Recycled plastic is in greater demand. So why does Malaysia have to import waste to make them? KAPAR: Under a cloudy sky in early April, five workers feed discarded Cookie Monster nappies into a machine to shred and recycle them. This is the warm popcorn for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as a base material for industrial packaging, tarpaulin and drip tape, Mr G. Aushal, managing director of Sannanda Rika, told _The Straits Times_. His company sources discarded plastic waste from the European ..

RM840,000 tax bill against Chinese national dropped after MCA intervention PETALING JAYA: For Chinese national Li Juan, the nightmare of being slapped with a tax bill of RM840,000 by the Inland Revenue Board and barred from leaving Malaysia is finally over, thanks to the MCA and the Malaysia-China Friendship and Mutual Aid Association (MCFAMAA). Li, 43, who had been unable to return to China to visit her daughter and ailing mother due to the travel ban, received notification that the full tax ..

BEIJING: In 1995, 10-year-old Zhou Qinggui from Hangtou, a village in the city of Linyi, Shandong province, was expected to drop out of school after elementary level due to poverty. A passionate reader who carried books while tending livestock and gathering pigweed, Zhou was heartbroken. To allow the boy to continue his education, his mother borrowed money, and his elder brother and younger sister both gave up schooling, one after the other. In 2021, Zhou and six childhood friendstruck drivers, ..

BEIJING: Move over tempting duty-free shopping and fascinating nightlife. A new ritualspending a whole day inside a bathhouseis quietly reshaping how foreign visitors experience China. Videos tagged 24-hour spas in China have become viral on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, drawing content creators from different parts of the world, including the United States, Europe and South Korea. US travel vlogger Jonathan, who runs a channel called Travel Escapes, recently drew global ..

Negeri Sembilan MCA quits local councils in solidarity with Umno SEREMBAN: All MCA district and municipal councillors in Negeri Sembilan will resign from their positions with immediate effect, withdrawing from local government bodies across the state in solidarity with the state Umno. Negeri Sembilan MCA liaison committee chairman Datuk Leaw Kok Chan said the decision was based on the party's political stand and the current political landscape. "After careful consideration, the state liaison ..

AirAsia posts videos of staff speaking Mandarin after clip of passenger scolding cabin crew draws attention SINGAPORE: AirAsia has posted videos of its staff speaking in Mandarin, days after a clip of one passenger scolding a crew member for not speaking the language went viral on social media. The first video on April 23 featured AirAsia ground staff using Mandarin to remind passengers to arrive three hours before departure time for an international flight and two hours before a domestic ..

One catch, RM1 million: Angler becomes instant millionaire ALOR SETAR: A man from Terengganu struck it rich after taking part in a fishing competition, emerging as a millionaire overnight. Mohamad Azhar Hamzah paid RM220 to join the Titi Mega 2026 fishing contest yesterday, and clinched the top prize of RM1 million. He secured the top prize with the heaviest catch at 9.5 kg. The second and third prizes, worth RM100,000 and RM50,000 respectively, were won by participants from Terengganu and ..

Of bytes and bridges: AI in the newsroom takes centre stage at WJC 2026 KUALA LUMPUR: The conversation in newsrooms has matured. The most pressing concern is no longer whether artificial intelligence (AI) belongs in journalism, but how to ensure the limitless bytes of AI output do not drown out the human pulse of the press. At the recently concluded World Journalists Conference (WJC) 2026 in Seoul, South Korea, news practitioners grappled with this very question during the AI in the Newsroom: ..

Scammers give up on Indian Malaysians they ask too many questions, says police PENANG: Indians in Malaysia are less likely becoming scam victims, mainly because they ask too many questions for scammers to handle, says Penang Commercial Crime Investigation Department deputy chief DSP Pang Meng Tuck. Data collected by the police consistently shows Indians are scammed less frequently than other ethnic groups, he said this at a forum on scam prevention organised by the Penang Chinese Town Hall on ..

ByHariz Baharudin and Hadi Azmi / The Straits Times / ANN No unilateral moves on Strait of Malacca despite Indonesia floats toll idea ByHariz Baharudin and Hadi Azmi / The Straits Times / ANN JAKARTA Indonesia will not impose a levy on vessels transiting the Strait of Malacca, as doing so would contravene international law, said Foreign Minister Sugiono on April 23. Responding to questions from reporters in Jakarta, he said such a policy would be inconsistent with the United Nations Convention ..

Lost in Malaysia for 27 years, Bangladeshi worker returns in emotional reunion DHAKA: A Bangladeshi migrant worker who had been missing for 27 years in Malaysia returned home early today, bringing an end to a decades-long wait for his family. Amir Hossain Talukdar, 62, from Naria upazila of Shariatpur, reached Dhaka around midnight on a Batik Air flight, according to a BRAC press release. Officials from Civil Aviation Security (Avsec), the Expatriates Welfare Desk, and BRACs Migration Program ..

The RM145 repair became a RM3,000 lesson in love: How a single dad and a sincere mechanic created Loop of Integrity PETALING JAYA It began as a desperate midnight breakdown and transformed into a powerful "tug-of-war" of selflessness. The story of Dicky, a Chinese single father, and a Malay mechanic known as "Abang Minyak Hitam Jalanan Original," has captivated Malaysians, proving that the "chain of kindness" is stronger than racial or financial barriers. The chain started last week when Dicky ..

Droids ran half-marathon in record time, a showcase of what Chinese tech can do BEIJING: The crowds gasped as the racing robots malfunctioned at various points during the 21 km racetripping over road curbs, stopping, abruptly changing directions and even running into barricades. But at the April 19 Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon in Beijing, the winner clocked 21 km in just 50 min 26 sec. In fact, with the third-placed droid striding past the finish line in about 53 minutes, all three podium ..

Malaysian scientist makes country proud at NASA aircraft research KUALA LUMPUR: Another Malaysian has made the nation proud by being involved in future aircraft research with the American space agency NASA and a premier university. Dr Raja Akif Raja Zahirudin, 33, who currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Tech, is directly involved in the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Raven-GT (Research ..

Why Koreas local governments are trying to sustain bathhouses SEOUL: Local governments in South Korea are stepping up efforts to build and maintain public bathhouses as a sharp nationwide decline in such facilities raises concerns about hygiene and public health, particularly in areas where basic shower access remains limited. The push comes as demand grows for shared spaces where elderly and single-person households can gather, socialize and access basic services. While pledges to expand ..

A Toyota Vios links the disappearance of Pastor Koh and activist Amri to a former special branch staff as main suspect, says Task Force report PETALING JAYA The presence of the same Toyota Vios at the abduction sites of Pastor Raymond Koh and social activist Amri Che Mat has intensified suspicions that both disappearances were carried out by the same perpetrator. The Special Task Force report identifies the vehicle's registered owner, Saiful Bahari Abdul Aziz, as the lead suspect in both cases. ..

KL Chinese Assembly Hall founder Liew Poon Siak passes on at 83 KUALA LUMPUR: The founder of Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall Datuk Liew Poon Siak passed away this morning. He was 83. The veteran Chinese community leader was active in local Chinese community, especially guilds and associations. He was also the executive chairman of SJKC Imbi in Cheras. Liew founded the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall in 2003. The Federation of Malaysia Chinese Commerce Association president Datuk Lum Kim ..

Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong, businessman and father of Deputy Speaker Alice Lau, passes away at 75 SIBU: President of Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong, who is also the deputy president of Sarawak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, passed away on Sunday night. He was 75. Lau, who is Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Alice Laus father, was not feeling well during a flight from Taiwan to Kuala Lumpur. He later passed away. The secretariat of Sibu Chinese Chamber of ..

Former Opposition Leader Hamzah Zainudin leads first "Reset" meeting in Negeri Sembilan for new platform NILAI: The inaugural closed-door meeting of the Negeri Sembilan "Reset" movement was held here on Saturday attended by former Leader of the Opposition, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to deliberate on a new political landscape with various stakeholders. The "Reset" movements first steering meeting was attended by a diverse group of individuals, including NGO representatives, community leaders, ..

1 in 5 Singapore workers overqualified for their jobs, but most are there by choice: Studies SINGAPORE: Nearly one in five workers in Singapore is overqualified for their jobs, but most of them opted for such roles willingly, according to a new study by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The study, released on April 14, found that 19.4 percent of resident workers held qualifications higher than what their jobs required in 2025up from 16.3 percent in 2015. Of these overqualified workers, about nine ..

PTPTN launches all-out effort to trace 350,000 zero-repayment defaulters owing RM5b KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 348,748 National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) borrowers in Malaysia have yet to repay even a single sen, collectively owing more than RM5 billion in student loans. In an exclusive interview with _Sin Chew Daily_, PTPTN Chairperson Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim stated that the corporation has now categorized these zero-repayment borrowers as high- priority targets for debt recovery. ..

KUCHING: When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, fundraising activities for the Kuching Autistic Association (KAA) came to an abrupt halt, yet operational costs continued. At the time, the association had recently opened an art gallery displaying works from its student artists. To sustain its programs, KAA decided to convert the artists works into Autism Art merchandise, selling them online and through word of mouth. What started during Covid as a small initiative to sustain operations has ..

Curbing oil anxiety: ASEAN governments move to block panic hoarding and slash fuel usage PETALING JAYA: As crude prices soar due to Middle East conflicts destabilizing the global supply chain, ASEAN governments have prioritized a singular mission: preventing collective "panic hoarding" while intensifying the search for alternative energy sources to secure national supplies. In Thailand, authorities have already seized over 57 million liters of smuggled fuel. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ..

Fresh from Antarctica, South Korean nurse reflects on a season at the edge of the world SEOUL: Last winter or summer depending on where you see itKim Hee- soos mornings began quietly, wind brushing past, snow crunching underfoot and, at times, the soft shuffle of penguins crossing her path. Near Marian Cove, where an icy bay teems with wildlife, the 30-year-old nurse walked each day to a small clinic at King Sejong Station on King George Island, one of South Koreas two Antarctic research bases, ..

Energy as new diplomatic chip: Southeast Asian nations negotiate with major powers for supply PETALING JAYA: Several Southeast Asian countries are actively searching for non-Middle Eastern alternatives for their fuel supply, with many turning to Russian crude oil. To alleviate energy shortages and ensure long-term security, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam are increasingly looking toward Russia. Notably, the Philippinesa long-time U.S. allyhas imported Russian crude for the ..

Teacher returns to SPM exam hall for four consecutive years to inspire students PETALING JAYA: For the past four years, a Chinese independent school teacher has been sitting for the SPM examinations with his students. Foong Seong Tuck has entered the exam hall eight times now, appearing for both the main SPM exams in November and the July re-sits. The 46-year-old economics teacher opted to take the exams to boost his students' confidence after discovering that many of the students had stopped ..

Behind foreign bars: Malaysian drug mules turn over a new leave after years of regret In 2016, a woman known as "Ah Chen" (pseudonym), while pregnant with her second child, boldly flew to Hong Kong carrying illicit drugs. She didn't look the part of a drug mule and believed she would slip through unnoticed. However, the law has a long arm; Hong Kong Customs discovered the drugs in her luggage, leaving her with no escape. Following a court hearing, she was sentenced to nine years in prison. In a ..

BEIJING**: **About a year ago, an elderly woman surnamed Ding living in Huangshi, Hubei province, received a phone call she believed was from her grandson urgently requesting financial help. What she didnt know at the time was that the call was the beginning of a sophisticated scam. When Ding answered the landline, the voice on the other end sounded exactly like her grandson. Tearfully, the caller explained that he had accidentally injured a classmate at school and needed RM23,227.88( 40,000 ..

Stitching with soul: Tailor in Johor keeps fees at RM1 despite rising costs KULAI: In an era of soaring prices, what can RM1 still buy? For 60-year-old tailor Ling Pau Moi, the answer is a profound gesture of community spirit. Seated at her sewing machine nearly every day, she maintains a starting fee of just RM1 to sew school badges and name tags, using her craft to weave a tapestry of kindness for the people in Kulai. Despite a constant stream of orders, Ling has a clear priority: school ..

A gift of love: Wifes kidney donation gives husband a new lease of life JOHOR BAHRU: Renowned photographer Wilson Teo Tiam Soon, whose lenses have captured landscapes across the globe, is no longer tethered to a dialysis machine, thanks to a gift of love from his wife. Stefanie Ngae Fang Fang did not only quit her senior management role at a bank to care for Teo, she also underwent a living-donor kidney transplant to give him a new lease of life. Teo, 60, owner of a technology company, and ..

Editors urge better policemedia cooperation for public interest reporting KUALA LUMPUR: The Editors Association of Chinese Medium of Malaysia urges police and other law enforcement agencies to respect the duties of journalists and photojournalists while carrying out onsite reporting. In response to police investigation officers instructing reporters to delete photos and videos while covering an assault incident at an entertainment venue in Cheras, the association issued a statement urging ..

Farewell, Tun Dr. Ling: A final salute to a political giant KUALA LUMPUR: Family, friends, dignitaries and political comrades gathered today to bid a final farewell to the late Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, the sixth president of MCA. The funeral service commenced at 10am, followed by the departure of the hearse at 11am for the Xiao En Crematorium in Nilai. Dr Lings widow Toh Puan Ong and younger son Ling Hee Keat walked hand-in-hand behind the casket. As the hearse departed, Classic Rock musica genre ..

Human washing machine displayed at Osaka-Kansai Expo set to go overseas OSAKA: The Mirai Ningen Sentakuki (human washing machine of the future), a fully automatic bathing machine exhibited at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, will be exported for the first time this spring. The decision was prompted by an importers official visiting the Expo shortly after its opening in April last year. The official observed visitors using the machine and concluded that it offered significant relaxation benefits. An ..

Chinese TV regulator calls for end to looks worship BEIJING: Chinas television regulator has signaled an end to looks worship in dramas, following a wave of online mockery targeting a flawless-looking general whose immaculate makeup appeared out of place on blood-soaked battlefields. On Tuesday, the National Radio and Television Administration convened a symposium on fostering healthy aesthetics. The regulator urged industry insiders to shift from overly relying on star power and instead focus ..

From stem cell donor to medical pioneer: Malaysian becomes first foreigner to practice medicine in China JOHOR BAHRU: What began as a simple act of kindness ended up making history. For Dr Yong June Kong, a stem cell donation didn't just save a young lifeit broke a 10-year legal stalemate, paving the way for him to become the first foreign doctor officially licensed to practice in China. Dr Yong, from Johor Bahru, also known as Yang Yongkang in China, recently gained media attention as the ..

Rot starts from the head: Dr Ling best remembered for his fish head theory PETALING JAYA: Throughout his long political career, Dr Ling Liong Siks fish head theory remains his most famous quote. During an MCA training camp for members of parliament and state assemblymen, Dr Ling once presented each representative with a fish, warning them that rotten fish always starts from the head. This metaphor is used to describe corruptions in organizations and the government. It emphasizes that the ..

Dr Ling taught me politics is a game with rules: ex-aide PETALING JAYA: Politics is a game with many rules. A politician must follow these rules and serve the people; he must also enjoy the process. Datuk Koh Chin Han, who served as Tun Dr Ling Liong Siks private secretary and special assistant for 13 years, shared the lesson Dr Ling taught him. He described Dr Ling not just as a political leader, but also a meticulous strategist who calculated every move with precision. Speaking to _Sin Chew ..

Cross-Strait ferry routes see thousands of Taiwan residents return to ancestral homes in China BEIJING: Cross-Strait ferry routes witnessed a significant travel surge during Qingming Festival as thousands of Taiwan compatriots returned to their ancestral homes on the mainland for tomb sweeping and family reunions. According to the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration, the four Mini Three Links routes which provide direct maritime transport between coastal areas of East Chinas Fujian province ..

MCA to drape Lings casket with party flag in highest honour: Wee KUALA LUMPUR: A special ceremony will be held tomorrow to drape the casket of former Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik with MCA flag. MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the gesture serves as the highest mark of respect and honour for the sixth MCA president. Dr Ling, also a former Minister of Transport, passed away on Saturday morning. He was 82. He is survived by Toh Puan Ena Ling and ..

Nearly 500 elderly folk killed by family caregivers in Japan from 2006 to 2024 A recent analysis in Japan of a government report showed that nearly 500 people aged 65 and olderdied between fiscal years 2006 and 2024 as a result of murder or abuse by family members or relatives who had been caring for them, highlighting the increasingly harsh environment surrounding in-home caregiving. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of elderly-only households has exceeded 17 ..