My Son Sanctuary has many Hindu temples and monuments that were constructed over a period of 10 centuries. Between the 4th and 19th centuries, they dominated the seaside region now part of central Vietnam as a massive maritime power. Drawing spiritual inspiration from the visiting Indian traders, Cham Kings progressively established there between the 4th and 13th centuries several Hindu temples, dedicated to the God Shiva. I saw some more Hindu temples, like the ones in My Son Sanctuary, in Quy Nhon, which was my next stop. Besides Hindu temples and tranquil beaches, the city is home to luxurious resorts, trendy restaurants and cafes and exotic street food joints.

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry’s Ramadan Operation will be resumed simultaneously at all food premises, including Ramadan bazaars, operating throughout the country to ensure the safety of food sold. According to the ministry, with the cooperation of the local authorities, it also organises food safety briefings for Ramadan bazaar operators, ensuring that the food handlers have taken the anti-typhoid vaccination and undergo food operator training. In addition, it said awareness campaigns related to food safety to the public, operators and operators of raw material premises, food preparation, and food suppliers are also conducted through health education materials, mass media, electronic media and social media. It advised the public to prioritise food safety throughout Ramadan when choosing food for the breaking of fast. Consumers who have any questions regarding food safety issues can contact any district health office, the nearest state Health Department or visit the website http://moh.spab.gov.my and the Food Safety and Quality Programme (PKKM) website www.facebook.com/bkkmhq.

KUALA LUMPUR: The lower Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) increase by Malaysia as compared to the Philippines, Indonesia, Korea and India is one of the main reasons for the ringgit's decline, says Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. The Second Finance Minister said while Malaysia’s OPR remained at 3% after it was increased by 125 basis points, the Philippines, Indonesia, Korea and India increased their key policy rates by 200 to 450 basis points, much higher than Malaysia. "The lower OPR increase compared to those countries is one of the main reasons for the ringgit's decline. "The significant difference in interest rates with the United States which is as much as 250 basis points prompts foreign investors to shift their capital out of the domestic market to markets that provide higher returns. "Now, the confidence in foreign investors who are investing in Malaysia is also encouraging.

1 day agoHome Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said he is working closely with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar on the issue of the "Ahmadi Religion of Light and Peace." He told a press conference this after the launch of the PDRM Special Dialogue 2024 today. ---------------------------------- #NST #NSTTV visit us at www.nst.com.my our Facebook www.facebook.com/nstonline more news at www.twitter.com/NST_Online and also w...Show more

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Highway Authority has instructed all highway concessionaires to make thorough preparations, especially during peak hours, to ensure highway users have comfortable, safe and smooth travels throughout Ramadan. He urged highway concessionaires to consider changes in the commuting hours of users throughout the month of Ramadan when implementing lane closures for maintenance works, adding that they must identify hotspots and provide temporary additional facilities to manage the increase in traffic volume. "They should enhance cooperation with the Royal Malaysia Police to facilitate traffic movement, especially at critical locations such as at traffic lights after highway exits to prevent traffic overflow,” read the statement. He said the Works Ministry and the authority, as well as all highway concessionaires, must always be mindful of the comfort of highway users and strive to provide the best services. Highway users can contact the authority’s traffic management centre at 1-800-88-7752 for information on traffic conditions or to get help.- Bernama

SINGAPORE: Former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani was conferred the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Distinguished Service Order) by Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam here Thursday. Acryl Sani, who is also Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) chairman, was conferred the award in recognition of his role in strengthening the close bilateral relations between the Royal Malaysia Police and the Singapore Police Force (SPF). SPF said his leadership as former IGP has enhanced the safety and security of both countries by countering the threats of terrorism, drugs and transnational crime. "Under Tan Sri Acryl’s leadership, the collaboration between the Royal Malaysia Police and the SPF was substantially strengthened. Singapore’s Commissioner of Police Hoong Wee Teck said: "We will continue to work closely with the Royal Malaysia Police to combat transnational crime and overcome new and emerging security challenges.”While here, Acryl Sani also made courtesy calls on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Hoong.

The MCA president also said that the party had consistently stood firm and adhered to its principles, while maintaining an open attitude. Dr Wee highlighted the importance of strengthening MCA and Barisan Nasional (BN) as a key factor in stable political cooperation. He stressed the need for MCA to become a valuable, powerful, and influential political party to secure favourable positions and conditions. Wee Ka Siong (fifth left) along with Mah Hang Soon and party leaders stand proudly as they celebrate the 75th anniversary. Meanwhile, Dr Wee acknowledged the current challenges facing Barisan, describing it as being at a "low ebb".

LANGKAWI: Tourism Malaysia is hopeful that Routes Asia 2024 will be the catalyst for the increased number of international flights coming into Malaysia to pre-pandemic levels or more, says its senior director for international promotion (Asean) Mohd Shahrir Mohd Ali. According to Mohd Shahrir, accessibility to Malaysia has not been the same since Covid-19 hit back in 2020. Mohd Shahrir said the introduction of the Charter Flight Matching Grant incentive would continue boosting the industry, with three categories as its focus. “One is increasing the existing flights, the second is looking at new airlines for more routes and the last is chartered flights. Meanwhile, Mohd Shahrir said the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) will continue playing an important role within the tourism and aviation industries.

TAPAH: The gap between the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) dividend rate for conventional and syariah savings declared this year has reduced compared to previous year, says Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. "If we look at the returns, the 5.5% dividend rate is among the highest declared. EPF earlier on Sunday declared a dividend rate of 5.5% for conventional savings for 2023, with a total payout of RM50.3bil and a 5.4% dividend rate for syariah savings, with a total payout of RM7.5bil. For 2022, EPF declared a dividend rate of 5.35% for conventional savings with a total payout of RM45.44bil and 4.75% for syariah savings, with a payout amounting to RM5.7bil. So for EPF, we see the longer one keeps their money, there is a bigger compounding (interest) effect," he said.

PETALING JAYA: Singles will be key for Malaysia if they harbour hopes of winning the Thomas Cup Finals from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu. “China and India have balanced teams with strong singles and doubles players,” said James. “China have strong depth while India have many experienced and also young, talented singles players and a strong doubles pair (world No. “It’s possible for us to get two points from the doubles but we need at least one from our singles players as well,” added James. Thomas Cup Finals: China, Denmark, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, India, Taiwan, South Korea, France, Thailand, Canada, Hong Kong, Germany, England, Algeria, Australia.

TWO assemblymen are urging Selangor government to “bury” the proposed Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) highway project. Let this project be buried,” said Lim Yi Wei (PH-Kampung Tunku) while debating the royal address at the State Assembly sitting. Lim said she had heard that the PJD Link developer was planning to renegotiate the alignment of the highway to avoid areas where it had faced plenty of protests. Last year, residents were relieved when the state government cancelled PJD Link, which replaced a previous controversial highway project called Kidex in 2014, she said. During Wednesday’s sitting, Rajiv Rishyakaran (PH-Bukit Gasing) had also called for PJD Link to be put to rest once and for all.

PUTRAJAYA: Individual and non-individual taxpayers can submit their Tax Return Form for the Year of Assessment 2023 through e-Filing starting today, says the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). It advised taxpayers to use the e-Filing service through the MyTax portal at https://mytax.hasil.gov.my or through the HASiL official portal at https://www.hasil.gov.my. Tax agents are encouraged to use the Tax Agent e-filing System (TAeF) service at https://taef.hasil.gov.my/ to make submissions, it said in a statement yesterday. LHDN also said that registered taxpayers accessing MyTax for the first time should activate their Individual Digital Certificate by generating it through the MyTax Portal > Select Identification Type > Identification Number > Submit and select e-KYC (smartphone) or e-CP55D (computer/laptop/smartphone), according to Bernama. More information on the e-Filing programme for Year of Assessment 2024 can be obtained on the LHDN official portal or by clicking on the links https://www.hasil.gov.my/media/5u5aympa/program-memfail-borang-nyata-tahun-2024.pdf (Malay version) and https://www.hasil.gov.my/media/fw2jk2fd/rf-filing-programme-for-the-year-2024.pdf (English version).

Malaysia's Capital A aims to raise US$400mil equity from AirAsia merger14 hours agoThe parent company of Malaysian budget airline AirAsia, Capital A Berhad, is looking to raise up to US$400 million in equity as part of a planned merger to bring its long and short-haul operations under one brand, its CEO Tony Fernandes said. -------------------------------- #NST #NSTTV visit us at www.nst.com.my our Facebook www.facebook.com/nstonline more news at www.twitter.com/NST_Online and also www.instagram.com/nstonline

PETALING JAYA: Para shuttlers Cheah Liek Hou-Fareez Anuar exacted sweet revenge over Indonesia’s Dheva Anrimusthi-Hafizh Brilliansyah to reach the final of the World Championships. Liek Hou-Fareez stayed calm after losing a close second game to come away with the well deserved win. “After losing to the Indonesians in the Asiad, we analysed their game and worked on making our attacking shots more solid,” said Liek Hou. It was double joy for Liek Hou after he also made it into the singles final after beating Taiwan’s Fang Jen-yu 21-14, 21-18. Men’s doublesSU5: Cheah Liek Hou-Fareez Anuar bt Dheva Anrimusthi-Hafizh Brilliansyah (Ina) 21-11, 19-21, 21-10.

PETALING JAYA: National shuttler Ng Tze Yong’s injury set to cost him his Olympic dreams, but health comes first. Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sir Norza Zakaria said prioritising Tze Yong’s health is the wise choice, even if it means sacrificing his Olympic qualification. “Tze Yong is still under observation and treatment with the National Sports Institute (ISN) together with BAM,” said Norza after the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) executive council meeting at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM). “We do hope his injury won’t hinder his chance to qualify for the Olympics through tournaments in the coming months. At the same time, Norza announced that OCM will host the Olympic Solidarity (OS)-Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Regional Forum for East and Southeast Asian National Olympic Committees (NOCs) in Kuala Lumpur from May 3-4.