the authorities, so be careful in producing content,' he said at a press conference, here, today. Earlier, Fahmi delivered a keynote address at the forum titled 'Suara, Siber dan Sempadan: Merungkai Dinamika Kebebasan Media dalam Era Digital' forum at Universiti Utara Malaysia, here. According to Fahmi, the incident is expected to be one of the topics discussed at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for tomorrow. 'Matters such as this will be discussed during the Cabinet meeting. However, we will first await the official report from the authorities. Based on the findings, we will determine the necessary course of action, including any enforcement measures which may be required. 'Anyway, we are currently awaiting the Cabinet meeting for the latest updates. Insya-Allah, a press conference will be held after the meeting, which I will personally oversee,' he said. Yesterday's tragic incident involved a chartered bus carrying UPSI students from Jertih, Terengganu, to their campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak. The bus overturned following a collision at KM53 of the East-West Highway, near Tasik Banding, Gerik, claiming the lives of 15 students. The accident also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver, his assistant, and three passengers of the Perodua Alza. — Bernama
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
South Africa denies trying to bend the rules to give Musk's Starlink preferential treatment
South Africa's communications minister Tuesday denied accusations that a draft policy watering down Black ownership requirements for tech firms was proposed to benefit the Starlink business of white South Africa n-born billionaire Elon Musk. Under South African law, foreign-owned companies are required to sell 30% of their subsidiaries to shareholders who are Black, or from other racial groups disadvantaged under the former apartheid system of white minority rule, in order to acquire a license. However, Communications Minister Solly Malatsi on Friday proposed easing the requirement, prompting criticism from various political parties. The proposed change would allow Starlink and others to fulfill their empowerment requirements through things like investing in skills development and job programs and striking deals with local suppliers. The minister put forward the directive days after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, when Trump made baseless claims that white South African farmers were being systematically killed, raising eyebrows. A senior African National Congress lawmaker, Khusela Diko, questioned the timing of the directive and whether the country was bending over backward to accommodate Musk's Starlink satellite telecom business. The Association of Communications and Technology (ACT), an industry body, said the proposed changes could usher in 'a new era' for the industry provided they are implemented consistently, fairly and openly. 'We advocate for smarter, scalable approaches that deliver meaningful impact and restore policy clarity, consistency, and investor confidence,' the ACT said in a statement. On Tuesday, Malatsi, who belongs to the Democratic Alliance party, appeared before Parliament in Cape Town to defend the move and denied suggestions it was introduced specifically for Starlink. Lawmakers questioned whether the directives were correctly opening up the playing field for foreign players or tampering with the government's economic empowerment agenda by catering to Starlink. Musk has repeatedly denounced the Black ownership laws and said on social media that Starlink wasn't able to get a license to operate in South Africa because he was white. South African authorities say Starlink hasn't formally applied. According to the Starlink website, the service in southern Africa is available in Eswatini, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya and Madagascar. Since Trump's inauguration, his administration is reported to have intervened on behalf of Starlink in Gambia, Lesotho and a few other developing nations, using the U.S. government's foreign policy apparatus to advance Musk's business interests. After Trump threatened them with large tariffs, Lesotho approved Starlink for a 10-year license in April, just a week later. Malatsi said the regulations would allow for more than one new operator to enter the market, boosting competition. 'We are not attempting to open a special dispensation for Starlink or any other company or an individual,' Malatsi told lawmakers, adding that work on the policy direction started around September, and was not prompted by the recent meeting between Trump and Ramaphosa. "There is no conspiracy on our part with regard to this policy direction,' said the minister. Stakeholders, industry players and the public have been given 30 days to send in submissions and provide comment before the framework is finalized.
Malay Mail
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
On National Youth Day, Fahmi tells young Malaysians: You are the hope and the force for change
KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Youths must continue to strive, innovate and contribute toward building a greater nation, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said today. He said youths are the leaders of tomorrow and the catalysts for change today. 'Today, we celebrate the spirit, energy and extraordinary potential of our youths, the pillars of hope for the nation. 'Be youths who are knowledgeable, full of integrity and courageous in driving positive change. Happy National Youth Day,' he said in a Facebook post. National Youth Day is celebrated annually on May 15 with various programmes held nationwide. The theme for this year's celebration is 'Yakin Boleh' (Believe You Can). — Bernama
Malay Mail
14-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Are Russian e-hailing apps InDrive and Maxim blocked in Malaysia? Fahmi says no request yet from Transport Ministry
PUTRAJAYA, May 14 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today said that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has not yet received any official request to block the InDrive and Maxim apps in the country. He said if the Transport Ministry (MOT) were to make such a request after the two apps were told to cease operating in Malaysia, MCMC would proceed in line with the legal framework. 'We have not yet received an official request from MOT regarding the blocking of these apps. However, if such a request is received, we will act in accordance with the law. 'Action could be taken under the Communications and Multimedia Act, but as of now, we have not received such a request,' he told reporters during the ministry's weekly press conference here. MORE TO COME
