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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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by ALISSYA ZUNIZAM

THE Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is actively tracking the whereabouts of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin’s widow, Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid (picture) and her children to assist in an ongoing police investigation, with authorities believing they are currently in Europe.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said PDRM had opened an investigation paper based on Sentul police report 4034/26 under Section 124B of the Penal Code for an offence involving activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

In a written parliamentary reply yesterday, Saifuddin said intelligence information and preliminary checks by the authorities indicated that Na’imah and her children were believed to be overseas, particularly in Europe.

He said PDRM, through its International Relations Division and the National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol Kuala Lumpur, is working closely to determine their exact location before bringing them back to Malaysia.

“The Royal Malaysia Police is actively working to trace the whereabouts of the late Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid and her children to assist in completing the ongoing police investigation,” he said.

Saifuddin stressed that all actions taken by PDRM were based on the rule of law and carried out without prejudice or any selective agenda, with measures aimed at safeguarding national security and public order.

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MALAYSIA’S power infrastructure sector is entering a multi-year capital expenditure upcycle, with opportunities increasingly concentrated among grid-exposed mechanical and engineering (M&E) contractors and power cable manufacturers, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research.

In a sector outlook note, HLIB Research said the structural upcycle is underpinned by three key drivers: higher grid reinforcement spending by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), rising electricity demand from data centre connections, and increased renewable energy integration.

The research house maintained an “overweight” call on the sector, highlighting a structural bottleneck at the medium-voltage to high-voltage (MV-HV) infrastructure layer, which is reshaping earnings opportunities for listed contractors.

HLIB said the shift towards higher-voltage projects, moving from the conventional 11kV–33kV range to 132kV and 275kV systems, is significantly increasing contract sizes, particularly for data centre-driven demand.

It noted that data centres requiring 20MW to 100MW typically trigger 132kV infrastructure work worth RM70 million to RM100 million, while loads above 100MW require 275kV systems exceeding RM100 million.

The pipeline is expected to accelerate into 2H2026 and FY2027, with more than five 500kV main intake substation (PMU) projects anticipated, each historically carrying contract values above RM500 million.

HLIB said the scale of these projects is also raising working capital requirements, including performance bonds and upfront supplier payments, as well as procurement of high-voltage cables, which is creating barriers to entry and concentrating awards among larger, listed players.

Among its top picks, the research house highlighted MN Holdings Bhd as a pure proxy to the power infrastructure cycle, noting its RM1.7 billion orderbook as of May 2026 and ongoing efforts to strengthen its balance sheet through up to RM1 billion in commercial paper and sukuk issuance.

HLIB maintained a “buy” call with a target price of RM3.36 on MN Holdings.

In the cable segment, Southern Cable Group Bhd remains a preferred proxy, supported by planned capacity expansion to 65,000km per year by 2027 and its move into 275kV cable production by 2028.

The research house also sees potential export growth into the US, maintaining a “buy” call with a target price of RM2.95.

HLIB also initiated coverage on niche players including Elsoft Research Bhd proxy El Power, which it rated “buy” with a target price of 88 sen, citing exposure to data centre backup power systems and regional expansion into Thailand’s 1.4GW data centre market.

Another new coverage is UUE Holdings Bhd, rated “buy” with a target price of 74 sen, supported by exposure to underground utilities, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, and increasing participation in higher-voltage transmission and data centre-related contracts.

HLIB said Malaysia’s power infrastructure cycle is likely to support sustained orderbook growth and potential earnings re-rating for contractors with grid-level exposure. — TMR

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