Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH

MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm, heavy rain warning in 6 states until 3am

2026-06-29T00:33:00.592+08:00

An archived image of Kuantan town. NSTP FILE PIC, FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in six states until 3am.

It said in a statement that the states involved are Perlis, Kedah (Langkawi and Kubang Pasu), Perak (Hulu Perak) and Kelantan (Bachok, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai and Gua Musang).

The same situation is also predicted to occur in Terengganu in Besut, Marang and Dungun while in Pahang, it involves Jerantut, Temerloh and Kuantan. - NST

Sweet tooth stick up: Premium-grade durian carted away by machete-wielding robbers from Jasin orchard

2026-06-29T00:31:43.019+08:00

JASIN: Even as durian prices continue to fall this season, the king of fruits remains a lucrative target when three machete-wielding robbers took four baskets of premium-grade durians after threatening two teenage orchard caretakers here.

Jasin OCPD Supt Lee Robert said the robbery took place at about 11.30am on Saturday (June 27) at a durian orchard in Anjung Gapam, Bemban, here where the two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, were looking after the durian harvest.

He said the suspects, who arrived in a car, loaded four large baskets of "IOI" durians into their vehicle before one of the teenagers confronted them.

"One of the suspects became aggressive and brandished a machete to intimidate the teenager, while another made off with a motorcycle belonging to the father of one of the victims before they fled," he said on Sunday (June 28).

Supt Lee said acting on intelligence, a team from the Jasin police arrested four men, aged between 27 and 35, in separate raids between 12.30am and 7.30am on Sunday (June 28) Bertam Hulu, Kampung Paya Rumput, Masjid Tanah and here.

He said police seized three mobile phones, the getaway car, the stolen motorcycle and a folding knife believed to have been used during the robbery.

"Two of the suspects admitted their involvement in the incident, while another was positively identified by one of the victims as the person who stole the motorcycle," he said.

Supt Lee said one of the suspects claimed he had initially been invited by an accomplice, known only as 'Wan Linggi', who remains at large, to steal sports rims, but decided to take the motorcycle after spotting it at the orchard.

He added that three of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine, while checks also revealed they had criminal records.

However, police were unable to recover the stolen durians. - Star

Indonesia's Semeru and Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcanoes erupt repeatedly on the same day

2026-06-29T00:29:31.219+08:00

JAKARTA (Bernama): Two of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, Mount Semeru in East Java and Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara, erupted repeatedly on Sunday, spewing ash as high as one kilometre above their summits.

According to Indonesia's Geological Agency, Mount Semeru erupted five times throughout the day, with the latest eruption occurring at 12.16 pm local time and producing an ash column of about 1,000 metres above its summit.

Volcano observer Mukdas Sofian, in his report published on the agency’s website, said the ash column was observed to be white to grey with thick intensity drifting to the southwest, while the eruption lasted about 130 seconds.

He said the volcano also erupted at 5.35 am, 6.32 am, 9.11 am, and 11.37am.

Observed ash columns ranged from 500 to 1,000 metres above the summit, except for two of the eruptions when no ash columns were visible.

Meanwhile, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted six times, with the largest observed eruption at 10.16 am local time, spewing ash about 900 metres above its summit.

Volcano observer Bramantya Aji Putra Mahendra said the ash column was grey with thick intensity drifting to the north and northeast, while the eruption lasted about 149 seconds.

He said Lewotobi Laki-laki also erupted at 12.10 am, 4.39 am, 9.42 am, 10.33 am, and 1.40 pm. Observed ash columns ranged from 300 to 500 metres above the summit, except for two of the eruptions when ash columns were not visible due to weather conditions.

-- BERNAMA

Polis P Pinang tumpas 2 pusat operasi pertaruhan Piala Dunia Fifa

2026-06-29T00:27:37.504+08:00

Polis serbu 2 premis kediaman, masing-masing di Gelugor dan Butterworth, tahan 9 individu.

Ketua Polis Pulau Pinang Dennis Lim Kwang Keng berkata, serbuan itu merupakan sebahagian Op Soga XI bermula 11 Jun hingga 19 Julai ini bagi membanteras kegiatan perjudian bola sepak di seluruh negeri. (Gambar Johnshen Lee)

PETALING JAYA:

Polis Pulau Pinang berjaya menumpaskan dua pusat operasi yang menjalankan kegiatan pertaruhan bola sepak sempena Piala Dunia Fifa 2026 dalam dua serbuan di Gelugor dan Butterworth, yang turut membawa kepada penahanan sembilan individu.

Ketua Polis Pulau Pinang Dennis Lim Kwang Keng berkata, dalam serbuan pertama pada 26 Jun di sebuah unit kondominium di Gelugor, polis menahan empat individu terdiri daripada seorang wanita tempatan dan tiga lelaki warga asing, kesemuanya berusia antara 29 hingga 44 tahun.

“Siasatan mendapati sindiket itu menjadikan premis tersebut sebagai pusat operasi bagi menguruskan akaun pelanggan, menyelia transaksi dan mempromosikan pertaruhan bola sepak secara dalam talian menerusi laman sesawang 137.com,” katanya dalam kenyataan, lapor Bernama.

Dalam serbuan itu, katanya, polis turut merampas beberapa komputer, telefon bimbit dan pelbagai peralatan elektronik yang digunakan untuk kegiatan itu.

Sementara itu, serbuan kedua dijalankan di sebuah unit kondominium di Marminton Homes, Butterworth semalam.

Menerusi serbuan itu, polis menahan lima lelaki tempatan berusia 27 hingga 41 tahun di kediaman yang dijadikan sebagai pusat operasi sindiket yang mengendalikan pertaruhan bola sepak Piala Dunia melalui laman sesawang Nova88.

Katanya, sindiket itu menggunakan premis kediaman sebagai pusat panggilan untuk mengurus akaun pelanggan, menerima dan menyelia pertaruhan bola sepak secara dalam talian serta memberi khidmat sokongan kepada pelanggan menggunakan komputer dan telefon yang disambungkan kepada platform perjudian.

“Dalam serbuan itu kami merampas enam komputer, telefon bimbit pelbagai jenama, modem Internet serta pelbagai peralatan komputer yang digunakan dalam kegiatan pertaruhan tersebut,” katanya.

Kesemua suspek direman hingga 1 Julai bagi membantu siasatan dan kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 4(1)(e) Akta Pertaruhan 1953 dan Seksyen 4(1)(g) Akta Rumah Judi Terbuka 1953.

Lim berkata, serbuan itu merupakan sebahagian Op Soga XI bermula 11 Jun hingga 19 Julai ini bagi membanteras kegiatan perjudian bola sepak di seluruh negeri.

Setakat ini, katanya, polis Pulau Pinang telah menjalankan 21 serbuan dan menahan 28 individu serta merampas wang tunai berjumlah RM8,935 bersama pelbagai peralatan yang digunakan untuk menjalankan kegiatan perjudian dalam talian.

“Polis Pulau Pinang akan terus mempergiat Op Soga XI sepanjang berlangsungnya Piala Dunia dengan memberi tumpuan kepada pengesanan pusat panggilan, ejen pertaruhan, penganjur serta individu yang terlibat dalam kegiatan perjudian sama ada secara fizikal atau dalam talian,” katanya. - FMT

Johor BN to meet after survey projects only 35-seat victory

2026-06-29T00:25:50.148+08:00

A Barisan Nasional leader says the party had initially set a target of winning 40 to 42 seats in the 56-seat Johor state assembly.

A Barisan Nasional leader defended state BN chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi (above) from accusations of racism, and said the party would seek to win over urban Indian and Chinese voters. (Facebook pic)

JOHOR BAHRU:

Leaders of Johor Barisan Nasional are expected to hold a pow-wow tomorrow morning after its latest internal research projected a lower victory margin than expected at next month’s state assembly election.

A BN leader told FMT the coalition had initially set an election victory target of 40-42 seats in the 56-seat state assembly. However, “our latest research shows we could win 35 seats,” he said. “The meeting is about how we can push that number above 40.”

The leader said discussions would focus on winning over urban Indian and Chinese voters, who are expected to back Pakatan Harapan and Bersama.

“We need to assess the situation post nomination day. Our concern is the urban seats,” said the source, who asked not to be named. He acknowledged that the 1MDB corruption scandal continued to influence urban voters.

“Urban voters are still concerned about corruption,” he said, but questioned whether there had been any corruption cases involving Johor BN.

He rejected claims of racism levelled against state BN chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi after he was reported as saying he would rather not remain menteri besar than govern Johor with DAP.

He said the Johor state government had appointed more than 150 Chinese leaders to city and town councils, 20 to 30 Chinese community leaders, about 50 Indian members to local councils, and 10 Indian community leaders.

“We have also been consistently engaging the Indian community and working to resolve issues involving illegal Hindu temples. So how can BN be racist?” he said, adding that Johor BN had been multiracial “from day one”. - FMT

Cops hunt driver who crashed after weaving through LDP traffic

2026-06-29T00:24:19.954+08:00

A viral video shows the Proton X70 weaving dangerously through traffic on the Damansara–Puchong highway (LDP) before crashing into a BMW.

A screenshot from a viral video showing the Proton X70 weaving through traffic on the Damansara-Puchong highway.

SUBANG JAYA:

Police are seeking the driver of a Proton X70 after a viral video showed the vehicle weaving dangerously through traffic on the Damansara-Puchong highway yesterday and crashing into a BMW.

Subang Jaya police chief Wan Azlan Wan Mamat said the collision occurred at around 5pm. The driver of the BMW was moving slowly in heavy traffic heading from Puchong to Subang Jaya.

“The car was then hit from behind by a Proton X70,” Harian Metro reported him as saying tonight.

Wan Azlan said both drivers were not injured in the crash. The driver of the Proton X70 has yet to lodge a police report, and efforts are being made to trace him. - FMT

Woman charged over flyover crash that killed motorcyclist

2026-06-29T00:23:10.137+08:00

In the accident on Thursday, motorcyclist Shafeeq Hashim was thrown over the side of the flyover and fell 30m to the ground.

Kuala Lumpur traffic police chief Zamzuri Isa said the woman’s driving licence has been suspended until the case is over. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A 21-year-old woman has been charged in the Kuala Lumpur magistrates’ court over a collision on the Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist taking shelter from the rain.

Kuala Lumpur traffic police chief Zamzuri Isa said the woman was released on RM1,500 bail with one surety on Friday and her driving licence has been suspended until the case is over.

He did not specify the details of the charge, the New Straits Times reported.

The accident took place at about 4.40pm on Thursday, when the vehicle went out of control during heavy rain before crashing into the left road shoulder, hitting two motorcyclists sheltering from the rain.

The impact threw one of the riders, 31-year-old Shafeeq Hashim, over the edge of the flyover, causing him to fall 30m to the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene. - FMT

RAHSIA KALAH PILIHANRAYA LAGI

2026-06-29T00:20:55.081+08:00

Why the World Cup still belongs to the old empires

2026-06-28T22:53:28.828+08:00

SEVERAL teams that won their opening two matches have already secured a place in the Round of 32, and football’s old aristocracy, France, Germany, Argentina and company, are once again gliding toward the business end of the tournament while everyone else scrambles for a seat at the table.

This is not merely a sporting pattern. It raises a question football rarely asks out loud: is the World Cup still, in some sense, a tournament dominated by the old empires?

The answer is yes, though not in the simplistic way the phrase suggests. Matches are decided over 90 minutes, but footballing success is built over generations, by the same forces, human capital, migration and institutional development, that have long shaped global economic power.

A winners’ circle that barely changes

The numbers make the pattern hard to dismiss as coincidence. Across 22 editions of the World Cup since 1930, only eight countries have ever lifted the trophy, all from two continents.

Europe accounts for 12 titles across five nations, while South America holds the remaining 10 through just three: Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

For all football’s claims to global reach, the tournament has long behaved like a duopoly with better branding.

The concentration runs deeper than trophy counts. France has won two World Cups and reached four finals.

Spain strung together Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, one of the most remarkable streaks in the sport’s history.

Portugal, the Netherlands and Belgium tell a related story: small nations of 10 to 18 mil people that have turned overperformance into a habit, producing golden generations far beyond what their populations alone would predict.

These outcomes are often credited to coaching or tactics, but those too are products of deeper processes.

Economists call this path dependency: countries inherit advantages that keep paying dividends long after their original source has faded from view.

Colonialism exported more than flags and trade

Colonial rule did not “gift” football to the colonized world. It imposed systems of administration, education and mobility designed primarily to serve imperial control and more importantly, economic extraction.

Football travelled along those same routes, through colonial schools, military institutions, port cities and expatriate enclaves, before taking root among local populations who later made the game their own.

The British spread organized football across parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, while French and Portuguese imperial networks did the same in their own territories, Portugal’s reach extending as far as Cape Verde, which qualified for its first-ever World Cup this year on the back of exactly those networks.

What endured after empire was not merely a sport, but a set of linguistic, migratory and institutional linkages that would later shape how football talent moved, developed and was absorbed into global systems.

That helps explain why footballing influence still maps onto old imperial geography: the game is global, but the routes through which talent is found and trained rarely are.

South America fits the pattern too

At first glance, South America complicates the argument. Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay are among football’s most decorated nations, yet none were colonial powers, and if anything were former colonies themselves.

But formal colonial rule is only part of the picture. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Britain exercised enormous influence across South America through trade, railways and finance, an empire in economic practice if not administration.

British sailors, railway workers and engineers helped found some of the region’s earliest football clubs.

Peñarol, now Uruguay’s most decorated club with 48 league titles and the first winner of the Copa Libertadores in 1960, began life in 1891 as the cricket club of the British-run Central Uruguay Railway.

Football arrived in Argentina and Brazil through similar commercial and expatriate networks, taking root in port cities and railway towns before spreading more widely.

Export-led growth in beef and grain also drew huge flows of European migrants, especially from Italy and Spain.

By 1914, nearly a third of Argentina’s population, and roughly half of Buenos Aires, had been born abroad.

The relevant question is not who formally held the colonial flag, but who was plugged into the trade, migration and institutional networks of that era.

By that measure, South America was deeply embedded in the same global system that helped shape football elsewhere.

Migration networks became talent networks

Talent is widely distributed. Opportunity, however, is not. That is why migration matters so much, and countries that can identify, train and retain talent across borders enjoy advantages that compound over time.

England draws on Commonwealth-linked migration, the Netherlands on ties to Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean, Belgium on migration from Central Africa, and France’s modern success is inseparable from its postcolonial connections to North and West Africa.

France’s 2018 winning squad illustrates the point: roughly 15 of its 23 players had African family roots, but they were products of the French development system, not just raw talent arriving at its doorstep.

Migration networks do not only strengthen former colonial powers, though.

Morocco offers the clearest counterexample. More than 70% of its 26-man squad were born outside the country, most of them in France and Spain, the two powers that once divided Morocco into colonial protectorates.

That share is up from 14 of 26 in 2022 and just two of 23 as recently as 1998, the same year captain Achraf Hakimi, born in Madrid, came into the world.

Rather than treating this as a loss, Morocco has turned transnational connectivity into a strategic asset, fielding a team that combines the polish of European academies with the cohesion of a national project built around its diaspora.

History shapes the field, but it does not decide the result

If it is not obvious by now, I am in no way celebrating colonialism. The economic and social costs imposed on colonized societies were profound, and many consequences remain visible today in inequality and weak institutions.

But history also leaves behind networks, languages and migration corridors, which can be repurposed as much as inherited as liabilities.

Morocco shows this clearly. Its rise is not a gift from history but a deliberate strategy: investment in football infrastructure, a strengthened federation, and active use of diaspora connections.

The same migration routes that once reflected dependence have been turned into channels of recruitment and competitiveness, the clearest evidence that colonial legacy is raw material rather than destiny.

The real lesson goes beyond football

As millions watch the final group-stage matches, attention will naturally focus on tactics and moments of brilliance.

But the dominance of football’s traditional powers reflects the cumulative effects of human capital, migration networks and institutional quality, the same ingredients that shape economic success more broadly.

Football is one of the ways histories keep showing up in the present.

So, is the World Cup still a tournament between old empires? In part, yes, but the more useful lesson is that history shapes the playing field long before the first whistle blows, without deciding the result.

Success rests on institutions, infrastructure and talent development, not shortcuts.

Cape Verde shows that lesson at a smaller scale: a country of just over half a mil people, drawing on Lusophone migration networks into Portugal, punching well above its weight by building rather than shortcutting.

For countries like Malaysia, that is the sobering part. Footballing success, much like economic transformation, cannot be summoned by passion alone, a lesson this year’s heritage-player saga drove home rather more bluntly, costing the country its own result against Cape Verde.

It requires patient investment, credible institutions, and a willingness to think beyond the next match.

Dr Mohd Zaidi Md Zabri is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Islamic Economics, Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.

Bloomberg Malaysia fails to strike out libel suit by Bestinet, founder Aminul Islam

2026-06-28T22:51:16.278+08:00

THE Kuala Lumpur High Court has dismissed Bloomberg (M)Sdn Bhd’s application to strike out the libel suit by Bestinet Sdn Bhd and its founder Datuk Sri Aminul Islam Abdul Nor over reports on alleged migrant worker exploitation involving the company.

In a ruling on Friday (July 26), High Court judge Roslan Mat Nor said that Bloomberg Malaysia’s article titled “Everyone Gets A Cut, And Migrant Workers Pay The Price” needs further evaluation at the trial stage, hence the matter cannot be determined summarily based on affidavits.

Among the pleadings which need further examination were whether Bloomberg Malaysia was indeed involved in the actual publication of the disputed article or if it has control over or operates the main Bloomberg website, said the judge.

On that basis, the court also made an order of RM5,000 of cost.

During submissions earlier on Friday (June 26), Bloomberg Malaysia counsel Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad stressed that in any defamation action, the main consideration is publication of the impugned article or comments.

The lawyer from AmerBON Advocates went on to argue that his clients were not involved in the publication of the impugned article in Malaysia or elsewhere.

The Bloomberg website, he argued, clearly states that Bloomberg LP, the parent company based in New York, US, operates the website and had published the article.

As such, he said, the defamation suit against his clients was not sustainable.

However, the plaintiffs’ lawyer Ravi Nekoo from Lui & Bhullar countered that even if Bloomberg Malaysia was not a separate legal entity from its parent company, the financial news portal still bore some responsibility in the publication of the said article.

Bestinet Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Sri Aminul Islam Abdul Nor

Besides Blooomberg LP and Bloomberg Malaysia, Bestinet and its founder are suing eight others, including news outlets Malaysiakini, The Edge, former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Latheefa Koya and Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.

The other three parties are MNow Media Sdn Bhd (publisher of MalaysiaNow), Harapan Media Enterprise representatives Norhafizan Muhamad and Nur Azwan Nusi as well as political activist and content creator Iswardy Morni.

The suit revolves around Bloomberg’s report in January this year regarding Bestinet’s operations on the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) which is used to process foreign worker entry into Malaysia.

Bestinet and Aminul Islam claim the statements were defamatory, untrue and had severely damaged their reputation.

- Focus Malaysia

Literally “durian runtuh”: Crash in King of Fruit prices blamed on oversupply, “divine retribution”

2026-06-28T22:48:13.396+08:00

DURIAN runtuh” is a Malay proverb that describes an unexpected boon or an unbelievably great bargain.

This phrase can now be literally applied to the King of Fruits itself with prices of this once very premium indulgence dropping like a stone in recent weeks.

As local durian fans throng roadside stalls with placards declaring slashed prices, some sought to spare a thought for the farmers and orchard owners who are taking a huge financial hit with the current oversupply.

According to Singaporean travel writer Jeremy See, a 10-acre durian farm would cost approximately RM120,000 in annual maintenance cost.

Multiply this by seven for the number of years required for a durian tree to mature, orchard owners are already RM870,000 deep before a fruit has even been harvested.

The current oversupply was due to a glut of investors who sought to ride the Musang King wave propelled by the lucrative China export market.

However, the mainland consumer only wants the Grade A premium rated fruits and this has led to an oversupply of lower rated fruits in the domestic market.

“Consumers are ecstatic, buying premium fruit for pocket change while the farmers are quietly drowning,” he observed in a recent Facebook post.

“Desperate owners are now dumping their land at a brutal 50% discount compared to just two years ago. To survive, they only fertilise trees that show flowers and leave the rest to starve.” This is when he expressed sympathy for the orchard owners.

“Life is incredibly hard for these farmers at the mercy of middlemen. The next time you see a ridiculously cheap promo, remember the financial ruin behind it,” pleaded the kind-hearted automotive content creator. “Buy an extra fruit if you can.”

The erstwhile musician’s Facebook post has generated 1.3K Likes, 368 comments and 270 shares at time of writing, denoting that durian prices is a hot topic among local netizens.

However, not everyone shared the international road-tripper’s empathy for the orchard owners.

One commenter was delighted that the current drop in prices was a hark back to the days when the fruit was abundant, accessible and enjoyed by people from every walk of life.

Citing ridiculous prices for premium fruits in recent years, he deliberately refused to support such prices by exercising his right as a consumer to boycott.

His fond memories of buying durian by the fruit or even by the basket was echoed by others who rejoiced in the current collapse in prices which has seen a return to “the good old days.”

Other durian lovers were more scathing by pointing out that the orchard owners profited greatly during the boom years with sky-high prices, making the fruit inaccessible to many.

“It’s payback time” was the common consensus here.

Similar sentiments were also evident with news of the durian oversupply being reported on Malay-language Kosmon Online’s Facebook portal.

One commenter claimed that the business was so lucrative that some planters even resorted to illegal farming, alluding to the infamous illegal orchards in Raub. “Those who are greedy always lose out in the end,” she surmised.

More than a few claimed that it was through the Almighty’s good grace that finally the poor could finally try these much-acclaimed premium species of durian.

The fact that durians had once again become affordable and accessible was celebrated by many citizens.

While it is without a doubt that some durian orchard owners will have faced significant financial losses with the oversupply, there is no doubting the mood among local durian lovers has been largely positive as it meant the fruit was no longer an exclusive preserve of the rich.

As one commenter cheekily appropriated an airline’s catchphrase, “now, everybody can eat durian”. – Focus Malaysia

Private contractors reported collecting illegal payment for road tarring in residential areas

2026-06-28T22:44:47.584+08:00

A ROAD resurfacing project in Taman Muda, Ampang, has sparked controversy online despite the benign nature of a report.

In a video shared on social media, DAPSY Selangor leader Lee Wee Bin claimed that certain private contractors had been collecting payments from homeowners to carry out resurfacing works in front of the residential units.

Interviews with residents revealed that the contractors collect between RM250 to 600 for the work.

Lee stressed that the Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya does not impose charges on residents for such road resurfacing works.

According to him, MP Yew Jia Haur also informed that all the roads along Jalan Bunga Tanjung in Taman Muda would be resurfaced.

The announcement, however, drew mixed reactions online, with some netizens questioning the timing of the works as campaigning intensifies ahead of the election.

Take it from netizen @kampung_crew to point this out, adding that this was a natural phenomenon every five years.

Another netizen thinks he was a terrible actor. “I’ve stayed here all my life and I swear I never [met] this dude before,” said @priscEwong.

@Ibni_Sukri also pointed out that the faces of the innocent aunty in the video was censored while the identity of the private contractor who collected payment illegally was protected.

While Lee’s video was intended to remind residents that MPAJ does not charge for road resurfacing works, much of the online discussion instead shifted towards election timing, public perception and the handling of the alleged unauthorised collections, proving once again that in politics, even a freshly tarred road can become a bumpy issue. — Focus Malaysia

PAS accused of betraying Muslim brotherhood by boycotting Bersatu’s Johor polls campaign

2026-06-28T22:42:14.929+08:00

THE very fact that PAS has ordered all its party machinery not to assist Bersatu in the latter’s July 11 Johor state election campaign operations has threatened to disrupt both harmony and fire power within the opposition faction.

That strangely enough the Islamist party is all willing to extend its assistance to other Perikatan Nasional (PN) component parties which include Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People Party (MIPP) is not only seen as childish behaviour to their so-called ‘split as bed partners” but more so as a slap to the Muslim brotherhood.

This directive was conveyed by PAS information chief Fadhli Shaari in a Facebook post yesterday which read, “PAS machinery in areas and constituencies contested by Bersatu in the Johor state polls has been ordered to carry out their duties in constituencies contested by PAS and other PN component parties”.

However, the attitude of PAS towards Bersatu which only showcases their deepening animosity more than anything else, has earned the wrath of detractors who were taken aback as to how the Muslim ummah (solidarity) has been compromised.

Such was the ground feel in a FB post by Malay language daily Sinar Harian to PAS’ latest unfriendly gesture which has belittled its quest to both dignify Islam while calling for Malay political parties to reconcile.

One presumably Bersatu backer commenter even contrasted PAS’ selfish attitude with an exemplary reaction by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that “if they need us, we’ll help out because such is our nature”.

“From here I know who’s evil even if one wear a kopiah (skullcap) 24 hours a day,” quipped the commenter.

Another urged Malaysians “to throw out PAS” in the upcoming Johor state election and GE16 (16th General Election). “They’re like turtles if they don’t have power,” he mocked.

One supposedly Madani backer took a pot shot at the opposition faction by wondering how PN is going to administer the country which encompasses both the peninsula and Sabah/Sarawak when they cannot even resolve their differences.

Another recalled as to how in the previous GE15, “PAS was all out bootlicking Bersatu for funding” to oil its party machinery.

“Unfortunately as usual, when Bersatu has fallen into poverty, it ditched Bersatu … PAS really can’t be made an ally … it uses Islam to backstab others.”

Interestingly, a grassroot PAS member claimed that “assistance will still be rendered to all PN coalition members in Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang state polls regardless of the directive from the Islamist party’s headquarters”.

For the record, PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang when commented on his party’s relationship with Bersatu earlier had painted a picture of their internal conflict having been resolved with PAS sticking to its decision to cancel their previously sealed cooperation.

Touching on PAS’ target in the Johor state polls, the eight-term Marang MP explained that his party has set a target of becoming an opposition bloc and as an advisor to the state government.

He went on to defend PAS’ decision to field candidates in 11 state seats as having been made based on a careful assessment of constituencies with high chances of winning, including in the Maharani constituency.

Earlier, PN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said there was no issue with the number of seats contested by PAS in the Johor state polls having dwindled from 15 to 11 because the decision was made based on current considerations and the best strategy to face the election. – Focus Malaysia

Zahid under fire for no attack on PH ‘gag order’ in Johor, “national level harmony comes first”

2026-06-28T22:33:35.841+08:00

DETRACTORS who are made up of UMNO grassroots are seemingly at loggerheads with their president for mooting a “mature politics” approach by refraining from attacking, criticising or disparaging its political rivals throughout campaigning for the 16th Johor state election.

They have apparently chided Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman for fooling the Bangsa Johor who are steadfast at rejecting Madani ally Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the July 11 state polls.

While BN aspires to increase its seat tally, success would depend on the ability of its campaign machinery, including the media, social media and grassroots workers, to respond effectively to issues raised by the opposition, according to Zahid.

“We’ve reached an understanding that we’ll not attack our opponents despite our differences in views and opinions on Johor,” he told a media conference after launching the Benut state seat’s Gelombang Biru campaign in Kampung Parit Ismail here today.in Pontian yesterday (June 27).

“We must look at the bigger picture at the national level.”

BN is contesting all 56 state seats in the election by fielding 37 UMNO candidates, MCA (15) and MIC (four).

In the 2022 Johor state election, BN secured a two-thirds majority after winning 40 of the 56 state seats to form the state government.

However, the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) was chided for his apparent ‘peace buying’ stance, particularly by taking the UMNO grassroots as “fools” when the prevailing sentiment is to reject PH.

Such was the gist of feedback on the subject from a Facebook post by Malay language political news portal Arus Malaysia.

Few commenters reminded UMNO members that the party was in dire straits/mess because of Zahid who has no guts “to counter PH who is in the midst of attacking UMNO and BN instead”.

One commenter reckoned that Zahid should shoulder the blame if BN loses the Johor state polls “because UMNO paved the way for PH to form a federal government partnership”.

Another recounted how UMNO is at PH’s mercy given Zahid’s “unsettled 47 cases” comprising criminal breach of trust (CBT), corruption and money laundering.

In fact, the ground consensus is such that the compromises lobbied by Zahid – if heeded – can be detrimental to UMNO to the extent of jeopardising UMNO’s chances of winning the Johor state polls.

If such is the case then, UMNO if left with little option except to remove its “power greedy” president for betraying the party’s trust.

Either way, some commenters insinuated that it does not matter who between UMNO and PH win the state election.

“If UMNO doesn’t have enough seats, PH can still admit UMNO (as its ally),” suggested one observer while another was of the view that “both UMNO and PH will return as partners after the election”.

This is when one commenter expressed gratefulness that such arrangement will only be enforced “till GE16 (16th General Election) after which “the sickening unity government rule will cease to exist”. – Focus Malaysia

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Malaysia, Vietnam to boost tourism cooperation, focus on medical and halal tourism

2026-06-28T22:28:48.153+08:00

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing with Vietnam’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh on the sidelines of the 13th Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Macao, China. DATUK SERI TIONG KING SING FB PAGE

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Vietnam will strengthen cooperation in the tourism and cultural sectors, including efforts to develop medical and halal tourism, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

He said the matter was discussed during a meeting with Vietnam's Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh on the sidelines of the 13th Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Macao, China.

"Thanh shared that Malaysia and Vietnam have many common strengths in tourism, culture and the arts. She expressed interest in Malaysia's development of medical tourism and halal tourism, and looked forward to greater exchanges and closer collaboration between both countries," he said in a Facebook post today.

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Reaffirming Malaysia's commitment to strengthening long-standing ties with Vietnam, Tiong said tourism remains a key bridge connecting both peoples, with strong potential for further collaboration in promotion, cultural exchanges, business events and industry partnerships.

"We also agreed that, while visitor exchanges between our two countries continue to grow, there remains considerable potential that can be further unlocked through stronger joint promotion, closer industry collaboration and the development of more attractive tourism experiences.

"Malaysia values Vietnam as an important Asean partner. I look forward to building on this positive momentum and working more closely together to create new opportunities for our tourism industries, strengthen people-to-people ties and deliver greater mutual benefits for both countries," Tiong said.

He said Thanh had invited Malaysia to participate in several major events in Vietnam this year and next year, including Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec)-related programmes, the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) in Hanoi, a high-level dialogue on culture and creative industries, and an international cultural festival. - NST

Mara begins probe into alleged MRSM bullying, warns of expulsion

2026-06-28T22:27:16.053+08:00

Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. NSTP FILE PIC

KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) will launch its own investigation into an alleged bullying case involving six Form Five students, parallel to the ongoing police investigation.

Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said any student found guilty in the bullying case would be expelled immediately.

"I was informed that six students have been remanded for two days to assist investigations.

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"Upon receiving this report, I immediately directed the Mara Secondary Education Division and the Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) administration to convene a disciplinary committee meeting urgently within 24 hours to conduct an investigation and take the sternest possible action against any student found to be involved.

"If proven guilty, they must be expelled from MRSM," he said in a statement on Facebook today.

He said any acts of bullying or 'taking matters into one's own hands' under the pretext of 'disciplining' junior students were unacceptable and would not be tolerated.

He also said the institution would not tolerate any attempts to conceal such incidents.

"I would like to reiterate the stance that I have repeatedly emphasised to the entire MRSM community - you touch, you go," he said.

He urged other victims of bullying to report such incidents.

"Do not choose to leave MRSM because you can no longer tolerate being a victim.

"Report it immediately to a teacher, warden or the administration so that swift action can be taken," he added.

Earlier today, police arrested six Form Five students over the alleged bullying and extortion of a 14-year-old student, who was left traumatised and subsequently quit school.

The Form Two student lodged a police report at 5pm yesterday, alleging he was assaulted by senior students at a school here in May. - NST

Lightning strike triggers offshore oil and gas platform explosion in Miri

2026-06-28T22:25:42.890+08:00

A 26-second video showing the offshore explosion went viral on social media this afternoon. PIC FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

MIRI: A vent stack at an offshore oil and gas facility here was struck by lightning today, triggering a brief gas line explosion.

A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said immediate action was taken to close the shut-off valve to control the situation and mitigate further risks.

The incident did not cause a fire, and the situation remains under control.

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The spokesman added that information from facility's security chief confirmed the incident, adding that all safety procedures had been executed according to protocol.

Meanwhile, Miri district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said police had yet to receive an official report on the incident.

"There is no official report so far, but it is understood that the incident occurred when a lightning strike hit the gas release point on the platform. We understand that such occurrences are not uncommon on offshore platforms.

"However, police are still tracking down the contractor operating the platform to obtain further details," he said when contacted.

A 26-second video showing the offshore explosion went viral on social media this afternoon. - NST

Amir Hamzah unveils RM5.5m sea ambulance, promises faster patient transfers from Langkawi

2026-06-28T22:23:29.350+08:00

Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the initiative aimed to strengthen access to faster and more efficient emergency healthcare services, particularly for the Langkawi community and tourists. — Bernama pic

LANGKAWI, June 28 — The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has allocated RM5.5 million for the procurement of a sea ambulance for Langkawi and its initial operating costs, with the service expected to commence early next year.

Amir Hamzah, who is also co-chairman of the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), said the sea ambulance would be operated by Hospital Sultanah Maliha (HSM) here, with its primary role being the transfer of patients from the hospital to the mainland.

“At present, patient transfers from Langkawi to referral hospitals on the mainland still depend on passenger ferry services.

“This becomes even more challenging when ferry frequencies are reduced, limiting travel options, especially in emergency situations requiring immediate patient transfers,” he told reporters here today.

Earlier, he attended the presentation of RM700,000 worth of healthcare equipment contributed by MOF to HSM.

He said the sea ambulance service would also ensure the health, safety and privacy of patients during transfers.

“I understand that the sea ambulance can accommodate two stretchers and 12 personnel who will ensure patients remain comfortable and safe during the transfer,” he said.

On the healthcare equipment contributed to HSM, Amir Hamzah said it was aimed at strengthening the hospital’s capacity to provide more efficient, modern and high-quality healthcare services to Langkawi residents and the millions of tourists visiting the island each year.

He said the equipment includes medical devices, information technology (IT) facilities, furniture, vehicles and security systems.

“We welcome the government’s new initiatives, including digitalisation, where the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system will become a key pillar of the Health Ministry.

“We are providing computers on wheels, enabling nurses and doctors to enter patients’ data directly into the system during ward rounds, while connecting this hospital with other hospitals.

“This will speed up service delivery to patients, with medical records immediately available digitally in the system for healthcare personnel involved in their treatment,” he said. — Bernama

Johor polls: Two media centres and 100 NADI set up to aid coverage, MCMC to curb provocative content, says Teo

2026-06-28T22:21:30.139+08:00

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the Communications Ministry, in collaboration with the Information Department, has set up two main media centres and 100 National Information Dissemination Centres across Johor to support media coverage of the 16th Johor state election. — Bernama pic

JOHOR BAHRU, June 28 — The Communications Ministry, in collaboration with the Information Department (JaPen), has set up two main media centres and 100 National Information Dissemination Centres (NADI) across Johor to support media coverage of the 16th Johor state election.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the two main centres, located at Hotel Seri Malaysia in Johor Bahru and NADI Kampung Sabak Awor in Muar, operate daily from 9am to 9pm from June 26 until polling day on July 11.

“We will ensure internet speeds of no less than 100 Mbps. So there should be no problem sending videos or photos,” she told reporters after visiting the Johor state election media centre at Hotel Seri Malaysia here today.

Besides high-speed internet access, the centres are equipped with laptops, desktop computers and other facilities, including photocopiers and printers, for the convenience of media personnel.

On telecommunications coverage during the campaign period, Teo said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would monitor telecommunications companies to ensure internet speeds remain at optimum levels.

She also encouraged the public to download the MCMC Nexus application to help the commission monitor and assess internet signal strength at specific locations in real time.

“Your personal data will not be shared by MCMC. Only technical data, such as location and internet signal strength, will be shared with telecommunications companies so that services can be improved,” she said.

Teo also reminded political parties and their supporters to conduct healthy campaigns and avoid raising sensitive issues involving race, religion and royalty (3R).

She said MCMC would continue working with the police to monitor and remove social media content found to contain elements of extreme provocation.

She also commended the Malaysian Media Council for establishing a fact-checking platform and encouraged the public to make fact-checking a habit before sharing any information.

Polling is on July 11, with early voting on July 7.

For the latest updates on the 16th Johor state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor/. — Bernama

Ampang Jaya police investigate viral Ukay Perdana burial delay, urge public to avoid speculation

2026-06-28T22:18:18.699+08:00

Ampang Jaya district police chief ACP Khairul Anuar Khalid said that as of 5pm today, seven police reports related to the case have been received and are still under investigation. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — The police have received seven reports regarding the issue of body management at the Ukay Perdana Islamic Cemetery, Hulu Kelang, which went viral on Thursday, and are currently conducting an investigation into the matter.

Ampang Jaya district police chief ACP Khairul Anuar Khalid said that as of 5pm today, seven police reports related to the case have been received and are still under investigation.

“In this regard, the public is advised not to make any speculation related to this issue and to give the police space to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into all parties involved.

“If there is any information, the public can contact the Ampang district police headquarters at 03-42897222,” he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Bernama reported that the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) denied that the delay in a burial process at the Ukay Perdana Islamic Cemetery, which went viral on Thursday, was caused by the Nurul Hidayah Mosque, Kampung Pandan Dalam.

Jais director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said that the delay was due to the confusion of family members of the deceased in handling burial arrangements, which also involved a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Salatulrahim Welfare Organisation (BKS), in addition to denying claims that the mosque had demanded a payment of RM1,400 for handling the burial.

He added that a police report was lodged on Friday regarding the allegation of forgery of the Islamic Burial Application Form submitted to the cemetery management. — Bernama

Police arrest six 17-year-olds over bullying of 14-year-old student in Muar

2026-06-28T22:16:50.275+08:00

Six male students, aged 17, have been arrested to assist in investigations into a bullying incident involving a 14-year-old student at a school in Muar last May. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

JOHOR BAHRU, June 28 — Six male students, aged 17, have been arrested to assist in investigations into a bullying incident involving a 14-year-old student at a school in Muar last May.

Johor Police Chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the boys were arrested in Muar and Alor Gajah, Melaka, between 1.30 am and 2.12 am today, following a report lodged yesterday.

In a statement today, he said checks showed that all the students had no prior criminal records and that they had been remanded for two days until tomorrow to assist in investigations under Sections 323 and 507B of the Penal Code.

Ab Rahaman said police were also probing possible elements of neglect involving the hostel warden and school management as the incident occurred in a dormitory, with the investigation being conducted under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.

He said the victim claimed he was beaten on the chest, sustained bruises around the eyes after being struck on the head and was forced to hand over money to the suspects, who are senior students at the school.

“As a result of the incident, the victim suffered emotional stress and trauma, which led him to quit school,” he added.

Ab Rahaman urged any other students who may have been victims of bullying by the same group of students to come forward and lodge police reports to assist in investigations.

He said the police took the bullying incident at the school seriously and would conduct a transparent and fair investigation. — Bernama

Kekurangan bekalan diesel, pakar jawab mengapa langkah bersama perlu

2026-06-28T22:12:20.941+08:00

Nasir Saukani berkata, kebimbangan Sarawak wajar diberi perhatian, namun sokongan diesel perlu disasarkan supaya bekalan terhad sampai kepada pengguna yang paling memerlukannya.

Nasir Saukani berkata, penggunaan lori yang perlu lebih 2,000 liter diesel sebulan bagi perjalanan jarak jauh, misalnya, dikategorikan sebagai penggunaan komersial, tidak tertakluk kepada had 200 liter seperti kenderaan persendirian.

PETALING JAYA:

Pelaksanaan BUDI Diesel di Sarawak bukan dasar pukul rata, sebaliknya pendekatan bersasar bagi mengimbangi keperluan negeri itu dengan kekangan bekalan diesel yang dihadapi negara, kata pakar ekonomi.

Nasir Saukani dari Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia berkata, kebimbangan bahawa had 200 liter sebulan tidak sesuai dengan realiti Sarawak adalah wajar, terutama mengambil kira jarak perjalanan jauh, kos logistik lebih tinggi dan kebergantungan besar terhadap pengangkutan diesel.

Namun, katanya, perkara penting yang sering terlepas pandang ialah mekanisme itu tidak meletakkan semua pengguna dalam kategori sama.

“Kritikan itu menganggap kerajaan menggunakan satu pendekatan tumpul untuk semua orang. Tetapi pembaharuan ini sebenarnya melakukan sebaliknya.

“Ia dibezakan, dengan layanan berasingan untuk pengendali komersial, pemilik individu dan perniagaan kecil, kerana keperluan mereka memang berbeza,” katanya kepada FMT.

Nasir berkata, penggunaan lori yang memerlukan lebih 2,000 liter diesel sebulan bagi perjalanan jarak jauh, misalnya, dikategorikan sebagai penggunaan komersial, bukannya tertakluk kepada had 200 liter seperti kenderaan persendirian.

Katanya, pengangkutan komersial terus disokong melalui Sistem Kawalan Diesel Bersubsidi (SKDS), yang menetapkan kelayakan mengikut saiz dan keperluan operasi sebenar kenderaan.

“Soalnya bukan sama ada 200 liter cukup atau tidak untuk lori. Soalnya ialah sama ada setiap pengguna berada dalam saluran yang betul,” katanya.

“Yang penting untuk Sarawak, skim ini kini diperluas ke negeri itu, meliputi lebih 70,000 kenderaan tambahan dan 33 jenis kenderaan, termasuk lori rigid dan prime mover yang membawa barangan merentasi kawasan pedalaman.”

Nasir berkata, status Sarawak sebagai negeri pengeluar minyak juga perlu difahami dengan seimbang, kerana hakikat itu membawa nilai emosi dan sejarah yang besar.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, kekurangan bekalan yang dihadapi ketika ini bersifat fizikal dan global, serta memberi kesan kepada seluruh negara tanpa mengira di mana minyak mentah dihasilkan.

“Pengeluaran minyak dan gas memberi sedikit ruang kepada Malaysia dan Sarawak, tetapi ia tidak menjadikan kita kebal daripada kos import, kadar pengangkutan dan turun naik harga serantau.

“Melindungi bekalan penting di setiap negeri, termasuk Sarawak, adalah tugas nasional bersama,” katanya.

Nasir berkata, tiada pilihan yang benar-benar mudah dalam keadaan bekalan fizikal ketat dan bil subsidi meningkat susulan harga global.

Katanya, subsidi secara menyeluruh mungkin lebih popular, tetapi ia tidak akan menambah bekalan diesel, sebaliknya boleh menambah tekanan dan berisiko mendorong harga naik.

“Sokongan terhad perlu disalurkan kepada keperluan sebenar, iaitu pengangkutan komersial, pengedaran penting dan golongan paling rentan.

“Itulah cara kerajaan melindungi rakyat dan memastikan bekalan yang ada dapat bertahan lebih lama,” katanya.

Nasir menjawab kenyataan aktivis sosial Voon Shiak Ni yang sebelum ini berkata perluasan dasar subsidi diesel ke Sarawak gagal mencerminkan ‘realiti’ pengangkutan dan logistik negeri itu.

Mulai 1 Julai, kira-kira 700,000 pemilik kenderaan diesel persendirian yang layak di seluruh negara boleh membeli diesel bersubsidi pada harga RM2.10 seliter di bawah BUDI Diesel.

Di bawah mekanisme baharu itu, pembelian diesel bersubsidi perlu dibuat menggunakan MyKad, dengan had 200 liter sebulan. Pemilik pikap dan kenderaan pacuan empat roda pula boleh memohon kuota tambahan 100 liter. - FMT

‘Missing’ woman comes forward, saying she wants to be left alone

2026-06-28T22:10:40.538+08:00

Police say she filed a report today in Kajang, Selangor, nearly two weeks after driving away from her mother's home in Kamunting.

Taiping police chief Ariffridzuan Ezahar said Nor Afiza Zainuddin, 41, is safe, in good health and unharmed. (Facebook pic)

IPOH:

A woman reported missing in Taiping since June 16 has come forward and lodged a police report in Kajang, Selangor, denying allegations that she had been abducted.

Taiping police chief Ariffridzuan Ezahar said Nor Afiza Zainuddin, 41, is safe, in good health and unharmed. She lodged the report at about 3pm today, stating that she did not wish to be disturbed by her family members or any other parties.

“She explained that she had left home on June 16 of her own free will without any coercion from any person”, Ariffridzuan said in a statement tonight.

Ariffridzuan said Nor Afiza was last seen leaving her mother’s house in Kamunting, on June 16, driving a white Perodua Axia. Police found the car on June 21 at a recreational area in Batu Hampar, near Padang Rengas. It was in good condition, and contained some of her belongings. - FMT

Turn your support into 56 BN victories, Zahid urges PAS

2026-06-28T22:09:18.139+08:00

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hopes that the PAS call for its supporters to vote for BN in seats PN is not contesting will result in victories for the coalition.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi with party supporters during a campaign visit to Sri Gading, Johor, today. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has welcomed PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s call for PAS members and supporters to vote for Umno or BN candidates in Johor state seats where Perikatan Nasional (PN) is not contesting.

He expressed hope that Tuan Ibrahim’s encouragement would result in BN victories in all the 56 seats the party is contesting in the Johor election. “We appreciate the support. I hope those words are backed by action and not merely empty promises,” he said in Batu Pahat today.

Speaking at the launch of BN’s election machinery for the Parit Yaani and Parit Raja state constituencies, Zahid said Johor must remain a BN stronghold and continue to serve as the coalition’s political “fixed deposit”.

A BN victory in Johor would mark the beginning of a tangible resurgence of Umno and BN, while reaffirming the strength of the party, which is now 80 years old.

“A victory for BN candidates is crucial to realising that aspiration, and it requires a high level of commitment from the entire party machinery,” he said. The momentum to restore BN’s influence must be driven comprehensively across the state.

Earlier today, Tuan Ibrahim said his call was for the sake of the ummah’s unity, adding that PN is the platform for achieving that goal. “This is what we have emphasised (with PAS members). Do not vote for Pakatan Harapan,” he said.

Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz later urged PN not to call on its supporters to vote for BN in seats not contested by PN, as doing so would amount to backing the PH-BN federal alliance.

He said a “vote for BN is the same as a vote for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, DAP and PH”, as Zahid had made it clear that if BN is given the mandate in the Johor polls, its position will be aligned with that of the PH-BN federal unity government.

BN and PH are both contesting all 56 seats in the Johor state assembly, with BN saying it will contest without any electoral pact or plans to form a state government with others.

PN candidates are contesting 33 seats through PAS (11 seats), Bersatu (16), the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (5) and Pejuang (1). PN members Parti Wawasan Negara and Gerakan are not contesting.

Others in the contest are Muda (4 seats), Parti Socialis Malaysia (1), Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (1) and six independents.

Polling takes place on July 11, with early voting set for July 7. - FMT

Pritam Singh re-elected Workers’ Party chief, survives confidence vote

2026-06-28T22:07:59.523+08:00

The secretary-general of the Workers' Party, the main opposition party in Singapore, was uncontested in the party election.

On Feb 17 last year, a Singapore court found Pritam Singh guilty of giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee in 2021. (EPA images pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Pritam Singh, head of Singapore’s main opposition party, survived a secret vote on his leadership and was re-elected unopposed as Workers’ Party leader at a special party conference today.

Aljunied GRC MP Sylvia Lim remained as party chair, with 12 members elected into the central executive committee, the Straits Times reported.

Pritam’s re-election came after he gave an account of a court case in which he was found guilty and fined in February last year of giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee in 2021 regarding a fellow party member who had admitted to lying in parliament about accompanying a sexual assault victim to file a police report.

Pritam’s appeal was dismissed in December.

According to Aljunied GRC MP Gerald Giam, who chaired the party meeting today, “a super-majority voted for him to remain as the secretary-general”. He said the vote reflected the party’s commitment to the democratic process and due process given to Pritam. - FMT