Rare tech skills power engineer’s career
JERANTUT: Few possess the skills to repair and manufacture spare parts for high-technology electronic circuit boards, but such expertise has shaped the career path of a local electronic engineer from this district. He specialises in repairing and producing high-technology electronic circuit boards that serve as core electronic components for navigation systems, radar, sonar and transponders used in aircraft, helicopters and ships. He is also skilled in maintaining, restoring and reproducing complex high-tech electronic circuit board components that are no longer manufactured in their countries of origin – a task generally considered extremely challenging. His career started at a Taiwanese electronic components and telecommunications systems company after graduation. “I was the only local staff given the opportunity to be part of the R&D team involved in developing and improving electronic and telecommunications systems.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 11:40 UTC
Floods: Evacuee numbers drop in Pahang, Terengganu
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 21): The number of flood victims in Pahang and Terengganu continued to decline, with 3,146 people still at temporary evacuation centres (PPS) in both states as of Sunday afternoon. Based on the Social Welfare Department’s (JKM) Infobencana application, Kuantan still recorded the highest number of victims, with 1,986 people sheltered at 19 PPS. In Terengganu, the number of flood victims in the Kemaman district dropped to 571 people from 155 families as of 4pm, compared with 921 people from 246 families at 9am earlier. The Terengganu State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) Secretariat said all victims in the Kemaman district are currently taking shelter at a single PPS, namely Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bukit Mentok. Two PPS, SK Binjai and SK Chukai, were closed at noon after all evacuees were allowed to return to their respective homes.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 21, 2025 11:01 UTC
BN to push for GST after next GE, says Zahid
BUTTERWORTH: Barisan Nasional will look to reinstate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) after the next general election, describing it as the most effective tax system to ensure fairness and boost government revenue, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The coalition's chairman said GST was the ideal tax regime for Malaysia, allowing the government to secure more robust financial resources. "GST allows the people to feel that the tax system is fair. "More than 155 countries worldwide have implemented GST,” he said. "We implemented GST before, but later reverted to SST,” he said.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 10:15 UTC
Festive price control scheme to run soon
PAPAR: The Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme will be implemented from Dec 23 to 27 in conjunction with Christmas, involving 14 types of controlled goods. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (pic) said the ministry has identified goods that will be controlled under the scheme including imported bone mutton, imported round cabbage (from Indonesia and China, excluding Beijing cabbage), carrots (China), tomatoes and red chillies. In addition, green bell peppers, large red onions, large yellow onions, imported potatoes (China), chicken wings, live old chickens (Sarawak only), live pigs (farm only), pork belly, meat and fat are only in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. The price scheme will be enforced through the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act to enable price determination, Armizan said during the Jualan Rahmah programme at the Papar Library Open Hall here yesterday, as reported by Bernama. Armizan said the price scheme has taken into account considerations so that consumers can enjoy reasonable prices and traders are not pressured by an overly long implementation period.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 10:15 UTC
Uganda National Oil secures US$2 bil loan from Vitol Britain
The loan will unlock key projects across the petroleum value chain, the Kampala-based company said in a statement on X. Key projects include the greenfield storage terminal in Mpigi District, near the capital; expansion of the petroleum terminal in Jinja, in the east; and products pipeline extension from neighbouring Kenya, it said.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 21, 2025 10:11 UTC
Makkal Sakti never intended to 'replace' MIC in BN, says Thanenthiran
BUTTERWORTH (Dec 21): The Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party (Makkal Sakti) never intended to "replace" MIC in Barisan Nasional (BN), its president Datuk Seri RS Thanenthiran said. He said the 17-year-old party would not take advantage of any internal issues between MIC and BN by positioning Makkal Sakti as an alternative for the Indian community. “Makkal Sakti is not an alternative to MIC. Also present was BN secretary general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. At the 79th MIC general assembly in November, the party decided to postpone the decision on whether to leave or remain in BN.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 21, 2025 10:01 UTC
LHDN: No penalties in first year of Self-Assessment Stamp Duty System
PUTRAJAYA (Dec 21): The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) will not impose penalties during the first year of the Self-Assessment Stamp Duty System (STSDS) for applications submitted from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2026, in efforts to ease duty payers into the new regime. In a statement Sunday, LHDN said the concession covers errors in Stamp Duty Return Form (BNDS) submissions, inaccurate information affecting stamp duty assessment, and offences identified under Subsection 72D(2) of the Stamp Act 1949. “The measure is intended to ease duty payers into the new system, encourage voluntary compliance, and allow time to familiarise themselves with electronic self-stamping,” it added. The e-Stamp Duty System has been opened for early access via the MyTax portal to facilitate testing and preparation. Assistance is available via the HASiL Contact Centre at 03-8911 1000 or +603-8911 1000 (overseas), HASiL Live Chat, or the feedback form at maklumbalaspelanggan.hasil.gov.my/Public/ on LHDN’s official portal.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 21, 2025 08:26 UTC
No ban on Christmas decor
KUALA LUMPUR: Halal-certified hotels and food premises can display Christmas decorations, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan (pic). He clarified that there are no restrictions against halal certification holders from displaying festive decorations linked to religions other than Islam, provided that halal standards are upheld. Zulkifli said this also applies to festive decorations in kitchens or hotel outlets that hold SPHM. Hotels and food premises with halal certification have been advised to refer to the relevant halal certification authorities for clarification and guidance when needed, to ensure continued compliance with national halal standards. “Hotel managements are free to decorate areas within their premises that don’t carry halal certification,” Rahman said.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 07:20 UTC
Former FT minister Dr Zaliha's mother passes away
KUALA LUMPUR: The mother of former minister in the prime minister's department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, passed away Saturday (Dec 20) night at the age of 77. Halimah Yaacob breathed her last at 8.23pm in Putrajaya and funeral rites will be held at Masjid Mahmoodiah, Presint 18, before burial in Kulai, Johor. Mother passed away at 8.23pm tonight. "I ask everyone to pray that Allah grants mercy to Mother, forgives her sins, accepts her deeds, and places her among the faithful," she said in a Facebook post. Dr Zaliha also prayed for peace and strength for her family during this difficult time.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 07:14 UTC
Modern ways, same old taste
Soon said she stopped making tang yuan three years ago and now only needs to prepare the red bean soup to go with the rice balls. Administrative worker PY Wong, 65, echoed similar sentiments, citing time constraints as a factor in choosing ready-made tang yuan. She said that nowadays, people eat tang yuan more as a formality than for enjoyment due to health reasons. Leong said that as the elders demonstrated the art of making tang yuan, they also shared the meaning and origins of the festival, which symbolises a time for reunion and gratitude. “Each small contribution has allowed everyone to enjoy a warm Winter Solstice meal as a community,” she added.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 06:55 UTC
Learning to survive at sea is crucial to if you want to be an astronaut
Alonso and Schonenwald are two of the five women and three men from seven European countries in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) astronaut reserve who took part in sea survival training in Rostock. Eight potential astronauts from seven European countries receive water rescue training in the Baltic Sea near the northern east German city of Rostock. The astronaut training pathAnyone hoping to climb the ranks at ESA first has to get into the water for sea survival training. No guaranteed spotDespite the training, space missions are by no means guaranteed for the astronaut reserve. The firm, which normally trains employees from the offshore industry, is honoured to be training potential future astronauts.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 06:31 UTC
Nine killed, 10 injured in South Africa shooting, police hunt for suspects
BENGALURU (Dec 21): Nine people were killed and 10 wounded in an early morning shooting in a township south-west of Johannesburg and authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspects, the South African Police Service said on Sunday. The incident occurred just before 1am local time (2300 GMT) at a licensed tavern in Johannesburg's Bekkersdal township, the police said in a statement. About 12 unknown suspects in a white minibus and a silver sedan opened fire at the tavern patrons and continued shooting randomly as they fled the scene, the police said, adding that the motive for the shooting would be determined by investigation. The injured have been taken to medical facilities for treatment, police added. South Africa, Africa's biggest economy, has one of the world's highest murder rates, averaging about 60 a day.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 21, 2025 06:06 UTC
Colombia ministers sign emergency tax decree, reports say
(Dec 21): Colombia’s government has signed an economic emergency decree to raise funds to address a widening fiscal deficit, local media reported on Friday. The decree, which focused on taxing the wealthy, was signed Thursday and filed on Friday ahead of its publication, Interior Minister Armando Benedetti said in a news conference, Semana reported. The move comes after lawmakers rejected President Gustavo Petro’s proposed tax increases earlier this month, adding new uncertainty to the country’s worsening fiscal outlook. The government is looking to raise 16 trillion pesos (US$4.2 billion) through the decree, Finance Minister German Avila said Friday. On Dec 17, Fitch Ratings downgraded Colombia’s credit rating one notch deeper into junk territory, citing persistently large budget deficits that will add to the nation’s debt load.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 21, 2025 04:26 UTC
Tearful Bowen Yang departs ‘SNL’ after emotional Christmas episode hosted by Ariana Grande
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Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 04:23 UTC
Dispute over money motive of murder, say Negri cops
“The conflict is believed to have stemmed from the victim allegedly asking the suspect for money,” he said. SAC Idzam added that the main suspect, who was arrested at Genting Sempah was remanded with police still in the process of recording his statement. “As the suspect has only just been remanded, the interrogation process is ongoing to determine the actual motive behind the incident. “However, early investigations suggest there was a dispute between the victim and the suspect, believed to be related to a request for money,” he said. The 51-year-old man, who is also the main suspect, was detained around Genting Sempah, Pahang,on Friday afternoon.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 04:07 UTC