PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttlers Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri have the opportunity to prove themselves ahead of the Thomas Cup Finals after they were selected for the Asia Team Championships from Feb 3-8 in Qingdao, China. 6 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and instead send back-up players for the team meet which also acts as the qualifier for the Thomas Cup Finals from April 24-May 3 in Horsens, Denmark. 17 Roy King-Arif will lead the men’s doubles and will be supported by world No. Men’s doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi said that the move was to give the youngsters a chance to fight for a spot in the prestigious Thomas Cup. “We want to give our second line players an opportunity to prove themselves in a team event and fight for a place in the Thomas Cup,” said Herry.

Besides Taufiq, several deputy ministers will make their debut as full ministers following their promotion in the Cabinet reshuffle. Among them are Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir who was appointed Economy Minister, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability), Datuk Seri Dr Noriani Ahmad (Plantations and Commodities) and Datuk Seri R. Ramanan (Human Resources). Also elevated to Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department were Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) and Dr Zulkifli Hasan (Religious Affairs). Dewan Rakyat will convene its 20-day meeting from Jan 19 until March 3 and the Senate a month later on Feb 19. This will be followed by the ministerial responses from Feb 4 to Feb 10 before debates on Bills are held.

He explained that such chemicals are used in research for fine chemicals, synthetic compounds and industries (pharmaceuticals and polymers). “Currently these synthetic chemicals are imported and if it’s controlled, this too may affect the manufacturers,” he added. The move was introduced as the chemicals are “ingredients” that could be misused to produce synthetic drugs. “These compounds are widely believed to be used as precursor chemicals in the manufacture of synthetic drugs, including MDMA.”These precursor chemicals, he added, are “enablers” of crime. “Organised crime groups involved in synthetic drug production are highly adaptive.

The chemicals are restricted as they are believed to be used as “precursor chemicals” for manufacturing synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine. They have been listed under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) (Amendment) Order 2026 and Customs (Prohibition of Exports) (Amendment) Order 2026. He said a range of chemicals commonly exploited by drug syndicates to manufacture illicit narcotics have been identified. “These include processing drugs in local clandestine laboratories or exporting the chemicals to other countries as part of an international production network. “Such strategies are not merely reactive but focused on upstream intervention to dismantle syndicates before drugs are produced and distributed,” he said.

PEKAN: The intake for the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) will be increased to approximately 25,000 trainees annually, with the opening of 13 training camps nationwide, says Col Mazlizan Shaikh Osman. The National Service Training Department director (trainees and operations) said 750 slots will be available for the first intake of 2026 - 500 for male trainees at the 505 Territorial Army Camp here and 250 for female trainees at the 515 Territorial Army Camp in Kuala Lumpur. "Currently, the intake involves only these two camps, but plans are underway to open 11 more, each capable of accommodating between 300 and 700 trainees per training session," he said. Col Mazlizan added that this year, the second session of the PLKN programme, running from April 28 to June 8, will involve only two camps. The third from July 11 to Aug 24, will include two additional camps in Gemas, Negri Sembilan, and Bukit Keteri, Perlis.

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno wants to form a grand collaboration to unite all Malay Muslim political parties nationwide under one roof, announces Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Umno president stressed that it has no intention to topple the current unity government. "The aim of this grand collaboration is to truly unite the spirit of Malay and Muslim parties within a larger framework. “With the grand collaboration, we will set aside differences in party colours for the sake of Islam and the Malay community. "The sole purpose is to reflect Umno’s commitment to bring together all Muslim parties and advance the Malay and Islamic agenda," he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani warns that the party would not support the proposed Urban Renewal Bill in Parliament if the resolutions from the Urban Renewal Convention are not reflected in the legislation. Johari said he had written to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming last week regarding the matter. Not just from Malays but from non-Malays as well“All issues raised in our convention must be inserted into the Bill. Among the resolutions adopted at the convention was that the government has a duty to ensure the credibility of developers, and that a mechanism must be established to guarantee fair and comprehensive compensation. On Dec 1 last year, Nga said that the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) is ready to be tabled in Parliament but pending a date from the Leader of the House, who is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has proposed the establishment of a Malaysian Teachers Protection Act (Akta Perlindungan Guru Guru Malaysia) to safeguard the welfare and rights of teachers, particularly in terms of workload, safety and professional rights. ALSO READ: Reinstate caning as disciplinary measure in schools, says Umno delegate“In the past, teachers who disciplined students would often have the support of parents. "Actions such as reprimanding or caning students could lead to police reports or legal action, undermining teachers’ authority and their confidence in educating,” he added. Ahmad Zahid stressed that Malaysian teachers need proper legal protection so that they can perform their educational duties effectively, without fear or undue pressure. Earlier, a Penang Umno delegate had called on the government to reinstate caning as a formal disciplinary measure in schools nationwide, citing growing concerns over legal risks faced by teachers in the classroom.

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 92,360 undocumented migrants were arrested for committing various offences under the Immigration Act throughout 2025, says the Immigration Department. “The total number of undocumented migrants arrested, excluding today’s operation, stands at 1,760, while 35 employers have been arrested so far this year,” he said. Meanwhile, Lokman reminded the public and employers not to shelter anyone committing immigration offences. “The Immigration Department once again reminds the public and employers not to protect any individuals, or else they will face legal action,” he said. He also urged members of the public who have information regarding undocumented migrants to come forward and assist the Immigration Department.

In his closing speech at the Umno general assembly 2025 on Saturday (Jan 17), Ahmad Zahid called Dr Muhamad Akmal a good child who was sometimes "mischievous". "Akmal is a good child,” Zahid implied, “though sometimes naughty," drawing laughter from the floor. Ahmad Zahid said that he was once the Umno Youth chief and understood his situation. "Don’t slip on a banana peel like I did,” Zahid said in a light-hearted remark, before calling on the audience to give Dr Muhamad Akmal a round of applause. On Jan 15, Dr Muhamad Akmal, who is Umno Youth chief, said he had resigned from his post as a Melaka executive council member.

LONDON: New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior oversaw a 2-0 win for the Blues over west London rivals Brentford on Saturday in his first Premier League match since taking charge at Stamford Bridge, settled by a Joao Pedro strike and a Cole Palmer penalty. After a run of nine league games with only one win – most of which was under former coach Enzo Maresca who left the club on January 1 – Rosenior had to watch as Brentford wasted a string of chances. It was Chelsea who found the net, however, when Pedro turned and fired a bullet shot into the top corner of Caoimhin Kelleher's net in the 26th minute. Palmer doubled Chelsea's lead from the penalty spot in the 76th minute after Kelleher failed to control the ball and tripped substitute Liam Delap. The win pushed Chelsea up to sixth in the table, leapfrogging Brentford who had been unbeaten in six games.

KUALA LUMPUR: No government policies can be made without Umno’s consent, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. “Do not take Umno for granted,” he said when winding up debates at the Umno general assembly on Saturday (Jan 17). Tok Mat, as he is fondly known, then turned his sights on those who continuously try to stir up Umno by constantly crossing the red lines. “The Youth wing must continue to be given space because if we tie them up, Umno will topple overnight,” he said. If we win, the party wins, and if the party wins, we can form the government.

MELAKA: The owner of a so-called “gay-friendly” hotel in Melaka has apologised and admitted there was negligence in the management of the premises. The Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) had taken the owner’s statement on this matter on Thursday, said its council president Datuk Sapiah Haron. “The hotel has also taken action by removing the promotional material immediately,” she said in a statement. As a follow-up measure, she said MPHTJ has also issued a compound for failing to comply with licence conditions under the Hotels (MPHTJ) By-Laws 2011. The owner of the hotel had given his statement at the MPHTJ on Thursday, meeting with the council, the Melaka Islamic Religious Department (Jaim) and the police.

He said prayer was not merely a routine act of worship, but carried a broad dimension with profound effects not only one’s self, but also involving the family, society and the nation. "In the chapter ‘Tatmim al-Fa’idah’, Syeikh Daud discusses the act of prayer, but beyond that, relates it to the principle of justice. The Prime Minister said efforts to achieve justice were a shared responsibility, whether by Muslims or non-Muslims, in order to realise universal humanitarian goals. "At the same time, we must remain humble and modest, because we may not have the right answers. Even if we do obtain answers, we should not be too hasty and rush to regard them as conclusive solutions,” he said.

GEORGE TOWN: S. Ashvinthran’s family make their living by selling milk, and have about 30 cattle in their little farm in Air Itam. While the cows provide the milk, the bulls are often “rented out” to pull bullock carts and chariots at events and festivals. It was Mattu Ponggal – the third day of the Ponggal festivities and a day dedicated to cows. Three pots of sweet ponggal rice were also prepared, with milk, jaggery, and other traditional ingredients, specifically for the cows. “Mattu Ponggal is all about honouring cattle, and this is a meaningful way to introduce the festival to students,” she said.