KUDAT, May 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced a special allocation of more than RM31 million to drive development on Pulau Banggi, thus ensuring that the residents of Malaysia’s largest island are not left out of the national development trend.

He said the allocation through the federal government and the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department includes the development of roads, bridges as well as health, education, security and jetty facilities.

He said the projects included the upgrading of roads and bridges in Kampung Limbuak Laut, Kapitangan, Damaran and Bayangan Laut, as well as improvements to the Pulau Banggi police station and health facilities at Karakit Health Clinic.

According to him, also listed were projects to upgrade school dormitories on Pulau Banggi and Pulau Balambangan, the implementation of projects related to national security and defence by the Ministry of Defence, and the upgrading of the Karakit public jetty at the ferry terminal.

“I want Pulau Banggi to be an example to the people who are marginally poor or isolated that this Madani Government feels responsible for upholding the dignity and capabilities of every citizen,” he said when speaking at the Prime Minister’s Reception with the Residents of Pulau Banggi here today.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan.

Also present were the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and Banggi assemblyman Datuk Mohammad Mohamarin.

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Touching on land transport infrastructure, Anwar said the project to upgrade the Kampung Limbuak Laut to Kampung Pengkalan Darat road is currently being implemented by the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) at a cost of almost RM44 million.

“This project is very important because good roads will open up economic, educational and health access for the people in the interior of the island,” he stressed.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister also announced an additional government contribution of RM1.25 million which will be coordinated by agencies under the Office of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs).

Anwar said the funds would benefit the residents through the implementation of education, institutional empowerment, green technology, health and human development programmes.

He said that to strengthen the safety net and daily facilities in coastal areas, the government had also approved an allocation of RM1 million to upgrade the jetty in Kampung Dogoton for the use of residents and enforcement agencies.

“The government has also agreed to upgrade the jetty in Kampung Dogoton for the use of villagers and enforcement agencies amounting to RM1 million, which will be carried out by the Prime Minister’s Department’s ICU,” he said.

He stressed that the island’s remote geographical location is not an excuse for the community in the area to continue to lag behind, on the contrary, the Madani Government shouldered a great responsibility to protect the fate of all the people regardless of their location.

“Continuous efforts will always be made to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to enjoy a better standard of living than before,” he said. — Bernama

KOTA SAMARAHAN, May 9 — The process of handing over Bintulu Port to the Sarawak State Government is expected to be completed within the next few months after all key issues have been finalised, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said a final meeting with Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas will be held soon to finalise the matters.

“Currently, the final agreement is being finalised, as legal and pricing issues have already been resolved.

“As I announced earlier, the federal and the state governments have reached a consensus on the final cost of the handover,” he told a press conference after launching a new route under the BAS.MY Kuching Stage Bus Service Transformation Programme here today.

He said the draft final agreement has been completed and is now awaiting Cabinet approval before the official handover can take place, adding that the process has taken time as the relevant act on the dissolution of the Bintulu Port Authority was passed about two years ago.

He said the enforcement of the authority’s dissolution and the official handover to the state government remain subject to the signing of the final agreement.

The Federal Government and the Sarawak State Government had, in principle, agreed on a value of RM1.8 billion for the state’s acquisition of Bintulu Port.

Meanwhile, Loke said the Ministry of Economy has approved a RM445 million project to upgrade the Miri Airport building under Rolling Plan 1 (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), last month.

He said the upgrading works are expected to begin this year following approval of the cost based on the value assessment review session held on March 17.

“The expansion of Miri Airport is important as it is the second busiest airport in Sarawak after Kuching International Airport. Besides being a key domestic airport, it also serves as a major hub for Rural Air Services (RAS) operated by AirBorneo,” he said.

He said the service plays a crucial role in connecting Sarawak’s interior areas with major towns and improving air transport accessibility for rural communities. — Bernama

BUKIT MERTAJAM, May 9 — The RM250 million Taman Mengkuang Water Treatment Plant (LRA) project undertaken by Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) has now achieved 35 per cent progress.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said physical works on the project began on May 19 last year and have so far progressed smoothly according to schedule, with completion expected on Nov 18.

He said that once completed, the plant will obtain its daily supply from the Expanded Mengkuang Dam (EMD), the largest dam in the state, and will be capable of supplying up to 114 million litres per day (MLD) of treated water to consumers, particularly in the Seberang Perai Tengah district.

“This new plant is being built beside the EMD, which previously served as a strategic dam where water was stored for use during emergencies involving the Sungai Dua LRA.

“However, as water demand continues to rise, we are implementing the Water Contingency Plan 2030 (WCP2030), primarily aimed at utilising all available raw water sources in Penang, and the EMD is one such source that we can tap into through this project, alongside other initiatives under the WCP2030,” he told reporters after a site visit to inspect the progress of the project here today.

Also present were PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan and state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.

Elaborating further, Chow, who is also PBAPP chairman, said that in tandem with the water treatment plant project, two main pipelines are also being constructed to enable the distribution of treated water to consumers in the Seberang Perai Tengah, particularly in Bukit Mertajam and Tasek, while ensuring sufficient water supply and helping to optimise the operation of water pumps along the route, including in Permatang Tinggi, to channel supply to the southern areas of the state.

Meanwhile, Pathmanathan said the Taman Mengkuang LRA is the first of four new treatment plants being developed by PBAPP for Penang under Phase 2 of the WCP2030, with the remaining three plants set to utilise water sources from Sungai Kerian, Sungai Perai and Sungai Muda, and scheduled for completion by 2030.

“Overall, Phase 2 will increase PBAPP’s water treatment capacity in Seberang Perai by 478 MLD. As such, Seberang Perai will become less dependent on treated water supply from the Sungai Dua LRA.

“This will enable PBAPP to channel more treated water from Sungai Dua to Penang Island through dedicated pipelines and the Third Penang Undersea Twin Pipeline Project (PTSP-3),” he said.

Once operational, the Taman Mengkuang LRA will transform the role of the EMD from a strategic dry-season dam into a dual-function dam, serving not only as a source of water supply for the plant to produce more treated water, but also as a backup dam for Penang during dry seasons and other emergency situations involving Sungai Muda.

He said the main rationale behind the change in the EMD’s role is to optimise existing raw water resources to ensure sufficient water supply through 2030. — Bernama

IPOH, May 9 — There are absolutely no commercial elements in the agreement between Taiping Zoo & Night Safari and Japan’s Tennoji Zoo in Osaka involving the three Malaysian elephants known as Dara, Amoi and Kelat.

Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) president Mohamed Akmal Dahalan clarified that the agreement is strictly zoo-to-zoo and not a business transaction, contrary to allegations by some parties.

“The term ‘B2B’ (business to business) does not reflect the true spirit of this agreement,” he said in a statement today.

He clarified that the international cooperation programme complies with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Malaysian Zoo Standard Guidelines, countering viral accusations on social media, including claims of payments to the zoo and local council, and alleged non-compliance with existing laws.

He also highlighted that the agreement has undergone approval processes in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

“Before the elephants were sent, MPT, Taiping Zoo and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) visited Osaka from Oct 6 to 10, 2022, to assess the existing facilities and identify the improvements needed by Tennoji Zoo,” he said.

He added that all relevant documentation, such as special permits, export applications, and responses to Japanese authorities, had been properly approved before the elephants were transported.

“MPT also wants to make it clear that animal welfare and well-being have always been our top priority in this programme. The Taiping Zoo will remain in regular contact with Tennoji Zoo and other relevant agencies to obtain the latest updates,” he said.

He added that the council is ready to cooperate with authorities, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), should any further review or investigation into the programme be required.

The elephants are currently housed at Tennoji Zoo under a 25-year international cooperation agreement between the two zoos, with MPT acting as the representative for Taiping Zoo.

Local media previously reported that a group of activists and non-governmental organisations had urged the government to bring the elephants back to Malaysia, alleging the animals are suffering and ill-suited to the zoo’s environment. — Bernama

LOS ANGELES, May 9 — Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe ‌is heading to the auction block, offering a rare glimpse into the private world of one of Hollywood’s most enduring legends. Items up for sale include pieces from her wardrobe, jewellery, letters, ‌handwritten notes, paintings, and poetry.

“Marilyn is just an icon,” said Brian Chanes, senior director of Hollywood and entertainment at Heritage Auctions, during a preview of the collection today. “People love and adore Marilyn to this day.”

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in Los Angeles in 1926, Monroe became a renowned actress, model, singer and sex symbol known for her blonde hair and hourglass body. She died in 1962.

Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe is displayed alongside a photograph during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California May 8, 2026. — Reuters pic

Sale to coincide with birthday

Heritage Auctions is opening bidding to the public on items from the estate of poets Norman and Hedda Rosten, close friends and confidants of Monroe. The sale, ‌which happens June 1, coincides with what would have been the star’s 100th birthday and ⁠features personal belongings dating from 1955 ⁠to 1962.

Among the most striking offerings are documents never ⁠seen publicly, shedding light on Monroe’s ⁠inner life. The ⁠papers explore her romantic relationships, fears surrounding a lost pregnancy, and her reflections on mortality.

“It’s really special because this isn’t material that’s been bought and sold over the decades,” ⁠Chanes said. “This is something that’s a discovery.”

A person looks at memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe displayed during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California May 8, 2026. — Reuters pic

From costume jewellery Monroe wore to artwork she once held in her hands, the collection offers buyers intimate access to her personal world. The auction also includes correspondence from her ex-husband, playwright Arthur Miller, revealing the emotional complexities of their marriage, as well as an unseen letter from Monroe’s psychiatrist describing ⁠the day leading up to her death.

Chanes highlighted one particularly emotional piece from the period when Monroe was filming Some Like It Hot. Writing on stationery from ⁠the Hotel del Coronado, she pleaded for help as her struggles threatened to derail production.

A flower lays atop the Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the late actress Marilyn Monroe in Hollywood August 5, 2012. — Reuters pic

“Right ⁠before she ⁠was about to overdose and they had to halt filming, she wrote, ‘I feel like I’m drowning,’” Chanes recalled.

“You can feel the anguish in her writing,” he added, noting that Monroe sketched ‌a stick figure submerged in water on the same stationery, begging for help — an image that highlighted the mental health struggles she faced throughout her career. — Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — False declarations, manipulated documents, or undocumented fuel movements could expose companies and individuals to severe penalties under the Customs Act 1967, cautioned Admiralty and Maritime lawyer Datuk J. Shamesh.

He was commenting on recent concerns raised by an industry player regarding revenue leakage and documentation gaps in Malaysia’s petroleum supply chain.

He highlighted that several provisions under the Act could apply, including Section 133, which covers false declarations, inaccurate statements and the submission of incorrect particulars, with penalties of up to RM500,000 in fines, seven years’ imprisonment, or both.

“In addition, Section 135 deals with the fraudulent evasion of customs duties or prohibition controls, while Section 138 concerns offences linked to the creation or use of false documents.

“Section 147 extends liability to agents, employees or company officers in cases where offences are committed by corporations,” he said, adding that those found liable face varying fines and imprisonment.

Shamesh added that irregularities involving subsidised fuel, excise duties, or sales tax liabilities could also be subject to scrutiny under other relevant legislation, depending on the specific circumstances.

Regulators would typically determine whether discrepancies arose from operational issues or deliberate misconduct by examining the frequency and pattern of inconsistencies, he explained.

“This includes determining whether the discrepancies repeatedly resulted in reduced revenue exposure, reviewing the integrity of operational records and audit trails, identifying unexplained stock gains or losses, and assessing whether there is evidence of concealment or falsification.

“Minor isolated variances can occur due to legitimate operational factors such as temperature adjustments, meter tolerances or tank calibration differences.

“However, recurring inconsistencies, unexplained blending activities, manipulated density readings or discrepancies unsupported by proper contemporaneous records may point towards possible revenue leakage or fraudulent declarations,” he emphasised.

Shamesh noted that effective regulatory reforms could include mandatory real-time inventory reconciliation, tighter licensing controls over bonded petroleum facilities, enhanced independent calibration and verification requirements, periodic forensic stock audits, and stronger inter-agency coordination between customs, maritime, tax and energy regulators.

He said such reforms should focus on risk-based enforcement and targeted transparency measures, without unnecessarily disrupting legitimate industry operations or fuel supply chains. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — Malaysia’s airspace operations remain resilient in handling high volumes of regional air traffic, underscoring the country’s role as a key aviation connectivity hub in Southeast Asia, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

In a statement today, CAAM said it continues to strengthen airspace efficiency within the Kuala Lumpur Flight Information Region (KL FIR) and Kota Kinabalu Flight Information Region (KK FIR) amid evolving global airspace dynamics and increasing operational complexity.

Regional traffic data showed that Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) remains among the busiest airports in Southeast Asia, supported by several of the region’s most heavily travelled routes.

CAAM said key corridors such as Kuala Lumpur-Singapore, Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu-Kuala Lumpur continue to record high flight frequencies.

“This underscores Malaysia’s strategic role in maintaining regional connectivity and ensuring the continuity of air travel across Asean,” it said.

The authority said continuous improvements in airspace design and air traffic management have enabled both KL FIR and KK FIR to accommodate growing traffic volumes while maintaining high standards of safety, efficiency and reliability.

These include the implementation of Required Navigation Performance Approach (RNP APCH) procedures at KLIA, as well as full Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) Standard Instrument Departure (SID), Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) and RNP APCH procedures in the Kota Kinabalu FIR.

CAAM said the measures enable more precise routing, reduced track miles and improved arrival and departure efficiency.

It added that the expansion of Direct Route Operations (DRO) and User Preferred Routes (UPR) allows aircraft to operate on more efficient and flexible flight paths, reducing congestion, flight times and fuel consumption.

Enhanced cross-boundary coordination also supports more adaptive routing in response to changing operational conditions.

CAAM said the adoption of advanced air traffic management concepts such as System Wide Information Management (SWIM) and Flight and Flow Information for a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE) enables real-time data sharing, improves predictability and supports more effective collaborative decision-making across the aviation ecosystem.

Advancements in Performance-Based Communication and Surveillance (PBCS) have also enhanced operational capacity by enabling more efficient aircraft separation while maintaining high safety standards, it said.

It further noted the efficiency of KL FIR and KK FIR as critical to supporting one of Southeast Asia’s busiest aviation networks, with KL FIR serving as a central node for major regional routes and KK FIR strengthening connectivity across East Malaysia while supporting growing cross-border traffic flows. — Bernama

MUNICH, May 9 — Munich’s surfers celebrated today as the German city officially gave them the green light to again ride a river wave after a stormy year for the attraction.

The Eisbach wave on a side branch of the Isar River has been drawing surfers since the 1980s, and is a landmark in the Bavarian city.

But, after the death of an experienced surfer riding the wave at night in April last year, it was closed for two months. Then, the wave vanished in October after an annual cleanup on the riverbed.

It reappeared naturally several weeks ago and some surfers had already dared to ride it illegally — as authorities had still not formally given permission.

Today, however, Dominik Krause, Munich’s new Greens party mayor elected in March, said the wave was being re-opened, although with several conditions.

The attraction “is part of Munich’s way of life,” he said in a statement.

“We are happy, relieved and deeply grateful to see this place come back to life,” the Munich Surf Club said on Instagram.

“But no one should claim this moment as their own,” it added, stressing that the wave had returned naturally, and not thanks to “politicians”.

When the wave disappeared, angry surfers staged demonstrations and tried to recreate the attraction by placing a beam in the water — which was removed by authorities.

Munich authorities have tightened rules in a bid to ensure surfing on the river is safe.

These include no surfing after 10pm, and mandatory use of a system that allows the cord connecting the surfer to the board to be detached in case of emergencies. — AFP

COLOMBO, May 9 — Sri Lankan authorities arrested a senior Buddhist monk today for the alleged sexual abuse of an underage girl, police said, marking the highest-profile case involving clergy in the country.

Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, was arrested at a private hospital in the capital Colombo where he had sought treatment over the weekend amid an investigation into the alleged abuse of the 11-year-old girl in 2022.

The crime is alleged to have taken place at a highly venerated temple in Anuradhapura, around 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of Colombo, where Hemarathana is the chief priest.

“The magistrate will guide us on further action,” a police statement said Saturday.

The monk will soon be presented before a judge.

Authorities added that the victim’s mother has also been arrested for aiding and abetting the monk.

The development comes a day after a local court in Anuradhapura imposed a foreign travel ban on the monk.

There have been several cases of clergy abusing children in Sri Lanka, but the latest arrest involves the most senior monk to be accused of such a crime.

The 71-year-old is the chief custodian of a tree believed to have been grown from a sapling of the Bodhi tree in India that sheltered the Buddha when he attained enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago.

He is also the chief of eight highly venerated temples that are on a key Buddhist pilgrim route. — AFP

SINGAPORE, May 9 — The wife of a former electronics recycling firm boss accused of embezzling uncrushed computer chips worth more than US$51 million (S$64.6 million) has been jailed after allowing a bank account in her name to be used in the alleged scheme, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported.

Thor Chwee Hwa, 57, is the wife of Ng Teck Lee, former president and CEO of electronics recycling firm Citiraya Industries. The couple fled Singapore in the early 2000s and were only arrested in December 2024, nearly two decades later.

According to the report, Thor was sentenced to one year and 10 months’ jail by the State Courts yesterday after pleading guilty to one count of assisting Ng to retain the benefits of criminal conduct.

Ng’s case is still pending before the courts.

Citiraya was engaged in recycling electronic waste for major chip manufacturers including AMD, Infineon, STMicroelectronics and Intel by extracting precious metals from processed chips.

Between April 2003 and November 2004, Ng allegedly misappropriated uncrushed computer chips and, with the help of intermediaries and shell companies, sold them to overseas syndicates for repackaging and resale as standard products.

He is alleged to have received more than US$51 million from the scheme.

According to CNA, court documents stated that the proceeds were channelled into several bank accounts, including one opened under Thor’s name.

At the time, Thor was a housewife. Ng allegedly arranged for her to open the account and gave himself limited power of attorney over it, while a Citiraya employee assisted in the process.

Thor knew the account was linked to the company but had no control over it, the report said. 

She later received funds transferred into her account, including US$1,149,425 just weeks after it was opened in 2003. The money was subsequently moved through various transactions, including currency exchanges and securities purchases.

Thor was questioned by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in January 2005 but left Singapore shortly after, travelling overseas with her daughter and valuables. She later met Ng abroad, where they assumed false identities and lived in China and Malaysia.

The prosecution said the couple used fake identities and later applied for Malaysia’s “My Second Home” programme, while also receiving financial support from family members. Thor later sent her daughter back to Singapore before 2013.

CNA reported that authorities later recovered about US$23 million from the case, while the couple still held assets worth about S$839,131 when arrested.

The prosecution had sought between 21 and 27 months’ jail, citing the transnational nature of the case and Thor’s long period of abscondment. The defence argued for a lighter sentence, noting she was not the main actor in the scheme.

District Judge Ong Luan Tze said the offence involved significant harm due to the large sums involved and its cross-border nature. She also found Thor’s flight from Singapore aggravated the case, noting it had delayed justice for nearly 20 years.

Thor was arrested in Malaysia on Dec 3, 2024, and repatriated to Singapore the same day.

SINGAPORE, May 9 — Singapore is working with Indonesia to provide assistance and support to Singaporeans affected by the eruption of Mount Dukono, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta are working closely with the Indonesian authorities to gather the relevant information, and render consular assistance and support to the affected Singaporeans and their families,” MFA reportedly said.

Three hikers, including two Singaporeans, were reported dead after Mount Dukono erupted on Indonesia’s eastern Halmahera island.

The volcano, located in North Maluku province, erupted at 7.41am local time (6.41am Singapore time) yesterday, sending a plume of ash and smoke up to 10km into the air.

“There are three dead, two foreigners and one resident of Ternate island in eastern Indonesia,” North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu told Kompas TV.

The number of Singaporeans affected was not disclosed by MFA, but Indonesian authorities said 20 people were caught in the eruption, with three still missing.

Mount Dukono is currently at level two on Indonesia’s four-tier volcanic alert system.

The area had been closed to visitors since April 17 after scientists recorded increased volcanic activity.

The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) had earlier advised tourists and climbers to stay at least four kilometres away from the volcano’s Malupang Warirang crater due to heightened activity.

ALOR STAR, May 9 — The Kedah government will refer the positions of two state assemblymen — one a state executive councillor and the other a deputy speaker — sacked by Bersatu yesterday to the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, New Straits Times (NST) reported.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said any decision involving Suka Menanti assemblyman Dzowahir Ab Ghani, who is state agriculture, plantation and transportation committee chairman, and Sungai Tiang assemblyman Abdul Razak Khamis, who is a deputy state assembly speaker, must follow due process and receive the consent of the Kedah ruler.

“We need to discuss this in detail, inform the Sultan, and proceed according to established procedures.

“They are still carrying out their respective duties at this time,” he was quoted as saying. 

Sanusi said both assemblymen continued to support the Perikatan Nasional-led state government and were not in the opposition.

“They are Independent assemblymen who support the state government. Their positions will be discussed further,” he reportedly said.

He added that the state government had previously received a letter from Bersatu requesting changes to the exco and deputy speaker posts, but no action was taken then as both were still party members.

Sanusi said the matter was also discussed with Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali during the Kubang Rotan state constituency and Kedah Bersatu Aidilfitri open house on April 10.

“Now that official dismissal letters have been received, any action remains subject to the appointment procedures for exco members and the deputy speaker,” he was quoted as saying. 

Yesterday, Bersatu disciplinary board chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan issued a notice confirming the dismissal of Dzowahir and Abdul Razak over alleged breaches of ethics.