Author - James Lim

FBM KLCI opens sideways after US rate hold

KUALA LUMPUR: There was little to move the Malaysian market barometer on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve announced its widely expected decision to keep the interest rate unchanged, followed by a flat performance on Wall Street. The domestic benchmark index eked out a 1.05-point gain to 1,512.94 at the start of trading, suggesting investors remained...

5% housing discount for all a fair move, say groups

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government’s decision to give a 5% housing discount on overhang properties to all house buyers is well received by political parties and associations. Penang MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah, in welcoming the move, said any policy introduced must be grounded in the principle of supporting vulnerable groups, rather than being based on...

Ringgit softens vs US$, but rises against basket of currencies

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit inched higher at the opening today amid ongoing geopolitical worries and despite a firmer greenback after the US Federal Reserve (Fed) decided to keep interest rates unchanged, an analyst said. At 8 am, the local note climbed to 4.2435/2650 against the greenback from yesterday’s close of 4.2500/2550. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist...

70% of Malaysian varsities rise in latest QS global rankings

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia achieved the world’s highest rate of improvement - more than any other country with 10 or more ranked universities - with 70% of its 32 institutions climbing in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026. Of the 32 universities ranked, 19 rose, five remained stable in their ranks or bands, five featured...

Tariff talks with Washington have been excellent, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Ongoing negotiations with the US over its unilateral tariffs are going very well, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic). The Prime Minister said this was conveyed by Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, who are both currently in Washington...

Federal Court allows appeal by SIS over deviant fatwa ruling

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court here has allowed an appeal by Sisters in Islam (SIS) in its dispute against the Selangor religious authorities over an edict that labelled the company as "deviant". In a majority decision, Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who chaired a five-judge panel said it set aside the decisions by the Court of...

Ringgit opens marginally higher vs US$, sentiment remains cautious

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit was slightly higher against the US dollar at today’s opening with investors remaining cautious ahead of the United States (US) monetary policy outcome due later tonight, an analyst said. At 8 am, the local note was at 4.2360/2565 against the greenback from yesterday’s close of 4.2390/2475. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr...

Two detained over false claims involving school projects in Perlis

KANGAR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested two men in connection with an investigation into false claims involving more than RM2mil in 2022. According to a source, the duo, aged 43 and 50, were detained on Tuesday (June 17) afternoon when they turned up to give their statements at the Perlis MACC office here. They are...

Couple killed, their three children injured in road crash in Pekan

KUANTAN: A man and his wife were killed, while their three children were injured when the car they were travelling in collided with a lorry at Batu 8, Lepar, here on Tuesday (June 17) night. Pekan police chief Superintendent Mohd Zaidi Mat Zin said the crash, which occurred at about 10pm, involved a Proton Wira car...

Thai actor Prom Ratchapat Worasarn accused of having sex with young female fans

Following serious allegations of sexual misconduct, Thai actor Prom Ratchapat Worasarn has been dropped by his management agency, YWPB Official. Since June 14, screenshots have surfaced on social media, allegedly showing the actor coercing women into having unprotected sex. Some of these encounters were supposedly with his teenage female fans. Prior to these private meet-ups, he would...