TMR

SUNGAI SIPUT — Durian growers are urged to be creative in producing value-added products such as tempoyak (fermented durian) and durian paste to help address the oversupply of the ‘king of fruits’ during peak seasons. 

State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun said growers should not rely solely on selling fresh fruit, as there are various market opportunities that can be explored through durian-based products. 

He said the government, through the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), is also helping to strengthen durian marketing by providing 90 sales centres nationwide and setting a price of RM2.70 per kilogramme for durian kampung to reduce growers’ losses in the event of oversupply. 

“If growers take the initiative and are creative in producing durian-based products, we can market durian in various forms. 

“Besides being sold fresh, durian can be processed into paste for export markets, while tempoyak also has strong demand, especially outside the durian season,” he said when met after a walkabout at Jelajah Sejahtera Agro @ DUN Lintang programme at Arena Sungai Siput here today.  

Mohd Zolkafly said among areas with durian processing centres are Batu Kurau, Taiping and Chui Chak in Langkap, enabling growers to send their produce directly to operators for processing and marketing. 

He said the durian season occurring simultaneously across all states could indeed lead to excess supply, but the situation could be mitigated through efforts to diversify marketing channels and processing activities. 

“FAMA officers at the district level are in close contact with growers to help market their produce, including purchasing durian kampung at RM2.70 per kilogramme if growers face difficulties selling their harvest,” he said. 

He added that the durian season is now nearing its end, with harvest declining and market prices expected to gradually stabilise.  — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds expected to affect five states until 7pm today.

MetMalaysia, in a statement today, said the inclement weather is expected to lash Besut and Setiu in Terengganu; Pekan and Rompin in Pahang, as well as Kulai, Kota Tinggi, and Johor Bahru in Johor.

A similar warning was also issued for several areas in Sarawak, namely Sibu (Selangau), Mukah (Dalat and Mukah), Bintulu, Miri (Beluru, Telang Usan, and Marudi), and Limbang.

In Sabah, the affected areas involve the Interior Division (Beaufort), West Coast (Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, and Tuaran), and Sandakan (Sandakan). — BERNAMA

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PUTRAJAYA — The Court of Appeal has fixed Sept 4 to deliver its decision on the appeals brought by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (picture) and his son, Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin, who are seeking to stay bankruptcy proceedings against them.

A three-member bench comprising Datuk Dr. Alwi Abdul Wahab, Datuk Dr. Shahnaz Sulaiman and Datuk Ong Chee Kwan heard submissions today from counsel for the appellants, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, and Senior Revenue Counsel Norhisham Ahmad, who appeared for the Inland Revenue Board (IRB). Following the hearing, the bench reserved its judgment.

Najib and Nazifuddin are appealing against the High Court’s decision on Nov 17, 2025, which dismissed their application for a stay of the bankruptcy proceedings.

The stay is sought pending the resolution of their appeals before the Special Commissioners of Income Tax (SCIT), which challenge the additional tax assessments issued by the IRB.

The bankruptcy proceedings arise from separate High Court decisions granting the IRB’s applications for summary judgment against the father and son in respect of unpaid tax arrears for the assessment years 2011 to 2017. 

The IRB is seeking to recover RM1.69 billion from Najib and RM37.6 million from Nazifuddin in respect of the outstanding tax arrears.

Both Najib and Nazifuddin had previously challenged the summary judgments entered against them, but their appeals to the Court of Appeal and subsequently to the Federal Court were dismissed. Following those dismissals, bankruptcy notices were issued against each of them.

In response, they applied for a stay of the bankruptcy proceedings. However, on July 29, 2024, High Court Deputy Registrar Kamarul Aris Kamalluddin dismissed their stay applications.

They appealed that decision to the High Court, but were again unsuccessful, prompting the present appeals before the Court of Appeal.

At today’s hearing, Muhammad Shafee submitted that special circumstances warranted the grant of a stay, as the appeals filed by Najib and Nazifuddin before the SCIT, which challenge the underlying additional tax assessments, have yet to be finally determined. 

He informed the bench that the SCIT hearing for Najib’s case is scheduled for September, while Nazifuddin’s case is fixed for October.

He submitted that the outcome of the SCIT appeals would directly determine the appellants’ underlying liability for the additional tax assessments, and that refusing a stay would effectively render those appeals nugatory.

He further argued that permitting the bankruptcy proceedings to continue could result in Najib being adjudged bankrupt due to his inability to satisfy the sums demanded, thereby causing irreparable harm to his financial standing.

In response, Norhisham submitted that under the Income Tax Act 1967, Najib is required to settle the tax debt as a precondition, notwithstanding the pending appeal.

He contended that no special circumstances existed to justify a stay, as the law mandates payment of the tax liability regardless of ongoing appellate proceedings before the SCIT. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia will maintain its position on fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low (picture), even amid reports that he may be among individuals considered for a possible pardon by United States President Donald Trump on the country’s Fourth of July celebrations.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said any decision by the US on the matter is an internal affair, but Malaysia’s stance remains unchanged.

“Malaysia’s position is clear. We follow the rule of law. Whatever the US decides, that’s their internal matter. We will not be influenced, disturbed or affected by any US decision,” he told reporters after Friday prayers at Masjid As-Sodiqin, Taman Kobena, here today.

International media had previously reported that Jho Low is among around 250 individuals being considered for a potential pardon by Trump tomorrow, coinciding with the US’s 250th Independence Day celebrations.

In a separate development, Anwar said he has taken note of a proposed RM1 million contribution from the US for the restoration of Tugu Negara (National Monument) in conjunction with next year’s National Day celebrations.

He said the matter will be discussed at next week’s Cabinet meeting. — BERNAMA

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by ALISSYA ZUNIZAM

PLUS Malaysia Bhd will temporarily close the Smart Lane along the northbound stretch of the North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE) between Bandar Saujana Putra and Putra Heights from KM15.9 to KM13.9 for about five months starting July 6 to facilitate maintenance works.

In a statement today, the highway concessionaire said the temporary closure, which will last until Dec 3, forms part of its ongoing efforts to improve highway infrastructure, ensure the safety of highway users and facilitate maintenance works at KM14.4.

Despite the Smart Lane suspension, the existing three traffic lanes along the affected stretch will remain open throughout the maintenance period to maintain traffic flow and minimise traffic disruptions for highway users.

“Highway users are encouraged to plan their journeys using the PLUS app for the latest traffic updates.

“Users are also reminded to obey all traffic signages and instructions issued by PLUS personnel when passing through the construction zone,” the company said.

The concessionaire also urged highway users to plan their journeys in advance and obtain the latest traffic updates through the PLUS App, PLUS’ official social media channels, electronic message signboards (Variable Message Signs) at selected locations, or its PLUSLine hotline in the event of an emergency.

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