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KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has congratulated national men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani for emerging as runners-up at the Malaysia Masters 2026, yesterday. Zahid said although the championship title did not go Malaysia’s way this time, the fighting spirit and impressive performances displayed by the duo throughout the tournament had made all Malaysians proud. He encouraged the pair to continue striving for greater success and to use the experience as motivation to rise stronger and achieve more accomplishments on the world stage. “Keep it up, guys! Malaysians will always stand firmly behind you,” he said in a statement. The achievement further strengthened Malaysia’s reputation in international badminton and reflected the determination and resilience of the national players in competing at the highest level. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ZAHID HAMIDI

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi Congratulates Sze Fei-Izzuddin On Malaysia Masters 2026 Runner-Up Finish

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has congratulated national men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani for emerging as runners-up at the .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 -- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today congratulated the national team following their remarkable achievement on the world stage, describing the victory as a proud moment for Malaysia’s sports arena. He said the success not only brought honour to the country but also demonstrated that fighting spirit, discipline and strong unity are key factors in elevating Malaysia to world champion status. According to Anwar, the historic triumph is a meaningful gift to all Malaysians and clear proof that the nation’s athletes possess extraordinary capability, endurance and determination in facing challenges while carrying the country’s name internationally. He also expressed appreciation to the national heroes for their dedication and sacrifices, urging them to continue striving for excellence for the sake of beloved Malaysia. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB: ANWAR IBRAHIM

PM Anwar Ibrahim Congratulates National Heroes on World Championship Victory

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today congratulated the national team following their remarkable achievement on the world stage, describing the victory as a proud moment for .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 -- Sensational Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi has expressed gratitude after returning to action following a six-month layoff due to a serious injury. Arif Aiman, who made his competitive return in the 2025-2026 Malaysia Cup final against Kuching City last night, admitted the recovery process had not been easy. The national player said he had to endure a demanding daily training and rehabilitation routine to ensure he regained full fitness to return to the pitch. “First of all, Alhamdulillah, I am grateful after being out of action for about six months. I really struggled to make my comeback. Spending every day in the gym was boring, but I had to go through it because this was the worst injury of my football career. “I took it as motivation. After the injury, I gave myself time to rest, did not put pressure on myself and took the time to recover because I believed that one day I would make a comeback like today,” he said at the post-match press conference after the final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here. SPORTS-FOOTBALL (ARIF AIMAN) 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR Arif Aiman suffered a hamstring injury during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying match between Malaysia and Nepal here on Nov 18 last year. In last night’s match, Arif Aiman delighted Southern Tigers supporters when he came on in the 65th minute before scoring his team’s second goal in the 90th minute to help JDT defeat Kuching City 2-0 and retain the Malaysia Cup title for a fourth consecutive season. The 24-year-old was also named Player of the Match. Meanwhile, Arif Aiman confirmed that he will soon tie the knot, with media reports previously stating that his wedding to fiancée Nurul Aliah Natasha Md Hairushahri is scheduled to take place in Johor Bahru tomorrow (May 25). “Alhamdulillah. This is the most meaningful gift after six months out of action. So, I will begin a new phase in my life,” said the four-time consecutive National Football Awards Most Valuable Player. -- BERNAMA

Arif Aiman Grateful For Comeback After Tough Recovery

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Sensational Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi has expressed gratitude after returning to action following a six-month layoff due to a serious .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22-- National women's singles shuttler K. Letshanaa saw her impressive run at the Malaysia Masters 2026 come to an end after crashing out in the quarter-finals against Japan's Hina Akechi here today. Letshanaa made a promising start and appeared on course to take the opening game comfortably after racing to a 20-11 lead in the match at the Unifi Arena, Bukit Jalil. However, the world No. 32 momentarily lost her focus, allowing world No. 24 Akechi to reel off eight consecutive points before the Malaysian eventually secured the first game 21-19. The momentum shift proved decisive as the 21-year-old Akechi raised her level to claim the next two games 21-12, 21-10 and seal a semi-final berth after a 57-minute contest. Letshanaa admitted she paid the price for trying to finish off the opening game too quickly. "I wanted to finish the opening set faster and that was why I started to lose focus. However, the Japanese player also played quite well, was consistent and kept changing her game plan," she told reporters after the match. Despite the disappointment, the 22-year-old remained upbeat and believes her breakthrough moment at higher-level tournaments will come sooner rather than later. The quarter-final appearance nevertheless continued Letshanaa's encouraging progress this season, having reached the semi-finals of the Indonesia Masters 2026 in January, her best achievement so far at a Super 500 tournament. She will now turn her attention to the Singapore Open next week, where a daunting opening-round clash against China's world No. 4 Chen Yu Fei awaits. Letshanaa's exit also means Malaysia's wait for a women's singles semi-finalist at the Malaysia Masters continues after professional shuttler Goh Jin Wei was the last local player to feature in the last four before falling 16-21, 16-21 to eventual champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in the 2019 edition. Meanwhile, a mammoth task awaits Akechi tomorrow as she will face top seed Yu Fei, who defeated Thailand's Pitchamon Opatniputh 21-19, 21-9. The Malaysia Masters, a Super 500 tournament, runs until May 24 and offers a total prize purse of USD500,000 (RM1.98 million). -- BERNAMA

Malaysia Masters: Akechi Ends Letshanaa’s Semi-final Dream

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — National women’s singles shuttler K. Letshanaa saw her impressive run at the Malaysia Masters 2026 come to an end after crashing out in the quarter-finals .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR: May 22, Malaysia emerged as Group B champions of the 2026 quarter-finals, World Cup team event after recording a stylish 3-0 victory over Myanmar in the final group match at the Titiwangsa Stadium, here, yesterday. The victory completed the national squad's unbeaten run at the group stage, as well as making up for the disappointment following the defeat to Myanmar in the previous group stage event. Despite having already confirmed their place in the quarter-finals earlier, Ahmad Jais Baharun's men still put in an energetic performance when the first squad, consisting of Zulkifli Abd Razak, Muhammad Afifuddin Mohd Razali and Aidil Aiman ​​Azwawi, easily overcame their opponents 15-7, 15-9. The country's winning momentum continued in the second set through the pairing of Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi, Farhan Adam and Mohamad Azlan Alias ​​who displayed a neat game to secure a 15-11, 15-6 victory. The country's third squad, represented by Haziq Hairul Nizam, Muhammad Noraizat Mohd Nordin and Amirul Zazwan Amir as well as Hafizul Hayazi Adnan, also gave Myanmar no chance before winning comfortably 15-13, 15-5. Malaysia is scheduled to face Japan in the quarter-finals tomorrow in an effort to continue their pursuit of the championship title. Meanwhile, the country's top killer, Mohamad Azlan, said the disappointment of failing to advance to the team final was the main factor in his team rising to win in style in their mission to advance to the quarter-finals. He said that he and his teammates had discussed and reassessed the weaknesses in the previous squad's actions to streamline the team's play. "Winning or losing, we hope this team can do better. We forget about the squad and focus on giving the best performance for the team and the country. "We are disappointed, but we can't think too much about it because we need to focus on the next game," he told reporters after the match here tonight. -- BERNAMA

Malaysia advances to quarter-finals, wins 3-0 in style over Myanmar

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Malaysia emerged as Group B champions of the 2026 quarter-finals, World Cup team event after recording a stylish 3-0 victory over Myanmar in the final .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 -- Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM) has become the first institution of higher education to organise a national-level e-Sports tournament fully managed by students through the kick-off event of ACS Edu Tour Season 5 yesterday. UPTM’s Secretariat and Corporate Communications Unit said that the programme adopts a “knowledge transfer” approach, with guidance from lecturers and industry players, thus providing students with direct experience in managing a national-level tournament campaign. The organisation of the event involved students from the Faculty of Business and Accounting, Faculty of Computing and Multimedia, as well as the Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Humanities. ACS Edu Tour S5, which focuses on the amateur player segment, features the game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang with a total prize pool of RM200,000. “The seven-month programme is expected to involve 111 universities, colleges and polytechnics nationwide, with participation from 1,552 teams and more than 6,200 participants. Of that number, 32 teams are representatives from UPTM students,” the university said in a statement today. The tournament, jointly organised with CRIT e-Sport Malaysia, provides opportunities for higher education students across the country not only to compete but also to explore their potential in various branches of the e-Sports industry. The university said ACS Edu Tour also serves as a holistic development platform through collaboration between UPTM and CRIT, which also implements the Students Influencer Programme, Student Entrepreneurship Programme and Students Ambassadors Programme, giving students opportunities to build personal branding, explore entrepreneurship and engage directly with industry brands. “Students will also have the opportunity to try various roles in the e-Sports industry, including as entrepreneurs, e-Sports commentators (casters) and organisers, which will have an impact on expanding graduate employability in the digital and creative industries,” UPTM said. At the same time, inclusivity was also emphasised as participation is open to women and persons with disabilities (PwD), in line with efforts to expand access and participation in the national e-Sports industry. The programme is a continuation of the collaboration between the UPTM e-Sports Club and CRIT, which has been implemented since 2023 with support from strategic partners such as Tune Talk, Vico, Maggi Hot Cup and the “Kuasa Orang Muda” programme by Impact Integrated. -- BERNAMA

UPTM Students Organise National-level e-Sports Tournament

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM) has become the first institution of higher education to organise a national-level e-Sports tournament fully managed by students through the kick-off .... read more

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KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 -- National men’s singles players have been urged to ‘look into the mirror’ and confront the reality of their declining standards after another disappointing outing at the Malaysia Masters 2026. The national men’s singles department suffered a complete wipeout in the opening round for the second consecutive year after national number one Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh were both eliminated at the Unifi Arena, Bukit Jalil, here, yesterday. World No. 25 Jun Hao went down 19-21, 21-23 to China’s world No. 69 Hu Zhe An, while Justin was eliminated by experienced Indonesian shuttler Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, 16-21, 14-21. The latest setback has further heightened concerns over their alarming inconsistency and inability to compete on court, prompting national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen to deliver a brutally honest assessment of the current situation. Jonassen said the issue was not a lack of talent or technical ability, but rather the players’ mentality, discipline and unwillingness to adapt to the demands of modern badminton. “I don’t feel we’re losing because of a lack of skill. No. We’re losing because of a lack of discipline to execute and stick to a game plan, and to stay composed even when things become uncomfortable. “You must be disciplined in all aspects. Discipline to be intrigued about how to play when it’s uncomfortable,” he told reporters at the Malaysia Masters 2026 here. Jonassen said both players were still too focused on producing winners and spectacular attacking shots instead of learning how to build pressure patiently through consistency and tactical awareness. “In today’s badminton, you cannot rely on attacking shots all the time. The game has changed. Consistency and the ability to make your opponent uncomfortable are far more important now,” he said. The Dane also admitted confidence within the camp had dropped significantly following Malaysia’s underwhelming Thomas Cup campaign earlier this month, which saw the team crash out in the quarter-finals after a 0-3 defeat to defending champions China. In the meantime, Jonassen said lasting improvement would only happen if players themselves were willing to change their daily habits, mindset and training intensity. “Training is not just training (for the sake) of training. It is always preparation for the next tournament. That must be the mindset. It’s not something I just come in and do. “If I hit the gym, I’m there to get stronger. If I hit the court, I’m there with a specific plan, not just to get through the two hours. I need targets. Any player who comes in must have that mindset: ‘How do I want to become better today?’ If we get that quality, we have a chance,” he said. Despite his criticism, the 51-year-old insisted he still believed in the current crop of players, including Leong Jun Hao, but stressed that their future would depend entirely on their willingness to change. “I strongly believe in second chances or even last chances, but it all comes down to the willingness to change, adapt and learn new things on a day-to-day basis,” he said. In contrast, Jonassen pointed to the women’s singles department as an example of players embracing a long-term development process despite facing setbacks and difficult situations. He said the girls are reaching the point where they accept that things can get very uncomfortable out there, and when things go wrong, they do not look elsewhere but at themselves in the mirror. -- BERNAMA

Jonassen Demands Self-reflection From Men’s Singles

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — National men’s singles players have been urged to ‘look into the mirror’ and confront the reality of their declining standards after another disappointing outing at .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 -- A decision on whether Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, will compete in the Singapore Open is expected to be made this Saturday. Women’s doubles head coach Rosman Razak said the decision would be made based on daily assessments of Pearly’s fitness level as she recovers from a back injury. He said that based on yesterday’s assessment, the country’s top pair had about a 90 per cent chance of competing in Singapore, although the player’s condition could still change over the next few days. “As of yesterday, I could say 90 per cent, but I do not know the condition tomorrow or the day after because it can change. “I may make the decision at the last minute, perhaps on Saturday,” he told the media when met yesterday. Previously, the media reported that the world number two pair had to withdraw from the Masters tournament after Pearly was confirmed to have not yet fully recovered her fitness. Rosman added that although Pearly has shown very positive recovery progress and has resumed on-court training over the past two weeks, the player’s psychological condition and confidence level would also be taken into consideration before a final decision is made. Players returning from injury, he said, usually still face trauma about competing again at high intensity in competitive tournaments. “There are other factors that need to be considered, not just the injury, including psychological aspects and confidence. “In training, we can anticipate things, but the competition environment is different. That is why we are taking it day by day,” he said. Rosman said Pearly and Thinaah are still registered for the Singapore Open and the Indonesia Open, but their participation could still be withdrawn if the pair are not fully fit. He added that the decision is important to avoid the risk of recurring injuries while ensuring the pair’s long-term planning is not affected. -- BERNAMA

Pearly-Thinaah’s Singapore Open Participation To Be Decided This Saturday – Rosman

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — A decision on whether Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, will compete in the Singapore Open is expected to be made .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR,MAY 20 -- Four high-profile match officials from Qatar will referee the 2025/2026 Malaysia Cup final involving defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Kuching City FC at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, here, this Saturday. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in a statement today announced that they consist of Mohammed Ahmed Al Shammari as referee, Yousuf Aref Al Shamari and Khaled Aiad Khalaf as assistant referees 1 and 2, and Meshari Ali Alshamari as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) referee. "These four officials are not foreign names on the international football stage. The referee, along with the two assistant referees and the VAR referee, have officiated several major tournaments including the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the Qatar Emir Cup Final, proving their experience and credibility in managing high-intensity matches." "The appointment of the referee from abroad was made after FAM received an official application from the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to select the best referee to officiate the prestigious 99th edition of the match," the statement said. As the Malaysia Cup final is always the highlight of national football, FAM is committed to ensuring that every aspect of the organisation, including refereeing, reaches the best standards in line with the reputation of the oldest and most prestigious tournament in Malaysia. FAM previously appointed an outside referee for the 2019 FA Cup final involving Perak and Kedah at the same venue. They consist of three match officials from Japan, namely Takuto Okabe as the referee, assisted by Akane Yagi and Osamu Nomura as assistant referees 1 and 2. -- BERNAMA

Four Qatari match officials referee the 2025/2026 Malaysia Cup final

KUALA LUMPUR, MAY 20 — Four high-profile match officials from Qatar will referee the 2025/2026 Malaysia Cup final involving defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and Kuching City FC at .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, MAY 20 -- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated the national sepak takraw team after successfully emerging as champions in the quadran event at the Sepak Takraw World Cup following a 2-0 victory over India. Anwar praised the national squad for displaying strong fighting spirit, discipline and determination throughout the final match, describing the achievement as a proud moment for Malaysia on the international stage. According to the Prime Minister, the success reflects the resilience, unity and competitive spirit of Malaysians in continuing to excel and achieve recognition globally. He also described the players as national heroes whose commitment and perseverance have inspired pride among Malaysians. “Congratulations to the national team for bringing glory to the country. The fighting spirit shown by the players is truly commendable and a source of pride for all Malaysians,” Anwar said. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

PM Anwar Ibrahim Congratulates National Sepak Takraw Team On World Cup Triumph

KUALA LUMPUR, MAY 20 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated the national sepak takraw team after successfully emerging as champions in the quadran event at the Sepak Takraw World .... read more

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SEPANG: The operation of Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) which connects Shah Alam, Selangor with surrounding areas is expected to begin at the end of this month, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. He said the start date of operations would be announced in two weeks and the project was currently in the final phase of trial operations. "After various tests have been carried out and trial operations have been finalised, we are confident that operations (LRT3) can commence," he told reporters after chairing the 62nd Annual General Meeting of the Road Safety Council here today. Meanwhile, Loke said the Bill (RUU) establishing the Malaysian Transport Safety Board (MTSB) will not be tabled in the Parliament session which begins next week. "MTSB has received Cabinet approval, but we are now discussing with the Public Service Department to look at staffing and so on." "This bill will be brought to the next sitting because at this sitting, there is one bill, namely the amendment to the Road Transport Act, which we are giving priority," he said. Loke said the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has also identified individuals to be appointed to the MTSB, which will be finalized in the near future. In another development, Loke said the MOT would hold discussions with e-hailing operators on the possibility of implementing additional safety measures to protect the safety of their drivers. Among the suggestions raised is the installation of dashboard cameras ( dashcams ) in e-hailing vehicles, but this needs to take into account passenger privacy concerns. "In terms of safety measures, we will discuss further with the operator to see what other actions they can take to protect drivers." "In terms of safety, drivers and passengers are equally important. So we have to ensure a balance between the two," he said. -- BERNAMA

LRT3 expected to start operating by the end of June – Loke

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 15 -- About 7,000 to 8,000 Rohingya were sent to third countries each year through intergovernmental cooperation, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail. However, he said the process has now stalled due to various constraints faced by the countries involved. He said the Rohingya ethnic issue was an international issue stemming from the political and security situation in Myanmar, causing Malaysia to accept their presence on humanitarian grounds. "Malaysia has government-to-government (G2G) cooperation with several countries that allows Rohingya refugees to be temporarily housed before being sent to third countries that need their labor or professional services. "Recently, the process of resettling Rohingyas to third countries has faced several constraints, causing their movement to the country to be halted, thus raising various issues that require the attention of all parties," he told reporters after the launch of the Fight Against Scam: Two Teams, One Goal, here, today. Mohd Khalid said that apart from that, Malaysia also took into account the humanitarian aspect in dealing with the issue, in addition to ensuring that national security continues to be maintained. "Everyone who comes to this country must follow the laws and regulations that have been set. These people are subject to our laws. If they commit an offence, we will take action just like we do against anyone else who comes to our country," he said. He said about 215,000 Rohingya are registered with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) while local authorities also have their records in collaboration with the Immigration Department to facilitate monitoring. "We know where they are and what their jobs are. So if any crime occurs involving them, it will be easy for us to take action when we know their location and so on," he said. Commenting on crime trends involving the community, Mohd Khalid said the involvement of the Rohingya ethnic group in crime was low, with 89 individuals recorded as being involved in criminal cases for the period 2024 to this year, which is 0.02 percent of the overall crime statistics in the country. In this regard, he reminded the public not to make statements that could affect public safety and order, while stressing that enforcement action would be taken against any individual who violates the law regardless of nationality. The media last Saturday reported that Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the rate of resettlement to third countries by the UNHCR was too low for refugees, including the Rohingya, which was one of the reasons why the group remained in the midst of local communities for a long time. Meanwhile, Selangor Police Chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the state recorded 192 cases involving 300 arrests of Rohingya between 2025 and May 2026 involving violent and property crimes. He said the police always take consistent and continuous enforcement action and are not based on current sentiment. "The police always work closely with strategic agency partners, for example the Immigration Department and Local Authorities (PBT), we work together to exchange information and carry out integrated operations," he said at a press conference by the Selangor Commercial Crime Investigation Department, here, today. Shazeli said last year six integrated operations were carried out throughout the state of Selangor to address the issue. Commenting on the issue of demolition of illegal settlements, he said discussions on the matter were being held with the local authorities involved so that further, more constructive action could be taken in line with legal provisions. – BERNAMA

Deportation of thousands of Rohingya to third countries every year has stopped – IGP

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Communications Minister and Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has welcomed the successful launch of the Dengue-Free Community (KomBeD) Programme and Mega Anti-Aedes Gotong-Royong initiative, describing it as an important step towards strengthening community involvement in dengue prevention and control efforts. The programme, organised by the Lembah Pantai Health Office in collaboration with the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency, was held on Sunday (June 14) and brought together government agencies, strategic partners and local residents in a united effort to combat the spread of dengue fever. The event also featured the National Healthy Malaysia Agenda (ANMS) Roadshow for Lembah Pantai, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle practices and enhancing public awareness of health-related issues within the community. Fahmi said the initiative reflects the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environment, while encouraging greater public participation in efforts to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding grounds. "Community engagement remains a key component in the fight against dengue. Through programmes such as KomBeD and the Mega Anti-Aedes Gotong-Royong, residents are empowered to take proactive measures in protecting their neighbourhoods and families from dengue outbreaks," he said. He expressed hope that the programme would serve as a catalyst for building a more aware, proactive and committed community capable of sustaining a cleaner, healthier and dengue-free environment. Fahmi also extended his appreciation to all participating agencies, strategic partners and members of the local community for their cooperation and dedication in ensuring the success of the programme. "The commitment shown by all stakeholders demonstrates that effective public health initiatives require strong collaboration between the government, community leaders and residents. Together, we can create healthier communities and reduce the threat posed by dengue," he added. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB FAHMI FADZIL

Datuk Fahmi Commends Community Participation in Dengue-Free Community Launch and Mega Anti-Aedes Campaign

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today described the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bukit Kiara Permanent Housing Project as a historic milestone that reflects the MADANI Government's commitment to justice, dignity and the welfare of the people. Speaking at the ceremony, Anwar said the project marks the end of a 44-year struggle for residents of Rumah Panjang Bukit Kiara, who have lived in temporary settlements under challenging conditions while awaiting a permanent housing solution. "This is a meaningful and joyous moment, not only for the residents of Rumah Panjang Bukit Kiara, but also proof that an administration guided by MADANI values will always place justice, courtesy and the dignity of the people at the forefront," he said. The Prime Minister noted that the project represents a concrete step towards resolving a long-standing issue that has affected generations of residents and demonstrates the government's determination to ensure citizens receive their rightful access to proper housing. He said the process of addressing the matter required careful consideration and collaboration among various stakeholders to identify the best possible solution while safeguarding the interests of the affected community. Anwar also expressed appreciation to all parties involved in making the project a reality, stressing that the experience underscored the importance of respecting legislative processes and upholding the role of national institutions. "The rights and welfare of those in need must continue to be protected, with justice enjoyed by all citizens regardless of race, religion or background," he said. He added that the government's efforts to uplift the urban poor would remain a priority, in line with its commitment to ensuring that no segment of society is left behind in the nation's development agenda. According to Anwar, development must be inclusive and benefit all levels of society, as true national progress can only be achieved when every citizen is able to participate in and benefit from economic and social advancement. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister also announced a RM1 million grant to assist longhouse residents transitioning into their new homes. The allocation will be used to provide residential maintenance subsidies for a period of three years and will be managed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). He said the initiative forms part of the MADANI Government's ongoing commitment to preserving the welfare and quality of life of residents after they relocate to their new permanent housing units. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

Bukit Kiara Permanent Housing Project Ends 44-Year Wait for Longhouse Residents – PM Anwar

LONDON, 15 June  -- AI is rapidly reshaping the skills employers want most from workers – increasing the emphasis on human skills such as judgement, creativity and leadership – as companies most able to use AI continue to expand hiring faster than their peers, according to PwC's 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer, released today.  The Barometer, which analysed more than one billion job ads across six continents, also finds that AI is driving a 'two-track' global labour market in which 'professionalised' roles – in which AI automates routine tasks so human judgement and expertise are emphasized – are growing faster than roles 'democratised' by AI – in which AI makes the role itself easier for non-experts to perform. 'Professionalised' roles (such as radiologists or recruiters) are seeing twice the growth in available jobs and 42% faster salary growth than those categorised as 'democratised' (such as IT service managers or medical secretaries). At the entry level, AI appears to be increasing demand for more 'senior' skills from junior workers. Based on 2.4 million entry-level jobs analysed in the US, entry-level roles most exposed to AI are now seven times more likely to require traditionally senior-level 'human-intensive' skills like leadership, creativity or face-to-face interactions. Job openings for these 'seniorised' entry-level roles have grown 35% since 2019, while other entry-level roles shrank 10%. Joe Atkinson, Global Chief AI Officer, PwC, said: "Across the global economy, we're beginning to see a new divide emerge between different models for talent and value creation. The companies seeing the greatest returns on AI are using it to amplify human expertise, accelerate innovation and create entirely new sources of value. As a result, they are pulling further ahead on productivity and growth than companies that focus primarily on automation." AI is driving a productivity boom – and "super-star" companies most able to use AI are pulling ahead significantly The report finds widening divergence between companies most and least exposed to AI. Companies operating in the most AI-exposed sectors recorded 34% productivity growth in 2025 relative to 2018, compared to 24% for the companies least able to use AI. Within this group, a pronounced "super-star" effect is emerging. The top 20% of the most AI-exposed companies achieved average labour productivity growth of 163% relative to 2018 – nearly five times higher than the most AI-exposed companies overall. Perhaps most surprisingly, headcount growth at the most AI-exposed companies is outpacing growth at the least AI-exposed companies – 52% relative to 36% in 2025, based on 2018 baseline levels. Average wage premium for AI skills hits 62% as AI job postings eclipse broader labour market growth As companies continue to boost productivity with AI, the average wage premium for workers with AI skills continued to surge higher – hitting 62%, up from 57% last year. The wage premium varies by industry: as high as 118% in some sectors, such as consumer markets, and 16% in government and public sector work. Jobs requiring specific AI skills – such as prompt engineering or machine learning – have also soared, growing roughly eight times (69%) as fast as the overall jobs market, at 9%. The number of AI jobs is almost twice as high as 2024, with growth in AI jobs outpacing all jobs since 2015.  Sectors including technology, media and telecommunications (11%) and professional services (6%) sectors saw the highest share in AI job growth – with health at the lowest end (less than 1%) Pete Brown, Global Workforce Leader, PwC, said: "The traditional relationship between experience and expertise is changing. AI is removing some of the routine work that once acted as an apprenticeship, while increasing demand for judgement, leadership and adaptability much earlier in careers. Organisations need to rethink how they develop talent if they want people to thrive in this new environment." Notes to Editors About PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer  PwC's 2026 AI Jobs Barometer analysed more than one billion jobs advertisements in 27 countries and territories. The Barometer combines large-scale labour market, company financial and occupational task data to understand how AI is reshaping jobs, skills, wages and productivity across the global economy. Additionally, this year's Barometer includes targeted analysis of entry-level roles, including how the skill requirements of early-career jobs are changing in highly AI-exposed occupations. You can read the full report and learn more about the methodology and key takeaways at www.pwc.com. About PwC  At PwC, we help clients build trust and reinvent so they can turn complexity into competitive advantage. We're a tech-forward, people-empowered network with more than 364,000 people in 136 countries and 137 territories. Across audit and assurance, tax and legal, deals and consulting, we help clients build, accelerate, and sustain momentum. Find out more at www.pwc.com. --  PRNewswire -- Source: PwC

AI reshapes global labour market into two distinct paths, rewarding human skills: PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer