Saturday, July 25, 2026

Sanusi's remarks an insult to millions of Malayians, says Dr Mah

Sanusi's remarks an insult to millions of Malayians, says Dr Mah

Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 | 8:01 PM MYT

( March 18, 2026 ) — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

PORT DICKSON: Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's remarks are an insult to millions of loyal Malaysians, says MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

"As the Mentri Besar of Kedah and an elected representative, Sanusi's remarks are also an insult to the non-Malay voters who placed their trust in him," he said in a statement on Saturday (July 25).

Dr Mah said resorting to racial rhetoric during an election campaign to divide voters was an ugly tactic that deserved repudiation.

"In a harmonious and diverse country like Malaysia, politicians should act responsibly and focus on the welfare of the people and delivering effective public service to drive the nation's progress," he added.

This comes after Muhammad Sanusi, who is also Perikatan Nasional election director, alleged during a ceramah that Tanah Melayu was the ‘homeland’ for the Malays, unlike other ethnic groups.

Dr Mah said Muhammad Sanusi's claim was an insult to local Chinese and Indian communities, who have been pillars of Malaysia's economic growth and national development since the pre-Independence days.

"Malaysia is renowned as a multiracial nation and that diversity is a unique strength that all Malaysians should be proud of.

"As Malaysians who were born and raised here, we also belong to this land. Sanusi should not forget that we are Malaysians too," he added.

He also questioned whether Muhammad Sanusi had forgotten that the Malaysian Indian People's Party is part of Perikatan.

"Does his statement imply that Perikatan does not represent or serve the interests of the non-Malay community?" he asked.

The MCA deputy president said that regardless of political parties or their ideologies, elected leaders should remember that they are chosen to serve all Malaysians.

"Political leaders should use the campaign stage to address the real issues affecting the rakyat and present solutions that improve their lives rather than resorting to racial politics that threaten the country's unity and social harmony," he said.

***

Malaysia belongs equally to all citizens, says Dr Wee on Sanusi's remarks

By GERARD GIMINO

Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 | 5:06 PM MYT

-filepic

PORT DICKSON: Malaysia belongs equally to all Malaysians and any statement that can be interpreted as questioning the loyalty or sense of belonging of any citizen will only create unnecessary misunderstanding, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He said Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's remarks do not help national unity and have caused concern among the Malaysian Chinese community.

"MCA has never supported racial rhetoric from any quarter.

"We have spoken out in the past regardless of whether the remarks came from political opponents or political allies.

"Our principles do not change according to the identity or political affiliation of the person making the statement," he said in a statement on Saturday (July 25).

Wee said Muhammad Sanusi must clarify his remarks clearly and promptly to defuse unnecessary tensions.

This comes after Muhammad Sanusi, who is also Perikatan Nasional election director, allegedly said during a ceramah that Tanah Melayu was the only homeland for the Malays, unlike other ethnic groups.

Wee affirmed that MCA's cooperation with any political party has always been based on mutual respect, the Federal Constitution, the Rukun Negara, and the rights and interests of all Malaysians.

"These principles remain unchanged," he said.

MCA, he said, will continue to defend the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese community while working towards a Malaysia that is stable, moderate and inclusive.

"We reject any attempt to divide Malaysians along racial or religious lines, regardless of where it comes from.

"Our focus should be on strengthening unity, respecting one another and addressing the real challenges facing the nation, rather than exploiting race and religion to manufacture political narratives that further polarise society," he added.

Wee also called out DAP for attempting to portray itself as the sole defender of the Chinese community, saying the party played racial and religious cards when it suited its political interests.

"This has been demonstrated repeatedly through inflammatory remarks. MCA is also prepared to arrange a private screening of these speeches and remarks for those who have conveniently forgotten them," he said.

‘Shameful’: Pentagon accused of cover-up over US military casualties in Iran war

‘Shameful’: Pentagon accused of cover-up over US military casualties in Iran war

No press briefing has been held for months, as the defence department belatedly or inaccurately releases figures

David Smith in Washington

Sat 25 Jul 2026 20.00 AEST

The Pentagon is taking a “shameful approach” to releasing information about US casualties in the Iran war, Leon Panetta, a former defence secretary and CIA director, has told the Guardian.

The defence department has not held a press briefing for two-and-a-half months. Officials have faced accusations that they are engaged in a cover-up designed to hide the true cost of Donald Trump’s war of choice in Iran, fearing a public backlash before November’s midterm elections.

Panetta, who held weekly Pentagon briefings during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, criticised the department for failing to disclose how many people had been hurt in bomb attacks by Iran on US bases.

Pentagon list of service members killed in Iran war removes most recent four

“There’s a deliberate effort here to basically withhold information from the American people, and I think it represents in many ways a shameful approach to sharing the responsibility that we all have when it comes to fighting a war,” he said by phone.

Leon Panetta at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on 22 August 2024. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran collapsed earlier this month and both sides have been carrying out daily strikes against each other, prompting fears of a quagmire and a betrayal of Trump’s campaign promise to eschew “forever wars”.

The number of US troops killed in the war on Iran rose to 18 last weekend, while ‌roughly 430 US troops have been injured. The Pentagon said on Monday that 100 service members had been injured since 7 July but that 96% had returned to duty. The department initially failed to disclose the figures, according to a New York Times newspaper report, only belatedly acknowledging the casualties in a social media post.

Officials dismissed the Times’ article as “baseless and malicious” and contend that they are not strictly required to publicise injuries if service members are expected to return to duty. But questions intensified when another Times report said the Pentagon’s website had lowered the number of troop deaths from 18 to 14; Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesperson, blamed “a temporary data disruption”.

Critics, however, say the information blackout is a calculated political strategy to hide a failing military intervention.

Ned Price, a former deputy to the US representative to the United Nations and former spokesperson for the state department, said: “This goes beyond a run-of-the-mill administration distrust toward and hostility against the press. This is more about shielding the American people from the true and total cost of this war.”

The Pentagon v the press

Since the war started five months ago, there has been a tension between the government’s desire for operational secrecy and the media’s demand for transparency on behalf of the public. Even during contentious, unpopular wars in Vietnam and Iraq, the lines of communication were kept more or less open. But since Trump’s return to power in January 2025, the Pentagon – restyled as the Department of War – has been restricting access.

Almost immediately, it ousted major outlets including the New York Times, National Public Radio (NPR) and Politico from their long-held desks, supplanting them with Trump-friendly media such as Breitbart, the One America News Network and the New York Post. In May, it imposed restrictions on the free movement of reporters in most of the Pentagon building.

In October, most news outlets turned in their access badges and walked out of the Pentagon rather than agree to new rules that would leave them vulnerable to expulsion if they sought to report on information – classified or otherwise – that had not been approved by Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, for release. In December, the department held a three-day event to usher in newly accredited media organisations, including pro-Trump podcasters and influencers.

In March this year, the Pentagon introduced a rule that required journalists to be escorted on Pentagon grounds by authorised department personnel. In June, it said its press office was now a classified space inaccessible to journalists because it was used by speechwriters who “routinely handle classified material”. The ever-tightening limits have alarmed press freedom watchdogs.

Clayton Weimers, the Washington director for Reporters Without Borders, said: “I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say this Pentagon has been more hostile to the news media than any other Pentagon in recent memory.”

Reporters carry their belongings from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on 15 October 2025, after news outlets declined to sign restrictive media rules and were stripped of their access credentials. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Mark Schoeff, president of the National Press Club, agrees that such hostility is a historical aberration, saying: “What is happening at the Pentagon is unique in my 34 years in Washington. We’ve not seen these kinds of restrictions on the media at the Pentagon. Even during Desert Storm [the Gulf war] and the war in Afghanistan, I can’t recall a time when the Pentagon tried to shut down press access like this.”

The current obfuscation is particularly jarring when contrasted with the administration’s earlier posture: in the opening days of the Iran war, Hegseth was a ubiquitous presence, delivering bombastic briefings in which he crowed about annihilating the Iranian military with “no mercy” and restoring the US as a nation of “real warriors”.

The Pentagon then banned photojournalists when images of Hegseth deemed “unflattering” appeared in the public domain. At one briefing, Hegseth compared reporters to the “Pharisees”, describing the media’s coverage of the war in Iran as an “endless stream of garbage”.

Reporters walk out of the Pentagon together on 15 October 2025. Photograph: The Washington Post/Getty Images

Now, the bravado has been replaced by a vacuum. While there have been no briefings since May, Hegseth last week announced a screening programme for “testosterone deficiency” among troops, calling it necessary to allow them to operate at their “absolute best”. Such diversions raised suspicions that the war was spiralling out of control.

Joel Rubin, a former deputy assistant secretary of state, said: “When you’re not able to communicate clearly what’s actually taking place on the ground, that means you’re likely not confident or comfortable with what is happening on the ground and how it will play politically and in the policy world here. It’s a pretty obvious thing that there’s a lot of concern about there being casualties in this war right now.”

The cost of war

The war in Iran is already unpopular in the US due to rising gas prices and other inflationary impacts on people’s everyday lives. People who are paying attention know that 18 US service members have died, Price said. “But what they don’t know,” he added, “unless they’re really digging, is the full extent of casualties that our men and women in uniform have suffered as a result of this decision to take our country to war without clear objectives and certainly without a clear off-ramp.

“This is not the sort of thing where a dozen or two dozen service members have suffered low-grade concussion. There are hundreds – by one count, some 500 US service members – who have suffered physically as a result of this war, and the administration probably rightly calculates that, if the economic costs were compounded with the full toll that this is taking on our service members, this war, which is already a politically losing proposition, would drag the administration down even further.”
It raises questions about why they wouldn’t be reporting these casualties in a timely manner.

For veterans and national security experts, the Pentagon’s handling of US casualties amounts to a shameful cover-up. “The Pentagon said 96% of those affected returned to duty but again, a reminder that we know that modern warfare, like the impacts of an injury, might not be felt or seen until months or years later,” said Janessa Goldbeck, chief executive of Vet Voice Foundation, a non-profit advocacy organisation. “We deserve to know exactly what’s happened and it raises questions about why they wouldn’t be reporting these casualties in a timely manner. My assumption is that it’s about controlling the political narrative before a major national election.”

Carol Acevado (center) being held by her sister, Judy Rachel, during the memorial service for her daughter, US army Sgt Angel S Rampersad, who died in an Iranian attack on a US army base in Jordan. Photograph: Dave Burns/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock

Although Hegseth has avoided the media, he was obliged to attend a hearing on Capitol Hill this week to defend a war that has already cost the US $37.5bn. During a combative Senate appropriations committee hearing on Tuesday, politicians from both sides of the aisle expressed deep frustration with the administration’s endless demands for money coupled with its refusal to provide straight answers or a coherent strategy.

When the senator Gary Peters, a Democrat, called the administration’s approach a complete “failure”, Hegseth erupted in anger, snapping: “Shame on you and others who call this a quagmire and a failure.” Peters shot back: “You, sir, are the failure. You don’t have a strategy. You don’t have a long-term plan to actually win this war.”

Steven Cash, a former intelligence officer and executive director of the Steady State – an advocacy group of more than 400 former national security officials – warns that the Trump administration and its Pentagon leadership do not view the public or the press as stakeholders to be informed, but as adversaries to be defeated.

“Pete Hegseth and the president of the United States don’t see a real major role for the voters of America or the Congress, so why tell them anything? They’ve made it clear that they don’t see a role for you, the media. You are an enemy,” he said.

The Pentagon denies that it is minimising reports of casualties. Sean Parnell, the chief spokesperson, said in a statement: “The Department of War and US Central Command has consistently provided comprehensive, real-time updates to the world on the United States’ strikes and operations in Iran.

“President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have been constantly providing updates directly to the media and the American people online, delivering clear, unfiltered insight into our objectives and decisive actions.”

The remains of Staff Sgt Michael Emmanuel Swinton (center left) and 1st Lt Tyler James Feehan during a dignified transfer at Dover air force base in Dover, Delaware, on 22 July 2026. Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA

Although briefings have dried up, the news has not, as Pentagon beat reporters continue to work their sources and pursue information. Panetta said officials were “trying to tiptoe past the graveyard, so to speak, in the sense that they’re hoping that the less they say, the less controversy they’ll be involved in, but the reality is that the press will only operate that much more aggressively to find out exactly what’s going on.

“In essence what they’re doing is challenging the press to find what’s really happening, and they will. They can dodge, bob and weave, they can hide it but my experience is that no matter how much you try to hide it, in the end, the truth comes out.”

Culture of privilege? Experts question why non-essential officials joined athletes in Glasgow parade

Malaysia has fielded a 59-member contingent at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and is targeting five gold, two silver and four bronze medals. - Bernama pic, July 24, 2026

Culture of privilege? Experts question why non-essential officials joined athletes in Glasgow parade

The participation of non-essential officials alongside Malaysian athletes during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow has sparked criticism from sports analysts, who warn it reflects poor governance, fuels perceptions of privilege and risks diminishing one of the highest honours in sport

Sandru Narayanan
Updated 21 hours ago
24 July, 2026
9:01 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s sporting establishment has come under renewed scrutiny after non-essential officials were seen marching alongside athletes during the Parade of Nations at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow, prompting allegations of a growing culture of privilege that risks eroding one of the greatest honours an athlete can earn.

Senior sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said the issue went far beyond ceremonial protocol, describing it as a reflection of weak governance, poor planning and a sporting culture that risks placing administrators on the same pedestal as athletes who have spent years earning the right to represent the country.

Speaking to Scoop, Pekan said he had covered the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, SEA Games, Universiade and several other multi-sport events during his career as a sports journalist, yet had never encountered such a situation.

“To my knowledge, not every category of official, support staff or driver is allowed to participate in the Parade of Nations. The parade is usually reserved for athletes and a small number of official delegates determined by the organisers.

“I am not sure why our national contingent is in such a state of disarray. This is not just another sporting event.

“Whatever the reason, it is inappropriate for non-technical officials, media officers or drivers to wear the official contingent attire and participate in the opening ceremony parade. It undermines the exclusive privilege of athletes and officials who have earned their place on merit,” he said.

Senior sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said the issue went far beyond ceremonial protocol, describing it as a reflection of weak governance, poor planning and a sporting culture that risks placing administrators on the same pedestal as athletes who have spent years earning the right to represent the country. – Scoop file pic, July 24, 2026

Pekan’s remarks came after photographs shared on the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s (OCM) official social media platforms showed several non-athlete personnel, including media officers and support staff, joining Malaysia’s contingent during the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony in Glasgow yesterday.

This has raised questions on why individuals who were neither athletes nor technical officials had been allowed to take part in a ceremony traditionally regarded as an exclusive honour reserved for those representing their country.

For Pekan, however, the controversy extends well beyond who marched in Glasgow.

“It creates negative perceptions about contingent governance, possible abuse of authority, the integrity of officials and the contingent, as well as unnecessary increases in costs.”

The Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation senior lecturer also rejected claims that additional officials had been included because too few athletes were available to participate.

“The excuse that there were not enough athletes is unacceptable because it reflects weaknesses in management planning and creates perceptions of favouritism within the contingent.

“Even if that were true, it would still demonstrate shortcomings in the administration’s planning, particularly its failure to coordinate athletes’ travel schedules and logistics effectively.

“Alternatively, it may reflect a culture of privilege and favouritism, where elite athletes are excused from the parade while individuals who did not qualify are allowed to take their place.”

Pekan said the episode pointed to deeper governance issues within Malaysian sport.

“To me, all this reflects systemic weaknesses and a deterioration of integrity that is affecting our national sporting landscape.”

He said the OCM and National Sports Council (NSC) should introduce stricter guidelines to ensure opening ceremonies remain centred on athletes rather than becoming opportunities for unnecessary officials.

“The national contingent should have clear guidelines that place athletes at the heart of the parade, without participation from individuals who have no relevant role.

“Such guidelines would also prevent excessive numbers of officials and protect the country’s image from allegations of bringing delegates who serve no direct function.”

However, senior sports analyst and UiTM sports science lecturer Sadek Mustaffa urged caution against viewing the issue solely through the lens of privilege, saying logistical realities often determine who participates in opening ceremonies.

Sadek said athletes and coaches remained the most important members of any contingent, but explained that many athletes were unable to take part because of competition schedules and accommodation arrangements.

“There are valid reasons why this happens, especially when athletes are scheduled to compete the following day.

“Another factor is that contingents are allocated limited accommodation in the Games Village based on competition schedules. As a result, many athletes only arrive two days before their events.

“This is common practice at multi-sport Games, where only selected athletes and officials participate in either the opening or closing ceremony.”

He stressed that the OCM manages athlete and official numbers according to quotas set by organisers and maintained that no special privileges were officially granted.

“The OCM manages the number of athletes and officials according to the ratio and quota determined by the organisers. Therefore, there is no special privilege involved.

“If additional officials attend, they are usually funded by their respective national sports associations or pay their own expenses.”

Nevertheless, the controversy has reignited questions over whether ceremonial privileges at major Games have gradually become more accessible to officials than they should be, at a time when Putrajaya has repeatedly urged sports bodies to spend public funds prudently, strengthen governance and place athletes at the centre of every decision.

For critics, the issue is no longer simply about who marched in Glasgow.

It is about whether one of international sport’s most symbolic honours earned through years of sacrifice and achievement is gradually losing its exclusivity to a culture in which administrative privilege is perceived to carry the same weight as sporting merit.

Malaysia has fielded a 59-member contingent at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and is targeting five gold, two silver and four bronze medals. The Games began yesterday and will conclude on Aug 2. – July 24, 2026

Pantun, politics and the search for stability in an increasingly divided Malaysia – John Chin

A pantun exchange between Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has gone viral, with many describing it as a poetic affirmation of political stability — a word that has become central to the narrative of the Pakatan Harapan (PH)- led unity government. - Anwar Ibrahim Facebook, July 24, 2026

Pantun, politics and the search for stability in an increasingly divided Malaysia – John Chin

A poetic exchange between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has become an unlikely symbol of political stability. But beyond the pantun and public displays of unity lies a larger question: can Malaysia's unity government deliver the reforms and confidence voters are still waiting for?

John Chin
Updated 17 hours ago
24 July, 2026
9:47 PM MYT

IT is rare for an exchange of pantun between arguably the country’s two most powerful political leaders to dominate the national conversation, but that is precisely what has happened over the past 72 hours.

The exchange has gone viral, with many describing it as a poetic affirmation of political stability — a word that has become central to the narrative of the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led unity government.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who leads PH, took to social media to post the following pantun:

Burung merbah terbang sekawan; guruh berdentum membelah awan; berbeza langkah, jangan putus kawan; selagi muafakat, kita sehaluan. (The bulbuls fly together; thunder splits the sky; though our paths may differ, let friendship endure; as long as there is consensus, we remain on the same course.)

Adding another layer of symbolism, the post was accompanied by the evergreen 1980s hit Madu dan Racun (Honey and Poison).

A day later, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi responded while speaking at an event in Penang, Anwar’s home state.

Bumbung tercabut, mampu ditahan, jika ribut, diterbang ke laut. (Even when roofs are torn away, they can be rebuilt; storms may come, but they too shall pass.)

His message was unmistakable: cooperation can withstand adversity, even if some are swept away along the journey.

If history is written about Malaysia’s unity government from 2022 onwards, two figures will inevitably dominate the narrative — Anwar Ibrahim and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. – Anwar Ibrahim Facebook, July 24, 2026

Ahmad Zahid, who once served as Anwar’s political secretary, went further by dismissing speculation that Barisan Nasional (BN) was attempting to destabilise the federal government.

“There is no Bangkok Move. There is no Dubai Move,” he told reporters, reiterating BN’s commitment to supporting the unity government until the end of its term.

The next general election must be held by November 2027.

Ironically, while BN and PH continue governing together at the federal level, they remain fierce rivals in the ongoing Negeri Sembilan state election. Melaka and Sarawak are also expected to head to the polls in due course.

Only last month, BN demonstrated that it remains a formidable political force after sweeping the Johor state election.

Later today, Anwar is scheduled to return to Penang for two significant engagements: the launch of an economic empowerment programme for the Indian Muslim community and the reopening of Fort Cornwallis, one of the state’s most recognisable historical landmarks.

If history is written about Malaysia’s unity government from 2022 onwards, two figures will inevitably dominate the narrative — Anwar Ibrahim and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Unity itself is an elusive concept. In an age driven by social media, even families struggle to remain united. Governing a country as ethnically, culturally and politically diverse as Malaysia is infinitely more challenging.

Yet political stability has provided something of a temporary painkiller for a nation still recovering from the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The silence of lockdowns and movement restrictions has since given way to a far noisier political landscape, where public debate is louder, divisions are sharper and voters are preparing for yet another electoral contest.

Malaysia also appears to be entering a period where perceptions of the Malay ruling class taking sides in political contests have become increasingly common.

Political scientist James Chin observed that BN was widely perceived to have enjoyed royal favour during the Johor election, while in Negeri Sembilan, PH is seen by some as defending the state’s royal institution.

Whether these perceptions are accurate matters less than the fact that they now shape public discourse.

The larger question is whether BN and PH will continue competing without pushing politics to a point where race, religion and royalty once again dominate national discourse, or whether the personal rapport between Anwar and Ahmad Zahid can continue preventing the country from drifting towards deeper political instability.

Malaysia’s diversity remains one of its defining characteristics.

Non-Malays account for roughly 30 per cent of the country’s 36.39 million citizens. That diversity has always required careful political management, inclusive policymaking and leadership that inspires confidence across communities.

Many voters also believe Anwar has yet to deliver the meaningful institutional reforms promised when he came to power. The perceived lack of progress has contributed to divisions within PKR and raised questions among many non-Malay voters.

The government’s response has been consistent: it needs more time.

The question confronting voters is straightforward — how much more time?

As Malaysians continue grappling with rising living costs, persistent corruption, political manoeuvring and concerns over governance, many increasingly feel frustrated and uncertain about the country’s direction.

Malaysia was once capable of competing with footballing powers such as South Korea and Japan. Today, both nations are making deep runs at the FIFA World Cup and defeating traditional giants such as Brazil and England.

Back then, national conversations were less consumed by race, religion and royalty. The country’s focus was on proving itself on the global stage despite sceptics who believed Malaysia’s diversity would ultimately become its weakness.

That challenge remains today.

The question is whether Malaysians can once again choose unity, merit and national purpose over division and political expediency. – July 24, 2026

Israelis are no longer 'victims' of pogroms but pogrom-ers themselves - Israeli police arrests their victims

Israel arrests dozens of Palestinians in West Bank amid settler attacks

Military crackdown follows a shooting that killed four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers.

Israeli soldiers surround the Nablus Specialized Hospital where they allegedly arrested a wounded man and his brother from inside the hospital in Nablus, in the Occupied West Bank on July 24, 2026 — Israeli soldiers surround a hospital in Nablus where they allegedly arrested a wounded man and his brother from inside the hospital in Nablus, the occupied West Bank, on July 24, 2026 [AFP]

By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP, Anadolu and Reuters

Israel is pushing ahead with its military crackdown across the occupied West Bank, arresting dozens following a shooting that killed four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers.

On Saturday morning, Israeli forces arrested nearly 50 Palestinians in the village of Tal, southwest of Nablus, where Friday’s shooting took place, while raiding roughly 70 homes.

Albanese calls attacks as ‘pogroms’

UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese on Saturday described Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians across the occupied West Bank as “pogroms,” calling for an immediate arms embargo and a halt to trade with Israel.

“Pogroms against defenseless civilians all over the West Bank, while Gaza is under fire,” Albanese posted on X.

She accused Israeli civilians and the army of “joining forces” in the attacks, arguing that responsibility was not limited to Netanyahu or “a few rotten apples”.

“Arms embargo now — stop trade now,” Albanese said, adding that such measures are required under international law.

Israeli human rights groups have also urged the international community to take immediate action to stop state-backed settler violence in the West Bank, which has surged since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza in 2023.

Israeli settler violence in West Bank village leaves Palestinians and Israelis dead

In the West Bank, several arrests were also made in the northern city of Jenin, as well as in towns and villages across the governorate. Israeli forces raided multiple homes and deployed large numbers of troops.

Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Tubas in the northeast and the Far’a refugee camp south of the city.

Soldiers arrived in Tubas in a large convoy of military vehicles and were deployed across several neighbourhoods, raiding homes for about three hours, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. They then headed to the Far’a refugee camp.

Israeli forces also raided several other locations, including the village of Far’ata, east of Qalqilya, where at least eight Palestinians were injured, according to Al Mayadeen English. The Aqbat Jabr refugee camp in Jericho and the village of Kobar in the Ramallah and el-Bireh Governorate were also among the locations targeted.

Funerals were held overnight for the four Palestinians killed in Tal on Friday.

Residents said they were forced to hold the funerals at night because Israeli authorities barred them from doing so during the day. According to reports, only a limited number of Palestinians were allowed to attend.

‘Happening all across the West Bank’

The shooting in Tal was the deadliest there in months, with both sides disputing what happened. Israelis are not permitted to enter Tal, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority.

Footage shows rifle-wielding settlers confronting a crowd of Palestinians. Another video shows a Palestinian man seizing a gun from a settler before fatally shooting him in what appears to be self-defence. Israeli soldiers then shot and killed the Palestinian. Three other Palestinians were also killed.

Ubai Al Aboudi, a rights activist in Ramallah, told Al Jazeera that settler attacks on Palestinian villages are systemic and carried out with complete impunity, describing them as “not isolated incidents” but something “happening all across the West Bank”.

He pointed to an attack on the village of Tal on Friday, noting that it had also been targeted a week earlier on July 18.

“So-called hikers, as the Israeli officials called them, came into the village, burned a family house with the family still inside it, and it was a miracle that the residents of Tal were able to get that family out of the house before they were burned alive,” Al Aboudi said.

Human Rights Watch has also called on the Israeli government to take immediate action to prevent settlers from carrying out revenge attacks against Palestinians.

“The Israeli government didn’t prevent the settler attacks on Tal village, so now it needs to stop settler reprisals and escalating military action that will make a bad situation worse,” said Sarah Sanbar, acting Israel and Palestine researcher at Human Rights Watch.

“Years of lawlessness and impunity for attacks have turned the West Bank into a powder keg waiting to explode, and decisive action is urgently needed.”

Two 14-year-old girls found dead at Ipoh flats, police investigations ongoing

Two 14-year-old girls found dead at Ipoh flats, police investigations ongoing

Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the students’ cause of death would be determined after the post-mortem and forensic reports are completed. — Bernama pic

Summary

Two 14-year-old female students were found dead at Flat Sungai Pari in Ipoh, prompting an investigation by Perak police.

According to Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin, there is currently no evidence of third-party involvement, but inquiries are ongoing, with the cause of death pending post-mortem results.

The police urge anyone with relevant information to come forward and ask the public to respect the families' privacy and avoid spreading unverified information. Mohd Alwi extended condolences to the victims' families.

First Published: Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 10:55 AM MYT

IPOH, July 25 — Two 14-year-old female students were found dead at Flat Sungai Pari here yesterday afternoon.

Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said police received a report on the incident in the afternoon and initial investigations found that the two victims had left the school before they were found unconscious and later pronounced dead at the scene.

“So far, we have found no evidence of involvement by any other party. However, investigations are still ongoing, and the cause of death will only be known after the post-mortem and forensic reports are completed,” he said in a statement last night.

He urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the Ipoh District Police Operations Room at 05-2451500 or the nearest police station to assist with the investigation.

Mohd Alwi also expressed his condolences to the families of the two victims and advised the public to respect their privacy, avoid speculation and refrain from sharing unverified information that could affect the investigation. — Bernama

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