Over 12,000 evacuated as floodwaters rise in 4 states

 

A total of 12,135 flood victims have sought shelter at 96 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor. NSTP/MUHAMMAD DELIMA ATAN

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 12,135 flood victims have sought shelter at 96 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor.

The update comes from the Malaysia Civil Defence Force Operations Control Centre as of 4 pm today.

Its deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Ghazali Abd Rahman said the number of victims in the four states showed an upward trend based on monitoring data.

In Kelantan, families at one PPS increased from five to 32, while the number of victims rose from 18 to 137. In Terengganu, families in 15 PPS increased slightly from 247 to 248, with victims rising from 890 to 902.

Pahang saw a larger increase, with families in 78 PPS rising from 3,012 to 3,566 and the number of victims climbing from 9,237 to 10,740. In Johor, families in three PPS grew from 90 to 93, with victims increasing from 347 to 356.

Meanwhile, 18 water stations in Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and Sarawak have exceeded the danger level as of 5pm.

According to the public flood information portal, 13 of these stations are in Pahang, including Sungai Kuantan, Sungai Tembeling near Kampung Merting, Chereh Dam, Sungai Belat near Sri Damai, Sungai Kuantan near Kuantan By-Pass, Sungai Soi near Jalan Pekan-Kuantan, Jam Chegar Perah near Lipis, Sungai Lepar near Jam Gelugor, Sungai Pahang near Waterfront, Sungai Luit near Kampung Subuh, Sungai Mentigga near Jam Chini, Sungai Keratong near Kampung Rekoh, and Sungai Pahang near Kuala Tembeling.

In Sarawak, three stations have exceeded danger levels: Long Teru and Marudi near Miri, and Kampung Entingan near Samarahan. In Terengganu, only Sungai Besut near Jambatan Keruak has surpassed the danger level, while in Kelantan it is Sungai Lebih near Kampung Tualang. - NST

Sabah coach Jean-Paul drops bombshell by resigning

 

Good times: (From left) File photo of JDT head coach Xisco Munoz, captain Natxo Insa, Sabah captain Dominic Tan and head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny with the trophy ahead of the FA Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.— RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Sabah head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny shocked the football fans by resigning with immediate effect on Thursday (Dec 18).

Just a few days ago, the 61-year-old guided Sabah to the FA Cup final for the first time in 27 years, although they eventually lost to Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT).

The Australian-born coach announced his decision on Sabah’s official social media, citing family reasons for leaving the Rhinos.

"I just want to say, with a heavy heart, that I have to leave the club," said de Marigny.

"The simple reason is that my family has called me back. I will be departing the club, but Sabah will always be a big part of my life.

"My time here was short, but I made many friends, and I will stay in touch with them for the rest of my life."

The resignation comes as a major blow to Sabah, with less than 48 hours to go before their Super League clash against Brunei.

De Marigny, who brings extensive experience from Australia’s A-League with clubs including Western Sydney Wanderers, Newcastle Jets, and Melbourne Victory, was appointed in August to replace Alto Linus, who had been serving as interim coach. - Star

DAP Sarawak’s federal post a clear ‘U-turn’, says SUPP leader

Sim Kiang Chiok says Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol’s appointment as deputy youth and sports minister contradicts the party’s earlier promise to remain as backbenchers.

Stakan SUPP chairman Sim Kiang Chiok said DAP Sarawak previously assured voters that they had no ambition to hold federal executive positions. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The appointment of a DAP Sarawak MP as a deputy minister in the federal Cabinet represents a clear reversal of the party’s earlier stance on not seeking executive power, says a Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) leader.

Stakan SUPP chairman Sim Kiang Chiok said DAP Sarawak previously assured voters that they had no ambition to hold federal executive positions, choosing instead to remain as backbenchers to build public trust and distinguish themselves from the party’s Peninsular leadership, The Borneo Post reported.

“Yet in 2025, that promise has been conveniently discarded. The appointment of a DAP Sarawak MP as a deputy minister is a clear and undeniable U-turn.

“This is not an administrative coincidence – it contradicts what was promised to Sarawakians,” he said.

Tuesday’s Cabinet reshuffle saw DAP Sarawak vice-chairman and Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol appointed as deputy youth and sports minister.

Sim said the move should prompt voters to reassess the party’s credibility, adding that it reflected a broader pattern of unfulfilled pledges.

After the unity government was formed in 2022, Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen assured the public that all Sarawak DAP MPs would play the role of backbenchers in the Dewan Rakyat.

In an Astro Awani report, the Stampin MP had also insisted that the posts of ministers and deputy ministers from the party were not its main agenda, regardless of whether at the federal or state level.

“The main thing right now is that DAP and Pakatan Harapan are the main bloc at the federal level,” Chong had said.

“We (Sarawak DAP) will take on the role of providing checks and balances in Parliament, as well as ensuring that the principles of transparency and good governance are implemented by the ministries and government agencies.” - FMT

Indonesia sends top minister to US to finalise trade deal

Coordinating economic minister Airlangga Hartarto is heading to the US to finalise the details of a trade deal announced in July.

Jakarta is pushing for a tariff exemption for some of its export products, including crude palm oil. (EPA Images pic)

JAKARTA:

 Indonesia is deploying a top economic minister to the US to finalise the details of a trade deal announced in July, a ministry spokesman said Thursday.

Washington has slashed the tariff faced by Southeast Asia’s biggest economy from 32% to 19%, in an agreement hailed by President Prabowo Subianto as a “new era” of trade relations between the two countries.

Discussions over the details of the deal have been ongoing since the July announcement, with Jakarta pushing for a tariff exemption for some of its export products, including crude palm oil (CPO).

Coordinating economic minister Airlangga Hartarto, who leads Indonesia’s negotiation team, is “currently heading to the US”, spokesman Haryo Limanseto told AFP.

Airlangga is due to finalise the July deal with officials from the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), the spokesman said.

Airlangga previously told AFP that CPO, one of Indonesia’s key exports, will be a focus of the talks, noting that Washington had lowered tariffs on agricultural products such as coffee.

“The executive order already includes (exemption) of commodities such as coffee, cacao, and so on. Only CPO and its derivatives are left,” to be negotiated, he said.

Under the framework agreement announced in July, Indonesia has also committed to spending billions to increase energy, agriculture, and aircraft imports from the US.

Airlangga said this week that the deal was hoped to be signed by Prabowo and US President Donald Trump next year, Indonesian media reported.

Data from the USTR shows Washington’s goods trade deficit with Indonesia was US$17.9 billion in 2024, up 5.4% from the year before. - FMT

Tunku Azizah attends SEA Games Mixed Keelboat SSL47 medal ceremony in Thailand

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, attended the medal presentation ceremony for the Mixed Keelboat SSL47 event at the 33rd SEA Games today.

The ceremony, held at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Sattahip, was also graced by King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida of Thailand.

According to a post on the Kesultanan Pahang Facebook page, Tunku Azizah boarded an SSL 47 sailing boat to the competition area and met the Malaysian national sailing team, who claimed the silver medal in the event.

Thailand emerged as champions in the event, which was contested for the first time.

Queen Suthida led the Thai national sailing team throughout the competition, held from Dec 15 to 18.

Queen Suthida, along with nine crew members, received their medals from King Vajiralongkorn, while the Malaysian and Myanmar teams, who finished second and third respectively, were also awarded their medals by the king. - NST

Three Songkhla districts warned of flash floods and mudslides

 

- Photo: The Nation/ANN

BANGKOK: The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has sent out alerts via cell broadcast to warn residents of three districts in Songkhla about the potential for flash floods and mudslides following heavy rains.

The DDPM announced on its Facebook page at 1pm on Thursday (Dec 18) that it used cell broadcast services from AIS, True, and NT to warn residents of Muang district, Hat Yai district, and Na Mom district in Songkhla to prepare for possible floods, mudslides, and river and canal overflows.

The DDPM warned that the three districts could be hit by heavy rains, which could cause flash floods, mudslides, and river overflows. It advised people living in low-lying areas to move valuables to higher ground and to be cautious of the risk of electrocution due to short circuits.

It also stated that affected individuals could call for help at the DDPM hotline at 1784.

Meanwhile, the Hat Yai Municipality issued an urgent statement on Thursday, warning its residents—still recovering from recent massive floods—of the potential for more floods due to continued heavy downpours.

In its 6th statement on the ongoing flood situation in the municipal area, the municipality noted that heavy rainfall from Wednesday night continuing into Thursday afternoon had resulted in a total rainfall accumulation of 140 millimeters, as measured at the Khlong Rian Monkey Cheek Station.

This has caused water levels in both Khlong Mae Rian and Khlong Hua to rise. Additionally, continuous rainfall is expected throughout the afternoon and evening.

As of noon Thursday, the statement reported the following water levels in various canals:

Khlong U Tapao

- Ban Muang Kong: 5.22 meters below the bank

- Bang Sala: 5.15 meters below the bank

Khlong Hua: 2.98 meters below the bank

Khlong Toei: 3.00 meters below the bank

Khlong Rian Monkey Cheek: 1.93 meters below the bank

Khlong Sadao Reservoir: 53.82 million cubic meters (94.86% of the reservoir’s capacity)

As a result, the municipality issued a "Yellow Flag" warning to residents in the following areas: 30-meter Road, Suphasarangsarn Road, Thanon Thanunwitthi, Prachatipat Road, and all small alleys connecting these roads, as well as the communities of Chanwiwat, Chanprateep, Channiveit, and Rattanawibul.

The municipality has held a meeting with relevant officials to prepare measures for at-risk areas.

Due to limitations in the drainage system, officials are working to dredge mud and remove debris that is causing blockages in the water flow.

It advised residents to stay prepared and closely follow updates from the Hat Yai City Municipality.

For weather updates and further information, residents can contact the Kunchon Radio Centre at 074-200028 or the Kunchon Hotline at 074-200000, available 24 hours. - The Nation/ANN

Student found dead on stage at UMS’s Chancellor Hall

The 23-year-old male student’s body was found lying on the hall’s stage by two maintenance workers at around 10am today.

UMS extended its condolences to the victim’s family and said it will fully cooperate with the authorities in their probe. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 A Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student was found dead at the university’s Chancellor Hall today morning, believed to have fallen from a height.

Kota Kinabalu police chief Kasim Muda said the 23-year-old male student’s body was found lying on the hall’s stage by two maintenance workers at around 10am, reported Berita Harian.

“A review of closed-circuit television footage from inside the hall showed that he was seen falling at 6:09pm yesterday,” said Kasim.

UMS extended its condolences to the victim’s family and said it will fully cooperate with the authorities in their probe. - FMT

MORE TO COME

Sim’s efforts benefitted Bumiputeras too, Melaka DAP Youth tells Noh Omar

Its chief Cassel Krishnan says among the policies implemented during Steven Sim's time as human resources minister were off-duty Perkeso coverage and increased minimum wage.

(From left) Melaka DAP Youth chief Cassel Krishnan asked former minister Noh Omar if entrepreneur and cooperatives development minister Steven Sim had ever disputed Bumiputera economic policies during his time in government.

PETALING JAYA:

 Steven Sim implemented policies and measures during his time as human resources minister that also benefitted Bumiputeras, says Melaka DAP Youth chief Cassel Krishnan in response to former minister Noh Omar, who today questioned Sim’s appointment as entrepreneur and cooperatives development minister.

Cassel said these efforts included the introduction of off-duty Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) coverage, the increase of the minimum wage to RM1,700 and improvements to gig worker welfare.

He also asked Noh, who headed the ministry twice, if Sim had ever disputed Bumiputera economic policies during his time in government.

“I challenge Noh to provide one incident as an example, with clear facts and context, and not just general accusations unsupported by facts.

“DAP’s principles remain consistent. No matter which ministry we lead, we serve all Malaysians, including Bumiputeras, who are the majority,” he said in a statement.

Earlier today, Noh said Sim’s reassignment to the entrepreneur and cooperatives development portfolio had come as a surprise to Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

He said Sim being from DAP – a party that champions equality and has frequently questioned the principles of the New Economic Policy – raised concerns about the future protection of Bumiputera micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Noh said the ministry’s core objective was to empower Bumiputera entrepreneurs, develop a robust national entrepreneurial ecosystem and position Malaysia as an entrepreneurial nation by 2030.

However, Sim dismissed Noh’s concerns and emphasised his commitment to serving all Malaysians, saying “a good Malaysian leader is one who looks after all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion”.

Sim took over the entrepreneur and cooperatives development portfolio following Tuesday’s Cabinet reshuffle. - FMT