News@9: Today's top headlines - May 14, 2025 [WATCH]
Strengthening ties
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chaired a high-level roundtable with leading Russian business figures at the historic Metropol Hotel aimed at expanding Malaysia's trade footprint and forging new strategic collaborations across key sectors.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has been appointed Malaysia's coordinating minister for Russia, tasked with addressing trade challenges exacerbated by Western sanctions against Moscow.
The Association of Malaysia Hauliers said employers lack access to a centralised platform to screen drivers for criminal or drug-related records. Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry has been given one month to submit a comprehensive report on the fatal FRU incident.
Former Penang deputy chief minister II P. Ramasamy was charged in the Sessions Court with 17 counts of criminal breach of trust involving nearly RM860,000.
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The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Silent protest in Cape Town condemns starvation, genocide in Gaza
CAPE TOWN, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- A group of women under the banner of Mothers4Gaza held a silent protest on Saturday in Cape Town, South Africa's legislative capital, to denounce what they described as state-sanctioned starvation and genocide in Gaza. With their mouths taped shut, the women stood in Sea Point holding placards that collectively spelled out "STOP GENOCIDE." Some held graphic images of emaciated children and adults, reportedly starved due to the Israeli blockade on food and humanitarian aid. Organizers said the demonstration aimed to draw attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and express solidarity with Palestinian mothers and children. The protest, they added, represented those who refuse to normalize mass starvation and ethnic cleansing. The demonstration followed several consecutive days of protests at symbolic locations, including the Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre, the British Consulate General, and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates. On the same day, another protest took place outside Cape Union Mart, a South African retail chain reportedly linked to Israel. Irene Knight, a Mothers4Gaza member, said they wanted to stand in solidarity with the mothers and children in Palestine. "There's been so much devastation in Palestine. There have been bombings and starvation -- all brought about by the Israeli regime," said Knight. "But there doesn't seem to be an urgency in the world to stop it, and we came here to protest that." Knight urged Western governments to halt funding and arming Israel. "Governments and institutions that have remained silent and complicit need to act. This genocide must end. Israel must be stopped from annihilating Palestine," she said. Greer Blizzard, another Mothers4Gaza member, drew parallels between the situation in Gaza and South Africa's own history, saying that Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have endured decades of systemic apartheid, and it is time for the world to bring it to an end. Gaza-based health authorities said earlier that a total of 154 people, including 89 children, have died from starvation and malnutrition. The United Nations Children's Fund reported that nearly all of Gaza's 1.2 million children are in need of mental health and psychosocial support, suffering from depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Govt to restore pondok schools with new technology, AI
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will restore and elevate pondok schools to ensure they remain a bulwark for the faith, morals, and character of the Muslim community, in line with modern demands, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said that this initiative involves cooperation between the Finance Ministry and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to ensure that religious schools and pondok schools that are in poor condition can be developed with new facilities and technology. "We want to add new technology, including information technology, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence, so that this bulwark remains the strongest one to defend the faith, morals, and character of the Ummah," he said at the opening ceremony of the 65th International Al-Quran Recital and Memorisation Competition (MTHQA) at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) today. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Anwar said history proves that while the country's political, economic, and educational systems bowed to the colonisers, the pondok schools remained the last bastion defending the identity of the Muslim community. Additionally, the prime minister announced that he will launch the Mushaf Ummah Programme on Aug 8 in an effort to expand the dissemination of the Quran and the message of Islam worldwide through official translations into 30 world languages. "In all my travels around the world - to Peru, Brazil, France, Cambodia, and dozens of other countries in recent years - every time I visit, I bring the Quran along with a translation in that country's language, and we distribute it officially. "This, I believe, is a good approach," he said. This year's 65th MTHQA, running from Aug 2 to 9, 2025, features the theme 'Developing a Madani Ummah' and brings together 71 participants from 49 countries. Malaysia is represented by four participants: Aiman Ridhwan Mohamad Ramlan from Perak and Wan Sofea Aini Wan Mohd Zahidi from Terengganu for the Recital category, while Muhammad Adib Ahmad Rozaini from Perak and Putri Auni Khadijah Mohd Hanif from Kelantan are in the Memorisation category. The winners of the two categories will receive RM40,000 in cash, the runners-up will get RM30,000, and third place will receive RM20,000, along with jewelry sponsored by the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM). — BERNAMA
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Peace, stability enable Malaysia to act as mediator in regional conflicts, says Anwar
Anwar says the strength and stability of Malaysia's government have earned the nation international recognition, leading to its selection as the coordinator for ceasefire negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 2): Malaysia's peace and political stability have positioned the country as a credible mediator in facilitating reconciliation efforts between two Asean countries recently affected by conflict, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the strength and stability of Malaysia's government have earned the nation international recognition, leading to its selection as the coordinator for ceasefire negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia. 'The country remains peaceful because we have a strong government. Therefore, we must be cautious of any efforts aimed at weakening it. If the country were to fall into disarray, with constant conflict and political demands, who would come to us?' he said. Anwar made the remarks at the opening of the Mega 3D Carnival 2025 (MK3D 2025) at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today. Elaborating further, he said the Defence Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia are expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Monday (August 4) to engage in negotiations and finalise matters related to maintaining peace along their shared borders. Anwar said the matter proves that Thailand and Cambodia remain in close contact with Malaysia in their efforts to achieve lasting peace. 'I asked about the latest developments, and (Cambodian Prime Minister) Hun Manet kept thanking Malaysia, informing me that there is no more fighting (with Thailand). 'He (Hun Manet) requested us (Malaysia) to help…Both the Thai and Cambodian Defence Ministers will be coming to Kuala Lumpur for talks starting Monday to formalise detailed security arrangements between the two countries,' he said. Anwar added that Malaysia's role in brokering the ceasefire talks between Thailand and Cambodia gained international attention, including from United States President Donald Trump, who personally contacted him to express gratitude for Malaysia's efforts. 'President Trump praised us for doing a 'fantastic job' in bringing Thailand and Cambodia together to reach a peace agreement…something that had proven difficult elsewhere. 'The first attempt at negotiations had limited success. President Trump had tried by phone. China also tried, and there was some success. 'So, Malaysia, through the Foreign Ministry and the Commander of the Armed Forces, took coordinated action. Eventually, the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia came to Malaysia, and within just two and a half hours, a ceasefire agreement was reached,' he said. Earlier reports confirmed that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire following a Special Meeting in Putrajaya, with Malaysia acting as the official coordinator of the session. – Bernama Anwar Ibrahim cambodia conflict malaysia peace Thailand
