Perlis, parts of 3 states hit by thunderstorms, heavy rain

 

MetMalaysia issues weather warning for affected areas until midnight. NSTP/FILE PIC

KUALA LUMPUR: Several areas in Perlis, Kedah, Sarawak and Sabah are expected to experience thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds until midnight tonight.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), in a weather warning issued at 8.30pm, said the warning covered the whole of Perlis.

In Kedah, the affected areas were Langkawi, Kubang Pasu and Kota Setar.

In Sarawak, the warning covered Mukah (Dalat, Matu and Mukah), Kapit (Bukit Mabong and Belaga), Miri (Bario and Marudi), as well as Limbang.

In Sabah, the affected areas were the Interior (Sipitang and Tenom) and Sandakan (Sandakan and Labuk & Sugut). - NST

Anwar vows to continue reform drive, draws on Prophet's Medina model

 

PM says Malaysia's basic needs must be guaranteed and tangible peace is vital to building a just and compassionate society. NSTP/FILE PIC

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he would continue striving to bring about change and reform (islah) in the country, drawing on the strategy of Prophet Muhammad SAW in establishing a new administration in the Arab region more than 14 centuries ago.

In a Facebook post today in conjunction with tomorrow's Maulidur Rasul celebration, Anwar said it was not easy to develop a pluralistic nation in Southeast Asia in the 21st century amid political crises and complexities, but he would continue doing his best for Malaysia.

"Basic needs must be guaranteed, and tangible peace is of the utmost importance. This resolve is a prerequisite for ensuring the essentials (daruriyat) in Maqasid Shariah, as expressed by Muhammad Imarah," he said.

"In the compassionate Madinatun Nabi (City of the Prophet), the poor are helped, the weak are cared for, and those who differ are given space. Monopolistic practices are rejected for a more equitable economic distribution, while envoys are sent out with a message to build a more peaceful and just order," he added.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said he always aspired for the best for all citizens and hoped Allah SWT would continue to bless Malaysia and that its people would be bestowed with love and blessed sustenance.

In the same post, Anwar also shared the history and hardships faced by Prophet Muhammad SAW in establishing a new administration in the Arab region more than 14 centuries ago.

"After a decade of exhausting reform efforts, Medina, which the Prophet nurtured with a just and compassionate order, successfully elevated the people with sound intellect and high moral character. Evidently, the Shariah paradigm transformed their personalities and minds with divine awareness and social maturity.

"The sharp clashes between the Aus and Khazraj tribes that had long shaken Yathrib were melted into the spirit of Ansar unity for the sake of stability, erasing the suspicion and anxiety that hindered progress," he added.

He also shared a verse from Surah Quraysh, which translates to: "He who feeds them against hunger and secures them from fear." - FMT

Southern Thailand hit by fresh attack after 51 incidents

 

A 7-Eleven convenience store in Mayo, Pattani, was attacked tonight, with an explosion and gunfire reported, barely 48 hours after 51 attacks were recorded across southern Thailand. – Pic courtesy of Thai authorities

KOTA BARU: Barely 48 hours after 51 locations across three provinces in southern Thailand were hit by a series of attacks, another similar incident occurred tonight.

The latest incident occurred in Mayo district, Pattani, where a 7-Eleven convenience store in Village 3, Langa subdistrict, was attacked about 8pm (Thai time).

A Thai security spokesman said several assailants entered the store and ordered employees to leave before an explosion occurred.

"Gunfire was also reported during the incident.

"Thai authorities were immediately deployed to the scene, while security personnel secured the area and began assessing the situation," he said.

The spokesman said further details, including whether there were any casualties or damage, had yet to be confirmed.

The incident came after coordinated attacks hit 51 locations across Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala on Saturday night, raising concerns over renewed violence in Thailand's southern border provinces.

The attacks, including those involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs), left two Thai nationals injured. - NST

Kebakaran paya gambut di Pengerang merebak

 Operasi pemadaman giat dijalankan dan tiada kemalangan jiwa dilaporkan setakat ini.

Keadaan paya gambut di Jalan Bypass Punggai-Sebana Cove, Pengerang, Kota Tinggi yang terbakar hari ini. (Gambar JBPM Johor)

PETALING JAYA:

Kebakaran kira-kira 29 hektar paya gambut di Jalan Bypass Punggai-Sebana Cove, Pengerang, Kota Tinggi petang tadi merebak ke kawasan seluas 54.1 hektar setakat 9 malam tadi.

Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat (JBPM) Johor memaklumkan operasi pemadaman dibahagikan kepada dua sektor.

“Di Sektor A, anggota melaksanakan kerja pemadaman menggunakan satu aliran sepanjang 300 kaki dengan dua pancutan pam angkut, menggunakan sumber air terbuka.

“Di Sektor B, operasi turut dibantu Balai Bomba dan Penyelamat (BBP) Punggai serta BBP Penawar menggunakan satu aliran sepanjang 400 kaki dan dua pancutan daripada pam water tanker,” katanya dalam kenyataan di Facebook.

Jelasnya, operasi pemadaman giat dijalankan sehingga api berjaya dipadamkan sepenuhnya dan tiada kemalangan jiwa dilaporkan setakat ini.

Lima belas anggota menyertai operasi malam ini yang diketuai Komander Operasi, Noor Ikhson Shukor dan dipantau Baharuddin Idris selaku komander operasi kanan. - FMT

Woman found dead with hands bound in Sandakan home

 Police say the incident could have stemmed from a misunderstanding over house renovation fees and increase in rental for its tenants.

Sandakan police chief George Abd Rahman said the woman’s body was found in the bathroom with her hands tied and her head covered with a cloth.

PETALING JAYA:

A 62-year-old woman was found dead with her hands bound at her home in Sandakan, Sabah, last Wednesday.

Sandakan police chief George Abd Rahman said police found the woman’s body when they checked her home in Tanah Merah at 8.45pm, Berita Harian reported.

He said police went to the house after a report was received from the public about a smell coming from the two-storey wooden building.

The woman, who was found in the bathroom with her hands bound and her head covered with a cloth, was believed to have died several days earlier based on the state of decomposition.

George said two suspects had been identified after police arrested 10 people less than 24 hours later.

He said the incident was believed to have stemmed from a misunderstanding over house renovation fees and the suspects’ unhappiness with the victim, who had raised the rental for the house’s tenants. - FMT

Eliza Tan, Cheah Zen Hong crowned best athletes of Sukma 2026

 The Selangor swimmer and Pahang shooter took home RM5,000 each as well as commemorative and challenge trophies at the closing ceremony tonight.

Selangor swimmer Eliza Tan (left) won seven gold medals, while Pahang shooter Cheah Zen Hong won nine gold medals and one silver medal.

PETALING JAYA:

Pahang shooter Cheah Zen Hong and Selangor swimmer Eliza Tan have been crowned the best male and female athletes of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2026.

Cheah and Tan each received RM5,000 in prize money, a commemorative trophy and a challenge trophy, presented by Selangor crown prince Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin at the closing ceremony in Shah Alam tonight.

Cheah, 20, won nine gold medals and one silver medal, improving on his personal best of seven gold medals in Sukma 2024.

He won gold in the 10m air pistol, team 10m air pistol, mixed 10m air pistol, 25m rapid fire pistol, 25m sport pistol, team 25m sport pistol, team 25m standard pistol, 50m pistol and team 50m pistol events.

Tan won gold medals in all seven events that she participated in, twice breaking the national record in the women’s 100m freestyle with a new mark of 56.78 seconds.

The 19-year-old also became the first Malaysian female swimmer to record a time below 57 seconds in the event.

She won gold in the women’s 200m freestyle with a time of two minutes, 5.26 seconds and broke the championship records in the 50m individual event, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x200m freestyle relay and 4x100m medley relay.

Tan contributed to Selangor’s haul of 20 golds, seven silvers and 11 bronzes for swimming at the Selangor Aquatic Centre.

Selangor came out tops after winning 101 gold, 73 silver and 71 bronze medals, followed by the federal territories with 51 gold, 54 silver and 52 bronze medals. - FMT

Selangor declares Sept 1 public holiday for state over Sukma success

 

-filepic

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has declared Sept 1 as a special holiday to commemorate the state contingent's success in topping the medal tally at the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma).

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced the decision at the games' closing ceremony at Aneka Walk, SA Sentral, here on Monday (Aug 24), adding that it was a token of appreciation from the state government to the entire Selangor contingent.

"For Selangor athletes, after 468 sporting events were contested, you successfully won 101 gold, 73 silver and 71 bronze medals.

"I am delighted with this remarkable performance. As a token of appreciation to every athlete and the 10,000 volunteers who contributed throughout the Games, I am pleased to announce that the Selangor state government has declared a special holiday to celebrate the Sukma 2026 victory, which will fall on Sept 1, 2026, next Tuesday," he said in the presence of Raja Muda of SelangorTengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari and 22nd Sukma and Para Sukma Organising Committee chairman, Selangor youth, sports and entrepreneurship committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi.

He said the achievement also reflected the commitment and hard work of Selangor's athletes, coaches and contingent officials in ensuring the state's target at Sukma 2026 was achieved.

Amirudin also expressed his appreciation to all parties who supported the Selangor contingent throughout the Games.

"To everyone who has been with us since day one, I thank you for placing your trust in Selangor as the host of the 22nd Sukma and Para Sukma Games 2026.

"To the coaches and contingent heads, congratulations on your efforts to nurture talent and identify new athletes," he said.

The Selangor contingent recorded a total of 101 gold, 73 silver and 71 bronze medals, surpassing its previous best performance when it first hosted the Games 28 years ago, as well as exceeding its target of 80 gold medals.

This marks Selangor's 10th overall Sukma title, following victories in 1988, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2013 and, most recently, in 2016 in Sarawak. – Bernama