The Venice Biennale is always overwhelming for art. Our culture writer says the politics were overwhelming this year, too.

KLANG, May 7 — The family of the Indian national who perished in the 2024 Jalan Masjid India sinkhole tragedy officially received her death certificate yesterday, enabling their legal team to begin the process of claiming compensation from the authorities.

The family’s lawyer, M. Partiben, said the document was handed over by the National Registration Department in Putrajaya to Surya Madhaiha, 28, the daughter of G. Vijaya Lakshmi, 48.

“The focus has now shifted fully to claiming the family’s rights, and we hope the authorities will expedite the compensation process to reduce the family’s expenses while they remain in Malaysia,” he said at a press conference here today.

“The next step is to arrange meetings with the special officer to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh, as well as Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, in the near future to discuss the compensation amount,” he added.

Partiben said the compensation claim covers multiple elements, including damages for bereavement, funeral costs, special damages and exemplary damages following the incident, allegedly due to negligence in maintenance by the local authorities.

He also suggested that the government refer to a Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court decision on March 24, which ordered the Kuala Lumpur Mayor to pay RM824,180 in damages to the family of a victim killed by a falling tree due to maintenance negligence near the Selayang Market on March 22, 2023.

“A comparison should be made because in this sinkhole tragedy, the cause has also been linked to underground utility negligence and geological factors. We hope the ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will make a reasonable assessment,” he said.

Meanwhile, another lawyer, Muhamad Saifullah Muhamad Azmi, said the issuance of the death certificate has brought some relief to the family, who are now facing financial pressure as the deceased was the main breadwinner.

He said the document was urgently needed to settle the deceased’s outstanding debts with Indian banks and prevent any further action against the family.

On August 23, 2024, Vijaya Lakshmi, originally from Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, India, was reported missing after falling into an eight-metre-deep sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India.

Extensive search and rescue operations were conducted for nine days before being called off due to safety concerns for the rescue team. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — For Taman Segar resident Swee Len, 80, happiness at her age can be found in the simplest pleasure — a daily morning walk at a playground near her house.

So when Minister in the Prime Minister Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh announced that a park smaller than half a football pitch is now safe from development, Swee Len breathed a sigh of relief.

“To us seniors, this is all we want. Almost daily, in the morning, the senior community will have this part to walk,” the octogenarian said.

“It’s a relief to know this little playground will not be taken away for yet another high-rise development. I’m sure the rest of the community feels the same,” she added.

The modest playground at Persiaran Lemak in Taman Segar, Cheras, is among four newly gazetted sites under a broader push to protect green and open spaces in the capital city, which often become flashpoints between residents and developers. 

The other three consists of a community hall right next to the playground on Persiaran Lemak and two open spaces at Jalan Damai Puspa in Alam Damai. All these locations are in Cheras. 

Swee Len, a proud member of the local Rukun Tetangga, said both the sites have long been used by local residents. 

“The centre is almost like home for us seniors. We always meet and hang out here,” she said while offering a tour and some tea.

Yeoh, speaking to the press as she announced the playground’s new protected status, said public spaces like the the playground in Taman Segar can signify more than just recreation – often it can be the beating heart of the local community, especially for older persons.

“This is why these green spaces are so important,” the minister said today. 

“This is the reason we have a task force and we are running against time to gazette as many parks as possible, so that our senior citizens can have a breathing space where they can walk in the morning, meet their friends and exercise,” she added.

“As long as people support us this is what we’ll do.”

Yeoh announced the push to protect the city’s green spaces upon becoming FT minister.

By February, 494 areas were already given protected status before an additional 45 areas she announced on April 15.

The four additional areas designated as public space means the total number of green and open spaces successfully gazetted has increased to 543 areas. 

 

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has rejected claims that the national governing body lacks talented singles players.

The allegation was raised by several parties following the disappointing performance of BAM’s men’s singles players at the recent Thomas Cup.

BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said the governing body actually has talented players in the individual events, but the squad has at times been unfortunate due to injuries.

“I do not agree when people say we (BAM) lack talent. Perhaps we have just been unfortunate in the singles events because we already have the talent, but then injuries happen.

“You all know how many players are injured, while some are still recovering and others have only just recovered. So I don’t think we lack talent; we have just been unlucky in that aspect,” he said when met yesterday.

Meanwhile, Kenny said that, to ensure BAM does not run short of new talent, the governing body’s talent scouts continuously monitor various national tournaments throughout the year.

He added that, besides monitoring national tournaments, BAM also conducts Talent Identification selections at least twice a year to ensure the country’s best players can be identified and absorbed into BAM’s development system. — Bernama 

BACHOK, May 7 — While many choose to slow down after retirement, a group of retirees in Kuala Rekang, Melawi, have taken a different path by reviving idle land with Harumanis mangoes, which are now gaining recognition and putting Bachok on the map.

The premium mango, previously synonymous with Perlis, is gradually establishing a new foothold in Kelantan.

What began as a casual conversation among friends has grown into a shared source of income, strengthening community ties and giving new meaning to life after retirement.

Head of the Harumanis farm project, Mohd Rudzuan Jusoh, 53, said the initiative was sparked in late 2019 following discussions with fellow villagers after Isyak prayers, before evolving into a group farming project involving more than 40 participants.

“The idea was well received as the participants wanted to make use of idle former tobacco land while generating new income through high-value agriculture.

“We sourced the seedlings from Perlis at our own cost and cultivated them in stages,” he told Bernama recently.

He said more than 3,000 Harumanis trees are now being cultivated, with most of the participants comprising retired civil servants, including teachers, who have the time, interest and capital to venture into agriculture after leaving service.

He added that Bachok’s geographical advantages, its coastal location, prolonged hot weather and sufficient water supply make it suitable for the crop, along with the fertile land previously used for tobacco farming.

“According to feedback from customers, including those from Kuala Lumpur, the taste and aroma of Harumanis Bachok are comparable to those from Perlis. We offer both fully ripe (yellow) and semi-ripe (green) fruit based on demand,” he said.

Mohd Rudzuan said Harumanis trees typically begin to bear fruit within three to five years, and for this May season, the harvest is estimated at three tonnes, among the best yields so far.

He said sales will begin on May 16, with premium-grade fruit priced at RM100 for three kilogrammes and Grade A at RM100 for four kilogrammes.

Farm purchases are also available at RM100 for five kilogrammes without grading, including the option for customers to pick the fruit themselves.

Meanwhile, retired teacher Rasidi Teh, 63, said the project’s success proves that retirees can remain active and generate income while strengthening community bonds.

“From idle land, it has become a shared source of livelihood. We hope Kuala Rekang can emerge as a new Harumanis hub in Kelantan,” he said, expressing appreciation for the state government’s support through courses and grants to expand the cultivation. — Bernama 

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that the National Unity Ministry has been directed to spearhead discussions regarding issues related to unregulated houses of worship across the country. 

Fahmi said that instruction came from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the weekly Cabinet meeting. 

“The Cabinet has discussed the issue of unregulated houses of worship and the prime minister has directed the National Unity Ministry to coordinate further discussions to manage and resolve this matter,” he said. 

Fahmi added that the discussion will involve several key ministries and agencies including the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, The Housing and Local Government Ministry, the Home Ministry as well as the Federal Territories Department and other stakeholders. 

The discussions were aimed at finding solutions to issues involving unregulated houses of worship nationwide.

Previously in February, Anwar said that no unregulated houses of worship would be allowed to be built and local authorities have the right to remove structures that were built without proper legal approval.

Meanwhile in April, the federal government froze all construction and expansion at 163 unregulated non-Muslim places of worship identified on public land in KL. 

To resolve the status of these sites fairly, Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh announced the formation of 11 MP-led sub-committees tasked with negotiating structured solutions with religious leaders and stakeholders. 

This initiative marks a shift toward a more inclusive and “prudent” approach, balancing legal enforcement with the sensitivities of Malaysia’s multicultural community.

The move is supported by a parallel effort at the national level, where the Ministry of Housing and Local Government is refining guidelines for the management of non-Islamic places of worship to ensure a more orderly approach nationwide.

IPOH, May 6 — A man was killed after the car he was driving skidded before being pierced by a guardrail in an accident at Kilometre 295.5 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) southbound, near Gopeng, yesterday afternoon.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations, Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad, said the department received an emergency call at 4.29 pm, after which a team from the Simpang Pulai Fire and Rescue Station was dispatched to the scene.

“The accident involved a Perodua Axia and a Perodua Myvi. The deceased has been identified as Mohd Iqhbal Afiq Abd Ghafar, 37, the driver of the Perodua Axia.

“The victim was pinned inside the vehicle after the guardrail pierced through the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Ministry of Health (MOH) medical officers,” he said in a statement.

Sabarodzi added that also in the Perodua Axia were the victim’s wife, his two daughters and a niece. All four sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital, while the driver of the Perodua Myvi escaped unhurt.

“The rescue team conducted an extrication operation using hydraulic equipment to remove the pinned victim.

“The operations commander sized up (the situation) at the location before applying the SAVER (Systematic Approach to Victim Entrapment Rescue) concept, directing personnel to carry out the rescue work until the victim was successfully extricated,” he said.

Sabarodzi said the body was handed over to the police for further action. The operation was brought under control at 5.25 pm and concluded at 6.46 pm. — Bernama

IPOH, May 6 — Police have arrested a local man suspected of stealing cables belonging to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) along the railway track at Kilometre 181.9 near Jalan Tun Perak Monday.

Ipoh District Police chief ACP Muhammad Najib Hamzah said the arrest at 4.30 pm was carried out by KTMB auxiliary police together with personnel from the Ipoh District Police Headquarters (IPD) during a patrol.

“The suspect acted aggressively and attempted to flee, but was successfully apprehended. Police also seized a plastic bag containing three rolls of cable believed to belong to KTMB.

“A urine test on the suspect returned positive for methamphetamine and checks revealed he has seven criminal records and 15 drug-related records,” he said in a statement today.

He said the 39-year-old suspect had been remanded for three days to assist investigations under Section 66 of the Railways Act 1991. — Bernama

 

The sudden death of a curator, the surprise participation of Russia and an unconventional U.S. entry are heating up the art world Olympics, which begins previews Tuesday.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — The Education Ministry has refuted claims that several top SPM scorers were denied places in the matriculation programme, saying all eligible 10A students had already been offered admission, according to a Facebook post by Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.

Wong said MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong had recently alleged that the Madani government failed to fulfil its promise of offering Matriculation Programme places to 10A SPM high achievers, claiming he had received at least 11 cases of students allegedly left out.

He said the claim was inaccurate and unfounded, adding that he had challenged Wee to submit the students’ names to the Education Ministry for verification.

On May 4, Wong said Wee later claimed that all 11 students had secured places in the matriculation programme following MCA’s intervention.

However, Wong said Ministry of Education (KPM) records showed that all the students had already been offered places earlier under the government’s automatic placement policy for 10A SPM scorers.

He outlined a timeline, saying the ministry had announced on April 8, 2026, that all 10A students applying for matriculation would be automatically considered for admission for the 2026/2027 intake.

He said initial offers were issued on April 27 via the Matriculation portal, but some students who obtained their results after rechecking were still pending due to incomplete data at the time.

Wong added that 286 students who received updated 10A results were later notified of their offers on April 29 via SMS, with formal acceptance available from May 6.

On May 1, Wee allegedly repeated claims that the government had failed to deliver on its promise.

Wong said he again asked Wee to provide the names of the 11 students, and the ministry also requested the list through MCA president’s Facebook page.

He said the list was only provided after about 48 hours, following which ministry officials verified the cases.

According to Wong, one student had already been offered a place on April 27, while the remaining 10 had received notifications on April 29 at around 11.01am.

He said all students had therefore been offered places before Wee’s public remarks.

Wong also criticised claims that the admissions were due to MCA’s intervention, saying the intake was the result of government policy changes.

He added that credit for the admissions should go to stakeholders supporting the Madani government’s policy reforms.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — A new 24-hour, open-air art exhibition titled the “Museum of Disappearance” is set to transform the iconic Petaling Street into a city-wide art hunt starting May 6.

The project, launching as part of KL Festival 2026, features 25 text- and sound-based artworks by Malaysian artist OOOH, hidden throughout the streets and alleyways.

The exhibition invites the public to reflect on memory, loss, and the traces left behind by rapid urban transformation.

Instead of providing a map, the museum will release clues on its official social media channels, encouraging visitors to wander and discover the pieces organically.

The first person to find each of the 25 artworks will receive a special edition of the piece for their own collection.

The artist, known as OOOH, said the project stems from her personal experience of growing up around Petaling Street and witnessing its changes after returning from living abroad.

“Petaling Street is part of my growing up. In recent years, the space has changed rapidly—almost every time I return, something familiar is gone,” she said in the statement.

“Through this work, I want to hold on to these disappearing memories.”

Organisers describe the “Museum of Disappearance” as an ad-hoc art intervention, not a permanent institution.

The concept will periodically feature different artists responding to the theme of “disappearance” in various locations. This inaugural edition is supported by KL Festival and the Krishen Jit Fund.

 

The jury said it would “refrain from considering” countries whose leaders are facing charges of crimes against humanity, which would affect Israel and Russia.