CNY bookings in full swing with reunion meal packages snapped up months in advance

JOHOR BARU: Malaysian and Singaporean families started making reservations for next year’s Chinese New Year reunion meals at seafood restaurants here from as early as October. The upcoming Chinese New Year falls on Jan 29. Jacky Goh, senior manager of a popular Chinese seafood restaurant, said there has been an increase in bookings from Singaporean companies looking...

Batu Puteh: Why did the Cabinet stay quiet, asks Syed Saddiq

KUALA LUMPUR: Only one lawmaker voiced disagreement with the decision on the Batu Puteh, Batuan Tengah, and Tubir Selatan sovereignty issue in 2018, according to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar). The MP made this point while debating the Batu Puteh, Batuan Tengah, and Tubir Selatan Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report at the Dewan Rakyat...

Dr M and Perikatan leaders unite against perceived threats to Malays

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and several top leaders from Perikatan Nasional have united to address what they see as a common threat to the Malays — the government. Dr Mahathir claimed that the Malays are being targeted for investigations by the government, with many charged with crimes. "Many Malays who are vocal were pressured by...

Those who question the Titah Addendum issue, lack knowledge, says PM

SHAH ALAM: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described critics questioning his decision to present the issue of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's Titah Addendum to His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim, who serves as the Chairman of the Pardons Board, as lacking in knowledge and uninterested in seeking the truth. The Prime Minister stated...

QuickCheck: Did the world’s oldest known wild bird lay an egg at 74?

IN THE avian world, age is but a number—especially for a remarkable Laysan albatross named Wisdom. This extraordinary bird continues to defy expectations by nesting at an age when most would have long retired from parenthood. But is it true that the world's oldest known wild bird has laid an egg at the age of 74? Verdict: TRUE The US...

India’s palm oil import duty hike a ‘temporary challenge’, says ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: The tariff change in palm oil import duty by India is a "temporary challenge" for Malaysia's resilience and the competitiveness of its palm oil export, says the Plantation and Commodities Ministry. "From experience, these tariff changes are usually temporary, and their impact on Malaysian palm oil... is only short-term," it said in a parliamentary...

China KOL mimics athlete in sexy video, igniting debate over objectification of sportswomen

BEIJING: A live-streamer in China mimicked national track and field athlete Wu Yanni and performed provocative dances for profit, sparking a heated online debate. Videos by Douyin influencer @xiaoyu, who has over 4,000 followers, went viral and topped the Weibo trending list on December 5. The controversial videos feature her wearing make-up and styling her hair to...

Tears and hope as Syrians return home from Turkey

YAYLADAGI, Turkey (Reuters) - Ala Jabeer cried as he prepared to cross from Turkey into Syria with his 10-year-old daughter on Tuesday, thirteen years after the war forced him to flee his home. He returns without his wife and three of his children who died in devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria last year. Father and...

Over five million bags of rice lost to floods this year, says Arthur

KUALA LUMPUR: Floods have severely affected Malaysia's rice production this year, with about 5.3 million 10kg bags of potential harvest "lost" to date, says Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. "This year's floods are exceptionally severe and affected our nation's rice production. "Until now, we have lost 5.3 million 10kg bags of rice due to the floods affecting our...

Travel restrictions imposed on more than 200,000 individuals, companies, says LHDN

PUTRAJAYA: The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) has imposed travel restrictions on 203,123 individuals and companies as of Nov 30. In a statement on Tuesday (Dec 10), LHDN said the number included 175,656 individuals with arrears under Section 104 of the Income Tax Act (ACP) 1967, as well as 12,205 individuals with tax arrears under Section 22...