F1 RACE AT SEPANG GENERATES NEARLY RM950 MLN IN ECONOMIC IMPACT
KUALA LUMPUR -- The Formula 1 (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from Oct 2 to 4, generated an economic impact of nearly RM950 million for the country, the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) said.
In a written reply published on the Parliament website, the ministry said the figure was based on data from Formula 1 Management (FOM), with total attendance reaching about 261,000, including 103,000 on race day.
“Based on the latest data from the ticket sales report, more than 97,000 tickets were sold, while over 50,000 international tourists and about 5,000 foreign personnel arrived in Malaysia for the event,” the ministry said.
KBS was responding to a question from Rodiyah Sapiee (GPS-Batang Sadong), who sought to know the estimated economic benefits of hosting the F1 race in Sepang compared with the costs incurred by the government.
-- BERNAMA
18,241 NEW TEACHERS POSTED NATIONWIDE, PLACEMENT RATE HITS 98 PCT - MOE
KUALA LUMPUR -- A total of 18,241 new teachers have been posted to schools nationwide as of September 2026, achieving a placement rate of 98 per cent as part of efforts to ensure a more equitable distribution of teachers according to schools’ needs.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) said other measures included deploying 564 Teacher Assistants (MyPG) and 300 Warden Assistants under MySTEP to provide additional support and help teachers manage tasks beyond their core duties.
The ministry is also implementing the 80:20 Policy under the Malaysia Education Blueprint (RPM) 2026-2035 in phases, allocating 80 per cent of teachers’ time to teaching and learning (PdP) and the remaining 20 per cent to non-PdP tasks, with the aim of reducing low-impact duties and allowing teachers to focus on student outcomes.
In addition, the MOE abolished manual recording for the Physical Activity, Sports and Co-curricular Assessment (PAJSK) with effect from May 16 to reduce the need for teachers to maintain manual records, according to a written reply published on the Parliament website.
The ministry was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) on its follow-up measures to reduce teachers’ non-academic workload.
-- BERNAMA
GLOBAL FUEL PRICES, HOT WEATHER CONTRIBUTE TO HIGHER ELECTRICITY BILLS
KUALA LUMPUR -- Increased air-conditioning use during prolonged hot weather and rising global fuel prices are the two main factors contributing to higher electricity bills among some domestic consumers in Peninsular Malaysia.
The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) said the more frequent and prolonged use of high-capacity electrical appliances had contributed to higher electricity consumption, while rising global fuel prices had increased electricity generation costs.
“The sharp rise in global fuel prices has increased electricity generation costs, subsequently raising the Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) cost value and resulting in a surcharge,” the ministry said in a written reply published on Parliament’s website.
PETRA said this in response to a question from Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang), who sought clarification on the factors contributing to higher household electricity bills.
-- BERNAMA
MCMC SEEKS ANTHROPIC CLARIFICATION OVER ALLEGED AI MISUSE
KUALA LUMPUR -- The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is seeking further clarification from artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic over allegations that its technology was used in political manipulation targeting users in Malaysia.
In a written reply published on the Parliament website, the Communications Ministry said the move was aimed at ensuring that any assessment and follow-up action would be based on sufficient information and evidence.
“According to the report, Anthropic claimed that its Claude technology had been used by an overseas entity to develop several components of the operation, including targeting systems, networks of fake social media accounts and fake news websites.
“Anthropic also claimed that the operation was linked to BBS Bilisim Teknolojileri, a technology company based in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Claude accounts identified in connection with the operation have since been terminated, and mitigation measures have been implemented,” the ministry said.
The ministry was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut), who wanted to know whether the government was aware of the alleged use of AI to manipulate Malaysian voters, as revealed by Anthropic, and what monitoring and follow-up measures had been taken.
-- BERNAMA