KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — A foreign couple were detained after police suspected them of keeping a homemade air rifle and failing to produce valid identification documents during a raid at an unnumbered house in Felda Purun Oil Palm Estate here yesterday.

Bera district police chief Superintendent Zulkiflee Nazir said the duo were arrested during Op Taring Laras conducted by the intelligence unit of Battalion 7, General Operations Force (GOF) Kuantan, according to Buletin TV3.

He said the raid was carried out at 7.50pm on April 28 following intelligence on suspicious activities in the area.

“During a search in the bedroom, we found a black and brown air rifle placed at a corner of the room.

“Checks on the occupants also found that both failed to produce any valid travel or identification documents to remain in Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.

He said the couple comprised a 43-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman.

Preliminary investigations found that they were believed to be husband and wife and had been staying in Malaysia for about two years.

“However, further inspection found no bullets or pellets in the house,” he added.

Zulkiflee said both suspects were taken to the Bera district police headquarters together with the seized items for further action.

The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

APRIL 30 — Life is imperfect. Democracy is an earnest attempt to enable the rule of the people. 

It’s rife with imperfections, like my relationship with Sugu, my Seremban cousin through marriage who knocked out a tooth off me, after I did the same months earlier. 

We would have been between eight and nine years old. 

Sugu died some time back but Negeri Sembilan democracy may resuscitate if actors act in good faith. 

Actors dictate democracy’s efficacy. 

Why? In a universal direct participatory democracy, all decisions require all to vote on and removes the principal-agent problem inherent in representation. 

For instance, if all Negeri Sembilan adults are asked to vote today on whether Aminuddin Harun should continue as menteri besar, a conclusive outcome prevails. Except this is not possible. 

A general view outside the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly before the opening of the First Sitting of the Fourth Term of the 15th State Legislative Assembly in Seremban on April 23, 2026. — Picture by Yusof Isa

Therefore, the conduct of those in power decide whether things are smoother or a complete wreck. 

State voters elect their state representatives who then pick a menteri besar. This happens ideally every five years, as it did in August 2023. 

The majority of state representatives known as assemblymen picked Aminuddin in 2018. They were all Pakatan Harapan members. 

In 2023, Pakatan contested in tandem with its new ally Barisan Nasional. Both Pakatan and BN dwindled to 17 and 14 respectively, shedding five seats to Perikatan Nasional. 

Those 31 Aduns from Pakatan-BN chose Aminuddin to continue. A super-majority in the house, Pakatan-BN was a solid coalition. 

There was a squabble involving the feudal lords and the state palace last week. The column won’t weigh into it, the subject is firmly about Aminuddin’s future. 

It was, however, a pretext for why the 14 BN electors withdrew support for Aminuddin’s administration which brought this kerfuffle.  

It’s a curious development. Months pass without any mention of Negeri Sembilan. On a ranking, the state south of Selangor is quietest in the country. 

Only three men have been mentri besar in the last 44 years. Even the longest serving, Isa Samad (1982-2004) serves a prison sentence for his shenanigans as Felda chairman, not as Negeri Sembilan’s menteri besar. 

There’s hardly any stories of rifts and betrayals from Seremban. Yet, this happens. 

The actors

The DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke is omnipresent, not only because he is an assemblyman but that his party is 11 of the 17 Pakatan assemblymen. This is shared a lot, including the discourse DAP-Umno relations are at a lowpoint. 

What is not shared as much is that of the 14 BN assemblymen, and all of them are Umno representatives, the most senior of them is former MB for 14 years, Rantau assemblyman and party deputy president Mohamad Hasan. Which is why all the pictures of BN assemblymen display only 13 individuals. 

Also, as foreign minister at a time of international jeopardy and intrigue, Mohamad or affectionately known as Tok Mat, has plenty of occasions to speak to the Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, also Aminuddin’s party and coalition leader. 

With all these criss-crosses or matrix reporting lines, how did we end up in this swamp?

Who is truly disgruntled? 

Cascades into a political race

2025 ended with drama and a change of MB in Perlis.That has not fully settled. 

Perak was the test case of Umno-DAP relations in 2022, which is the bedrock of the Madani government. If Negeri Sembilan continues to unravel, attention turns to Perak, and then to Johor which needs an election next March.

A round of switcheroos occurred in 2020 after the Pakatan federal government imploded. Another is on the cards if those in Cabinet are unable to cease the bleeding in Seremban. 

There are obvious questions about relationships inside Umno and Pakatan from the current political stalemate. 

Already DAP is ready for elections at the federal and state levels this year, and in a way, the situation brings it to a head, the long term viability of persisting with a fixed alliance between Pakatan and BN.

The other rumour

The word around the campfire is that Negeri Sembilan is a ruse to test the waters. Whether voters are keen or not on Pakatan and BN going in different directions in the lead up to GE16. 

Expectations are that the matter resolves itself in a fortnight. 

A way to see how organised PN is to take advantage of the indecision among Umno ranks. 

And finally, to remind Aminuddin who is closely linked to out of favour former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who are those that have the patronage to sustain his stay as MB. 

The early signs indicate that a contained disjointment is manageable.

It is excellent for both BN and Pakatan to score the situation.

They’d both be happier to face each other in the general if indeed it’s a two way battle for supremacy.

Glad to trade blows in a general election and still be cousins with an outside chance of forming government again together if they cannot muster the majority on their own. 

It is not a great advert for the progress of democracy in Malaysia, but a sign of several schemes in play, just not in plain sight. 

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.

KOTA KINABALU, April 29 — Sabah leaders have reiterated that the state’s constitutional claim to its 40 per cent revenue entitlement must not be confused with federal development allocations, stressing that the two are separate and cannot be conflated in ongoing negotiations with Putrajaya.

Deputy chief minister cum Finance Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the ongoing 40 per cent revenue discussions must not be confused to federal development funds or treated as part of broader development assistance to the state.

“This is based on constitution and must not be conflated with federal development allocations,” he said

He added that Sabah also maintains its position that the 40 per cent calculation mechanism should include revenue generated from companies operating within the state, even if those companies are headquartered or declared elsewhere.

“We also maintain revenue generated by companies operating in Sabah but declared outside the state, particularly those headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, should be included in the 40 per cent calculation, regardless of where the company is registered or declared,” he said.

He is ostensibly referring to national or multi-national companies in the oil and gas or palm oil industries who have large operations in Sabah but declare their taxes or revenue federally resulting in loss taxes for Sabah.

The 40 per cent claim comes from a provision in the Federal Constitution - Article 112C and Part IV of Article 10 - which declares that two fifths of federal revenue derived from the state needs to be returned.

The provision has not been honoured from 1974 with Sabah receiving only RM26.7 million annually – considered a fraction of what it is owed - for nearly five decades, before revisions in recent years saw increases to RM125 million in 2022, RM300 million in 2023, RM306 million in 2024, and RM600 million currently.

“For the record, the Sabah Government maintains its position that the original formula under Article 112C and Part IV of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution must be implemented in full.

“As such, it is not appropriate to suggest that Sabah’s efforts in this matter have been compromised, as the process must strictly adhere to constitutional provisions. The state government is aware that the current Special Grant is still far below what should be derived under the constitutional formula,” he said.

“Although not all developments are publicly disclosed, this does not mean that the state government has not acted. In reality, every negotiation meeting does not end at discussion alone, but is followed by further action through official correspondence and continuous reaffirmation of the state government’s position, urging immediate action,” he said.

As talks between the two governments continue over the formula of the 40 per cent, Masidi said that the state has asked that has asked for immediate payment of revenue components that are not in dispute, such as income tax and customs tax.

He said the state government is also open to discussions and to further refining constructive solutions on suitable payment options.

When faced with skepticism from several other elected representatives over the continuous delay and perceived hesitation from the federal government, Masidi said : “Don’t worry I’m still confident they will pay up, its just the time line. But we will push,” he said.

“In conclusion, both the state Government and stakeholders remain committed to ensuring that the implementation of Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement is expedited and fully honoured by the Federal Government,” he said.

Leader mentions for first time lengths to which troops go to avoid falling into enemy hands while fighting for Russia

Kim Jong-un has praised North Korean soldiers who blew themselves up with grenades in order to avoid capture while fighting Ukrainian forces in Russia’s western Kursk region, confirming the existence of the extreme battlefield policy.

Mounting evidence, including from intelligence reports and testimonies of defectors, has indicated North Korean soldiers are explicitly told to resort to self-detonation or other forms of suicide to avoid falling into enemy hands.

SEREMBAN, April 29 — Any decision regarding the vacancy of four Executive Councillor (Exco) positions vacated by Barisan Nasional (BN) State Assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan will be made next week, according to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

He said that the matter was not discussed in today’s Exco meeting and that there is currently no need to appoint acting officials for those positions.

Aminuddin added that although certain portfolios are currently without an Exco, all previously planned state government programmes, including the National Youth Day celebration in Sendayan on May 15, will proceed as usual.

"We will decide on whatever the outcome is next week. During the Exco meeting just now, everyone was present except for the four who resigned. We have not even discussed successors or acting appointments as everything will be decided next week.

"It is not an issue for us to continue with planned programmes like National Youth Day as usual, and I have asked other Excos to help ensure its success because hosting it at a national level is an honor for Negeri Sembilan," he told reporters after chairing the Exco meeting here today.

Meanwhile, the State Pakatan Harapan (PH) Chairman denied claims circulating on social media that he had met with any other Umno assemblymen to fill the vacant Exco positions in the state government.

Earlier, Pertang assemblyman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias held the Senior Exco portfolio along with the Rural Development, Plantation, and Commodities committee and the Agriculture, Food Security, and Cost of Living committee.

Senaling assemblyman Datuk Ismail Lasim held the Education and Human Capital portfolio while the other two involved are Palong assemblyman Datuk Mustapha Nagoor, who held the Youth and Sports Development portfolio, and Linggi assemblyman Datuk Mohd Faizal Ramli, who was responsible for the Heritage, Technology, Innovation, and Digital portfolio.

The state’s administrative crisis was triggered when all 14 UMNO and Barisan Nasional assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan unanimously declared a loss of confidence and withdrew their support for the state government led by Aminuddin following a leadership conflict.

However, Aminuddin was given the mandate to continue leading the state administration after receiving the consent of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, on Monday.

Negeri Sembilan has 36 state seats, and out of that total, PH won 17 seats, BN controlled 14 seats, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) won five seats in the 15th State Election in 2023.

PH and BN formed the government by controlling 31 state seats after the 15th state election. — Bernama

SEREMBAN, April 29 — Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has affirmed that the state administration will continue as usual despite his government now being in a minority position, as long as no alternative decision is made in accordance with the law and the state Constitution.

He said the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, had also decreed that the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting proceed today, with a focus on the welfare of the people and the continuity of the state administration.

"Tuanku Muhriz’s advice this morning was to proceed with the meeting and ensure that the current administrative situation does not disrupt efforts to resolve the people’s problems. The state must move forward,” he told reporters after chairing the Exco meeting here today.

Aminuddin said that although his administration is now in a minority position, he will continue to govern until a decision is made in accordance with legal provisions.

"I leave it to the law and Tuanku’s authority… if the time comes that the current government is only until this point, then that is as far as it goes. But I have been asked by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to continue until an appropriate decision is reached, in accordance with the law,” he said.

He said the state government does not want the people to be affected by the ongoing situation, and that governance must continue as usual amid economic challenges affecting both the public and the government.

The administrative impasse arose after all 14 Barisan Nasional-Umno assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan withdrew their support for Aminuddin’s state government, resulting in four vacant Exco positions.

However, Aminuddin has been allowed to continue leading the state administration following consent granted by the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, on Monday.

Negeri Sembilan has 36 State Legislative Assembly seats, with Pakatan Harapan (PH) holding 17, Barisan Nasional (BN) 14, and Perikatan Nasional (PN) five following the 15th State Election in 2023. PH and BN formed the state government after securing a combined total of 31 seats in the election. — Bernama

SEOUL, April 29 — Foreign tourists who recently visited South Korea for concerts by K-pop giant BTS stayed longer and spent more than general inbound tourists, according to a government analysis released today, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute and the Korea Tourism Organisation, analysed on-site surveys, telecommunications and credit card data from the two latest performances by BTS in South Korea.

Foreign visitors attending the March 21 concert in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area to mark its comeback stayed an average of 8.7 days and spent about 3.53 million won (US$2,377).

This is 2.6 days longer than the 6.1-day average stay for general inbound tourists in the first quarter of this year and 1.08 million won more than their average spending of 2.45 million won.

Attendees at its three-night concerts earlier this month in Goyang, just northwest of the capital, stayed an average of 7.4 days and spent 2.91 million won.

Mobile and card transaction data showed a sharp economic impact around Goyang Stadium, the concert venue, with foreign visitor numbers rising 35-fold and spending increasing 38-fold during the concert period compared with a year earlier.

The government is seeking to leverage the global popularity of Korean pop culture — including K-pop music, dramas, films and games — to promote tourism beyond Seoul into regional areas.

“We have confirmed that large-scale ‘hallyu’ performances have a clear effect in attracting visitors to regions,” said Kang Jung-won, a tourism policy official at the ministry.

“Hallyu,” also known as the Korean Wave, refers to the global popularity of Korean pop culture.

As part of those efforts, the ministry plans to hold a two-week welcome event in June tied to the BTS concerts in Busan, the country’s second-largest city, aiming to encourage overseas visitors to explore other parts of the country.

Kang added that the government will focus on linking foreigners’ visits to experience Korean culture with broader cultural tourism offerings to encourage them to stay longer in the country. — Bernama-Yonhap

PETALING JAYA, April 29 — Negeri Sembilan Umno leaders have dismissed speculation that several of their assemblymen may return to support the state Pakatan Harapan government, insisting they will act only on instructions from party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Star reported that state Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias rejected claims that four assemblymen were preparing to reverse their decision and back Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. He said the bloc’s move to withdraw support earlier this week was unanimous.

“When the 14 of us made a decision to declare a loss of confidence in Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun’s leadership on Monday, it was made en bloc. So, this talk of four Umno assemblymen going back on their word is not true,” he was quoted as saying.

Lenggeng assemblyman Datuk Mohd Asna Mohd Amin told Free Malaysia Today (FMT) that no directive had been received from the central leadership. “

As a loyal party member, I will take my orders from the president,” he told the paper, adding: “As long as there are no orders (to return to the exco), these rumours will remain just that: rumours.”

On Monday, Jalaluddin announced that all 14 Umno assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan had withdrawn their support for Aminuddin’s administration, citing a loss of confidence in his leadership.

KOTA KINABALU, April 28 — Sabah has been officially confirmed as a “carbon-negative” state, meaning it absorbs more carbon than it emits, a finding that could position it to benefit from growing global carbon credit and climate financing markets.

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun said the status was established through recent state-led studies under the Sabah Climate Change Action Council – a climate risk vulnerability assessment and the Sabah Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report 2024 – the first subnational assessment of its kind in Malaysia.

The studies mark a major milestone in the state’s climate and economic planning.

“These efforts have, for the first time, provided the state government with a comprehensive understanding of emissions levels across various economic sectors.

“More importantly, they confirmed Sabah’s status as a carbon-negative (net sink) state, representing a significant contribution to the national climate agenda,” he said in the state legislative assembly sitting today.

Carbon negative means that the state absorbs more carbon than it emits – largely due to its vast forest cover and natural ecosystems. This position is widely regarded as advantageous as global markets increasingly reward carbon sequestration through carbon credits and sustainability-linked investments.

Ceasar added that the state is now focusing on translating this advantage into structured policies and economic opportunities, while safeguarding environmental and community interests.

Central to this effort is the recently passed Sabah Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025, which establishes the legal framework for regulating carbon activities in the state.

Under the law, all carbon projects must involve and obtain consent from local communities, particularly indigenous groups, and include benefit-sharing mechanisms.

Ceasar said Section 22 of the enactment mandates consultations as well as proposed benefit-sharing arrangements with communities before any project is approved.

“This means carbon-related activities involving areas belonging to indigenous communities cannot be carried out in isolation without their stake in such projects.

“This provision serves as an important foundation to ensure the interests of local communities, including customary communities, are taken into account in the implementation of carbon projects,” he said in response to a question from Sook assemblyman Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.

The state is also planning to establish the Sabah Climate Registration and Inventory Centre, which will oversee enforcement of the enactment and serve as the main registry for carbon projects and emissions data.

At the policy level, the Sabah Climate Change Action Council (SCAC) – set up in 2022 – has been tasked with coordinating climate action across agencies, developing mitigation and adaptation plans, and aligning state policies with national and international commitments.

Among its roles are acting as the state’s focal point on climate matters and facilitating participation in carbon markets and climate financing mechanisms.

Sabah is considered among the most climate-vulnerable states in Malaysia, making adaptation planning a priority alongside mitigation efforts.

At the same time, SCAC will formulate a State Climate Change Policy tailored to Sabah’s ecological and socio-economic landscape, while ensuring alignment with Malaysia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today speculation that the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly would be dissolved “is not an issue yet”.

Anwar met the state’s Ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Muniwar last night amid an unfolding political crisis that is threatening to break the Pakatan Harapan-led state administration.

Today, he said Tuanku Muhriz had decreed that Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun would remain as menteri besar but was unclear when asked to comment on Umno’s claim that the party now has the simple majority to form a new government.

“For now, dissolution is not an issue yet. As of now, after discussing with the Tuanku, he asked that the government carry out his duties as per usual and leave the rest to due process,” Anwar told reporters after launching UCSI’s new building here.

In a statement issued shortly after speaking to reporters, Anwar said Tuanku Muhriz is keen to keep Negeri Sembilan’s administration stable, citing it as one of the key reasons why Aminuddin was decreed to remain menteri besar.

Anwar said he supported Tuanku Muhriz’s view.

“I also wish to emphasise that matters involving the Institution of the Undang are being addressed through legal channels, legitimate processes, and the wisdom of the Undang themselves,” he said.

“The federal government will continue to provide full cooperation to ensure the continuity of economic progress and the people’s well-being. In any circumstance, the supremacy of the Institution of the Monarchy and state laws must be preserved and defended,” he added.

The crisis in Negeri Sembilan began after an Undang (territorial chieftain), Datuk Mubarak Dohak, attempted a move to depose the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, a move the menteri besar said was unconstitutional and without legal standing.

The political tension escalated when all 14 Umno assemblymen withdrew support for Aminuddin over his handling of the royal dispute.

Negeri Sembilan Umno chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias has denied reports of an agreed Barisan Nasional–Perikatan Nasional move to form a new state government.

He said discussions remained fluid after PN reportedly signalled willingness to back BN following earlier uncertainty over government alignment.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Negeri Sembilan Umno has denied any conspiracy or prior arrangement with Perikatan Nasional (PN) to remove Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, insisting that its withdrawal of support was based solely on loss of confidence in the PKR vice-president.

Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said the 14 Barisan Nasional assemblymen were not seeking to take over the state government, but had collectively lost confidence in Aminuddin’s leadership.

The clarification comes after reports that BN and PN had explored cooperation in a bid to form a new state administration, Free Malaysia Today reported.

Jalaluddin said BN had initially been prepared to sit in opposition if PN’s five assemblymen chose to continue backing the Pakatan Harapan-led government, but the situation changed when PN instead indicated willingness to support BN.

“When an offer comes in, I have to discuss it. What’s wrong with accepting it?” he told reporters at the Negeri Sembilan Umno headquarters in Seremban.

He added that BN was open to receiving support from PH lawmakers as well, if they wished to back the formation of a new state government.

However, Jalaluddin said Umno would defer to the wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, in resolving the political impasse, in line with state constitutional provisions.

“I am ready for an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar at any time, and I am also ready to accept any decision,” he said.

Yesterday, Jalaluddin linked the withdrawal of support for Aminuddin to an ongoing crisis involving four chieftains allegedly seeking the removal of Tuanku Muhriz from his position.

BN later claimed it had secured a simple majority to form a new state government with PN’s five assemblymen, surpassing the 19-seat threshold required in the 36-seat assembly, where Pakatan Harapan currently holds 17 seats.

KOTA KINABALU, April 28 — Sabah has formally asked Putrajaya to immediately pay its 40 per cent revenue entitlement amounting to just over RM3 billion, with state Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun insisting the claim is based on undisputed and publicly available tax data.

Masidi said the state government wrote to the federal government on April 10 seeking payment of 40 per cent from two forms of taxes – customs and income tax – collected in Sabah which alone totalled RM7.547 billion in 2025.

“Forty per cent of that comes to RM3.019 billion. These are not figures in dispute – they are published statistics. There should be no room for doubt, and on that basis alone, the payment should be made,” he said in the State Legislative Assembly today.

Masidi stressed that while ongoing legal proceedings have delayed broader claims, particularly those involving “lost years” between 1974 and 2021, Sabah is seeking immediate payment for more recent years where the data is clear and uncontested.

He said the state respects a Court of Appeal decision on April 6 to defer implementation of Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement pending an appeal at the High Court in Kota Kinabalu, but emphasised that the decision relates specifically to retrospective claims.

“The delay authorised by the Court of Appeal concerns the special grant for past years. It does not negate our position on current entitlements, which are based on transparent and shared data,” he said.

Masidi added that Sabah would not compromise on what he described as the state’s “absolute right”, and that negotiations with the federal government are continuing through official negotiation channels rather than through the public media domain.

He also said that while some figures cannot yet be disclosed due to ongoing negotiations, the state’s internal estimates suggest Sabah’s total claim could be significantly higher.

“Out of respect to ourselves, and to the negotiation process, we cannot disclose figures other than those that have been made public,” he said.

To other supplementary questions, Masidi affirmed that Sabah’s claim extends beyond income tax and customs duties to include other revenue streams, including petroleum-related duties, though these remain under discussion.

“All taxes that we believe we are entitled to, we will claim, regardless of type,” he said.

Sabah has long maintained that it is constitutionally entitled to 40 per cent of net revenue derived from the state, a provision that has been the subject of protracted negotiations and legal disputes with the federal government.