Seu Bock, who has been strongly tipped to return as the senior men's singles coach in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), was seen guiding Jun Hao along with K. Yogendran against China's world No. A much happier Jun Hao said that Seu Bock's presence was key to his victory. "He used to guide me before and he's coaching me again in a match today (yesterday)," said Jun Hao. "For sure, it feels different as he has guided the senior men's singles players for so many years. Seu Bock was shifted from the senior men's singles to junior coach at the end of 2024.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia views 2026 as a critical year that will challenge long-standing assumptions about global power, order and responsibility, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says. Speaking at a public lecture titled "Power Shift: Strategic Choices For Malaysia And Türki̇ye" in Ankara on Wednesday (Jan 7), Anwar said the year ahead would be marked by significant uncertainty and strategic change at the global level. "This will test many settled assumptions about power, order and responsibility," he said, adding that his visit to Türkiye would be among the most consequential visits in 2026. Anwar stressed that countries positioned as middle powers could not afford to remain passive as global certainty continues to erode, nor wait for others to set the terms. But they will help determine whether smaller countries retain room to manoeuvre, and whether law still constrains power," he said.

The S&P Global/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the sector came in at 40.1 in December, not much higher than its 5-1/2-year low of 39.4 in November. The drop extended the sector's downturn to 12 months, its longest unbroken run of contractions since the global financial crisis of 2007-09. Despite a lifting of budget-related uncertainty, delayed spending decisions were still cited as contributing to weak sales pipelines at the close of the year." While the downturn in civil engineering eased, it remained the weakest performing category in December. The residential building activity subindex dropped to 33.5, the weakest reading since May 2020 when lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic halted construction work.

(Jan 7): The United States needs to control Venezuela's oil sales and revenue indefinitely to drive the changes it wants to see in the country, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Wednesday. "We need to have that leverage and that control of those oil sales to drive the changes that simply must happen in Venezuela," Wright said at the Goldman Sachs Energy, CleanTech & Utilities Conference in Miami. Wright added he was speaking to U.S. oil companies to learn what conditions would enable them to enter Venezuela to help boost production there. The agreement is a sign Venezuelan government officials are responding to Trump's demand that they open up to U.S. oil companies or risk more military intervention. "Instead of the oil being blockaded as it is right now, we're going to let the oil flow," Wright said at the conference.

ANKARA: Malaysia and Turkiye marked a historic milestone as the leaders of both countries jointly chaired the inaugural Malaysia-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting on Wednesday (Jan 7), aimed at strengthening bilateral relations across multiple sectors. The strategic meeting was held in conjunction with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's three-day official visit to Turkiye at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The meeting took place after Anwar received an official welcoming ceremony by Erdogan at the Presidential Complex here. The HLSCC provides a structured and institutional framework to further elevate bilateral cooperation, reflecting the close and longstanding ties between Malaysia and Turkiye. The council also serves as a key platform for both countries to review bilateral cooperation, assess the progress of ongoing initiatives and explore new avenues of collaboration.

ANKARA (Jan 8): Malaysia and Türkiye marked a historic milestone on Wednesday as the leaders of both countries jointly chaired the inaugural Malaysia-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations across multiple sectors. The meeting took place after Anwar received an official welcoming ceremony by Erdogan at the Presidential Complex here. The HLSCC provides a structured and institutional framework to further elevate bilateral cooperation, reflecting the close and longstanding ties between Malaysia and Türkiye. The council also serves as a key platform for both countries to review bilateral cooperation, assess the progress of ongoing initiatives and explore new avenues of collaboration. Malaysia’s total trade with Türkiye from January to November 2025 amounted to RM21.2 billion (US$4.92 billion), with the republic continuing to be an important economic partner for Malaysia.

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s automotive tyre manufacturing and export sector continued to show strong momentum in 2025, with four related projects approved by the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), representing a total capital investment of nearly US$780 million. The CDC stated, “Notably, the number of registered investment projects increased by 216 projects, or about 52 per cent, while total investment capital rose by approximately $3 billion, or about 45 per cent, compared to 2024 when the CDC registered 414 projects with a total investment of around $6.9 billion. In the tyre sector, the CDC approved four projects: one located in the ISI SEZ in Preah Sihanouk province, and three others in SEZs within Svay Rieng province. “With Cambodia’s current advantages, there is a clear opportunity for investors to open tyre manufacturing plants in the country,” he said. He noted that more major international investors are now showing interest in establishing tyre manufacturing plants.

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 7): Malaysia's Ministry of Transport (MOT) has announced a phased review and modernisation of the nation's maritime legislation, with the entire process scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. In a statement on Wednesday, the MOT reiterated its commitment to strengthening maritime governance and legal frameworks to enhance the global and domestic competitiveness of Malaysia's shipping and port sectors. The ministry confirmed that the inaugural session of the newly formed Malaysian Maritime Law Revision and Reform Committee (MLRRC) was held on Tuesday. The government established the MLRRC to update and reform national maritime laws, aligning them with international standards and facilitating smoother trade and transport, the statement explained. The meeting centred on a preliminary Inception Report prepared by a specialist consultancy firm appointed to support the committee's work.

PETALING JAYA: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, stresses that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are among the main pillars to boost the people’ economy. The matter was emphasised by His Majesty during an audience with Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Wednesday (Jan 7). “His Majesty agreed to be presented with a briefing on the ministry's plans, including strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises. “Sultan Ibrahim said that SMEs are among the pillars in efforts to improve the people's economy, in addition to playing an important role in creating job opportunities and generating household income,” the statement posted on His Majesty’s official Facebook page said. The post also included pictures of the meeting between His Majesty and Sim, who wore a dark suit and songkok.

KUALA LUMPUR: Turkiye-based think tank, the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (Seta) and the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Isis) Malaysia will establish a framework to further fortify bilateral ties, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister also praised the role of both institutes in shaping national policy discourse amid an increasingly complex global environment. "I am encouraged that Seta and Isis Malaysia will formalise their cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed later today. Nevertheless, Anwar said both Malaysia and Turkiye have refused to treat this as inevitable or irreversible, while stressing that more needs to be done. "Both (Malaysia and Turkiye) have acted, delivering humanitarian assistance, mobilising diplomatic pressure and insisting that Israel be held accountable for violations of international law.

IPOH: Focus on serving the people and strengthening the unity government, instead of causing political turmoil, says Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim. The PKR Youth chief said all parties in the unity government need to stop politicking and ensure there is political stability. "The country experienced economic instability following the Sheraton Move in 2020 due to political turmoil. "Let's learn from history – don't be egoistic, arrogant or haughty," said Muhammad Kamil, who is also the Finance Minister's political secretary. Muhammad Kamil also said there was no need for DAP and Umno youth wings to continue trading barbs.

If implemented, it would reduce Sinochem’s holding from roughly 34% and reclassify the Chinese group as a passive investor, significantly curbing its influence. The Italian government, which considers Pirelli a strategic asset, would welcome such an outcome, the people said. It is facilitating the talks and has been seeking a solution to the prolonged standoff between the company and Sinochem, the people added. Italy has already intervened to curb Sinochem’s governance powers under its so-called golden power regime. Two months later, at the company’s annual general meeting, Sinochem failed to block approval of the company’s annual financial statements.

He said among the main factors influencing the occurrence of extreme weather were wind direction and speed, as well as wind convergence in a particular area. "The alert level indicates a potential risk of extreme weather that still requires serious attention from the public. "Although the monsoon is expected to end in March, the presence of monsoon surges that bring heavy rainfall can occur at any time and requires continuous monitoring," he said. Ambun also said MetMalaysia conducted 24-hour weather monitoring and would issue early warnings as soon as signs of monsoon surges were detected. He advised the public to always obtain the latest weather information from official MetMalaysia sources and to comply with authorities' instructions, including evacuation orders, to reduce safety risks during extreme weather events.

KANGAR (Jan 7): The High Court has fixed Feb 25 for a case management hearing on the originating summons filed by three former members of the Perlis state legislative assembly, challenging Assembly Speaker, Rus'sele Eizan, and the Legislative Assembly over the declaration that their seats are vacant. Former assemblymen Mohd Ridzuan Hashim, Fakhrul Anwar Ismail, and Saad Seman were represented by lawyer Mohd Jamil Yaacob. The Speaker and the Legislative Assembly were represented by Perlis state legal adviser Yang Zaimey Yang Ghazali and assistant state legal adviser Che Rohana Ismail. The claimants filed the summons on Jan 2, naming Rus'sele and the Perlis state legislative assembly as the first and second defendants. The case stems from an announcement on Dec 25 by Speaker Rus'sele, who declared the three seats vacant after the PAS membership of the assemblymen was terminated under Clause (1)(a)(ii), Article 50A of the Perlis State Constitution.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): Paramount Corporation Bhd (KL:PARAMON) said it is acquiring a 2.62-acre parcel of freehold land in Putrajaya for RM40 million and plans to develop a residential project with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM323 million on the site. The land also has direct access to major road networks, including the Putrajaya–Cyberjaya Expressway and Lingkaran Putrajaya. Paramount plans to develop a high-rise residential project on the site, with a launch expected about a year after completion of the sale and purchase. The project will add to Paramount’s current GDV of RM5.04 billion and is expected to contribute positively to future earnings. Paramount said the land comes with secured development orders, allowing for a swift transition from acquisition to project execution.