https://www.scmp.com/rss/323276/feed The latest news, analysis and opinion on The Star Online. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com By Diyana Pfordten Malaysia’s Penang state will overtake Perak within the next two decades to become the country’s “oldest”, according to new government statistics. At present, 15.3 per cent of Perak’s population are aged 60 or older, followed by Penang with 14.9 per cent, Melaka with 13.9 per cent, Perlis with 13.1 per cent and Kedah with 12.8 per cent. But new projections from Malaysia’s Department of Statistics predict that by 2040, the proportion of over 60s in Penang will rise to 26.2 per... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3047100/malaysias-states-set-rapidly-age-they-fail-retain-young?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3047100/malaysias-states-set-rapidly-age-they-fail-retain-young?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jan 2020 02:31:17 +0000 Malaysian police say a serial rapist known as the ‘Datuk’ lured young women with supposedly lucrative job offers on a mobile phone app. Police believe the ‘Datuk’ – a term referring to a male elder – raped at least two women over a three-month period after posting job opportunities on the Bigo Live mobile application. However, Kajang police’s Assistant Commander Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof said that while police had so far received only two reports about the man, the ‘Datuk’ could have targeted... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3046861/malaysian-serial-rapist-known-datuk-preyed-women-using?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3046861/malaysian-serial-rapist-known-datuk-preyed-women-using?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jan 2020 09:57:35 +0000 Controversial political consultation firm Cambridge Analytica (CA) allegedly pitched a proposal to the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the party of Najib Razak, Malaysia’s former prime minister, to influence the voting of 40 parliamentary constituencies in the 14th General Election (GE14) in 2013, according to leaked files. The files, unveiled by former CA business development director Britanny Kaiser, includes a document on the email correspondence between several people in October... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3044630/leaked-files-show-najibs-umno-used-cambridge-analytica?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3044630/leaked-files-show-najibs-umno-used-cambridge-analytica?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Jan 2020 23:00:12 +0000 A total of 373 Chinese nationals have been charged in court for entering the Malaysia without a valid permit. They were part of the group of 680 suspected scammers who were rounded up during a large-scale operation by the Immigration Department in Cyberjaya on November 20. Separated into batches of 10, the Chinese nationals were brought to the Sepang Court Complex at 7.30am and produced before Sessions judge Tengku Shahrizan Tengku Lah at 8am. Aged between 23 and 38, the group of 355 men and 28... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3042012/anti-scam-crackdown-sees-373-chinese-nationals-charged?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3042012/anti-scam-crackdown-sees-373-chinese-nationals-charged?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Dec 2019 09:09:54 +0000 China will not tolerate misbehaviour involving its nationals in Malaysia, according to Beijing’s ambassador to the country. Chinese ambassador Bai Tian said the embassy had received several reports of tourists who did not respect the sensitivities of Malaysians. Saying this caused much embarrassment to the Chinese government, he added: “The Chinese have a civilisation dating back 5,000 years and we know how to behave properly and not offend others.” Bai Tian said Chinese tourists had spent 12.3... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3039107/chinese-nationals-will-be-taught-how-behave-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3039107/chinese-nationals-will-be-taught-how-behave-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Nov 2019 07:06:31 +0000 By Remar Nordin A court in Malaysia has ordered the release of a woman who was arrested two years ago after her car ploughed into a group of teenage cyclists, killing eight of them. Siti Hajar Ali, a magistrate in Johor Baharu, ruled that the prosecution had failed to provide enough evidence against the accused, 24-year-old Sam Ke Ting, and ordered that her driving licence – which had been suspended following the crash in the early hours of the morning on February 18, 2017 – along with 10,000... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3035197/malaysian-court-orders-release-woman-driver-charged?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3035197/malaysian-court-orders-release-woman-driver-charged?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Oct 2019 09:27:29 +0000 Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah – the hereditary ruler of the central Malaysian state of Pahang – will be sworn in as Malaysia’s 16th Yang di Pertuan Agong (or king) today, January 31, replacing Sultan Muhammad V who abdicated on January 6. The 59-year-old was elected to serve a five-year term by eight other Malay sultans in the country’s Conference of Rulers. Malaysia follows a rotation system involving the nine royal houses. Malaysia falls in love with new Pahang sultan’s handsome... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/2183668/what-we-know-about-malaysias-next-king-sultan-abdullah?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/2183668/what-we-know-about-malaysias-next-king-sultan-abdullah?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Jan 2019 01:03:14 +0000 Bank Negara Malay­sia (BNM) is still deciding if cryptocurrencies should be banned altogether in Malay­sia. When asked if there were any plans to ban cryptocurrencies similar to what has been done by China’s government, BNM governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim said: “it is something that we will be deciding by the end of the year.” Muhammad said that the guidelines that will be issued by the end of the year will tell how would the country approach cryptocurrencies. “It’s now only October and in... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2114144/malaysias-central-bank-deciding-if-cryptocurrencies-should?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2114144/malaysias-central-bank-deciding-if-cryptocurrencies-should?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Oct 2017 09:15:30 +0000 By Kathleen Ann Kili An Indonesian man was injured in his ear and neck after a colleague lost his cool and stabbed him for apparently playing video games too loudly at a workers’ hostel in the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru. Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm Noor Hashim Mohamad said that the 39-year-old suspect went into a rage as the noise coming from the next room was disturbing his sleep. He walked into the victim’s room and attacked the Indonesian man, in his 20s, with a penknife at about... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2113949/indonesian-man-malaysia-stabs-colleague-and-goes-back-bed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2113949/indonesian-man-malaysia-stabs-colleague-and-goes-back-bed?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Oct 2017 05:30:15 +0000 A video clip of a white cat refusing to leave an elderly cat-lover's grave at the Al-Hidayah Mosque in Kelibang in Malaysia has gone viral. The clip has been viewed more than 5 million times since it was uploaded by Facebook user Soffuan CZ. He wrote that his grandfather Ismail Mat passed away on Sunday shortly after he visited him. “While the talqin was being read at the funeral, the white cat came and started circling the grave. “My grandfather was a man who loved cats” he later said. Some... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2111787/cat-mourning-refuses-leave-masters-grave-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2111787/cat-mourning-refuses-leave-masters-grave-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Sep 2017 03:30:15 +0000 Malaysia leads in WhatsApp news usage globally, according to a digital report. Digital News Report 2017 by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University said 51 per cent of Malaysian news consumers used WhatsApp to find, share or discuss news in a given week. Comparatively, only three per cent in the United States used the popular messaging platform. Brazil and Chile were Malaysia’s rivals in WhatsApp news consumption at 46 per cent and 39 per cent respectively. According to... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2110629/malaysia-leads-whatsapp-news-consumption?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2110629/malaysia-leads-whatsapp-news-consumption?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Sep 2017 06:00:15 +0000 Some 5,000 hotels around the Malaysia have started implementing the tourism tax for foreigners. Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) president Sam Cheah Swee Hee said hotel operators started the collection of tourism tax last Friday. “Not all hotel operators are ready. We will do it manually until the system is ready,” he said when contacted. Cheah said hoteliers will submit their collection to the Customs and Excise Department by next month. The Customs and Excise Department is taking a... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2109695/5000-hotels-malaysia-have-started-collecting-tourism-tax?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2109695/5000-hotels-malaysia-have-started-collecting-tourism-tax?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Sep 2017 10:00:45 +0000 By Rahmah Ghazali A Malaysian activist was allegedly punched in the face by an express bus driver after reporting him for falling asleep behind the wheel. Thomas Fann, an activist from non-governmental association Engage, said the incident occurred on Sunday when he was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Baru. He said the incident happened when the bus stopped at a traffic light. “All other vehicles had moved but our bus remained stationary for about 10 minutes. “Puzzled, I went to the front... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2108634/bus-driver-malaysia-allegedly-punches-man-who-caught-him?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2108634/bus-driver-malaysia-allegedly-punches-man-who-caught-him?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Aug 2017 08:45:30 +0000 Baz Mazwin Nik Anis Attending school was a painful experience for Muhammad Fathul Naqib Fakrul Iskar, who had to face taunts from other students everyday for being born without a left arm. But things are looking up for the Year One pupil from SK Kampung Tengah in Kemaman, Terengganu, who has been given a prosthetic limb courtesy of MyVista Sdn Bhd, a 3D printing company. Since he received the bright red prosthetic, Muhammad Fathul Naqib is now known as “Iron Man” after the Marvel superhero. “I’m... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2108104/malaysian-boy-now-iron-man-new-arm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2108104/malaysian-boy-now-iron-man-new-arm?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Aug 2017 07:00:15 +0000 Thirty-three Malaysian websites have been de­faced yesterday, accor­ding to CyberSecurity Malay­sia. “The incident is real and we are investigating, monitoring and working closely with other agencies to mitigate it,” said CyberSecurity Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab. Some of the websites – blogs which are relatively unknown, and are not affiliated to any official body or large corporation – were defaced by the hacker group ExtremeCrew and featured the official... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/2107788/malaysian-websites-hacked-after-flag-blunder?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/2107788/malaysian-websites-hacked-after-flag-blunder?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Aug 2017 07:30:00 +0000 By Elroi Yee and Ian Yee They are sold a dream – of a ticket to study and work in a foreign country, but after spending their family’s entire savings, they are caught in the harsh reality of being trafficked and trapped in a constant cycle of exploitation and extortion. Thousands of young Bangladeshis have been trafficked to Malaysia through obscure private colleges and their unscrupulous “agents”. Some pay over RM20,000 (US$4,660), equivalent to three years’ wages in Bangladesh, for the agents... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2106684/student-trafficking-network-malaysian-colleges-exposed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2106684/student-trafficking-network-malaysian-colleges-exposed?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Aug 2017 04:30:45 +0000 By Sharanpal Singh Randhawa An Indonesian woman was tied to a tree and watched in horror as five bogus policemen robbed and killed her husband at a hill near the Bukit Bintang Maya housing project in the Malaysian crowd of Sungai Petani. State CID chief Senior Asst Comm Mior Farid Alathrash Wahid said they found the body of Myanmar national Min Tun Um, 54, with stab wounds on his abdomen, and his neck slashed.. “The couple had been married for two years. The man was selling drinks at the project... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2103269/bogus-malaysian-cops-tie-woman-and-kill-her-husband?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2103269/bogus-malaysian-cops-tie-woman-and-kill-her-husband?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Jul 2017 07:45:30 +0000 Khamaruzaman Mohd Yusof, a former Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) officer and a person with disabilities, wants to set a world record by flying solo around the world next year. The 57-year-old served the RMAF for 13 years from 1979, where he developed his love for flying. He took up flying courses and received his pilot’s wings from the Southern Illinois University in the United States using his own funds. Khamaruzaman became physically disabled in 2007 after an accident while cutting a tree,... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2102976/disabled-pilot-plans-make-fastest-round-world-trip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2102976/disabled-pilot-plans-make-fastest-round-world-trip?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jul 2017 09:45:30 +0000 The smugglers thought it was a raid by the authorities when a speedboat approached their vessel south-west of Pulau Cupu. In their panic, the crew dump­ed 629 kilos of cannabis worth about RM1.8mil (US$422,193) into the sea. They later found out it was only a passing boat. The Malaysian Maritime En­­force­ment Agency (MMEA) was tipped off about the incident. “Our vessel Petir 81, which happened to be conducting Ops Satria Utara nearby, rushed to the area. “However, when our vessel reached there,... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2097120/us422000-drugs-thrown-sea-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2097120/us422000-drugs-thrown-sea-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jun 2017 08:15:15 +0000 By Hanis Zainal Michael Chong, the head of the Malaysian Chinese Association’s Public Services and Complaints Department in Malaysia has dealt with every problem under the sun from loan sharks to missing teenagers. But when he has a problem, who does he turn to? Chong gave a press conference yesterday to highlight a broken fish hook that he found in a fish head curry. “We were in a restaurant in Petaling Jaya. I chose this place because I like the fish head curry there. “I was halfway through... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2093780/malaysian-department-head-lodges-complaint-over-foreign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2093780/malaysian-department-head-lodges-complaint-over-foreign?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 May 2017 08:30:00 +0000 Malaysia appears to be a transit point for the illegal trade of pangolins, just as it is in the trafficking of ivory, said a wildlife group. Traffic South-East Asia senior programme manager Kanitha Krishnasamy said pangolins and its scales smuggled from Africa were transiting through South-East Asia on to other destinations in Asia, or end up in selected markets, especially those in the Mekong region. She said pangolin scales and ivory were being smuggled together, and this came to light... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2093580/malaysia-transit-point-pangolin-and-ivory-smugglers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2093580/malaysia-transit-point-pangolin-and-ivory-smugglers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 May 2017 07:30:00 +0000 By Tho Xin Ii Continuing his earlier contributions to Chinese schools in Malaysia, China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang donated RM200,000 (US$44,969) to 10 Chinese primary schools and a conforming secondary school here during a half-day visit to the town of Raub. Each school received between RM12,000 (US$2,698) and RM50,000 (US$11,242) depending on their situation such as the need to repair administration blocks or upgrade computer classrooms. The oldest school in Raub – SJK(C) Yuh... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2070349/chinese-ambassador-malaysia-donates-us45000-11-schools?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2070349/chinese-ambassador-malaysia-donates-us45000-11-schools?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Feb 2017 03:30:45 +0000 Laws on cyber bullying are being drafted in Malaysia, said the country’s Deputy Educa­tion Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon. The ministry was also looking at similar laws in other countries to see how best it could be applied here, he said. Cyber bullies will usually post pic­­tures and unsubstantiated re­­marks against their target, which can in­­clude threats, sometimes sexual in nature. Chong said although the ministry barred students from carrying mobile phones to school, cyber bullying can... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/2068707/laws-cyber-bullying-being-drafted-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/2068707/laws-cyber-bullying-being-drafted-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Feb 2017 04:00:15 +0000 By Fatimah Zainal While the Year of the Rooster has kicked off, the future looks bleak for Malaysia’s very own endangered red junglefowl. Known for its brilliantly coloured plumage, it used to be found foraging in the wild. This type of fowl lives in a mix of open ground and dense vegetation such as around villages, plantations and the edges of towns and cities. These days, it is getting harder to spot these fowls thought to be the wild ancestors of the domestic poultry. “The red jungle fowl is... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2067431/malaysian-conservationists-crying-fowl-over-dwindling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2067431/malaysian-conservationists-crying-fowl-over-dwindling?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Feb 2017 02:45:30 +0000 AirAsia X has received clearance from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to fly to any destination in the US, making its foray into an entirely new market as it looks beyond the Asia Pacific. “The airline is the first Asian low-cost carrier to secure approval to operate scheduled passenger flights to the US,” it said on Tuesday. AirAsia X is considering flights to several US states including Hawaii as part of its route expansion plans. Its group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said this was a... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2065271/malaysias-airasia-x-gets-faa-clearance-fly-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2065271/malaysias-airasia-x-gets-faa-clearance-fly-us?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Jan 2017 03:30:15 +0000 By Sharanpal Singh Randhawa A religious teacher driving home after school in the district of Besut in Malaysia met a tragic end when the car she was driving fell into a three metre-deep drain by the side of a flooded road. Even as she was drowning, Masnim Ngah, 41, an ustazah at the Besut Vocational College, tried to call her husband. Ahmad Ruzaizi Mahmud, 46, could only listen in horror as the water submerged the car. He rushed to the scene but was too late. Ruzaizi, who is a teacher at SK... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2064593/woman-calls-husband-her-car-swept-floods?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2064593/woman-calls-husband-her-car-swept-floods?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jan 2017 05:30:00 +0000 By Eugene Mahalingam Malaysian automotive sales plunged 13 per cent year-on-year to 580,124 units in 2016, its first decline after six consecutive years of growth.  Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad attributed the weaker sales to the moderating economy, lower consumer spending and cautious business sentiment.  Vehicle sales hit a record-breaking 666,674 units in 2015.  Going into 2017, the MAA is projecting total industry volume (TIV) to hit 590,000... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2063601/malaysian-vehicle-sales-down-13-cent-last-year-its-first?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2063601/malaysian-vehicle-sales-down-13-cent-last-year-its-first?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Jan 2017 09:15:00 +0000 By Joseph Chin Malaysia’s Gadang Holdings Bhd and its JV partner BT Solar Sdn Bhd have received the go-ahead from authorities to build a large scale solar photovoltaics (PV) plant of 5.9 MW in the Malaysian state of Sabah. Gadang said its unit Regional Utilities Sdn Bhd (RUSB) and BT Solar – RUSB - BTS Joint Consortium - had accepted the letter of acceptance of offer from the Energy Commission dated December 15, 2016. Gadang had received the consent from EC to disclose the contract. “The letter... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/2061962/large-scale-solar-plant-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/2061962/large-scale-solar-plant-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Jan 2017 09:30:30 +0000 Four immigration officers in the Malaysian state of Selangor were entrusted to receive and process applications for international passports. Having access to the applicant database, they did much more than their job scope. The quartet would pocket the RM200 (US$44.69) international passport application fee received over the counter by “converting” the paid applications to that submitted by OKU (disabled) persons, who are entitled to free passports. The officers had been pocketing large sums this... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2061192/four-malaysian-immigration-officers-arrested-suspicion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2061192/four-malaysian-immigration-officers-arrested-suspicion?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Jan 2017 05:45:00 +0000 A survey of the crocodile population in the Malaysian city of Sabah will be carried out before any decision is made about allowing the seasonal hunting of the reptiles to control the increase in its numbers in recent years. The Wildlife Department would be carrying out the population study, said state tourism, culture and environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. Masidi said rural folk could, however, apply to the department to hunt crocodiles that were posing a danger to them. Department... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2060841/survey-determine-whether-crocodiles-can-be-hunted-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2060841/survey-determine-whether-crocodiles-can-be-hunted-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Jan 2017 06:00:45 +0000 By Joseph Chin Malaysian utility company Tenaga Nasional is buying a 50 per cent stake in Vortex Solar Investments S.a.r.l. for RM474 milllion (US$106 million) under its five-year international expansion roadmap to boost its power generation capacity including renewable power. The power giant said on Friday the purchase would enable it to have a stake in the company which holds certain interest of solar photovoltaic (PV) project companies that own and operate solar PV projects in the UK with a... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/2059971/malaysian-utility-company-us106m-deal-uk-solar-firm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/2059971/malaysian-utility-company-us106m-deal-uk-solar-firm?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Jan 2017 09:00:00 +0000 By Simon Khoo, Mazwin Nik Anis and Austin Camoens Three months after trailing him, the Malaysian-Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) moved in and arrested Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Arif Ab Rahman at his home just as he was about to leave for work. Gold bars, 150 luxury handbags, branded watches and foreign currencies were found after officers searched the property in USJ3, Subang Jaya, for 12 hours. The gold bars and Australian and Euro currencies seized... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2059526/malaysian-anti-corruption-commission-arrests-ministry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2059526/malaysian-anti-corruption-commission-arrests-ministry?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jan 2017 03:15:45 +0000 Each time Malaysian daredevil rooftopper Keow Wee Loong posts a picture of his latest stunt online, the 27-year-old is prepared for a backlash – on the ground! The climber, who has scaled some of the tallest buildings in the world and even crossed into radioactive zones, says the negative reactions still puzzle him. “People call me stupid for endangering my own life. First of all, it is not a crime. It’s just a calculated risk to explore. “When Westerners do it, they will say ‘wow awesome!’,” he... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2059193/malaysian-daredevil-backs-selfie-stunts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2059193/malaysian-daredevil-backs-selfie-stunts?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Jan 2017 03:00:30 +0000 The developer of a convention centre here has started a probe to find out how a youth managed to trespass into its site and scale to the top of a crane there. A self-recorded video of the youth’s stunt was uploaded on YouTube on December 31 by the YouTube account “Viral Malaysia”. When he reached the top, the youth sat down and continued recor­­ding himself, with the Greentown commercial area visible in the background based on several notable landmarks there. When contacted, the developer of... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2058844/developers-probe-trespass-youths-crane-climb-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2058844/developers-probe-trespass-youths-crane-climb-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Jan 2017 03:15:45 +0000 By Intan Amalina Mohd Ali Despite global reports that more people died from taking selfies than from shark attacks, it appears that Malaysians are still going the extra length to capture a “killer shot”. The latest case happened on Saturday evening when a motorcyclist stood on the guardrail at Penang Bridge to take a selfies with his friends. “One of them stood on the guardrail with a selfie stick, while the rest were standing on the emergency lane posing for picture,” said tow truck service... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2058642/man-flirts-death-killer-shot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2058642/man-flirts-death-killer-shot?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Jan 2017 03:00:30 +0000 By Muguntan Vanar   On the East Coast of Malaysia, Sabah woke up this New Year’s Day to a new reality; that its critically endangered Borneo Pygmy elephants are being hunted for their ivory. In the space of just two months, two elephants – including a rare sabre-tusked animal whose rescue from a Tawau plantation in August was featured in newspapers – were found killed. All fingers are now pointing at poachers who are eyeing the tusks for the lucrative international ivory trade. Conservationists... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2058639/poachers-hunt-ivory-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2058639/poachers-hunt-ivory-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Jan 2017 02:45:00 +0000 Two new laws will be in place to regulate electronic cigarettes and vapes in Malaysia. One will replace the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 while the other will be drafted to regulate electronic cigarettes and vapes that do not contain nicotine, said the country’s Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry. The ministry said the target was for these laws to be in place within two years. “In the meantime, the sale of electronic cigarettes and vapes will remain under... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2058184/laws-control-e-cigarettes-pipeline-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2058184/laws-control-e-cigarettes-pipeline-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Dec 2016 07:00:15 +0000 By Christopher Tan K. Kamatchi was left at an orphanage when she was five. She is now 73 and is both a matriarch and grandmother to the 49 children at the Ramakrishna Ashrama in Scotland Road. “I only remember I was sent to the home by someone. I have never seen my parents. I came from Singapore,” the frail-looking septuagenarian said when met at the 1st Avenue shopping mall yesterday. Kamatchi, who has no family members, said she studied until Year Three at the Ramakrishna Primary... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2057863/woman-abandoned-68-years-malaysian-orphanage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2057863/woman-abandoned-68-years-malaysian-orphanage?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Dec 2016 03:45:45 +0000 By Rahimy Rahim Malaysia’s Health Ministry has disposed of nearly RM2mil (US$446,678) worth of expired or spoilt drugs and medicines over a two-year period from 2014. Most of the medicines had been returned to government pharmacies by patients under the minis­­try’s “Return Your Medicines” (PPU) programme, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. Some of the drugs which the mi­­nistry disposed of, including anti-venom, were rarely used but govern­ment hospitals need to always... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2057369/malaysian-ministry-destroys-rm2mil-worth-expired-meds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2057369/malaysian-ministry-destroys-rm2mil-worth-expired-meds?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Dec 2016 02:45:45 +0000 By Muguntan Vanar An Indonesian family of seven and two Malaysian masterminds involved in the issuance of fake Malaysian identity cards, or MyKad, were nabbed during a six-hour sting operation by the National Registration Department (NRD) in Tawau, Malaysia. The family, including a pair of twin brothers, apparently acted as agents in the sale of the fake identity cards to the large migrant population in Tawau, Semporna and Kunak. The family members, aged between 20 and 60, were arrested at their... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2056823/masterminds-nabbed-over-fake-malaysian-identity-card-sales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2056823/masterminds-nabbed-over-fake-malaysian-identity-card-sales?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Dec 2016 03:30:30 +0000 By M. HAFIDZ MAHPAR Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), which manages most of the country’s airports, has filed for arbitration against three consulting firms that were involved in the KLIA2 terminal project, seeking claims totalling as much as RM298 million (US$66.5 million) plus interest. In three separate statements to Bursa Malaysia, MAHB said it had issued notices of arbitration to KLIA Consultancy Services Sdn Bhd, Straits Consulting Engineers Sdn Bhd and HSS Engineers Bhd’s associate... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/2056808/malaysia-airport-company-seeks-us67m-compensation-consultants?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/2056808/malaysia-airport-company-seeks-us67m-compensation-consultants?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Dec 2016 03:00:15 +0000 Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) will reduce its crude oil output up to 20,000 barrels per day starting from January 2017 in line with the oil producers’ move to shore up oil prices. The national oil company said the voluntary adjustment was based on the prevailing market conditions and prospects and based on Malaysia’s average production for this year. Petronas said the adjustment followed the pact made in Vienna, Austria on December 10 between the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/2056371/petronas-reduce-crude-oil-output-20000-barrels-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/2056371/petronas-reduce-crude-oil-output-20000-barrels-day?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Dec 2016 09:30:45 +0000 It was a historic moment for Malaysia and India when the leaders of the two countries used digital technology to hold a video conference for the first time to forge closer ties. The 30-minute live crossover session between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi saw both leaders expressing a common goal of establishing a strategic partnership with Malaysia as a gateway to Asean, to achieve stronger inter-Asian ties. Najib praised Modi for bringing much... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2054850/modi-and-najib-forge-closer-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2054850/modi-and-najib-forge-closer-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Dec 2016 06:45:15 +0000 Sabah’s dusk-to-dawn curfew in East Malaysia, which has been in force for over two years in waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), will continue until Dec 29. The curfew was supposed to have ended at 6pm yesterday. Sabah police commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said they received information that kidnapping gangs from southern Philippines and Abu Sayyaf militants were still trying to sneak into Esszone waters. “This curfew is also enforced to help ease the... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2054430/threat-kidnapping-gangs-brings-extended-curfew-coast-east?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2054430/threat-kidnapping-gangs-brings-extended-curfew-coast-east?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Dec 2016 03:47:27 +0000 Forty-six Chinese guilds and associations in Malaysia have signed the Belt and Road Declaration initiated by MCA to show their support for the ambitious strategy from China. The signing ceremony at Wisma MCA, Kuala Lumpur, was witnessed by party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and China’s ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Huang Huikang. Among others, the declaration expressed their commitment to promoting peaceful co-existence and a win-win cooperation in... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2054171/forty-six-chinese-groups-malaysia-affirm-support-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2054171/forty-six-chinese-groups-malaysia-affirm-support-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Dec 2016 05:21:54 +0000 Two heavily armed drug dealers were killed when they opened fire on a team of policemen closing in on them in a remote plantation in the east coast Kunak district in East Malaysia. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdul Harun said the men, in their 30s, were killed in the shootout early yesterday. He said acting on information, Kunak police chief Superintendent Mohd Nasaruddin Nasir had led the team to a hut in the plantation in Ulu Tingkayu, a two-hour drive from Kunak. “Upon... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2054170/armed-drug-dealers-killed-shootout-police-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2054170/armed-drug-dealers-killed-shootout-police-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Dec 2016 05:15:30 +0000 By Maizatul Nazlina A po­licewoman in Malaysia has been sentenced to seven years’ jail for deliberately not providing information on terror activities to the police. Judicial Commissioner Nordin Hassan meted out the maximum jail sentence under Section 130M of the Penal Code on Kpl Jusninawati Abdul Gani, 35. The sentence takes effect from March 22, the day Jusninawati was arrested. Nordin said it was a serious offence and the court had to pass a deterrent sentence. “The accused failed to carry... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2052569/malaysian-cop-jailed-withholding-terror-info?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2052569/malaysian-cop-jailed-withholding-terror-info?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Dec 2016 07:45:00 +0000 The lower value of the ringgit Malaysia has brought more tourists to the country. Hotel rooms are heavily booked and helping to bring foreign currency into the local economy. Hotels in Penang, especially those in the city, are seeing almost 80% to 90% occupancy rates. The year-end school holiday season brought in a good number of outstation crowds to the city hotels. Tourists from Singapore are flocking to the beach hotels along Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi. Cititel Penang, The Wembley... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2051752/economic-boost-lower-ringgit-prompts-tourists-flock?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2051752/economic-boost-lower-ringgit-prompts-tourists-flock?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Dec 2016 03:39:16 +0000 Choi Hon Ming, a professional clown, was on his way to see a would-be client in Butterworth, Malaysia. Sadly, there was to be no laughter, only tears. The 32-year-old was killed along with two others on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway on Thursday night after he was hit by a stray bullet when a bodyguard turned on his boss and driver. Choi’s sister Poh Peng, 37, said he had bid goodbye to her before leaving home. “That was the last I saw him alive. “I waited till 3am for him to come home.... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2051746/tears-clown-and-florist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2051746/tears-clown-and-florist?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Dec 2016 03:29:28 +0000 By Farik Zolkepli Security has been stepped up nationwide in Malaysia, especially along the coast of Sabah, following the attack by Philippines’ Military (ATF) on the Maute militant group in Mindanao, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. The Malaysian Defence Minister said Malaysia’s military had been instructed to be on alert as remnants of the militant group might seek refuge in other parts of the region, including Malaysia, following the attack on its hideout in Mindanao on Nov 27. “We have... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2051171/malaysia-alert-after-attack-maute-militants?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2051171/malaysia-alert-after-attack-maute-militants?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Dec 2016 07:31:35 +0000