Zii Jia bows out of China Masters

PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia's run in the China Masters came to an end in the quarter-finals. The world No. 11 disappointingly lost 11-21, 12-21 to Japan's world No. 13 Kenta Nishimoto at the Shenzhen Bay Gymnasium on Friday (Nov 24). It was Zii Jia's third defeat to Nishimoto in nine meetings. Malaysia's challenge in...

Zii Jia plays it nice and slow to overcome Guangzu

PETALING JAYA: A calm and calculated Lee Zii Jia remained as the sole Malaysian survivor in the China Masters after storming confidently into the quarter-finals in Shenzhen yesterday. If local favourite Lu Guangzu was planning to secure a win in front of his home crowd in the second round, it was just not possible as Zii...

RM7.05mil special aid for Penang civil servants and educators

GEORGE TOWN: Civil servants in Penang will receive special financial aid of either half a month's salary or a minimum of RM1,000 by the end of this year. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the aid is being extended to 3,867 civil servants in the state as gratitude for their dedicated and committed service. He said the...

Targeted EPF withdrawal will worsen insufficiency of retirement savings, says Finance Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: Any new additional pre-retirement withdrawals, whether targeted or open, will further exacerbate the issue of insufficient retirement savings, which is currently at a very alarming level, the Finance Ministry said. The ministry said it is also not a solution to the increasing financial burden of the people. "As of Sept 30, 2023, a total of...

FBI, Interpol aid sought in tracing bomb hoax culprit

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman is working with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Interpol in connection with the bomb hoaxes at several schools nationwide. Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain (pic) said the case is complicated as it involves cyber crime. "We are not ruling out the possibility that the...

I’m not defending my post as Bersatu president, says Muhyiddin

SHAH ALAM: Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that he will not be defending his post in the next party polls to be held next year. The former prime minister said this in his policy speech at Bersatu’s 6th annual general meeting (AGM) held at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) here Friday (Nov 24). ALSO...

I was paid RM1mil to keep my mouth shut, says Sirul

PETALING JAYA: Sirul Azhar Umar says he received RM1mil from unnamed sources for his silence on the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder during his detention in Australia. He said a prominent politically-linked lawyer and a top Cabinet leader were involved in the payment. ALSO READ: Altantuya’s father shocked over decision to release Sirul from detention In an interview with Al-Jazeera's 101...

Sexual harassment probe against govt agency head ‘in final stages’

KUALA LUMPUR: The sexual harassment probe said to involve the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director-general is believed to be in its final stages, with statements recorded from three individuals. It is learnt police have recorded statements from the complainant, the suspect said to be a director-general of a government agency, and a special officer. "We recorded...

Johor hopes to ink Special Economic Zone deal with Singapore in six months

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor hopes that the agreement for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) could be inked within six months after the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) in January. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said that Malaysia and Singapore are expected to sign a MOU for the Johor-Singapore SEZ on Jan 11...

PN MP retracts statement on military pensions after rebuke by Defence Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic) has rebuked an Opposition MP over the latter’s claims that military pension claims were not prioritised by the government. Major-General (Rtd) Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN-Ketereh) claimed that he had not heard any Defence Minister raise the issue with the Cabinet. “This includes the current minister who has...