JOHOR BARU, June 1 — All eyes are on Johor today amid speculation that the state assembly could be dissolved.
According to the New Straits Times, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi is scheduled to hold a special press conference at his official residence at 5pm.
The announcement, eagerly awaited across the political divide, is expected to pave the way for state polls.
MORE TO COME
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has revoked the Panglima Setia Mahkota award conferred on former Felda chairman Mohd Isa Abdul Samad.
In a statement today, the Prime Minister’s Department said the award, which carries the title “Tan Sri”, was revoked effective June 8.
“The revocation is in connection with his conviction and the fact that he is currently serving a prison sentence at Sungai Buloh Prison in Selangor,” read the statement.
The department said the revocation was made under Paragraphs XXV and XXVIA of the Statutes of the Darjah Yang Mulia Setia Mahkota Malaysia, which allow an award to be revoked if the recipient is convicted of an offence.
It said the move was also in line with a royal decree made during a federal awards, stars and medals investiture ceremony at Istana Negara on September 7, 2024.
Mohd Isa, a former Negri Sembilan menteri besar, is serving a six-year jail sentence after the Federal Court in February reinstated his corruption conviction and RM15.45 million fine over nine corruption charges linked to Felda Investment Corporation’s purchase of a hotel.
SINGAPORE, June 13 — Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will deliver his 2026 National Day Rally speech on August 23, in what will be a key moment to outline his administration’s policy direction.
The Prime Minister’s Office said that the address will take place at ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio, The Straits Times reported yesterday.
The annual National Day Rally is widely regarded as the government’s most significant domestic policy speech, where the prime minister lays out priorities, reviews national progress and signals upcoming policy shifts.
It will be Wong’s third time delivering the rally speech since assuming office.
The event comes as Singapore continues to focus on economic restructuring, technological adoption and social resilience amid global uncertainty.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm warning for Perlis, Penang, and parts of Kedah and Johor, with heavy rain and strong winds expected until noon today.
In a post on its official Facebook page this morning, MetMalaysia said the warning covers the entire state of Perlis as well as several districts in Kedah, namely Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Yan, Pendang and Kuala Muda.
The warning also extends to the whole of Penang and parts of Johor, involving Tangkak, Muar and Batu Pahat.
MetMalaysia said the warning, issued at 8.35am, was based on weather conditions indicating thunderstorms with rainfall intensity exceeding 20 millimetres per hour, or expected to persist for more than an hour.
The department noted that thunderstorm warnings are short-term alerts that are valid for no more than six hours from the time they are issued.
Members of the public are advised to stay updated through MetMalaysia’s official channels and take necessary precautions during adverse weather conditions.
SEOUL, June 2 — More couples will soon be able to hold weddings at Korea’s royal palaces, with the Korea Heritage Service set to expand its outdoor wedding program to Deoksugung next year.
The agency told The Korea Herald that the initiative, launched in April at Gyeongbokgung Palace, was designed to ease wedding costs for young couples while opening historic palace spaces to the public. The response was immediate: 293 couples from 15 countries applied for just 16 available slots.
Following the strong demand, the Heritage Service increased the number of participating couples from 16 to 28 and extended the program by two weeks. The fall season will now run across six weekends from October to early November, with two ceremonies held each Saturday and Sunday near the ginkgo tree at the National Palace Museum of Korea inside Gyeongbokgung.
Each wedding can host around 100 guests, and couples may choose either a modern ceremony or a traditional Korean one. The museum provides the venue, an indoor reception hall and up to 1 million won (US$660) in event support.
Beginning next year, the program will operate in both spring and fall. As part of the expansion, the agency is considering the lawn in front of Seokjojeon Hall at Deoksugungas an additional venue, marking the first time the program will extend beyond Gyeongbokgung.
LONDON, June 16 — David and Victoria Beckham are reportedly “devastated” after their estranged son Brooklyn Beckham appeared in a sponsored advertisement that appeared to joke about family estrangement, according to friends of the couple.
The Daily Mail reported that the 27-year-old was featured in a DoorDash promotional Instagram video tied to the Fifa World Cup 2026, where he smirked and said: “You’re probably wondering why I’m watching the Fifa World Cup 2026 from home… It’s a long story.”
The clip, which has since sparked backlash online, is being interpreted by some as a reference to his ongoing estrangement from his famous parents.
Friends of the Beckham family told the Daily Mail they were taken aback by the advert, describing it as “shocking” given the family’s emotional state.
They also said Brooklyn’s sister Harper, as well as his grandparents, are “inconsolable” over the ongoing rift.
The video reportedly includes cryptic elements, including a message reading: “It’s complicated. More soon,” hinting at further content.
Social media users criticised the advert, accusing Brooklyn of being disrespectful, with some comments calling it “disturbing” and “desperate”.
Following the backlash, Brooklyn has reportedly limited who can comment on the Instagram post.
The report said he also appeared to include symbolic items in the video, including watches and unopened letters, which viewers linked to his family situation.
Brooklyn, who is married to actress Nicola Peltz, has been estranged from his parents for months amid a highly publicised family fallout.
He previously accused his parents of valuing “public promotion and endorsements above all else”, according to earlier statements cited by the Daily Mail.
According to the report, the Beckham family has not publicly responded in detail to the latest advertisement.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — The bodies of two males, aged 16 and 46, were found in the Kedah River near the Jeragan Waterfront Bridge in Alor Setar today.
Kedah Fire and Rescue Department Zone 1 chief Ahmad Aminuddin Abd Rahim said firefighters were first alerted at 8.45am after receiving a report of a body caught among debris in the river.
Personnel from the Alor Setar and Jalan Raja fire stations were dispatched to the area and, upon arrival, found the body of a man entangled in floating vegetation near the bridge, he said in a statement.
At 10.16am, the department received a second report from members of the public about another body found about 100 metres from the first location.
Following checks carried out with police officers, firefighters retrieved the second body from the river. Both bodies were later handed over to the police for further investigation.
The operation concluded at 11.45am.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Muda will defend the Puteri Wangsa state seat held by its president, Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, in the upcoming Johor state election.
In a statement today, the party said its victory in Puteri Wangsa previously showed that voters in Johor were open to a new style of politics based on integrity, courage and a strong commitment to public service.
Muda said it would also be fielding more young candidates whom it described as capable, credible and experienced in community work, as part of its effort to offer voters a wider choice.
The party added that it would announce its full slate of candidates and policy agenda in the coming weeks, aimed at ensuring Johor voters’ voices continue to be represented.
Muda said it believes more young people should be given the opportunity to take on leadership roles and participate directly in decision-making at the state level.
It added that Johor is a dynamic state with significant potential, but said current challenges require more than traditional politics or familiar faces.
The party said the state needed leaders who understand the aspirations of a new generation, are willing to push for reform, and are prepared to defend the interests of the people.
Muda added that the 16th Johor state election is not merely about politics or power, but about the future direction of the state and the next generation.
It said the election would be an important moment for voters to assess the performance of the current administration, demand accountability, and decide Johor’s direction for the next five years.
The Johor state assembly was dissolved yesterday, paving the way for the state election.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced the dissolution after receiving consent from the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail.
Puteri Wangsa is currently the only seat held by Muda following its cooperation with Pakatan Harapan in the previous state election.
The party also contested in five other seats — Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Parit Raja, Machap and Bukit Permai — but did not win any of them.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — The Federal Territories minister said she will no longer convene Kuala Lumpur’s Special One Stop Centre (OSC) and will seek Cabinet approval to abolish the body, saying it could create room for interference or the perception of interference in development decisions.
In a statement today, Hannah Yeoh said the move forms part of the government’s broader governance reform agenda aimed at strengthening integrity and transparency in Kuala Lumpur’s urban planning system.
The decision follows recommendations by Project Capital, a special task force under the Policy Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister (PMAC), which was tasked by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with reviewing governance challenges in the federal capital.
According to the task force’s report, the Special OSC had the potential to become a channel for intervention in the development approval process.
“The Madani Government cannot defend any structure that creates room for interference or the perception that a decision can be influenced by factors other than legitimate laws and planning policies,” Yeoh said.
“That is why we want to return to a clear principle: follow the Local Plan, follow the law and follow a transparent process.”
Yeoh said she had decided not to convene the Special OSC for as long as she remains Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), while also proposing that the Cabinet consider formally abolishing the mechanism in line with Project Capital’s recommendations.
The minister said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had already introduced measures aimed at improving transparency and accountability in planning approvals.
These include a dedicated OSC portal that allows stakeholders and members of the public to monitor development applications currently being processed.
Yeoh said DBKL had also streamlined its internal procedures to ensure that applications are assessed based on the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040.
Under the revised process, development applications that fully comply with stipulated requirements can be approved in as little as 21 days.
For more complex proposals requiring further consideration, consultations with government agencies, departments, organisations and other stakeholders will continue under existing planning regulations.
Yeoh also stressed that urban planning decisions should remain in the hands of qualified officials rather than be subject to external influence.
“Every development decision needs to be made by experienced officers based on assessments of technical documents, comments from relevant departments and the approved Kuala Lumpur Local Plan,” she said.
“Urban planning decisions must be made based on facts, policy and law, not influenced by any party.”
She said abolishing the Special OSC would remove unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, speed up decision-making and provide clearer accountability within DBKL’s administration.
Yeoh also thanked Anwar for establishing Project Capital, saying its recommendations reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening governance, improving accountability and carrying out institutional reforms for Kuala Lumpur’s future.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Proceedings against five Japanese men linked to an international scam syndicate were delayed at the Magistrates’ Court in Bukit Mertajam today after language barriers prevented charges from being read out.
Berita Harian reported that all five accused — identified as Nakahara Riku, Matsumoto Ryuto, Dono Harisu, Inaba Sho and Umeda Tokeya — are in their 20s to 40s and do not understand either Malay or English.
As a result, the charges could not be formally read to them during today’s proceedings.
Magistrate Roshayati Radellah instead fixed June 22 for mention of the case to allow a Japanese-speaking interpreter to be present in court.
The court also denied bail for all five accused.
The case was prosecuted by deputy public prosecutor Zulfadzli Hassan, while the accused were not represented by counsel.
Earlier reports said police in Penang had dismantled three international scam syndicates in separate raids on call centre premises around Bukit Mertajam earlier this month.
The syndicates were believed to be involved in love scams, cryptocurrency fraud and phone scams, and were reportedly operating by impersonating Japanese police officers to deceive victims in Japan and Taiwan.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — US singer song-writer Peabo Bryson, known for his duets on Disney hits such as Beauty and the Beast and A Whole New World, has died at the age of 75.
His family announced his death in a statement carried by Variety, noting that no cause was given but that he had suffered a stroke earlier on Sunday.
“With broken hearts and profound sadness, the family of two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and balladeer, Peabo Bryson, announces his passing,” the statement said.
The family added that he “transitioned peacefully at 5pm ET on the evening of Tuesday, June 2 (6am today Malaysian time), 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him.”
They said his voice “served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments” for more than five decades and that his music offered “comfort and inspiration” across generations.
Bryson was best known for his smooth vocals and duet ballads, including his Oscar‑winning performances with Celine Dion and Regina Belle for Disney films Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin.
He also recorded hits such as Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, You’re Looking Like Love to Me and As Long as There’s Christmas.
Born in South Carolina, Bryson began his career in the 1970s with Moses Dillard and the Tex‑Town Display before signing with Bang Records as a solo artist in 1976.
He later moved to Capitol Records and released a run of R&B hits including Feel the Fire, Reaching for the Sky, I’m So into You and Crosswinds.
Bryson scored his first Top 10 pop hit in 1984 with If Ever You’re in My Arms Again, followed by Show and Tell and Can You Stop the Rain.
He appeared on the soap opera One Life to Live in 1985 and recorded a version of its theme song that ran for seven years.
His duets with female vocalists became a defining part of his career, including collaborations with Roberta Flack, Angela Bofill and Regina Belle.
His family said celebration of life and memorial details will be announced later.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — A yacht caught fire at 11 Cove Drive in Singapore this morning, with the vessel fully engulfed by flames when firefighters responded.
In a Facebook post, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was alerted to the fire at about 8.10am today.
SCDF said its land-based resources arrived at the scene within seven minutes and immediately deployed a water jet from the pontoon to fight the fire.
During the initial firefighting operation, the yacht began drifting away from its berth, prompting SCDF to deploy a marine vessel as part of the response.
SCDF said the fire has since been brought under control, with firefighters continuing to apply water and damp down the yacht.
No injuries were reported at the time of SCDF’s post.
According to CNA, ONE15 Marina Sentosa Cove said in a note to members that smoke was detected from a vessel berthed at the marina at about 8am.
The marina said its onsite emergency response team was activated and SCDF was notified, before firefighting operations began.
“There are no reported injuries at this time, and we are working with the authorities to bring the situation under control,” the marina was quoted as saying, while advising members to avoid the affected area.
CNA reported that as of 10.30am, the vessel was still ablaze as firefighters directed water jets at it.
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