An early visit to cemeteries for Qing Ming prayers to avoid crowd, traffic congestion and long holidays KULAI: Some Chinese are performing Qing Ming prayers visiting cemeteries to pay their respect to ancestors in advance to avoid the crowd, traffic congestion and long holidays. Traditionally, Chinese families perform Qing Ming prayers, also known as tomb-sweeping day within 10 days before or after the actual day, which falls on April 5 this year. However, some opt to perform the prayers much ..

Urn theft may be linked to Cambodian scam syndicates, says Nirvana Group PETALING JAYA: The four urns missing from Nirvana Memorial Park are likely to be linked to Cambodian scam syndicates. In a statement issued, Nirvana Group has confirmed four urns were stolen from its memorial park in Semenyih and that all four have been recovered. Nirvana Group said the case is believed to be linked to scam groups operating in Cambodia. The group expressed its apologies for the emotional distress and ..

Oversupply from imports pushes local vegetable prices down to 30 sen per kg IPOH : Oversupply from imports has intensified competition for locally grown vegetables. Coupled with peak harvest season, the glut has driven wholesale purchase prices down to as low as 30 sen per kilogramme. Datuk Chai Kok Lim, chairman of the Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association said that due to competition from imports and oversupply, prices of vegetable grown in highland have dropped sharply, leaving ..

Innovative courses enrich seniors lives in Shanghai SHANGHAI: Shanghai University for The Senior officially launched its 2026 spring semester on Monday with a vibrant opening ceremony, featuring a live online broadcast, choir performances of the school anthem, and the handover of class monitor duties. A range of demand-oriented innovative courses, upgraded school networks and optimized teaching staffs have infused new vitality into senior education across Shanghai. This semester, the university ..

Asia News Network and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung open fellowship for young journalists The program invites young journalists not older than 35 years and residing in Indonesia or Malaysia to submit their applications no later than March 31, 2026. Successful candidates will be responsible for coordinating ways to establish the Malay news network and will work with ANN senior editors in a virtual newsroom on content focused on people and happenings in Asia. The fellowship program is expected to ..

Ransom demanded after 30 urns go missing from Xiao En Memorial Park NILAI: Another case of missing urns taking place at Xiao En Memorial Park in Nilai. The theft, which occurred on February 25, was accompanied by demanded ransom. Sources said a memorial park manager was informed by his colleague that a WhatsApp message was received on the day the urns storing ashes of the deceased after cremation went missing. An unidentified individual sent the message from Cambodia claiming that several urns ..

20 crew members from Thai cargo ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz return safely to Thailand BANGKOK**:**20 Thai crew members of the Mayuree Naree arrived safely in Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Monday (March 16) at 6am after receiving coordinated assistance from the Thai and Omani governments following the attack in the Strait of Hormuz. They were welcomed and assisted by officials from the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while senior executives from Precious ..

Gold price triples in 10 years, driving younger generation to buy Gold, once considered an old-fashioned asset favored by older generations, has quietly won over the hearts of young people. As gold prices have tripled over the past decade, m

Selangor govt plans to visit Perak pig farms in search of win-win formula TELUK INTAN: Selangor state government has not given up its plan on searching for a win-win solution to resolve pig farming issues in the state, said Selangor exco Dato Ng Suee Lim. Selangor state government plans to visit the pig farms in Perak, said Ng in a fund-raising dinner organized by Teluk Intan DAP Sunday night. Prior to Selangor Sultans statement that His Royal Highness did not consent to have pig farming in ..

Malaysians buying more gold to hedge against economic and geopolitical risks KUALA LUMPUR: In times of turmoil, Malaysians buy gold. Amid an uncertain economic outlook and ongoing global geopolitical tensions, investment demand for gold across Southeast Asia has risen sharply and Malaysians are snapping it up at a remarkable pace. In 2025, Malaysian demand for gold bars and coins surged 37% year-on-year to 10.3 tonnes, ranking fourth in the region. Data shows Thailand remains Southeast Asia's ..

Restaurant uses CCTV and reservation records to return lost gold bracelet to tearful owner KEPONG: Honesty and persistence paid off for a Thai restaurant in Menjalara after a staff member found a gold bracelet left behind by a customer, and the restaurant owner went the extra mile to track down its rightful owner. The bracelet turned out to be a cherished heirloom left by the patron's mother-in-law, making its return all the more meaningful. Yellow Spoon Thai Cuisine owner Soo Wai Yee said a ..

40 years in journalism: Veteran editor Kuik Cheng Kang urges media to foster inclusivity, not chase traffic KUALA LUMPUR: After a 40-year journalism career witnessing social change, Media Chinese International Limited Group Editor-in- Chief Dato Kuik Cheng Kang has launched his new book Kuiks Time in Chinese and the English edition A Kuik Cup of Tea. The book compiles columns written by him in recent years in Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang Siang Pau, China Press and Guang Ming Daily under Media Chinese ..

KULAI: Four families have lodged police reports over missing urns at Perpetual Memorial Park, where 22 urns are believed to have been stolen. Kulai OCPD Asst Comm Tan Seng Lee confirmed that four police reports had been lodged as of Tuesday. The police are investigating the motive behind the theft of the urns, said Tan. A 37-year-old self-employed man told _Sin Chew Daily_ that his fathers urn was among those missing. He said he had not received any phone calls or messages regarding the missing ..

The need to read: Why Jakartans are going back to bookstores JAKARTA: I like reading books. I probably should read more than I do, but what I love even more is visiting bookstores. Its relaxing, almost meditative. Theres something about being surrounded by walls of books, perusing a collection of genres, discovering new authors. Its not always about finishing the book. Its about the possibility of it. Not only that, but its also about unplugging, reading from real pages instead of a screen. ..

MANILA: Just when the Philippine economy was starting to gain some growth momentum after being laid low by the flood control corruption scandal in the second half of last year, it is facing another potential body blow if the latest crisis in the Middle East escalates further and takes longer to be resolved. Over the weekend, the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran, which immediately retaliated by firing missiles and drones across the Middle East, including Qatar, Bahrain, ..

Fancy being a culture architect? In Malaysia, unique job titles are a sign of market shifts PETALING JAYA: Job titles these days have become increasingly unique, even playful and may raise eyebrows. But they reflect how job scopes are evolving beyond traditional labels. Job titles, for instance, have evolved so much that Malaysians are hired for work such as planet healer, low-carbon inspiration engineer, or culture architect. Take for example, a post last year on LinkedIn when someone observed ..

JOHOR BAHRU: In a show of religious tolerance and goodwill, Chingay parade organizers delayed the start of the procession by 20 minutes to 7.20 pm, while devotees observed silence when passing three mosques out of respect for Muslims performing prayers after breaking fast. An estimated 300,000 people turned out for the annual Chingay Festival, where five deities were brought out from temples to tour the city and bless its people. Performances and chanting fell silent as the procession passed ..

Malaysian diver's organ donation gives five Chinese patients a new lease of life FUZHOU: A Malaysian diving instructor declared brain-dead after an accident while holidaying in China gave five patients a new lease of life through organ donation, in a case that made history in Fujian province. Jack, 34, from Kuala Lumpur, became the first foreign national to make a cross- border organ donation in Fujian, donating his liver, kidneys, and corneas to five recipients. Jack and his girlfriend were ..

Ill do my job or someone else will take it: Why many Asians are staying put in the Gulf amid war BENGALURU/NEW DELHI/JAKARTA/MANILA: Millions of Asians working in the Gulf region are trapped amid the drone and missile strikes from the US, Israel and Iran, which have so far killed at least 10 Asian migrant workers and injured dozens of others. Many say they are feeling safe but are anxious about the increasing hostilities, but others who want to leave are hesitant about losing their jobs, which ..

BN should contest Johor, Melaka polls alone, discuss cooperation after, says Wee Ka Siong KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) should contest the Johor and Melaka state elections under its own banner with the goal of winning more state seats, says MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong. MCA can then form a government with any party that shares similar values and principles. We must never hand over parliamentary or state seats without a fight, he said. Speaking at the 77th Anniversary celebration ..

Another 30 tonnes of rubbish pile up after massive clean-up last July Johor Bharu: The rubbish house in Taman Sentosa has once again accumulated about 30 tonnes of various waste since clean-up operations were temporarily halted during the festive season. When authorities arrived to carry out another clean-up on Mac 5, the 70-year-old homeowner, a retired teacher, lost his temper. Police officers were present to control the situation. A massive clean-up to clear the garbage accumulated for 20 ..

Bangladeshi extradited from Malaysia to Alaska over international child sexual exploitation charges KUALA LUMPUR : A 28-year-old Bangladeshi national facing several child sexual exploitation charges is escorted by FBI from Malaysia to stand trial in Alaska, United States. Zobaidul Amin, once a foreign student studying medicine in Malaysia, was extradited to Alaska with collaboration from the enforcement agency in Malaysia on Mac 4. He was charged in U.S in 2022 for alleged abuse and ..

DUBAI: Dubais super-rich have started fleeing the glitzy business hub by any means necessary, paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to escape a regional war they fear has no end in sight. The desert city in the United Arab Emirates has long welcomed the wealthy, who have been drawn to its low taxes, safety, luxury and business-friendly government. But with that reputation on the line as Iranian missiles fly overhead, some are stumping up huge sums to secure a way out, with airspace in the UAE ..

18 Malaysians stranded in Dubai return home safely SEPANG: A group of 18 Malaysians who had been stranded in Dubai successfully returned to Malaysia on Thursday night. The group, aged between 15 and 75 comprising six men and 12 women, departed at 10 am on Emirates flight EK342, landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 9.40 pm. The tour group under Golden Destinations had traveled for 13 days and 10 nights from Feb 17 to 28 across continental Europe, London and Dubai. They were ..

Middle East tensions raise supply stakes for energy-hungry South Korea SEOUL: South Korea has been thrust into crisis mode as coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which led to the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have made the Strait of Hormuz a volatile flashpoint, sending oil prices higher and rattling industries dependent on the waterway. For an economy that imports roughly 70 percent of its crude oil and 20 percent of its natural gas from the Middle East, the strait is ..

34% of pig farms nationwide modernised under closed-house model, says Mohamad KUALA LUMPUR: About 34 per cent of pig farms nationwide have switched to closed-house model under modernisation plan, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. Of the 355 registered pig farms nationwide, 121 farms operate under the closed-house model and a zero- discharge concept. The modern system aims to enhance biosecurity, manage livestock waste in a more systematic manner and reduce the ..

SEAblings vs. Korea: Online spat reveals long-buried tensions SEOUL: What began as a quarrel over camera equipment at a K-pop concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has erupted into sweeping backlash across Southeast Asia, exposing long-simmering racial tensions with South Korea that many in the region say have been ignored for years. The escalationnow framed as SEAblings vs. K-netzis no longer about a single breach of concert etiquette, but about accumulated frustrations over condescension and ..

Japan architourism: Rediscover the value, appeal of famous structures KYOTO: Architectural tourism, known as architourism, is a type of cultural tourism involving touring famous architectural structures and enjoying walks around them, allowing visitors to rediscover their value and appeal. Architecture festivals, during which multiple modern and contemporary structures are specially opened to the public for a limited period, are becoming more popular. Some of these events are held concurrently ..

PETALING JAYA: The closely watched constitutional amendment bill to limit prime ministers tenure ultimately fell short by just two votes. Several Barisan Nasional MPs and independent lawmakers who were absent clarified that their absence was unintentional and they did not oppose the bill. Some pointed out that newly appointed Government Backbenchers Club (BBC) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa lacked experience in coordinating MPs attendance for the vote, and that delays in communication ..

JAKARTA: Once widely seen as a rite of passage, marriage is being redefined by Indonesias Generation Z, who are increasingly choosing to wait or keep celebrations modest as rising living costs and evolving personal values reshape their priorities. For 26-year-old Safira, a Jakarta-based digital designer who requested anonymity, marriage is not yet on her immediate agenda. I want to marry when Im ready, financially and mentally, and when I have a more stable job and life plan, she told_The ..

Isolated misconduct should not define China-based enterprises in Malaysia, says Sun Jianwei KUALA LUMPUR: Improper conduct by Chinese nationals operating businesses in Malaysia should not define China-based enterprises here, says Sun Jianwei, president of Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association (MJEBA). Those are isolated cases and members of the public should not label China-based enterprises, he said. Sun is referring to public discussions on the massive influx of foreign ..

Malaysians top foreign scam mule arrests in Taiwan, cases surge nearly six- fold TAIPEI: Malaysians top the list of scam mules in Taiwan with 1,061 arrested last year compared to 196 in 2024, close to a six-fold increase. Taiwan authorities noted that Malaysians are no longer just acting as mules but are also involved in organized scam syndicates. Lee Kun-da, head of the International Criminal Affairs Section under Taiwans Criminal Investigation Bureau, told _Sin Chew Daily_ in an online ..

Middle East tensions raise supply stakes for energy-hungry South Korea SEOUL: South Korea has been thrust into crisis mode as coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which led to the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have made the Strait of Hormuz a volatile flashpoint, sending oil prices higher and rattling industries dependent on the waterway. For an economy that imports roughly 70 percent of its crude oil and 20 percent of its natural gas from the Middle East, the strait is ..

ByAqil Hamzah and Esther Loi / The Straits Times / ANN Airspace closures in Middle East will lead to costlier flight tickets, longer journeys: Analysts ByAqil Hamzah and Esther Loi / The Straits Times / ANN SINGAPORE : Travellers between Asia and Europe should brace themselves for longer journeys, as well as higher fares, owing to airspace closures across the Middle East since Feb 28, warned aviation analysts. As airlines flying over the region take longer routes to avoid the conflict, fuel ..

Trumps Beijing trip could be canceled after US-Israel strikes on Iran HOUSTON: The massive military operation in Iran comes at a delicate moment for US-China relations, just ahead of President Donald Trumps scheduled visit to Beijing on March 31. The White House has not provided updates on the high-stakes summit, but analysts say the Iran strikes would sharpen the great power rivalry. Han Lin, China managing director of The Asia Group, said there is a low-to- moderate chance that the trip could ..

Isolated misconduct should not define China-based enterprises in Malaysia, says Sun Jianwei KUALA LUMPUR: Improper conduct by Chinese nationals operating businesses in Malaysia should not define China-based enterprises here, says Sun Jianwei, president of Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association (MJEBA). Those are isolated cases and members of the public should not label China-based enterprises, he said. Sun is referring to public discussions on the massive influx of foreign ..

God of Prosperity on horseback causes a stir in Klang A Chinese New Year celebration held on the 12th day of the Lunar New Year has caused a massive stir in Klang. Tens of thousands gathered to witness the unique spectacle of the God of Prosperity riding a horsea majestic nod to 2026 being the Year of Horse. In total, four horses were seen patrolling the streets of Klang, symbolising the city's transition into a new era of growth and momentum. The presence of these noble animals, coinciding ..

Muar slaughterhouse ceases operations; pigs to be processed in Segamat from March 1 MUAR: The only pig slaughterhouse in Muar stops operation on Feb 28. All live pigs are processed in Segamat starting March 1. Pork prices are expected to remain stable for now as pork butchers have agreed to absorb the additional cost at RM90 per head of transporting live pigs from Muar to Segamat. The operator of the slaughterhouse said he has submitted a proposal to the local government for a new ..

MARANG: The Opposition Leader in Dewan Rakyat remains unchanged for now, says PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang. Former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zaunudin continues to serve under the current parliamentary session which concludes in two days, he said. The priority of Perikatan Nasional (PN) is to focus on the welfare of people where the discussion on the new candidate has been temporarily put on hold. Speaking to reporters outside the ..

Loke: Strong start for Malaysia-China trade as January exports surge 16% AMPANG: The Malaysia-China trade recorded a surge of 16 per cent in January where export volume rose by 19.6 per cent year on year while total trade surplus surpassed RM20 billion, demonstrating a strong economic vitality, says Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook. "Of this, the export value of Malaysia to China reached RM15.5 billion, which is a 16% year-on-year increase. At the same time, imports from China stood at RM33 ..