Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by sallehello

Anyone stayed up to for United lose to 10 men City

sallehello — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:48:29 +0800

I'm so done

UiTM student dies, 8 hospitalised after endurance

sallehello — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 10:46:15 +0800

UiTM student dies, 8 hospitalised after endurance challenge

QUOTE

PETALING JAYA: A Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) student has died, while eight others were hospitalised after suffering heat-related symptoms while taking part in an endurance challenge at the UiTM Jengka campus in Maran, Pahang, on Thursday.
Fadhlan Fakhry Solana Fellimal, 21, died at Hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah in Temerloh yesterday afternoon, Berita Harian reported.

The Malay daily reported Maran police chief Wong Kim Wai as confirming that Fadhlan and another student received treatment at Hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, while seven others were treated at Jengka Hospital.

Wong said a preliminary investigation found that the students had suffered heat-related problems, including a lack of oxygen, while taking part in the endurance programme.

“Further details will be provided after we receive the post-mortem report,” he said.

Separately, the UiTM branch in Pahang said the university would ensure full assistance for Fadhlan’s family.

The university said the Komander Kesatria Endurance Challenge is conducted annually involving participants from UiTM campuses nationwide and had been scheduled to take place at the Jengka campus from Sept 2 to 8.

It said the organisers have decided to cancel all outdoor activities scheduled for today.

It also said the programme was conducted in compliance with strict health and safety SOPs, with participants required to undergo health screenings before the programme began, and health checks before each activity.

“Several participants had previously been asked to withdraw after failing the final screening,” it added in a statement.

This is getting out of hand. we need to take health and safety more seriously, and move whatever activities we can indoors if possible.

WFH, and outside jobs like construction needs to have more measures. The poor student.

Firefighting Send-Off Ceremony Draws Criticism As

sallehello — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:44:17 +0800

QUOTE

Firefighting Send-Off Ceremony Draws Criticism As Kalimantan Fires Worsen
A formal send-off ceremony for teams responding to forest and land fires in Central Kalimantan has drawn criticism as the region faces a worsening fire emergency.

Governor Agustiar Sabran led the ceremony at the Isen Mulang Palace in Palangka Raya on Monday (Aug 31), accompanied by officials who waved chequered flags as firefighting vehicles departed.

The operation mobilised military and police personnel, civil servants, disaster-response agencies and volunteers.

The provincial government said it was meant to demonstrate preparedness and formally deploy additional manpower.

Central Kalimantan declared an emergency response status on the same day, after previously being placed on alert from May 26.

The fires had been burning for weeks before worsening in August due to a prolonged dry season and strengthening El Niño conditions. While the weather allowed fires to spread rapidly, many were believed to have been started through land-clearing activities.

By Aug 29, Central Kalimantan had recorded 2,090 fire incidents and 38,916 hotspots. Authorities deployed more than 7,200 personnel, helicopters, water-bombing operations and cloud-seeding efforts.

Across Indonesia, at least 202,010 hectares burned between January and July.

Nearly 5.5 million people in Sumatra and Kalimantan were exposed to smoke, while about 13,500 respiratory infection cases were recorded in July and August.

The haze also spread to Malaysia, with Sarawak among the worst affected.

Nearly 600 schools were previously closed, affecting around 200,000 students, while several areas recorded hazardous air quality.

can we stop with the wayang and do things that actually matter

Malaysia’s Economy Is Growing, So Why Aren’t Worke

sallehello — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:30:18 +0800

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Malaysia's labour market continues to look relatively stable on paper, but the latest government data suggests early signs of a slowdown
According to the latest figures from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the country's unemployment rate rose to 3.0% in May from 2.9% in March, marking the first increase in six months.

The economy has also continued to benefit from steady growth, strong household spending, and increasing foreign investment, particularly in high-value industries such as digital services and green energy.

However, despite these positive indicators, Malaysian workers still feel financially squeezed.

According to the Social Security Organisation's (PERKESO) Labour Market Exchange (LMX), economic growth has yet to translate into meaningful wage growth for many workers.

Data from PERKESO shows that half of Malaysian workers earn below RM2,999 a month, while only 22% earn RM5,000 and above.

So why is there a gap between a growing economy and stagnant wages?

PERKESO highlighted four structural reasons.

1. Many Malaysian workers are still in low-productivity jobs
A significant portion of Malaysia's workforce remains concentrated in low- and mid-skilled roles.

Many of these jobs are found in industries with limited profit margins, meaning businesses may struggle to offer large salary increases even when demand for workers remains strong.

Without productivity improvements, wage growth tends to remain limited.

2. High-paying industries are not hiring enough workers
Malaysia has attracted investment into higher-value sectors, including technology, digital services, and green industries.

However, these sectors account for a relatively small portion of total employment.

This means the benefits of economic expansion are not evenly distributed, with many workers remaining outside industries that typically offer higher salaries and better career progression.

3. Most businesses are SMEs with limited capacity to raise wages
Malaysia's economy is dominated by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which make up more than 97% of businesses.

While SMEs provide the majority of employment opportunities, many face challenges such as limited capital, lower profit margins, and difficulties adopting new technologies.

These constraints can make it harder for businesses to invest in automation, improve productivity and increase employee wages.

4. Slow digitalisation is holding back productivity
PERKESO also pointed to slower digital adoption as another factor behind weak wage growth.

Technology can help businesses become more efficient, but many companies have yet to fully integrate digital tools into their operations.

Without stronger productivity gains, companies may have fewer resources to provide higher salaries.

Beyond growth on paper, Malaysia needs growth that reaches workers
According to PERKESO, improving wages requires more than just creating jobs.

The country needs productivity-led growth, where businesses adopt technology, workers gain skills for higher-value roles, and salary systems reward skills and competency rather than simply years of service.

It also called for stronger support to help SMEs modernise and move towards higher value-added activities.

As Malaysia works towards becoming a high-income nation under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), the challenge is no longer just creating jobs or keeping unemployment in check.

The bigger question is whether economic growth can translate into higher wages, better jobs, and improved living standards for ordinary Malaysians.

Because a strong economy is only meaningful when workers can actually feel the difference in their daily lives.

The irony - we getting fuel subsidy cuts but civil service get "salary adjustment". Hmm

Dr M has got to stop with identity politics

sallehello — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:44:56 +0800

QUOTE

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged Malay voters to vote only for Malay candidates in upcoming elections, regardless of which political party they represent.
In a Facebook post, Mahathir said the choice of Malay voters at the ballot box would determine the future of the country.

“If we want this country to remain as ‘Tanah Melayu’, then vote for Malays regardless of your loyalty to political parties or NGOs.

“The loyalty of the Malays should be to the Malays. If our loyalty is given to a particular party or faction, then we will lose ‘Tanah Melayu’.

“And without ‘Tanah Melayu’, we will lose the Malays in this world. The Malays would be a stateless people,” said the former MP.

In April, Mahathir said the Malays had only themselves to blame for their disunity and struggles. He said the proliferation of Malay parties had fragmented the community and set them against one another.

He also said he had failed to unite the Malays despite multiple endeavours. He previously led Umno, Bersatu, and Pejuang.

Can we move on from this guy and identity politics? Shouldn't we vote based on best candidate for the job? Presence, dedication, passion, experience and work ethic are so much more important than "Malays for the Malays"?

No wonder we cannot maju la

RTS Link seen as major catalyst for HI Mobility

sallehello — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:19:19 +0800

QUOTE

KUALA LUMPUR: The Johor–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is shaping up as a potential game-changer for HI Mobility Bhd, with CIMB Securities flagging the cross-border project as a key catalyst that could lift the transport operator's earnings trajectory in the coming years.

The optimism comes after the public bus operator delivered a strong set of first-quarter results, where revenue jumped 51.2 per cent year-on-year to RM111.5 million.

The surge was mainly driven by the company's newly acquired commercial vehicle manufacturing, assembly and distribution segment, which was only recently consolidated following the Acacia and Handal BCM acquisitions completed in April 2026.

The new division alone accounted for nearly a third of company revenue, signalling a meaningful shift in the company's earnings mix.

At the same time, the core bus operations continued to show steady growth, supported by resilient demand for scheduled services and new intra-city contracts under BAS Muafakat Johor.

Revenue from this segment rose 6.5 per cent year-on-year, underscoring the stability of HI Mobility's traditional public transport franchise even as it expands into higher-value segments.

Profitability also strengthened, with net profit increasing 29.4 per cent to RM16.3 million, while core net profit rose at a faster pace of 35 per cent to RM17.5 million after stripping out one-off forex losses and asset disposal gains.

On a proforma basis, CIMB Securities said the earnings of the Causeway Link buses still showed healthy growth of 8.4 per cent in revenue and 18.7 per cent in core profit, reflecting underlying operational improvements.

The firm added that the RTS Link could unlock meaningful upside for HI Mobility by transforming cross-border commuting patterns between Johor and Singapore.

"It is expected to drive meaningful first- and last-mile connectivity opportunities while improving cross-border bus efficiency through reduced congestion.

"We estimate RTS feeder route contracts could be worth around RM190 million annually. We believe HI Mobility is well positioned to participate in the rollout, supported by its proven execution track record," it said in a note.

Beyond RTS-related opportunities, HI Mobility is also expected to benefit from its expanding commercial vehicle division, which provides exposure to Malaysia's accelerating electric vehicle (EV) bus adoption.

The company is set to deliver up to 250 EV buses over the next 12 months under Prasarana's fleet modernisation programme, supporting near-term earnings visibility.

"We expect positive synergies following the integration of Acacia and Handal BCM, which should enhance HI's ability to bid competitively for integrated EV bus tenders requiring end-to-end delivery, covering vehicle supply, operations and maintenance," the firm said.

CIMB Securities kept its "Buy" call on HI Mobility with an unchanged target price of RM2.80.

Despite a roughly 20 per cent year-to-date decline in the share price amid broader market uncertainty, the firm continues to view HI Mobility as a defensive proxy for essential cross-border transport demand.

I'm so stoked for the RTS and all the indirect benefits it'll give us. Quite exciting to see players and stakeholders like HI Mob come out up front and talk about improving operations. We're in dire need of first / last mile options. Buying shares anyone?

Johor polls: MCA's 15 candidates seek mandate to d

sallehello — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:12:45 +0800

JOHOR BARU: Johor MCA's 15 candidates contesting under the Barisan Nasional (BN) banner in the state election have pledged to drive the state's next phase of growth.

In a joint statement, the candidates said they are experienced and professionally qualified to represent the rakyat and sustain Johor's economic momentum.

The candidates appealed to voters to give BN a fresh mandate, pledging to work closely with the state administration to secure development opportunities, attract investments and ensure local communities benefit from Johor's economic expansion.

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The candidates said BN's track record over the past four years demonstrated the coalition's ability to deliver results, citing Johor's 6.4 per cent economic growth in 2024, approved investments of RM110 billion in 2025, and improvements in wages and household income that outpaced national averages.

"Continued political stability is crucial to ensuring the success of major initiatives, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Johor Economic Transformation Plan (JETP)," the statement read.

"BN has a clear economic development strategy, solutions to challenges and a well-defined policy direction. Our goal is to ensure political stability, economic prosperity and social harmony."

The party also highlighted the professional credentials of its candidates, saying 13 of the 15 nominees had held positions in government or public institutions.

The group includes former local councillors, lawyers, special officers to the menteri besar, village heads and community leaders.

MCA said the candidate list reflects its ongoing political transformation efforts, with individuals drawn from different generations and professional backgrounds.

MCA said one-third of its candidates are below the age of 40, while nearly three-quarters are under 50.

The party also said 80 per cent of its candidates possess university degrees or higher qualifications, while one-third come from business and professional sectors.

Among those retained were caretaker state Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon in Yong Peng and caretaker Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han in Paloh.

Other candidates are:

N02 Jementah See Ann Giap

N06 Bekok Tan Chong

N10 Tangkak Haw Chin Teck

N12 Bentayan Chua Lee Huat

N23 Penggaram Boo Chin Liong

N27 Layang-Layang Chua Jian Boon

N28 Mengkibol Yap Zhi Peng

N41 Puteri Wangsa Teow Chia Ling

N42 Johor Jaya Chan San San

N45 Stulang Bong Seng Heng

N48 Skudai Tan Hiang Kee

N52 Senai Tai Chee Chee

N55 Pekan Nanas Tan Eng Meng

MCA is contesting 15 state seats in the July 11 election as part of BN's campaign to retain its mandate in Johor.

MCA ask for mandate to ensuring the success of major initiatives, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Johor Economic Transformation Plan (JETP).

Hmm. Will you guys be too busy fighting DAP and other parties instead of helping Johoreans? We need the continued economic success, not bickering in parliament

First Malaysian (Sort of) in World Cup!

sallehello — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:59:36 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Australian Nishan Velupillay became the first player of Malaysian descent to play in the FIFA World Cup on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Melbourne-born winger came on as a 61st-minute substitute for goal scorer Nestory Irankunda during Australia's 2-0 Group D victory over Turkiye at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.

Nishan, whose father Sasinath Velupillay is a Malaysian of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage and mother Gillian Velupillay is Anglo-Indian, has come up through the ranks at Melbourne Victory.

He was the club's top scorer during the 2024-2025 season.

His international debut came during a World Cup qualifier against China in October 2024.

Introduced from the bench late in the match, Nishan marked his senior debut for the Socceroos with a goal just seven minutes after coming on to help Australia secure a 3-1 victory.

Counted right?

EPL Final Run-In

sallehello — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:07:23 +0800

United fan so no skin in this game, but how come there's no EPL topic for Arsenal or Man City's title chances.. Seems like the most competitive season in a while.

Also, hope Tottenham go down heheh