What's happening around you
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Bank Rakyat unit RMS launches MyARX app for Ar-Rahnu services
Rakyat Management Services Sdn Bhd, a Bank Rakyat subsidiary, launched the MyARX mobile app to give customers faster, easier access to Ar-Rahnu pawnbroking services. The launch was announced at the Ar-Rahnu X'Change 2025 Awards in George Town, Penang, which also recognised franchisee performance for 2025.
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One-eyed student enters USM, shares story of losing sight
At Universiti Sains Malaysia in Georgetown, two new students shared their life stories during registration for the 2026/2027 academic session. Batrisya Umairah Ahmad Rezuan, 20, who can only see with her right eye after two nerve surgeries, is pursuing English Language and Literature studies. Nurul Atiqah Husna Azli, 20, from Pasir Mas, Kelantan, was raised by her grandparents and is now in the Education programme.
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Penang teacher moved to district office pending probe into pupil abuse claim
Penang's state education department has temporarily reassigned a teacher to the district education office after a complaint of physical violence against a pupil. The district office is investigating the claim, and the department says the pupil's welfare will be protected with psychosocial support. The case involves a pupil at a Chinese primary school in the Southwest district who was found with bruises.
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STPM top student who cared for siblings after mother's death starts at USM
Muhammad Adam Iskandar Azharunaim, 20, who looked after his three siblings after their mother died of brain cancer on 24 August, has begun his studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Georgetown. His father died of COVID-19 in 2021, and his 16-year-old brother, who is disabled, is studying culinary skills at SMK Serdang Baru in Kedah.
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Penang ferries free for Malaysians on Malaysia Day
The Penang Port Commission and Penang Port Sdn Bhd will offer free ferry rides to Malaysians on September 16 for Malaysia Day and the Keretapi Sarong Festival. The offer covers both terminals, Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Seberang Perai and Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda in George Town, saving pedestrians RM2 and two-wheeled vehicle users RM2.50 per one-way trip.
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Penang's Fort Cornwallis, state museum and automotive gallery free for two days from tomorrow
Three Penang heritage sites - the Penang State Automotive Gallery, Fort Cornwallis and the Penang State Museum - will offer free entry for two days from tomorrow, marking Malaysia Day and the fifth anniversary of Penang Hill's Unesco Biosphere Reserve listing. State tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said free admission to the gallery and fort has also been extended until October.
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Penang art exhibition highlights landmine and cluster munition toll in Southeast Asia
An international photography and art exhibition on the human cost of unexploded ordnance opened at the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery in Gelugor, Penang, on Sept 10. ICBL-CMC director Tamar Gabelnick said Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam still suffer civilian deaths and injuries from cluster bombs and landmines dropped decades ago. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo cited Malaysia's ratification of the Ottawa Convention.
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USM urges students not to reject offers over financial problems
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has urged students not to turn down study offers solely because of financial difficulties. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed said the university will assist B40 and M40 students facing hardship. A total of 5,804 candidates registered for the 2026/2027 academic session, including 2,241 B40 students and 999 international students.
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Gerakan Penang wants state education dept to probe claim pupil, 9, hurt by teacher
Gerakan Penang has asked the Penang State Education Department to investigate a claim that a nine-year-old boy was injured by his teacher at a Chinese national-type school in the Southwest district. The complaint was received on 8 September and the pupil claims he suffered bruises on his back and left arm. The state education director confirmed a report was received and an investigation is under way.
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Kerjaya Prospek unit wins RM37.82m piling job for Penang affordable housing
Kerjaya Prospek (M) Sdn Bhd has accepted a RM37.82 million letter of award from Persada Mentari Sdn Bhd for piling and substructure works at an affordable housing project in Pulau Andaman, Penang. The contract covers a 38-storey block with 922 units and is scheduled to start on Oct 1 and finish within 24 months. The group expects the job to add revenue and strengthen its order book through 2028.
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OKU man pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting six-year-old girl in Permatang Pasir
A 35-year-old man pleaded not guilty at the Butterworth Sessions Court to physically sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl. The alleged incident took place at Masjid Jamek Haji Abdul Latiff in Permatang Pasir on 3 September. The court ordered him sent to Hospital Bahagia in Tanjung Rambutan for a mental health assessment and set 14 October for mention.
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MOF tours states to gather input for Budget 2027
The Finance Ministry is running a Budget Tour across the country to gather views from industry, NGOs and the public for Budget 2027. Deputy Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan said Penang was chosen for its key role in the electrical and electronics and semiconductor sectors, after visiting Sekolah Menengah Agama Al-Mashoor (Perempuan) in George Town.
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14 Penang students get PTPTN RM1,500 advance to start university
Fourteen students from Pokok Tampang, Taman Sepadu and Kubang Menerong in Penang received RM1,500 PTPTN Loan Advance Payment letters from PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim. Another 20 students received the aid at a separate event in George Town. The advance is meant to cover tuition and initial expenses before they begin studies at public universities and polytechnics.
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Old tree falls in George Town, injuring family of three
In George Town, Penang, a roughly 90-year-old angsana tree fell on Jalan Macalister on 9 August, injuring three members of a family travelling in an SUV. Earlier, on 3 July, a 130-year-old tree fell on Jalan Batu Gantung in Air Itam, crushing two houses and damaging three vehicles. Residents and traders are calling for more frequent inspections of ageing shade trees in the city.
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KPKT channels RM6.427 million for environmental health campaign in 635 local authority areas
Malaysia's Housing and Local Government Ministry is allocating RM6.427 million for its Environmental Health Campaign across 635 local authority areas nationwide from 2021 to 2026. Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the funds will upgrade public amenities and raise community hygiene standards. She spoke at the National World Environmental Health Day 2026 celebration and the closing of the 2026 Local Authorities Convention in Kepala Batas.
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Deputy IGP appointment process complete, announcement soon, says home minister
Malaysia's home minister said all constitutional procedures for appointing a new deputy inspector-general of police have been completed and an official announcement will follow within hours or days. He spoke at a press conference in Kulim on Sunday. The post has been vacant since Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay retired.
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Three police officers held over RM13,000 extortion in Pulau Tikus
Three police officers in Penang have been detained over the alleged extortion of four men of RM13,000 in Pulau Tikus on 6 August. Penang police chief Dennis Lim Kwang Keng said the suspects, aged 30 to 48, are remanded for four days until 16 September, and the case is being investigated under Section 384 of the Penal Code.
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DBKU awarded five-star environmental health rating
Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) received a five-star rating under the Local Government Department's Technical Audit Star Rating Programme 2026 for its environmental health services. The award was presented at the 2026 World Environmental Health Day celebration at Bertam Resort, Seberang Perai, Pulau Pinang. DBKU Mayor Datuk Hilmy Othman accepted the recognition, which covers urban cleanliness, food safety, pollution control and waste management.
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124 motorcycles seized, 639 summonses in Permatang Pauh road gang op
Police seized 124 motorcycles and issued 639 summonses in an integrated operation against road gangs at Jalan Permatang Pauh near the North-South Expressway exit in Butterworth last night. Eight individuals were arrested for reckless and dangerous driving, while two others were detained for drug offences. Police identified the area as a weekend gathering spot for illegal racing and road gang activity.
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Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang reopens after RM6 million restoration
The 125-year-old Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang on Jalan Gurdwara in George Town reopened yesterday after a RM6 million restoration that began in 2004. The Category One heritage building, the oldest and largest Sikh temple in Southeast Asia, was restored with traditional materials and artisans from India, with a RM1 million donation from Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah.
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Saifuddin welcomes Umno's commitment to stay in unity government
Saifuddin Nasution Ismail welcomed Umno's commitment to remain in the unity government until the end of its term, following a statement by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said it aligns with the 2022 memorandum of understanding and contributes to political stability and economic growth. Saifuddin spoke after visiting the Kampung Badlishah-Ayer Putih, Junjong road project in Kulim.
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Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB in Taiping generates RM14m-RM18m a year
The Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB in Taiping generates a direct economic impact of between RM14 million and RM18 million a year based on previous editions. This year's ninth edition recorded a good safety record with only one hospital admission for heat exhaustion, while Malaysian runner Michelle earned direct qualification to the World Finals in Chamonix after finishing second in the 50km category.
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Yokouchi, Taniguchi win 100km titles at Malaysia Ultra-Trail in Taiping
Japanese runners Yutaro Yokouchi and Mika Taniguchi won the men's and women's MY100 categories at the Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB 2026 in Taiping. Yokouchi finished the 100km race in 12:18:44, while Taniguchi clocked 15:37:54. The three-day event drew more than 2,700 participants from 63 countries.
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Body of man found in 10m-deep drain at Jalan Pantai Jerejak
An unidentified man, believed to be in his 40s, was found dead at the bottom of a 10-metre-deep drain at Jalan Pantai Jerejak in George Town, Penang. The Penang Fire and Rescue Department retrieved the body after a police call at 2.34am, and the operation ended at 3.15am. The body was handed to police and sent to hospital for a post-mortem.