Nation

No political discrimination in policy implementation, says Zahid

PUTRAJAYA: The Madani government has always adopted a "colour-blind" approach without distinguishing political leanings in policy implementation, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Myanmar

Volunteerism thrives through goodwill in Myanmar

YANGON: Dec 5 is International Volunteer Day, a day dedicated to honouring those whose quiet acts of service hold communities together. Across Myanmar, volunteers stand ready to help whenever their communities need them.

Laos

A journey comes full circle as Australian volunteer returns to Laos to mentor young clinicians

VIENTIANE: When Katy walks into the University of Health Sciences each morning, she carries more than her notebook and lesson plans. She carries memories — of a childhood spent in Laos, of watching her mother work as a nurse, and of the first sparks of inspiration that would one day guide her into a career in healthcare.

Brunei

Brunei Royalty joins Prisons Department and Brunei & Muara District Office community programme

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Her Royal Highness Princess Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah graced a three-day community programme at BIBD Connect, Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas on Sunday (Dec 7) hosted by the Prisons Department, in collaboration with the Brunei & Muara District Office and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD).

Cambodia

Hun Sen blasts Thai accusations over Cambodian SEA Games, as Thai events falter

PHNOM PENH: Former Prime Minister Hun Sen hit back at Thai accusations that the 32nd SEA Games 2023 in Cambodia were hosted with "Chinese money".

Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah welcomes first direct flight from Shenzhen

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah welcomed its first international airline, which flew directly from Shenzhen, China, to the east coast destination of Tawau on Saturday (Dec 6).

Vietnam

Vietnam targets 100 per cent household waste sorting nationwide by 2030

HANOI: Vietnam aims to ensure that all household waste nationwide is sorted by 2030 as part of efforts to protect the environment, under a government resolution issued Wednesday, Vietnam News Agency reported Friday (Dec 5)

Singapore

How love sparked this Singapore heartland baker’s rise to win World Confectioner of the Year 2025

SINGAPORE: When Joanne Huang picked up baking over a decade ago, she did not expect it to become her life's work. What began as an act of love to ease her baker husband's workload ended up taking her to the global stage.

Nation

Bung Moktar’s last question in Parliament was on MA63 progress

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's final question in Parliament as an MP was on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), before he passed away on Friday (Dec 5).

Nation

Limited seats mean top scorers may miss first choice at public unis

KUALA LUMPUR: Limited seats are among the reasons why even students with a CGPA of 4.0 may not secure their preferred courses at public universities, the Higher Education Ministry has clarified.

Sabah & Sarawak

Chinese tourist found dead after plummeting from ninth floor of hotel in Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU: A Chinese tourist was found dead after she was believed to have fallen off the ninth floor of a hotel here, early Sunday (Dec 7).

China

China woman receives handmade doll’s eyes a decade after the order due to ‘crafting process’

BEIJING: A Chinese woman who bought handmade doll's eyes online has received the goods 10 years after placing the original order.

Nation

Two children die in separate drowning incidents in Negri Sembilan

PORT DICKSON: A four-year-old boy died after he was believed to have drowned in a pool at a homestay in Batu 4, Jalan Pantai on Saturday (Dec 6) evening.

Nation

Dr Wee slams Education Minister for creating obstacles in Chinese school projects

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should replace the Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, in any Cabinet reshuffle, for her dismal performance in addressing education issues, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Indonesia

Residents climb over logs in walk to aid centre as flood deaths in Aceh rise over 900

JAKARTA: Residents in Aceh Tamiang climbed over slippery logs and walked for about an hour on Saturday (Dec 6) to get aid, as the death toll from floods and landslides that hit Sumatra this month rose to more than 900 people.

Nation

Loss of tax-exempt status will hurt thousands of TAR UMT students, says Dr Wee

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has voiced concern over the pending expiry of Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology's (TAR UMT) tax-exempt status on Dec 31, warning that the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has yet to approve an extension.

Economy

World Bank: Malaysia shows strong progress in reducing poverty, must now focus on inclusive growth

PUTRAJAYA: The World Bank has commended Malaysia for its strong progress in reducing poverty, particularly hardcore poverty, while noting that further improvements in education and health outcomes are crucial to support inclusive and equitable growth.

Philippines

Wilma weakens into low-pressure area; 8K+ evacuees, landslides reported in Cebu, Philippines

CEBU, (Philippines): Tropical Depression Wilma on Sunday (Dec 7), has weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA), but its persistent rains continued to inundate parts of Cebu Province, forcing the evacuation of more than 8,000 residents and triggering landslides that blocked several roads, disaster officials said.

Nation

MCA committed to BN but ready to forge own path if policies harm public

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA will remain in Barisan Nasional for the current term but is prepared to chart its own path if the coalition continues to back policies and political arrangements that hurt the people or undermine its founding spirit, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Sri Lanka

Disaster death toll in Sri Lanka climbs to 618, 209 still missing

COLOMBO: (Bernama-Lankapuvath) The death toll from the disaster situation triggered by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has risen to 618, while 209 people remain missing, Lankapuvath News Agency reported, citing the Disaster Management Centre (DMC)