News

by NURNABIHAH DINI

RAPID KL has confirmed that a passenger believed to have fainted before losing balance and falling onto the tracks at Hang Tuah Station on the Ampang/Sri Petaling Line was safely rescued last evening.

In a statement yesterday, Rapid KL said the incident occurred at 6.36pm when the passenger is believed to have fainted before losing balance and falling onto the tracks.

Auxiliary Police officers stationed at the platform responded immediately by providing initial assistance, while power supply to the affected track was temporarily cut as a safety precaution to facilitate rescue operations.

The passenger was successfully brought out of the track area and given preliminary treatment at the station’s emergency room.

Following safety inspections and confirmation that the track was safe for operations, train services on the Ampang/Sri Petaling Line resumed normal operations at 6.52pm.

Rapid KL said passenger safety remains its top priority and reminded commuters to remain behind the designated safety line while waiting for trains and never enter the track area.

The rail operator also advised passengers feeling unwell, dizzy or uncomfortable while at stations to immediately seek assistance from station staff or Auxiliary Police officers so that prompt assistance can be provided.

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by AKMAR ANNUAR

THE Human Resources Ministry will seek Cabinet consideration to convert RM100 million in Skills Development Fund Corp (PTPK) financing into grants to ease access to high-skill and reskilling programmes.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan said the allocation is currently being channelled through PTPK as financing, with any conversion requiring further approval from the government.

“Some people who attend these TVET programmes have to leave their work.

“When they leave their work for these classes, some may face difficulty with their salary. On top of that, we are asking them to pay for the class through a loan,” he told reporters after officiating the National TVET Instructors and Accredited Centre Managers Conference 2026 today.

Ramanan said the Cabinet had approved the RM100 million allocation specifically for high-skill and reskilling programmes, although he did not specify when the approval was made.

He said the ministry would seek consideration from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Cabinet members to convert the financing into grants.

The allocation was previously reported in January as additional funding channelled through PTPK for skills training financing and social safety-net protection for e-hailing and p-hailing gig workers.

At the time, the funding mechanism was still being refined before further details were announced.

Ramanan said the ministry would explain the need for the proposed conversion, although the government would still have to consider the broader economic situation.

The push for high-skill and reskilling programmes comes as the ministry seeks to reduce labour market mismatch and improve job placement for trained workers.

Ramanan said the MyFutureJobs portal under the ministry and the Social Security Organisation is being used to connect jobseekers with suitable vacancies.

“When you are trained and you put your name there to get a job, the system itself uses AI to find the most suitable and best job for you,” he said.

He said there are more than 300,000 job opportunities listed on MyFutureJobs, of which about 200,000 have been taken up. This leaves more than 100,000 job opportunities still available across various sectors.

Ramanan said unemployment is now at 2.9%, which he described as the lowest level recorded, but added that jobseekers must take the initiative to use available platforms and training opportunities.

He said demand for skilled workers is also reflected in higher earning potential across certain sectors.

According to Ramanan, previous briefings had shown TVET-related earnings of between RM2,000 and RM16,000, while more recent updates indicated that skilled workers could earn up to RM40,000 in selected fields. The highest pay levels would likely be in the oil and gas sector.

In his speech, Ramanan said workers and training institutions must prepare for changes brought by AI.

“Today, everyone is talking about AI. Some are worried AI will take human jobs. I believe AI will not replace humans.

“But humans who know how to use AI will replace humans who refuse to change. That is why TVET must also change,” he said.

Ramanan also said 22,000 free AI training places have been made available under TalentCorp, noting that similar courses could cost about RM5,000 if taken privately.

He urged workers and jobseekers to take advantage of available training and employment channels, saying opportunities already exist but must be actively pursued.

“Do not be left behind,” he said.

The post Ramanan seeks Cabinet nod to convert RM100m PTPK financing into grants appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

by NURNABIHAH DINI

PLUS Malaysia Bhd will temporarily close the left lane at two locations along the southbound stretch between Simpang Pulai and Gopeng on the North-South Expressway (NSE) to facilitate bridge parapet upgrading works.

In a statement today, the highway concessionaire said the upgrading works at KM288.1 and KM293.3 will run until Sept 11, 2026, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance highway safety and user comfort.

The temporary lane closures will affect the left lane between KM287.7 and KM288.2, as well as KM292.9 and KM293.3 (southbound). The remaining two lanes will remain open throughout the construction period.

PLUS said comprehensive traffic management measures will be implemented at both work zones to ensure smooth traffic flow while safeguarding all road users.

Highway users are advised to observe all traffic signs, comply with temporary speed limits and follow instructions from traffic personnel when passing through the affected areas.

The concessionaire also encouraged highway users to plan their journeys in advance and obtain the latest traffic updates through the PLUS App and PLUS’ official social media channels, as well as electronic messaging displays (Variable Message Signs) at selected locations.

The post PLUS  announces left lane closures on Simpang Pulai-Gopeng stretch until Sept 11 appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

JOHOR Perikatan Nasional (PN) says it will only consider forming a post-election state government with parties that share its political ideology, reiterating that it will not work with Pakatan Harapan (PH).

According to Johor PN chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal, the coalition would determine its next course of action only after the outcome of the state election is known, but stressed that any future cooperation would only involve parties that share its ideology.

“If we work with anyone to form a coalition government, it would only involve those who share our ideology. That is fundamental,” he told Free Malaysia Today (FMT).

Sahruddin also expressed confidence that PN could secure the majority of the 33 seats it is contesting in the Johor state election, citing positive reception on the ground.

He said Bersatu, which is contesting 16 seats under the PN banner, is targeting victory in at least 10 constituencies.

Besides Bersatu, PAS is contesting 11 seats, while the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) is fielding five candidates and Pejuang one.

Speculation over possible post-election alignments has intensified ahead of the July 11 state polls, particularly following differing campaign approaches adopted by Bersatu and PAS.

Although both parties remain components of PN, PAS has instructed its supporters to back Barisan Nasional (BN) in constituencies where PN is not contesting, while Bersatu has left the decision to individual supporters.

The post Johor State Election: PN only open to post-poll allies sharing its ideology appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.