KUALA LUMPUR: Ideas from the Opposition that bear merit should be considered, says a government backbencher. “Recognition is due for proposals that bear merit. He also urged former Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers who have since turned government backbenchers to continue contributing through Parliamentary Special Select Committees (PSSC). “This supports the drafting of more mature policies,” he said. Hasni added that while the various Cabinet reshuffles reflected the government’s bravery to adapt, it should not impact the continuity of policies.

(Jan 20): Sony Group Corp is spinning off control of its home entertainment business, including the flagship Bravia television brand, to Chinese rival TCL Electronics Holdings Ltd, the latest Japanese company to cut exposure in the low-margin segment. The PlayStation maker said on Tuesday it will sell a 51% stake in its home entertainment arm to TCL. TCL, one of China’s oldest and largest electronics conglomerates, has for years tried to forge a major overseas business. Sony Bravia TVs survived due to their positioning at the premium tier of the market, where consumers are willing to pay more for high-end picture and sound quality. The company’s longtime marketing positioned the hardware as an extension of the Sony creative ecosystem, a way to experience content as intended by creators using Sony gear.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): Mitrajaya Holdings Bhd (KL:MITRA) said on Tuesday that the contract awarded by the Malaysian unit of Australia’s NEXTDC Ltd has been increased to RM844.66 million from RM801.8 million announced in September last year, following a latest variation order. In a bourse filing, the group said the contract — awarded to its subsidiary Pembinaan Mitrajaya Sdn Bhd by NEXTDC Sdn Bhd — has been varied to include the construction of data centre main works in Kuala Lumpur for Phase 3 of Stage 1 for RM42.81 million. This marks the fourth variation order for the project, which is expected to be completed by July 28 this year, said Mitrajaya. In September last year, Mitrajaya announced that the contract sum had more than doubled from RM375.5 million to RM801.8 million to include the construction of data centre main works in Kuala Lumpur for Phase 2 of Stage 1, Stage 2, and Phase 1 of Stage 3, amounting to RM426.3 million. NEXTDC announced in 2023 that it plans to develop a data centre facility in Kuala Lumpur, with an investment of RM3 billion in Malaysia over five to 20 years.

Guided by its enduring philosophy of “Eat Well, Live Well”, the company promotes healthier, balanced lifestyles while preserving the tastes Malaysians love. This long-standing commitment has built a strong foundation of trust among Malaysian consumers and business partners alike. Leveraging the Ajinomoto Group’s global expertise in AminoScience, the company develops products that enhance flavour while supporting better nutrition. Beyond households, AMB has established itself as a trusted halal food solutions provider for international markets, combining strict halal compliance with a deep understanding of local and regional food cultures. Through its taste solutions, halal-certified products and educational initiatives, AMB continues to inspire Malaysians to prioritise their health through healthier choices at every meal.

PUTRAJAYA: Children in Malaysia will begin pre-school at the age of five and enter Year One at six starting in 2027, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “In 2027, parents may choose for their children to enter Year One at either six or seven years old. “From the age of five, children will enter pre-school, and at six, Year One,” he said. He added that preparations would be accelerated, stressing that immediate action has been directed to both the Education Ministry, and the Finance and Economy Ministries to ensure that basic facilities are expanded. “That is good, but I am confident in the capacity of these ministries, so we will fast-track the implementation.

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has lauded the implementation of the Malaysian Learning Matrix test for Year Four and Form Three students. The Umno president said the party had been asking for the return of national examinations. During the launch, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia would reinstate a centralised national assessment system for primary schools starting in 2026 for Year Four students. He said the Examinations Board would administer the Malaysian Learning Matrix test for Year Four and Form Three students, marking the return of national examinations. As for higher education, Ahmad Zahid said the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035 aims to address the mismatch between what is taught in higher education institutions and the needs of the job market.

He said that despite being a country of moderate strength, Malaysia has taken a clear and resolute stance on the Venezuela issue, guided by principle rather than power. Anwar was responding to Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau) on Malaysia’s position regarding Venezuela, Greenland and ties with Iran following the United States’ imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on countries maintaining relations with Iran. The Prime Minister said Malaysia continues to maintain its relationship with the US despite criticism, but will speak out when actions violate international law. On Greenland, Anwar said Malaysia rejects any effort to seize another country and aligns with the European Union and Denmark in prioritising negotiations to resolve disputes. On Iran, Anwar said Malaysia continues to maintain diplomatic relations with the country while managing ties through prudence and international engagement, stressing that Malaysia upholds Iran’s rights and sovereignty as a matter of principle.

PUTRAJAYA: I am a product of a Chinese school, and I speak Bahasa Melayu well, says Nga Kor Ming. As Malaysians, we should be fluent in our national language. "We should not forget that we are also on the global stage and we should uplift Bahasa Melayu. He said that the Housing and Local Government Ministry ensures its staff are fluent not only in Bahasa Melayu but also in English. On Jan 19, Sultan Ibrahim said the national education system must be strengthened as the foundation for nation-building, national identity and the country’s future.

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 20): General education subjects covering issues of the Federal Constitution and Malaysian history will be included in the curriculum of all public and private universities starting this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. He said the subjects will be taught fully in Malay and will be made compulsory for all Malaysian students in higher education institutions. “It is unreasonable for Malaysian students to lack any understanding of their country’s Constitution and history...If we want to safeguard this nation, our children must master the basic knowledge of our Constitution and history,” he said. The new education blueprint launched on Tuesday reflects a comprehensive and phased alignment of national education policy, ensuring continuity in human capital development from the school level to higher education. The RPN is jointly led by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) through the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM) 2026-2035 and the Ministry of Education (MOE) through the Malaysian Education Blueprint (RPM) 2026-2035.

PETALING JAYA: Singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong is simply happy to be back on court, doing what he loves most after a long injury layoff. Right now, I just need to be more consistent," said Tze Yong. Tze Yong has been sidelined from competitive action for seven months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee. However, following surgery at the Aspetar Medical Centre in Doha in July and subsequent rehabilitation, he has returned to on court training, although not on a daily basis as before. But now, with this being my second injury, I understand it better," said Tze Yong.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): Rehabilitation works for the Klang Valley Double Track Phase II (KVDT2) project, particularly for the Subang Jaya-Klang stretch, are expected to be completed by the end of March, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said the construction works had been accelerated by a drastic measure taken last year to close the entire KTM Komuter line, based on extensive data analysis. Services are then suspended until 4pm to allow construction works to continue. “The whole idea is to expedite the construction process so that the project can be completed sooner,” he added. Loke emphasised that police enforcement remains crucial, while rail operators will also implement additional measures to curb cable theft and minimise service disruptions.

PETALING JAYA: It was not due to illness but an internal issue that forced Malaysia’s top men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao to withdraw from this week’s Indonesian Masters. National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen revealed that Jun Hao had been struggling to perform at his best, not only on match days but also during training sessions. "That was the consideration, and it was a decision agreed with Jun Hao as well." Jun Hao was initially drawn to face South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin in the first round of the Indonesian Masters, but the Korean player has also withdrawn. In Jun Hao’s absence, Malaysia will rely on Justin Hoh and Lee Zii Jia in the men’s singles.

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 20): The Federal Court on Tuesday dismissed an application for leave to appeal by 50 retired Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel seeking to overturn a ruling on pension adjustments. A three-man bench comprising Court of Appeal president Datuk Abu Bakar Jais and Federal Court judges Datuk Azimah Omar and Datuk Seri Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera made the ruling in a 2-1 majority decision. This prompted the retirees to seek leave to appeal in the Federal Court. The appellate court, in its ruling, held that the MAF retirees failed to prove that the respondents breached the provisions under the Federal Constitution. They claimed the government had failed to implement new pension adjustments for all MAF retirees who retired before Jan 1, 2013, causing a significant pension gap between the MAF retirees who retired before Jan 1, 2013 and those who retired after Jan 1, 2013.

(Jan 20): President Donald Trump said he will meet with several parties over his ambition to take control of Greenland during the upcoming World Economic Forum. “I agreed to a meeting of the various parties in Davos, Switzerland,” Trump said, without specifying who. “I don’t care about the Nobel Prize,” Trump said on Monday. “A very fine woman felt that I deserved it and really wanted me to have the Nobel Prize, and I appreciate that,” he added, referring to Machado. The Nobel Peace Prize isn’t decided by the Norwegian government but is awarded by an independent committee.

(Jan 20): Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, serving a one-year sentence in a Bangkok prison for corruption, may be eligible to be released on parole in May, raising the possibility that the influential politician may play a role in the country’s politics again. A committee consisting of justice, corrections and law enforcement officials must approve his parole, it said. “There is no discrimination or action taken outside the scope of the law.”Including Thaksin himself, the extended Shinawatra clan has provided four Thai premiers this century. He spent only a few hours in jail in 2023 before being moved to the hospital, citing illnesses, and was released on parole in 2024. Thaksin also previously submitted a petition seeking another royal pardon weeks after his imprisonment.