Day: July 15, 2026

BN Allocates Seven Seats to MCA, Four to MIC for Negeri Sembilan State Election

SEREMBAN, JULY 15 -- Barisan Nasional (BN) has allocated seven State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats to MCA and four seats to MIC for the 16th Negeri Sembilan State Election. BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the seat distribution was determined based on each candidate's projected chances of securing victory in their respective constituencies. He said all prospective BN candidates attended a special meeting where they signed a pledge and took an oath of loyalty as part of the coalition's preparations for the state election. "This has long been a standard practice in every state election, by-election and general election to ensure all candidates remain committed to the coalition's principles and objectives," he told reporters after chairing a meeting with prospective BN candidates at Wisma UMNO Negeri Sembilan on Wednesday. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, is scheduled to unveil BN's full list of candidates for the Negeri Sembilan state election at Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Paroi later tonight. The Election Commission (EC) has fixed July 18 as nomination day, followed by early voting on July 28, while polling day will take place on Aug 1. In the previous Negeri Sembilan state election, Pakatan Harapan (PH) formed the state government after winning 17 seats, while BN secured 14 seats and Perikatan Nasional (PN) won five seats. -- MINUTESMY

SEREMBAN, JULY 15 — Barisan Nasional (BN) has allocated seven State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats to MCA and four seats to MIC for the 16th Negeri Sembilan State Election. BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the seat distribution was determined based on each candidate’s projected chances of securing victory in their respective […]

PM Anwar Chairs National Food Security Council Meeting, Orders Early Action on Super El Niño Risks

PUTRAJAYA, July 15 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today chaired the National Food Security Council Meeting No. 1/2026, reaffirming the government's commitment to strengthening Malaysia's agri-food sector to ensure long-term food security and improve the livelihoods of farmers, paddy growers, livestock breeders and fishermen. During the meeting, members reviewed strategies to enhance the competitiveness of the country's agri-food industry while ensuring a stable and sustainable food supply for the nation. A key focus of the meeting was the anticipated Super El Niño phenomenon, which is forecast to affect Malaysia beginning in November 2026. Anwar directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) to immediately formulate mitigation measures to minimise the impact of prolonged dry weather on food production and to safeguard the welfare of farming communities. The council also discussed fisheries cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand. The Prime Minister instructed KPKM to expedite efforts to finalise the matter through the appropriate diplomatic and administrative channels, while maintaining strict food safety and quality standards. Anwar stressed that continuous engagement with local fishing communities must be carried out to ensure their products comply with the required standards, enabling them to remain competitive in the market. He said the MADANI Government remains committed to strengthening the agri-food sector through the adoption of technology, innovation and best agricultural practices to enhance productivity and resilience. According to Anwar, these efforts are essential to ensuring Malaysia's food supply remains secure while improving the well-being of those working in the agriculture and fisheries sectors, ultimately benefiting the rakyat. -- MINUTESMY

PUTRAJAYA, July 15 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today chaired the National Food Security Council Meeting No. 1/2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s agri-food sector to ensure long-term food security and improve the livelihoods of farmers, paddy growers, livestock breeders and fishermen. During the meeting, members reviewed strategies to enhance the […]

Perikatan Nasional to Unveil Negeri Sembilan Election Candidates Tommorow

SEREMBAN, July 15 – Perikatan Nasional (PN) is set to officially announce its lineup of candidates for the 2026 Negeri Sembilan State Election (PRN) at a special event tommorow. The candidate announcement marks the coalition's formal entry into the state election campaign as it prepares to contest for the mandate to govern Negeri Sembilan. The event will be held at the Negeri Sembilan PAS Complex (KOMPAS) in Kampung Ismail, Ampangan, beginning at 9.00pm on Thursday. According to PN, the selected candidates will represent the coalition's commitment to providing leadership based on integrity, trustworthiness and prioritising the welfare of the people. The announcement is expected to introduce individuals who will contest across various state constituencies in the upcoming election, with the coalition aiming to present what it describes as a fresh alternative for Negeri Sembilan voters. The event will also be broadcast live, allowing the public to follow the unveiling of the candidates and the coalition's election message ahead of polling day. The 2026 Negeri Sembilan state election is expected to see intense competition among the country's major political coalitions as they vie for control of the state government. -- MINUTESMY

SEREMBAN, July 15 – Perikatan Nasional (PN) is set to officially announce its lineup of candidates for the 2026 Negeri Sembilan State Election (PRN) at a special event tommorow. The candidate announcement marks the coalition’s formal entry into the state election campaign as it prepares to contest for the mandate to govern Negeri Sembilan. The […]

MCMC upgrades fibre optic network to address full signal issue, no internet access

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 15 -- The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) together with service providers are implementing various improvement measures to overcome the problem of users receiving full phone signals, but no internet access. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said among the measures implemented to overcome the problem of core line failures was upgrading the transmission network using high-capacity optical fibres. He said the measure also involved implementing redundant networks and providing alternative transmission routes to reduce risks or single points of failure. "The issue of no internet access even though users receive a strong phone signal or full bars can occur due to several factors that affect the quality of service," he said when answering a question from Datuk Anyi Ngau (GPS-Baram) who asked the Communications Ministry to state a comprehensive plan to overcome the problem of core line failures, during a question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. Teo said the situation could occur due to network capacity congestion due to high data usage as well as disruptions or damage to transmission lines. Other physical factors that also contribute are incidents of fiber optic cable cutting, vandalism, theft, natural disasters, wild animal threats and construction work. "Apart from network factors, user experience is also influenced by device conditions, phone settings, type of subscription plan and remaining available data quota," he said. Teo said that to ensure continuity of services in the event of disruptions, MCMC has also upgraded support facilities such as backup power generation systems, in addition to all communication sites being continuously monitored by service providers through the Network Monitoring Centre (NMC) which operates 24 hours a day. "To improve the security of towers under the JENDELA Plan initiative, Service Providers have taken steps to strengthen risky communication tower sites by installing anti-theft and vandalism equipment such as installing iron conduit to prevent copper cables from being cut and stolen," he said. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 15 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) together with service providers are implementing various improvement measures to overcome the problem of users receiving full phone signals, but no internet access. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said among the measures implemented to overcome the problem of core line failures was […]

FELCRA needs to seriously comply with statutory requirements – PAC

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 15 -- The Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA) Berhad needs to seriously implement the improvement recommendations put forward by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) regarding the management of oil palm plantation procurement and comply with all statutory requirements. PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said absolute compliance with the strengthened new procurement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) was very critical to ensure the sustainability of the company's investments. "It is also to avoid any risk of loss in the future and ensure the company's long-term financial stability," he said at a press conference in Parliament today. Mas Ermieyati said the PAC had presented the Parliamentary PAC Statement on the Follow-up Action by the Ministry/Agency on the Recommendations of the Parliamentary PAC Statement Regarding the Management of Oil Palm Plantation Acquisition by the Federal Land Consolidation and Reclamation Authority (FELCRA) under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), today. He said the statement was to inform the follow-up actions taken by KKDW and FELCRA Berhad on the nine recommendations submitted by PAC, following the issue of governance weaknesses in the procurement of four commercial oil palm plantations as reported in the Auditor General's Report (LKAN) 2/2025. Mas Ermieyati said that to reduce the company's financial burden, FELCRA decided to postpone any new commercial land bank acquisitions , and is now giving priority to the Estate Replanting Programme involving an allocation of RM52 million. Regarding the investment aspect, he explained that changing operating costs and the need for a large-scale replanting program had shifted the Return on Investment (ROI) point for Telupid Estate from the original target of the ninth year to the 19th year (2040). In this regard, he said PAC requested that future financial simulations be carried out by integrating break-even analysis. Meanwhile, he informed that FELCRA's new SOP now requires the external consultant's viability assessment report to be presented to the Board of Directors, in addition to setting a cooling-off period of 15 to 30 days to sign the agreement. "However, PAC emphasizes that compliance with this SOP is very critical given that its effectiveness has not yet been tested because no new commercial asset acquisitions have been implemented." "In conclusion, FELCRA Berhad must be serious in implementing the recommended actions and comply with all statutory requirements that have been set," he said. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 15 — The Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA) Berhad needs to seriously implement the improvement recommendations put forward by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) regarding the management of oil palm plantation procurement and comply with all statutory requirements. PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said absolute compliance with the strengthened […]

PDRM Warns Against Unauthorized Use of Police Identity for Commercial Purposes

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has issued a stern warning against the unauthorized use of its name, logo, official identity, or images of police officers for promotional, marketing, advertising or other commercial purposes. In a media statement, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said PDRM views seriously any attempt by individuals, companies or organisations to exploit the force's official identity without proper authorisation. He stressed that PDRM's official identity is an institutional asset that must be protected and should not be used to generate commercial gain or create misleading perceptions among the public. The police chief also clarified that the presence of PDRM personnel at any event should not be interpreted as an endorsement, approval or recognition of any product, service, investment or commercial activity. He advised the public not to assume that a product or service has received official support from PDRM solely because police officers participated in or attended a programme. Mohd Khalid warned that any party found using PDRM's official identity unlawfully or in a manner that misleads the public into believing the police endorse a particular product or service could face legal action under existing laws, including Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), subject to the facts and evidence of each case. He reaffirmed PDRM's commitment to safeguarding the integrity, credibility and official identity of the police force while ensuring that all collaborations with external parties are conducted transparently, professionally and in accordance with the law to maintain public confidence in the institution.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has issued a stern warning against the unauthorized use of its name, logo, official identity, or images of police officers for promotional, marketing, advertising or other commercial purposes. In a media statement, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said PDRM views seriously any […]

Datuk Seri M. Saravanan Highlights Importance of Parliamentary Exposure for Students

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Member of Parliament for Tapah, Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, has emphasised the importance of exposing young Malaysians to the country's parliamentary and democratic processes during a visit by students from several schools in Tapah to Parliament. Saravanan said the educational visit provided students with a valuable opportunity to gain a better understanding of Malaysia's democratic system and the role of Parliament in the nation's governance. He noted that such initiatives are essential in nurturing civic awareness from a young age, while encouraging students to develop an interest in national politics and public affairs. According to him, early exposure to parliamentary institutions can help shape a generation that is knowledgeable, responsible and capable of making informed decisions when they become adults. Saravanan expressed hope that the visit would become a meaningful learning experience for the students and inspire them to grow into responsible citizens who contribute positively to the country's future. -- MINUTESMY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Member of Parliament for Tapah, Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, has emphasised the importance of exposing young Malaysians to the country’s parliamentary and democratic processes during a visit by students from several schools in Tapah to Parliament. Saravanan said the educational visit provided students with a valuable opportunity to gain a […]

PM Anwar Urges Melaka DAP to Delay Withdrawal from State Government

https://minutesmy.com/empowering-the-indian-community-remains-a-national-priority-pm-anwar/

PORT DICKSON, July 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Melaka DAP to postpone its decision to withdraw from the Melaka state government, emphasising that development and the welfare of the people should remain the top priority. Anwar, who is also the chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH), said he had held discussions […]

Dr Mahathir Calls for Greater Malay Unity After Johor Polls

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called for greater political unity among Malays following the conclusion of the Johor state election, saying the outcome demonstrated the importance of a united Malay political front. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dr Mahathir said the recently concluded Johor polls showed that when Malays unite, they are able to regain political strength. He acknowledged that while the form and structure of political cooperation among Malay-based parties may still be unclear, it should be viewed as a positive step towards strengthening Malay political influence. According to Dr Mahathir, however, political unity should not be used to defend wrongdoing or pursue negative agendas. Instead, he said it must serve the purpose of uplifting the dignity of the Malay community, safeguarding Islam and preserving the nation's sovereignty. He stressed that such unity should not be aimed at suppressing or denying the rights and interests of other communities. "Political strength gives Malays the confidence to defend the interests of their community without questioning the rights of other races," he said. Dr Mahathir added that this approach had been practised since Malaysia achieved independence and had contributed to the prosperity of both Malays and other communities. He reiterated that strengthening Malay political unity remains essential to ensuring the country's future and preserving national sovereignty. The statement comes in the wake of the Johor state election, where discussions on Malay political cooperation have gained renewed attention following the electoral outcome. -- MINUTESMY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called for greater political unity among Malays following the conclusion of the Johor state election, saying the outcome demonstrated the importance of a united Malay political front. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dr Mahathir said the recently concluded Johor polls showed […]

DBS Named Southeast Asia’s Most Valuable Brand in Kantar BrandZ 2026 Ranking

SINGAPORE, July 15 — DBS has emerged as Southeast Asia’s most valuable brand in the latest Kantar BrandZ™ Southeast Asia 2026 ranking, with the region’s top 30 brands recording a combined brand value of US$165.3 billion. The third edition of the Kantar BrandZ Southeast Asia ranking revealed that the region’s strongest brands have demonstrated significant resilience despite a challenging global economic environment, with their combined value increasing 26 per cent since 2024. Kantar, a global data, analytics and AI company, said the growth was driven by strong consumer relevance, brand differentiation and the ability of leading companies to build deeper connections with customers. The report showed that 18 brands among the top 30 increased their value, with 16 achieving double-digit growth, while four brands more than doubled their brand value compared with the previous ranking. Financial services continued to dominate the list, contributing more than half of the total value among the top 30 brands. Banking brands also occupied five of the top 10 positions, reflecting strong consumer trust and the increasing role of financial institutions in everyday life. DBS topped the ranking with a brand value of US$24.5 billion, surpassing Indonesia’s BCA to become Southeast Asia’s most valuable brand. The Singapore-based bank more than doubled its brand value since 2024, supported by its focus on sustainability, financial security and customer trust. Kantar said DBS’s strong positioning was reinforced by its recognition as Asia’s Safest Bank for 17 consecutive years, while its brand strategy has successfully expanded beyond Singapore into multiple markets. Meanwhile, POSB (People’s Own Savings Bank) recorded the fastest growth among the top 30 brands, climbing eight places to rank 13th with a brand value of US$4.4 billion, representing a 126 per cent increase. The Singapore bank strengthened its brand identity through its “Neighbours first, bankers second” purpose, community-focused initiatives and emotionally driven campaigns. Its “Treat Yourself Right” campaign, which uses generative AI technology to help customers visualise their future selves, was highlighted as an example of how technology can strengthen consumer engagement. E-commerce brands also continued to gain momentum, with Lazada ranked 12th at US$4.5 billion, recording a 105 per cent increase in brand value. Kantar attributed Lazada’s growth to its focus on quality, authenticity and trust, including its “100% Legit” guarantee aimed at improving consumer confidence across diverse Southeast Asian markets. Rika Sharma, Executive Managing Director for Southeast Asia and Singapore at Kantar, said the region’s most valuable brands succeeded by creating meaningful connections with consumers based on needs that transcend markets and cultures. “Southeast Asia’s most valuable brands have earned their place by building deep, meaningful connections with consumers around enduring human needs,” she said. She added that brands would need to continue innovating, expanding into new areas and using consumer insights powered by AI to create long-term growth and maintain differentiation. Malaysian Brands Enter Southeast Asia’s Top 30 The 2026 Kantar BrandZ ranking also saw six new brands entering the Southeast Asia Top 30 list, including companies from Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. Among the newcomers were Malaysian telecommunications provider CelcomDigi, ranked 14th with a brand value of US$4.2 billion, and Malaysian retailer 99 Speedmart, ranked 21st with a value of US$2.6 billion. Other new entrants included Vietnam-based electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast at 15th with US$4 billion, Indonesia’s Mayapada Hospital at 24th with US$2.4 billion, Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) at 28th with US$1.4 billion, and the Philippines’ BDO at 29th with US$1.4 billion. Kantar said these brands achieved strong growth by developing clear market positioning and communicating their unique strengths effectively to consumers. VinFast, for example, gained recognition through its “For a Green Future” mission, combining electric mobility solutions with ecosystem innovations such as GreenSM Taxi services. Meanwhile, Mayapada Hospital strengthened its position by promoting premium healthcare services within Indonesia, aiming to reduce the need for overseas medical treatment through digitally driven customer engagement. Southeast Asian Brands Strengthen Consumer Value Kantar’s report highlighted that Southeast Asia’s leading brands continued to outperform the global Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable Brands in three key areas — Meaning, Difference and Salience. The findings indicated that consumers increasingly view Southeast Asian brands as offering strong value, with companies that demonstrate meaningful differentiation better positioned to justify premium pricing and maintain customer loyalty. Kantar said the ability to combine strong brand purpose, innovation and technology adoption will be critical for Southeast Asian companies seeking continued growth in an increasingly competitive global market. -- MINUTESMY

SINGAPORE, July 15 — DBS has emerged as Southeast Asia’s most valuable brand in the latest Kantar BrandZ™ Southeast Asia 2026 ranking, with the region’s top 30 brands recording a combined brand value of US$165.3 billion. The third edition of the Kantar BrandZ Southeast Asia ranking revealed that the region’s strongest brands have demonstrated significant […]