Ensure the word ‘Islam’ not used arbitrarily to benefit any party, says Selangor Ruler

PETALING JAYA: Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah says that the word "Islam" should not be used arbitrarily for the benefit and interests of any individual or organisation. In a post on the Selangor Royal Office offical Facebook page Thursday (June 19), His Royal Highness also expressed his agreement with the contents of a statement by...

Tok Mat to lead M’sian delegation at OIC foreign ministers meet in Istanbul

PUTRAJAYA: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will lead Malaysia's delegation to the 51st Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Istanbul, Turkiye, from June 21 to 22, 2025. Wisma Putra, in a statement Thursday (June 19), said that the meeting will involve the participation of foreign ministers and...

Singapore workers still parking wherever they please in JB

ALL Saiful Azri wanted was to see a doctor after waking up with a fever. However, what should have been a quick visit to the clinic turned into a frustrating search for parking along Jalan Garuda in Johor Baru. Saiful had opted to ride a motorcycle instead of taking his car, hoping it would make the trip...

E&E growth spurs call for stronger R&D

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has enjoyed strong investment growth in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector over the past four years, but more needs to be done to strengthen its research and development (R&D) capabilities – particularly in product innovation – to move up the value chain. Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) executive director Andrew Chan Yik...

Stakeholders: Law should be supportive, not punitive

PETALING JAYA: Authorities should adopt a more realistic and nuanced approach when drafting laws to hold parents accountable for their children’s online behaviour, stakeholders suggest. Muhammad Hazrel Ariff, 42, who has a 15-year-old daughter, said while the intention behind the law was commendable, there needed to be a clear framework that considered intent and human error. “As...

Workers share their view on raising retirement age

JOHOR BARU: As a young graduate who has just entered the job market, Hanie Yunus has an observation when it comes to the idea of raising the retirement age from 60 to 65. “Towards 60, I notice many at this age are just waiting for retirement. Often, younger staff end up covering for them. Their productivity...

FBM KLCI opens sideways after US rate hold

KUALA LUMPUR: There was little to move the Malaysian market barometer on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve announced its widely expected decision to keep the interest rate unchanged, followed by a flat performance on Wall Street. The domestic benchmark index eked out a 1.05-point gain to 1,512.94 at the start of trading, suggesting investors remained...

5% housing discount for all a fair move, say groups

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government’s decision to give a 5% housing discount on overhang properties to all house buyers is well received by political parties and associations. Penang MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah, in welcoming the move, said any policy introduced must be grounded in the principle of supporting vulnerable groups, rather than being based on...

Ringgit softens vs US$, but rises against basket of currencies

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit inched higher at the opening today amid ongoing geopolitical worries and despite a firmer greenback after the US Federal Reserve (Fed) decided to keep interest rates unchanged, an analyst said. At 8 am, the local note climbed to 4.2435/2650 against the greenback from yesterday’s close of 4.2500/2550. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist...

70% of Malaysian varsities rise in latest QS global rankings

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia achieved the world’s highest rate of improvement - more than any other country with 10 or more ranked universities - with 70% of its 32 institutions climbing in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026. Of the 32 universities ranked, 19 rose, five remained stable in their ranks or bands, five featured...