Don’t wait for MHIT to get basic insurance, M’sians urged
PETALING JAYA: Uninsured Malaysians should secure basic medical protection now rather than waiting for the government’s proposed medical and health insurance and takaful (MHIT) plan. Insurance unit manager Nurul Amirah Zamri said that at the minimum, they should get coverage for death and accidents. For those who can afford it, she suggested hospitalisation and surgical coverage based on their medical needs, with annual coverage of RM100,000. Insurance agent Aminuddin Abdul Khalid echoed the need for consumers to take an informed and comparative approach when selecting medical coverage. “People should compare different medical insurance plans by looking at coverage options, premiums and deductibles to find the best fit for their needs,” he said.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 11:07 UTC
Johor mall gets community together for record-breaking feat
ISKANDAR PUTERI: A mall here is ushering in Chinese New Year with the installation of a record-breaking horse replica crafted entirely from ang pow origami. The giant replica has earned Sunway Big Box Retail Park Malaysia here a place in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for the largest horse replica made of ang pow origami. “Standing at approximately 4.5m tall, this installation has been recognised by the MBOR as the largest horse replica made of ang pow origami. “Most importantly, the replica was created not just by us, but as a result of true collaboration with the community,” he said. He said those involved in the completion of the structure include Raffles University, SJKC Cheah Fah, SJKC Foon Yew 1, SK Pengkalan Rinting, Starnamics Learning Centre and JCI Junior Chamber International South Key.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 10:54 UTC
New leadership will enhance integrity of Armed Forces, says Khaled
KOTA TINGGI: Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin says General Datuk Malek Razak will help restore the image and integrity of the Armed Forces amid growing public scrutiny over governance and procurement issues. Congratulating Gen Malek Razak on his appointment as the new Armed Forces Chief, the Defence Minister said he assumed the role at a challenging time. The Kota Tinggi MP added that this could only be achieved through strong cooperation and understanding across all leadership levels within the Defence Ministry and the Armed Forces. Among the measures being implemented is a dedicated unit to handle complaints and oversight matters within the ministry and the Armed Forces. Mohamed Khaled acknowledged calls for the establishment of an independent body to monitor defence procurement but reiterated that continuous system improvements remain the ministry's priority.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 10:49 UTC
Jin Wei creates history as first Malaysian woman in Super 300 final
Goh Jin Wei defeated Wong Ling Ching to reach the Thailand Masters final in Bangkok on Saturday. - NSTP FILE PICKUALA LUMPUR: Goh Jin Wei became the first Malaysian women's singles shuttler to reach a Super 300 World Tour final after defeating compatriot Wong Ling Ching in Bangkok on Saturday. 68 Jin Wei fought back from a game down to beat world No. 43 Ling Ching 17-21, 21-17, 21-16 at the Nimibutr Stadium. Jin Wei will face either Taiwan's world No.
Source:New Strait Times
January 31, 2026 10:42 UTC
Don’t just splash the cash, DBKL
That experience sums up the complicated state of many local council-run food courts today. If customers find it easier to tap an app than to patronise dimly lit, rundown premises, food courts will continue to lose foot traffic. That said, there are clear examples of food courts that thrive when planning is done right. The question then is not whether food courts should be kept, but how. With appropriate upgrades, improved monitoring and a better understanding of community needs, food courts can remain relevant to the neighbourhoods they serve.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 10:40 UTC
STAM exam results out on Feb 5
PUTRAJAYA: The results of the 2025 Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) will be released on Feb 5, says the Education Ministry. In a statement on Saturday (Jan 31), the ministry said school candidates results can be obtained from their respective schools starting at 10am on Feb 5, while private candidates may contact the respective state education departments. "School and private candidates can also check their examination results online at http://myresultstam.moe.gov.my from 10am on Feb 5 until 6pm on Feb 11," the ministry said. Candidates may also obtain their results via the short message service (SMS) by typing STAM (space) identity card number (space) index number and sending it to 15888. The SMS service will be activated from 10am on Feb 5 until 6pm on Feb 11.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 09:04 UTC
Japanese-speaking judoka sets sights on Commonwealth and Asian Games
Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed targets a breakthrough 2026 with the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games serving as the main focus. - NSTP FILE PICKUALA LUMPUR: National judoka Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed is targeting a breakthrough 2026, with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games serving as his main focus. Amir first drew international attention in 2022 when he won bronze at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, becoming Malaysia's first judo medallist at the event at 18. "I have set a target of reaching the final at the Commonwealth Games. At the Asian Games, it is to see how far I can go and gain experience as it is a higher-level competition," he said.
Source:New Strait Times
January 31, 2026 09:00 UTC
Cabinet agrees with proposal to limit PM's term to 10 years
PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has agreed with the proposal to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years as part of the Madani government’s institution reform agenda, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. According to Azalina, the decision was made during the weekly Cabinet meeting on Friday (Jan 30). She said the decision is a crucial step towards strengthening accountability, checks and balances, and governance based on the Federal Constitution. Azalina added that the decision was made after the Cabinet conducted a thorough review of policy inputs, public views, and recommendations from engagement sessions with various stakeholders. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had recently said the government would table a bill to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to no more than 10 years or two full terms.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 08:58 UTC
Thunderstorms, heavy rain expected until 7pm in KL, Selangor, Perak, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 31): The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in six states until 7pm on Saturday. In a statement issued at 3.20pm, MetMalaysia said thunderstorms are expected to hit Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Klang, Gombak and Petaling in Selangor, as well as Kuala Lumpur. The warning also covers Larut, Matang and Selama, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Kampar and Batang Padang in Perak, and Cameron Highlands in Pahang. In Sarawak, the affected areas are Kuching, Serian and Samarahan (Samarahan and Asajaya), while in Sabah the warning involves the interior (Sipitang and Beaufort) and the West Coast (Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Kota Belud).
Source:The Edge Markets
January 31, 2026 08:33 UTC
Chong Wei calls for united coaching front at BAM
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei wants both the senior and junior coaches to work together to ensure a smooth transition between departments as part of efforts to strengthen the national set-up. Yesterday, the BAM officially announced the appointments of new coaches Harry Hartono of Indonesia, Yeoh Kay Bin and Mohd Zakry Latif. Harry’s role is to strengthen the senior men’s singles coaching line-up while Kay Bin, who guided independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia for a year, will guide the junior men’s singles players. Chong Wei wants to build a more systematic and structured player development pathway, from the junior level through to the professional ranks. “We discussed this with singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen and he submitted a list of coaching candidates, with a focus on continuity for young players,” said Chong Wei.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 08:05 UTC
Two Malaysian business leaders honoured at Asean conference in UK
YTL executive chairman Tan Sri Francis Yeoh Sock Ping was accorded the World Outstanding Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award. Datuk Seri Anne Eu, the chairman of Eu Yan Sang Malaysia, received the Asean Distinguished Women Entrepreneurs Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards were accorded in conjunction with a conference titled "Asean At the Geopolitical Crossroads" jointly organised by the Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI) and Asean Business Club. Speaking after receiving the award, Yeoh described entrepreneurship as a calling rooted in values that have guided YTL's growth over decades. Eu said the award was an honour for Malaysian women, noting that Asean was an important regional hub for business.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 04:29 UTC
China's January manufacturing PMI drops to 49.3
SHENZHEN/BEIJING, China (Jan 31): China's factory activity faltered in January as weak domestic demand dragged down production at the start of the new year, an official survey showed on Saturday. The official purchasing managers index (PMI) dropped to 49.3 in January, from 50.1 in December, below the 50-mark separating growth from contraction. The non-manufacturing PMI, which includes services and construction, dropped to 49.4 from 50.2 in December, falling to its lowest since December 2022. The world's second-largest economy hit the government's official growth target of 5% last year, underpinned by strong exports that defied pressure from US President Donald Trump's tariff offensive. Signs of unease are growing among policymakers as the domestic demand downturn persists.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 31, 2026 04:07 UTC
Detained foreigner risked dangerous illegal sea crossing for love
KLANG: A Bangladeshi man identified as Mahmud, 31, said he was willing to risk a dangerous sea crossing to marry the woman he loved after being detained in a maritime operation off Selangor. Speaking to the press, Mahmud said he married his wife in December but was forced to use an illegal route as it was difficult for Bangladeshi nationals to obtain an Indonesian visa. Mahmud said his wife and her parents had pressured him to formalise the marriage. Mahmud works at a food manufacturing factory in Johor Bahru and had taken one month of leave to travel. Mahmud was among those arrested after the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted a boat off Sabak Bernam early Friday (Jan 31).
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 04:05 UTC
Bidding for ‘FH’ plates opens Feb 1
PUTRAJAYA: The online bidding for the special registration number “FH” series will be opened tomorrow, in conjunction with Federal Territory Day, and will last for five days. Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the public can bid for the special plates, FH 1 to FH 9999, via the JPJeBid system. “The online bidding will close at 10pm on Feb 5, and the bid results will be announced within 24 hours,” he said after launching the special series yesterday, Bernama reported. He said the “FH” series is a symbolic commemoration of the establishment of the Federal Territory of Putrajaya, while recognising the role and contributions of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan in national development. Also present at the event were Putrajaya Corporation president Datuk Mohd Sakeri Abdul Kadir and JPJ deputy director-general (Planning and Operations) Datuk Jazmanie Shafawi.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 04:01 UTC