(Jan 22): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr was advised by his doctors to rest, having spent the night under medical observation after experiencing discomfort, his office said on Thursday. His condition remains stable, it said in a statement. “The President continued to carry out his responsibilities while under medical observation and has returned to Malacañang,” the statement read, referring to the presidential palace.

PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Justin Hoh crashed out in his opening match at the Istora Senayan after losing in the first round of the Indonesian Masters to China's Wang Zhengxing on Wednesday (Jan 21). Justin, who had beaten Zhengxing at last year's Korean Open, was unable to produce a repeat performance as he struggled against the world No. In the women's singles, compatriot Wong Ling Ching also bowed out after falling to Thailand's Pitchamon Opatniputh 22-20, 13-21, 12-21. However, K. Letshanaa provided a positive note earlier after booking her place in the second round. Letshanaa will face sixth seed Michelle Li from Canada on Thursday (Jan 22) with a quarter-final spot at stake.

PETALING JAYA: Former Lee Zii Jia coach Wong Tat Meng has finally returned to Malaysia following a serious accident in Sydney four months ago. Thankful beyond words,” Tat Meng wrote on his social media page. “Welcome home, coach Tat Meng. In September last year, Tat Meng was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident along Putty Road in the Garland Valley region and was admitted to intensive care. Tat Meng previously coached Zii Jia from 2023 until the end of 2024 and was instrumental in helping the former Asian champion secure a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

IPOH: Parents of five-year-olds are torn over whether to send their kids to Year One next year. Personal assistant Ashley Chiam, in her 40s, said there is not enough time to gauge her daughter’s readiness to enter primary school, as registration starts in March. “I am now mulling whether to send her for tuition classes to get her ready for primary school, which will incur more costs. “When registration begins in March, parents are given very little time to assess their child’s readiness. “A diagnostic tool can be useful because children enter Year One at very different developmental stages.

PETALING JAYA: Specialised and validated diagnostic tests for young children are harmless and will not put unnecessary strain on young children. “Young children often lack the language skills to articulate emotional distress. “For example, parents can enrol them in pre-school a year earlier if needed,” he said, adding that a diagnostic test could prove helpful as many may not be ready for Year One. SK Bukit Damansara parent-teacher association chairman Ameirul Azraie Mustadza said his main worry is how the diagnostic test would be introduced and implemented. “Many parents are still unclear about the purpose, scope, format and consequences of this proposed diagnostic test.

PETALING JAYA: A total of 41 Immigration Department officers have been subjected to disciplinary action over the past four years in connection with the "flying passport" scandal, with 20 dismissed from service. "As such, the department has taken and is continuing to take follow-up action in accordance with existing laws, public service regulations and disciplinary mechanisms. "Between 2022 and 2025, a total of 41 officers were subjected to disciplinary action after being found involved in cases related to flying passports. "Of that number, 20 officers were dismissed from service after being found guilty of the offences. Zakaria added that the department would thoroughly examine and deal with every case referred by the EAIC without exception.

ALOR SETAR: The Kedah government has declared Feb 1 as a public holiday in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration. The decision was agreed upon during a Kedah state executive council meeting chaired by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor Wednesday (Jan 21). According to an official state government letter signed by Deputy State Secretary (Management) Datuk Dr Nadzman Mustaffa, the holiday is in accordance with Section 9(1) of the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369). The letter, circulated to the heads of state and federal departments, heads of state and federal statutory bodies, as well as heads of local authority departments in the state, was also shared on Muhammad Sanusi's Facebook page Wednesday.

Hwang, who’s free on bail while appealing the verdict behind his 18-year sentence, submitted a pardon application to the Justice Department last year, according to a notice on the DOJ’s website. Hwang’s notice doesn’t specify who filed his petition, and it’s unclear whether anyone reached out to the White House on his behalf. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment, and a lawyer handling Hwang’s appeal didn’t respond to messages. So far in his second term, Trump has issued more than 1,600 pardons or commutations, according to the Justice Department. In Hwang’s case, prosecutors said the veteran investor directed Archegos staff to tell banks his firm had large positions in tech giants like Apple Inc and Microsoft Corp.

PETALING JAYA: Former Asian champion Lee Zii Jia finally ended a 10-month wait for a win after defeating India’s HS Prannoy in the first round of the Indonesian Masters on Wednesday (Jan 21). Zii Jia overcame the world No. 35 21-19, 21-11 in 35 minutes. It was a significant victory for Zii Jia, whose previous win had come at last year’s Orleans Masters before his run ended in the quarter-finals. Awaiting Zii Jia in the second round is Thailand’s Panitchapon Teeraratsakul, who earlier knocked out Taiwan’s Lee Chia Hao 21-10, 21-18.

PETALING JAYA: Seven Bangladeshi men believed to be involved in human trafficking were detained following an operation at a service apartment in Taman Maluri, Kuala Lumpur. Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operation was carried out by the department's anti-trafficking in persons and anti-money laundering division. The operation was conducted based on intelligence on smuggling activities involving Bangladeshi nationals who allegedly entered the country illegally through routes in Kelantan. The syndicate is believed to be involved in smuggling migrants via land routes," he said. He added the premises in Taman Maluri were being used as a temporary safe house for migrants who had recently arrived from the east coast of the peninsula.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former army chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan has been charged at the Sessions Court with four counts of receiving proceeds from illegal activities amounting to RM2.1mil. The 58-year-old pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out to him before Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi here on Thursday (Jan 22). ALSOREAD: Ex-Army chief, ex-Armed Forces chief to be charged for corruption, says MACCHe was accused of four counts under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. More To Come

KUALA LUMPUR: Licences will be issued to allow several major shopping malls in the Klang Valley and Putrajaya to operate as public transportation hubs soon, says Anthony Loke. The Transport Minister said the move would ensure that public transport services operate safely, efficiently and comfortably, while supporting the sustainable mobility agenda and the growth of the country’s tourism sector. “In Japan, many terminals are integrated with the malls, so this is something we can expand on here,” he told reporters after ­visiting the Lalaport Transport Hub in the city centre here yesterday. On the Lalaport hub, he said its operations would help ease the movement of express buses, particularly those travelling between Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. In November last year, Loke dismissed claims that Aeroline and other express bus operators were forced to operate from TBS and GIB, saying they were merely urged to operate from safe and licensed terminals.

PETALING JAYA: National badminton players have once again fallen victim to cyberbullying, with professional men's doubles shuttler Ong Yew Sin becoming the latest target after receiving online threats from an unknown individual. Yew Sin was subjected to abuse and intimidation following his first-round exit at the Indonesian Masters with partner Teo Ee Yi. Yew Sin revealed that he received a message containing explicit threats, including a warning that Ee Yi would be physically harmed should the pair continue to produce disappointing results. If you continue to fail and lose to opponents you should be beating, one day I will come and something bad will happen. "I will bring a knife and injure Ee Yi so that you are forced to either change partners or retire," the message read.

KUALA LUMPUR: Almost one third of the country’s 140,000km of water pipelines are past their prime and the cracks and leaks are spiking operating costs dearly. “The focus must shift to replacing aged pipelines to curb non-revenue water (NRW) losses. Jaseni also said safeguarding water sources is critical for both sustainability and affordability. “Without proper protection of existing water sources, the country would be forced to tap alternative sources which often require more complex and costly treatment. Ideally, he said water catchment areas should be fenced and monitored with day-and-night patrols to ensure proper protection.

COCONUT milk, or santan as it's known in Malaysia, is a staple ingredient in many beloved local dishes, from rendang to laksa. This is a popular misconception, as cholesterol is only found in animal products, not plant-based foods like coconut milk. However, the confusion arises because coconut milk does contain saturated fat, which can raise blood cholesterol levels when consumed in excess. One study found that coconut milk can help increase levels of good HDL cholesterol whilst having neutral or even positive effects on bad LDL cholesterol levels. Excessive consumption of coconut milk can lead to weight gain due to its high calorie content and may contribute to elevated cholesterol levels.