Monday, June 29, 2026

Article 3 Is Not A Licence To Discriminate And Intimidate

 

Dennis Ignatius

 

~ Provoking discussion, dissent & debate on politics, diplomacy, human rights & civil society.

Article 3 Is Not A Licence To Discriminate And Intimidate

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[1] The Selangor state government recently revised its guidelines on non-Muslim places of worship, removing some of its most discriminatory regulations. It was long overdue. 

[2] As expected, PAS and various Muslim NGOs were quick to protest. PAS information chief Fadhli Shaari invoked Article 3 — Islam as the religion of the Federation — to justify his opposition. Others piled on: Why provide land for non-Muslim houses of worship when Islamic institutions aren’t given equal emphasis? Why prioritise this when affordable housing, road congestion and lack of schools remain unresolved? 

[3] These objections are risible — and contemptuous of the Constitution itself. What those invoking Article 3 conveniently ignore is that the very same article which declares Islam the religion of the Federation immediately adds: “but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation.” Article 11 reinforces this further, explicitly guaranteeing freedom of religion — including the right to build houses of worship. Read together, Articles 3 and 11 make one thing abundantly clear: the recognition of Islam as the religion of the Federation was never intended — and cannot be used — as a constitutional basis for discriminating against, or subordinating, other faiths.

[4] The Constitution treats all religions with respect, dignity and equal standing before the law. Anyone who uses Article 3 to harass non-Muslim communities, obstruct the building of temples and churches, or brand minority faiths as undeserving of government support is not defending the Constitution — they are betraying it. It is bigotry dressed up in legal language.

[5] As well, the claim that Islamic institutions are neglected is both disingenuous and misleading. The federal government alone allocated RM2.6 billion for Islamic development in Budget 2026 — the highest in history — with state religious department budgets adding significantly more. Non-Muslim religious institutions receive no equivalent budget line; only sporadic, discretionary allocations. The disparity is a matter of public record, and those making the neglect argument know it, but facts are inconvenient when the goal is to incite.

[6] As for affordable housing, road congestion and lack of schools — these are legitimate concerns but they have nothing to do with whether non-Muslims are entitled to build houses of worship. The Constitution does not require minorities to wait until every other policy problem is resolved before non-Muslim religious groups can be treated with fairness and dignity.

[7] Article 3 does not make Malaysia an Islamic state, however often the claim is repeated. As Tunku Abdul Rahman declared during the constitutional debates in 1958: “This country is not an Islamic state as it is generally understood; we merely provided that Islam shall be the official religion of the State.” That was the constitutional understanding of Malaysia’s founding generation and remained the official position of the first three prime ministers. Mahathir’s later Islamic state declaration may have been politically expedient but remains constitutionally irrelevant.

[8] Fadhli also asks what the “pressing need” is for Selangor’s revised guidelines. The answer is obvious to anyone who has watched non-Muslim communities spend years — sometimes decades — applying to build a temple or a church, only to be denied, delayed or shouted down. The Church of the Divine Mercy in Shah Alam waited nearly three decades, from its initial land application in 1977 to its opening in 2005 — a saga of bureaucratic obstruction, repeated site changes and organised opposition. It is not an isolated case. It is the norm.

[9] The Selangor guidelines are not an attack on Islam. No mosque is being demolished. No Muslim right is being curtailed. The state is doing its job: governing for all its citizens, not just some of them. That this is even controversial tells you how far things have gone.

[10] The threat to religious freedom is real and growing. It is rooted in a deep-seated intolerance towards other faiths that has been allowed to fester for decades and is now reflected in the conduct of public institutions. Radical preachers and activists routinely demean other religions with impunity, while the authorities who would act swiftly if the target were Islam look the other way. The enforced disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh and others remains a chilling reminder of how vulnerable religious minorities have become. These are not isolated abuses. They are the consequence of a sustained distortion of the Constitution to legitimise discrimination and unequal treatment. If Article 3 continues to be weaponised against the very religious freedoms the Constitution was designed to protect, it is not only non-Muslims who will lose. It is the Constitution itself – and with it, the idea of Malaysia as a nation governed by law rather than prejudice.

Dennis Ignatius | Kuala Lumpur | Monday 29 June 2026

Puad claims secret Umno‑PAS talks bred overconfidence, now BN faces precarious situation





Puad claims secret Umno‑PAS talks bred overconfidence, now BN faces precarious situation



Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Puad Zarkashi speaks during a press conference at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur June 7, 2023. Picture by Firdaus Latif

Monday, 29 Jun 2026 3:56 PM MYT


JOHOR BAHRU, June 29 — Former Johor assembly speaker Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi claimed that the secret plot between Umno and PAS to form a political partnership for the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections had led to the former being conceited.

He alleged that such efforts among the Malay nationalist party leaders to hold closed-door negotiations with PAS had existed even in the previous Johor election.

Puad, who was a former Umno supreme council member, revealed that the initial agreement required PAS to sit out the Johor state election, paving the way for a Barisan Nasional (BN) victory in all 56 constituencies.

He claimed that the proposed pact had caused several Umno leaders to be over-confident that the party can be victorious in Johor.

“Among the Umno leaders, Datuk Megat (political secretary to the deputy prime minister Datuk Wira Megat Zulkarnain Omardin) believed that if the negotiations were successful Umno can win big in Johor.

“Unfortunately, the Umno-PAS collaboration failed and this has caused BN to be in shambles.

“The situation is made worse by the recent BN candidates line-up consisting of recycled, mediocre (figures) and seen as anti-aspirational,” he said in his latest Facebook posting today.


Earlier, Puad revealed that the so-called negotiations with PAS were also raised in the Umno supreme council meeting on June 10.

He and several other supreme council members reminded the party leadership that negotiations with PAS should only continue if the goal was to win the state election or general election.

“However, if the collaboration is aimed at uniting the ummah, it will not succeed.

“It would be better to instead focus on the National Musyawarah Council that is chaired by Tan Sri Ghani Othman,” he said.

Puad said there are also those in Umno who believe that it is all right for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to still be incarcerated.

To them, he said the Umno PAS collaboration would have a greater impact compared with Najib’s freedom, when he could help with campaigning in Johor.

“This situation has also turned some Umno leaders egoistic and over-confident,” he said.

Puad, who is often outspoken, left Umno on June 25 following his disagreement with the BN candidates list for the Johor election.


Can fish be vaccinated just by eating? NUS scientists target deadly virus wiping out farm stocks





Can fish be vaccinated just by eating? NUS scientists target deadly virus wiping out farm stocks



Scientists at the National University of Singapore have developed an experimental oral vaccine that can be mixed into fish feed to protect farmed fish from nervous necrosis virus, a highly contagious disease that causes mass die-offs in larvae and juvenile fish in aquaculture. — Unsplash pic

Monday, 29 Jun 2026 1:21 PM MYT


SINGAPORE, June 29 — What if fish could be vaccinated just by eating their feed?

Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) are betting on exactly that to tackle a deadly virus threatening aquaculture stocks, The Straits Times reported today.

The team has developed an oral vaccine that can be mixed into fish feed to protect larvae and fingerlings, which are too small to be individually injected.

“Now, the fish will have the antibodies and so when the real virus hits, they will recognise this virus immediately and eliminate it,” NUS biological sciences professor Yang Daiwen was quoted as saying.

The target is the nervous necrosis virus, a highly contagious infection that attacks the nervous system of fish and can wipe out nearly all larvae and juvenile fish it infects.

In current practice, vaccines are injected one fish at a time, a method researchers say is impractical for young fish and labour-intensive at scale.

Yang’s team said larvae face near 100 per cent mortality when infected, making early-stage protection critical for aquaculture survival rates.


The oral vaccine works by using virus-like particles that mimic the pathogen but carry no genetic material, triggering immunity without causing infection.

These particles are then wrapped inside the bacterium Lactococcus lactis, which protects them from stomach acid and delivers them into the fish’s intestines.

Once absorbed, the immune system produces antibodies, including neutralising antibodies that block the virus from infecting cells.

Yang said the protected version of the vaccine doubled antibody levels compared with unprotected particles and reduced viral load in the brain by about 300 times after exposure.

In grouper trials, vaccinated fish recorded survival rates of about 95 per cent compared with 60 per cent in unvaccinated fish.

The vaccine has so far been tested under laboratory conditions on Asian sea bass and grouper, both widely farmed in the region.

While promising, the oral version is still less potent than injectable vaccines and requires higher doses to achieve similar protection.

The researchers have filed three patents and are now preparing industry partnerships for field trials in commercial farms.

They are also exploring a similar oral vaccine approach for scale drop disease, another destructive fish virus affecting farmed species.

Azalina tables sweeping amendment to Act 792 expanding child sex crime law and closing loopholes overseas






Azalina tables sweeping amendment to Act 792 expanding child sex crime law and closing loopholes overseas



Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the move is in line with efforts to strengthen protection for children against cross-border sexual crimes, while ensuring the act remains relevant amid the evolving nature of sexual offences. — Bernama pic

Monday, 29 Jun 2026 4:53 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — The proposed amendment to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792) seeks to ensure that Malaysia does not face jurisdictional constraints in taking action against perpetrators of child sexual crimes, even if the offences are committed abroad.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the move is in line with efforts to strengthen protection for children against cross-border sexual crimes, while ensuring the act remains relevant amid the evolving nature of sexual offences.

“The government is of the view that protection should not cease simply because the offence was committed overseas or the perpetrator falls beyond Malaysia’s jurisdiction,” she said when tabling the Sexual Offences Against Children (Amendment) Bill 2026 for second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.

In this regard, Azalina said the bill proposes an amendment to Section 3 of Act 792 to expand its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

She said that under existing provisions, Section 3 applies only to offences committed abroad by Malaysian citizens, but the amendment seeks to extend its scope to permanent residents and individuals who ordinarily reside in Malaysia.

“At the same time, protection is also extended to children who are Malaysian citizens, permanent residents, or ordinarily reside in Malaysia,” she said.

Azalina said that data from the Internet Watch Foundation, reported in 2025, showed that 16,238 reports of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) involving Malaysian children were recorded in 2024, an increase of more than 225 per cent compared with the previous year.


“In the first six months of 2025 alone, 12,656 reports were recorded. These figures show that the threat to children is no longer confined to physical spaces, but is increasingly growing in the digital environment and across borders,” she said.

She added that sexual crimes against children are becoming increasingly complex, involving the use of closed platforms, encryption technology, false identities and cross-border operations, making detection and prosecution more difficult.

“This amendment sends a clear message that Malaysia will not compromise on any form of sexual exploitation against children.

“Children do not choose to be victims. Therefore, it is our shared responsibility to ensure they are always protected through strict, modern and effective laws,” she said. — Bernama

1MDB suit against Rosmah going nowhere as court awaits new judge





1MDB suit against Rosmah going nowhere as court awaits new judge


A case management session is slated for next week, with the court expected to provide updates and directions on the future of the litigation


1MDB and its co-plaintiffs are suing Rosmah Mansor for proprietary and monetary relief in connection with the purported purchase of luxury goods using funds allegedly misappropriated from the companies. (Bernama pic)



PETALING JAYA: A multi-million dollar civil suit brought by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and 10 other entities against Rosmah Mansor appears to have ground to a halt, with no trial dates in sight due to a vacancy on the bench.

The suit, commenced in May 2024, seeks proprietary and monetary relief for luxury goods allegedly purchased by the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak with funds misappropriated from the companies.

The judicial vacancy has also resulted in several critical interlocutory applications, made by both parties, being put on hold.


A case management session is slated for next week, with the court expected to provide updates and directions on the future of the litigation.

At the heart of the suit is the claim that Rosmah received and possessed thousands of luxury items that were funded using assets belonging to 1MDB and its subsidiaries.


Investigations by liquidators revealed a complex money trail involving more than US$346 million.

The plaintiffs claim that these funds were channelled through eight offshore paying entities controlled by several known Najib proxies, including Low Taek Jho (or Jho Low) and Eric Tan.

They also claim that between 2009 and 2014, approximately 320 payments were made to at least 48 different vendors worldwide to facilitate these high-end acquisitions.

The plaintiffs contend that these transactions were “coordinated and sham” efforts to move misappropriated money through various intermediaries before reaching the vendors.


The case will see Shabnam Naraindas Daswani, originally named as a co-defendant, testify for 1MDB against Rosmah after the suit against her was discontinued two months ago.


The items in question are linked to the massive haul seized by the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) during the May 2018 raids at Pavillion Residence. That seizure included 11,991 pieces of jewellery and over 700 handbags.

The public prosecutor had sought to forfeit these items under anti-money laundering laws, but failed, after a judge ruled in 2022 that the prosecution could not show a direct link to any predicate offence committed by Rosmah.

The goods were returned to her in stages throughout 2022.


However, 1MDB and the other plaintiffs now claim that these specific items were purchased with misappropriated funds, forming the basis of this civil recovery effort.

The suit names 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited, 1MDB Energy Limited, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Limited, Global Diversified Investment Company Limited, SRC International Sdn Bhd, Affinity Equity International Partners Limited, Alsen Chance Holdings Limited, Blackrock Commodities (Global) Limited, Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners Limited, and Brightstone Jewellery Limited as co-plaintiffs.


Nga moots waiving toll fees for Johor polls





Nga moots waiving toll fees for Johor polls


The DAP deputy chairman says this will help Johoreans across the country return to cast their ballots and 'safeguard democracy'


DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming suggested waiving the toll charges on July 10 and 11, on the eve of polling day and polling day itself.



PETALING JAYA: DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming has suggested that the government waive toll fees on all highways across the country ahead of the Johor state election on July 11.

He suggested waiving the charges on July 10 and 11 to help Johoreans across the country return to cast their ballots, China Press reported.

Nga, the housing and local government minister, said he will raise the proposal with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim when the Cabinet meets on Wednesday.


Nga said PAS’s call on supporters to back Barisan Nasional in seats not contested by Perikatan Nasional risked giving BN a major victory.
Kerajaan



He said BN had already undermined democracy in Johor by pushing through a bill to introduce appointed assemblymen in the state legislature.


“I want to urge the Chinese community nationwide to remain vigilant, be aware of the challenges ahead, and fully mobilise to vote for Pakatan Harapan in order to safeguard democracy.

“At this critical juncture, everyone should return home to vote on July 11. Your vote will determine both your future and the country’s future,” he said at a dinner in Pasir Pinji, Ipoh, to celebrate DAP’s 60th anniversary.

Nga also warned against Chinese voters being divided and backing MCA, saying the community’s population had been declining and is projected to drop to 13.8% of the country’s demographic by 2050.

Splitting the community’s votes would ultimately mean losing political influence, he said.


“As long as everyone comes out to vote and the Chinese community remains united, we can continue to play the role of a decisive minority.

“This is especially true in states like Perak and Johor, where non-Malay communities make up between 46% and 48% of the electorate. If Chinese and Indian voters unite with a common purpose, every vote will carry weight,” he said.

2 Malaysians injured in southern Thailand bomb blast





2 Malaysians injured in southern Thailand bomb blast


It is understood that three people were travelling in a vehicle at Tak Bai in Narathiwat province this afternoon, but the third occupant escaped unharmed


Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said the victims were travelling in a Malaysian-registered vehicle during the 12.40pm incident. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Two Malaysians were injured in a bomb blast in the Thai border town of Tak Bai in Narathiwat province this afternoon.

The two victims, aged 38 and 45, sustained bodily injuries in the 12.40pm incident, and the vehicle they were travelling in was also damaged, reported Harian Metro.

They are receiving treatment at Narathiwat Hospital.


It is understood that three people were travelling in the vehicle, but the third occupant escaped unharmed.

Amin Mat Yusof, who is the MP for Thailand’s Sungai Golok and Tak Bai districts, said the bomb exploded as the victims were travelling through the area in a Proton X50.

“Both victims are in stable condition,” he said.

Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat confirmed that the victims, who were travelling in a Malaysian-registered vehicle, were injured in the explosion.

“We are still gathering further information,” he said.

South Korea to invest nearly US$1.2 trillion in chips, AI data centres





South Korea to invest nearly US$1.2 trillion in chips, AI data centres


The enormous cash injection comes as Asia's fourth-largest economy rides high on a global AI boom


President Lee Jae Myung said South Korea must accelerate AI development to secure key technologies and remain competitive. (EPA Images pic)


SEOUL: South Korea will invest nearly US$1.2 trillion – equivalent to more than two-thirds of its GDP – in a new chip-building hub and AI data centres over several years as it seeks to profit from soaring demand while developing previously neglected regions.

The enormous cash injection comes as Asia’s fourth-largest economy rides high on a global AI boom – with South Korean memory chipmakers emerging as a crucial cog in the fast-moving industry.


“Speed is the only path to survival. We must secure the core elements of artificial intelligence faster than any other nation,” President Lee Jae Myung said in Seoul at an event to unveil the public-private collaboration.


Samsung Electronics and SK hynix will make a record investment of 800 trillion won (around US$520 billion) in a new semiconductor fabrication hub in the country’s southwest, the government said.

Both companies have seen profits and share prices skyrocket in recent months, as frenzied demand for AI infrastructure squeezes the global supply of memory chips.


The government also announced a separate investment of a quadrillion won (around US$650 billion) in AI data centres over the next 10 years.

The plans are in line with Lee’s agenda for industrial development in regions outside the capital, and industry minister Kim Jung-kwan said the Samsung-SK hynix project will comprise four fabrication plants.

“We will develop the southwestern region into a second semiconductor production hub,” he said.

Samsung Electronics and SK hynix will each build two plants under the 800 trillion won project, according to Kim’s presentation slide.


Capacity expansion

“Permit approvals and construction timelines will be dramatically shortened to rapidly expand production capacity,” Kim said.

“Through this, we will maintain an overwhelming market leadership and a decisive technological gap in the memory semiconductor sector.”

Science minister Bae Kyung-hoon announced that the country will invest 550 trillion won on AI data centres by 2029.


“By 2035, an additional 10-gigawatt AI data centre will be built, with a total investment exceeding 18.4 gigawatts and 1,000 trillion won.”

The new investment is by far South Korea’s largest.

The southwestern region of Honam – a traditional liberal stronghold encompassing Gwangju and the Jeolla provinces – has long lagged behind the more industrialised southeast.

This disparity dates back to rapid economic development under former president Park Chung-hee in the 1960s and 70s.

But without incentives for companies to voluntarily relocate, the massive investment could backfire, warned Kim Dae-jong, a professor of Business Administration at Sejong University.

This could, in turn, hurt the nation’s semiconductor competitiveness.

“It is essential to minimise the financial burden, amounting to hundreds of trillions of won, as well as the time-related risks faced by companies,” said Kim.


Renewables

Analysts say there are abundant renewable electricity resources in the southwest, making it possible for companies to meet their commitments to boosting green energy use.

But they caution that building an entirely new semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem away from the existing industrial base around Seoul would require significant time and investment.

“Establishing production lines from scratch could take more than five years,” Lee Jong-hwan, a semiconductor engineering professor at Sangmyung University, told AFP.

“The biggest challenge is that most skilled workers and suppliers remain concentrated around the Seoul metropolitan area.”

Concerns were also raised about heavy demand for water. President Lee wrote on X on Saturday that “assessments indicate it is possible to supply one million tonnes of industrial water per day” in the region.

The announcement comes as South Korea debates how the enormous profits generated by the global AI-driven semiconductor boom should be shared more broadly across society.

Kim Yong-beom, the president’s chief policy secretary, in May suggested using excess AI-related tax revenue to fund startup support for young people, basic income programmes for rural and fishing communities, and assistance for artists.

The boom has also fuelled worker demands over pay packages, with Samsung averting a major strike in May by agreeing a deal on bonuses with its largest 
union.


***


South Korea has my admiration


Cabinet greenlights MH370 deep-sea search extension with Ocean Infinity for another year, search to resume July 1, says Anthony Loke






Cabinet greenlights MH370 deep-sea search extension with Ocean Infinity for another year, search to resume July 1, says Anthony Loke



This handout file photo taken and released on April 9, 2014 by Australian Defence shows a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion flying past Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield on a mission to drop sonar buoys to assist in the acoustic search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean. The Malaysian government has agreed to extend its agreement with UK-based Ocean Infinity for another 12 months to continue deep-sea efforts to locate Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean. — Australian Defence/LSIS Bradley Darvill handout pic via AFP

Monday, 29 Jun 2026 2:18 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — The government has agreed to extend its agreement with UK-based Ocean Infinity for another 12 months to continue deep-sea efforts to locate Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean.

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook said the Cabinet approved the extension on June 26, with the new contract period running from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

He said the move reflects the government’s continued commitment to providing closure for the families of those on board the ill-fated flight.

“The extension retains all key terms and conditions of the existing agreement, including the ‘no find, no fee’ principle,” he said in a statement today.


Under the arrangement, Malaysia will not be required to make any payment if the wreckage is not found.

However, a success fee of US$70 million (RM284 million) will be paid to Ocean Infinity if the aircraft is located.

The extension allows the remaining 7,428.54 square kilometres of search area to be fully covered by the company.


Loke said the decision also takes into account Ocean Infinity’s new commercial commitments, which require its main operational assets to be temporarily redeployed elsewhere.

He added that the rescheduled deployment window — between November 2026 and April 2027 — coincides with calmer sea conditions, which are more suitable for safe and effective search operations.

Anwar was denied use of Johor govt facility, says PKR Youth chief





Anwar was denied use of Johor govt facility, says PKR Youth chief


Kamil Munim questions if menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi's administration prioritises political interests over cooperation with Putrajaya


PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim said the prime minister was supposed to meet locals in Sungai Balang at a community centre, but the district office informed the organisers at the last minute that the venue could not be used. (Bernama pic)



PETALING JAYA: PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim claims Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was denied use of a Johor government facility in Muar at the last minute, questioning whether this was politically motivated.

Kamil, a political secretary to Anwar, said the PKR president was supposed to meet fishermen, farmers, entrepreneurs and educators at a community centre in Sungai Balang two weeks ago.

However, he said the district office informed the organisers that the venue could not be used, forcing the event to be moved to a nearby jetty with the help of the fisheries development authority, Nanyang Siang Pau reported.


“Are we really not even allowed to let the prime minister use a (state) government facility? He only came to engage with fishermen, farmers, small traders, educators and youths.

“Why couldn’t a (state) government facility be used? What is the real issue?” he was quoted as saying at a ceramah in Segamat last night.


Kamil took aim at Johor menteri besar and state Umno chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi, questioning whether the latter’s administration prioritised political interests over cooperation with the federal government.
Politik

He said Johor had been one of Putrajaya’s top development priorities since Anwar took office in November 2022, with RM39.1 billion in development funds channelled to the southern state since then.

This is the third-highest amount received by a state after Sabah and Sarawak, he added.

“In recent years, Johor has benefited from numerous federal projects, including hospitals, government clinics, educational institutions, the ETS rail service, the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System, highways and other infrastructure projects.”

Kamil also said Johor had the second-highest number of recipients of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah aid programmes by state.

“Aren’t these all contributions from the federal government? Yet, when the prime minister comes to meet the people, he is not even allowed to use a (state) government facility.”

Last week, Onn Hafiz claimed he was barred from entering a Felda settlement in Kluang for an event, which was later moved to a community hall.

Anwar, however, said no such order was ever given.


***


Wonder whether a 'certain person' would be disappointed by this lack of Malay Unity but delighted that Anwar was frigged?

😂😂😂

Andy Burnham and a new Britain: Why we should pay attention





Andy Burnham and a new Britain: Why we should pay attention


For decades, Britain has been governed from London. Wealth accumulated in one corner of the country while entire regions waited patiently for an opportunity that seldom arrived


Updated 1 day ago · Published on 27 Jun 2026 10:20AM


Burnham is not trying to recreate Britain’s past. He is trying to rebuild its future. - Image from https://www.politics.co.uk/news



by Vinod Sekhar



POLITICS often mistakes noise for leadership.

The loudest voices dominate our news. The sharpest slogans dominate our social media. Yet history rarely remembers those who shouted the loudest.

It remembers those who quietly changed the direction of their nations.

Andy Burnham may prove to be one of those leaders.

Should he become Britain’s next Prime Minister, Malaysia and ASEAN should resist the temptation to see another change of occupant at Number 10.

Instead, we should recognise something potentially far more significant—a shift in philosophy.

Burnham is not trying to recreate Britain’s past. He is trying to rebuild its future.

For decades, Britain has been governed from London. Wealth accumulated in one corner of the country while entire regions waited patiently for an opportunity that seldom arrived.

Burnham’s answer has been refreshingly simple: trust communities, empower cities, invest in infrastructure, and create prosperity where people actually live.

As an entrepreneur and social capitalist, that resonates with me.

Economic growth does not begin in ministries. It begins in towns. It begins in factories. It begins in laboratories, classrooms, ports, farms and small businesses.

Governments create the conditions. People create prosperity.

That distinction matters.

Too often, we fall into the false debate between capitalism and socialism, between government and markets, between public and private.

The truly successful societies have long understood that this is a false choice.

The future belongs to nations where governments build confidence, businesses create wealth, universities create ideas, and communities create trust.

That is what I have always described as social capitalism.

Whether Andy Burnham would use those words is beside the point. What matters is that much of his practical record reflects a belief that economic growth must serve society, and society must enable economic growth.

That is a conversation Malaysia understands.




We, too, are a nation built not by ideology but by pragmatism.

We are Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indigenous, and so much more.

We trade with America.

We trade with China.

We trade with Europe.

We trade with India.

Our strength has never come from choosing sides. It has come from building bridges. It has come not from owning the table but from holding the table.

Britain under Andy Burnham may begin thinking in much the same way.

This presents an opportunity that ASEAN cannot afford to ignore.

Britain remains one of the world’s great financial centres, a leader in higher education, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, artificial intelligence and green technology.

ASEAN, meanwhile, is one of the fastest-growing economic regions on Earth, home to over 670 million people and an increasingly confident middle class.

The partnership is obvious.

Malaysia should position itself not merely as Britain’s trading partner but as Britain’s trusted gateway into ASEAN.

Likewise, Britain should see Malaysia not simply as a Commonwealth friend but as a strategic platform into Southeast Asia.

The relationship should evolve beyond palm oil, education and historic ties.

It should encompass semiconductor supply chains.

Artificial intelligence.

Climate technology.

Food security.

Healthcare innovation.

Digital finance.

Green manufacturing.

Young entrepreneurs from Manchester should find opportunities in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian innovators should find partners in Liverpool, Birmingham and Leeds.

Universities should collaborate.

Businesses should invest together.

Governments should remove barriers rather than create them.

Most importantly, our young people should see one another not as foreigners but as future partners.

Leadership in the twenty-first century is no longer about projecting power.

It is about creating possibilities.




That is the lesson ASEAN has learnt.

It is increasingly the lesson Britain appears ready to relearn.

Whether Andy Burnham succeeds or fails will ultimately be decided by the British people.

That is their sovereign choice.

But if he governs as he has led Greater Manchester—with a focus on empowering communities, investing in infrastructure and measuring success by whether ordinary people feel the benefits of growth—then Malaysia should welcome that direction.

Not because we seek a political ally.

But because we recognise a familiar idea.

If its next chapter is written by leaders who understand that prosperity must be inclusive, opportunity must be shared, and cooperation must triumph over division, then Malaysia and ASEAN should not merely applaud from afar.

We should extend our hand.

Because the greatest partnerships in history have never been built on convenience.

They have been built on shared values, mutual respect, and a common belief that nations, like people, achieve far more when they choose to build bridges rather than walls. And the best nations are those that build bridges rather than walls.

In a fragmented world, Britain and ASEAN have an opportunity to demonstrate that growth, fairness and international cooperation are not competing ambitions.

Together, they can become the same ambition.



Datuk Dr Vinod Sekhar is the publisher of The Vibes and Chairman of the Petra Group

Woman’s body found in suitcase after smell leads landlord to Kajang flat






Woman’s body found in suitcase after smell leads landlord to Kajang flat



The landlord, who declined to be named, said he believed the deceased was the woman who had rented the unit for about three months, and who had been living there with a man. — Picture by Ahmad Zamzahuri

Monday, 29 Jun 2026 10:57 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — A landlord said he was alerted to a foul smell and extremely dirty conditions inside a rented unit in Taman Impian Indah here, which eventually led to the discovery of a suitcase containing the body of a woman believed to be a Nepalese tenant.

He said he had been unable to contact the tenant on several occasions, prompting him to check the property himself, Harian Metro reported today.

“After I went in, there was a foul smell and the house was very dirty. I then found the suitcase,” he said when met on Saturday.

The landlord, who declined to be named, said he believed the deceased was the woman who had rented the unit for about three months, and who had been living there with a man.


He also claimed rent payments were often delayed.

“After failing to reach them several times, I went to check the unit yesterday afternoon.

“The house was filthy, with sewage stains and a strong smell on the floor. There was a large cardboard box in the living room corner filled with clothes and fabric, and sewage appeared to be leaking from it,” he said.


He added that upon inspecting the box, he found a suitcase inside.

“When I tried to pull it out, it was very heavy.

“I saw the suitcase was bloated and the zip was hard to open.

“I was scared and immediately called the police,” he said.

Kajang police chief ACP Naazron Abdul Yusof said police received a report at 8.37pm on the discovery of an unidentified body at the house.

Following the report, police and forensic teams were deployed to the scene.

“Checks found the body of a woman inside a suitcase in the living room of the house, and she was confirmed dead,” he said in a statement.

The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

If convicted, the offence carries the death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and up to 40 years, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact investigating officer Asst Supt Nur Ayuni Aziz at 016-2080717 or via MERS 999.

Johor polls: Police open three probes as campaigning gets underway





Johor polls: Police open three probes as campaigning gets underway



One of the vandalised billboards featuring Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Pasir Raja candidate, Fakharuddin Moslim, June 29, 2026. — Picture courtesy of Mohd Fakharuddin

Monday, 29 Jun 2026 11:43 AM MYT


JOHOR BAHRU, June 29 — Johor police have received seven reports related to the Johor state election since nomination day last Saturday until 11.59pm last night.

Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said that of the total, three investigation papers have been opened involving various offences.

“One investigation paper has been opened under Section 435 of the Penal Code for committing mischief using fire or explosives, while another is being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for the offence of committing mischief.

“In addition, another investigation paper has been opened under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

“The alleged offences relate to acts or attempts to commit acts with a tendency to incite and improper use of network facilities or services,” he said in a statement issued today.

To date, Ab Rahaman said police have received 420 permit applications for political campaign activities.

He said that of the total, 414 permits were approved to enable various campaign activities to be carried out in accordance under the provisions of the law.


“During the same period, 191 political activities took place and were monitored by police personnel to ensure that each programme complied with the permit conditions and operated in orderly manner.

“Overall, the security situation throughout the state election process had been peaceful and under control,” he said, adding that there were no untoward incidents reported.

Ab Rahaman said police are also intensifying monitoring on social media platforms in collaboration with relevant agencies to detect fake news, unverified information and content containing incitement or provocation that could disrupt public order.

Earlier, several billboards displaying the Pasir Raja Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Fakharuddin Moslim were damaged.

The roadside billboards were believed to have been vandalised by irresponsible parties.

Fakharuddin said that he has yet to lodge a report with the authorities over the vandalised billboards, adding that the incident would not affect his spirit to campaign.

“Let’s campaign healthily and let the people decide their choice at the ballot box,” he said when contacted by Malay Mail today.

Lightning strike triggers gas vent stack blast at offshore Miri oil and gas facility






Lightning strike triggers gas vent stack blast at offshore Miri oil and gas facility



Lightning struck a vent stack pipe at an offshore oil and gas facility near Miri yesterday, hitting a gas line and causing an explosion. — Screengrab from Facebook/Amazing Sarawak

Monday, 29 Jun 2026 9:59 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — A vent stack pipe at an oil and gas facility off the waters of Miri was struck by lightning yesterday, hitting a gas line and triggering an explosion.

BuletinTV3 reported that a Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) spokesperson said emergency action was immediately taken to shut off valves in order to bring the situation under control and prevent further risk.

He said the incident did not result in any fire and the situation is now stable.

Information from the chief of security at Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) confirmed the incident and stated that all safety procedures were carried out according to established protocols.


Meanwhile, Miri district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said police had not yet received any official report on the incident.

“So far, there is no report, but we understand the incident occurred when lightning struck the gas release area at the platform. Such incidents are also understood to be not uncommon on offshore platforms,” he said when contacted.

However, police are tracking down the contractor company operating the platform to obtain further details.

A 26-second video of the offshore explosion went viral on social media yesterday afternoon.

One election, two crises, three coalitions: The Negeri Sembilan vote that could reshape Malaysian politics





One election, two crises, three coalitions: The Negeri Sembilan vote that could reshape Malaysian politics



A general view of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly building is seen in Seremban on April 23, 2026. — Picture by Yusof Isa

Monday, 29 Jun 2026 7:00 AM MYT


SEREMBAN, June 29 — Voters in Negeri Sembilan will cast their ballots on August 1 in an election that is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and constitutionally significant contests in the state's history.

The state assembly’s early dissolution has paved the way for a 36-seat battle that marks a major shift in the political landscape.

Unlike the 2023 state polls, where Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) campaigned as allies, the two coalitions are now expected to face each other directly in a three-cornered fight alongside Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Beyond the political realignment, the campaign is expected to be dominated by two unconventional pillars: a brewing constitutional crisis involving the state’s royal institution and mounting “bread-and-butter” concerns among a rapidly growing population.


Royal institution in the spotlight

One of the most defining and sensitive issues heading into August is the ongoing dispute involving Negeri Sembilan’s unique monarchy.

The state follows the Adat Perpatih system, where the Yang di-Pertuan Besar is elected by the four Undang (territorial chieftains). The current crisis was triggered when the four Undang announced they were deposing the reigning Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, and proclaimed Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar.


This unprecedented move has triggered a series of legal and constitutional challenges. While historical parallels exist, most notably in 1967 when the Undang bypassed a 19-year-old Tuanku Muhriz in favor of Tuanku Ja’afar, the current dispute has spilled into the political arena, raising fundamental questions about the role of traditional institutions and customary law.


Fragmented political landscape

In 2023, the PH-BN “Unity” formula saw the two coalitions sweep 31 of the 36 seats. However, the collapse of that state-level cooperation means voters will now witness a direct confrontation between former partners.

Pakatan Harapan (PH): Faces the task of defending its incumbency and its urban/non-Malay strongholds.

Barisan Nasional (BN): Seeks to reassert its relevance as a standalone force, particularly in its traditional rural heartlands.

Perikatan Nasional (PN): Aims to expand its current five-seat foothold, looking to capitalize on any disenchantment within the Malay middle ground.

The rural belt that includes Jempol, Bahau, Serting, and Gemas will be the primary battleground for Malay votes, while the mixed and urban constituencies in Seremban and Nilai will test whether PH can maintain its dominance amidst the split in the “unity” vote.


Commuter pressures and cost of living

While the constitutional crisis dominates legal circles, the average voter is focused on the rising cost of living.

Negeri Sembilan acts as a massive “commuter state,” with tens of thousands of residents traveling daily to Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Cyberjaya for work.

Key local issues include:

Traffic congestion: Rapid development in growth corridors like Seremban, Nilai, Labu, and Bandar Sri Sendayan has outpaced infrastructure.

Housing affordability: A recurring concern for younger families moving south for cheaper housing who are now feeling the pinch of inflation.

The ‘report card’ on MVV 2.0: The election will serve as a referendum on Malaysia Vision Valley (MVV) 2.0, the flagship project intended to turn western Negeri Sembilan into a high-tech economic extension of Greater Kuala Lumpur.


A changing electorate

The Negeri Sembilan heading to the polls in August is larger and more urbanised than in previous years. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM):The state’s population reached approximately 1.24 million in 2024.

Seremban remains the largest district, with its population estimated to have grown to 717,000 by 2025.

Port Dickson (134,000) and Jempol (130,000) follow as the next most populous districts.

While the Bumiputera remain the majority, followed by the Chinese and Indian communities, the influx of young professionals and urban migrants into the Seremban-PD axis has created a more diverse and potentially volatile electorate.


More than a state election

For a state traditionally regarded as politically moderate, the outcome of the August 1 polls will resonate far beyond Seremban.

It will provide the first clear data on how voters respond to political realignment and constitutional instability, serving as a vital bellwether for the health of national coalitions as they look toward the next general election.

‘I’ve done my job’: Lead prosecutor leaves Syed Saddiq’s fate to Federal Court





‘I’ve done my job’: Lead prosecutor leaves Syed Saddiq’s fate to Federal Court



Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who led the prosecution, said he had carried out his duties to the best of his ability in the pursuit of justice and left the final decision to the court, when asked about the outcome of the final appeal involving Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. — Pictures by Yusof Isa/Hari Anggara

Monday, 29 Jun 2026 10:11 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — “I have done my job to the best of my ability in the pursuit of justice. I leave any decision to the court.”

That was the response from deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who led the prosecution, when asked to comment on the final appeal involving Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Berita Harian reported today.

On June 25 last year, the Court of Appeal acquitted Syed Saddiq, 33, after allowing his appeal to overturn his conviction and seven-year jail sentence, two strokes of the cane and a RM10 million fine imposed by the High Court on November 9, 2023.

The conviction involved charges of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering linked to funds from Bersatu’s youth wing, Armada.

On December 12 last year, in an unusual development, a three-judge Federal Court panel directed the prosecution to consult and state its position on the final appeal.

The panel, chaired by Court of Appeal president Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, allowed time for the prosecution to reconsider its appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision that had acquitted Syed Saddiq of four charges involving misappropriation of funds.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court gave a week for both parties to reflect and determine whether they still believed the appeal should proceed or be withdrawn.


The Federal Court also included judges Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

Five days later, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) instructed the prosecution to proceed with the appeal. Wan Shaharuddin conveyed the instruction in a letter to the deputy registrar of the Federal Court.

The letter stated that the appellant (prosecution) had sought the views and instructions of the Attorney General, Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, on the matter.

It further confirmed that the Attorney General had directed the appeal to proceed and that whatever decision the court makes will be accepted, with the prosecution maintaining its written and oral submissions.

The final outcome of the case will be decided this Tuesday when the Federal Court in Putrajaya sits again to deliver its judgment.

The ruling will determine whether Syed Saddiq remains free if the appeal is dismissed, or faces imprisonment if the prosecution succeeds.

Syed Saddiq is accused of abetting former Armada assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali in criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million at CIMB Bank Berhad, KL Sentral on March 6, 2020, under Section 406 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ jail, whipping and a fine.

He also faces a charge of misappropriating RM120,000 belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise under Section 403 of the Penal Code.

In addition, he is accused of two counts of money laundering involving RM50,000 transferred into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account.

The charges fall under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ jail and a fine of up to five times the amount involved.

Israel kills three Palestinians in Gaza as attacks on tents continue

 


Israel kills three Palestinians in Gaza as attacks on tents continue

Israeli forces restrict Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque and block the call to prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque.

Israeli attacks killed at least three Palestinians and wounded several others in the Gaza Strip, as Israel continued its assault on the enclave and expanded raids across the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian news agency Wafa reported on Sunday that an Israeli drone struck the al-Salatin area, west of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, killing at least two people and wounding at least one more.

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In southern Gaza, Israeli forces bombed a tent sheltering displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis.

Israeli warplanes fired a missile at the tent, wounding several people who were taken to hospital.

Medical staff at Nasser Medical Complex said they received the body of one unidentified person after the attack.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it helped transfer 14 Palestinians held captive by Israel from the Kerem Abu Salem crossing to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza. It also helped them to contact and reunite with their families.

The ICRC said it has facilitated the transfer of more than 2,500 released detainees since 2023 through the same mechanism.

But the organisation said Israel had not allowed it to access Palestinian detainees held in Israeli detention centres since October 2023.

It said authorities must disclose the fate and whereabouts of all detainees, allow visits, and ensure they can communicate with their families.

Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Gaza City, said: “Israel has intensified its air strikes on Saturday, mainly targeting makeshift tents, specifically in Gaza City and the al-Mawasi area, which has been designated as a safe zone under the talks and the map of the ceasefire agreement that was reached last year.”

“These attacks have been accompanied by an expansion of Israel’s ground activities in eastern portions of Gaza City, with Israeli forces expanding the space of the yellow demarcation line.”

Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israel’s genocide in the enclave has now killed at least 73,054 Palestinians and wounded 173,480 since October 7, 2023.

Hospitals received three bodies and treated 43 wounded people over the past 24 hours, the ministry added.

1:44
Palestinian mother in Gaza seeks her missing son beyond Israel’s ‘yellow line’

West Bank raids and mosque restrictions

In occupied East Jerusalem, 110 Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy Israeli police protection, according to the Islamic Waqf Department.

The Waqf said settlers entered through the Mughrabi Gate, toured the courtyards and performed provocative rituals in the eastern area of the compound.

Israeli police imposed tight restrictions on Palestinian worshippers, harassed them, blocked some from entering and confiscated identity cards at external gates.

In Hebron, Israeli forces prevented the call to prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque for the eighth consecutive day.

Munjid al-Ja’bari, the mosque’s director, said Israeli forces had blocked the call to prayer at all times over the past eight days, Wafa reported. He said the restrictions aimed to tighten Israeli control over the mosque and empty it of worshippers.

Israeli forces also shot a young Palestinian man in the foot with live ammunition during a raid on Qalandiya camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, and arrested two others.

In Bethlehem governorate, Israeli forces arrested two young men after raiding Beit Sahour and searching a family home.

In Nablus, Israeli forces arrested 11 Palestinians after storming and searching homes in several areas. They also raided Sebastia, northwest of Nablus, arrested two Palestinians, including journalist Anas al-Hawari, and destroyed a vehicle.

Palestinian groups warned that Israel is escalating its attacks on medical workers and civil society organisations.

The Palestinian NGO Network called for international pressure to secure the release of detained doctors, including Mazen al-Rantisi, Khaled Ayash and Hussam Abu Safia.

The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs said Palestinian women held in Damon prison face harsh conditions and deprivation of basic rights.

It said prisoner Lina Muhammad Wazwaz, a teacher and mother of four, suffered severe pain from tight handcuffs after her arrest and later sustained a facial injury during a prison raid.

1:28
How Israel is expanding Gaza control beyond the 'yellow line'