UPDATE — Thai PM will not resign or dissolve parliament, ruling party official says

BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand's embattled prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will not resign or dissolve parliament, a senior official from the ruling Pheu Thai party said on Saturday, risking a prolonged political crisis in South-Est Asia's second largest economy. Sorawong Thienthong, who also serves as Thailand's tourism minister, said in a Facebook post that the prime minister would...

WEF Asean 2025 highlights regional resolution on women’s empowerment

KUALA LUMPUR: The Women Economic Forum (WEF) Asean 2025 concluded on Saturday (June 21) after three impactful days of dialogue, culminating in the announcement of 27 comprehensive resolutions designed to accelerate women's leadership and inclusive economic growth across the Asean region and beyond. Asean WEF 2025 president Dr Hartini Osman said the resolutions represent a bold,...

Nurul Izzah, Saifuddin Nasution appointed PKR’s election directors, says Fahmi

PETALING JAYA: Newly-elected PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has been appointed as the party’s election co-director, says the party’s information chief. Datuk Fahmi Fadzil also added that Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has also been appointed to the position. The co-directors succeeded former PKR deputy president Datuk Rafizi Ramli, who recently lost the party polls leading...

Exclusive-Senior Iranian official: European proposals in Geneva unrealistic

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -The discussions and proposals made by the European powers to Iran over its nuclear programme in Geneva were unrealistic and insisting on them will not bring both sides closer to an agreement, a senior Iranian official told Reuters. "In any case, Iran will review the European proposals in Tehran and present its responses in...

Six-year-old autistic boy reported missing near Kinabatangan riverbank

KOTA KINABALU: A search and rescue operation has been launched following the disappearance of a six-year-old autistic boy in Batu Putih, near Menggaris in Kinabatangan on Saturday afternoon (June 21). The Kinabatangan Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 5.14pm reporting that the child, identified as Mohammad Aqeef Al Tarmiezy Arman, had gone missing...

Air India says plane ‘well-maintained’ before crash

NEW DELHI: Air India's Boeing plane was "well-maintained" before it crashed a week ago, killing all but one of 242 people on board, the airline said Thursday (June 19). Indian authorities are yet to detail what caused the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to hurtle to the ground in the western city of Ahmedabad, where at least 38...

Govt reform agenda progressing consistently, not mere rhetoric, says PMO

KUALA LUMPUR: Claims that the "reformasi" agenda is not progressing are unfounded, as it is moving forward consistently, says Tunku Nashrul Abaidah. The senior press secretary to the Prime Minister said the reformasi agenda is not something to be implemented overnight or merely expressed in statements, but rather is being executed through structured actions. "Since the start...

Anwar stays mum on appointment of new IGP

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has declined to comment on the name of the new candidate for Inspector-General of Police (IGP), which is reportedly set to be presented to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. The Prime Minister appeared momentarily surprised when asked about the matter during a press conference Thursday (June 19). “Oh? The...

Saudi lets off 47 unauthorised M’sian pilgrims with warning, says Religious Affairs Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The 47 Malaysian pilgrims who violated haj permit regulations after being duped by a local agent were only given a warning by the Saudi Arabian government, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said the pilgrims' release was due to the consistent discipline and good track...

Ensure the word ‘Islam’ not used arbitrarily to benefit any party, says Selangor Ruler

PETALING JAYA: Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah says that the word "Islam" should not be used arbitrarily for the benefit and interests of any individual or organisation. In a post on the Selangor Royal Office offical Facebook page Thursday (June 19), His Royal Highness also expressed his agreement with the contents of a statement by...