One Malaysian dead, 20 feared trapped after collapse of building project in Philippines Angeles city **ANGELES** A Malaysian national died while more than 20 workers were feared trapped beneath the rubble after a nine-story building still under construction collapsed in Barangay Balibago here before dawn on Sunday. Fire Chief Superintendent Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu, officer in charge of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), confirmed the fatality, saying the man was a PWD (person with ..

Malaysian Chinese students in national schools are new targets of Taiwan universities KUALA LUMPUR: Taiwan is expanding its student recruitment drive in Malaysia beyond Chinese independent school graduates to include students from national schools and vernacular schools (SMJKs). Lien Yu Ping, the Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, said the expansion is to attract more Malaysians to study in Taiwan. In the past, the recruitment efforts had primarily targeted ..

Never too late to write a will: Frozen inheritance assets in Malaysia reaches staggering RM90b KUALA LUMPUR: Frozen inheritance assets has reached a staggering RM90 billion, with experts attributing this to a lack of estate planning among Malaysians. According to official statistics, the frozen assets include properties, shares, investments, and other capital belonging to deceased persons that cannot be distributed yet due to unresolved legal or administrative matters. And if this does not pose ..

KUALA LUMPUR: Elections may still be far away but the Pandan parliamentary seat is warming up after Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli left PKR and resigned as Pandan member of parliament. Former Pandan MP Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat appeared at a Wesak event held in Pandan constituency while Datuk Leong Kok Wee, a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate who contested in Pandan twice, also attended the event on Sunday. Joining them was Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahims senior ..

Turning down millions for a shared vision : The story behind Rafizis Parti Bersama Malaysia takeover PENANG: Their very first meeting focused on matching visions rather than financial terms. This was what drove Tan Gin Theam, the founding president of Parti Bersama Malaysia (formerly known as the National Unity Party), to hand over the political party to Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, the former Deputy President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). In an exclusive telephone interview, Tan revealed that ..

Beyond chequebook diplomacy: Japan deepens economic security ties with ASEAN amid Iran war TOKYO: Going beyond mere chequebook diplomacy, Japan has been deepening its ties with Southeast Asia since the Iran war in what analysts describe as enlightened self-interest, aiming to help both itself and ASEAN weather the current global instability. One headline policy is the Partnership On Wide Energy and Resources Resilience (POWERR Asia), announced by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on April 15 at a ..

Workers association launches RM300,000 ambulance fund to save lives of Malaysian commuters JOHOR BAHRU: An association has been formed to look into the welfare of Malaysian workers who commute daily to Singapore with the purchase of an ambulance as its first project. The aim is to provide immediate emergency responses to cross-border workers. Founding president Lew Chen Chi said ambulance acquisition had become the organisations top priority as a result of his frequent interactions with ..

Japan stops accepting new specified skilled workers in food service sector as foreigners nears 50,000 limit TOKYO: The Japanese government stopped accepting new foreigners working in the food service sector under the Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) program in mid-April in principle because the number of those allowed to work in the sector is expected to reach its limit of 50,000 as early as this month. Given the recent surge in the number of foreign workers with SSW type 1, a status of ..

Rafizi urges Chinese voters to move beyond only DAP mindset PETALING JAYA: Former minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who has taken over Parti Bersama Malaysia, urges the Chinese community to move beyond the only DAP mindset. The Chinese is also urged to confront the potential dilemma brought by the decline of Chinese political representation over the next 20 to 30 years. He pointed out that the phenomenon of over 90% of non-Malay voters supporting the same political coalition for two decades is ..

Dating costs more, but young Koreans say its worth it SEOUL: Dating is becoming another cost pressure for young Koreans, but many say the financial burden is not enough to make them give up on romance. About 7 in 10 Koreans in their 20s and 30s said they felt dating involved a heavy financial burden, according to a survey by NRISE, operator of the social discovery app Wippy. The survey was conducted among 1,485 male and female Wippy users in that age group. Nearly half of respondents said the ..

The 'Three Kingdoms' of Malaysian politics: Liew Chin Tong outlines regional strongholds ahead of election battle PUTRAJAYA: Peninsular Malaysia is gradually forming a Three Kingdoms era dominated by three major political coalitions, where Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli can potentially emerge as a fourth force, further complicating the national political map. DAP strategic director Liew Chin Tong shared his analysis in an exclusive interview with _Sin Chew Daily_ on the latest political development. ..

Scam groups shift from Southeast Asia to Sri Lanka, over 1,000 held BANGKOK: Sri Lanka has arrested a rising number of suspected foreign scammers, prompting concern among authorities that the island could quickly become a hub for online crime after strict crackdowns in trouble spots such as Cambodia and Myanmar. Sri Lankan officials said some scam networks driven out of countries in Southeast Asia had set up new bases, increasingly moving operations to Sri Lanka, an attractive destination ..

Razman: PN can win Perak with 60% Malay votes, taking state power not difficult IPOH: Perikatan Nasional (PN) believes it stands a strong chance of taking over the Perak state government if it secures constituencies with at least 60% Malay voters, said Perak opposition leader Razman Zakaria. Razman, who is assemblymen for Gunung Semanngol, said PNs goal in the next general election is to defend its existing 26 state seats while capturing four more seats to form the state government. Razman said ..

"Rat-pocalypse" in Puchong : Shocking photo reveals 275 rats caught PUCHONG: A total of 275 rats were exterminated in a single day by the Subang Jaya City Council at Bandar Puteri 1 commercial area, Puchong on May 9. In a group photo, health officers from the city council posed with community volunteers and the massive numbers of dead rats lined up in neat rows on the pavement. Due to the sheer scale of the infestation captured in the photo, the photo shared on Facebook by Puchong TODAY quickly ..

Higher Education DG: SPM remains the baseline for public varsity entry; UEC still not fully recognised. PUTRAJAYA: A student holding a full Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificateincluding those from Chinese Independent High Schools (UEC holders) and religious schoolsis eligible to apply for diploma, matriculation, and foundation courses at public universities (IPTA). Higher Education Director-General Datuk Prof. Dr Azlinda Azman stressed that for students possessing both SPM and UEC ..

King of Malaysia receives Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing and Mother Bhumi team (JOHOR BAHRU: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, receives Chinese superstar Datuk Fan Bingbing and the Mother Bhumi team, a film which has just won several awards in the 62nd Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan. Also in the delegation are:Mother Bhumis producer Wong Kew Soon, film director Chong Keat Aun and Fans manager Jersey Chong, who is from Johor. Fan, who is also the Melaka Tourism Friendship Ambassador, ..

Japanese snack giant changes to black and white packaging as Iran war hit ink supplies TOKYO: Calbee, Inc. plans to change the packaging of flagship products, including Potato Chips, to black and white, it was learned Monday. The decision to decolorise is due to ongoing shortages of solvents and resins. The cause is a lack of naphtha, a key raw material for printing ink, as a consequence of the current situation in the Middle East. The company has notified retailers and other stakeholders of ..

Malacca Teochew Association recovers RM360,000 of outstanding study loans MALACCA: The Malacca Teochew Association has successfully recovered RM360,000 out of RM400,000 in outstanding study loans owed over the years, with slightly over RM30,000 still pending collection. Seet Jen Ping, the scholarship and study loan chairman of the association, said some of the unpaid loans have been outstanding for more than 10 years. He urged scholarship recipients to repay the loans as soon as possible. ..

From prison to kitchen: Tangkak food court owner offers parolees a second chance TANGKAK: Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is that society is willing to give them a chance to start over. We shouldn't write them off entirely because of their past, said Ong Chee Siang, the owner of Tangkak Food Court. Also a Tangkak district councillor, Ong has hired 14 parolees 12 Chinese and two indians under the Licensed Release of Prisoners Programme (PBSL). These individuals, referred to as "Prospeks" ..

Korean fugitives kidnappers remanded over RM39.5m crypto ransom RAUB: Three South Korean men were brought to the Sessions Court today to face charges of kidnapping a fellow countryman who is a wanted fugitive hiding in Malaysia for 10 years. The trio are to be charged with the high-profile kidnapping of a fellow country man in Genting Highlands last month, involving a cryptocurrency ransom worth RM39.5 million. The case took a dramatic turn when investigations revealed that the victimwho had ..

Malaysians can convert foreign licences for BUDI95 subsidies from June, no need to cancel PR status PUTRAJAYA: Starting June 1, Malaysian citizens holding foreign driving licences will be eligible to enjoy fuel subsidies by converting to local licences without having to cancel their overseas permanent resident status. The Ministry of Transport announced that the process for citizens to convert valid foreign driving licences has been simplified. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook ..

FMM survey: 28% manufacturers plan layoffs or reduced working hours, seven in 10 say operations continue to worsen PETALING JAYA: The latest survey conducted by Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) shows that 28% of manufacturers have either implemented or are planning workforce adjustments. This includes reducing overtime, shortening working hours and even retrenchments, says its president Jacob Lee. Citing findings from the federations second-round survey, which found that among 225 ..

MANILA: Jeepneys trace their roots all the way back to the aftermath of World War 2, when surplus American military jeeps were left behind in the Philippines. These vehicles were extended, reworked, and adapted to carry more passengers, and turned into a form of accessible and distinctly local public transport. What began as a practical solution quickly evolved. Over time, they became a symbol of everyday life, shaped by both necessity and creativity. A big part of that identity comes in how ..

Airlines cut 2mil seats as jet fuel crisis disrupts Asia routes BANGKOK: Global airlines have cut 2 million seats from their May schedules over the past two weeks as concerns grow over jet fuel supplies in the weeks ahead, the Financial Times reported. Data from Cirium, a leading global aviation and travel analytics company, showed that thousands of flights have been cancelled, while several airlines have switched to smaller or more fuel- efficient aircraft in an effort to conserve fuel as they ..

Middle East conflict could spur Southeast Asias nuclear energy ambitions SINGAPORE: The war in Iran could accelerate Southeast Asias plans to tap nuclear energy as it seeks to wean itself off its dependence on Middle Eastern oil and gas, experts told _The Straits Times_. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz a major global shipping route responsible for 20 per cent of the global oil trade has exposed the regions heavy reliance on imported oil and gas, leaving it vulnerable to volatile fuel ..

PETALING JAYA: As the conflict in the Middle East continues to drive up prices, cost-conscious Malaysians are watching every ringgit and hunting for meals that offer real value. One mixed rice stall which has been quietly winning on social media fits the bill: Faridah Kitchenz at Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya, where RM10 gets you unlimited helpings of rice, dishes, drinks and dessertswith up to 40 items on offer daily. Owner Atiqah revealed in an interview with _Sin Chew Daily_ that Faridah is ..

Hospital in Vietnams Hue performs six organ transplants from one brain-dead donor HUE: In a coordinated overnight effort, doctors at Hu Central Hospital have successfully used organs and tissues from a brain-dead donor to carry out six life-saving transplants, restoring sight to two patients and stabilising others who had been in critical condition, the hospital said on Apr 29. The transplants, involving a heart, liver, kidneys and corneas, were performed between April 16 and 18 with the ..

Drivers give thumbs up to the new MalaysiaSingapore cross-border taxi scheme JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysia-Singapore cross-border taxi scheme (CBTS) has a good start today where licensed cross-border taxi drivers praise the initiative for a more efficient service although passengers are still unfamiliar with the designated pick-up points. A visit by _Sin Chew Daily_ to Larkin Sentral here this morning found relatively light cross-border passenger traffic. One male passenger, who declined to be ..

Affordable seafood may no longer available, at least 20% of vessels idle due to high diesel cost KUANTAN: About 20% of 350 deep-sea fishing vessels classified as C2 have ceased operations due to high diesel costs, says Teoh Boon Guan, secretary of the Kuantan Fishermen's Association. Without assistance, this could rise to 30% to as much as half of the fleet by May, he said prices of fish may increase between 20 % and 40% soon, he said. Common affordable seafood such as mackerel, bigeye and ..

260 Malaysian youth undergoing training in China for ECRL operations, maintenance KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 260 youth have been selected to undergo a one-year training programme at Liuzhou Raiway Vocational Technical College in China, says Ye Xiaoyang, Deputy General Manager of China Communication Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd. They will form the first batch of personnel responsible for the operation and maintenance of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), he said. The China-Communication Construction ..

RM840,000 tax bill against Chinese national dropped after MCA intervention PETALING JAYA: For Chinese national Li Juan, the nightmare of being slapped with a tax bill of RM840,000 by the Inland Revenue Board and barred from leaving Malaysia is finally over, thanks to the MCA and the Malaysia-China Friendship and Mutual Aid Association (MCFAMAA). Li, 43, who had been unable to return to China to visit her daughter and ailing mother due to the travel ban, received notification that the full tax ..

Recycled plastic is in greater demand. So why does Malaysia have to import waste to make them? KAPAR: Under a cloudy sky in early April, five workers feed discarded Cookie Monster nappies into a machine to shred and recycle them. This is the warm popcorn for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as a base material for industrial packaging, tarpaulin and drip tape, Mr G. Aushal, managing director of Sannanda Rika, told _The Straits Times_. His company sources discarded plastic waste from the European ..

BEIJING: Move over tempting duty-free shopping and fascinating nightlife. A new ritualspending a whole day inside a bathhouseis quietly reshaping how foreign visitors experience China. Videos tagged 24-hour spas in China have become viral on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, drawing content creators from different parts of the world, including the United States, Europe and South Korea. US travel vlogger Jonathan, who runs a channel called Travel Escapes, recently drew global ..

BEIJING: In 1995, 10-year-old Zhou Qinggui from Hangtou, a village in the city of Linyi, Shandong province, was expected to drop out of school after elementary level due to poverty. A passionate reader who carried books while tending livestock and gathering pigweed, Zhou was heartbroken. To allow the boy to continue his education, his mother borrowed money, and his elder brother and younger sister both gave up schooling, one after the other. In 2021, Zhou and six childhood friendstruck drivers, ..

Negeri Sembilan MCA quits local councils in solidarity with Umno SEREMBAN: All MCA district and municipal councillors in Negeri Sembilan will resign from their positions with immediate effect, withdrawing from local government bodies across the state in solidarity with the state Umno. Negeri Sembilan MCA liaison committee chairman Datuk Leaw Kok Chan said the decision was based on the party's political stand and the current political landscape. "After careful consideration, the state liaison ..

One catch, RM1 million: Angler becomes instant millionaire ALOR SETAR: A man from Terengganu struck it rich after taking part in a fishing competition, emerging as a millionaire overnight. Mohamad Azhar Hamzah paid RM220 to join the Titi Mega 2026 fishing contest yesterday, and clinched the top prize of RM1 million. He secured the top prize with the heaviest catch at 9.5 kg. The second and third prizes, worth RM100,000 and RM50,000 respectively, were won by participants from Terengganu and ..

AirAsia posts videos of staff speaking Mandarin after clip of passenger scolding cabin crew draws attention SINGAPORE: AirAsia has posted videos of its staff speaking in Mandarin, days after a clip of one passenger scolding a crew member for not speaking the language went viral on social media. The first video on April 23 featured AirAsia ground staff using Mandarin to remind passengers to arrive three hours before departure time for an international flight and two hours before a domestic ..

Of bytes and bridges: AI in the newsroom takes centre stage at WJC 2026 KUALA LUMPUR: The conversation in newsrooms has matured. The most pressing concern is no longer whether artificial intelligence (AI) belongs in journalism, but how to ensure the limitless bytes of AI output do not drown out the human pulse of the press. At the recently concluded World Journalists Conference (WJC) 2026 in Seoul, South Korea, news practitioners grappled with this very question during the AI in the Newsroom: ..

Scammers give up on Indian Malaysians they ask too many questions, says police PENANG: Indians in Malaysia are less likely becoming scam victims, mainly because they ask too many questions for scammers to handle, says Penang Commercial Crime Investigation Department deputy chief DSP Pang Meng Tuck. Data collected by the police consistently shows Indians are scammed less frequently than other ethnic groups, he said this at a forum on scam prevention organised by the Penang Chinese Town Hall on ..