Malaysia

More than 4,000 evacuated in flood-hit Malaysian state

More than 4,000 evacuated in flood-hit Malaysian state Kuala Lumpur  - More than 4,000 people have forced from their homes by rising floodwaters in Malaysia's eastern state of Sarawak on Borneo island, a news report said Friday.

A total of 4,370 people from 26 areas have been placed at 27 temporary relief centres statewide since the evacuations started this week, the Star newspaper said on its website.

Heavy rainfall in the past few weeks has caused the levels of the state's many rivers to swell and flood residential towns.

Malaysian police detain 12 in multi-million-dollar gambling ring

Malaysian police detain 12 in multi-million-dollar gambling ring Kuala Lumpur  - Malaysian police have detained 12 people, including six Singaporean nationals, believed to be part of an illegal gambling syndicate that raked in
172.8 million ringgit (52.4 million dollars) over the past six months, a news report said Thursday.

The suspects, aged between 18 and 48, were detained during a series of raids recently conducted in the southern state of Johor, the Star daily said.

The raids also resulted in the seizure of fax machines, laptops, betting slips and mobile phones.

Malaysian Indian Congress to defend deputy ministers over mortuary incident

Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) LogoKuala Lumpur, Jan. 28 : The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has said that it will defend the two deputy ministers who went to the mortuary where A. Kugan's remains were if any action is taken against them.

MIC president S. Samy Vellu said the party would defend both K. Devamany and Senator T. Murugiah although the latter was from the People's Progressive Party, another component party in Barisan Nasional.

Malaysia bans chicken imports from bird flu-hit China

Malaysia bans chicken imports from bird flu-hit China Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia has imposed an indefinite ban on chicken imports from China following the deaths of five people from the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus this year, news reports said Wednesday.

The ban, which has been in place since January 16, would only be lifted once China has been cleared of avian influenza by the World Health Organization, said Malaysian Veterinary Services Department director-general Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin.

Malaysian thieves evade security, guard dogs to steal shoes

Malaysian thieves evade security, guard dogs to steal shoes Kuala Lumpur  - Malaysian thieves managed to evade four security guards and six guard dogs to break into the home of a former cabinet member, only to make away with three pairs of shoes, a news report said Wednesday.

One of the security guards at the home of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin noticed the missing shoes late Sunday and lodged a police report, the Star daily said.

Daim and his family were away on holiday at the time of the break-in, the report said.

Indians seeking work in Malaysia will be protected, says envoy

Indians seeking work in Malaysia will be protected, says envoyKuala, Lumpur, Jan. 26: Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Ashok K. Kantha has that Indian nationals arriving here for work under a new bilateral labour accord will not be entitled to a minimum wage, but their interests will not be overlooked.

The Star quoted Ambassador Kantha as saying that New Delhi has accepted that Malaysia preferred to let demand and supply dictate wages, but Indian workers would still be "protected" as Indian immigration authorities could bar the departure of those considered underpaid.

Pages