Day: May 7, 2026

PM Anwar Arrives In Cebu For 48th ASEAN Summit

CEBU (Philippines), May 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here today for a two-day visit to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings. A special aircraft carrying Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, landed at the Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base here at 1.50 pm, which is the same time as Kuala Lumpur. They were welcomed by the Philippines’ Department of Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cynthia King-Chan. Also present was Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony. Anwar was also greeted by a guard of honour led by Brig Gen Joseph Archog, Wing Commander of the Philippine Air Force’s 220th Airlift Wing and welcomed by a troupe of traditional dancers at the airport. Upon arrival, Anwar will participate in the Special Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit, to be held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, where discussions will focus on sub-regional development. Later, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Laos and Singapore, before attending the BIMP-EAGA leaders’ dinner hosted by Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos. On May 8, Anwar will attend the opening of the 48th ASEAN Summit. He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his Vietnam and Thailand counterparts thereafter. He will later join a gala dinner hosted by Marcos and his wife before returning home. In a statement yesterday, the Foreign Ministry said the summit serves as an opportunity for Malaysia to share and exchange views on various issues on ASEAN Community building and the way forward.  Discussions will also focus on the impacts of the crisis in West Asia on the Southeast Asian region, ASEAN’s response towards ensuring regional energy and food security, as well as the safety of the bloc’s nationals in the affected areas. The Philippines took over the ASEAN chairmanship from Malaysia on Jan 1, 2026.  Themed “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the republic, during its tenure, seeks to steer ASEAN’s priorities through three pillars: Peace and Security Anchors, Prosperity Corridors, and People Empowerment.

CEBU (Philippines), May 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here today for a two-day visit to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings. A special aircraft carrying Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, landed at the Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base here at 1.50 […]

Johor MB Dismisses Rumours Of State Assembly Dissolution Today

ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 7 -- Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has dismissed rumours that the Johor State Legislative Assembly would be dissolved today. He said that, for now, matters relating to the state election should be set aside, and all state assemblymen should continue serving the people across the state. “I would like to announce that the Johor State Legislative Assembly will not be dissolved today, so everyone can relax. I advise Honourable Members not to worry about the state election. “Continue serving the people and Bangsa Johor. Let us put aside election matters for now as there are still many programmes and initiatives that need to be implemented,” he said during the winding-up session of the Johor state assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail here today. Onn Hafiz said he needed to clarify the matter following widespread speculation that the state election could take place soon, possibly due to the rising political temperature. “I noticed some differences during this assembly debate session, perhaps because the political temperature is rising. Some said this might be the last state assembly sitting before the state election, while others were apologising and shaking hands,” he said. Lately, talk of the dissolution of the Johor state assembly has intensified as several politicians in the state have begun making statements regarding the state election, while some parties have also started identifying their target seats.

ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 7 — Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has dismissed rumours that the Johor State Legislative Assembly would be dissolved today. He said that, for now, matters relating to the state election should be set aside, and all state assemblymen should continue serving the people across the state. “I would like […]

MCMC INVITES MALAYSIA TO SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AT WSIS PRIZES 2026

​CYBERJAYA, 7 May 2026 – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) calls on Malaysians to show their support for the nation's technological innovations and inclusive development efforts by voting for Malaysia's nominated projects at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2026, organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). ​Aligned with this year's WSIS theme of leveraging ICTs to accelerate sustainable development and build an inclusive digital future, Malaysia's participation reflects the nation's continued commitment to harnessing technology for progress, resilience and shared prosperity. ​This year, Malaysia continues its role as a Platinum Strategic Partner, underscoring its ongoing contribution to shaping the global dialogue on technological innovation while reinforcing Southeast Asia's emergence as a dynamic hub for digital innovation. ​A total of 10 Malaysia-led projects supported by MCMC have been shortlisted across multiple categories. These projects span key areas including digital governance, online safety, ICT innovation, agriculture technology, and community empowerment. ​The nominated projects are as follows: ​1. ASEAN 5G Skills Framework and Capacity Development Platform 2. ​Communications & Infrastructure Disaster Recovery (CIDR) Plan 3. ​Human-Centered Digital Governance Through MCMC's Five-Year Plan 2030 4. ​AgriNXT: Oil Palm Chapter (OPC) 5. ​MCMC'S AGRINXT Northern Chapter: Empowering Malaysian Livestock Farmers with AI-based Cattle Weight Estimation ​6. MCMC'S AGRINXT Northern Chapter: Empowering Paddy Farmers Via AI-driven Paddy Disease Detection 7. ​Sebenarnya.my Portal 8. ​Kempen Internet Selamat (KIS) 9. ​E-waste Stewardship Through Community Collaboration for Responsible Circularity Action 10. ​Empowering Communities for Heal ​These initiatives demonstrate Malaysia's holistic approach to leveraging technology for national development – from strengthening digital resilience and governance, to empowering communities and promoting responsible online behaviour. ​The WSIS Prizes serve as a global platform to recognise outstanding ICT-driven projects that contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Public voting plays an important role in determining the final winners, making every vote an opportunity to showcase Malaysia's innovation and impact on the global stage. ​Malaysia's participation in WSIS Prizes 2026 reflects the nation's growing role in advancing inclusive, sustainable and responsible digital development. MCMC encourages all Malaysians to support these initiatives by casting their votes through the official WSIS Prizes platform at https://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/stocktaking/Prizes/Prizes/. ​Through this collective effort, Malaysia asserts its leadership in responsible technological innovation, setting the pace for a safe, inclusive and trusted digital future while showcasing the nation's impact on the global stage. -- SOURCE: ​MCMC CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

​CYBERJAYA, 7 May 2026 – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) calls on Malaysians to show their support for the nation’s technological innovations and inclusive development efforts by voting for Malaysia’s nominated projects at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2026, organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). ​Aligned with this […]

MCMC ENHANCES CUSTOMER PROTECTION THROUGH REVISED QUALITY OF SERVICE STANDARDS FOR CONTENT APPLICATIONS SERVICES

CYBERJAYA, 7 May 2026 – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) today announced the issuance of the Commission Determination on the Mandatory Standards for Quality of Service (Content Applications Services), which sets clear requirements for Content Applications Service Providers (CASPs) to improve service reliability, strengthen accountability and ensure better handling of customer complaints.​This applies to all CASPs delivering television and radio content nationwide, including Free-To-Air television, subscription-based television and terrestrial radio stations, with a total of 34 active CASPs currently in operation affected by these revised standards.​The revised standards go beyond just ensuring services are up and running, placing stronger focus on how well services actually perform for consumers, including faster complaint resolution and more consistent service quality. CASPs are held to higher accountability, particularly in areas such as service availability, performance monitoring and the timely resolution of service issues.​A key feature of the strengthened regulatory framework is its broader applicability – covering both subscription-based and non-subscription-based content applications services. The revised standards also introduce more robust reporting and governance requirements, clearer quality of service standards and stronger complaint resolution obligations.​The revised standards enhance areas identified for improvement in the previous framework, including strengthening complaint resolution timelines by extending them to cover non-billing complaints with clearer and more comprehensive requirements. They also place greater emphasis on overall service experience and responsiveness, as well as introducing more robust requirements for record retention and performance transparency.​These enhancements are intended to ensure that customer complaints are managed more effectively, service disruptions are addressed more promptly and issues are reasonably resolved and accepted by consumers.​Compliance with these standards will be monitored by MCMC, with CASPs required to submit periodic Quality of Service (QoS) performance reports and maintain auditable records for at least two (2) years. The Commission may conduct audits, sampling and service observation, and may publish performance outcomes to promote transparency.​The revised determination was informed by a Public Inquiry conducted by MCMC from 22 November 2025 to 31 January 2026 to obtain views from industry stakeholders, service providers and the public on the review of the earlier determination.​These improvements are implemented through the issuance of the Commission Determination on the Mandatory Standards for Quality of Service (Content Applications Services) and the revocation of Determination No. 4 of 2002, through Determination No. 2 of 2026.​Through this determination, MCMC reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a fair, reliable and customer-centric communications and multimedia ecosystem.​For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). -- SOURCE: ​MCMC CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

CYBERJAYA, 7 May 2026 – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) today announced the issuance of the Commission Determination on the Mandatory Standards for Quality of Service (Content Applications Services), which sets clear requirements for Content Applications Service Providers (CASPs) to improve service reliability, strengthen accountability and ensure better handling of customer complaints. ​This […]

464 fake content related to global supply crisis identified in one month – Teo

KUALA LUMPUR -- A total of 464 fake content related to the global supply crisis was identified between March 29 and April 30, 2026, with 312 of them successfully taken down, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. Apart from that, he said, a total of 65 investigation papers have been opened, with 15 cases referred to the Attorney General's Chambers, while the others are still under investigation. "The rapid spread of false information, amplified by artificial intelligence (AI), poses a major challenge to public trust," he said in his speech during the opening of the HAWANA 2026 Media Forum, here, today. Also present were Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Communications (Strategic Communications and Creative Industries) Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, Chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj. Teo said cases of fake content, including fake accounts and impersonation of public figures, have increased sharply in recent years, jumping from 6,297 cases in 2023 to 63,652 in 2024 and 98,503 in 2025. "As of April 30 this year alone, 60,829 such contents have been taken down by the platform," he said. He said the development showed the need for those involved in the world of journalism to always uphold credibility amidst the ever-changing digital landscape. Meanwhile, Teo urged the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) to play a greater role and take a more careful and prudent approach in handling media-related issues. He said this was important following Malaysia's latest ranking of 95th in the Reporters Without Borders index, down from 88th previously, reflecting ongoing concerns in the media landscape. "While the safety of journalists has improved, the decline in the media economy and legislation remains a concern, and this is not a position we can be complacent about." “Journalism is a pillar of democracy,” he said, adding that disputes over reporting should be resolved through the MMC as the ultimate arbiter. The MMC, established in February last year, is a self-regulatory body that aims to uphold journalistic ethics, formulate codes of conduct and safeguard the welfare of media practitioners. The council is governed by a board comprising representatives of media organisations, practitioners and public interest groups, including academics and the general public, with the participation of delegates from Sabah and Sarawak.

KUALA LUMPUR — A total of 464 fake content related to the global supply crisis was identified between March 29 and April 30, 2026, with 312 of them successfully taken down, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. Apart from that, he said, a total of 65 investigation papers have been opened, with 15 cases […]

Agoda’s 21st Birthday Sale Gives Partners a Route Into Asia’s Rising Destinations

SINGAPORE, May 7 — Digital travel platform Agoda is inviting partners to participate in its 21st Birthday Sale, giving them an opportunity to align their offers with growing travel interest for Asia’s emerging destinations during key travel planning periods. Recent Agoda data shows that accommodation searches in secondary cities across Asia have grown 15% faster than in traditional tourism hubs over the last two years. That momentum is also reflected in Agoda’s New Horizons ranking report, which identifies Sapa (Vietnam), Okayama (Japan), Bandung (Indonesia), Matsuyama (Japan) and Takamatsu (Japan) as Asia’s top five emerging destinations based on international travel interest over the last two years. Partners can tap into this opportunity by joining Agoda’s 21st Birthday Sale running from 3 May to 21 May, giving them an opportunity to package and promote relevant offers to travelers exploring emerging destinations and to stay visible as guests plan their journeys. Agoda’s 21st Birthday Sale features a three-phase campaign structure designed to help partners maximize visibility during the height of booking interests. Travelers can enjoy up to 60% off on hotel bookings during the main sale, with a special Flash Sale offering up to 70% off on 19 May. The campaign also includes VIP Priority Access for Agoda VIP members from 3 to 6 May, giving early access to deals before the main sale runs from 7 to 21 May. As travelers increasingly seek out new destinations and diverse sets of travel experiences, campaigns like Agoda’s 21st Birthday Sale can help partners raise discoverability, align with booking interests and reach guests at the point of decision. Enhanced visibility through homepage banners, campaign landing pages, pop-up banners and exclusive badges are among the features available to participating partners. “Travel is getting more interesting when you look beyond the obvious hubs and that’s good news for our partners,” said Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda. “When demand spreads to a wider set of destinations, it creates more opportunities for properties outside the main gateways to be discovered and booked. Secondary cities are continuing to draw stronger interest, and the partners who show up early with sharp pricing, clear listings and the right offers are the ones most likely to benefit. Agoda’s 21st Birthday Sale is designed to help partners do exactly that through stronger visibility during key booking and planning windows.” To celebrate its 21st birthday, Agoda is offering high-value deals to inspire travelers to explore the region’s emerging destinations. For partners, it presents an opportunity to pair strong offers with one of Agoda’s promotional moments of the year. With flexible participation options and broad consumer reach, Agoda’s 21st Birthday Sale is designed to help partners of all sizes make the most of changing travel patterns and rising interest in Asia’s next wave of destinations. This is an open invitation for travel partners across the ecosystem to collaborate early, plan smarter and co-create compelling seasonal offers for travelers worldwide. For more information on how to participate, visit https://partnerhub.agoda.com/agodas-mega-sale/. — Source: Agoda

SINGAPORE, May 7 — Digital travel platform Agoda is inviting partners to participate in its 21st Birthday Sale, giving them an opportunity to align their offers with growing travel interest for Asia’s emerging destinations during key travel planning periods. Recent Agoda data shows that accommodation searches in secondary cities across Asia have grown 15% faster […]

A healthy pregnancy is the best start for your little one

KUALA LUMPUR: Good health for mothers and babies should start with early planning, health check-ups and practicing a balanced lifestyle throughout pregnancy and after giving birth. Sunway Medical Centre, Bandar Sunway Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Sharmina Kamal Shamsul Kamal said it was important for expectant mothers to undergo a health check-up first to identify any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. "With the increasing rates of diabetes and hypertension among young people in Malaysia, pre-pregnancy screening has become a necessity. Undiagnosed or uncontrolled health conditions can affect both mother and baby," he said in a statement today. He said that since the development of the baby's neural tube occurs at an early stage, folic acid intake should be started before the pregnancy test results are positive to provide optimal protection to the mother and baby against the risk of serious neural tube defects. Each trimester brings unique developments, namely the first trimester is a very sensitive phase because the baby's organs are forming, while in the second and third trimesters the fetus begins to grow and mature, and even begins to respond when hearing the mother's voice or feeling her movements. Dr Sharmina said the nutritional aspect is often underestimated, and if the mother lacks essential nutrients, the baby may be affected, so avoid smoking and alcohol, in addition to limiting caffeine intake and prioritizing a balanced diet rich in protein, green vegetables, whole grains and dairy products or fortified alternatives. "Iron deficiency can cause anemia, making the mother feel very tired and at risk of affecting the development of the baby in the womb, while calcium and vitamin D deficiency can weaken the mother's bones during and after pregnancy," he said. He said antenatal check-ups are sometimes considered a routine, but they are much more important because they can help ensure that the pregnancy goes smoothly, detect problems early, and ensure that the baby grows healthily. "Early scans are done to confirm fetal viability and accurately determine gestational age. Most women will have monthly check-ups until the 28th week, unless closer monitoring is needed." "Conditions such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) can often be detected before symptoms become worse." "At each check-up, we will monitor the baby, the uterus, and the amniotic fluid to ensure everything is on the right track," he said. Dr Sharmina said that during the festive period, mothers still have the opportunity to celebrate but practice moderation, prioritize balanced meals, avoid alcohol, ensure food is cooked thoroughly and get enough rest, prioritize rest, hydration and adequate sleep, which is eight to 10 hours a day. The first few hours after birth are a very critical time, at this point skin-to-skin contact can help stabilize the baby's blood sugar levels, support breastfeeding, and strengthen bonding. "About 60 percent to 80 percent of mothers may feel tearful or emotionally sensitive in the first two weeks after giving birth. However, prolonged sadness, withdrawal, or worsening symptoms may indicate postpartum depression and require immediate medical attention." He also advised mothers to seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe pain, fever, slow-healing wounds, or foul-smelling discharge. "During confinement, nutrition is very important. Adequate protein, iron, and fluids support healing and milk production. Restricting water intake can increase the risk of dehydration and blood clots, as well as reduce breast milk supply," she said. He also emphasized the benefits of early breastfeeding as it can provide protection to newborns, and at the same time, hand hygiene and reducing close contact with babies are also important to reduce the risk of infection, while strengthening the mother-child bond. "The right choices, medical treatment, and family support are key for mothers to enjoy this experience and ensure a healthy start in life for their babies," he said.

KUALA LUMPUR — Good health for mothers and babies should start with early planning, health check-ups and practicing a balanced lifestyle throughout pregnancy and after giving birth. Sunway Medical Centre, Bandar Sunway Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Sharmina Kamal Shamsul Kamal said it was important for expectant mothers to undergo a health check-up first to […]

Ringgit opens higher, expected to continue rising if OPR remains at 2.75 percent

KUALA LUMPUR -- The ringgit continued yesterday's momentum as it opened higher on Thursday amid expectations that the local currency has the potential to continue to rise today. Market consensus is that Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is expected to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 percent. At 8am, the local currency was trading at 3.905/9300 against the US dollar from 3.9230/9275 at the close on Wednesday. BNM will hold its third Monetary Policy Committee meeting today, with market players expecting the OPR to remain unchanged at 2.75 percent pending an updated assessment of Malaysia's inflation and growth prospects. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Chief Economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit's performance was also driven by increased risk appetite after the United States (US) and Iran were expected to be ready to reach an agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. "Risk appetite increased significantly with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq jumping 1.46 percent and 2.02 percent respectively in a day to close at 7,365.12 points and 25,838.94. "US Treasury yields for two-year and 10-year terms declined by eight basis points to 3.87 per cent and 4.35 per cent respectively," he told Bernama . The US Dollar Index (DXY) decreased 0.43 percent to 98.023 points. Mohd Afzanizam said in this regard, the ringgit has the potential to continue strengthening today with BNM expected to maintain the OPR at 2.75 percent. "The US dollar-ringgit pair today is expected to move towards the RM3.90 level," he said. At the opening of trading, the ringgit traded higher against a basket of major currencies. The local unit strengthened against the euro to 4.6058/6170 from 4.6189/6242 at Wednesday's close, rose against the British pound to 5.3280/3409 from 5.3443/350 and rose against the Japanese yen to 2.5046/5109 from 2.5159/5191 yesterday. Local currencies are also mostly high compared to regional currencies. The local unit rose against the Singapore dollar to 3.0909/0986 from 3.0946/0986 at Wednesday's close and strengthened against the Thai baht to 12.1536/1898 from 12.1866/2074. The ringgit traded little changed against the Indonesian rupiah to 225.4/226.1 from 225.6/225.9 previously, and remained unchanged against the Philippine peso at 6.39/6.41.

KUALA LUMPUR — The ringgit continued yesterday’s momentum as it opened higher on Thursday amid expectations that the local currency has the potential to continue to rise today. Market consensus is that Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is expected to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 percent. At 8am, the local currency was trading […]

Airbus A220 aircraft order deal will cost US$19 billion, says Fernandes

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Bhd has announced that its order for 150 Airbus A220 aircraft will cost around US$19 billion, according to its advisor Tan Sri Tony Fernandes. Fernandes, who is also the CEO of Capital A, expects the first delivery of the aircraft to arrive no later than the first quarter of 2028. He said the Airbus A220 would open up new market potential and routes, bringing them closer to building the world's first low-cost airline network. "So, with this 160-seat aircraft, it allows us to increase our profit margin by around two to three percentage points, in addition to building a much wider network. "This aircraft can also fly for up to seven hours and in Asia, it has a very high value for us," he told reporters after the signing ceremony of the Airbus A220 order agreement which was broadcast live from Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. Earlier in his speech, Fernandes also expressed interest in possibly purchasing another 150 aircraft if the aircraft manufacturer builds a longer version, known as the Airbus A220-500, which can accommodate around 185 seats. "This is a US$19 billion deal, which could go up to US$38 billion if we could have the longer version," he said. When asked why he needed a longer version of the A220 programme, Fernandes said the existing A320 aircraft were now nearing the end of their service life and the 180-seat aircraft would be a perfect replacement. "People may wonder why we are buying so many planes during this latest crisis, but the crisis is an opportunity to make bold decisions. "We have built AirAsia by making bold decisions at the right time, not the easiest. This order reflects our long-term discipline and the scale of our ambition," he said of the multi-billion dollar deal. "Our partnership with Airbus has spanned more than two decades and has been the backbone of all our achievements. Today marks another milestone in that journey and many more to come in the future," he said. Earlier, Lars Wagner, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft Business, confirmed the historic agreement, which saw the A220 model surpass 1,100 orders. Also present at the event was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Bhd has announced that its order for 150 Airbus A220 aircraft will cost around US$19 billion, according to its advisor Tan Sri Tony Fernandes. Fernandes, who is also the CEO of Capital A, expects the first delivery of the aircraft to arrive no later than the first quarter of 2028. He said […]