Category: General

PUTRAJAYA, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar has been appointed the seventh rector of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) for a two-year term, effective from Sept 23, 2024, to Sept 22, 2026. In a statement today, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) said Osman is a prominent Islamic thinker renowned for his leadership and scholarship in Islamic Philosophy and Civilisation. His influence has earned him international recognition, including being named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world in 2009. “The ministry is confident that Prof Emeritus Dr Osman will elevate IIUM’s status as a premier university

JOHOR BAHRU, The amendment to the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655) which has been approved by the Cabinet is expected to be tabled in Parliament this November. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the amendment included heavier punishment with higher fines and longer imprisonment for offences involving river pollution. “We are looking from a legal point of view that the amendments to the law that have been approved (Cabinet), God willing will be brought to parliament at the end of the session in November. “We will study it so that there is clarity and from there

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities arrested three drug suspects and seized some PHP20.4 million worth of shabu in an anti-drug operation here on Saturday. The Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-9 (RDEU-9) said the three male suspects are from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, aged 34; and two from Pata, Sulu aged 22 and 36. The suspects were arrested at 1:30 p.m. at Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Taliyasan, according to Col. Romeo Espero Jr., Deputy Director for Operations of Police Regional Office-9. The three kilos of shabu were packed in a plastic bag at one kilo each. Majini said their arrest came after RDEU-9 nabbed three

Manila: The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is eyeing new technologies to ramp up its efforts in preventing the prevalence of deepfakes in the country. ‘Ang preparasyon ho natin (Our preparation) is to find a technology to counter or detect deepfake. Mayroon hong ganoong mga technologies na inaayos pa ng mga suppliers (There are such technologies that suppliers are still working on),’ CICC Director Alexander Ramos said during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City. Ramos said the government continues acquiring advanced tools for deepfake prevention, noting that it is spending an estimated PHP10 million annually for ‘subscription-based’ technologies.

SIBU, The Sibu Jaya Water Festival, the only water festival in Sarawak similar to the Songkran Festival, has a unique appeal, attracting over 20,000 local visitors and enthusiasts from various divisions. State Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said that the response to this year’s festival, jointly organised by the Sibu Rural District Council (MDBLS) and Amcorp Group Berhad, was extraordinary. ‘I’ve been informed that over 20,000 visitors attended, not only from the local community but also from as far away as Bintulu. This turnout brings significant benefits, involving people of all ages,