Latest news with #DataranMerdeka
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
2NE1's Dara sparks buzz with Kuala Lumpur snapshots on Instagram
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — South Korean singer and actress Sandara Park has shared a series of snapshots on Instagram that appear to be from a recent visit to Kuala Lumpur, sparking excitement among Malaysian fans. The 2NE1 member, better known as Dara, posted several photos yesterday showing her dressed casually while exploring some of the capital's iconic landmarks, including Dataran Merdeka, the National Library, the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, and the Old Chartered Bank Building. One image shows her posing with the ground markings commemorating Kuala Lumpur's 50th Golden Jubilee, alongside a caption that read: 'Tourist Dara in #KualaLumpur #Malaysia Such a beautiful city.' 'Thank you Dara for coming — we Malaysians love you,' one Instagram user commented. Some netizens speculated that the post may be a throwback, possibly from her visit during G-Dragon's concert in Malaysia earlier this year, where she was spotted among the audience.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
AGC backs ban on civil servants joining ‘Turun Anwar' rally
Civil servants have been told to refrain from joining the 'Turun Anwar' rally planned for Saturday at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Attorney-General's Chambers has backed the chief secretary to the government's directive prohibiting civil servants from taking part in the upcoming 'Turun Anwar' rally, saying there is legal basis for the instruction. The AGC said civil servants are bound by letters of undertaking Regulation 20(3) of the Public Officers (Appointment, Promotion and Termination of Service) Regulations 2012. It said the undertakings include complying with all regulations, including the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993, general orders, circulars, and directives issued by the government from time to time. Both sets of regulations state that civil servants must not behave in any manner that could tarnish or bring disrepute to civil service and not make any public statements that could embarrass or tarnish the reputation of the government. The AGC said civil servants must at all times remain loyal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the nation, and the government. 'Any failure to comply with the regulations, general orders, circulars, and other instructions issued by the government may result in disciplinary action being taken against civil servants,' it said in a statement. On Sunday, chief secretary to the government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said it was inappropriate for civil servants to take part in the rally 'because the action is not in accordance with the principle of loyalty to king and country as espoused by the Rukun Negara'. However, Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek said that Shamsul's statement lacked any basis in law and was contrary to the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression and the right to peacefully assemble. He also said criticism, dissent, and protests were part of any democracy. The AGC said although Articles 10(1)(a) and 10(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution grant every citizen the freedom of speech and expression, as well as the right to assemble peacefully without arms, these rights are not absolute. 'In line with that, any public assembly is also subject to existing laws, including special directives issued by the authorities, such as directives issued by the chief secretary to the government to civil servants,' it said.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
PM's initiatives to ease people's burden wins praise online
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced several initiatives this morning, including a one-off cash aid of RM100 for adult Malaysians under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah initiative. PETALING JAYA : Social media is abuzz with praise for the Anwar Ibrahim-led government following the prime minister's announcement of several initiatives to cushion the rising cost of living, including a RM100 cash aid for adult Malaysians and a reduction in the price of RON95 fuel. Netizens largely thanked the government for the measures, saying they would help them cope with living expenses. 'A heartfelt thank you to our prime minister for understanding the struggles and burdens faced by the people in their daily lives,' said one netizen in a Facebook comment. Another netizen said the announcement this morning was smart in both strategy and timing. 'Maybe fewer people will show up for the July 26 rally now. Hopefully, fuel prices will continue to drop. Kudos to the Madani government,' he said in a Facebook comment. The netizen was referring to the mass rally planned by the opposition bloc at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, this Saturday to call for the prime minister's resignation. 'In these challenging global economic times, receiving this kind of assistance is something I'm truly grateful for,' said a different Facebook user. One Facebook user said the government was effectively returning taxpayers' money. 'Despite their intentions, this announcement truly benefits the lower-income segment,' he said. In a special televised announcement today, Anwar announced a one-off cash aid of RM100 for all Malaysians aged 18 and above under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah initiative, in conjunction with the National Day celebration. He said this was the first time that cash aid was being distributed to all adult Malaysians, with RM2 billion allocated for the initiative which is expected to benefit around 22 million citizens. Anwar also said the allocation for the Rahmah Sales programme for 2025 would be doubled to RM600 million, and that Sept 15 would be an additional public holiday in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration. He said the government would postpone the increase in highway toll rates initially set to affect 10 highways this year. It will cost Putrajaya RM500 million to maintain the toll rates. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, added that Malaysians would enjoy a lower RON95 price of RM1.99 per litre once the targeted subsidies come into effect, with details to be announced ahead of end-September. One netizen welcomed the government's decision to proceed with the targeted RON95 subsidies, saying it would help ordinary Malaysians save money. 'No more excessive subsidies given blindly. This is true leadership: sharp and pro-rakyat!' she said.
Malay Mail
29-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Minor injuries, thick smoke and police reports: KL rally under scrutiny after Jalan TAR protest
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — Police received three police reports about an incident that occurred during a rally held in the capital yesterday afternoon, including a scuffle that resulted in minor injuries to a police personnel. Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said the rally, which was joined by about 100 people, began at 3.02 pm outside a shopping mall along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman before it proceeded to Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Raja. A participant lit a flare at about 4.30 pm, causing thick smoke that could have threatened the safety and health of other participants, security personnel and the public in the vicinity. 'The police took preventive measures to control the situation but there was a scuffle between participants and personnel till a police personnel suffered minor injuries,' he said in a statement today. An investigation paper was opened under Section 353 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 3(5) and 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955. He also advised the public not to speculate as it could disrupt investigations and to channel related information to the Kuala Lumpur police hotline at 03-2115 9999 or the Dang Wangi police headquarters control centre at 03-2600 2222. — Bernama
Malay Mail
27-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
The nation's story, told in four galleries at Muzium Negara
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — In one corner of Gallery D at Muzium Negara, visitors will find the original Bendera Persekutuan Tanah Melayu. The flag was raised at the Selangor Club Padang (now Dataran Merdeka) after the British Union Jack was lowered on August 31, 1957, at midnight. To Muzium Negara Deputy Director Nor Hanisah Ahmad, it is one of the most important artefacts in the museum's collection. 'That flag is authentic — it's not a reproduction. Some people might think it's a copy, but it's the real one,' she said. 'It's proof that when we gained independence, we started as a federation of 11 states. It marks the moment we took back our identity,' she added. Designed by Mohamed Hamzah, a 29-year-old Public Works Department architect, the flag was selected through a national design competition in 1949 and refined under the guidance of Datuk Onn Jaafar. To involve the public in the decision, The Malay Mail ran a national poll, with the results published on November 28, 1949. Mohamed Hamzah's entry emerged as the firm favourite. The final version — 11 alternating red and white stripes representing the original states, a blue canton symbolising unity, and a yellow crescent and star for Islam — received royal assent from King George VI in May 1950. Seven years later, it was hoisted in place of the Union Jack as Malaya declared independence. For Nor Hanisah, the flag is not just a symbol; it is a chapter in a much longer story. 'You can't just look at one piece. You need to see the whole journey, how we went from prehistoric times all the way to becoming a modern nation,' she said. Muzium Negara Deputy Director Nor Hanisah Ahmad posing in front of Gallery B of the museum. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa. That journey begins in Gallery A, where the museum's narrative starts with prehistoric Malaya. Here, visitors will see tools used by early humans, such as stone axes for hunting and food preparation. 'We need to understand how our ancestors lived before technology, before modern systems,' Nor Hanisah explained. 'There were no knives, no kitchens. They used stone tools to survive, to hunt, to skin meat. It shows how humans adapted with what they had.' The museum then takes visitors through the transition into the Metal Age, when early humans began using underground metal ores to forge stronger tools — a leap forward that laid the foundation for organised communities. 'At first, they just used what was on the surface — rocks, stones. But then they discovered metal in the earth, and that changed everything. Suddenly, they could create better tools than before. That's where civilisation really starts,' she said. In Gallery B, the narrative shifts to early Malay kingdoms and regional power structures. But Gallery C, Nor Hanisah said, holds one of the most crucial artefacts for understanding Malaya's colonial past: the Pangkor Treaty table. 'I really think people should stop and look at the Pangkor table. That's where it all began — the British started interfering in the internal affairs of the Malay states,' she said. Diorama of the Pangkor Treaty signing table, marking the start of British intervention in the Malay states, displayed at Muzium Negara. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa Signed in 1874 between Raja Abdullah of Perak and Sir Andrew Clarke, the Pangkor Treaty marked the start of formal British intervention in Malaya. It recognised Raja Abdullah as the legitimate Sultan of Perak in exchange for him accepting a British Resident, who would advise on all matters except Islam and Malay customs. That Resident was J.W.W. Birch, the first in a long line of colonial administrators who would influence state affairs. The model was soon replicated in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang, leading to the formation of the Federated Malay States in 1896 — a structure designed primarily to secure British economic interests, especially in tin and rubber. 'It's a turning point we must remember,' Nor Hanisah said. A visitor observing ancient artefacts in Gallery A of Muzium Negara, which showcases Malaya's early history. – Picture by Yusof Mat Isa She emphasised that the museum's four galleries, arranged chronologically, are designed to help Malaysians make sense of their national story. 'Each gallery has its own strength. We want people to walk through and understand how everything connects — from stone tools to the flag, from ancient survival to national independence,' she said. For Nor Hanisah, every artefact matters, not because of its rarity or visual appeal, but because of what it reveals. 'Every single collection here carries meaning. Every one of them tells a story — sometimes, a thousand and one stories behind a single object,' she said. In a time when historical literacy is often taken for granted, Nor Hanisah hopes the museum's artefacts will continue to speak, quietly but powerfully, to every Malaysian who walks through its doors.
