ACTRESS Izara Aishah has apologised to the public after a viral photograph of her hugging Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic) drew criticism on social media.

She has also apologised to Dr Mahathir and his family over the “controversial” photograph that was uploaded on Instagram, Harian Metro reported.

Social media users criticised the Cinta Masam Manis actress, labelling her “plastic” for being “too friendly” with Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

The photograph was taken on the second day of the Hari Raya festivity when her husband’s family visited the premier.

“Like everyone, I am amazed every time I see Tun. I regret there are negative responses toward that photograph.

“To Tun M and family, I’m sorry for being overly expressive,” she said.

> An estimated 200,000 children and teenagers aged between five and 18, work and help their parents in various sectors, Utusan Malaysia reported.

The daily said the high figure was based on reports by several NGOs.

A source said most of the children worked in the tourism, agriculture, plantation, fishing and other informal sectors in the city.

Quoting a report from The Forest Trust on children in the oil palm plantation sector, the source said there were more than 60,000 children working and assisting their parents, mostly Indonesians.

The source added that child labour in Sabah can be divided into two groups – children without documents and stateless children such as the Bajau Laut.

“The problem in Sabah is not new. If this issue cannot be resolved, then child labour will persist and keep on increasing,” said the source.

> The same daily reported that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will intensify Ops Jaga to eradicate parking touts.

It has rounded up 18 people who collect money illegally at public parking bays.

DBKL said enforcement action against jaga kereta boys was taken based on public complaints and its own initiative to put a stop to the menace.

So far, 10 hotspots have been identified – Desa Sri Hartamas, Jalan Doraisamy, Jalan Kamunting, Jalan Kampung Pandan, Lorong Raja Uda 1, Jalan Syed Putra, Jalan Bonus, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1, Jalan Pudu and Pudu Sentral Urban Transformation Centre.

? The above article is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with this ' >'sign, it denotes a separate news item.