MACC nabs another agent over RM40,000 bribes for ‘fast-track’ vehicle inspections

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested another agent at a vehicle inspection centre on suspicion of accepting bribes to obtain queue numbers to speed up the vehicle inspection process without following proper procedures. According to the MACC, Senior Assistant Registrar Assayidatun Najwa Muhammad Nasution granted the MACC's request for a four-day remand order against...

Malaysia strongly condemns Israel’s attacks in Gaza

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia unequivocally condemns Israel’s latest assaults against Gaza, in particular Rafah, which have claimed over 600 Palestinian lives in the past three days. The Foreign Ministry in its statement on Saturday (March 22) also called on the United Nations Security Council and the international community to take decisive action to halt the carnage and genocide in the Palestinian...

Vehicle inspection centre agent remanded five days in RM40,000 bribery probe

KUALA LUMPUR: An agent at a vehicle inspection centre was detained by graft busters for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for illegally getting queue numbers for faster inspections. The suspect, in his 60s, was brought to the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court on Friday (March 21), where Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin granted a five-day remand order. Sources said the...

Ringgit rises 0.24% against US$

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit closed firmer against the US dollar on Wednesday, gaining 0.24 per cent to 4.4330/4400 from Monday’s close of 4.4450/4490, amid cautious sentiment ahead of the outcome of the United States (US) Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting later today. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said market sentiments...

Aaron: National Unity Department offers support to victim of slap incident

JOHOR BAHRU: The National Unity and Integration Department is offering support to the victim slapped by an elderly man at Angsana Mall on Sunday (March 16). National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (pic) said that the department director had met with Elijah Ling Zhao Zhong, 22, and was informed that he required privacy. "I request the...

QuickCheck: Are scammers targeting taxpayers with SMSes claiming unpaid taxes?

With technology at our fingertips, not every message is as innocent as it seems. Imagine receiving a text message that claims you owe back taxes and are going to be black listed! Could these alarming messages really be a new tactic used by scammers to prey on unsuspecting people? Verdict: TRUE The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) has alerted...

Jun Hao passes unexpected test to reach second round of Swiss Open

KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao overcame a stern challenge to book his place in the second round of the Swiss Open on Wednesday (March 19). Playing at St Jakobshalle, Basel, Jun Hao was tipped to have little trouble clearing the first hurdle against Japan’s world No. 45 Koo Takahashi. However, the match proved tougher...

Local radio station apologises after defending Kim Soo-hyun amid underage dating scandal

A local radio station has landed itself in hot water after its announcers defended South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun amid allegations of his involvement in underage dating. Kim, 37, has faced intense scrutiny since March 10, when a YouTube channel accused him of dating late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was still a minor. Kim Soo-hyun's agency Gold...

Compulsory secondary education amendments set to be tabled in Parliament in June, says Education DG

KUALA LUMPUR: The amendments to make secondary school education compulsory will be tabled at the next Parliament sitting, says Datuk Azman Adnan. Known as the Education Bill 2025, the Education Ministry director-general said it would see amendments made to Section 29(A) of the Education Act 1996. "The Education Ministry will table the Education Bill 2025 at the...