Babies, elderly, among 783 deported to the Philippines from Sandakan
SANDAKAN: Babies and the elderly were among 783 illegal immigrants deported to the Philippines from Sandakan, on Friday (Dec 19). The deportation exercise was carried out by the Sabah Immigration Department from the Sandakan Jetty to Zamboanga City. She said these Filipinos involved babies as young as under two and up to 75 years old. “We will continue taking action against illegal immigrants and will not compromise on anyone harbouring or hiring illegal immigrants,” said Sitti. Employees found hiring or harbouring illegal immigrants can be fined up to RM50,000, jailed and caned under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 15:30 UTC
Exploring Perth's vibrant blend of sports, cuisine and culture
I rolled into Perth in Australia like a sinner seeking salvation, suitcase half-full of anticipation, palate primed for trouble. First day of the Test – crisp sun, blue-skied Perth. The ocean breeze whispers of quiet mornings on beaches like Cottesloe, or clean, beach-crisp air by the waterfront as the city hums along. And there’s the legendary Little Creatures Brewery – pint after pint of hoppy, golden ales, served in heavy-bodied glasses that sweat under the night lights. You just wander in, order a pint or a plate of oysters, and settle into the city’s rhythm without fuss.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 15:03 UTC
Man found dead after car plunges into river near Parit
IPOH: A 34-year-old man was found dead after the car he was in plunged into a river near SK Layang-Layang Kanan in Parit, about 40km from here. Perak Fire and Rescue Department acting assistant operations director Shazlean Mohd Hanafiah said the victim's body was found in the car after it was pulled out of the river on Saturday (Dec 20) at about 2.10pm. Shazlean said the car had plunged into the river on Friday (Dec 19) at about 11.10pm. “The search operation was carried out using a boat about 100m downstream from the jetty where the victim’s vehicle was believed to have fallen into the river. "The body was handed over to the police for the next course of action," he added.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 14:59 UTC
Religious teacher nabbed over alleged sexual assault
KUALA LUMPUR: A 40-year-old male religious teacher has been detained in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a student. "He has been teaching at the religious school in Kampung Pandan for about 11 years," he said when contacted on Saturday (Dec 20). It was previously reported that an 11-year-old student was allegedly sexually assaulted by a religious teacher, leading the police to start a probe into the matter. In the report, it was alleged that the suspect had sexually assaulted a student from a religious school based in Kampung Pandan. A police investigation has been opened under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 14:50 UTC
Greed, corruption goes against the people's mandate, says Shafie
KOTA KINABALU: Any intention fuelled by a desire for position or power goes against the people’s mandate, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal warns his party leaders and members. The Warisan president said that in the recently concluded state election, Warisan was the single party that garnered the most seats. “We got 25 out of 73 seats; this is the most that a single party won in the state election. On the direction the party was taking, Shafie said it was important to give chances for young leaders to grow. “He (Darell) said no, but I told him he must have confidence because I won’t be here forever and we must be prepared,” Shafie said.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 14:40 UTC
Heart And Soul: Diving deep into life's seasons
Email your story to: heartandsoul@thestar.com.my with the subject "Heart and Soul". As I was diving recently at the Surin Islands in Thailand, it struck me that scuba diving mirrors the journey of human life in quiet, profound ways. Each stage of a dive offers its own lessons, reminding us of where we have come from and how we move forward. A responsible diver begins to ascend to shallower depths, aware that lingering too long in the deep carries risks. Life, like diving, is a journey of depth, wonder and eventual ascent – and every stage deserves to be lived with intention.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 14:31 UTC
Can Nilai become an AI mega hub?
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Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 13:52 UTC
QuickCheck: Is there really a monkey that plays with snowballs?
In the snowy forests of Japan, visitors have spotted something unusual: Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, frolicking in the snow and even tossing clumps like tiny snowballs. Verdict:TRUEJapanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) are well known for their playful behaviour, and yes — they really do play with snow. Snowball play helps younger monkeys develop coordination and social skills while strengthening bonds within the troop. Japan Experience — Japanese Macaque Monkeys: The Fascinating Snow Monkeys of Japan3. University of St. Thomas — Student Study Finds Snow Monkeys Just Wanna Have Fun
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 13:34 UTC
Govt continued to enhance social protection for M'sians in 2025, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR: The Madani government strengthened social protection for Malaysians throughout 2025 by increasing cash aid to the highest level in the nation's history, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the government has expanded support for families and ensured that rapid response and immediate assistance are mobilised whenever disasters occur. According to an infographic accompanying the post, the aid provided by the Madani government this year includes an allocation of RM13bil for the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) and Rahmah Basic Necessities Aid (SARA) programmes. In addition, the government provided a one-off SARA payment of RM100 to every citizen aged 18 and above using their MyKad, which could be claimed from Aug 31 until Dec 31. For flood relief, the government has disbursed RM1,000 under the Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) scheme to each affected family, with RM10mil allocated to Sabah and RM50mil for Kelantan and Terengganu.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 13:32 UTC
Bangladesh protesters demand arrest of student leader's killers
In Dhaka, protester Sajid Al Adeeb told AFP that "people have gathered here demanding the swift arrest of those who killed Hadi." The 20-year-old student said the killers were "currently in India" -- a claim which New Delhi has not commented on. "I urge the government to take immediate and appropriate steps to arrest those responsible," he added. The US embassy in Dhaka urged its citizens to remain vigilant and "remember that gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence". Hadi, a leader of the student protest group Inqilab Mancha, was running for a parliament seat in the February 2026 national election.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 12:24 UTC
Tragic end as father knocks down toddler while reversing car
TANGKAK: A two-year-old girl met a tragic end after being hit by the car her father was reversing in the compound of their house in Taman Kesang Baru, Parit Bunga, on Thursday (Dec 19). Tangkak OCPD Dept Supp Jamellulkamal Abdul Halim said initial investigations revealed that at the time of the incident at 8.15am, the father was reversing his Suzuki Swift car from the garage. He said the child suddenly darted out of the house, right into the path of the reversing car, as the 30-year-old man accidentally knocked down the toddler. "The victim, who suffered serious head injuries, was pronounced dead while receiving treatment at the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital in Muar at 7.30pm. We urge the public to be mindful of young children’s whereabouts around the house,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 20).
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 12:13 UTC
Stepping into the new year with confidence
AS we await the dawn of 2026, it is time for muhasabah, a moment of deep reflection and honest accounting. Rooted in our spiritual traditions, this practice calls us to examine our collective journey as a nation. Malaysia’s economy demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2025, growing steadily despite global headwinds. We made the largest leap in the IMD (Institute for Management Development) World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, soaring 11 spots to 23rd.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 12:00 UTC
M’sian heritage goes digital
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 11 million images have been digitised by the National Archives of Malaysia (ANM) to strengthen efforts to preserve and expand access to the nation’s historical heritage. ANM director-general Zaidin Mohd Noor said the achievement as of November reflects the department’s continued commitment to ensuring archival materials remain accessible to both present and future generations. Zaidin said ANM also manages 11 memorials dedicated to national figures, including the Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Memorial, Tun Abdul Razak Memorial, Tun Hussein Onn Memorial, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s birthplace, the P. Ramlee Memorial Library, and Galeria Sri Perdana. Activities under the programme include the Malaysia Tanah Airku exhibition, archival preservation demonstrations, history quizzes, crossword puzzles, as well as Archives@Schools Exploration, and Nationalist Exploration initiatives. Meanwhile, the Community Archives programme, launched in Klang on May 17, will also be expanded nationwide next year to encourage community participation in the identification, collection, documentation and preservation of local heritage.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 11:59 UTC
Christmas parade returns to island after 25 years
Revival hailed as reflection of multi-cultural harmony in PenangPENANG’S Christmas parade − the first in 25 years − saw a marching band leading a 10-float procession participated by the state’s churches. Heavy rain fell just as the parade departed St George’s Church on Farquhar Street but the parishioners went ahead with the procession undeterred. A local church group singing carols during the celebration at St George’s Church. St George’s Church, built in 1818, is the oldest Anglican church in South-East Asia. The parade and open house were part of Penang’s state-level Christmas celebration, organised collaboratively by the Penang government through Harmonico (Penang Harmony Corporation), the Penang chapter of CFM and local churches.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 11:56 UTC
Suspended politician jailed for molestation
KOTA KINABALU: A suspended politician was sentenced to eight months’ jail and fined RM5,000 by the Magistrate’s Court for molesting an 18-year-old four years ago. Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus also ordered former Sabah STAR Putatan parliamentary coordinator Phillip Among, 55, to be jailed another four months if he failed to pay the fine. Phillip was convicted under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine, whipping, or any two of those punishments. However, the court granted Philip’s application to stay the execution of the sentence pending appeal against the decision at the High Court. Phillip is also awaiting judgment on four other molest charges involving a 2021 Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan contestant, while he was serving as technical head for the competition.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 11:55 UTC