PETALING JAYA: Men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's hopes of making it into back-to-back finals were dashed after they went down to Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita in the Indian Open semi-finals. Malaysian Open runners-up Aaron-Wooi Yik could not raise their game and lost out 10-21, 21-13, 11-21 in 44 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi on Saturday (Jan 17). 2 pair's first defeat to the world No. 22 Japanese combo after beating them in their sole meeting previously in the Thailand Open last year. Aaron-Wooi Yik's defeat means that Malaysia's challenge in the competition has ended.

Malaysia’s Aaron Chia (left) and Soh Wooi Yik in action during today’s India Open doubles semi-final match against Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Kyohei Yamashita at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. - REUTERS picKUALA LUMPUR: Men's pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's campaign at the India Open ended in the semi-finals today. 2 were outplayed by Japan's world No. 22 Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita 21-10, 13-21, 21-11 at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex. Aaron-Wooi Yik tried to come back in the second, but Hiroki's front-court interceptions foiled them.

KUALA LUMPUR: Breaking into the world's top 32 within six months has been set as the benchmark for Malaysia's women's singles shuttlers as BAM focuses on structured, long-term development rather than short-term results. Women's singles head coach Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin said the target applies to both world No. "For the first six months, we are targeting both of them to break into the top 32," said Iskandar. Iskandar stressed that progress must be measured step-by-step, with expectations managed carefully as the players continue their development. While technically confident in his players' abilities, Iskandar identified physical condition as the main gap separating them from the world's elite.

KUALA LUMPUR: A special exhibition featuring statues of Wira and Manja, the sun bear mascots of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), drew hordes of tourists to KL Tower. Apart from KL Tower, the group plans to see other attractions throughout their 11-day tour. “Street food here is amazing and the variety in cuisines adds to the uniqueness of Malaysia,” Monika said. To them, the local weather is unique and unlike anything they have experienced before. Apart from the KL Tower, the couple has also explored food options at Jalan Alor, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie were made to rue another missed opportunity to overcome China’s world No. Shevon was left frustrated after losing for the fifth time to their formidable opponents. There have been even tougher matches when we were leading and holding match point but could not finish it off. Last week, I was sick, so I’m happy that I could recover and perform better,” said Shevon. “Definitely, this week has given me a lot to learn and a lot to takeaway for the coming weeks and months.

KUALA LUMPUR: The latest immigration records show that missing actress Nadia Kesuma has left King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. ALSO READ: Police receive report on missing actress Nadia Kesuma in Jeddah“This is in accordance with their regulations there, which states that they will carry out continuous search efforts for 24 hours before classifying the case as a missing person. “24 hours have since passed and I have ordered our consulate office in Jeddah to do what is needed. Meanwhile, in a statement, Wisma Putra emphasised that the specific details and developments in the case would only be disclosed to the immediate family, in respect of those involved. "In addition, this principle of non-disclosure to irrelevant parties is aimed at securing the best possible outcome of the ongoing investigation and, in particular, to prevent any misrepresentation against those involved," Wisma Putra said.

PETALING JAYA: Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary Datuk Kenny Goh 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.

Mohamad Nor Alif Suhaimi (right) with his mother Marini Chepa leaving the National Service Training camp, the 505th Territorial Army Regiment Camp, in Pekan today. Earlier, the National Service Training Department, in a statement, said some trainees were informed to return home and postpone their registration due to capacity constraints at the camp. "My seniors who joined the national service programme last year shared their experiences with me. All the trainees who came today had valid letters from the National Service Training Department. Some 700 trainees turned up at the army camp here today to register for the first session of the national service programme this year.

PETALING JAYA: The growing influence of financial influencers, or finfluencers, has raised serious concerns over consumer protection and market integrity, prompting calls for tighter regulation, stronger enforcement and greater public awareness. MFPC president Andy Ng Yen Heng said professionalism and accountability were crucial in maintaining trust in the financial system. Fraudulent or unlicensed online advice, said the MFPC, exposes consumers to significant financial risks and undermines investor protection, professional standards and overall market integrity. “We have received both formal complaints and informal feedback over inaccurate, incomplete or poorly disclosed financial content shared by influencers, particularly content targeting young or first-time investors with ‘too good to be true’ claims. “Under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA), particularly Sections 211 and 233, MCMC is empowered to act against false, misleading, or offensive online content,” it said.

Some of the NS trainees registering for the programme at Kem Rejimen 505 Wataniah in Pekan. -- NSTP/MUHAMMAD DELIMA ATANPEKAN: The National Service Training Department was forced to postpone the registration of some trainees and told them to return home due to capacity constraints at the 505th Territorial Army Regiment Camp near here today. It is learnt that most of those affected were volunteer trainees who had registered themselves to attend the session while the compulsory trainees had been accepted. "Trainees who were allowed to return home today may submit travel claims in accordance with existing guidelines and regulations. Earlier today, several parents expressed disappointment after their children were told to postpone their intake as the army camp had exceeded its capacity.

Mandailing ancestryThe Mandailing community migrated to Malaya from Sumatra, Indonesia, between the 17th and 19th centuries. “During the war, the Mandailing community was recognised as the leader of several Sumatran tribes, including Kerinchi, Minang, Rawa, Aceh and Bangkahulu. Mohd Sharifudin: Mandailing community was recognised as leaders of Sumatran tribes. “We also have a solidarity fund to support the Mandailing community in Sumatra whenever disasters occur,” he added. Bandham genealogyMuthu Ramalingam Pillai & Marimuthu Ammal Family Association (MRP&MMAFA) gives importance to preserving the family’s rich history and heritage for the younger generation.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 17): The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds for four states and Kuala Lumpur until 9pm on Saturday. MetMalaysia said in a statement on Saturday that the warning covers several areas in Selangor, including Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Hulu Langat. The same weather is forecast for Negeri Sembilan, affecting Jelebu, Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Rembau and Tampin, and the entire state of Melaka. In Sabah, affected areas include Tawau and Sandakan (Tongod, Telupid and Kinabatangan).

“The government should, instead, look into abolishing the Sedition Act or, at the very least, amending it in line with its reform agenda,” he said. Media group Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) had earlier expressed concern over Tan’s arrest as well. Tan was arrested at about midnight under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and Section 505(c) of the Penal Code. This comes after he raised a sensitive question, allegedly containing racial elements, during a public lecture in Kuala Lumpur. Following the controversy over the question, Tan issued an apology on Thursday (Jan 15) and subsequently resigned from FMT.

WITH the 2025 earnings trough behind it, Indonesia’s equity market heads into 2026 looking set for a meaningful re-rating, driven by a broad-based recovery in corporate earnings. Analysts at RHB Research see the Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) reaching their base-case target of 9,400 points, supported by steady domestic inflows, improved liquidity, and a rebound in investor sentiment following the 2025 earnings trough.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds for four states and Kuala Lumpur until 9pm Saturday (Jan 17). MetMalaysia said in a statement that the warning covers several areas in Selangor, including Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Hulu Langat. The same weather is forecast for Negri Sembilan, affecting Jelebu, Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Rembau and Tampin, and the entire state of Melaka. In Sabah, affected areas include Tawau and Sandakan (Tongod, Telupid and Kinabatangan).- Bernama