KUALA TERENGGANU, June 7 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has uncovered irregularities involving the government’s Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme, with false claims amounting to RM9.01 million.

MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said investigations, with an operation expected to begin next week, found that 143 companies involving 320 workers nationwide were linked to the alleged misuse of government funds under the Social Security Organisation’s (Perkeso) initiative in 2024 and 2025.

“Under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme, the government provides employers with a wage incentive of RM1,500 a month for six months for each eligible worker hired, including persons with disabilities, former prisoners and senior citizens.

“However, based on our preliminary intelligence gathering, several issues have been identified in the implementation of the programme. Among them, we found individuals who were declared as employees but did not actually exist,” he told Bernama during a visit to the Terengganu MACC office today.

Abd Halim said investigators also detected cases involving workers who did not meet the minimum six-month employment requirement but received the full incentive payment, as well as the use of forged documents to obtain the payments.

He said the MACC had also identified another 1,638 companies suspected of engaging in similar activities involving about RM45 million, although those cases remain at a preliminary stage of investigation.

Abd Halim said the commission has received good cooperation from Perkeso headquarters throughout the investigation and will continue working closely with the agency’s state offices to facilitate operations, including the collection of information and evidence.

He also said the MACC views seriously any elements of abuse or weaknesses in the management of government funds intended to benefit the public.

Abd Halim said the commission’s Governance Investigation Division would intensify efforts to assist government departments, agencies and companies in improving governance and strengthening procedures to prevent leakages and misuse of public funds.

“If there are weaknesses in the system or procedures, we will help identify them and recommend improvements to ensure government initiatives are implemented more effectively and reach the intended beneficiaries.

“The Daya Kerjaya 2.0 case is one example of how a government incentive introduced with good intentions to help the people and create employment opportunities can be abused by irresponsible parties,” he said.

Separately, Abd Halim said the MACC plans to establish Anti-Corruption Cadets at secondary schools to promote awareness and instil a culture of integrity and anti-corruption values among the younger generation.

As a start, he said the commission is considering launching the programme at one or two schools in Putrajaya or Kuala Lumpur involving between 30 and 40 students.

“Of course, we will first discuss the proposal with the Education Ministry. We will then look at whether the ministry agrees to it, as well as any constraints and the costs involved, such as uniforms and other requirements,” he said. — Bernama

SETIU, June 3 — A male teacher pleaded not guilty at the Setiu Sessions Court today to seven charges of physical sexual assault against two male students since last May.

Darusalam Ab Rahman, 42, made the plea after all the charges were read out before Judge Ahmad Fadhli Mahmud.

For the first three charges, the teacher was accused of communicating via the WhatsApp application with a 17-year-old male teenager with the intent to commit or facilitate physical sexual assault against the victim.

The offences were allegedly committed at a house in Kampung Anak Ikan, Besut, between 9:21 pm and 2.10 am on May 5, 8, and 10.

The charges were framed under Section 12(1) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (SOACA) 2017 and read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act, which provides for a prison sentence not exceeding five years and liability to whipping.

In addition, the accused faces two charges of committing physical sexual assault against the same teenager inside a car in front of an eatery in Kuala Terengganu at around 9 pm, and in front of a house in Kampung Anak Ikan at around 10 pm on May 11.

The charges were brought under Section 14(a) of SOACA 2017 and read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act, which carries a prison sentence not exceeding 20 years and liability to whipping.

Meanwhile, Darusalam was also slapped with two charges of committing physical sexual assault against a 15-year-old male teenager in a secondary school toilet in Besut at around 4pm on May 8, under Section 14(a) of SOACA 2017 and read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act, which carries a similar punishment.

Judge Ahmad Fadhli allowed the accused bail of RM22,000 for all charges with one surety, alongside additional conditions requiring him to report to the nearest police station once a month and restraining him from contacting prosecution witnesses.

The court fixed July 6 for mention and submission of documents at the Besut Sessions Court.

The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Akmal Mohd Jazlee, while the accused was represented by a lawyer (who declined to be named). — Bernama

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 2 — Bumiputera ownership should not be confined to small-scale businesses but must progress towards controlling larger segments of the value chain, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said Bumiputera entrepreneurs should no longer be viewed merely as small vendors, ancillary suppliers or players at the end of the industrial chain, but instead be elevated to become principal manufacturers, technology owners and market leaders.

“In the halal industry, for instance, Malaysia’s strength cannot stop at certification alone. Halal must become a value chain that we control, from raw materials, processing, packaging and logistics to marketing and international markets.

“That is why the proposal to establish a consortium of large-scale Bumiputera anchor companies to produce critical raw materials such as halal gelatine, enzymes and active pharmaceutical ingredients should be regarded as a strategic move. We must reduce dependence on imports and build Bumiputera capabilities in high-value halal sectors,” he said when delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Economic Convention (KEUB) at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort here today.

At the same time, he said many Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the food and franchise sectors possessed quality products but continued to face challenges in terms of costs, operational scale, standards and market access.

“Therefore, approaches such as group purchasing, centralised commercial kitchens and franchise incubator models can serve as pathways to consolidate purchasing power, standardise quality and elevate Bumiputera brands to a higher level,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also urged more Bumiputera entrepreneurs to venture into future-oriented sectors such as aero-tech, drones, automation and high-technology industries.

“Bumiputera youths cannot remain merely consumers of these technologies. They must become technicians, designers, component suppliers, service providers, and, ultimately, owners within the industrial value chain.

“This is the true meaning of economic empowerment. Bumiputera entrepreneurs must be moved out of limited and restricted spaces into more strategic positions within the nation’s value chain,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the measurement of Bumiputera economic success must be redefined, no longer focusing solely on participation but placing greater emphasis on control and ownership in high-value economic sectors.

“For too long, we have measured success through participation. How many Bumiputeras are in business, how many entrepreneurs use digital platforms, and how many youths are involved in the gig economy. All these are important, but they are not sufficient because in today’s economy, particularly in the digital platform space, participation does not necessarily lead to ownership.

“That is why the true value of the digital economy lies not merely in transactions. Its real value is in platform ownership, data control and equity creation. In that spirit, I would like to see a bolder effort to develop large-scale, competitive Bumiputera digital platforms capable of becoming Malaysian brands,” he said.

In addition, Ahmad Zahid said Bumiputeras must move beyond being technology users and become value creators through technology to remain relevant and competitive in the new economy driven by data, automation and artificial intelligence (AI).

Accordingly, he said the necessary shift was to build Bumiputera strength in the technology sector so that they would not merely use applications but become application developers and owners of technology solutions.

Ahmad Zahid also called for the entire Bumiputera economic ecosystem to be mobilised in a more integrated manner, uniting policy, capital, technology, talent, markets and courage into a national movement capable of delivering meaningful impact.

“I believe that when Bumiputeras own platforms, master technology and lead value chains, we will not only build a stronger economy but also a community that is more confident about its future,” he said. — Bernama

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 2 — Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has submitted the coalition’s proposed candidates for the upcoming state election, with the list now being assessed, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

The Deputy Prime Minister and BN chairman said the lineup submitted by the Menteri Besar would be finalised after consultations with leaders of BN’s component parties.

“The candidates are still being assessed. At the same time, we must also respect the candidates put forward by BN’s other component parties,” he told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Economic Convention (KEUB) 2026 at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort here.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, confirmed that Onn Hafiz would remain BN’s poster boy for the election.

He said BN is setting its sights on winning more than 40 seats in the state election, improving on its performance in the 2022 polls.

However, Ahmad Zahid stressed that no victory comes easily and that success would depend on hard work, sound strategy and a well-organised election machinery.

He expressed confidence that the various initiatives implemented by the Johor government under BN’s administration would resonate with voters and strengthen public support for the coalition.

Addressing perceptions surrounding BN’s relationship with Pakatan Harapan (PH) following the decision to contest separately, Ahmad Zahid emphasised that the Johor government was formed by BN before the establishment of the Unity Government at the federal level.

“The Johor government is a BN government, not a Unity Government. Johor BN has opened the door for friendly contests across all 56 state seats,” he said.

Yesterday, Onn Hafiz announced the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly after obtaining the consent of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, paving the way for a fresh state election.

He also confirmed that the coalition will field candidates in all 56 state constituencies.

In the 2022 Johor state election, BN secured a commanding victory by winning 40 of the 56 seats contested, while PH won 12 seats, Perikatan Nasional three and Muda one. — Bernama