Latest news with #HomeMinister
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
India says it killed all three terrorists behind Pahalgam attack
India's home minister said that Indian forces killed all three terrorists behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Home minister says no firm evidence to show Jho Low in China
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 – Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said authorities have yet to obtain concrete evidence to verify recent reports that fugitive financier Low Taek Jho — better known as Jho Low — is residing and working in China under a false identity. Speaking to reporters today, Saifuddin addressed renewed claims published by international investigative journalists alleging that Low has been using a fake passport and operating freely in China. 'To date, we have not received any solid or verifiable evidence to confirm these reports,' he said 'We take all leads seriously, but there is nothing concrete at this point that we can act upon.' Saifuddin added that Malaysia continues to rely on diplomatic channels and cooperation with foreign intelligence and law enforcement to pursue the case, but noted that the process is complex. 'We need more than media reports, we need official confirmation or cooperation from the country where he is allegedly residing,' he said. Jho Low is the key figure in the massive 1MDB financial scandal and is wanted by multiple jurisdictions, including Malaysia and the United States. Despite numerous sightings and reports over the years, efforts to arrest and extradite him have so far failed. Saifuddin said Malaysia remains committed to locating and apprehending him, but reiterated that international legal cooperation is essential. 'We will continue working with our counterparts but for now, there's no new breakthrough,' he concluded. Reports emerged recently alleging that Jho Low is living in luxury in China under unofficial protection. The report was made by investigative journalists Bradley Hope and Tom Wright.
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Home Minister hails Immigration as ‘face of the nation' as Malaysian passport power ranks 8th globally
PUTRAJAYA, July 21 – Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has today praised the Immigration Department for its pivotal role in shaping the country's global reputation, calling it the 'face of the country' for investors, tourists, expatriates, and foreign workers. Speaking at the department's 103rd anniversary celebration, Saifuddin highlighted how every economic component from tourism to foreign investments is closely linked to immigration services. 'At 103 years old, let us share some pride in the Immigration department. The Malaysian passport is now ranked 8th globally according to the 2025 Passport Index,' he said during the opening ceremony in front of Immigration headquarters in Putrajaya here, referring to the Passport Power Rank. He explained that a strong passport ranking means greater international access, with Malaysians enjoying visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 170 countries. 'This is not just the result of legal frameworks, but reflects the efficiency of our Immigration Department in handling documentation and maintaining the country's reputation globally,' Saifuddin said. He added that this efficiency had also made Malaysia the top destination for medical tourism, with 1.2 million overseas patients recorded in 2024. Saifuddin said immigration success contributes directly to national growth, especially through a user-friendly and swift visa system. On tourism, he stressed that immigration officers serve as the frontliners who welcome visitors to Malaysia, especially critical as the country plays host to Asean this year. He also noted that in the past, Immigration was slow to adopt AI, but that has now changed. 'Besides having AI as a tool, we now have systems with flawless language capabilities both in English and Bahasa Malaysia. These tools are here to help. We can either embrace them or be left behind.' 'AI adoption must lead to improved productivity, faster service delivery, and better collections. These are key performance indicators for progress.' Saifuddin cited China's Alibaba as an example of AI's power, handling over 230,000 online transactions in a single second. He also revealed that the Human Resources Ministry has begun sending batches of officers to local universities to develop AI knowledge and capabilities. 'If we're behind the AI curve for three years, and we delay any longer, we'll fall 30 years behind. That's why I'm proud to be here today to support Immigration's reform journey as it embraces the AI era in line with this year's theme of 'AI Leads Immigration Reform',' he concluded.
South China Morning Post
17-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Malaysian minister condemns sale of baby rape video as ‘absolute madness'
A video of a three-month-old baby being raped was distributed for sale, Malaysia 's Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said on Wednesday. Saifuddin mentioned he was briefed about the heinous act at 12.30am recently. 'If you are briefed at midnight, then it is a major issue. 'The baby was raped. Not only that, the act was recorded on video and later sold [online]. It is absolute madness,' he said in his speech during the ministry's monthly assembly on Wednesday. Saifuddin said plans are under way to strengthen the Bukit Aman CID Sexual, Women and Child Investigation division's (D11) intelligence gathering and operational capabilities. 'This is a serious matter. Action must be taken to strengthen D11 further,' he added.
Malay Mail
16-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Border crime data shows drugs at heart of Malaysia's security threats, says home minister
PUTRAJAYA, July 16 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said that drug-related offences remain the most common crimes linked to national border security, based on findings from the National Border Security Index (IKSN). He said an analysis of 1.2 million crime records found that three key offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act dominated the data: Section 15(1) for drug consumption, Section 12(2) for small-scale possession, and Section 39C for repeat drug offences 'However, Section 39C in particular carries a mandatory sentence of five years' imprisonment and two strokes of the cane, with no further investigation required upon conviction following a urine test confirmation,' he told reporters in a press conference here today. He also said individuals arrested under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act — for drug consumption — were statistically more likely to be involved in up to 31 other types of criminal activity, including abduction, extortion, theft, and bribery. Meanwhile, those arrested under Section 12(2) — for small-scale drug possession — were found to have links to up to 11 other criminal offences. 'In other words, to solve other crimes in our country, we need to solve the drug problem first,' he said. Saifuddin added that authorities are monitoring 12 categories of border-related crimes and threats under the IKSN. These include human trafficking, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, smuggling of contraband goods, wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, terrorism, cybercrime, kidnapping for ransom, sea piracy, illegal fishing, and biosecurity threats. He said the data used for IKSN is compiled through a 'club system', in which agencies contribute information based on specific indicators. 'It's not just the police and immigration involved. Every agency with a role in border security is part of the system. They input data twice a year, and we compile it centrally,' he said. The IKSN, he added, was developed in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Public Security and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), and is based on verified data from 31 agencies using 54 indicators to provide a detailed assessment of Malaysia's border security.
