Pavilion REIT’s tenancies on the rise

KUALA LUMPUR: Kenanga Research is keeping Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) as its top sector pick on the back of its earnings resilience. "We believe Pavilion REIT’s premium retail assets are less vulnerable to downward pressure on occupancy and rental rates amidst rising headwinds in the retail sector on the back of sustained high inflation that hurts...

Contract system may affect civil service productivity, says Pasir Gudang MP

JOHOR BARU: The move to introduce a contract system for new civil service recruits could affect the government’s overall productivity, says Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim. The Johor lawmaker said the lack of job security for contract staff was also a cause of concern for the people. “This will affect the public’s desire to enter the...

No safe harbour, warns Immigration Dept

SEREMBAN: The Immigration Department, which detained 110 undocumented foreigners in a three-hour operation near here yesterday, has again reminded employers that stern action will be taken against them if they hire or harbour such individuals. State director Kennith Tan Aik Kiang said his department had been conducting regular operations against undocumented foreigners and would come down...

Johor Immigration nabs 84 illegals in factory raid after tip-off

JOHOR BARU: A total of 84 illegal immigrants from four countries and a local woman have been arrested following a raid at a factory in Senai near here. Johor Immigration director Baharuddin Tahir said that the operation, codenamed Ops Mahir, was conducted at 11am on Wednesday (Jan 24) following a tip-off from the public. "We received a...

Sabah police rescue eight teenage girls in anti-human trafficking raid

KOTA KINABALU: Eight teenage girls - some as young as 14 - were rescued from a factory where they were made to work as forced labour in Sabah’s east coast Lahad Datu district. The factory was also found employing foreigners without valid travel passes or working permits during the raid by the Sabah Criminal Investigation Department’s...

Man who allegedly hit daughter also accused of rape, say Negri cops

REMBAU: A 47-year-old man who was caught on video allegedly hitting his 17-year-old daughter with chairs and an ironing board is also being investigated for raping the teenager. Rembau OCPD Deputy Supt Hazri Mohamad said the girl, who required 12 stitches for her injuries, reported this to a doctor while receiving treatment at the Tunku Ampuan...

The people come first, says King

PUTRAJAYA: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has sent a letter to the Cabinet, reminding them that their duty first and foremost is to serve the nation and her people. Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah penned the advice to the ministers, stating they should not think of positions, personal interests or possessions while in power, says government...

Malaysians spotted as mercenaries in Ukraine’s Donetsk region

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians have been spotted as mercenaries operating in the occupied Donetsk region, says the Ukraine National Resistance Centre. The Centre - which is run by the Ukraine government's Special Operations Forces - said that these mercenaries were accompanied by a translator and a former member of the Wagner Group at a training ground in...

Floods: Devotees trapped at temple while doing pre-Thaipusam prep rescued

JOHOR BARU: Some 17 devotees preparing for Thaipusam were trapped in a temple here following a flash flood on Wednesday (Jan 24) night. Tebrau Fire and Rescue station chief Shamsul Khomari Bakar said that eight firemen were deployed to the scene upon receiving a call about the flood involving a temple in Kampung Kangkar Tebrau Kiri...

Vatican convicts priest accused of abuse at papal altar boys’ school

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A Vatican appeals court on Tuesday convicted a priest of sexually abusing a fellow student while they were both attending a school for papal altar boys. Partially overturning a first instance ruling from 2021, judges sentenced Father Gabriele Martinelli to two and a half years' imprisonment, according to a copy of their...