Man seen trying to drown puppy sparks outrage online

 

This photo combination made from a viral video, shows the man allegedly trying to drown a puppy.

KUALA LUMPUR: A disturbing video showing a man allegedly attempting to drown a puppy has spread online, sparking outrage and widespread condemnation.

A posting shared by Updateinfo on X claims the alleged perpetrator has been arrested by police.

The clip, also shared by Updateinfo, shows a man removing a small puppy from a makeshift hut before carrying it to a water-filled plastic tub placed on the ground.

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In the 22-second video, the man is seen forcing the struggling animal into the tub, appearing to attempt to drown it.

The puppy is seen struggling to stay above water as the clip cuts off.

The same post also included a photograph of the alleged perpetrator, showing him kneeling with his hands restrained behind his back.

The caption accompanying the post read: "Animal abuser has been arrested. Thank you police for the swift action."

The footage quickly went viral, with many users expressing horror over the cruelty and calling for strict punishment.

Animal lovers flooded the comments section, demanding justice and urging authorities to ensure the safety of the puppy.

Details surrounding the incident, including the exact location and the condition of the animal, remain unclear.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement. - NST

Claims of delayed aid to padi farmers unfounded, says Mat Sabu

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Claims that the government has delayed or failed to disburse aid to padi farmers are untrue, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

He said the Madani administration has, in fact, raised the Ploughing Incentive for Padi Farmers (IPKP) and announced increased aid payments.

He added that the government had raised IPKP from RM100 to RM160 per hectare from last year’s first planting season and announced an increase in aid to RM300 per hectare on Tuesday (April 14).

"For season 1/2025, IPKP payments have been fully settled, totalling RM39.314mil to over 135,000 paddy farmers across Peninsular Malaysia.

"For season 2/2025, more than RM27mil has already been paid as of Tuesday, with about 30% of remaining claims under processing and due to be settled soon,” he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (April 15).

He said IPKP payments follow planting by farmers, unlike direct Budi Agri-Commodity cash aid credited to recipient accounts.

"In every season, some farmers plant while others don’t. One season they might work 10 hectares, the next just eight. That’s why claims are based on actual work done, to ensure public funds are managed transparently and accurately.

"It’s also important to note that padi planting seasons differ by state. For instance, when Kedah begins a new season, Kelantan might still be harvesting. Payments, therefore, can’t be made at the same time across all states,” he said.

Mohamad said officers verify claims on-site after submission by service providers or farmers, processing payments only if documents are complete.

He said the government also launched the Padi Harvesting Incentive (IPP) of RM50 per hectare last year, a new aid never offered before, which uses the same claims process as IPKP.

"Truth is, aid payments are already made, ongoing, and outstanding claims will be settled once verification is complete,” he said.

He said the government will continue to increase aid, improve systems, safeguard farmers' welfare, and address claims process shortcomings as they arise. — Bernama

Malaysia can roll out B15 biodiesel in 1 month, says economy minister

 Akmal Nasrullah Nasir says the transition from the current B10 mandate requires no major infrastructure overhaul.

Malaysia is increasing its national biodiesel mandate from B10 to B15 to boost energy security and reduce reliance on imported fuels amid the global energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Malaysia could roll out higher biodiesel blends such as B15 at fuel pumps within as little as six weeks, says economy minister Akmal Nasrullah Nasir.

Akmal said the planned transition from the current B10 mandate to B15, starting with B12, does not require major infrastructure upgrades and is largely an operational adjustment.

“The earliest estimate is one month to one and a half months. Within that timeframe, both B10 and B15 biodiesel could already be available at the pump,” he said on Agenda Awani’s programme titled Global Energy Crisis: Accelerating the Biodiesel Transition.

He said even a small adjustment, such as moving from B10 to B12, would represent a 20% increase in palm oil usage.

As the Iran War and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continue to drive up crude oil prices, Malaysia has pledged to raise the biodiesel blend from 10% to 15%.

All retail diesel in Malaysia is already pre-blended upstream under the national B10 mandate for the transport sector.

Higher blends of B20 have already been implemented in Labuan, Langkawi and Sarawak, excluding Bintulu town, as well as pilot projects at KLIA and selected ports, including Northport, Johor Port, Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Kuching Port.

On supply capacity, Akmal said Malaysia produces about 18 million tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) annually.

“If we want to increase to B15, the requirement would be around 800,000 tonnes, meaning only about an additional 400,000 tonnes of crude palm oil is needed.”

He added that biodiesel production capacity is not a constraint, with plants capable of producing around 23 to 24 million tonnes.

“However, because Malaysia has set B10 as the standard, this capacity is currently underutilised.”

Instead, Akmal said the main bottleneck lies in blending infrastructure, which is currently only designed to handle up to B10 levels.

“This is the bottleneck. To mix biodiesel with diesel, we need blending centres, and right now they are only capable of supporting B10,” he said. - FMT

Rusli Jaafar appointed new HRD Corp chairman

 HRD Corp says the appointment underscores its commitment to strengthening skills development and workforce training.

Rusli Jaafar has more than 32 years of public sector experience and previously served as the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission’s CEO from 2022 to 2025. (HRD Corp pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) has appointed Rusli Jaafar as its new chairman effective April 1.

In a statement today, HRD Corp said Rusli’s appointment reflects the agency’s commitment to strengthening its mandate in driving skills development, workforce training and human capital sustainability.

This is also in line with national priorities and the evolving needs of employers and the workforce.

HRD Corp said Rusli has more than 32 years of public sector experience and previously served as the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission’s (SKM) CEO from 2022 to 2025.

It said SKM recorded encouraging growth under Rusli’s leadership, with the total assets of co-operatives under SKM estimated at RM186 billion as of December 2025, reflecting the cooperative sector’s significant role in the nation’s socioeconomic development.

HRD Corp added that intensified awareness and promotional programmes saw more than 1,000 cooperatives register under SKM for the first time in 2024. - FMT

First 2 ART vehicle units ready for delivery to Kuching

 They are expected to arrive in Sarawak within the second quarter of 2026.

The autonomous rapid transit vehicles will undergo gangway reassembly at the Kuching ART assembly facility upon arrival in Sarawak. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The first two autonomous rapid transit (ART) vehicles have completed the required tests in China and are now ready for delivery to Sarawak, marking another milestone for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.

Sarawak Metro said the vehicles are expected to arrive in Kuching within the second quarter of 2026.

“Sarawak Metro CEO Mazli Mustaffa, together with the company’s technical team, was recently in the Chinese city of Yibin to conduct final inspections of the ART vehicles at the manufacturer’s facility.

“The aim of this visit was to verify overall readiness, workmanship quality and compliance with project specifications prior to shipment,” Bernama quoted the company as saying today.

The vehicles will undergo gangway reassembly at the Kuching ART assembly facility upon arrival in Sarawak.

Another set of tests will be conducted on the vehicles once they arrive at the ART depot in Rembus, Kota Samarahan, to ensure full operational readiness ahead of the pilot operations scheduled to begin at the end of 2026.

It was reported that Sarawak had ordered 38 hydrogen-powered ART vehicles. These are designed as a hybrid of a bus and a train, running on rubber tyres within dedicated tracks to serve as the backbone of public transport in Kuching.

A total of 55 hydrogen-powered buses are expected to complement the system. - FMT

Muhyiddin-Hadi meeting signals PN’s bid for Putrajaya, says Bersatu leader

 Terengganu Bersatu chief Razali Idris said the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, was focussed on strengthening PN and enhancing cooperation between Bersatu and PAS.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin (left) and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang during a meeting in Rusila, Terengganu, today. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The meeting between Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in Rusila, Terengganu, today shows that Perikatan Nasional (PN) has begun laying the groundwork to capture Putrajaya in the 16th general election, says a Bersatu leader.

Terengganu Bersatu chief Razali Idris said the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, was focussed on strengthening PN and enhancing cooperation between Bersatu and PAS.

“The signal is clear. PN is no longer just talking but is actively planning steps to take Putrajaya in GE16,” he said in a Facebook post.

“This meeting is not symbolic, but part of a larger plan towards victory,” he said, adding that the relationship between the two parties remains PN’s core asset.

Razali also stressed the importance of activating PN’s election machinery early.

He said this would be crucial in ensuring the coalition is prepared should an election be called soon.

Muhyiddin was in Kuala Terengganu today for Terengganu Bersatu’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house celebration.

Relations between PAS and Bersatu have reportedly been tense over the past few months following the political crisis in Perlis that saw a change in the menteri besar late last year.

Hadi and Muhyiddin have also differed in opinion over the appointment of a new opposition leader to replace Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin.

Hadi said the appointment of a new opposition leader would be decided before the upcoming parliamentary sitting in June.

However, Muhyiddin said the appointment should be made immediately to avoid prolonged speculation that could damage PN’s image. - FMT