SEPANG, May 5 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has dismissed allegations linking him to the disbursement of large funds to an allegedly illegal entity, and tensions involving Negeri Sembilan’s royal institution, as “serious slander”, confirming that a police report has been lodged.

The Seremban Member of Parliament said the report was filed by his political secretary, Ho Weng Wah, against activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, over his Facebook posts, at the Seremban Police headquarters yesterday.

“He (Chegubard) is trying to link me by claiming I channelled funds to parties seeking to create trouble or stir issues involving the Undang institution in Negeri Sembilan. This is a serious slander,” he said when asked after launching the Express Rail Link’s (ERL) MyKLIA Monthly TravelCard (MTC) and MyPutrajaya MTC initiatives at KLIA Terminal 2 (T2) here today.

In a statement earlier, Loke, who is also Transport Minister, reiterated that DAP fully backs Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun to continue leading the state government and rejects any proposal to replace him at this time.

He said that the party remains committed to upholding the constitutional monarchy and ensuring that any related issues are handled in an orderly manner in accordance with the federal and state constitutions. — Bernama

SEREMBAN, May 5 — Several roads in Paroi will be temporarily closed to facilitate the organisation of Ceramah Perdana Pimpinan Utama Pakatan Harapan Negeri Sembilan programme, scheduled to take place at Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman parking grounds tomorrow.

Seremban district police chief ACP Azahar Abdul Rahim said the roads involved are Jalan Kedidi, Taman Paroi Jaya, and Lorong Kedidi 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, which will be closed from 7pm until the programme concludes.

“Road users, especially residents in Lorong Kedidi 1 to 7, are advised to use alternative routes via Jalan Persiaran Merak and Jalan Tok Dagang.

“The event is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and key Pakatan Harapan leaders,” he said in a statement here today.

The public is advised to comply with instructions from police personnel on duty to ensure smooth traffic flow and safety throughout the event.

Enquiries can be directed to the Seremban district police headquarters operations room at 06-6033477 or 06-6014999. — Bernama

KOTA KINABALU, May 5 — Sabah is studying proposals to revive barter trade with the southern Philippines, after years of limited activity following earlier security restrictions and tighter controls during the Covid-19 period.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the state government will study the proposals, taking into account both security concerns and economic benefits.

“We will study this. Many quarters have proposed this. All aspects will be taken into account, especially on security and its benefits to our economy.

“We will discuss this later at meetings of the National Security Council (MKN) and the State Development Action Council,” he told reporters after a working visit to several islands housing national security posts off Sandakan’s east coast.

Barter trade in Sabah, particularly along the east coast, has long functioned as cross-border trade linking communities in towns such as Tawau, Sandakan and Lahad Datu with neighbouring regions in the southern Philippines and eastern Indonesia.

While commonly referred to as “barter”, much of the trade in recent decades has operated through simplified, small-scale monetary exchanges rather than conventional goods-for-goods transactions, which started centuries ago.

The system was suspended in 2016 following a series of cross-border security incidents, including kidnappings in Sabah waters, a move that affected coastal communities which depended on the trade.

Barter trade was gradually reintroduced in 2019 under the Warisan administration under tighter regulations, with designated trading points and stricter monitoring of goods and vessels to prevent the leakage of subsidised items such as cooking oil and fuel.

At some ports, barter trade continues on a more limited and closely regulated scale, but industry players have proposed that it be expanded.

The visit today was part of the Chief Minister’s Security Inspection Programme to the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE).

Hajiji and his delegation visited Pulau Bakungan Kecil, Pulau Selingan and Pulau Langkayan to assess conditions at security posts operated by enforcement personnel, including Sabah Parks staff, police and the military.

He said the programme allowed him to observe first-hand the readiness of security forces and the condition of facilities on the islands.

“From this inspection, I could see that the preparedness of all security forces, including facilities at control posts, is in good condition, and the facilities have also been upgraded.

“I have raised this matter with the Prime Minister and many assets have been allocated, although much more is still needed,” he said.

Hajiji also expressed confidence that strong security in Sabah’s east coast waters would continue to support economic activities, particularly tourism.

“It has been a long time since any incident was reported in our waters, which certainly encourages tourism on Sabah’s east coast. When the situation is peaceful and security is assured, more tourists are keen to come here and tourism will grow.

“Pulau Sipadan, for instance, is a major attraction as one of the world’s best diving destinations, so we must safeguard security to ensure this tourism asset continues to attract visitors,” he said.

SINGAPORE: Singapore has proven itself once again of being a country worth visiting as Gardens by the Bay proudly ranked third in TripAdvisor’s 2026 “Traveler’s Choice” list of attractions globally. 

As reported by Yan.sg, TripAdvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards was released on April 28, and the British Royal Yacht Britannia topped the list, followed by Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, ​​Spain, in second place, and Gardens by the Bay in third. Furthermore, the Empire State Building in New York ranked fourth, and the Cayman Crystal Caves in Cayman Islands ranked fifth. 

As described by TripAdvisor, Gardens by the Bay feels like a magical fairytale world, and tourists can take perfect photos through its iconic Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, and the Skyway. More so, the place also features special exhibits, and fun interactive activities that people from all ages would definitely enjoy. 

With this, Gardens by the Bay Director shared: “It is truly an honor for a small city like Singapore to be recognized as one of the world’s top three attractions by global travelers on TripAdvisor.” 

More news about Gardens by the Bay 

In recent news, it is reported that starting Q3 of 2023, visually impaired visitors of Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome can rent a robotic guide dog to navigate the park on their own, with no human guide needed.

This service is seen to be another step forward for Singapore to create a more inclusive environment for all. It is said that the robotic guide dog was pre-programmed with a complete tour route for the Flower Dome, and it covers all the main plant exhibits.

Moreover, during the tour, the robotic guide will provide audio guidance, introducing the varieties and characteristics of various plants. Additionally, when the robotic guide dog senses an obstacle, its sensing system will automatically stop or avoid the device, making it very safe to use.

Read more about the news story here.

This article (Gardens by the Bay claims global recognition as world’s #3 tourist attraction) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — Bursa Malaysia reversed earlier losses to end higher on Tuesday as buying interest gained momentum in the afternoon session, said an analyst. 

At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 7.66 points, or 0.44 per cent, to close at 1,747.43 from Monday’s close of 1,739.77.

The benchmark index, which opened 1.97 points lower at 1,737.80, moved between a low of 1,732.64 and a high of 1,747.82 throughout the day.

Market breadth was negative with losers leading gainers 605 to 539. A total of 599 counters were unchanged, 889 untraded, and 11 suspended.

Turnover decreased to 2.86 billion units worth RM2.59 billion compared with 3.05 billion units worth RM2.55 billion yesterday.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said while the late rebound indicates some buying support, overall market participation remains selective as investors assess ongoing geopolitical developments and elevated oil prices. 

“The local bourse remained cautious despite today’s positive close, as underlying sentiment continues to be influenced by external uncertainties.

“Looking ahead, we expect the FBM KLCI to trade in a consolidation mode with a slight upward bias, supported by selective accumulation in key sectors. In the near term, the index is expected to move within the 1,710-1,750 range,” he told Bernama. 

Meanwhile, IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said today’s performance showed measured resilience despite rising geopolitical tensions, with gains concentrated in petroleum-linked heavyweights as crude oil held firm near US$110 per barrel amid emerging strains in the US-Iran ceasefire. 

The move highlights how the index’s composition remains tactically leveraged to energy price dynamics, allowing oil-related names to cushion broader risk-off sentiment.

“The index trended higher through the mid-afternoon and sustained momentum into the close, suggesting steady institutional accumulation rather than momentum-driven buying. 

“While elevated oil prices are providing near-term support, the durability of this uptrend will depend on whether geopolitical risk translates into sustained earnings upgrades rather than remaining a sentiment-driven catalyst,” he said.

Among heavyweights, Maybank fell eight sen to RM11.20, IHH Healthcare erased four sen to RM8.83, CIMB jumped 20 sen to RM7.89, while both Public Bank and Tenaga Nasional were flat at RM4.75 and RM14.80, respectively. 

On the most active list, Zetrix AI inched up half-a-sen to 86.5 sen, GIIB Holdings went up 2.5 sen to 18.5 sen, Tanco added one sen to RM1.62, Straits Energy Resources lost three sen to 4.5 sen, and UEM Sunrise slid one sen to 63 sen. 

Among the top gainers, Petronas Dagangan garnered 24 sen to RM20.34, and Telekom Malaysia put on 19 sen to RM7.80. Petronas Chemicals and Hong Leong Industries advanced 22 sen each to RM5.92 and RM17.92, respectively. 

Among the top losers, Nestle dropped RM2.10 to RM101.70, Malaysian Pacific Industries declined 50 sen to RM37.50, Fraser & Neave dipped 46 sen to RM29.56, Hong Leong Bank shed 20 sen to RM22.10, and Malayan Cement slipped 19 sen to RM6.71. 

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index climbed 39.57 points to 12,887.34, the FBM Top 100 Index soared 42.58 points to 12,731.62, the FBM Emas Shariah Index increased 42.10 points to 12,866.55, and the FBM Mid 70 Index rose 4.27 points to 18,269.48. 

However, the FBM ACE Index declined 34.99 points to 4,601.07.

By sector, the Financial Services Index strengthened 44.01 points to 20,134.33, the Industrial Products and Services Index ticked up 1.45 points to 197.67, and the Plantation Index improved 33.43 points to 9,007.20, while the Energy Index fell 2.08 points to 835.63. 

The Main Market volume slipped to 1.67 billion units valued at RM2.38 billion from 1.74 billion units valued at RM2.27 billion on Monday.   

Warrants turnover shrank to 871.29 million units worth RM113.70 million from 918.52 million units worth RM146.22 million previously.  

The ACE Market volume decreased to 319.05 million units valued at RM96.14 million from 388.84 million units valued at RM132.46 million yesterday.

Consumer products and services counters accounted for 219.52 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (288.34 million), construction (161.44 million), technology (305.67 million), financial services (62.40 million), property (192.77 million), plantation (29.78 million), real estate investment trusts (18.05 million), closed-end fund (18,000), energy (160.97 million), healthcare (106.99 million), telecommunications and media (26.68 million), transportation and logistics (48.49 million), utilities (45.50 million), and business trusts (314,700). — Bernama

Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office Bugie Kurniawan said the suspects came from several countries, including the Philippines. The case is being handled by Denpasar city's police in coordination with Bali provincial police to determine possible charges.

PUTRAJAYA, May 5 — Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to contribute between RM13 billion and RM20 billion annually to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

He said AI is already demonstrating tangible economic value in Malaysia, with projections indicating it could add between 0.8 and 1.2 percentage points to Malaysia’s GDP growth each year.

“At the national level, the digital economy, increasingly powered by AI, contributed over 23 per cent to Malaysia’s GDP last year, amounting to more than RM450 billion in economic value.

“These are not projections in isolation. They signal a structural shift where AI is no longer peripheral to the economy, but central to productivity, competitiveness and national growth,” he said in his speech at the 5th International Conference on Youth 2026 (ICYouth) hosted by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) here, today.

His speech text was read by Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong.

In his speech, Gobind also said the ministry will soon launch the Government Innovation Initiative (GII), a platform that opens up real problem statements from the public sector for innovators, researchers and youth to develop solutions using emerging technologies, including AI.

“GII is not just about innovation; it is about guided innovation. It ensures that experimentation happens within a framework, where ideas can be tested, refined, and scaled responsibly.

“In this context, institutions like UPM are critical. They provide the technical capability, research environment and talent base that can directly respond to the problem statements surfaced through the GII,” he noted.

Gobind also stressed that the long-term impact of AI depends on how it is developed and used, especially by the younger generation.

“Ultimately, the future of AI will not be determined by technology alone, but by the values we embed within it. The systems designed, the models trained and the data used by today’s youth will influence real decisions and real lives,” he said, adding that platforms like ICYouth are important as they bring together researchers, policymakers, industry players and youth to ensure innovation is balanced with responsibility.

The conference, organised by UPM Institute for Social Science Studies (IPSAS), carries the theme “AI and Youth for Societal Impact: Transforming Communities and Advancing Wellbeing”, focusing on how AI technology can be used in an inclusive and ethical way to improve social wellbeing. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a Level One (Yellow) heatwave status for four areas in Peninsular Malaysia and one in Sabah as of 4pm today.

MetMalaysia said the four areas are Jeli dan Kuala Krai in Kelantan, as well as Jerantut and Maran in Pahang, while the area in Sabah involves the district of Telupid.

The Level One heatwave status is issued when an area records a maximum daily temperature of 35 to 37 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days.

For the latest information on weather in Malaysia, visit the official MetMalaysia website at https://www.met.gov.my/iklim/status-cuaca-panas. — Bernama

The Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU) in Florence is home to a wealth of public documents and records of decisions issued by EU institutions along with artefacts illustrating pro-European movements and initiatives led by prominent personalities that helped shape the EU as we know it today. May 9 is Europe Day which celebrates the European Union’s founding values of unity, solidarity, democracy, human rights and shared prosperity. This year marks the 76th anniversary of Robert Schuman’s historic declaration. In 1950, the birth of a union of coal and steel was at the centre of the vision of a united Europe backed by the governments of France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Dieter Schlenker is the Director of the Historical Archives of the European Union at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence which is now in its 50th year and has grown into a thriving community centred around interdisciplinary research and public engagement. We asked him to walk us through the archives that retrace the history of the European Union and its institutions, and the trajectory of the EUI from its conceptual beginnings in the post-war period to its consolidation as an international centre for research and intellectual exchange.

The Conversation: The historical archives provide the public with a written memory of the European integration process since the early 1940s. What is available to visitors, and which resources would be of particular interest to researchers?

Dieter Schlenker: The HAEU has received over the last 40 years more than 300 holdings that comprise almost 1 million paper files stored at Villa Salviati on 10 kilometres of dedicated roller shelving. During the Open day on May 9 visitors will have the unique opportunity to discover archival documents, artefacts and materials in various forms, in a high security, climate-controlled environment that is normally closed to the public. Almost 1.000 visitors will be invited to take a tour through the Villa and the Archives on the open day. They will be accompanied by a professional archivist who will explain the mission and holdings of the archives and show them a selection of documents including the authentic copy of the Maastricht Treaty, historical letters, notes, photos and even objects that belonged to European politicians and EU officials, plus a selection of media formats for audio-visual and digital archives that have become obsolete (magnetic tapes, floppy disks, CDs, etc), and which show the volatility of modern archives and the challenge of preserving and maintaining them so they remain accessible to the general public.

Researchers can consult the archives in the reading room at Villa Salviati from Monday to Friday. Approximately 40% of the hard copies of the archives have been digitised, so they are available online in the archives database. The holdings comprise the archives of EU institutions, such as the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament along with a unique collection of archives from other highly relevant European organisations, such as the European Space Agency, the European Free Trade Association, and the European Cultural Foundation. The HAEU is also home to the archives of various European movements and associations, and political groups in the European Parliament. Finally, more than 100 personal papers have been deposited by important European political figures, from pioneers, such as Alcide De Gasperi and Altiero Spinelli, through to Commission Presidents, such as Jacques Delors and Romano Prodi, and numerous Commissioners and Members of European Parliament.

How are the archives organised, and what are visitors most drawn to?

D.S.: Visitors can discover the physical infrastructure and how the numerous archives are stored in different rooms, in boxes and files, organised according to where they originate from and by the type of archive. They also get to see the complex coding and classification systems in place that facilitate the storage and retrieval of the documents. Guided tours also allow visitors to see documents on display and extended photo collections that are mounted on the walls, and can ask questions about their conservation and access conditions, the history and context of the creation of the documents and the people featured on the photos.

Monetary policy or EU expansion, what significant moments are captured in the archives?

D.S.: The Historical Archives of the European Union’s mission is to collect and provide the broadest possible archival legacy of European integration and European Union in a single location. This is why many different topics of European history since World War II can be studied on the basis of numerous original primary sources. These reach from the first pro-European federalist movements emerging during WWII, the important Congress of The Hague 1948 that led to the creation of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the whole negotiation process of the Schuman Plan and the European Coal and Steel Community, then all the policies and actions taken by the Commission created by the Rome Treaties in 1957, all plenary and committee sessions of the Parliament, the Council and European Council meetings, the various enlargments, all procedure files of the European Court of Justice, etc. All EU documents are opened to the public after a 30-year period and shipped here to Florence by the respective institution for public access, which is why the documentation currently available approximately goes up to the mid-1990s.

How are the archives used and which documents have proven to be the most thought-provoking for academic research?

D.S.: The archives provide such a large base for research that the points of view, research interests and findings change all the time. More than 120 researchers register every year at the archives reading room and conduct 1.000 research sessions. The output reaches from the first works on European integration, mostly biographic studies on the founders, such as the works of Raymond Poidevin on Robert Schuman and the Biography of Jean Monnet by François Duchêne, or institutional history, such as Dirk Spierenburg’s book on the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community. Today, historical research covers practically all different areas of European policies, and we may highlight the many diverse publications produced by the members of the European Union Liaison Committee of Historians that also edits the Journal of European Integration History (JEIH), or mention the current EUI Chair on European integration history, Emmanuel Mourlon-Druol, who works on European Monetary Union.

The HAEU also hosts the historical archives of the European Space Agency including the records of the continent’s earliest major efforts to develop a space programme, what are the highlights on display?

D.S.: The European Space Agency in Paris decided to entrust the HAEU with their historical archives in 1989 and revised the deposit contract in 2020 to deepen cooperation and set focus on digital access, data protection and information security. This included the archives of the forerunner organisations ELDO and ESRO and therefore provides researchers with thousands of paper files documenting all aspects of European ambition in space since the early 1960s. These archives provide unique insight into the various joint European satellite, earth observation and human space flight projects of the past 60 years.

Looking back at the archives, what insights do we gain about European identity today? What values still stand and how are they reflected in visitors’ feedback?

D.S.: Looking at the recently published catalogue commemorating the 40th anniversary of the archives, we can see how all the many facets of European cooperation and integration are covered and referred to in the archival holdings preserved in Florence. It offers a fascinating trip back in time. Certainly, the documents on a peaceful and democratic post-War Europe expressed by those resisting against the Nazi and Fascist regimes provide a highly visionary humanistic picture of a united Europe, while the later negotiations on European treaties, policies, enlargements and external relations become much more multi-faceted, detailed, technical and concern very concrete political, economic and social arguments.

Nonetheless, the fascination of how it all started in Hour Zero in 1945 as a vision of peace, democracy and solidarity remains very strong until today. Visitors often refer to the founders of the European Union and their foresight and long-term vision securing peace amongst European states since 80 years, which is particularly important as visitors are rather worried about the present and future of Europe in a multipolar globalised world.

Interview by Carly Lock, Journalist at The Conversation Europe & The Conversation France.

A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!

Dieter Schlenker ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d'une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n'a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 5 — Two employees of a statutory body in Terengganu have been remanded for allegedly soliciting and accepting bribes of around RM30,000 in return for issuing competency certificates, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency said today.

An MACC source said both male suspects, in their 20s and 40s, who worked as teaching staff at the statutory body, were remanded for four days till May 8 today following their arrest yesterday when they showed up to provide their statements at the state MACC office.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that both suspects allegedly colluded to commit the offence in 2025 and the bribes solicited were for issuing ‘immediate approval’ of competency certificates for every participant of the course.

“Both suspects were believed to have received between RM900 and RM1,500 for each of the 31 participants, which was paid through fund transfers into their personal bank accounts,” they said.

The source also related that the commission was examining if the certification fraud occurred on a larger scale and that it was possible that every certificate issued by the related agency could be reviewed to ensure its authenticity.

Terengganu MACC director Hazrul Shazreen Abd Yazid confirmed the arrests and remand, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 16(a) of the MACC Act 2009. 

He also did not reject the possibility of other arrests being made to facilitate investigations. — Bernama 

SEPANG, May 5 — The Home Ministry is studying a proposal to use electric stun guns (tasers) as an initial step in efforts to equip personnel of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) with weaponry.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said a policy decision has been agreed upon to provide weaponry for AKPS, with implementation to be carried out in the near future.

“There are views suggesting that we begin with the use of taser guns, as situations at the border may not always require the use of firearms. This matter will be examined,” he said at a press conference after inspecting operations at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 here today.

He did stress that the government’s direction is clear towards equipping AKPS personnel with weaponry to strengthen border control capabilities, pointing out that border control duties involve high risks and require personnel who are psychologically prepared and well-trained.

He said personnel with backgrounds in security forces such as the police already possess weapons-handling skills and only need to be equipped with the necessary tools.

In addition, Saifuddin Nasution said AKPS has been allowed to recruit up to 200 Malaysian Armed Forces veterans this year under the Malaysian Border Guard (MBG) initiative to strengthen control at the country’s entry points, with the first phase of recruitment involving 50 personnel completed and the remainder to follow in subsequent phases.

MBG personnel have been deployed at several main entry points, including KLIA and Port Klang, he said, adding that they possessed diverse skill sets, including commando training, drill instructors and other expertise that can support border control operations.

“Here at KLIA Terminal 1 alone, there are 18 personnel who have just completed training. The second intake is currently underway and is expected to be completed this year,” he said, adding that his ministry was open to proposals from AKPS Director-General Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain if the recruitment approach proves to add value to the organisation. — Bernama