Latest news with #TheNewStraitsTimes
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Temerloh, Balok Baru record unhealthy air as haze worsens
KUANTAN: Thick smoke has blanketed parts of the state capital after Balok Baru became the second area in Pahang to record unhealthy air quality today. Yesterday, Temerloh also recorded unhealthy air quality levels as haze continues to affect several parts of the country. As of 1pm, the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Temerloh and Balok Baru stood at 154 and 133 respectively, compared to 100 and 75 yesterday. Three other monitoring stations - Rompin, Jerantut, and Indera Mahkota - reported moderate API levels ranging between 59 and 91. Air quality in Balok Baru is expected to deteriorate further following a fire reported at a landfill along Jalan Gebeng-Jabor yesterday, with thick clouds of smoke billowing into the sky. It is understood that the Fire and Rescue Department is on site monitoring the situation, although the fire has yet to be fully extinguished. The New Straits Times has contacted the Pahang Fire and Rescue Department and Beserah assemblyman Datuk Andansura Rabu for updates on the size of the burning area and ongoing efforts to douse the fire. An API reading between 0 and 50 is good, 51 to 100 is moderate, while 101 to 200 is classified as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy and more than 300 is hazardous.
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Causeway-bound bus drivers go on strike over pay
JOHOR BARU: Thousands of Malaysian workers commuting to Singapore were left stranded at dawn today after about 100 bus drivers abruptly staged a strike over pay cuts. It triggered chaos at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) bus terminals and bus stops across the city heading to Singapore. The surprise boycott, which began at 5am, saw massive queues forming at BSI, with no buses available to ferry workers across the Causeway during the crucial morning rush hour. Desperate to clock in on time, many resorted to walking the 1.05km stretch from Johor Baru into Singapore on foot, dragging bags and dodging peak-hour traffic. "I arrived at 6.30am and saw a human flood queuing for buses. We were confused, only to be told the drivers had gone on strike. "I had no choice but to walk," said Munir Selamat, 34, who works at a restaurant in Singapore. The drivers' protest was reportedly triggered by a recent wage restructuring by the bus company, which slashed their monthly take-home pay from around RM2,800 to below RM2,000, despite rising living costs. A driver, who only wanted to be known as Atoi, 35, said they were also forced to accept an additional mandatory route per day, from four to five, which came without proper compensation for extra mileage and time. "The new salary scheme is unfair. It cuts deep into our earnings, and with extra trips and unclear deductions, many of us decided enough is enough," he added. Some drivers eventually resumed operations around 10.30am, but not before thousands had already been delayed or forced to find alternate means into Singapore. Johor Public Works, Transport and Infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh is currently in talks with the bus company and affected drivers to find a resolution. The New Straits Times has reached out to Causeway Link, which operates one of the largest cross-border bus services between Johor and Singapore. However, the company has yet to respond as at press time. Its services cater to thousands of daily commuters, particularly Malaysians working in the republic.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
#NST180years: Report nothing but the facts
IN an age of lightning-fast news cycles, misinformation and social media echo chambers, clarity is becoming an endangered commodity. Everyone's talking, not many are listening, and even fewer are verifying. The line between fact and fiction is becoming blurred. Cutting through the chatter and making sense of what's true or not is increasingly harder to do, which is why traditional media outlets are now more relevant than ever. The New Straits Times has carved out a reputation for being a source of reliable news for generations of Malaysians. Before "verifying the news" was a twinkle in social media's eye, the NST has, for more than a century, helped countless readers stay informed with fact-based, accurate reports that mattered, and it continues to do so. Institutions such as the NST provide not just content, but also context. It offers perspective on issues, not only the what but just as importantly, the why. American journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault wrote: "If people are informed, they will do the right thing. It's when they are not that they become hostages to prejudice." May the NST continue to educate, inform and illuminate for the next 180 years.
Focus Malaysia
7 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Should we continue to gamble with the safety of bus passengers?
RECENTLY, I wrote ' Main reason why professionalism is lacking in most commercial vehicle operations ', which was published on July 1. I attributed it to the government's policy of granting permits to many small companies over the past decades so that many can profit from the business of transporting goods and passengers. But small players lack the resources needed to provide high standards of service and safety. If safety is to be given top priority now, a two-prong approach is needed. The first is new permits for express bus (Bas Ekspres) and excursion bus (Bas Persiaran) should be granted only to companies that have the resources and commitment to operate at least a fleet size of 20 buses. Bas Berhenti-henti permits are to be issued freely, as there are few applicants, and so are Bas Pekerja and Bas Sekolah, as these buses are mostly operated by individuals. But they should not be allowed to be chartered for excursions, as it would be too risky driving on unfamiliar routes. Existing express and excursion bus companies operating with less than 20 buses are to be given not more than five years to merge or consolidate, or their permits would not be renewed. A medium-size or large operator would have the infrastructure to ensure that all operations staff, especially drivers, are well trained to ensure that vehicles are properly maintained, and bus services are run efficiently and safely. Without a change in fundamentals, many bus accidents that result in horrific injuries or loss of lives will continue to occur, and various authorities would respond only with knee-jerk reactions. The powers that be will have to decide between using express and tour bus permits to promote entrepreneurship for many small players, or restrict the transport of passengers to companies with adequate resources to deliver professional service with safety as the core value. ‒ July 15, 2025 YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: The New Straits Times
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Scammers use AI-generated video of King in fraud scheme
KUALA LUMPUR: A video using artificial intelligence (AI) to create a hyper-realistic portrayal of Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has surfaced on social media to lure people into fraudulent investment schemes. Set against a newsroom backdrop, the video appears convincing, as the host introduces the guest as "Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor". With the opening remark "a real chance to change lives", the guest claims that one can earn up to RM85,000 from an investment of RM1,000. He said that investments through the 'government-approved platform' can be made using a phone, tablet or laptop by predicting market movements to generate a stable income. He said a group of volunteers had earned RM75,000 each in the first month of investing through the platform. "I say this with complete confidence, if you don't make at least RM75,000 in your first month, I will personally refund your RM1,000. "As of today, 100 per cent of participants have made a profit," he said, adding that no special knowledge is required. To sign up, investors only need to visit the website, fill in their details, and a personal consultant would then contact them with further instructions, the guest added. The New Straits Times has reached out to police for comment. MCA's Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong has warned the public against such tactics, which use deepfake videos featuring prominent figures, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, tycoon Tan Sri Robert Kuok, former chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, and Capital A Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, to promote fake investment and get-rich-quick schemes. He said many victims had been convinced to invest after watching fake promotional videos that appeared to show genuine endorsements from these individuals.
