![News@9: Today's top headlines - June 23, 2025 [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FNEWS_9_230625_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1750685771.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
News@9: Today's top headlines - June 23, 2025 [WATCH]
Good evening. You're watching News@9.
Here are today's biggest stories.
A loss for Sarawak
The wife of Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, Puan Sri Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang, passed away today.
Stay of order
The High Court suspended its earlier order to freeze assets owned by Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid in London, granting her application to intervene the case.
Evacuation déjà vu
Seventeen Malaysians have safely arrived home following an evacuation operation from Iran - marking a second evacuation from the country for one of them.
Another Sabah arrest
MACC has arrested another Sabah assemblyman on suspicion of soliciting and receiving bribes in connection with mining licences in the state.
Keywords: Nst Malaysia News News@9
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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Allowing refugees to work formally may ease labour market gaps, says UNHCR
KUALA LUMPUR: Including refugees in formal work may be the solution to addressing the gaps in Malaysia's labour market. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative Louise Aubin said that allowing refugees to work formally will also support Malaysia's goals of eradicating forced labour. "Currently, refugees in Malaysia have no legal status in the country, and have no access to legal and regulated work. "They, therefore, seek wage-earning opportunities in the informal sector to make ends meet, where work is often irregular and exploitative in nature. "Common conditions encountered by refugees include low or non-payment of wages, unsafe working conditions as well as unfair dismissals due to the lack of contractual arrangements," she told the New Straits Times. She explained that enabling refugees to work formally would subsequently improve the protection of refugees against exploitation and abuse. She said that 69 per cent of refugees registered with UNHCR were of working age and able to contribute to the workforce. "A report by think tank IDEAS, suggests that if refugees were given the right to work, they could contribute over RM3 billion to annual gross domestic product by 2024 through higher spending, contribute RM50 million in tax annually by 2024, and help create over 4,000 jobs for Malaysians," she said. She added that UNHCR has had positive discussions with Putrajaya to facilitate access to employment for refugees and reiterated its commitment to support the government with any proposed guidelines to legal work and having further discussion with the relevant ministries and agencies. However, human rights and social justice NGO North South Initiative executive director Adrian Pereira said refugees in Malaysia could seek employment if there was a government directive. Nonetheless, there is a grey area in the framework's standard operating procedures and the rights that refugees have at work. "So, without clarity, this is going to put refugees and asylum seekers not just in forced labor conditions but also putting employers at risk by being fined or punished by the enforcement agencies that have no clue or are unaware of the directive," he said. Pereira added that the numerous raids and fines against refugees and their employers did more harm than good due to lack of clarity over the directive. "If the government does not regulate this, human traffickers, organised crime syndicates, and greedy employers will continue to exploit them," he said, adding that there have been cases of refugees being paid 40 per cent of the legislated minimum wage of RM1,700 per month. He said that refugees may also fall into the black labour market due to lack of regulations. "We can see over the years certain sectors have bloomed due to exploitation. An example is the massage or the leisure industry and restaurants. "It's good that they are giving refugees the right to work but at what cost? Are they free from forced labour, modern day slavery? It's time to have a clear legal framework for refugees," he said. Last week, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) called on the government to allow refugees to work formally in a structured and safeguarded framework for economic and social benefits. Earlier this year, Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the government was working on details to allow refugees registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to work legally in Malaysia.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Mining bribery case: Sabah reps vow to continue serving constituents while clearing their names
KOTA KINABALU: Two elected Sabah representatives facing corruption charges want their day in court to clear their names through the legal process after what they termed "intense humiliation" in the public eye. Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob and his Tanjung Batu colleague Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy said they would continue serving in their constituencies while proving their innocence and restoring their reputations through the legal system. "As the saying goes, a man is innocent until proven guilty," Dr Yusof told the media after his court appearance on Monday (June 30). "Therefore, we do not want this to disrupt (our work), and we remain focused on our duties as elected representatives to serve our constituencies and fulfil our responsibilities." ALSO READ: Two Sabah assemblymen, businessman claim trial over RM350,000 mining bribe case He added that although they had been humiliated in the media, they believed in the justice system and would rely on the courts to vindicate them. 'We are confident that the process will be transparent and fair,' he said. Andi Muhammad Suryady, standing beside Dr Yusof, added: 'We will clear our names, and God willing, all will go well." They both stressed that serving the people remained their priority during the case. Asked about his position as state Assistant Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, Andi Muhammad Suryady declined to comment. 'Let's just wait for the instruction,' he said, without specifying from whom the instruction would come. Dr Yusof, 69, and Andi Muhammad Suryady, 44, pleaded not guilty when charged separately under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 for accepting bribes at the Special Corruption Court here. If convicted, they face up to 20 years' jail and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe. They had allegedly received a total of RM350,000 from businessman Datuk Albert Tei in 2023 in relation to mineral prospecting licences. Tei was also charged separately under Section 16(b)(A) of the same Act for offering bribes. Pre-trial case management for all three was fixed for Aug 5.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Bangladeshi nationals detained under Sosma for militant links in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Several Bangladeshi nationals are being held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) for suspected involvement in a militant movement linked to the Islamic State (IS). Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail stated that while some detainees remain under investigation, others have been deported. Khalid mentioned that a press conference will be held soon to provide further details. 'Insya Allah, tomorrow or the day after, I will hold a press conference to explain the actual situation,' he said during a media briefing today. The arrests followed a three-phase operation in Selangor and Johor starting April 24. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed that no Malaysians were involved in the network, which was found to consist solely of Bangladeshi nationals. The group reportedly aimed to spread extremist ideology based on IS beliefs. Meanwhile, Khalid also attended the handover ceremony of Bukit Aman CID leadership, with DCP Datuk Fadil Marsus taking over as acting director.
