KUCHING: Energy transition and low-carbon industrialisation will drive Sarawak's growth under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. The Premier said renewable energy would anchor downstream industries, data centres and emerging hydrogen-based activities. Abang Johari said Sarawak would also focus on enhancing the manufacturing, food security and agriculture sectors to improve productivity, commercialisation and incomes. "Effective government transformation will underpin the successful implementation of the 13MP. He added that the 13MP would be implemented in phases to align with Sarawak's ambitions and delivery capacity.

KUALA LUMPUR: Enhancing integrity and transparency, ­particularly for procurement projects, is crucial in light of recent controversies plaguing the Defence Ministry, analysts say. Defence analyst Zaki Salleh said the ministry, especially the Armed Forces, must be serious in eradicating corruption and other forms of wrongdoing. “The ministry should be more transparent especially when ­procuring defence assets,” he added. Universiti Utara Malaysia security and geopolitical analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mohamed Faisol Keling called for Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers to be stationed at the ministry and headquarters of the Armed Forces. The MACC officers, however, should be there on a rotational basis to prevent them from ­forming close relationships with ministry and military personnel.

PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will play junior teammates Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing in the Indian Open first round in New Delhi on Wednesday (Jan 13). 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik, who were runners-up in the Malaysian Open on Sunday (Jan 11), were originally drawn against South Korea’s Kim Gi-jung-Kim Sa-rang, but the latter’s withdrawal meant that Aaron-Khai Xing were promoted to the main draw. 36 and 2024 world junior champions will be making their debuts in a World Tour Super 750 competition. There was also joy for Justin Hoh in the men’s singles after he was promoted following China’s Weng Hongyang’s withdrawal. 39 Justin, who will also be making his first appearance in a Super 750 tournament, will take on China’s world No.

(Jan 13): Startup JetZero Inc has raised US$175 million (RM709.8 million) from investors to take on the planemaking duopoly of Airbus SE and Boeing Co with a mid-sized aircraft shaped like a giant manta ray. The Series B financing, led by venture investor B Capital, takes the total amount raised to more than US$1 billion including government grants, incentives and commercial commitments, JetZero said. United Airlines Ventures, Northrop Grumman Corp, 3M Ventures and RTX Ventures all participated in the latest funding round. The blended-wing-body concept was refined over several decades by co-founder Mark Page at McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, with around US$1 billion in funding from Nasa, according to the company. And O’Leary’s set an ambitious goal: beginning commercial service by the early 2030s, years ahead of the next all-new designs by Airbus and Boeing.

Supporters of the country’s deposed royal family rallied in the capital demanding the restoration of the monarchy ahead of the March elections. It was the first rally by suppor­ters of ousted King Gyanendra since a wave of violent demonstrations by disgruntled youth in September installed an interim government that set fresh parliamentary elections in March. Bring back the king,” the rally participants chanted on Sunday around the statue of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who star­ted the Shah dynasty in the 18th century. The last Shah king – Gyanendra – was forced to step down and the monarchy was abolished in 2008, making Nepal a republic. “The last and only alternative for this country is king and monar­chy only,” said protester Samrat Thapa.

That is why professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia is appreciative of Liew Daren’s return to the coaching role as he looks to revive his flagging career. Zii Jia faces an immediate challenge in the first round against Denmark’s world No. Now ranked 144 in the world, Zii Jia is banking on Daren to guide him back to the top. “I have confidence in him, and he was willing to take on this challenge,” Zii Jia had stated. After the defeat, Zii Jia said he has set his sights on returning to the world’s top 20 by the end of the year.

They expect consumer demand to remain resilient in 2026, supported by several factors, with the ringgit’s strength seen as a key driver in sustaining consumer spending through lower imported inflation. “A resilient labour market, lower fuel prices, and a stable interest-rate environment are expected to continue bolstering household purchasing power. It said firm domestic demand should help cushion the economy against external headwinds, including softer export momentum amid higher US tariffs and persistent global trade uncertainties. The wholesale and retail trade segments are expected to expand by about 5.4% and 6.5%, respectively, reflecting a healthy labour market, steady income growth and firm domestic demand. Meanwhile, Kenanga Research is slightly more optimistic, forecasting distributive trade growth to accelerate to 6.1% in 2026, supported by the Visit Malaysia 2026 momentum and resilient domestic demand.

A BOOK on improved injury prevention and management in Malaysian cricket has been released by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and Johor Cricket Association (JCA). “Drawing on both academic expertise and practical experience, the publication is grounded in real-world demands faced by cricket players and support staff. “Dr Muhammad Noh’s involvement with the Johor cricket team during Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2022 played a key role in shaping the book’s applied approach,” said Prof Faidz during the launch at Dato Dr Harjit Singh Johor Cricket Academy and Oval in Johor Baru. “It is an important step in embedding research and evidence-based practice into cricket development,” said Prof Faidz. UTAR vice-president (research, development and commercialisation) Prof Zuraidah Abd Manaf said the collaboration highlighted the institution’s commitment to translating academic expertise into practical community resources.

SERDANG: The Transport Ministry is exploring the use of telematics to reduce the ongoing danger posed by heavy vehicles and buses on Malaysian roads. Minister Anthony Loke said his ministry is already looking for ways to implement telematics and enhanced in-cabin equipment, for all heavy vehicles and buses in particular. He added that the ministry has also begun enforcing the implementation of the speed limitation device (SLD) requirements on bus operating companies. “Bus operating companies will be investigated to determine whether they have complied with the installation of SLDs. “If they have not, immediate action will be taken against the company,” he said.

PETALING JAYA: Vantris Energy Bhd has divested its 40% equity interest in L&T-Sapura Shipping Pvt Ltd (LTSSPL) to its joint-venture partner, Larsen & Toubro Ltd, for US$30.5mil (RM123.91mil). In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Vantris Energy, formerly known as Sapura Energy Bhd , said LTSSPL owns and operates a LTS3000 heavy-lift and pipelay vessel. The net proceeds from the proposed disposal will be utilised for operational requirements across the company’s engineering and construction, as well as operations and maintenance, businesses. Following the divestment, Vantris Energy has four heavy-lift and pipelaying vessels remaining in its fleet, all of which are wholly owned. “The group owns and operates a total of 12 offshore construction vessels and barges under its engineering and construction arm, capable of shallow- and deep-water transportation and installation and subsea services.”

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 13): Selangor Dredging Bhd (KL:SDRED) is acquiring a freehold commercial land in Petaling Jaya for RM63 million to expand its land bank, with the site earmarked for a proposed development carrying an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM507 million. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Tuesday, the property developer said the group is buying the 1.214-hectare parcel in Jalan Subang 2, Taman Industri Penaga from Hectare Square Sdn Bhd. Selangor Dredging noted that the purchase price is above the RM59 million market value assessed by an independent valuer, PA International Property Consultants (KL) Sdn Bhd. The group said the acquisition forms part of its ongoing effort to identify suitable sites to expand its land bank, citing the land’s development potential and location within an established industrial and commercial area. Selangor Dredging proposes to develop the land into a high-rise serviced apartment project with large open spaces and family-oriented facilities, although detailed development plans have yet to be finalised.

KUALA LUMPUR: Teamstar Bhd has signed an underwriting agreement with TA Securities Holdings Bhd for its proposed initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia. The home‑improvement solutions provider said TA Securities will act as the principal adviser, sponsor, sole underwriter and sole placement agent for the IPO, and will underwrite 40 million issue shares and 16 million offer shares. Teamstar’s executive vice‑chairman and group chief executive officer Tan Lee Kueng said the signing of the underwriting agreement not only reinforced confidence in the company but also brought it a step closer to becoming a publicly listed entity. “This comes at an opportune time as we are ready to take advantage of the vast development opportunities in Malaysia’s home improvement industry. Teamstar’s IPO involves the public offering of 204 million ordinary shares, comprising a public issue of 132 million new shares and an offer for sale of 72 million existing shares.

(Jan 13): AP Moller-Maersk A/S has safely sailed another ship through the southern part of the Red Sea, its second successful attempt after most shipping lines have avoided the area for two years. The voyage marks another step towards normalisation of global supply lines, after Yemen-based Houthis in 2023 began attacking vessels, forcing shipowners to sail south of Africa. Maersk said it will now continue to “gradually” resume transits as the security situation seems to approve. The Maersk Denver, a US-flagged container vessel, on Jan 11-12 successfully transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and into the Red Sea, Copenhagen-based Maersk said in a statement late on Monday. Maersk had made “necessary safety measures” during the transit, it said, without providing details.

The government, which had brought the matter up to the Federal Court on appeal, is challenging the COA’s decision. The others on the panel were Federal Court judges Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan, Datuk Che Ruzima Ghazali, Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, and Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah. Tuesday's appeal was in relation to the appellate court's decision last August in activist Heidy Quah's case. The COA had said that Section 233 of the CMA does not clearly define what counts as offensive remarks, or an intent to annoy. It has to be noted that the government has passed amendments to the law, which include changes to this specific section at the heart of the court case.

KUCHING: AirBorneo flights will use the MY flight code from Wednesday (Jan 14), following the airline's planned transition to its own departure control system (DCS). Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin announced the new flight code after an operational briefing by AirBorneo chief executive officer Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin on Tuesday (Jan 13). AirBorneo flights previously operated under the MH flight code (MH3000 series). Flight information displays and signage will be updated to show the AirBorneo branding and MY flight numbers. The Sarawak-owned AirBorneo launched its inaugural flights on Jan 2 after completing its acquisition of MASwings Sdn Bhd on New Year's Day.