Today's top Malaysian news, sport and lifestyle.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore's Lawrence Wong will unveil the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone master plan during the Annual Leaders' Retreat in December, marking a major milestone for the bilateral project.
South Korea's planned Honam semiconductor hub in the southwest, estimated at 800 trillion won, faces significant hurdles from local communities opposing new nuclear reactors, transmission lines, and dam expansion needed to supply power and water.
Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari has outlined plans for a coordinated economic corridor between Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, leveraging their geographical proximity to attract high-tech investments and strengthen Malaysia's regional competitiveness.
Andy Burnham has been sworn in as United Kingdom Prime Minister, pledging transformative reforms to reverse four decades of economic decline and political dysfunction across Britain.
The East Coast Rail Link is expected to pump RM80 to RM90 billion into Malaysia's economy by 2047, driven by 21 Economic Accelerator Projects along the corridor that will transform logistics hubs and create employment opportunities.
Penang has engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers to develop a comprehensive white paper, strategic blueprint and action plan for a proposed international financial centre, expected to leverage the state's established electronics and electrical goods industry leadership.
AirBorneo, Sarawak's state-owned airline, commenced operations on July 20, with Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof highlighting its role in tackling persistently high airfares and strengthening regional air connectivity.
Cambodia becomes founding signatory to World AI Cooperation Organisation. Indonesia targets 50 ethanol plants and national electric motorcycle production. Myanmar implements integrated coastal management strategy.
Malaysia's Higher Education Ministry is welcoming applications for new academic programmes across Sabah's public institutions, aiming to reduce reliance on Peninsular Malaysian campuses and align offerings with the state's economic development needs.
The federal government has assured Sabah that a RM1.5 billion increase in its interim special grant will not diminish the state's development allocation. Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong outlined expanded infrastructure funding including highways, hospitals, and rural utilities.
Malaysia and Thailand have jointly inaugurated a new road connecting their border immigration complexes, signalling renewed commitment to regional economic integration and a proposed special economic zone spanning northern Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has underscored the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development's responsibility in advancing rural development, marking Malaysia's first World Rural Development Day celebration on July 6.
Southeast Asian nations are accelerating digital transformation and economic modernization. Indonesia aims for 100 Mbps internet speeds while strengthening rural agriculture, the Philippines prioritizes military modernization, and Vietnam prepares for major regional summit hosting.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed suggestions that any state has been overlooked in the government's national development agenda, emphasizing Johor's prominent role in the country's economic expansion strategy.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has rejected allegations of lopsided development in the state, asserting that a comprehensive economic transformation plan guides balanced growth across all districts and benefits all residents.
Barisan Nasional candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah is pitching a strategic model for Mahkota that connects rural communities to high-paying urban employment while maintaining affordable living standards through improved transport infrastructure.
Pakatan Harapan is launching a manifesto for Johor's July 11 election, pledging to narrow the development gap between districts and improve living standards across the state through research-backed policies.
Pakatan Harapan is contesting all 56 Johor state seats on July 11, with PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari promising more balanced development across the state and alignment with federal initiatives to create high-paying jobs.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has highlighted Ant International's establishment of its Global Operations Centre in Kuala Lumpur as pivotal to Malaysia's ambitions as a regional digital and artificial intelligence hub, emphasising job creation and inclusive growth.
Batik Air will launch twice-daily flights between Bintulu and Kuala Lumpur starting July 20, following government negotiations over rising fares and limited capacity.