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Dorries accuses sinister forces of blocking peerage in Johnson-Sunak feud
Nadine Dorries has insinuated that “sinister forces” were responsible for her exclusion from Boris Johnson’s contentious resignation honours list, leading to an escalating dispute with the Prime Minister. The ex-culture secretary penned a forceful column in the Daily Mail, implying that she was intentionally denied a peerage in the House of Lords by “posh boys” working for Rishi Sunak. Dorries…
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Malaysia’s NIMP2030 to boost economic complexity, targeting key sectors
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry in Malaysia is working on the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP2030) to drive industrial development and increase the nation’s economic complexity. Set to launch in August, NIMP2030 aims to align with the New Investment Policy (NIP), which has identified five key sectors for enhancing future exports of complex products. These sectors include…
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Malaysia’s river pollution hits 4% in 2021, government tackles causes
A recent report revealed that four per cent of Malaysia’s 672 rivers were polluted in 2021, according to Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC). The data was gathered by the Department of Environment (DOE) through monitoring the Water Quality Index (IKA) of these rivers during that period. The primary causes of river…
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Malaysia seeks Interpol help to locate comedian over controversial remarks
Malaysian authorities are seeking assistance from Interpol to locate Singapore-born comedian Jocelyn Chia, who is believed to be based in New York, following her controversial remarks about Malaysia during a recent comedy performance. Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani announced that the application to obtain Chia’s identity and location will be made as soon as possible to commence investigations.…
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Malaysia identifies 190 election hotspots, launches Op PRN 6N for security
Authorities in Malaysia have identified 190 hotspots in six states ahead of the upcoming state elections, with the highest number found in Selangor, according to Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani. Terengganu follows with 66 hotspots, while Kedah has 20, Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan each have 16, and Penang has two. These areas are considered hotspots due to their…
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Malaysia denies sale of Iskandar film complex, sells operator shares
The Malaysian Finance Ministry has refuted claims that a 49-acre film and television production complex in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Baru, has been sold. Deputy Finance Minister Steven Sim clarified that the land remains under the ownership of state investment firm Khazanah Nasional Bhd through special-purpose vehicle Tanjung Bidara Ventures Sdn Bhd. Instead, the shares of studio operator company Iskandar Malaysia…
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Online scam syndicate members deny abusing teen employee, face prison and fines
Four individuals, including two minors aged 15 and 17, have pleaded not guilty to charges of ill-treatment, voluntarily causing harm to a 15-year-old teenager, and possession of pornographic materials. Soh Sun Hung, 20 years old, and Yap Kah Seng, 22 years old, along with the two minors, are believed to be part of an online scam syndicate and were the…
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Malaysia to review health workforce needs amid oversupply concerns
The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Malaysia is set to conduct a study this year to review the country’s actual needs for different categories of human resources for health, according to Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. The study will consider the impact of new policies introduced after 2016 and the health needs of the population, enabling the distribution and requirement…
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CIB arrests Thai man who allegedly stole foreigner’s car in Phuket
Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a Thai man who allegedly stole a foreigner’s car in Phuket. The suspect allegedly stole an SUV from an unidentified foreigner at a housing estate in Koh Kaew in Phuket’s main city district, The Phuket Express reported. The CIB reported announced this week that its officers arrested a Thai male suspect, whose name and age…
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Kind-hearted Thais donate over 1 million baht to help 4 year old girl and her blind grandmother (video)
The gut-wrenching struggle of a four year old girl and her 68 year old blind grandmother in the Isaan province of Buriram tugged on the nation’s heartstrings leading the good people of Thailand to dig deep into their pockets and donate 1 million baht to help the family. A Thai teacher, Phatcharin “Aoom” Esatee, took to social media to seek…
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SCB-Julius Baer launches 45 Academia programme for Thai business heirs
In Thailand, there’s a new academic programme for business heirs. SCB-Julius Baer Securities, a joint venture between Siam Commercial Bank and Julius Baer, has introduced The 45 Academia programme as part of its New Wave of Wealth strategy. This initiative aims to nurture the future leaders of wealth management by offering comprehensive training for business heirs in Thailand. The 45…
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TCEB seeks global support for Phuket to host Specialised Expo 2028
As the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) prepares for its final presentation to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) next week, it continues to seek support for Phuket’s bid to host the Specialised Expo 2028. Over the past three years, TCEB has been working with Thai stakeholders and BIE member states to garner votes for Phuket as the host…
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Rights groups to screen banned Modi documentary before White House visit
Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the White House, human rights groups Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have scheduled a private screening of a controversial BBC documentary in Washington. The documentary, titled India: The Modi Question, examines Modi’s leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,000 people, predominantly…
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CPF targets 7-8% revenue growth, eyes Philippines animal feed sector
The leading food and agribusiness conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) anticipates a 7 to 8% increase in total revenue to 610 to 620 billion baht this year, primarily due to contributions from its international business, with a focus on the growing animal feed sector in the Philippines. CPF’s chief executive, Prasit Boonduangprasert, stated that the company has been investing in pork,…
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Thantawan Industry Plc targets eco-friendly products for Thai BCG initiative
There’s a new eco-friendly initiative in Thailand. Thantawan Industry Plc, a leading plastic manufacturer and developer of innovative products, is focusing on producing eco-friendly products in support of the Thai government’s bio-, circular, and green (BCG) economic development initiatives. The company’s garbage bags, made from recycled plastic beads, and straws, which are made from biodegradable materials, are aimed at helping…
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Actor Treat Williams dies in motorbike accident aged 71
Renowned actor Treat Williams, known for his roles in the film musical Hair and the American television series Everwood, has tragically passed away in a road accident at the age of 71. Williams was involved in a collision with an SUV while riding his motorbike in Vermont on Monday. He was airlifted to hospital in critical condition but was sadly…
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Nottingham roads closed, trams suspended amid major police incident
Nottingham has experienced a “major incident” that has led to the closure of several roads across the city. Nottinghamshire Police, along with other emergency services, are attending to an “ongoing serious incident” in various locations. As a result, the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram network has suspended all services due to the “major police incidents around the city and suburbs.”…
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Japanese investors seek Thai tech startups for regional expansion
Thai tech startups have caught the attention of Japanese investors, who are keen to support their expansion into regional markets, according to an executive at Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri). Southeast Asia, and Thailand in particular, are considered prime investment locations for Japanese investors, who see potential in the country’s high-growth tech startups. Bunsei Okubo, head of Japanese corporate and multinational…
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Anwar Ibrahim defends U-turns on healthcare scholarships, egg and chicken subsidies
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his willingness to reconsider previous decisions if it would alleviate the public’s burden. He argued that there is no reason to avoid changing a decision if it initially caused inconvenience. “The old decision was to stop, our decision is to continue. What is the flip-flop? If the decision burdens the people Tanjong Karang should raise…
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Malaysia’s Covid-19 vaccine procurement bypassed Attorney General’s approval
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, has disclosed that certain sections of the Covid-19 vaccine procurement agreement were not referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC). Anwar’s statement comes after he previously mentioned “irregularities” in Malaysia’s multi-billion-ringgit purchase of Covid-19 vaccines. The Prime Minister addressed the issue during a parliamentary session, in response to a question raised by Tanjong…
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Myawaddy suffers as Thailand ceases electricity supply
Myawaddy has experienced a significant impact on its electricity supply after Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority ceased providing power on June 6, following the expiration of a contract with the Myanmar government. While the border in the Mae Sot district of Tak remains open for people and cargo, the electricity cut has had varying effects on different groups within Myawaddy. Chinese…
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India denies threatening Twitter with shutdown over farmers’ protest accounts
Twitter faced threats of shutdown and employee raids from the Indian government if it did not comply with orders to restrict accounts, according to the company’s co-founder Jack Dorsey. The Indian government has dismissed these claims as “outright lies.” Dorsey, who stepped down as Twitter CEO in 2021, revealed on Monday that India had threatened the company with a shutdown…
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Malaysia’s Covid restrictions slammed for political control, rights violations
Restrictions implemented by the former Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration to combat Covid-19 have been criticised by human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) for helping the government maintain control of Putrajaya. Ilaiya Barathi Panneerselvam, from the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), presented the report’s findings and accused Muhyiddin and his Cabinet of using the state of emergency…
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Thai police probe truck sticker bribery scandal: 46 types identified
There’s been a new development in Thailand’s truck sticker bribery scandal. The inspector-general of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) Office will likely take 15 days to determine who will be subjected to a disciplinary investigation in connection with the scandal. Pol. Gen. Visanu Prasartthong-osoth announced that an inquiry is being conducted by his office, led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Ditsapoj…
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Senate proposes Section 112 debate amid Thai tensions
In an effort to seek a political compromise, the Senate has put forth a proposition for a deliberation on Section 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly referred to as the lese majeste law. This move comes in response to a petition submitted by a pro-royalist group advocating for the preservation of the existing law. However, apprehensions have arisen within the…
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Malaysia comedy club owner awaits decision on improper network use charges
The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) in Malaysia is still considering the third representation submitted by Crackhouse comedy club owner Mohamad Rizal Van Geyzel, who is facing three charges of improper use of network facilities. Deputy public prosecutor Noor Haslinda Che Seman informed Sessions Court Judge Priscilla Hemamalini Nadarajan that the AGC had received the representation on June 7, but a…
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Malaysia targets quality investments, complex products to boost trade growth
Malaysia is focusing on attracting quality investments and manufacturing more complex products to manage risks to trade growth, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He emphasised the importance of creating an environment that attracts the right kind of investments, fostering industrial development, and producing products with higher complexity scores. Tengku Zafrul said, “It is only…
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Twitter 2.0: CEO Yaccarino unveils plan to revive platform
Linda Yaccarino, the new CEO of Twitter, has unveiled her ambitious plan for “Twitter 2.0,” aiming to transform the platform into a global town square and a reliable source of real-time information. Yaccarino took over the role from Elon Musk, who had implemented several controversial changes since acquiring the company in October 2022. The former NBC Universal marketing executive acknowledged…
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Malaysia PM defends Allah statements, seeks Rulers’ Council audience
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has defended his recent statements in Parliament regarding the usage of the word “Allah” and his government’s request for an audience with the Conference of Rulers on the matter. This comes after an Opposition MP accused him of misleading Parliament and attempted to refer him for disciplinary action. Anwar clarified that…
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Sarawak launches major offshore carbon capture project, eyes 3.3m tonne reduction
The Sarawak government in Malaysia has announced the launch of a carbon capture storage (CCS) project in the Kasawari fields, off the coast of Sarawak, through the state-owned Sarawak Petroleum Berhad (Petros). Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg stated that the project is expected to reduce up to 3.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, making it one of…
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