MCA has never signed any agreement with PAS, says MCA president Wee Ka Siong SEREMBAN: MCA has never signed any political agreement with PAS, says MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong. MCA is also not seeking to establish a new political alliance, he said. Instead, Wee is urging voters who are concerned with PAS gaining influence to help MCA win more seats so that it can act as a counterbalance to the Islamic party. Wee stressed that cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan ..

Alipay+ transactions in Malaysia surge 90% in a year, surpass RM800 million in 2025 KUALA LUMPUR: Transaction volumes by foreign tourists using the Alipay+ ecosystem for QR code payments in Malaysia surged by 89.6%, jumping from RM435 million in 2024 to RM824 million in 2025. According to the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the total number of transactions also grew by 60.4%, rising from 6.6 million transactions in 2024 to 10.5 million in 2025. This strong growth momentum extended into the first ..

Federal government has no plan to close down pig farms, says Chan Foong Hin KUALA LUMPUR: The federal government has never intended to close down pig farms or ban the pig farming industry, says Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Chan Foong Hin. However, he said pig farms must comply with environmental pollution laws and regulations. State governments would have their regulations since land use rights fall under the jurisdiction of respective state governments. The Department ..

Traditional Chinese tea ritual embraces World Cup flavour JIANGSU: A unique scene has unfolded in Yangzhou in East Chinas Jiangsu province over the past month during the World Cup, which is heading toward its thrilling finale. Normally serene teahouses, filled with the aroma of freshly steamed delicacies, are now abuzz with the cheers and occasional tears of soccer fans watching the early-morning matches. Unlike previous tournaments, when late- night games often came with barbecue and beer, the ..

Only 19.4% of Malaysian Chinese attend Chinese independent schools, 13.3% enrolled in private institutions, says Fadhlina KUALA LUMPUR: Out of 387,406 Chinese students, only 19.4 % or 75,144 of them are enrolled in Chinese independent schools while 67.3% or 260,099 of them are vernacular Chinese secondary school students known as SMJK under the Ministry of Education. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said 51,563 or 13.3% of them are studying in private educational institutions. She said this in ..

Except for Adly Zahari, four DAP assemblymen are in opposition bloc in state assembly MELAKA: Four Democratic Action Party (DAP) assemblymen are now seated at the opposition bloc in the state assembly today, except for Adly Zahari, who is from Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and the state chairman for Pakatan Harapan (PH). The four - Allex Seah Shoo Chin (DAP-Kesidang), Low Chee Leong (DAP-Kota Laksamana), Leng Chau Yen (DAP-Banda Hilir) and Kerk Chee Yee (DAP- Ayer Keroh) quit the state government ..

Melaka Pakatan Harapan exits Unity Government Four DAP and one Amanah assemblymen quit MELAKA: Four assemblymen from the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and one from Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) have exited the Melaka Unity Government following the passage of a constitutional amendment allowing for nominated state assemblymen. The four DAP lawmakersAllex Seah (Kesidang), Leng Chau Yen (Bandar Hilir), Low Chee Leong (Kota Laksamana), and Kerk Chee Yee (Ayer Keroh)have collectively resigned from ..

SJK(C) Sam Chai launches solar project; set to save RM380,000 over 20 years IPOH: SJK(C) Sam Chai has become the country's first semi government-aided Chinese primary school to adopt a zero-capital expenditure solar power system, a move expected to slash its monthly electricity bills by RM1,500 to RM1,700. The Net Energy Metering (NEM 3.0) project, executed in partnership with GSPARX Sdn Bhda wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB)is projected to save the school roughly ..

Don't rush for General Elections, focus on rebuilding strength first, Barisan Nasional urged PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno should capitalise on Johor election victory by reinforcing organisational structures instead of rushing into a General Election (GE), analysts say. Universiti Malaya political analyst Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi noted that Umno currently boasts one of the country's most competitive grassroots machineries and local leadership structures. "This victory is a ..

Johor polls: Voter turnout reaches 63.13 % by 4pm, surpassing 54.92% in 2022 Johor Bahru: Voter turnout for the state election reached 63.13% as of 4pm, surpassing the final turnout of 54.92% recorded in the 2022 state election by 8.21 percentage points. A total of 1,693,625 out of 2,682,642 registered voters had cast their ballots by 4pm. Polling for the Johor state election will close at 6pm. With voters arriving at polling stations during the final hours, the final turnout rate is expected ..

PETALING JAYA: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad celebrates his 101st birthday today, receiving a wave of well-wishes from leaders and members of the public. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim posted a message on Facebook, wishing the former premier a happy birthday and praying for his continued good health and blessings. Dr Mahathirs eldest daughter, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, also took to Facebook to mark the milestone, affectionately writing, "101 is the new 70. Happy ..

ByLu Wei Hoong and Lok Jian Wen / The Straits Times / ANN What has Chinas hit movie Dear You got to do with Malaysias upcoming Johor state elections? ByLu Wei Hoong and Lok Jian Wen / The Straits Times / ANN KUALA LUMPUR The film Dear You has moved many moviegoers and become the top-grossing Chinese- language movie in Malaysia in 2026, with box office takings of at least RM15 million (S$4.8 million). Political parties are now seeking to capitalise on its popularity to win the support of Chinese ..

10-year tax exempt status restored for TAR Education Foundation PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has decided to restore the tax-exemption for Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) from three years to 10 years. Furthermore, all types of income earned by the foundation will once again enjoy tax exemption. The condition set earlier stated that tax exemption was only limited to donations. Minister of Communication Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced in a statement after the Cabinet ..

Climate crisis reshapes travel as weather risks grow in 2026 BANGKOK: The climate crisis no longer affects only temperatures or disasters; it is visibly changing how people around the world travel. Where tourists once chose destinations for their beauty or popularity, many now place greater weight on weather, safety and environmental impact, causing travel trends in 2026 to change significantly. Booking.coms annual sustainability survey, which gathered data from more than 32,500 travellers in ..

Anwar can exercise Finance Minister powers to handle tax exemption as special case, says Loke Siew Fook KUALA LUMPUR DAP Secretary-General Loke Siew Fook will request Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to exercise his powers on the 10-year tax exemption for Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) Education Foundation. Loke, who is also Transport Minister, said he will raise the issue of 10-year tax exemption for TARC Education Foundation in the Cabinet meeting. Anwar, as ..

Change in tax-exempt conditions is the real issue, Finance Minister can overturn the decision, says Wee Ka Siong PETALING JAYA: The tax-exempt conditions have changed, says Datuk Ser Dr Wee Ka Siong, the chairman of the board of trustees for Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) Education Foundation If the tax exemption granted for 10 years but the conditions have altered meaning not all streams of income are tax-exempted it would remain meaningless even if it were extended to 30 years, said Dr ..

Teochew Associations in Malaysia welcome Dear You director with durian feast KUALA LUMPUR: Lan Hongchun, director of the hit Teochew-dialect movie Dear You, took time out of his busy schedule last weekend to visit the Federated Teochew Associations of Malaysia, the umbrella body for all Teochew associations in the country, during the film crew's promotional tour. To celebrate the film's massive success, Lan was treated to a feast of premium Musang King durians. The gesture comes as Dear You ..

Malay votes set to decide the winner in four-cornered Johor Jaya race JOHOR BAHRU: Instead of Chinese voters, the current trend suggests that Malay voters return to the fold in Johor Jaya. At this juncture, it remains too close to call, according to Prof Dr Onn Huann Jan, a political analyst and also a voter of Johor Jaya. This time, the seat is once again witnessing a four-way contest, similar to the last state election in 2022. Aside from the high- profile showdown between MCA's Chan San San ..

Finance Ministry willing to assist TAR UMT to fulfil conditions, tax exemption is not automatic PETALING JAYA The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has denied allegations that the government went back on its promise by revoking the tax- exempt status of the Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARC) Education Foundation. In a statement issued on Monday, the MOF clarified that in line with the previous announcement made by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, eligible ..

ByKhor Chun Kiat and Koh Chiew Heong / Sin Chew Daily TAR UMT gets three-year tax exemption instead of PM's 10-year pledge ByKhor Chun Kiat and Koh Chiew Heong / Sin Chew Daily KUALA LUMPUR: The promised 10-year tax exemption for the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) Education Foundation has reportedly been drastically reduced to just three years. Sin Chew Daily has learned that the Ministry of Finance recently issued an official letter to Tunku Abdul Rahman ..

Malaysias low unemployment masks deeper crisis of underemployed graduates KUALA LUMPUR Irene Chong, 24, spends her work days folding clothes at a mall in Melaka despite holding a bachelors degree. She has found that her degree in communications from a private university in Kuala Lumpur is not opening the doors she had anticipated after graduating in 2022 from the four-year course. I tried everywhere, even call centres, but I did not hear back from them, she told The Straits Times. With a ..

Fugivitive businessman Jho Low excluded from Trumps latest list of 11 pardons WASHINGTON: Fugitive businessman Jho Low is excluded from United States president Donald Trumps list of 11 pardons, said White House officials on Friday. Besides two individuals, the remaining nine granted pardons were convicted of violating the Clean Air Act by modifying or disabling emission control devices on trucks. Although there were prior rumours that Low might be considered for a pardon by Trump, there is ..

Malaysia Retail Chain Association calls for entry thresholds on cross-border e-commerce KUALA LUMPUR: A corrective nail clipper sells for RM13 on local e-commerce platforms, but it costs only RM2 on Chinese online marketplace Pinduoduo, with free delivery to customers' doorsteps. This has prompted Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) president Datuk Liew Bin to describe it as an overwhelming blow to local businesses, leaving them completely helpless to counter. He said Pinduoduo's ..

Penggaram: A battle between a fresh face and a veteran lawyer BATU PAHAT: The Penggaram state seat will see a compelling showdown between a fresh face and a veteran lawyer in a constituency long regarded as a stronghold for the Democratic Action Party (DAP) since 2013. While both candidates happen to share the same surname in Chinese, they represent completely different generations. Felicia Poh Rui Ling, 28, is making her debut as DAP's youngest candidate in the state, stepping up as part of ..

Johor polls: The 'Green Wave' shifts shape, but can it still sway the election? Perikatan Nasional (PN) is contesting only 33 out of the 56 state seats in Johor elections. Of these, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is contesting 16, PAS 11, Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) 5, and Pejuang 1, while Gerakan has withdrawn entirely from the race. This figure is just four seats above the minimum threshold of 29 seats required to form a government. Even if PN wins every single seat it is ..

Malay pupils account for 9% of total enrollment in Chinese primary schools KUALA LUMPUR: As of May 31, there are 41,133 Malay pupils in Chinese primary schools (SJKC) and they account for 9.01% of total population of SJKC. Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, in a written reply to Zakri Hassan, the Kangar member of parliament from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia that in 2022, the number of Malay pupils was 34,870 (6.84%). In 2023, the number increased to 35,129 ( 6.99%), then 39,373 ..

Johor polls analysis: Inside the MCA vs. DAP showdown in seven straight fights In this Johor election, there are a total of seven constituencies where candidates from Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Democratic Action Party (DAP) will face off in direct "one-on-one" fights. This is bound to be one of the main focuses of this state election. 1. Bekok: Tan Chong (MCA )(incumbent) vs. Tay Yok Jiuen (DAP) 2. Tangkak: Datuk How Chin Teck (MCA) vs. Ee Chin Li (DAP) (incumbent) 3. Bentayan: ..

From broom to boom: Cleaner wins RM1 million fishing grand prize ALOR SETAR: A four-hour fishing contest has transformed a local cleaner into an overnight millionaire. The cleaner, known as Pak Chu, from Kelantan and currently residing in Penang, clinched the championship by reeling in a massive fish weighing 5.55kg, making him the biggest winner in a fishing contest held at Titi Mega Fishing and Recreation Park at Jalan Datuk Kumbar, here on Sunday. The 38-year-old father of four was presented ..

Genting crypto-kidnapping: 3 South Koreans granted bail, victim jailed for overstaying RAUB: Three South Koreans charged with kidnapping their countryman for a cryptocurrency ransom worth RM39.5 million were granted bail by the Sessions Court here on Monday. Sessions Court Judge Noor Zaihan Ali allowed bail at RM20,000 each with two local guarantors. The accused were also ordered to surrender their passports to the court and report to the nearest police station on a weekly basis. Kwon ..

Premium-grade durian carted away by machete-wielding robbers from orchard in Jasin JASIN : Even as durian prices continue to fall this season, the king of fruits remains a lucrative target when three machete-wielding robbers took four baskets of premium-grade durians after threatening two teenage orchard caretakers here. Jasin OCPD Supt Lee Robert said the robbery took place at about 11.30am on Saturday (June 27) at a durian orchard in Anjung Gapam, Bemban, here where the two teenagers, aged 17 ..

Pork supply sufficient despite drop in pig farms, says Mohamad Sabu KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the number of pig farms has been reduced, the actual production of pork is sufficient to meet local market demand, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. The total pork supply was estimated at 221,921 metric tonnes while the projected demand made by the ministry was 213,927 metric tonnes last year, he said. This demonstrates that the overall supply is adequate to cover ..

Almost one death a week on Causeway: Law to be amended to shield Malaysia- Singapore cross-border workers KUALA LUMPUR: Approximately 480,000 Malaysians commute daily between Johor and Singapore for work, facing high-risk travel conditions that result in nearly one traffic fatality every week. To address this, the Ministry of Human Resources plans to table a bill in the Dewan Rakyat next month to include "Commuter Scheme" in the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017(Act 789) to bring these ..

From bottom in class to SPM 9As: Teen overcomes family tragedy, floods to be top in school ALOR SETAR: Losing his father to cancer right in the middle of the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations while his mother battled the same disease, put 17-year-old Chng Jia Ying under immense distress. With relentless determination, Chng scored 9As (4A+, 2As, 3A-), making him the top student at SMK Seri Mahawangsa in Jitra. His triumph is proof that even the harshest circumstances cannot halt a ..

The only Chinese chess hub in a Penang coffee shop: Keeping the game alive PENANG: When coffeeshop Selera SIM Food and Drink closes at 2pm, the Chinese chess matches begin in the shop. Chess players sit down one after another to set up their boards, a rare sight of players focusing on the board game at the coffeeshop at Jalan Tengah, Bandar Bayan Baru. No one is looking down at his phone, and there is no noisy gossip. Instead, the air is filled with the sound of chess pieces striking the board. ..

Half of South Korean elementary teachers feel helpless dealing with parents SEOUL: Nearly half of elementary school teachers in South Korea say they feel helpless in dealing with parents, a new report showed, nearly three years after the death of a young teacher in Seoul sparked nationwide debate over teachers rights. According to an issue paper published in May by the Korea Education Development Institute, 49.4 per cent of elementary school teachers surveyed in 2023 felt helpless in their ..

Turning Japans wasabi fields into hubs for regional revitalisation TOKYO: There is a growing trend to utilise wasabi fields located in mountainous areas renowned for their pristine spring water and lush greenery as hubs for regional revitalisation. As Japanese cuisine grows in popularity overseas, these fields are gaining more attention from foreign tourists. The way you grind it changes its sharp flavor, said Tatsuya Tsunoi, a 40-year-old wasabi farmer in Okutama, Tokyo. In mid-May, he spoke ..

As the capital approaches 500 years, Jakartans long for a seamless transit city JAKARTA: Zakaria, 24, waited for a less crowded Commuter Line train so he could sit on his trip home to Daru, Banten, from Tanah Abang Station in Central Jakarta. He had just transferred from Bekasi, West Java, where he had undergone a hemodialysis session in a hospital, and was feeling too weak to stand through the journey. He braces himself for the overcrowded commuter train journey twice a week for his treatment, ..

Selangor revises non-Islamic places of worship guidelines: Height restriction relaxed, operations allowed within commercial buildings PETALING JAYA: Non- Islamic places of worship are now permitted within commercial, industrial and institutional buildings under the revised guidelines by the Selangor state government. Restrictions on building heights have been relaxed as well. The Special Committee on Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Taoist Affairs (Limas) has been designated by the Selangor ..

MCA members should put aside differences to focus on state elections, says Dr Chua PALOH: MCA members are urged to focus on state elections since the Chinese community does not want to see internal bickering within the party, says former MCA president Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek. Everyone must unite and focus on securing victories in the upcoming state elections, he said. "If Barisan Nasional (BN) cannot secure the mandate to govern, it should choose to be the opposition rather than cooperate with ..

Retired Vietnamese teacher turns eggshells into World Cup mascots HO CHI MINH CITY: A retired teacher has gone World Cup crazy transforming discarded eggshells into mascots for every country taking part in the biggest football tournament on the planet. Nguyn Thnh Tm, 75, from HCM City, has been an eggshell artist for more than 20 years. With the World Cup in full swing, Tm decided to once again get in on the act by making a full set of World Cup- inspired mascots along with 48 national flags ..