It’s ‘abang’ Bung vs GRS rep as verbal row erupts during assembly sitting

KOTA KINABALU: An otherwise calm Sabah state assembly sitting on Tuesday (Nov 28) saw a war of words breaking out between Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Lamag) and Datuk Masiung Banah (GRS-Kuamut). While debating on Sabah's 2024 Budget, Masiung touched on the delivery of projects in Tongod which is under his state constituency. Kuamut is also part...

Naraoka nails biggest title so far

PETALING JAYA: Japan’s Kodai Naraoka captured his biggest title so far in the men’s singles in the China Masters. Surprisingly, World Championships silver medallist Naraoka’s only World Tour title before this had been the Super 100 Vietnam Open last year. The world No. 5 Japanese rose to the occasion to out-play teammate and world No. 13 Kenta...

Still no agreement with Indonesia on Sabah’s Sebatik maritime border, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: No agreement has been reached between Malaysia and Indonesia over the maritime boundary that includes the disputed Ambalat block in waters off the shared island of Sebatik in Tawau. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that so far no agreement has been reached through bilateral meetings concerning Sebatik Island and the Sulawesi Sea. Hajiji...

Melaka coffee warehouse destroyed in late night fire

MELAKA: A local coffee company’s warehouse was destroyed in a fire at Taman Teknologi Cheng here on Sunday (Nov 26) night. Senior Fire Supt II Mohd Khairul Nizam Mohamad Anuar said the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received a distress call at 9.59pm Sunday before rushing to the scene and arriving four minutes later. Mohd Khairul Nizam,...

Eight people a day on average contract HIV daily in Malaysia, says Health Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: An average of eight people contract Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) a day in the country, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pic). The Health Minister said that the continued prevalence of new infections could derail the nation's goal of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030. "In general, Malaysia has succeeded in lowering new infections by up to 50% between...

Vehicles transporting construction materials eligible for targeted diesel subsidy

KUALA LUMPUR: Vehicles used to transport construction materials will continue to enjoy the diesel subsidy despite the upcoming targeted mechanism, says Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh. “Lorries that transport construction materials will not be affected (when the blanket subsidy is lifted) because they are still eligible for the diesel subsidy,” she...

Visa-free policy highlights good ties between KL, Beijing

KUALA LUMPUR: Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, which will celebrate their 50th anniversary next year, will be further strengthened with the unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Malaysia starting in December. Malaysia-China Friendship Association president Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan (pic) said Malaysia is the only South-East Asian country to benefit from this...

Sarawak’s proposed Year Six assessment to kick off in 2025, says state Education Minister

KUCHING: Sarawak's proposed standard assessment for Year Six pupils is scheduled to commence in 2025, says state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah. He said this was when pupils in the state's dual language programme (DLP) for the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English would reach Year Six. "The assessment will focus...

Personal data will be tightly controlled under national Digital ID, says Fahmi

PETALING JAYA: Personal data security in the Digital Identity (Digital ID) will be under tight control, says Fahmi Fadzil. The Communications and Digital Minister said this can be done when the government provides a module that can be used by all ministries, and subsequently by the private sector as well, “With this module, we need not worry...

Hundreds of Rohingya refugees set sail from Bangladesh

AT least three boats carrying hundreds of Rohingya refugees set sail from Bangladesh this week, the latest in a wave of migrations that has seen more than 1,000 asylum seekers arrive on Indonesian shores. Bangladesh is home to around one million Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled a violent 2017 crackdown by the Myanmar military that...