The day's essential Malaysian news, briefed.
Anjali is the Lifestyle & Culture Editor at the publication, covering lifestyle across Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
Malaysian actor Hisyam Hamid has strongly denied baseless rumours that spread across social media claiming he visited the home of fellow actress Erysha Emyra, expressing frustration at the allegations.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph17a1dg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph17a1dp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22272%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EPrime%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed deep sorrow at the death of Abu Bakar, a respected former lecturer and significant figure in Malay literary circles, highlighting the scholar's lasting cultural contributions.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has mourned the death of Professor Emeritus Datuk Abu Bakar Abd Hamid, a towering figure in Malay literature and a key architect of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, who passed away on June 21.
Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, enjoyed a Putrajaya Lake Cruise during the couple's two-day official visit to Malaysia. She was welcomed by First Lady Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh.
A viral pickleball dispute in Petaling Jaya has ignited broader conversation about whether Malaysian local councils need strengthened powers to regulate court approvals and operating hours in residential neighbourhoods.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph3kwnvg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph3kwnvp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22226%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EPenang%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
A 24-year-old Penang artist is using cyanotype—a sunlight-driven printing technique—to foster deeper connections between people and nature, while challenging perceptions of art's role in society.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph5ufnng)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph5ufnnp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22320%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3ERIUH%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
The RIUH Pi HAWANA 2026 festival launches tonight in Butterworth with an opening concert featuring popular Malaysian performers. The three-day event celebrates National Journalists' Day and showcases local creative talent.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph4dca2g)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph4dca2p)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22136%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3ECommunica%E2%80%A6%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has praised the RIUH Pi HAWANA carnival for successfully showcasing local creative talent and entrepreneurs, urging Malaysians to attend the event running through Sunday.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph47hsg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph47hsp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22226%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EExists%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Iconic band Exists credits journalists and editors with protecting entertainers during the print era through fact-checking and editorial oversight, contrasting this with today's unmoderated social media landscape.
Jalan Burma in George Town, Penang, epitomizes the city's blend of heritage and culinary excellence. This arterial road connects restored colonial architecture with Michelin-recognized food stalls and Burmese cultural sites, offering visitors multiple dimensions of discovery.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph34o90g)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph34o90p)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22320%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3ETV3%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
TV3's pantun team has retained the HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival championship, edging out Bernama in the second edition of the competition held in conjunction with National Journalists' Day celebrations.
Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman, ex-RTM chief, received the HAWANA 2026 Award from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in recognition of his three decades advancing Malaysia's media sector.
The RIUH Pi HAWANA 2026 concert in Butterworth attracted large crowds on its opening night, featuring popular local acts and creating a family-friendly festival atmosphere.
Renowned Malaysian musician Datuk M. Nasir has filed a RM5 million lawsuit against MyTeksi Sdn Bhd (Grab Malaysia), alleging unauthorised use of his name in a beverage product marketing campaign, citing his moral and legal rights.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph4npcwg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph4npcwp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22272%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EAnwar%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has commended TV AlHijrah for its commitment to values-based broadcasting during the station's 16th anniversary celebration, highlighting the channel's role in promoting Islamic content across Malaysia.
Penang will host the inaugural HAWANA 2026 National Journalists' Day celebration in June, anticipated to strengthen the state's tourism appeal and creative economy through extensive media exposure across Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
A three-day carnival celebrating music, culture and journalism kicks off in Penang this month, featuring performances by local bands and interactive cultural workshops tied to HAWANA 2026.
The Malaysian Artistes' Association will present a formal memorandum to the Prime Minister following this Sunday's Music Practitioners Convention, addressing longstanding industry challenges including royalty distribution, artificial intelligence regulation, and career development pathways.