KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — CARiNG Pharmacy has launched the “Empowering Women, Inspiring Wellness” campaign to encourage women to take a more proactive and holistic approach to their health.

The initiative, introduced together with Georgetown Pharmacy and Wellings Pharmacy under the BIG CARING Group, aims to position the group as an accessible and trusted community healthcare partner for women at every stage of life, the company said in a statement.

“The reality is, most women are not ignoring their health because they don’t care, but simply because every day, they are moving from one responsibility to another, balancing work, deadlines, family and everything in between,” said BIG CARING Group chief marketing officer Wong Siew Lai.

She said many women only seek help when they feel unwell, although more are beginning to ask questions earlier and take a more active role in their wellbeing.

The campaign focuses on integrating wellness into daily routines through categories such as vitamins, supplements, skincare, NMN and probiotics, supporting women across different needs and life stages.

BIG CARING Group head of product marketing Lim Chee Mun said the new campaign takes a holistic approach to women’s health, linking inner wellness, outer wellbeing, and mental health in daily life. — Picture courtesy of CARiNG Pharmacy

CARiNG Pharmacy said the initiative emphasises the link between inner wellness — including nutrition, hormonal balance, energy and immunity — and outer wellbeing such as skin, hair and confidence, alongside mental and emotional health.

A network of health and personal care brands, including Herbs of Gold, VitaHealth, Kinohimitsu, BiO‑LiFE, PureMed, La Roche‑Posay, CeraVe and Cetaphil, will support the campaign with a range of products spanning supplements, nutrition and skincare.

The campaign was launched at CARiNG’s women wellness event “Reset Your Me‑Time,” which featured a panel discussion with BIG CARING Group’s head of product marketing Lim Chee Mun, Dr Amanda Elli and DoubleWoot co‑founder Helen Tan, followed by a runway showcase.

BIG CARING Group head of product marketing Lim Chee Mun, Dr Amanda Elli (Dr Unicorn) and DoubleWoot co‑founder Helen Tan discuss health, confidence and self‑expression during the panel session. — Picture courtesy of CARiNG Pharmacy

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — Malaysia has made a major breakthrough in badminton with the launch of the world’s first AI-powered instant review system (IRS) to receive Badminton World Federation (BWF) approval.

Developed by Malaysian sports-technology firm Revealtek Sdn Bhd, the system was deployed at the PETRONAS National Under-18 Badminton Championship in Selangor from April 22 to 27, bringing elite-level line-calling technology into grassroots competition.

It was previously used at the Affin 100Plus Junior Elite Tournament (Leg 2 — Group B) earlier this month.

Players can challenge line calls using AI-powered cameras, with match footage reviewed and decisions delivered within seconds on whether a shuttle lands in or out. The result is displayed on screens visible to players, officials and spectators.

Revealtek Sdn Bhd is a sports technology company providing digital officiating and broadcast solutions for badminton tournaments.

The system is deployed through the company’s Reveal Digital Badminton Suite, which integrates the Reveal Lens Instant Review System (IRS), a digital scoring platform for umpires, and a live streaming system with real-time score overlays for stadium displays and broadcast audiences.

Reveal Lens is one of only four systems globally approved by the BWF and is designed for rapid deployment across courts of varying sizes without fixed infrastructure. It can be set up in under an hour and operates fully wirelessly.

A look at Revealtek’s Reveal Lens Instant Review System. — Picture courtesy of Revealtek

Chief executive officer and co-founder Nizam Mohamed said the system was developed to address cost and infrastructure barriers that have traditionally limited instant review technology to elite tournaments.

He said comparable systems used at international events typically require fixed installations, specialist crews and operational costs that can exceed US$100,000 (RM396,750) per tournament, placing them out of reach for the vast majority of competitions worldwide.

“Until now, this level of officiating technology has largely been limited to international tournaments with significant resources. With Reveal Lens, a junior tournament in Selangor can have the same officiating standard as a world-tour event in Denmark and we welcome organisations ready to take that step with us,” he added.

The system also provides video replay data for use in performance analysis by players and coaches.

Nizam said it is designed to operate on any court with minimal setup, reducing technical requirements and making it accessible to national associations, state bodies and tournament organisers.

Beyond line calls, it helps maintain match flow through faster decisions, reduces disputes through visual evidence, and supports post-match review for training purposes.

Revealtek CEO Nizam Mohamed received a token of appreciation for deploying the world’s first AI-powered instant review system at the Petronas National Under-18 Championships 2026. — Picture courtesy of Revealtek

“We have received positive feedback from players, coaches and officials, who noted clearer line calls and an improved match experience even at junior-level competition,” he added.

Revealtek aims to make its officiating technology accessible across all levels of badminton, including international tournaments, state associations, private clubs, social events and recreational matches, supported by flexible pricing for wider adoption of professional systems.

This positions Malaysia as a global supplier of badminton technology.

PUTRAJAYA, April 30 — The government’s recent expenditure adjustment measures will not affect essential public services such as healthcare, education, security and other core services, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said today.

The MOF said the cuts only involve non-essential spending as part of efforts to manage finances better amid global economic pressures.

“Operating expenditure adjustment guidelines only involve non-critical spending, while all core expenditures including basic services, security, health and education will continue as approved in the 2026 Budget.”

MOF said funding for key ministries like Health and Education will continue under Budget 2026.

It said the changes include postponing events, reducing overseas travel and training, cutting utility use, using agency reserves more efficiently, and delaying non-essential hiring.

“In line with responsible national financial management, these adjustment measures are prioritised to create fiscal space to fund targeted aid and subsidies to protect vulnerable groups and sectors affected by the global supply crisis.”

The ministry said the move is meant to free up funds to help those affected by global economic uncertainty.

MOF added it will continue improving spending efficiency to strengthen the country’s ability to handle external economic shocks.

“The MOF will continue to proactively and systematically improve spending efficiency to strengthen national resilience in facing the global supply crisis, which is expected to have a deep and prolonged impact on the national economy.”

It said Malaysia will continue balancing spending carefully to ensure essential services remain funded while maintaining financial stability.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) has mobilised employee volunteers to deliver immediate disaster relief worth RM270,000 to 1,000 families displaced by the recent fire in Kampung Bahagia, Sandakan.

The foundation said in a statement that the assistance, provided with support from Sime Industrial and SD Guthrie volunteers, was distributed between April 26 and 28 in collaboration with the Sabah Social Welfare Department (JKM) and local community leaders.

“When families suddenly lose everything overnight, the immediate priority is to restore stability and dignity; and in times like these, caring for one another matters more than ever,” YSD chief executive officer Yatela Zainal Abidin said.

She said YSD viewed it as a shared responsibility to stand with affected communities and ensure essential support reaches those most vulnerable as they begin rebuilding their lives.

The fire, which broke out in the early hours of April 19, destroyed more than 1,000 homes and affected over 9,000 residents, with some families sheltering in temporary evacuation centres and others remaining in the village in makeshift tents.

YSD said volunteers helped pack and distribute mattresses, pillows and hygiene kits to eight temporary evacuation centres, including SK Kampung Gas, SK Kampung Bahagia, SMK Batu Sapi, SK Karamunting, PPR Batu Sapi, Gelanggang Futsal Sim-Sim, Dewan Serbaguna Warga Tua and Dewan Sibuga.

One of the victims, 63 year old Labia Atiun, who is currently staying at Dewan Serbaguna Warga Tua, said the fire spread rapidly and left families with nothing.

“The fire spread so quickly that everything was lost in an instant,” she said, adding that she now needs to find a rental home costing RM600 to RM700 a month.

Community leader Rozaizar Rozaine, 39, said he worked with YSD volunteers and residents to coordinate the distribution of aid to 580 families on April 27 using organised queues and a coupon system.

He said, “I was born and raised in Kampung Bahagia, and our community is still in shock after the fire. Despite this, life goes on, people continue working and sending their children to school. 

“We believe families will return because this is our home, and we hope for continued support to help our community rebuild together, not just through one-off aid,” he added.

YSD said the distribution was carried out with JKM, which continues to manage operations at the evacuation centres, alongside ongoing engagement from the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, including a visit by minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

The foundation said it remains committed to supporting disaster affected communities through timely and coordinated interventions.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — Hyperscale data centre platform company AirTrunk will increase its investment in Malaysia by up to RM12 billion this year, bringing its total committed investment to RM27 billion, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

In a Facebook post, Anwar said the matter was conveyed during a courtesy visit by AirTrunk founder and chief executive officer Robin Khuda and his delegation yesterday.

He said discussions also covered the progress of AirTrunk’s ongoing data centre construction in Johor, as well as efforts to develop a localisation framework to boost participation of local companies in the data centre value chain.

Anwar said the expanded investment commitment reflects growing investor confidence in Malaysia’s position as a competitive and capable regional digital hub.

He added that the development also underscores trust from global technology firms in Malaysia as a strategic partner, particularly as the government continues refining policies and strengthening capabilities in data centre development and operations.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — A man with 13 prior criminal records was arrested after he allegedly attempted to kill a police officer in an incident at the edge of a paddy field along Jalan Masjid Tok Che Dol in Tanah Merah, Kelantan, yesterday afternoon.

In the 5.57pm incident, two shots were fired at the rear tyres of a pickup truck after the suspect allegedly acted aggressively and tried to ram police officers during an arrest attempt, according to a report by Utusan Malaysia. 

Tanah Merah district police chief Supt Mohd Haki Hasbullah said the incident happened during a patrol when officers spotted an Isuzu D-Max pickup truck being driven in a suspicious manner.

He said the suspect fled upon noticing the police presence, leading officers to pursue him into a padi field area.

“The suspect then suddenly stopped the pickup and acted aggressively by reversing the vehicle at high speed, hitting the front of a police vehicle.

“Despite being ordered to get out, the suspect refused to cooperate and attempted to ram officers by repeatedly reversing the pickup,” he said when contacted on Thursday.

Mohd Haki said, for self-defence, officers ordered a shot to be fired at the rear tyres of the suspect’s vehicle.

The first shot hit the right rear tyre, while the second struck the left rear tyre.

“The suspect still refused to stop. However, the swift action of the officers resulted in his arrest without any injuries,” he said.

Checks revealed the suspect had 13 prior criminal records.

The case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — A military personnel has been charged in the magistrates’ court here over a fatal road crash on the Maju Expressway (MEX) involving a Bangladeshi gaming content creator earlier this month.

Jad Faid Arhan, 31, is accused of causing the death of Muzahid Millad, 22, a popular online gamer known as “Advance Gaming”, at kilometre 1.9 of the highway along the Salak Selatan to Jalan Tun Razak stretch on April 23.

According to the New Straits Times, the accused appeared calm in court when the charge was read out before magistrate Noorelynna Hanim Abd Halim. He nodded and confirmed he understood the charge.

He was dressed in a red collared T-shirt and dark blue jeans, and was handcuffed in the dock. The court also instructed him to remove his face mask before proceedings began.

Meanwhile, Free Malaysia Today reported that the charge carries the death penalty upon conviction. If the death sentence is not imposed, he faces imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, along with whipping.

The offence is alleged to have taken place at about 5.30am.

Magistrate Illi Marisqa Khalizan set July 21 for mention. No bail was offered. 

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — A man was found dead in a fire that destroyed five single-storey terrace houses along Jalan E5/11, Taman Ehsan Kepong, in Kepong, in the early hours of Thursday.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Assistant Director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the department received an emergency call at 2.31am, with the first engine from Selayang Fire and Rescue Station arriving at the scene about 19 minutes later, according to Astro Awani.

“The fire involved five Class A houses, each measuring 20 by 60 feet, with estimated destruction ranging between 20 per cent and 100 per cent. The fire was brought under control at 3.42am.

“At 4.29am, a male victim aged 53 was found burnt on a bed inside one of the bedrooms. He was confirmed dead at the scene,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

Ahmad Mukhlis said two vehicles — a Hyundai Getz and a Hyundai XG 250 — were also completely destroyed in the blaze.

He said one house was completely destroyed, two others were 80 per cent damaged, while the remaining two sustained about 20 per cent damage each.

He added that the firefighting operation involved personnel from Selayang Fire and Rescue Station, assisted by Rawang, Jinjang and Manjalara stations, with a total of 27 firefighters and several vehicles including Fire Rescue Tender (FRT), Water Tanker (WT), Compact Fire Rescue Tender (CFRT) and Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS).

“The fire was fully extinguished at 7.15am and overhaul work is still being carried out to ensure there are no remaining fire sources that could reignite the blaze.

“The victim’s body has been handed over to police for further action. The cause of the fire and total losses are still under investigation,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — A foreign couple were detained after police suspected them of keeping a homemade air rifle and failing to produce valid identification documents during a raid at an unnumbered house in Felda Purun Oil Palm Estate here yesterday.

Bera district police chief Superintendent Zulkiflee Nazir said the duo were arrested during Op Taring Laras conducted by the intelligence unit of Battalion 7, General Operations Force (GOF) Kuantan, according to Buletin TV3.

He said the raid was carried out at 7.50pm on April 28 following intelligence on suspicious activities in the area.

“During a search in the bedroom, we found a black and brown air rifle placed at a corner of the room.

“Checks on the occupants also found that both failed to produce any valid travel or identification documents to remain in Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.

He said the couple comprised a 43-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman.

Preliminary investigations found that they were believed to be husband and wife and had been staying in Malaysia for about two years.

“However, further inspection found no bullets or pellets in the house,” he added.

Zulkiflee said both suspects were taken to the Bera district police headquarters together with the seized items for further action.

The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — A married elderly couple was killed after their car lost control and crashed into a drain along Kilometre 19 of Jalan Kuala Pilah–Simpang Pertang, near Jempol, Negeri Sembilan, around 7.30pm yesterday.

Jempol district police chief Superintendent Norhisham Mustapar said the victims were travelling in a Proton Saga from Simpang Pertang towards Kuala Pilah when the incident occurred, Harian Metro reported. 

He said the vehicle was driven by a 75-year-old man, with his 65-year-old wife as the passenger.

“The incident is believed to have occurred after the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer into the opposite lane before skidding into a drain.

“As a result, both victims suffered severe head injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene,” he said in a statement last night.

The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless or dangerous driving causing death.

Norhisham also urged witnesses of the incident to come forward to assist investigations by contacting Investigating Officer Inspector Mohd Amirul Syafiq Mohd Yusof at 016-2348669.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — A special meeting will be convened soon to address concerns raised by councillors over a light show in Kelana Jaya, which has sparked questions about its approval process and public safety.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the matter would be discussed in a dedicated session involving the event organiser.

According to The Star, the issue was raised during the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) full board meeting, where councillors said they were not informed about how approval for the event was granted.

Councillor Kusaaliny Mahendran questioned how the approval was given, stressing that while MBPJ should remain business-friendly, safety considerations must not be compromised.

“What if there is an accident?” she asked.

Councillor Yip Sean Yi said approval procedures must be strictly followed to ensure public safety, adding that inconsistencies were observed when different department heads were questioned about the project.

“When questions are raised, they go unanswered at meetings,” she said.

Another councillor, Terrance Tan Teck Seng, also raised concerns over safety, noting the event involves heavy lighting and is open to children.

He also pointed out that the event would be subject to entertainment tax, which would go to the state government, adding that more details were needed.

Councillor Ong Yew Thai suggested the event be temporarily postponed pending further review.

Mohamad Zahri, however, said there was no need to halt the event, noting that similar shows have been held at multiple locations nationwide.

He said the setup takes about a month, with the show running for another month, and added that safety requirements had been addressed.

“All aspects, including safety, have been addressed. However, the councillors were not aware,” he said after chairing the meeting at MBPJ headquarters in Jalan Yong Shook Lin.

He added that MBPJ would hold a special session next week for the organiser to explain the project.

The light show is scheduled to run until June 7.

Separately, Mohamad Zahri said MBPJ had resolved 78 per cent of the 19,879 complaints received between January and March, with issues mainly involving infrastructure, waste management, unlicensed businesses, public nuisance and development compliance.

He said the council is now using a data-driven approach to analyse complaints by category, location and response time to improve service delivery and operational planning.

“The analysis helps optimise resources and improve the planning of on-site operations,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — The outcome of preacher Ebit Lew’s long-running court case will be known this evening, when the Tenom Magistrates’ Court delivers its decision on 11 charges involving alleged sexual harassment.

The verdict is scheduled to be delivered at 4.30pm, following confirmation from both the defence and prosecution teams, according to a report published in Sinar Harian.

The 41-year-old, whose real name is Ebit Irawan Ibrahim, has been on trial since September 2022 before Magistrate Nur Asyraf Zolhani. A total of 18 prosecution witnesses have testified during the proceedings.

He faces 11 charges under Section 509 of the Penal Code for allegedly sending obscene images and words via WhatsApp between March and June 2021, said to have intended to insult the modesty of the complainant.

The prosecution team is led by deputy public prosecutors Nor Azizah Mohamad, Zahida Zakaria and Analia Kamaruddin.

Ebit Lew is represented by a legal team comprising Datuk Ram Singh, Kamarudin Mohmad Chinki, Timothy Daut, Mohd Syarulnizam Salleh Keruak and Prem Elmer Ganasan.