Latest news with #Ikmal
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
PSC may summon Defence Ministry, MDIO officials over military leak
KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Security is prepared to summon the Defence Ministry and the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO) to explain measures to prevent further incidents of armed forces officers colluding with syndicates. PSC chairman and Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yasin said under current rules, the committee cannot summon agencies to testify on cases still being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or police. "However, we can call them to discuss strategies and direction to ensure such cases do not recur in the future," he told Berita Harian yesterday. Jonathan said he would consult committee members on the proposal to summon Mindef and the MDIO director-general before making a decision. Earlier, Tanah Merah member of parliament Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz, a PSC member and former deputy defence minister, suggested summoning military officials, particularly the MDIO director-general, to provide details on how the intelligence leak involving senior armed forces officers occurred. Ikmal described the involvement of senior officers in leaking information to smugglers as alarming, saying it raised questions on whether other compromises had taken place. "This is not just about patrol information in the south but also potentially sensitive details on issues like the South China Sea and military readiness. "My concern is greater because those detained are senior officers of the MDIO, a key branch of the armed forces responsible for handling intelligence, both physically and digitally," he said. One of the suspects, Ikmal said, was related to a former army chief. He also asked for clarity on what counter-intelligence measures ministry and MDIO had taken to address the breaches once exposed. Earlier reports said the MACC remanded 10 people, including senior military officers, as well as two journalists. The suspects were detained in "Op Sohor" by the MACC's Intelligence Division and its Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS) in the Klang Valley after a 12-month probe. Preliminary investigations revealed the officers leaked operational military information to smugglers bringing in contraband, including drugs and cigarettes, worth about RM5 million a month. They are believed to have received between RM30,000 and RM50,000 in bribes for each smuggling trip, amassing more than RM3 million over the past five years.
New Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Ikmal Amry: I'd love to be more active in combat sports
KUALA LUMPUR: Game Of Life actor Ikmal Amry has expressed his desire to be more active in combat sports following his recent victory over co-star and close friend, Hun Haqeem, at the Fury Championship. In a report yesterday by Berita Harian, Ikmal said, "I love combat sports, and while I don't want to be a full-time competitor, I want to participate in events like the Fury Championship more often." When questioned about his match with Hun, Ikmal admitted he initially felt awkward "battling" his close friend. "I was a little worried I might leave him badly battered and bruised. However, he encouraged me to go all out and fight him in the arena," he shared. "Both of us spent three months preparing, and on the big day, we fought each other to the fullest." He added that both actors sustained "bearable" injuries. Ikmal also mentioned that his wife fully supports his involvement in combat sports. "She's giving me her fullest support, provided I take all precautions to avoid serious injury."
Malay Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Knockouts, stars, and surprises: Fury Championship draws 200,000 viewers as celebrities, content creators and pros clash
KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 – Fury Championship, the latest Malaysian combat sports event, officially wrapped its debut last week after an action-packed night filled with adrenalines and knockouts. The event, which took place on Friday at Zepp KL, saw a total of 16 fighters made up of prospects and seasoned fighters as well as content creators from Malaysia and Indonesia duking it out in the ring. Based on a three to four rounds format with three minutes each round, the event amassed over 200,000 views from its free livestream on TikTok and Youtube. It showcased not one but two martial art styles — boxing and muay thai. The real twist, however, lies with its main event where for the first time ever, two local celebrities Hun Haqeem and Ikmal Amry went head-to-head in an unforgettable boxing match. Battle between stars The hype for the main face off between Ikmal and Hun, which has been building up for almost a month, was repaid with a rather quick match. Ikmal came out as the winner after Hun tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) with 38 seconds left in the first round. The match, however, was not a total let down as both fighters traded a few punches, with Ikmal managing to land several headshots causing Hun to lose his footings a couple of times. Hun did have his moment going on the offence — with him managing to land several blows before succumbing to his injury. 'I just want to say, I'm sorry. I trained really hard, I've lost around 11kg for this but apparently my ACL popped. 'The last one was on my left and today on the right, but God willing I will come back stronger and we will have a rematch,' the Cari Aku di Syurga actor said before being carried off the ring. Meanwhile, Ikmal was grateful for the victory, thanking his wife and family for their support as well as his coaching team, which was led by local personal trainer turned boxer Ijam Asri. Both Hun and Ikmal had been best friends for 10 years now and both of them had agreed earlier on to have a professional fight without any bad blood. In a more recent update, Hun confirmed his ACL injury via his Instagram Story, saying that he is ready to go on another recovery journey. As previously reported by Kosmo, the 27-year-old had torn his ACL while filming for local series W: Two Worlds in October 2023 and had just returned from recovery earlier last year. Aside from Hun and Ikmal, Fury Championship also featured two co-main events. One of it was the duel of 'Izzats' between local Muay Thai athletes, Izat Zaki, 25 and Izzat Zulfaqar, 20 — with the former triumphing. The other co-main event featured Indonesian boxer King Chima going against Malaysian content creator Shah Busy — real name Shahrul Afizie. King Chima went on to knock Shah out during the first round, thus claiming the Super Welterweight Boxing championship belt. Other champions that night also included names such as One Championship's muay thai athlete Kabilan Jelevan, National's woman muay thai athlete Nur Amisha Azrilrizal, veteran local boxer Tiger Labu, as well as Subang Jaya-based muay thai athlete Umar Red Wolves. (Left to right) Fury Championship chief marketing officer, Mohd Faizal Ahmad, Fury Championship chief executive officer, Mohd Wafiy Ilhan along with local actors and models Hun Haqeem and Ikmal Amry during the pre-match press conference. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa Big plans ahead Fury Championship's chief executive officer and actor, Mohd Wafiy Ilhan Johan during the pre-match press conference said that the reason they included content creators and celebrities in Fury was to cater to different audiences in Malaysia. 'We have all sorts of audiences — some like to watch fighters with good looks fight, while some would prefer all-out fights. 'That's why we have to do our selection properly and what we came up with was the best that we could give based on our capabilities,' Wafiy said. He points out that Hun and Ikmal were the only celebrities involved, while most of the other contenders are professional athletes at some levels. Wafiy added that moving forward, they will stick to the same modus operandi by making sure to include match ups between celebrities, content creators and professional fighters. While Fury Championship's chief marketing officer, Mohammad Faizal Ahmad or better known as Jaa Suzuran, admitted that both him and Wafiy had already received direct messages from other local celebrities inquiring about joining the next Fury Championship. He said that this is thanks to both Ikmal and Hun for being brave enough to step into the ring against each other. Fury Championship also saw the prime minister's political secretary Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim who was also filling in for Youth and Sports minister Hannah Yeoh, presenting a RM90,000 mock cheque from the youth and sports ministry to Wafiy and Faizal. Kamil also applauded Fury Championship, adding that the event is something out of the ordinary and should be one of the benchmarks for other local martial arts events.
The Sun
24-04-2025
- General
- The Sun
Rekindling the power of the printed word
IN an age where attention spans flicker and digital screens dominate, there remains a quiet, enduring magic in the printed word – the crisp turn of a page, the whisper of paper and the rich scent of ink. On World Book Day, observed annually on April 23, Malaysians are reminded that books are not merely objects; they are companions, teachers and doorways into different times, cultures and dimensions. This global celebration invites us to pause, unplug and return to the joy of reading – a joy especially crucial for the younger generation growing up in the era of touchscreens and TikToks. Reading builds more than vocabulary; it nurtures empathy, imagination and independent thought. Whether it is a graphic novel, a science book or a retelling of local folklore, each page turned adds a brick to the foundation of a curious, well-rounded mind. In Malaysia, the importance of reading runs even deeper. The very first word revealed in the Qur'an was 'Read'. This divine command – 'Read in the name of your Lord who created' (Surah Al-'Alaq, 96:1) – reminds us that the pursuit of knowledge is a sacred act, blessed by faith and encouraged by culture. Every time a child picks up a book or a student dives into research, they are continuing a spiritual and intellectual tradition rooted in reverence. And perhaps there is no better place to honour that sacred act than the National Library of Malaysia. Nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the library is not just a building – it is a living narrative, one that intertwines culture, architecture and national identity. Designed by the late Datuk Dr Ikmal Hisham Albakri, the library's iconic roof mimics the tengkolok, a traditional Malay headgear once worn by warriors and royalty. In this powerful gesture, knowledge is visually tied to leadership and intellect to heritage. Step inside and you will find more than rows of books. You will discover interactive archives, quiet reading zones, storytelling corners and exhibitions that showcase rare Malay manuscripts. It is a place where students can trace their roots and imagine their futures – often in the same visit. World Book Day is celebrated here, not with hushed reverence, but with vibrancy and fun. Each year, the library bursts to life with storytelling sessions by local authors, cosplay contests, creative writing workshops, book-themed quizzes and even art projects where children imagine and draw their dream library. Nationwide, schools join the movement with book donation drives, reading challenges and social media campaigns like #MyBookMyWorld, where students share their favourite reads and why they matter. At the heart of it all is the vision of Ikmal, who once believed that buildings could be storytellers. In designing the National Library, he gave Malaysia more than just a place to read – he gave the nation a symbol of curiosity, intellect and continuity. Every visitor, whether a child hearing their first fairy tale or a researcher poring over manuscripts, becomes part of that ongoing story. Let us make World Book Day more than a date on the calendar. Let us turn it into a personal ritual and a national movement. Visit the library. Borrow a book. Share a story. Write your own. Because in the end, every great adventure begins with a reader, and that reader could be you. Dr Zuraini Md Ali is an associate professor at the Building Surveying Department, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya. Datin Dr Nor Hayati Hussain is an assistant professor at the School of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology and an active member of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia. Comments: letters@
