NPE 2 uses barrier-free toll system, reducing peak-time congestion

KUALA LUMPUR,JUNE 24 -- The New Pantai Expressway Extension Project (NPE 2) will use a barrier-free toll collection system or Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) when fully completed to reduce traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. IJM Corporation Berhad (IJM) Toll Division Chief Executive Officer Chua Lay Hoon said the project, which is expected to be fully completed in 2029, involves a main route of 6.4 kilometres (km) or 15 km in total, including the ramp from the Pantai Dalam Toll Plaza to Jalan Istana here. "If the MLFF has not been implemented after this project is completed, the transition to another toll system can be done with changes to the toll collection equipment without requiring major modifications," he said at a special briefing on the NPE 2 Extension Project with the media here today. He said the project, worth RM1.7 billion, was currently at a progress level of about six percent, which included design and modelling work, with physical work at the construction site commencing last month. Chua said the highway extension project strengthens the integrated highway network in the Klang Valley through better connectivity between the NPE, Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya) and the proposed Istana-Kiara Expressway (LIKE) in line with the aspirations of the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Master Plan 2040. Chua, when commenting on traffic management during construction work, said a comprehensive Traffic Management Plan (TMP) would be implemented throughout the period to ensure smooth traffic flow and the safety of road users. "Among the measures that will be implemented include real-time traffic monitoring, coordination with relevant agencies, scheduled road closures and diversions that will only be carried out during off-peak hours or at night, as well as the provision of a special traffic management team." "The safety of road users, construction workers and nearby communities remains a priority throughout the construction period, while minimising disruption to highway users," he said. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR,JUNE 24 — The New Pantai Expressway Extension Project (NPE 2) will use a barrier-free toll collection system or Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) when fully completed to reduce traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. IJM Corporation Berhad (IJM) Toll Division Chief Executive Officer Chua Lay Hoon said the project, which is expected to be […]

Sultan of Kedah visits Sultan Abdul Samad Building

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 24 -- The Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah agreed to pay a visit to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building (BSAS) on Jalan Raja, here today. His Majesty arrived at approximately 10.30am at the BSAS Porte Cochere, where he was welcomed by Khazanah Nasional Managing Director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir. Also welcoming His Majesty's arrival were Khazanah Nasional's Chief Corporate Officer and General Legal Advisor Datuk Mohamed Nasri Sallehuddin and Khazanah Nasional's Head of Real Assets Selvendran Katheerayson. His Majesty visited the Confluence Hall , which houses a gallery on the origins of Kuala Lumpur, and heard a briefing from Think City Senior Manager Mariana Isa on the contents of the gallery. The Sultan of Kedah also spent time visiting the Visionary Hall , which features a model of the capital's development and multimedia displays related to Kuala Lumpur, before exploring the Porte Cochere balcony. His Majesty then visited the School of Hard Knocks run by Royal Selangor, and agreed to participate in a light luncheon before departing for home at approximately 1.15pm. Amirul Feisal said the Sultan of Kedah's departure was greatly appreciated and gave great significance to Khazanah Nasional's efforts to conserve BSAS, which was not just focused on the physical building but also aimed to revive the country's history, including the history of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and the development of Malaysia. "The departure of the Sultan of Kedah here gives great appreciation to our efforts to preserve the country's history, which is meaningful not only to the community but also to the royal institution," he said. He said since it opened to the public on Feb 2, BSAS has received approximately 200,000 visitors. On Jan 31, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim consented to officiate the BSAS Phase 1 Conservation Completion Ceremony after 11 months of conservation and preservation work under the Khazanah Heritage Fund programme. BSAS, originally known as the Secretariat Building, was once the core of the country's administration, and witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack Flag and the raising of the Federation of Malaya Flag for the first time in 1957. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 24 — The Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah agreed to pay a visit to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building (BSAS) on Jalan Raja, here today. His Majesty arrived at approximately 10.30am at the BSAS Porte Cochere, where he was welcomed by Khazanah Nasional Managing Director Datuk Amirul […]

SMK Suria Jaya Expected To Begin Operations In September

BATU PAHAT, June 24  -- Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Suria Jaya here is expected to commence operations in September after the Ministry of Education (MOE) handed over the school project under a Certificate of Partial Occupation (CPO) yesterday. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek expressed appreciation to the project management team, consultants, relevant government agencies, utility providers and contractors for their commitment in ensuring the successful completion of the school project. “God willing, the school will begin operations in September 2026. This reflects the MOE's strong commitment to ensuring that our children continue to learn in a conducive environment and that our teachers are able to serve with a deep sense of dedication to education,” she said in a Facebook post today. She said quality facilities would undoubtedly help guarantee a more inclusive educational environment. “Finally! Under the MADANI Government, it has been completed,” she said. -- BERNAMA 

BATU PAHAT, June 24  — Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Suria Jaya here is expected to commence operations in September after the Ministry of Education (MOE) handed over the school project under a Certificate of Partial Occupation (CPO) yesterday. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek expressed appreciation to the project management team, consultants, relevant government agencies, utility providers […]

UK Tribunal Allows £3 Billion Lawsuit Against Apple Over iCloud Storage

MOSCOW, June 24 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal has granted permission for consumer advocacy group Which? to sue US tech giant Apple for £3 billion (US$3.95 billion) in damages over its iCloud cloud storage service, the group said, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti. "Which? believes that Apple has breached UK competition law by failing to provide consumers with a choice of cloud storage providers and steering customers towards its iCloud service by not clearly informing them of available alternatives and how they can be used on iOS devices. The court has granted Which? a Collective Proceedings Order," the organisation said in a statement on Tuesday. Which? initially announced the lawsuit in late 2024, but has only now received permission from the tribunal for the case to proceed. The group alleges that Apple stifled competition and overcharged millions of customers. It said users paid more for monthly iCloud subscriptions and received less free storage than users of other cloud storage providers. Which? estimates that the company may owe each customer an average of £77 pounds in compensation for the overpayments. -- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI

MOSCOW, June 24 — The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal has granted permission for consumer advocacy group Which? to sue US tech giant Apple for £3 billion (US$3.95 billion) in damages over its iCloud cloud storage service, the group said, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti. “Which? believes that Apple has breached UK competition law by failing to provide […]

Gov’t Open To Proposals To Improve BUDI Diesel Programme – Amir Hamzah

KUCHING, June 24 -- The Ministry of Finance (MOF) is taking an open approach to considering any proposals to ensure that the BUDI MADANI Diesel (BUDI Diesel) programme runs smoothly. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said any decision regarding the programme, including the issue of increasing quotas, would be made based on actual usage data. “When we first started implementing the RON95 subsidy, some said the quota was insufficient. But now, after several months of implementation, we can see data from January to May this year shows that only 0.76 per cent used more than 200 litres. “So, let the system run first and see whether it is effective or not. If there are gaps in the system, the government has no problem reviewing it (decision),” he told a media conference after attending the media briefing on the Implementation of Targeted Diesel Subsidy Reforms here today. Also present was Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. Amir Hamzah said previous experience with targeted subsidy programmes, including those for the e-hailing sector, showed that the government is always prepared to make adjustments based on actual usage data. “When we started implementing the targeted subsidy programme for e-hailing, we received feedback that the quote given was insufficient. So, we reviewed the usage data recorded by e-hailing companies. If someone has high fuel consumption, then their quota will be increased. “That is why e-hailing drivers now have two quota levels: 600 litres and 800 litres, and adjustments are made based on data,” he added. -- BERNAMA  

KUCHING, June 24 — The Ministry of Finance (MOF) is taking an open approach to considering any proposals to ensure that the BUDI MADANI Diesel (BUDI Diesel) programme runs smoothly. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said any decision regarding the programme, including the issue of increasing quotas, would be made based on actual […]

100PLUS MGA NJDP Junior Series Set To Serve As Launchpad For Young Golfers

SERDANG, June 24  -- The newly-launched 100PLUS Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) National Junior Development Programme (NJDP) Junior Series 2026 is set to become a key launchpad for the country’s rising young golfers. MGA president Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said the series would serve as a qualifying platform for the Malaysian Junior International Open (MIJO) in November, with 30 slots to be offered based on players’ performances. He said the initiative marked an important step in strengthening junior golf development in the country by providing young players with a more structured and competitive platform. “The 100PLUS MGA NJDP Junior Series will become one of the most important competitive platforms for junior golfers in the country,” he said at the launch of the series at The Mines Resort & Golf Club here today. Mohd Anwar also expressed his gratitude to 100PLUS for its continuous support and collaboration with MGA in developing young talent and promoting a healthy sporting lifestyle. Meanwhile, F&N Holdings Bhd director of Government and Industry Engagement Norazrin Norsyam Yee said the collaboration was in line with the shared vision of 100PLUS and MGA to develop junior golfers and produce future champions. Norazrin said 100PLUS believes in the importance of junior development programmes and hopes that young golfers nationwide will seize the opportunity to compete in the new series. MGA NJDP chairman Fauzi Mesran said the organisers are targeting 120 participants for the inaugural edition of the series. Open to players under the age of 18, the series will feature three qualifying rounds followed by a Grand Final. The three qualifying rounds will be staged at Kinrara Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur from July 20-23; Permaipura Golf and Country Club in Sungai Petani, Kedah (Aug 10-13); and A’Famosa Golf Resort, Melaka (Sept 7-10); while the Grand Final will be held at The Mines Resort & Golf Club from Oct 6-9. -- BERNAMA

SERDANG, June 24  — The newly-launched 100PLUS Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) National Junior Development Programme (NJDP) Junior Series 2026 is set to become a key launchpad for the country’s rising young golfers. MGA president Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said the series would serve as a qualifying platform for the Malaysian Junior International Open […]

Malaysia’s foreign direct investment to jump 41.2 percent to RM65.9 billion in 2025 – DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Malaysia in 2025 will jump 41.2 percent to RM65.9 billion from RM46.7 billion the previous year, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the excellent performance was supported by equity injections from foreign investors and inflows in debt instruments. "Reflecting continued confidence among foreign investors in the Malaysian economy, the cumulative FDI position is set to increase to RM1.087 trillion by the end of 2025, comprising 53.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), compared to 51.4 percent in 2024," he said in a statement. Malaysia's direct investment abroad (DIA) recorded a net outflow of RM12.4 billion in 2025, moderating from RM35.5 billion in the previous year, DoSM added. Accordingly, the total DIA position stands at RM589.3 billion at the end of 2025, representing 29.1 percent of GDP, down from 32.2 percent in 2024. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Malaysia in 2025 will jump 41.2 percent to RM65.9 billion from RM46.7 billion the previous year, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the excellent performance was supported by equity injections from foreign investors and inflows in debt instruments. […]