LHDN: RM17bil tax refund processed, remaining RM2bil to be disbursed by end of Dec

CYBERJAYA: The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) has cleared RM17bil billion in tax refunds covering 3.53 million cases from Jan 1 up to Dec 18. In a statement, LHDN announced that the tax refund also includes an additional allocation of RM2bil announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently. "A total of RM2bil has been processed and credited...

NATO sees positive signs Czech ammunition scheme for Kyiv may continue

WIESBADEN, Germany, ‌Dec 19 (Reuters) - A senior NATO military official voiced cautious ‌optimism that the Czech Republic may continue an initiative ‌to source large-calibre ammunition for Kyiv from global suppliers despite a recent change of government in Prague. Before taking office, new Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis ‍pledged to cut military aid to Ukraine ‍from...

PM welcomes IMF’s latest assessment of Malaysia’s economic performance

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) assessment of Malaysia’s economic performance. Anwar said the government's priority remains to ensure that the nation's economic stability is well managed and enjoyed by Malaysians. "The government's priority remains in ensuring that economic stability is not only managed responsibly, but is also felt by the...

Business tycoon Abu Sahid allowed to travel to London by court

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here has allowed business tycoon Tan Sri Abu Sahid Mohamed temporary access to his passport for him to travel to London next month. Judge Suzana Hussin made the order for Abu Sahid's passport to be returned to him on Friday (Dec 19) and surrendered back to the court by Jan 30. Abu...

MPV driver nabbed for allegedly ramming motorcyclist following viral brawl

JOHOR BARU: An 18-year-old driver has been arrested for allegedly crashing a multipurpose vehicle (MPV) into a man before dragging a woman and reversing into a drain. Seri Alam deputy OCPD Supt G. Victor said the incident occurred in a residential area in Taman Johor Jaya here at about 6pm on Wednesday (Dec 17) “The incident started...

High Court awards RM274,375 in damages to Siti Kasim, client over 2018 raid

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has awarded RM274,375 in damages to lawyer Siti Kasim and her client over unlawful raid at her house and her subsequent wrongful imprisonment in June 2018. Judicial Commissioner Arziah Mohammed Apandi, in her decision, said the police raid on Siti's home on June 21, 2018, was conducted without any intent to...

Cutting the queue with QR: New KLIA feature speeds up Immigration clearance

SEPANG: The use of quick response (QR) codes for departure and arrival processes at the country’s entry points, introduced earlier in 2025, has successfully reduced congestion and improved operational efficiency, with passengers able to clear immigration in as little as five to seven seconds. The implementation of the technology at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminals...

SMG wins big at CIDB Media Awards

KUALA LUMPUR: Star Media Group (SMG) bagged top prizes in the Works Ministry Media Appreciation Night and the 2025 CIDB Construction Media Awards, clinching six awards across four of the seven categories contested. In the Static Infographic Award category, SMG Executive Editor (Content Design) Tung Eng Hwa, Razak Ahmad, Muhammad Hafeez Aminuddin, Foo Chern Hwan, and...

Nobel Peace laureate Machado doing well despite injured back, no longer in Oslo

OSLO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado is doing well, a spokesperson for the Venezuelan opposition leader said on Wednesday, despite sustaining an injury to her back during her recent flight from Venezuela. Machado fractured a vertebra while fleeing her home country on a small boat last week to receive the...

Ban on bringing pets into shopping malls remains in place, says Selangor exco

SHAH ALAM: The ban on bringing pets into shopping malls in Selangor remains in place, said state Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim. He said the policy is still in force, but explained that the state government will review the existing guidelines to maintain community harmony. "We in Selangor are a developed and...