Johor leads Malaysia’s Q1 2025 investments with RM30.1bil, says exco

JOHOR BARU: Johor has emerged as Malaysia’s top investment destination for the first quarter of 2025, recording RM30.1bil in approved investments, according to Lee Ting Han (pic). The state investment, trade, consumer affairs, and human resources committee chairman declared the achievement a proud moment for Johor. "The figure not only positions Johor at the forefront of national...

Sugar, rice and selected imported foods exempt from expanded SST, says Finance Ministry

PETALING JAYA: The Finance Ministry has clarified details regarding the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST), specifying that the 5% tax is levied on goods manufactured locally and on imports. "If the fruits are imported, they will be subject to the 5% sales tax," the Ministry stated. However, it confirmed that locally grown fruits are exempted...

Permanent border wall seen as solution to smuggling in Kelantan, says police chief

KOTA BHARU: A permanent wall or fence along the Kelantan-Thailand border is viewed as the most effective solution to combat persistent smuggling activities in the state, says Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat. He said the 45km border stretch remains too exposed, making comprehensive enforcement challenging. "For that entire stretch, we have only eight control posts....

PJ police unleash drones to crack down on motorcycle lane violations

PETALING JAYA: Errant motorcycle riders beware, as PJ police are using drones for the first time, looking out for riders who did not use the designated motorcycle lanes along the Federal Highway. Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Shahrulnizam Ja'afar said the operation, which was conducted along KM28.4 of the highway on Wednesday (June 11), focused on...

Smart card aid eases financial burden for Pitas students

KOTA KINABALU: For 15-year-old Alexa Grace Zulkeplee, every ringgit counts. A Form Three student at SMK Kanibongan in Pitas, she receives a modest monthly allowance of RM40 from her father, who operates a small farm. "On school days, I usually spend just RM1 for food. That gets me through until lunch, which is provided at the...

Woman swept away by strong currents after car plunges into river found drowned

KUANTAN: A woman who was reported to have been swept by the current after the car she was in slid into Sungai Triang, near Bandar Baru Bera, was found drowned on Wednesday (June 11) morning. Bera District Police Chief Supt Zulkiflee Nazir said the body of Sakirah Akop, 31, was found floating about 2.5 kilometres from...

Town planning officer claims trial to RM19,100 false claims charge

KOTA KINABALU: A town planning officer has claimed trial at the Special Corruption Court here on Wednesday (June 11) to a charge of submitting a false claim amounting to RM19,100. Nazri Hamburg, 46, an officer with the Sabah Town and Country Planning Department, pleaded not guilty when the charge under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption...

Man, 62, nabbed over alleged sexual assault on underage girl in Lahad Datu

KOTA KINABALU: A 62-year-old man has been arrested over an alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl at an estate in Lahad Datu. Lahad Datu deputy OCPD Supt Jimmy Panyau said based on information given by the girl, she had fainted behind her house, prior to the incident on Tuesday (June 10). “She said that when she...

Traffic accidents in PJ rise by 35% this year

PETALING JAYA: The number of traffic accidents in the district has increased by 53 cases so far this year compared to last year, according to Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Shahrulnizam Ja'afar (pic). A total of 204 cases were recorded between January and May, compared to 151 cases during the same period last year, marking an...

You can amend the regulations anytime as minister, Dr Wee tells Armizan

PETALING JAYA: Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali can exercise his ministerial powers according to his discretion to amend the Control of Supplies (Amendment) regulations 2021, says MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. This was because under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, Armizan has the prerogative as minister...