Jailed Italian Mafia boss Messina Denaro dies -ANSA

ROME (Reuters) -Italian Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro, who was arrested in January after spending 30 years on the run, has died, ANSA news agency reported on Monday. Messina Denaro, 61, was suffering from cancer at the time of his arrest. As his condition worsened in recent weeks he was transferred to a hospital from the...

Penang investors keen to expand into Perak, says Saarani

IPOH: Investors from Penang are seeking to expand their business to Perak, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic). He said among the locations targeted by these investors is the state's northern region. “Following the Automotive High Technology Valley (AHTV) project in Tanjung Malim, Silver Valley Technology Park in Ipoh, and the Lumut Maritime Industrial City...

It’s the airlines that decide on flights to and from Ipoh, says exco member

IPOH: The decision on Ipoh’s commercial flight routes is up to individual airlines, says a Perak executive councillor. Tourism committee chairman Loh Sze Yee said the airlines will need to conduct research before adding any new routes to Ipoh’s Sultan Azlan Shah Airport. “Right now there are two airlines operating from the airport, namely AirAsia and FlyScoot. “The...

Jepak by-election falls on Nov 4

PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) has set the dates for the Jepak by-election, with Nomination Day falling on Oct 21 and polling day on Nov 4. Early voting has been fixed for Oct 31. ALSO READ: Notice of vacancy for Jepak state seat sent to EC, says S'wak Speaker The dates were announced by EC deputy chairman Dr Azmi...

Amanah hopes for at least three Pakatan reps in Johor exco

JOHOR BARU: Amanah hopes to see Pakatan Harapan assemblymen appointed as Johor government executive councillors to reflect the spirit of the unity government. State party chief Aminolhuda Hassan said the unity government’s win in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections on Sept 9 was the result of a good partnership between Pakatan and Barisan Nasional. “I hope...

JPJ issues 14,527 notices to foreign road users during 20-day op

KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has issued over 14,000 notices to foreign nationals for various traffic offences following a 20-day special operation nationwide. JPJ senior enforcement director Datuk Lokman Jamaan (pic) said the department issued 14,527 notices in total, with the main offences being: operating a vehicle without a valid licence (6,268 cases); not...

Putrajaya wants to meet Indian govt over ban on export of non-basmati white rice, says Mat Sabu

JOHOR BARU: Putrajaya wants to meet with the Indian government over its ban on the export of non-basmati white rice, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (pic). The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said his ministry is reaching out to its Indian counterpart to obtain a suitable date for a government-to-government meeting. “When they planned on ceasing the...

Tourist killed in Penang van crash identified

GEORGE TOWN: The Singaporean tourist who died after a van plunged into a ravine at Bukit Genting on Sunday (Sept 24) has been identified. Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the deceased was Lee Kwee Yiam, 62. "The tour company informed us," he said in a text to the media on Monday...

Event organisers must keep a lid on conflicts, says Tiong after Desaru biker brawl

JOHOR BARU: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has advised event organisers to mediate conflicts and prevent them from escalating into fights that would cast Malaysia in a negative light. Commenting on a brawl that took place during the Desaru International Bike Week last weekend, its Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (pic) said organisers should...

Son of ex-minister Zulkifli met requirements for scholarship, says FT religious council

KUALA LUMPUR: The son of former minister in the Prime Minister's Department (religious affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri (pic), is eligible to receive the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council's special incentive scholarship scheme for excellent students going abroad in accordance with its policies and standard operating procedures (SOP). According to the council, Abdul Syakur, obtained...