New Straits Times
Jordan downs 4 Iran missiles targeting US base
HOSTILITIES flare across the Persian Gulf as Trump reinstates a blockade on Iran and proposes a 20 per cent levy on the value of cargo for ships to pass the Strait of Hormuz. Teheran calls the amount excessive.
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Syed Saddiq walks free on 2-1 decision
THE hearing of Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s case at the Federal Court yesterday was filled with suspense as three judges delivered separate judgments, with the third ruling decisively freeing the former minister. The packed courtroom remained tense...
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A COMPASS FOR BN
BARISAN Nasional’s commanding victory in Johor has given it a potential roadmap for future contests, built on a message of stability, continuity and state leadership. But analysts caution that the result in the coalition’s traditional stronghold alone...
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BN ROMPS TO BIG WIN
■ UNOFFICIAL: Blow to PH as it loses Tangkak, Jementah, Johor Jaya, Perling and Bukit Batu to BN ■ PN fails to defend Bukit Kepong and Endau, is defeated in all 31 other constituencies ■ Bersama, Muda wiped out, many candidates lose deposits
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D-DAY FOR JOHOR
THE state’s 2.7 million voters will cast their ballots today, the climax of a keenly fought electoral battle that will be analysed for its impact on unity federal government dynamics. The Election Commission expects a turnout of 70 per cent, citing...
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PUSHING REFORM AGENDA
■ Independent public prosecutor: Parliament to have a role in selection, with PM and cabinet kept out ■Broader political backing, deeper parliamentary scrutiny needed to revive proposed 10-year limit on PMʼs tenure ■ Law minister: Freedom of...
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CLASHINGVISIONS OF STABILITY
BARISAN Nasional is framing stability for Johor through continuity under Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s leadership and ongoing development plans. But Pakatan Harapan argues that closer alignment with the federal government will deliver faster growth,...
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TAXI REFORMS HIT THE ROAD
PUTRAJAYA dismantles the decades-old leasing system, handing taxi drivers direct ownership of their vehicles and permits through a modernised structure. This is backed by an additional RM10 million allocation to replace old taxis with Proton S70s,...
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BN HOLDS EARLY EDGE
BARISAN Nasional appears to be in a favourable position in the first week of the Johor election campaign. But with only five days of campaigning completed, the race remains open. Backed by its track record in governing the state, Johor BN and its...
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‘VOTE UMNO IF NO PN CANDIDATEʼ
‘Whatever Pas does, whatever PN does, that is up to their respective strategies.’ Johor BN chairman DATUK ONN HAFIZ GHAZI ‘The Johor election can be a starting point for these efforts before being expanded to other states...’ Umno Youth chief DATUK...
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‘BIG 3 ’ BIGGEST CHALLENGE
■ BN believes it can win more than the 40 seats it took previously, banking on the Onn Hafiz factor ■ Zahid, Johari Ghani tell BN campaigners not to attack opponents, but to focus on offering services to the people instead ■ Zahid not ruling out...
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Thousands feared dead in twin Venezuela quakes
THOUSANDS of Venezuelans were feared dead on Thursday after two powerful earthquakes wreaked havoc in and around the capital Caracas, trapping people beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings and setting off powerful aftershocks. At least 32 people...
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BN REVEALS ITS CARDS
BARISAN Nasional has named 56 candidates for the Johor polls. Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi says there will be no power-sharing if the coalition gets the mandate. Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional election director Datuk Seri Sanusi Md Nor says seat negotiations...
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PN EXPANSION HITS ROADBLOCK
THE opposition bloc, in a move to expand its ranks, announces the admissions of Wawasan and Pejuang into its fold. However, Bersatu accuses the PN chairman of rushing through the acceptance of Parti Cinta Malaysia, which has yet to secure Registry of...
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Bangladesh hopes Malaysia reopens labour market to its workers
PUTRAJAYA: The prime minister yesterday stressed that workers’ welfare must be protected as Bangladesh seeks Malaysia’s consideration to reopen its labour market to Bangladeshi workers. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Bangladeshi workers had played a...
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CHANGING COURSE OF MALAYSIAN ROADS
HIGHWAYS are here to stay. However, the pace of building them is slowing down as the future points towards an interconnected national transport network — one using AI-driven traffic management and real-time data. To get there, the works minister says...
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‘BREAKTHROUGH’ GAS DEAL
THE selection of Petronas in the development of one of the world’s largest gas fields reflects international recognition of Malaysia’s expertise. It also shows that the country’s policy of fostering good ties with nations across geopolitical divides is...
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IRAN, U.S. REACH DEAL
THE warring sides will sign a peace agreement in Switzerland on Friday to end military operations in the Middle East on all fronts and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir cautions that the breakthrough is...
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PN RIFT WIDENS
■ Bersatu leaders slam Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang for overriding supreme council decisions ■ Leaders aligned with Hamzah say he has good track record and Hadi is acting on wishes of the majority
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‘SNAP POLLS NOT ARROGANCE’
DATUK Onn Hafiz Ghazi defends the early dissolution of the Johor assembly as a move made with the people’s best interests in mind. He argues that mounting global uncertainty and a shrinking electoral window made it necessary to seek a fresh mandate...
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‘ARROGANT TO SHUN ANY RACE OR PARTY’
THE Johor caretaker MB’s ‘no DAP’ rhetoric elicits a reminder from the prime minister that the Constitution ensures the rights of all and parties that win elections have a place in the government. Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi refutes claims of arrogance and...
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GROUND ZERO FOR ‘BLUE WAVE’
DATUK Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi casts the Johor polls as the starting point for a nationwide BN resurgence. The message at the launch of the coalition’s election machinery is reinforced by Johor BN chief Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who vows he would rather...
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‘I FELL MANY TIMES, STRUGGLED AT NIGHT’
HER first recorded words are few and the exhaustion is obvious. But Jaslinda Saludin, the missing hiker who transfixed the nation for two weeks, is finally safe and sound.
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‘TUANKU MUHRIZ IS NEGRI RULER’
THE federal government has reaffirmed Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Negri Sembilan’s rightful Yang di-Pertuan Besar and that disputes need to go through proper constitutional channels. This comes after a clip surfaces of Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku...
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Israel pounds Lebanon after US announces truce
ISRAEL and Lebanon agreed to implement a ceasefire to end hostilities, said the Trump administration on Wednesday, in a boost to hopes for a broader deal to end the USIsraeli war on Iran. However, Lebanese official media reported Israeli air strikes...
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CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IMMINENT
EXPERTS warn the Negri Sembilan assembly must convene by June 10 or risk breaching the state constitution. This latest development comes as speculation of early polls gathers pace following the cancellation of a press conference after Menteri Besar...
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NEGRI POLLS TALK GATHERS STEAM
A CLOSED-DOOR meeting between Pakatan Harapan assemblymen and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has created a buzz ahead of his routine audience today with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar. Umno veep Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, however, says the...
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JOHOR ASSEMBLY DISSOLVED
MENTERI Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announces the dissolution of the state assembly, paving the way for the 16th state election, which must be held within 60 days. Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional are expected to contest all 56...
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NORWAY SAYS SORRY, BUT SUIT TO GO ON
▫ Malaysia hauls Norway over the coals at Shangri-La summit, calling its actions hypocritical and destructive to the rulesbased international order ▫ Malaysia must look for alternative missile system, says analyst
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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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