Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan says immigration procedures are being simplified at eight checkpoints that travellers must clear on a return trip.

SEREMBAN, Aug 21 The Negeri Sembilan Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) captured a 500kg cro...

JOHOR BAHRU A 37-year-old man was killed while his friend was injured after their Proton Satria car hit a cow and crashed into a road divider on the Senai-Desaru Expressway towards Desaru early Friday morning.Pasir Gudang Fire and Rescue Station Chief Fire Superintendent II Firdaus Ahmad said the department received an emergency call regarding the accident at about 3.10am.He said the car was believed to have hit the cow before skidding and crashing into the road divider."The trapped victim was extricated using special equipment and was confirmed dead at the scene," he said in a statement on Friday.Firdaus said the deceased was the driver, while the injured passenger was taken to the hospital for further treatment.The rescue operation ended at about 4.30am.

Commercial crime investigation department director Rusdi Isa says 127 people have had their statements recorded, and more will be called soon.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), through its Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CC...

KUANTAN An undocumented Filipino woman was sentenced to five months in prison after pleading guilty in the Magistrates Court here on Friday to providing false information when applying to replace a lost identity card.The sentence imposed on Lorna Adilun, 45, will run from the date of her arrest on Aug 18.Pahang National Registration Department (NRD) prosecuting officer Fahkrol Anuar Sani handled the prosecution before Magistrate Ellyana Othman.According to the facts of the case, Lorna, who worked as a shop assistant, went to the NRD counter at the Pahang Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) to apply for a replacement identity card.She used another womans name and claimed the identity card belonged to her.After completing the application, she was issued a numbered payment receipt and a temporary identification document, known as KPPK11.However, checks by the NRD Identity Card Divisions Validation Unit found discrepancies between the images recorded in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and her thumbprint.The woman, who is from Sulu in the Philippines, was suspected of impersonating the identity cards rightful owner.She was arrested when she returned to the Pahang UTC NRD office on Aug 18 to collect the new identity card.Further verification using the identity card number confirmed that her fingerprints did not match those of the registered owner.Checks also found that Lorna had not possessed an identity card throughout her stay in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - The government must expedite its decision to impose a total ban on vaping to curb the growing threat posed by vape liquids containing synthetic psychoactive substances.Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said vape liquids marketed under names such as "Piu Piu and "Magic Mushroom could no longer be regarded as isolated cases, as they were increasingly being exploited to conceal, distribute and consume illicit substances among youths and schoolchildren.He welcomed the Health Ministry's (MOH) move towards banning vaping, particularly open-system devices, and urged the matter to be brought before the Cabinet without delay."However, the government must urgently bring the matter to the Cabinet for a decision and announce a clear timeline, implementation mechanism and transition plan leading to a total ban on vaping, he said in a statement today.Commenting on the increase in cases, Ahmad Fahmi said statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Narcotics Crime Investigation Department showed 168 cases and 267 arrests involving vape liquids laced with synthetic drugs as of June 10 this year, compared with 108 cases and 138 arrests recorded throughout last year.He said the development was a warning that syndicates were adapting their drug distribution methods to the culture and lifestyle of young people by using vape liquids containing various synthetic psychoactive substances.He added that for teenagers already affected by such substances, rehabilitation measures, including health screening, counselling, addiction treatment and family support, should be prioritised over punitive action or stigmatisation

KUCHING - A forest fire at the Samunsan Forest Reserve in Lundu, which entered its second day today, is estimated to have affected an area of about two hectares.Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) deputy director Tiong Ling Hii said the firefighting operation would involve the departments aerial unit from Miri if weather conditions permit.He said the operation was expected to begin this afternoon to help put out the fire in areas that are difficult for firefighters to access by land.Meanwhile, JBPM Sarawak said in a statement that among the challenges faced by firefighters was access to the site, which is located about one kilometre from the main road, as well as the lack of water sources and hilly terrain."Eleven personnel from the Lundu Fire and Rescue Station have been deployed, along with a Compact Fire Rescue Tender, an Emergency Medical Rescue Services vehicle and a Hilux four-wheel-drive vehicle."The operation is also being assisted by nine personnel from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), and information on the firefighting and monitoring operations will be updated from time to time, the statement said

GERIK - The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) will bring issues related to the organisation of the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM) celebrations to the Cabinets attention if the haze situation in the country worsens.Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the move would allow appropriate decisions to be made, taking into account public safety and health, as both celebrations involve significant movement and outdoor activities.He said it was still too early to determine the weather conditions for National Day on Aug 31, as more accurate forecasts could only be provided four or five days before the date."Therefore, we will continue to monitor the situation, but if it becomes concerning, I will bring this to the Cabinets attention so that we can make a decision later

PUTRAJAYA - A former chief executive officer of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has been remanded for seven days to assist the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into the misappropriation of TH investment funds and shares worth approximately RM190 million, following revelations in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on TH.Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah issued the remand order, effective today until next Thursday (Aug 27), following an application by the MACC at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court this morning.The man, who is in his 60s, was among the most senior figures to have held a top management position at TH

PUTRAJAYA - A former chief executive officer of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has arrived at the Magistrates Court here for remand proceedings related to investigations into a case linked to the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) Report on TH.The man, in his 60s, arrived at 9.35 am wearing an orange Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) remand shirt.The RCI Report on TH, uploaded on the official Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) portal on July 29, among other things, recommended that a forensic audit be conducted to examine how past investment decisions were made, which resulted in TH suffering a severe impairment in the value of its assets.The RCI report, which investigated issues concerning THs management and operations from 2014 to 2020, also listed problematic investments that require a forensic audit.The RCI found evidence of suspicious transactions and concealment of information.On July 30, MACC said it had established a special team to review and scrutinise the RCI report for any legal issues involving elements of corruption, misappropriation, document forgery, abuse of power or money laundering under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, or related offences

Mohd Akbar Zainol, 43, was charged on five counts three for causing death by reckless driving, one for careless driving causing injury, and one for failing to comply with a red traffic light and walked out of court the same day on RM60,000 bail.

TAWAU, Aug 21 The Sabah Immigration Department has repatriated 4,750 illegal immigrants of various nationalities...

SHAH ALAM Malaysia should stop treating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Sales and Service Tax (SST) as an either-or choice and instead focus on building a tax system that can raise sustainable revenue without placing excessive pressure on households.Economist Professor Emeritus Dr Barjoyai Bardai said the governments proposed study on incorporating selected GST elements into SST should not result in two overlapping consumption taxes, but in a single system that combines the strengths of both approaches.The government should not make the choice simply between GST and SST

KOTA KINABALU - Three individuals were found charred while another was burned in a house fire in Kampung Darau Menggatal here early this morning.The deceased were identified as Loupin Adow, 67, her son, Azman Maduin, 50, and her granddaughter, Nurul Asyiqin Alinor, 29; while the burned person was Nurul Asyikin's husband, who is 34 years old.The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre in a statement said it received an emergency call regarding the incident at 1.43am."The first engine from the Lintas Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) arrived at the location at 1.50 am."The results of the on-site inspection of the completely destroyed house found the three dead victims while one victim who suffered burns was sent to the hospital by the Emergency Medical Services (EMRS) engine for further treatment, he said.The extinguishing operation was carried out using two 200-foot streams with two water jets from the fire engine tanks until the fire was successfully controlled at 2.10 am and the operation was completely ended at 5.19 am."A total of 17 firefighters including personnel from BBP Lintas along with an FRT, EMRS engine, and three four-wheel drive vehicles were at the location, according to the statement.The extinguishing and rescue operation was also assisted by by nine members of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), three officers of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), and two Sabah Electricity personnel

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 The family of three people killed when an Immigration Department lorry ploughed into them i...

KUALA LUMPUR - Police rescued 17 Jordanian children suspected of being victims of human trafficking for the purpose of begging during Op Pintas Kasih in Bukit Bintang and Chow Kit here yesterday.Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M

Sarawak Education Department shuts schools in Kuching, Padawan, Serian, Bau, Lundu and Samarahan for two days due to haze, shifting to home learning.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 The Immigration Department has busted a prostitution ring allegedly run by a foreign couple...

KUCHING, Aug 20 The Sarawak Education Department has ordered schools in the Kuching, Padawan, Serian, and Samara...

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 An Immigration Department Black Maria lorry driver was charged in the Magistr...

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) has suspended the duties of the department&rsquo...

KUALA LUMPUR - An Immigration Department Black Maria lorry driver was charged in the Magistrates Court here today with five offences, including dangerous driving that resulted in the deaths of a father and his two daughters here early yesterday.Mohd Akbar Zainol, 43, pleaded not guilty to all the charges, which were read out before Magistrate Aliaa Anwar.For the first to third charges, the accused was alleged to have driven the Isuzu lorry dangerously, resulting in the deaths of Shaik Mohd Firdaus Shaikh Yahya, 53, and his two daughters, Siti Norshazlin, 24, and Siti Darwisyah Auni, 12, on Jalan Sultan Ismail at 1 am on Aug 19.The charges were framed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for imprisonment of between five and 10 years and a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000, as well as disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for at least five years, upon conviction.For the fourth charge, Mohd Akbar was alleged to have driven the same vehicle without due care and attention, resulting in injuries to Nor Hayati Rozali, 55, at the same location, time and date.The charge was framed under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a fine of between RM5,000 and RM10,000, and a maximum jail term of 12 months, upon conviction.For the fifth charge, he was alleged to have failed to comply with a traffic signal by running a red light at the Jalan Sultan Ismail intersection at the same time and date

Travellers are advised to head to immigration counters or use the National Integrated Immigration System application.

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 20 The MyBorderPass application is experiencing a system access disruption at the entry and exi...

Akbar Zainol also pleads not guilty to careless and inconsiderate driving and running a red light.

PUTRAJAYA - [DIKEMAS KINI] Jemaah Menteri pada Rabu meluluskan 17 syor penambahbaikan yang terkandung dalam Memorandum Bersama Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) dan Kementerian Pengangkutan (MOT).KDN dalam satu kenyataan memaklumkan, ia bertujuan memperkukuh kawalan keselamatan, saringan dan pengurusan risiko di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) serta pintu-pintu masuk antarabangsa negara.Sebagai langkah segera, KDN berkata, terdapat enam tindakan bakal diberi keutamaan bagi memperkukuh kawalan keselamatan sedia ada."Pertama, saringan bersasar berasaskan risiko bagi mempertingkatkan pemeriksaan terhadap penerbangan, penumpang, kru dan bagasi yang dikenal pasti berisiko."Kedua, e-Vetting dan kawalan akses bertujuan meneliti dan memperkukuh prosedur tapisan keselamatan terhadap kru, kakitangan syarikat penerbangan, petugas operasi dan pengendalian darat, pekerja pengendali lapangan terbang, vendor, kontraktor serta individu yang memerlukan akses ke kawasan keselamatan terhad."Ketiga, saringan dadah terhadap personel penerbangan untuk memperkukuh pelaksanaan saringan pra-pengambilan, berkala dan rawak terhadap juruterbang, kru kabin serta kakitangan berkaitan," katanya pada Khamis.Keempat, menurut KDN, meningkatkan kehadiran nyata pasukan keselamatan dan anggota Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) di lokasi strategik sebagai langkah pencegahan.Jelas kementerian tersebut, langkah itu turut disokong melalui penambahan anggota Pasukan Gerakan Am (PGA) bagi setiap syif penugasan di Terminal 1 dan Terminal 2 KLIA."Kelima, penyelarasan dan perkongsian maklumat keselamatan serta risikan melalui National Immigration Command Centre (NICC)."Keenam, penubuhan Jawatankuasa Teknikal KDN-MOT yang dipengerusikan secara bersama oleh Ketua Setiausaha KDN dan Ketua Setiausaha MOT bagi menyelaras tindakan, menyelesaikan isu rentas agensi serta memantau pelaksanaan keseluruhan pelan," ujarnya.KDN menambah, enam langkah segera yang disenaraikan adalah keutamaan pelaksanaan dalam fasa jangka pendek dan sebahagian daripadanya dirangka bagi memperkukuh integriti kawalan keselamatan di KLIA serta pintu-pintu masuk antarabangsa negara.Katanya, pelaksanaan keseluruhan 17 syor juga merangkumi tindakan sederhana dan panjang."Fasa jangka sederhana memberi tumpuan kepada pembangunan teknologi, aset dan sumber manusia."Fasa jangka panjang pula melibatkan transformasi sistem, perkongsian maklumat dan tadbir urus serta peluasan pelaksanaan ke pintu masuk antarabangsa di seluruh negara berdasarkan risiko dan kesesuaian setiap lokasi," kata kementerian itu lagi.Pelan tindakan itu dirangka susulan beberapa insiden yang menimbulkan kebimbangan terhadap integriti kawalan keselamatan negara.Antara lain penahanan seorang warganegara Malaysia di Indonesia kerana disyaki terlibat penyeludupan dadah serta kejadian keselamatan berprofil tinggi yang memerlukan penambahbaikan menyeluruh terhadap sistem kawalan di pintu masuk negara.KLIA bakal menjadi lokasi perintis bagi pelaksanaan pelan berkenaan sebelum diperluaskan secara berperingkat ke pintu-pintu masuk antarabangsa lain berdasarkan tahap ancaman, keperluan operasi dan kesesuaian setiap lokasi.

The suspension is pending police and internal investigations into the fatal crash at Maju Junction.

PUTRAJAYA - The presence of any individual at the National Registration Department (JPN) premises, including foreigners, does not necessarily mean they are applying for or will be issued a MyKad, the department said.It said JPN provides various registration and documentation services involving both citizens and non-citizens, depending on the type of transaction being carried out.In a post on its social media platforms, JPN said among the services involving non-citizens were birth registration and civil marriage registration with foreign spouses."Therefore, do not draw conclusions solely based on a persons presence at JPN premises or a photograph without knowing the actual purpose of the visit, it said.The clarification was issued following claims linking the presence of foreign individuals at JPN premises to applications for identity cards.The department also clarified that the pink birth certificate only serves as proof that a birth has been registered in Malaysia and does not indicate that the individual is a Malaysian citizen.It said the certificate is also issued to non-citizens, including those who do not meet the requirements to obtain Malaysian citizenship."This is because every birth that occurs in Malaysia must be registered regardless of whether the childs mother or father is a Malaysian citizen or a non-citizen."Such registration is important to ensure every birth is officially recorded and does not mean Malaysian citizenship has been granted to the individual concerned, it said

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms...

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 The National Registration Department (NRD) has moved to quell social media speculation afte...

National registration department rubbishes viral claims, saying not everyone at its counters is there to obtain a MyKad.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 Police are reviewing dashcam and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to reconstruct a...

KAMPAR, Aug 20 The remains of three family members who died in a crash involving a Malaysian Immigration Departm...

The remains of three family members killed in a crash involving an Immigration Department lorry at Jalan Sultan Ismail have been taken back to Kampar for burial.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has ordered the Malaysian Immigration De...

PENAMPANG - A reprimand over a noisy motorcycle is believed to have led to three men being seriously injured after they were attacked with a knife during a brawl here.In the incident around 9.30pm, a 37-year-old suspect injured three victims aged between 35 and 40.Penampang district police chief Superintendent Sammy Newton , said police received information regarding the fight, which broke out while a group of individuals was gathering and playing carrom."Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred when the suspect, who is also the victims' neighbour, rode past the area on a motorcycle with a loud engine noise."A reprimand by one of the victims sparked an argument before escalating into a fight

KUALA TERENGGANU - The investigation into a rape case involving a disabled (OKU) woman in this state is still ongoing and is currently in its final stages of completion before being submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP).Terengganu police chief, Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairudin, stated that all five Myanmar national suspects who were detained remain under a remand order until Aug 30 to assist with investigations."Initially, we conducted the investigation as a rape case,however, the suspects were re-arrested under the Immigration Act over concerns that they might fail to report themselves if released on bail."We expect this investigation paper to be completed and submitted to the DPP for further action and instruction in the near future or within this week before the remand period expires

SHAH ALAM - Promoting suspected banned fish species on TikTok proves costly for a Kajang resident after a raid on his home turns up 92 exotic fish worth around RM2,000.Selangor Fisheries Department director Noraisyah Abu Bakar said intelligence and monitoring operations were launched after the department detected activity promoting fish species suspected to be prohibited under the Fisheries (Prohibition on Import, etc., of Fish) (Amendment) Regulations 2024.She said the monitoring identified a TikTok user believed to be promoting several types of banned fish, including Peacock Bass, Amazon Redtail Catfish, Tiger Shovelnose Catfish and Gar."Further monitoring successfully identified the individual's residential address, before an inspection was carried out on Aug 18, 2026," she said in a statement on Wednesday.She said the inspection found several aquariums inside the residence containing fish suspected to be prohibited species.A total of 92 fish of various sizes, valued at approximately RM2,000, were seized for investigation purposes."The fish seized comprised 54 Gar, 24 Peacock Bass, nine Amazon Redtail Catfish and five Tiger Shovelnose Catfish," she said.She said all the fish were sent to the Selangor Fisheries Biosecurity Centre for further action and examination.The individual identified as the owner and user of the TikTok account was also brought to the Kajang District Police headquarters to assist with investigations."The Selangor Fisheries Department will conduct further investigations into the source, ownership and promotional and sales activities involving the fish," she said.She added that further enforcement action would be taken if investigations found any violation of applicable legal provisions.Noraisyah advised the public not to import, sell, rear, display or keep live fish listed as banned species without prior authorisation.

KUANTAN - Pahangs hardcore poverty was brought to an end on Feb 19, with all 2,913 heads of household recorded in the Jan 15, 2026 figure removed from the status, said Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.He said the state had also recorded a 30 per cent reduction in poverty, with 4,263 of the 14,210 heads of household classified as poor on June 5 subsequently removed from the category."The classification is based on the 2024 Poverty Line published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia under the Ministry of Economy, he said in a statement today.Wan Rosdy said key factors behind the achievement included targeted assistance, initiatives and interventions provided by the state and federal governments and relevant agencies, as well as changes in household income and household size.According to him, households with a monthly per capita income below RM372 in urban areas and RM345 in rural areas are classified as hardcore poor, while those earning less than RM790 and RM714 respectively are classified as poor.Wan Rosdy said a familys status could also change due to changes in income, job losses and changes in household size, including children moving out to get married or take up employment."This milestone does not mean our efforts to eradicate poverty have come to an end

KUALA LUMPUR A family of three who died after being struck by the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) lorry at the Maju Junction traffic light intersection on Jalan Sultan Ismail here are believed to have been on holiday in the capital.The accident claimed the lives of a 53-year-old father and his two daughters, aged 25 and 12, whilst the man's 55-year-old wife was reported to be critically injured.Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) chief Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa, stated that preliminary investigations revealed the family resided in Kampar, Perak."They are believed to have been in the capital for a holiday, but it is uncertain how long they had been here (Kuala Lumpur)."The victim's wife is still receiving treatment in the Red Zone of Kuala Lumpur Hospital," he said when contacted on Wednesday.It is understood that another child of the victims did not join them on the holiday at the time of the incident.The incident, which occurred at approximately 1am, involved an Isuzu Black Maria lorry belonging to Kuala Lumpur JIM, two cars, and four pedestrians.The lorry, carrying no passengers, was driven by a 43-year-old man who was en route from the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Office to Chow Kit to collect detainees following an operation targeting illegal immigrants in the area.The lorry is believed to have entered the intersection while the traffic light on its route was red, with its beacon light and siren activated.At the same time, a Proton Saga driven by a 50-year-old Malay man was passing through the intersection while the traffic light on his route was green.The driver of the Proton Saga was reportedly unable to avoid the lorry in time, resulting in a collision in the middle of the junction.As a result of the collision, the lorry lost control and swerved before hitting four pedestrians who were members of the same family and an Inokom Matrix driven by a 38-year-old man, which had stopped at the traffic light intersection during the incident.The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 The Immigration Department today confirmed that one of its vehicles was involved in a...

KUALA LUMPUR - The Kuala Lumpur police today disposed of various types of drugs worth over RM15 million seized during operations across the capital, as part of efforts to ensure the integrity and proper management of case exhibits.Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said the disposal involved 5,022 case exhibits from 4,884 investigation papers for which court proceedings had concluded between 2007 and 2025."This disposal is not merely about destroying drugs, it serves to break the chain of abuse, eliminate avenues for leakage, and reaffirm that every seizure designated as a case exhibit will be disposed of in a direct, controlled and transparent manner," he said.He said this at a press conference following the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department's drug exhibit disposal ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Police Headquarters here today.Fadil said the solid drugs disposed of totalled 544 kilogrammes, comprising methamphetamine, ketamine, heroin, cocaine and cannabis, while liquid drugs exceeded 900 litres, including ketum liquid."All these cases involve offences under Sections 39B, 39A(2), 39A(1) and 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, as well as Sections 12(2) and 33 of the Poisons Act 1952 for cases involving ketum liquid," he said.Fadil said the open disposal process also aimed to dispel negative perceptions and public misconceptions about how authorities manage large quantities of seized drugs."We aim to avoid public misconceptions regarding the seizure of these hundreds of kilogrammes of material

KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Immigration Department to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into a fatal crash involving one of its lorries on Jalan Sultan Ismail here early this morning.In a Facebook post, Anwar said action should be taken if the investigation found evidence of negligence or violations of the law."I have ordered the Immigration Department to carry out an immediate and comprehensive investigation

KUALA LUMPUR -The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has dispatched a special team to Islamabad, Pakistan, to investigate reports regarding the detention of several Malaysians suspected of involvement in an online scam syndicate.Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said that, for the time being, he could not confirm the exact number of Malaysians detained as the investigation is still in its early stages."The Home Minister informed me yesterday that visits to these specific locations require coordinated action, not just between us, but also on a government-to-government level," he told reporters after the handover ceremony for All-Terrain Tactical Assault E-bikes (ATEB) here today.Also present was Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) directorDatuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri.Mohd Khalid said PDRM is actively tracing the network of individuals involved in these activities with the cooperation of Pakistani authorities.Yesterday, international media reported that Pakistani authorities detained 258 foreign nationals during a raid on a scam call centre in the Gulberg Green residential area on the outskirts of Islamabad.The arrests involved 40 Chinese nationals and 170 Vietnamese nationals, in addition to Malaysians and citizens from other Asian countries.Meanwhile, Mohd Khalid revealed that current trends show online scam activities increasingly involve foreign nationals, particularly those from China.He noted that the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) in Cyberjaya receives over 500 calls from victims daily, and every complaint is followed up with a police report to enable the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) to take immediate action.He said the severity of the issue was evident with the arrest of 182 foreign nationals last month who were attempting to turn Malaysia into a hub for online scam activities

A 53-year-old man and his two daughters, aged 25 and 12, were killed after an Immigration Department truck crashed into them at the Maju Junction traffic light on Jalan Sultan Ismail.

Prime minister says appropriate action must be taken without compromise if there was any negligence or breach of the law.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered the Immigration Department to immediate...

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 Three members of a family were killed while another was injured after being hit by a Malays...

The Black Maria entered the intersection with its siren and beacon on but crashed into a car before ramming into a man and his two daughters.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning for thunderstorm...

ALOR SETAR - Residents in several neighbourhoods around Jalan Langgar have reported hearing loud knocking on their doors late at night, only to find no one outside.The unexplained incidents, reportedly occurring since Sunday, have caused concern after a two-minute-and-25-second CCTV recording went viral on social media.Knocking can be clearly heard in the footage, although no one is visible outside the house.Similar incidents have reportedly occurred in Taman Vistana, Taman Amira, Taman Awana and Taman Lelasari, as well as Pekan Langgar.Taman Vistana resident Shahira Azizan, 31, said she heard repeated knocking at about 10.45pm on Sunday and initially thought her husband had returned home.I heard the knocking several times

KUALA LUMPUR - A total of 18,432 open burning cases involving forests, shrubland and waste were recorded by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) from January to July this year, compared with 9,941 cases during the same period last year.JBPM director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said the figure was also higher than the 16,294 cases recorded during the same period in 2024.In view of this, he said JBPM was now specifically monitoring 183 locations nationwide identified as being prone to open burning based on records from the past five years."Of these, 62 locations have been identified as being at risk of large-scale fires involving areas exceeding 25 hectares, which could make it difficult for us to mobilise teams when they occur, so we are monitoring them closely, he told reporters after officiating the Firefighting Skills Hub here today.Nor Hisham said large-scale open fires were currently occurring frequently in Sarawak, including in Sri Aman and Mukah, while the Peninsula had also recorded many incidents, albeit on a smaller scale.He said Sabah was among the areas receiving attention due to its vegetation and terrain, which could cause fires to spread rapidly and become difficult to control."Based on records from 2024, seven locations with major fires were identified around Kota Kinabalu, with the areas also included among the 62 high-risk locations being monitored by JBPM."Among the main factors contributing to the increase in open burning are hot weather conditions in certain areas, he said.Meanwhile, Nor Hisham said his department was focusing on preparations to face weather changes expected to affect Malaysia following the Super El Nino phenomenon.He said preparations were being made early, taking into account weather forecasts, including the impact of the phenomenon, which is expected to occur in the Pacific in November, with its effects expected to be felt in Malaysia around the third or fourth week of January next year

Muhammad Shah Hizam, 24, is expected to appear before the Klang Sessions Court on Thursday following a summons issued by the Department of Veterinary Services.

KOTA BHARU - The 2026 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination schedule is expected to be announced this evening after receiving the approval of Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, said Education director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad.He said the proposed improvement to the examination schedule would be presented by the deputy director of the Examination Syndicate to Fadhlina today for consideration and approval."If there are no issues, we will release (the 2026 SPM schedule) this evening as well," he told reporters after the handover of a bus at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Naim Lilbanat, here, today.He said the preparation of the new schedule took into account the views of various parties, including concerns regarding the status of several examination papers which were previously often scheduled at the end of the examination period."When we take all the views, we want to make some improvements to the SPM examination schedule, but we have to take time to discuss with the parties involved," he said.He said other factors that were also being studied were the Northeast Monsoon, the haze incident that could occur at the end of the year and the school holiday period, to ensure that the set schedule did not have implications for the State Education Department (JPN), District Education Office (PPD) and schools."We are studying everything, that's why when we want to make changes, I want this (SPM 2026 Schedule) to be studied thoroughly," he said.He said it was important so that any changes to the examination schedule would take into account the situation at the state and school levels as well as the interests of candidates and parents."We at the Ministry of Education will try to provide the best for the JPN, PPD and schools, especially our children who will be sitting for the SPM examination and also for parents," he said.Meanwhile, when asked whether the Northeast Monsoon factor on the East Coast was among the main considerations, he said that the matter was indeed taken into account along with other weather factors such as the haze that occurs at uncertain times.Mohd Azam said he had informed the minister of the proposal in a meeting yesterday and provided an initial overview of the proposed changes.Recently, concerns from parents and candidates regarding the 2026 SPM examination date and schedule have gone viral on social media, with some questioning the delay in announcing the schedule

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 18 The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link service is expected to take only s...

Meteorological department says there is no tsunami threat to Malaysia.

Gift of life: Penang Hospital completes second multiple tissue procurement of 2026 on World Organ Donation Day PENANG: Penang Hospital recently performed a multiple tissue procurement procedureits second of 2026following the donation of 36-year-old Ta Wan Thng, who passed away following a road accident

SHAH ALAM - A fire swept through 2.8 hectares of hill forest near the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque earlier today, sending thick smoke across parts of the city.The blaze occurred near the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building, which houses the state governments administrative centre.Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Assistant Director of Operations Ashrul Riezal Asbar said the department received an emergency call at 1.01pm and dispatched a team from the Shah Alam Fire and Rescue Station.The operation commander reported that the fire involved seven acres (2.8 hectares) of hill forest and did not affect any buildings.There were also no injuries or fatalities, he said.Ashrul Riezal said firefighters used fire beaters and a vehicle-mounted water pump to extinguish the blaze.The operation involved 10 officers and personnel, supported by a Fire Rescue Tender, Light Fire Rescue Tender and water tanker.Footage shared on Threads showed flames burning intensely near the Jais compound.

ALOR SETAR, Aug 17 The Kedah Road Transport Department (JPJ) seized a Mercedes-Benz vehicle used by a Bangladesh...

KUALA LUMPUR - The government paid RM16.4 million to Nepturis Sdn Bhd for the construction of the Klang Utara District Police Headquarters (IPD), the High Court here heard today.Former Selangor Public Works Department (JKR) director Lokman Nasir, 62, said the payments for the RM141 million contract were made through eight transactions between May 17, 2022, and Feb 3, 2023.The 23rd prosecution witness confirmed this after being referred to Malaysian Government Payment Vouchers while testifying in the trial of former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who faces seven charges of abuse of power and money laundering linked to the Jana Wibawa project."I confirm that these are documents from the Malaysian Government Payment Vouchers - Payment Instruction from the Selangor State PTJ (responsibility centre) group, JKR to Nepturis Sdn Bhd

ALOR SETAR - The Kedah Road Transport Department (JPJ) seized a Mercedes-Benz vehicle used by a Bangladeshi man during Ops Luxury around Jalan Padang Matsirat, Langkawi, yesterday.In a statement today, Kedah JPJ director Stien Van Lutam said the 38-year-old man, who works as a vegetable farmer, had been using the vehicle since May 27, 2025."The man was detained while transporting vegetables to be sold to a third party at a wet market in Padang Matsirat

PASIR PUTEH - Contractors who claim a sudden increase in construction material prices need to submit evidence and actual cost information to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) to enable the government to assess the application of the Variation of Price (VOP) clause.Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said based on DOSM data dated Aug 10, most construction materials recorded small and stable price increases, including steel and cement which rose by less than one per cent.He said certain materials, such as sand, recorded an increase of up to 19 per cent in some places, but this data needs to be supported by actual information faced by contractors in the field."If it is not accurate, the involved associations should provide feedback to DOSM with evidence that the statistics are not accurate and specify what is inaccurate."We have to use the statistics provided by DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 A former senior Public Works Department (JKR) officer today said he did not receive any pho...

KUALA LUMPUR - A two-storey terrace house in Alam Damai, Cheras, here, was destroyed in a fire early yesterday morning believed to have been caused by an electric vehicle (EV) that was being charged in the foyer of the house.Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) operations division assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar in a statement today said his department received an emergency call regarding the incident at 5.03 am before a team of personnel from the Cheras, Sungai Besi and Bandar Tun Razak Fire and Rescue Stations (BBP) were rushed to the location.Ahmad Mukhlis said upon arriving at the location of the incident, his department found that the two-storey terrace house was 100 per cent burnt down.He said no victims were injured in the incident and the extinguishing operation was completed at 6.41 am

KUANTAN - Pahang police have denied viral claims on social media that a large-scale drug cartel is operating in Genting Highlands, Bentong, without any enforcement action being taken.Acting Pahang police chief Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob said police would conduct an investigation and take appropriate action if such illegal activity was detected." If a police report involving illegal activity is lodged, we will immediately investigate and take appropriate action, regardless of the location, he told a press conference at the Pahang Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) here today.Earlier, Azry Akmar witnessed the handover of duties for the Pahang Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK) chief post from ACP Muhammed Rizal Kamarudin to SAC Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahar.In a recent post on Threads, a social media user claimed that a large-scale drug cartel was operating in the popular tourist destination.The social media user claimed that no action had been taken despite several police reports being lodged.In another development, Azry Akmar said the tanker driver involved in the accident that claimed two lives at Kilometre 9, Jalan Temerloh-Triang, near Kampung Lebak last Friday, would be remanded until tomorrow."The investigation paper will be referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutors Office today (for further action), he said.Azry Akmar said the 37-year-old driver was being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving."The identities of both victims were confirmed through deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing as Nur Fatima Abdullah, 39, and her son, Muhamad Fattah Aisy Nuafal Saifulnizam, 12, he said.The media reported that Nur Fatima and her son were burnt to death after the car they were travelling in was hit by a tanker carrying 32,000 litres of diesel and petrol, causing it to catch fire, while the driver escaped with minor injuries

PREPARING to enter the workforce as a graduate medical officer, or houseman, requires more than medical knowledge, as strong mental and physical preparation is equally important.Kelantan Health Department deputy state health director (Medical) Dr Rohana Daud said the demanding nature of a career in medicine should be taken seriously, particularly by graduates preparing to undergo housemanship.She said housemen should have the courage to share their problems and seek help when facing difficulties during their training, rather than keeping their struggles to themselves.The advice highlighted that the challenges faced by trainee doctors were not limited to clinical duties, but also involved managing pressure while adapting to the working environment.In this context, early exposure to the realities of housemanship could help aspiring doctors understand what to expect and make better preparations before entering hospital service.At the same time, the Mental Health Support Group for Graduate Medical Officers (HEARTS) available at every hospital provided housemen with a channel to seek advice and support when facing difficulties.The involvement of specialist doctors and counsellors in these groups could serve as an important mechanism to ensure housemen did not feel they had to face pressure or difficulties alone.Such an approach was also important because seeking help when facing difficulties should not be regarded as a weakness, but rather as part of ensuring that doctors could complete their training effectively.In addition, the support provided needed to be accompanied by a working environment that encouraged housemen to seek help without fear or embarrassment about sharing their problems.Early preparation, exposure to the realities of the profession and access to support channels were among the elements that could help housemen navigate their training more effectively.Most importantly, aspiring doctors needed to understand that they not only had a responsibility to care for their patients health, but also to look after their own wellbeing and capacity so they could fulfil that responsibility effectively.

MALAYSIA is facing an increasingly worrying demographic reality as the number of children continues to decline, raising bigger questions about the future of the countrys workforce over the next two decades.Data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) showed that the population aged between zero and 14 fell from 21.6 per cent in 2025 to 21.2 per cent in 2026, while those aged 65 and above increased from 8.0 per cent to 8.4 per cent over the same period.At the same time, the median age of Malaysians rose from 31.3 years to 31.7 years, reflecting the countrys shift towards an ageing society.The trend may not have a significant impact today, but its implications are likely to become more apparent when the smaller generation of children enters the workforce in the next 15 to 20 years.If the number of babies born continues to decline each year, Malaysia risks facing a shortage of productive workers to fill various sectors of the economy.More concerning is that the elderly population will continue to grow, meaning a smaller working population will have to shoulder the costs of healthcare, welfare and social protection for an increasingly ageing population.A similar situation has already emerged in several developed countries, including Japan and South Korea.Although Malaysia still enjoys a demographic dividend, with more than 70 per cent of its population within the working-age group of 15 to 64, this advantage will not last if birth rates continue to decline.The reality is that fewer children today are not merely a statistical issue, but an indicator of the size of the future workforce.The question is, why are more couples choosing to have fewer children or delaying parenthood?The rising cost of living is among the key factors frequently cited, with house prices, education costs, childcare expenses, nursery fees and daily necessities prompting many young couples to be more cautious before expanding their families.Lifestyle changes also play a role, as many are choosing to marry later, focus on their careers or achieve financial stability before starting a family.The question that deserves greater discussion is whether existing policies are sufficiently family-friendly to encourage young couples to have more children.Various incentives, including tax relief, maternity leave and assistance for families, have been introduced, but the question remains whether these measures are genuinely capable of easing the increasingly high cost of raising children.In the long term, the government also needs to assess whether childcare facilities, flexible working arrangements, affordable housing and support for working parents should be strengthened as part of the countrys demographic strategy.Malaysia still has time to act, but every year that sees the number of children decline brings the country closer to a point where the new workforce may no longer be able to replace retiring generations.The question now is no longer why Malaysia has fewer children, but who will drive the countrys economy when todays generation leaves the workforce two decades from now?

KUALA LUMPUR - Efforts to explain the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) will be extended nationwide to help the public gain a comprehensive understanding of how the institutions deposits were managed.Former Minister in the Prime Ministers Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the initiative would see Islamic scholars and religious figures explaining the RCI TH findings through mosques, surau, schools, government departments, colleges, universities and community education platforms.He said the initiative followed a special conference, Hifz al-Mal, which brought together more than 100 scholars and religious leaders from across the country today to discuss the findings and the responsibility of safeguarding the savings of 9.7 million depositors."The objective is clear: the facts must be explained, the trust must be upheld, and the misuse of the peoples assets must not be allowed to happen again

KUALA LUMPUR - In an increasingly digital world, video games have become part of the lifestyle of millions of children, adolescents and even adults, particularly as a form of entertainment.A wide variety of video games, produced locally and internationally, are now easily accessible, either for free or at a cost, as long as users have an Internet connection and a smart device

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 16 The new Outpatient Department (OPD) building project at Tambunan Hospital, which has been...

KOTA BHARU, Aug 16 The Kelantan Health Department (JKNK) will continue to monitor the development of a baby girl...

KUCHING, Aug 16 All primary and secondary schools under the Serian District Education Office (PPD) will operate...

KUALA LUMPUR - The black-and-white image appears to show the unlikeliest of interactions: an orangutan cradling endangered leopard cubs deep in the jungles of Malaysia's Sabah state.But the viral image is not just unlikely, it is fake, part of a trend of wildlife images generated by artificial intelligence that experts warn endanger animals and people.AFP fact-checkers have debunked scores of similar synthetic visuals, from an elephant climbing a tree to escape flooding in Myanmar to a pink dolphin leaping out of water in the Philippines.The images are often accompanied by heartwarming anecdotes and have circulated widely in multiple languages on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and X.They may seem more like feel-good fiction than dangerous misinformation, but experts warn hyper-realistic visuals of wild animals behaving like pets, or even like humans, can distort public perceptions of wildlife and harm conservation efforts."This misunderstanding can lead people to approach animals too closely or interact with them in unsafe ways," Jose Guerrero-Casado, a zoology professor at Spain's University of Cordoba, told AFP.He cited a widely reported incident in China's northwest Xinjiang region in January, where a woman was attacked by a rare snow leopard after trying to get closer for a photo.China's forestry department said it stepped up patrols after the incident and warned the public to maintain a safe distance when encountering wild animals.Sowing doubtConservationists say AI visuals portraying wild animals as cute or cuddly make it harder for social media users to discern what is real and can fuel exploitation.They increase demand for certain species "to be used in the tourism industry as photo props, exploited to make social media content or to be kept as pets", said Chris Lewis, a researcher at the international wildlife charity Born Free.And while the visuals could encourage some people to support animal protection, "the negative impacts outweigh that completely," said Jenny Roberts of conservation group WWF."People could get hurt," she told AFP.WWF uses real images for its fundraising efforts, but fake content online "desensitises" people to even the most incredible original visuals, she said."When you do have something remarkable, people question it," Roberts said, recounting an incident where a camera trap set up by her charity captured a tiger with five cubs in China.Such footage had never been filmed before in the East Asian country, she said."But when we put the content out there, we were questioned on social media: 'Is this AI-generated?'"'Major threat'A September study in the journal Conservation Biology, co-authored by Guerrero-Casado, concluded that the rapid spread of AI misinformation and its potential to harm environmental efforts is a "major threat" to society.The researchers highlighted another challenge for those working in conservation: AI images "could affect the ability of people to identify species" and cause misunderstandings about the abundance and distribution of wildlife.Scientists often mine data from citizen science platforms that accept photos and recordings of wildlife submitted by users.But AI generation and manipulation could lead to flawed research, several experts warned in a recent commentary in the journal Nature.They called for more robust authentication of submissions, and education of users about the risks of manipulating images and recordings.Meta, Facebook's parent company, and TikTok require users to label realistic visuals that have been generated or significantly altered using AI

KUALA LUMPUR - Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit several areas in the Peninsula and Sarawak until 1pm today.The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) through an alert at 8.35am informed that the affected areas in the Peninsula include the entire states of Perlis and Melaka, as well as Langkawi, Kubang Pasu and Kota Setar in Kedah.The weather warning also involves Kuantan, Pekan and Jerantut in Pahang; Sepang and Kuala Langat in Selangor; Port Dickson, Seremban, Rembau, Kuala Pilah and Tampin in Negeri Sembilan; and Tangkak and Muar in Johor.For Sarawak, the same forecast was issued for the areas of Mukah, Selangau, Sibu, Sarikei, Maradong, Bintulu, Kapit, Bukit Mabong and Subis in Miri.The warning is a short-term warning valid for a period not exceeding six hours for each advisory

KUALA LUMPUR - A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 was detected on the Minahassa Peninsula, Sulawesi, Indonesia, at 12.25am today.The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), in a Facebook post, said that the earthquake was centred at coordinates 0.1 degrees South and 120.6 degrees East, at a depth of 10 kilometres, 116 km northeast of Palu, Indonesia.According to MetMalaysia, tremors were felt in Tawau, Lahad Datu, and Semporna in Sabah, but posed no tsunami threat to the country

Thirty-six firefighters were deployed to nine locations in Penang after tremors from a 6.4-magnitude North Sumatra earthquake were reported, with no casualties.

The National Audit Department says its audit work supports stronger governance, accountability and transparency while ensuring public funds deliver value to Malaysians.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 The National Audit Department (JAN) is carrying out its mandate as the country...