All posts tagged: Malaysia

Malaysia Renews Million Film Rebate Fund at Filmart

Malaysia Renews $76 Million Film Rebate Fund at Filmart

Published by Daniella Wilson

Malaysia used the opening day of Hong Kong’s Filmart to make a pitch to international producers: the money for its screen-production incentive isn’t going away. Malaysia’s National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) told industry attendees that its flagship Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI) cash rebate has been extended for another five years, backed by a renewed RM300 million (about $76 million) that has been allocated to the program. The rebate offers local and international productions a 30 percent return on qualifying Malaysian production spend, with an additional 5 percent available subject to a cultural test. The program was first introduced in 2013. FINAS also said it has set an additional RM300 million ($76 million) budget for investments in audiovisual infrastructure to be deployed over the same five-year period. At a Filmart session outlining the agency’s pitch, FINAS CEO Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib pointed to the incentive’s track record over the past 13 years, saying the country has paid out RM580 million (about $147 million) in rebates across 243 projects. The agency positioned the extension as a …

‘Be the one in control’: Why are more countries leaning towards banning social media access for kids

‘Be the one in control’: Why are more countries leaning towards banning social media access for kids

Published by Sam Flores

Shafinaz said regulators were increasingly prioritising a “precautionary approach” when it comes to the social media landscape. “For example, I think even MCMC would rather be accused of over-regulating than failing to act while all of these harms continue,” she said, referring to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. In response to CNA’s question on whether Meta’s teen accounts feature would be enough to make governments reconsider blanket bans, Chua said the company shares a “common purpose” with regulators. “But there’s definitely, I think, more conversations to be had about how you can pursue the common intent,” he said. “The conversations that we have with regulators is to figure out how we can keep people safe online, not just in a small number of apps that are actually perhaps more invested in safety than unregulated or newer apps.” Chua reiterated Meta’s calls for age verification to be introduced at the base level of app stores, saying that this would be more efficient than requiring age verification for each of the dozens of apps that teens …

Thousands march worldwide in solidarity with Palestine, Iran on al-Quds Day | US-Israel war on Iran News

Thousands march worldwide in solidarity with Palestine, Iran on al-Quds Day | US-Israel war on Iran News

Published by Sam Flores

Published On 13 Mar 202613 Mar 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share plus2googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Tens of thousands of people have gathered around the world for al-Quds Day, an annual event on the final Friday of Ramadan demonstrating solidarity with Palestine and opposition to Israeli occupation. Rallies took place across numerous countries, including Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kashmir and Yemen. In Tehran, thousands marched, chanting “death to Israel” and “death to America” as the United States-Israeli military campaign entered its 14th day of conflict. The event has long been associated with Iran, and was established by the country’s first supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1979. This year’s observance coincided with the US-Israel attack on Iran that has killed at least 1,444 people, including the Iranian supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Crowds turned out in Tehran and other cities, despite ongoing US and Israeli strikes in the region during the commemoration, state media reported. Demonstrators worldwide expressed solidarity with both Palestinians and Iranians. In Kashmir, protesters burned mock coffins bearing images …

12 years on, renewed hunt for missing Malaysia Airlines flight comes up empty : NPR

12 years on, renewed hunt for missing Malaysia Airlines flight comes up empty : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

A girl stands in front of a condolence message board during a Day of Remembrance for MH370 event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 3, 2019. Vincent Thian/AP hide caption toggle caption Vincent Thian/AP KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Twelve years after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished with 239 people aboard, a renewed deep-sea search in the southern Indian Ocean has so far failed to locate the missing aircraft, Malaysian authorities said Sunday, as families pressed for the effort to continue. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau said in a statement that a seabed search conducted by marine robotics company Ocean Infinity between March 2025 and January 2026 surveyed thousands of square kilometers of ocean floor but has not produced any confirmed findings of the aircraft wreckage. Malaysia gave the nod to the Texas-based company last year to renew the search for Flight 370 under a “no-find, no-fee” contract at a new 15,000-square-kilometer (5,800-square-mile) site in the southern Indian Ocean where it was believed to have crashed. Ocean Infinity will be paid $70 million only if wreckage …

‘Best choice’ as Malaysia opposition pact PN’s new chairman, but ‘many challenges’ await Dr Sam

‘Best choice’ as Malaysia opposition pact PN’s new chairman, but ‘many challenges’ await Dr Sam

Published by Sam Flores

WILL THE OPPOSITION STAND BEHIND DR SAM?   For all the symbolism surrounding Ahmad Samsuri’s elevation, the key question is whether he can consolidate authority within the coalition and expand PN’s electoral map.  PN has long struggled to win over non-Malay and urban voters, largely due to its conservative positions on gender roles, LGBTQ issues, alcohol and gambling, as well as its longstanding push for hudud, or Islamic criminal law.  The coalition’s ideological posture has entrenched scepticism among minority communities, especially since PAS remains the largest individual party with 43 seats in Parliament’s lower house of 222 members.  Post-GE15 analyses by think tanks such as Ilham Center and Merdeka Center show that support for PN among Chinese and Indian voters hovered in the single digits to low teens. In contrast, backing among Malay-Muslims stood at roughly 60 to 70 per cent nationwide. That disparity has shaped PN’s post-election calculus. The coalition’s leadership broadly recognises that without inroads into constituencies with sizable non-Malay voters, its path to forming the next federal government remains narrow. Against this backdrop, some analysts …

Singapore PM Wong, Malaysia’s Anwar pledge to strengthen ties, resolve outstanding issues after ‘buka puasa’

Singapore PM Wong, Malaysia’s Anwar pledge to strengthen ties, resolve outstanding issues after ‘buka puasa’

Published by Sam Flores

KUALA LUMPUR/SINGAPORE: Prime Ministers Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia and Lawrence Wong of Singapore on Friday (Feb 20) pledged to strengthen the friendship between the two countries even as they seek to enhance cooperation on resolving longstanding bilateral issues. In a Facebook post, Mr Anwar said that he had hosted Mr Wong at the historic Seri Negara estate in conjunction with his Singaporean counterpart’s “special visit” to Kuala Lumpur. The Seri Negara estate was the official guesthouse for British administrators and is now owned by the Malaysian government. Prior to their one-on-one meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, the two leaders had toured the estate. “We then broke our fast together before continuing with a one-on-one meeting over dinner, where we discussed efforts to strengthen Malaysia–Singapore friendship and enhance cooperation in resolving outstanding issues involving both friendly nations,” Mr Anwar said. He added: “I deeply appreciate PM Lawrence’s visit, which reflects the friendship between our two countries, while also strengthening our personal ties.” Source link

Malaysian comedian Nigel Ng, aka Uncle Roger, expecting first child with wife Sabrina Ahmed

Malaysian comedian Nigel Ng, aka Uncle Roger, expecting first child with wife Sabrina Ahmed

Published by Sam Flores

Popular Malaysian comedian Nigel Ng, aka Uncle Roger, took to his social media pages on Friday (Feb 20) morning to announce that he and his wife, lawyer Sabrina Ahmed, are expecting their first child. The post, which also doubled as a festive greeting for Chinese New Year and the start of Ramadan, featured Ng and Ahmed in festive Chinese outfits, along with a sonogram of the baby. “New nephew coming soon! Happy Lunar New Year and Ramadan Mubarak,” wrote Ng, referencing how his Uncle Roger character calls his audience his “nieces and nephews”. Source link

Singapore PM Lawrence Wong to visit Malaysia on Feb 20 at the invitation of PM Anwar Ibrahim

Singapore PM Lawrence Wong to visit Malaysia on Feb 20 at the invitation of PM Anwar Ibrahim

Published by Sam Flores

SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will visit Malaysia on Friday (Feb 20) at the invitation of his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim.  Mr Anwar will host Mr Wong to a buka puasa – or break fast – meal, the Singapore Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement on Thursday. Mr Wong will return to Singapore on the same day.  Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to Mr Wong’s trip as a “special visit”, during which both prime ministers are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest, including the outcomes of the Leaders’ Retreat held on Dec 4 last year. The ministry added that Singapore is Malaysia’s neighbour and key partner in ASEAN, with “close and extensive” relations in various fields.  Source link

Actress Michelle Yeoh to receive a Hollywood Walk Of Fame star on Feb 18

Actress Michelle Yeoh to receive a Hollywood Walk Of Fame star on Feb 18

Published by Sam Flores

Malaysian Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh will be honoured with the 2,836th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next Wednesday (Feb 18) in front of the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. “Michelle’s extraordinary talent, grace, and groundbreaking career have left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Her star honours a trailblazer whose work continues to inspire audiences worldwide,” said Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez in a press statement. Yeoh will receive her star in the category of Motion Pictures. Emceeing for the event will be American filmmaker Jon M Chu, with whom Yeoh worked in Crazy Rich Asians and the Wicked franchises, and Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee, who directed the critically acclaimed 2000 wuxia film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon starring Yeoh. Joining as guest speaker is Emmy Award-winning entertainment journalist Jenelle Riley, who has worked closely with the actress through the years. In 2023, Yeoh made history as the first Asian actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her widely praised role in Everything Everywhere All At Once. She also became …

India and Malaysia pledge to bolster trade, defence collaborations | International Trade News

India and Malaysia pledge to bolster trade, defence collaborations | International Trade News

Published by Sam Flores

India’s Modi and Malaysia’s Anwar plan partnerships spanning semiconductors, defence, healthcare and food security. Listen to this article | 3 mins info Published On 8 Feb 20268 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Leaders from India and Malaysia have affirmed their commitment to strengthening trade ties and exploring new cooperation in semiconductors, defence and other sectors. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met on Sunday in the Malaysian administrative capital, Putrajaya. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list The two leaders pledged ⁠to deepen Indian-Malaysian collaboration across trade and investments, food security, defence, healthcare and tourism. “It’s really comprehensive, and we believe that we can advance this and execute in a speedy manner with the commitment of both our governments,” Anwar ‌said at a news conference after hosting Modi at his official residence in Putrajaya. Modi is on a two-day visit to the Southeast Asian country. It is his first since the two countries elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2024. “Had an …