Category: General

KUALA LUMPUR, The High Court today was told that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak believe that the RM2 billion donation from Saudi Arabia was not unreasonable as Ambank, the bank which handled the transaction, had processed the funds under the understanding that they were a legitimate donation. Najib’s counsel Tania Scivetti submitted that AmBank, as one of the major financial institutions, had a dedicated compliance department that processed the funds based on letters which purportedly supported the claim that the money originated from an Arab royalty as a donation. “The defence argues that this situation lent credibility to Najib’s belief

PUTRAJAYA, Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN), Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, has announced the appointment of Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee, deputy director-general (Policy) of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), as the department’s new director-general, effective immediately. Sirajuddin, 57, succeeds Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yusoff, who held the position since March 21, 2022. In a statement today, Shamsul Azri said this appointment aims to strengthen the delivery of Islamic affairs services in line with the public service reform agenda and to further solidify JAKIM’s role as the leading department for Islamic affairs in Malaysia. He noted that Sirajuddin,

PUTRAJAYA, The Ministry of Health (MOH) is currently assessing the mental health of children rescued from charity homes run by GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH). Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said these children are suspected of facing mental health challenges, likely due to the trauma they experienced. ‘Several aspects are still under investigation. The MOH will be providing counselling support, and I believe the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health (NCEMH) will be involved at the clinic level,’ he told the media after the 2024 Elderly Day celebration at the ministry here today. He added that while

PUTRAJAYA, The Malaysia Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (MyPCVE), launched yesterday, represents a proactive step by the government to counter violent extremism activities both domestically and abroad. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director-general, Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah, stated that the plan will be executed from this year until 2028 to facilitate the Unity Government in maintaining peace and order in the country. ‘MMEA fully supports the government’s efforts through the Ministry of Home Affairs in introducing MyPCVE. ‘This is a crucial initiative to ensure national security and stability,’ he said in a statement today. Mohd Rosli

ILOILO CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Iloilo City recorded around a 500-percent increase in turnout during the last day of the registration on Sept. 30, with the youth sector having the highest registrants at 659. In an interview on Tuesday, Election Assistant II Jonathan Sayno said they cater to an average of 200 registrants a day, but on Monday, they recorded 1,351 applications. He said some 51 forms were not processed since the applicants were no longer around, so they failed to have their biometrics and digital signature taken. One of the registrants was first-time voter Antonita