PAS leader disrespected Agong, armed forces
People's Progressive Party (PPP) Youth chief S Sathiah said not only did Zaharuddin undermine the armed forces, he also seemed to be questioning the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's wisdom, who serves as the supreme commander of the armed forces.
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The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Chinese fighter 'intercepts' Philippine plane over disputed shoal, Manila says
A Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy helicopter is seen from aboard a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft in the skies above Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on Feb 18. - Photo: AFP-JIJI file OVER THE SCARBOROUGH SHOAL, South China Sea: A Chinese jet fighter "intercepted" a Philippine aircraft carrying journalists during a patrol flight over the Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday (Aug 13), the Manila government said, days after two Chinese vessels collided in the area while allegedly trying to block a Philippine supply mission. A Reuters journalist aboard the Philippine Coast Guard flight watched as the Chinese fighter closed in on the small Cessna Caravan turboprop. At one point the Chinese fighter came within about 200 feet (61 metres) as it manoeuvred behind, above, and alongside the plane, PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said. It was the latest sign of the persistent tensions between the two nations in the disputed South China Sea atoll. "While they were conducting the flight, they have been intercepted by a Chinese fighter jet," Tarriela told a press conference held afterwards. The encounter lasted 20 minutes, during which radio demands from one of two Chinese navy ships spotted below ordering the Philippine plane to "leave immediately" could be heard from the cockpit. The same day, two US warships - littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati and the destroyer USS Higgins - were spotted about 30 nautical miles away from the shoal, Tarriela said. China's military claimed it "drove away" the US destroyer after it entered the area without permission, but Washington said its ships were conducting lawful freedom of navigation operations. Located 200 km (124 miles) off the Philippines and inside its exclusive economic zone, Scarborough Shoal is valued for its rich fishing grounds and sheltered lagoon. On Monday, the PCG sent three vessels to carry supplies to dozens of Filipino fishermen in the atoll. It said Chinese vessels then intervened to carry out what it called a "hazardous" attempt to prevent the delivery, leading to the first known collision between two Chinese ships in the area. China has not confirmed if any crew were injured, and ignored Manila's offer of medical and rescue aid. Neither China's defence ministry nor its embassy in Manila has commented on the incident. On Monday, China's coast guard said it took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from waters around the shoal. The United States also condemned Beijing's "reckless" actions. China claims almost the entire South China Sea via a U-shaped "nine-dash line," a claim invalidated by a 2016 arbitration ruling that also found China's blockade of the Scarborough shoal unlawful. Sovereignty over the shoal remains unresolved, but China, which rejects the ruling, has maintained a constant presence at the reef since seizing it in 2012, deploying coastguard vessels and "maritime militia". At least four Chinese coast guard vessels, and several ships identified by the PCG as "maritime militia," were visible in the area during Wednesday's patrol flight. - Reuters
The Sun
9 hours ago
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‘Stop production': Small US firms hit by tariff changes
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New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
13MP debate descends into shouting match once again over "kafir harbi" remark
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan was once again thrown into a shouting match this afternoon when an opposition member of parliament called RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) "kafir harbi" (non-believers who are against Islam). It all started when Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim (PN-Pendang) accused the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) of failing to deliver aid. He claimed that despite RM100 million being allocated for Mitra, "not a single cent" had been released and accused some board members of doing nothing for the Indian community. Following Awang's allegations, Rayer rose and interjected, citing the standing order and accusing him of making a malicious assumption regarding Mitra's allocations. "How does he, or Batu and Segamat, together with Indian MPs and other non-Indian MPs, know that this matter has not been brought to the prime minister's attention? "How does he know the prime minister does not care about this matter? Don't make accusations or malicious assumptions. I don't want to waste time with Pendang... I am fed up with him," he said. The heated exchange between the two continued before being stopped by Syahredzan Johan, who was presiding over the session. Awang later resumed his debate and took a jab at Rayer, saying that Pas had remained calm even when the party was previously labelled "Parti Ajaran Sesat." "They even called Pas 'Parti Ajaran Sesat,' but we stayed calm. One of them is a kafir harbi who called us that. He said it just now in Parliament. But we stayed calm," he said. Tensions escalated further after Chong Zemin (PH-Kampar) interjected in defence of Rayer before being muted by Syahredzan. Syahredzan later instructed Awang to withdraw the "kafir harbi" term, which he did, and the session subsequently resumed.
