Schools seek fairer fund distribution
CLIKC TO ENLARGEYesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government will increase the allocation for Chinese vernacular schools from RM50mil to RM80mil. He also said they will increase the annual allocation for Tamil vernacular schools nationwide from RM30mil to RM50mil, beginning in 2026. “We acknowledge this as a positive and meaningful step toward strengthening Tamil vernacular education, which has contributed significantly to Malaysia’s multicultural identity for generations. “While we fully support all vernacular schools, Tamil schools face unique and urgent structural challenges that require additional attention,” he said. He added that based on data the association has compiled, over 100 Tamil schools nationwide are in critical condition and urgently require relocation due to various reasons.
Source:The Star
January 06, 2026 01:42 UTC
Khairi is CEO of CGS MY and Alan is country head
PETALING JAYA: CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd has appointed Khairi Shahrin Arief Baki as chief executive officer (CEO) and Alan Inn Wei Loon as country head, following its leadership transition announced on Nov 25, 2025. In a statement, the brokerage said Khairi would lead its strategic businesses and local operations, while Alan would focus on regional and cross-border growth. As CGS MY’s new CEO, Khairi will continue to drive strategic and operational excellence in CGS MY with strong emphasis on regulatory stewardship and market expansion. “As highlighted in CGS MY’s Navigating Malaysia Report, we are entering 2026 on a solid footing, with our KLCI target set for 1,810. Alan, as country head, will lead growth across asset and wealth management, investment banking, private equity and cross-border opportunities, leveraging his extensive investment banking experience.
Source:The Star
January 06, 2026 01:40 UTC
China’s ‘King of Shoes’ cuts ties with son
Compiled by OON JUN-YANG, CHOW HOW BAN and R. ARAVINTHANCHINA’S “King of Shoes” Wang Hai has severed ties with his son Wang Jun after a family feud over the control of their footwear manufacturing company turned ugly. Sin Chew Daily reported that the 84-year-old Wang Hai issued an open letter last Saturday saying that he and his son had ended their relationship due to irreconcilable differences. “Wang Jun claimed that he was oppressed by me for 20 years, had deep grudges against me and wants me to die. “Both Wang Jun and his wife Xu Ying are now American citizens but Double Star & Mingren is a Chinese national brand. The power struggle in the company has been ongoing for about a year after Wang Hai claimed that Wang Jun, Xu and their son Wang Zidong seized his post by “forging” the company seals.
Source:The Star
January 06, 2026 01:30 UTC
SMEs welcome grace period
Samenta president Datuk William Ng said that although the transition period was extended, the cost of getting ready for the e-invoicing implementation remains high. “However, we still welcome the announcement by the Prime Minister, which is a major relief for the majority of SMEs,” he said when contacted yesterday. The extended transition period gives us time to educate the workforce,” he said. He added that what had been extended was the penalty-free transition period for the duration of one year. SME Association of Malaysia president Chin Chee Seong said that extending the transition period without penalties by another year provides a buffer, but offers little practical relief.
Source:The Star
January 06, 2026 01:25 UTC
PM term cap must meet strong oversight, say experts
This reform, however, must be reinforced by strong institutions, independent oversight bodies and safeguards against executive overreach, or it risks being merely symbolic. Universiti Sains Malaysia political sociologist Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said a fixed two-term limit would encourage clearer prioritisation, discipline and delivery of reforms within a defined timeframe. Political scientist Prof Wong Chin Huat said capping the prime minister’s tenure will limit power abuse, personality cult and dynastic politics. The reforms, he added, are also good for the opposition and every politician who is not the prime minister. Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) chief executive officer Pushpan Murugiah said the two-term limit discourages the formation of crony networks and reduces the likelihood of the business-political nexus becoming too closely intertwined.
Source:The Star
January 06, 2026 01:19 UTC
Giving diesel buses ‘a new heart’
New heart for busesAutomotive engineer Haidee Che Rizmin likened the retrofitting plan to giving old diesel buses “a new heart” by allowing them to operate at a performance level close to that of a new vehicle. Haidee likens the retrofitting plan to giving old diesel buses “a new heart”. “Electrifying old diesel buses is a strategic approach for Rapid Bus, as it is about 30% to 50% cheaper than acquiring new electric buses,” he said. Cheong noted that retrofitting diesel buses would offer immediate environmental and public health gains by eliminating tailpipe emissions. “While the upfront cost is more than a diesel bus, electric buses are cheaper to run and maintain in the long term,” it added.
Source:The Star
January 06, 2026 01:10 UTC
‘No to illegal assembly charge’
Abdul Hadi’s son-in-law had gathered with several others in Sungai Kampung BaruKUALA LUMPUR: Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharudin Muhammad pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court to a charge of participating in an unlawful assembly during a demolition operation at Kampung Sungai Baru last year. Zaharudin, who is the son-in-law of PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, is alleged to have committed the offence at Jalan Datuk Abdul Malik, Kampung Sungai Baru, on Sept 11, 2025. The charge framed under Section 145 of the Penal Code, provides for a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction. Magistrate Farah Nabihah Muhamad Dan granted bail of RM2,000 with two sureties and fixed the next mention for Feb 24. The operation was carried out following a court order related to the demolition of structures in the area.
Source:The Star
January 06, 2026 00:57 UTC
Cashing in on illegal copper trade
With an increasing involvement of foreign scrap collectors cashing in on the rise in recent years, licensed local scrap metal operators are starting to feel the pinch. Arumugham said the association believes tighter regulation such as mandatory collector identity cards, seller verification and digital transaction logs would improve traceability and deter sale of stolen scrap metal. “Countries that have adopted this approach have seen rapid reductions in cable theft and infrastructure vandalism,” he noted. “If there are any metal items like bicycles or steel frames that are left unattended outside homes, they will grab it and speed off. “The foreigners can be seen going door to door buying scrap metal from residents, construction site workers and factory operators,” Rajan said.
Source:The Star
January 06, 2026 00:45 UTC
10 more companies linked to scams added into SemakMule database, say cops
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have identified and added 10 more companies linked to scams into the Commercial Crime Investigation Department’s (CCID) SemakMule database. Bukit Aman CCID director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the 10 companies had numerous police reports lodged against them within a one-month period till Dec 31. "The companies are CVC Grow Star Sdn Bhd, CVC Group Sdn Bhd, JMC M Trading Venture, JMC Asia Top Solution, KGI HK Sdn Bhd, Greenvale Trading Sdn Bhd, Titan Union Trading Sdn Bhd, Brightglobal Sdn Bhd, RXM IGlobal Solution and Apek Express Servicess (M) Sdn Bhd,” he said in a statement on Monday (Jan 5) night. He also advised the public to not be deceived by offers of ‘easy work’ of registering companies or businesses with the Companies’ Commission of Malaysia and opening bank accounts for third parties, as scammers would use these as cover for their illicit activities. The public are also urged to verify the names of suspicious companies and the number of bank accounts with the CCID SemakMule database, and if a warning is shown, that means that the company or bank account is linked to fraudulent activities.
Source:The Star
January 06, 2026 00:32 UTC
Why healthcare reform is needed in Malaysia
The Covid-19 pandemic made one truth unmistakable: when a healthcare system falters, the consequences extend far beyond hospital walls. For decades, Malaysians have taken pride in a public healthcare system that is affordable, accessible and fair. A strained healthcare system is not merely a policy issue, it affects families, communities, productivity, social stability and national resilience. > Healthcare workforce reform is urgentTraining bottlenecks, uneven workloads, contract uncertainties and slow specialist pathways weaken morale and accelerate brain drain. This is the first in a five-part series on healthcare reform that will be published weekly.
Source:The Star
January 06, 2026 00:19 UTC
Sowing seed for closer partnership
Malaysia eyes stronger cooperation with US in agriculture, food sectorPUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has expressed its willingness to expand its strategic partnership with the United States in the agriculture and food security sectors, including the production of corn for animal feed, improving agriculture mechanisation and automation as well as developing round cabbage crops in low-lying areas. The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) said that its secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak (pic) expressed the ministry’s willingness while receiving a courtesy call from Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy to Malaysia David H. Gamble. He also welcomed US investments in Malaysia’s agriculture and food security sectors, including the development of technology such as Internet of Things, and improving seed varieties. “The courtesy call reflects both country’s continuous commitment to strengthen strategic relations in the agrofood sector, in line with Malaysia’s efforts to boost food security and improve the national agricultural value chain,” the ministry said. Agriculture trade between Malaysia and the United States exceeded RM14.68bil as of September 2025, including exports of Malaysia’s various agricultural products to the United States, such as coffee, cocoa, tea, spices and processed agricultural goods, while United States imports cover a variety of food products.
Source:The Star
January 06, 2026 00:15 UTC
Cost of fencing off bad behaviour
A STRETCH of road in Penang’s Pulau Tikus suburb has become a microcosm of the painful relationship between change and loss. This flashpoint centred on a 140m section of Jalan Burma, a narrow thoroughfare just over 9m across. High railings have been installed here along Jalan Burma in Pulau Tikus, Penang to prevent illegal parking. The shops along this narrow stretch of Jalan Burma face a similar conundrum. Built in the 1800s, Jalan Burma started out as little more than a trail.
Source:The Star
January 05, 2026 23:50 UTC
Maduro declares ‘I am innocent’ in first US court appearance
The toppling of Maduro reverberated around the world and signaled President Donald Trump’s willingness to reconfigure the global order. The hearing began with US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein reading the charges against Maduro and his wife. Hellerstein read Maduro his legal rights, including that he has a right to a lawyer and a right to remain silent. Maduro “sits atop a corrupt, illegitimate government that, for decades, has leveraged government power to protect and promote illegal activity, including drug trafficking”, the US alleges. Meanwhile in Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, who was vice president under Maduro, has been sworn in as acting president.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 05, 2026 23:27 UTC
Hauliers unhappy over bridge limit
The drawbridge that has since become an iconic structure in Malaysia opened to the public in 2019 after five years of construction. In response, the Association of Malaysian Hauliers (AMH) said while AMH respects the state government’s efforts to preserve iconic structures, a better balance needs to be drawn for real-world conditions. “The critical logistics and economic infrastructure should not be constrained by blanket restrictions that fail to reflect present-day industry realities. “Such decisions risk encouraging other authorities to adopt the same mindset: if a bridge or road cannot accommodate heavy vehicles, simply ban them. For example, the iconic London Tower Bridge, allows vehicles of up to 18 tonnes to pass, even though it was designed more than 140 years ago (in 1884).
Source:The Star
January 05, 2026 23:23 UTC
Political party leaders to discuss Bill capping PM’s term
PUTRAJAYA: A meeting of all political party leaders will be convened to discuss a Bill to cap the Prime Minister’s tenure at a maximum of 10 years or two full terms, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. “I have to meet all the party leaders so that we can get more than a two-thirds majority,” she told reporters. Azalina clarified that the Bill would not apply to the positions of chief minister or mentri besar. “On the proposed two-term limit for the prime minister, extensive studies have already been conducted,” she said. “The journey to reach this stage required extensive discussion and continuous refinement,” she said, expressing hope that 2026 would mark significant progress and achievements in legal and institutional reforms.
Source:The Star
January 05, 2026 23:17 UTC