KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 16): Westports Holdings Bhd (KL:WPRTS) is expected to see upside to its fourth-quarter earnings, supported by stronger year-on-year (y-o-y) and quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) volumes, as well as elevated yard utilisation, according to Maybank Investment Bank Bhd. "This combination could support higher q-o-q earnings, with fourth-quarter results expected on Jan 30, 2026. Looking ahead, Maybank IB expects activity to moderate ahead of Chinese New Year, providing a temporary breather for global supply chains. "While first quarter of 2026 volumes at Westports are likely to ease q-o-q, earnings should remain resilient, supported by the Phase 2 tariff hike (+10%)," the investment bank said. Unexpected delays in tariff hikes or a surge in operational costs could also dampen future earnings growth, Maybank IB said.

KUALA LANGAT: Foreign nationals caught using fake MyKad identity cards say they did so mainly to secure employment, with the forged cards sold for RM300. The operation, codenamed Ops Vape, began at 7.30pm and was aimed at curbing the forgery of identity documents, particularly MyKad, as well as the misuse of other people’s identity cards for employment purposes. An Indonesian woman, identified as Nulina, 37, said she was introduced to an agent by a friend to obtain a fake MyKad for RM300. She told me that if I wanted to work, I had to buy a MyKad. He stressed that the government views any form of abuse or forgery of identity documents seriously, as it poses significant implications for national security.

Training and equipment access remain vital alongside new laws, say expertsPETALING JAYA: A Good Samaritan law could help reduce fear among bystanders during emergencies, but experts and civil society groups say equally important are first aid training, wider access to life-saving equipment, and sustained public awareness. Lee stressed that while a Good Samaritan law could reassure the public of a legal protection, it must go hand-in-hand with practical measures that empower people to act. “A truly effective Good Samaritan culture is built when people feel confident, prepared and supported. ALSO READ: Untrained public discouraged from giving first aidAlthough Malaysia does not have a specific Good Samaritan law, existing provisions already offer some legal protection for acts done in good faith. However, Ananthan cautioned that any future Good Samaritan law must be carefully drafted to avoid encouraging reckless or negligent behaviour, particularly by untrained helpers who act beyond their abilities.

(Jan 15): Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal in a meeting Thursday, a bid to gain his favour as the US determines her country’s future and moves past an episode that rankled the president. Trump’s shunning of Machado from Venezuela’s leadership stunned opposition leaders and Machado’s allies abroad, including some Republican lawmakers. “They have thus far met all of the demands and requests of the United States and of the president,” Leavitt told reporters. “The president likes what he’s seeing and will expect that cooperation to continue.”Before Trump met Machado, Leavitt said he was expecting a “good and positive discussion” with her. “She won the Nobel Peace Prize,” Trump said, while adding that he was “hearing” she might.

And they know that to overcome the Chinese pair, they must hit the ground running. The Malaysian duo have yet to beat the Chinese pair in four encounters, and their most recent clash at the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou went to the wire, 23-25, 21-11, 22-20. Shevon admitted that slow starts have been a recurring issue for them. “In that aspect, we need to get into the match faster and not give away the first game so easily. Jimmy felt lapses in concentration at crucial moments proved costly against the Chinese duo.

PETALING JAYA: Another round of staff reduction can be expected at Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) this year, following the “overwhelming response” for its manpower optimisation programme. The telecommunications giant had cut its staff count by 37% between its peak in 2014 and the end of 2024. Despite this, its underlying staff costs have held in a tight range of RM2.3bil to RM2.6bil between 2015 and 2024, according to an analysis by CGS International Research (CGSI Research). Quoting TM management, CGSI Research said the strong response for the previous manpower optimisation programme was due to the “generous terms”. Looking forward, the research house’s earnings estimates for TM have been adjusted to reflect the added manpower optimisation costs this year.

“The smartphone is your most personal device and it’s perfectly positioned to enable better, richer and more meaningful AI experiences. And for a smartphone manufacturer, of course that’s paramount because it’s your personal device, you carry it with you everywhere. Approximately 77% of users in Southeast Asia are using a Galaxy AI feature, said Nordenberg. Personalisation requires access to personal data, but privacy and security are non-negotiable, he added. This ensures sensitive personal data is processed on the device wherever possible, and cloud processing is used when necessary, said Nordenberg.

SEOUL (Jan 16): Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is due to face the first court ruling on Friday stemming from criminal charges over his failed martial law attempt, a case that could result in a long prison sentence if he is found guilty. His arrest was the first ever for a sitting president in South Korea. Prosecutors have asked the court to give him the death sentence on this charge, with a ruling scheduled for February. Parliament, joined by some members of Yoon's conservative party, voted within hours to overturn his surprise martial law decree and later impeached him, suspending his powers. While his bid to impose martial law lasted only about six hours, it sent shockwaves through South Korea, which is Asia's fourth-largest economy, a key US security ally and long considered one of the world's most-resilient democracies.

14 ministries fail to meet targets, says chief secretaryPUTRAJAYA: Fourteen ministries failed to meet their targets in implementing physical development projects allocated last year, says Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. The Chief Secretary to the Government said expenditure on development projects by the ministries concerned stood at 87.91%, which is below the national average and warrants serious attention. “People-oriented projects such as road repairs, construction of schools, clinics and hospitals are being implemented, but at a slow pace, which explains why the achievement rate is only 87%. Shamsul Azri said as of Dec 22 last year, a total of 9,578 development projects had been implemented nationwide, involving an allocation of RM83.06bil, with actual expenditure amounting to RM81.67bil. This translated into a national average expenditure performance of 98.33% for development projects.

“The loan sharks are vile. Heng said she learnt that the couple had borrowed about RM20,000 from 20 loan sharks since 2024. He is back in debt with loan sharks. Chia said she received threatening calls from loan sharks earlier this month, demanding her to settle her brother’s debts. The loan sharks, she said, seemed to know where she lives and have details of her vehicle.

Performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei said the move, proposed by national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen, is part of a revamped national programme and will apply across all departments, not just singles. Chong Wei explained that the new structure allows BAM to accelerate the development of standout talents in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, ensuring they receive elite-level exposure earlier. Chong Wei said he did not expect major changes in terms of names qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics or the 2032 Brisbane Games. “Junior development is critical,” he said, adding that talent identification must begin at the school level before players enter the national system. Chong Wei also confirmed that BAM are continuing to restructure their coaching set-up, including the promotion of Datuk Tey Seu Bock from junior singles head coach to lead the senior team, with more coaching appointments expected.

JOHOR BARU: A 33-year-old doctor will be charged in the Magistrate’s Court today for allegedly murdering his wife and young son, following a tragic incident at their home in Bandar Dato Onn late last year. Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said police found the victims, a 36-year-old accountant and her four-year-old son, dead at about 8.20am on Dec 31 with injuries consistent with criminal acts. Comm Ab Rahaman said the autopsy found that the woman died due to asphyxia-related causes. Comm Ab Rahaman said the suspect was remanded for 13 days where checks showed that he had no prior criminal record and tested negative for drugs. Comm Ab Rahaman reminded the public not to speculate or spread unverified information.

HOUSTON: Oil prices settled down around 4% on Thursday ending a five-day streak of gains after US President Donald Trump said the crackdown on protesters in Iran was easing, allaying concerns over potential military action against Iran and oil supply disruptions. Further weighing on prices, US crude and gasoline inventories rose last week by more than analysts had estimated, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. Elsewhere, Venezuela has begun reversing oil production cuts made under a US embargo, with crude exports also resuming, three sources said. On the demand side, Opec said on Wednesday that 2027 oil demand was likely to rise at a similar pace to this year and published data indicating a near balance between supply and demand in 2026, contrasting with other forecasts of a glut. China's crude oil imports in December rose 17% from a year earlier, while total imports in 2025 were up 4.4%, government data showed, with daily crude import volumes hitting record highs.

It led to her borrowing RM3,000 from loan sharks late last year to fulfil the supposed boyfriend’s demands for cash. “The loan sharks are also going after my mother and threw several severed chicken heads into the compound of her home as a warning,” she said. Back then, she ended up in debt with loan sharks after taking a loan of over RM12,000 to please her online suitor whom she met on Facebook. Chong said his department handled 422 cases of people borrowing money from loan sharks last year involving a total sum of RM44mil. Despite repeated warnings about the consequences of borrowing from loan sharks, he said many people would not hesitate taking the risk.

Over RM50mil in assets confiscated in probe involving militaryPUTRAJAYA: More than RM50mil worth of cash, assets and money from frozen accounts were seized in two high-profile investigations involving the military. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the items that were seized included cash, luxury watches, jewellery, gold and even a luxury vehicle. Major haul: Some of the items seized in the probe include cash, luxury watches, jewellery, gold and a luxury vehicle. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star“Other items seized were RM4.4mil in cash, RM1.4mil in foreign currencies, 26 luxury watches, mostly Rolex, valued at RM2.3mil, jewellery and gold worth more than RM3.4mil, as well as a luxury vehicle estimated at RM360,000,” he told a press conference at the MACC headquarters yesterday. He said among the items seized were 66 gold bars weighing 2.49kg, three vehicles, RM1.5mil cash and RM4.7mil in eight company accounts and four private accounts.