Latest from The Star
The Star
20 minutes ago
- Business
- The Star
Five Malaysians have chosen to remain in Iran, says Foreign Minister
REMBAU: Five Malaysians, comprising four students and a businessman, have opted to stay in Iran despite Wisma Putra's advice to leave the country, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The Foreign Minister said they had each signed a letter of undertaking to remain in Iran despite the government's earlier call for all Malaysians to leave the country amid escalating conflict. "The evacuation process for Malaysians in Iran has been completed, with all returned home on June 21. I have ordered all Malaysians in Iran – most of whom are in Tehran – to return. However, four students are still staying there, namely three in Qom and one in Esfahan, while the other is a businessman. "They have signed a letter of undertaking and expressed their gratitude to the Malaysian government and Wisma Putra, stating that they have chosen to stay (in Iran)...there are not many Malaysians in Iran," he told reporters after officiating the 52nd General Meeting of the Kaum Ibu Penajes Cooperative here on Saturday (June 28). It was previously reported that 24 individuals, including Malaysians, who were in Iran, had safely arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH781. The group comprised 17 Malaysians, six Iranian dependents of Malaysian citizens and one Singaporean national. Meanwhile, Mohamad said Malaysia would forge collaboration with Indonesia to explore economic development in the maritime border area between Malaysia and Indonesia in Ambalat. He said that although the area involved was still under negotiation between the two countries, Malaysia did not want this resource-rich region to become a liability or be neglected. "Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto came close to reaching an agreement. The technical committee is now tasked with promptly identifying ways to finalise the deal so both countries can benefit from the natural resources there. "The form of cooperation to be undertaken may be in the form of joint development, similar to that in the Gulf of Siam, Thailand. Although it is an overlapping area, we share common interests in developing the region," he said. On Friday (June 27), Anwar and Prabowo expressed the strong commitment of both countries to accelerate strategic cooperation in various fields, including joint development in the maritime border area of Malaysia and Indonesia in Ambalat in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner. – Bernama
The Star
35 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Star
Poland's Duda arrives in Ukrainian capital Kyiv to meet Zelenskiy
FILE PHOTO: Polish President Andrzej Duda speaks during a press conference during a NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo WARSAW/KYIV (Reuters) -Polish President Andrzej Duda arrived in Kyiv on Saturday for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Duda's office said, as Kyiv aims to build support among allies at a critical juncture in its grinding war with Russia. Duda, a vocal supporter of Ukraine whose term ends in August, was greeted at the train station by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who called the Polish leader "Ukraine's true friend". Ukraine is struggling to fend off Russian advances on the battlefield and intensifying missile and drone attacks on its cities as diplomatic efforts to end the war, now in its fourth year, have faltered. Duda's successor, President-elect Karol Nawrocki says he remains committed to helping Ukraine's defence effort but opposes Kyiv joining Western alliances such as NATO. (Reporting by Marek Strzelecki in Warsaw and Dan Peleschuk in Kyiv; Editing by Aidan Lewis, Alexandra Hudson)
The Star
35 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Star
Only platform providers can block or take down social media content, says Fahmi
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Only platform providers can block or remove social media content and accounts, not the government, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. "When content is taken down or an account is blocked, it means the platform acknowledges and complies with existing laws and believes that the content has breached these laws," he said at a press conference after launching the Nadi Aspirasi Nasional Bersama Anak Muda (Nanba) programme here on Saturday (June 28). Also present at the event were Community Communications Department (J-Kom) director-general Datuk Ismail Yusop and Batu MP P. Prabakaran, who is also chairman of the Special Task Force Committee for the Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra). Earlier, Fahmi said 173,642 pieces of content had been taken down by social media platform providers from Jan 1 until June 28 this year. Fahmi, who is also Lembah Pantai MP, said 51% (more than 90,000 posts) involved online gambling, over 43,000 were scam-related and the remainder were linked to other criminal activities. He said Facebook had the highest number of online gambling and scam advertisements, followed by TikTok. He also said Telegram was the weakest in managing scam-related issues. "Of the content requested for removal on Telegram, half were scams – but the platform did not take down all of them. So we need to be firm with these platforms. "Telegram representatives will be in Kuala Lumpur this week to continue discussions with MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission), covering, among others, scams, online gambling, child sexual abuse material, prostitution content and copyrighted films or TV episodes previously accessible via various Telegram channels," he said. However, Fahmi noted that Telegram operates with limited human resources – around 50 personnel – despite having more than one billion user accounts worldwide. He also said the Nanba programme (inspired by the Tamil word for 'friend') is a strategic J-Kom initiative that reflects the Madani government's commitment to strengthening ties with the Indian community, particularly youth, while expanding the inclusive and effective delivery of government information. The programme also serves as an effective two-way communication platform to enhance public access to information related to policies, initiatives and various opportunities offered by the government, in addition to showcasing ongoing efforts to deliver services and information directly to the people. – Bernama
The Star
35 minutes ago
- Business
- The Star
Tourism Malaysia anticipates boost in Australian visitors with new flight route
PETALING JAYA: Tourism Malaysia is eagerly anticipating an increase in Australian visitors with AirAsia now operating the Darwin-Kuala Lumpur route. Tourism Malaysia celebrated the arrival of AirAsia's inaugural flight from Darwin, Australia, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) on Friday (June 27). The route marks a significant step in enhancing connectivity and opening a new gateway for tourists and business travellers between Malaysia and Australia's Northern Territory. Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general Chua Choon Hwa stated that the new route will build momentum towards the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026). "The vital Darwin-Kuala Lumpur route is a testament to Australia's standing as one of Malaysia's top visitor-generating markets. The launch is perfectly timed as we celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2025 and build momentum towards VM2026," he said in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming more Australian visitors to experience our unique cultural diversity and commitment to sustainable tourism," added Chua. In 2024, Malaysia recorded 447,785 visitor arrivals from Australia, which is an 11.7% increase from 2023 and 6.3% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. For the year 2025, Malaysia is targeting 43 million international visitor arrivals, expected to generate RM283.8 billion in visitor receipts. The Darwin-Kuala Lumpur route will operate four times a week, namely on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The Airbus A320neo aircraft that will be used for the route has a seating capacity of 180 people.
The Star
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Star
Cricket-Jayasuriya decimates Bangladesh as Sri Lanka win by innings and 78 runs
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Second Test - England v Sri Lanka - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - August 30, 2024 Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo (Reuters) -Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya led the charge with a five-wicket haul as Bangladesh collapsed for just 133 in their second innings, handing Sri Lanka a win by an innings and 78 runs, with the hosts clinching a 1-0 victory in their two-test series on Saturday. Bangladesh lost six wickets within 33 runs as their batters were unable to repeat the heroics that secured a draw in the first test in Galle on Colombo's spin-friendly track. "There was a difference between (the) two matches ... that's a good morale booster for us, losing the toss and putting the opposition under pressure," Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva said at the post-match presentation ceremony. After Bangladesh posted 247 in their first innings, opener Pathum Nissanka scored 158 in a player-of-the-match performance, aided by Dinesh Chandimal (93) and Kusal Mendis (84) as Sri Lanka secured a commanding 211-run lead with a total of 458. Anamul Haque (19) tried to give Bangladesh a fast start in the second innings but fell to Asitha Fernando (1-22), while his opening partner Shadam Islam (12) mistimed a cover drive and got caught just three balls later as Jayasuriya (5-56) took his first wicket of the match. De Silva (2-13) trapped fellow skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored twin centuries in the first test, with a leg before wicket dismissal to leave the visitors reeling at 70-4. "Very disappointing after how we finished the first Test, the way this one went," Shanto said. "We had opportunities but... always took easy options and made mistakes while batting." Mushfiqur Rahim (26), Bangladesh's other centurion in the previous match, was the next to fall as he was bowled by Jayasuriya, kicking off a collapse where Bangladesh lost their last five wickets in less than 11 overs. Sri Lanka will play three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 matches against Bangladesh next month, with the first ODI set for Wednesday. (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim Coghill)
