New Straits Times
Kaamatan is more than a cultural tradition
THE Kaamatan Festival celebrated by the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut and Rungus communities in Sabah is a symbol of gratitude, unity and togetherness in the state’s multiracial society. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, in a Facebook post, said...
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YOUTHS HOOKED ON DRUG VAPES
A NEW generation of narcotics-laced products is spreading across border states and Penang as kids move beyond fruity flavours in pursuit of stronger highs. Police are weighing a direct role in spot checks to curb a thriving underground market preying...
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NEW KITS TARGET FENTANYL IN VAPES
THE National Anti-Drug Agency has distributed test kits nationwide ahead of a blitz on synthetic drugs next month. Experts warn that fentanyl — dubbed the ‘zombie drug’ — is highly potent and can be mixed into vape liquids, putting users at risk of...
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Spiritually transformative
MUSLIMS across the country celebrated Hari Raya Aidiladha yesterday with gratitude and devotion. Thousands of worshippers, including national and state leaders, filled mosques nationwide to perform prayers. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and...
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COPS TO QUIZ AZAM BAKI
POLICE to record a statement from former MACC chief following a report by Albert Tei, who alleges that Azam’s lawyer conveyed a threat to him. Azam denies this and accuses Tei of ‘playing games’. He wants Tei probed for lodging a false report.
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BRUTALISED BUT UNCOWED
THE 28 Malaysian activists in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 return home with accounts of physical and psychological abuse by Israel. Women were violated by being stripped of their hijab, while others were denied medical attention after being beaten....
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117 CHILD PREDATORS ARRESTED IN THREE YEARS
AT least 101 charges are preferred and 1.4 million digital files containing Child Sexual Abuse Material examined in four operations since 2024. But cyber experts fear that the growing number of arrests and seizures does not truly reflect the immense...
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‘FINING TOLL EVADERS WON’T WORK’
WHILE criminalising toll evasion could be one way to deter offenders, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the government must strike a balance between effective punishment and fairness. Nanta said although fines could serve as a...
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PAS RETHINKING BERSATU TIES
THE Islamist party cites a laundry list of grievances against its Perikatan Nasional ally, from displeasure over the sacking of key leaders to Bersatu’s sputtering polls machinery that has left Pas picking up the slack. Bersatu says it is examining...
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2 buried alive in Jeli embankment collapse
NARROW paths blocked fire engines from entering an oil palm plantation where the men were allegedly mining gold, forcing rescuers to use a pickup truck to reach the scene. One of the victims was an expectant father.
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FULL SUPPORT FOR FULL TERM
▪ ‘Support can ease tensions and dampen talk of early polls’ ▪ Move signals confidence in PM’s leadership, analyst says
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EPF SEIZES THE DAY
■ Exceptional profit is a one-off event, says CEO ■ Strong gains could erode in coming quarters, warns analyst ■ International investments make up 55 per cent of total Q1 income
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FURTHER SPLIT IN VOTES
■ PKR to discuss possible action against members who attended Bersama’s launch ■ Analysts say country’s political system remains centred around three coalitions — Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan
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SNAP POLLS ON THE CARDS
DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he will not hesitate to call a general election if negotiations to prevent clashes between unity government partners fail. The prime minister warns he will return the mandate to voters if any party continues to undermine...
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SOLO TEST IN THE SOUTH
Barisan Nasional’s move to contest the next Johor election on its own will serve as a litmus test for the coalition’s ability to enter the 16th General Election (GE16) without alliances, say political observers. The Asia Group associate vicepresident...
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‘WE WARNED DBKL 3 YEARS AGO’
MACC reveals it advised City Hall in 2023 to tighten oversight of developments near Kuala Lumpur’s flood retention ponds after finding no evidence of corruption in the land transfers to developers. An expert calls for a halt to projects pending a full...
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Unlikely favour
PRESIDENT Donald Trump is expected to ask his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to help end the Iran war, but he may not get what he wants.
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NORWAY’S PERMIT HALT ‘DISAPPOINTING’
THE government rejects Oslo’s reasons for suddenly blocking the export permit for a 2018 missile deal paid for on schedule. Diplomatic efforts are underway to safeguard national defence interests, but Putrajaya is also exploring legal action as the...
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KL flood retention ponds lose 70pc capacity
THE flood mitigation system has been compromised by the transfer of surrounding land to developers since 2015. The federal territories minister from the time denies any involvement, saying developing such land is ‘madnessʼ.
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THE T20 BUDI95RIDDLE
The Economy Ministry concedes that retargeting subsidies is a tough balancing act Economists not convinced by government plan, argue that the best policy does not penalise income but reduces waste
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Celebrating and supporting the nation’s mums
THE national Mothers Day celebration opened on a royal note yesterday with Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim gracing the event at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. She was received upon arrival by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the...
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MALAYSIA UNPREPARED FOR HUGE ‘OLD AGE’ BILL
MORE people in their 30s and 40s are coming down with non-communicable diseases. And Malaysia is well on its way to becoming an aged nation. Experts warn both trends are converging and will create a perfect storm in the not-too-distant future.
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‘SOUTH CHINA SEA TALKS AN ASEAN-BEIJING MATTER’
■ Anwar tells summit that the grouping must step up cooperation on energy and food security as well as supply chain resilience ■ Country’s fuel supplies in good order after the government’s proactive efforts, says PM
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TOOTHLESS WARSHIPS
UNCERTAINTY over the Naval Strike Missile supply threatens to strip Malaysia’s littoral combat ships of their main offensive capability even before they enter service, casting fresh doubt on the navy’s troubled modernisation drive.
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Flash floods hit Klang Valley and Pahang
KUALA LUMPUR: Continuous heavy rain yesterday triggered flash floods in several parts of the Klang Valley and Pahang, inundating homes, disrupting traffic and forcing people to evacuate. In Petaling Jaya, several vehicles were partially submerged...
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EASING THE BURDEN
THE government is introducing four initiatives to help people amid the global energy crisis, rising cost of living and dry spell in northern states. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says more measures will be explored in weekly engagements and cabinet...
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JOHOR ANNOUNCES OVER RM 170M AID FOR THE PEOPLE
JOHOR ANNOUNCES OVER RM170MM AID FOR THE PEOPLE
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FAILURE TO LAUNCH
■ The first two planting dates are a miss. There will be no planting in the third, says Mada chairman ■ More cloud-seeding efforts requested
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NEGRI CRISIS ‘ALMOST OVER’
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS AT UMNO’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION Zahid says BN is almost certain to contest GE16 independently, but he does not dismiss an understanding with other coalitions Deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan rejects attempts to drive a...
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FORTIFYING WORKERS’ WELFARE
■ RM710 million plan to future-proof workers through tech retraining ■ One-off post-maternity leave allowance to support working mums ■ Broader safety net for Malaysians working abroad, starting with those in Singapore ■ Govt won’t betray the...
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Suspect in wife-bashing case married 9 times
THREE of the marriages are still in force. Rosmaini Abd Raof, 43, will be held for seven days as police investigate the vicious assault on a wife. It is also revealed he had been convicted in 2021 of assaulting another wife.
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‘NEGRI CRISIS WILL BE RESOLVED’
AS Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun continues as menteri besar, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his deputy say all parties are seeking the best solution to restoring stability in the state. The PM adds unity must prevail over political infighting amid current...
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TURMOIL IN NEGRI
THE political crisis in Negri Sembilan has evolved into a full-blown leadership dilemma after all 14 Barisan Nasional assemblymen withdraw their support for Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. However, Aminuddin says he will continue as menteri besar, with the...
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Built on firm ground
AUTHORITIES have allayed concerns about several multi-millionringgit hillside developments in Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands, saying that all regulatory requirements have been met. Officials said the developments were confined to terrain...
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SULTAN TO SELANGOR GOVT: ‘GET IT DONE’
SULTAN Sharafuddin Idris Shah is dismayed that his often-repeated advice on flood mitigation goes unheeded. He wants immediate action on this and several other issues, including polluted rivers, dangerous potholes and inconsistent waste collection.
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Fire engulfs Sandakan water village
AMASSIVE fire destroyed 1,000 stilt houses at the Kampung Bahagia water village here, displacing more than 9,000 people. The blaze, which broke out in the early hours, is the third major fire to hit the area. The other incidents occurred in 1994 and...
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UNCERTAINTY IN HORMUZ AGAIN
PM: Petronas n leveraging Malaysia’s good ties with Russia, in talks to buy oil Two ships in strait report n being hit by gunfire
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KL-Canberra bolster energy partnership
MALAYSIA will prioritise supplying surplus fuel to Australia once domestic demand is met, as both countries step up energy cooperation to mitigate potential supply disruptions amid rising global uncertainty. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and...
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SLIPPERY ‘SHADOW FLEET’
THE MMEA warns that fewer interceptions of illegal ship-to-ship oil transfers in our waters indicate that syndicates are getting more adept at evading detection. This ‘shadow fleet’ is using technology, complex legal structures and shifting sites to...
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200,000 civil servants begin working from home
UP to 200,000 civil servants will be placed under the government’s work-from-home (WFH) arrangement beginning today as part of measures to curb fuel consumption and navigate the global energy crisis. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul...
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Retired soldiers provide muscle for Malaysia Border Guard
THE government is considering a proposal to arm Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) personnel following the recent shooting incident involving an enforcement officer in Bukit Kayu Hitam. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution...
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‘I’m not ready for forgiveness’
FORGIVENESS is still out of reach for former commando Rosafindi Tambi Chik as he struggles to come to terms with the death of his 24-year-old son. Private Muhammad Amirul Raziq Rosafindi died at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh, Pahang on...
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ISLAMABAD TALKS
SENIOR United States and Iranian leaders were in the Pakistani capital here yesterday for negotiations to end their six-week-old war, although Teheran threw the talks into doubt by saying they could not begin without commitments on Lebanon and...
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‘STOP EXPLOITING RETAIL FUEL’
INDUSTRIES are warned against ‘channel switching’ to evade market prices or face action. As the government absorbs a RM6 billion fuel burden to help Malaysians, the finance minister II says measures are being ramped up to curb smuggling and ensure...
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PRACTICAL LIFELINE
■ However, the downside is that frequent withdrawals will pose risks to the retirement savings of vulnerable groups ■ Most members who withdraw funds are aware that they have to replenish their savings ■ Some contributors use this facility as a...
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‘WE WON’
WASHINGTON and Teheran both claim victory and pivot towards a 10-point peace plan from Iran — labelled ‘workable’ by President Donald Trump — as a two-week ceasefire begins. But Israel could throw a spanner in the works as it claims that the truce...
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ISRAEL‚ U.S. HIT IRAN AHEAD OF HORMUZ DEADLINE
TRUMP says ‘a whole civilisation will die’ as the US and Israel pound key Iranian infrastructure, including Kharg Island, before a deadline to reopen the Hormuz Strait expires. Teheran says it will no longer hold back targeting its Gulf neighbours.
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PENANG PPR CRACKDOWN BEGINS
MORE than 30 per cent of tenants face eviction as the state seeks to remove ineligible occupants and free up units for the more deserving. But the move has stirred alarm among struggling families, who say they risk losing their homes despite illness,...
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Sg Buloh plant nurseries in relocation jam
SIXTY-SIX operators at the major garderning hub say they are willing to make way for a road widening project, but take issue with the authorities’ lack of communication, the April 15 deadline and mere RM10,000 compensation. The Selangor exco in charge...
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HOUSE OF HORROR: KIDS RECOUNT SEXUAL ASSAULTS
DISTURBING new testimonies have emerged from children who used to live in an unregistered care home in Selayang here, which involve allegations of sexual abuse, systematic grooming and violence. Four children have so far come forward to lift the veil...
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‘WFH DOESN’T MEAN BARING‚ DUDUK‚ REHAT’
THE work-from-home (WFH) policy is not a licence for civil servants to lie down, sit and rest. This was the stern reminder from Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar ahead of the implementation of WFH arrangements for civil...
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First crewed moon mission in 53 years lifts off
CAPE CANAVERAL (Florida): Four astronauts blasted off on Wednesday on Nasa’s Artemis II mission, a high-stakes voyage around the moon that marks the United States’ boldest step yet towards returning humans to the lunar surface later this decade in a...
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‘I AM BOTH MOTHER AND FATHER NOW’
RAISING Nor Nadia her three Abdul children Majid’s alone biggest is challenge as they struggle to cope with their father’s death in a head-on collision with an alleged drunk driver on Sunday. The family will be moving back to her hometown in Perak to...
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SPM 2025 candidates prove their mettle
■ First cohort to complete their schooling with just one national examination after UPSR and PT3 were abolished ■ Student does well despite battling cancer ■ Orang Asli and rehabilitated students reach new heights
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‘Make them payʼ
THE Transport Ministry is planning to amend the law to make motorists convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs compensate their victim’s family, says Anthony Loke. Suspect in Klang crash remanded till Thursday Widow vows to fight...
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IRAN VOWS FIERY RESPONSE
▪ Iran strikes major aluminium producers in the UAE, Bahrain ▪ Anti-Trump protests in US fuelled by war, attended by 8 million
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SPECTRE OF PEOPLE SMUGGLING RESURRECTED
A 12-YEAR-OLD Rohingya girl’s ordeal has raised concerns about syndicates that abuse asylum seekers until a ransom is paid are still operating with impunity. Activist groups say Malaysia and Thailand must work together to stamp out these death...
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SAFE PASSAGE FOR ‘INTIMATE FRIENDS’
TEHERAN is engaging with Malaysia and other non-hostile nations to ensure secure transit of vessels via the Strait of Hormuz, says the Iranian Embassy. The initiative seeks to stabilise oil prices and supply chains threatened by the Middle East...
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PROTECTING PEOPLE AND SUPPLIES
BUDI95 monthly quota temporarily set at 200 litres, price stays at RM1.99 Stepped-up enforcement to stamp out wastage, abuse New diesel purchase limits for Sabah and Sarawak Private sector encouraged to allow remote working Meanwhile, a fuel...
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Iran: US negotiating with itself
ISRAEL and Iran exchanged air strikes yesterday, as Iran again rejected United States President Donald Trump’s claim the US was in negotiations to end to the war. The rejection of negotiations by the unified command of the Iranian Armed Forces comes...
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2 RTD officers suspended after fatal crash
THE Road Transport Department (RTD) has suspended two officers as authorities investigate a traffic violation and fatal crash involving a department vehicle. Videos of the two cases have gone viral on social media. RTD director-general Datuk Aedy...
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14 areas on Level 1 heat alert
AS temperatures begin to rise nationwide, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has put 14 areas in Peninsular Malaysia under Level One of its heatwave alert. They include the whole of Perlis and the Kedah districts of Baling, Sik,...
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‘MALAYSIA NOT IMMUNE TO FUEL PRICE SURGE ʼ
Iran vows to pummel US facilities over Trump’s ‘obliterate’ ultimatum Analysts warn of free fall in global equity markets if threats are carried through.
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Hari Raya Aidilfitri is tomorrow
TRAFFIC congestion intensified across major highways yesterday as more than three million motorists headed out of the Klang Valley to celebrate the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities in their hometowns. There was a clear build-up of traffic throughout...
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‘LET’S END DISPUTES‚ CHOOSE DIALOGUE’
GROUPS representing Malay and Indian communities say it is high time that the people put aside their differences and prioritise the well-being of the nation. During a dialogue involving several non-governmental organisations, participants agreed that...
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ZERO TOLERANCE FOR 3R PROVOCATIONS
CRIMINOLOGISTS laud the prosecution of Zamri Vinoth, Arumugam Dorasamy and Mahendra Boopathy as a move that signals the government’s firm stance on public mischief related to race, religion and royalty. The three were charged separately yesterday over...
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Batu Pahat village revives ‘gerbang pelita’ tradition
BATU PAHAT: Residents of Kampung Baru Sri Gading have revived their iconic gerbang pelita after a two-year hiatus caused by floods during Ramadan. Mohd Azam Isnin, who is the head of the organising team, Gerbang Pelita, said the archway was...
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‘CALLING ALL NAVIES’
■ 3.2 million people displaced in Iran, 15,000 targets hit, say UN and US ■ Attacks on sovereign nations should n not be tolerated, says Anwar
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KHARG POWDER KEG
OIL prices get another severe jolt as Iran vows to attack facilities of energy companies cooperating with the US. This comes as Donald Trump threatens to bomb infrastructure on Kharg Island, a terminal for 90 per cent of Iran’s oil shipments.
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