The Johor State Legislative Assembly’s decision to approve the addition of five appointed assemblymen is unlikely to significantly erode voter confidence despite concerns over democratic representation, according to Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub.

Mohammad Tawfik said the move should not be viewed as unusual or unprecedented in Malaysian politics, pointing out that several other states had already implemented similar mechanisms.

“I view the decision to approve five appointed assemblymen in Johor as neither strange nor extraordinary because similar practices already exist in states such as Sabah, Terengganu and Pahang,” he told TRP when contacted.

The analyst acknowledged that the move would likely strengthen the ruling government’s dominance in the state assembly, particularly given the current political landscape in Johor where Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno hold a commanding position.

However, he stressed that the benefits of the amendment are not exclusive to Umno-BN alone, arguing that any future ruling coalition would also enjoy similar advantages under the revised state constitution.

“I do not deny that appointing five additional assemblymen will create more room for dominance and strengthen the position of the ruling government.

“But this is not limited only to Umno-BN because if another coalition governs Johor in the future, they too would benefit from the same constitutional provision,” he explained.

Still, Mohammad Tawfik admitted that under the current circumstances, the move would naturally provide an added advantage to Johor Umno-BN in consolidating power after future state elections.

Despite criticism from certain quarters over concerns involving democratic space and unelected representatives, Mohammad Tawfik does not believe the issue would seriously impact public trust towards the state government.

He also said that it would be difficult for PH to fully weaponise the issue politically against Umno-BN ahead of future elections.

In fact, he suggested PH itself could eventually benefit from the same mechanism should the coalition return to power in Johor, either independently or through another unity government arrangement.

“PH could also gain from this if they eventually form the state government or dominate the Johor assembly in the future.”

Similarly, Dr Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs believes that the Johor Legislative Assembly decision to amend the state constitution, to allow the appointment of five nominated assemblymen, will not benefit PH much politically.

He said that the key political challenge for PH in Johor is not centred on the issue of nominated assemblypersons, but rather on its weakening among the electorate.

“PH’s main challenge in Johor, as in many other peninsular states, lies in its eroding Malay support that was not spectacular to start with, coupled with its conventional non-Malay support that is drifting away. It doesn’t quite have anything to do with these nominated assemblypersons,” Oh said in his WhatsApp reply to TRP.

According to Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, the move aims to strengthen the legislature by bringing in professionals into the state’s policymaking process.

The decision to amend the Johor state constitution drew criticism, especially from DAP, which is part of the opposition bloc in the state.

DAP Deputy Chairman Nga Kor Ming even described the move as undermining parliamentary democracy.

With the addition of five unelected assemblymen,  the Johor state assembly would have 61 members.

What is an “unelected assemblyman”?

Well, it is in the name itself. These reps are not voted by the people, rather appointed by the state government based on their expertise.

In practice, appointed assemblymen are brought in to complement the existing elected representatives in the state assembly. In some cases, they were assigned a specific constituency to serve the rakyat and were provided with an allocation equal to the one received by the government elected reps. They can even participate in debates, committee work, and voting on legislation, although their presence is not derived from a direct electoral mandate.

Critics, however frequently raise concerns about democratic legitimacy, as their presence in the legislature is not determined by voters through the ballot box.

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A man in Selangor won big at the lottery after betting on two of his old car number plates for 10 years.

According to 8TV, the 52-year-old property manager said he consistently bet on the numbers 9186 and 4828. The numbers had nostalgic value for him. He shared that the number plates are like “timecodes” representing a series of his memories.

He said he missed his old cars and never thought he would win both numbers at the same time. Both numbers helped him take home a Toto 4D jackpot of RM14.8 million, plus an additional RM336 bonus, and he only bet RM6 in total.

He admitted that he was skeptical of news about lottery winners becoming rich overnight, until it happened to him.

When asked about his future plans, he said he has plans to buy a luxury car, but will also manage his finances prudently. He plans to invest in real estate to ensure his wealth is steadily managed long term.

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The Malaysian government is considering a tighter RON95 fuel subsidy quota for citizens as part of broader efforts to manage fuel supply, improves subsidy efficiency, and reduce leakage.

Should the plan come into effect, the current monthly quota of 200 litres will be reduced to 150 litres. The Budi95 fuel subsidy programme started off with a 300-litre quota for all Malaysians.

According to a New Straits Times report, deputy finance minister Liew Chin Tong said the proposed adjustment is based on consumption data, which shows that a majority of Malaysians use significantly less than the current subsidised threshold.

“The data consistently shows that 80% of Malaysians use less than 200 litres. The next step is 150 litres as 60% of the population uses less than 150 litres,” Liew said at the Affin Market Outlook 2026: Propelling Malaysia Forward event in Kuala Lumpur today (12 May).

On Monday (11 May), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim informed the public of a proposal to review RON95 fuel subsidies for the T20 income group, potentially cutting them off from the subsidy altogether.

The proposal came amid calls for petrol subsidies to be reserved for lower- and middle-income groups.

Anwar also suggested that the fuel subsidy review is being adjusted in a way that does not affect the upper-middle class.

READ MORE: PMX: RON95 Subsidy Rationalisation For High Income Groups To Be Finalised Soon

Economists: Government should not use income as basis for exclusion

Contrary to this decision, economists warn that using income alone as the basis for exclusion oversimplifies the realities faced by many urban households and could ultimately undermine public trust in subsidy rationalisation efforts.

Meanwhile, critics argue that the move generalises all T20 earners as financially comfortable, despite many grappling with high living costs, housing commitments, childcare expenses, and other financial obligations in major cities.

Samirul Ariff Othman, a senior consultant at Global Asia Consulting, said the best policy is not one that punishes income but one that reduces waste, protects necessity, discourages excess, and preserves public trust.

He also said the policy debate should move beyond the simplistic question of who earned more, and towards identifying who consumed more subsidised fuel and who could reasonably absorb market pricing.

According to Samirul, a fairer mechanism would be a tiered or quota-based approach, where all citizens retain access to a basic subsidised fuel quota for essential mobility, while consumption beyond that limit is charged closer to market rates.

A model such as this would protecct ordinary commuting needs while discouraging excessive consumption, making the policy less discriminatory than excluding an entire income bracket, he added.

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For most of his political career, Khairy Jamaluddin measured his worth by a single benchmark: the prime minister’s office.

That has changed.

In a recent interview with Malay Mail, the former health minister said becoming prime minister remains a “lifetime ambition” — but that he no longer sees himself as a failure if it never happens.

I always felt that I would not be a success in life if I didn’t become the prime minister. Now, I feel that it is okay if I don’t.

It is a notable shift for a politician who, at various points, was considered one of Malaysia’s most promising — and most scrutinised — political figures.

As the son-in-law of the late former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the de facto leader of the so-called “Fourth Floor Boys” — young advisors who wielded considerable influence in the PM’s Office — Khairy entered politics already carrying both enormous expectations and considerable baggage.

As recently as GE15, he had openly declared his ambition to become Malaysia’s youngest prime minister.

Khairy was expelled from Umno in January 2023 over alleged breaches of party discipline following the 15th general election, including criticising the party leadership and not aligning with its official campaign direction.

A Different Man After Three Years Away

In the months that followed, he joined Hot FM as a radio presenter, co-hosted the Keluar Sekejap podcast with former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, and took on brand endorsements.

He described the period as “commercially successful” and said he spent more time with family and led a less stressful life than during his tenure managing Malaysia’s Covid-19 response.

He thought “long and hard” about starting his own party after his expulsion, but held back — concerned that a new vehicle would only deepen the fractures in an already four-way split Malay voter base.

His Umno membership was reinstated on 18 April, under the Gagasan Rumah Bangsa initiative led by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi — alongside 6,252 other former members, including Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

The 50-year-old marked the moment with two words on Instagram: “I’m home.”

If the opportunity knocks and if the rakyat will have me, it is still my lifetime ambition — but it is not everything. I’m not here anymore to go quickly to the job.

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A post shared by Reezal Merican (@reezal_merican)

Back In The Room — And Already Weighing In

His return has not been quiet — perhaps that was never really an option.

Within two weeks of rejoining Umno, Khairy was already speaking publicly on one of the country’s most live political flashpoints — the Negeri Sembilan crisis.

After all 14 BN-Umno state assemblymen withdrew support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, Khairy called for a formal vote of confidence in the state assembly as the most acceptable path forward.

“I think the most acceptable way is to have a vote of confidence in the Negeri Sembilan state assembly. And if a no-confidence motion is allowed, it would be an opportunity for Barisan Nasional to form a state government,” he told reporters on 2 May, after attending Umno’s 80th anniversary gathering.

It was a measured but pointed intervention — the kind that signals a man recalibrating his political range, not merely warming the bench.

The Sungai Buloh Loss, Still Unspoken But Present

Khairy, a three-term MP, was moved from his Rembau stronghold to Sungai Buloh ahead of the 2022 general election — with just three days’ notice before nomination day, he revealed.

He lost narrowly to PKR’s Datuk Seri R. Ramanan by 2,693 votes.

He did not dwell on it, but he brought it up.

“I hope I have a little more runway compared to last time,” he said, when asked about where he might contest next.

View on Threads

No Rush, No Fixed Seat

Speculation has mounted over whether Khairy could be fielded in Kedah, partly because his mother is from the northern state.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has said the state is “an open field for everybody.”

Khairy — an Oxford graduate who has rarely been accused of speaking without thinking — was measured in response.

He said he does not know Kedah’s political dynamics well enough, and that the next general election is likely at least a year away.

I don’t think PMX will roll the dice in the present global circumstances.

As for Keluar Sekejap, he is handing the podcast to Shahril, while remaining involved behind the scenes.

The ambition, it seems, is intact; the urgency is not.

READ MORE: UMNO’s Most Famous Ex Is Knocking On The Door Again

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You have seen it before.

Tucked behind a pillar in a car park, squeezed between two shophouses, or sitting at the edge of a construction site — small, red and yellow, joss sticks burning.

The figure inside wears a songkok, a sarong, a keris; offerings of kopi-o, a cheroot, maybe a plate of nasi lemak.

That is the Datuk Kong.

Many Malaysians have no idea what they are looking at — and perhaps that is exactly why, in recent months, it has become so easy to tear them down.

These shrines stood quietly through independence, through nation-building and its fractures, through every political storm this country has weathered; they were here before the car park was built around them.

You Don’t Own the Land, You Rent It

Go back two hundred years.

Chinese miners and traders were pouring into Malaya — rough work, dangerous land, far from home.

They brought their beliefs with them, including the idea that every piece of land has a spirit, a kind of spiritual landlord you need to acknowledge before you set up shop or lay a single brick.

But here is where it gets interesting.

These migrants were smart enough to realise something: this land’s spirits were not Chinese.

The people who lived and died here first — the Orang Asli, the Malays, the early settlers who built this place with their bare hands — those were the real guardians of the soil.

They Didn’t Conquer the Land, They Asked

So instead of praying to a Chinese earth god on Malay ground, they adapted.

They had brought with them the Tou Tei Gong (土地公) — the traditional Chinese Earth Deity, guardian of a specific patch of land — but were wise enough to know that this land already had its own guardians, ones that were not Chinese.

So they blended that instinct with the local Malay belief in Keramat — sacred sites tied to revered ancestors and protectors of the land — and what emerged was something new: the Na Tuk Gong (拿督公), same reverence, same role, but rooted not in the homeland left behind, but in the ground beneath their feet.

They called these spirits “Datuk” — the Malay word for a respected grandfather or elder — combined with “Kong,” the Chinese honorific for a deity; a name that is literally half-Malay, half-Chinese, and built into the title itself is the whole story.

These are not made-up figures; a Datuk Kong could be the spirit of a Malay village chief who protected his people, an Orang Asli elder who knew the jungle, an Indian trader who helped build a community.

People who did good while alive, and whose presence is believed to linger after death.

Halal at the Altar, Bak Kut Teh at the Table

There are thousands of them across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

Each one is local, each one different.

Now here is the part people get wrong.

Some look at a Chinese family praying at what looks like a Malay shrine and call it appropriation — borrowing another culture’s identity for your own benefit.

But watch what actually happens at the shrine.

The offerings are strictly halal; no pork, not even the cooking pots are shared with the household kitchen.

On the same day, a family might be eating bak kut teh for dinner, the Datuk Kong gets halal mutton, Malay kueh and sireh.

Nobody Told the Shrine to Be Inclusive

That is not borrowing without care; that is respect with rules attached.

You follow the guardian’s customs, not your own; you are the guest, he is the host.

Some older shrines do not even have a statue.

Just a piece of red paper with a name, or a shrine built around an anthill or a strange-shaped rock — because in this tradition, the spirit of the land can live in nature itself, not just in carved figures.

Politicians and keyboard warriors argue about race and religion every other week.

Meanwhile, for hundreds of years, ordinary Malaysians have been quietly leaving a cup of kopi-o and a cigar at a little red shrine — and getting on with life together.

That, more than any slogan, is what living with each other actually looks like.

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A post shared by The Straits Table | 瑞發集 (@thestraitstable)

Credit to The Straits Table — a quiet archive of heritage and hospitality in Southeast Asia, tracing stories through rituals, flavour, service and experience — whose Instagram deep-dive on the Datuk Kong inspired this piece. Their work has been widely praised and warmly received, and rightly so. Go read it slowly, and share it with someone who needs it.

READ MORE: [Watch] Datuk Kong Altar Bearing Islamic Calligraphy Leads To Arrest In Perlis

READ MORE: Giant Datuk Kong In Selangor Confuses Facebook, Malaysians Step In

READ MORE: A Datuk Kong Shrine That Has Stood For Decades In Seri Kembangan, Then Came The Seal

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Muhammad Hazim Muhammad, 19, has been charged at the Magistrate’s Court with the murder of Nurfisya Zulkifly, whose body was found with 61 stab wounds in Ketereh, Kelantan earlier this month.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, an offence that carries the death penalty or between 30 and 40 years in prison, and at least 12 strokes of the cane, if the death sentence is not imposed.

The court denied bail and set 12 July for case management and submission of the forensic report.

What happened that day?

On 30 April, villagers found the body of 19-year-old Nurfisya Zulkifly near the paddy fields in Kampung Padang Sima, Ketereh.

The body sustained 61 stab wounds and the level of violence shocked many people.

The police raid resulted in the arrest of three men, aged 19 to 66, and a 60-year-old woman. The suspects had no prior criminal records and tested negative for drugs.

The police also seized a knife believed to have been used in the incident, along with two cars, two mobile phones, a set of clothing and a pair of slippers.

According to reports, it’s believed the motive for murder was due to jealousy. It’s believed that the victim and suspect, who was her boyfriend, had an argument before she was stabbed to death.

The case sparked fresh conversations about femicide. It came on the heels of another high-profile incident in October 2025, when a 14-year-old boy stabbed and killed a 16-year-old girl at SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 4.

READ MORE: 16-Year-Old Girl Stabbed To Death In Bandar Utama School

READ MORE: [Watch] Student Stabbed 200 times: Mother Denies Daughter Knew Attacker, Slams False Social Media Reports

tak kesah la ape dia buat sekali pon time dia hidup, it still doesn't justify to murder someone hello?? for all we know, the murderer could've had anger issues for god's sake. so why tf are we blaming the victim?? just bcs she's a woman?? THIS IS FEMICIDE AND CALL IT AS IT IS https://t.co/twVveuhB7I

— adryana ˚‧₊⁺ ♡̶⑉⟢³³ ¹⁶ ⁴⁴ (@yana_addd) May 4, 2026

Innalillah to the family, but the amount of comments I’m seeing where people are trying to understand the killer’s pov is horrifying. We live in a sick society where a man can kill a woman and other people can understand the rage to kill another person. https://t.co/zbVs12Xed0

— wagyumelon (@sinkingboatcapt) May 2, 2026

There seems to be more and more cases of violence towards women & kids these days , what is govt & schools doing abt it ?

— islander (@domesticgod8) May 3, 2026

What is wrong with Gen Z Bois sado masochistic evil BS .

First in Bandar Utama 200 stab and now Ketereh 160 stab?

— tsaji_peah (@visvick32) May 2, 2026

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A Threads user posted a video of a sinkhole that opened up on Jalan Wangsa Delima 4 in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, sometime around Monday afternoon (11 May).

Based on the footage, the sinkhole appears to have formed next to a drainage grate, with large volumes of water pouring into the cavity from what appears to be a drain pipe underneath the road.

Water could be seen pooling at the bottom of the hole, with exposed rebar and bricks protruding from its walls ultimately forming sort of a miniature water feature.

A dashcam video by another Threads user in the comments showed his car travelling along the same road and passing over the sinkhole just as it opened up, jolting his car and forcing him to stop by the side of the road. It appears that his car nearly became stuck in the sinkhole if not for his quick reflexes.

Watch the video here:

View on Threads

The videos drew serious concern from the public, with many users highlighting the density of high-rise buildings in the area.

“Wangsa Maju? That area already has so many tall apartments and condominiums, and now the ground beneath is hollow,” one user commented.

“Drainage and water surface runoff. The soil erosion has been going on for a long time to cause this amount of soil movement,” said another Threads user.

Some users shared a heatmap of Sinkhole Susceptibility Hazard Zones by the Department of Survey and Mapping, which indicated very high susceptibility in the Ampang and Pandan Jaya areas, as well as Kepong and Jinjang.

Why do sinkholes occur in Kuala Lumpur?

Sinkholes in Kuala Lumpur happen primarily due to the city’s location on karstic limestone bedrock, which is naturally soluble in acidic groundwater, creating underground cavities that collapse over time.

This is exacerbated by heavy rainfall saturating the ground, leaking underground pipes causing soil erosion, and intense urban development.

Perhaps one of the most serious and tragic incidents involving a sinkhole was the one that opened up on Jalan Masjid India on 23 August, 2024.

Vijayaletchumy, a 48-year-old female tourist from India, fell into an eight meter-deep sinkhole along the aforementioned street.

Emergency and rescue teams attempted to locate her, but strong undercurrents likely exacerbated by heavy rain the city experienced during that time made their efforts nearly impossible. All they found were a pair of slippers that is believed to have belonged to the woman.

READ MORE: KL Sinkhole Tragedy: Five Days and Counting In Desperate Search For Vijayaletchumy

READ MORE: Sinkhole Victim’s Family Seeks RM824K In Compensation From Federal Government

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Bersatu Information Chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz has urged former expelled party MPs and assemblymen to move on instead of seeking a return to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) camp.

Taking a swipe at former party leaders, Tun Faisal claimed they have repeatedly become the source of internal conflicts wherever they go politically.

 “It would be best for them to move on and stop becoming the cause of divisions. Previously, they were already the source of internal conflict within Bersatu,” he told TRP when contacted.

Tun Faisal also claimed that disputes would likely emerge again if the group attempted to join PN after their dismissal from Bersatu.

“Later, when they apply to join, there will be disputes. After that, when they start asking for seats, more disputes will arise again,” he added.

Tun Faisal added that based on past political developments, the individuals involved would eventually create instability regardless of which political platform they became part of.

“In the end, they will become the source of division wherever they are,” he added.

He was referring to sacked Bersatu deputy president and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin who is expected to announce his new political vehicle later this month.

READ MORE: Hamzah’s New Political Vehicle To Be Announced By Month-End, Sources Say

Hamzah and his men were sacked by Bersatu in what has been described as a purge by many outsiders, although political analysts believe that Bersatu is illuminating political liabilities and making sure that there is a continuity of leaders that align with the current leadership.

READ MORE: Woeful Weekend For Bersatu As Party Faces Leadership Crisis

It has long been an open secret that Hamzah and Bersatu secretary general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali never shared the best of relationships, with tensions between their respective camps also widely known within the party.

Supporters aligned with Hamzah had also allegedly accused Mohamed Azmin and his allies of orchestrating their exit from Bersatu.

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The latest developments within Bersatu suggest the party is entering a far more aggressive internal “cleansing phase” rather than carrying out routine disciplinary action, according to Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi. 

Awang Azman said the latest round of sacking and suspension of party leaders could be an indication that Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is attempting to reassert central control over the party ahead of the next general election.

“In party politics, discipline is important because a party that allows elected representatives to move freely without consequences will be seen as weak, disorganised and vulnerable to fragmentation,” he told TRP via WhatsApp.

However, Awang Azman warned that repeated suspensions and expulsions could also reinforce public perception that Bersatu has yet to resolve its leadership, loyalty and direction crises.

He said the party’s current trajectory appears to be moving towards a drastic restructuring exercise aimed at filtering who is genuinely loyal to the leadership and who may be considered a political liability ahead of 16th general election (GE16).

“This is no longer just about discipline. It is about determining Bersatu’s future ‘war line-up’ before the next election.

“The leadership may not want to continue carrying incumbents deemed misaligned with the party, even if they had previously won under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) banner,” he added.

Awang Azman said the possibility of Muhyiddin replacing a significant number of Bersatu MPs and assemblymen in the coming election cannot be dismissed.

Under normal political arrangements, incumbents are often given the first right to defend seats they previously won. However, he noted that suspending members for two terms or expelling them entirely effectively shuts the door on any future candidacy claims.

“The party can still argue that the seats belong to Bersatu or PN, but the previous incumbents would no longer be eligible to contest under the coalition,” he explained.

Bold move by Bersatu

Despite that, the analyst described the strategy as highly risky and potentially capable of triggering systemic damage within Bersatu itself.

He said the party risks losing local strength because incumbents usually possess established grassroots machinery, personal networks and local influence that cannot easily be replaced overnight.

At the same time, Awang Azman said voters may interpret the ongoing disciplinary crackdown as an elite power struggle rather than a fight centred on public interest issues.

He also pointed out that Bersatu’s actions could complicate seat negotiations within PN, especially with PAS.

“Ketereh MP Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor’s statement that he contested under PAS’ ticket reflects how party identity boundaries within PN are not always clear in the eyes of representatives and voters.”

Khlir, together with several other Bersatu MPs including Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Datuk Abdul Khalib Abdullah (Rompin), Nordin Ahmad Ismail (Lumut) and Datuk Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu) were suspended from the party last Friday.

Two Bersatu assemblymen, Ahmad Man (Kuala Sepetang and Syed Lukman Hakim Syed Mohd Zain (Chenderoh) were also suspended last Friday.

Yesterday, Kok Lanas assemblyman and Ketereh division chief Datuk Mohamed Farid Mohamed Zawawi, as well as Parit division Armada chief Wan Meor Safwat Naqiuddin Shamsuddin, were expelled from Bersatu.

Meanwhile, Mersing MP Muhammad Islahuddin Abas and Bukit Bunga assemblyman Mohd Almidi Jaafar, who is also Jeli division chief, had their memberships suspended for two party election terms.

These leaders are deemed to be supporting former Bersatu Deputy President Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who was sacked from the party in Ferbruary.

READ MORE: Hamzah’s New Political Vehicle To Be Announced By Month-End, Sources Say

READ MORE: Woeful Weekend For Bersatu As Party Faces Leadership Crisis

Awang Azman further argued that the disciplinary actions expose Bersatu’s structural weaknesses as a party still heavily dependent on personality-driven leadership rather than stable institutional foundations.

He said Bersatu was born out of a major political wave but has yet to build ideological roots as strong as traditional Malay-based parties such as Umno or PAS.

“When parties face pressure involving power struggles, funding, court cases, leadership contests and seat negotiations, the loyalty of elected representatives becomes more fragile.”

According to Awang Azman, Bersatu is now standing at a critical crossroads that could either strengthen or severely weaken the party ahead of GE16.

“If this strategy succeeds, Muhyiddin may emerge as a leader who successfully cleansed the party of disloyal factions and rebuilt a more disciplined team.

“But if it fails, it will be viewed as defensive leadership that is increasingly losing control while shrinking the party from within.”

He added that the real question facing Bersatu today is no longer merely about replacing incumbents, but whether the process will produce a stronger new generation of leadership or accelerate internal fractures that ultimately benefit their political counterpart.

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Michael Jackson, popularly known as the King of Pop, is still reigning long after he’s gone. He has entertained millions with beautiful songs and iconic choreographies. Despite the fame he commanded and criticisms he received, he maintained a humble and kind character.

Michael (2026) is a musical biographical drama film which traces his life from the Jackson 5 era to his solo stardom featuring his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, as himself. Since its release in April, the film has smashed box office records and set records for the best biopic box office debut.

The numbers don’t just show the power of Michael’s influence. Michael’s legacy and impact is most apparent by the reactions of fans in the cinema halls. Fans filled each seat in the cinema and they danced and sang along with the movie. They remembered his moves and lyrics, even his popular ‘‘Oww!’’ Strangers of all ages were dancing together and they were not worried about being seen or judged.

The film is so popular in Malaysia that cinemas are putting the film back on IMAX due to high demand, and it continues paying off.

In Malaysia they had to put it back on IMAX due to demand lol https://t.co/lQ3mqqsvut pic.twitter.com/Wj6jwbqCpr

— Ibrahim Khan (@unrealpathan) May 11, 2026

MJ fans all across Malaysia united to have the biggest MJ fans party tonight!

They dressed up, danced and sang to The King of Pop before and after watching ‘Michael’ in IMAX. @michaelmovie @JaafarJackson The Malaysian crowd absolutely loved and celebrated your phenomenal… pic.twitter.com/B6rzVZqoNe

— TGV Cinemas (@TGVCinemas) May 6, 2026

Threads user @r3na shared some clips of the TGV IMAX Penang crowd having the time of their lives during and after the movie. Some movie goers came all dressed up like Michael and showed off their moves on stage. In another clip, a group of them executed the moonwalk perfectly. Families, especially the young children, joined in the fun on stage and danced along with the Michael impersonators. It was like he never left.

@r3na thanked the cinema for organising a nationwide special fan screening of the film. She also thanked Jaafar Jackson for embodying the iconic pop star ‘’to a T’’.

View on Threads

View on Threads

Fans still reminisce their memories of Michael, especially when he came down to Malaysia for his HIStory World Tour in 1996.

Twitter user @heizetatler shared pictures of a young Michael Jackson waving from the window of a building next to the Petronas Twin Towers which was still under construction then.

Michael Jackson pictured in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during his History Tour in 1996.

Next to him was the soon-to-be tallest building in the world at that time, KLCC Twin Towers. https://t.co/cZJ560wona pic.twitter.com/DHoEAwZUNb

— Heize Tatler (@heizetatler) August 29, 2024

Masih ingat lagi tak saat Michael Jackson datang ke Malaysia pada tahun 1996? Memang luar biasa suasana waktu tu… lautan manusia sanggup berkumpul semata-mata nak lihat Raja Pop dunia ini! #MalaysiaDahKool

Sumber: tgvcinemas pic.twitter.com/0fu2lgrcin

— Kool FM (@kool101my) May 11, 2026

Meanwhile, daughter of Tan Sri Syed Yusof Syed Nasir, Sharifah Farhana shared a picture on Threads that made many fans envious.

Back in 1996, she had her picture taken with Michael during his world tour concert in Kuala Lumpur. Michael’s Malaysian concert was brought to our shores by Syed Yusof’s company Jojo Entertainment.

View on Threads

We joined the excitement as well and here’s what we thought after watching Michael (2026) in the cinema:

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Pahang has been seeking to export river sand primarily to generate tens of millions in state revenue while addressing sedimentation issues at the same time, according to Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, the Tengku Mahkota (Crown Prince) of Pahang.

The state argued that dredging is necessary to prevent flooding, and selling the excess sand is a key economic opportunity. However, the federal government has banned the export.

State officials believe that selling river sand can bring in significant revenue, with one estimate indicating potential earnings of RM500 million for state development programs, New Straits Times reported.

Pahang Chief Minister Datu Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail earlier said the state government is committed to ensuring every source of revenue was managed responsibly and sustainably while delivering the best returns for Pahang and its people.

Why did the federal government ban sand export in Pahang?

The main issue the federal government has with Pahang’s sand export seems to stem from environmental concerns, and the reason it has restricted sand mining activities is to protect against the ecological destruction of the longest river in peninsular Malaysia.

Parti Hijau Malaysia (The Green Party), a political party focused on environmental issues and forest conservation, has also been pressuring the federal government over concerns in this matter, accusing the government of double standards over sand and rare earth exports (REE).

Its secretary-general, Abdul Razak Ismail, said in a Facebook post: “Mining river sand for export is not allowed because it damages the environment. But mining rare earths for export is fine because it supposedly doesn’t affect the environment or the forest ecosystem, flora, and fauna?”

As the state fights for its rights to export sand from its own rivers, critics on the opposite front also expressed concerns that extensive sand mining could damage the local ecosystem, highlighting cases like Tasik Chini as examples of potential ecological damage.

Why export river sand and what is it used for?

River sand is a versatile material with a primary use in construction, where it acts as an aggregate to create concrete. Its rounded particles help fill voids between larger stones, creating a denser and stronger final product.

It’s also used in masonry to bind bricks and blocks, and as a key ingredient in wall plaster. Its fine texture is especially valued for achieving smooth, crack-resistant finishes on walls.

Huge quantities of river sand can be used to “create” new land from the sea, a common practice in places like Singapore.

Other uses of river sand

Besides construction, other common applications of river sand are found in gardening and horticulture. Horticulturalists mix river sand in soil to improve drainage and aeration, preventing plant roots from becoming waterlogged.

Glass manufacturing also makes use of high-quality river sand with high silica content.

Sometimes, river sand is used in water filtration systems to remove impurities.

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Penang has gazetted seven cultural and arts intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items and 28 food heritage items under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011 (Enactment No. 14) this year, with one more item — the Penang Hungry Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan Pudu / Perayaan Teong Guan Phor Thor) — currently undergoing the gazette process as a religious heritage tradition.

The disclosure came during an oral question by Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yu Hang at the Penang State Assembly on Monday, who asked the state government to account for its progress in promoting intangible cultural heritage at the state, national and international levels, as well as measures taken to protect and develop these traditions.

Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee Chairman Wong Hon Wai said in his reply that all ICH items gazetted at the state level may be recommended for national recognition under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645).

“Selected heritage elements may also be considered for international recognition under UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” he said — describing the general policy pathway that applies to all gazetted items, not a specific pledge for the Hungry Ghost Festival.

Chingay and Lion Dance Already in the Pipeline

Penang is no stranger to the UNESCO nomination process.

Wong confirmed that the state government is already supporting the bid to inscribe Chingay (大旗鼓游行 / Perarakan Chingay) on the UNESCO Representative List — a joint nomination by Malaysia and Singapore submitted in March 2025.

A separate joint nomination for Lion Dance (舞狮), submitted by Malaysia and China, was also filed with UNESCO in March 2025.

Both bids emphasise Penang’s emerging strategy of pursuing multinational nominations for traditions shared across the Chinese diaspora — a model that would almost certainly apply to any future Hungry Ghost Festival bid, given that the tradition is observed across China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

Beyond the gazette and nomination processes, Wong said the state government actively promotes its intangible heritage on both domestic and international platforms.

During Penang Week at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, the state organised a Kebaya fashion show and a Malaysian breakfast culture showcase, presenting Penang’s multicultural identity to an international audience.

Penang also stages its Chingay Parade annually in George Town and Butterworth, and has been invited to send its Chingay contingent to the Singapore Chingay Parade in both 2025 and 2026.

A Growing and Diverse Heritage Roster

The most recently gazetted items — dated 7 May — include a notable addition beyond food.

Seni Mempertahankan Diri Nillaikalakki Silambam, the Indian traditional stick martial art, is now formally recognised as part of Penang’s intangible cultural heritage.

The Penang State Museum Corporation is also currently hosting the “Silat Warisan Pulau Pinang: Siku 12” exhibition at its 57 Lorong Tengah branch, running from 3 March to 17 May, celebrating traditional Malay martial arts — Silat itself being a UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage.

Other annual platforms promoting Penang’s ICH include the George Town Festival, Butterworth Fringe Festival, Nibong Tebal Festival, the George Town UNESCO Inscription Anniversary Celebration, and Seberang Perai Heritage Day.

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Penang’s Full Gazetted ICH List

The 35 gazetted items span five categories, with the Hungry Ghost Festival pending:

Cultural Practices (gazetted 22 Jan)

• Nasi Kandar Culture (Budaya Nasi Kandar)
• Kopitiam Culture (Budaya Kopitiam)
• Chingay Procession (Perarakan Chingay)

Beliefs (gazetted 22 Jan)

• Thaipusam Procession (Perarakan Thaipusam)
• St. Anne’s Festival, Bukit Mertajam (Perayaan St. Anne Bukit Mertajam)
• Penang Hungry Ghost Festival — gazette in progress

Language & Literature (gazetted 22 Jan)

• Penang Malay Dialect (Loghat Bahasa Tanjong Pulau Pinang)

Martial Arts

• Indian Traditional Stick Martial Arts — Silambam (gazetted 7 May)

Food Heritage — 28 items across two gazette dates:

Gazetted 22 Jan: Char Kue Kak, Kerabu Bihun, Hokkien Mee, Mi Jawa, Mi Sotong, Mi Udang, Nasi Kandar, Roti Benggali, Pasembor, Oh Chien

Gazetted 7 May: ABC (shaved ice), Ais Kepal, Capati, Cendol, Char Kuey Teow, Kari Kapitan, Keema, Asam Laksa, Martabak, Masalodeh, Mi Goreng Mamak, Muruku, Penderam, Putu Mayam, Roti Canai, Teh Tarik, Tosai, Yong Tau Foo

Taken together, the list is a vivid cross-section of Penang’s multiethnic culinary identity — from Chinese hawker classics to Indian street food staples and Malay traditional sweets.

Parts of this story have been sourced from Buletin Mutiara.

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Luckin Coffee introduced a new drink lineup known as the Grape Fantasy series featuring two flavours: Grape Cheese Cloud and Grape Refresher.

Developed in collaboration with Bear Boss Buddies, the series brings fruit-inspired refreshments with a playful, creative twist to the usual cafe fare.

We ordered the two Grape-flavoured drinks, including the Oat Matcha Latte and the Chocolate Flavoured Milk. We also made a brave decision by choosing the ‘’Least sugar’’ option for all drinks.

The Taste Test

From the first sip, both drinks carry an immediate familiarity. It’s like Ribena but elevated. The Grape Cheese Cloud arrives as a silky-smooth slushie with a gentle tartness, while the velvety cheese foam softens the edges with a creamy, milky finish. The summer black grape pieces add bursts of juicy texture that make each sip a little more rewarding than the last. The drink feels playful, offering an interesting mixture of flavours in a cup.

For the Grape Refresher, we went with the Jasmine tea option. The drink opens with a bright, tart punch, while the delicate florals of the jasmine tea leaves a pleasant lingering finish. Despite being a low-sugar option, the drink still runs sweeter than expected.

If you’re yearning for a chocolatey drink without the intensity of Milo, this is a worthy contender. It’s lighter and less sweet than Malaysia’s popular malt beverage, delivering a gentle cocoa drink without overwhelming the palate with sugar. It’s a good choice for those who prefer their chocolate drink on a more subtle side.

The Oat Matcha Latte doesn’t shy away from its roots. The bitterness comes through boldly, yet a creamy milkiness keeps it away from harsh territory. A lingering umami aftertaste rounds things off nicely. However, we think pairing it with Oatside milk could further smooth out the edges and add a natural sweetness that complements the matcha’s earthiness. As it is with matcha, it’s an acquired taste, so some may not like this drink.

The Verdict

Between the two grape options, the Grape Cheese Cloud takes the crown. The layered combination of slushie, cheese foam, and fresh grape pieces strikes a harmony that the Grape Refresher, while enjoyable, lacks. The Grape Refresher is great to have when you’re on the go in sweltering heat. It’s light and a good thirst quencher.

The Oat Matcha Latte stands out as one of the more impressive matcha drinks we’ve tried. When caffeine isn’t on the agenda, the Chocolate Flavoured Milk hits the spot without the buzz and jitters.

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The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has received an Aurus Senat limousine, adding a distinctive vehicle to Malaysia’s official state collection during an official visit to Russia.

The luxury sedan, developed by Russian state automaker NAMI, is rarely exported outside Russia and is typically reserved for the highest levels of Russian leadership.

Often dubbed Russia’s “Rolls Royce,” the Aurus Senat combines cutting-edge technology with bespoke luxury features and advanced security systems — characteristics that define the world’s most prestigious state vehicles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin uses the Aurus for official state functions and important diplomatic engagements.

The handover ceremony took place at Moscow’s Special Garage Museum on Sunday (10 May), attended by the Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Kirill Alekseevich Lysogorsky, and other senior officials.

The Aurus represents Moscow’s flagship effort to create a world-class luxury limousine that rivals established Western marques in both craftsmanship and prestige.

A Distinctive Addition

The Aurus Senat is known for combining modern technology with high-security features — characteristics that align with the requirements of official state vehicles.

Its inclusion in Malaysia’s royal motorcade is notable, given the vehicle’s limited availability in international markets.

“The ownership of an Aurus Senat by His Majesty has been described as a special honour, reflecting the close relationship between Malaysia and the Russian Federation,” according to official statements.

The gift was presented as a symbol of strong friendship and brotherhood between the two nations.

Sultan Ibrahim, renowned as one of the world’s most prolific automobile collectors, maintains an impressive collection of around 500 luxury and vintage vehicles.

His garage includes multiple Rolls-Royce models—notably a rare, one-of-a-kind USD 30 million Droptail—alongside custom-built vehicles, Bentleys, and Ferraris, making the Aurus Senat a particularly distinguished addition to his world-class collection.

Historic Visit to Russia

The ceremony highlights the formal nature of the exchange and the protocol involved in such high-level diplomatic gestures.

Sultan Ibrahim is in Moscow as the first Malaysian head of state to attend Russia’s Victory Day celebrations as a guest of honour, invited personally by Putin.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong met with Putin during the visit, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between Malaysia and Russia.

While the visit is officially ceremonial in nature, observers note it carries broader strategic implications for Malaysia-Russia relations, including potential economic and trade partnerships.

The Aurus gift — presented during this historic visit — reinforces the depth of bilateral ties being cultivated between the two nations at the highest levels of leadership.

READ MORE: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Makes History At Russia’s Victory Day Parade In Moscow

READ MORE: [Watch] The World’s Most Expensive Mystery Car Was In Malaysia All Along

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A Proton Inspira driver has been detained to assist investigations into a three-vehicle collision on the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) on Sunday night.

The crash occurred around 11 pm at Kilometre 28 of the highway, involving a Proton Inspira, Proton Wira and Toyota Hilux, according to Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa.

The Inspira, driven by a 26-year-old local man, had veered off and stopped across the right lane, heading towards Duta Toll Plaza, when a Proton Wira, driven by an Indonesian man, failed to avoid it and crashed into the stationary vehicle.

The initial investigation found the Proton Inspira had veered off and stopped on the right lane of the expressway. A Proton Wira then collided with the stationary vehicle.

The impact pushed the Inspira into the adjacent lane, where it was struck by a Toyota Hilux driven by a 41-year-old local man.

Police detained the Inspira driver on Monday (11 May) to help determine why the vehicle had veered off in the first place.

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Accident-Prone Stretch Draws Fresh Calls for Action

All drivers and individuals involved reported no serious injuries, though all three vehicles sustained varying degrees of damage.

The Toyota Hilux suffered damage to its rear bumper, reverse sensor, front bonnet, front bumper and water tank.

The Proton Wira had damage to its bumper, bonnet, front lights and fender; damage to the Proton Inspira is still being assessed.

Police are investigating under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which covers reckless or dangerous driving.

They are reviewing CCTV footage and witness statements from the scene to determine the circumstances that led to the collision

The earlier video posted on social media showing the multi-vehicle collision had circulated widely, prompting calls for improved road safety on the stretch.

Commenters flagged that accidents at this location are not uncommon, with several users sharing accounts of previous incidents and demanding that authorities take action to prevent further collisions.

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Every great concert has that one moment where even the most restless kid in the room goes quiet.

For a hall full of children, that moment usually arrives somewhere between A Whole New World and The Imperial March — and the MPO knows exactly what it’s doing.

On Saturday (23 May), the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) returns to Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS with The Incredible Voyage of Alasdair Malloy, a one-hour, no-intermission journey that travels — narratively, musically, geographically — from Scotland to Kuala Lumpur.

The hook is deceptively simple: every piece on the programme connects to a mode of transport.

A frantic morning rush, a landscape rolling past a train window, the unmistakable chug of a steam engine, and a gallop so famous you’ve heard it a hundred times without knowing its name — each piece on the programme is a transport moment you can feel before anyone tells you what it is.

Who Is Alasdair Malloy, Exactly?

That’s the question worth asking, because the press release treats him as a known quantity — and in certain circles, he absolutely is.

Malloy is a Principal Percussionist with the BBC Concert Orchestra, a position he has held for over twenty years.

He made his BBC Proms solo debut in 1998 and has since become one of the UK’s most respected and prolific family concert presenters — having created and presented over 150 concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra alone, including their Phil Power series, which Julian Lloyd Webber (British solo cellist, conductor and broadcaster) singled out in the Daily Telegraph as Reason Number One to be optimistic about the future of classical music in Britain.

He is also, somewhat remarkably, one of only a handful of Glass Harmonica specialists in the world — an instrument so rare and ethereal it once fascinated Mozart — and has performed with artists ranging from the English symphony orchestra Hallé to, improbably, Icelandic singer-songwriter and composer Björk.

His relationship with the MPO is ongoing and well-established.

Conductor Jebat Arjuna Kee, who leads the orchestra for this concert, put it plainly on Instagram: “Alasdair always enjoys travelling to Malaysia to be with us.”

That’s not promotional copy; that’s a collaborator who’s done this before and wants to do it again.

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The Programme Does the Heavy Lifting

What makes this concert structurally smart is the balance between the familiar and the formally educational.

Film excerpts — Harry Potter, Star Wars, Aladdin, Moana, Yellow Submarine — serve as anchors for younger audiences who may be sitting in a concert hall for the first time.

The classical works, meanwhile, aren’t decorative.

Carnival of the Animals, Peer Gynt, and William Tell — these are canonical pieces with genuine dramatic weight, and they’re introduced through the transport narrative rather than dropped in as obligatory repertoire.

There’s also a piece listed simply as Malloy: Morning Routine — an original composition by the man himself.

That’s not a footnote.

That’s a composer presenting his own work alongside two giants of classical music — Rossini, the Italian maestro behind the most famous gallop ever written, and Saint-Saëns, the French composer who gave the world Carnival of the Animals — in a hall under the PETRONAS Twin Towers.

The Practical Details

The concert runs approximately one hour without intermission — the right call for its audience.

Tickets start at RM99 (C Reserve) and go up to RM249 (Premium), with Suite seats at RM299–349 inclusive of light refreshments.

A 10% MyKad discount and 15% senior citizen discount are available, and student tickets are priced at RM74.50; children aged 4 and above are admitted.

Wheelchair users receive a complimentary companion ticket — a detail worth noting and worth applauding.

Tickets and enquiries: 03-2331 7007 or boxoffice@dfp.com.my.

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McDonald’s Malaysia has quietly done something sensible: launched a rice bowl that costs less than most kopitiam lunch sets these days.

The McSavers Rice Bowl, rolled out earlier this month as part of the McSavers range, comes in three flavours — Potato Curry, Sambal Kicap, and Masak Merah — all built around the chain’s Ayam Tenders McD.

For RM9.95, you get Ayam Tenders, rice, a fried egg, and vegetables — a complete meal, at a moment when most fast-food combos in Malaysia have quietly crept past the RM10 mark.

There’s also something quietly calculated about the format itself: rice isn’t a novelty here, it’s the default.

For most Malaysians, a meal without it isn’t quite a meal — and McDonald’s, to its credit, seems to have finally taken that seriously.

An Iced Lemon Tea is included, with unlimited refills for dine-in customers through May.

The honest verdict: it depends entirely on which flavour you pick.

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Pick the Right One, And You’re Fine

The Masak Merah is the one to get.

It’s warm, it’s balanced, and it doesn’t try to be anything it isn’t — no small feat for a flavour that many Malaysian households already have a benchmark for.

The Potato Curry, on the other hand, skews dry — the kind of dry where you find yourself reaching for that Iced Lemon Tea not out of thirst but necessity.

The Sambal Kicap leans sweet, noticeably so, in a way that might work for some and feel like a missed opportunity for others.

What carries the whole thing across all three is the fried chicken.

The Ayam Tenders do the heavy lifting here — crisp, familiar, reliable — and the rice is exactly what it needs to be: present, inoffensive, fine.

One addition worth noting: a new Wasabi dipping sauce has been introduced alongside the range, available for the Ayam Tenders; the bowls themselves come dressed with their respective sauces — but if you’re ordering the tenders separately, the Wasabi option is there.

After the Mala, a Breather

The portion sits in that comfortable middle ground, too; not small enough to leave you hunting for a second meal, not large enough to feel like a splurge.

For under RM10, dine-in, with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and unlimited cold tea?

The value proposition is hard to argue with.

It is, notably, a more coherent offering than its predecessor on the new-item roster — the Mala Fried Chicken, which arrived with considerably more heat and considerably more divisiveness.

The McSavers Rice Bowl isn’t trying to be exciting.

It’s trying to be a decent lunch for under a tenner.

On most days, it succeeds.

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READ MORE: McDonald’s Gives Everyone Gold, But Is It Really A Reward?

READ MORE: McDonald’s Malaysia Went Mala – The Mala Chicken Is Fine, The Sundae Is A Decision

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Malaysian actress Nabila Huda recently came under fire after netizens criticised her choice of clothing while she was operating a small self-owned business selling pasta.

On Threads, the 42-year-old said she did not expect her attire to be the centre of attention and main topic of discussion on social media as she prepared food at her popup stall.

“I did this because it made me happy to see people come and support me, eat, and chat. The weird thing is, why are so many people trying to find faults?

“Even attire could become an issue. Do those who criticise me expect me to wear a jubah or something?

“Sometimes, it’s kind of sad when something is done with sincerity and happiness turns into an issue where people just want to criticise,” she said in a Threads post.

At the same time, she said that she is more comfortable being herself, rather than pretend to be someone she’s not just to garner praise from the public.

“I’m not a hyprocrite. I don’t have to be fake to look good, polite, or kind just to make people like me or praise me. If you don’t like it, don’t look,” she said.

Not a “serious” food business

Speaking on her business, Nabila said her food business is not a serious one and is just a small side project to meet with fans who want to taste her cooking.

“This is just something to do for fun. I want to meet my fans and let them taste my cooking. It’s not like I opened a fine dining restaurant. I just opened a pop up, cooked everythig myself, drove myself, and I did not expect many would come to support,” she said, emphasising that she runs the business solo and without any staff.

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Netizens criticised her attire over food safety issues, not modesty

The criticism she received online were focused on her attire, but not for reasons many would think.

While it may sound like the public were criticising her clothes because of modesty, it’s actually because of food safety.

Many pointed out that she was not wearing a hair net or a hat to keep her hair from falling into the food, which were served in open trays. Aside from that, some also highlighted that she was wearing dangling earrings, which is also a hazard as they may fall off her ears and into the food without her realising.

As for the off-shoulder top, exposed skin including shoulders presents risk of contamination as well. This includes skin particles, dandruff, or dirt that can fall from exposed skin and into food.

Malaysians reminded her in the comments section that as long as she is handling and selling food to the public, standard operating protocols (SOP) for food safety will apply to her by default, and that she should not take it so lightly.

Nabila is currently doing a tour of Malaysia to promote her Amore In Cucina brand Pomodoro pasta sauce, which is a traditional Italian tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and sweet basil.

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If you are confident that your retirement savings are already sufficient, you can now transfer part of those savings to your immediate family members – spouse and children – through the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) i-Legasi facility to boost their saving.

EPF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn said that as Malaysians continue to live longer, retirement planning must also evolve to ensure savings are not only accumulated, but are sufficient and sustainable over the long term.

“We are evolving to support our members not just in saving, but in making informed decisions to ensure their savings last a lifetime and to leave a legacy for their loved ones,” he said in a statement.

According to EPF, the i-Legasi facility would enable members to transfer a portion of their EPF savings into the EPF accounts of immediate family members upon reaching full withdrawal age.

“The transfer amount is aligned with the Retirement Income Adequacy (RIA) Framework1, with only balances above the Adequate Savings level eligible for transfers.

“The transfer will come from savings that are already available for withdrawal, and will be placed into the recipient’s retirement savings accounts, which are meant for long-term savings.

“The facility transfers savings from the transferor’s Akaun 55, or Akaun Emas for members aged 60 and above, to the transferee’s Akaun Persaraan, or Akaun Emas for transferees aged 55 to 59, to ensure the savings remain preserved for retirement,” the statement reads further.

So, who can transfer to whom?

Members aged 55 or 60 and above are eligible to transfer part of their retirement savings under the i-Legasi facility, provided they have savings exceeding the Adequate Savings threshold. Only the excess amount beyond this level can be transferred.

According to the guidelines, eligible members may also distribute their savings to more than one immediate family member. However, they must ensure that their remaining balance continues to stay above the Adequate Savings level after any transfer is made.

On the receiving end, transfers are limited strictly to immediate family members, namely spouses and children. Recipients must be below the national minimum retirement age of 60 and must also be EPF members who are either Malaysian citizens or permanent residents. There is no restriction on the amount that each eligible recipient may receive.

More facilities upgraded by EPF

Apart from the i-Legasi, EPF also upgraded the monthly payment method under the Age 55/60 Withdrawal as i-Emas, and the rollout of the Retirement Goal Calculator.

Learn more about this upgrade by visiting any EPF branches nationwide, or refer to the EPF official website at www.kwsp.gov.my or via KWSP i-Akaun. 

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She has been seen here before — in Bukit Bintang, selling tissues from her wheelchair along the walkway.

Her story had already made the rounds online.

But when a video emerged this week showing Koh Lee Peng in tears, visibly breaking down in public at the same spot, something shifted.

A seven-time ASEAN Para Games gold medallist, reduced to selling tissues to survive — that had already been reported.

But crying in the street is different.

That is not a backstory; that is a person at a breaking point.

The clip, posted on Facebook by user Oscar Lye on 7 May, has since drawn over one million views and 6,800 reactions.

The Years Between the Medals and the Wheelchair Outside the Mall

Commenters speculated that her motorised wheelchair may have been damaged after being struck by a passing vehicle — though no official confirmation has been made.

Others simply said: a person does not cry in the middle of the street unless they have truly broken down.

Koh began selling tissues in 2019 after leaving office employment, reportedly due to accessibility barriers.

She has continued doing so since, largely without institutional support.

Koh, who represented Malaysia at the ASEAN Para Games from 2001 to 2005, is wheelchair-bound due to cerebral palsy, which has paralysed both her legs.

The System Says It Tried

In 2023, the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) denied claims of neglect, stating that assistance had been offered to Koh — which she reportedly declined — and while the government committed in 2016 to lifetime pensions for past Paralympic medallists, Koh receives RM450 a month, a figure that has not been reported to have changed since her retirement.

That allowance does not cover rent in Kuala Lumpur, nor the maintenance of a motorised wheelchair.

No response has been issued by the Paralympic Council of Malaysia or relevant welfare agencies at the time of publication.

What Yakeb administers is discretionary welfare, not a structured pension.

One commenter put it plainly: “I buy a pack instead of handing money directly — because they want to earn it, not be given it.”

It was, many felt, the most dignified response in Lye’s post — and perhaps the most honest one.

READ MORE: Former Paralympic Athlete Now Selling Tissue Covers In Bukit Bintang, Netizens Heartbroken

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Are kids nowadays becoming more rude, or are they simply less fearful of authority compared to the generations before them?

That certainly seems to be the sentiment online after a teacher shared her experience on Threads. According to the teacher, one of her students allegedly called her “babi” (pig) simply because she assigned homework to the class.

“Students nowadays seem to have completely lost their sense of respect and manners. I was casually called ‘babi’ just because I gave the class homework,” user @zeefysm wrote on social media.

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The teacher added that the student involved was only in Form Two, while expressing disappointment over what she considered a light disciplinary action taken by the school.

“The school already took action last Friday, but the punishment was merely writing multiplication tables. Honestly, my heart still hurts over the incident,” she said.

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What surprised many social media users even more was the relatively mild punishment imposed despite the seriousness of the offence.

Seriously? Just write multiplications after insulting a teacher like that?

A glance through the comments section showed many netizens describing the incident as excessive and reflective of declining respect towards teachers.

Some users remarked that during their school days, merely addressing a teacher by name alone would have been enough to get them disciplined by their parents, let alone openly insulting a teacher with profanity.

Others argued that such incidents are becoming more common because teachers today are no longer allowed to discipline students as firmly as before.

Still, perhaps there is another side to the conversation worth considering.

Many from older generations probably got away with far more questionable behaviour growing up simply because social media did not exist back then. Unlike today, moments of misconduct were rarely recorded, shared publicly or turned viral online within hours.

This raises an uncomfortable but honest question — were students back then truly better behaved, or were they simply luckier to grow up in an era without cameras and social media scrutiny everywhere?

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Kerastase Malaysia has opened its newest luxury hair care kiosk at Mid Valley Megamall, marking the brand’s second kiosk concept in Malaysia following its successful debut at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Traditionally only available in professional salons, Kerastase is now bringing its luxury hair care experience to consumers in a more accessible retail concept.

Aside from retail, customers get to receive professional hair and scalp consultations, and tailored product recommendations. The kiosk features the K-Scan Hair & Scalp Analysis, an advanced diagnosis technology that magnifies the scalp and fibre up to 500x. This offers customers a deeper understanding of what their hair needs.

If you’re prone to hairfall, check out one of the key highlights that is Genesis, Kerastase’s bestselling anti-hair fall range. The Genesis range is specially formulated for weakened hair prone to hair fall due to breakage. Powered by Aminexil, Ginger Root, and Edelweiss Native Cells, Genesis helps by strengthening and fortifying hair fibres while reducing hair fall caused by breakage.

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With Covid-19 still fresh on our minds, it’s understandable that we are all wary of the current Hantavirus cluster linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. Here we attempt to explain what Hantavirus is and what it is not, especially why it’s not the same as Covid-19 nor will it be a pandemic (for now).

What is a Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is not new and it’s a virus that has been studied for decades. Hantaviruses is a family of viruses spread primarily by rodents (mice and rats) that can cause severe, often fatal, respiratory or renal illnesses in humans.

The disease is spread by breathing in airborne particles from dried rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.

The Andes (ANDV) strain is the only type of Hantavirus that is known to spread person-to-person. ANDV is primarily found in South America, and it causes severe Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).

Hantavirus cause two syndromes: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is common in the Western hemisphere, while haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is found mostly in Europe and Asia.

What are the symptoms?

Hantavirus symptoms appear 1 to 8 weeks after exposure. It starts with flu-like symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches (especially in thighs or back)
• Headaches
• Vomitting

The illness progresses rapidly within 4 to 10 days later to severe, life-threatening symptoms, such as:

• Severe shortness of breath
• Cough
• Fluid buildup in the lungs

Where did the Hantavirus cluster form?

A Hantavirus cluster formed aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship during a voyage that began in early April 2026.

The outbreak is believed to have originated from a birdwatching excursion in Ushuaia, Argentina. A Dutch ornithologist Leo Schilperoord, 70, has been identified as the ‘’patient zero.’’ He was passionate about birdwatching, which led him to a landfill near the southern Argentine city of Ushuaia. It’s believed he contracted the rare Andes strain there.

Schilperoord was the first patient to die of the virus on board the ship on 11 April 2026. His wife, Mirjam Schilperoord, 69, briefly accompanied his body back on a scheduled flight back to Netherlands before succumbing to the disease herself. She was too ill to board her connecting flight to the Netherlands and passed a few days later on 25 April in a Johannesburg hospital.

How many deaths on the cruise ship so far?

As of 9 May 2026, three deaths have been reported following the outbreak on MV Hondius. In total, there are six confirmed cases and two probable cases so far.

The relevant authorities are racing to trace dozens of people who disembarked from the cruise ship before the hantavirus outbreak was detected, and anyone who has come into close contact with them since.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the outbreak is not the start of a pandemic like Covid-19 because the hantavirus spreads through “close, intimate contact.”

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the Andes strain doesn’t spread easily between people like Covid-19. Human-to-human transmission requires prolonged contact, and often in enclosed spaces.

Can you treat it? Is Hantavirus treatable?

There’s no specific antiviral drug, but it’s manageable through supportive care, including rest and hydration. Supportive care is most effective when initiated early. In more serious cases, patients will require hospitalization, intensive care and respiratory support.

What can you do to prevent a hantavirus infection?

First things first, avoid contact with rodents and their droppings. You can take precautions by sealing entry points at homes or sheds, using traps and cleaning contaminated areas safely. Make sure there’s ventilation in the space you’re cleaning.

Do not clean dry rodent droppings by sweeping or vacuuming. To clean it up, use a 1:10 bleach solution and clean while wearing gloves and masks. Remember, the hantavirus enters our system when we inhale airborne particles from dried rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.

What’s the situation in Malaysia?

Malaysia remains free of the hantavirus, but cautionary measures are being carried out. We have learned some things during the Covid-19 pandemic. The closest ‘’source’’ we have to the virus are the two people in Singapore who have been quarantined and closely monitored.

READ MORE: Two Singaporeans Quarantined After Sharing Cruise & Flight With Infected Passenger

According to The Star, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad assured the public that Malaysia’s healthcare system is fully equipped to detect and treat the virus.

The Institute for Medical Research (IMR) is ready to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, when the need arises. Health officers are also stationed at all international entry points and the ministry will continue strengthening sanitation activities.

Additionally, there’s strict monitoring on the maritime sector. Health inspections are mandated for all ships and vessels entering Malaysian waters, especially those arriving from high-risk areas.

Dzulkefly explains that a Pratique Certificate or Certificate of Free Pratique, is an official document issued by port health authorities for vessels that pass health checks. The certificate is extra assurance that the ship is free from infectious disease and is allowed to enter a port, board, or disembark.

Dzulkefly emphasized that the country must remain vigilant against the hantavirus.

We do not want to be alarmist, but we also do not want the people to be complacent. No country is safe unless we take precautionary measures and remain prepared.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad

He urged the public to play their part by ensuring high levels of cleanliness to keep rodent populations at bay. He also advised those experiencing any symptoms to seek medical treatment immediately.

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When Chinese Muslim convert activist Firdaus Wong Wai Hung began using the term kuil haram — loosely translated as “illegal temple” — to describe Hindu places of worship built on land without proper authorisation, he said he was simply stating a legal fact.

Many Malaysians heard something else entirely.

In a wide-ranging podcast debate on The Good Cast Show, Wong faced off against host Vinod Rajendran in what became one of the more revealing conversations about race, religion and language to emerge from Malaysia’s increasingly charged public discourse.

On the surface, the argument was about a word.

Wong maintained that haram — a Malay term derived from Arabic, widely understood in the Islamic context to mean “forbidden” or “sinful” — has a legitimate secular usage.

View on Threads

When The Dictionary Is Not Enough

He pointed to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Malaysia’s official language authority, which defines the word to include structures built without permission.

“Pendatang haram, pelumba haram,” he said, citing common Malay phrases for illegal immigrants and illegal racers.

Haram is haram.

Vinod pushed back; in a majority Muslim country, he argued, the word carries unmistakable religious weight — and applying it to a Hindu temple is not a neutral act.

When you use language, what matters is context — and how the person perceives what you’re saying. A place of worship is the focal point of a religion. You cannot just say, if it’s in the dictionary, it’s okay.

The Case That Changed The Conversation

The debate shifted when Vinod described a temple community — he did not name it specifically — that had done everything right.

The community had spent years applying for gazettement, purchasing the land privately when that stalled, hiring council-approved architects, and securing agreement from the surrounding Malay-Muslim neighbourhood — before submitting their application.

They were still denied.

The land is theirs. They followed everything. Then they were denied. Is that right or wrong?

It is a question that did not receive a direct answer.

Vinod challenged Wong on why his public content consistently singled out Hindu temples, when suraus and Chinese temples built on unauthorised land also exist, to which Wong pointed to his movement, GARA (Gerakan Anti Rumah Anutan Haram), as proof that all unauthorised houses of worship fall within his scope.

Vinod was unconvinced, saying the optics tell a different story.

The Trishul Moment

The conversation turned pointed when Vinod raised the case of Tamim Dahri, an activist who was filmed standing on a trishul — a sacred Hindu symbol associated with the god Shiva — at a demolished temple site in Langkawi.

The incident went viral, prompted multiple police reports from Hindu organisations, and led to Tamim’s arrest.

When pressed, Wong said he disagreed with the act, adding that a photo of him with Tamim had been taken before the incident occurred.

He did not, however, issue a public condemnation of the act at the time — something Vinod pressed him on.

You seem to make statements about other things. In this case, you should have.

Wong said he could not comment on everything and that silence was not endorsement.

@rush.kini Satu video yang memaparkan seorang lelaki dipercayai memijak simbol suci agama Hindu, iaitu trisula atau soolam, mencetuskan kemarahan dalam kalangan penganut Hindu. Individu yang dikaitkan dengan insiden tersebut dikenal pasti sebagai Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak, yang mendakwa dirinya sebagai aktivis tanah. Rakaman yang tular itu menunjukkan seseorang memijak simbol trisula di sebuah kawasan terbuka yang tidak dikenal pasti lokasinya. Susulan penularan video tersebut, beberapa laporan polis telah dibuat oleh orang awam sejak beberapa hari lalu. Malah satu protes turut diadakan di luar Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Sentul, yang menurut pengasas Pertubuhan Perpaduan Puratchi Malaysia, K Umagandhan, dihadiri kira-kira 200 peserta dari pelbagai kawasan. Beberapa pemimpin dan pertubuhan masyarakat turut menggesa pihak berkuasa menjalankan siasatan menyeluruh serta memastikan undang-undang dikuatkuasakan secara adil dan saksama terhadap mana-mana pihak yang menghina simbol agama. Video credit: umagandhanofficial #RushKini #simbolhindu #Malaysia #tamimdahri #Berita ♬ A tense suspense piece on the piano(1270072) – illmatic studio

Common Ground, If Briefly

Amid the friction, there were points of common ground.

Both acknowledged that some temples have been built on land that does not belong to their communities — and that this is wrong.

Both agreed that due process matters.

Both cited the Rukun Negara and the Federal Constitution as the country’s guiding framework.

And Wong, when asked directly, confirmed that he would apply the same haram label to a surau built without authorisation.

“Haram, haram lah,” he said. “What to do?”

Same Country, Different Meanings

Malaysia has long prided itself on a form of quiet coexistence — neighbours who celebrate each other’s festivals, who share food across faiths, who have largely avoided the communal violence that has fractured other diverse nations.

That coexistence has never been without tension.

But observers say the language around interfaith issues has grown sharper in recent years, with social media amplifying voices that once remained at the fringes.

The debate between Wong and Vinod did not resolve anything.

No minds were visibly changed.

But it put on record, clearly and at length, what many Malaysians feel but rarely say out loud — that the same word can mean entirely different things depending on who is saying it, and who is being talked about.

The Good Cast Show is available on YouTube. This article is based on Part 1 of the debate.

READ MORE: Ridhuan Tee: Chinese Temples Host Gambling And Illegal Concerts, Muslims Shouldn’t Attend Their Open House

READ MORE: Malaysian Hindu Community Fights Back After Sacred Symbol Allegedly Desecrated On Camera

READ MORE: Firdaus Wong Publishes Private Chats To Prove ‘Quran Stepper’ Converted To Islam

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In the latest update involving Negeri Sembilan’s adat (customary) dispute, a septuagenarian was proclaimed as the new Dato’ Klana Petra Undang Luak Sungei Ujong, replacing former chief Datuk Mubarak Dohak.

Abd Rahman Limat, who is 70 years old and a retired government worker, was proclaimed as the 11th Undang Luak Sungei Ujong at an adat ceremony held at Telapak Tua Kampung Chedang, Rasah, on the evening of 10 May, Harian Metro reported.

The father of six said the appointment was agreed upon by the Ibu Soko, Buapak, and Tiang Balai Perut Waris Hulu.

Abd Rahman is reported to be from the Suku Biduanda Waris Klana, while his position within the lineage is Datuk Juan Waris Perut di Hulu Luak Sungei Ujong.

He was previously said to have submitted his name as a candidate for the Undang Luak Sungei Ujong post on 13 November, 2004.

A young accountant almost became chief last week but his appointment was “invalid”

Last week, 29-year-old accountant Muhammad Faris Johari, was reported to have been appointed as the 11th Undang Luak Sungei Ujong.

However, his appointment was deemed invalid after the Dato’-Dato’ Lembaga Adat Ujong claimed that the people who announced and validated Muhammad Faris’ appointment were previously dismissed from their roles, therefore rendering them ineligible when it comes to any appointment process in Sungei Ujong.

READ MORE: New Chapter For Luak Sungei Ujong As 29YO Accountant Becomes 11th Chief

READ MORE: Appointment Of Muhammad Faris As Undang Luak “Not Valid” In Latest N9 Drama Twist

The Undang Luak saga began after Mubarak attempted to depose the state’s head ruler Yang Di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir in early April 2026.

He did so by reading a proclamation which was broadcasted live on Facebook, and later met resistance from other key adat figures who claimed that he had been dismissed from his title as Dato’ Klana Petra Undang Luak Sungai Ujong since May 2025.

It was reported that he had lost his position as Undang Luak Sungei Ujong after he allegedly violated a number of customs and syariah laws, including feeding false information to a religious district officer in 2018 to change his wedding date.

READ MORE: Can Negeri Sembilan’s Ruler Actually Be ‘Fired’?

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A retired man lost RM900,000 — his entire life savings — to an online investment scam he discovered through YouTube, according to a Facebook post by Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.

Lim said the man approached him directly, his voice trembling as he recounted how the scheme unfolded.

The scam began with YouTube videos promising easy profits and expert investment advice.

The websites appeared professional and legitimate. Early on, small returns appeared in the victim’s account — a deliberate tactic designed to build confidence and encourage larger deposits.

By the time the man realised the investment was fraudulent, everything was gone.

Not A Reckless Decision

Lim was careful to push back against the assumption that victims of such scams are naive or careless.

This is not an uneducated man or a reckless gambler. He is simply another victim of sophisticated scammers who know exactly how to exploit trust, hope and fear.

The tactic described — showing victims early, then orchestrating fabricated returns before defrauding them of larger sums — is consistent with a method widely known as pig butchering, or 杀猪盘 in Chinese, in which trust is systematically built before the funds are taken.

The case highlights the role of mainstream social media platforms as an entry point for financial fraud.

YouTube algorithmically surfaces high-engagement content, and while users can report fraudulent videos using the platform’s built-in “Report” feature under the spam or deceptive practices category, the platform has no specific regulatory obligation to screen investment content for legitimacy before it reaches viewers.

A Pattern, Not An Exception

Investment scams conducted through social media have risen sharply in Malaysia in recent years.

Scammers increasingly present themselves as successful investors, financial coaches or influencers — making their operations difficult to distinguish from legitimate content.

Lim, who is also DAP Kuala Lumpur secretary, urged the public to share the story with elderly parents, relatives and friends.

One moment of trust can wipe out an entire lifetime.

Anyone who suspects they have been targeted by an investment scam can lodge a report with the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997.

National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) telah ditubuhkan pada 7 Oktober 2022 sebagai pusat penguatkuasaan utama dalam menangani penipuan kewangan siber.

Operasi 24/7 – Bertugas tanpa henti, termasuk cuti umum
1 Talian Khas: 997 – Intervensi segera untuk menyekat aliran dana pic.twitter.com/OX4vMs8Bqt

— Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (@jpagov) May 8, 2026

READ MORE: Woman Loses Money After WhatsApp Call — Without Clicking Any Links Or Downloading Anything

READ MORE: [Watch] Bank Negara Governor “Caught Fighting A Guest” — Except It Never Happened

READ MORE: [Watch] One QR Scan, One Sen, Hundreds Of Ringgit Gone — Here’s How The Scam Works

READ MORE: No Such Officer, No Such Letter: KL Police Debunk WhatsApp Raya Scam

READ MORE: Scam Alert: PDRM Logo Used to Trick Malaysians into Paying Fake Traffic Fines

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Mahasiswa Keadilan Malaysia (MKM) has denied claims that the student wing is withdrawing support for party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim following the circulation of a media statement issued in the organisation’s name.

MKM secretary-general Aqeef Salih stressed that the viral statement did not represent the organisation’s official position.

Aqeef described the statement as the action of “a few individuals” within the central leadership who allegedly used MKM’s platform to push their own agenda while creating confusion and negative perceptions towards the organisation.

“As secretary-general of MKM, I deny that the media statement circulating today represents the organisation’s official stance.

“The statement was never discussed, agreed upon or decided through MKM’s official channels,” he said in a statement issued last night.

Aqeef also criticised the move, branding it as unprofessional, irresponsible and made in bad faith, as it was issued anonymously, pointing out that it did not even include the name or position of the individual responsible for issuing it.

 “Any party that is truly brave enough to stand by their own position should do so openly instead of hiding behind the name of a student organisation,” he added.

The controversy emerged after a statement purportedly linked to MKM began circulating online, fuelling speculation of growing dissatisfaction among certain grassroots youth leaders towards Anwar’s leadership.

However, Aqeef insisted that MKM remains committed to organisational discipline, democratic processes and the principles of responsible student activism.

He stressed that personal views should never be imposed as the organisation’s official stance without a collective agreement and proper mandate from its leadership.

“MKM will never allow the student movement platform to be manipulated for the political interests of certain individuals.”

Aqeef said that the wing would remain loyal towards the PKR leadership, stating that the organisation would continue respecting the institution of the party presidency while fully supporting Anwar’s leadership.

“MKM as the student wing of PKR will continue to respect the institution of the president and fully support the leadership of Anwar.”

At the same time, he revealed that the secretariat would be examining the matter seriously, including taking appropriate action against any party found to have misused MKM’s name without authorisation.

He added that MKM would remain focused on championing student voices responsibly while upholding integrity and organisational principles moving forward.

Viral statement

A statement purportedly issued by the majority of MKM leadership began circulating online earlier yesterday, claiming that the group was withdrawing its support for Anwar because PKR was no longer viewed as a reform-driven party committed to opposing abuses of power.

The statement also alleged that MKM’s new political direction would be announced later tonight during a press conference at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.

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A proposal for more comprehensive targeted subsidies, specifically RON95 fuel subsidies for the T20 income group, is being refined and will be finalised in the near future, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The proposal comes amid calls for petrol subsidies to be reserved for lower- and middle-income groups.

Anwar said the Crisis Management Task Force under the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) — chaired by Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican — is currently reviewing the proposal.

He also suggested that the recalibration is being adjusted in a way that does not affect the upper-middle class.

“In principle, we agree, but we want to ensure it does not affect the upper-middle class. They are working on it, and I hope it will be finalised soon,” he told reporters during a government programme at Universiti Malaya yesterday (10 May).

According to the New Straits Times, economists had earlier estimated that exlcuding the T20 group from the Budi95 subsidy programme could save the government up to RM1.5 billion a month.

For the week of 7 to 13 May 2026, unsubsidised RON95 climbed five sen to RM4.02 per litre, while RON97 remains at RM4.90 per litre.

Diesel in Peninsular Malaysia also increased by five sen to RM5.17 per litre, while in East Malaysia it holds at RM2.15 per litre.

Subsidised RON95 remains unchanged at RM1.99 per litre.

These prices, announced by the Ministry of Finance, reflect high global oil prices exceeding US$100 a barrel.

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The man behind Bobby’s Burgers is none other than Ben Sumadiwiria, an Indonesian chef and content creator who turned his passion for food into a full-fledged brand. He’s best known for his satirical Indonesian billionaire persona, Bobby Saputra, which he used to promote the burger brand.

The burger brand has expanded into Malaysia with a store at The Exchange TRX. Bobby’s Burgers is famous for its double smashed Angus beef patties, tallow fries, and the ‘’Billionaire Sauce.’’

We tested all three of its signatures by ordering Bobby’s Package Deal combo for RM30 per set.

The Taste Test

The presentation of the burgers and fries on the tray looks good, but the taste is a bit of a letdown. The burger tasted like a bland version of McDonald’s triple cheeseburger. All grease, some salt, and not much flavour. The pickles felt barely there. T_T

The fries are fried in 100% beef tallow for a crisp, fluffy texture with a rich flavour. The fries are well-flavoured, and I loved that it’s crispy on the outside. However, I don’t find it spectacular. The good thing is that it still holds its crunchiness when it’s cooled down. I had to dip them in the Billionaire’s Sauce because the whole meal was getting too salty for me.

The Verdict

A little something extra, like onions and stronger pickles, would go a long way in elevating the burger’s overall flavour.

If you’re thinking about where to dine in the mall, NakNak, right across from Bobby’s Burgers, offers better value for money on similar, tastier meals.

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Dozens of Falun Gong practitioners gathered outside the Chinese Consulate in Kuala Lumpur recently, holding banners and reading statements to mark the 27th anniversary of a crackdown that began in China in 1999.

The group assembled along Jalan Ampang, where the consulate is located, carrying yellow and white banners in Malay, Chinese and English calling for an end to what they described as the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Later the same day, the practitioners held a peaceful public roadshow in the Bukit Bintang area of the city centre — bringing the commemoration from the consulate gates to one of Kuala Lumpur’s busiest public spaces.

The gathering marked the anniversary of a peaceful appeal by Falun Gong practitioners to China’s leadership compound in Zhongnanhai, Beijing, on 25 April, 1999 — an event practitioners describe as the largest peaceful assembly in post-Mao China.

Three months later, on 20 July, 1999, then-President Jiang Zemin launched a nationwide suppression campaign against the movement; practitioners say the crackdown has continued for 27 years.

Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a spiritual discipline centred on the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance.

The movement says it has spread to 150 countries, with its central text, Zhuan Falun, translated into 51 languages.

At The Gates Of The Consulate

Participants read out statements in Malay describing the history of the movement and alleging that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) used state media to misrepresent the 1999 Beijing appeal — reframing it as a hostile act to justify the subsequent crackdown.

Banners at the event included the slogans “Stop the 27-year genocide of Falun Gong immediately”, “The Chinese Communist Party is not equal to China”, and allegations that the CCP has conducted forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners — a claim the Chinese government has consistently denied.

Members of the Tuidang movement, which encourages Chinese citizens to renounce their membership of the Communist Party, were also present at the demonstration.

Police were present during the demonstration; no incidents were reported.

The commemoration has become an annual event for Falun Gong communities worldwide.

Arrests, Seizures, And Allegations Of Foreign Interference

In Malaysia, practitioners have previously reported facing threats from unknown individuals while conducting outreach activities, though no such incidents were reported in connection with this year’s gathering.

The gatherings took place against a backdrop of what practitioners describe as escalating harassment in Malaysia over the past year.

In April 2025, Malaysian police arrested more than 70 Falun Gong practitioners in Kuala Lumpur, days before a state visit by China.

According to reports, the practitioners were detained while holding a meeting in Cheras and were held until after the Chinese leader had left the country.

The Kuala Lumpur police chief at the time said the arrests were a legal action against an unregistered organisation, and refuted claims that the detentions were linked to foreign pressure.

Four months later, on 15 August, a group of Chinese nationals — claiming to be connected to a “China police station” — disrupted a Falun Gong information display at the National Monument, or Tugu Negara, seizing banners and materials from practitioners on site.

The Falun Dafa Information Centre has described the two incidents collectively as a “textbook case of transnational repression” orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party.

READ MORE: [Watch] Activists Threatened At KL Night Market While Conducting Anti-Communist Activities

READ MORE: Chinese Tourist Thrash Falun Gong, Uyghur Display Outside Masjid Negara, Police Report Filed

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