Latest news with #UniversitiPertahananNasionalMalaysia
New Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Forensic pathologist reveals the reality behind high-profile autopsies
KUALA LUMPUR: From decomposed bodies to recent tragedies such as the death of a family in Sungai Korok, one profession quietly unravels the cause of death in Malaysia's most disturbing cases. Forensic pathologists are key to unlocking the truth behind mysterious deaths, yet their work often goes unnoticed. Contrary to public belief, their role extends far beyond performing autopsies. Dr Nadiawati Abdul Razak, senior lecturer and head of the Forensic Medicine Unit at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), described her journey and the pressure that comes with revealing the final answers in death. "My Interest in the field of forensic pathology began to blossom during my clinical attachment training as a house officer in the hospital's forensic department. "I had the opportunity to observe how post-mortems were conducted in complex death cases and how forensic pathologists pieced together scientific facts to uncover the truth behind deaths involving criminal elements," she said. She said that each case comes with its own challenges, but the ones that left an impact were those involving children who died as a result of abuse. "These cases are not only technically and legally challenging, but also deeply emotional, as I, too, feel the sorrow as a human being and a parent,. "Seeing the suffering that no child should ever endure gives me the strength to do my best to ensure that justice is served," she said. Dr Nadiawati has handled national and international disaster victim identification (DVI) operations, including the Maahad Tahfiz fire in 2017, COVID-19 fatalities, and landslide tragedies. In high-profile cases, she said pathologists must remain objective despite immense pressure from the media, police, lawyers, and public. "In the fast-paced era of social media, information spreads easily before the forensic process is fully completed," she said. In such cases, she said integrity and scientific accuracy are vital. "We follow strict protocols based on WHO and Royal College of Pathologists standards. Every external and internal finding, radiological scan, and lab result is documented ." She added that she is also working with UPNM's computer science department on AI research for use in the field. "I am currently collaborating with the Computer Science Department at UPNM on a study related to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in analysing types of injuries based on images or photographs obtained from the authorities. She said the aim is to improve the accuracy of identifying injury patterns in an objective and scientific manner, which can also serve as strong evidence in court. This technology also has the potential to speed up the analysis process in high-profile cases or those involving multiple victims. "In addition, I am also conducting research in the field of forensic anthropology under a grant from UPNM's Research and Innovation Division, focusing on estimating the age at death based on morphological examination of the spine using CT scan images," she said. This study aims to develop a more accurate age estimation method suitable for use within the local population, with particular focus on changes that occur in the vertebrae as a person ages. The study has the potential to be used in cases involving the identification of human remains, especially when only partial skeletal remains are recovered from a scene."It is hoped that the findings of this study will contribute to improving the accuracy of skeletal biological profiling and further strengthen forensic anthropology practices in Malaysia," she said.
The Star
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
M'sia to prioritise neutrality, strategic hedging at Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting
KUALA LUMPUR: The 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings are set to convene here next week, with maritime disputes, economic headwinds including impending US tariffs, and shifting global dynamics expected to dominate the agenda. Against this complex global geopolitical backdrop and intensifying US-China rivalry in the South China Sea, Malaysia, as chair, is expected to adopt a neutral yet proactive stance in leading the regional bloc to foster constructive engagement with its external partners for peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific. ALSO READ: Road closures in stages for 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting, says Bukit Aman International relations and defence expert Dr Nor Aishah Hanifa said Malaysia's leadership in Asean would prioritise peace, stability, and the rule of law in navigating major power competition in the Indo-Pacific. "The 46th Asean Summit reaffirmed the region's commitment to a peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea. "All leaders emphasised maximum restraint and the importance of upholding the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC)," the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) senior lecturer told Bernama. ALSO READ: Over 5,000 police personnel on duty for Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting from July 8 to 11 Nor Aishah said Malaysia, as Asean Chair, would maintain good relations with both the United States and China, its key trading partners, while pursuing a hedging strategy to safeguard sovereignty and mitigate risks associated with geopolitical uncertainty. She said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's active foreign engagements reflect Malaysia's broader strategy to diversify economic ties and reduce reliance on any single major power. "Malaysia is a middle power. Hedging allows us to balance both sides and pursue our national interests without aligning too closely with either major power," she said, adding that such a strategy remains vital in today's volatile international system. She said that amid ongoing maritime tensions, Malaysia would continue diplomatic engagement with China and advocate for the speedy implementation of a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. ALSO READ: How Asean can thrive through innovation and collaboration "Malaysia's tone will remain diplomatic, aiming to avoid escalation," she said. On the potential outcome of the 58th AMM, she said Malaysia and fellow Asean members were in a unique position to persuade China towards a more concrete COC, especially as economic headwinds prompt Beijing to deepen trade ties with the region. "China's economic situation, coupled with the need for stable trade channels, presents an opportunity for Asean to gain traction on the COC. The regional structure right now offers a window for diplomacy," she said. In terms of broader engagements with Dialogue Partners, including the US, China, the United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU), Nor Aishah noted that economic cooperation remains the cornerstone of Asean's external relations, though the focus may vary by partner. "The UK, for instance, is seeking to expand its free trade footprint in the region and has programmes like the Asean-UK Economic Integration Programme and STEM scholarships. With the EU, there's potential to advance a region-to-region FTA (free trade agreement)," she said. ALSO READ: Indonesian FM to attend Asean meetings in Kuala Lumpur Meanwhile, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Human Ecology Faculty senior lecturer Dr Fairuzzaman Shaharuddin also highlighted that security and economic issues are expected to dominate discussions at the 58th AMM, with Malaysia likely to emphasise strategic autonomy while strengthening cooperation in areas such as supply chains, sustainability, and regional security frameworks. Fairuzzaman said Asean's engagement with countries such as the US, China, UK, and EU will be "multi-dimensional" that reflect the shifting dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and global economy. He said the US and China are expected to compete for influence, particularly in the South China Sea, while the UK and EU will likely promote trade, a rules-based international order, and sustainable development goals. "With growing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, for instance, the Iran-Israel conflict and Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs', Asean is likely to discuss supply chain resilience, the green transition, the digital economy and regional security frameworks. "Despite many interests, I believe maintaining strategic autonomy while deepening functional cooperation will be key for Asean to achieve centrality, (in line with) Malaysia's vision in Asean Vision 2045," he told Bernama. Addressing broader regional tensions, Fairuzzaman said Malaysia's longstanding military cooperation with the US and deep economic ties with China have drawn increasing interest from scholars and analysts, who view this approach as a form of 'strategic hedging', aimed at managing risks between the competing superpowers. This strategy, he said, aligns with Malaysia's non-aligned foreign policy, which prioritises economic cooperation, regional stability, and defence diplomacy to navigate shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Malaysia will host the 58th AMM and related meetings from July 8 to 11, with a total of 24 meetings at the Asean Foreign Ministers' level to be convened, including a series of meetings with Asean Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners. More than 35 foreign ministers and representatives from various international bodies are expected to attend the meetings. - Bernama
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
No more free rides: Experts demand corporate liability for deadly negligence
KUALA LUMPUR: Road safety experts are pushing for stringent measures to bring to book errant bus and lorry companies following the revelation that nearly two-thirds of transportation companies have failed safety audits. The experts again floated the idea of introducing a corporate liability law to hold heavy vehicle companies liable for crashes that occur due to negligence. They also want the list of rule breakers to be made public. Universiti Putra Malaysia Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua said despite having traffic laws that heavily fine offenders, errant operators were not perturbed. "A corporate liability law may be effective by making companies and their owners legally responsible for being reckless." This, he said, would hit them heavily in their pockets. Law was responding to Road Transport Department director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli's statement that 85 out of 133 lorry and bus operators the department recently inspected had failed safety audits. Law said companies must be held responsible unless they could prove they did everything possible to prevent accidents involving their vehicles. "This way, operators are more likely to follow the guidelines." He said if a company's drivers were found to be negligent, top executives and directors should be held responsible, fined or charged with a crime. He said sentences must be harsh enough to hurt companies to be a deterrent. This could include fines based on a company's income, licence suspensions or revocations and blacklisting from doing business with the government, he said. Transportation expert Wan Agyl Wan Hassan described the revelation that 85 companies failed safety audits as a "warning sign". "This includes buses with faulty brakes and overworked drivers. "If this is what's uncovered in a formal audit, how many more are slipping through the cracks?" Besides advocating for a corporate liability law, Wan Agyl said the government must begin using real-time data to monitor driver fatigue and speedsters. "Those who cut corners and put lives at risk should not be allowed to operate, let alone carry passengers or goods across the country." He wanted a public registry of errant operators due to the current lack of transparency on frequent offenders. Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia road safety expert Associate Professor Dr Ng Choy Peng urged Putrajaya to consider enforcing set working hours for bus and lorry drivers to ensure they were fit to drive. "In Malaysia, the normal working hours for commercial vehicle drivers are 45 hours per week. "The current regulations specify that driving hours should not exceed eight hours a day, with a minimum 30-minute rest period after every four hours of driving. "These guidelines, established by the Road Transport Department, contribute to relatively pleasant working hours." She said the Road Transport Act 1987 did not specify maximum driving hours. "However, it allows for a maximum of eight hours of driving per day, which can be extended to 12 hours provided that a mandatory rest day follows. "I've seen some commercial vehicle drivers with short tempers. This, I believe, comes from driving long hours. Companies should provide them with sufficient break time."
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Expert: Fomema gaps let syndicates slip through
KUALA LUMPUR: A security expert has called on the government to tighten oversight of the Foreign Workers' Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (Fomema), citing weak inter-agency coordination and poor system checks that have left the agency vulnerable to exploitation by criminal syndicates. Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia's (UPNM) Faculty of Defence Studies and Management Professor Dr Mohd Mizan Aslam said the current Fomema system lacked a comprehensive verification process, making it susceptible to identity fraud and document forgery. "Although the system is centralised, the database and monitoring mechanisms are not thorough. This opens the door for syndicates to manipulate data and forge health certificates," he told the New Straits Times. He said Fomema currently processed medical certifications based solely on submitted documents, without verifying whether foreign workers had criminal records, previous deportations, or were using false identities. "This loophole has serious implications. Without accurate identity verification — via biometrics or inter-agency checks — syndicates will continue to exploit the system," he added. Mizan comments come in the wake of a recent crackdown by the Immigration Department on a forgery syndicate capable of producing up to 100 fake passports daily. The syndicate, which charged between RM100 and RM150 per fake passport, also manipulated the biodata of undocumented migrants to obtain Fomema health clearances. These forged medical documents were sold for between RM600 and RM1,000 each. He said this exposed clear weaknesses in the system, adding that syndicates were not just bypassing immigration rules, but also public health safeguards. "This situation could lead to the return of diseases like tuberculosis and hepatitis B, especially as infected individuals from countries with weaker healthcare systems go undetected," he said. "Malaysia has successfully controlled these diseases through vaccination and health campaigns. But without effective screening, they could resurface and strain our health infrastructure." Mizan said that while international passport systems were generally secure, Fomema documents lacked similar safeguards. "Unlike passports, Fomema certificates do not have tamper-proof features like QR codes or digital watermarks. This makes them easier to forge and abuse," he said. To address the issue, Mizan urged the government to introduce biometric verification for all foreign worker medical screenings, strengthen access control to Fomema's database, and integrate its system with immigration and law enforcement agencies. He also proposed placing certified integrity officers at key government departments to monitor compliance and prevent internal collusion. While acknowledging growing concerns over the agency's integrity, Mizan stressed that Fomema should not be dismantled but reformed. "We shouldn't abandon Fomema. We need to upgrade its technology, tighten control mechanisms, and improve coordination across agencies so it can fulfil its role in safeguarding national interests," he said.
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
UPNM, MHS Aviation Sign LoI To Drive Development Of UAS
-- Photograph for illustrative purposes LANGKAWI, May 21 (Bernama) -- Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) today signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with MHS Aviation Berhad, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Berhad, to drive the development of unmanned aircraft technology in Malaysia. This strategic collaboration is part of the long-term efforts of both parties in strengthening the research, innovation and training ecosystem in the field of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), a critical domain for the survival of national defence and the competitiveness of the country's high-tech industry. UPNM, in a statement, said that the LoI seals the joint commitment between academia and industry in strengthening the country's UAS technology capabilities through the development of academic modules and specialised field training related to UAS. "Also, the commitment to carry out joint research and knowledge sharing in a strategic and high-impact manner, improving the competencies of UPNM students and officers through industrial training as well as simulation learning and technical workshops," it said. The LoI was signed by UPNM Vice-Chancellor Lt Gen Datuk Arman Rumaizi Ahmad and MHS Aviation Bhd Chief Executive Officer Mohd Fakhrul Arifin Adinan at the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) Pavilion at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre, here. Arman Rumaizi, in the same statement, said the collaboration will strengthen the competitiveness of researchers and students and position UPNM as a hub of excellence in defence technology, in line with the strategic thrust of UPNM30. "This collaboration is an important stepping stone in realising the aspirations of UPNM 30, which emphasises a holistic approach in uniting military, academic, technological and industrial disciplines," he said. UPNM believes that this collaboration will create more efficient technology transfer, accelerate the development of highly skilled human capital and strengthen the country's strategic preparedness in facing modern security challenges. Meanwhile, Mohd Fakhrul expressed hope that the collaboration can develop the country's UAS capabilities from the grassroots by simultaneously forming human expertise and technological development. Apart from that, it also reflects Boustead's commitment to driving defence innovation and supporting the country's transformation agenda, he said. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial , @bernamatv , @bernamaradio Twitter : @ , @BernamaTV , @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial , @bernamatvofficial , @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
