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Malaysia News

KOTA BHARU: Footage and witness statements at the Kampung Gok Kapur fire location are among the important clues in the investigation to identify the cause of the incident that destroyed 27 houses last Monday. Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said his department was examining all information obtained from residents and individuals who witnessed the incident to help complete the investigation. "We have taken several recordings from witnesses and individuals who were at the location when the incident occurred. All of this information is being examined to help identify the cause of the fire." "In addition, four samples were also taken from the incident location and were sent to the laboratory yesterday for analysis," he told Bernama today. Farhan Sufyan said laboratory analysis results were expected this week, thus helping his party confirm the cause of the fire which left dozens of families homeless. He said based on the fire pattern identified at the location, several hypotheses were being investigated, including the possibility that the fire was caused by a failure in the electrical system, cooking activities or playing with fire. "We are also not ruling out any other possibilities and all aspects are still under investigation. A decision can only be made after the laboratory analysis is complete," he said. Last Monday, 27 houses were destroyed in a fire in Kampung Gok Kapur, and the fire forensic team is still investigating the cause of the incident. -- BERNAMA

Witness footage helps in Gok Kapur fire investigation

KOTA BHARU: Footage and witness statements at the Kampung Gok Kapur fire location are among the important clues in the investigation to identify the cause of the incident that destroyed .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — The Kuala Lumpur High Court has ordered Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to pay RM67.5 million in damages to Lebanese jewellery company Global Royalty Trading SAL over the loss of 43 pieces of luxury jewellery that were not returned to the company. In a judgment delivered online today, High Court Judge Datuk Quay Chew Soon ruled that Global Royalty Trading SAL had successfully proven its claim and was entitled to recover the value of the missing jewellery. The court found that Rosmah, the wife of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, had failed to ensure the jewellery entrusted to her was returned to its rightful owner. The judge further held that there was an element of negligence on her part regarding the disappearance of the items. Rosmah was ordered to settle the RM67.5 million payment within one month from the date of the judgment. In addition, the court awarded legal costs of RM150,000, with RM75,000 payable to the plaintiff and the remaining RM75,000 to a third party involved in the proceedings. The case arose from allegations that 44 pieces of luxury jewellery, including diamond necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets and a tiara, were sent to Rosmah for viewing and evaluation but were never fully returned to the Beirut-based company. Global Royalty Trading SAL filed the lawsuit in March 2023, claiming Rosmah had suggested that all the jewellery had been seized by Malaysian authorities under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. However, the company maintained that only one of the 44 jewellery pieces was ever in the custody of enforcement authorities, while the remaining 43 items were never seized by police. The plaintiff argued that the missing jewellery could not be attributed to government enforcement actions and alleged that Rosmah had attempted to shift responsibility for the loss to the Malaysian Government. The Inspector-General of Police and the Malaysian Government were named as third parties in the proceedings due to claims that the jewellery may have been linked to police operations conducted following the 14th General Election in 2018 amid investigations into the 1MDB scandal. Rosmah has consistently denied responsibility for the loss of the jewellery, maintaining that the items went missing following a series of police raids at Pavilion Residences in Kuala Lumpur in May 2018. The court’s ruling marks a significant development in the long-running dispute involving one of the most high-profile luxury jewellery cases linked to the aftermath of the 1MDB investigations. -- MINUTESMY

High Court Orders Rosmah Mansor to Pay RM67.5 Million Over Missing Lebanese Jewellery Collection

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — The Kuala Lumpur High Court has ordered Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to pay RM67.5 million in damages to Lebanese jewellery company Global Royalty Trading SAL .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on achieving the historic milestone of becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister. In a message conveyed to Modi, Anwar described the achievement as a testament to the Indian leader's years of dedicated public service and leadership in driving India's development, prosperity and growing influence on the global stage. "Heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Modi on this historic milestone. This achievement reflects his unwavering commitment and leadership in advancing India's progress and elevating its standing internationally," Anwar said. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to strengthening its longstanding relationship with India, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between the two nations. Anwar noted that Malaysia highly values its close friendship with India and expressed his desire to further enhance bilateral ties across various sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries. "I look forward to continuing our cooperation in strengthening bilateral relations and expanding opportunities for our peoples," he said. Anwar also conveyed his best wishes for Modi's continued success in leading India and expressed hope for enduring peace, progress and prosperity for the Indian people. Malaysia and India share strong diplomatic, economic and cultural ties, with both countries continuing to collaborate in areas such as trade, investment, digital economy, education and regional cooperation. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

PM Anwar Congratulates Modi on Becoming India’s Longest-Serving Elected Prime Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on achieving the historic milestone of becoming India’s .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 – Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil yesterday met with representatives of the Malaysian Indian Recording Artist Association (MINDRAA) at Angkasapuri to discuss efforts to strengthen the local music industry and expand support and opportunities for Malaysian artists through radio broadcasting platforms. During the meeting, various views and proposals were raised on the need to increase the exposure of locally produced songs on radio stations, including those that broadcast Tamil, Chinese and English-language music. Fahmi said Malaysia is home to a wealth of talented artists and high-quality musical works that deserve wider recognition and stronger support across the broadcasting landscape. “We need to take a more serious look at ways to ensure local songs are given greater prominence alongside, and where appropriate ahead of, foreign music. This is essential to supporting the growth of our creative industry and creating more opportunities for Malaysian artists,” he said. He noted that various forms of support have already been put in place to assist local musicians and creative practitioners, including grants for arts activists and performance platforms such as RTM programmes that showcase Malaysian talent. Fahmi stressed that the continued growth of the local music industry depends on a strong and collaborative ecosystem encompassing content creation, broadcasting, promotion and sustained support for artists. “The local music industry will only continue to thrive if the entire ecosystem moves together in supporting the creation of quality works, increasing visibility, and nurturing local talent for the long term,” he said. The meeting with MINDRAA reflects the Ministry of Communications’ ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and sustainable creative industry that supports artists from Malaysia’s diverse cultural and linguistic communities. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB FAHMI FADZIL

DATUK FAHMI FADZIL REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING LOCAL MUSIC INDUSTRY, CALLS FOR GREATER AIRPLAY OF MALAYSIAN SONGS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 – Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil yesterday met with representatives of the Malaysian Indian Recording Artist Association (MINDRAA) at Angkasapuri to discuss efforts to strengthen the .... read more

GENEVA, June 10 — Minister of Human Resources, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan participated in a high-level meeting with representatives of UNI Global Union, reaffirming Malaysia’s commitment to advancing workers’ rights, social justice and international labour cooperation. The meeting brought together UNI Global Union Secretary-General Christy Hoffman, UNI Gaming Head Giedre Lelyte and Senior Policy Adviser Ben Richards. It marked the first formal engagement between the Malaysian Government and UNI Global Union, taking into account the role of the UNI Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC), led by its President Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal, as an affiliate of the global labour organisation. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), where UNI-MLC formed one of the largest worker groups within the Malaysian delegation. During the meeting, Ramanan highlighted several key initiatives undertaken by the Malaysian Government to strengthen national labour standards and improve worker protection. These include ongoing labour law reforms, the introduction of the Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872), the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan (OSHMP) 2026–2030, and the launch of the 24-Hour Non-Workplace Accident Protection Scheme (LINDUNG 24 JAM), which came into effect on June 1, 2026. Representatives from UNI Global Union and UNI-MLC also emphasised the importance of collective bargaining and freedom of association as fundamental principles in safeguarding workers’ rights and promoting fair labour practices. The meeting further addressed concerns over geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East and their potential impact on global economic stability, supply chains, employment opportunities and workers’ welfare. Participants acknowledged that such challenges could affect many countries, including Malaysia, through rising operational costs, market volatility and pressures on employment sectors. Ramanan stressed that workers’ rights and social justice principles must continue to be upheld despite global uncertainties, adding that geopolitical instability should never be used as a reason to weaken labour standards, compromise workers’ welfare or erode social protection systems that are essential for sustainable and inclusive economic development. The engagement reinforced ties between Malaysia and UNI Global Union, one of the world’s leading international labour organisations, while strengthening strategic cooperation in labour development, social dialogue and workforce empowerment at the global level. Also present were Deputy Secretary-General (Policy and International) Dr Mohd Shaharin Umar, Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, Political Secretary Aizuddin Abd Gaffal, Deputy Director of the Labour Policy Division Grace Dairiam, and senior ministry officials. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB RAMANAN RAMAKRISHANAN

YB Dato Seri R. Ramanan Strengthens Global Labour Cooperation Through Meeting with UNI Global Union

GENEVA, June 10 — Minister of Human Resources, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan participated in a high-level meeting with representatives of UNI Global Union, reaffirming Malaysia’s commitment to advancing workers’ rights, .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR: The real estate industry needs to prioritise ecological preservation over conventional land clearing practices in future development in line with Malaysia's sustainable urbanisation agenda. Minister of Housing and Local Government, Nga Kor Ming, said the approach is increasingly important as urban centres in Malaysia continue to grow rapidly, thus requiring a balance between economic growth, environmental preservation and long-term liveability. “As our cities continue to grow, the challenge is no longer just to provide more housing, but to create inclusive, safe and comfortable community spaces, while balancing economic growth, environmental preservation and long-term liveability. "We not only want to build a livable city, but also a sustainable and friendly city, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)," he said when launching the Botanik Point Nature Reserve, here, on Tuesday. Nga said the MADANI Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has placed sustainability at the core of the national development agenda through the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) which has introduced various initiatives including the National Circular Economy Council, the Malaysian Smart City Framework and the waste-to-energy (WtE) project. He said the ministry was also integrating green technology, including the installation of solar panels, in public housing projects to ensure that the sustainable urbanisation agenda remained inclusive and benefited all Malaysians. "Malaysia is among 27 countries recognised by the UN as mega biodiversity countries. This treasure needs to be preserved and the government is planting 115 million trees as part of efforts to protect the environment," he said . Nga, who is also the President of the UN-Habitat Assembly, said Malaysia will continue to play an active role in championing sustainable urban development at the global level through collaboration and knowledge sharing with cities around the world. Regarding the launch of Botanik Point Nature Reserve today, he said the project demonstrates how collaboration between various stakeholders can be translated into development that supports the sustainability and resilience agenda of cities. He said the project was also in line with Malaysia's urban sustainability and resilience agenda and contributed to the UN SDG goals, particularly SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 on Climate Action and SDG 15 on Livelihoods on Land. Nga also praised Urban Hallmark Properties Sdn Bhd for pioneering a development philosophy that prioritises preservation over land clearing, with almost 30 per cent of the development area being maintained as secondary forest ecosystems. “Sustainability should not be considered as a side issue or merely an additional feature. "On the contrary, it needs to be incorporated into the DNA of the development planning itself," he said while expressing the hope that Botanik Point will inspire other industry players to practice development principles that are more responsive to the environment. -- BERNAMA

Real estate industry must prioritize ecological preservation – Nga

KUALA LUMPUR: The real estate industry needs to prioritise ecological preservation over conventional land clearing practices in future development in line with Malaysia’s sustainable urbanisation agenda. Minister of Housing and .... read more

SEREMBAN: The Negeri Sembilan government is committed to supporting the halal industry development agenda which can benefit the state's economic growth. Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the potential of the halal industry is not limited to the food and beverage sector alone, but also involves tourism, entrepreneurship, agriculture, education, logistics and other support sectors that generate economic opportunities and improve the well-being of the people. He said that the development of the halal industry is also part of the state's development strategy because it can have a major impact on investment growth and job opportunities. "The halal industry has a very broad economic spillover effect. It stimulates the growth of small and medium enterprises, strengthens the service sector, increases export activities and attracts new investments that directly benefit the people. "This sector can strengthen Negeri Sembilan's image as a progressive, stable state, trusted by investors and ready to meet future economic needs based on sustainability and universal values," he said in his speech at the "Negeri Sembilan International Conference and Halal Expo" (NICHE) 2026 program, here, on Tuesday. Aminuddin said the state government plays a role in developing the halal industry ecosystem through the provision of strategic industrial areas, infrastructure development, investment facilitation and the implementation of various initiatives to promote the growth of high-impact industries, including the halal sector. He said the state's strategic position in the middle of the country's main economic corridors gives it a great advantage in emerging as a preferred destination for halal investment in Malaysia. "We have a good infrastructure network, access to international ports and airports, a competent workforce and the support of higher education institutions that can contribute to talent development and research related to the halal industry," he said. He said the future of the halal industry does not only depend on physical facilities or investments but also on the ability to produce talent, produce innovation and build the confidence of the world market in the halal standards developed by the country. -- BERNAMA

Negeri Sembilan committed to supporting halal industry agenda

SEREMBAN: The Negeri Sembilan government is committed to supporting the halal industry development agenda which can benefit the state’s economic growth. Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the potential .... read more

TOKYO, June 10 -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday presented Malaysia’s economic aspirations, policy direction and investment potential during a business dialogue with leaders of 29 major Japanese conglomerates. The dialogue, organised by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), brought together representatives from some of the world's leading companies in banking and finance, semiconductors, renewable energy, infrastructure and petrochemicals. Speaking during the session, Anwar outlined the MADANI Government’s vision for sustainable economic growth and highlighted Malaysia’s strengths as a competitive investment destination in Southeast Asia. The meeting also provided an avenue for discussions on potential investment opportunities and strategic collaborations that could deliver mutual benefits for both Malaysia and Japan. Anwar stressed that the global supply chain disruptions affecting economies worldwide are accelerating shifts in the international economic landscape. He noted that countries capable of attracting strategic industries, advanced technologies and high-value investments would be better positioned to address future challenges, particularly in strengthening energy security and economic resilience. The Prime Minister said Malaysia must continue to deepen engagement with world-leading corporations to ensure the country remains competitive and develops into a regional hub for strategic industries and future technologies. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing the national investment ecosystem through clear, consistent and investor-friendly policies aimed at attracting more quality investments into key sectors. According to Anwar, such efforts are expected to strengthen the country's economic foundations while creating more high-value employment opportunities for Malaysians. The business dialogue formed part of the Prime Minister’s official visit to Japan, which focuses on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and expanding investment ties between the two countries. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE:FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

Malaysia Strengthens Investment Drive Through High-Level Dialogue with Japanese Business Leaders – PM Anwar

TOKYO, June 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday presented Malaysia’s economic aspirations, policy direction and investment potential during a business dialogue with leaders of 29 major Japanese .... read more

TOKYO, June 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday afternoon met representatives from six leading Japanese and international corporations as part of Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to attract high-quality investments and strengthen economic cooperation with Japan. The companies involved in the discussions were IBM Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, ENEOS Corporation, Shizen Energy Inc., DENSO Corporation and Marubeni Corporation. During the meetings, Anwar and the corporate leaders explored new opportunities for investment and collaboration in several strategic sectors, including energy, the halal industry, artificial intelligence (AI), data centres and digital technology. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships amid growing global supply chain and energy challenges, noting that such collaborations are essential for enhancing resilience and ensuring long-term supply security. Anwar reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to attracting quality investments, expanding its high-technology ecosystem, creating high-value employment opportunities and deepening economic ties with Japan. He said the confidence shown by the participating companies reflects Malaysia’s growing reputation as a strategic investment destination and a trusted partner for sustainable growth in the region. The engagements formed part of Anwar’s official visit to Japan, which aims to further strengthen bilateral relations and promote greater economic cooperation between the two countries. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

PM Anwar Engages Top Japanese Firms to Expand Investments in Malaysia’s Strategic Sectors

TOKYO, June 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday afternoon met representatives from six leading Japanese and international corporations as part of Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to attract high-quality .... read more

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PUTRAJAYA, June 9 -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) are stepping up their joint efforts to combat corruption, misappropriation and leakages to protect the country’s economic sovereignty. The commitment was reflected in a courtesy visit by MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman to Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican at the MOF here today. The nearly hour-long strategic meeting provided an important platform for both sides to strengthen cooperation, particularly in handling high-profile cases. Abd Halim said in a statement that the MACC and the MOF also discussed the formation of a task force or special committee to address related matters as required by current needs. “To ensure more thorough investigations and asset recovery, discussions centred on the special task force and committee established specifically to handle the case. “The MACC also said it was ready to provide full cooperation and comprehensive support in legal, enforcement and technical aspects to resolve related cases at their root cause,” he added. -- BERNAMA

MACC, MOF Bolster Strategic Ties On High-profile Cases

PUTRAJAYA, June 9 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) are stepping up their joint efforts to combat corruption, misappropriation and leakages to protect the .... read more

Latest News

PARIS, June 16 -- Vusion (VU - FR0010282822), the global leader in AI-powered digitalization solutions for physical commerce, today announced the expansion of its long-standing partnership with JYSK, one of Europe's leading home furnishing retailers, through a major new agreement supporting the retailer's next phase of store modernization and cloud transformation strategy.   The agreement includes the upgrade of electronic shelf labels across JYSK's already deployed 450 Nordic stores, the roll-out of Vusion solutions in 750 additional stores across Europe, and the full migration of JYSK's legacy on-premise platform to VusionCloud. By 2027, the deployment is expected to scale to approximately 2,500 stores across the Nordic, DACH and BENELUX regions. Through the transition to VusionCloud, JYSK will benefit from a more scalable and centralized platform enabling faster deployment cycles, simplified store operations, improved performance, and greater flexibility to support future retail innovation at scale. The cloud-based architecture will also strengthen operational consistency across markets while reducing infrastructure complexity. The project further reinforces Vusion's strategy to accelerate the migration of its installed base toward cloud-native solutions while deepening long-term customer relationships through operational excellence, local support, and continuous innovation. "JYSK has partnered with Vusion for more than 10 years, and this new agreement reflects both the strength of our collaboration and the value we see in moving to a more advanced cloud-based platform," said Carsten Nørgreen Weinkouff, Executive Vice President Retail Development, Marketing, E-commerce & Omnichannel at JYSK. "As we continue to modernize our stores across Europe, we are investing in solutions that provide greater scalability, operational efficiency, and flexibility for the future. Vusion's technology and teams have consistently demonstrated the reliability and support needed to accompany us at this scale." "This new milestone with JYSK demonstrates the strength of long-term customer partnerships and the accelerating shift toward cloud-native retail platforms," said Sébastien Fourcy, SEVP EMEA at Vusion. "By transitioning to VusionCloud, JYSK gains a scalable infrastructure designed to continuously improve operational efficiency and support innovation across thousands of stores. We are proud to support JYSK with a combination of technology leadership, local execution and long-term commitment." More about Vusion : www.vusion.com  -- PRNewswire -- Source: Vusion  

Vusion extends partnership with JYSK Across Europe

SINGAPORE, June 16, -- Galaxy Data Center ("Galaxy DC") today announced that it has secured US$250 million in an initial strategic financing round from a renowned international investment institution. The proceeds support the company's data center platform development in Southeast Asia, project execution, and deployment of high-density infrastructure for the AI era.    Galaxy DC is strategically leveraging its regional hub in Singapore to advance the multi-country deployment of GW-scale AIDC campuses across Southeast Asia. By employing diversified capital models and industrial ecosystem synergy strategies, the company delivers customized hyperscale AIDC infrastructure services to a broad range of clients. Galaxy DC believes that the demand for AI computing power is reshaping data centers from traditional facility assets toward a new phase of deep collaboration among energy strategy, engineering execution, operational resilience, and customer growth. The company will continue to strengthen its comprehensive capabilities in GW-scale AIDC across technology adaptability, power resources, green energy, localized rapid delivery, and low-carbon operations. It will also further enhance strategic capital partnerships, leveraging diversified capital models to position Southeast Asia as a key hub for global sustainable digital infrastructure. Arthur Yang, Co-founder and CEO of Galaxy DC, said: "This financing further strengthens Galaxy DC's regional platform capabilities. We are seeing rapidly evolving requirements from AI and cloud service clients — focusing not only on capacity, but also on delivery certainty, energy efficiency, operational resilience, and long-term scalability. Galaxy DC remains committed to leveraging cutting-edge, ever-evolving technology and synergistic sustainable energy solutions as its core, building future-ready GW-scale green computing infrastructure for our clients." Representatives from a world-renowned investment institution stated: "Galaxy DC has a clear development path in Southeast Asia as well as differentiated technical capabilities. We see long-term value in the company's high-density, green, and scalable data center platform, and look forward to supporting its role in regional digital infrastructure development." About Galaxy Data Center Galaxy Data Center (Galaxy DC) is a next-generation digital infrastructure platform built for the intelligent era, committed to becoming a continuously evolving global digital service provider. The company focuses on the growing computing demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, with hyperscale AI data centers (AIDCs) at the core of its offering. Galaxy DC builds digital infrastructure that is highly efficient, highly reliable, and highly scalable. Leveraging its unique strengths in sustainable design, resource-efficient deployment, and long-term operations, the company balances rapid compute capacity growth with environmental responsibility and lasting asset value. -- PRNewswire -- Source: Galaxy Data Center

Galaxy Data Center Secures US$250 Million in an Initial Strategic Financing Round to Build Next-Generation Green Compute Infrastructure in Southeast Asia

TANJUNG MALIM, JUNE 16 -- The establishment of a new political party in the country will not affect the chances of Barisan Nasional (BN) in the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections. BN Secretary-General Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said his party had made thorough preparations to face the two state elections by focusing fully on work in the areas that will be contested. He said that in a democratic system, every party has the right to establish a new political party, but BN remains consistent with the strategy and level of preparedness that has been planned. "UMNO and Johor BN have made thorough preparations. I am confident that the establishment of the new party will not affect BN based on the focus given to the work that has been arranged," he said. He said this to reporters when asked whether the existence of the National Vision Party and the United Malaysia Party (BERSAMA) could threaten BN's position in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections. Earlier, Zambry, who is also the Minister of Higher Education, officiated the National Service Training Pilot Programme (PLKN) 3.0 at the Public University Level before attending the launch of the book titled 'Nahas Gerik: UPSI Berduka' at the Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) here today. The Johor state election will be held on July 11, while the Negeri Sembilan state election will be held on August 1. The Johor State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has 56 seats with BN controlling 40 seats, followed by Pakatan Harapan (PH) with 12 seats, Perikatan Nasional (PN) with three seats and MUDA with one seat. For the Negeri Sembilan state assembly, PH has 17 out of 36 seats, followed by BN with 14 seats and PN with five seats. -- BERNAMA

BN not threatened by the existence of new political parties – Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir

GEORGE TOWN, JUNE 16 -- Penang is working closely with the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure that the management of nearly 20,022 Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers in the state is carried out in an orderly, registered and controlled manner. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that based on data from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) as of August 2023, an estimated 20,022 refugees and asylum seekers from the Rohingya community are in Penang and living in several areas in the state. "They live in the areas of Kepala Batas, Tasek Gelugor, Bagan, Permatang Pauh, Bukit Mertajam, Batu Kawan, Nibong Tebal, Bukit Bendera, Tanjong, Jelutong, Bukit Gelugor, Bayan Baru and Balik Pulau. "The state government has always taken a pragmatic, prudent and responsible approach in dealing with the issue of refugees and asylum seekers in the state, in line with the policies and decisions set by the Federal government," he told reporters after the 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of PBA Holdings Bhd (PBAHB) here today. He commented on the current situation and the number of Rohingya communities in Penang. Chow explained that matters relating to the entry of foreigners, recognition of refugee status, border control and immigration enforcement, fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) and the National Security Council (MKN). Therefore, he said the state government always gives full support to the implementation of MKN Directive No. 23 (Revision 2023), including the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) mechanism which aims to ensure that refugee management is carried out in a more systematic, registered and controlled manner. "The DPP is not seen as a policy to increase the number of refugees in Penang, but as a mechanism for the Federal government to find out who they are, where they are and how they can be monitored more effectively," he said. He also stressed that the state government will not compromise on violations of the law with any criminal activity, misuse of documents, human trafficking, involvement in immoral activities or violations of immigration conditions, which will be dealt with by the authorities in accordance with the provisions of the law in force, without any exceptions. In another development, Chow described the memorandum of understanding (MoU) announced between the United States (US) and Iran to end the conflict between the two countries as a positive development that is expected to benefit the global economy, including Malaysia and Penang. He said the conflicts that had erupted previously had had a significant impact on various sectors of the world economy including energy supply, logistics, commodity prices and global supply chains due to geopolitical uncertainties. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced that a deal with Iran had been finalized and he ordered the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of US naval blockades. -- BERNAMA

Penang to cooperate with Federation to handle issue of 20,022 Rohingya refugees – Chow

ISTANBUL, JUNE 16 -- FIFA said on Monday that it found no evidence of a breach of the FIFA Disciplinary Code after Video Assistant Referee (VAR) official Shaun Evans made a hand signal before a recent World Cup match, Anadolu Ajansi reported. "FIFA's Independent Disciplinary Committee can confirm that after examining the matter involving Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officer Shaun Evans, it found no evidence of a breach of the FIFA Disciplinary Code," the organisation said. Evans, an Australian official, was seen on the broadcast of Germany's match against Curacao on Sunday making the "OK" hand sign, a gesture associated with white supremacy and classified as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League in 2019. Evans strongly denied any malicious intent, describing the move as an "unconscious and unintentional reflex". He expressed regret over the perception that arose following the gesture, but stressed that he did not make the symbol "knowingly or intentionally", which first gained attention after it was used by attackers in the Christchurch mosque incident in 2019 that killed 51 Muslims. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

World Cup: Referee hand signal controversy, no evidence of disciplinary code violation – FIFA