H Harian Malaysia

Daily Malaysian news — politics, business and world affairs.

AH
Political Correspondent

Amirul Hakim

Amirul is the Political Correspondent at the publication, covering politics across Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

1105 articles published

Anwar Moves Swiftly On Food Security As Super El Niño Looms

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to develop immediate countermeasures against the approaching Super El Niño phenomenon, which meteorologists predict will impact Malaysia starting in November.

· · 4 min read

US Returns Over USD1.37 Billion in 1MDB-Linked Assets to Malaysia

The United States has returned more than USD1.37 billion in assets stemming from the 1MDB scandal to Malaysia, according to the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department. Substantial additional funds remain frozen or undergoing forfeiture proceedings.

· · 4 min read

Singapore President Tharman Concludes Three-Day State Visit to Malaysia

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has concluded a three-day state visit to Malaysia, departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday afternoon. The visit reciprocated Malaysia's Sultan Ibrahim's May 2024 visit to Singapore and underscored the countries' close relations.

· · 4 min read

Nepal jails two ex-ministers over US refugee resettlement scam

Nepal's courts have convicted two former government ministers for orchestrating a document forgery scheme that allowed Nepali nationals to fraudulently resettle abroad as Bhutanese refugees, marking a significant action under the country's new anti-corruption administration.

· · 4 min read

The Growing Challenge of Illegal Immigrant Businesses in Malaysia

Malaysia faces mounting pressure from illegal immigrant-run businesses operating under tourist visas and false licences. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has directed ministries to crack down on the practice, citing concerns over displaced local entrepreneurs and community stability.

· · 6 min read

Government Considers Allowing MPs Access to Taiping Prison CCTV Footage

The Malaysian government is reviewing a proposal to allow Members of Parliament to view CCTV footage of the Taiping Prison incident that resulted in an inmate's death. Deputy Minister M. Kulasegaran said he supports the proposal in principle but legal issues require clarification first.

· · 4 min read

Dutch World Cup VAR Official Rob Dieperink Dies at 38

Dutch referee Rob Dieperink, 38, has passed away two months after FIFA removed him from the 2026 World Cup VAR panel. He had been arrested in London on allegations that were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.

· · 4 min read

Duterte's Defence Team Argues Threats Do Not Meet Impeachment Threshold

Vice President Sara Duterte's defence team challenged the impeachment case against her on Wednesday, contending that her 2024 threats against President Marcos and allies do not constitute 'high crimes' under Philippine constitutional law and that prosecutors lack credible evidence.

· · 6 min read

Government to Amend Land Act to Allow Multiple Homes on FELDA Lots

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has directed FELDA to prepare amendments to the Land (Group Settlement Areas) Act 1960 within two months, enabling settlers to construct multiple houses on single residential lots. The move aims to support 8,000 homes already built.

· · 5 min read

KKIA expansion delayed as land issues stall RM500 million project

Kota Kinabalu International Airport's RM500 million expansion remains on hold despite approved funding, with Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi citing unresolved land and site matters with the Sabah government as the key obstacle to project commencement.

· · 4 min read

Ahmad Zahid Backs Structured Political Education for Campus Leaders

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has proposed that Student Representative Councils at Malaysian universities undertake special courses in leadership and politics. He pledges government funding to equip student leaders with deeper understanding of democratic processes and national issues.

· · 4 min read

PM Anwar Says Rivals Targeting Him Over Anti-Corruption Drive

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has attributed mounting political pressure to his administration's uncompromising anti-corruption stance, saying rival parties are joining forces to oppose him because they fear strict governance and oversight.

· · 5 min read

Sri Lanka's Spy Chief Caught in Easter Bombing Reversal

Sri Lanka has arrested retired Major General Suresh Sallay, its former spy chief and noted counterterrorism expert, accusing him of masterminding the 2019 Easter bombings that killed 279 people. The reversal raises questions about state involvement in the attacks.

· · 6 min read

BN's Johor Campaign Vibrant, Not Lacklustre, Says Zahid

Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed suggestions that the coalition's Johor election campaign lacks momentum, insisting the machinery is actively mobilized across all 56 contested seats.

· · 4 min read

Defence Ministry Expects Hobart Camp Explosion Report by Mid-July

Malaysia's Defence Ministry expects to receive findings from its investigation into a deadly grenade explosion at Hobart Camp in Gurun that killed two military personnel during training. A second incident at the same facility has prompted a broader safety review.

· · 4 min read

Government Has Not Banned FELDA Programmes, Clarifies PM Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has clarified that the government has not prohibited programmes in FELDA settlements, stating that restrictions apply only to the use of government machinery for election campaigning, not to the events themselves.

· · 4 min read

PH Wary of Vote Leakage as PN Sits Out 23 Johor Seats

Pakatan Harapan is bracing for uncertainty in 23 Johor constituencies where Perikatan Nasional is not competing, fearing opposition supporters may redirect votes to other parties and upset closely-fought races.

· · 4 min read

Johor State Election Nomination Day Passes Without Disruption

Johor's 16th state election nomination process concluded smoothly across all 56 centres on June 27, with no reported disruptions. Police deployed nearly 5,000 officers and approved 26 campaign permits as officials warned parties to campaign responsibly.

· · 4 min read

Muhammad Faris Installed As 11th Undang Of Sungei Ujong

Muhammad Faris Johari has been formally installed as the 11th Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong by the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, in a traditional ceremony at Istana Besar Seri Menanti.

· · 5 min read

Bersatu Unfazed by PAS Machinery Snub, Says Muhyiddin

Bersatu leader Muhyiddin has downplayed tensions with coalition partner PAS over the latter's refusal to share campaign machinery, emphasising that Perikatan Nasional operates on voluntary mutual support rather than obligation.

· · 3 min read

Azalina Urges Johor Voters to Back BN for Administrative Stability

UMNO's Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has appealed to Johor voters to support Barisan Nasional candidates in the upcoming state election, arguing that maintaining administrative continuity with the incumbent state government will better serve public service delivery.

· · 3 min read

Slow Start: Parliament Passes Single Bill in Opening Week

Parliament's opening week saw just one bill passed—the Road Transport Amendment Bill 2026—which strengthens enforcement against illegal racing. Four other bills were tabled for initial reading, while the Prison Amendment Bill was referred back to committee.

· · 4 min read

Umno rejects family politics model, says Akmal

Umno Youth leader Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has firmly rejected suggestions that the party operates as a family-based political machine, asserting that candidate selection is merit-based rather than nepotistic.

· · 3 min read

PM Anwar Maintains Strong Lead in Approval Ratings, Survey Shows

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim retains the highest approval rating among Malaysian political leaders at 52%, according to a Merdeka Center survey conducted between March and April. The findings reveal consistent public sentiment on governance direction.

· · 4 min read

Malaysia Needs Stronger Cyber Law Framework, Says DPM Ahmad Zahid

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for a stronger legal framework to combat cybercrime, citing 66,204 online fraud cases in 2025 alone involving nearly RM3 billion in losses. The Cybercrime Bill 2026 is being discussed with government backbenchers.

· · 4 min read

Government Raises Annual Neighbourhood Watch Funding to RM10,000

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced a substantial increase in annual funding for Neighbourhood Watch Areas across Malaysia, raising grants from RM6,000 to RM10,000 effective from January 1, 2027. The move aims to strengthen grassroots community policing.

· · 4 min read

Fahmi Welcomes New Leadership at Malaysia's Information Department

Malaysia's Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has congratulated Erwin Khairul Ahmad on his appointment as the new Information Department director-general, with Wan Saidatul Shafina Mohd Amin taking the deputy director-general role for digital content.

· · 3 min read

Bersatu Challenges PN's Hasty Wawasan Admission Decision

Bersatu has challenged the legality of Perikatan Nasional's emergency Supreme Council meeting held Monday night, claiming PN chairman rushed the decision to admit Wawasan into the coalition without following proper procedures.

· · 3 min read

UK PM Starmer Poised To Announce Resignation Timetable

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a resignation timeline imminently, with sources suggesting the statement could come as early as Monday following mounting pressure over immigration and energy policy setbacks.

· · 3 min read

Malaysia Tables Cybercrime Bill 2026 to Combat Evolving Digital Threats

Malaysia has introduced the Cybercrime Bill 2026 to modernise digital security laws and replace outdated 1997 legislation. The comprehensive framework addresses contemporary threats including identity theft, ransomware, and AI misuse, with penalties up to RM3 million and seven years imprisonment.

· · 5 min read

Muda Set to Unveil Johor Election Slate This Weekend

The youth-focused political party Muda will announce its candidates for the Johor state election this weekend, marking a significant step in the party's efforts to expand its political footprint in the southern state.

· · 4 min read

DAP Fields Four Candidates for Johor State Election

The Democratic Action Party has announced four candidates for the July 11 Johor state election, marking the party's first foray into the Malay-majority Tiram seat as part of a broader coalition strategy.

· · 3 min read

Judicial Experience Will Strengthen MMC Independence, Says Nallini

Newly appointed Malaysian Media Council chairman Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan has defended her background as a former Federal Court judge, arguing that her decades on the Bench have equipped her with the skills to safeguard the council's independence and command public trust.

· · 5 min read

Media Retreat Sessions Proposed for Annual HAWANA Celebrations

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has proposed incorporating structured retreat sessions with media practitioners into every future National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) celebration, with the Malaysian Media Council coordinating the initiative.

· · 4 min read

Anwar Concludes Turkmenistan Trip With Packed Penang Visit

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Penang today following his official visit to Turkmenistan, attending factory openings and hosting Malaysia's premier journalism awards ceremony with around 1,000 media professionals expected.

· · 4 min read

Anwar Commends Russia and China for Stance on Gaza and Iran Tensions

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has publicly commended Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping for their statements condemning military operations in Gaza and Iran's attacks, reflecting Malaysia's broader foreign policy priorities in a volatile Middle East.

· · 4 min read

Anwar Praises Putin and Xi for West Asia Peace Advocacy

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping for their advocacy of peace and condemnation of atrocities in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon, reaffirming Malaysia's independent stance.

· · 4 min read

MACC to Launch Cadet Corps Programme in Malaysian Schools

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is introducing a cadet corps programme in schools nationwide, beginning with a staged pilot in selected institutions to cultivate integrity and anti-corruption awareness among young people.

· · 4 min read

MIC to Field Four Candidates in Johor State Election

The Malaysian Indian Congress will contest four seats in the upcoming Johor state election on July 11, with the party mobilising 150 trained speakers to reach Indian voters across all 56 Barisan Nasional seats.

· · 4 min read

Bersatu Commits to Perikatan Nasional Coalition

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin has reaffirmed the party's commitment to remaining within the Perikatan Nasional coalition, grounding the decision in what he describes as widespread public acceptance of the opposition alliance.

· · 4 min read

GE16 likely between October and November, says Pas VP

Pas Vice-President Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah has indicated that Malaysia's 16th general election is likely to be called between late October and November this year, signalling an imminent political timeline.

· · 4 min read

Sabah's New Anti-Corruption HQ Set to Open by Year-End

Sabah's new MACC headquarters on Jalan Sepanggar has reached 90 per cent completion and should be ready by December. The facility will bring together scattered staff from three offices, bolstering the agency's independence and operational efficiency.

· · 4 min read

Ikram official enters not guilty plea in RM98 million graft case

An official from Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia has pleaded not guilty to 158 corruption charges involving RM98 million. The case centres on alleged misappropriation of funds and has drawn scrutiny to governance practices within the Islamic organisation.

· · 3 min read

Najib Shows No Remorse for 1MDB Role, Court Finds

The court has concluded that former Prime Minister Najib Razak displayed no remorse for his role in the 1MDB scandal, with judicial findings indicating he consistently shifted accountability to others rather than accepting responsibility.

· · 3 min read

Najib Showed No Remorse and Shifted Blame, Judge Rules in 1MDB Conviction

A Malaysian trial judge has concluded that former prime minister Najib Razak demonstrated no remorse throughout the 1MDB proceedings and repeatedly deflected responsibility for his actions. The judge characterised Najib's abuse of executive authority as central to constructing one of the largest financial corruption and money laundering scandals globally.

· · 4 min read