His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today granted an audience to Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil at Istana Negara. - Pic courtesy of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s official Facebook
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today granted an audience to Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil at Istana Negara.
According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's official Facebook page, during the meeting, His Majesty was briefed on the preparations for the National Day celebration, which will take place on August 31 at Dataran Putrajaya.
The theme 'Malaysia Madani: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati' (Malaysia Madani: Prosperity Shared) has been chosen for this year's National Day and Malaysia Day 2026 celebrations, while the Malaysia Madani logo remains the official logo for the celebrations until next year.
Previously, Fahmi announced that the launch of the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2026 campaign will be held in Ipoh, Perak, on July 19, while the Malaysia Day Celebration will take place on September 16 in Sarawak. — BERNAMA
Today’s operation involved 17 firefighters, a fire engine, a four-wheel-drive vehicle and the MI-17 helicopter. - Pic courtesy of Fire and Rescue Dept.
MIRI: A helicopter was used in the operation to put out a forest fire on a hillslope near Gua Niah, Taman Negara Niah in Batu Niah today, as the hilly terrain continued to hamper firefighting efforts.
The Gua Niah area, a popular tourist destination in Sarawak famed for its limestone caves and prehistoric heritage, attracts visitors from around the world.
A Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre spokesman said a MI-17 helicopter belonging to the department's Air Unit conducted water bombing at 2.40pm today, with water taken from Sungai Niah.
The fire is believed to have been started by burning trees that were struck by lightning at two locations, the Bukit Traders Cave hillslope and Kuala Hangus in Gua Besar, yesterday afternoon.
"The fires, involving areas of about 1.618ha and 0.809ha, have been put out, while the remaining 0.809ha are still burning," they said, adding that firefighting operations were suspended at 4.20pm and would resume tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah apologised to visitors whose plans to visit Niah National Park in Miri were disrupted following its temporary closure due to a fire at a limestone hill.
He expressed hope that the fire would not spread further and cause extensive damage to the forest and natural heritage of the area.
He advised visitors who had planned trips to Niah National Park to monitor updates before travelling.
"If your visit is scheduled around this period, defer it for a while and come another time. We are very sorry for the inconvenience," he said, according to Borneo Post Online.
Today's operation involved 17 firefighters, a fire engine, a four-wheel-drive vehicle and the MI-17 helicopter, along with five Sarawak Forestry Corporation personnel.
Batu Niah Fire and Rescue Station firefighters were dispatched to the park yesterday to fight the fire after the department received a call at about 2pm.
However, they were unable to conduct firefighting operations on land as the fires were located near steep rocky hill peaks that were difficult to access.
The team could only conduct observations and discuss with SFC the temporary closure of the park to the public due to safety concerns. -- BERNAMA
Muar member of parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and his fiancée, Bella Astillah, during their BASScast podcast today. PIC COURTESY BASSCAST
KUALA LUMPUR: Muar member of parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will embark on a 170km thanksgiving run from the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya to Muar after the Federal Court upheld his acquittal on Monday.
He announced the run during the BASScast podcast, which he co-hosts with his fiancée, Bella Astillah, today.
The run will begin after the Dewan Rakyat sitting ends on Thursday, with Syed Saddiq expected to arrive in Muar on Sunday.
He said the run was a gesture of gratitude and a tribute to Muar voters who continued to support him throughout his six-year legal battle.
"A week before the 2022 General Election, I was going back and forth to court. Usually, candidates lose under such circumstances.
"But the people of Muar gave me a second chance despite everything I was facing. Insya-Allah, next year marks 10 years of my service, and I remain deeply indebted to them," he said.
Syed Saddiq said he chose to start the run at the Palace of Justice as a tribute to the judiciary, which he described as the people's final bastion of justice.
The run will also double as a fundraising campaign for the Muar community.
He aims to raise RM200,000 through collaborations with several brands and an online donation drive to provide iPads for university students in need and food baskets for underprivileged families.
He also pledged to channel RM500,000 in scholarships as part of his efforts to give back to the people of Muar.
Meanwhile, Bella said she would accompany him throughout the journey, possibly by bicycle or motorcycle, in a show of support. - NST
Lotus's Malaysia said it was reinforcing its guidelines, procedures, and training to ensure all staff adhere to established service standards and prevent similar incidents from recurring. FILE PIC
KUALA LUMPUR: Lotus's Malaysia has taken disciplinary action against its staff following an incident where a pregnant woman was falsely accused of shoplifting at its Selayang outlet in Selangor recently.
In a statement, the hypermarket operator said the action was taken after it completed an internal investigation into the incident, which had gone viral on social media.
"We found that the way the incident was handled did not meet the standard of service and treatment that customers expect from Lotus's, nor the standards we set for ourselves.
"To the customer, his wife, and their family, we sincerely apologise for what happened. No customer should have to go through such an experience while shopping with us. We deeply regret what they experienced. We have contacted the family directly and remain committed to regaining their trust," it said.
Lotus's said it was reinforcing its guidelines, procedures, and training to ensure all staff adhere to established service standards and prevent similar incidents from recurring.
At the same time, the retailer expressed regret over reports of online harassment and threats directed at its employees and their immediate family members following the incident.
"We request all parties to respect the privacy, well-being, and dignity of every individual involved, and to allow this matter to move forward with mutual understanding and compassion," it said.
It added that the incident served as a reminder of the importance of treating every customer with empathy, respect, and dignity.
It was previously reported that the husband of a pregnant woman had questioned the actions of a supervisor at the hypermarket who made his wife stand for 20 minutes after accusing her of shoplifting.
The man, known as Fareez, 25, said his 23-year-old wife, who was heavily pregnant, was accused of hiding stolen items inside her clothes. - NST
This is despite the PKR vice-president and Negeri Sembilan menteri besar having represented Sikamat for four consecutive terms since 2008.
PKR vice-president Aminuddin Harun has been the Sikamat assemblyman since 2008. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan has unveiled its candidates for the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan state election, with the coalition set to field PKR vice-president Aminuddin Harun in the Umno stronghold of Linggi.
This is despite the menteri besar having represented Sikamat for four consecutive terms since 2008.
Nonetheless, Linggi falls within the Port Dickson parliamentary constituency, which Aminuddin has been representing in Parliament since 2022.
PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim also announced that PKR’s former Kapar MP G Manivannan will contest the Jeram Padang seat, which has a significant Indian electorate.
Manivannan, a former political secretary to Anwar, will look to make his electoral comeback in the state election, having lost the race for the Kuala Langat parliamentary seat during the 2022 general election.
Anwar also announced that DAP secretary-general and transport minister Loke Siew Fook will be seeking a fourth term as Chennah assemblyman.
PH is contesting all 36 seats up for grabs in the 16th Negeri Sembilan state assembly election.
The PH chairman says issues involving Negeri Sembilan’s royal institution must not be politicised during the state election campaign.
Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim said the ongoing royal dispute has no place in electoral politics. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim has warned all political parties against dragging Negeri Sembilan’s royal institution into the campaign for the Aug 1 state election.
Speaking at the unveiling of PH’s candidates tonight, Anwar said the ongoing royal dispute has no place in electoral politics and the existing constitutional system in Negeri Sembilan must be respected.
“I have never rejected the legal provisions governing Negeri Sembilan, including the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, the four undangs and the Tunku Besar of Tampin. I do not want there to be any confusion over this.”
The PKR president added PH had agreed that neither the Yang di-Pertuan Besar nor the five nobles should be drawn into the election campaign.
“I want to advise my friends from other parties to not use this issue because it is not relevant to the election.
“It is not because I am worried or afraid, but because it is our duty to defend the monarchy and the Federal Constitution. Once we turn it into political controversy, there will be no end to it.
“I also want to remind everyone that there are laws governing such matters. Do not violate the principles of the constitution,” said Anwar.
The royal crisis in Negeri Sembilan was sparked on April 19 by former Sungei Ujong undang Mubarak Dohak and the three other undangs claiming that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir had been removed as Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Menteri besar Aminuddin Harun’s state government rejected the declaration, saying Mubarak himself had been removed from his post earlier.
The crisis turned political after all 14 Umno assemblymen withdrew support for Aminuddin, citing his handling of the royal dispute.
The Negeri Sembilan assembly was dissolved on June 5, paving the way for the 16th state election to be held.
Nominations for the state polls will take place this Saturday, while polling day is set for Aug 1. Federal allies BN and PH are expected to clash in all 36 seats. - FMT
