Day: June 27, 2026

Datuk Ramanan Confident Pakatan Harapan Can Secure Victory in Layang-Layang

KLUANG, June 27 -- Pakatan Harapan deputy election director Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has expressed confidence that the coalition can secure victory in the Layang-Layang state seat, citing the strong support demonstrated by party machinery and supporters during the nomination process. Ramanan said more than 2,000 Pakatan Harapan members, volunteers and supporters gathered to accompany the coalition's candidate, Guna Balakrishnan, to the nomination centre for the Layang-Layang state by-election. He said the nomination process proceeded smoothly, while the enthusiasm displayed by the party machinery remained high throughout the event. "The unwavering commitment shown by our supporters and volunteers reflects the people's desire for positive change. Their presence and spirit prove that this struggle is driven by ordinary Malaysians who want a better future," he said in a statement on Saturday. Ramanan expressed his appreciation to all party workers, volunteers and supporters who had gathered since early morning to lend their support to the coalition's candidate. He said the focus of Pakatan Harapan's campaign would now be on reaching every voter and ensuring that public support is translated into victory on polling day. "I am confident that the people of Layang-Layang want progress, stability and a brighter future together with the MADANI Government," he said. Ramanan also called on party members and campaign workers to intensify their efforts throughout the campaign period by engaging with voters across the constituency. The event was also attended by Teja assemblyman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching, Tualang Sekah assemblyman Mohd Azlan Helmi and Hutan Melintang assemblywoman Wasanthee Sinnasamy. -- MINUTESMY

KLUANG, June 27 — Pakatan Harapan deputy election director Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has expressed confidence that the coalition can secure victory in the Layang-Layang state seat, citing the strong support demonstrated by party machinery and supporters during the nomination process. Ramanan said more than 2,000 Pakatan Harapan members, volunteers and supporters gathered to accompany […]

Malaysia Must Move Fast On Drone Industry Technologies – PM Anwar

SEPANG, June 27 -- Malaysia must accelerate its adoption and development of new technologies, particularly in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or drone industry, to bolster its global economic standing, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the drone industry, which intersects with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, has emerged as a powerful catalyst for innovation, productivity and economic growth. "If Malaysia wants to become a more successful country in terms of its economy, it must be fast in developing new technologies and fields. “Drones are related to digital technology and AI, and we need to build an ecosystem that is suitable and reasonable for them," he said at the MyDrone Expo 2026 (MDX2026) closing ceremony here today. Co-organised by the World UAV Federation (WUAVF) Malaysia Chapter and the Malaysia UAV Development Association (MUDA), the three-day expo surpassed expectations by featuring more than 100 exhibition booths and attracting thousands of visitors and industry delegates from 46 countries. Anwar pointed out that the global UAV market is projected to exceed USD55 billion by 2030, while the low-altitude economy is becoming an increasingly important driver of investment. To seize these opportunities, Anwar has directed Cabinet ministers, policymakers, science research establishments and all related agencies to extend full regulatory and ecosystem support to the industry. "The policy is clear. Drones and the related industry are given full support, not only for the air force and defence industry but also for civil activities, such as plantations, to enhance productivity," he added. To further drive the industry, Anwar said the government is committed to improving the regulatory framework, enhancing research funding, testing and certification. He also urged closer collaboration between private players, government research establishments and universities to build a robust talent pipeline, similar to existing faculties in AI and quantum computing. -- BERNAMA

SEPANG, June 27 — Malaysia must accelerate its adoption and development of new technologies, particularly in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or drone industry, to bolster its global economic standing, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the drone industry, which intersects with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, has emerged as a […]

Anwar Urges Pakatan Harapan Johor Candidates to Campaign with Sincerity and Civility

Empowering the Indian Community Remains a National Priority - PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on all Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates contesting in Johor to conduct their election campaigns with sincerity, courtesy and a strong commitment to earning the people’s trust. In a message shared ahead of the campaign period, Anwar said candidates should engage with voters […]

Shift In Spending Pattern Sees Focus On Essentials During Mega Sales – Lazada

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 -- Malaysian consumers are increasingly shifting their spending during mega sales campaigns away from luxury goods towards essential items, as they prioritise offers from trusted sellers and brands. Based on Lazada Malaysia’s 6.6 campaign data, the platform said shoppers are now buying more groceries, infant formula, health products, personal care items and household appliances, compared with smartphones and beauty products that were once closely associated with mega sales periods. “Interest in discounts remains strong, but consumers are now more selective about where they shop. This is especially evident for products used at home, worn on the body, or part of daily family routines,” it said in a statement. Overall, Lazada Malaysia recorded a 465 per cent increase in sales during the 6.6 campaign compared with normal periods, or about 5.7 times higher than non-sale days. Sales through its wider trusted ecosystem - including LazMall official stores and verified global and cross-border sellers such as TMALL and Gmarket, grew even faster, more than 10-fold compared with non-campaign periods. LazMall alone posted a 12-fold increase. The data also showed Malaysians using mega sales to stock up on household essentials, with Lotus’s recording a 47-fold increase in sales, while Lazada Groceries rose 19-fold compared with normal days. “For groceries, trust is practical in nature. Buyers want familiar brands, confidence in expiry dates, reliable sourcing and dependable delivery. This makes Lazada not just a campaign destination, but increasingly a household shopping channel used more regularly,” it said. In the baby and family care segment, several brands posted strong growth, including S26 Gold Progress, Enfagrow A+ Official Store, Pediasure, Huggies, Kotex, Confidence and Poise. “These products are closely linked to children, the elderly, dependents and daily family routines. For Malaysian households, lower prices are only compelling when the source is trusted,” it added. Health and personal care products also recorded solid growth, with Ensure and Glucerna Official Store up four-fold, Kinohimitsu up 11-fold, and Eu Yan Sang up 29-fold. In beauty and personal care, Watsons recorded a nine-fold increase in orders, while Lancôme grew 255-fold and Kérastase 66-fold. Home appliances and smart devices followed a similar trend, with Xiaomi Official Store rising 40-fold, Roborock Malaysia 100-fold, and Tineco 78-fold compared with normal shopping days. The platform said the 8pm opening on June 5 contributed 16 per cent of total Malaysia sales within the first hour, the highest hourly concentration in Southeast Asia. By 11pm the same day, Malaysia accounted for 47 per cent of total sales and 38 per cent of total orders for the 6.6 campaign. “However, this speed does not mean consumers are buying blindly. Within the short promotional window, Malaysians still look for trust signals, from official stores and verified sellers to recognised brands, clear product information, warranties and reliable delivery,” it said. Across Southeast Asia, everyday essentials quietly formed a major share of 6.6 shopping carts. Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) accounted for five of the top 10 subcategories, including skincare, dietary supplements, beverages, personal care, as well as infant formula and baby food. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Malaysian consumers are increasingly shifting their spending during mega sales campaigns away from luxury goods towards essential items, as they prioritise offers from trusted sellers and brands. Based on Lazada Malaysia’s 6.6 campaign data, the platform said shoppers are now buying more groceries, infant formula, health products, personal care items […]

Proses PRN Johor bermula, 56 pusat penamaan calon dibuka 9 pagi

JOHOR BAHRU, JUNE 27 -- Kesemua 56 pusat penamaan calon bagi Pilihan Raya Negeri (PRN) Johor ke-16 dibuka serentak 9 pagi ini. Bakal-bakal calon mempunyai tempoh sejam hingga 10 pagi untuk menyerahkan borang masing-masing kepada Pegawai Pengurus Pilihan Raya (RO) di pusat penamaan calon, sebelum senarai calon yang layak bertanding diumumkan secara rasmi. Sebaik sahaja proses pengesahan selesai, bermulalah tempoh berkempen selama 14 hari seperti ditetapkan Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) sehingga 11.59 malam, 10 Julai. Bagi proses penyerahan, kertas penamaan calon hendaklah diserahkan kepada Pegawai Pengurus di pusat penamaan oleh calon, pencadang dan penyokong atau mana-mana dua daripada mereka atau mana-mana seorang daripada mereka. Tinjauan Bernama di beberapa pusat penamaan calon mendapati penyokong parti-parti politik mula berkumpul seawal 6.30 pagi bagi memberi sokongan kepada calon pilihan masing-masing. Semalam, Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (MetMalaysia) meramalkan hujan di daerah Johor Bahru, Muar, Batu Pahat, Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Tangkak dan Kulai pada sebelah pagi ini, manakala Segamat, Kluang serta Mersing diramalkan cerah. MetMalaysia turut menjangkakan ribut petir di kebanyakan daerah termasuk Johor Bahru, Segamat, Kluang dan Kota Tinggi pada sebelah petang. Bagi memastikan kelancaran proses, pihak polis dengan bantuan anggota Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia (RELA) mengawal ketat aspek keselamatan serta lalu lintas di sekitar kawasan PPC bagi mengelakkan sebarang insiden tidak diingini. Mengikut statistik Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR), PRN kali ini melibatkan sebanyak 2,727,926 pemilih layak untuk mengundi merangkumi 2,703,175 pengundi biasa, 12,041 anggota tentera dan pasangan, serta 12,710 anggota polis dan pasangan. SPR menetapkan hari pengundian pada 11 Julai manakala undi awal pada 7 Julai. -- BERNAMA

JOHOR BAHRU, JUNE 27 — Kesemua 56 pusat penamaan calon bagi Pilihan Raya Negeri (PRN) Johor ke-16 dibuka serentak 9 pagi ini. Bakal-bakal calon mempunyai tempoh sejam hingga 10 pagi untuk menyerahkan borang masing-masing kepada Pegawai Pengurus Pilihan Raya (RO) di pusat penamaan calon, sebelum senarai calon yang layak bertanding diumumkan secara rasmi. Sebaik sahaja […]

Johor PRN: 56 nomination centres closed, campaigning begins

JOHOR BAHRU, JUNE 27 -- The candidate nomination process for the 16th Johor State Election (PRN) was completed at 10 am this morning, after all 56 nomination centres across the state closed. An hour is allocated for the submission of nomination forms, which begins at 9 am, before the Returning Officer (RO) announces the closure of the process at each nomination centre. The focus is now on the official declaration of the list of candidates eligible to contest as well as the number of candidates competing in each State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seat. Once the process is complete, the 14-day campaign period for the Johor state election officially begins as set by the Election Commission (EC), until 11.59pm, July 10, before polling day. A Bernama survey at several nomination centres found that loyal supporters had been accompanying their respective party candidates to the nomination locations since early this morning. The atmosphere around the nomination centre was reported to be peaceful and controlled without any provocation, thanks to close monitoring by members of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) with the assistance of the Malaysian Volunteers Department (RELA). The EC has set July 7 as the early voting date while July 11 as polling day. A total of 2,727,926 voters are eligible to exercise their responsibilities in this election, consisting of 2,703,175 ordinary voters, 12,041 military personnel and their spouses, and 12,710 police personnel and their spouses. -- BERNAMA

JOHOR BAHRU, JUNE 27 — The candidate nomination process for the 16th Johor State Election (PRN) was completed at 10 am this morning, after all 56 nomination centres across the state closed. An hour is allocated for the submission of nomination forms, which begins at 9 am, before the Returning Officer (RO) announces the closure […]

80 percent of palm biomass has the potential to become a high-value product

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 27 -- The country's palm oil industry has the potential to generate new economic value by utilising approximately 80 percent of the remaining palm oil biomass which was previously considered waste. Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Sixth International Palm Oil Biomass Conference 2026, Professor Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim, said that the palm oil industry has so far focused more on oil production which only accounts for about 20 percent of the total palm oil biomass. "The remaining 80 percent is often considered waste that causes problems for the environment, such as dumping empty bunches." "However, recent research shows that this waste has great potential to be converted into high-value products," he said on Bernama Radio's Fokus 30 programme titled "New Opportunities in the Palm Oil Industry Through Biomass and Green Economy" here yesterday. He said palm oil biomass not only involves empty bunches in the factory, but also includes fronds cut in the plantation and palm tree trunks when the replanting process is carried out after a 25-year maturity period. Ahmad said current innovations allow palm trunks to be converted into timber for the construction sector, in addition to the production of paper, biochemicals as a substitute for petrochemicals and graphite material from palm waste for use in electric vehicle batteries. To drive the commercialization of biomass-based products more aggressively, Ahmad suggested that the government strengthen the public procurement agenda by becoming the main buyer of the product, especially in the country's housing sector. Meanwhile, he said the transition from a linear economy (build-use-dispose) to a circular economy through palm biomass was important to address the issue of global raw material depletion as well as support Malaysia's target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. “Through the circular economy, products are designed to be more durable, recyclable and reduce waste. "This move will not only provide additional returns to the industry but also direct economic spillover to smallholders through the involvement of the global carbon credit market which is currently reaching up to US$70 (RM287) per tonne in Japan," he said. To detail the direction, challenges and efforts to create a more transparent biomass market ecosystem, the Sixth International Palm Oil Biomass Conference 2026 will be held at Cyberview Resort & SPA, Cyberjaya on 14 and 15 July. The conference, themed "Empowering the Circular Economy and Sustainability", is open to the public, small and medium enterprise entrepreneurs, researchers and local and international investors to build a network of strategic collaborations. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 27 — The country’s palm oil industry has the potential to generate new economic value by utilising approximately 80 percent of the remaining palm oil biomass which was previously considered waste. Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Sixth International Palm Oil Biomass Conference 2026, Professor Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim, said that the […]

Johor state election: Teo shows support for PH Bukit Permai DUN candidate

BATU PAHAT. JUNE 27 -- Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching arrived at the nomination centre at Dewan Raya Putra, Bandar Putra here at 8.26 am. He, who is also the Deputy Minister of Communications, accompanied Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Bukit Permai State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Mohamad Shafwan Ani. Party supporters began flooding the nomination centres as early as 7am to support their respective candidates, filling the atmosphere with cheers, chants of slogans and waving party flags. -- BERNAMA

BATU PAHAT. JUNE 27 — Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching arrived at the nomination centre at Dewan Raya Putra, Bandar Putra here at 8.26 am. He, who is also the Deputy Minister of Communications, accompanied Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Bukit Permai State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Mohamad Shafwan Ani. Party supporters began flooding […]

RWMF remains a world-class music festival, attracting thousands of visitors

KUCHING: The 29th Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) continues to receive an overwhelming response as thousands of visitors flock to the festival location, thus strengthening its position as an international music and tourism event. Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the success of the festival proved that RWMF remained one of the world's most anticipated music events, in addition to being an important platform in promoting Sarawak's cultural diversity and natural beauty. He said the state government was optimistic that the response to the festival would continue to increase ahead of the 30th edition next year, which was expected to be celebrated more enthusiastically in conjunction with the festival's important anniversary. "Next year, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of RWMF, and I know that this festival is indeed very famous around the world. "... this festival is among the 20 best music festivals in the world," he told reporters at the opening ceremony of RWMF 2026 at the Sarawak Cultural Village, Santubong last night. He said the recognition of the festival over the years proved its ability to attract local and international tourists. A Bernama survey on the first day of the RWMF witnessed a lively atmosphere as thousands of visitors from home and abroad flooded the Sarawak Cultural Village to enjoy musical performances, culture and the uniqueness of the ethnic heritage on display. The festival, which was held for three days starting yesterday, will last until Sunday. In the afternoon, visitors began to fill the festival area to take part in various interactive activities, including traditional music workshops, cultural performances and sales of local crafts before the culmination of performances by artists from various countries in the evening. The appearance of nationally renowned singer and composer Datuk M Nasir was also one of the most anticipated moments on the opening night of RWMF when he managed to wow thousands of visitors who filled the main stage. The energetic performance saw visitors singing his popular songs. M Nasir performed with a combination of traditional and contemporary musical elements, which is in line with the RWMF concept of highlighting the diversity of cultures and world music. -- BERNAMA

KUCHING: The 29th Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) continues to receive an overwhelming response as thousands of visitors flock to the festival location, thus strengthening its position as an international music and tourism event. Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the success of the festival […]

Man driving under the influence of drugs crashes into five vehicles

SHAH ALAM, JUNE 27 -- Five vehicles, including a food truck, were damaged after being hit by a man believed to be driving under the influence of drugs on Jalan Sepadu, Klang, near here yesterday morning. North Klang District Police Chief ACP Ramsay Embol said that in the incident at about 11.30am, a sports utility vehicle (SUV) driven by a suspect in his 30s was travelling from Rantau Panjang towards Bandar Sultan Suleiman. He said initial investigations found that the suspect's car had entered the opposite lane and hit several vehicles, including a food truck parked on the shoulder of the road. "No victims were injured and all parties have come forward to file a police report. A urine test on the SUV driver was found to be positive for drugs," he said in a statement today. He requested the cooperation of the public who have information to come to the nearest police station or contact the Investigating Officer of the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division of the Klang North Police Station, Inspector Surihan Samsudin, via telephone number 013-2082327 . The case is being investigated under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Earlier, a video went viral on social media showing an SUV involved in an accident that caused damage to a shop selling cendol and several other vehicle-s. -- NAMED

SHAH ALAM, JUNE 27 — Five vehicles, including a food truck, were damaged after being hit by a man believed to be driving under the influence of drugs on Jalan Sepadu, Klang, near here yesterday morning. North Klang District Police Chief ACP Ramsay Embol said that in the incident at about 11.30am, a sports utility […]