LOS ANGELES, May 5 — Country music legend Dolly Party on Monday announced the cancellation of a series of Las Vegas concerts, citing ongoing health concerns.

Parton, 80, said in videos posted to her social media accounts that although treatment for an unspecified illness was going well, she wasn’t ready to be performing on stage.

The “9 to 5” singer had previously postponed the Las Vegas residency, which was originally scheduled to kick off last year.

“The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day now,” she said in the video on Monday.

“It’s going to take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level,” she said, adding that medicines she’s taking were making her light-headed and woozy.

“Of course, I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such, on five-inch heels, and you know that I’m going to be wearing them. Not to mention all those heavy rhinestone outfits, the big hair, my big personality,” she joked.

Parton said her doctors were working hard on strengthening her immune and digestive systems.

“They assure me that everything I have is treatable,” she said.

Speculation over Parton’s health last year – following her sister’s public request for prayers – prompted the music legend to post a video addressing her fans titled “I ain’t dead yet!”

In her latest video, Parton – whose husband Carl died last year – thanked fans for their support and said she was still working on various projects including a museum and hotel set to open in Nashville, Tennessee later this year, and a Broadway musical. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — Indian star Vijay has scored a victory in his political debut, with his party emerging as the single largest force in the Tamil Nadu state elections on Monday.

The win sent waves of excitement through his fanbase, including in Malaysia, where a local tea shop celebrated by giving away hundreds of free drinks "out of sheer love for Vijay."

India’s Election Commission officially declared last night that Vijay’s party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), had won 108 seats.

The actor also secured personal victories in both constituencies he contested, Tiruchi East and Perambur.

While TVK emerged as the single-largest party, it fell 10 seats short of the 118 required for a simple majority in the 234-seat state legislature.

This leaves Vijay, whose full name is Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, needing to secure alliances to form the next government and potentially become the state's next chief minister.

His rivals, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), secured 59 and 47 seats respectively.

One of India's highest-paid actors, Vijay launched TVK in February 2024, trading his stardom for full-time politics after completing his final film.

His journey was not without challenges, including a tragic stampede at a rally last October and personal controversies.

Tea Kadai served nearly 300 free tea for customers to celebrate Vijay’s triumph in the recent Tamil Nadu state elections. — Picture courtesy of Tea Kadai

Local celebrations and Malaysian ties

In Malaysia, the news was met with jubilation. Mohamed Rizwan Abdul Ghafoor Khan, co-founder of the popular Tea Kadai chain, took his celebration a step further.

After seeing Vijay’s commanding lead in the polls, his outlets in Penang and Kuala Lumpur offered free tea to all customers who presented a congratulatory poster of the actor.

They served nearly 400 cups of free tea from 4pm until midnight.

“We are doing this out of sheer love for Vijay sir,” Mohamed Rizwan told Malay Mail.

Vijay has long-standing ties to Malaysia, having filmed blockbusters like Kuruvi (2008) and Kaavalan (2011) here.

His Thalapathy Thiruvizha swansong concert and movie album launch at Bukit Jalil National Stadium last December drew a record-breaking crowd of nearly 80,000 people.

• The four “Undangs” or ruling chiefs of Negeri Sembilan have to follow the procedures in the state’s Constitution, legal experts said.
• Based on the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution, the Undangs’ recent attempt to “sack” Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Negeri Sembilan’s Yang di-Pertuan Besar is invalid.
• This is because procedures in the State Constitution were not followed, constitutional experts said.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — Over the past few weeks, Negeri Sembilan was rocked by an attempt by four traditional ruling chiefs (“Undangs”) to remove the state ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

But legal and constitutional experts have said that this attempted removal of Tuanku Muhriz is invalid, and that he is legally still the ruler of Negeri Sembilan.

Here are six things you need to know:

1.    Firstly, who are the Undangs and what role do they play?

Based on the Adat Perpatih or custom practised in Negeri Sembilan, there are four Undangs or ruling chiefs for four traditional territories (Sungai Ujong, Rembau, Jelebu, Johol).

Under Negeri Sembilan’s written State Constitution, the Undangs’ roles include electing the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, and being able to call for him to temporarily withdraw or permanently give up his position.

The Yang di-Pertuan Besar is Negeri Sembilan’s ruler, and this position is equivalent to that of the Sultans of other states.

When asked by Malay Mail, both former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Md Yunus and constitutional lawyer Datuk Malik Imtiaz Sarwar confirmed this:

• The Undangs have to carry out their roles and functions according to the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution.
• The Undangs have to act according to the procedures in the State Constitution.

In summarising the entire situation in Negeri Sembilan, former Court of Appeal judge Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof said the Negeri Sembilan state constitution must be followed, as the provisions inside are not just “formalities” but would ultimately determine what is legal and valid. 

“The current controversies are not merely a matter of adat, but involves interpretations of constitutional provisions in the State Constitution, some expressly stated,” he told Malay Mail, adding that he based his views regarding this issue on accepted principles of constitutional interpretation. 

“Where words in the Constitution are clear, they must be given effect to promote the intention behind these words.

“It is not a question of mere formality to be ignored, but one of legality and ultimately validity,” said Ariff, who is also a former Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

2.    How did the Undangs try to ‘sack’ Tuanku Muhriz? 

On April 17, the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar announced that Datuk Mubarak Dohak was no longer the Undang of Sungai Ujong, based on a meeting by the “Dewan Keadilan dan Undang” (“The Council of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs”) where the Yang di-Pertuan Besar was present and led.

Just two days later, Mubarak and three Undangs declared — in a video streamed “live” on Facebook — that Tuanku Muhriz was purportedly “sacked” or deposed, and also named a new ruler.

But Hishamudin said Tuanku Muhriz remains the Negeri Sembilan ruler: “The declaration was not valid. The declaration, since it was not valid, has no effect on the position of His Highness. In other words, His Highness is still the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.”

3.    What does the law say about the procedure to remove a Negeri Sembilan ruler?

Based on the State Constitution’s Article X, the Undangs can ask the Negeri Sembilan ruler to temporarily withdraw or permanently give up his position and powers — but only if one of four conditions have been met.

And how will the Undangs decide if any of these four conditions are met? 

There must be a “full and complete enquiry”.

Hishamudin said the Undangs’ April 19 move to attempt to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar under Article X is “unprecedented” in the state’s centuries-old history.

“It has never happened before in the history of Negeri Sembilan, ever since the installation at Penajis, Rembau, in 1773 by the Undangs of the invited Minangkabau Prince, Raja Melewar, from the Pagaruyung kingdom, as the first Yang di-Pertuan Besar.”

4. What should a “full and complete enquiry” look like?

Imtiaz said that there are no court decisions on how Article X should be interpreted, including what a “full and complete enquiry” covers.

“However, it stands to reason that the enquiry must be one which is carried out in a manner which entails the Ruler being given a right to be heard and the Undangs having considered all relevant matters.”

Pointing out the seriousness of removing the Negeri Sembilan ruler as it would involve a loss of powers and affect his reputation, Imtiaz said a ruler should have a chance to answer allegations against him in a hearing before an impartial panel. 

“A determination that the Ruler is to be removed on grounds of an alleged defect would self-evidently deprive the Ruler of vested powers and privileges, as well as have a bearing on his reputation, and he would thus be entitled to a determination which accords with law and the rules of natural justice i.e. a right to be heard before an impartial tribunal,” he said.

Imtiaz pointed out that the Federal Constitution’s Article 8(1), which guarantees the right to equal protection of the law and equality before the law, “applies to all persons”. 

Constitutional lawyer Datuk Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said a ‘full and complete enquiry’ should mean an impartial hearing for a Negeri Sembilan ruler.—Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

Based on practices of the courts and tribunals, Hishamudin said the words “full and complete” enquiry on such a grave matter as the removal of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar can only mean this: “There must be a proper formal inquiry that complies with the necessary procedure to ensure that justice is not only done, but must be seen to be done. 

“The rules of natural justice must be strictly adhered to. This means that any Undang that has an interest in the case must recuse himself,” he said.

Hishamudin said “it is obvious” that Mubarak should have recused himself from participating in the Undangs’ decision-making process to remove the Negeri Sembilan ruler.

This is because Mubarak’s May 13, 2025 removal as Undang by the Sungai Ujong adat authority had subsequently been confirmed via an April 17 advice of the Dewan Keadilan and Undang presided by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

“Datuk Mubarak is disputing his removal. That makes him a person having an interest in the Undangs’ decision against His Highness. It is a basic principle of law that no man shall be a judge of his own cause.

“Further, the Undangs conducting the inquiry must ensure that the complaints or allegations against His Highness are not frivolous,” he said.

Hishamudin added that the allegations or complaints to be considered by the Undangs in the enquiry must only be on the four matters specifically listed in Article X(1).

Hishamudin, however, also said there has been no news reports on what are the allegations against the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, or whether the Undangs had ever carried out any enquiry.

Based on basic principles of administrative law and similar procedures by tribunals in the process to remove persons in high places, Hishamudin also explained the process that should be present in a “full and complete enquiry” by the Undangs:

“For the purpose of the enquiry, the relevant witnesses relied upon by the Undangs must be called and carefully examined to ensure their credibility. The relevant incriminating documents (if any) must be carefully scrutinised as to their authenticity and contents. 

“The rule of natural justice must be observed. This means that His Highness should be given an opportunity to appear at the inquiry; to know what are the charges against him, to cross examine the witnesses and to inspect the documents (if any). His Highness should have the right to engage a counsel and to reply to all the allegations, including the calling of witness to testify on his behalf,” he said.

Previously, Ariff said the Menteri Besar’s position of not recognising the Undangs’ “declaration” to remove Tuanku Muhriz is “constitutionally and legally correct”, as the constitutional requirements under Article X(1) — including to have a full and complete enquiry — appear to have been ignored.

Former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Md Yunus said the failure to have a valid written joint proclamation by the Undangs and Menteri Besar would make the removal of a ruler invalid. ‘Under the hands’ typically means a document needs to be signed. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

5.    What is this requirement for a “proclamation” by the Undangs and MB?

Under the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution’s Article X, a “proclamation” has to be issued “under the hands of the Undangs and the Menteri Besar” on the temporary withdrawal from duties or abdication of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

Hishamudin said this would “obviously” need to be a written proclamation and that “it must be gazetted for public information”.

“No, it is not just a formality. The Proclamation is an important piece of instrument. Without a Proclamation signed by the Yang Teramat Mulia (YTM) Undangs and the Hon. Menteri Besar, any decision made by the YTM Undangs pursuant to Article X(1) has no force of law,” he said when explaining how this would result in any move to remove a ruler having no legal effect.

Imtiaz also said such a proclamation “must be in writing”, highlighting that this would ensure the power to remove a ruler is exercised properly as the menteri besar would not be involved in the enquiry of the ruler.

“I do not think this requirement can be dismissed as a mere formality. The requirement that it be under the hands of the Undangs and the MB (who is not part of the tribunal) points to this being a part of the checks and balances under Article X to ensure that the power is invoked properly and for proper purpose,” he said.

6.    No ‘full and complete enquiry’, no valid ‘proclamation’ = Ruler’s removal is invalid 

Asked whether the Undangs’ declaration to remove Tuanku Muhriz was valid, Imtiaz said this would depend on whether Mubarak was removed as an Undang, as there could not have been a valid enquiry if he was no longer an Undang.

“If Datuk Mubarak participated notwithstanding his removal (assuming this to be the case), then the enquiry and the decision reached would not have been valid as, in effect, a non-undang was involved. As I recall, his statement on 19th April implied that he had been involved,” he said.

If the process and decision to remove Tuanku Muhriz were not valid, then the remaining three Undangs can carry out a fresh enquiry, he said.

But if Mubarak had not been removed, then the validity of the bid to remove the Negeri Sembilan ruler would depend on whether Article X had been complied with, Imtiaz said.

The Undangs’ declaration to remove Tuanku Muhriz would be invalid regardless of Mubarak’s status, if there was no “full and complete enquiry” and if there was no valid “proclamation”, Hishamudin said.

“The absence of the two points alone would be enough to make the purported ‘proclamation’ by the Undangs on 19 April 2026 invalid, without the need to take into account the status of YTM Datuk Mubarak,” he said.

Assuming that Mubarak had been validly removed, “that would be an added reason as to why the Undangs’ ‘proclamation’ was invalid”, the ex-judge added.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — A desire to savour the rich taste of fresh durian, the ‘king of fruits’ and to witness Malaysia’s beautiful beaches firsthand inspired Yang Zhi Jun from Chengdu, China, to learn and master the Malay language.

The 21-year-old, who chose to pursue Malay studies at Chengdu University of Foreign Languages, had dreamed of visiting Malaysia for the past three years.

That dream became a reality in late April when the third-year student arrived in Malaysia as one of 59 participants in the 2026 China-Malaysia Youth Language and Cultural Interaction Camp, organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) in collaboration with 13 higher education institutions in China.

Held from April 27 to 30, the camp aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between Malaysia and China in education, particularly through the promotion of the Malay language, cultural exchange, and youth leadership development.

Yang, who also goes by her Malay name Zarina, could hardly contain her excitement when sharing her experience with Bernama.

“Our visit was short, just three days, but I had the chance to taste real durian at Jalan Alor in Bukit Bintang.

“In China, we usually get frozen durians imported from Malaysia, but if you want to taste fresh durian straight from the spiky fruit, you have to come to Malaysia,” she said.

Malay language as a career advantage

Another participant, 20-year-old Ratna Chen, a third-year Malay language major at Sichuan International Studies University, said her decision to learn Malay was influenced by the wide range of career opportunities in Malaysia, often highlighted by friends and family back home.

“Many seniors have secured good jobs in Malaysia and are earning well. For a brighter future, I chose to major in Malay at university.

“Although it was challenging at first, especially in terms of pronunciation and grammar, our lecturers, who are Malay teachers fluent in Mandarin, helped us a lot not only in mastering the language but also in understanding Malay culture and traditions,” she said.

Cultural appeal and Belt and Road influence

Director of the Centre for Malaysian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), Prof Dr Su Ying Ying, said increasingly close Malaysia-China relations in recent years have encouraged people from both countries to learn each other’s languages and better understand their cultures.

She noted that Malaysia is widely seen in China as a culturally rich, safe and welcoming country, making it an attractive travel destination.

“Malaysia’s cultural diversity is a major draw. Many parents in China strongly support their children in pursuing Malay studies.

“In addition, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has played a significant role in boosting interest in the Malay language, as many related projects are being carried out between Malaysia and China, with numerous major Chinese companies establishing operations here.

“This creates job opportunities for students and offers a practical pathway for building careers in Malaysia while broadening their global outlook,” she said.

Statistics from Malaysia’s Home Ministry show that as of August 15, 2025, there were 30,679 Chinese nationals registered as professional expatriates in Malaysia.

Under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, 26,162 mainland Chinese nationals were residing in Malaysia as of December 2024, holding long-term visas for retirement, education and investment purposes.

Some of the participants of the 2026 China–Malaysia Youth Language and Cultural Interaction Camp. — Bernama pic

Language as a bridge across cultures

Meanwhile, DBP Chairman and National Laureate Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan said language is not merely a tool of communication but also a vehicle of thought, a carrier of values, and a reflection of a nation’s civilisation.

“In international relations, language serves as a bridge connecting differences in culture, history and worldviews.

“When Chinese citizens learn Malay, they are not just learning a language or exploring a culture, they are gaining an advantage: understanding the soul of the Malaysian people, fostering cultural appreciation, expanding educational and career opportunities, and strengthening regional cooperation.

“As the Malay proverb goes, ‘tak kenal maka tak cinta,’ one cannot love what one does not know,” he explained.

He added that programmes such as the language and cultural interaction camp help nurture strong Malaysia-China ties through youth-driven cooperation and mutual understanding.

Boosting tourism through language

Beyond cultural exchange, proficiency in Malay among Chinese nationals could also help promote Visit Malaysia 2026 and encourage more tourists from China.

President of the Malaysia International Tourism Development Association, Captain Mahadzir Mansor, said Mandarin-speaking Malaysians and Malay-speaking Chinese nationals alike play a role in promoting Malaysia’s tourism offerings, from traditional food to scenic destinations.

To attract more visitors, the association plans to introduce a ‘digital cultural card’ from mid-year, allowing Chinese tourists to collect points redeemable for discounts on travel packages.

“We are targeting around 500,000 tourists from China through this initiative.

“If achieved, it will have a significant impact on the country’s tourism sector and economy,” he said when met on the sidelines of the launch of the Visit Malaysia 2026 Digital Cultural Card Project here. — Bernama

GERRINGONG (Australia), May 5 — Viral posts of an Australian street dubbed the country’s “most beautiful” have enticed coachloads of visitors to a picturesque seaside town — and locals have had enough of it.

Just a two-hour drive south of Sydney, Gerringong is much like many other photogenic hamlets along Australia’s east coast, with multi-million-dollar properties set against stunning views of the azure blue sea.

But recent posts on Instagram, TikTok and as far afield as China’s RedNote showing the town’s Tasman Drive have left residents fuming that their little slice of paradise has turned into an internet sensation.

“It’s getting beyond a joke for a small country town,” Peter Hainsworth, 81, told AFP as tourists frolicked on the rolling hills nearby.

“You’ve got people who are trying to do three-point turns, they’re standing in the middle of the road taking photographs, they’re leaving their rubbish.

“Everyone’s fed up.”

Nearby, tourists posed in the middle of the road for selfies to the fury of a sweary local resident on a bicycle who declined to speak to AFP.

Overtourism concerns have sparked backlash in many hotspots worldwide, from European cities Barcelona and Venice to Japan — where officials erected a barrier to block a popular view of Mount Fuji in 2024 because of the disruptive behaviour of unruly tourists.

Some Gerringong residents have resorted to extreme measures, turning on garden sprinklers to prevent tourists from taking pictures on their lawns.

Others are setting up a committee to demand the road be declared a one-way street — a bid to halt the seemingly endless stream of cars slowing to a halt as they film the viral view.

One neighbour reportedly sold their house to escape the furore.

“It’s nice to see people enjoying it, but really, it’s just getting a bit too much,” resident Linda Bruce, 76, told AFP on a hill next to the viral view.

“It’s just so weird to see so many people coming all this way for the view.”

Viral posts of an Australian street dubbed the country’s ‘most beautiful’ have enticed coachloads of visitors to a picturesque seaside town. — AFP pic

Thanks to the massive reach of the posts, which have racked up millions of views, tourists have come from across Asia — an “unusual” sight in Gerringong, Bruce said.

“I mean, it’s an amazing country, and it’s there to share... it’s just a bit much for the locals.”

‘Totally stunned’

Some of the tourists have had less far to travel.

Sagar Munjal, a 28-year-old taxi driver living in Parramatta, near Sydney, drove down with friends to see the view after spotting it on Instagram.

“My eyes were totally stunned,” he said.

“You can enjoy the coastal drive with the beach plus beautiful mountains.”

“I was amazed to see that.”

Andy Liao, a property developer originally from Chengdu, China who now lives in Sydney, told AFP he and his family had driven down after seeing the street on RedNote.

“The landscape is so beautiful,” he said. “That’s why I drove two hours.”

But Andy said he understood why locals might be annoyed with the attention.

“If I’m living here, I don’t want too many people coming to my backyard.”

Others were less sympathetic to the residents’ plight.

Kevin Medina, a 22-year-old cook from Colombia, provoked a string of expletives from one local when he took selfies on the roadside.

“They should be really happy, because are they getting more people to know this beautiful place.”

‘Why are they doing this?’

Chief among the locals’ complaints is that the tourists are not spending money in the area — they simply show up, snap their selfies and leave.

Deputy mayor and local business owner Melissa Matters told AFP the financial impact was mixed.

“Some businesses are experiencing not a lot of uptake,” but others “are doing quite well out of it”, she said.

And while many residents had moved down from the big city seeking a quiet life, Matters said Gerringong was hardly a stranger to outsiders.

“We’ve always been about tourism here.”

Back on Tasman Drive, tourists excitedly posed for pictures next to a speed bump sign as a grumbling resident glared at them.

“You sort of wonder, why are they doing this?” Bruce said.

“Is it because they really, really love the area and think it’s so wonderful to see the view, or are they just ticking off another box on their to-do list?” — AFP

DENPASAR, May 5 — Buckets of blooms adorn Yuvita Anggi Prinanda’s sidewalk flower stall in Bali, but their perfume can’t mask the stench of accumulating trash bespoiling parts of the resort island famed for its natural beauty.

Bali’s largest landfill was declared off-limits for organic waste from the beginning of April, as the government moves to enforce a longstanding ban on open tips.

But with no immediate alternatives provided, trash is piling up in the streets and attracting rats, or being set alight by frustrated residents, causing acrid smoke that has prompted health concerns.

“As a business owner, this is a real nuisance,” Yuvita told AFP.

She has dipped into her meagre profits to pay a private company to remove the trash from near her stall.

“Some customers, perhaps bothered by the smell, ended up not making a purchase,” the 34-year-old told AFP.

Her shop alone generates about four large black bags full of waste every day, mostly leaves and flower cuttings — adding to the island’s estimated 3,400 tons of daily garbage output.

On paper, Indonesia has banned open landfills since 2013, but it is only now attempting to fully implement the measure.

‘Not a good look’

At Kuta beach, a popular tourist spot regularly inundated with plastic debris that washes ashore, rubbish bags are piled up waist-high in a parking lot.

“You have many rats here at nighttime. The smell is not very good... it’s not a good look,” said Australian visitor Justin Butcher.

Around seven million tourists visited Bali last year, vastly outstripping the island’s native population of around 4.4 million, and contributing to Bali’s waste output.

People caught dumping or burning trash risk up to three months’ jail time and a 50-million rupiah (nearly RM11,400) fine, according to I Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, the head of Bali’s public order agency, but many feel they have no other choice.

Rubbish piles up on a street in Denpasar on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on April 24, 2026. — AFP pic

On April 16, hundreds of sanitation workers drove waste-filled trucks to the governor’s office in protest.

“If we don’t collect our client’s trash, we are in the wrong, if we collect it, where do we dispose it?” said protester I Wayan Tedi Brahmanca.

In response, the local government said it would allow limited disposal of waste at Suwung as a temporary measure until the end of July.

But from August, the government has vowed to end all open landfills nationwide, though it is unclear what alternatives will be in place by then.

‘People need guidance’

Nur Azizah, a waste management expert at Gadjah Mada University, told AFP the Suwung landfill received about 1,000 tons of waste per day and has been overcapacity for years.

Up to 70 per cent is organic waste that “is dangerous because over time it generates methane, which could explode and cause landslides”.

This has happened several times, including a March collapse at Indonesia’s largest landfill outside Jakarta that buried trucks and food stalls, killing seven people.

Nur said the only long-term solution was a mass campaign to educate people on managing organic waste, mainly through composting.

Yuvita agreed.

“People need guidance. It’s like when someone cannot swim, they shouldn’t be told to jump right in,” she said.

The head of Denpasar’s environment and forestry agency Ida Bagus Wirabawa told AFP the government has been running awareness campaigns since last year, and handing out composting containers.

Indonesia’s 284 million people produce more than 40 million tons of rubbish per year, nearly 40 per cent of its food waste and nearly a fifth plastic, according to the environment ministry.

Only about a third gets “managed”, meaning recycled or processed, according to Nur.

The rest ends up in nature.

Fewer than a third of the country’s 485 landfills have shuttered since the ban on open dumping came into force on paper about 13 years ago.

“We have not been managing waste properly, resulting in an emergency in all cities and regencies,” then-environment minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq told reporters recently. He has since been replaced.

The government aims to break ground on several waste-to-energy projects in June, including one in Bali that could process about 1,200 tons of waste daily, but these could take years to come online. — AFP

CARDIFF, May 5 — Wales—the cradle of Britain’s revered National Health Service and a former industrial powerhouse—has been a Labour Party stronghold for well over a century.

But that is set to end in crunch polls Thursday as impatient Britons abandon their old political loyalties for anti-establishment parties amid persistent cost of living pressures.

A Labour defeat in the country of three million people will be a major indictment of lacklustre UK leader Keir Starmer’s two-year-old premiership and likely amplify calls for his resignation.

“I feel very sad that I’m not voting Labour this time,” said 59-year-old Ross Mumford, explaining he had always supported the centre-left party, just like his father and grandfather.

“It’s been a part of the family but it’s coming to an end this year,” the delivery driver told AFP outside the Welsh parliament in the capital Cardiff.

Wales, with its strong working-class roots and deep sense of community, has been woven into the fabric of Labour since the party was founded in 1900.

The party’s first leader, Keir Hardie, represented a constituency in the country’s industrial South Valleys, while Welshman Aneurin Bevan spearheaded the founding of the NHS in 1948.

Labour has led Wales’ devolved government—whose powers include running health, education and transport—since the inception of the parliament, called the Senedd, in 1999.

Polls widely predict that 27-year-run will finish when voters head to the polls on May 7, although a new voting system means who will triumph instead is uncertain.

Reform UK liturature during campaigning for the Senedd election in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales on April 24, 2026. Wales -- the cradle of Britain's revered National Health Service and a former industrial powerhouse -- has been a Labour Party stronghold for well over a century. But that is set to end in crunch polls next week as impatient Britons abandon their old political loyalties for anti-establishment parties amid persistent cost of living pressures. — AFP pic

‘Upset’ 

Surveys show Labour trailing the hard-right Reform UK party and progressive Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru, mirroring a UK-wide squeeze of Britain’s ruling party from both ends of the political spectrum.

Mumford thinks Starmer has “lied through his teeth” in a scandal over sacked US envoy Peter Mandelson. He will vote Reform, believing firebrand leader Nigel Farage is a straight-talker.

“Let’s give them a try. What have we got to lose?” he said, a common refrain among voters unhappy with how Labour has governed the UK since July 2024 following 14 years of Conservative rule.

Hope Porter, 35, another previous Labour voter told AFP she will likely cast her ballot for the left-wing Greens. She is angry at Starmer’s stance on the Gaza war.

“They’re Tories in red at this point. I don’t think they are actually for working class people anymore,” the artist said, enjoying an evening stroll outside the Senedd.

In Cardiff city centre, sitting near a statue of ex-Labour MP Bevan, 83-year-old Sue Jenkins said she isn’t ready to give up on Labour yet.

The retiree thinks Starmer “could do better” but feels he has done well to stand up to President Donald Trump over the US and Israel conflict.

“If Labour don’t get in, I’ll be very upset,” Jenkins told AFP.

Labour candidate Huw Thomas insists one party will find it difficult to win a majority, meaning “it’s all to play for”.

“The narrative that this is the end of the Labour Party in Wales, I don’t think that’s a given,” he told AFP.

Twenty-three miles (37 kilometres) north in Merthyr Tydfil—where Hardie was an MP—half a dozen Reform volunteers hand out fliers from under a gazebo.

Several passing drivers sound their horns in support, receiving thumbs up from the canvassers, although one woman shouts “racists” at the group.

Unemployment and deprivation are the main issues in the post-industrial town once famous for its coal mining and ironworks, says candidate David Hughes.

“People are losing hope,” the 59-year-old told AFP.

‘Enormous problems’ 

Volunteer Robert Clarke, 69, likes Reform’s pledge to scrap net zero energy targets—he’s “not a great fan” of wind turbines on Wales’ rolling hills—and cut irregular immigration.

“Unless we change the direction this country is taking, I feel my grandchildren will not have a country,” he told AFP.

In the nearby picturesque town of Pontypridd, Plaid Cymru campaigners buoyantly knock on doors, sensing victory in another traditional Labour heartland.

“We’re definitely picking up disaffected voters,” candidate Heledd Fychan told AFP, saying people felt “betrayed” by Labour’s moves to remove heating subsidies from the elderly.

Back in Cardiff, 65-year-old retired teacher Ceri James says he will vote for Plaid because of their “positive” messaging.

Speculation is rife in Westminster that losing Wales could be the moment restless Labour MPs decide to try to oust Starmer as leader.

Defeat “will pose enormous problems for the party,” politics expert Laura McAllister of Cardiff University told AFP. — AFP

BEIRUT, May 5 — In a parking lot strewn with rubbish near Beirut’s Mediterranean coast, Hassan Yahya has taped a cardboard sign to a traffic signal pole beside the tarp tent that now serves as his home.

“Kfar Kila welcomes you,” read the lines scrawled in thin pen.

The flimsy board recalls a signpost that once stood dozens of miles away at the ‌entrance of the centuries-old village of that name. Kfar Kila is one of about a dozen villages along Lebanon’s southern border that have been progressively flattened by waves of Israeli bombardment over the past two and a half years.

Now, as Israeli forces move in with controlled detonations and bulldozers, the villages are being effectively erased, vibrant communities reduced to lifeless moonscapes.

Like tens of thousands of other southerners, Yahya has watched his ancestral lands transformed into a “buffer zone” that Israel is clearing to secure its border.

In Lebanon, villages occupy a profound psychological and cultural space: centres of gravity where families converge from across the country and world, maintaining roots by investing in homes and forging communal ties to the rhythm ‌of weddings, holidays and olive harvests.

Practically everyone knows their family’s village — “day’a” in the local dialect — even if they left generations ago. The sudden disappearance of these settlements has cut hundreds of thousands adrift.

“It’s like fish, if they leave the water, they die,” said 58-year-old Yahya, squatting on a plastic chair in his tent as a generator thrummed behind him. “We can’t leave. We die.”

Israeli forces say Kfar Kila and other levelled villages are havens for Hezbollah, the political and military movement they have fought since the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel of October 7, 2023, hurled the region into conflict.

The Israeli military told Reuters that Kfar Kila had been designated a “flagship village of Hezbollah” and had hosted “extensive terrorist infrastructure”, including in homes and schools. It said Israeli forces had seized more than 90 truck-loads worth of weapons there in 2024 and more this year, adding that the military strived to mitigate harm to civilians. Reuters was unable to independently verify their assertions.

The latest round of fighting, which broke out early last month when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with its attacked ally Iran, has forced 1.2 million Lebanese people from their homes, about a fifth of the population.

To reconstruct life in one of Lebanon’s vanished villages, Reuters spoke to five former residents of Kfar Kila now scattered across the country and used satellite images, social media posts, and photos and videos shared by them and others to see what has become of their communities.

Some of the earliest mentions of Kfar Kila appear in the 10th-century travelogues of the Arab geographer Al-Maqdisi and later in the records of Ottoman tax collectors and colonial-era British surveyors.

Before war erupted in 2023, about 5,500 people lived there, according to Kfar Kila mayor Hassan Sheet. Farming dominated life, the climate supporting crops from wheat and grapes to watermelons, tobacco, tomatoes, parsley, fava beans and olives.

The village prized its olive oil, sold nationwide and drawing buyers from as far as Beirut, he added.

Daily life revolved around bakeries, restaurants and cafes where residents gathered to play cards and trade gossip and jokes. During weddings, the community would come together for a week of feasting funded by gifts to the groom. On ‌the day of Ashura, commemorating the death of the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson Imam Hussein, crowds thronged in the village centre, climbing onto rooftops to watch men in medieval dress reenact the Battle of Karbala, where Hussein was killed 1,300 years ago.

Hassan Yahya, a displaced man from Kfar Kila village, hangs the name of his village, Kfar Kila, on his tent in Beirut, Lebanon, April 3, 2026. — Reuters pic

‘It all went up in smoke’

Much of the two decades preceding the ⁠October 7 attacks saw relative prosperity for Kfar Kila, Sheet said. Schools and clinics opened, literacy rose, roads to the city of Nabatieh and other nearby hubs ⁠expanded horizons. Expats sent money home from Europe, the Gulf and Africa.

Yahya’s brother’s children, who lived in Sweden, built a house beside the Fatima Gate, a historic border crossing which became a local attraction as restaurants ⁠sprang up near a replica of Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock and a graffiti-covered wall ⁠built by Israel along the frontier. Yahya himself built a three-storey house ⁠of cement and stone in the village, and installed an oven in the basement to serve pastries to friends.

Within days of the attacks, though, Hezbollah launched a “war of support” for Hamas, firing missiles into Israel. The Israeli border town of Metula was particularly heavily hit, with hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed, according to Israeli media outlets.

Israel responded with a ferocious air and ground campaign, concentrated heavily in the south. By January 2024, Kfar Kila was nearly empty, Sheet said.

In the months that followed, Israel said it destroyed dozens of underground structures and hundreds of Hezbollah weapons found in the village.

Hezbollah officials have repeatedly condemned the village demolitions and denied ⁠the group places military infrastructure in areas where civilians live. Its media office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the demolitions and the Israeli military’s statement about Kfar Kila.

Before the war, Hezbollah made no secret of its plans to invade northern Israel, even inviting reporters to observe its fighters simulate such an attack, and described its tunnel network as extensive. At least one of four tunnels found by Israel in 2018 ran from Kfar Kila under the border and up to Metula.

Soon after the conflict broke out, Yahya went north from Kfar Kila before ending up in Beirut. His neighbour and childhood friend, Kheder Hammoud, settled near the Syrian border. Grocery store owner Jameel Fawwaz, whose shop and home were destroyed, fled first to the southern town of Habbouch and later to a school in the coastal city of Sidon that sheltered hundreds of people who had lost their homes.

“It all went up in smoke,” Fawwaz said, sitting by a wall at the school bearing dozens of paper signs put on display by displaced residents to remember the names of villages hit by the war, including Kfar Kila.

Iran war brings fresh pain

A ceasefire in November 2024 prompted some residents to return. But by then nearly 85 per cent of ⁠buildings in Kfar Kila had been destroyed, Sheet said. Among them was the newly built home of Yahya’s extended family, completed just before the war.

A few residents, including Hammoud, set up prefabricated homes near the ruins, hoping to rebuild. In February this year, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited Kfar Kila and promised impatient residents that reconstruction would start soon.

Instead, war returned within a month. This time, Israeli forces used controlled demolitions and bulldozers.

In one video, verified by Reuters and first posted on social media in late March, ⁠an earthmover can be seen moving on the western outskirts of the village. Reuters could not confirm who was operating the machine.

By late April, Israeli forces had destroyed over 90 per cent of homes in Kfar Kila, an Israeli military official told Reuters, requesting anonymity to discuss security matters.

With little hope of returning soon, many former ⁠Kfar Kila residents now rely on sporadic calls ⁠to maintain ties. When someone dies, Yahya said, “We just pick up the phone. That’s it.” Marriages, if they happen at all, often take place without fanfare, Sheet said.

Though Israel says the buffer zone is temporary, many Lebanese fear it will become permanent. The Golan Heights, captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, was annexed in 1981. The West Bank, captured from Jordan in the same war, is now home to hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers.

One day this month, Hammoud drove his battered sedan from the northern mountains to the Beirut parking lot to visit Yahya.

They paced together, Hammoud leaning on his late mother’s walking stick, one of the few items salvaged from his home, and recalling ‌the days of their youth.

“Everything in the old village has meaning and significance for us — the historic houses, our family’s homes, the homes of our ancestors,” he said. “These things are impossible to bring back.”

Sheet, the mayor, echoed this as he sat in his uncle’s home in a village in the country’s central mountains, where he’d taken refuge.

“There’s a spiritual connection, psychological connection, a connection with your roots - a very strong one. This is fundamental for Kfar Kila,” he said. “It’ll take time, for sure, but when we get back, we’ll rebuild.”

He paused.

“This isn’t just talk,” he said. “We’re going back.” — Reuters

PARIS, May 4 — Three people have died and three are ill after a Netherlands-based cruise ship was ‌hit by a suspected outbreak of hantavirus, authorities and media reports said on Sunday.

Here is information about the virus.

Spread by rodents

Hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents ‌but can be transmitted between people in rare cases, according to the World Health Organisation.

People most typically become infected when virus in rodent droppings, saliva and urine becomes airborne, such as when areas where rats and mice have nested are swept out.

According to The Lancet medical journal, the name comes from the Hantan River area of South Korea, where the virus was identified in the 1970s.

Can be fatal

Hantavirus is a family of viruses that cause two illnesses, one that primarily ‌affects the lungs and the other that attacks the kidneys. The ⁠first gets the most attention because ⁠it has a high fatality rate of about ⁠40 per cent.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, the ⁠respiratory illness, is most ⁠commonly found in North and South America.

According to the Canadian government, about 200 cases of hantavirus pulmonary illness occur each year worldwide.

Concert ⁠pianist Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in New Mexico in 2025, according to autopsy results.

Symptoms

Hantavirus usually begins with flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and fever, one to eight weeks after exposure, according to the CDC.

Four to 10 days later, ⁠coughing, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs appear.

Diagnosis in the first 72 hours of infection is difficult, the CDC says, ⁠so symptoms can easily be mistaken for flu.

Treatment

There is no specific ⁠therapy for ⁠hantavirus infection, so treatment focuses on supportive care including rest and fluids. Patients may need breathing support such as a ventilator.

Prevention

Experts say exposure to hantavirus ‌can be minimised by deterring and eliminating rodents from areas where people are. Avoid vacuuming or sweeping dried droppings, which can aerosolise the virus. — Reuters

YEREVAN (Armenia), May 4 —Armenia hosts major summits today it hopes will edge the former Soviet republic closer to Europe, as Yerevan cautiously moves to loosen its long-standing reliance on Russia.

Here are five things to know about the landlocked South Caucasus country:

Between Moscow and the West 

Armenia’s constrained geography shapes a delicate diplomatic balancing act.

Landlocked and with closed borders to arch-foes Turkey and Azerbaijan, it relies on Georgia and Iran for access to global markets, limiting its room for manoeuvre.

Long anchored to Russia for security, Armenia hosts a Russian military base and remains part of Moscow’s security and economic alliances.

But ties have cooled as Yerevan questions the reliability of its traditional ally, which failed to come to its aid when Azerbaijan moved to recapture the long-disputed Karabakh region in 2023.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has cautiously deepened engagement with the European Union and the United States, seeking economic support and political backing.

Armenia—which has frozen its participation in the Russia-led collective security organisation—has avoided a full break with Moscow, reflecting both economic dependence and the realities of its volatile neighbourhood.

Star-studded diaspora 

More Armenians live abroad than in the country itself, forming a vast global diaspora estimated at eight to 10 million people compared to Armenia’s population of some three million.

Notable members include Kim Kardashian, Cher and French singer Charles Aznavour.

The diaspora swelled after the mass killings and deportations of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during World War I—massacres which Yerevan and many historians recognise as genocide, while Turkey rejects the label.

The largest cohorts live in Russia (1.5 million), the United States (1.3 million) and France (400,000).

Armenians outside the country play a key role in the domestic economy and politics through remittances, investment and lobbying.

First Christian country 

Armenia is often described as a biblical land.

The country prides itself on being the first state to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD.

Ancient monasteries dot its rugged landscape, perched on cliffs or tucked into remote valleys.

The Armenian Apostolic Church remains a powerful institution, closely tied to language and heritage in a country that has seen centuries of foreign domination by the Persian, Ottoman and Russian empires.

In the fifth century, the Bible was translated into Armenian using the distinctive alphabet created by Saint Mesrop Mashtots.

Pedestrians walk past a poster announcing the upcoming first EU泡rmenia Summit, in Yerevan on May 2, 2026. — AFP pic

Stone fountains 

Small stone drinking fountains known as “pulpulaks” are popular across the country, from the capital Yerevan to remote mountain villages.

Fed by natural springs, they offer free, continuously flowing cold water and are typically built as public gifts, sometimes dedicated to loved ones or historical figures.

Their understated design, carved in tuff stone, blends into the landscape, with locals hailing them as a reflection of Armenia’s culture of hospitality.

Betting on a tech future 

With few natural resources, Armenia is investing in technology and education to drive growth. Building on strong Soviet-era scientific training, it has developed a vibrant IT sector and startup scene.

Armenia’s IT sector has surged since 2017. According to official figures, the number of companies rose from 650 to more than 12,000, employment nearly tripled and turnover and exports grew more than threefold, underscoring its expanding economic role.

Tens of thousands of Russians—mostly young men avoiding conscription—moved to the country after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Many are remote tech workers, contributing to the development of the sector, though the influx has also triggered angst among locals as rent prices surged.

The government is promoting ambitious projects, including large-scale AI infrastructure, in a bid to position the country as a regional innovation hub.

The strategy aims to reduce economic dependence and offer opportunities for young people who might otherwise leave the country. — AFP

SEOUL, March 4 — A North Korean women’s football club will become the first sports team from the country to play in South Korea since 2018 when they visit this month, Seoul’s unification ministry said today.

The neighbours remain technically at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, and sporting and cultural exchanges between them are very rare.

Naegohyang Women’s FC will play the South’s Suwon FC Women on May 20 in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League.

The visiting delegation will include 27 players and 12 club staff, the ministry said. South Korea’s football association told AFP that the team would arrive on May 17.

They will fly into Incheon airport on an Air China flight from Beijing, a unification ministry official told reporters.

The winner of the match at Suwon Sports Complex, south of the capital Seoul, will play the final of Asia’s top women’s club competition against either Australia’s Melbourne City or Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza on May 23.

“The losing team in the semi-final will return home on Thursday, May 21, with no third-place playoff scheduled,” the ministry said in a press release.

The match will be the first time a North Korean sports team has played in the South since shooting, youth football and table tennis delegations travelled there in 2018.

The last time Pyongyang sent a women’s football team to the South was in 2014, when the North Korean national team took part at the Asian Games in Incheon.

Founded in 2012 and based in the North Korean capital, much of Naegohyang’s squad is “made up of national team-level players”, the ministry said.

North Korea’s national team is one of the dominant forces in Asian women’s football, winning multiple international titles in recent years, especially at youth level.

The most recent one came in November last year, when they defeated the Netherlands 3-0 in the final of the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Peace overtures 

The announcement comes as Seoul seeks a rapprochement with Pyongyang after years of bad blood.

South Korea’s dovish President Lee Jae Myung has called for talks with the North without any preconditions, saying the countries are destined “to make the flowers of peace bloom”.

The North has not responded to the Lee administration’s overtures and has repeatedly labelled the South its “most hostile” adversary.

For Seoul, the match is an opportunity to establish “at least a basic communication channel between North and South Korea”, Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert at the South’s Kyungnam University, said.

“It could become a chance to test peaceful coexistence,” he told AFP.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to boost his nuclear forces, and Pyongyang conducted four missile tests in April, the most in a single month for over two years.

Pyongyang has also drawn closer to Russia, sending troops and artillery shells to support its invasion of Ukraine.

Observers say Pyongyang is receiving military technology assistance from Moscow in return. — AFP

SEMPORNA, May 4 — The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized 575 kilogrammes (kg) of ammonia fertiliser believed to be used to produce fish bombs in a boat abandoned in the waters of Pulau Bum Bum here yesterday.

MMEA Semporna maritime zone director Cmdr (M) Amir Shubli said the seizure at 4 m occurred after a patrol detected a suspcious pump boat at 0.2 nautical miles north of the island and saw a suspect jump into the sea.

“A suspect escaped by swimming to the shore nearby, and inspections of the boat revealed 22 sacks of ammonia fertiliser with an estimated weight of about 575kg.

“The material is believed to be used for fish bombing, and using such methods is a criminal offence as it is capable of destroying the marine ecosystem,” he said in a statement here today, adding that it would cause devastation to coral reefs.

The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Control of Supplies Act 1961, he said. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — The ringgit strengthened against regional peers at the close as investors’ risk appetite improved, underpinned by growing confidence in safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

At 6pm, the local currency also firmed to 3.9540/9575 against the US dollar from 3.9690/9740 at Thursday’s close.

The local market was closed on May 1 for the Labour Day public holiday.

SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said the United States’ signal that it is preparing to safeguard energy shipments points to easing geopolitical tensions, giving risk assets room to recover.

According to reports, President Donald Trump said the United States would begin escorting neutral foreign vessels through the Strait of Hormuz from Monday, describing the move as a “humanitarian gesture” to protect countries caught in a conflict not of their making.

He said the United States would use its “best efforts” to guide ships and crews through the restricted passage, adding that vessels would not return until conditions were safe for navigation.

Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said shipping executives remain cautious about the initiative, given limited details.

“In addition, such an act could provoke Iranian forces, leading to further escalation with the US.

“As such, traders are likely to watch Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting, particularly its latest assessment of the Malaysian economy,” he told Bernama.

At the close, the ringgit traded mostly lower against a basket of major currencies.

It slipped against the Japanese yen to 2.5186/5210 from 2.4907/4942 at last Thursday’s close, depreciated versus the British pound to 5.3612/3660 from 5.3593/3661, but rose against the euro to 4.6329/6370 from 4.6417/6476 previously.

However, the local currency was firmer against regional peers.

It strengthened against the Singapore dollar to 3.1019/1049 from 3.1061/1103 at last Thursday’s close, gained against the Thai baht to 12.1460/1631 from 12.1711/1932, edged up versus the Indonesian rupiah to 227.3/227.6 from 228.7/229.2, and advanced against the Philippine peso to 6.42/6.43 from 6.45/6.47 previously. — Bernama

GEORGE TOWN, May 4 — The organisers of a hill run in which a participant died of heatstroke, the first such fatality in Penang linked to the current hot spell, have been found to have complied with all established standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Penang Youth, Sports, and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the organisers had provided all essential requirements, including sufficient water stations and medical teams along the route, and had acted promptly when the victim was found to be unwell.

“The victim, a 42-year-old man from Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, successfully completed the 30-kilometre category before collapsing, and the medical team immediately rushed him to the hospital for treatment, but he later passed away.

“The cause of death was confirmed as heatstroke. It is possible the man had underlying health conditions, especially as the event featured categories of up to 50 kilometres,” he told a press conference at his office in Komtar today.

The Penang State Health Department (JKNPP) reported yesterday that the victim died on April 26 following his participation in the run.

Gooi said the SOP compliance is a prerequisite for the approval of any sporting event in the state, particularly regarding the provision of medical teams for emergencies.

“To date, paramedic coverage for sporting events in Penang has been adequate. We advise the public participating in sports to remain aware of their health levels, stay hydrated, and avoid pushing themselves beyond their physical limits,” he said.

In another development, Gooi said Penang remains free from monkey malaria (Plasmodium knowlesi) infections despite a spike in cases in Sabah.

“In Penang, we have yet to record any monkey malaria cases, but the situation is being closely monitored by JKNPP,” he added.

He also said that mosquito-borne diseases, specifically dengue fever, have shown a significant downward trend in the state, with a 39 per cent decrease recorded so far compared to the same period last year.

Previously, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that Sabah had recorded 357 cases of monkey malaria in the first four months of this year, resulting in one death. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Bursa Malaysia ended at an intraday high on broad-based buying, reflecting improving sentiment on the local front, analysts said.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said key regional indices also ended higher, supported by strong gains in AI-related and technology stocks, as investors continued to rotate into growth sectors amid improving global risk appetite. 

At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 17.75 points, or 1.03 per cent, to close at 1,739.77 from Thursday’s close of 1,722.02.

The benchmark index, which opened 6.72 points firmer at 1,728.74, hit its lowest level of 1,725.01 in early trade before gaining momentum for the rest of the day.

Market breadth was positive with gainers leading losers 668 to 494. A total of 582 counters were unchanged, 877 were untraded, and 24 were suspended.

Turnover increased to 3.05 billion units worth RM2.55 billion compared with 2.91 billion units worth RM3.21 billion on Thursday.

Thong remains cautiously optimistic on the local market, supported by selective accumulation in blue chips and the improving market tone.

“However, sentiment is likely to stay measured as geopolitical tensions in West Asia remain unresolved and could lead to sudden shifts in market direction,” he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said Malaysia Manufacturing PMI, which reached a four-year high, points to a strengthening in underlying activity and, more importantly, an improvement in business confidence.

“This suggests the recovery is becoming more durable rather than purely cyclical, supporting a rotation into mid and small-cap segments that are more leveraged to domestic demand,” he said.

Furthermore, he said the firmer tone was underpinned by improving global risk sentiment following strong earnings delivery from the US technology sector, which continues to reinforce confidence in the resilience of the global earnings cycle.

Among heavyweights, Maybank rose 20 sen to RM11.28, Public Bank added seven sen to RM4.75, Tenaga Nasional gained 26 sen to RM14.80, CIMB increased three sen to RM7.69, and IHH Healthcare climbed five sen to RM8.87.

On the most active list, Zetrix AI gained four sen to 86 sen, Pegasus was flat at half-a-sen, Malaysian Resources Corp rose two sen to 36.5 sen, GIIB was five sen firmer at 16 sen, and VS Industry shed half-a-sen to 20.5 sen. 

Among the top gainers, Malaysian Pacific Industries garnered RM1.38 to RM38.0, Hong Leong Industries gained 38 sen to RM17.70, KESM increased 32 sen to RM4.40, and Vitrox jumped 31 sen to RM5.76.

Among the top losers, Nestle slipped RM4.60 to RM103.80, Fraser & Neave dropped RM1.28 to RM30.02, United Plantations slid RM1.22 to RM30.52, and PPB eased 26 sen to RM11.26.

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index surged 124.02 points to 12,847.77, the FBM Top 100 Index soared 128.21 points to 12,689.04, the FBM Emas Shariah Index increased 106.09 points to 12,824.45, the FBM Mid 70 Index leapt 179.24 points to 18,265.21, and the FBM ACE Index perked up 17.95 points to 4,636.06.

By sector, the Energy Index fell 2.96 points to 837.71, the Financial Services Index soared 205.29 points to 20,090.32, while the Industrial Products and Services Index eased 0.09 of-a-point to 196.22, and the Plantation Index climbed 34.46 points to 8,973.77.

The Main Market volume slipped to 1.74 billion units valued at RM2.27 billion from 1.83 billion units valued at RM2.99 billion on Thursday.   

Warrants turnover expanded to 918.52 million units worth RM146.22 million from 771.93 million units worth RM101.99 million previously.  

The ACE Market volume increased to 388.84 million units valued at RM132.46 million from 308.47 million units valued at RM114.03 million last Thursday.

Consumer products and services counters accounted for 170.83 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (387.21 million), construction (165.91 million), technology (346.47 million), financial services (49.70 million), property (318.86 million), plantation (31.68 million), real estate investment trusts (17.47 million), closed-end fund (18,400), energy (83.55 million), healthcare (58.78 million), telecommunications and media (34.32 million), transportation and logistics (37.19 million), utilities (41.45 million), and business trusts (31,800). — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) to expedite cloud seeding operations in states currently at critical levels, particularly Kedah and Perlis.

Saying the move is urgently needed to deal with current weather conditions, he also suggested the use of drone technology to overcome logistical constraints so that the operations can be carried out smoothly.

“I have instructed MetMalaysia to expedite its implementation, including exploring the use of drone technology and cooperation with various parties to address the shortage of suitable aircraft, to ensure the well-being of the people is protected,” he said in a post on his official Facebook page today.

Earlier, Anwar held a meeting with senior management of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) to review policy planning and the ministry’s priorities for the year.

Apart from weather issues, the meeting also discussed the welfare of three national elephants – Dara, Amoi and Kelat – currently in Japan.

On this matter, he stressed that the welfare of the animals must be prioritised by NRES and Taiping Zoo, alongside the need for transparent information to the public.

“Any decision and action must be based on facts and take into account the best welfare of Dara, Amoi and Kelat. Transparent and factual information must be continuously shared so that the public has a clear understanding of their condition there,” he said.

Anwar also reminded the ministry on matters of management and governance.

“In concluding the meeting, I stressed the importance of good governance, strong integrity and zero tolerance for leakages. These are the foundations of our efforts in building an inclusive, prosperous and sustainable Malaysia,” he said. — Bernama

SEPANG, May 4 — Ten Malaysians involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 (GSF) humanitarian mission, who were previously held by Israeli forces in international waters, are now in stable health in Istanbul and are expected to take part in a reorganised second wave of the mission.

Sumud Nusantara Command Center (SNCC) director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said all of them underwent medical checks upon arrival in Turkiye and were confirmed to have no serious injuries, despite reports they were unlawfully abducted at midnight while sailing towards Gaza.

“So far, we can confirm they are stable, remain in high spirits and have chosen not to return to Malaysia as the mission will continue. Assignments will be given from time to time,” he told a press conference here today.

He said the mission organisers are assessing the next steps, including combining flotilla assets from Greece and Turkiye to resume the voyage soon.

Sani Araby also revealed that of the 21 vessels detained on April 31, three have been successfully towed by the Open Arms vessel from Barcelona, after being found in severely damaged condition.

“One vessel, Goleta, has been confirmed sunk and is believed to have been sabotaged, while 17 others remain at sea and efforts are underway to tow them,” he said.

Sani Araby said that the mission is restructuring its logistical assets, including vessels, to redeploy activists currently in Turkiye.

“With 17 vessels still adrift and some damaged due to suspected sabotage, this is not an easy task. However, we have prepared for various contingencies since the mission began from Barcelona,” he noted.

Meanwhile, he said that of the 175 individuals detained in the incident, some were reportedly assaulted and abused, with 31 requiring hospital treatment.

“The SNCC condemns the mistreatment of two key GSF activists, Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila, who were detained for more than 96 hours at Shikma Prison in Ashkelon.

“Both of them deserve a fair trial and should be released immediately without conditions,” he stressed.

Sani Araby also announced the launch of a seven-day countdown campaign as part of the second wave of #BreakTheSilent and #BreakTheSiege, calling for a united global push to intensify efforts towards the liberation of Gaza.

“During this period, we will step up our efforts and may announce the next voyage at any time,” he said.

He added that the mission has received international backing, including from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations (UN).

SNCC also urged Malaysians to continue voicing support for Palestine through various platforms, including social media, while ensuring information shared is based on credible and authoritative sources.

The public was further encouraged to perform special prayers, including solat hajat and Qunut Nazilah, as a sign of solidarity with the humanitarian mission. — Bernama

ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 4 — The Opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition intends to contest all 56 state assembly seats in the upcoming Johor state election (PRN).

Johor Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chief Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal said PN and its parties are prepared to face the state election at any time.

“PN will contest all the state constituency seats in Johor. 

“The candidates’ names list will be submitted directly to the coalition’s central leadership for final endorsement,” he told reporters at a media conference during the state legislative assembly sitting in Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar here today.

Also present was the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz.

Dr Sahruddin, who is also the Bukit Kepong assemblyman, said that PN are also not ruling out the possibility of a political collaboration with Muda for the upcoming state polls.

However, the former menteri besar said that the current focus is on the appointment of the Johor PN chairman’s position, which is still vacant.

“Bersatu party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has sent a letter with a proposed name on behalf of the party to PN’s top leadership.

“The letter has been sent for more than a month, pending a reply. At the moment, we are still waiting as no one has been named yet,” he said.

On Muda’s collaboration with PN in the state polls, Amira Aisya said the matter had not been finalised yet.

The Puteri Wangsa assemblyman said that the party had already initiated informal discussions with Johor PN.

“Muda will make an announcement on our decision when the time comes,” she said.

Amira Aisya also revealed that Muda plans to contest between five and 10 state seats in the upcoming Johor state election.

She said the party’s targets are mixed constituencies, involving both urban and rural areas.

On the hotly contested Puteri Wangsa constituency, Amira Aisya named herself as the incumbent candidate and added that Muda will defend the seat in the state election.

“We also welcome any party that is keen to contest in Puteri Wangsa,” she said.

Both Johor Pakatan Harapan (PH) parties, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) are also eyeing the Puteri Wangsa seat for the coming polls.

MAY 4 — The omission of the Maldives from the Mauritius-hosted Ninth Indian Ocean Conference is not a minor diplomatic oversight. 

It is a signal — subtle yet unmistakable — that the Indian Ocean is entering a more fragmented and competitive phase of geopolitical re-alignment.

When the brilliant Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Indian Minister of External Affairs, appeared as a key speaker, the optics conveyed a confident India projecting leadership across the region. 

Yet leadership in the Indian Ocean cannot be reduced to visibility alone. It is measured by the ability to hold together a diverse constellation of island and littoral states whose interests, sensitivities, and strategic calculations are constantly evolving.

Exclusion, even if unintended, risks undermining that delicate equilibrium.

Mauritius has long stood as one of India’s most dependable partners, bound by deep civilisational links, economic cooperation, and political trust. It has functioned as a reliable interlocutor for India’s outreach into the western Indian Ocean and even Africa. — Pexels.com pic

India now faces a genuine dilemma between Mauritius and the Maldives — two island states that are small in geography but immense in strategic value. 

Mauritius has long stood as one of India’s most dependable partners, bound by deep civilisational links, economic cooperation, and political trust. It has functioned as a reliable interlocutor for India’s outreach into the western Indian Ocean and even Africa. 

The Maldives, by contrast, sits astride critical sea lanes that connect the energy lifelines of the Gulf to the industrial economies of East Asia. Its location alone ensures that no major maritime strategy can ignore it.

To privilege one while appearing to sideline the other is not a sustainable option.

New Delhi understands that it cannot openly take sides in any perceived diplomatic rift between these two states. 

Doing so would risk alienating one while emboldening the other, thereby weakening the broader arc of influence that India has carefully cultivated across the Indian Ocean over decades. 

Yet neither can India afford strategic silence. In geopolitics, silence is rarely neutral; it is often interpreted as hesitation or, worse, indifference.

This dilemma is further complicated by the persistent presence of China.

China’s engagement with Indian Ocean island states has been methodical and sustained. 

Through infrastructure financing, port construction, and long-term economic partnerships, Beijing has steadily increased its footprint. 

It does not require dramatic confrontations to shift the balance. Incremental gains — securing access, building trust, and offering alternatives — are sufficient to alter strategic equations over time.

In such a context, even minor diplomatic exclusions can have outsized consequences.

The Maldives is particularly sensitive to perceptions of marginalization. 

Domestic political shifts in Malé have, at various points, recalibrated its external alignments. When it feels excluded or pressured, it has demonstrated a willingness to diversify its partnerships. 

This is not unique to the Maldives; it reflects a broader trend among small states that seek to maximise autonomy by engaging multiple powers.

Mauritius, while more stable in its alignment with India, also operates within an increasingly competitive environment.

It is not immune to external overtures, nor is it indifferent to regional dynamics. 

India’s close relationship with Mauritius must therefore be managed in a way that does not inadvertently signal exclusivity.

The challenge for India is thus twofold.

First, it must prevent bilateral sensitivities from spilling over into multilateral platforms.

High powered conferences such as the Indian Ocean Conference are not merely ceremonial gatherings; they are arenas where perceptions are shaped, alignments are hinted at, and narratives of regional order are constructed. 

The absence of a key state like the Maldives sends a message — whether intended or not — that some voices matter more than others.

Second, India should reinforce its role as a convener rather than a selector.

To ensure a genuinely free and open Indian Ocean, New Delhi must demonstrate that regional forums remain inclusive spaces where all stakeholders feel represented. This does not mean diluting its partnerships or abandoning its strategic preferences. 

It means ensuring that no state feels excluded from the conversation about the region’s future.

Diplomacy in the Indian Ocean is as much about reassurance as it is about strategy.

India would be well advised to engage both Mauritius and the Maldives through quiet but sustained diplomatic efforts. 

This includes backchannel communications, high-level visits, and the careful management of regional platforms to ensure inclusivity. 

The objective should not be to eliminate differences — an impossible task — but to prevent them from hardening into divisions that external powers can exploit.

At the same time, India must recognise that the Indian Ocean is no longer a passive theatre dominated by a few major powers. It is an increasingly contested space where small states exercise agency with sophistication. 

They are adept at balancing relationships, extracting benefits, and preserving autonomy. Any perception of exclusion or favoritism can quickly alter their strategic calculus.

The concept of a free and open Indian Ocean, therefore, cannot rest on rhetoric alone. 

It must be grounded in practices that reflect openness in participation and fairness in engagement. Otherwise, the idea risks losing credibility among those it seeks to include.

The episode in Mauritius should be treated as an early warning rather than an isolated incident.

If such exclusions become a pattern, they could gradually erode trust in India’s regional leadership.

Over time, this could create openings for alternative visions of order to take root — visions that may not align with India’s interests or those of a stable maritime commons.

India still commands considerable goodwill across the Indian Ocean. Its historical ties, developmental partnerships, and security contributions remain significant assets. 

But goodwill is not a static resource. It must be constantly renewed through actions that reinforce trust and inclusivity.

Ultimately, India’s dilemma between Mauritius and the Maldives is not simply about managing two relationships. 

It is about demonstrating the kind of leadership that the Indian Ocean requires in an era of intensifying competition.

Handled with care, it can strengthen India’s position as a stabilizing force. Mishandled, it risks fragmenting the very region it seeks to unify.

In the final analysis, a free and open Indian Ocean will not be secured by power alone. It will depend on the quality of diplomacy — patient, inclusive, and attuned to the sensitivities of even the smallest states.

* Phar Kim Beng is professor of Asean Studies and director, Institute of Internationalisation and Asean Studies, International Islamic University of Malaysia. 

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.  

ABU DHABI, May 4 — The UAE’s foreign trade minister confirmed today that his country was discussing a currency swap line with the United States, but denied seeking a bailout.

Asked whether the UAE had secured the swap line, Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi said it was still “under discussion” during a panel at the Make it in the Emirates conference in Abu Dhabi.

He denied the measure had been sought as a bailout, and said the UAE wanted to join an “elite group” of countries with existing swap lines with the US.

Last month the Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that the UAE had sought the line as a financial backstop should the war in the region further strain its economy. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said he will hold a meeting with the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari in the near future to discuss issues related to three elephants, Dara, Amoi and Kelat (DAK), currently at Tennoji Zoo, Japan.

He said the meeting aimed to obtain further clarification and examine the best steps to bring the mammals back following concerns raised by various parties regarding the welfare and survival of jumbos in that country which has four seasons.

“I, along with the Taiping Zoo authorities, will hold a discussion and meeting in the near future, even earlier than the meeting planned by the Perak state government.

“We are worried that something will happen to the elephants... we are working on bringing them back to Malaysia and we hope the people will support this effort because the voice of the people can influence a decision,” he told Bernama.

He said this after attending the recording of the Ruang Bicara programme, produced by Bernama TV at Wisma Bernama today.

Previously, Wan Rosdy urged that the three elephants be immediately brought back to their homeland and placed at the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre in Temerloh, which is more suitable for the habitat and natural needs of elephants.

The call follows the statement by the Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who emphasised that Dara, Amoi, and Kelat should be brought back to Malaysia from Japan if the implementation of the existing agreement is found to no longer align with conservation principles, wildlife welfare and current sensitivities.

Last Friday, Perak Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said that a meeting with stakeholders will be held this week to thoroughly discuss the issue of relocating the three elephants. — Bernama 

KATHMANDU, May 4 — Nepal’s newly elected Prime Minister Balendra Shah defended today his push to clear informal settlements from stiff criticism by rights groups, in rare public comments since assuming office.

Authorities last month began demolishing informal settlements home to thousands of people on government land in the capital Kathmandu.

Squatters have been living for decades on the banks of the Bagmati river and its tributaries which crisscross the Kathmandu valley. Many lived in flimsy shelters of wood and sheet metal shacks.

Men load their belongings on a truck as squatter settlements are demolished in Kathmandu on May 1, 2026. — AFP pic

Shah, 36, who was elected in March, said in a post on social media the process was “in accordance with the law”.

He criticised what he called “intentional attempts to create suspicions and spread fear” about the process among residents of informal settlements.

“The government is fully committed to ensuring safe, dignified and permanent housing for every landless citizen,” Shah said.

“No citizen will be allowed to become homeless.”

Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the outgoing UN special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, said in April that he was “very concerned about the threat of forced eviction looming over several thousands of residents”.

Heavy construction equipment is used to demolish squatter settlements near the Bagmati River in Kathmandu on May 1, 2026. — AFP pic

Amnesty International said that forced evictions reflect “a dangerous erosion of lawful governance and signals an increasingly authoritarian approach”.

Shah rejected that, saying that “all the steps taken are not aimed at evicting citizens, but at ensuring the right to housing and finding a permanent solution to the problem”.

About 3,500 houses and structures, home to about 25,000 people, have been demolished, according to Nepal Mahila Ekata Samaj, a network of landless women.

The evictions took place peacefully but under heavy police presence, with residents carrying bags and loading furniture and belongings into small trucks.

People watch as heavy construction equipment is used to demolish squatter settlements near the Bagmati River in Kathmandu on May 1, 2026. — AFP pic

“There is a situation of uncertainly right now. The people don’t have a place to stay, nothing to eat and their jobs and schools have been disrupted,” Bhagwati Adhikari of Nepal Mahila Ekata Samaj told AFP.

A total of 1,816 families have registered as squatters, according to the government, with 794 transferred to government holding centres.

The Supreme Court today issued a show-cause order to the government, following petitions against the decision to remove squatters from public land. — AFP 

KUALA LUMPUR, MAY 4 – Local singer and actor Jalil Hamid, whose full name is Abdul Jalil Abdul Hamid, has passed away at the age of 69 this afternoon in his sleep 

His daughter, Afiqah Jalil, shared the news earlier through an Instagram post, stating that the late actor breathed his last at 12:30pm at his residence.

His body was taken to Masjid Al-Munawwarah in Shah Alam, Selangor, and will be laid to rest at the Section 21 Shah Alam Muslim Cemetery after the Asar prayers.

Jalil was diagnosed with an enlarged heart after undergoing surgery around July 2022.

Due to his condition, he experienced a drastic weight loss of 30 kg and suffered from a loss of appetite.

In 2024, he expressed gratitude that his health had gradually improved and that he was able to enjoy heavier meals again.

The star is no stranger to the local scene.

Jalil began his entertainment career in the early 1980s and was known for songs such as Ayam, Raya, and Makan.

He also starred in several popular films, including Baginda (1997), Zombi Kampung Pisang (2007), Lelaki Harapan Dunia (2014), and Bisik Pada Langit (2017).

Throughout his career, Jalil won several awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Baginda at the 13th Malaysia Film Festival and Best Supporting Actor (Drama) for Calon Syurga at the 2016 Anugerah Skrin.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — The Madani Government Backbenchers Club (BBC) has urged the government to present a comprehensive mitigation plan following public concern over proposed projections for the restructuring of the national budget, particularly involving the health sector, which is estimated to reach RM3 billion.

Its chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, said that while the need to strengthen the country’s fiscal position is understood in the current economic context, a clear and comprehensive mitigation plan must be presented to ensure that adjustments to allocations do not affect the quality of public healthcare services.

She said that to ensure the sustainability of the national healthcare system in the medium and long term, the implementation of initiatives outlined in the Health White Paper must be expedited, including a shift towards a more comprehensive, wellbeing-based healthcare approach.

“In line with this aspiration, the introduction of a basic Medical and Health Insurance and Takaful Plan (MHIT) should be expedited as an alternative financing mechanism to reduce reliance on federal funds, while ensuring an inclusive, sustainable and affordable healthcare system,” she said in a statement today.

Dr Zaliha, who is also the Sekijang Member of Parliament, said the BBC also proposed that the government temporarily defer the construction of new hospitals and prioritise upgrading existing facilities, including ensuring the availability of medical equipment.

She said efforts to strengthen local production capacity for medicines and medical devices must also be enhanced to ensure the country’s health supply security.

In addition, the agenda to refurbish dilapidated health clinics must remain a priority, with primary care facilities upgraded to at least the capacity of Type 4 Health Clinics, thereby enhancing treatment capabilities at the community level and reducing congestion at public hospitals.

She added that the Madani Medical Scheme should be continued, as it has proven to act as a buffer in reducing patients’ reliance on public hospitals for minor treatments.

Dr Zaliha said the welfare and sustainability of healthcare workers must continue to be given attention, with budget restructuring carried out carefully to avoid knock-on effects on workload, burnout and the migration of specialists to the private sector.

“As a strategic partner of the government, the BBC will continue to play a constructive system of checks and balances to ensure that every national financial policy is anchored on the well-being of the people and the sustainability of the public service system,” she said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government’s expenditure restructuring measures would not adversely affect critical sectors such as health and education.

He said the recruitment of new doctors and nurses as well as the construction of clinics would not be affected, while school construction projects, including the addition of new classrooms, would proceed as planned. — Bernama 

SINGAPORE, May 4 — Singapore agreed to the continued flow of refined fuel to New Zealand in exchange for food security today as the trade partners firmed up supply chains choked by the Mideast war.

New Zealand imports about a third of its refined fuel from Singapore, including diesel, which is vital for its farming industry.

Singapore, in turn, relies on New Zealand for about 14 per cent of its total food imports.

Under the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies signed in the city-state during a visit by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today, both countries committed “not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on agreed essential supplies”, even during supply chain disruptions.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the deal is key “because in difficult times, every country will be tempted to look inward”.

Luxon agreed, lauding Singapore’s diesel as a commodity that “underpins the farming and freight systems that keep New Zealand’s food moving into the region”.

Despite having no domestic reserves, Singapore is a major global oil refining and trading hub and exports massive amounts of fuel.

The two countries signed the agreement as supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz are likely to remain limited even if the key waterway is reopened.

It will likely take months to clear mines, restore damaged energy port infrastructure and return confidence in the waterway, through which about a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) transits during peacetime, Wong said.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted since the US and Israel began a bombing campaign against Iran on February 28.

Last month, Singapore and Australia signed a non-binding agreement requiring them to make “maximum efforts to meet each other’s energy security needs”.

Australia relies on imports for an estimated 90 per cent of its refined fuel products, of which around a quarter comes from Singapore.

Singapore buys around 32 per cent of its liquefied natural gas requirements from Australia. — AFP

JITRA, May 4 — The Kedah branch of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has foiled an attempt to illegally transfer diesel at an open area of a Chinese cemetery in Sungai Pasir, Sungai Petani, yesterday.

Kedah KPDN Enforcement Chief Zalina Aziz said during the 2pm raid, authorities discovered diesel being transferred from a cargo lorry into a tanker lorry.

“The raid was the result of two weeks of intelligence by KPDN officers. Two men in their 40s and 50s, who were transferring diesel from a cargo lorry fitted with an intermediate bulk container (IBC) tank at the rear into a tanker lorry, were arrested.

“KPDN also seized approximately 2,900 litres of diesel worth RM44,848. In addition, one cargo lorry, one tanker lorry, two IBC tanks and equipment used for the transfer were confiscated, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM165,248,” she told reporters here today.

She added that further checks found both men did not possess any permit or authorisation to store the controlled goods.

“Firm action will be taken against any individual attempting to misuse controlled goods, and the public is encouraged to channel information or complaints via WhatsApp at 019-8488000, the hotline 1-800-886-800 or the complaint portal at e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my,” she said. — Bernama 

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — Dengue cases in Putrajaya fell by 36.2 per cent from January to April 2026 compared with the same period last year, with the implementation of Wolbachia technology identified as a key factor in enabling faster and more effective control of the urban outbreak.

Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) president Datuk Mohd Sakeri Abdul Kadir said the decrease shows that conventional approaches alone are no longer sufficient to address dengue challenges in densely populated urban areas.

“Data in Putrajaya shows that innovations such as the Wolbachia technology can accelerate dengue control and protect communities more effectively.

“At the same time, this effort is part of an ongoing commitment to make Putrajaya a safer and more conducive city, especially to ensure children can play in residential areas without worrying about health risks,” he said in a statement today.

Sharing the latest data, Mohd Sakeri said as of April 2026, the implementation of Wolbachia technology in Putrajaya has been carried out in stages in high-risk localities, namely Precinct 14, where 588,800 adult mosquitoes have been released in several phases since 2020.

The programme, said Mohd Sakeri, is now in the maintenance phase, including additional releases.

“In Precinct 18, a total of 554,400 adult mosquitoes have been released since October 2025, with the area now in the ‘sustain phase’, indicating that the Wolbachia mosquito population is stabilising,” he said.

He added that the Federal Territories Department is evaluating the effectiveness of existing budget allocations, including community clean-up programmes, while considering expanding Wolbachia technology to People’s Housing Projects (PPR) and public housing areas, which recorded high dengue case rates. — Bernama 

ABU DHABI, May 4 — The UAE’s shock decision to leave Saudi-dominated Opec was not targeted at anyone, the UAE minister who heads the state oil giant said today.

The move aimed at focusing on national priorities and the UAE economy, said Sultan Al Jaber, who is ADNOC’s CEO and the country’s industry and advanced technology minister.

The decision, which took effect on Friday, followed months of tensions with neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter and de facto leader of Opec, over foreign policy, oil output and the Middle East war, which has strained Gulf economies.

A close partnership between the Gulf nations has turned into open rivalry since a public falling out in December over Yemen, but the minister said the decision to withdraw from the oil cartel was not aimed at any nation.

“The United Arab Emirates’ sovereign decision to reposition itself within the global energy landscape, and to exit Opec and Opec+, is not a decision directed against anyone,” he told a conference in Abu Dhabi.

The exit of the UAE, which was Opec’s fourth-largest producer, dealt a blow to the cartel’s ability to control oil prices.

It also further strained UAE-Saudi ties, which plunged after their row over Yemen in December, according to analysts. The two sides have long been at odds over Opec production quotas.

Leaving Opec “serves our national interests and long-term strategic objectives, aligns with our industrial, economic, and developmental ambitions, and gives us greater ability to accelerate investment, expand, and create value”, Jaber said.

“This move was not done in isolation,” he said at the Make It In The Emirates conference on UAE industry.

“It is part of a broader effort to reshape our economy and industrial base through a vision that connects energy, technology, and industry, aligning our resources with national priorities to build a stronger, more resilient economy.”

While the UAE is not the first country to leave Opec, it is by far the biggest producer to do so.

The UAE has long been frustrated with Opec’s quotas, which sought to cap Emirati production at 3.4 million barrels a day.

Abu Dhabi seeks to expand the UAE’s production capacity to five million barrels a day by 2027. Yesterday, ADNOC pledged to spend US$55 billion on new projects over the next two years.

The added revenue from oil sales would allow the UAE to step up its investments in artificial intelligence and other high-tech sectors, some analysts have said.

“There is a great difference between those who focus only on surviving crises... and those who seize them as opportunities... and turn them into new beginnings,” Jaber said. — AFP

ISKANDAR PUTERI, March 4 — Malaysia needs to shift from being perceived mainly as a trading nation to a technology-driven country by striving to produce its own technological innovations in order to tackle the issue of low wages in the country.

Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong said the issue can be tackled if companies in the country, including in Johor, have more technological innovations, thereby creating jobs that offer higher salaries to locals.

According to him, the general perception that Malaysian companies merely support the needs of multinational corporations must also be changed with a new mindset within the government.

“Both the state and federal governments need to share responsibility in developing Malaysian companies into multinational corporations,” he said during the Johor state legislative assembly sitting at the Sultan Ismail Building here today.

Liew (DAP-Perling) said the low wage issue must be addressed as it is among the reasons behind the migration of hundreds of thousands of Johoreans as well as other Malaysian citizens to Singapore to become foreign workers.

Liew, who is also the Iskandar Puteri Member of Parliament, said many residents living in Greater Johor Bahru have expressed dissatisfaction about the rising cost of living following the influx of Singaporeans and corporate clients into Johor, which has become increasingly prosperous of late.

Meanwhile, Liew acknowledged the state government’s efforts under the leadership of Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi in developing the state.

According to him, various progress has been achieved over the past three years through joint efforts with the Federal Government, including initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which has placed Johor in the regional spotlight.

He added that Johor Bahru should also be seen as the country’s second economic capital after Kuala Lumpur, especially in the context of its role in the JS-SEZ.

“This also gives confidence that with Greater Johor Bahru being one of the economic guardians, Malaysia can become a more successful nation,” he said.

Greater Johor Bahru includes Johor Bahru city, Iskandar Puteri, Pasir Gudang, and Kulai, which are set to become key destinations for economic growth involving development, industrial, tourism, infrastructure, and real estate projects. — Bernama 

LOS ANGELES, May 4 – In a move that blends pop stardom, cinematic technology, and interactive gaming, Billie Eilish has joined forces with Avatar director James Cameron to deliver an immersive 3D concert experience – not in theatres, but inside Roblox.

The duo previously collaborated on Eilish's upcoming 3D documentary, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR, which Cameron co-directed. Now, that same boundary‑pushing visual style is being ported into the metaverse.

Roblox users can step into the action starting Tuesday, May 5, at 5pm PST (3am Malaysian time). The game's popular entertainment hub, "The Block," will be transformed into a digital replica of Eilish's real‑life stage. Players can even roleplay as the singer herself – a first for this type of activation.

The visual upgrade is heavy on 3D effects, from stage lighting to depth‑of‑field tricks, designed to mimic the cinematic feel of Cameron's filmmaking.

The main attraction drops Thursday, May 7, at 5.30pm PST and runs through Sunday, May 10. During that window, visitors can watch an exclusive performance of Birds of a Feather from the documentary, along with the official trailer. An avatar version of Billie will also appear inside the experience.

For those who'd rather grab the mic, karaoke functionality lets fans perform hits like Ocean Eyes and when the party's over alongside the digital crowd.

From May 5, the Roblox Marketplace will sell a set of Billie‑inspired virtual items, including a detailed Billie avatar and an exclusive animation pack tied to the tour.

With James Cameron pushing the 3D envelope and Eilish embracing the interactive world of Roblox, this digital event is shaping up to be a test case for where live music – and moviegoing – might be headed next.

KUCHING, May 4 — Police are on the lookout for a man believed to have been involved in a knife-point robbery at a 24-hour convenience store in Kota Sentosa earlier today.

Padawan district police chief Supt Mohd Irwan Hafiz Md Razdi said the incident took place at around 4.30am.

“The suspect is a man armed with a knife who was on foot. The total losses reported amount to RM1,249,” he said when contacted.

The case is being investigated under Section 392 of the Penal Code, Irwan added.

Based on an employee’s eyewitness account, the suspect was wearing clothing that covered his face and rushed into the premises while holding a knife, pointing the weapon at a female staff member and ordering her to hand over the money from the cash register.

Out of fear and not daring to resist, the victim had no choice but to comply by opening the cash register before the suspect made off with the cash. — The Borneo Post

KOTA KINABALU, May 4 — The Sabah Customs Department has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 305.722kg of methamphetamine worth over RM15 million into the state.

Sabah Customs director Dr Ahmad Taufik Sulaman said acting on intelligence information, officers inspected a container which had arrived at Sepanggar Port from Port Klang on April 22.

“The inspection found 15 boxes suspected of containing methamphetamine weighing at 305.722kg and estimated to be worth RM15,286,100,” he told a press conference here.

Ahmad Taufik said the investigation revealed the modus operandi was to declare the drugs as drink items in the Bill of Lading.

No arrest has been made and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Ahmad Taufik also thanked the public for their continuous cooperation in combating smuggling involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, vehicles, and drugs. — The Borneo Post

JAKARTA, May 4 — The defence ministers of Indonesia and Japan met in Jakarta today to sign a defence cooperation agreement, underlining the need to safeguard regional peace and stability in the face of global tumult.

Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said he would ink an agreement with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi, although details of the pact were not shared publicly and there was no official confirmation that they had signed it.

Japan’s defence ministry has said Koizumi would seek to bolster exchanges in the areas of “defence equipment and technology”.

Tokyo eased a decades-old curb on arms exports last month, allowing firms to sell lethal weapons to any of the 17 countries with which Japan has defence agreements.

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, a former general, has been pushing to modernise the country’s ageing military assets since taking office in 2024.

After Indonesia, Koizumi is bound for the Philippines, where Japanese forces are taking part in a joint military exercise also including the US.

Today, Koizumi said defence cooperation with Indonesia would make a “contribution to peace and stability... for the region as a whole” amid “an increasingly complex and tense international situation”.

He also told reporters he would discuss maritime security and joint drills with Sjafrie.

Indonesia last month concluded a defence cooperation pact with the US, agreed to increase security ties with France, and inked an oil deal with Russia.

Jakarta, while defending a non-aligned diplomatic posture it calls “free and active”, last year joined the BRICS bloc of emerging economies that includes Russia and US rival China.

Prabowo has also signed a trade deal with US President Donald Trump and joined his so-called “Board of Peace”.

Last week, Jakarta said it was still considering a US request for blanket overflight clearance which, if approved, analysts say could be seen as an alignment with Washington over Beijing.

Indonesia is strategically located on the Malacca Strait — the world’s busiest chokepoint for oil and petroleum liquids, according to the US Energy Information Administration. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — A 28-year-old woman arrested after allegedly brandishing a knife during the final night of the Rain Rave Water Music Festival in Bukit Bintang has been charged in the Sessions Court today with carrying an offensive weapon in public.

The charge was framed under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act for carrying offensive weapons in a public place, which carries a jail term of between five and 10 years, as well as whipping, upon conviction.

Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Sazalee Adam said the woman, identified as Shannon Anne-Ooi, had been ordered by the court to undergo psychiatric assessment at Hospital Bahagia in Ulu Kinta, Perak, due to suspected mental health issues.

She is currently being held at Kajang Prison, with the court setting June 4 for the next mention.

A viral video of the incident previously showed several bystanders restraining the woman, including one man who held her arm to prevent her from wielding the weapon before police officers arrived and took her into custody.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — A tour bus carrying eight Indian tourists veered off the North-South Expressway (PLUS) near here this morning after the driver is believed to have lost control of the vehicle.

The crash occurred at KM213.4 southbound at about 10.18am, with the bus ending up in a roadside drain after skidding onto the emergency lane.

According to Harian Metro, Melaka Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Zone 2 chief Fire Superintendent Tc Zulkhairani Ramli said a fire engine and 10 personnel were dispatched to the scene after an emergency call was received, arriving about 10 minutes later.

He said the bus was carrying nine people — eight Indian tourists and a local male driver.

The passengers comprised three adult men, including the driver, three adult women and three boys.

“Three victims suffered minor injuries involving the driver and two boys.

“All injured victims received initial treatment from Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) personnel before being taken to hospital for further treatment,” he told reporters today.

The operation was brought under control and fully concluded at 11.13am.

Personnel from the Health Ministry and Royal Malaysia Police also assisted at the scene.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit most states until 5pm today, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

In an alert issued at 2.30pm, MetMalaysia said the affected areas include Perlis, as well as Kedah (Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Kuala Muda, Sik, Baling, Kulim and Bandar Baharu) and Penang (Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah and Seberang Perai Selatan).

The same warning also covers Perak (Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Kampar, Batang Padang and Mualim), Pahang (Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Raub, Jerantut, Bentong, Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin) and Selangor (Hulu Selangor and Hulu Langat).

In addition, similar weather conditions are expected in Negeri Sembilan (Seremban, Port Dickson and Rembau), Melaka (Alor Gajah and Melaka Tengah), and Johor (Segamat, Kluang, Mersing, Pontian, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru).

In Sarawak, the affected areas include Sri Aman, Betong (Betong), Sarikei (Pakan), Sibu (Sibu and Selangau), Mukah (Daro, Matu, Dalat and Mukah), Bintulu (Tatau and Bintulu), Miri (Subis, Miri and Marudi), as well as Limbang.

In Sabah, the warning covers the interior (Sipitang, Tenom, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort and Nabawan), west coast, Tawau and Kudat. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — A defamation suit filed by former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad against activist cum blogger Badrul Hisham Shaharin has been resolved after the latter issued a public apology at the High Court here today.

Badrul Hisham, better known as Chegubard, read out the consent judgment, acknowledging that his allegations against Nik Nazmi were false and baseless.

“I withdraw all allegations against Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. I sincerely apologise to him for the embarrassment, hardship and distress caused.

“I undertake not to repeat or publish any further statements or allegations on the same matter or of a similar nature,” he said.

The blogger also agreed to remove all disputed statements and related links from his social media accounts and relevant websites.

Judge Gan Techiong then recorded the consent judgment in accordance with the agreed terms of settlement.

“Under this order, the defendant must publish a video apology on any of his social media accounts within 24 hours. Please comply to avoid contempt of court,” the judge said.

Earlier, counsel Razlan Hadri Zulkifli, representing Nik Nazmi, informed the court that both parties had reached a settlement and agreed to the consent judgment, which was confirmed by defence counsel Zolazrai Zolkapli.

Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, Nik Nazmi said he did not wish to prolong the matter and accepted the apology.

Nik Nazmi filed the suit on Jan 15, 2024, alleging that Badrul Hisham had posted five defamatory statements on his Facebook account, “Che GuBard”, on December 20 and 29, 2023, concerning a flood mitigation project.

The plaintiff claimed the statements suggested he had lied about an open tender process and alleged corruption in the project, which was said to have driven costs up to RM16.6 billion.

“The defendant acted maliciously to damage my credibility and image as a politician, leading to public criticism and suspicion among my constituents. My personal and professional reputation has been affected,” he said in his statement of claim. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Cropmate Bhd said it was notified by its solicitor on May 1, 2026, that some of the group and its subsidiary’s bank accounts have been partially released by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, the fertiliser company said it has, via its solicitor, submitted a further letter of representation to MACC for its further consideration, seeking the unfreezing of all affected bank accounts.

It said the bank accounts were previously frozen under Section 44(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Last Tuesday (April 28), Cropmate said it had confirmed that RM12.21 million in bank accounts belonging to the company and its subsidiary Cropmate Fertilizer Sdn Bhd had been frozen by the MACC as of April 24, 2026, and that it was actively taking the necessary steps to address the matter. — Bernama

SEREMBAN, May 4 — The political secretary to Transport Minister Anthony Loke today lodged a police report against Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, over a social media post allegedly containing defamatory remarks against Loke involving the Undang institution in Negeri Sembilan.

The report was lodged by Ho Weng Wah at the Seremban District Police Headquarters at noon following a Facebook post by Chegubard titled “Anthony Loke must be investigated for funding an illegal entity – Majlis Dato Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong.”

“The post contains allegations that Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook had channelled a substantial amount of funds to an entity claimed to be illegal and links the matter to disturbances involving the royal institution in this state.

“The statement and post made by the individual are also believed to touch on sensitive 3R issues (race, religion and royalty), which could potentially incite tension and divide the community,” he told reporters here today.

Ho said firm action must be taken to curb the spread of false information and defamatory content, particularly those involving sensitive 3R issues, in order to safeguard national harmony and stability.

He added that the police should investigate the post, which is believed to have violated several legal provisions, including Sections 505 and 499 of the Penal Code as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Set at the foot of  Menara 118, the world’s second-tallest skyscraper, the new 118 Mall will officially open its doors this August.

Currently in its final stages of preparation, the mall sits just a short walk from Petaling Street and the iconic Stadium Merdeka. The first wave of tenants has already begun interior fit-outs, with over 70 per cent of the retail space already committed.

A major highlight of the new destination is the “Malaysian Artisan District,” an 80,000-square-foot space dedicated to local craftsmanship and culture.

Anchoring this district on Level 3 is the Makanizm Food Hall, a 40,000-square-foot culinary hub designed to celebrate Malaysia’s diverse food scene.

The mall will feature a curated mix of international flagships and premium homegrown brands.

Anchor tenants include Village Grocer, HappiKiddo, Babyshop, and a highly anticipated “SOGO118”—a refreshed, contemporary evolution of the iconic SOGO department store that will feature a new-to-market Matcha bar and a curated selection of East Asian beauty brands.

Fashion and lifestyle offerings will include Coach, Hackett London, Cole Haan, Skechers, Decathlon, Asics, LiNing, and premier local jeweller Habib Jewels.

Meanwhile, the food and beverage lineup boasts popular names such as Kenny Hills Cafe, ZUS Coffee, Oriental Kopi, Serai Premium, Dolly Dim Sum, and Cili Kampung.

Above the retail floors on Level 4 sits “The Atmosphere,” a 20,000-square-foot event piazza bathed in natural sunlight from an 88-metre glass dome. The space is equipped with three massive high-definition LED screens, designed to host community festivals, fashion showcases, and digital art exhibitions.

PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Izwan Hasli Ibrahim said the mall will play a crucial role in completing the broader Merdeka 118 experience, seamlessly connecting retail, hospitality, culture, and community.

“With over 70 per cent of our retail space already committed, we are excited to contribute to the ‘Visit Malaysia 2026’ calendar by offering a world-class experience,” he said in a statement today.

Head of Retail Sue Wang added that the tenant mix was intentionally curated to showcase the specific heritage of the surrounding area.

“118 Mall is the heartbeat of the Merdeka 118 precinct; it gives our retailers a meaningful stage to shine and ensures the mall feels vibrant and welcoming to all,” she said.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed appreciation to personnel of the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) for their unwavering commitment, discipline and sacrifices.

In his message in conjunction with International Firefighters’ Day today, he said every moment of emergency demands extraordinary courage, and it is in such critical times that firefighters step forward without hesitation to shoulder the responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“In conjunction with International Firefighters’ Day celebrated today, I would like to record my appreciation to all JBPM personnel for their commitment, discipline and sacrifices,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, also prayed that all firemen would continue to be granted strength, protection and resilience in carrying out that great responsibility. — Bernama

MAY 4 — Malaysia has just launched a new 10-year national education blueprint 2026-2035. Many have lauded the ambitious nature of the plan. Equally, many have warned about the many challenges of implementation. Malaysia’s ambition to become a global education hub is both laudable and logical. With a strong multilingual base, strategic location, and decades of investment in campus infrastructure, the foundation is solid. 

The visible presence of Malaysian universities in international rankings, driven by a concerted push for publications, proves the strategy has momentum. However, in today’s hyper-competitive arena, where rankings increasingly value the impact and relevance of research, a simple “publish or perish” treadmill is no longer enough. To rise decisively, Malaysian universities must strategically pivot from quantity to quality, and from visibility to genuine global influence.

The first, and most critical, shift must be in the culture of publication itself. The current incentive system at many institutions often rewards quantity and journal prestige points (e.g., Q1 journals) above all else. This has yielded growth, but risks creating a factory-like output of incremental studies with limited resonance. The new strategy must incentivise research ambition and rigour. 

This means providing protected time, seed funding for high-risk/high-reward ideas, and celebrating papers not just for where they are published, but for their citation impact, policy influence, or public engagement. Universities should actively foster interdisciplinary research clusters — mixing engineers with economists, medical researchers with data scientists — to solve complex problems. This is where groundbreaking science often happens.

The author argues that Malaysia’s new 10-year education blueprint can strengthen the country’s ambition to become a global education hub only if universities shift from prioritising publication quantity to research quality, SDG-driven relevance, meaningful international collaboration, and stronger support systems for academics and innovation. — Wikimedia pic

This leads directly to the second pillar: authentically embedding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the research DNA. SDG alignment is not a branding exercise; it is a powerful framework for relevance. Malaysian universities are uniquely positioned to lead on SDG research that speaks to both local and global challenges. Think of pioneering work on sustainable palm oil alternatives, climate-resilient urban planning for tropical megacities, equitable healthcare models for ageing societies, or biodiversity conservation in Asean rainforests. 

This requires moving beyond tagging existing projects with SDG keywords. It demands strategic hiring, creating SDG-focused research institutes, and aligning postgraduate programmes to train the problem-solvers of tomorrow. Research on local issues with global parallels will attract international scholarly attention and partnerships organically.

Speaking of partnerships, the third pillar requires transforming international collaboration from a transactional metric to a transformational engine. The goal should not be to simply add foreign co-authors to papers. The strategy must be to build deep, equitable consortiums around shared challenges. Malaysian universities should position themselves as indispensable hubs for research in the Global South and on tropical themes. 

Pursue joint PhD programmes, co-supervision networks, and shared laboratory access with top universities worldwide. Crucially, they must also become better at telling the story of their research. A powerful publication in a specialist journal is just the start. Investing in science communication, policy briefs, and media engagement to translate findings for public and government consumption amplifies impact — a factor rankings are increasingly attuned to.

Furthermore, universities must empower their greatest asset: their academics. The academics must be suitably empowered to bring change. This means reducing excessive administrative burdens, streamlining ethics approval processes, and providing robust grant-writing support. Simultaneously, they must be ruthless in upgrading critical infrastructure — not just labs, but high-speed computational resources and open-access publishing funds. Most important is the art of people management, especially how to effectively motivate them. 

The race up the ranking ladder is not won by playing a short-term game. It is won by building a vibrant, confident, and impactful research ecosystem. For Malaysia, the opportunity is not merely to appear in the rankings, but to redefine what excellence from a non-Western hub looks like: excellence that is scientifically rigorous, globally connected, and passionately relevant to humanity’s pressing needs. The rankings are a symptom of health, not the cause. 

By strategically focusing on quality, SDG-led relevance, and deep partnerships, Malaysian universities will not just climb the ladder — they will help build a new one. If universities can embrace such path, that would effectively silenced the growing critics of the ranking investment.

* Professor Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University and is an Adjunct Professor at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. He can be reached at ahmadibrahim@ucsiuniversity.edu.my 

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.

MAY 4 — There was a time when the rising sun of Japan was the guiding light for Malaysia’s economic ambitions. The “Look East Policy,” inaugurated by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the early 1980s, was more than just a diplomatic slogan; it was a national ethos. It painted Japan not just as a trading partner, but as a civilisational model — a testament to what an Asian nation could achieve through discipline, hard work, and a unique brand of corporate capitalism.

Today, however, the landscape tells a different story. The billboards that once championed Sony and Mitsubishi now glow with the branding of Huawei, BYD, and Samsung. China has unquestionably become Malaysia’s dominant economic partner. The question is why this tectonic shift has occurred, and whether the Land of the Rising Sun can ever reclaim its former glory.

To understand Japan’s diminished role, one must first look at the stagnation of its own economy. The “Lost Decades” following the asset bubble burst in the early 1990s transformed Japan from a aggressive global investor into a cautious, risk-averse player. Japanese corporations, once eager to build sprawling manufacturing complexes in places like Shah Alam and Johor, became conservative. Their model, based on lifetime employment and consensus-based decision-making, was ill-suited for the breakneck speed of the digital age and the hyper-competitive landscape of the 21st century world.

While Japan was looking inward, China was aggressively looking outward. The 2010s saw Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) pour billions into Malaysian infrastructure. The pace was dizzying. Where a Japanese feasibility study might take three years, a Chinese state-owned enterprise could break ground in three months. This speed, coupled with a willingness to invest in massive, visible projects like the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), captured the Malaysian imagination and filled a vacuum that Japanese caution had created.

The author argues that Japan’s influence in Malaysia has waned due to decades of economic stagnation and China’s rapid rise as a dominant regional investor, but that Tokyo can still regain relevance by focusing on high-tech collaboration, innovation partnerships, and a renewed form of cultural diplomacy suited to the demands of the 21st century. — Unsplash pic

The simple truth is that the “special relationship” with Japan was sustained by strong personal rapport at the top. As Dr Mahathir’s direct influence waned and a new generation of Malaysian leaders and consumers came of age, they felt no such nostalgia. They witnessed Japan’s slow-motion retreat from the region and simply looked elsewhere for the economic dynamism they craved.

Regaining its place will not be easy. The world has moved on, and a return to the 1980s is impossible. However, Japan’s decline is not irreversible. To reclaim its relevance, Tokyo must fundamentally change its strategy, moving from a model of general manufacturing to one of high-tech, high-value specialisation.

First, Japan must pivot from competing on volume to leading in niche excellence. While China dominates mass-market EV production, Japan holds the keys to the future of mobility: advanced batteries, lightweight materials, and the complex supply chain for the semiconductors that will power the next generation of smart cars. Instead of trying to sell the most cars, Japanese giants like Toyota and Panasonic should position themselves as the indispensable technological partners for Malaysia’s own automotive ambitions, particularly in the EV sector.

Second, Japan needs to rediscover its innovative edge through genuine collaboration. The old model was Japan teaching, and Malaysia learning. That era is over. The new model must be one of co-creation. Japan is a global leader in robotics, IoT, and green technology. Malaysia, with its industrial base and digital aspirations, is the perfect testbed for these innovations. Instead of just building factories, Japanese firms should establish joint R&D centres with Malaysian universities and startups to solve local problems — from smart agriculture in Sabah to flood mitigation technology in Kuala Lumpur.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, Japan must engage in a new form of cultural diplomacy. The “Look East” policy needs a 2.0 version. This isn’t about asking Malaysians to bow more deeply or work longer hours. It is about showcasing Japan’s soft power in the 21st century. This means leveraging its global dominance in anime, gaming, and design to build bridges with Malaysian youth. It means promoting tourism not just for shopping, but for educational exchanges in tech and the arts. It means making Japan seem fun, accessible, and futuristic again.

The narrative that Japan has permanently lost its place in Malaysia is not yet a foregone conclusion. Its economic footprint may have shrunk, but its reputation for quality, precision, and reliability remains intact. If Japan can leverage these assets with the urgency and adaptability of a challenger, rather than the complacency of an established power, it can carve out a new and vital role. The sun may have faded, but it has not yet set. Whether it rises again depends entirely on whether Japan is willing to look east once more — and see a partner, not just a pupil.  

* Professor Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University and is an Adjunct Professor at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. He can be reached at ahmadibrahim@ucsiuniversity.edu.my 

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.

LIPIS, May 4 — The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) is conducting a study on the development of tube wells as a preparatory measure to address potential water crisis in the future.

PETRA deputy minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the study, carried out by the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM), aims to identify new water sources as a support plan in the event of supply disruptions.

“We are currently facing uncertain weather conditions such as drought and low rainfall. Based on forecasts, the hot weather is expected to continue until August, which could affect water resources.

“Nevertheless, through the efforts of all relevant agencies, water supply nationwide remains under control. However, consumers must play an important role in reducing wastage,” he said.

He said this to reporters after officiating the Selamat Air Raya programme at Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Ahmad Shah here today.

On March 21, it was reported that the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) had warned that the world is entering an era of ‘global water bankruptcy’.

Abdul Rahman said water consumption in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan is higher at around 223 litres per capita per day compared with the 165 litres per capita per day recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“This high level of water usage must be reduced. If the public does not play its part, we risk facing a water crisis. All parties must take responsibility to ensure this can be avoided,” he said.

He added that the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) is also implementing the Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Programme, targeting to reach at least one million users nationwide throughout 2026.

“This initiative aims to raise public awareness on efficient water usage and the importance of avoiding wastage to ensure the sustainability of the nation’s water supply,” he said.

At the programme, SPAN also distributed zakat wakalah totalling RM104,000 to 200 students from primary, secondary schools and higher education institutions. — Bernama

BRUSSELS, ‌May 4 — European nations have “gotten ​the message” from US President Donald Trump and are now ensuring that agreements on ‌the use of military bases are being implemented, Nato ​Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday.

Trump has accused some Nato nations of not doing enough to support the United States ​in the Iran war. In a further sign of his discontent with European allies, the US announced on Friday plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.

“Yes, there has been some ‌disappointment from the US side, but Europeans have listened,” ⁠Rutte told reporters at ⁠a European Political Community summit in ⁠Armenia.

“They are now making ⁠sure that ⁠all the bilateral basing agreements are being implemented,” he said.

Nato member Spain has said that military bases ⁠on its territory cannot be used for the war with Iran.

But Rutte said other Nato countries such as Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Britain, France and Germany were implementing requests for the use ⁠of bases and other logistical support.

Rutte also said “more and more” European nations were pre-positioning assets such as ⁠minehunters and minesweepers close to the Gulf to be ready ⁠for ⁠a “next phase”.

Multiple European nations have said they are willing ​to take part in a ​mission to help ensure freedom ‌of navigation through the Strait of ​Hormuz once the ​war is over. — Reuters

CHUKAI, May 4 — A trailer driver involved in an accident that claimed the life of a technician at KM290 of the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2), near the Chukai Toll Plaza interchange, on Saturday has been remanded for three days from today.

Kemaman police chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli said the remand order against the 47-year-old man from Permaisuri, Setiu, was issued by Magistrate Marsha Abdul Malik at the Kemaman Magistrate’s Court here this morning.

“The suspect, who sustained minor injuries, was discharged from Kemaman Hospital yesterday and was brought to the Magistrate’s Court this morning to obtain the remand order.

“A urine screening test on the suspect returned negative for drugs, and he also has no prior record,” he said when contacted today.

Mohd Razi said the man is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

In the incident, the trailer driven by the man was travelling from the Jabor toll towards Kuala Besut when it lost control and collided with a Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck carrying a family of three in the right lane of the highway.

Both vehicles then crashed into the highway divider and veered into the opposite lane, before another vehicle - a Proton X50 sport utility vehicle (SUV) - failed to avoid the collision and rammed into the Mitsubishi Triton.

The accident caused the Mitsubishi Triton driver, Rosli Yusuf, 54, to die at the scene, while his two daughters, Iliya Markisa, 23, and Auni Ukhratan Basyirah, 14, sustained injuries to the head, neck, face and eyes.

A passenger in the Proton X50 also suffered minor injuries to the head and neck. — Bernama

KLUANG, May 4 — A factory worker died after losing consciousness at a height of 800 metres from the base of Gunung Lambak here yesterday.

Kluang district police chief ACP Bahrin Mohd Noh said the victim, Muhamad Nur Hakimi Mohd Haris, 32, from Felda Sungai Sibol, Kulai was descending the hill with three of his friends when he lost consciousness.

He added that the police received a distress call at 1.42pm and a team rushed to the scene, along with personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and the Civil Defence Force.

"Heavy rain complicated the operation and Muhamad Nur Hakimi was brought down at about 6.15pm, and was pronounced dead by a medical assistant officer,” he said in a statement today.

The body was taken to the Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital forensics unit for further action, he added. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — The Court of Appeal in Putrajaya today ruled that emergency proclamations issued by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong cannot be challenged in court, reaffirming that the Federal Constitution bars judicial scrutiny over the monarch’s decision on whether a grave emergency exists.

According to the New Straits Times, Federal Court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah said Article 150(8) of the Federal Constitution expressly states that the King’s decision is “final and conclusive” and cannot be questioned by the courts.

“It is for the executive to advise the King whether the circumstances exist for such a declaration to be made.

“The court cannot exercise its judicial power on national security,” he said when delivering the Court of Appeal’s unanimous decision today.

The appellate bench, which also comprised Datuk Supang Liang and Datuk Alwi Abdul Wahab, dismissed lawyer Syed Iskandar Syed Jaafar’s attempt to challenge the refusal by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare a state of emergency in October 2020.

Syed Iskandar had sought leave to initiate a judicial review against the decision by then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah during the political turmoil that preceded the Covid-19 emergency declaration months later.

In February last year, Chief Justice Tun Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, who was then a High Court judge, ruled that Syed Iskandar’s application was not justiciable.

Today’s ruling effectively upholds that finding, reinforcing constitutional limits on the judiciary’s role in matters tied to emergency powers and national security.

MANILA, May 4 — A magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck the central Philippine island of Samar at 2:09 pm (0609 GMT) on Monday, the United States Geological Survey said.

The quake hit at a depth of 73.3 kilometres, about nine kilometres from the province’s coastal town of San Julian.

A local police officer told AFP the earthquake had been “strong and sudden” though there had been no immediate reports of injury.

“Here at the police station, one of the beams where our roof was attached was broken... I saw some furniture moving,” he said, adding he and his fellow officers were now outside for fear of aftershocks.

Earthquakes are a near-daily occurrence in the Philippines, which is situated on the Pacific “ring of fire”, an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

Eastern Mindanao was rocked by a pair of earthquakes of 7.4 and 6.7 magnitude in October that killed at least eight people.

These followed a magnitude 6.9 quake days earlier that killed 76 people and destroyed or damaged 72,000 houses in Cebu province in central Philippines, according to government figures. — AFP

OAKLAND, May 4 — Following high-profile testimony from billionaire Elon Musk last week, one of OpenAI’s co-founders will testify Monday in the California lawsuit brought by the world’s richest man against the creators of ChatGPT.

Musk is seeking to force his rivals in artificial intelligence (AI) development to revert to a non-profit foundation.

Greg Brockman, co-founder and president of OpenAI, will face questioning from Musk’s lawyers on Monday in the Oakland courthouse.

OpenAI CEO and co-founder Sam Altman, who in 10 years has gone from being Musk’s protege to a bitter rival, is not expected to take the stand until the week of May 11.

The outcome of the case could shape the future of OpenAI, the fast-rising generative AI giant now valued at over US$850 billion (RM3.3 trillion) and preparing for an IPO.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, whose company is accused of illegally funding OpenAI’s commercial transformation, may also testify this week.

Over three days of testimony last week, Musk portrayed himself as a selfless early supporter of OpenAI, saying he contributed US$38 million between 2016 and 2020 before being sidelined.

The head of SpaceX and Tesla argued that he wanted to counterbalance Google’s dominance and ensure that transformative AI technology – which he has warned poses risks to humanity – remain free from profit-driven pressures.

Global competition

OpenAI’s current structure, while highly lucrative, still operates under a non-profit parent entity.

Last week, Altman and Brockman sat in the front row for almost the entire hearing, and made no statements inside or outside the courtroom. The trial has drawn intense media attention, with dozens of journalists covering the hearings daily.

OpenAI’s legal team has pushed back, questioning Musk’s own financial motives.

The billionaire recently folded his AI venture, xAI – maker of the chatbot Grok – into SpaceX, which is reportedly valued at about US$1.25 trillion and may also pursue a public offering.

The stakes are high. If Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ultimately rules in favor of Musk, OpenAI’s IPO could be jeopardised.

That could reshape the global AI landscape, where major players like Google and Chinese tech firms are competing aggressively.

OpenAI is also facing growing competition from Anthropic and its Claude model.

While the sector is already generating tens of billions in annual revenue, those figures still fall short of the massive investments required for talent, advanced processors and the construction of energy-intensive data centres powering the AI revolution. — AFP