PM attends Citrawarna 2026 as Malaysia showcases cultural diversity to global visitors

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Citrawarna 2026 drew more than 700 international visitors from 12 countries, with participants from across Asia, Europe and beyond witnessing one of Malaysia's most celebrated cultural showcases under the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.

Visitors from China, India, Mauritius, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and France attended the event via specially curated travel packages.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the annual cultural showcase at Dataran Merdeka, with the three-day event featuring 3,500 performers representing states, three federal territories and the nation's multicultural communities in its signature Colours of Parade (Citra Perarakan).

The festival commenced with an opening performance, followed by the parade and a post-show performance, watched by spectators along Jalan Raja and at the Sultan Abdul Samad Building (BSAS).

Also present was Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

Citrawarna 2026 features four signature experiences: Colours of Parade, Colours of Flavour, Colours of Culture and Colours of Art.

The event includes more than 70 food and beverage offerings, over 20 cultural activity stations, and more than 10 arts and crafts booths throughout the three-day celebration.

Visitors were also invited to participate in hands-on activities, including batik painting, ketupat weaving and traditional culinary demonstrations led by artisans and cultural practitioners.

Contemporary performances were staged by Malaysian artistes including Wani Kayrie, Bulan Asryaff, Dr Soo Wincci, Santesh Kumar, Ernie Zakri, Aina Abdul and Kumpulan Balle-Balle.

This year's edition, themed Ritma Warisan, Nadi Nusa dan Bangsa (The Rhythm of Heritage, The Pulse of the Nation and the People), invites visitors to experience the many traditions, colours and stories that continue to shape the nation. - NST

Man held for allegedly assaulting, threatening Ipoh City Council enforcement officer

 

PIC FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY

IPOH: A 42-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting and threatening an Ipoh City Council (MBI) enforcement officer while the latter was issuing a compound notice in Pengkalan here yesterday.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Najib Hamzah said the man was detained about 12.40pm today.

He said the incident occurred at Jalan Pengkalan Barat 35 when the enforcement officer was carrying out his duties.

"The man is believed to have acted aggressively by attempting to ram the victim with a vehicle before following him, grabbing him by the collar and issuing threats.

"As a result of the incident, the victim sustained minor injuries and lodged a police report," he said in a statement.

The case is being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force against a public servant in the execution of his duties, which carries a maximum two-year jail term or a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.

The case is also being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation, which carries a maximum two-year jail term or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

He added that police would seek a remand order to facilitate investigations.

Najib warned that stern action would be taken against anyone who obstructs, assaults or threatens public servants while they are carrying out their official duties. - NST

Tengku Amir Shah, wife welcome baby girl

 

A post on Raja Muda of Selangor Instagram. SOCIAL MEDIA

SHAH ALAM: The Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and his wife Datin Paduka Seri Afzaa Fadini Abdul Aziz today announced the birth of their first child, Tengku Alia Amira Tengku Amir Shah.

According to a post on the Raja Muda of Selangor's official Instagram account, the royal couple's daughter was born on July 21, 2026, at 2.56pm.

"Alhamdulillah. With profound gratitude to Allah SWT, I announce the birth of our princess.

"May Allah SWT grant our princess good health, blessings and lasting grace. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for our family," Tengku Amir Shah said in the post.

Tengku Amir Shah and Datin Paduka Seri Afzaa Fadini were married in a royal solemnisation ceremony at Masjid Istana Diraja, Istana Alam Shah, Klang, on Oct 2, 2025.

The royal couple was solemnised by Selangor Mufti Datuk Dr Anhar Opir, witnessed by Tengku Panglima Raja Selangor Tengku Ahmad Shah Alhaj and Tengku Indera Pahlawan Diraja Tengku Datuk Setia Putra Alhaj in the private wedding ceremony.

The ceremony, conducted in accordance with royal customs and traditions, was graced by the Sultan of Selangor and Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin. - NST

Samsuri leaves door open for Sanusi to campaign in Negeri Sembilan

 PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar says he takes note of the call by BN chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for Sanusi Nor to stay away, but says Sanusi is free to campaign.

PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the coalition hopes that voters understand the context of Sanusi Nor’s remarks about Malays, Chinese and Indians at a recent ceramah.

SEREMBAN:

Perikatan Nasional election director Sanusi Nor is free to continue campaigning in the Negeri Sembilan election, PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said today.

Samsuri said PN had taken note of the call by Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for Sanusi to stay away, but noted that Zahid’s call was made as BN chairman, “It is up to Sanusi if he wants to come after this,” he said.

“We are not going to stop anyone from campaigning,” Samsuri said.

Zahid had said that Sanusi, who is also Kedah menteri besar, should concentrate on his own state and not campaign in Negeri Sembilan.

PN and BN have an electoral understanding not to compete against each other in the state polls, with BN contesting 25 seats and PN in 11, with no overlap.

Samsuri said: “Outside of political campaigning, both of us are menteri besars, and we also have responsibilities in our respective states,” he told reporters after launching PN’s manifesto tonight. Sanusi is also Kedah menteri besar, while Samsuri is menteri besar of Terengganu.

Sanusi has come under criticism over remarks about Malay, Chinese and Indian identity which he made on Thursday night at an election ceramah. He was reported to have said that Malays only have Tanah Melayu as their homeland, while Chinese and Indians have China and India respectively.

Asked whether PN was concerned about losing Chinese and Indian support over the remarks, Samsuri said the coalition wanted people to understand the context of the remarks.

“The most important thing is that we must be clear about what was said by him. Sanusi has also said he will take legal action against those who distort the facts,” he said.

Samsuri said candidates from both BN and PN could campaign using either coalition’s manifesto following their agreement to adopt a common platform for the state election. “They can use both,” he said when asked which manifesto candidates should campaign on. - FMT

Malaysia a homeland and not a place of transit, says Azalina

 Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said reminds PN election director Sanusi Nor that the constitution guarantees the rights and status of every citizen regardless of ancestry.

‘The reality is that for millions of Malaysians of Chinese and Indian descent, Malaysia is not a place of transit. Malaysia is their homeland,’ said Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said.

SEREMBAN:

Remarks by Perikatan Nasional election director Sanusi Nor about ancestral homelands should not be taken lightly, Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said said today.

She said such rhetoric would create the impression that Malaysians of Chinese and Indian descent have another homeland, while suggesting that only Malays truly belong to Malaysia.

“The reality is that for millions of Malaysians of Chinese and Indian descent, Malaysia is not a place of transit. Malaysia is their homeland,” she said in response to Sanusi’s remark that “the Chinese have China, the Indians have India, the Cambodians have Cambodia, and the Malays only have Malaysia”.

Azalina said the Federal Constitution establishes the position of Islam, the institution of the Malay Rulers, and the rights of Malays and Bumiputera. “The same constitution also guarantees the legitimate rights and status of every citizen regardless of their ancestry.”

Azalina, who is also the minister for law and institutional reform, said every legitimate citizen shares the same homeland, is protected by the same constitution and has the right to live in peace and dignity.

She urged political leaders and election campaign workers to be responsible for every word they utter amid the heated campaign for the Negeri Sembilan state election.

“Issues involving race, religion and the royal institution should not be used as tools to incite anger or fear for the purpose of gaining votes,” she said.

She said the people of Negeri Sembilan deserved an election campaign focused on issues that genuinely affect their lives. - FMT

Felda second-home policy to be settled ‘within a month’

 Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says a policy paper will be brought to a meeting with heads of state governments to resolve long-standing housing issues faced by the children of Felda settlers.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Santai Perantau event held in conjunction with Felda’s 70th anniversary celebration at Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur, tonight. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

A policy decision on the construction of second-generation Felda homes is expected to be finalised within a month, as the government seeks speedy implementation of the policy, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.

He said a policy paper would be presented at a meeting with heads of state governments to secure their agreement.

“The decision has already been made, but implementation requires cooperation from state governments, including on water supply and basic infrastructure,” he said at an event held in conjunction with Felda’s 70th anniversary tonight.

Anwar also directed Felda’s management to provide monthly progress reports to ensure the initiatives do not face further delays. “We make announcements, but when implementation takes too long, people become tired of waiting. Sometimes I do not blame the people. I do not want delays to become an issue,” he said.

On July 7, Anwar announced seven initiatives to mark Felda’s 70th anniversary, including resolving the second-generation housing issue, amending the Felda Act, building housing for Felda staff, expanding digital initiatives, and providing allocations for schools and community development programmes for settlers.

One of the key proposals is to allow more than one house to be built on a settler’s lot through policy and legal changes, addressing a long-standing issue involving housing for Felda settlers’ children.

Anwar had previously said amendments to the Felda Act were expected to be tabled in Parliament before the end of the year. However, some initiatives can be implemented earlier with state governments cooperation while waiting for the legal amendments to be approved. - FMT

Sanusi views BN-PN pact as a PAS-Umno affair, says Puad

 The ex-Umno Supreme Council member says Sanusi Nor views the pact as one centred on Malay unity, with other parties such as MCA and MIC sidelined.

Former Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said Sanusi Nor’s remarks reflected a view of the BN-PN cooperation centred only on PAS and Umno.

PETALING JAYA:

Sanusi Nor’s recent controversial remarks stem from his view of Perikatan Nasional’s electoral cooperation with Barisan Nasional as only a matter between PAS and Umno, says former Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi.

Puad said Sanusi, the PN election director, was known for “speaking without thinking”. However, in asking why Sanusi kept making such controversial remarks, Puad said: “It is because Sanusi views the cooperation only from the perspective of Umno and PAS. For PAS, the unity of the ummah is the priority. MCA, MIC, MIPP and Gerakan are merely passengers.”

Puad said Sanusi’s remarks had hurt Umno, and he backed the call by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for Sanusi, who is Kedah menteri besar, to focus on Kedah instead. “The problem is that in Kedah, Sanusi does not have much work to do. The state has no growth,” Puad said.

At a ceramah on Thursday night, Sanusi was reported to have said that Malays only have Tanah Melayu as their homeland, while Chinese and Indians have China and India respectively. The remarks drew criticism from several DAP leaders and MIC president SA Vigneswaran, who called on BN to review its electoral pact with PN for the Negeri Sembilan state election.

Sanusi has since claimed his remarks were distorted for political gain and he threatened legal action against those responsible. - FMT