Day: April 13, 2026

RM2.6 Bln Estimate For Kuching Flood Mitigation Projects – Fadillah

KOTA SAMARAHAN, April 13 2026 — The Federal Government estimates that RM2.6 billion is needed to complete two major flood mitigation (RTB) initiatives in Kuching, covering Phase 2 of the Kuching City RTB and the Sungai Samariang RTB, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Fadillah, who also serves as the Minister of Energy […]

Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain Expected In KL, Eight States Until 5pm

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 2026– Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit Kuala Lumpur and eight states until 5pm today. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) in a statement said the warning covers several areas in Kedah, namely Sik, Baling, Kulim and Bandar Baharu; Penang (Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah and Seberang […]

Police Crack Down On Smuggling At KLIA, Seize Over RM5 Million Worth Of Drugs

SHAH ALAM, April 13 -- Police have crippled international drug trafficking syndicates in raids around Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sepang, resulting in the seizure of 82 kilogrammes of drugs estimated to be worth RM5.45 million. Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the first case involved the arrest of a 19-year-old salesgirl in the car park of a shopping mall near KLIA on April 5. He said the local woman was arrested after being found in possession of a suitcase containing 12 plastic packages believed to be syabu, weighing about 12.5 kilogrammes and worth an estimated RM625,000. “The suspect tested negative for drugs and had no previous criminal record,” he said at a press conference here today. In the second case, Shazeli said a raid on April 6 at KLIA Terminal 1 uncovered three pieces of luggage believed to belong to three local men, containing 90 plastic packages of cannabis buds weighing 45 kilogrammes and worth RM3.6 million. He said following that three men, aged between 26 and 37, were detained on April 8 by the KLIA Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division. “Two of the suspects tested positive for Amphetamine and Methamphetamine and we also seized £190 (RM1,000) in cash during the raid. “Further investigation found that two of them had four and six previous records respectively, and we believe the drugs were intended for distribution in the international market,” he said. Shazeli said police believe the suspects were acting as drug mules, having been offered lucrative rewards of at least RM5,000, in addition to having their travel tickets and accommodation expenses sponsored by the syndicates. The suspects have been remanded for seven days and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act. Meanwhile, Shazeli said police were seeking public assistance to locate a 33-year-old woman, believed to be the owner of the luggage, which was found abandoned at KLIA Terminal 1 and contained 23 plastic packages of syabu, weighing an estimated 24.5 kilogrammes and worth RM1.225 million. He said the woman, identified as Syazwani Farhana Dron, was found to have fled after realising the luggage had been flagged and did not board the flight she was scheduled to take, adding that the seized drugs were believed to be intended for the Sabah market. --BERNAMA

SHAH ALAM, April 13 — Police have crippled international drug trafficking syndicates in raids around Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sepang, resulting in the seizure of 82 kilogrammes of drugs estimated to be worth RM5.45 million. Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the first case involved the arrest of a 19-year-old salesgirl in the […]

Federal Govt Allocates RM60 Mln For Poverty Eradication In T’ganu This Year

KUALA TERENGGANU, April 13 (– The federal government has approved an allocation of RM60 million for poverty eradication programmes in Terengganu this year, said . He said the programme covers efforts to increase people’s income as well as improve housing in the state. “The implementation of this programme will be coordinated by the Implementation Coordination Unit […]

Zahid Hamidi Chairs High-Level Committee Meeting on MM2H to Boost Investment Appeal

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today chaired the High-Level Committee (HLC) meeting on the Malaysia My Second Home Programme (MM2H), focusing on strategic approaches to strengthen the country’s investment attractiveness. In a statement, Zahid said the discussions centred on aligning policies, streamlining the ecosystem, and enhancing Malaysia’s overall value proposition to remain competitive at both regional and global levels. He emphasised that in an increasingly challenging economic landscape, a more structured and focused approach is essential to ensure Malaysia continues to be a preferred destination for investors while attracting high-quality investments. Zahid expressed confidence that ongoing efforts under the initiative will help boost investor confidence and further strengthen the nation’s economic position moving forward.

PUTRAJAYA, 13 APRIL — Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today chaired the High-Level Committee (HLC) meeting on the Malaysia My Second Home Programme (MM2H), focusing on strategic approaches to strengthen the country’s investment attractiveness. In a statement, Zahid said the discussions centred on aligning policies, streamlining the ecosystem, and enhancing Malaysia’s overall value proposition […]

Fujian To Host 2026 Cultural, Tourism Conference In Zhangzhou

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 -- The 2026 Fujian Provincial Conference on the Development of Cultural and Tourism Economy will be held from April 17 to 18 in Zhangzhou, in southeast China’s Fujian province. Themed "Building a World-renowned Tourist Destination and Fostering Cultural and Tourism as a Pillar Industry", the event aims to drive the comprehensive upgrading of Fujian's cultural and tourism industry, in line with the goal of revitalising the city and boosting the regional economy. Zhangzhou, located in southern Fujian, is home to the Nanjing Tulou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and features scenic landscapes where mountains meet the sea, attracting both domestic and international tourists. Seizing the conference as an opportunity, the city will focus on five major cultural and tourism themes, namely Maritime Culture, Ecological Civilization, Tulou Heritage, Ancient City Charm, and Minnan Architecture. According to a statement, Zhangzhou will showcase the unique charm of Minnan culture to global audiences through various initiatives, supporting Fujian’s ambition to become a world-renowned tourist destination with rich cultural depth. These initiatives include launching posters featuring Hokkien (Minnan dialect) translations, organising familiarisation tours for travel agencies from key source markets, and staging Minnan cultural comedy performances. According to available data, Fujian’s cultural tourism market recorded strong growth in 2025, welcoming 5.5525 million inbound tourist visits, a 51.2 per cent increase year-on-year. The province has designated 2026 as the Year of Cultural and Tourism Consumption under the theme "Refreshing Fujian · Minnan Lifestyle". Against this backdrop, the conference will introduce about 100 featured cultural and tourism scenarios under the "Minnan Lifestyle" initiative and launch an electronic guide map. Covering sectors such as ecology, culture, and technology, these initiatives aim to promote a shift towards a more diversified, all-day consumption model.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 — The 2026 Fujian Provincial Conference on the Development of Cultural and Tourism Economy will be held from April 17 to 18 in Zhangzhou, in southeast China’s Fujian province. Themed “Building a World-renowned Tourist Destination and Fostering Cultural and Tourism as a Pillar Industry”, the event aims to drive the comprehensive […]

S. Korea To Test AI-based Smart City Tech In Southeast Asia

SEOUL, April 13 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- South Korea will carry out pilot projects to test smart city technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI) in five Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, aimed at helping address urban challenges and support domestic firms' global expansions, the land ministry said Monday. According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry said it has selected six projects to be carried out in five countries under its 2026 K-City Network programme, an initiative that supports the application of domestic smart city projects. In Brunei, an AI-based smart city platform will be tested to improve water management and disaster response, while a smart traffic management system will help optimise traffic signals in Bacoor of the Philippines. Projects in Vietnam will help introduce on-demand transport services in Ho Chi Minh City and deploy AI-based smart intersection control systems in Can Tho to improve traffic flow. Additional projects include implementing a safety management solution for ageing buildings in Surin, Thailand, and deploying a traffic management system in Penang, Malaysia, to detect accidents and congestion. The ministry said the programme is expected to help validate the effectiveness of Korean smart technologies in overseas markets and lead to follow-up exports and investment opportunities.

SEOUL, April 13 (Bernama-Yonhap) — South Korea will carry out pilot projects to test smart city technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI) in five Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, aimed at helping address urban challenges and support domestic firms’ global expansions, the land ministry said Monday. According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry said it […]

Johan’s Statement Risks Sparking Controversy – Mohd Yusoff

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 -- The decision by Selangor FC chief executive officer Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon to voice his views outside official channels has raised questions and could potentially spark polemics within the local football ecosystem, according to a veteran football administrator. Former acting president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi, said the move was puzzling, given that Johan is not new to the country’s football administrative system. He said official platforms, such as meetings of the Malaysian Football League (MFL) board of directors and the MFL Congress, should be fully utilised if there is a genuine intention to improve the situation. “When one chooses to speak outside, it is no longer merely a professional view, but opens the door to various perceptions,” he said in a statement today. At the same time, Mohd Yusoff described the timing of the remarks as odd, raising speculation about the possibility of certain interests being at play. He did not rule out the possibility that the move carried an underlying intent, including an attempt to divert attention from internal weaknesses that have yet to be comprehensively addressed. He said criticising the league via external platforms could also be seen as an effort to exert indirect pressure on the MFL, while shaping a particular narrative. “There is a tendency to build momentum from the outside, dragging in other parties. This is no longer a routine critique. Its impact risks causing division and undermining the stability of the league,” he said. As such, Mohd Yusoff stressed that any effort to improve national football must be carried out professionally through proper channels, rather than through open statements that may raise more questions than solutions. Recently, Johan called for serious discussions to be held, including the possibility of organising a roundtable session involving all stakeholders of the M-League, particularly in light of the increasingly worrying financial situation among most teams. Johor Darul Ta'zim, Negeri Sembilan FC, Terengganu FC, Penang FC and Sabah FC are among the clubs that support the proposal to hold the roundtable session. Among the recurring issues affecting the M-League are delays in the payment of salaries to players and team officials by several clubs, as well as the challenge of rising operational costs, further exacerbated by the impact of ongoing tensions in West Asia.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 — The decision by Selangor FC chief executive officer Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon to voice his views outside official channels has raised questions and could potentially spark polemics within the local football ecosystem, according to a veteran football administrator. Former acting president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Datuk Mohd […]