Regent of Johor adds to festivities at Chingay celebration

JOHOR BARU: Chingay is already a lively event, but in Johor, the occasion was further enlivened by the presence of Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, who brought along his two children, much to the delight of attendees of the century-old Johor Ancient Temple Chingay procession here. Loud cheers could be heard as the...

Fiery dragon year brings bumper durian harvest

GEORGE TOWN: It’s sweltering in Penang but farmer Tan Chee Keat is smiling. His durian trees are fruiting abundantly in the heat and he is expecting a “record-breaking” harvest this year. Tan, who described the fruiting as a phenomenal sprouting pattern, said he expects at least four batches of fruits this season, which could last until...

Drug cartel charge widens

KOTA KINABALU: Two more people, including a woman, linked to what has been described as Sabah’s biggest drug cartel have been charged with being members of an organised criminal group at the Sessions Court here. The duo, Norsyafilah Pawawoi, 28, and Zulkahar Dusing, 29, both said to be members of the group, dubbed Geng Upik, were...

Man loses over RM400,000 after acquaintance promises refund, commission

JOHOR BARU: A man lost RM427,940 after being duped by an acquaintance into withdrawing money with a promise of a refund and a commission. Seri Alam district police chief Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said that the 45-year-old victim was introduced to a local man, who claimed that he had money amounting to RM25mil deposited into his...

SST increase will affect B40,M40 despite exemption, says Dr Wee

PETALING JAYA: Consumers in the B40 and M40 groups will be affected by the increase in the Sales and Service Tax (SST) despite being exempted directly, says says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong The MCA president said that although those who use less than 600 kWh a month in electricity would be exempted from SST,...

Two more alleged members of Sabah’s biggest drug cartel charged

KOTA KINABALU: Two more people linked to what has been described as Sabah's biggest drug cartel have been charged with being members of an organised criminal group. Norsyafilah Pawawoi, 28, and Zulkahar Dusing, 29, both said to be members of the so-called Geng Upik, were charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code in the Sessions...

Scrap property discounts for rich bumis, says Bursa chairman

PUTRAJAYA: Discounts for rich bumiputra to buy luxury homes should be scrapped in the new economic agenda to empower the community in favour of policies that are aimed at those who earn low incomes. "Property discounts for bumiputra buyers who want to buy a RM2mil ringgit bungalow are not suitable," says Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar,...

Scandinavian Airlines medevac plane lands in Langkawi, where Norway’s King Harald is hospitalised

LANGKAWI (AP): A Scandinavian Airlines medical evacuation plane arrived on Friday (March 1) in Pulau Langkawi, where the Norwegian king is in hospital and being treated for an infection. King Harald V, Europe's oldest monarch at 87, was hospitalised after he fell ill during a vacation, the royal palace in Oslo announced on Tuesday. There were...

Govt agrees in principle to home detention for prisoners, says Saifuddin

PUNCAK BORNEO: The government has agreed in principle to implement the Licensed Release of Prisoners (PBSL) through home detention for prisoners serving jail sentences of four years and below as an effort to reduce overcrowding in prisons. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic) said that his ministry is currently in the process of examining...

Regent of Johor attends Chingay procession to mark end of Chinese New Year celebrations

JOHOR BARU: Loud cheers could be heard as Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim took to the stage to watch the century-old Johor Ancient Temple Chingay procession. The Regent, wearing a red-coloured shirt, arrived at the Gong Ying stage in Jalan Wong Ah Fook here at around 8.40pm on Friday (March 1) to watch...