GEORGE TOWN (Jan 27): Elsoft Research Bhd (KL:ELSOFT) will spend about RM20 million in 2026 to support its new and future business segments. The Penang-based automated test equipment (ATE) manufacturer spent over RM2 million in 2025 to develop kidney dialysis embedded systems and ultra-slim meta-lens test solutions. Group CEO Tan Cheik Eaik told The Edge that Elsoft had secured orders for its embedded systems used in peritoneal kidney dialysis machines. “A local medical company placed the order for 2,000 embedded systems with a RM10 million to RM12 million value. Last year, we got orders for only 1,000 embedded systems,” he said.

SEMENYIH (Jan 27): Malay reserve land involved in the Semenyih Bypass project, including the construction of Islamic public burial plots in Hulu Langat, Selangor, will be replaced. "I heard it myself…I will not compromise on the status of Malay reserve land. Yes, if the Malay land has to be taken for road development, it will be replaced. Then, we will manage other projects as best as possible,” Anwar said at the launch of the Semenyih Public Infrastructure Development project here on Tuesday. He said the project, which encompasses the construction of a new Islamic burial ground, will be handed over to the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council for maintenance.

KUCHING: For Ronny Chin, making lion heads is not just about creating works of art but preser­ving a Chinese cultural tradition. He learnt the art as a teenager, spurred by his interest in lion dance and the costumes donned by performers. “My father was in a lion dance association and I used to join him in performances. “I’m now training young people to make lion heads so that more Sarawakians can master this craft. For example, lion dance troupes will order high-spec lion heads for competitions.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed was seen at Pavilion Damansara Heights on Tuesday (Jan 27). According to his aide, Sufi Yusoff, this was Dr Mahathir's first public outing since he was treated at the National Heart Institute (IJN). Sufi, however, said Dr Mahathir has not been discharged and that the outing was merely a coffee break. A photo of Dr Mahathir, posted by Sufi in the former official WhatsApp group, shows the statesman in a wheelchair, being assisted by several officers at a cafe. On Jan 6, Dr Mahathir suffered a fractured right hip following a fall at his residence in The Mines.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has agreed to scrap the proposed diagnostic screening test to assess children's eligibility for entry into Year One as early as six years old, beginning with the 2027 school session. "The initial proposal was well-intentioned, as it aimed to introduce an assessment system before children enter school. This was the Education Minister's recommendation, and I agreed," he said. Anwar said this in reply to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar) during the Ministers' Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Jan 27). However, the Prime Minister said the absence of a diagnostic test does not mean that monitoring pupils' readiness will be neglected.

The Prime Minister said unnecessary delays in the approval process must be avoided, as they could undermine Malaysia’s development momentum and economic growth. This is a new Malaysia, a Malaysia that aims for stronger growth. We cannot afford to stall,” he said at the launch of the Semenyih public infrastructure development here on Tuesday (Jan 27). "Looking at the latest figures, our economic performance is good. The Prime Minister acknowledged that some weaknesses and challenges persist, but the government has chosen a positive, collective approach to address shortcomings and drive continuous improvement.

However, instead of breaking him down, it ignited his entrepreneurial spirit to start a small phone repair business from home in Kampung Chawas, Tanah Merah in Kelantan. When he lost his job at a smartphone repair shop in Johor Baru, Ismail found himself worrying about his future. With other job opportunities limited, he started offering phone repair services to family members and close acquaintances. A lack of a phone repair shop in the area gave Ismail the opportunity to leverage his expertise and today he repairs up to four smart devices per day. “I started small, but I have big dreams,” said Ismail.

(Jan 27): Google was handed a six-month European Union deadline to lift technical barriers to rival AI search assistants on Android and give key data to other search engine providers in the latest round of its Big Tech crackdown. EU watchdogs announced under the bloc’s flagship DMA they would review whether Google is in compliance with strict laws on making Android interoperable with competing AI software and also unlocking valuable search data — under fair terms — for rival search engines. While the announcement is a step shy of being a formal investigation, the EU aims to pressure Google to re-engineer its services to allow rival companies to access Android’s operating system and the company’s valuable search data. The wave of EU scrutiny risks adding to its €9.5 billion (RM44.64 billion) EU fines tally and worsening fraught relations with the Trump administration. Under Tuesday’s proceedings, the EU may later decide to launch a formal probe if Google doesn’t step into line.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 27): Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is still receiving treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN), was on Tuesday taken out for a short outing to a cafe at the Pavilion shopping mall in Bukit Damansara. His press secretary, Sufi Yusoff, said Mahathir was taken out by IJN medical officers to the cafe, accompanied by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and IJN chief executive officer Professor Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, and spent 40 minutes there. Sufi said Mahathir was then taken back to IJN and has not yet been allowed to return home and will continue to receive treatment at IJN. He said visits are still limited to immediate family. The 100-year-old leader was admitted to IJN on Jan 6 after reportedly falling at his residence in The Mines, Seri Kembangan, near here and was confirmed to have suffered a fractured right hip.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 27): Digital wallet provider ShopeePay Malaysia Sdn Bhd has partnered with Eastspring Investments Bhd and iFast Capital Sdn Bhd to launch Money+, an in-app investment feature to make investing more accessible to Malaysians. The investment feature aims to give more Malaysians the opportunity to grow their wealth, particularly those who may find traditional investing inaccessible, said Alain Yee, CEO of ShopeePay. ShopeePay Malaysia CEO Alain Yee says 'we wanted to give our users added value for the funds in their ShopeePay e-wallet by offering an entry-level investment option that is both rewarding and simple to understand.' Through the Money+ feature, users can invest with a minimum amount of RM10. Inclusivity was a key priority in creating this investment feature, said Yap Siok Hoon, CEO of Eastsprings Investments Bhd.

A former lawyer and former Bersatu division chief has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to misappropriating over RM1 million from his clients’ trust accounts. FILE PICKUALA LUMPUR: A former lawyer and former Bersatu division chief has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to misappropriating over RM1 million from his clients' trust accounts. Former lawyer Firdaus Rizal Abdul Manan was sentenced to 18 years behind bars after the Teluk Intan Sessions Court ordered his prison terms for nine criminal breach of trust charges to run consecutively. The former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Teluk Intan division chief had initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty on Dec 22, 2025, for all charges. Meanwhile, lawyer Khesminkapil Singh Dhanoa, when contacted, said he would represent the accused at the High Court to appeal the sentencing.

ORCHID enthusiasts and nature lovers can head to Taman Anggerik Shah Alam in Section 14 where a spectacular array of blooms awaits. The 2ha garden features meandering walkways, a man-made stream and charming gazebos that lend a tranquil air to a space highlighting various species and genera of this fascinating and oftentimes mysterious flower. A fully equipped greenhouse meanwhile offers a closer look at some of the park’s more delicate orchids. Planned since 2000, the park forms part of the broader Taman Tasik Shah Alam development and complements the city’s drive towards sustainability and liveability. Whether you need a leisurely afternoon break or some great photo-worthy moments, a visit to this vibrant space may just be the ticket.

BENGALURU (Jan 27): South Korea's won recouped early losses on Tuesday, and stocks rose to a record high, as the country showed its commitment to implementing a trade deal with the US following fresh tariff threats. The won was largely flat at 1,444.9 per dollar after falling 0.6% earlier in the session. Higher tariffs can negatively affect non-tech exports such as autos and pharmaceuticals, but they should not have an impact on chip exports, which are currently the key driver of South Korea's exports," he said. In Indonesia, the rupiah recovered from early losses to trade flat at 16,770 per dollar. Singapore stocks rose more than 1% to log a fresh high.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 27): The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a continuous rain warning, at the alert level, for several areas in Sarawak and Sabah, effective from this Friday. MetMalaysia, in a statement, said continuous rain is expected in several districts in Sarawak, namely Bintulu, Miri and Limbang, from Jan 30 to 31. Similar weather conditions are also forecast for several districts in Sabah, involving Tawau (Kunak and Lahad Datu), Sandakan (Telupid, Kinabatangan, Beluran and Sandakan) and Kudat, from Jan 30 to Feb 1.

- NSTP/ AURIS FAQRURAZZITASEK GELUGOR: All Mara-linked vocational institutions, including Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM), Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara (KKTM), and the Mara Japanese Industrial Institute (MJII), will now be known under a single brand — TVET Mara — with immediate effect. "The entry into TVET Mara is open to a wide pool of candidates, including GiatMara trainees, SPM school-leavers and graduates of vocational colleges under the Education Ministry. Zahid said Mara institutions currently record an overall employability rate of 98.7 per cent, with IKM achieving 100 per cent employability. "This target is achievable if we are committed, alongside public and private higher education institutions offering professional and academic programmes," he said. "National enrolment in TVET has jumped from around 120,000 to 439,000 students, reflecting growing public confidence in technical education," he said.