Day: July 7, 2026

94.49 % Early Voter Turnout Recorded in Johor State Election

PUTRAJAYA, July 7 -- A total of 19,471 early voters, representing 94.49 per cent of eligible early voters, cast their ballots today in the 16th Johor State Election, according to the Election Commission (EC). In a statement, the EC said the early voters comprised military personnel and their spouses, as well as police personnel and spouses from the General Operations Force (GOF). A total of 62 early voting centres were opened across Johor, with polling taking place from 8 am. The centres closed at 12 noon for 29 polling stations, 2 pm for five polling stations and 5 pm for the remaining 28 polling stations. The EC said 7,960 military personnel and their spouses, along with 11,511 police personnel and GOF spouses, exercised their voting rights during the early voting process. It also congratulated all Returning Officers and election personnel for carrying out their duties efficiently throughout the polling process. The commission also expressed its appreciation to the Johor State Secretary's Office, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Armed Forces, members of the media and all parties involved for their cooperation and support in ensuring the smooth conduct of the early voting process. Polling for the 16th Johor State Election will take place on Saturday, July 11. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB SURUHANJAYA PILIHAN RAYA MALAYSIA

PUTRAJAYA, July 7 — A total of 19,471 early voters, representing 94.49 per cent of eligible early voters, cast their ballots today in the 16th Johor State Election, according to the Election Commission (EC). In a statement, the EC said the early voters comprised military personnel and their spouses, as well as police personnel and […]

RM13.36 Mln Allocation Reflects MADANI Government’s Commitment to Empower Indian Community – Datuk Seri Ramanan

SEREMBAN, July 7 -- Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan said the MADANI Government remains committed to ensuring that no community is left behind through initiatives aimed at improving education, strengthening community institutions and expanding opportunities for the Indian community. Speaking at the Program Celik MADANI 2026 and Program Dharma MADANI Series 3 here today, which was also attended by Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook, Ramanan said the government had allocated RM10 million under Program Celik MADANI 2026 to benefit 4,000 Indian children aged between four and six from B40 families. He said the allocation would provide subsidies for early childhood education and nutritious meals, describing investment in early education as the best way to nurture knowledgeable, competitive and future-ready generations capable of transforming their families' lives. At the same event, Ramanan said Program Dharma MADANI Series 3 channelled RM3.36 million to 168 Hindu places of worship. He said a total of 627 Hindu places of worship nationwide have so far received approvals amounting to RM12.54 million under the Dharma MADANI initiative. Ramanan added that since 2023, the government has introduced various initiatives for the Indian community, including the Kalvi MADANI programme, laptop assistance for higher education students, Smart Boards for Tamil national-type schools (SJKT), dialysis assistance, Indian village development programmes and financial aid for students entering institutions of higher learning. He said every allocation provided by the government must deliver tangible benefits to the people and be implemented transparently, with integrity and lasting impact. According to Ramanan, by investing in education, strengthening community institutions and creating more opportunities, the government is building a more just, inclusive and prosperous Malaysia for future generations. -- MINUTESMY

SEREMBAN, July 7 — Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan said the MADANI Government remains committed to ensuring that no community is left behind through initiatives aimed at improving education, strengthening community institutions and expanding opportunities for the Indian community. Speaking at the Program Celik MADANI 2026 and Program Dharma MADANI Series 3 here today, which […]

Three Men Charged With Setting Fire To Cars Of Activist ‘Cikgu Chandra’s Wife

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 -- Three men pleaded not guilty today in the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court to charges of setting fire to three cars belonging to the wife of activist ‘Cikgu Chandra’ in March.  The accused, tow-truck driver A. Kumaran, 34; security guard S. Kisshen Nair, 32; and lorry driver P. Surendran, 37, are jointly charged with committing mischief by fire on two Perodua vehicles and a Proton automobile owned by M. Sri Uma Mahesvary, 50. The offence was alleged to have caused estimated losses of RM80,000 and occurred at approximately 3.00 am on March 10 at a residence in Taman Kinrara, Puchong. They were charged under Section 435 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum of 14 years imprisonment and may also be liable to a fine upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor Nurfadzlin Mahmad Zulhasnan did not offer bail on grounds that the offence is serious in nature and does not merit it.  Should the Court exercise its discretion to allow bail, the prosecution proposed RM10,000 for each accused, subject to them being required to report periodically to the nearest police station, to refrain from interfering with or intimidating any prosecution witnesses, and to surrender their passports to the Court.  Lawyer Vinesh Segar, who represented all three accused, applied for bail on the grounds that his clients were each supporting families and, having not yet been proven guilty, had also given their full cooperation throughout the course of the investigation. Judge Noor Ruzilawati Mohd Nor allowed RM8,000 in bail for each accused, subject to the additional conditions sought by the prosecution. Previously, the media reported that police had opened two investigation papers relating to the incident of mischief and criminal intimidation involving activist ‘Cikgu Chandra’ that occurred in Taman Kinrara.  -- BERNAMA 

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — Three men pleaded not guilty today in the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court to charges of setting fire to three cars belonging to the wife of activist ‘Cikgu Chandra’ in March. The accused, tow-truck driver A. Kumaran, 34; security guard S. Kisshen Nair, 32; and lorry driver P. Surendran, 37, are […]

KDN Records RM135.66 Million in Seizures, 1,330 Arrests Through Integrated Enforcement Operations

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 July — The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) has strengthened its Smart Enforcement approach through integrated operations involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) and Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) to combat smuggling, cross-border crimes and activities that threaten national security and supply chain stability. Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said strategic cooperation between enforcement agencies would continue to be enhanced to ensure national security remains protected, smuggling activities are tackled comprehensively, and the people's welfare remains a top priority. From 12 April to 4 July 2026, integrated enforcement operations recorded significant achievements, including: RM135.66 million worth of total seizures 1,330 arrests involving various offences 453 cases recorded through cross-agency enforcement actions KDN said the achievements reflect its continuous commitment to strengthening border control, protecting the country's supply chains and ensuring enforcement measures are carried out professionally, in an integrated manner and effectively. The ministry added that coordinated efforts among enforcement agencies will continue to safeguard national security and ensure the well-being of the people. -- MINUTESMY

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 July — The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) has strengthened its Smart Enforcement approach through integrated operations involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) and Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) to combat smuggling, cross-border crimes and activities that threaten national security and supply chain stability. Home Minister Saifuddin […]

Pilihan Raya Johor: Penganalisis Gesa Kempen Matang, Bukan Permusuhan Politik

JOHOR BAHRU, July 7 -- The perception that 18-year-old voters are still politically inexperienced has been proven wrong, as Generation Z (Gen Z) voters demonstrate greater awareness through access to information at their fingertips. The political maturity shown by first-time voters indicates that traditional influences, such as following family preferences when deciding at the ballot box, are gradually declining. The trend also signals to political parties that relying solely on family ties or persuading parents to influence their children’s choices may no longer be an effective strategy. For Kempas state constituency voter Emmanuel Praveen Tobias, 18, voting is an individual right that should not be influenced by anyone, including family members. “Most young people today vote based on their own choices and preferences. The practice of following parents’ choices is becoming less common among us. “Although I did not have the opportunity to follow the campaigns closely, I can study the candidates’ profiles through social media before making my decision,” he told Bernama. Similarly, Mengkibol voter Nur Izzati Kamaruddin, 19, said the mindset of young people had shifted compared with previous generations that largely followed their guardians’ political choices. The (ERT) Azizah Vocational College student said easy access to information had made young voters more independent and less receptive to traditional political narratives that offered little value to their future. “Previously, we might have followed the candidates chosen by our parents, but not anymore. I will personally check candidates’ TikTok and Instagram accounts to assess their work before making a decision,” she said. Meanwhile, Perling voter Ramshatul Adawiyah Rosli, 18, said the freedom to choose allowed young people to evaluate candidates based on their ideas, policies and credibility rather than popularity alone. She said early exposure to political discussions had shaped her expectations for more progressive policies, particularly in education and student welfare. “We want candidates who are close to the people, especially young people like us. This makes it easier for us to assess their credibility and ability to present ideas,” she said, adding that she preferred candidates who were active and energetic. Muhammad Fitri Salpularshari, 19, from Parit Yaani, and Elysa Smau Bigat, 18, from Skudai, shared similar views, saying access to digital platforms helped young voters assess candidates’ integrity and service records. Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) senior lecturer  at the Department of Social Sciences, Dr Nazreena Mohammed Yasin, said there had been a noticeable shift in the political behaviour of young and first-time voters. She said while family influence previously played a major role in shaping political preferences, young voters today were more independent and analytical. "Family influence has not disappeared completely, but it is no longer the deciding factor for all young voters. They are now more willing to question and compare information,” she said. Nazreena said social media had changed the way young people engaged with politics, allowing them to follow debates, manifestos and candidates’ statements directly through platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. She said first-time voters were increasingly critical, assessing candidates based on their personality, credibility, ability to present ideas, service record and capacity to address local issues, alongside the party they represented. However, she cautioned that the digital environment also required strong media literacy to help young people distinguish between reliable information, manipulative content and fake news. “Overall, I see today’s young voters as more issue-oriented. They tend to evaluate candidates based on matters that directly affect their lives, such as employment opportunities, education, cost of living and the policies offered by political parties,” she said. The state election sees 172 candidates contesting 56 seats, with polling day set for July 11 while early voting is being held today. -- BERNAMA 

JOHOR BAHRU, July 7 — The perception that 18-year-old voters are still politically inexperienced has been proven wrong, as Generation Z (Gen Z) voters demonstrate greater awareness through access to information at their fingertips. The political maturity shown by first-time voters indicates that traditional influences, such as following family preferences when deciding at the ballot […]

Government Committed to Continuing Efforts to Uplift FELDA Community Welfare – PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 July — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said all initiatives undertaken for the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) community were driven by the government's commitment to listen to the concerns of settlers and provide solutions that bring real benefits to the people. He said the government would continue these efforts with strong commitment to ensure that the prosperity and progress achieved could be enjoyed fairly and comprehensively by all FELDA citizens. Anwar added that ongoing initiatives would serve as catalysts for a new revival of FELDA, aimed at strengthening the welfare and future prospects of its communities. He emphasised that the government remains focused on ensuring the well-being of FELDA settlers continues to be protected through sustainable and inclusive development. -- MINUTESMY

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 July — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said all initiatives undertaken for the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) community were driven by the government’s commitment to listen to the concerns of settlers and provide solutions that bring real benefits to the people. He said the government would continue these efforts with strong commitment […]

Johor Polls: EC Targets 96 Per Cent Turnout In Early Voting

KLUANG, July 7 -- The Election Commission (EC) is targeting a 96 per cent turnout for early voting in the Johor state election today. EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the target was based on the turnout achieved in previous elections. "Based on our previous experience, early voting turnout can reach as high as 96 per cent, and we are maintaining that projection," he told a press conference after observing the early voting process at Kem Mahkota here. Commenting on today's early voting process, Ramlan said 62 early voting centres were opened across the state at 8 am. "Of the total, 29 centres closed at noon, another five closed at 2 pm, while the remaining 28 will close at 5 pm," he said. According to Ramlan, the early voting involved 20,607 electors, comprising 8,544 personnel from the Malaysian Armed Forces and their spouses as well as 12,063 police personnel and their spouses. Ramlan said the early ballot boxes would be kept at police stations before vote counting begins on Saturday. "Early ballots will only be counted on polling day this Saturday from 5 pm. We expect the full results to be known before midnight, and we hope they can be available as early as 10 pm," he said. He urged the 2.7 million eligible ordinary voters to turn out in large numbers on Saturday to fulfil their civic responsibility.  "This is an opportunity for all of us to contribute to the nation through the democratic system that we uphold." -- BERNAMA 

KLUANG, July 7 — The Election Commission (EC) is targeting a 96 per cent turnout for early voting in the Johor state election today. EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the target was based on the turnout achieved in previous elections. “Based on our previous experience, early voting turnout can reach as high as 96 per cent, […]

Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan Confident Barisan Nasional Will Retain Kukup Seat

PONTIAN, 7 July — Barisan Nasional Deputy Chairman Mohamad Hasan expressed confidence that Barisan Nasional (BN) will retain the Kukup state seat in the Johor state election. Mohamad said he began the day by visiting the polling district operations centre at Parit Rambai in the N.57 Kukup state constituency, located within the Tanjung Piai parliamentary constituency, where he had breakfast with election workers, local residents and BN's Kukup candidate, Israk Abdullah. He said the visit was aimed at boosting the morale of campaign workers and showing support for the party's grassroots machinery ahead of polling. Mohamad expressed optimism that BN would be able to retain the N.56 Kukup state seat, noting that the coalition secured the constituency with a majority of more than 8,000 votes in the 2022 Johor state election. -- MINUTESMY

PONTIAN, 7 July — Barisan Nasional Deputy Chairman Mohamad Hasan expressed confidence that Barisan Nasional (BN) will retain the Kukup state seat in the Johor state election. Mohamad said he began the day by visiting the polling district operations centre at Parit Rambai in the N.57 Kukup state constituency, located within the Tanjung Piai parliamentary […]