Latest from Malay Mail
Malay Mail
28 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘I could eat this every day': Jason Derulo gives Singapore's chicken rice a ‘10 out of 10', but says no to ‘rojak' and ‘gong gong' (VIDEO)
SINGAPORE, June 28 — American pop star Jason Derulo recently visited the Lau Pa Sat hawker centre in downtown here during his recent stop in Singapore. Guess which local dish caught his eye? According to Derulo, his best pick was the chicken rice — which he gave a stellar rating of 10 out of 10. 'I could eat this every day,' he said in a TikTok clip along with local influencer Denise Teo. He also gave top marks for ice kacang, and biryani with prata and curry — giving them eight marks out of 10. 'It doesn't look like it's going to be creamy but it's very creamy, it's a lot of different flavours going on. I love mango,' he said of the dessert. However, the singer was not too enthusiastic about steamed sea conch or whelk — also called gong gong in Singapore — rating it a dismal one out of 10. 'I'll have to say this is not my thing,' he said. He also did not like the rojak — slices of cucumber, pineapple, and fritters slathered with prawn paste sauce and peanut sprinkles. 'I don't love peanuts with my dinner so it's not really my vibe,' he said of the dish. The singer, known for his songs 'Whatcha Say' and 'Talk Dirty' recently performed at The Star Theatre in Buona Vista as part of his Nu King World Tour.
Malay Mail
28 minutes ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Singapore steps up security measures over possible spillover from Iran-Israel strife, says national security minister
SINGAPORE, June 29 — Singapore has heightened its security readiness in response to growing instability in the Middle East, particularly from the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, said Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam yesterday. Speaking to The Straits Times, Shanmugam, who is also the Singapore home affairs minister, said that despite a current ceasefire, the situation remains unpredictable. 'There is a ceasefire, but we don't know exactly what will happen after this,' he reportedly said. He warned that tensions abroad could spill over and prompt attacks in other regions, including South-east Asia. 'People in this region, other regions, or extremist organisations might want to make a point against Israeli, American or other Western assets,' he said, adding that the risk of far-right violence targeting Muslim communities also remains. 'There is a possibility of attacks on both sides,' he was quoted as saying by the Singapore daily. 'So we have increased our security posture, working off different scenarios, but you know, you can never be absolutely sure.' While there have been no signs of increased extremist activity in Singapore since the recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Shanmugam cautioned against complacency. 'They need to succeed only once,' he reportedly said. 'Security is a joint responsibility and Singaporeans will need to be more aware of potential security threats.' His remarks came just days after Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing also warned of broader consequences stemming from the conflict. Speaking on June 25, Chan noted that retaliation by Iran 'may not be limited to targets in America or Israel' and could spark unrest in the region.
Malay Mail
30 minutes ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Bursa eyes the upside next week, cautious bulls watch for breakout past 1,530
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — Bursa Malaysia is expected to trade in cautious mode next week, but with an upside bias amid a constructive backdrop, as investors shift their focus away from the Middle East risks, an analyst said. SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes believed investors will concentrate on assessing upcoming macroeconomic data releases while awaiting the deadline for the United States' reciprocal tariff pause. 'That said, the chances of an extension to the deadline are increasing given recent geopolitical distractions,' he told Bernama, adding that market sentiment could also be supported by the possibility of a Federal Reserve rate cut at its July meeting. Meanwhile, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng maintains a cautiously optimistic view on the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI's (FBM KLCI) near-term outlook, as the index shows signs of upward momentum. 'We believe that a breakout above the 1,530 level, supported by strong trading volume and sustained price action, would be a constructive signal that the market is ready to stage the next leg of its rally,' he said. For the upcoming week, Thong believes that market attention will focus on several key macroeconomic releases, both locally and internationally. 'In the near term, we anticipate the FBM KLCI to trade within a range of 1,510 to 1,540,' he added. On a weekly basis, the barometer index advanced 25.42 points to 1,528.16 from 1,502.74 in the preceding week. The FBM Emas Index expanded 169.81 points to 11,398.80, the FBMT 100 Index 165.91 points to 11,181.36, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index garnered 139.79 points to 11,341.13. The FBM 70 Index climbed 152.91 points to 16,270.66 and the FBM ACE Index rose 73.91 points to 4,474.76. Across sectors, the Financial Services Index jumped 268.72 points to 17,737.10, the Plantation Index surged 108.50 points to 7,329.02, the Healthcare Index edged up 17.70 points to 1,709.59, and the Industrial Products and Services Index perked up 4.71 points to 151.98. However, the Energy Index declined by 3.03 points to 732.68. Turnover for the shortened trading week narrowed to 11.68 billion units worth RM8.45 billion from 13.72 billion units worth RM10.84 billion in the preceding week. The Main Market volume dropped to 5.40 billion units valued at RM7.39 billion against 6.29 billion units valued at RM9.63 billion previously. Warrants turnover tumbled to 4.96 billion units worth RM655.61 million versus 6.16 billion units worth RM845.61 million a week ago. The ACE Market volume slipped to 1.07 billion units valued at RM399.48 million compared with 1.25 billion units valued at RM361.21 million a week earlier. — Bernama
Malay Mail
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Singapore steps up security measures, eyes spillover from Iran-Israel strife, says national security minister
SINGAPORE, June 29 — Singapore has heightened its security readiness in response to growing instability in the Middle East, particularly from the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, said Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam yesterday. Speaking to The Straits Times, Shanmugam, who is also the Singapore home affairs minister, said that despite a current ceasefire, the situation remains unpredictable. 'There is a ceasefire, but we don't know exactly what will happen after this,' he reportedly said. He warned that tensions abroad could spill over and prompt attacks in other regions, including South-east Asia. 'People in this region, other regions, or extremist organisations might want to make a point against Israeli, American or other Western assets,' he said, adding that the risk of far-right violence targeting Muslim communities also remains. 'There is a possibility of attacks on both sides,' he was quoted as saying by the Singapore daily. 'So we have increased our security posture, working off different scenarios, but you know, you can never be absolutely sure.' While there have been no signs of increased extremist activity in Singapore since the recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Shanmugam cautioned against complacency. 'They need to succeed only once,' he reportedly said. 'Security is a joint responsibility and Singaporeans will need to be more aware of potential security threats.' His remarks came just days after Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing also warned of broader consequences stemming from the conflict. Speaking on June 25, Chan noted that retaliation by Iran 'may not be limited to targets in America or Israel' and could spark unrest in the region.
Malay Mail
38 minutes ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Ringgit seen gaining ground next week as US jobs data shapes Fed bets
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — The ringgit is expected to trade firmer next week following the US labour market data, an analyst said. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said investors would pay attention on two key developments, namely the Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) and the unemployment rate — and the expiry of the 90-day pause on US tariff implementation. 'The labour market data will be pivotal in shaping expectations for the US Federal Reserve's policy direction, with greater emphasis likely to shift towards supporting maximum employment 'With signs of a softening global and US economy emerging, investor sentiment is expected to remain cautious heading into the second half of 2025,' he told Bernama. Mohd Afzanizam said the US job market is showing moderation, with the monthly average NFP standing at 123,800 in the first five months of 2025, down from 179,600 in the same period last year. The unemployment rate had risen from 4.0 per cent in January to 4.2 per cent in March this year, he added. On the currency front, he said the ringgit has shown resilience this week, rebounding from RM4.2948 against the US dollar on June 23 to RM4.2327 on June 26, marking a 1.5 per cent appreciation. 'With the US Dollar Index (DXY) on a softer trajectory, we anticipate the ringgit could trade firmer around RM4.22 to RM4.23 in the coming week,' he said. The ringgit ended the week higher against the greenback, closing at 4.2300/2355 on Thursday from 4.2505/2565 last Friday. The local note traded lower against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit depreciated vis-à-vis the Japanese yen to 2.9359/9399 from 2.9245/9289 at last Friday's close, shed against the British pound to 5.8141/8217 from 5.7356/7437 previously, and slid versus the euro to 4.9597/9661 from 4.9000/9069 at the end of last week. The ringgit also traded lower against Asean currencies. The local note dropped against the Singapore dollar to 3.3192/3240 on Thursday from 3.3088/3140 last Friday, and weakened versus the Thai baht to 13.0254/0488 from 12.9727/9969 last week. It fell versus the Indonesian rupiah to 260.9/261.4 on Thursday from 259.2/259.7 last Friday and was marginally lower against the Philippine peso at 7.47/7.49 compared to 7.43/7.45 previously. The market was closed on Friday for the Maal Hijrah public holiday. — Bernama
