Parti Warisan (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has responded to comments by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming regarding cleanliness in Semporna, following a viral video that labeled the town "the dirtiest in Asia."
Shafie, a former Sabah Chief Minister, emphasized that Semporna was one of the cleanest towns during Warisan’s tenure. He questioned Nga's understanding of waste management responsibilities, pointing out that local authorities, not state leaders, manage public cleanliness.
Shafie also suggested that better collaboration between federal and state governments would address the issue. He criticized Nga for politicizing the matter and claimed that local ministers should take action.
Former Semporna...
The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) criticized recent calls by peninsular Malaysian politicians to ban alcohol at official government events, warning the move could extend to state-endorsed celebrations and threaten Sabah’s cultural identity.
SAPP vice-president Datuk Chong Pit Fah argued the proposal, prompted by controversy over a Tourism Malaysia dinner, infringes on Sabah’s autonomy and contradicts the 20-Point Agreement, which guarantees religious and cultural freedom for the state.
Chong pointed out that alcohol is a traditional part of cultural events in Sabah, such as the Kaamatan Festival and various Chinese celebrations, which are vital to the state’s identity and tourism.
SAPP stressed that such bans could distort Sabah’s...
The Association of Employment Agencies Malaysia (PAPA) has suggested creating a new category for “residential cleaners” to meet the needs of households seeking part-time cleaning services rather than full-time domestic help.
PAPA noted that many Malaysians now prefer privacy and occasional assistance with cleaning, rather than employing live-in maids.
PAPA president Datuk Foo Yong Hooi stated that these services are in high demand, but are often provided by foreigners working illegally. He urged the government to regulate this sector.
PAPA also proposed the addition of new sub-sectors, such as caregivers for nursing homes and workers for community centres, to reduce illegal employment. The association asked the Housing Ministry to...
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department successfully intercepted four attempts to smuggle over 1,000 kg of cannabis, valued at RM98 million, in operations around the Klang Valley and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.
KLIA Customs director Zulkifli Muhammad stated that the department’s Enforcement Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, including the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), led the operations. Five local men have been arrested in connection with the smuggling attempts under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The smuggling attempts aimed to ship cannabis overseas, particularly to Europe, using various methods, including disguising the drugs as commercial goods. In one case, a man was...
The Philippines' proposal to raise the minimum salary for its domestic helpers from US$400 to US$500 (approximately RM1,800 to RM2,200) has been criticized by the Association of Employment Agencies Malaysia (PAPA), which called it an unnecessary financial burden for employers in Malaysia.
PAPA president Datuk Foo Yong Hooi expressed concerns that the increase could discourage families from hiring domestic workers legally, especially as employers already face rising costs. He also pointed out that Gulf countries had rejected the proposal, and he hoped the Philippines would reconsider its plan for Malaysia.
PAPA also raised concerns over new administrative requirements, such as the appointment of a Philippines Welfare Desk Officer at...
A public university student was fined RM10,000 or face six months in jail after pleading guilty to selling pornographic content for commercial purposes.
Sessions Court Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman imposed the fine on Muhammad Aidil Akmal Azhar, 24, under Section 233(2)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Muhammad Aidil paid the fine.
He committed the offense on March 1, 2024, by using a Telegram account ‘@sanomanji89’ to advertise a pornographic video for sale in Shah Alam, Selangor. A digital forensic officer from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) acted as an undercover agent and purchased the video for RM100 in Touch ‘n Go reload code.
MCMC prosecutor Fadhli Ab Wahab stressed the seriousness of...
The Budget 2026, set to be tabled tomorrow, is expected to focus on modernizing the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) as part of efforts to build a future-ready force.
Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the budget will serve as the foundation for this agenda, which was outlined during the mid-term review of the Defense White Paper in February. He added that the budget will address both traditional and non-traditional challenges the country may face, while also prioritizing the well-being of military personnel.
Khaled made these remarks following the launch of the Warriors Fund (KTP) Campaign for the 2025-2026 session, officiated by KTP patron Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the Prime Minister's wife.
Khaled also...
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim received the Budget 2026 proposals from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a royal audience today at Istana Bukit Tunku.
According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s official Facebook page, the budget document was presented to the King ahead of Anwar's scheduled tabling of the proposals in Parliament tomorrow.
Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, described the fourth Madani Government Budget as focused on safeguarding citizens' welfare, strengthening the economy, and ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.
The Prime Minister is set to present the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat at 4 p.m. tomorrow. Debate on the bill will take place over eight days, followed by...
The Federal Territories Land and Mines Office (PTGWPKL) has clarified that Kampung Sungai Baru has never been gazetted as part of the Malay Agricultural Settlement (MAS) land or designated as Malay reserve land.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, explained during a Dewan Rakyat briefing that Kampung Sungai Baru, established in 1967 after a river straightening project by the Selangor state government, was never part of the 219.91-acre MAS land. The new land formed from the project was developed by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) but was not officially classified as MAS land.
Regarding the proposal to gazette the area as MAS or Malay reserve land, Dr Zaliha...
