HORSENS (Denmark), May 1 — The Great Wall of China proved too strong to breach.

Malaysia’s bid to end 34-year drought of lifting the Thomas Cup during the 2026 edition came to a halt following a 0-3 defeat to the defending champions in the quarter-finals at Forum Horsens here today.

After sitting out China’s two Group A matches, world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi returned in style, overcoming Malaysia’s top men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao 21-10, 16-21, 21-9 in a 67-minute match, to set the 11-time champions on the road to victory.

Malaysia looked to their trusted pair and world No. 2, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to turn the tide around, and for a moment, it seemed possible.

The 2022 men’s doubles world champions pushed world No. 5 duo Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang to the brink in a tense opening set, only to see it slip 22-24.

From there, the momentum swung decisively, and the Malaysians fell 14-21 in 35 minutes, which marked their 10th defeat in 13 meetings against the Chinese pair.

With China, Group A champions, in cruise control, national second singles Justin Hoh was unable to force a comeback, as he found world No. 7 Li Shi Feng a tough nut to crack, with the latter sealing the tie 21-14, 21-13 in 44-minutes and thus booked their place in the last four.

The result also meant Malaysia, who finished as Group B runners-up, were unable to end their 24-year long wait for another win over China in the competition.

Their last victory, a 3-2 achievement, came in the 2002 edition semi-finals when China hosted the prestigious badminton team tournament in Guangzhou.

China will take on the winner of the other quarter-final tie between hosts Denmark and Thailand, scheduled to be held later today, in the last four tomorrow.

Malaysia began their Group B campaign with a narrow 3-2 win over England, followed by a 4-1 victory against Finland before falling 2-3 to Japan.

The 2026 Thomas Cup, which began on April 24, runs until May 3. — Bernama

TELUK INTAN, May 1 — The annual Chithirai Pournami festival here remains a vibrant affair, with some 30,000 Hindu devotees flocking to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Jalan Bandar.

Devotees began thronging the 150-year-old temple early this morning to fulfil their vows, starting with the paal koodam (milk pots) ceremony, followed by prayer rituals, the carrying of kavadis, and the breaking of coconuts.

Local authorities, together with the police and the People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA), were on the ground to provide traffic control and security, ensuring the smooth running of the three-day celebration.

Chithirai Pournami refers to the full moon that falls in the first month of the Tamil calendar, known as Chithirai (April-May).

It is often celebrated as ‘Mini Thaipusam’ in Malaysia and honours Lord Chitragupta and Lord Murugan.

Meanwhile, Perak Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs, and National Integration Committee chairman Datuk A. Sivanesan said traders involved in the Chithirai Pournami festival here will be relocated to a new site starting next year.

He said this follows upgrading works at the Leaning Tower Square in Teluk Intan, scheduled to begin this June and expected to take three years to complete.

“All traders will be moved to Jalan Mahkota, the site currently used for the Teluk Intan Ramadan Bazaar,” he told reporters after observing the Chithirai Pournami celebrations here today.

Sivanesan said an early notice has been issued to the traders to allow them to make the necessary preparations.

He added that the relocation is also crucial to reducing congestion and improving comfort for visitors who attend the festival annually. — Bernama

 

BANGI, May 1 — All mosques and surau nationwide have been urged to perform solat hajat and recite Qunut Nazilah for the safety of 175 Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 activists, including 10 Malaysians, who were abducted by the Zionist regime in international waters.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, said the government fully supports the GSF 2.0 mission and is closely monitoring developments through the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC).

“We have mobilised mosques and surau  to perform special prayers and supplications for the success of the GSF 2.0 mission and the safety of all activists, including the 10 Malaysians whose whereabouts remain unknown,” he told a special press conference on the latest developments of the GSF 2026 mission here today.

Earlier, SNCC director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said there has been no official confirmation on the safety status of the 175 activists, including the 10 Malaysians, after 38 hours since the abduction in international waters.

Zulkifli said the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), together with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, remains consistent in its full support for the GSF 2.0 mission and efforts to liberate Gaza from the Zionist regime.

He added that the department is also reviewing forms of assistance, including moral support, that can be extended to the families of the activists.

“We have several agencies ready, and we are continuing initiatives from previous GSF missions. We will assess the needs from time to time,” he said.

The 10 Malaysians abducted yesterday are Zainal Rashid Ahmad who was on board Arkham III, Osman Zolkifli and Dr Jihan Alya Mohd Nordin (Eros 1), Hazwan Hazim Dermawan, Mohd Hanafi Mohd Salim, Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzaman and Norhelmi Ab Ghani (Bianca BCN), as well as Mohd Redzal Amzah and Muhamad Muhsin Zaidi (Freia and Marea), and Mohd Shamsir Mohd Isa (Esplai).

The GSF 2.0 mission is an international maritime coalition and global mobilisation effort aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the territory. — Bernama

HORSENS (Denmark), May 1 — The national women’s badminton squad has shown great potential for stronger performances in future editions following a positive campaign at the 2026 Uber Cup held at Forum Horsens.

National Coaching Director Rexy Mainaky expressed his admiration for the team’s fighting spirit. With a squad composed of 50 per cent young players, Malaysia managed to qualify for the quarterfinals of the prestigious tournament for the first time in 16 years, putting up a brave challenge despite falling 0-3 to defending champions China yesterday.

“The majority of the squad are young players; they were able to play with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude and showed a positive performance against China (in the quarterfinals yesterday),” he said in a video shared by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) today.

“K. Letshanaa, as the first singles, faced the All-England champion Wang Zhi Yi, and our debut pair Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting managed to compete against the world No. 1 pair, Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning. They were very positive,” he added.

Yesterday, Malaysia began the quarterfinals on a difficult note when national women’s singles player K. Letshanaa (world No. 33) put up a fierce fight before narrowly losing 17-21, 18-21 to world number two Wang Zhi Yi in a match lasting 47 minutes.

The hope to level the tie almost materialised through debutants Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting, who displayed a courageous performance against the world’s number-one pair, Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning, before going down 14-21, 21-16, 13-21 in a 79-minute battle.

China secured their spot in the semifinals in the third match when their second singles player, Chen Yu Fei (world No. 4), defeated Wong Ling Ching 21-10, 21-10 in 36 minutes.

Meanwhile, Rexy stated that it is still too early to suggest that Xin Yee-Carmen, or the other young pair of Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan, can reach the level of the nation’s top pair and world number two, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah.

“It is too early to say they can reach the level of Pearly-Thinaah because what they still need to do in the coming years is take care of their mental and psychological strength,” he said.

Zi Yu-Noraqilah (world No. 143) had previously turned heads when they shocked the world’s seventh-ranked Japanese pair, Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi, 21-17, 12-21, 21-19, during the final Group B match last Monday.

This marks Malaysia’s fourth quarterfinal appearance in the tournament, matching their best achievement from the 2004, 2008, and 2010 editions.

The national squad began their Group B campaign with a 3-2 victory over Turkiye before defeating South Africa 5-0 to confirm their place in the quarterfinals. They finished the group stage as runners-up of Group B after losing 1-4 to six-time champions, Japan.

The 2026 Uber Cup, which began on April 24, runs until May 3. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning for thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in 12 states, as well as the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, until 9pm today.

In a statement, MetMalaysia said the warning covers the entire states of Perlis, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Melaka.

Similar weather conditions are expected to hit Kedah (Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Yan, Pendang, Kuala Muda, Sik, Baling, Kulim and Bandar Baharu), as well as Kelantan (Jeli, Tanah Merah, Kuala Krai and Gua Musang).

In Pahang, the forecast involves Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Raub, Jerantut, Bentong, Temerloh and Maran.

Over in Negeri Sembilan, the affected areas are Seremban, Port Dickson and Rembau, while in Johor, it is Tangkak, Muar and Batu Pahat.

For Sarawak, the warning has been issued for Kuching, Samarahan (Samarahan and Asajaya), Sarikei (Julau and Meradong), Sibu, Mukah, Kapit (Song), Bintulu (Tatau), Miri and Limbang. Meanwhile, in Sabah, the warning applies to the Interior (Nabawan). — Bernama

 

LIVERPOOL, May 1 — Arne Slot said Mohamed Salah “deserves a big send-off”, confirming he expected the departing superstar to return from injury before the season is over.

The Egypt forward, who will leave Anfield at the end of the campaign, was forced off in last weekend’s 3-1 win at home to Crystal Palace, prompting fears he may have played his final game for the Reds.

An emotional Salah applauded the fans and was given a standing ovation as he made his way off the pitch.

But Liverpool confirmed earlier this week that the 33-year-old had only suffered a “minor muscle injury” and was expected to return to action.

Slot’s men travel to face bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday after three straight wins virtually sealed a place in next season’s Champions League.

“We expect him to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday,” Liverpool boss Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Friday, describing the winger as a quick healer.

“In all ways it’s a big relief that his injury is minor, so that he’s able to play for us, that he’s able to play at the World Cup.

“And if there’s ever a player who deserves to get a big send-off, it’s definitely Mo.”

Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances since his arrival at Anfield in 2017, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in Liverpool’s list of leading goalscorers.

He had a public spat with Slot in December, declaring he had “no relationship” with the Dutchman after being dropped for three consecutive games, but quickly returned to the fold.

Liverpool, whose Premier League title defence collapsed dramatically from late September, have four games remaining, starting with their trip to face United.

The Reds are fourth in the table, three points behind third-placed Manchester United but eight points clear of sixth-placed Brighton.

The top five automatically qualify for next season’s Champions League.

‘Right step’

Slot said qualifying for Europe’s top club competition was vital after a turbulent season.

“I wouldn’t say a step forward, but it’s the right step to make,” he said. “We know how important it is to qualify for the Champions League, for any club, but definitely for our club.”

The manager was asked whether he had been judged harshly in the light of Liverpool’s success last season, when they won the Premier League in his first campaign in charge.

“That’s for you guys to judge, if I’ve been too harshly judged by many people,” he said.

“That’s not up to me. I’m judging my football players, if they play well, if they work hard enough, if they execute tactics well enough, and I’m not in this job to judge if I’m criticised too harshly or too much or too less.”

Slot said first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who has not played since March, was nearing a return to training.

“He is very close but of course, also we don’t want to take any risks, because that’s never what you do with a player and that’s also not what we do now,” he said. — AFP

KOTA BHARU, May 1 — A woman’s body with 61 stab wounds was found in a paddy field in Kampung Simah, Ketereh, early this morning.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said police received a call from the public regarding the discovery of the body at about 12.30 am.

He said the case has been classified as murder and is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

“An initial examination by the police forensic team found a total of 61 stab wounds on the victim’s body, from the face down to the legs.

“Most of the injuries were concentrated on the right side of the victim’s body. Preliminary investigations suggest that the victim was believed to have been killed at another location before the body was dumped in the area,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Yusoff said the crime scene was in a dark paddy field with no street lighting, located about 47 metres from the nearest residence.

Following the discovery, the K9 Unit was deployed to conduct detection operations within a radius of about 30 metres around the area.

Commenting on the victim’s condition, he said no identification documents were found.

However, the victim was wearing a necklace bearing the inscription ‘SYAA’, along with a bracelet on the left wrist and a ring on the middle finger of the right hand.

He said the victim was clad in a black long-sleeved top and black trousers. Several other items were also found at the scene, including a pair of glasses and a light purple shawl.

“The victim’s body was taken to the Forensic Department of Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital for a post-mortem.

“However, the victim’s identity was later established through fingerprint verification conducted by the National Registration Department,” he said, urging those with information on the incident to contact investigating officer ASP Ganesan at 012-5691204. — Bernama

ISTANBUL, May 1 — Turkish police on Friday fired tear gas and arrested dozens of people holding May Day demonstrations in Istanbul, as thousands rallied nationwide.

According to the CHD Lawyers Association, nearly 200 people were arrested in Istanbul, where police fired tear gas from riot-control vehicles into the crowd, AFP journalists observed.

Images aired on the opposition channel HALK TV also showed the president of the Turkish Workers’ Party, Erkan Bas, engulfed in pepper spray.

”Those in power already speak 365 days a year, so let workers talk about the hardships they face at least one day a year,” he said.

Two groups were specially singled out in the city’s European side after signalling their intention to march to Taksim square — the scene of several anti-government protests in the past — which was sealed off overnight by police.

A union official, Basaran Aksu, was arrested just after he had denounced the Taksim lockdown.

”You can’t close off a square to the workers of Turkey. Everyone uses Taksim, for official ceremonies, for celebrations. Only the labourers, the workers, the poor find the square closed to them,” he fumed.

May 1, which celebrates workers and the working classes, sees a major police deployment in Turkey every year, with a large area in the heart of Istanbul around Taksim Square sealed off.

Last year, protests moved to the Kadikoy area of the city and more than 400 people were arrested.

On Friday, a large deployment of police, many in riot gear, and metal barricades were seen choking access to central neighbourhoods of Istanbul.

In the Mecidiyekoy district, police were seen by AFP using tear gas on the crowd, which included members of a Marxist party, the HKP, who tried to push through while chanting “USA murderer, (Turkey’s ruling party) AKP accomplice”.

Police encircling the Besiktas neighbourhood stepped in — sometimes violently — whenever a chant was taken up by the demonstrators. AFP saw several protesters thrown to the ground.

Unions and civil society associations had called for the May 1 demonstrations under the slogan “Bread. Peace. Freedom”.

Inflation in Turkey is officially pegged at 30 percent but is closer to 40, according to independent estimates.

In Ankara, about 100 coal miners who had staged a nine-day hunger strike to demand wage arrears were cheered as they joined the May Day march, which was notably large and youthful and monitored by a significant police presence, an AFP journalist said.

Earlier this week, Turkish authorities issued arrest and search warrants against 62 people, of whom they deemed 46 — including journalists, trade unionists and opposition figures — were “likely to carry out attacks”. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has been called up by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to give his statement over an ongoing probe linked to the government’s joint venture with Arm Holdings.

In a statement posted on social media this afternoon, Rafizi said he received the notice around 3pm today, requiring him to appear at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on May 4 at 10am.

He said the summons relates to investigations into the government’s collaboration with Arm Holdings, a global chip design firm, which has come under scrutiny in recent months.

He also said that a report was suddenly lodged with the MACC by Perkasa, an NGO that has never previously shown interest in corruption issues. 

“Allegedly, the agreement was made hastily and to the detriment of the nation. When asked by the media, the Perkasa representative didn’t want to comment further because he said he didn’t understand it much himself,” said Rafizi on his official X account.

“Since February, this case has become the MACC’s top priority.

“There is no monetary motive. No money is involved,” he said.

He said he expected that after his statements are taken next week, he may be charged with breach of trust for allegedly providing false information or for causing the Cabinet to sign hastily. 

He added, “Insya Allah, I am prepared with my team of lawyers. It will be a long and fascinating trial, because many of the country’s top leaders will be called as witnesses.”

Despite the investigation, Rafizi noted that the joint venture with Arm Holdings is still ongoing, with the government continuing to promote it as a key step towards developing Malaysia’s own semiconductor capabilities.

He also described the probe as a warning to other politicians and public officials.

Rafizi said he will comment on this issue tonight on his YBM podcast on YouTube at 9pm. 

ATHENS, May 1 — Dozens of activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Crete disembarked on Friday in the Greek island, an AFP journalist saw.

Escorted by Greek coastguards, around 175 activists, the majority of them nationals of European countries, were taken in four coaches to the port of Atherinolakkos, in the southeast of the island.

As they approached the port, the activists chanted “Free Palestine”, AFP saw.

Israel’s foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats on Thursday. Flotilla organisers put the number at 211.

The flotilla comprising more than 50 vessels set sail in recent weeks from Marseille in France, Barcelona in Spain and Syracuse in Italy.

Its aim, according to the organisers, was to break the blockade of Gaza and bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.

Israel controls all entry points to Gaza. It has been accused by the United Nations and foreign NGOs of strangling the flow of goods into the territory, causing shortages since the start of Israel’s war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023.

The Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein on Friday said: “All the flotilla activists are now in Greece except Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila.”

In a post on X, the ministry called the flotilla “another provocation designed to divert attention from Hamas’s refusal to disarm”. It also said the flotilla was serving “professional provocateurs”.

It said Keshek was “suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation” and that he and Avila, suspected of “illegal activity”, would be brought to Israel for questioning.

Several European governments with nationals among those arrested have called on Israel to free the activists and called its action a flagrant contravention of international law.

But the United States backed Israeli authorities, calling the flotilla a “stunt” and saying it expects allies to deny port access, docking, departure and refuelling to vessels participating in the flotilla.

A State Department spokesman said Washington was exploring imposing “consequences” on those who support the flotilla.

The war in Gaza, triggered by the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has led to severe shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel.

In the summer and autumn of 2025, a first voyage by the Global Sumud Flotilla across the Mediterranean towards Gaza drew worldwide attention.

The boats in that flotilla were intercepted by Israel off the coasts of Egypt and the Gaza Strip in early October.

Crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested and then expelled by Israel. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Umno returnee Khairy Jamaluddin said more young Malaysians are now showing interest in joining Umno, attributing the trend to the party’s strong historical track record and perceived stability.

He said the party’s long-standing role in government continues to shape how it is viewed by younger voters, alongside a sense of nostalgia linked to its past political dominance.

“When asked what is attracting young people to Umno, it is because the party is seen as one of the most stable political parties in the country today, with a long track record in governance.

“There is also a sense of nostalgia among some younger individuals who grew up during Umno’s period of political dominance,” he told reporters at Umno education congress here today.

Khairy then added that Malaysians aged 18 and above are eligible to join political parties and participate in politics, with many young people viewing Umno as offering stability and experience compared with other political options.

He also stressed that Umno is not solely dependent on veteran figures, but is increasingly making space for younger candidates in both general elections and by-elections.

“Many of our candidates in previous elections were under the age of 50. In Melaka alone, there were several young candidates who won.

“I also observed that in by-elections, Umno has previously fielded young candidates, which shows that the party does provide space for a new generation.

“When we field young candidates, it shows that Umno is not simply an old party. We are giving space to young people,” he said.

When asked about the possibility of contesting in Sungai Buloh again, he said he would leave the matter to party leadership.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — The role of workers is crucial in driving economic growth and in ensuring the stability and prosperity of the country are maintained, even in the face of increasingly challenging economic conditions, said His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim’s Facebook today, His Majesty said that the welfare of workers must always be given attention, including aspects of safety, work-life balance and career development opportunities, so that they remain resilient in facing economic uncertainties.

Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, also conveyed Workers’ Day wishes to all workers who are the backbone of the nation’s development.

“Their Majesties expressed their appreciation for the sacrifices and dedication shown by workers in various sectors, whether in the public or private sector,” according to the post.

Their Majesties also prayed that all workers in this country are always protected and granted health and well-being in carrying out their duties. — Bernama