KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — PAS leaders will meet next week to determine the party’s approach to the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, including whether to explore new political alignments, as Perikatan Nasional (PN) weighs its options ahead of the back-to-back contests.

Harian Metro reported that PN chairman and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said no decisions had been made on forming any new alliances, stressing that discussions within PAS’ top leadership would take place before the matter is brought to the coalition level.

“So far, there has been no decision (to join a new alignment). It is normal during the election process for us to conduct analyses and so on, but no decision has been made regarding any alignment,” he told reporters after launching PAS Kedah’s election machinery at the Kedah PAS Complex in Kota Sarang Semut, Yan, last night.

“PAS’ top leadership will hold discussions next week to determine how we will move forward. We will first discuss the matter among ourselves before convening a meeting with PN.”

The remarks also come ahead of a Reset convention in Tanah Merah, Kelantan, which PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is scheduled to officiate later today.

Reset is led by former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, fuelling speculation over whether the movement could align itself with PN ahead of the upcoming state polls.

Ahmad Samsuri, who is also a PAS vice-president and Terengganu menteri besar, said PN had yet to receive any formal application from Reset and that any move to join the coalition would have to follow the established process.

“There have been no official discussions about Reset joining PN. There have only been informal discussions. We have also held discussions with Umno because each side has its own leadership, but no decisions were reached during those meetings.

“The same applies to Reset — no decision has been made. We will wait. If they wish to join PN, they must submit an application. The same goes for any other party that wants to be part of PN; they will have to apply,” he said.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding potential alliances, Ahmad Samsuri expressed confidence that PN remained electorally competitive.

“The PN brand has gone through various elections, including by-elections and the Sabah state election, so it is already a well-established brand and we do not foresee any problems heading into this election. The same goes for the PAS brand, which is also firmly established. There should not be any issues,” he said.

He acknowledged, however, that the upcoming state polls presented a different set of challenges compared with previous contests.

“The only difference this time is that the situation is somewhat unusual compared to previous state elections, as these polls are being held consecutively in different states.

“As such, PAS and PN need to make more careful considerations while we continue to assess the best approach,” he said.

Election Commission chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun announced yesterday that Johor voters will head to the polls on July 11, with nomination day set for June 27 and early voting on July 7.

Negeri Sembilan will follow on August 1, with nominations scheduled for July 18 and early voting on July 28.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit seven states until 5pm today, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

In a weather warning issued at 3.15 pm, MetMalaysia said the affected areas in Perak are Kerian, Larut, Matang and Selama, Hulu Perak, and Kuala Kangsar.

In Selangor, the warning covers Hulu Langat and Sepang, while in Negeri Sembilan it involves Jelebu, Seremban, Port Dickson, Kuala Pilah and Rembau.

On the east coast, the adverse weather is forecast to affect the Kelantan districts of Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, Jeli, Tanah Merah, Bachok, Machang and Pasir Puteh, as well as Kuala Nerus and Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu.

Meanwhile, in Sarawak, the warning covers Kuching (Bau and Kuching), Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Kapit (Song and Bukit Mabong), Bintulu (Bintulu and Sebauh), and Miri (Subis, Beluru and Marudi), while in Sabah, it covers Tawau (Lahad Datu). — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm warning covering several states, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds expected until late this afternoon.

In a Facebook post at 2pm today, MetMalaysia said the weather system is expected to affect Perlis; Kedah (Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena and Padang Terap); Perak (Kuala Kangsar and Kinta); Kelantan (Jeli and Kuala Krai); Terengganu (Marang, Dungun and Kemaman); and Pahang (Cameron Highlands, Jerantut, Bentong and Kuantan).

It also said similar conditions are expected in Sarawak, covering Sibu (Selangau), Bintulu, Miri (Subis, Beluru, Miri and Marudi) and Limbang, as well as Sabah, including the Interior (Kuala Penyu, Beaufort and Tambunan), West Coast, Sandakan (Kinabatangan, Beluran and Sandakan) and Kudat.

The Federal Territory of Labuan is also expected to be affected.

MetMalaysia said the alert remains in place until 5pm today.

It added that thunderstorms warnings are issued when there are signs of intense rainfall exceeding 20 mm per hour which are expected to persist for more than an hour, and are short-term alerts valid for up to six hours for each issuance.

KOTA BHARU, June 12 — Leprosy still exists in Kelantan with eight new cases recorded last year, despite many believing that the disease had been eradicated and was no longer a public health problem.

Kelantan health director Datuk Dr Mohd Azman Yacob said the number involved an incidence rate of 0.37 cases per 100,000 population, while at the national level, 381 new cases were reported in 2025 with an incidence rate of 11.5 cases per 100,000 population.

He said a total of 516 leprosy patients were still receiving treatment in Malaysia last year with a prevalence rate of 0.15 per 10,000 population, while the prevalence rate in Kelantan was 0.06 per 10,000 population, lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) target of less than one case per 10,000 population.

“Leprosy or Hansen’s Disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria mycobacterium leprae and can be spread through airborne droplets from patients who have not received treatment when coughing, sneezing or talking. However, this disease can be completely cured if patients receive treatment consistently,” he said in a statement in conjunction with the Kelantan State Level World Leprosy Day 2026 and the Tumpat District Level Health Literacy Meet yesterday.

He said among the common symptoms of the disease are reddish or white patches or rashes on the skin that do not itch and are accompanied by loss of sensation in the affected area, in addition to causing nerve damage, muscle weakness and facial nerve paralysis if left untreated.

Dr Mohd Azman said family members and close contacts of patients are at high risk of contracting the disease, hence early detection, contact screening and immediate treatment are very important to prevent transmission in the community.

He said the Ministry of Health is also implementing the provision of Single Dose Rifampicin (SDR) to eligible close contacts to reduce the risk of infection.

Meanwhile, he said the theme for this year’s World Leprosy Day, “Leprosy Is Curable, The Real Challenge Is Stigma”, aims to raise public awareness that leprosy patients should not be ostracized because the disease is not caused by race, heredity or retaliation for certain actions.

At the same event, the Tumpat District Level Health Literacy Interview Programme was also held to increase the community’s ability to obtain, understand and use health information to make the right decisions regarding personal, family and community health.

Various activities were provided including health forums, health and dental check-ups, blood donations, Rahmah sales and health literacy quizzes. — Bernama