PUTRAJAYA (Jan 21): The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will draft and amend several key laws this year to bolster consumer protection, said minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. He said this includes drafting provisions for a Lemon Law under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 to establish procedures and dispute-resolution mechanisms for compensation claims involving new vehicle purchases. Armizan said the ministry will also draft or amend e-commerce laws to address rising consumer complaints and support a more sustainable and conducive e-commerce ecosystem. Additionally, amendments to the Competition Act 2010 and the Competition Commission Act 2010 will empower the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) to better regulate and address cartels and monopolies in the market. In the meantime, Armizan said KPDN’s focus this year is also to implement action plans that deliver direct benefits to the public.

The former prime minister further testified that the Ambank accounts in question may have been "personal accounts", but as far as he was concerned, the monies in them were meant for corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. "I never imagined there would be problems with my accounts at that point in time," he said about opening the accounts in early 2011. Najib: I never imagined there would be problems with my accounts at that point in time. "Let me explain that the accounts were not personal in the sense that I do my personal transactions. Najib also testified that at that point in time, two of his personal secretaries oversaw his accounts with his personal transactions.

KOTA BHARU (Jan 21): The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) is developing a database to collect records and information on over 60,000 bus and lorry company operators, in an effort to strengthen the country's transportation services. This system will record driver information and determine whether the listed bus and lorry drivers are eligible to be drivers or not. The media previously reported that the Ministry of Transport would develop a database system involving all public transport drivers, including express and tour bus drivers. She also said the figure showed an increase compared to 2024, which recorded 441 punitive actions, including 381 suspensions and 60 cancellations. “Overall, there is a 33% increase in punitive actions in 2025.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): A senior Malaysian Armed Forces officer, vice-admiral Datuk Sabri Zali, has filed a defamation lawsuit against political activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, known as Chegubard. The suit, filed today at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, stems from the defendant's failure to respond to a letter of demand to retract the allegedly defamatory statements. "Vice-admiral Datuk Sabri has never been charged, convicted, or found guilty of any corruption, abuse of power, or misconduct as alleged by the defendant. “These baseless accusations are capable of misleading public perception of his service as a senior military officer," Sabri’s lawyer, Muhamad Firdaus Jumaludin, told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex. He said the defendant has acknowledged that the allegations are based on documents obtained from an unknown source, without any proper verification process.

The FBM KLCI gapped down 4.25 points to 1,694.81 at 9am, sliding lower after breaking below the 1,700 support in the previous session. "Immediate support is kept at the September 2016 low of 1,645, with stronger support comingfrom the 76.4%FR (1,610) followed by the 61.8%FR (1,564). On the FBM KLCI, IHH lost seven sen to RM8.34, PETRONAS Dagangan slid 14 sen to RM20.74 and Tenaga Nasional shed eight sen to RM13.72. On the broader market, United Plantations fell 16 sen to RM30.90, Bursa Malaysia fell seven sen to RM8.56 and Pentamaster lost six sen to RM3.70. Of actives, SBS gained 0.5 sen to 24.5 sen, VS Industry rose 0.5 sen to 46.5 sen and Zetrix AI added 0.5 sen to 81 sen.

PUTRAJAYA: The significance of the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) for the nation’s well-being remains undiminished, despite its passage in Parliament being interrupted last year, says Nga Kor Ming (pic). The Housing and Local Government Minister said his ministry is “ever ready” to table the Bill again, subject to the Cabinet’s approval for the retabling of the proposed law. “Urban development is an agenda for national development. Nga said his ministry will continue pushing for Cabinet consensus to ensure harmonisation and uniformity in the proposed law. We are ever ready to continue with the second reading of the URA because we believe this is crucial to the future of urban development,” said Nga.

The Beckham family drama has finally come to a head with David Beckham speaking out after son Brooklyn dismissed the possibility of reconciling with the soccer star and mum Victoria Beckham, who he claims “have been trying to endlessly ruin [his] relationship” to wife Nicola Peltz Beckham. I’ve been able to use my platform and my following for UNICEF,” said Beckham, an ambassador for the UN agency. So you have to sometimes let them make those mistakes as well.”More family drama for David Beckham. “My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we’ve tried to come together as one. All we want [is] peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family.” – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service

SHAH ALAM: Selangor has been allocated RM450mil for the implementation of smart city initiatives, which include the expansion of fibre optic networks and public Wi-Fi facilities. “This includes the development of smart connectivity infrastructure, the enhancement of public safety and traffic management, and the implementation of smart flood management. The MOU exchange here yesterday was witnessed by Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, together with the Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. He said implementing smart city technologies will further strengthen both city planning capabilities and city management for Selangor. “The strategic collaboration proves that a collaborative approach between the federal and state governments is key to the success of national digitalisation and the smart city agenda,” he added.

Compiled by OON JUN-YANG, C.ARUNO AND R.ARAVINTANTO encourage the use of kebaya in everyday wear, the company Miss Malaysia Kebaya introduced the Kebaya Sunday movement, Utusan Malaysia reported. “Kebaya is not merely clothing but a symbol of cultural identity and national heritage. “My hope is to see more people wearing kebaya around the capital, including in shopping malls on weekends,” he said after the recent launch of Kebaya Sunday. It also serves to promote heritage attire as part of the country’s tourism attractions. > Nik Nurliana Nik Razi, 29, is struggling to ensure the welfare of her grandmother Noriah Keria, 79, who has been bedridden after suffering a stroke since last August, Sinar Harian reported.

Compiled by OON JUN-YANG, C.ARUNO AND R.ARAVINTANHER bid to look good in a bridesmaid’s dress drove a woman in Hangzhou, China, to go on an extreme diet, only to end up with much higher blood sugar levels, China Press reported. The 26-year-old woman with the pseudonym Xiao Yu agreed to be the bridesmaid at her good friend’s wedding, so she went on an extreme diet and exercise regime to look slimmer for the big day. Xiao Yu, who is 160cm tall, had earlier weighed 65kg. After she lost the weight, Xiao Yu began to experience physical discomfort such as fatigue, frequent hunger, intense thirst, dizziness and heart palpitation. Doctors pointed out that Xiao Yu had eliminated carbohydrates from her diet choosing to only consume small amounts of vegetables and chicken breast daily.

He said the arrest of 29 AKPS officers and personnel, on suspicion of corruption and abuse of power, demonstrated that misconduct cases within the agency were not being concealed under the pretext of safeguarding its reputation. The minister said the arrests underscored that there would be no compromise against any violations of ethics, discipline and integrity. This includes enforcement of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993, which provide for disciplinary action, including dismissal. On the issue of staffing capacity, he said the recruitment of AKPS personnel would be carried out in stages, with priority given to high-risk and high-traffic entry points. The latest phase includes the approval to recruit 200 former military personnel, and we will fulfil the recruitment,” he said.

Radio DJ, actor and host Dennis Chew was late for his first day of university. The 52-year-old Singaporean personality had begun his Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) when he did not arrive in time for his first class on Jan 12. On Jan 16, he posted on Instagram: “I’ll only reach school at 7.15pm. “It’s my first day at school and I’m already 15 minutes late. He was offered a spot at the National University of Singapore in 2024, but later withdrew because it was a full-time course.

PETALING JAYA: The success of the National Education Plan 2026-2035 will depend on teacher readiness and school capacity, according to education stakeholders. Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said it was encouraging that the plan acknowledged the importance of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and global competitiveness in shaping future-ready students. However, she cautioned that past education blueprints had often fallen short at the implementation stage. “Teacher readiness and school capacity may not match the ambition of AI-driven and tech-heavy reforms yet,” Azimah said. “The real test will be whether reforms show up meaningfully in classrooms, with clear timelines, measurable outcomes, and transparent reporting,” she said.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Road Transport Department (JPJ) has seized 58 vehicles during a special operation to detect foreigners operating vehicles without valid licences here. He said a total of 323 vehicles were inspected and 283 summonses were issued for various offences, including driving without a valid licence, vehicle licence (road tax) or insurance coverage. He said the vehicles impounded involved multiple violations of the Road Transport Act 1987"The vehicles seized included three garbage trucks and two lorries," he said at a press conference at the JPJ headquarters on Tuesday (Jan 20). Hamidi said 58 vehicles were driven by foreign nationals, including from Pakistan (15), India (13), Indonesia (11), Bangladesh (10), Myanmar (eight) and Palestine (one). Enforcement action was taken under Sections 23(1), 23(2) and 90(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, with summonses issued to both drivers and vehicle owners.

Managing director Tan Beng Beng said the factory, dubbed as Facility 42A, which the group acquired last year, is still only minimally utilised as the group gradually moves in machinery and operations. (From left): Ambest Group Bhd independent non-executive director Wong Thai Sun, Malacca Securities MD Lim Chia Wei, Ambest Group MD Tan Beng Beng, executive director Lim Eng Guan, independent non-executive chairman Tan Sri Samshuri Arshad, independent non-executive director Lok Man Shung and Wyncorp Advisory managing director Wong Yoke Nyen at the launch of the prospectus. As at the latest practicable date (LPD), Ambest’s total borrowings stood at RM35.89 million. These machines are expected to collectively increase Ambest’s annual operating capacity by about 4% only, according to the prospectus. Applications for Ambest’s IPO will close on Jan 27, 2026, with the company scheduled to list on the ACE Market on Feb 6, 2026.