KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — Amanah secretary-general Muhammad Faiz Fadzil has reportedly said Pakatan Harapan (PH) is not planning any post-election cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN) after the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state polls.

According to Utusan Malaysia, Faiz said PH’s current priority was to strengthen its own position ahead of any political developments after the elections.

“So far, there are no plans for cooperation with BN after the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections,” he was quoted as saying.

Faiz, who is also the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia chairman, was reportedly speaking to reporters after a Madani engagement programme with fishermen from the northern Perak zone in Sungai Betul Bawah, Tanjung Piandang, yesterday.

He said Amanah was confident it would be allocated seats it could win once negotiations within PH were finalised.

He added that seat talks among PH component parties were almost complete and had proceeded smoothly, with an announcement to be made by the coalition leadership soon.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — Police have arrested 15 men after raiding an illegal cockfighting activity at a coastal hut near the Miri Golf Club area on Thursday afternoon.

The 3.30pm raid was carried out by officers from the Miri district police headquarters following a tip-off on the activity at the location, according to a report by BuletinTV3.

Miri police chief Asst Comm Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah confirmed that all those detained were locals aged between 28 and 74.

He said various items believed to have been used in the activity were seized during the raid, along with live and dead roosters found at the scene.

“Initial investigations found that all suspects admitted they were at the location for cockfighting purposes,” he said in a statement.

Police have completed investigation papers and all suspects were charged at the Miri Magistrates’ Court last Friday under Section 73(1)(g) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.

If convicted, they face a maximum fine of RM2,000 or up to six months’ jail, or both.

The court set June 12 for mention.

All accused were allowed bail of RM600 each with one local surety.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — The ringgit is expected to be traded cautiously next week, ahead of the June 16–17 Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

Markets are expected to scrutinise the United States Federal Reserve’s statements and projections for the federal funds rate for the year.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid told Bernama that it will be interesting to look at the latest Fed assessment, given the US headline inflation rate was at a three-year high at 4.2 per cent in May.

He said another key focus, which will be closely monitored, is the global central banks’ reaction towards the current oil price shocks.

“Bank of Japan will be deciding their policy rate on June 16, with consensus expecting a 25-basis-point hike to one per cent.

“Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will also reconvene to decide their cash rate, but markets are anticipating no change in the benchmark interest rate, which currently stands at 4.35 per cent,” he said.

Meanwhile, SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said the big swing factor for next week’s market movement will be updates around the US-Iran peace deal.

“If there is a credible deal, the US dollar could weaken by around three to five per cent over the course of the month. That would be a meaningful tailwind for regional currencies, including the ringgit,” he added.

On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the ringgit eased to 4.0555/0600 against the US dollar from 4.0280/0320 a week earlier.

The local currency traded lower against a basket of major currencies during the week.

It depreciated against the British pound to 5.4429/4489 from 5.4233/4287, eased versus the Japanese yen to 2.5334/5364 from 2.5183/5209, and weakened against the euro to 4.6979/7031 from 4.6882/6928 previously.

It also traded lower against Asean currencies.

It slid against the Indonesian rupiah to 227.0/227.4 from 223.3/223.6, eased vis-à-vis the Singapore dollar to 3.1602/1640 from 3.1390/1424, slipped against the Thai baht to 12.4105/4288 from 12.3433/3605, and declined against the Philippine peso to 6.67/6.68 from 6.55/6.56. — Bernama

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar and was mostly firmer against regional peers on Friday amid easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which lifted sentiment towards the local note.

At 8 am, the local currency appreciated to 4.0505/0615 against the greenback from yesterday’s close of 4.0650/0690.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said United States President Donald Trump had indicated that a deal with Iran was close to being finalised, which could lead to the resumption of shipping activities in the Strait of Hormuz.

“Meanwhile, crude oil prices such as West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent fell by 1.97 per cent and 2.92 per cent to US$85.98 per barrel and US$90.38 per barrel, respectively.

“The US Dollar Index (DXY) was also down by 0.28 per cent to 99.672 points as a result. In addition, US initial jobless claims rose for the third week in a row to 229,000 last week,” he told Bernama.

The local currency traded mostly lower against a basket of major currencies. 

It climbed versus the Japanese yen to 2.5293/5364 from 2.5321/5347, but depreciated against the British pound to 5.4337/4485 from 5.4325/4378, and slid vis-a-vis the euro to 4.6889/7016 from 4.6878/6924 at Thursday’s close.

The ringgit was mostly higher against regional peers.

It rose versus the Singapore dollar to 3.1541/1632 from 3.1556/1589, was up against the Indonesian rupiah to 225.1/225.8 from 225.9/226.2, and strengthened against the Philippine peso to 6.60/6.62 from 6.62/6.63 previously.

However, the local note eased against the Thai baht to 12.3623/4023 from 12.3331/3501 yesterday. — Bernama

 

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR,  June 11 — Malaysia risks raising a generation proficient in artificial intelligence (AI) technology but lacking strong critical thinking and analytical skills if numeracy and reasoning abilities are not strengthened from an early age, according to an expert.

Senior lecturer at the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Associate Professor Kalaivani Chellappan said the concern stems from the growing use of AI and digital technologies in daily life, particularly in learning, research and completing tasks.

The data analytics and digital health expert said that although technology can improve efficiency and facilitate the learning process, over-reliance on it may undermine the mastery of basic skills essential for developing rational thinking and sound judgment.

The concern was reinforced by a two-year study she conducted involving 12 schools in suburban areas of the Sepang district.

The study, conducted from March 2024 to February 2026, found that more than 80 per cent of students aged between nine and 12 were unable to solve mathematical questions requiring basic calculation and reasoning skills.

Kalaivani said the study further revealed that the majority of students relied on smartphone calculators and AI applications such as ChatGPT to solve mathematics problems.

“For them, there is no need to learn calculation methods, as tools are already available to provide answers. This becomes a concern when technology is used as a substitute for learning rather than a complement,” she told Bernama.

She said follow-up findings from the study showed a trend of lower mathematics performance among pupils who were overly reliant on digital aids when they entered secondary school.

According to Kalaivani, this highlights that technology cannot fully replace the basic learning process, as strong numeracy and thinking skills must first be developed before AI can be effectively used as a support tool.

“The issue here is not that these children are not smart. Modern lifestyles are increasingly limiting opportunities for them to work with numbers in their daily lives. This is not just about academic achievement, but also reflects a decline in the ability to think, analyse and make rational judgments,” she said.

“Calculators and ChatGPT can provide answers. However, it is thinking ability that enables a person to assess whether an answer is reasonable and whether the information is reliable,” she said.

On measures to address the issue, Kalaivani said efforts to strengthen numeracy skills cannot rest solely on schools, but require the participation of parents and the community.

She said parents can encourage children to take part in daily tasks such as preparing budgets, shopping, measuring cooking ingredients, estimating travel time and reading analogue clocks, to nurture reasoning and problem-solving skills.

At the same time, she suggested that schools place greater emphasis on the application of mathematics in real-world situations rather than focusing on examination-oriented approaches.

“The solution is not to reject technology. Such a response would be unrealistic and counterproductive. Instead, Malaysia must rebuild a culture of thinking.

“Communities should create environments where children engage with numbers naturally through sports, games, planning, gardening, house cleaning, cooking, woodcraft projects and everyday problem-solving.

“Most importantly, we must stop viewing mathematics as merely a school subject. Mathematics is the language of thinking. Every receipt, timetable, recipe, football score, fuel bill, bank statement and construction measurement is a mathematics lesson,” she said. — Bernama

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 —  In a moment of unexpectedly human vulnerability, a gorilla at a Japanese zoo has gone viral for appearing to suffer an existential crisis following a spat with his mate.

The footage depicts Kiyomasa, a 13-year-old male gorilla, seemingly adrift in a sea of deep contemplation following a disagreement with his mate.

Rather than returning to typical primate antics, Kiyomasa is seen perched in solitude, his posture striking a chord with viewers who described it as a classic "thinking pose", evocative of Michalangelo’s The Thinker.

Kiyomasa is no stranger to the spotlight; he is the son of the world-famous silverback Shabani, whose own imposing presence has made him a celebrity in his own right.

However, while his father is known for power, Kiyomasa has captured the internet's imagination through this rare display of perceived vulnerability and quiet reflection.

 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — No Malaysians were affected after a Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 aircraft suffered a nose landing gear failure while preparing for departure at Frankfurt Airport on June 4, the Embassy of Malaysia in Germany confirmed.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the embassy said that, according to information provided by the relevant German authorities and Lufthansa, the aircraft experienced a nose landing gear failure while parked at a gate in preparation for its scheduled departure to Los Angeles.

“The incident occurred prior to passenger boarding.

“At the time of the incident, only Lufthansa crew members and ground personnel were on board the aircraft,” the statement read.

Several airline staff members were injured and are receiving medical treatment, it added. The embassy conveyed its sincere hope for their swift and full recovery.

German Press Agency (dpa) reported that several employees were injured when a Lufthansa aircraft collapsed while parked at the gate at Frankfurt Airport, for reasons yet unknown. — Bernama

 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — South Korean director Yeon Sang-ho’s zombie thriller Colony has officially crossed RM20 million at the Malaysian box office, following weeks of strong word-of-mouth and widespread discussion among local moviegoers.

It was only a matter of time, as the reputation of Yeon Sang-ho — the director behind what many consider one of the greatest Korean zombie films ever made, Train to Busan — had helped generate strong anticipation for his latest take on the genre.

This milestone was acknowledged by director Yeon and the cast in a special video message posted recently on GSC’s Instagram account, before being widely shared across social media platforms.

The video features Yeon alongside the cast Jun Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Kim Shin-rok, and Shin Hyun-been expressing their appreciation to Malaysian audiences.

“We are so thankful for the overwhelming love and support that you have shown Colony,” said Jun.

Koo added, “Thanks to you, the movie has officially surpassed RM20 million.”

“It means so much to us to see everyone enjoying the film together,” said Ji.

Kim also encouraged moviegoers who have yet to watch the film, saying, “If you haven’t seen Colony yet, please don’t miss the chance to watch it in theatres.”

“Thank you once again for this impressive milestone,” added Shin.

The video concluded with the director and cast saying, “Kamsahamnida! (thank you)”

Colony has enjoyed a strong run in Malaysia since its nationwide release on May 22.

Its box office journey began with RM1.4 million and quickly gathered momentum, surpassing RM10 million within its first week before eventually crossing the RM20 million mark.

It was also recently reported that Colony had surpassed 1 million admissions in Malaysia, further demonstrating the scale of its popularity.

The film continues to screen nationwide, with audiences still heading to cinemas to catch the latest zombie thriller.

The story follows a group of survivors trapped inside a sealed skyscraper after a mysterious infection spirals out of control.

Cut off from the outside world, they are forced into a brutal fight against infected humans who continuously mutate into increasingly dangerous forms. 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Even before its arrival on local screens, the action film Chelot has already clinched its place in the Malaysia Book of Records.

The production has officially set the record for the longest single-take action sequence in Malaysian cinematic history. This technical feat traversed 1.9 kilometres, unfolding continuously for 5 minutes and 19 seconds using a single camera.

The scale of the sequence required immense logistics: a 300-strong crew, 150 days of meticulous preparation, and 60 hours of gruelling rehearsals. To bring the vision to life, the production utilised a total of 50 prop cars throughout the shoot.

Chelot marks the return of director Adrian Teh, a filmmaker who has built a reputation for delivering the most ambitious spectacles in Malaysian cinema.

After the massive box office success of PASKAL: The Movie and MALBATT: Misi Bakara, Teh briefly stepped away from the action genre to explore different narrative styles. Chelot represents his high-octane homecoming.

Reflecting on his return, Teh said: “After directing MALBATT: Misi Bakara in 2022, I took a step back from action to explore different genres and storytelling approaches.

“But this return isn’t about revisiting the familiar — it’s about pushing boundaries and delivering something truly fresh, something Malaysian audiences have never experienced before.”

The director noted that the ambitious single-take sequence demanded months of flawless coordination to ensure perfect execution on the day of filming.

“This achievement is not mine alone — it’s the result of an incredible collective effort by the entire production team, made possible with the unwavering support of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).”

A powerhouse collaboration between ACT 2 Pictures, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), Astro Shaw, SunStrong Entertainment, and Marvelous Culture & Film, Chelot is already generating anticipation.

The recently released teaser poster features local favorites Beto Kusyairy and Shukri Yahaya, signalling a high-stakes drama. While many details remain under wraps, the film also features a stellar ensemble cast including Nadhir Nasar, Alicia Amin, Mustaqim Bahadon, and Theebaan G.

Chelot is slated for release this August.

 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — The Department of Environment (DOE) acted swiftly to investigate following a viral report on social media regarding the release of orange smoke, believed to have occurred in the Jalan Keluli area of Pasir Gudang yesterday morning.

Immediately upon receiving the information at around 9:45 am, an enforcement and investigative team from the DOE Pasir Gudang Branch was deployed to the location to conduct monitoring, an investigation, and an initial assessment of the incident.

According to a statement issued by the DOE today, patrols carried out around Jalan Keluli revealed that there was no longer any orange smoke being emitted from any premises in the area.

“However, based on information obtained on-site, the emission is believed to have originated from an industrial premises in the Pasir Gudang Industrial Area.

“The DOE investigative team arrived at the identified premises at around 11:10 am and found that the orange smoke emission had stopped. Nevertheless, there was a noticeable odor in the area of the premises while the inspection was being conducted,” the statement read.

Following the incident, the DOE took several immediate actions, including conducting on-site monitoring and investigations in the complained area, as well as coordinating with the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) and the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) for further action within their respective jurisdictions.

The statement also explained that the DOE had requested a safety assessment from JBPM before conducting a detailed inspection inside the premises, in addition to carrying out air quality monitoring in potentially affected sensitive areas.

As a precautionary measure, the Johor State DOE also conducted air quality monitoring at two identified sensitive locations, namely Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Taman Pasir Putih and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Pasir Gudang 3.

“Through the monitoring conducted, the air quality readings at both locations were at normal levels and did not show any readings exceeding the established limits.

“The DOE wishes to emphasize that further investigation is underway to identify the actual cause of the incident and to determine if there was any emission of pollutants that violates the provisions of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 [Act 127],” the department said. 

The DOE stressed that if the investigation reveals an offence has been committed under the enforced legal provisions, appropriate enforcement action will be taken against the responsible parties.

The department will continue to monitor the situation in the affected area and work closely with relevant agencies to ensure that public safety and environmental quality are always preserved.

In the meantime, the public is advised not to speculate regarding this incident and to always refer to official information issued by the authorities. — Bernama

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for mature politics, responsible leadership and practical solutions to address current challenges in an increasingly complex global environment.

In conjunction with BN’s 52nd anniversary, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the coalition must continue to move forward with a spirit of renewal, grounded in experience and an openness to adapt to future demands.

“Believe me, the journey ahead will not always be easy. We will face various terrains, with the biggest challenge being the coming General Election,” he said in a Facebook post.

He urged all BN leaders, machinery and supporters to remain united, loyal to the struggle and attentive to the needs and sentiments of the people in order to secure a stronger mandate for the coalition.

Ahmad Zahid, who is Umno president, said BN was formed 52 years ago out of a spirit of understanding, moderation and cooperation among Malaysia’s diverse communities, to build the nation collectively.

Over the past five decades, he said, BN has gone through various phases of struggle, including an era of leading the nation’s growth as well as facing challenges that required resilience and self-reflection.

“However, one thing that has remained unchanged is our commitment to serve the people and uphold the country’s stability,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to all party members and machinery who continue to support BN’s struggle with dedication and loyalty. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Authorities will decide tomorrow whether to continue or call off the search and rescue (SAR) operation for missing hiker Jaslinda Saludin, who disappeared at Gunung Batu Putih on May 24.

According to Berita Harian, Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the decision would be made following a coordination meeting involving agencies involved in the operation.

He said the meeting, chaired by the Batang Padang district officer, would review the current status of the SAR mission, developments over the past 10 days and possible next steps.

“The meeting will discuss the current status and progress of the SAR operation, as well as follow-up actions after 10 days of search efforts,” he was quoted as saying.

The operation, now in its 10th day, has faced numerous challenges, including difficult terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.

Earlier, Jaslinda was reportedly captured on one of the surveillance cameras along the Gunung Batu Putih hiking trail, believed to be heading towards Kem Sukaneka on the day she was reported missing.

Authorities have also enlisted the help of the local Orang Asli community, with more than 20 residents from Kampung Orang Asli Ampang Woh deployed in small teams to search areas outside the main trail between Kem Sukaneka and Gunung Rayu.

Meanwhile, aerial search efforts have been hampered by clustered cloud cover, strong winds and limited space surrounded by dense forest.

Deputy Fire Superintendent II Mohd Hasrizal Kamaruzzaman previously said an MI-17 helicopter from the Fire and Rescue Department's Central Region Air Base had been deployed for winching operations.

The operation involved lowering and extracting 32 rescuers by cable in the Kem Sukaneka area as part of efforts to locate the missing hiker.