The former premier said most of the money was in ringgit while only a small portion of the cash was in foreign currencies.

“I have commented on the matter numerous times in the local media but I choose to explain in more detail as the police still insist on not returning the money.

“This is despite several efforts and negotiations conducted,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page on Sunday (Sept 9).

He also went on to explain that it was normal practice for the Umno president to handle donations and party assets, including transferring and making payments during elections.

“Such tasks and rights are enshrined in the party’s constitution and it has been so since the tenure of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (as president),” he said.

During the last general election, most of the donations from businessmen and individuals were in cash and it was distributed to all 222 parliamentary and 505 state constituency, he said, adding that political donations are not against the country’s laws.

“When Dr Mahathir built the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Seri Perdana, he also ensured that a vault and a safe were built at the respective locations.

“These are the locations where the cash received was stored for the purposes of political and election operations, including settling various bills after the elections as well as funds for branches’ operations,” he said.

After Barisan Nasional unexpectedly lost in the GE14, the cash was gathered and temporarily transferred to the Pavilion Residences in Kuala Lumpur, he explained.

“I was also informed recently that a few officers had stolen RM3.5mil when transferring the cash and they were detained by the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission).

“The police raided the apartment and seized the money even before we could make a decision on how to manage the cash while waiting for who will take over as the new party president,” he said.

“I reaffirm again that it is party funds, thus Umno has sought legal representatives to negotiate with the authorities to return the money,” said Najib.

Besides Pavillion residences, the police also raided the units of both Najib’s children and his own home at Jalan Duta.

On the foreign currency seized, Najib explained that anyone who often travels overseas for work and leisure was bound to have unused foreign currencies at their homes. “It is no different for me and my family,” he said.

The former prime minister said he would, at a later date, also explain about the seized jewellery and handbags which has become fodder for gossip and speculation.

Melaka’s Transport, Works and Public Amenities Committee chairman Mohd Sofi Abdul Wahab said the foreigners were sniffed out by staff members of the bus company, Panorama Melaka Sdn Bhd, and were then requested to pay the normal fares.

The complimentary bus service managed by the state-owned concessionaire hit the road on Aug 20.

Mohd Sofi said a total of 450 passengers had taken rides on the bus service plying three routes.

“We have collected RM650 from the sale of tickets to non-locals,” he said after checking the operation of the free bus service at Melaka Sentral bus terminal here.

Mohd Sofi said his team would continue promoting the free bus service among locals.

“I guess foreigners grabbed the opportunity to take the free rides when there are not that many locals making use of the service,” he said.

The free bus service launched by Chief Minister Adly Zahari is expected to benefit 290,000 commuters in the state.

The operation of the free bus service costs an estimated RM1.4mil, and is being absorbed by several government agencies and private companies through the newly-established Melaka State Government Public Transport Fund.

The free bus service covers three main routes, namely Melaka Sentral bus terminal to Mydin Hypermart at Ayer Keroh; Melaka Sentral to Mydin via Melaka Hospital and Melaka Sentral to Bachang Transit Wet Market.

The buses run from 6.30am to 8pm on a daily basis.

The service is aimed at rejuvenating the state’s ailing public transport system with a focus on stage bus service.

The state government has reportedly said it would take into consideration the people’s wish and might expand the free bus service to other routes, mainly Alor Gajah and Jasin, if there are sufficient funds.

    Nearly 1,000 events were organised in around 100 countries as part of the “Rise for Climate” protest movement that called on countries to end their reliance on fossil fuels and transition fully into renewable energy.

Organisers in France claimed 115,000 people turned out in what would be the largest environmental demonstration in the country’s history, with 50,000 marching in Paris, however police put the number in the capital at 18,500.

“This is the biggest day of climate action in France, it’s proof that the citizens are ready to demand commitments from our elected officials after a catastrophic summer when it comes to the climate,” said Clemence Dubois, the France campaigner for 350.org.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also referenced the recent severe weather events.

“Extreme weather is threatening our children. The only way to protect our future is ambitious #ClimateAction now,” he tweeted.

Dozens of Thai fishermen and labourers whose livelihoods are threatened by rising sea levels kicked off the day of protests in Bangkok, where the UN talks are being held.

Many brought examples of their produce, including crabs and shrimp, and held banners demanding that delegates take action.

“I came here today to ask the government to put coastal erosion on the national agenda,” 58-year-old fisherwoman Aree Kongklad told AFP.

Some 200 protesters assembled in front of the UN regional headquarters in Bangkok, where delegates were discussing how to implement measures agreed by world powers under the 2015 Paris Accord on climate change.

 – UN talks stuck –

As global warming races ahead of efforts to contain it, the discussions are deadlocked over a number of contentious issues.

The talks aim to create a draft legal framework for limiting global temperature rises that can be presented to ministers and heads of state at a final round of discussions in Poland in December.

The delegates have been meeting since Tuesday, but have made little progress, according to multiple sources close to the negotiations.

“The negotiators are not taking any action,” Ruchi Tripathi, head of climate justice at charity ActionAid, told AFP.

More than 10,000 people turned out in Danish capital Copenhagen, police there said, while 1,300 rallied in front of the European Parliament in Brussels.

“The idea was to challenge the elected officials and governments in the European capital,” said teacher Kim Le Quang at the demonstration.

“There are a lot of lobbies here and we realise that NGOs do not necessarily have the influence to fight them.”

As part of protests in Australia, a tall ship moved through Sydney Harbour in front of the Opera House as activists on board held up protest signs.

Its billowing sails featured banners that read “Rise for Climate; Action with 350” — referring to environment advocacy group 350 which spearheaded the global protest.

– US ‘still setting the rules’ –

In Manila, more than 800 people, including one dressed as a T-Rex holding a “Go Fossil Free” sign, marched through the streets protesting the country’s heavy reliance on coal.

Along with Bangkok, the Philippine capital is projected to be among the world’s hardest hit urban areas by climate change impacts.

“We are among the most vulnerable and we are among those still stuck in an energy system that is backwards,” campaigner Chuck Baclavon told AFP, adding that the government is out of excuses.

Around 10,000 school students and their teachers in northern India tied red ribbons to trees in a call to end deforestation.

The protests are expected to culminate Saturday in San Francisco, where sub-national governments, regions, cities and businesses will gather on September 12 at the Global Climate Action Summit, organised to react to what’s seen as the climate policy failures of US President Donald Trump.

Trump caused global outrage by announcing the US would withdraw from the Paris Accord, but multiple sources told AFP Saturday that America is stonewalling UN talks over how to fund poorer nations in the battle against global warming.

“The US is no longer playing the game but it’s still setting the rules,” said a senior climate negotiator, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

KUCHING – Sarawakian lass Larissa Ping was crowned Miss World Malaysia 2018 after beating 11 other contestants in the final rounds here Saturday night (Sept 8), Bernama has reported.

The 19-year-old beauty received the crown from jury members Nabila Huda and Carmen Soo and took home RM30,000 in cash, trophies and other prizes. Larissa also won the Top Talent and Miss Photogenic awards.

Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Ping, as the winner, would also be Sarawak Tourism Ambassador for 2019.

“I am confident that through this prestigious event and as the winner, you will be able to assist in promoting the state of Sarawak at the international level and at the same time promote eco-tourism in the country.

“The event is watched by millions of viewers worldwide, I am proud Sarawak has been selected as one of the locations for prestigious occasion,” he said

The finals Miss World Malaysia 2018 final was themed “Beauty with a Purpose” and was held at the Borneo Convention Centre here.

Also present were Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Datin Patinggi Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang as well as Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, the wife of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

A total of 12 contestants vied for the Miss World Malaysia 2018 title. The second and third places were won by Naomi Sim, 26, also from Sarawak and Shennon Jade, 24, from Kuala Lumpur.

They took home cash prizes of RM5,000 and RM3,000 respectively, and also tiaras and trophies.

Other winners were Francisca Luhong James, Sarawak (People’s Choice category), Larissa Ping, Sarawak (Miss Photogenic), Zane Wong, Kuala Lumpur (Miss Personality), Shannon Jade, Kuala Lumpur (Miss Elegance), Larissa Ping, Sarawak (Top Talent) and Francisca Luhong James (Top Model).

“What Serena did on the podium today showed a great deal of class and sportsmanship. This was Naomi’s moment, and Serena wanted her to be able to enjoy it.

“That was a class move from a true champion. What Serena has accomplished this year in playing her way back on to the tour is truly amazing.

“She is an inspiration to me, personally, and a credit to our sport, win or lose. I know that she was frustrated about the way the match played out, but the way she stepped up after the final and gave full credit to Naomi for a match well-played speaks volumes about who she is.”

— Katrina Adams, head of the United States Tennis Association (USTA)

“On the fifth point in the second game of the second set between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams, the chair umpire witnessed coaching taking place from Williams’ coach. Even though her coach has admitted to coaching, Williams has made it clear that she did not receive any coaching. Nevertheless, in accordance with the rules, Williams was assessed a Code Violation, resulting in a warning.

“At the completion of the fifth game of the second set, Williams was assessed a second code violation for racquet abuse, which required a point penalty.

“At the changeover, at 4-3, Williams was assessed a third code violation for verbal abuse in the judgment of the umpire, which then required a game penalty.

“The chair umpire’s decision was final and not reviewable by the Tournament Referee or the Grand Slam Supervisor who were called to the court at that time.”

 — Official US Open statement

“There are matters that need to be looked into that took place during the match. For tonight, it is time to celebrate these two amazing players, both of whom have great integrity.

“Naomi is a deserving champion and Serena at all times plays with class and makes us proud.”

 — WTA statement

    The reaction was hardly surprising following boycotts of Dick’s Sporting Goods by NRA supporters due to its gun control stance and of Macy’s and other stores over carrying Ivanka Trump’s now-defunct clothing line.

There is even precedent within Nike’s sector for customer blowback, with some consumers burning their New Balance shoes after a company executive lauded US President Donald Trump’s trade policies and Under Armour garnering criticism when its chief executive praised Trump.

Despite the backlash, Nike’s embrace of civil rights activist Kaepernick was seen as deepening the brand’s appeal to millennials and non-white consumers. Many marketing experts saw it as a shrewd cost-benefit calculation in a politically divided, Trump-era United States.

Companies are increasingly “willing to lose a few to gain a lot,” said Scott Farrell, leader of the brand reputation group at Golin, a public relations firm.

Brands have long tailored images and phrases to appeal to core consumer groups, implicitly ranking some parts of the population higher than others.

But companies also have a tradition of seeking the broadest possible audience, a practice that still governs many brands, even as others — like Nike — speak out in ways that are almost certain to alienate some customers.

“Whereas in the past, marketers would always look for win-win situations, that is practically an impossibility today,” Farrell told AFP.

“That is just a needle that is too difficult to thread,” he added. “You are going to be dealing almost all of the time in some degree of a win-lose situation and the lose part of it has to be part of your strategy as well.”

– Hit to sales? –

Corporations were becoming more socially focused prior to Trump, with campaigns geared to consumers who care about gay rights, climate change policies and some other causes.

But the trend has accelerated since the November 2016 election of a US president who has unapologetically eschewed the traditional role of national unifier and instead courted his political base full time.

Technology behemoths like Apple and Microsoft have been outspoken critics especially of Trump’s immigration policies, fighting measures that would see “Dreamers” — immigrants who were brought illegally to the United States as children — deported.

Much rockier has been the reception facing Dick’s Sporting Goods, which announced in February after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida that it would remove assault-style rifles from stores and end all gun sales to consumers under 21.

Dick’s cited “negative reactions from our customers and vendors” following the announcement as a reason for a “continuing decline in our hunt business,” according to a quarterly securities filing.

But Dick’s executives have also said the stance on guns attracted new customers who may benefit company sales in the long-term.

Delta Air Lines also found itself under fire from gun rights supporters after it ended a travel discount program for NRA members following Parkland. Politicians in the Georgia legislature yanked a tax break that could have saved Delta about $40 million a year.

However, in a victory for Delta, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced in July he would halt collection of the tax.

The company’s chief executive, Ed Bastian, was also hailed by Fortune magazine among the “world’s greatest leaders” for the Parkland response, in which he said, “Our decision was not made for economic gain, and our values are not for sale.”

Major brands continue to take action on guns, with Levi’s this week pledging financial and volunteer support for gun control efforts, saying business leaders “simply cannot stand by silently when it comes to issues that threaten the very fabric of where we live and work.”

​​​​​​– Preparing for blowback –

David Armano, global strategy director at Edelman, said he urged brands to think hard before taking on hot-button issues directly, something many companies are still leery of.

“Most of them are hesitant,” he said, adding that “there’s an appetite for how can we more clearly act and communicate about the bigger things in life that we feel are right for our brand to talk about.”

Such an approach can often lead brands to favor spots that are “culturally relevant without being culturally divisive,” he said.

Brand reputation expert Farrell is currently reviewing ad campaigns for two companies with consumer products, advising the clients on whether to tweak the ads and how to prepare for any negative reaction.

Both campaigns “speak to diversity,” Farrell said. “We’ve been asked to look at the creative through the lense of this polarized environment.”

“In another time and place, they would be rather neutral,” he said of the ads. “In today’s environment, they’re edgy by definition.”

The SCMP, which is owned by Alibaba, said China’s most famous tech billionaire will “unveil a succession strategy” on Monday — his 54th birthday — but remain the company’s executive chairman for the foreseeable future.

The New York Times ran an article on Friday, based on an interview with Ma, saying the former teacher turned billionaire planned to use his birthday to announce his retirement as chairman of Alibaba to focus on philanthropy.

The paper quoted Ma as saying the decision was “the beginning of an era”.

But an Alibaba spokesman told the SCMP that the New York Times’ story “was taken out of context, and factually wrong”.

“An Alibaba spokesman said Ma remains the company’s executive chairman and will provide transition plans over a significant period of time,” the SCMP wrote.

The paper added that the Monday succession strategy was part of a plan “for grooming a generation of younger executives to take over the reins” of the company.

Eileen Murphy, a spokesperson for the New York Times, said the newspaper stood by its story.

Ma was an English teacher before starting Alibaba in 1999 and built it into a multibillion-dollar internet colossus, becoming one of the world’s richest men and a revered figure in his homeland.

His own worth has soared along with that of the company, which has added cloud computing, films and e-payments to its growing portfolio and was valued at $420.8 billion when the stock market closed on Friday.

The New York Times’ report surprised many in the global business community because of Ma’s comparative youth, especially in China where it is not unusual for tycoons to remain in place into their eighties.

Alibaba did not return requests for comment on Saturday after the story ran.

Ma gave up the title of Alibaba CEO in 2013 but remains a pivotal figure within the company as well as its most recognisable face.

In an interview with Bloomberg TV released on Friday, Ma hinted at his retirement plans, saying he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, one of the world’s most prolific philanthropists.

“There’s a lot of things I can learn from Bill Gates. I can never be as rich, but one thing I can do better is to retire earlier,” he said.

The SCMP report ran quotes from Ma himself, but they did not address when exactly he would retire. Ma said he met with company executives 10 years ago to work out “what Alibaba would do without me”.

“Anybody who knows me knows I embrace the future. This is not about retiring, stepping away, or backing off. This is a systematic plan,” the paper quoted Ma as saying.

The SCMP said Ma would be in Russia next week for Alibaba business meetings as well as an upcoming trip to South Africa and a planned speech at the company’s investor day in mid-September.

The intent of the agreement is to explore a stronger relationship between the two municipalities and create international business opportunities.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate will travel to Phuket to sign the agreement with his Phuket counterparts.

The mayor is half Thai, originally from Saraburi, and emigrated to Australia at a very young age. He said that Gold Coast and Phuket share similarities in economic success, year-round sunshine and a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

“I want this sister city partnership to work, because I know that Gold Coast and Phuket are a good match. The two cities share a significant beach culture and we could possibly exchange knowledge on lifeguard procedures and training. We will see what Phuket authorities and other business operators will be interested in, this is the first stage,” said the mayor.

He said Phuket has the potential to become a mid-way destination for European travellers to spend a few weeks before flying on to Gold Coast.

He says that for an interim period of one year, the Gold Coast government will send officials to Phuket to explore areas where they can exchange work ideas and knowledge.

“For instance, if Phuket is looking at developing a better waste management policy, or green energy utilisation, we will see how both parties can work together on the initial high-level studies,” he said.

Gold Coast is a multicultural city and a hub for Australia’s tourism with its geography and economy similar to  Phuket.

For Gold Coast, international partnerships of this type are a source of economic growth; provide cultural, educational and professional opportunities, and boost international profiles. These relationships open doors to the world and create real outcomes for Gold Coast residents and businesses.

Traditionally, sister city relationships focus on cultural and education exchanges. It is now recognised that these relationships also have the ability to stimulate economic growth, increase tourism and assist in establishing reliable business contacts, which can create long-term benefits to the local communities in both cities.

They also enable communities to exchange ideas, gain an international perspective and increase their understanding of global issues.

Currently, Gold Coast has eight sister cities and one friendship agreement, all of which have helped shape Gold Coast as a city of global significance by fostering successful business and cultural ties. This is through initiatives that include two-way trade missions, hosting inbound delegations, and offering business and student exchanges.

As for the benefit to Phuket, Andrew Park, the Honorary Consul of Thailand for Queensland, Australia, says that the partnership is important at many levels. Apart from generating government-to-government links between the two cities, it also creates direct links at the people-to-people level.

“Prince Songkla University Hospitality and Tourism School in Phuket is well established and well regarded as one of the world best hospitality, hotel management and tourism schools while the Griffith University in the Gold Coast has the same high acclaim globally,” Park said.

“There is a possibility of academic exchanges between the two institutions for the benefit of both,” said Park.

He also said that in terms of the business linkages, the agreement will be a driver for the government of Gold Coast to express an interest in developing stronger partnerships with Phuket at the business level.

“Next year, Mayor Tate will be taking business delegations across to Phuket and I believe Phuket will be doing the same. The marine sector, with the wealthy high-end yachting industry, is something Phuket does very well and I believe that is something Gold Coast can learn and benefit from.”

Park said that he is excited to be part of creating this inaugural relationship between the two cities to set a good example for further relationships between cities in the two countries in the future.

One woman survived the crash with injuries but another passenger is still missing.

Rescuers travelled on foot to reach the chopper’s wreckage spotted on a forested hillside in neighbouring Nuwakot district. Officials had earlier said that the helicopter went down in Dhadhing, an adjoining district.

“Five bodies, including that of the Japanese, were found. We are trying to rescue the injured passenger and search for the missing person,” Nuwakot police chief Basanta Bahadur Kunwar told AFP

The single-pilot Kathmandu-bound Altitude Air helicopter was carrying six passengers, including a Japanese trekker, when it lost contact with air traffic control after taking off from the central district of Gorkha.

Kunwar said that weather was hampering the rescue process.

Nepal has a booming private helicopter industry, flying tourists and goods to remote corners of the Himalayan nation where road access is limited or non-existent.

But the impoverished country has a poor air safety record due to poorly trained staff and lacklustre maintenance.

In 2016, seven people were killed in a helicopter crash 22 kilometres (14 miles) north of the capital.

There were multiple helicopter accidents, claiming over a dozen lives, in the wake of a powerful 2015 earthquake when choppers were used to rescue the injured and deliver aid to communities cut off by the disaster.

The European Union banned all Nepalese airlines following international alarm over the country’s air safety record.

The officer, who police have yet to identify and has been placed on leave pending official charges, will face criminal charges for the fatal shooting, officials said Friday.

A racially-mixed crowd gathered near the crime scene for a candlelight vigil late Friday to honor the victim, identified as Botham Shem Jean, 26, an immigrant from the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia.

“We are here to express our outrage, and we are here to demand accountability,” said Imam Omar Suleiman, an activist at the event organized by the Dallas-based Mothers Against Police Brutality group.

“If this was not an officer that pulled the trigger, this person would be in a jail cell tonight!” Suleiman said

Mourners carried signs with slogans that read “Have a trial when police kill” and “Where is justice when police kill us?”

Authorities are seeking to charge the officer with manslaughter. Dallas Police chief U. Renee Hall told a news conference that the shooting was “a very unique situation.”

“We have ceased handling (the incident) under our normal officer-involved shooting protocol,” the chief said, adding that the officer’s blood was being tested for drugs and alcohol.

‘Was in no wrong place’

The shooting took place late Thursday at the end of the officer’s work shift. While still in uniform, she told authorities she mistakenly walked into Jean’s apartment in an upscale complex near downtown Dallas.

Police did not yet know what interaction occurred between Jean and the officer. After the officer shot Jean, she called emergency services and told responding officers that she had thought she had entered her own apartment.

“Right now there are more questions than answers,” Chief Hall said.

Jean had graduated from a private Christian college in Arkansas in 2016 and had since been working at the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dallas.

“It just still feels like a nightmare,” Jean’s mother, Allison Jean, told NBC News. “I wish I would wake up and find that it wasn’t true.”

Allison Jean — who according to the St. Lucia Times has served for years in the island’s government — said the details of her son’s shooting make no sense.

Her son “was in no wrong place at any wrong time. He was in his sanctuary, in the place where he called home. He didn’t deserve this,” she told NBC.

Jean’s sister, Allisa Charles-Findley, said she needs “answers for my baby brother.”

“Just last week I was thinking of what to get you for your birthday,” she wrote on Facebook, “now I have to go pick out your casket.”

Neighbor Alyssa Kinsey told The Dallas Morning News that Jean helped her move new furniture into her apartment soon after she moved into the building with her family in April.

“I’ll remember his smile,” she said. “It just lit up a room.”