GEORGE TOWN, May 11 — The Kampung Kolam DAP branch has passed a resolution to welcome and support party secretary-general Anthony Loke to contest in Penang, marking the first time a branch in the state has openly made such a call.

According to The Star, the resolution was passed unanimously during the branch’s annual general meeting yesterday. It was proposed by former Komtar assemblyman and Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik, who was elected as the branch’s new chairman, and seconded by branch secretary Khoo Yeong Ming.

Ng said the resolution was made with the aspiration of leading Penang towards greater progress. He noted that while Penang has always been a frontline state for DAP, which has never abandoned its goal of making the state a political fortress, the current state leadership is increasingly plagued by issues such as uneven leadership quality, factional infighting, and money-driven political campaigns.

Ng believes the time has come to invite Loke to lead the state chapter, which he said would strengthen the party’s electoral prospects and drive Penang’s development to greater heights.

At the AGM, other resolutions were also passed such as prioritising party members with a Tanjong background as candidates for parliamentary and state seats in the area, urging the party leadership to contest at least 21 state seats in the state polls, as well as a new policy limiting party members from contesting any elected position for more than three terms consecutively.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — A lorry driver pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of attempting to murder a man during a shooting incident outside an entertainment centre in Bangsar last month.

A. Lekeswaran, 27, was charged with attempting to kill scrap metal business owner B. Yoga Sundram, 41, in front of an entertainment outlet along Jalan Telawi, Bangsar, at about 3.15 am on April 22.

The charge, framed under Section 307 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine upon conviction. If the act causes injury, the accused may face up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Deputy public prosecutor J. Banusha objected to bail, arguing that the offence was serious and noting that the victim remains in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit of Universiti Malaya Medical Centre.

“Granting bail is inappropriate because it may allow the accused to flee, and there is also the possibility of interference with the victim and prosecution witnesses.

“It is also understood that the accused is expected to face firearms-related charges in the Klang Court. Therefore, I object to the bail application and request the court not to grant bail,” he said.

Counsel Muhammad Izz Khan Mohd Nor Khan, representing the accused, appealed for bail and informed the court that his client was willing to comply with any additional conditions imposed.

However, Judge Mazuliana Abdul Rashid denied bail and fixed June 10 for mention. — Bernama

PARIS, May 11 — Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Top Gun have all premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the last decade. But in 2026, not a single Hollywood blockbuster is programmed there, raising questions about why US studios are ghosting the event.

The world’s biggest film festival, which kicks off on Tuesday, has long relied on Hollywood to provide a dose of mass-market entertainment alongside the sometimes edgy independent cinema that forms the core of its programme.

Mega-stars such as Tom Cruise or Harrison Ford help draw attention to the same red carpets walked by auteur directors and the casts of obscure art-house productions — all in the name of supporting the fragile cinema industry.

Although Cannes director Thierry Fremaux made platforming American productions a priority when he took over 25 years ago, he was left having to explain their absence when he unveiled the line-up of films in April.

“Outside of studio filmmaking, independent cinema — cinema made somewhere other than Los Angeles — continues to exist,” Fremaux said.

There are two independent American films in the main competition: Paper Tiger by James Gray, starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, as well as The Man I Love by Ira Sachs featuring Rami Malek.

But Hollywood big beasts Universal, Disney, Warner, Sony and Paramount, as well as streaming giants Netflix and Amazon, have decided to pass.

It was a similar story at the Berlin film festival in February where director Tricia Tuttle was left with a blockbuster-free schedule.

‘Nervousness’

Tuttle blamed low risk-appetite and commercial pressures — rather than another sign of America’s estrangement from Europe under US President Donald Trump.

“There’s a nervousness in a very difficult marketplace: nervousness about reviews coming out long before release and about controlling the way films of that scale are launched because there’s so much at stake,” she told The Hollywood Reporter in January.

She cited the dreadful critical reception for Joker: Folie a Deux which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2024 before bombing at the box office.

“We’ve seen more reticence since,” Tuttle told the publication.

In a more confident, profitable environment, or when Hollywood is churning out films more regularly, a commercial dud might be easily absorbed.

Nowadays, it spells major trouble for budget-conscious executives.

Tough critics

J. Sperling Reich, a Los Angeles-based film critic and Cannes veteran, said Hollywood studios make fewer Cannes-compatible films. They prefer to control their launch schedules, rather than having them dictated by a festival.

“They’re essentially flying in talent, trying to figure out a publicity narrative... two, three, sometimes four months early (before launch), and then they expose that film to the world’s toughest critics,” he told AFP.

“If it doesn’t fly in Cannes, it’s going to be tough to recover from that,” he explained.

The most recent blockbusters, Michael Jackson biopic Michael and the The Devil Wears Prada 2, organised their own tightly controlled promotional events, boosted by influencers and social media.

Reich cited Christopher Nolan’s upcoming ancient Greek action movie Odyssey and Steven Spielberg’s science-fiction thriller Disclosure Day as possible Cannes films.

“But the reality is those films don’t need Cannes,” he said.

Coming together

Others are sceptical that 2026 signals a permanent rupture between Hollywood and European festivals.

Indeed, if the bad reviews for the Joker: Folie a Deux in Venice in 2024 are to blame, then why was the Italian festival so packed with big-budget American films just last September?

Eric Marti, who heads the box office specialist Comscore in France, said studios have always had a transactional approach to Cannes.

“It’s a tremendous showcase, as it’s one of the most watched events, but they also have a very well-oiled promotional machine. If the Cannes dates and their launches line up, the two come together,” he said.

Hollywood was not “totally absent”, he added.

The festival has added a Fast and Furious special screening in the first days to mark the 25th year of the Universal-owned franchise, with the original stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster flying in.

Hollywood may simply be sitting out Cannes in 2026, only to rev back into action next year. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 —Thirteen members of the Senate, including six new appointees, took their oath of office today before the Senate president, Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah.

The six new appointees are acting Bentong Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Zaini Salleh, Wanita MCA chief Datuk Wong You Fong, Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Johor DAP vice-chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, Sarawak DAP assistant secretary Larry Asap and R.Thiagarajah.

Meanwhile, six senators were reappointed, namely Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan, Datuk Seri Profesor Dr Awang Sariyan, Datuk Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli, Isaiah D. Jacob, Mohd Hasbie Muda and Abun Sui Anyitm.

Abdul Nasir Idris was re-elected by the Kedah State Legislative Assembly.

All six new appointments by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong are for a three-year term from today until May 10, 2029, while the reappointments run from March 20, 2026, to March 19, 2029.

In his speech, Awang Bemee congratulated the 13 senators and urged them to make the Senate a platform for mature and constructive debate in representing the voices of the states and federal territories.

The Senate president also noted that the world is currently facing challenging geopolitical and economic conditions, including global supply chain disruptions, energy market uncertainty, rising logistics costs and inflationary pressures affecting the cost of living.

"Malaysia’s Parliament is entering an important phase through the enforcement of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 to strengthen the separation of powers.

"The Senate also approved amendments to its standing orders on March 9, including the establishment of five new select committees covering public administration and governance; trade, industry and international relations; food security and the economy; social services, minorities, culture and indigenous affairs; as well as defence and security,” he said.

As such, Awang Bemee urged senators to play an active role in the committees to strengthen the Senate institution and champion public interests.

He said that in today’s digital communication era, senators’ responsibilities extend beyond the chamber and include fostering public understanding of constitutional supremacy, parliamentary democracy and the rule of law.

"Use social media and various communication platforms responsibly to assist the public, strengthen unity and preserve national harmony,” he added. — Bernama

GEORGE TOWN, May 11 – Penang Opposition Leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff has alleged that the accounts of government-linked corporations, Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI), was not fully audited.

He said CMI had failed to present its complete and audited accounts.

“The accounts were also not tabled in the state legislative assembly even though CMI manages the state revenue and multi-million ringgit projects,” he said when debating the Penang Yang DiPertua Negri’s speech at the state legislative assembly today.

The Sungai Dua assemblyman questioned the transparency of the state’s revenue management under CMI.

“How can an entity managing millions in state revenue operate without proper financial transparency? This is not about perception, this is about basic governance principles,” he said.

He said CMI which oversees various projects, should have a clear and audited financial reporting mechanism.

“CMI managed 71 projects in 2024 and 2025 and recorded rental and lease income through CMI and State Secretary Incorporated (SSI) amounting to RM8.43 million as of September 30 last year,” he said.

He also questioned delays in the tabling of CMI’s financial statements, despite requirements under amendments to the Chief Minister Incorporated Enactment, which stipulate that accounts and records must be properly prepared and tabled in the State Assembly every financial year.

Fauzi raised concerns over CMI’s management structure.

He said it lacked transparency especially in relation to state land management, strategic leases, and collaborations through various special purpose vehicles (SPVs).

“The public still does not have a clear picture of all companies under CMI’s management, their shareholding structures, and the actual ownership links,” he said.

He added that this raises questions over who is managing state assets and what benefits are derived from the projects, while also limiting public scrutiny over financial flows.

He urged the state government to explain the issues he raised.

“I hope the state government ensure all CMI-related accounts are properly prepared, audited, and presented openly to the state assembly and the public,” he said.

GEORGE TOWN, May 11 — Penang has strengthened health security at its international entry points at both the port and international airport to prevent the spread of hantavirus here.

State exco for health, youth and sports Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said steps have been taken to tighten international entry screening measures.

“These steps include increasing the capacity of existing laboratories to assist in detecting potential hantavirus infections,” he said in a press conference at the state legislative assembly today.

He reiterated a statement by the Ministry of Health that at present hantavirus cases occurred mainly in European countries so the likelihood of transmission in Malaysia is considered relatively low.

However the state health department has continued to implement health security protocols.

“We have health officers stationed at international entry points including at the ports,” he said.

He said ships arriving at Penang’s ports are subject to specific protocols to inspect their cleanliness and related health conditions.

“For the information of the media, according to the, from January 1 to May 2 this year, a total of 22,367 ships and boats were inspected at international entry points nationwide across major ports,” he said.

During the same period, Gooi said 2,421 sanitary certificates and 1,146 Ship Sanitation Certificates (SSC) were issued to ensure vessels entering the country comply with public health requirements, sanitation standards, and pest control measures in line with international health regulations.

“These are existing public health protocols already in place, implemented under the Ministry of Health to prevent the spread of infectious diseases,” he said.

He said these protocols have been in place for a long time.

Among the common measures include the use of infrared cameras to detect if a person has a fever or related symptoms.

“This is part of the established protocol to prevent disease transmission,” he said.

He said health officers at all international entry points have been reminded to remain alert to symptoms associated with the virus.

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DHAKA, May 11 — A total of 344 children have died since a measles outbreak began in Bangladesh in March this year, as the number of cases continues to rise, government health officials said on Sunday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

The government’s Directorate General of Health Services reported that 11 children had died in the 24 hours that ended Sunday morning. Among them, four had confirmed measles infections, while the other seven died after developing measles symptoms.

Of the total of 344 children who have died since March 15, 65 children are confirmed to have contracted measles, while the remainder died with symptoms.

The report also noted that 282 more children were diagnosed with measles in the last 24 hours, and an additional 1,278 children showing measles symptoms were hospitalised during the same period.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable viral illness. It causes high fever, cough, red eyes, and a characteristic blotchy rash. Symptoms usually appear 10-12 days after exposure in children.

A woman adjusts a tube to ensure extra oxygen supply to a child infected with measles receiving treatment at the DNCC Hospital, following an outbreak across the country, in Dhaka May 6, 2026. — Reuters pic

Since March 15, a total of 49,159 children have shown measles symptoms. Among them, 34,909 have been admitted to hospitals. Of these hospitalised children, 6,819 were diagnosed with measles. More than 30,000 patients have since been discharged.

In early April, the Bangladeshi government, with support from UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign.

According to UNICEF, the campaign aims to protect more than 1.2 million children aged six months to five years across 18 of the country’s 64 administrative districts.

“Due to the current measles outbreak, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken swift and effective measures,” said Bangladeshi Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain.

The UN agency said that the campaign complements routine immunisation efforts and is part of a broader strategy to restore immunisation coverage, strengthen health systems, and build resilience against future outbreaks. — Bernama-dpa

KOTA KINABALU, May 11 — Sabah is reviewing its tourism targets and adopting a more flexible strategy following a series of airline route suspensions affecting connectivity into the state capital.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said tourism planning would now be guided by a more adaptive framework as global aviation conditions continue to shift amid geopolitical tensions, rising operational costs and changes in airline capacity.

“We are already seeing these changes impacting airline capacity, with route suspensions and reduced frequencies affecting connectivity into Kota Kinabalu, and we are closely monitoring developments to ensure our tourism planning remains responsive,” he said in a statement.

Among the affected routes are AirAsia’s temporary suspension of its Singapore–Kota Kinabalu route from May 13 to November 30, Jakarta–Kota Kinabalu from April 16 to May 21, and Ho Chi Minh–Kota Kinabalu beginning July 1.

Batik Air has also suspended its Seoul–Kota Kinabalu service effective April 28, while AirAsia will temporarily halt its Sibu–Kota Kinabalu and Bintulu–Kota Kinabalu routes between June 8 and June 30.

The suspensions come as Sabah continues to rely heavily on direct air connectivity to drive tourism growth, particularly from regional and international markets.

Jafry said the developments reflect broader global pressures that may influence visitor arrivals and travel demand.

He said tourism performance planning is now based on multiple scenarios, including prolonged external disruptions, stabilising market conditions and possible recovery of airline capacity.

“As at March, arrivals are still on track towards the original target of four million arrivals, but targets may be revised depending on real-time developments in airline connectivity and market conditions,” he said.

Based on preliminary figures, Sabah recorded 932,970 visitor arrivals up to March this year, comprising 537,317 domestic visitors and 395,653 international arrivals.

Jafry said the state government and the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) are continuing to engage airline partners and industry stakeholders to strengthen connectivity and minimise disruptions to visitor flows.

“This approach is supported by continuous market intelligence, research and industry engagement led by STB, including coordination with airline partners to strengthen connectivity planning and support decision-making on tourism strategy,” he said.

Despite the challenges, he said Sabah remains committed to sustaining tourism growth by intensifying promotions in domestic and regional markets with existing flight connections.

“In the current environment, we must remain adaptive and responsive,” he said.

DUNGUN, May 11 — A wood cutter at a factory here has been remanded for seven days until May 17 on suspicion of abusing his five-year-old stepson in Kampung Besol Baru, Bukit Besi, in April.

Acting Dungun police chief DSP Jumaidy Bah Chong Weh said the 36-year-old man was arrested yesterday and brought to the Magistrate's Court here today for a remand order. 

He said the arrest followed a police report lodged by the victim's 30-year-old biological mother at the Bukit Besi police station at 5.36 pm yesterday.

"The mother noticed burn marks on her son's left ring finger. He told her that the suspect had used a lighter to burn it because he was being naughty. The suspect also admitted to the act.

"A physical examination of the victim found healed wounds on the finger, but no other injuries were found," he added in a statement today.

Jumaidy added that the victim's mother also reported that on May 3, the boy had told a family member that the suspect had allegedly choked his neck and stepped on his stomach. However, no witnesses were present during the incident.

Following that, Jumaidy said the victim, who attends a kindergarten in Bukit Besi, was taken to Dungun Hospital for examination at 8 pm yesterday.

"The suspect, who has no prior criminal record and tested negative for drugs, was arrested at 5.50 pm," he said.

He added that the case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for child abuse.  — Bernama

YANGON, May 11 — Myanmar claimed today that “discriminatory measures” are shutting it out of the Asean bloc after a summit last week saw the organisation continue to blacklist the country’s post-coup leadership.

The 11-country Association of South-east Asian Nations has shunned Myanmar from summits since the military in 2021 deposed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and detained the democratic figurehead, triggering a civil war.

After five years of martial rule, the junta staged a tightly restricted election excluding Suu Kyi’s party that last month resulted in putsch-leading military chief Min Aung Hlaing taking over as civilian president.

At an Asean summit in the Philippines last week, the hosting country’s President Ferdinand Marcos complained there had not been “any progress in Myanmar”.

Myanmar’s foreign ministry, in a statement, claimed that on the contrary, “positive developments taking place in Myanmar have been well recognized by the majority of Asean Member States”.

“However, it is observed that a few Member States continue to maintain restrictions, discriminatory measures, and the exclusion of the Myanmar Government from equal representation.”

Asean is suffering from a fraying consensus over Myanmar, analysts say, with frustration growing over a lack of progress on the bloc’s peace plan to end the nation’s civil war.

Some countries, such as neighbouring Thailand, congratulated Myanmar’s coup-leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing when he was sworn in, pledging to make efforts to stabilise their shared border.

Others have remained aloof about Min Aung Hlaing’s inauguration following an election widely criticised by democracy monitors for cracking down on dissent and not including opposition parties and voters in rebel-held territories.

At the summit in the Philippines, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Myanmar was not ready to reclaim a seat at the table because “atrocities towards their own citizens are still occurring”.

Countries including Indonesia and Singapore — which will take the bloc’s rotating chair next year — are widely believed to side with Malaysia.

But Myanmar’s foreign ministry said “non-constructive engagement with the new government of Myanmar” would “disregard the genuine will of the Myanmar people, who exercised their democratic rights”.

“Over the past five years, despite facing unequal treatment arising from the positions of certain Asean Member States, Myanmar has exercised patience,” it added.

While it did not name specific countries, it also accused some nations of “interfering in Myanmar’s internal affairs through criticism and pressure”.

Myanmar has used similar language to criticise East Timor, the bloc’s newest member, after a Dili court opened a case against Min Aung Hlaing for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Rights activists in Muslim-majority Indonesia have also filed a complaint with their country’s attorney general, accusing the junta he led of atrocities including genocide against the Rohingya minority. — AFP

KOTA KINABALU, May 11 — Organisers of the Borneo International Marathon 2026 have confirmed a hit-and-run incident during the race, which left a 40-year-old participant and a Rela personnel injured.

In a statement today, Kinabalu Running Club said both victims received immediate treatment from the event’s medical team before being taken to hospital for further observation and care.

“We have also contacted the victims’ families and are closely monitoring their condition while extending support to those affected and their loved ones,” the organisers said.

The runner, a full marathon participant in the 42km category, was believed to have sustained a neck fracture during the incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning while it was still dark.

The Rela personnel involved is 37 years old.

The club said the matter has been reported to the police and investigations are ongoing.

The organisers also reminded motorists to respect road closures and safety measures during organised sporting events.

“The safety of runners, volunteers, officials and all event personnel remains our highest priority. We urge all road users to respect road closures, marathon safety measures, and the presence of runners and crews during organised sporting events,” they said.

They said they had engaged traffic management consultant Danasafe for the race.

However, following the incident, several runners took to social media to complain about inadequate road safety along certain stretches, including areas that were reportedly in darkness or not fully closed to traffic.

In a separate incident, a half-marathon runner who completed the race later died at hospital after experiencing shortness of breath.

Muhd Irfan Tarmizi Muhlis @ Ramli, a lifeguard at the Tawau Sports Complex, reportedly completed the 21km category before developing symptoms.

The Borneo International Marathon is in its 16th edition and attracts more than 10,000 runners from 50 countries.

SEPANG, May 11 — Customs officers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) have foiled attempts to smuggle out cash and drugs, and seized smuggled liquor, with a total value of nearly RM1.12 million in four separate cases last month.

KLIA Customs director Zulkifli Muhammad said that in the first case on April 2, the department, in collaboration with the Aviation Security (AVSEC) unit of Malaysia Airports, detained an Indonesian traveller at the Satellite Building, Terminal 1, for allegedly attempting to take RM129,500 in cash out of the country without declaration.

“A search of the traveller’s luggage uncovered the cash, which had been concealed inside a black plastic bag. The traveller failed to declare the cash in Customs Form No. 7 for the amount to be taken out of Malaysia and breached Regulation 55(1)(b) of the Customs Regulations 2019,” he said in a statement today.

He said the traveller was supposed to obtain prior written approval from Bank Negara Malaysia before taking the money out of the country.

The case is being investigated under Section 28B of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. 

He said that in the second case, officers raided a premises in Seri Kembangan at 7.15 pm on April 23 and discovered 17.043 litres of various brands of alcoholic beverages, valued at an estimated RM221,566, with unpaid duties amounting to RM430,835.

“The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 74(1)(d) of the Excise Act 1976,” he said.

In the third and fourth cases on April 24 and 27 at the international departure gate of KLIA Terminal 1, Zulkifli said three local individuals were detained for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country.

He said that at 9.20 am on April 24, officers from the KLIA Customs Enforcement Division, in collaboration with AVSEC Malaysia Airports KLIA, detained a local man who was due to board a flight to Hong Kong after X-ray screening of his luggage revealed suspicious images believed to be drugs.

“A further inspection of the luggage uncovered ketamine weighing 3.6719 kilogrammes, valued at RM183,595. The case has been handed over to the KLIA Enforcement Division for further investigation,” he said.

Zulkifli said that at 5.17 pm on April 27, two local women, who were due to board a flight to Taipei, were detained after X-ray screening of their luggage also revealed suspicious images believed to be drugs.

A search of their luggage uncovered ketamine weighing 4.4836 kilogrammes, valued at RM224,180.

He said both cases are being investigated under Section 39B and 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. — Bernama