KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 — When the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) released its National Transfer Accounts (NTA) 2022, Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin described it as a way to capture a simple but often overlooked reality: Malaysians rely on one another at different stages of life.

NTA is a framework that tracks how income and consumption are distributed across age groups, while showing how resources flow between generations.

At its core, the framework breaks the economy down by age.

In childhood and youth, individuals consume more than they produce, relying on families and the government for support. This shifts during the working years, when people begin earning income and eventually generate a surplus.

According to Uzir, Malaysians typically enter this surplus phase between their late 20s and mid-50s, when earnings exceed consumption. In later years, as income declines, individuals once again depend on savings, family support and public transfers.

Beyond GDP: Tracking who pays

Unlike traditional indicators such as GDP, which measure overall economic output, NTA focuses on who ultimately finances consumption.

It traces how resources move through three main channels:

• The market: through wages and employment
• The government: through taxes and public spending
• Households: through family support

The framework also captures transfers within families — such as parents supporting children or adults caring for elderly relatives — which are typically not reflected in national accounts.

A lifecycle view of the economy

NTA divides life into three broad economic phases:

• Youth (0–14 years): Consumption exceeds production, with heavy reliance on family and government support for education, healthcare and daily needs.
• Working age (15–64 years): Individuals generate income through employment and generally produce more than they consume.
• Old age (65+ years): Income declines while consumption continues, creating another phase of dependency supported by savings, family transfers and public systems.

A key concept in NTA is the lifecycle deficit.

Most individuals run a deficit early and later in life, when consumption exceeds income. Only during their prime working years do they generate a surplus, which is effectively redistributed across society.

This surplus helps fund education, healthcare and support for older persons, either within families or through public systems.

Why it matters for Malaysia

In 2022, Malaysia’s population stood at 32.7 million, with nearly 70 per cent in the working-age group. However, the country is also ageing, with a rising share of older persons and an increasing dependency ratio.

NTA offers policymakers a tool to assess how sustainable current systems are, especially as fewer workers will need to support more dependents in the future.

DOSM said the framework can support evidence-based policymaking to manage demographic changes more effectively.

It can also guide decisions on key areas such as:

• Retirement and pension systems
• Healthcare funding
• Education investment
• Tax structures
• Income redistribution

Uzir said more detailed NTA data — including breakdowns by state and income group — is being developed, which could allow for more targeted policy responses.

At a broader level, NTA reframes the economy as an intergenerational system.

It underscores a fundamental reality: no age group is economically independent — each stage of life depends on another.

For Malaysia, the challenge ahead is ensuring that today’s working population can generate sufficient surplus, save adequately, and sustain a system capable of supporting a rapidly ageing society.

PARIS, April 29 — Images of bareheaded women sipping coffee in cafes in Tehran, in apparent defiance of the Islamic republic’s strict dress rule, have stirred interest outside Iran — but for Elnaz, 32, it is no breakthrough.

“It is not at all a sign of any change in the government in my opinion. Because no achievement has been made regarding women’s rights,” said Elnaz, a painter in Tehran, who like other women in the capital and elsewhere contacted by AFP in Paris asked that her full name not be published.

“Under the surface, in reality, no real change has taken place in people’s freedom, especially when it comes to women’s basic rights,” she said.

Wearing the headscarf in public has been mandatory for women since shortly after the Islamic Revolution of 1979 in what was long seen as an ideological pillar of the clerical leadership.

But enforcement of the rule appears to have slackened, at least in parts of Tehran and other cities.

The trend began following the 2022-2023 protests sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested in Tehran for allegedly ignoring the dress code.

It continued through the June 2025 war with Israel, January protests sparked by the cost of living and now the war against the US and Israel that is on hold with a ceasefire.

There is little sign of the dreaded white patrol vans of the so-called morality police that used to lurk in squares and on street corners to haul in women deemed to have violated the rules.

But the picture remains mixed and the situation evolving, with wearing hijab still a matter of choice for some women. It is not uncommon even in more liberal areas of Tehran to see women with and without the headscarf walking together.

Years ago ‘only a dream’ 

Iranian women walk at the Revolution Square in Tehran on April 28, 2026. — AFP pic

In some areas the change has been startling, with scenes of women casually strolling without a headscarf that would have been unthinkable half a decade ago.

“I’m happy for all of them, because until just three years ago this was only a dream,” said Zahra, 57, a housewife from Isfahan in central Iran.

“My youth has passed and I didn’t get to have this experience; now I don’t wear it anymore, but I wish I could have experienced these days when I was young.”

But women can still be summoned by authorities for not wearing hijab, and cafes shut down for failing to enforce the rule, while often women must wear the garment to enter banks, educational establishments and official buildings.

Moreover, the rights of women are still restricted and they live under a system that arrested tens of thousands of people following the January protests and thousands more, including women, in the current war, according to rights groups.

“Beautiful photos of cafes and girls are being shared everywhere, but as cafe owners, we’ve been paying a lot for that,” said Negin, 34, who owns a cafe in Tehran.

“We’ve been treated very harshly over these years, continuing until this day. We’ve been shut down multiple times, fined and had to pay bribes... What makes me even angrier is when they call this ‘freedom’ and they say women are being freer,” she added.

‘More widespread’ 

Amnesty International said this month that “widespread resistance” to the obligatory hijab “forced authorities to retreat from the violent mass arrests and assaults of previous years”.

“However, authorities continued to use existing laws and regulations to enforce compulsory veiling in workplaces, universities and other public sector institutions, leaving women and girls who resisted facing harassment, assault, arbitrary arrest, fines and expulsion from employment and education,” it added.

One noticeable change has been state television broadcasting images of Iranian women not wearing hijab — but only so long as they back the Islamic republic and denounce Iran’s enemies in what critics see as a cynical ploy.

“More women are putting their fear aside each day and trying out what it’s like to go out without hijab, and it’s gradually becoming more widespread,” said Shahrzad, 39, a Tehran housewife.

An Iranian woman carrying a child walks at the Revolution Square in Tehran on April 28, 2026. — AFP pic

“But I don’t see any change in the government system. It’s the same as before, aside from those videos of girls going in front of state news cameras without hijab and saying ‘my leader, my leader, I will sacrifice myself for him’.”

‘Don’t see any significant change’ 

The situation is far from uniform across Iran.

Mahsa, a 32-year-old student, said rules and observance are tighter in the major eastern city of Mashhad, home to one of the holiest shrines in Shia Islam.

“Before the 12-day war (against Israel in June), in Mashhad they wouldn’t let us in anywhere without hijab,” she said.

“Now they do let people in, but unfortunately, we haven’t had the same level of change that people in Tehran have seen over the past three years.”

Farnaz, 41 from Isfahan, which is generally seen as one of Iran’s more conservative big cities, said she had been summoned to appear in court over hijab observance later this month.

“In Isfahan, for the past few days they’ve started sealing cafes again over hijab issues. They didn’t even wait for the situation with the war to be clarified.

“Here, you’re dealing both with the government and with people. Like before in some neighbourhoods, religious people sometimes warn you and harass you. It’s not just about the morality police.”

“I don’t see any significant change,” she added.

Maryam, 35, also from Isfahan, said women without hijab would not be served in some banks and shopworkers have to wear it.

“If you are involved in social or economic activity, you are expected to observe hijab.”

Zahra, the housewife from Isfahan, said “we paid a very high price to get here”, after the crackdown on the Mahsa Amini protests killed hundreds of people according to rights groups.

“Right now, they (the authorities) are just distracted by the war. But after that, who knows what they will do about it,” she said. — AFP 

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 —  The inaugural Rain Rave Water Music Festival (RRWMF) which will transform the streets of Bukit Bintang into a wet dance floor, begins tomorrow.

The three-day free-for-all music festival will take place from April 30 to May 2 in conjunction with the World Labour Day celebration.

With the exciting DJ lineup already announced last week, here is a breakdown of what to expect at the upcoming RRWMF. 

The lineup

Headlining the event is Singaporean DJ Wukong, who will team up with Dutch duo Bassjackers for a special “Wujackers” set.

While both acts are seasoned names in the EDM circuit, their joint performances are rare.

Their first live appearance under the Wujackers moniker took place at Pitt KL’s second anniversary celebration last year.

Wukong has performed at major festivals such as Tomorrowland Ibiza, while Bassjackers are regulars at Tomorrowland, cementing their reputation on the global stage.

Local acts performing at RRWMF include Joe Flizzow, Killa Driz, Dj CZA, Mimifly, De Fam and Dolla. — Picture courtesy of Tourism Malaysia

They will be joined by an all-female international DJ roster featuring Lovezy (Philippines), Moski Love (Indonesia), Pixzy, Yoyo Music, MiJi (Thailand), and Loa (South Korea).

Local names will also take the stage, including Joe Flizzow, Killa Driz and DJ Cza, alongside Mimifly and girl groups Dolla and De Fam.

As the festival is open to all ages, a selection of kid-friendly DJs — including DJ Ameer, Werno, Cube Crushers and DJ Ethan — will also perform.

Event highlights

The festival will feature three themed areas: Rhythm of Rain, Rhythm of Flavours and Rhythm of Cultures.

The main stage, located in front of Pavilion Bukit Bintang, will host international and local acts throughout the three days.

Performances will run from 6pm to midnight on April 30, from 2.30pm to midnight on May 1, and from 2pm to midnight on May 2.

Nearby, JW Marriott Bukit Bintang will serve as the food hub, while Lot 10 will showcase local arts, crafts and traditional performances, alongside Malaysian cuisine. Both areas will operate daily from 10am to 10pm.

Aside from that, here is the scheduled rundown of performances during the three-day festival:

For its first day (April 30), performances will start from 5.45pm with DJ Syko Saw, DJ Werno, DJ Ameer, DJ Ethan, DJ Cube Crusher and DJ Wasabi (featuring Cultural Dance) taking turns on the stage until 7.30pm.

This is followed by the main headliners; Joe Flizzow, Killa Driz and DJ CZA as well as Dolla taking the stage between 8.10pm to 8.30pm which is then continued by another slew of performances by DJ TZ (featuring a Kung Fu performance), DJ Def, DJ Dirty Signal and DJ Noize Factor.

Thai DJs Pixzy and Yoyo will be concluding the first day performances with an hour set each.

For its second day (May 1), the first set of performances which includes a total of 13 DJs will run from 2.30pm until 7.30pm.

This is followed by De Fam taking centre stage at 8.40pm and a special “Symphony of Water and Light” showcase which is then followed by performances by local DJs Bee C and Reeve.

The night continues with Filipino DJ Lovezy who will take the stage at 10.30pm followed by the highly anticipated set by Wujackers at 11.30pm, thus concluding the second day rundown.

The third day (May 2) will kick off at 2pm with a couple of Malaysian cultural fashion shows which is then followed by another slew of DJ performances until 7.30pm.

Mimifly will be the main headliner for the third day with her expected to take centre stage at 8.15pm which is then followed by DJ sets from DJ Sherry Alyssa and DJ Nahsyk.

The final day will conclude with three performances including by Indonesian DJ Moski Love, South Korean DJ Loa and Chinese DJ MiJi. 

Beyond Kuala Lumpur, seven states — Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka, Kedah, Labuan, Pahang and Terengganu — will host complementary Labour Day-themed activities.

 

 

 

 

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Why Rain Rave?

While a government-led EDM festival may seem unusual, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has previously reassured that the festival will be held in an organised manner under strict monitoring and aligns with the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) campaign. 

The VM2026 campaign aims to stimulate Kuala Lumpur's economy, drive the tourism industry and support small and medium-sized businesses.

Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia via a previous press release said that the RRWMF remains rooted in Malaysian identity and they are aiming to merge it with a contemporary approach that reflects both tradition and modern creativity.

“Inspired by rain as a vital natural element in Malaysia’s environment, the festival transforms this familiar element into a creative and cultural expression while showcasing Malaysia’s diverse cultural traditions, through traditional performances, food, and games.

“Held in conjunction with Labour Day, the festival serves as a meaningful tribute to the contributions of all working communities and will be developed as a signature annual event, strengthening its role as a key highlight in Malaysia’s tourism calendar and positioning the country as a youthful and energetic destination,” Tourism Malaysia wrote in the press release.

Road closures

Motorists should note that Jalan Bukit Bintang will be affected throughout the festival period.

Partial lane closures will take place from April 22 to 28 between 11pm and 5am on weekdays, and from midnight to 7am on weekends. The road will be fully closed from April 29 to May 2.

Drivers will be diverted to Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Raja Chulan and Jalan Imbi.

Authorities are encouraging the use of public transport, with MRT, LRT and Monorail services expected to operate at increased capacity.

Visitors are advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.

For more information and updates on the RRWMF, please visit their official website via https://rainrave.my/#HOME.

 

 

 

 

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VANCOUVER, April 29 — Fifa on Tuesday boosted overall World Cup cash distributions to nearly US$900 million (RM3.5 billion) following concerns over the spiraling costs for teams taking part in the tournament.

Football’s global governing body said in a statement that money shared between the 48 teams taking part in the finals in Mexico, Canada and the United States would now total US$871 million, up from an initial figure of US$727 million announced in December.

The cash injection was announced following a meeting of Fifa’s ruling council ahead of the body’s Congress taking place in Vancouver on Thursday.

The hefty increase comes after several Fifa members reportedly argued that the high cost of travel, tax and overall operations could result in them losing money from taking part in the tournament.

Fifa has now moved to alleviate those concerns, hiking an award of US$1.5 million for “preparation costs” to US$2.5 million for each of the qualified teams.

A payment of US$9 million for qualifying for the tournament has also been increased to US$10 million.

Further contributions for team delegation costs and increased team ticketing allocations are also part of the overall increase.

“Fifa is proud to be in its most solid financial position ever, enabling us to help all our member associations in an unprecedented way,” Fifa President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

“This is one more example of how Fifa’s resources are reinvested back into the game.”

Fifa is projected to earn around US$13 billion from the current four-year World Cup cycle, which concludes with this year’s tournament, the largest World Cup in history.

Fifa’s prize money for the 2026 tournament announced last year had already shattered the cash handed out at the 2022 World Cup, increasing by 50 percent.

The increase in cash payments comes with Fifa increasingly under fire for the high cost of tickets to the tournament, while some local authorities in the United States have dramatically raised transport costs during the event.

Mouth-covering crackdown 

Fifa, meanwhile, also confirmed law changes which will be rolled out at the World Cup, which kicks off in Mexico City on June 11.

From now on, players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents will face a red card as part of a new initiative aimed at combating racism.

In a statement following a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Vancouver on Tuesday, Fifa confirmed that the rule was one of two law changes that would be introduced at the World Cup.

“At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card,” Fifa said.

The new rule follows controversy earlier this year when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior during a Champions League game in February.

Prestianni was accused of calling Vinicius a “monkey” repeatedly while covering his mouth. Prestianni denied racially abusing Vinicius but was later banned for six matches — with three of those suspended — for “homophobic conduct”.

In a separate law change announced on Tuesday to be enforced at the World Cup, Fifa said that red cards would also be introduced for players leaving the field of play in protest at a referee’s decision.

Fifa also said a team causing a game to be abandoned will forfeit the match.

The move follows the uproar at this year’s final of the Africa Cup of Nations, when Senegal’s players, head coach Pape Thiaw and his staff walked off the pitch in Rabat after Morocco were awarded a penalty in added time, which forward Brahim Diaz ultimately missed.

Senegal went on to win the final 1-0 in extra time, but were sensationally stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in a bombshell decision issued last month.

Fifa has also approved a change to the way sanctions are enforced during the World Cup.

From this year’s tournament, single yellow cards issued to players in the group stage will be cancelled after the first round, and then again after the quarter-finals.

The move is aimed at ensuring that star players do not find themselves suspended for crucial games in the tournament after collecting two separate yellow cards. — AFP 

MECCA, April 29 — Who would have thought that in the heart of the holy city of Makkah, Malaysian pilgrims can still savour nasi lemak, nasi kerabu, nasi dagang and a variety of local dishes that taste just like home throughout their Haj journey.

Behind these appetising dishes is the effort of former national footballer Hairuddin Omar, who has ventured into the food business in Makkah to bring Malaysian flavours closer to pilgrims.

He said the idea of opening a Malaysian food café in Rehab Janadriyah, about 1.7 kilometres from Masjidil Haram, came from observing how pilgrims often long for Malaysian cuisine while performing Haj.

“When they are here for a long time, they will certainly miss Malaysian food. So I want to offer something that makes them feel closer to home,” he said when met here.

He said the café caters 100 per cent to Malaysian taste, ensuring every dish is prepared using authentic recipes and quality ingredients.

The café operates as early as 4am until 10pm, with its schedule tailored to the pilgrims’ daily routine, especially after ‘Subuh’ prayers when breakfast demand surges. — Bernama pic

Among the popular menu items are nasi lemak, nasi kerabu, nasi dagang, asam pedas, lontong and roti canai, dishes that are hard to find in the surrounding area, making them a preferred choice for pilgrims to start their day.

To preserve authenticity, Hairuddin brings in three chefs from Malaysia and prepares the food at a central kitchen in Kudai before delivering it to the café.

During the Haj season, in addition to operating the café, he also supplies food to several hotels housing thousands of Malaysian pilgrims, allowing more pilgrims to enjoy home-style meals.

He said the main focus is breakfast, since most Haj packages only provide lunch and dinner.

The idea of opening a Malaysian food café in Rehab Janadriyah, about 1.7 kilometres from Masjidil Haram, came from observing how pilgrims often long for Malaysian cuisine while performing Haj. — Bernama pic

“Once food is taken care of, pilgrims are less burdened and can fully focus on their worship,” he said.

At the same time, he acknowledged facing various challenges, including compliance with Saudi Arabia’s food safety regulations, logistical issues and sourcing raw ingredients, all of which require careful planning.

“We bring some of the spices from Malaysia to ensure the taste remains truly authentic and helps ease the pilgrims’ homesickness,” he said.

The café operates as early as 4am until 10pm, with its schedule tailored to the pilgrims’ daily routine, especially after Subuh prayers when breakfast demand surges.

For Hairuddin, the effort is not merely a business, but a form of service to pilgrims who come to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam, while bringing a little taste of home to the holy land. — Bernama 

To preserve authenticity, Hairuddin brings in three chefs from Malaysia and prepares the food at a central kitchen in Kudai before delivering it to the café. — Bernama pic

BEIJING, April 29 — At a dusty lot an hour outside Beijing, a steady stream of vehicles come and go for a quick battery charge — just one node in China’s rapidly expanding network of electric trucks.

While the country’s prowess in electric passenger vehicles has long been known globally, electric trucks have only recently gained traction.

Now powered by extensive charging and battery-swapping infrastructure, the cost structures clearly favour electric models, experts say, in a potentially fatal blow for conventional diesel rigs.

“Last year was the breakthrough for heavy electrified vehicles in China,” Lauri Myllyvirta, co-founder of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and expert on China’s energy consumption, told AFP.

“If the infrastructure is there, the economics are there for an increasing number of logistics routes and requirements,” he said.

Adoption of alternatives to diesel trucks in the world’s second-largest economy has noticeably accelerated in recent years.

New-energy models accounted for 29 per cent of all domestic truck sales in China last year, up from 14 per cent in 2024, according to data from Beijing-based market intelligence provider Commercial Vehicle World.

A driver swiping a card to charge his electric truck at a charging station in Beijing. — AFP pic

The penetration rate was less than one per cent as recently as 2021, according to the firm.

Manufacturers say they expect that share to continue swelling, potentially reaching a majority of sales in just a few years.

At the bustling charging station in Beijing’s Miyun District, 43-year-old truck driver Wang told AFP how his job had changed since he started driving an electric model last year.

“It’s such a breeze!” he said after plugging in the charging cables.

“My old vehicle had over 10 gears, and its operation was so cumbersome. But with this one, you don’t have to do a thing — it’s all automatic.”

‘All about speed’ 

Asked why he thought logistics firms like his were increasingly switching to electric trucks, Wang said it was a combination of national policies and simple market logic.

“It’s just survival of the fittest. Now, with freight expenses and everything, people are trying to earn a bit more, and this one has lower operating costs.”

Another driver at the charging station, surnamed Zhang, told AFP that he has been driving an electric truck for around two months after switching from one powered by natural gas.

At a dusty lot an hour outside Beijing, a steady stream of vehicles come and go for a quick battery charge — just one node in China’s rapidly expanding network of electric trucks. — AFP pic

His job mainly involves hauling sand and stone on short journeys around Beijing, Zhang told AFP, noting that the truck is not suited for longer shipments.

The new sky-blue model Zhang drives — made by the Howo brand of state-owned firm Sinotruk — has a maximum range of 240-250 kilometres (149–155 miles), he said.

“The power is pretty strong, the acceleration is fast. It’s all about speed, but the range is a bit lacking,” he said.

As domestic adoption of electric trucks picks up pace, Chinese firms are thinking more about overseas markets.

“Similar to passenger vehicles, China’s heavy truck manufacturers are beginning to view export markets as an inevitable strategy due to rising competition and the eventual saturation in the Chinese market,” said Christopher Doleman, an analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

‘Electric is superior’ 

Recent disruption in global energy markets as a result of the Middle East war is a “potential accelerant” for this trend, Doleman told AFP.

“There is likely to be higher demand for electric heavy-duty vehicles as fleet owners try to minimise their vulnerability to volatile diesel costs,” he said.

According to Han Wen, founder of electric truck start-up Windrose Technology, the war “already has” boosted demand.

This picture taken on April 23, 2026 shows an electric truck at a charging station in Beijing. — AFP pic

Founded in 2022, Belgium-based Windrose is seeking to leverage China’s advanced EV supply chains to position itself in the emerging global long-haul electric truck market — competing with Tesla’s electric “Semi”.

“For trucks, range is by far the constraining factor,” Han told AFP, noting that Windrose trucks can currently drive about 700 kilometres on a full charge, with plans to extend that to 1,000 kilometres in 2030.

Having secured road approval across Europe, China, the United States and South America, Windrose is now looking to ramp up production.

“We’re going to build about 1,000 trucks this year,” Han said, followed by goals of 10,000 next year and 100,000 in 2030.

“Economically, there is no more question at all that electric is superior,” he added.

“I think we’re right on the cusp of a total obliteration of diesel trucks as a product category.” — AFP 

FUEFUKI (Japan), April 29 — A worn-out Pikachu plushie, tired teddy bear or stained stuffed animal can all get a new lease on life at a Japanese laundry service making beloved toys squeaky clean again.

Masakazu Shimura, a cleaning professional with three decades of experience, gave one stuffed Pokemon already in good condition a steam shower, carefully brushing it after a gentle bubble scrub, almost as if caring for a newborn baby.

Videos of the meticulous care the cuddly toys receive at his workplace, Cleaning Yonmarusan, have mesmerised plushy fans on social media, awarding the high-end fabric care viral fame and attracting customers from around the world.

Relying on his expertise and experience cleaning everything from dress shirts to camping tents, Shimura washes and restores the delicate fabric of soft toys.

Masakazu Shimura brushes a soft toy during the cleaning process. — AFP pic

“While hand-washing, I carefully feel what kind of material it is and assess the condition of the material and so on, gently massaging it with my hands as I wash it,” he told AFP.

Shimura is among a dozen certified cleaning professionals at Yonmarusan, a regional chain in Yamanashi, west of Tokyo.

While the firm has been cleaning soft toys for decades, business has boomed thanks to viral social media posts in recent years on the back of a Gen Z adoration for plushies and Japan’s love for everything cute and cuddly.

Today, the service cleans more than 10,000 soft toys every year, compared to roughly 1,200 annually a decade ago.

A worn-out Pikachu plushie, tired teddy bear or stained stuffed animal can all get a new lease on life at a Japanese laundry service making beloved toys squeaky clean again. — AFP pic

And some people even “come to Japan specifically for the purpose of having their soft toys cleaned”, said Hisako Mori, the firm’s public relations manager.

“While the cleaning is being done, they enjoy travelling around Japan. At the end of their trip, they pick up their stuffed animals before heading home.”

Shimura said some clients wish to keep specific scratches or scribbles on their toys, as those marks sometimes carry precious memories.

“These items hold special memories. That’s true for clothing as well, but even more so for stuffed animals, which we recognise our customers see as members of the family,” he said.

“It’s a process where we truly cannot let our guard down... When our customers are happy with the results, that’s really the moment when we feel a strong sense of fulfilment.” — AFP

Soft toys are seen at the facility of Cleaning Yonmarusan in Fuefuki city of Yamanashi Prefecture. — AFP pic

PUTRAJAYA, April 29 — Former aide to Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Chai Jin Shern or James Chai, will be recalled to continue giving his statement on the third day of investigations at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters tomorrow.

MACC Investigation Division Senior Director Datuk Mohd Hafaz Nazar, when contacted, confirmed the matter and said James Chai, a political analyst, has been asked to appear at 10am after the process of recording his statement today was concluded at 6.45pm.

The MACC had earlier recorded the statement from him as a witness in the investigation involving a government-funded semiconductor project worth approximately RM1.1 billion.

According to sources, the witness arrived at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at 10am today to continue providing information and assisting in the investigation of the case.

“The witness arrived at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at 10am and he was present for the second day to have his statement recorded,” he said.

On April 1, the MACC gave James Chai a two-week period to come forward and assist in the investigation involving the semiconductor firm.

Prior to that, on February 16, the MACC opened an investigation paper regarding an agreement between the Malaysian Government and a foreign company estimated to be worth RM1.1 billion.

According to sources, the investigation was initiated following complaints by several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which alleged that the agreement was made hastily and was one-sided, to the extent that it is expected to have financial implications on the government.

In addition, the investigation also focuses on elements of conflict of interest, as several individuals are alleged to have been appointed to senior positions in the foreign company after leaving a ministry. — Bernama 

KOTA KINABALU, April 29 — Sabah leaders have reiterated that the state’s constitutional claim to its 40 per cent revenue entitlement must not be confused with federal development allocations, stressing that the two are separate and cannot be conflated in ongoing negotiations with Putrajaya.

Deputy chief minister cum Finance Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the ongoing 40 per cent revenue discussions must not be confused to federal development funds or treated as part of broader development assistance to the state.

“This is based on constitution and must not be conflated with federal development allocations,” he said

He added that Sabah also maintains its position that the 40 per cent calculation mechanism should include revenue generated from companies operating within the state, even if those companies are headquartered or declared elsewhere.

“We also maintain revenue generated by companies operating in Sabah but declared outside the state, particularly those headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, should be included in the 40 per cent calculation, regardless of where the company is registered or declared,” he said.

He is ostensibly referring to national or multi-national companies in the oil and gas or palm oil industries who have large operations in Sabah but declare their taxes or revenue federally resulting in loss taxes for Sabah.

The 40 per cent claim comes from a provision in the Federal Constitution - Article 112C and Part IV of Article 10 - which declares that two fifths of federal revenue derived from the state needs to be returned.

The provision has not been honoured from 1974 with Sabah receiving only RM26.7 million annually – considered a fraction of what it is owed - for nearly five decades, before revisions in recent years saw increases to RM125 million in 2022, RM300 million in 2023, RM306 million in 2024, and RM600 million currently.

“For the record, the Sabah Government maintains its position that the original formula under Article 112C and Part IV of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution must be implemented in full.

“As such, it is not appropriate to suggest that Sabah’s efforts in this matter have been compromised, as the process must strictly adhere to constitutional provisions. The state government is aware that the current Special Grant is still far below what should be derived under the constitutional formula,” he said.

“Although not all developments are publicly disclosed, this does not mean that the state government has not acted. In reality, every negotiation meeting does not end at discussion alone, but is followed by further action through official correspondence and continuous reaffirmation of the state government’s position, urging immediate action,” he said.

As talks between the two governments continue over the formula of the 40 per cent, Masidi said that the state has asked that has asked for immediate payment of revenue components that are not in dispute, such as income tax and customs tax.

He said the state government is also open to discussions and to further refining constructive solutions on suitable payment options.

When faced with skepticism from several other elected representatives over the continuous delay and perceived hesitation from the federal government, Masidi said : “Don’t worry I’m still confident they will pay up, its just the time line. But we will push,” he said.

“In conclusion, both the state Government and stakeholders remain committed to ensuring that the implementation of Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement is expedited and fully honoured by the Federal Government,” he said.

SHAH ALAM, April 29 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attended the Petaling district development meeting here today, focusing on efforts to coordinate solutions to various implementation issues at the district and state levels.

The meeting, held at Dewan Jubli Perak, Sultan Abdul Aziz building, lasted more than an hour.

It was also attended by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, as well as state executive councillors and senior district officials.

Among the matters discussed were issues previously raised by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, including solid waste management, pig farming and non-Muslim places of worship.

The meeting also touched on infrastructure concerns such as damaged roads, the need to strengthen flood mitigation measures, and efforts to address poverty, particularly urban poverty. — Bernama 

JOHOR BAHRU, April 29 — A 42-year-old former dental prosthetist was sentenced to 35 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane by the High Court here today for killing his girlfriend about seven years ago.

Judge Atan Mustaffa Yussof Ahmad handed down the sentence to the accused Lim Siong Kim after finding that the defence had failed to raise any reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case.

The court ordered for the accused’s prison sentence, imposed at the end of the defence case, to run from the date the accused was arrested, which was June 10, 2019.

In his judgment, the Atan Mustaffa said the accused was the last person seen with the victim, where her deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was also found in the accused’s denture workshop.

He said there was also a testimony from Lim’s friend who confirmed that he had helped the accused dispose of the box containing the victim’s body in Taman Setia Indah.

The accused himself had also guided authorities to the location where the box was dumped.

Based on the charge sheet, Lim is charged with the murder of 33-year-old Teo Kang Ling at No. 17-01, Jalan Setia Indah here at about 8am on June 3, 2019.

For the act, the accused was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Lydia Salleh, while the accused was represented by counsels G. Ravi, Aida Hassan, Datin Freda Sabapathy and S. Saravanan.

Throughout the proceeding, a total of 12 prosecution witnesses were presented, while the defence presented two witnesses during their proceedings.

Based on the prosecution’s facts, the victim’s cause of death was from drowning due to obstruction of the respiratory tract.

On June 11, 2019, it was reported that a box containing a dead female body was found by the side of a road in the Taman Setia Indah industrial area here.

The discovery later led authorities to the case involving the disappearance of the woman involved, who was last contacted on May 29, 2019.

The woman, described as the accused’s girlfriend, was said to have been killed elsewhere, before her body was placed inside the box and kept.

However, when the victim’s body started to decompose and emitted a strong stench, the accused approached his friend to help him dump the box containing his lover’s remains.

Lim was then charged at the Magistrate’s Court here, on June 23, 2019 on charges of murder before the case was transferred to the High Court here for trial.

TEHRAN, April 29 — President Donald Trump warned Tehran on Wednesday that it should “get smart soon” and capitulate to Washington’s demands for tight controls on its nuclear programme, as a US naval blockade turned the screws on Iran’s economy.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth was due to testify before Congress later in the day, but US press reports suggested Trump has already decided to reject Iran’s latest proposed deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Wall Street Journal, he intends to pursue the blockade of Iranian ports until Tehran is forced to dismantle its nuclear programme.

“Iran can’t get their act together... They better get smart soon,” Trump posted on his social media platform, above a mocked-up picture of himself toting a rifle in front of explosions wrecking a desert fortress and the slogan: “No more Mr Nice Guy.”

Iran has blockaded the strait — a vital conduit for oil and gas shipments from the Gulf — since the US and Israel launched the war two months ago, sending shockwaves through the global economy. But its own economy is also suffering.

On Wednesday, the Iranian rial fell to historic lows against the dollar, while Tehran residents speaking to AFP journalists in Paris reported a sense of despair.

“Every time in recent years that negotiations have taken place, the economic situation of the people has only gotten worse. Sanctions have either started or intensified,” a 52-year-old architect told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“They go to negotiate and come back with even more sanctions, and the issue is always nuclear. There’s no talk about people, the economy, or freedom. People have the right to not even want to hear the word ‘negotiation’,” he said.

‘No trust’ 

During a White House state dinner Tuesday, Trump told Britain’s King Charles III and other guests that Iran has been “militarily defeated”, and added: “Charles agrees with me even more than I do — we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.”

But an Iranian army spokesman told state TV on Tuesday that “we do not consider the war to be over”, saying Tehran had “no trust in America”.

“We have many cards that we have not yet used... new tools and methods of fighting based on the experiences of the past two wars, which will definitely allow us to respond to the enemy more decisively” should the fighting resume, Amir Akraminia said in an interview.

Efforts to end the war have stalled in recent days. The latest Iranian proposal, passed along by Pakistan and studied by Trump administration officials in a meeting Monday, laid out red lines including on nuclear issues and Hormuz, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.

The plan would reportedly see Tehran ease its chokehold on the strait and Washington lift its retaliatory blockade while broader negotiations continue, including over the nuclear programme.

Iranian defence ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik said Washington “must abandon its illegal and irrational demands”.

“The United States is no longer in a position to dictate its policy to independent nations,” he said, according to state TV.

Qatar — a US ally that was hit by Iranian strikes despite its role as a mediator — warned of the possibility of a “frozen conflict” if a definitive resolution is not found.

‘No strategy’ 

Trump faces domestic pressure to find an off-ramp as prices rise for oil and other commodities, with midterm elections due in November and polls showing the war is unpopular among Americans.

Brent is above the level it hit before the two sides announced a ceasefire in early April, sitting at around US$113 (RM446), while West Texas Intermediate broke $101.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who earlier had offered guarded support to Trump, said Monday that “the Americans obviously have no strategy” in Iran and that the war was “at the very least ill-considered”.

Trump later denounced Merz on social media, saying he “doesn’t know what he’s talking about”.

Violence has continued on the war’s Lebanese front, despite a recently extended ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group that drew Lebanon into the war by firing rockets at Israel. Israel responded with strikes and a ground invasion.

For the first time since the ceasefire began, the Lebanese army said Tuesday that an Israeli strike had targeted its troops, wounding two soldiers in the south. Another strike Wednesday killed a Lebanese soldier, it said. — AFP