Day: June 12, 2026

Harimau Malaya Up To 136th In FIFA World Rankings After Two-place Rise

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 -- Malaysia’s Harimau Malaya football team has climbed to 136th place in the latest world rankings issued by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). In the latest update today, the national team has collected 1,086.22 points, moving up two places from their previous position of 138th in the world. The rise was driven by results involving other teams, including India and Latvia, as Malaysia did not play during the international window. Thailand remains Southeast Asia’s top-ranked team at 94th, ahead of Vietnam (99), Indonesia (118), the Philippines (135) and Singapore (148). Japan holds its position as Asia’s top-ranked side at 18th in the world, followed by Iran in 20th and South Korea in 25th. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Malaysia’s Harimau Malaya football team has climbed to 136th place in the latest world rankings issued by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). In the latest update today, the national team has collected 1,086.22 points, moving up two places from their previous position of 138th in the world. The rise […]

Mexico Wins Easily Against South Africa In Opening Match Of 2026 World Cup

ISTANBUL, June 13 -- Mexico claimed an easy 2-0 victory on Thursday in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against South Africa, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Julian Quinones scored the first goal of the tournament, placing Mexico in an early lead in the 10th minute. Mexico dominated the rest of the half with 10 shots, with two on target, while South Africa struggled to create chances. South African Teboho Mokoena got the first yellow card of the tournament, followed shortly thereafter by Mexican Brian Gutierrez. Shortly after the second half started, South African Yaya Sithole denied Gutierrez a clear goalscoring opportunity and was sent off with the first red card of the tournament, leaving Bafana Bafana with only 10 players on the pitch. Sithole's red card was the first in a World Cup opening match since Bolivian Marco Etcheverry’s against Germany in 1994. Subbing in at minute 66, Gilberto Mora, at age 17 years and 239 days, became the youngest player to represent Mexico in the World Cup. Mexico doubled the lead with veteran striker Raul Jimenez’s header in the 67th minute. South Africa went down to 9 players when Themba Zwane was sent off for violent conduct in the 85th minute, the first time this had happened since Portugal and the Netherlands both had two players dismissed against each other in the 2006 round of 16. Mexican Cesar Montes got a straight red card for denying South African Khuliso Mudau a goalscoring opportunity dropping Mexico to 10 players. In the end, Mexico rose to the top of the leaderboard of Group A, while South Africa are at the bottom. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

ISTANBUL, June 12 — Mexico claimed an easy 2-0 victory on Thursday in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against South Africa, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Julian Quinones scored the first goal of the tournament, placing Mexico in an early lead in the 10th minute. Mexico dominated the rest of the half with […]

Hamidin given responsibility at the 2026 World Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 13 -- Honorary President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin has been entrusted with the position of head of delegation and representative to the President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, for several venues of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Hamidin said he was entrusted by Infantino to ensure the smooth organisation and conduct of all matches in two cities, namely Los Angeles and San Francisco, in line with his role as a FIFA Council Member.    "I am one of the FIFA Council Members. So, this edition involves 16 distant locations and that is why I was appointed as the head of the delegation and the FIFA President's representative responsible for Los Angeles and San Francisco." "My duties include monitoring the smooth running of the matches at both venues starting from the group stage. After that, until the quarter-finals, I will be based in Los Angeles. I will also be involved until the semi-finals and finals," he said when met recently. The 2026 FIFA World Cup competition opened early this morning with the opening match of Group A between hosts Mexico and South Africa which took place at 3 am Malaysian time. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest edition in its history with the participation of 48 teams. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 12 — Honorary President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin has been entrusted with the position of head of delegation and representative to the President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, for several venues of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. […]

689 drug addicts volunteer to seek treatment, rehabilitation AADK

GEORGE TOWN, Jun 13 -- A total of 689 individuals have voluntarily come forward to receive treatment and rehabilitation related to drug abuse through the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) programme until May 31, reflecting the increasing public awareness of the rehabilitation opportunities provided by the government. AADK Enforcement and Security Division Director Mahadzir Elias said the approach provides an opportunity for addicts to voluntarily come forward to receive treatment without having to go through the legal process, as well as reducing the stigma society places on the group.      "The number involves individuals who are seeking treatment and rehabilitation at the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (PUSPEN) and those who come forward to seek treatment will not face legal action," he said at a press conference after the Penang AADK Special Prevention Operation here, last night. Since the amendment to the Drug Addicts (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 came into effect on August 22, 2025, he said the AADK has opened up wider space for individuals involved in drug abuse to come forward to receive help voluntarily. He said for voluntary treatment and rehabilitation, AADK officers will assess the level of drug involvement and offer treatment packages ranging from three months to two years depending on their level of seriousness. Mahadzir said AADK had arrested 14,518 addicts and those involved in drug abuse nationwide as of May 31, which is 30.43 percent of the target of 47,000 individuals set for this year. Regarding the current trend in drug abuse, he said the pattern is now changing as users no longer gather in specific locations as before, but instead use the illicit substance at home, at work or in locations that are considered safer. Acknowledging that AADK is currently facing the challenge of dealing with the emergence of new drug substances, including those used through vaping, he stressed that most of the substances involved can still be detected through screening tests conducted by the agency. Meanwhile, Mahadzir said that in the AADK Special Prevention Operation in Penang which was carried out for three days until yesterday, a married couple who tested positive for morphine and methamphetamine while with their two three-year-old children and an eight-month-old baby were among 164 individuals arrested. "Of the 164 individuals arrested, 149 tested positive for drugs, while nine others were found to be violating the conditions of Community Rehabilitation Treatment (RPDK) with men recording the highest number of arrests, namely 155 people or 94.5 percent compared to nine women, all aged 19 to 65 years old. "Based on an analysis of the type of drug, methamphetamine is the most abused substance with 100 cases or 61 percent of all arrests, followed by opiates with 35 cases and marijuana (18 cases). He said his party used drone technology complete with a heat detection system or thermal technology  in the operation to monitor drug activity hotspots including in plantations, forests and villages, even at night. -- BERNAMA 

GEORGE TOWN, Jun 12 — A total of 689 individuals have voluntarily come forward to receive treatment and rehabilitation related to drug abuse through the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) programme until May 31, reflecting the increasing public awareness of the rehabilitation opportunities provided by the government. AADK Enforcement and Security Division Director Mahadzir Elias said […]