BAM sends top badminton squad to 2025 SEA Games to restore pride

BAM sends top badminton squad to 2025 SEA Games to restore pride

KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia will send its top players to the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand to restore the country’s pride. BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh stated this decision was made by coaches following thorough discussions. Malaysia’s previous backup squad at the Phnom Penh edition returned with only two silver and four bronze medals. “We felt this is the most opportune time for us to make a decision that benefits the country as this involves restoring the country’s dignity,” Kenny explained during a visit to the diving training venue with chef de mission Nurul Huda Abdullah. He confirmed the SEA Games shuttlers would face no scheduling conflicts with the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou. Badminton events will begin on December 7 and conclude on December 15, two days before the World Tour Finals start. “We do have sufficient time to make any necessary logistics planning for Hangzhou,” Kenny added. The BWF World Tour Finals format permits only the top eight singles players and pairs in the World Tour rankings. Four Malaysian pairs selected for the SEA Games currently hold top-eight positions in the BWF World Tour Finals rankings. Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik rank second in men’s doubles while Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun hold fourth position. Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah lead the women’s doubles rankings and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei stand sixth in mixed doubles. Malaysia will also rely on Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh in men’s singles alongside K. Letshanaa and Wong Ling Ching in women’s singles. The squad includes Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing in women’s doubles and Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin in mixed doubles. All listed players will participate in team events with additional support from Eogene Ewe and Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin in the men’s team. Siti Zulaikha Muhammad Azmi and Eng Ler Qi will provide support in the women’s team event for the biennial Games. – Bernama

Jepun dijangka pilih PM baharu minggu depan

Jepun dijangka pilih PM baharu minggu depan

TOKYO: Dewan Perwakilan Jepun dijangka mengadakan undian Parlimen bagi memilih perdana menteri baharu pada 21 Oktober ini, menurut seorang ahli kanan jawatankuasa penjadualan kepada Reuters. Parti Liberal Demokratik (LDP), yang kini diterajui pemimpin baharunya Sanae Takaichi, mencadangkan tarikh tersebut. Namun, cadangan itu dibantah oleh parti pembangkang yang menegaskan rundingan pembentukan gabungan kerajaan masih belum selesai. ... Read more The post Jepun dijangka pilih PM baharu minggu depan appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

Arif Aiman makes country proud despite missing out out on AFC Player of the Year award

Arif Aiman makes country proud despite missing out out on AFC Player of the Year award

KUALA LUMPUR : National and Johor Darul Ta’zim winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi missed out on the AFC Player of the Year award to Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari. His nomination alone marked a historic achievement for Malaysian football. Arif Aiman became the first Malaysian player ever nominated for the prestigious Asian Football Confederation award. He was shortlisted alongside Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari and Qatari superstar Akram Afiff. The 23-year-old scored five goals last season to help JDT reach the AFC Champions League Elite round of 16. He also guided the Southern Tigers to a clean sweep of all four M-League trophies for three consecutive seasons. Arif Aiman remains a key component of the Harimau Malaya squad in ongoing Asian Cup Qualifiers. The Football Association of Malaysia also won the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football Silver Category. FAM honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin received the award during the ceremony in Riyadh. – Bernama

Warga asing kutip derma khairat guna surat palsu ditahan

Warga asing kutip derma khairat guna surat palsu ditahan

NIBONG TEBAL: Seorang lelaki warga asing ditahan di Masjid Kampung Kepala Gajah, Simpang Ampat di sini malam tadi selepas disyaki menjalankan kegiatan kutipan derma khairat menggunakan surat kebenaran palsu. Ketua Unit Operasi Bahagian Penguatkuasaan Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Pulau Pinang (JHEAIPP), Muhamad Helmi Rosley berkata, risikan selama sebulan membawa kepada tangkapan suspek berusia 39 ... Read more The post Warga asing kutip derma khairat guna surat palsu ditahan appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

STR Phase 4 payments start tomorrow ahead of Deepavali

STR Phase 4 payments start tomorrow ahead of Deepavali

PUTRAJAYA : A total of 8.8 million Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients will receive their Phase 4 payments for 2025 starting tomorrow, October 18. The Ministry of Finance announced this early distribution ahead of the Deepavali celebration, moving it forward from the original mid-November schedule. An allocation of RM2 billion has been set aside for this phase, with payment rates reaching up to RM700 depending on recipient categories. This payment includes 200,000 new applicants who have been approved for STR Phase 4, with their disbursements beginning on November 13. The number of Phase 4 recipients has increased by 500,000 individuals and households compared to Phase 1 in January 2025. This growth follows the MADANI Government’s decision to allow new applications and appeals throughout the entire year. The government will maintain open registration for STR and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) 2026 continuously to ensure more Malaysians can access assistance programmes. Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed the government’s commitment to distributing national revenue benefits across all societal levels. He expressed hope that the STR 2025 Phase 4 distribution would provide financial relief ahead of Deepavali celebrations. During the Fourth MADANI Budget announcement on October 10, Anwar revealed that STR and SARA allocations would reach RM15 billion in 2026. Existing recipients will have their data automatically integrated into government databases for STR and SARA 2026 eligibility reviews. This automated approach helps minimise exclusion risks while ensuring assistance reaches intended target groups. STR applicants can consult the Frequently Asked Questions section on the official portal at https://bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my for additional information. Payment status and approval verification are also available through the same online portal. – Bernama