KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand and Cambodia senior defence officials are scheduled to hold talks tomorrow to discuss the implementation and verification of a ceasefire, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. This was the outcome of the special Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) on the current situation between the two countries held yesterday. In reading the Asean chairman’s statement, Mohamad said the Asean Foreign Ministers welcomed discussions on a resumption of the ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities. All the Asean Foreign Ministers, including Thailand and Cam­bodia’s, attended the meeting, with the exception of Myanmar officials who joined in virtually. Urgent updates: Mohamad delivering the keynote address at the special AMM in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand.

NEW Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh has committed her administration to making the capital more liveable by revitalising basic services and putting residents first. “We want to focus less on events and go back to improving basic services to ensure that taxpayers’ basic needs are met. Yeoh envisions a Federal Territories that is “clean in form and substance”. “Heavy rain and recent landslides have raised concerns among city residents, with property damage reminiscent of the major 2021 flood. She pledged to keep abreast of Kuala Lumpur issues by working closely with relevant agencies.

Alarmed by hillslope projects in their neighbourhoods, residents and stakeholders repeatedly voiced objections about the matter to elected representatives and Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ). The local council is actively monitoring more than 370 vulnerable sites using tools such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) mapping and early warning systems. MPAJ carried out an audit of roadside traders in the Ampang Jaya municipality. The local council must now seek a High Court order to proceed, as the landowner Highland Properties Sdn Bhd has been wound up. The local council emphasised that enforcement remained necessary for operators who failed to meet basic hygiene, cleanliness or safety standards.

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Customs Department has thwarted an attempt to smuggle electronic waste (e-waste) worth more than RM3.06mil during a special operation dubbed Ops Demeter, at North Port, Port Klang, on Oct 8. Its director, Mohamad Azhar Ahmad Paharazi, said inspections of 25 containers uncovered 556,800kg of e-waste believed to have been imported without permits. He said the syndicate had falsely declared the shipment as "ABS plastic" in the manifest to evade detection by customs authorities. However, the containers were transited through a neighbouring country and shipped back to Port Klang on Aug 25 by a shipping agent. Mohamad Azhar said e-waste imports require approval from the Director-General of Environment under Item 54, Part I, Third Schedule of the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023.

PASIR MAS: Who would have thought that the slingshot game, which was once synonymous with childhood, has now become a bridge to strengthen community unity in Kampung Lanchang, Rantau Panjang here. A resident, Haszalie Ahmad, 31, said the idea for organising the competition arose spontaneously when more and more residents showed interest in the traditional game. “At first, it was just a fun game to fill their free time. He said the slingshot competition at a distance of 10m not only tested skills, but also created a friendly atmosphere as villagers supported each other, while joking around. “Although there are no strict rules and the prizes are modest, this game is fun and can unite the residents.

ALSO READ: Almost 2,000 reports lodged over viral animal neglect case, says DVS"The owner of a dachshund, one of the dead animals, had placed her pet there since July because her apartment did not allow pets. She also confirmed that numerous police reports on the matter had been filed after the incident went viral on social media. ALSO READ: DVS corrects legal reference in Damansara Damai animal neglect case"We hope that the police will investigate, alongside the Veterinary Services Department (DVS). Previously, the DVS said it had received a total of 1,920 complaints over alleged animal neglect at the veterinary clinic. During an inspection of the premises, DVS said it discovered the carcasses of a cat and a dog in separate cages.

JOHOR BARU: A 19-year-old university student may face criminal charges after allowing a close friend to use her bank account for what she initially believed was a harmless transfer. The young woman from Tangkak had agreed to help her female friend, who claimed her own bank account was facing problems, said MCA Youth natio­nal education consultative committee chairman Ong Chee Siang, who recounted the case. “The incident happened in September last year when the teenager’s friend asked for RM900 to be transferred into her bank account, before instructing her to withdraw the money and pass it back,” he said. Ong said there had been similar cases in Johor, with many bank account holders unknowingly becoming entangled in scams. People, he said, should not allow their friends, relatives or others to use their bank accounts, particularly when the source of funds or the recipients are unknown.

“Today’s decision is opening the door for politicians to interfere in a Pardons Board decision,” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex lobby after the judgment was handed down yesterday. “We had a series of cases where the court says that the decision by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding pardons cannot be challenged. “However we have the decision by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong. This is something that is extraordinary and it disrupts the systems of the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers,” he said. “This is the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and you have delayed it for two years,” he said.

GEORGE TOWN (Dec 23): The Penang state government has agreed to increase the quit rent rebate rate for 2026 to 50% from the previously announced 32.5% to ease the financial burden of landowners while ensuring a gradual and controlled transition to new quit rent rates. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said, however, that the quit rent rebate is subject to the minimum quit rent rate prescribed, and the new quit rent rates will remain in effect for a minimum period of 10 years as provided under the National Land Code (Act 828). “In this regard, if the quit rent amount after the rebate is lower than the existing amount paid in the previous year, the existing quit rent amount will apply. Chow also said quit rent bills will be posted to all landowners in mid-January, but landowners may begin checking and paying their quit rent bills online starting Jan 2. The quit rent rate review involves nearly 370,000 land titles throughout Penang, covering various land categories and uses, including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and other special categories.

ALSO READ: Najib’s house arrest bid rejected“Of course this is subject to appeal. He said an acquittal in the 1MDB case would confine Najib’s conviction to SRC alone and factors such as sentence completion, remission, or further pardon would be at play. “They could argue that the High Court erred in not recognising the addendum order. He said although the release date is Aug 2028 with the reduced sentence after pardon for the SRC case, Najib could be released earlier with remission. He said in the event where there is a sentencing in the 1MDB case, the question would be on whether the sentence would be concurrent or consecutive.

NOW that green sea turtles have rebounded in numbers, conservation efforts should shift to other species still at risk, such as the hawksbill and other marine animals, says WWF-Malaysia. “We must keep conserving green turtles to safeguard the progress made, while increasing attention on species that face far greater risk,” he says. Focus, argues Jolis, should shift to saving the hawksbill sea turtles. Green sea turtle hatchlings being readied for release. “Their hard work has helped protect nesting beaches, reduce threats at sea, and deliver encouraging results for green turtles.

MERSING: A 36-year-old man who went missing after his boat capsized in Sungai Lenggor here on Monday (Dec 22) has been found drowned. Mersing fire station chief Abdul Muiz Mukhtar said the body of Mohamed Rizzurin Md Noh was discovered at 12.49am on Tuesday (Dec 23). "He was reported missing after the boat he was on with two other men capsized while they were fishing in the area. "The victim’s body was handed over to the police for further action," he said in a statement. He said the operation involved 13 firemen from the Mersing station, five members of the Water Rescue Team, five policemen and four members of the Civil Defence Force.

Despite Oracle’s recent reversal from all-time highs, Ellison’s wealth has still increased by US$60 billion since Jan 1. However, the structure of Ellison’s fortune means that turning those gains into cash to fund a potential backstop could present challenges. Ultimately, it relied instead on more traditional debt and third-party investors, as well as cash from Musk, who sold Tesla stock worth nearly US$23 billion that year. Ellison’s decision to hold on to his stake has reaped him tens of billions as the company’s stock has soared this year. Ultimately, Warner Bros favoured Netflix’s cash-and-stock offer, partly over concerns about the reliability of Ellison backstopping Paramount’s bid without guaranteeing the bid personally.

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional leaders have expressed their disappointment over the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to deny Datuk Seri Najib Razak from continuing his prison sentence under house arrest. Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said he was saddened over the court decision against the former prime minister. The High Court dismissed Najib’s judicial review in an attempt to serve the remainder of his jail term in the RM42mil SRC International Sdn Bhd case under house arrest. MCA Youth said while it accepts the High Court decision, the party reiterated its unwavering solidarity with Najib and affirmed that all his rights, as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution, must be respected and protected at all times. “Rejoicing in the suffering of others is a despicable act that should neither be condoned nor normalised in a civilised society.”Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who attended the court proceedings yesterday, said there were parties who were happy with the court decision.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 23): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Tuesday visited the Defence Ministry (Mindef) to investigate several Malaysian army projects implemented since 2023, following allegations that funds were channelled into the account of a senior officer. Sources said the probe focuses on projects awarded through open tenders and procurements under the Army’s Responsibility Centre (PTJ). MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed an investigation under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009, stressing that it is being conducted independently and professionally, based on facts and evidence and in accordance with the law. On Monday, an individual known as Badrul Hisham, or Chegubard, alleged that a forensic review of documents he received anonymously showed monthly transactions amounting to tens of thousands of ringgit credited to the accounts of a senior officer and family members. Chegubard gave a statement at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters (IPD) from 1pm to 4.30pm on Monday.