Malaysia in final running for Unesco Executive Board seat

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is in the final stages of the nomination process for a seat on the Unesco Executive Board, with the official decision expected to be announced at the Unesco General Conference in Paris in November. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said preparations for the nomination had been ongoing for almost a year, with a thorough...

Ceasefire, terms of reference main topic of Thai-Cambodia talks, says Defence Force chief

KUALA LUMPUR: The ceasefire agreement and terms of reference (TOR) were the main agenda of the secretariat-level discussions between Thailand and Cambodia, which entered its second day on Tuesday (Aug 5), says Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar. He said both matters needed to be finalised first to ensure both parties understand...

Malaysia agrees to boost tech, LNG purchases from U.S. as part of trade deal

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will spend up to US$150bil in the next five years to buy equipment from U.S. multinationals for its semiconductor, aerospace and data centre sectors, part of a deal with Washington to cut tariffs, its trade minister said on Monday. The United States announced last week that it would impose a 19% tariff on...

Private doctors file lawsuit against government over medicine price display regulation

PETALING JAYA: Doctors from the private sector are suing the government over the rule governing the display of medicine prices. This comes after several private practitioners filed for judicial review against the government in the Kuala Lumpur High Court. The application was filed on July 24 by the Association of Private Practitioners, Sabah (APPS), the Malaysian Medical Association...

Malaysian aid enters Gaza after six-month blockade

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 2,400 tonnes of humanitarian aid from Malaysians successfully entered Gaza early Monday (July 28) via the King Hussein Bridge crossing in Jordan. The delivery marks the first cross-border success by a Malaysian non-governmental organisation (NGO) since Israel closed all entry points to Palestine on March 2. Karisma Humanitarian Aid Mission (KHOM) director...

Young doctors detained in Melaka for alleged khalwat incident

MELAKA: A young couple, both doctors in their mid-20s, were detained following an alleged khalwat (close proximity) incident at a home in Taman Semabok Perdana here, says Datuk Rahmad Mariman. The Melaka education, higher learning and religious affairs committee chairman said that the pair, both aged 26, were picked up during the 3.25pm raid on Tuesday...

Dewan Rakyat passes Fisheries Act 1985 amendments

KUALA LUMPUR: Tougher laws are upcoming for illegal fishing, as the Dewan Rakyat approved the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025. The bill, aimed at protecting Malaysia’s marine resources and cracking down on unregulated activities in its water, was passed via a voice vote in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 29). A total of 29 MPs participated in...

Dewan Rakyat passes Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025, enabling local creditors to recover debts from insolvent companies within the Asean region. The Bill was passed by a voice vote after being debated by 11 MPs from both the Government and Opposition blocs. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk...

Afghans show solidarity as migrant returns from Iran surge

ISLAM QALA, Afghanistan: At the border with Iran, Fatima Rezaei distributes food and hygiene products to Afghans forced to return, unable to passively stand by as the deportation crisis grows. The 22-year-old is one of many Afghan volunteers rallying to help their compatriots, despite having little themselves. Since the beginning of the year, more than 1.6 million...

Malaysia will not interfere in legal process over Indonesian oil tycoon, says Anwar

IPOH: The Malaysian government will not interfere in any legal matters related to Indonesian oil tycoon Riza Chalid, who is said to be involved in a corruption case involving fuel imports. Indonesian weekly Tempo reported that Anwar had told several editors-in-chief in Jakarta on July 29 and informed them that he had met with Riza. “Let the...