Day: July 13, 2026

Datuk Seri Dr. Zahid Backs TVET@KKDW Contingent Ahead of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 – Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed his full support for the TVET@KKDW contingent that will represent Malaysia at the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition, describing the participants as a testament to the country's growing technical and vocational education excellence. Zahid met the contingent ahead of the international skills competition, taking time to encourage the participants and wish them success as they prepare to compete on the global stage. He said he was inspired by the enthusiasm, determination and commitment displayed by the young competitors, expressing confidence that their passion would drive them to achieve excellence while bringing pride to the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) and Malaysia. A total of nine participants from TVET MARA, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and GIATMARA will represent KKDW in nine different skill categories at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. According to Zahid, the participation marks KKDW's largest-ever contingent at the prestigious international competition, underscoring the country's continued success in producing highly skilled TVET graduates capable of competing on the world stage. As Chairman of the National TVET Council and Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Zahid reaffirmed his unwavering confidence in the contingent and encouraged the participants to give their very best throughout the competition. He also reminded the competitors to remain disciplined, humble and committed to lifelong learning, stressing that technical excellence must always be accompanied by strong values and professionalism. Zahid expressed hope that the contingent would be blessed with good health, smooth preparations and success in Shanghai, while carrying Malaysia's flag with pride and further elevating the country's reputation in international skills competitions. -- MINUTESMY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 – Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed his full support for the TVET@KKDW contingent that will represent Malaysia at the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition, describing the participants as a testament to the country’s growing technical and vocational education excellence. Zahid met the contingent […]

503 Undocumented Foreigners Detained In Two-day Nationwide Operation – Immigration DG

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 2026 — A total of 503 foreign nationals were detained in a two-day integrated operation conducted by the Immigration Department at 16 locations nationwide that concluded today. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operation involved 876 officers and personnel from various agencies, including the Immigration Department, the National Registration Department […]

Anwar Pays Courtesy Call On Singapore President During State Visit

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 2026 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Monday paid a courtesy call on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in conjunction with the latter’s three-day state visit to Malaysia. The 40-minute meeting here was also attended by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari […]

Zahid to Meet Nga Kor Ming Over Resignation Remark, Says Cabinet Remains United

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he intends to meet Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming following the latter's recent remarks about resigning from the Cabinet. Speaking to reporters after attending the Joint Mandate Ceremony for the TVET@KKDW contingent to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 on Monday, Ahmad Zahid said Nga's statement was inappropriate for a member of the Unity Government. "I have no advice to give, but such statements should be appropriate because we meet every week at Cabinet meetings. If we were in the opposition, perhaps such remarks would be understandable. But when we are together in government, there is no need to raise such matters," he said. Despite the remarks, the UMNO president stressed that his relationship with Nga remained cordial. "It's okay. I will meet him. He is my friend," he added. Ahmad Zahid also dismissed speculation of cracks within the Unity Government, saying ministers and deputy ministers continued to work professionally in a conducive environment. "We move as a team in the Unity Government professionally," he said, adding that all component parties remain committed to staying together until the end of the government's term. He noted that while there may be public perceptions of disagreements within the coalition, the reality was that relations among government leaders remained strong. "The perception outside is one thing, but the reality is that we are in a very good situation," he said. Nga had previously said during the Johor state election campaign that he would resign as a minister if UMNO secured a landslide victory and former prime minister Najib Razak was released. Following Barisan Nasional's victory in the Johor polls, Nga clarified that his remarks had been misunderstood, stressing that he would only resign if Najib were released without serving the sentence imposed after his conviction, as he believed this would undermine the integrity of Malaysia's judicial system. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: ASTRO AWANI

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he intends to meet Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming following the latter’s recent remarks about resigning from the Cabinet. Speaking to reporters after attending the Joint Mandate Ceremony for the TVET@KKDW contingent to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 on […]

Zahid Urges Caution Over PAS Claims of Political Cooperation

Zahid Urges Caution Over PAS Claims of Political Cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged caution over claims by PAS that discussions are underway between the two parties on political cooperation ahead of the Negeri Sembilan state election. Responding to a statement by PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang, who reportedly said […]

Australia to launch digital passenger cards for all arrivals

CANBERRA: The Australian government on Monday announced it will launch a digital passenger card for all international arrivals within the next 18 months, ending reliance on paper cards, Xinhua reported. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Monday the federal government would spend A$56.1 million (US$38.9 million) over the next four years on modernising travellers at airports, including the implementation of digital passenger cards across the country.

CANBERRA, JULY 13 — The Australian government on Monday announced it will launch a digital passenger card for all international arrivals within the next 18 months, ending reliance on paper cards, Xinhua reported. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Monday the federal government would spend A$56.1 million (US$38.9 million) over the next four years […]

South Korea introduces ‘AI legal secretary’ for civil servants

South Korea introduces 'AI legal secretary' for civil servants

SEOUL, JULY 13 — The South Korean government has developed an “AI legal secretary” service that civil servants can refer to when studying the legal basis for policy planning and implementation. The service was implemented on a trial basis this week, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing officials on Monday. The artificial intelligence (AI) service, which […]

Pos Malaysia targets 70,000 Pos ArRahnu Gold-i customers in first year

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 13 -- Pos Malaysia Bhd is targeting up to 70,000 customers for its newly launched Shariah-compliant digital gold service, Pos ArRahnu Gold-i, within the first year. Pos ArRahnu Head Mohammed Zubair Peerpulavar said Pos ArRahnu Gold-i, which was launched in collaboration with Go Capital Growth Sdn Bhd, targets investors as well as the mass market. "We are focusing more on customers in the B40 and M40 groups," he told reporters after the launch of Pos ArRahnu Gold-i here today. In a separate statement, Pos Malaysia announced that the digital gold service combines Go Capital Growth's expertise in gold investment with a simple and secure platform, thus allowing Malaysians to start saving and investing in gold with as little as RM10. According to the company, the service provides a practical and accessible method for Malaysians to start saving gold. "Pos ArRahnu Gold-i meets this demand by lowering the minimum participation value and facilitating access for first-time savers, young workers, families and B40 customers. "Building on over 200 years of trust and a nationwide network, Pos Malaysia continues to expand its services beyond traditional postal and logistics services to meet the ever-evolving needs of Malaysians through simple, practical and value-added solutions," said Pos Malaysia. Pos Malaysia also informed that the gold offered through Pos ArRahnu Gold-i is supported by accreditation and verification from relevant recognized bodies, including the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) and the National Metrology Institute of Malaysia (NMIM), thus providing greater confidence to customers in the purity, quality and transparency of the gold. The service allows customers to buy, sell and accumulate gold digitally at current market prices, enjoy some of the lowest gold spreads in the market, as well as convert digital gold holdings into physical gold or cash as needed. The national postal and parcel service provider announced that Pos ArRahnu Gold-i combines the Pos Malaysia network nationwide with a recognised gold purity guarantee, low minimum participation value and the flexibility for customers to buy, sell or exchange gold via digital channels or at Pos ArRahnu branches nationwide. In conjunction with its launch, Pos ArRahnu also introduced several selected gold products, including a special edition one-gram gold bar "Pos World" which is limited to 500 units. The gold bars will be offered along with other gold products at Pos ArRahnu branches nationwide. Pos ArRahnu Gold-i is available starting today through participating Pos ArRahnu branches nationwide as well as its digital service platform. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 13 — Pos Malaysia Bhd is targeting up to 70,000 customers for its newly launched Shariah-compliant digital gold service, Pos ArRahnu Gold-i, within the first year. Pos ArRahnu Head Mohammed Zubair Peerpulavar said Pos ArRahnu Gold-i, which was launched in collaboration with Go Capital Growth Sdn Bhd, targets investors as well as […]

Tense Moments in Federal Court Before Split Decision Clears Syed Saddiq

PUTRAJAYA, July 13 — Tension gripped the Federal Court on Monday as the fate of Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman hung in the balance following a split decision among a three-member judicial panel hearing the prosecution's final appeal. The courtroom fell silent after the first two judges delivered opposing views, leaving the final outcome to the third judge. Throughout the proceedings, the 34-year-old former Youth and Sports Minister, seated alone outside the dock, remained composed with his head bowed as he listened to the judgments. Court of Appeal President Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, who chaired the panel, was the first to deliver his judgment. He ruled that Syed Saddiq should be acquitted of the first charge of abetting criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million. However, Abu Bakar found the former Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) president guilty of one charge of misappropriation of RM120,000 and two money laundering charges involving RM50,000 each linked to funds belonging to Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (ARMADA). He proposed a sentence of six months' imprisonment and one stroke of the cane for the misappropriation offence. For each money laundering charge, he proposed six months' imprisonment and a RM5 million fine, with an additional two years' jail for each count in default of payment. The proceedings then took a dramatic turn when Federal Court judge Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali delivered a dissenting judgment, disagreeing with Abu Bakar's findings. Che Mohd Ruzima upheld the Court of Appeal's earlier ruling, saying the conviction was unsafe and should not be reinstated. He found that the prosecution had failed to prove essential elements of the offences, including allegations that Syed Saddiq had dishonestly misappropriated RM120,000 belonging to ARMADA. He also noted that there was no evidence showing the funds collected were owned by Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise, weakening the prosecution's case. With one judge favouring conviction and another supporting acquittal, the appeal stood evenly split, leaving the final verdict to Federal Court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah. Recognising the significance of the moment, Abu Bakar informed both the prosecution and defence that the final decision would depend on Sequerah's judgment and asked whether they wished to take a short break before proceedings continued. Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin responded humorously, saying, "I need to go to the restroom," prompting the court to adjourn for 10 minutes. When the hearing resumed, family members and supporters of Syed Saddiq watched anxiously from the public gallery as Sequerah began reading his judgment. Sequerah ultimately agreed with Che Mohd Ruzima, holding that the Court of Appeal had correctly found that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. "The respondent was lawfully entitled to the funds. I agree with the findings of the Court of Appeal and find no error that warrants appellate intervention," he said. His decision resulted in a 2-1 majority ruling dismissing the prosecution's appeal and fully acquitting Syed Saddiq of all charges. The judgment was immediately followed by applause and cheers from Syed Saddiq's family members and supporters inside the courtroom, bringing an emotional conclusion to the high-profile case. -- MINUTESMY

PUTRAJAYA, July 13 — Tension gripped the Federal Court on Monday as the fate of Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman hung in the balance following a split decision among a three-member judicial panel hearing the prosecution’s final appeal. The courtroom fell silent after the first two judges delivered opposing views, leaving […]