Guided by its enduring philosophy of “Eat Well, Live Well”, the company promotes healthier, balanced lifestyles while preserving the tastes Malaysians love. This long-standing commitment has built a strong foundation of trust among Malaysian consumers and business partners alike. Leveraging the Ajinomoto Group’s global expertise in AminoScience, the company develops products that enhance flavour while supporting better nutrition. Beyond households, AMB has established itself as a trusted halal food solutions provider for international markets, combining strict halal compliance with a deep understanding of local and regional food cultures. Through its taste solutions, halal-certified products and educational initiatives, AMB continues to inspire Malaysians to prioritise their health through healthier choices at every meal.

PUTRAJAYA: Children in Malaysia will begin pre-school at the age of five and enter Year One at six starting in 2027, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “In 2027, parents may choose for their children to enter Year One at either six or seven years old. “From the age of five, children will enter pre-school, and at six, Year One,” he said. He added that preparations would be accelerated, stressing that immediate action has been directed to both the Education Ministry, and the Finance and Economy Ministries to ensure that basic facilities are expanded. “That is good, but I am confident in the capacity of these ministries, so we will fast-track the implementation.

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has lauded the implementation of the Malaysian Learning Matrix test for Year Four and Form Three students. The Umno president said the party had been asking for the return of national examinations. During the launch, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia would reinstate a centralised national assessment system for primary schools starting in 2026 for Year Four students. He said the Examinations Board would administer the Malaysian Learning Matrix test for Year Four and Form Three students, marking the return of national examinations. As for higher education, Ahmad Zahid said the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035 aims to address the mismatch between what is taught in higher education institutions and the needs of the job market.

He said that despite being a country of moderate strength, Malaysia has taken a clear and resolute stance on the Venezuela issue, guided by principle rather than power. Anwar was responding to Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau) on Malaysia’s position regarding Venezuela, Greenland and ties with Iran following the United States’ imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on countries maintaining relations with Iran. The Prime Minister said Malaysia continues to maintain its relationship with the US despite criticism, but will speak out when actions violate international law. On Greenland, Anwar said Malaysia rejects any effort to seize another country and aligns with the European Union and Denmark in prioritising negotiations to resolve disputes. On Iran, Anwar said Malaysia continues to maintain diplomatic relations with the country while managing ties through prudence and international engagement, stressing that Malaysia upholds Iran’s rights and sovereignty as a matter of principle.

PUTRAJAYA: I am a product of a Chinese school, and I speak Bahasa Melayu well, says Nga Kor Ming. As Malaysians, we should be fluent in our national language. "We should not forget that we are also on the global stage and we should uplift Bahasa Melayu. He said that the Housing and Local Government Ministry ensures its staff are fluent not only in Bahasa Melayu but also in English. On Jan 19, Sultan Ibrahim said the national education system must be strengthened as the foundation for nation-building, national identity and the country’s future.

PETALING JAYA: Singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong is simply happy to be back on court, doing what he loves most after a long injury layoff. Right now, I just need to be more consistent," said Tze Yong. Tze Yong has been sidelined from competitive action for seven months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee. However, following surgery at the Aspetar Medical Centre in Doha in July and subsequent rehabilitation, he has returned to on court training, although not on a daily basis as before. But now, with this being my second injury, I understand it better," said Tze Yong.

PETALING JAYA: It was not due to illness but an internal issue that forced Malaysia’s top men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao to withdraw from this week’s Indonesian Masters. National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen revealed that Jun Hao had been struggling to perform at his best, not only on match days but also during training sessions. "That was the consideration, and it was a decision agreed with Jun Hao as well." Jun Hao was initially drawn to face South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin in the first round of the Indonesian Masters, but the Korean player has also withdrawn. In Jun Hao’s absence, Malaysia will rely on Justin Hoh and Lee Zii Jia in the men’s singles.

PUTRAJAYA: The Academic Bank Credits (ABC) platform will be introduced to students, says Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir. He said the ABC is a centralised digital depository that allows students to collect, store and redeem learning credits. "Through ABC, students are given full insight into their credit assets. This is in line with quadrant 2 in the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (MHEB) 2026-2035," he said during his new year's address on Tuesday (Jan 20). The National Education Plan 2026-2035 will be unveiled today at noon by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Chinese nationals working in Malaysia were left in shock after discovering each had owed between RM748,000 and RM842,000 in unpaid income tax, allegedly after their employer made false declarations about their salaries to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). “I never expected to owe so much tax in just one year. I believe that my employer misused a copy of my passport to create a Tax Identification Number and lied about my salary when filing income tax on my behalf, without my permission. “My monthly salary was RM10,000, but my employer reported it as RM1,759,915.41 from Nov 30, 2022 to Oct 31, 2023,” she said. Chen’s husband later discovered that the employer falsely told LHDN that Chen was receiving cash income from the company.

Snow World at Resorts World Genting (Pahang)Last year also brought another good news to chionophiles (lovers of snow), especially those who have long waited for the return of Snow World at Resorts World Genting. It operates on a pay-per-play basis, so this means entry to the winter wonderland will count as additional charge. — Antarctic Snow World Penang/FacebookAntarctic Snow World (Penang)When you think of Penang, it being icy cool is not the perception you’ll likely have. Snow World Banda Hilir (Melaka)Melaka is another state that holds its tourism campaign, Visit Melaka 2026, alongside the nationwide Visit Malaysia 2026. Snow World Melaka Mall (Melaka)The other snow attraction, Snow World Melaka Mall, opened in March 2025.

KUCHING: A 69-year-old woman here lost RM415,464 after falling victim to a phone scam by a caller impersonating a police officer. Kuching police chief Asst Comm Alexson Naga Chabu said the woman received a phone call on Sept 17 last year from the suspect, who alleged that a criminal case existed in her name. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property. ACP Alexson advised the public not to panic and to immediately end suspicious phone calls to avoid being scammed. "Suspicious phone and bank account numbers can be checked at the Semak Mule portal," he said.

TOKYO (Jan 20): Tourists to Japan hit a record high for the month of December despite the number of visitors from China plunging 45% due to diplomatic tensions between the two Asian neighbours. Tourists from China fell to about 330,000 people in December, making up less than 10% of the 3.6 million visitors to Japan for the month. In the year to end-November, mainland Chinese tourists had made up the largest cohort of visitors to Japan, accounting for around a quarter of the total. For all of 2025, tourist numbers to Japan hit a record 42.7 million people, exceeding 40 million for the first time, Japan's tourism minister, Yasushi Kaneko, told a press conference. Total spending by inbound tourists reached ¥9.5 trillion (US$60 billion or RM240 billion) over the year, also a record high.

BIRTH rates fell last year to its lowest level on record, official data showed, as its population shrank for a fourth year running despite authorities’ efforts to curb the decline. There were just 7.92 million births recorded last year, Chinese officials said yesterday, a rate of 5.63 births per thousand people. It marks the lowest birth rate since records by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) began in 1949 – the year leader Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People’s Republic of China. China’s birth rate had declined consistently over the last decade, despite the end of the restrictive “one-child policy”, until a slight uptick in 2024 when 6.77 births were recorded per thousand. The previous low was in 2023, when China recorded 9.02 million births – a rate of 6.39 per 1,000 people.

GEORGE TOWN: Foreigners are still flocking to Penang for medical treatment, and local patients are enjoying the benefits. The foreign patients have led to improved use of facilities and equipment, thus lowering costs and allowing hospitals to offer services at lower rates to local patients. However, he said China is rising as a competitor as hospitals there are also targeting the same foreign patients. On concerns that foreign patients could reduce access for locals, Phua said locals were not being pushed aside and waiting times had not been significantly affected. Foreign patients, he said, typically stayed in Penang for several days and were less sensitive to waiting times, unlike locals.

The rupiah slipped 0.3% to 16,988 per dollar on Tuesday, surpassing a record low from April when it fell below levels seen during the Asian Financial Crisis. Bank Indonesia last week said it was in the market to ensure that the rupiah moves in line with fundamental values. President Prabowo Subianto’s move on Monday to nominate his nephew for a Bank Indonesia deputy governor position has sparked jitters among investors about potential erosion of central bank independence. A cooling domestic economy may force the central bank to resume easing to support growth, risking further pressure on the rupiah. Bank Indonesia is set to announce its first interest-rate decision of the year on Wednesday with all analysts in a Bloomberg survey expecting a hold.