PETALING JAYA : What may seem like economic progress through the rise of dual- income households actually reflects a deeper crisis of stagnant wages in Malaysia, an analyst warned. Commenting on the middle-income squeeze, Emir Research founder Datuk Dr Rais Hussin said the growing reliance on two earners per household is a coping mechanism, not a sign of prosperity. Overwork props up consumption, but it papers over the real problem an economy not producing enough high-productivity, well-paid ..

PETALING JAYA : Budget 2026 should mark a decisive shift from short-term subsidies to long-term reforms that strengthen productivity and rebuild Malaysias middle class, said Malaysian Institute of Economic Research senior fellow Dr Nur Surraya Mohd Saudi. She said Malaysias middle-income group households earning between RM5,000 and RM11,000 monthly is increasingly squeezed by stagnant real wages, higher living costs and rising household debt that erode purchasing power and savings. The ..

PETALING JAYA : Malaysias middle-income squeeze is driven not only by rising costs but also by corruption and inefficiency that bleed the economy of growth potential, said Emir Research founder Dr Rais Hussin. He said the challenges faced by Malaysias middle class from wage stagnation and rising debt to falling savings are symptoms of a political economy that has failed to generate high-value jobs and fair returns on public investment. The middle- income squeeze shows up in household budgets ..

KUALA LUMPUR : The government is committed to expanding Malaysian Halal Certification recognition to empower micro, small and medium enterprises in the global halal industry and enhance the countrys export value chain. According to the Prime Ministers Department, Malaysias halal exports were valued at RM39.44 billion in the second quarter of this year, involving 1,499 halal exporting companies. The department stated that 956 companies are MSMEs which play an important role in strengthening ..

SHAH ALAM : A 73-year-old retiree lost nearly RM6 million after falling victim to an elaborate phone scam spanning several months. Selangor Police Chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the victim received a call in May from a man claiming to be from the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NFCC) in Putrajaya, who told her she was involved in a money-laundering case. The call was then transferred to another suspect posing as a senior police officer from the Sarawak contingent police headquarters, who ..

PUTRAJAYA : A total of 97 influenza A and B infection clusters were reported in Epidemiological Week 40/2025 compared with 14 clusters recorded in the previous week. The Ministry of Health said the majority of clusters involved educational institutions with all states recording increases. Selangor recorded the highest number with 43 clusters followed by Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (15), Penang (10), Johor (nine) and Kedah (five). Secondary schools accounted for 32 clusters while primary schools ..

KUALA LUMPUR : The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Private Agencies (Amendment) Bill 2025 aimed at improving licence issuance and renewal processes for private agency businesses. The bill was approved by a majority voice vote after being debated by 14 Members of Parliament from both government and opposition blocs. Amendments to the Private Agencies Act 1971 seek to strengthen regulation of private agencies conducting security control and private investigation activities nationwide. Deputy Home ..

KUALA LUMPUR : The Selangor State government has launched the Selangor Digital Future Action Plan 2026-2030, a comprehensive roadmap designed to bolster the states position as Malaysias premier digital economy hub. State Executive Councillor for Islamic Affairs and Innovation Culture Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said the initiative aligns with the Malaysia MADANI visions innovation pillar. Today marks not more than just the launch of a plan but it marks the beginning of a new chapter in Selangors ..

KUALA LUMPUR : The proposal for a large-capacity base load power plant on Sabahs East Coast has been previously considered by both state and federal governments. Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the project faced challenges due to high operating costs from the lack of affordable fuel sources. Nevertheless, based on input from the Sabah Energy Commission, consideration will be given once upstream exploration projects for the supply of ..

MELAKA : The Melaka Road Transport Department issued 481 notices during enforcement of the Speed Limit Device and Special Seat Belt operations for commercial vehicles and express buses. Melaka RTD Director Siti Zarina Mohd Yusop said under Op SLD enforced since October 1, 448 vehicles were checked with only 57 submitting the SLD Functionality Verification Slip. A total of 207 vehicles faced enforcement action with 207 investigation notices issued under Section 114 of the Road Transport Act ..

BUTTERWORTH : Police confirmed the macabre discovery of an unidentified mans body stuffed into a suitcase near the Ampang Jajar Flats in Permatang Pauh. Seberang Perai Utara police chief ACP Anuar Abdul Rahman said his department received a report on the grisly find at 1.43 pm. Investigations are still ongoing and further developments will be announced later, he said in a brief statement. It is understood that the luggage containing the body was found by a drain cleaner carrying out routine ..

KUALA LUMPUR : Rapid KL train services on the Kelana Jaya line are experiencing a power supply disruption between Universiti and Abdullah Hukum stations. Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd confirmed repair works are underway and alternative train services have been activated to ensure passengers can continue their journeys. Trains from Putra Heights will turn back at Taman Jaya under the alternative service arrangement. Shuttle trains will operate between Taman Jaya Station Platform 2 and Bangsar Platform 2. ..

KUALA LUMPUR : The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan by United States President Donald Trump is an important step to restoring stability and reducing the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, the Malaysian Parliaments Palestine Caucus said. Its chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the caucus welcomed Hamas acceptance of the plan which is seen as a positive development to achieving a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza. The agreement encompasses the withdrawal of occupation, influx of humanitarian ..

KUALA NERUS : The announcement of a ceasefire agreement and hostage release in Gaza has given fresh hope to Global Sumud Flotilla mission participants to resume aid delivery efforts. Muhammad Abdullah, known as Ustaz Mad Kecik, said this development strengthens confidence that future opportunities to enter Gaza appear more promising. We now see a brighter chance to enter Gaza by land, the 32-year-old told reporters at Sultan Mahmud Airport. If we cannot go by sea, we will try to go by land. He ..

ISKANDAR PUTERI : A Bangladeshi woman has been remanded for five days from today for allegedly cutting off her boyfriends genitals in a fit of jealousy at Kampung Lokan in Gelang Patah yesterday morning. Iskandar Puteri police chief ACP M. Kumarasan said the 34-year-old suspect was arrested at 12.15 pm yesterday after a 47-year-old local man lodged a police report at 10.45 am. The report was made after the man learned that his acquaintance, a 33-year-old Bangladeshi man, suffered serious ..

KOTA KINABALU : A child witness testified at the Coroners Court that several students from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar who were members of the Circle-19 group transferred schools after the incident involving Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. Lawyer Azhier Farhan Arisin, representing four children charged in the Zara Qairina bullying case, said the witness was also a Circle-19 member and confirmed some group members remain at the school, though the witness ..

SHAH ALAM : The Selangor government has proposed that part of the tax collected from electronic cigarette products be channelled to all state governments and local authorities. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the move is important to ensure tax revenue is used to manage negative effects of vape sales. She stated this would support more comprehensive enforcement actions and public education efforts at the grassroots level. For example, the state ..

SHAH ALAM : The Ministry of Communications is amending the Postal Services Act 2012 to create a more sustainable and competitive postal services ecosystem while guaranteeing worker welfare. Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said his ministry received an initial draft report from a consultant who conducted a study with industry and delivery service players. A meeting with involved parties was held about two weeks ago, with the ministry now collecting information for deeper study before drafting ..

SHAH ALAM : The government will offer educational scholarships in network and radio engineering to five Palestinians to pursue studies in Malaysia. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative prioritises youth from Gaza, Ramallah, the West Bank, Nablus, or other Palestinian regions interested in network or radio engineering. This is one of the efforts by the Ministry of Communications and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission towards the reconstruction of ..

KUALA NERANG : Police have detained three men suspected of stealing telecommunications substation components in Kampung Musa, Mukim Pedu on September 30. Padang Terap district police chief Superintendent Abdull Razak Othman revealed the first arrest involved a 37-year-old former telecommunications technician from Pendang. Authorities acted on two police reports filed by the telecommunications company regarding stolen communication parts valued at approximately RM112,000. The primary suspect was ..

KUALA LUMPUR : The government has agreed in principle to several policy measures aimed at improving the structure of the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB), including transforming it into a body corporate. Deputy Minister in the Prime Ministers Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said the policy decisions were approved by the Cabinet on August 1 and are intended to enhance the boards accountability. He stated that this enhancement will require the board to table an ..

KUALA LUMPUR : The trial of Gombak Setia assemblyman Muhammad Hilman Idham will commence in early March next year at the Magistrates Court here. Magistrate Nurul Izzah Hasan Basri set the trial dates for March 2 and 3 following a case mention today. Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman informed the court that the prosecution had handed over all relevant documents to the defence. The prosecution has just handed over the documents to the defence to ensure that the trial proceeds in an ..

KOTA BHARU : Police have launched a search operation for a 17-year-old girl reported missing since yesterday in the Ketereh area. Kota Bharu police chief ACP Mohd Rosdi Daud confirmed that a missing person report was filed yesterday for teenager Mimi Nursyafiqah Mohd Shafirun Azam. The missing girl resides at Lot 572, Kampung Laka, 16450 Ketereh according to police records. He described the teenager as approximately 160 centimetres tall with a weight of 48 kilograms. The police chief noted she ..

KUALA LUMPUR : Twenty-three football players have received Malaysian citizenship through naturalisation since 2018. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed this includes seven national heritage players approved under all legal and constitutional provisions. He stated each application follows Article 19 of the Federal Constitution and the Citizenship Rules 1964. Applicants must meet three main conditions including residence in Malaysia, good conduct, and sufficient Malay ..

PUTRAJAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission hopes tomorrows Budget 2026 presentation will demonstrate the governments firm commitment to integrity and corruption issues. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stated this firmness is crucial for enabling all enforcement agencies to work together comprehensively against corruption and public fund leakages. We will continue our efforts to recover government funds that have been lost, he said at the 2025 Anti-Corruption Convention ..

KUALA LUMPUR : Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has admitted his mistake in organising the controversial gala dinner for the Global Travel Meet. Tiong expressed regret over serving alcoholic beverages at the dinner which caused public discomfort during Ministers Question Time in Dewan Rakyat. He stated that he and MOTAC are deeply sorry for any confusion or misunderstanding that caused discomfort among the people. Tiong admitted he should have announced that the ..

KUALA LUMPUR : Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged all relevant parties to seize the opportunity for comprehensive and enduring peace in Gaza. Anwar noted that recent developments offer hope after months of unbearable suffering and devastation in the enclave. He welcomed reports of progress in ceasefire negotiations for Gaza. Anwar emphasised that every effort to end violence and protect innocent lives must be pursued with sincerity and urgency. He reaffirmed Malaysias full ..

KUALA LUMPUR : ASEAN and its Plus Three partners must strengthen collaboration in empowering women through digitalisation by focusing on capacity-building, innovation, and cross-border platforms. Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang proposed three key areas of cooperation for the regions way forward in supporting womens empowerment through technology. She emphasised that capacity-building should involve sharing training programmes and digital literacy modules so ..

KUALA LUMPUR : His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim was presented with the Budget 2026 proposals by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during an audience at Istana Bukit Tunku. The King granted the audience to the Prime Minister earlier today according to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandars official Facebook page. Anwar, who also serves as the Finance Minister, is scheduled to table the budget proposals in Parliament tomorrow. The Prime Minister had previously briefed media editors in ..

KUALA LUMPUR : The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) is advocating for enhanced research and development funding in Malaysias Budget 2026. Minister Chang Lih Kang identified three priority areas requiring budgetary attention to sustain national progress. These priorities include strengthening the R&D; sector, developing the startup ecosystem, and cultivating a science culture nationwide. Chang emphasised that consistent R&D; investment is essential for translating research into ..

KUALA LUMPUR : The Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Womens Wing has welcomed the SOORIAN programme as a transformative platform for the Indian community. MAICCI Womens Wing head Hemala AP Sivam described the initiative as enabling greater participation in Malaysias franchise sector. She stated that the programme reflects the governments strong commitment to inclusive growth. Through strategic components such as training, mentorship and financial access, SOORIAN ..

SHAH ALAM : The Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency detained a passenger boat carrying 48 people, far exceeding its permitted capacity of 12 passengers. The detention occurred approximately 0.4 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Ketam following a public complaint received around 1.55 pm. Selangor MMEA director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh stated his department acted immediately on the information about an overloaded boat at the Pulau Ketam passenger jetty. A MMEA ..

KUALA LUMPUR : The High Commission of India in Malaysia has announced a new digital option for foreign visitors to complete their arrival documentation. Foreigners travelling to India can now fill out the Disembarkation Card either online or upon arrival at immigration counters. This initiative aims to reduce congestion and ensure smoother clearance processes for international travellers. Physical submission of the card will continue alongside the digital option until the system stabilises ..

KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysia will not waver in standing up for the truth and will continue to stand firm with the international community that loves peace in opposing the atrocities committed by the Zionist regime against the people of Gaza. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia, together with the international community, will also continue to demand that humanitarian aid be delivered immediately to the oppressed people of Gaza. He said Malaysia will continue to strengthen solidarity ..

GERIK : Inland fishermen around Tasik Banding have been advised not to leave their nets or fishing gear in the water for too long, as such practices can compromise safety and tarnish the image of the area, one of Peraks key eco- tourism destinations. Perak Fisheries Department director Mohd Ghazali Abdul Manap said the measure was crucial to prevent accidents involving tourist boats, which could become entangled or damaged due to the irresponsible actions of a few fishermen. Weve seen nets ..

BANGI : The Nuklear Malaysia Vision 2030 (WNM 2030) is being strengthened through the implementation of strategic policies guided by the principles of professionalism, innovation, and social responsibility, said Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuklear Malaysia) director-general Dr Muhammad Rawi Mohamed Zin. He said that as the countrys lead agency for nuclear technology, it is committed to ensuring that every measure outlined in the vision, along with nuclear technology development initiatives, ..

KUALA LUMPUR : Prasarana Malaysia Bhd has expressed hope that the government will continue the unlimited monthly travel pass initiative and provide strong support for the Shah Alam Line (LRT3) project in the upcoming Budget 2026. The company said the unlimited pass has proven to be an effective measure in easing the rakyats cost of living by offering affordable mobility options for all. At the same time, we believe continued government backing for LRT3, which is nearing completion, is vital in ..

KUALA LUMPUR : Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has travelled to Myanmar for discussions with the countrys top leadership. He announced his departure on social media, confirming meetings with President Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Prime Minister U Nyo Saw. Mohamad will also hold talks with his Myanmar counterpart U Than Swe during the one-day working visit. His visit addresses recent ceasefire violations that have undermined peace efforts and worsened the situation. The Foreign ..

KUALA LUMPUR : Issues concerning naturalised football players and social security protection for workers are scheduled for discussion in the Dewan Rakyat today. Zakri Hassan from Perikatan Nasional will ask the Home Minister for statistics on players naturalised from 2018 to the present. He will also seek clarification on the eligibility criteria used by the government or the Football Association of Malaysia in determining a players naturalisation. Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa from Barisan Nasional ..