Latest news with #Malay
Malaysiakini
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Umno Youth: Delaying Najib's house arrest akin to betraying rulers
Umno Youth information chief Sollehin Tajie has issued a stern warning that the royal addendum allowing former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to serve his sentence under house arrest must be enforced without delay or political excuses. He stressed any refusal or hesitation would amount to an act of 'penderhakaan' - a betrayal of the Malay rulers and an affront to the sanctity of the monarchy...
Malaysiakini
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
PAS' 'leaders for life' show lack of capable successors
YOURSAY | 'This ensures younger upstarts with new ideas don't rise and overthrow these dinosaurs.' PAS leaders usually remain until death - Takiyuddin Coward: It's PAS' choice on the issue of the term of office for its leader. However, this does sound like monarchic behaviour. In Perikatan Nasional, you only have PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. In PAS, I can see only two other real leaders. The first is you, Takiyuddin Hassan, the party's secretary-general. However, while we see some signs of intelligence, you don't have any track record. The other is Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, whose only claim to leadership is that he is better than the rest. That is not a credit to him because the quality of the rest is frankly not up to scratch. Even then, he has nothing to show for in Terengganu. This is a red flag because he has been there for a long time. However, the most crucial issue here is Hadi. Is there only one able to stand up to Bersatu? Not even you, Takiyuddin, can do it? Although I am expecting and looking forward to a big ignominious fight between PAS and Bersatu when Hadi relinquishes his post, unlike some PAS leaders, I don't wish for anything bad to happen to him. That time will come and hopefully result in a better Malaysia. I don't care if it is at the expense of PAS or Bersatu. They are both expendable. Doc: I guess, Takiyuddin's statement is to ensure 'incompetence' carries on unhindered in PAS. It is also to ensure the younger generation of leaders with new ideas and experiences don't rise to overthrow these dinosaurs. PAS' modus operandi of blaming non-Malays and DAP for all the Malays' misfortune is being championed by the geriatric guards in PAS for aeons. But it is still effectively hoodwinking the Malay population. So, I guess, there is no reason to change the leadership. VioletOrca0545: The party that always claims that others are communists appears to be acting worse than communists. Whomever you choose as president is still human. Humans make mistakes, humans change, and there will always be someone better. By insisting a leader must be there until he or she dies, you are deifying whoever you choose as a leader. You are claiming that the person is perfect until the day he/she passed on. As a Muslim, you should know that the concept of perfection is only applicable to God and God alone. A Muslim can contribute to Islam regardless of whether he/she is president of the party or not. MerdekaMerdekaMerdeka: According to the Malaysiakini report, 'Takiyuddin cited previous PAS leaders - including former president Fadzil Noor and former spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat - as examples of those who remained in office until their deaths. 'So, in Islam, as long as we are able, we continue to struggle for Islam.' Takiyuddin, you are 100 percent correct. Ergo, one does not need to be affiliated with any political body to propagate Islam. One can even do it on one's deathbed. So, what is PAS trying to spin? Ahmad Dusuki Abdul Rani, an independent preacher who graduated from Al-Azhar University in the field of syariah and law, went further to label those challenging the clerical leadership as 'devils among humans and genies'. Hang on, Dusuki, isn't everyone at PAS the one and the same? This is a man-made criterion stemming from selfishness and greed. DontGetMeWrong: Well, it is not a surprise that PAS leaders, as well as their hardcore supporters, stick to the party for life. We hardly heard of any PAS leaders or supporters jumping ship. What are the reasons? It is because PAS has the exclusive rights to heaven for those who vote and support the party? How gullible can one be? Annonimous 4500: Yes, PAS leaders remain united until death. Is it because of their statutory declaration to the party before being selected as a candidate for the general election? Something is seriously wrong with all political parties which practice such a policy. This should be made illegal in today's modern world. HoyoHoyo: Hello Takiyuddin, this is exactly what was wrong with PAS. Your outdated leaders and religious teachings can usually remain until death. But the world has changed. The change is more rapid now. With bilateral trade realignment, shifts in geopolitics and advances in artificial intelligence, you are still inside a cave. Without reforms in leadership and doctrinal rules, death awaits PAS. Turnedback: What sort of silly reasons to allow someone who cannot contribute to hold on to power and position until he dies? This indicates that PAS cannot find a suitable candidate for the party; they are not willing to progress and direct the party. How are they going to run the country with such a mindset? The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Mahathir's old home in KL reopens to the public after makeover
Find out what's new on ST website and app. With 1980s retro back in style, Dr Mahathir's office at Galeria Sri Perdana reflects that era - simple, functional, and lined with his personal book collection. KUALA LUMPUR - History buffs and curious visitors alike now have a fresh reason to explore Federal Hill's leafy slopes in Kuala Lumpur, after Galeria Sri Perdana, the former official residence of Malaysia's fourth prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, reopened to the public on July 10 - fittingly on his 100th birthday. Under the stewardship of the National Archives of Malaysia since 2000, Galeria Sri Perdana is more than an architectural relic on Jalan Terengganu - it invites visitors to step into spaces where family life and official history unfolded, from dining areas to desks where key decisions were made. National Archives director-general Datuk Jaafar Sidek Abdul Rahman said the RM12.76 million (S$3.84 million) upgrade under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan will help preserve the building for future generations. Dr Mahathir didn't need to travel far for a trim - Galeria Sri Perdana had its own barber room for his personal grooming. 'The upgrading works covered everything from rewiring the air-conditioning and lighting systems to repairing structural elements and restoring the lush gardens that surround the gallery,' said Mr Jaafar at the recent opening ceremony. He added that the revitalised museum space aims to help Malaysians connect with the nation's history, culture and leaders. After extensive conservation, the historic residence now serves as a public gallery and museum and educational tourism centre. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore July BTO launch to have over 4,600 balance flats, 2 BTO projects with under than 3-year wait Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded: MOH Singapore 'Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction Business US tariffs may last well after Trump; crucial for countries to deepen trade ties: SM Lee Multimedia Telling the Singapore story for 180 years Asia Indonesia police detain 12 suspects over baby trafficking ring linked to Singapore Life Walking for exercise? Here are tips on how to do it properly Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Once called 'Sri Timah', this bungalow began as a property of the Malaysia Mining Corporation before it was repurposed by the government as the residence of Dr Mahathir and his family between August 1983 and October 1999, before he moved to Putrajaya. Today, visitors can explore three exhibition levels at Galeria Sri Perdana, where over 3,500 personal items belonging to Dr Mahathir are displayed - from everyday furniture and family dining sets to vehicles, documents, shoes and traditional Malay attire. Dr Mahathir's official Proton Perdana, bearing the 'Proton 2020' plate, now stands parked outside as a nod to his vision of modern Malaysia. The main guest area - a spacious hall - hosted ceremonies and gatherings ranging from courtesy visits by local and international guests to annual Hari Raya gift-giving for military and police personnel. Intimate press conferences, 'doa selamat' and congregational prayers, wedding solemnisations, and even newborn hair-trimming ceremonies for grandchildren all took place here, making it a space rich in personal and national memories. In July 1993, the late Yasser Arafat, the emblematic leader of the Palestinian national movement, was also received by Dr Mahathir in this main meeting area. Dr Mahathir's official Proton Perdana, bearing the 'Proton 2020' plate, now stands parked outside as a nod to his vision of modern Malaysia. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK For visitors, exploring private spaces like the bedroom and family dining room alongside official areas offers a glimpse into two very different worlds. In a modest corner on the second floor, a 'barbershop' still stands. This was where Dr Mahathir sat for haircuts by his trusted barber Mohan Muthupandithan, who came by request. More than a grooming spot, it reveals how small routines fit into the prime minister's busy schedule. Visitors today can see this humble space and reflect on the ordinary moments behind an extraordinary public life. A display case featuring his personal collection of hats is also a conversation starter. Dr Mahathir didn't need to travel far for a trim - Galeria Sri Perdana had its own barber room for his personal grooming. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Few also know that Dr Mahathir is an avid woodworker, a hobby he has cherished since childhood. A carpentry room in Sri Perdana offered him a space to unwind, crafting everything from model aircraft and government emblems to bookshelves and sculptures. Here, visitors glimpse the quiet pastime that balanced the demands of leadership. After pandemic closures and major conservation work, Galeria Sri Perdana's reopening comes as local tourism picks up, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in Malaysia's modern history. Galeria Sri Perdana is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm, and closed on Mondays except during school holidays. Admission is free. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Business Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Business Times
Singapore startup BeeX takes the sting out of maritime inspection costs with underwater drones
[SINGAPORE] Being a small fish in a big pond is paying off for BeeX, as the startup's underwater drones prove cheaper and greener than their larger competitors. The company designs, builds and operates submarine drones – also known as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) – that provide maritime inspection services. Named after the Malay term for anchovies, its drone cuts the cost and time of underwater inspections by as much as 50 per cent and slashes emissions by up to 95 per cent compared to larger remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs). The fundamental 'innovation dilemma' with AUVs, said BeeX co-founder and CEO Grace Chia, is that they 'disrupt the profits of the best-performing subsea companies'. Large subsea companies 'can charge their customers millions to use vessels with ROVs', she said. With simpler AUVs, companies cannot charge such high rates – and thus do not have an incentive to develop them. After the success of its first drone, BeeX is developing an AUV that is larger and therefore can perform a wider range of inspection jobs – while still retaining an edge over ROVs. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am SGSME Get updates on Singapore's SME community, along with profiles, news and tips. Sign Up Sign Up Sea change BeeX has its origins in Bumblebee, a National University of Singapore (NUS) autonomous robotics club that Chia started as a student in 2012. There, she met schoolmate Goh Eng Wei, who would later become the company's co-founder and chief technical officer. In 2013, Chia and Goh's team won the Best New Entry award in RoboSub, an international student AUV competition in San Diego, US. The next year, she graduated and started working for a Singapore-based company that specialised in conventional maritime inspections – where she realised the role that AUVs could play. Maritime inspections involve examining structures that are on or under water, which can include oil rigs, offshore wind and solar farms, ship hulls, foundations or construction piles. Chia realised that while AUVs cannot do repairs or additions, they can perform inspection jobs faster and cheaper than ROVs. 'ROVs can do anything and everything, but need a lot of resources,' said Chia. 'You need to have big ships and well-trained personnel.' ROVs are tethered to a mothership, where human pilots operate them. These motherships are purpose-built and tend to be large, as they need to provide piloting facilities, power and communications to the ROVs. 'If you want the cost of subsea inspection and data collection to drop, the only way is if you drop all these other things – but it goes against the business model of the conventional incumbents.' That is where a startup could come in. Chia and Goh founded BeeX in 2018 with their own money and initial funding from the NUS Graduate Research Innovation Programme. Bee agile BeeX's autonomous underwater drone, uses numerous sensors including sonar to map its environment in two and three dimensions in real time. PHOTO: DERRYN WONG, BT In 2020, BeeX got a boost when it won first prize in Port Innovation Ecosystem Reimagined at Block71's (Pier71) Smart Port Challenge for the application of AUVs to maritime inspections. Pier71 is a joint startup incubator and accelerator by NUS Enterprise and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. The win helped the company gain exposure to maritime corporates and investors, said Chia. 'Being plugged into the ecosystem enabled us to explore new opportunities for growth. We gained attention from diving companies who were more open to using robots to support their work.' After receiving Enterprise Singapore's Startup SG Tech grant of S$500,000 in 2019, BeeX began developing in 2020, with the drone's first operations in 2023. While ROVs can be as large as a minivan and weigh more than 3 tonnes, is less than a metre long and weighs 70 kg. It has various sensors, including a camera, sonar, lasers and an electromagnetic probe that detects the thickness of materials. Without the need for a tether or pilot, it can be launched from a wide range of smaller vessels or from the infrastructure it is inspecting. also reduces manpower costs. There is no need for a specialised mothership, and training a drone supervisor takes just six months, compared to five to seven years for an ROV pilot. Furthermore, the drone can navigate more quickly than an ROV, as it uses sonar and other sensors to 'see' beyond human sight. Unlike ROVs, performance is not dependent on pilot skill. 'With real-time sensors, the drone knows exactly where it is at all times, while the computer calculates the exact path to take. On average, an AUV can be 50 per cent faster than human-controlled flight,' said Chia. 'Our 'brain' is more intelligent and tested across more locations compared to ROVs, and our system is a lot more scalable,' she added, referring to the drones' autonomous navigation and surveying capabilities. BeeX's drones will get smarter as more data is gathered. 'Our core advantage is that we have 14 years of underwater data to help our vehicles to learn.' Sink to swim The drone inspecting a pile at sea. PHOTO: BEEX BeeX has now grown to a team of 28 people. It last raised funds in a bridging round in 2023, with S$2 million from investors co-led by Earth Venture Capital and ShipsFocus Ventures. 'We're currently in pre-Series A, so we are building the groundwork for scaling,' said Chia. The company has served 20 clients so far this year, up from 11 in all of 2024, in locations ranging from Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan to the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. With its operating model established, BeeX will expand its fleet – doubling from four drones to eight by year-end – and develop a bigger drone that can operate in more challenging environments. Clients who adopted are demanding more, said Chia. 'Now they start to ask us: 'Can your vehicle work for longer? Can it go deeper?' So that gave birth to the second variant, Betta.' Betta is 1.5 m long and weighs 300 kg – much heavier than but still smaller than most ROVs. Scheduled to begin operations later this year, Betta can work longer and deal with harsher weather and higher currents than its predecessor. Its development is supported by the Enterprise Singapore-Innovate UK grant, which was awarded in 2023 to a consortium formed by BeeX, offshore survey services contractor Sulmara and the University of Strathclyde. Without Betta's development costs, BeeX would be profit-making, said Chia. But to go further in the AUV field, developing a more capable model was essential, she said. 'I think it's important to invest in development to ensure that the company has an up-sized chance of success in the long-term future.'
Malaysiakini
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
PAS' 'leaders for life' shows lack of capable successors
YOURSAY | 'This ensures younger upstarts with new ideas don't rise and overthrow these dinosaurs.' PAS leaders usually remain until death - Takiyuddin Coward: It's PAS' choice on the issue of the term of office for its leader. However, this does sound like monarchic behaviour. In Perikatan Nasional, you only have PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. In PAS, I can see only two other real leaders. The first is you, Takiyuddin Hassan, the party's secretary-general. However, while we see some signs of intelligence, you don't have any track record. The other is Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, whose only claim to leadership is that he is better than the rest. That is not a credit to him because the quality of the rest is frankly not up to scratch. Even then, he has nothing to show for in Terengganu. This is a red flag because he has been there for a long time. However, the most crucial issue here is Hadi. Is there only one able to stand up to Bersatu? Not even you, Takiyuddin, can do it? Although I am expecting and looking forward to a big ignominious fight between PAS and Bersatu when Hadi relinquishes his post, unlike some PAS leaders, I don't wish for anything bad to happen to him. That time will come and hopefully result in a better Malaysia. I don't care if it is at the expense of PAS or Bersatu. They are both expendable. Doc: I guess, Takiyuddin's statement is to ensure 'incompetence' carries on unhindered in PAS. It is also to ensure the younger generation of leaders with new ideas and experiences don't rise to overthrow these dinosaurs. PAS' modus operandi of blaming non-Malays and DAP for all the Malays' misfortune is being championed by the geriatric guards in PAS for aeons. But it is still effectively hoodwinking the Malay population. So, I guess, there is no reason to change the leadership. VioletOrca0545: The party that always claims that others are communists appears to be acting worse than communists. Whomever you choose as president is still human. Humans make mistakes, humans change, and there will always be someone better. By insisting a leader must be there until he or she dies, you are deifying whoever you choose as a leader. You are claiming that the person is perfect until the day he/she passed on. As a Muslim, you should know that the concept of perfection is only applicable to God and God alone. A Muslim can contribute to Islam regardless of whether he/she is president of the party or not. MerdekaMerdekaMerdeka: According to the Malaysiakini report, 'Takiyuddin cited previous PAS leaders - including former president Fadzil Noor and former spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat - as examples of those who remained in office until their deaths. 'So, in Islam, as long as we are able, we continue to struggle for Islam.' Takiyuddin, you are 100 percent correct. Ergo, one does not need to be affiliated with any political body to propagate Islam. One can even do it on one's deathbed. So, what is PAS trying to spin? Ahmad Dusuki Abdul Rani, an independent preacher who graduated from Al-Azhar University in the field of syariah and law, went further to label those challenging the clerical leadership as 'devils among humans and genies'. Hang on, Dusuki, isn't everyone at PAS the one and the same? This is a man-made criterion stemming from selfishness and greed. DontGetMeWrong: Well, it is not a surprise that PAS leaders, as well as their hardcore supporters, stick to the party for life. We hardly heard of any PAS leaders or supporters jumping ship. What are the reasons? It is because PAS has the exclusive rights to heaven for those who vote and support the party? How gullible can one be? Annonimous 4500: Yes, PAS leaders remain united until death. Is it because of their statutory declaration to the party before being selected as a candidate for the general election? Something is seriously wrong with all political parties which practice such a policy. This should be made illegal in today's modern world. HoyoHoyo: Hello Takiyuddin, this is exactly what was wrong with PAS. Your outdated leaders and religious teachings can usually remain until death. But the world has changed. The change is more rapid now. With bilateral trade realignment, shifts in geopolitics and advances in artificial intelligence, you are still inside a cave. Without reforms in leadership and doctrinal rules, death awaits PAS. Turnedback: What sort of silly reasons to allow someone who cannot contribute to hold on to power and position until he dies? This indicates that PAS cannot find a suitable candidate for the party; they are not willing to progress and direct the party. How are they going to run the country with such a mindset? The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
