KLANG: A free-for-all situation could emerge in the upcoming Melaka state election if Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional within the unity government fail to agree on political cooperation, said Anthony Loke. “We haven’t decided if there is an alliance (in Melaka polls). “For example, in the last Selangor state election, we gave Dusun Tua to Umno. During the Melaka state polls in 2021, Barisan won a two-thirds majority with Umno taking 17, MCA (two) and MIC (one). The Melaka and Johor state election, held in 2021, is due this year and must be called by Feb 2027.

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Sunday (Jan 18) clarified that there is no Team A or Team B within DAP, stressing that his earlier remarks were not intended to suggest internal divisions within the party. Ahmad Zahid said the issues raised earlier did not reflect DAP’s official stance, but were the views of a small number of party members responding to remarks by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh. On Saturday (Jan 17), Ahmad Zahid was reported as saying in his winding-up speech at the 2025 Umno General Assembly that conflicting statements from DAP’s leadership had come from a so-called ‘Team B’. He said his earlier remarks were meant as an explanation and not as confirmation of the existence of any factions within DAP. Earlier, Loke, in his speech officiating the Selangor DAP Annual Convention 2026, denied claims that he had mentioned the existence of a ‘Team B’ within DAP allegedly issuing statements contrary to the party’s leadership.

PUTRAJAYA: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said weaknesses in the government’s procurement process were largely due to non-compliance with established procedures, despite the flexibility introduced by the Finance Ministry to facilitate procurement. "The Finance Ministry has provided considerable flexibility in the procurement process, but it is still imperative that every procedure is strictly adhered to. Also present were Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) senior deputy secretary-general Datuk Abd Shukor Mahmood; deputy secretary-general (Finance and Development) Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak; and deputy secretary-general (Management) Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib. Also in attendance were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj. Therefore, he said the Finance Ministry would further tighten procurement guidelines for all ministries and statutory bodies to prevent leakages.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry seized 3,545 pieces of gold in various forms worth RM82,725 through Ops Tulen at a business premises in the Kuchai Lama Business Centre, here, recently. Tests on the seized gold showed that the gold content varied between 80% and 98% for each piece weighing 0.01g. In this regard, the premises involved were suspected of committing an offence under Section 5(1)(a) of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 for making false trade descriptions regarding the purity standards of precious metal goods. In addition to the gold, several pieces of equipment and documents were also seized to assist further investigations. The ministry said legal action will be taken against any party who makes false trade descriptions regarding the content, type or name of the goods under Section 5(1)(c) of Act 730.

PETALING JAYA: National sprinter Mohd Azeem Fahmi continued his encouraging indoor season by finishing second in the men’s 60m final at the Samford Open. Azeem lost to Auburn teammate Omari Lewis, who claimed victory in 6.58s, while Jayval Wright of Hinds Community College took third place in 6.64s. The Samford Open marked Azeem’s second indoor outing of the season. Currently, Azeem sits seventh in the top 50 with his 6.60s mark, while Tennessee’s Davonte Howell leads the list with a blistering 6.49s. Azeem holds the national 100m record, having clocked 10.09s at the 2022 World Junior Championships in Cali, Colombia.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been given a clean bill of health after undergoing a routine health check-up at Hospital Sultan Idris Shah in Serdang. According to a statement from the hospital’s director, the results confirmed that the Prime Minister’s health was good. “The findings indicate that he is fit to continue with all official duties as scheduled. “The check-up underscores the Prime Minister’s commitment to maintaining his physical fitness and overall well-being,” the statement reads here Sunday (Jan 18). The statement added that the assessment ensures that Anwar remains capable of leading the country and fulfilling his responsibilities to the rakyat with dedication.

KUALA LUMPUR: A 20-foot-high section of hillside reportedly collapsed at Taman Bukit Teratai, Ampang, on Sunday morning (Jan 18), believed to have been caused by an underground pipe leak. Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the department received an emergency call about the incident at 9.19am. "Upon arriving at the location at 9.28am, we found that a landslide had occurred involving a slope about 20 feet high. However, the incident did not affect any houses or cause any casualties," he said in a statement on Sunday. Ahmad Mukhlis said the Fire and Rescue Department is currently monitoring the collapse site to ensure the situation remains safe and poses no danger to nearby residents.

(Jan 18): China’s rare-earth product exports declined in December compared with the previous month, as investors monitor heightened tensions between Beijing and Japan that could trigger tighter shipment controls. Outbound flows of the materials — used in electric vehicles, weapons systems and high-tech manufacturing — totalled 6,745 tonnes, down from 6,958 tonnes in November, according to customs data released on Sunday. The category is largely dominated by rare-earth magnets, a product that has provided China with critical leverage in a series of trade disputes that have jolted markets. Beijing is also mulling stricter scrutiny of the licences to ship the minerals to the country, the China Daily reported, following the ministry’s statement. The export figures released on Sunday cover shipments to all destinations and do not provide a breakdown by geography or product type.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) expects hot weather and less rainfall in most areas nationwide, especially in the northern Peninsula, until Jan 25. In addition, MetMalaysia also issued a warning of strong winds and rough seas around the country's waters from Jan 21 to 25. "These strong winds and rough sea conditions are dangerous for small boats, marine recreation and sea sports," the post said. Meanwhile, a second category warning was issued for the waters northeast of Condore and northwest of North Reef with strong winds of 50 to 60 km/h with waves of over 4.5 metres. "These strong winds and rough sea conditions are dangerous for all shipping and coastal activities, including fishing and ferry services," according to MetMalaysia.

PETALING JAYA: The People's Progressive Party (PPP) is now recognised as a component party in the Barisan Nasional, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Barisan chairman, said the formalities of the recognition would be held at the Barisan supreme council meeting in Kota Kinabalu, on Jan 21. Also present were PPP President Datuk Dr J. Loga Bala Mohan, BN Secretary-General Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, BN/UMNO Women's Chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, BN/UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, the top leadership and PPP representatives. He said PPP's recognition was important to ensure stability and strengthen unity among BN component parties. PPP was established in 1953 and became a BN component party in 1974.

PETALING JAYA: Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary Datuk Kenny Goh (pic) has played down Malaysia’s chances of hosting the World Championships this year. On whether Malaysia will be interested to take over as hosts, Kenny said: “Firstly, there hasn’t been any talks that India can’t host the World Championships. “Even if India can’t host, it doesn’t mean Malaysia will be offered to hold the event. “Even if Malaysia is offered, which is most unlikely as there is a process, as host country we need to look at the business model. Malaysia last hosted the world meet in 2007 in Kuala Lumpur while 2009 was the last time the event was held in India in Hyderabad.

THE Education Ministry is listening to and acting on the voice of the people. She said 2026 marks a defining year for Malaysian education, as the ministry is committed to delivering long-planned reforms that move beyond pilots and promises, ensuring that policies translate into measurable outcomes for every child. Those making decisions in the Education Ministry are experienced as teachers, PPD and JPN officers, or within the ministry itself. She also noted that several reform elements will be strengthened this year, including enhancing student voice, understanding how students support teachers, and introducing student feedback on administrators’ performance. On school leadership and teacher development, Fadhlina said there must be continued focus on strengthening professionalism in schools, particularly among those leading and implementing reforms.

KUALA LUMPUR: No government policies can be made without Umno consenting to it, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The party deputy president said Umno is resolute on the matter, especially when it touches on the red lines of race, religion and the Malay Rulers. Mohamad told members there is no need to be afraid of DAP or those instigating the party through the term UMDAP. UMDAP is a term coined by political opponents to poke fun at Umno working together with DAP. If we win, the party wins and if the party wins, we can form the government.

KLANG: A group of residents from Kampung Papan turned up unannounced at the Selangor DAP convention to demand that promises made in the previous general election be fulfilled. Leading the group was Kampung Jalan Papan Residents Association vice-secretary Lau Siew Lam, who brought about 20 residents with her to the Selangor DAP Convention at Centro Mall in Klang. She said residents of Kampung Jalan Papan were disappointed because promises of replacement housing and fair compensation had not been fulfilled. In November last year, several individuals were arrested amid tense scenes as homes were demolished in Kampung Jalan Papan. It was reported that 20 houses in Kampung Jalan Papan, Pandamaran, were demolished in November to make way for a developer's new project.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 18): A six-metre-high hillside was reported to have collapsed at Taman Bukit Teratai, Ampang, here on Sunday, believed to have been caused by a leakage from an underground pipe. Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the department received an emergency call regarding the incident at 9.19am. He said a fire engine with six personnel, along with an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) unit from the Pandan Indah Fire and Rescue Station, was dispatched to the scene. “Upon arrival at the location at 9.28am, a landslide involving a 20-foot (approximately six metres) slope was confirmed. He said the department was monitoring the site to ensure the situation remained safe and did not pose any danger to residents in the area.