BENTONG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to put an end to the prolonged bickering over language issues and refocus on building a more competitive and united future for the nation’s children. That is why language, science, mathematics, digital skills and artificial intelligence (AI) must be mastered from the early stages of schooling,” he said. He said this at a gathering with the Chinese community at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Perting here today. Also present were Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman. The allocation is intended to build an additional six-classroom block for the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) and one classroom for the Integrated Preschool at SJKC Perting.

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today fixed Jan 26 to deliver its decision on the government's application for a stay of execution on a damages award exceeding RM37mil to the family of Pastor Raymond Koh. Earlier in proceedings, Nurul Farhana submitted that the defendants were not refusing payment but sought a stay pending the hearing of their appeal before the Court of Appeal. She emphasised that the case, which concerns the disappearance of a pastor and involves substantial damages, merited consideration for a stay. The application for a stay of execution was filed on Dec 17 last year. Jerald, however, opposed the application, arguing that no stay had been sought for over a month following the judgment's delivery on Nov 5, 2025.

Ran Barzilay, a psychiatrist and researcher at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, won’t be letting his nine-year-old son get a smartphone before age 13. Kids who owned a smartphone by age 12 had a greater risk of depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep compared to those who didn’t, a research team led by Barzilay found. The age at which kids got a phone in this cohort ranged from four to 13, with a median age of 11. By comparison, 29% of kids ages 8 to 10 and 12% of 5- to 7-year-olds had smartphones, the survey found. His team’s last analysis zeroed in on the children who did not already have a smartphone at age 12.

South Korean singer-actor Cha Eun-woo is facing allegations of tax evasion and may be required to pay over 20 billion won (RM54.97mil) in back taxes and other levies. The NTS had also summoned Cha and his mother separately for investigation. Cha enlisted in July 2025 and served as a member of the military band after completing the basic military training. “The issue centres on whether the company established by Cha Eun-woo’s mother is subject to taxation,” it said. Cha Eun-woo promises to continue faithfully fulfilling his tax reporting and legal obligations as a citizen.” – The Straits Times/Asia News Network

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution is committed to proving its case against former Army Chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife, Salwani Anuar @ Kamaruddin, who stand accused of money laundering involving millions of ringgit. He said Muhammad Hafizuddeain will face two additional money laundering charges at the Shah Alam Sessions Court tomorrow, while his wife will face a similar charge at the Jertih Sessions Court in Terengganu next Monday (Jan 26). Earlier, the couple was brought before two separate Sessions Courts to face the money laundering charges. First, Muhammad Hafizuddeain, 58, pleaded not guilty before Judge Azura Alwi to four counts of receiving more than RM2.12 million, allegedly derived from unlawful activities. Subsequently, before Judge Rosli Ahmad, his wife, Salwani, pleaded not guilty to four charges of receiving a total of RM77,000 from similar illicit proceeds.

KINABATANGAN: Final preparations for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections entered a crucial phase on Thursday (Jan 22) as polling equipment began to be distributed to voting centres across the constituency. For the parliamentary seat and the Lamag constituency, operations are centred at Dewan Sri Lamag. A total of 48,526 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election, while 13,703 voters are registered for the Lamag state seat contest. The Kinabatangan parliamentary seat will see a three-cornered fight between Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar of Barisan Nasional, Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman of Warisan and independent candidate Goldam Hamid. Meanwhile, the Lamag state seat is a straight contest between Mohd Ismail Ayob of Barisan Nasional and Mazliwati Abdul Malek of Warisan.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians could be paying a monthly premium of as low as RM50 with the Base Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT) plan, which will be rolled out early next year. According to the Base Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT) White Paper released on Thursday (Jan 22), there are two plans, namely the Standard Plan and the lower-cost Standard Plus Plan. ALSO READ: New 'base plan' medical insurance to make coverage more affordable, says Bank NegaraThe monthly premiums for the Standard Plan for those aged between 31 and 35 years old range from RM80 to RM120, and Standard Plus at RM50 to RM70. Those aged 61 to 65 will pay RM280 to RM350 for the Standard Plan, while for the Standard Plus Plan, they will be paying RM220 to RM280. Those aged above 75 will be paying RM500 to RM780 for the Standard Plan, while the Standard Plus Plan will cost them RM400 to RM660.

On Jan 19, Brooklyn Beckham, 26, posted a series of missives on Instagram aimed at his parents, football icon David Beckham and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, that have since ricocheted around the Internet and turned the family’s rift into global headlines. Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz married in 2022. During the wedding, Brooklyn claims that his mother, a former Spice Girl, “hijacked” his first dance with his wife. Netizens are comparing this feud between Britain’s pop royal family with another royal feud – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from the Palace. Others are comparing this feud between Britain’s pop royal family with another royal feud – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from the Palace.

(Jan 22): Vaccine tycoon Adar Poonawalla said he will bid for Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 2025 champion cricket team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). “Over the next few months, will be putting in a strong and competitive bid” for RCB, which is “one of the best teams in the IPL,” Poonawalla said in a post on X on Thursday. The team is one of the most valuable franchises in the 20-over format of the game. The team’s biggest star remains Virat Kohli, the former all-format captain of the Indian cricket team, who has one of the largest social media followings in the world for an athlete. Spokespersons for RCB, Diageo, Advent, Temasek and Blackstone declined to comment to Mint’s request for comment, while PAG and Carlyle did not respond to the newspaper’s queries.

WASHINGTON (Jan 22): US consumer spending increased solidly in November and October, likely keeping the economy on track for a third straight quarter of strong growth. Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity, rose 0.5% after rising by the same margin in October, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast consumer spending increasing 0.5% in November. The economy is being mostly driven by consumer spending and a shrinking trade deficit as President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs curb imports. The government was unable to collect most of the data to compile the Consumer Price Index report for October.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has recorded a significant reduction in its maternal mortality ratio since the 1970s, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said data from the Statistics Department showed that in 2024, there were 25 deaths involving mothers and 6.7 deaths involving infants. This is a sharp decrease from the 1970s, which saw between 70 to 140 maternal deaths and 41.4 infant deaths. However, Dr Dzulkefly noted that the country’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has continued to decline, dropping from 1.7 children per woman in 2023 to 1.6 in 2024. To address this, the Health Ministry is utilising the "Safe Motherhood Initiative" (SMI).

"At that particular time, I thought it was a Saudi donation,” said Najib. Kwan: The truth in your mind – if I can use those words – at this moment, is that the RM42mil has nothing to do with the Saudi donation? Earlier, Kwan asked Najib to acknowledge that his "Saudi donation" defence had been comprehensively dismissed by the courts in the related criminal proceedings. Kwan: Your defence (Saudi donation) was rejected by all levels of the courts (in the SRC International criminal case). Kwan: All said and done, the majority finding upheld the conclusion (that the funds were not a Saudi donation).

MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s (pic) health condition remains stable but he is currently under medical observation after experiencing discomfort on Wednesday (Jan 21) night, the Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported, citing the presidential office, Malacañang. "The President spent the night under medical observation as a precautionary measure after experiencing discomfort. Castro said she is not privy to the specific discomfort experienced by the President. Despite being under medical observation, Marcos continues to carry out his responsibilities, she added. Castro assured the public that there is no cause for alarm, noting that the President remains capable of performing his duties.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s trade with Asean saw an increase of 6.1% in 2024 compared to the previous year, surpassing RM765.03bil, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said this amount accounted for 29% of Malaysia’s total trade for that year, which stood at RM2.879tril. Johari was responding to Tan Kok Wai (PH-Cheras), who asked about the comparison of Malaysia’s trade with Asean and non-Asean nations. According to Johari, Malaysia’s trade structure remained heavily focused on Asean countries, which continue to be the nation’s largest export destination. Despite 98.6% of tariffs being eliminated among member states, Johari said intra-Asean trade still hovered around 21% to 22% of the region's total trade.

KUALA LUMPUR: Professional men’s doubles player Ong Yew Sin has been advised to lodge a police report for the authorities to investigate recent online threats against him. Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said the threats constitute a criminal offence. "Yew Sin needs to file a report so that investigations can be conducted and appropriate action taken," he said here on Thursday (Jan 22). ALSO READ: Yew Sin latest victim in growing cyberbullying problem"In my view, any issues of this nature should be reported to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), not just by athletes but by all citizens. Earlier, mixed doubles player Toh Ee Wei was subjected to online abuse and cyberbullying after inconsistent performances at last week’s Indian Open.