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.

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

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

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 

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — A Myanmar national was charged at the Magistrate’s Court here today with the murder of his ex-wife in front of a condominium block in Setapak last month.

Aung Tun Ngwa, 26, who is unemployed, nodded in understanding after the charge was read out before Magistrate Nurul Izzah Hasan Basri.

However, no plea was recorded from the accused as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Aung was charged with murdering Merry Yet Ngwa, 33, also a Myanmar national, in front of Block 1 of Genting Court Condominium, Taman Setapak Indah Jaya, near here, at 2.30pm on April 23.

The charge was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

The court fixed July 31 for mention of the case.

Prosecuting officer Insp M. Naresh Kumar appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented.

On April 24, Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus was reported to have said that police received information that a Myanmar woman had died, believed to have been stabbed by her ex-husband, and a post-mortem found the cause of death to be stab wounds to the chest. — Bernama 

PUTRAJAYA, May 5 — The government has agreed to provide an advance payment of RM200 per hectare under the Ploughing Incentive Special Aid to help padi farmers nationwide.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the initiative, approved at today’s National Economic Action Council MTEN) meeting, is expected to benefit nearly 240,000 registered farmers, with a financial implication of RM48 million.

“This is because farmers have to rent ploughing machinery, and while the ploughing programme must continue, they require upfront capital.

“We believe it is better to provide them with the RM200 per hectare advance so they can proceed with their planting activities,” he said at a press conference on the global supply crisis, here today.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, stressed that the government remains attentive to the challenges faced by farmers, particularly rising fuel and agricultural input costs linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Anwar said farmers’ concerns have also been addressed through the Ploughing Incentive for Padi Farmers (IPKP), announced earlier by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu on April 14.

“The assistance was increased from RM160 to RM300 per hectare to help farmers cope with higher commercial diesel prices,” he said.

Anwar added that the government would continue exploring measures to ease the cost burden on the public amid ongoing global supply pressures.

“We are facing significant challenges, but we will do our utmost to alleviate the burden on the people, especially those who are relatively poorer and more vulnerable,” he said. — Bernama 

KUANTAN, May 5 — Malaysia loses an estimated RM700 million annually due to electricity theft linked to illegal bitcoin mining, said Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.

He said efforts to curb the activity will be intensified nationwide to reduce losses and ensure fairness for consumers who pay their electricity bills.

Abdul Rahman said illegal bitcoin mining has been detected not only in business premises but also in residential areas, urging homeowners to be vigilant about their tenants as they may be held responsible if action is taken.

“To avoid such situations, I advise owners to transfer Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) electricity accounts to tenants so that any issues related to electricity usage or offences are borne by the actual users,” he told reporters after Ops Steal here today.

In the integrated operation involving the Energy Commission and TNB, two houses were inspected and suspected of engaging in electricity theft for bitcoin mining, with losses estimated at about RM34,000 per month, potentially exceeding RM200,000 over six months.

Both cases are being investigated under Section 37(3) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990.

Abdul Rahman said such electricity theft is highly dangerous and poses a significant fire risk, noting that illegal cable connections that do not meet Energy Commission safety standards can cause electric shocks.

He added that the use of multiple high-powered mining machines may also lead to short circuits and fires.

At the same time, he urged the public to report any suspicious electricity usage activities to the authorities. — Bernama 

PUTRAJAYA, May 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) to step up cloud seeding operations in northern Peninsular Malaysia in view of the hot and dry weather.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the operations must be carried out urgently.

“We are aware that northern Kedah, in particular, is experiencing a longer-than-usual dry spell, causing difficulties for farmers and padi growers.

“As such, we have instructed the RMAF to intensify cloud seeding, and I have also asked JBPM, which has relatively smaller capacity, to continue the operations over the next few days,” he said at a press conference on the global supply crisis here today.

Yesterday, Anwar also instructed the Meteorological Department to expedite similar operations in critically affected states, particularly Kedah and Perlis.

He said the move is an urgent response to current weather conditions, adding that the use of drone technology should be explored to overcome logistical constraints and ensure smoother implementation of the operations. — Bernama