M’sian Newscaster Shares How His Luggage Nearly Got Stolen At KLIA, Says Thief Was Strangely ‘Calm’

Weirdkaya:


M’sian Newscaster Shares How His Luggage Nearly Got Stolen At KLIA, Says Thief Was Strangely ‘Calm’

"It made me believe it wasn't an honest mistake at all."

Sarah Yeoh

August 1, 2025
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Cover image via WeirdKayaOwen Yap (叶剑锋)


A local newscaster has taken to social media to warn the public to be cautious against innocent-looking individuals who attempt to steal their luggage from under their noses at airports.

This comes after his own luggage nearly became a victim of theft but was thankfully “saved” thanks to a relative’s sharp eyes.

For illustration purposes only. Photo via Canva

Luggage nearly gets stolen at KLIA

In a lengthy Facebook post by Owen Yap, he wrote he and his family flew a first-class flight back to Malaysia after a vacation and arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).


When it came time for them to claim their luggage, Yap’s aunt suddenly tugged his sleeve and told him an unknown woman had placed his luggage on her trolley.


I turned around immediately—and sure enough, it was my luggage. Not only did the suitcase have a First Class tag, but it also clearly bore my surname, “Yap.” There was no mistaking it.

Photo via FB/Owen Yap (叶剑锋)


“The woman, who was dressed in a robe with her face veiled, was gripping the luggage handle tightly but stayed calm and silent.


“When I approached her and said the luggage was mine, she didn’t respond, but her eyes were darting around, as if looking for an escape route,” he recounted.

‘Not an honest mistake’

While most would panic and deny they were behind the alleged theft, Yap said the woman remained composed, leading him to think that she had rehearsed this scenario beforehand.


“She only needed to put on an innocent face and say, ‘Oh, I thought it was mine,’ before walking away like nothing happened.

For illustration purposes only. Photo via Canva


“Her behavior and reaction made me deeply suspicious: this wasn’t an honest mistake. It looked like she saw the chaos as an opportunity and hoped to quietly “walk off” with a bag that didn’t belong to her.


That moment made me realise one thing: if your luggage isn’t stolen, that’s luck; if you don’t notice it being stolen, that’s a lesson.”

‘Traumitised’ by attempted theft

Yap said that since the incident, he now would make a beeline for the baggage conveyor belt, adding he’d rather wait for his luggage than the other way round.

Photo via Owen Yap (叶剑锋)


“Ever since then, the baggage carousel has become the most nerve-wracking part of my entire airport journey.


“They say “arrival” marks the end of a trip — but for some people, it’s just the beginning of another “operation,” he said.

Two girls shot in Gaza - BBC pieces together what happened and looks at dozens more child shootings

BBC:

Two girls shot in Gaza - BBC pieces together what happened and looks at dozens more child shootings

The BBC World Service has pieced together the stories of Layan al-Majdalawi, two, and Mira Tanboura, six, both killed in Gaza in separate incidents in November 2023, in areas where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was operating.

In response to our findings, the IDF said the details of Layan and Mira's cases had been recorded and "will be examined by the competent authorities". It added: "Intentional harm to civilians, especially children, is strictly prohibited."

Layan and Mira are just two of more than 160 cases of children shot in the war in Gaza, for whom we have gathered accounts.

We found that in 95 of these cases, the child had been shot in the head or chest. In 59 of those, we obtained testimony from eyewitnesses, either directly or via human rights organisations and medics. The witnesses alleged that 57 of these children were shot by the IDF, and two were shot by Palestinians - one in celebratory gunfire and the other in a gang conflict.

For the remaining 36 out of the 95 cases, we have no account of what happened. Israel bans foreign reporters from entering Gaza independently, and the destruction and displacement make gathering details difficult.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has told the BBC the world cannot accept as a "new normal" the type of warfare that allows so many children to be shot.

***

Shailok military doing what they do best, killing lil' chilkdren

Military Watch:

India Officially Rejects the F-35: Why Delhi Doesn’t Want America’s Top Stealth Fighter

South Asia , Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

August-1st-2025

---

F-35 Fifth Generation Fighter

The Indian government has informed U.S. officials that it is not interested in procuring the F-35 fighter, according to a recent report by Bloomberg. American officials stated when speaking anonymously that the Indian government appears unlikely to proceed with any major new defence procurements from the United States, despite Washington having lobbied increasingly hard to press the country to increase defence imports. “The [Indian] government is more interested in a partnership focused on jointly designing and manufacturing defence equipment domestically,” one official stated, with the U.S. offering only very limited options for customisation of the aircraft. Following longstanding calls in Washington for close to a decade to market the F-35 to India, the United States intensified efforts to do so in February, with President Donald Trump personally offering the aircraft as part of a broader strategic and defence partnership.

F-35

India’s official rejection of the F-35 follows both the imposition of new tariffs on the country by the United States, worsening relations, as well as the protracted grounding of a British Royal Navy F-35B in India for 39 days due to unknown issues, which drew significant ridicule from netizens and media outlets in the South Asian state. The F-35 was previously considered unlikely to be procured primarily due to the extensive controls the United States imposes on how its fighters are utilised, which are particularly strict for sensitive fifth generation aircraft. Former Air Marshal Anil Chopra summarised prevailing Indian concerns in February as follows, stating that Delhi “remains cautious about the U.S. tendency to exert pressure and abandon allies when its own interests diverge with theirs, as well as potential U.S. expectations for India to distance itself from Russia.” He stressed that “choosing a reliable partner country that won’t impose undue pressure is crucial,” which he strongly implied ruled out the F-35. The extent of the controls imposed has caused concerns even for some of the United States’ closest allies in NATO, with the United Kingdom and Israel being the only clients permitted significant degrees of autonomy in how their fighters can be operated. 

Su-57 and F-35 at Aero India 2025

The F-35 is one of just two fifth generation fighters in serial production outside China, with Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh having confirmed in the second week of July that talks are ongoing to procure the second of the two fighters the Russian Su-57. These talks have taken place despite years of sustained pressure on Delhi form the United States to distance itself from Russia, particularly in the field of defence ties, with India having effectively ignored prior attempts by Washington to deter it from procuring Russian armaments by threatening to impose economic sanctions.  Although India is currently seeking to develop an indigenous fifth generation fighter under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, this is not expected to materialise until the late 2030s, and possibly much later, with the county’s major defence programs having consistently faced very serious delays. This leaves the Su-57 as effectively its only near term option to procure fifth generation aircraft. Russia in May made an unprecedented offer to provide the Indian Defence Ministry with full access to the Su-57’s source code as part of a large license production deal, which was considered likely to have significantly further increased the Defence Ministry’s interest. This offer drew a stark contrast to America’s very strict restrictions on the modification or use of the F-35.

al Jazeera:

Israel kills starving Palestinians as US envoy set to visit aid sites

By Alastair McCready, Virginia Pietromarchi and Stephen Quillen

Published On 1 Aug 20251 Aug 2025

• At least two people were killed and more than 70 injured while waiting for food supplies near the Morag Corridor south of Khan Younis on Friday morning, our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic report.
• US envoy Steve Witkoff and US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, are set to visit aid distribution sites in Gaza as deaths from starvation continue to mount in the Palestinian territory.
• Medics in Gaza report that two more babies and a young man have died of hunger under Israeli-imposed restrictions on humanitarian aid. Hunger-related deaths in Gaza now stand at 154, including 89 children.

17m ago

 (06:45 GMT)

Israeli killings of aid seekers in Gaza amount to war crimes: HRW

Human Rights Watch says that Israeli troops at the sites of the US and Israeli-backed GHF have killed Palestinian aid seekers in acts that amount to war crimes.

“The dire humanitarian situation is a direct result of Israel’s use of starvation of civilians as a weapon of war – a war crime – as well as Israel’s continued intentional deprivation of aid and basic services, ongoing actions that amount to the crime against humanity of extermination, and acts of genocide,” read the report released today.

Mass-casualty incidents have taken place on a near-daily basis at or near GHF sites in Gaza. According to the UN, more than 850 Palestinians have been killed while trying to get food there since late May, most by the Israeli army.

“Israeli forces are not only deliberately starving Palestinian civilians, but they are now gunning them down almost every day as they desperately seek food for their families,” said Belkis Wille, associate crisis and conflict director at HRW.

“US-backed Israeli forces and private contractors have put in place a flawed, militarized aid distribution system that has turned aid distributions into regular bloodbaths.”

Our media refuse to call out genocide in Gaza

Pearls and Irritations
John Menadue's Public Policy Journal

John Menadue

Our media refuse to call out genocide in Gaza


August 1, 2025


Through its love affair with Israel and intimidated by the Zionist lobby, our legacy media has enabled the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, Israel’s apartheid regime and the illegal occupation of Palestinian land over the past century.

Paul Heywood- Smith KC in this journal described the criminal behaviour of Israel:

Israel is illegally occupying the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. The International Court of Justice has so found, and has ordered that that occupation must end immediately, and that all settlers must evacuate Palestinian lands. The ICJ has found that Israel has established an apartheid state on Palestinian lands.

An apartheid state is a criminal state and cannot be allowed by the international community to exist. Ergo, Israel has no right of self-defence against resistance to the illegal occupation. Israel cannot both occupy Palestinian lands, and then launch an attack on those lands by citing “self-defence” when occupied populations resist. Neither can Israel treat those resisting in occupied territories as enemy combatants. Israel has the right to protect its citizens within its own borders, but it does not have the right to use overwhelming military force against people under its occupation. Nor, under international law, does Israel have the right to wage a war of collective punishment on the West Bank, Gaza, or, indeed, Lebanon, when it resists the illegal occupation of Lebanese territory — the Shebaa Farms — or when it comes to the aid of its brothers in Gaza and the West Bank.

To enable the genocide in which more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, the legacy media refuse to use such terms as “genocide, apartheid or occupation".

But let’s look particularly at how the term “genocide” is either entirely erased or severely restricted by our legacy media.

The ABC, with its shameful performance on Gaza, limits how the word “genocide” must be blunted in order not to offend the Zionist lobby.

The ABC on November 17, 2023, reported the ABC boss, David Anderson saying_…”Not our place to use terms like genocide and apartheid… the ABC won’t report using them ourselves. What we do report other people using them… for instance, genocide is a claim that has been made. It’s a serious crime. The IDF and Israel reject that.”_

What he didn’t say, but what he assumes are the words of Benjamin Netanyahu and the propaganda machine of the IDF are credible despite all the evidence to the contrary. It’s like reporting the bubonic plague and giving equal coverage to the rats.

Together with our media, other important institutions, governments, parliaments, political parties, universities and churches have been complicit in the genocide.

The 1948 Genocide Convention defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, including killing, causing harm, preventing births and forcibly transferring children. And the intent is clear from the words of Netanyahu and his criminal ministers.

Numerous reputable organisations, academics, and legal experts have accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Here are some key voices:

United Nations officials & experts

Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, released a report titled “Anatomy of a Genocide” (March 2024), concluding that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide under international law.

Craig Mokhiber, former director of the UN Human Rights Office in New York, resigned in October 2023, stating that Gaza was “a textbook case of genocide”.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of a potential “risk of genocide” in Gaza, though he stopped short of an outright accusation.

Former UN aid chief Martin Griffith said: **“**I am absolutely convinced that what is going on in Gaza is a genocide because the thing speaks for itself."

The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls characterised the attack on women and girls as “femi-genocide”

International legal scholars and genocide experts

Ilan Pappé an Israeli historian and political scientist known for his work on the Israeli-Palestine conflict said “(Genocide) is the only appropriate way to describe what the Israel army is doing in the Gaza Strip”.

Avi Shlaim an Israeli-British historian says that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide.

Amos Goldberg, the Jonah M. Machover Chair in Holocaust Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem said: “It is thus my opinion, tragically, that a genocide is indeed being perpetrated in Gaza."

Daniel Blatman, prof, Holocaust historian at the Hebrew University, said: “There’s no Auschwitz in Gaza. But it’s still genocide.”

Uğur Ümit Üngör, a professor at the University of Amsterdam and the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies, speaks of “genocidal violence". There are “certainly still scientists who say it is not genocide”, says Üngör. “But I don’t know them.”

Dr Shmuel Lederman genocide and political theory scholar who teaches at the International MA Program in Holocaust Studies and the University of Haifa said, “what Israel is doing in Gaza is genocidal in every sense".

Raz Segal (Stockton University), an Israeli historian and genocide scholar, described Israel’s assault on Gaza as a “textbook case of genocide” in Jewish Currents (October 2023).

John Quigley, author of *The Genocide Convention: An International Law Analysis*, has similarly argued that the situation in Gaza qualifies as genocide under international law.

Omer Bartov a Jewish genocide scholar from Brown University and published an op-ed in The New York Times titled “I’m a genocide scholar. I know it when I see it.”

Melanie O’Brien, president of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, said Israel’s deliberate blockade of food, water, shelter and sanitation convinced her the Netanyahu Government was carrying out genocide.

Human rights organisations

South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice in December 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention. The ICJ issued provisional measures in January 2024, ordering Israel to prevent genocidal acts.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have not used the term “genocide” explicitly and have documented war crimes and possible crimes against humanity. It described deprivation of water and attacks on aid workers as “acts of genocide”.

Amnesty International declared that key acts — such as deliberately starving civilians — constitute genocide.

Médecins Sans Frontières stated that what its medical teams witnessed is “consistent with genocide”.

Two Israeli human rights organisations, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel, have labelled the country’s actions in Gaza as “genocide”.

B’Tselem compiled testimony as well as details of mass killings, destruction of infrastructure, forced displacement, mass arrests and alleged abuse of Palestinians in Israeli jails.

Prominent individuals & public figures

Pope Leo XIV referred explicitly to the “ongoing genocide in Gaza”.

Noam Chomsky (linguist & political analyst) has described Israel’s actions as genocidal.

Norman Finkelstein (political scientist) has argued that Israel’s policies meet the criteria for genocide.

Chris Hedges (journalist & former war correspondent) has repeatedly called Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide.

Notable lawyers

Helena Kennedy KC: A prominent British human rights lawyer, Kennedy publicly stated in July 2025 that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide, emphasising the UK’s complicity if it fails to oppose these actions.

William Schabas: Author of the textbook *Genocide in International Law*, stated that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide, pointing to the intent and scale of destruction.

Despite all the credible evidence outlined above, our media and so-called leaders of our key institutions will not face up to the Gaza genocide. They accept the lies of the IDF which has turned food distribution points into killing fields.

For 20 months, across Australia there have been large peaceful rallies against the genocide directed against the brave Palestinian people. But our legacy media scarcely give these rallies a mention. It is just another means to block out any sign of support for the Palestinians in their agony.

And Premier Chris Minns in NSW does not miss any opportunity to support the pariah state of Israel. On cue, he leapt in to oppose any blocking of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge by protesters against genocide and starvation.

Demonstrations are essential if politicians and other so-called leaders show no concern about the industrial scale killings and starvation in Palestine. Demonstrators are much more in touch with community attitudes than supine politicians. Essential Polls in its latest report reveals that only 15% of Australians believe that Israel is justified in continuing its military action in Gaza. Our “leaders” in Church and State are badly out of touch with this terrible tragedy.

I thought the ALP had concerns about the rights of all people and our common humanity. Or I thought that’s what the ALP believed when I joined the Party 70 years ago.

No wonder many Australians feel helpless when they read and see each day a live streamed genocide, knowing that the great and good of Australia are turning their backs. Olive-skinned Muslims don’t rank in their concerns.

'Bruised, bleeding': Mum suspects foul play in son's death during Rotu training

'Bruised, bleeding': Mum suspects foul play in son's death during Rotu training


Published: Aug 1, 2025 11:19 AM
Updated: 3:37 PM


A grieving mother has lodged a police report over her son’s death after discovering his body bearing what she described as severe bruises, wounds resembling gunshot injuries, and blood seepage.

Ummu Haiman Bee Daulatgun said she was alerted to the tragedy on July 28 when she received a call around 4.30pm from a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Skudai, where her son, Haris Samsudin, was a student.

She was informed that Haris had died during (Reserve Officers Training Unit, or Rotu) training in Ulu Tiram.

But what she encountered at the hospital raised deeply disturbing questions and led her to file a police report in Kajang.

She also alleged that when she sought answers about her son’s death, she was provided with “all sorts of reasons” and that his condition was “rather bad” and inconsistent with the information given.

“There were several injuries, such as swelling and wounds on the body and his shoulder. Besides that, my son’s nose was also oozing blood, like there was head trauma from impact.

“There were also wounds, and a lot of blood stains, like punched holes or gunshots, and bandaged thickly, but there was a lot of blood still oozing from the hole, soaking the neck and mattress lining.

“My son’s eyes were also bleeding continuously,” she stated in the police report, sighted by Malaysiakini.


Probe urged

Speaking at a press conference today, Ummu said there were also inconsistencies between information relayed to her and a relative.

According to the mother, she was informed that Haris had died after suffering from a seizure following a shooting training, but her relative was told that the victim was killed in a fight.

Suspecting that her son may have been murdered, Ummu has urged the authorities to launch a full investigation.

“I do not want to accuse anyone, but I want to know how my son died during the exercise,” she said during the conference held at the office of senior criminal lawyer Naran Singh in Ipoh.

Naran, who is representing Ummu, urged authorities to carry out a thorough investigation.

He said the family is hoping the police will interview all the other trainees involved in the Ulu Tiram exercise and for health authorities to prioritise Haris’ post-mortem report.

The lawyer also expressed disappointment over the authorities’ attempt to prevent the mother from taking photos of the deceased’s body.

“She was guarded closely by several officers and was only allowed to view a part of the body and was prevented from taking any photo,” Naran told the press.

However, Ummu said, she had ignored the officers and proceeded to photograph the injuries on her son’s body.

Last November, a Rotu trainee from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam, Selangor, had also passed away during training, and his father had lodged a police report.

The police later said that preliminary investigations revealed that the victim, who had been part of the uniformed unit since October, was undergoing a fitness test ahead of basic training scheduled for next year when he succumbed to heat stroke.

Ex-Muda sec-gen’s views on Turun Anwar rally his own, says successor

FMT:

Ex-Muda sec-gen’s views on Turun Anwar rally his own, says successor


2 hours ago
Raphael Lee


Ainie Haziqah says that Amir Hadi's remarks should be addressed to the opposition instead

Former Muda secretary-general Amir Hadi recently said that the anti-Anwar Ibrahim rally had missed the mark and would turn off fence-sitters.

KUALA LUMPUR: Muda secretary-general Ainie Haziqah today said that the reservations expressed by her predecessor Amir Hadi over last week’s Turun Anwar rally were entirely his own.

When contacted by FMT, Ainie said Amir’s views on the rally should be addressed to the opposition, adding that the party could not be “selective” about the kind of rally it should back.

“For Muda, we are very consistent and straightforward on what we want out of this rally.


“So whether it is a turn-off, we should let the people decide,” she said, referring to Amir’s comments.

Amir said on Monday that the rally, organised by Perikatan Nasional, had missed the mark.


He said it looked like a “rushed attempt to return to power” on the part of the opposition bloc and warned that it would turn off fence-sitters.

Ainie’s remarks followed a joint press conference by Muda and Pejuang on the arrest of four men, including Bersatu leaders, for allegedly flogging an effigy of the prime minister during the rally last Saturday.

Ainie had questioned the silence by government leaders who had promised to abolish draconian laws such as the Sedition Act.

She also urged them to speak out against the arrests, which she described as an act of intimidation against peaceful protesters.


Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali meanwhile said that the government was being hypocritical in arresting people as it had promised to allow the rally to proceed without interference.

He also questioned the need for their arrest.

“We have no problems with investigations. But why was there a need to arrest them?” he said, adding that the police should have recorded their statements without detaining and remanding them.

The four men, who have since been released, are Furqan Hakimi, who serves as the executive secretary of Bersatu Youth’s Perak chapter; acting Ayer Hitam chief Syafiq Aziz; Bersatu leader Badrul Hisham Shaharin; and Sijangkang PAS Youth chief Ikhwan Syaffiq.


“They are Malaysians, they have the right to protest, too,” Rafique said.

Penang postpones water tariff hike to July 2026, chief minister confirms

Penang postpones water tariff hike to July 2026, chief minister confirms



Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the adjustment, which falls under the Second Implementation Period (TP2) of the Tariff Setting Mechanism (TSM), had initially been set to take effect today. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

Friday, 01 Aug 2025 12:54 PM MYT


GEORGE TOWN, Aug 1 — The Penang government has deferred the implementation of a new water tariff by nearly a year, delaying the scheduled hike from this month to July 1, 2026.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the adjustment, which falls under the Second Implementation Period (TP2) of the Tariff Setting Mechanism (TSM), had initially been set to take effect today.


“The one-year postponement is expected to benefit 715,957 water users in Penang,” Chow said in a statement issued today.

Under the revised tariff structure, the average increase for 79.88 per cent of domestic users — or 613,660 households using up to 35 cubic metres of water monthly — will range between RM0.30 and RM2.55 per month.


For non-domestic users, 95.38 per cent of the state’s 98,155 commercial consumers using up to 200 cubic metres per month will see their bills rise by RM3.60 to RM35.70 monthly on average.


Chow said the revised tariff is expected to generate an additional RM20 million in revenue for Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) over a six-month period in 2026.

“These funds will be used to upgrade the state’s overall water supply services,” he said, adding that details of the projects would be announced in due course.


In previous coverage, Malay Mail reported that the new tariff had been approved by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) as part of a nationwide rationalisation to ensure the financial sustainability of water operators.

PBAPP had said the last tariff review in Penang was over 10 years ago and that the proposed adjustment was necessary to support infrastructure upgrades and rising operational costs.

Consumer groups and Opposition politicians had raised concerns about the impact on lower-income households, with some urging the state government to delay implementation or offer targeted assistance.

In response, Chow had said the state would consider ways to cushion the effects on vulnerable groups — a position now reflected in today’s announcement.

***

Under Chow, Penang is undeniably the BEST state in M'sia 👍👍👍😁😁😁

Tengku Zafrul: 19pc US tariff a win for Malaysia, no compromise on sovereignty

Tengku Zafrul: 19pc US tariff a win for Malaysia, no compromise on sovereignty



Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the 19 per cent US tariff was secured without compromising Malaysia’s economic sovereignty, calling it a key outcome of firm and methodical negotiations. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Friday, 01 Aug 2025 11:49 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The United States’ decision to reduce tariff on Malaysian exports to 19 per cent from 25 per cent is a significant achievement and stems from Malaysia’s thorough and methodical negotiating process, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Tengku Zafrul emphasised that Malaysia had stood firm on various “red line” items, and the 19 per cent tariff rate was secured without compromising the nation’s sovereign right to implement key policies supporting socio-economic stability and growth.


“This positive outcome follows sustained engagement between both governments through various bilateral platforms and reflects the high degree of Malaysia-US complementarity in trade and investment for over 60 years,” he said in a statement.

He also noted that the reduced rate is broadly in line with other South-east Asian countries.


The Malaysia-US tariff negotiations started on May 6 and concluded on July 31, 2025.

Tengku Zafrul added that Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) has been working closely with Bank Negara Malaysia to assess the impact of different tariff levels on Malaysia’s gross domestic product.

“In managing the impact of the 19 per cent tariff, Miti will continue to collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies to mitigate its effects on exports, encourage exporters to fully utilise Malaysia’s 18 free trade agreements, and further diversify and expand export markets. At the same time, we will continue implementing industrial reform programmes,” he said.


“This aligns with key national policies such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, the Green Investment Strategy, and the National Semiconductor Strategy, all of which are aimed at helping Malaysian companies transform operations by enhancing efficiency, embracing automation, and boosting overall productivity,” he added.

On the global economic outlook, he acknowledged that it has become increasingly uncertain since March 2025, driven by shifting trade policies, tariff uncertainties, and rising geopolitical tensions.

“As an open, trading economy, Malaysia’s growth prospects are closely linked to these external risks. Nonetheless, Miti has consistently emphasised that Malaysia is confronting these challenges from a position of strength and resilience, with robust domestic demand supported by ongoing policy measures and sustained industrial and economic reforms,” he said.

He also said that Miti and relevant ministries and agencies will conduct targeted outreach programmes in the coming months on the implementation of the revised tariff rate for Malaysian exports to the US market. — Bernama

Palestinian prisoners tortured, raped and abused in Israeli prisons

 

Statistics on Palestinians in Israeli custody

Updated: 03 March 2025

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At the end of December 2024, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) was holding 9,619 Palestinians in detention or in prison on what it defined “security” grounds, including 2,216 from the Gaza Strip. At that time, the IPS was also holding 1,705 Palestinians, 3 of them from the Gaza Strip, for being in Israel illegally. 

At the end of 2020, the IPS adopted a new policy and stopped providing B'Tselem with the requested figures. Instead, it has since published some data on the IPS website every three months. The first year this occurred (July 2020 through September 2021), the figures published were partial and therefore are not included here.

In addition, at times, some Palestinians are briefly held in military facilities. The figures from the military are received with a significant time delay and offer no details regarding inmates’ legal standing.

The toll of casualties in Ketziot Prison reached 120 detainees, including those who sustained gunshot wounds.

Released Palestinians show signs of 'torture, abuse'

Rights group: Israel intentionally leaks scenes of Palestinian prisoners' torture

Suhakam wants 'diversion policy' after teen's remand for punching teacher

Suhakam wants 'diversion policy' after teen's remand for punching teacher


Published: Aug 1, 2025 10:44 AM
Updated: 1:30 PM


Summary

• Following a 14-year-old student’s two-day remand for assaulting his teacher, Suhakam’s children’s commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki advocates for a “diversion policy” that would redirect children accused of minor offences away from the criminal justice system into community-based programmes.

• She says such initiatives should focus on education, counselling, and behavioural support, emphasising that this approach is more effective and humane than punitive measures.

Suhakam today called for the implementation of a “diversion policy” for children in conflict with the law, in collaboration with stakeholders such as the police, welfare services, schools, and the judiciary.

The call follows a two-day remand, which was handed down to a 14-year-old student who assaulted his teacher.

“A diversion mechanism allows children accused of minor or non-violent offences to be redirected away from the criminal justice system into community-based programmes focused on education, counselling, and behavioural support.

“This approach would not only reduce the risk of criminalisation and social stigma but also address underlying issues such as trauma, neglect, or mental health.

“Such a policy is not a denial of accountability, but a shift towards restorative and rehabilitative justice, which is proven to be more effective and humane for children,” Suhakam children’s commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki said.

The “kelas peralihan” (remove class) student was arrested on Monday (July 28) after punching a 29-year-old male teacher, who lodged a police report later that day.

A video clip of the altercation went viral, and the boy was remanded for two days following his arrest on the same day.

He pleaded guilty yesterday at the Kajang Magistrate’s Court for causing injury.

Farah said that the incident should serve as a catalyst for reflection on broader systemic issues and prompt urgent consideration of whether schools have sufficient proactive and positive behavioural support systems, with students having timely access to mental health services.

She said that it was also important to assess whether teachers themselves are adequately equipped with conflict resolution and trauma-informed strategies.

“Suhakam stands in solidarity with the teacher involved and reiterates that violence in any form is unacceptable. Every individual, whether teacher, student, or staff, has the right to a safe and respectful environment in which to teach and learn.

“However, Suhakam also strongly emphasises that children who come into conflict with the law must be treated in a manner that upholds their dignity, rights, and potential for rehabilitation, as guaranteed under the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), and Malaysia’s international commitments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Nov 20, 1989,” she added.

Farah reminded that Malaysia must move beyond punitive responses and embrace a children’s justice system that reflects compassion, equity, and the best interests of the minors.


Civil society members expressed caution

Former Suhakam commissioner James Nayagam yesterday criticised the student’s two-day remand, arguing it shows Malaysia’s lack of commitment to less punitive approaches with minors.

He found the case particularly troubling, given that neighbouring Singapore has made significant strides in juvenile justice reform, warning that court processing could brand the boy with a lifelong criminal record stigma.

Children’s welfare lawyer Shanker Sundaram praised the court’s decision to seek a Social Welfare Department report to assess the boy’s background before sentencing.

Lawyer Samantha Chong, meanwhile, argued children should generally receive bail unless facing serious offences, noting that since evidence had already gone viral online, remand was unnecessary, whilst cautioning that there are two sides to every story.

Malaysia SME Association presses Putrajaya for urgent SST review in wake of US tariffs

Malaysia SME Association presses Putrajaya for urgent SST review in wake of US tariffs



A general view of shipping containers at Westports Pulau Indah in Klang, September 27, 2024. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

Friday, 01 Aug 2025 10:48 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The SME Association of Malaysia has urged the government to urgently review the Sales and Services Tax (SST) framework in response to a new 19 per cent tariff on Malaysian exports to the United States.

The association said the tariff, which affects key industries like electronics, rubber products and medical devices, is severely weakening the competitiveness of export-oriented SMEs.

Its national president, Chin Chee Seong, said the added burden of SST at home has worsened the cost pressures caused by the external trade barrier.

“The 19 per cent US tariff is already putting immense pressure on our export-oriented SMEs, especially in sectors like electronics, rubber products, and medical devices.


“At the same time, the expanded SST has raised operational costs for businesses involved in manufacturing, leasing, logistics, and services — without any form of input tax credit to offset cascading tax effects,” Chin said in a statement.


He warned that without urgent reforms, many SMEs may not survive the dual hit of international tariffs and domestic tax policies.

The group is calling for immediate SST restructuring, including business-to-business exemptions for licensed manufacturers and essential service providers.


It also wants the government to consider bringing back a reformed Goods and Services Tax (GST) that includes input tax credits and lower compliance costs.

Chin said the SST’s cascading tax effect and lack of transparency discourage formal business growth and damage supply chain efficiency.

To help offset export losses, the association urged the government to increase funding for market expansion, particularly in the Halal sector and difficult markets like China and the Middle East.

It said SMEs need hands-on support in areas such as branding, regulatory compliance and localisation strategies tailored to overseas markets.

The association also called for faster disbursement of soft loans, digitalisation grants and other financial aid to SMEs hit hardest by the tariff.

Chin stressed that a coordinated tax and export support strategy is vital to keep Malaysian SMEs competitive amid rising global and domestic pressures.

This morning, US President Donald Trump announced the new tariff rate for Malaysia, down from the 25 per cent he initially planned to impose on the country over a trade deficit he believes to be evidence of unfair trade practices.

US lowers tariff on Malaysian imports to 19pc, effective August 1

US lowers tariff on Malaysian imports to 19pc, effective August 1



US President Donald Trump points a finger as he delivers remarks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington July 31, 2025. — Reuters pic

Friday, 01 Aug 2025 8:45 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The United States (US) imposes a reduced 19 per cent tariff on Malaysian imports, effective Aug 1, 2025.

On July 7, Washington announced it would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Malaysian products entering the country, separate from sectoral tariffs, effective Aug 1 this year — one percentage point higher than what was announced in April.


US President Donald Trump said there would be no tariff if Malaysia, or Malaysian companies, chose to build or manufacture products within the US.

Since April, Malaysia has been negotiating the tariff with Washington, aiming to reduce the earlier 24 per cent rate. The latest round of talks was held on June 18 this year. — Bernama

Trump-Harvard crossfire: University accused of censorship after scrapping Palestine-themed journal issue

Trump-Harvard crossfire: University accused of censorship after scrapping Palestine-themed journal issue



Since returning to power, Trump has accused prestigious US universities of anti-Semitism for failing to protect Jewish students during protests against Israel’s war in Gaza. — AFP file pic

Friday, 01 Aug 2025 7:00 AM MYT



NEW YORK, Aug 1 — The issue of academic research on the Middle East has become a political flashpoint in the United States, where critics of Israel allege a “Palestine exception” exists when it comes to free speech rights.

Case in point, recently a special edition of the prestigious Harvard Educational Review (HER) was in the works, entirely dedicated to the hot-button issue of the Palestinians—the articles had been painstakingly written, edited and approved.


But authors said they received an unusual demand for a final readout by lawyers, which soon derailed their efforts.

The publisher’s stunning late-stage decision to scrap the entire edition reflects the overheated political climate in the US where academic research on the Middle East has attracted accusations of so-called “wokeism” and “anti-Semitism” from President Donald Trump, as conflict rages in the region.


The edition began taking shape when, in March 2024 -- six months after the deadly October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and the Israeli reprisals in the Gaza Strip—the renowned Harvard publication called for papers for a special issue on “Education and Palestine.”


Anthropologist Thea Abu El-Haj and her colleagues submitted a paper on “scholasticide,” a term describing the destruction of an education system, like in Gaza, with reference to the experience of Palestinian teachers during the Lebanese Civil War between 1975 and 1990.

But then the authors received phone calls informing them that the text would have to be submitted to Harvard’s Office of the General Counsel for a “risk assessment.”


“I have been publishing for decades in academic journals—including HER twice—and I have never been asked for this kind of review,” said El-Haj, a professor at Columbia University’s Barnard College.

After the authors objected to “censorship,” the director of Harvard Education Press Jessica Fiorillo, told the authors the special issue had been cancelled in its entirety.

‘Censorship’?

Fiorillo denied “censorship” in a memo to the authors, seen by AFP, blaming inadequate review because the editors insisted on limiting the publisher’s involvement to copyediting—without touching the “politically charged content.”

“The only explanation that makes sense to me is that this is another instance of what has been called the ‘Palestine exception’ to free speech,” said El-Haj, accusing Harvard of not upholding free speech while proclaiming to champion it amid its fight with Trump.

Since returning to power, Trump has accused prestigious US universities of anti-Semitism for failing to protect Jewish students during protests against Israel’s war in Gaza.

In an escalating war of attrition against Harvard, Trump sought to cut more than $2.6 billion of funding to the Ivy League university, while seeking to block entry of international students—a quarter of its enrollment.

Harvard said it had strengthened measures to protect Jewish and Israeli students while fighting the government’s measures in court.

“The chilling climate for scholarly inquiry about Palestine at Harvard (and beyond) has been difficult for some time. Faculty, staff, and students have understandably felt a generalized cloud of fear and anxiety,” Margaret Litvin, an Arabic literature professor at Boston University, told AFP.

At the start of the year, Harvard also adopted a definition of anti-Semitism used by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

That definition is contested, however, as critics argue it may prevent criticism of Israel.

That distinction appears to be at the heart of the furor over the “education and Palestine” edition of the HER, said Chandni Desai, a University of Toronto professor, who was supposed to pen an article for the journal.

Harvard University did not comment.

The submitted articles would “likely fail” to have passed the IHRA definition test because “all the pieces are critical of Israel,” Desai said.

“We’ve never seen an entire special issue collection being canceled—especially after... contracts have been signed and reviews and revisions done.” — AFP

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Wankees under Carrot-headed Clown continue its obsequious task of licking Shailoks' guli's.