MITI Minister Tengku Zafrul is poised to lead the Badminton Association of Malaysia after they nominated him as president for the 2025–2029 term. Sports journalist Haresh Deol weighs in on whether Tengku Zafrul’s corporate and political credentials translate into good sports governance.

Other stories we covered:

• Gas shortage hits Selangor homes and factories: The Putra Heights pipeline explosion has disrupted gas supply to over 8,000 homes, power stations, and factories—including breadmaker Massimo. Rosman Hamzah, former Secretary General of the Malaysian Gas Association, breaks down the situation.

• Court upholds ruling against unilateral child conversion: The Federal Court has dismissed Perlis' bid to reinstate the Islamic status of Loh Siew Hong’s three children, reaffirming the need for both parents’ consent in conversions. Loh’s lawyer, Gunamalar Joorindanjn, explains the legal threshold and what this means for similar future cases.

• Abang Belon's spinal injury diagnosis: Balloon vendor Za’imuddin Azlan, aka Abang Belon, is now wheelchair-bound with a spinal injury after a violent takedown by DBKL officers before Hari Raya. His lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali discusses the legal implications and whether justice will follow the viral outrage.

• US deporting international students without warning: Visa cancellations and detentions are sweeping through American universities, with international students—some linked to pro-Palestine activism—facing deportation. We hear from a Malaysian student and JS Wee of NAMSA about the fear gripping the student community and how they’re responding.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Dashran Yohan, Sneha Harikannan, Alia Zefri, Sudais Ferhard, Lim Sue Ann

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn

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Categories:  international,  government,  Law/Activism,  sports

Tags:  massimo bread,  abang belon,  badminton association of malaysia (bam),  tengku zafrul,  putra heights explosion,  unilateral conversion,  islam,  perlis,  dbkl,  usa,  deportation,  palestine,  international students,