TUARAN, May 23 — A 20-kilogram reticulated python was captured by the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Tuaran district after it was found coiled inside a chicken coop at Taman Jelita 2 early Friday morning.

Tuaran District and Tamparuli Unit APM officer Nur Azierah Alang said the team received an emergency call from a member of the public at 6.31am before deploying personnel to the location.

She said the complainant had spotted the reptile slithering into the backyard before hiding inside the coop.

“Fearing for the safety of family members, the complainant immediately contacted the Tuaran District Operations Control Centre (PKOD) for assistance,” she said in a statement.

Operations squad leader PBT (PA) Raman Ismail and four personnel conducted an inspection at the rear of the house and discovered a three-metre-long python in an aggressive state inside the coop.

“The team managed to safely capture the snake before releasing it into a non-residential area,” she said.

The operation ended at 7.36am. No injuries were reported among the four occupants of the house, comprising two men and two women. — Daily Express

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on Malaysians to unite in common values and reject hate politics perpetuated by a small segment of the society.

Speaking at the Wesak Day national conference, Anwar acknowledged that elements of hatred and division are still present in society, despite the unity government’s efforts to improve the country’s economy, education and technological advancement.

“The majority of Malaysians must have the principles (to reject hate politics). Only a minority portion of people are causing the fear-mongering,” Anwar said in his keynote address at Menara Ken in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) today. 

Anwar also called on Malaysians to reflect on Buddhist values such as sila (moral conduct), karuna (compassion) and panna (wisdom) and said the values also resonate with Islamic teachings. 

“These are not just values and principles. They are habits of the heart,” Anwar added. 

Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh were also present at the event.

Expressing his gratitude to Anwar, Loke said the prime minister’s attendance at the conference signals the government’s strong commitment to building an inclusive Malaysia.

“This is the first time the government is co-organising the Wesak Day national conference and it is also the first one to be attended by the country’s prime minister,” Loke said in his welcoming remarks. 

Loke said Anwar has also approved RM2.5 million to organise the conference as well as for some 1,000 Buddhist organisations to mobilise their grassroots activities and celebrations. 

Loke said each organisation will receive a token of RM2,000 for their local initiatives and expressed hope that the conference would be held annually as part of national Wesak Day celebrations.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Malaysians are encouraged to download the National Integrated Immigration System (MyNIISe) application and complete their registration to enjoy more efficient and seamless digital immigration services.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the application was introduced to enable various key processes to be carried out directly via smartphones without the need to go through complicated procedures.

“The Madani Government, through the Home Ministry, remains committed to strengthening digital services to facilitate public affairs.

“The MyNIISe application was introduced to provide a smoother, faster and more user-friendly travel and immigration experience,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

He said the application offers a more convenient, faster and safer service, while also saving users time and energy.

“This is not just an application, but a step forward in ensuring that the government service delivery system becomes more modern, efficient and closer to the people,” he said.

According to him, the MyNIISe application can be downloaded via the App Store and Google Play.

Based on the infographic shared, MyNIISe registration can be carried out by opening the application, signing in via MyDigital ID, selecting “Start creating a profile” and scanning the passport photo page.

Users are then required to review and confirm their information, take a selfie for verification, and create an account password. — Bernama

BUKIT MERTAJAM, May 22 — The Penang Road Transport Department (JPJ) has seized 51 luxury vehicles worth RM14 million for various offences related to Motor Vehicle Licences (LKM), or road tax, through a special operation dubbed ‘Ops Luxury’ conducted across the state from early January until yesterday.

State JPJ director Zulkifly Ismail said a total of 124 actions or offences were recorded against owners of luxury vehicles who failed to renew their respective road tax.

“We also detected government revenue leakages amounting to RM175,236.92 due to the failure of vehicle owners to renew their LKM and insurance coverage. There was even a luxury BMW with an expired road tax since 2020, as well as a Jaguar since 2021.

“The operation also detected a Ford Mustang that had not renewed its road tax since 2022, with the vehicle’s annual road tax estimated at RM10,900. These three vehicles are among those with high road tax rates,” he said at a press conference at the Penang JPJ headquarters here today.

He added that the department also seized several other luxury vehicles, including Toyota Vellfire, Mercedes-Benz, Mini Cooper and Hyundai electric cars.

Zulkifly said most of the vehicle owners gave excuses such as forgetting to renew their road tax or rarely using the vehicles, resulting in them deliberately choosing not to renew the road tax.

He also revealed that some of the vehicles were owned by prominent businessmen, including individuals holding the titles Datuk and Datuk Seri, but declined to comment further on the identities of those involved.

He said that from June to Dec 31 last year, Penang JPJ also seized 73 luxury vehicles, with estimated government revenue leakages amounting to RM88,000 due to failure to renew road tax.

“None of the vehicles seized this time belonged to owners who had previously faced similar action last year, and we will continue conducting such operations from time to time to detect vehicles that do not comply with the stipulated regulations,” he said. — Bernama

SINGAPORE, May 22 — A man who was previously jailed for telling an Israeli man that he would kill him was sentenced again after verbally abusing a 14-year-old boy wearing a Jewish skullcap on a bus in March 2026, according to The Straits Times Singapore.

Mohammad Arif Ismail, 40, was jailed for 20 weeks on May 21 after pleading guilty to three charges involving separate incidents, including uttering words to wound the racial feelings of another person, assault, and theft.

According to the report, court documents stated that Arif had earlier been convicted in 2024 after pleading guilty to making threatening remarks to a 34-year-old Israeli man with the intent to wound his religious feelings.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Khong Zi-Wei told the court that he was previously sentenced to three weeks’ jail for that offence.

Following his release, Arif reoffended on March 20, 2026, while on board bus service 858, when he saw a 14-year-old boy wearing a kippah, a skullcap traditionally worn by Jewish men.

He turned towards the teenager, hurled vulgar language at him and flashed a lewd hand gesture in an unprovoked act, court documents said.

The prosecution said the accused directed the abuse at the victim in a manner intended to injure him, noting the incident took place amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Straits Times reported that the court also heard that Arif was involved in another unrelated assault case involving a 79-year-old man at a taxi stand along Commonwealth Avenue in October 2025.

In another offence, Arif also admitted to stealing two bottles of liquor worth more than $100 from a supermarket along Tanglin Road in November 2025.

Arif, who was unrepresented in court, pleaded for leniency and told the court he would not reoffend.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Nine people are expected to be charged in court today after a viral publicity stunt involving flares and reckless driving in Bukit Bintang sparked outrage online, according to New Straits Times.

Police said another six individuals detained in connection with the case will be released and turned into prosecution witnesses.

The suspects were among a group of 15 people — 14 men and one woman aged between 17 and 30 — arrested less than 24 hours after videos of the incident began circulating on social media.

Authorities said the arrests were made between noon and 10pm in Batu Caves, Shah Alam, Kajang and Dengkil following public tip-offs.

Investigators found the group included the 24-year-old owner of a clothing store, several employees and individuals allegedly hired to take part in the stunt. Eight participants were reportedly paid between RM50 and RM700.

Police believe the act was staged to promote the business in conjunction with the clothing outlet’s sixth anniversary campaign in Dengkil.

The group had drawn attention after videos showed individuals igniting flares while riding in the back of a pickup truck along Jalan Sultan Ismail near a fast-food outlet in Bukit Bintang early Sunday morning.

Police also seized a pickup truck, two electric scrambler motorcycles and clothing believed to have been worn during the stunt.

The case is being investigated under Section 290 of the Penal Code for public nuisance, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act for indecent behaviour, Section 6 of the Explosives Act 1957, Section 42 of the Road Transport Act for reckless and dangerous driving, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

Tangled Bank posted a photo:

JOHOR BAHRU, May 20 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today conferred the ‘Darjah Sultan Ibrahim Johor Yang Amat Disanjungi Pangkat Pertama Dato’ Sri Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Johor (SMIJ)’ state title upon Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor, wife of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

According to a post on the official Facebook page of HRH Crown Prince of Johor, His Majesty also conferred the ‘Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Pertama (DK I)’ upon the Raja Muda of Johor, Tunku Iskandar Tunku Ismail.

The investiture ceremony was officiated by Tunku Ismail at Istana Besar here.

Also in attendance were Tunku Temenggong of Johor, Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj Sultan Ibrahim, and Tunku Abu Bakar Ibrahim Tunku Ismail. — Bernama