Day: July 6, 2026

Wee Ka Siong Urges Government to Restore TAR UMT Foundation’s 10-Year Tax Exemption

YONG PENG, July 6 — Wee Ka Siong has urged the federal government to restore the originally announced 10-year tax exemption for the Tunku Abdul Rahman Education Foundation, arguing that the move is crucial to ensuring affordable higher education for students from all backgrounds yesterday. Speaking at the "Maju Johor – Yong Peng People's Rally" on Sunday night, the MCA president confirmed media reports that the Foundation's tax exemption period had been reduced from the promised 10 years to only three years. Wee said the reduction contradicted a public announcement made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during his visit to Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) in February, when he announced that education foundations would receive a 10-year tax exemption. According to Wee, the Ministry of Finance later issued an official letter in June granting the Foundation a tax exemption of only three years instead of the promised decade. He said he would continue to appeal to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance to reinstate the Foundation's full 10-year tax exemption, stressing that the measure is essential to help TAR UMT continue providing quality tertiary education at affordable fees, particularly for underprivileged students regardless of race. Wee also argued that education should not be politicised, urging the MADANI government not to take actions that could affect educational opportunities for the younger generation. During the rally, Wee also called on voters in Yong Peng to support Barisan Nasional candidate Ling Tian Soon in the upcoming Johor state election. He praised Ling's 16 years of service to the Yong Peng community, saying the incumbent had remained committed to serving residents even after losing the seat in 2018 before regaining it in the 2022 Johor state election. Wee urged voters to once again back Ling in order to ensure the continuity of development and progress in Yong Peng. -- MINUTESMY

YONG PENG, July 6 — Wee Ka Siong has urged the federal government to restore the originally announced 10-year tax exemption for the Tunku Abdul Rahman Education Foundation, arguing that the move is crucial to ensuring affordable higher education for students from all backgrounds yesterday. Speaking at the “Maju Johor – Yong Peng People’s Rally” […]

Customs Assistant Director Charged With Receiving Bribes To Close Case

SHAH ALAM, July 6  -- An assistant director with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to receiving RM15,000 in bribes last month. Fareez Akmal Md Yusuf, 38, an officer with the Kuala Lumpur Enforcement Division’s Investigation Branch (Trade Fraud), is charged with allegedly accepting RM15,000 in cash from a 50-year-old man in return for helping to close an investigation he was conducting. He is accused of committing the offence at a car park in Petaling on June 6 under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries penalties under Section 24(1) of the same Act. If found guilty, the accused is liable to a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of at least five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is greater. MACC Deputy Public Prosecutor Muaz Ahmad Khairuddin proposed bail of RM10,000, subject to additional conditions that the accused surrender his passport to the court, report to a nearby MACC office and refrain from contacting prosecution witnesses. Lawyer Azrul Zulkifli Stork, representing Fareez Akmal, asked the court to consider bail of RM5,000, arguing that his client supports a family and elderly parents in poor health. Judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin ordered bail of RM5,000 with further conditions as requested by the prosecution, and set Aug 3 for mention. -- BERNAMA 

SHAH ALAM, July 6  — An assistant director with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to receiving RM15,000 in bribes last month. Fareez Akmal Md Yusuf, 38, an officer with the Kuala Lumpur Enforcement Division’s Investigation Branch (Trade Fraud), is charged with allegedly accepting RM15,000 in cash […]

Football Player Dies In Suspected Lightning Strike In Alor Gajah

ALOR GAJAH, July 6  -- A footballer died after he was believed to have been struck by lightning during a friendly between Rembau Indian Veteran FC and Tanjung Minyak FC at Padang Kompleks Rakan Muda Lendu here yesterday. Alor Gajah police chief Supt Ahmad Abu Bakar said R. Thanesh, 28, was confirmed dead in the 5.40 pm incident, while the match referee was injured and another individual involved escaped unharmed. He said police received information regarding the incident at 8.50 pm from the Alor Gajah Hospital authorities, who said that a man had been brought to the hospital unconscious after he was believed to have been struck by lightning. "Preliminary investigations found that the victim participated in the friendly match at 5.30 pm, and about 10 minutes into the game, it began to drizzle and a clap of thunder caused three individuals to collapse on the field. "The victim was taken to hospital in a private vehicle while the referee was sent to hospital by an ambulance. Another individual did not suffer any injuries and was reported to be in good condition,” he said when contacted. Ahmad said the victim's body has been sent to the Melaka Hospital for a post-mortem today and that the case has been classified as a sudden death. Earlier, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman said they will obtain a full report from the Melaka Football Association (MFA) and the match organiser to review the chronology of the incident and the actions taken, before identifying areas for improvement in game safety management. -- BERNAMA 

ALOR GAJAH, July 6  — A footballer died after he was believed to have been struck by lightning during a friendly between Rembau Indian Veteran FC and Tanjung Minyak FC at Padang Kompleks Rakan Muda Lendu here yesterday. Alor Gajah police chief Supt Ahmad Abu Bakar said R. Thanesh, 28, was confirmed dead in the 5.40 pm […]

Schoolgirl Injured In Stabbing At Banting School

SHAH ALAM, July 6  -- A schoolgirl has been injured after she was allegedly stabbed by a woman at a school in Banting earlier today. Kuala Langat district police chief Supt Mohd Akmalrizal Radzi confirmed the incident, saying the victim is in stable condition and that further details will be shared as soon as possible. “Yes, the incident took place. An initial press statement will be released for confirmation, and the victim is stable,” he said when contacted. Earlier, a video circulating on social media showed commotion at a school after a woman dressed in black was seen carrying a knife and walking around the school grounds. -- BERNAMA 

SHAH ALAM, July 6  — A schoolgirl has been injured after she was allegedly stabbed by a woman at a school in Banting earlier today. Kuala Langat district police chief Supt Mohd Akmalrizal Radzi confirmed the incident, saying the victim is in stable condition and that further details will be shared as soon as possible. […]

Malaysian Passport Represents National Identity, Sovereignty and Global Trust

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 -- The Malaysian International Passport is more than just a travel document; it serves as a powerful symbol of the nation's identity, sovereignty and standing on the global stage. The passport reflects Malaysia's values and heritage while representing the country and its citizens wherever they travel. It is regarded as an important national document that carries Malaysia's name to the world. The design of the new Malaysian International Passport incorporates elements inspired by the five principles of the Rukun Negara, highlighting the country's commitment to unity, sovereignty and good governance. These principles — Belief in God, Loyalty to King and Country, Supremacy of the Constitution, Rule of Law, and Courtesy and Morality — form the foundation of Malaysia's nation-building efforts and are embedded in the passport's identity. Beyond facilitating international travel, the passport symbolises the values upheld by Malaysians and reinforces the country's reputation as a respected and trusted member of the international community. As Malaysia continues to strengthen its presence on the global stage, the passport remains a proud emblem of national identity, reflecting the country's aspirations while carrying the spirit of Malaysia to the world. -- MINUTESMY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — The Malaysian International Passport is more than just a travel document; it serves as a powerful symbol of the nation’s identity, sovereignty and standing on the global stage. The passport reflects Malaysia’s values and heritage while representing the country and its citizens wherever they travel. It is regarded as an […]

Johor Utara Must Be Developed as New Growth Corridor – YB Yuneswaran

SEGAMAT, July 6 -- Johor North must no longer be left behind and should be developed as a key growth corridor for the state, said YB Yuneswaran Ramaraj. He said that for many years, development in Johor has been heavily concentrated in the southern region, particularly Johor Bahru, while districts in the north such as Segamat, Tangkak and Muar have not enjoyed balanced progress despite contributing to the state’s economy. According to him, true development should not only be measured by skyscrapers, commercial hubs or GDP figures, but by whether every district benefits from quality jobs, infrastructure, investment inflows, modern transport links and improved living standards. He noted that many young people from Johor North are still forced to migrate to Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore in search of better employment opportunities, while local entrepreneurs face high logistics costs that affect competitiveness. Yuneswaran welcomed the reactivation of the Segamat Inland Port (SIP) by the Ministry of Transport, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening Johor North’s logistics ecosystem. He said the initiative could help reduce transportation costs and improve supply chain efficiency, especially for industries such as furniture manufacturing in Muar and surrounding areas. However, he stressed that SIP alone is not sufficient, and called for a comprehensive development package for Johor North, including: Full operation of the Segamat Inland Port as a national logistics hub Completion of flood mitigation projects to support resilience and investment confidence Extension and improvement of ETS rail services to Johor Bahru Upgrading of key road networks including Tangkak–Segamat routes Development of new industrial zones to attract domestic and foreign investors More affordable housing projects for young people and middle-income families Greater investment in modern agriculture and agro-based industries Strengthening value-added agricultural production in Segamat Leveraging Segamat’s potential under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) framework He said Johor possesses strong fundamentals, including land resources, agricultural output, strategic location, workforce capacity and logistics potential, but requires stronger political will to ensure more balanced development. “Development in Johor cannot end in Johor Bahru. Johor North must become the next growth engine connecting agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and trade,” he said. Yuneswaran added that he will continue to bring the voice of Johor North residents to Parliament and relevant ministries to ensure equitable development for all districts in the state. -- MINUTESMY

SEGAMAT, July 6 — Johor North must no longer be left behind and should be developed as a key growth corridor for the state, said YB Yuneswaran Ramaraj. He said that for many years, development in Johor has been heavily concentrated in the southern region, particularly Johor Bahru, while districts in the north such as […]

BN should publicly clarify whether there was a prior political agreement on appointed state assembly members – Kartiyaini Jeyapalan

JOHOR BAHRU. JULY 6 -- Skudai state assembly candidate Kartiyaini Jeyapalan has called on Barisan Nasional (BN) to provide a clear public explanation regarding the appointment process of nominated state assembly members in Johor, following recent remarks by the Menteri Besar. The Johor Menteri Besar had reportedly stated that BN candidates who were defeated in the recent state election will not be considered for appointment as nominated state assembly members. The statement has sparked public debate and raised questions over the transparency and criteria behind such appointments. Kartiyaini said the clarification is necessary as it has led to further public speculation on whether the selection of nominated assembly members had already been predetermined prior to the election. “If only winning candidates are eligible for nomination, does this imply that the allocation of nominated seats was already fixed in advance?” she questioned, adding that such concerns warrant a clear explanation from the state government. She also raised questions over whether any political understandings or arrangements had been made involving other parties, including PAS, which did not contest in most constituencies in the election. Kartiyaini stressed that she was not making any accusations, but was instead raising concerns on behalf of the public regarding transparency in political processes and appointments. “In a democratic system, matters involving political cooperation and public appointments must be open to scrutiny, rather than left to speculation,” she said. She added that the people of Johor have the right to know whether any undisclosed agreements existed, and urged BN leadership and the Menteri Besar to respond clearly and openly to prevent further speculation. “Politics can be competitive, but it must also be transparent. The public deserves honesty and clarity from those in power,” she said. -- MINUTESMY

JOHOR BAHRU, JULY 6 — Skudai state assembly candidate Kartiyaini Jeyapalan has called on Barisan Nasional (BN) to provide a clear public explanation regarding the appointment process of nominated state assembly members in Johor, following recent remarks by the Menteri Besar. The Johor Menteri Besar had reportedly stated that BN candidates who were defeated in […]

Johor Election: PM Anwar Cautions Against Using Najib Issue for Political Gain

LETANG, July 6 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has criticised attempts to politicise legal matters, stressing that the rule of law must be respected and should not be dragged into the Johor state election campaign. Speaking during a campaign event in Letang, Anwar said it was inappropriate for any party to use issues involving former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in a way that could influence voter sentiment or distort the democratic process. “There is no compromise in the rule of law. It is unnecessary to bring such issues into the election arena for political gain and create chaos,” he said. He added that efforts to link electoral outcomes with legal decisions undermine democratic principles and risk misleading the public. Anwar also criticised what he described as attempts to shape political narratives around the case, saying such actions should not be used as campaign material during the state election. The Prime Minister further noted reports of political statements suggesting that a strong electoral victory for any party could influence the outcome of Najib’s legal situation. He said such claims were irresponsible and should not be used to sway voters. Opposition parties have meanwhile intensified campaigning in Johor, with various issues, including Najib’s case, featuring prominently in political speeches and public discourse. Analysts say the controversy could influence voter sentiment as campaigning enters its final phase. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: VANAKAM MALAYSIA

LETANG, July 6 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has criticised attempts to politicise legal matters, stressing that the rule of law must be respected and should not be dragged into the Johor state election campaign. Speaking during a campaign event in Letang, Anwar said it was inappropriate for any party to use issues […]