ISKANDAR PUTERI: Police have arrested nine men over a fight that broke out at a beach here. Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm M. Kumarasan said the nine suspects, aged from 22 to 37, were arrested around Johor Baru in an operation conducted from Jan 18 to 20. "Investigations found that the fight occurred after the group was drinking alcohol on a beach in Tanjung Kupang on Jan 17," he said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 24). He said that a local man sustained injuries to his head, body and hand and was sent to Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Baru for treatmentACP Kumarasan added that eight suspects had previous criminal records, including for drugs. "Four suspects also tested positive for marijuana," he said.

PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani smashed into the Indonesian Masters final after overcoming Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard. Sze Fei-Izzuddin were in top form when they swept aside the Danes 21-9, 21-15 in just 28 minutes at Istora Senayan in Jakarta on Saturday (Jan 24). The independent pair will take on homesters and surprise finalists Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin for the title on Sunday (Jan 25). 7 teammates Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza 21-19, 21-14 in the other last four match. 9 Sze Fei-Izzuddin will be attempting to end their title drought after last triumphing in the Indian Open last January.

IPOH: One person died, and three others sustained injuries after a van caught fire following a four-vehicle accident in Manong, near Kuala Kangsar. He said the accident involved a van, a lorry, a car and a multi-purpose vehicle. “Firefighters from the Kuala Kangsar station arrived at 3.36pm to find the van ablaze, with one occupant trapped inside. “Among the casualties, a 32-year-old man died, while a 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old woman sustained injuries,” he said. He added that a male lorry driver also suffered injuries, while the occupants of the other two vehicles were unhurt.

KINABATANGAN: Barisan Nasional retained its stronghold of Kinabatangan with Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar keeping the seat held by his late father Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin for nearly three decades. The Election Commission said there was a turnout of about 55%, lower than the Nov 29, 2025, state election turnout of 65%. The Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections were triggered following its incumbent’s death on Dec 5, 2025. In the last state election, the late Bung Moktar won with a total of 153 majority against Miha, who contested as an independent in the six corner Lamag seat. In the 2022 General Election, Bung Moktar beat his sole opponent Mazliwati with a 4, 330 majority for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat.

- NSTP/ SYAHERAH MUSTAFAPASIR MAS: Writing Arabic calligraphy on canvas has become a source of serenity for Ahmad Baihaqi Noor Azman. Through the art of khat calligraphy, the 20-year-old has found a way to calm his mind, build self-confidence, and navigate life as a person with autism. For Ahmad Baihaqi, khat calligraphy is not merely a visual expression; it serves as a therapeutic medium that helps him stay focused and composed. "That payment gave me the motivation to take khat art more seriously. Ahmad Baihaqi said producing Thuluth calligraphy required greater precision because its letters were more curved and angled compared to Diwani Jali.

KUANTAN: A businessman lost over RM277,000 after falling victim to an investment scam via WhatsApp. Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the 52-year-old victim was first contacted by a woman offering him a high-return, short-term investment opportunity. The man initially invested RM1,000 and RM70,000, receiving small returns of RM175 and RM12,300 as supposed profits. "Those returns were reinvested, and the victim was later persuaded to commit larger sums," Yahaya explained. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

KUALA LUMPUR: Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, on Saturday (Jan 24) visited her former aide-de-camp, Sergeant Anis Nazia Mohd Nazri, who is receiving treatment at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) following an accident. According to a post on the official Facebook page of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, Anis Nazia, 39, served as Her Majesty's aide-de-camp in Johor from 2008 to 2018. Currently attached to the Bukit Aman police headquarters, she was admitted to HKL's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to brain haemorrhage after being involved in a road accident along Jalan Jelatek here on Jan 14. "Her Majesty prays that Sergeant Anis Nazia will be granted a speedy recovery and will be able to return to duty as usual, and that all matters concerning her and her family will be eased," the post read. Her Majesty was welcomed by HKL director Datuk Dr Harikrishna KR Nair and Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Azani Omar.

SUNGAI PETANI: The list of essential items under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme will be updated by mid-February and will likely include fresh produce. Political secretary to the Finance Minister Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim said there have been requests to include more items to the list, including fresh produce. "The ministry is considering including fresh goods such as fish, chicken and others. "Sara recipients will also be able to buy items at more small shops, especially in rural areas," he said. He added that the number of Sara and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients changes annually.

Actress Janna Nick has offered to confront Puteri Balqis virtually to settle their ongoing social media dispute and clarify past misunderstandings between them. This was the candid response from popular actress Janna Nick, 31, following a series of public statements made by fellow actress Puteri Balqis, affectionately known as Aqish, on social media. Recalling their time working together when Puteri Balqis was still a child star, Janna disclosed that she carries her own trauma involving an individual associated with the teenage actress. She further expressed her discomfort regarding how Puteri Balqis was allegedly "used" as a breadwinner during her childhood. The wife of Dini Schatzmann also claimed fellow industry players had boycotted her for years, an isolation she believes was triggered by the teenage actress' mother disparaging her reputation.

JOHOR BARU: A housewife lost RM93,300 of her savings after being duped by an online investment scam. “The interested victim sent a message to the TikTok account before being connected with customer service through a chatbox. “The woman was then asked to make a payment as investment capital,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 24). He added that the victim made 20 transactions between Dec 25 last year and Jan 21 this year, totalling RM93,300, to three different bank accounts. He also advised the public to always be cautious of any investment offers that promise extraordinary returns and not to make any financial transactions without verifying with the authorities or legitimate financial institutions.

BUTTERWORTH: The implementation of the Year Four assessments under the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026-2035 aims to identify students' weaknesses in reading, writing and arithmetic at an earlier stage, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said this approach was designed to enable remedial actions before students progress to secondary school, rather than waiting for Year Six assessments. "The new national education policy focuses on improving the quality of education for the future of our children," he said in his speech at the launch of a new block at Seberang Jaya Hospital in Perai, Saturday (Jan 24). He also addressed the proposal to introduce preschool education at age five. "The education system must also cultivate individuals who possess humanitarian values, respect for other races, and an understanding of Malaysia's cultural diversity," he added.

KOTA TINGGI: A motorcyclist died after the vehicle he was riding collided with a lorry here. Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Yusof Othman said police received information about the incident at KM35 Jalan Lok Heng–Mawai at about 12.24am on Saturday (Jan 24). “The motorcycle was ridden by a 35-year-old man travelling from Bandar Penawar to Mawai, who had entered the opposite lane before colliding with a lorry. “The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by a medical assistant due to severe head injuries, while the 46-year-old lorry driver was unhurt,” he said in a statement on Saturday. He added that the case was being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Actress Puteri Balqis (left) has sparked a social media storm after levelling a series of intense personal allegations against fellow star Mia Sara Nasuha (right). Pic from IGKUALA LUMPUR: The long-simmering tension between young starlets Puteri Balqis and Mia Sara Nasuha has reached a fever pitch following a series of scathing social media revelations. Puteri Balqis, affectionately known as Aqish, recently took to Instagram to demand a public apology for her mother, Norashikin Mohd Aziz, after years of alleged defamation. In a stinging rebuttal, Aqish challenged Mia's public persona, contrasting it with private behaviours. Aqish alleged that it was Mia, not her mother, who was involved in nightlife and substance use.

The order by U.S. District Judge Matthew ‌Kennelly in Chicago blocks the Trump administration from ending deportation protections for about 4,000 Myanmar nationals living in the U.S. The Trump ‌administration had no immediate reaction to the order. The United Nations, many Western countries and human rights ⁠groups have called the ongoing election a sham. The U.S. State ‌Department's most recent human rights report said there were "significant human rights issues" in Myanmar. Court rulings have at times slowed or halted the Trump administration's efforts to strip migrants of their legal status.

SHAH ALAM: In a rare blend of personal and political ties, the families of two prominent Malaysian political figures were joined through marriage this week. Sabrina, the niece of former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, exchanged vows with Yusuf, the son of Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali. The ceremony turned long-time political acquaintances into relatives, linking the former defence minister and the former Selangor Mentri Besar. “A beautiful evening with siblings, relatives and friends. He also congratulated the parents, his siblings Datuk Haris Onn Hussein and Datin Shazlin, as well as new in-laws Azmin and Datin Seri Shamshida Taharin.