PM: Collapsed Kuala Krai suspension bridge must be replaced immediately
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday (Jan 2) directed that funds be allocated for the immediate replacement of the collapsed suspension bridge at Lata Rek, Kuala Krai, Kelantan, on Thursday (Jan 1). The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement said that the Prime Minister’s directive was aimed at ensuring public safety and convenience. The PMO said Anwar viewed seriously the incident involving the collapse of the suspension bridge, which resulted in injuries to several members of the public and disrupted daily access for residents around Kampung Pasir Jering, Dusun Ban, Dusun Bunut and Kampung Batu Pagar. "The Prime Minister expressed his sympathy and deep concern to more than 50 victims involved in the incident, particularly the newlywed couple and their family who were tested by this misfortune,” the statement said. On Thursday, it was reported that the festive atmosphere of a wedding reception for a newlywed couple turned chaotic when a suspension bridge used by their guests suddenly collapsed, causing more than 50 victims to fall into Sungai Chatel Damai, Lata Rek.
Source:The Star
January 02, 2026 13:08 UTC
HK singer Leo Ku’s 57-year-old wife gives birth to their second son
The 53-year-old also has a six-year-old son, Kuson, with his wife Lorraine Chan, 57. Ku and Chan dated in secret for some two decades before they registered their marriage in Las Vegas in 2014. He announced the birth of Kuson in March 2020, when the baby was about three months old. By giving birth at the age of 57, Chan almost matched the record set in 2025 by Hong Kong actor Brian Wong’s wife Lilian Chan. Lilian gave birth to a girl, her second child with Wong, at the age of 58.
Source:The Star
January 02, 2026 13:06 UTC
Penang gets serious on smoking ban
GEORGE TOWN: The familiar in-flight warning that drug offences carry serious consequences may soon be accompanied by another reminder – that smoking is prohibited within the George Town World Heritage Site. With Penang expecting an influx of visitors during Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), he said many tourists remain unaware that the smoking ban has been in force since 2016, with some locals continuing to flout the rule. “We hope everyone, including fellow Penangites, can adhere to the smoking ban,” he said. Gooi said continuous monitoring and enforcement by the state Health Department will be carried out to ensure the smoking ban is taken seriously. “We will also put up banners at strategic locations to remind the public about the smoking ban,” he said.
Source:The Star
January 02, 2026 13:00 UTC
UMPSA Holdings supports elephant conservation centre in Pahang
The company’s ‘Trunks of Hopes’ programme, carried out at the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah in Pahang showcased its environmental and sustainability efforts. KUALA LUMPUR: UMPSA Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), has carried out a programme to support an elephant conservation centre. The company's 'Trunks of Hopes' programme, carried out at the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah in Pahang showcased its environmental and sustainability efforts. The National Elephant Conservation Centre, established in 1989, plays a vital role in the rescue and relocation of Asian elephants displaced by habitat loss due to development. UMPSA Holdings sponsored 10 resting chairs to improve visitors' comfort at the elephant conservation centre.
Source:New Strait Times
January 02, 2026 12:41 UTC
Yen Mei turns down coaching offers from abroad to focus on local talents
PETALING JAYA: Former women’s singles shuttler Ho Yen Mei had a solid reason for turning down coaching offers from abroad – she wants to focus on nurturing the next generation of Malaysian shuttlers. Yen Mei, who retired in 2023, is now a coach at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association (KLBA), dedicating her efforts to grassroots talent development. In the past, she received offers from clubs in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, China and Singapore, but Yen Mei is determined to contribute to Malaysia’s badminton future at home. “Some of the coaching directors and management are still around, and being here feels like home to me,” said Yen Mei. Besides coaching players at the grassroots level, Yen Mei is also equipping herself with scouting skills to identify new talent that can be developed.
Source:The Star
January 02, 2026 12:40 UTC
12,000 summonses, 20 held in traffic blitz
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 12,437 summonses were issued for various offences while more than 20 individuals were detained during traffic operations conducted at over 240 locations nationwide beginning New Year’s Eve and stretched into the new year. He said the operation was conducted to ensure public safety, public order and smooth traffic flow in conjunction with New Year’s Eve celebrations. KL JSPT chief Asst Comm Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said the motorcycle riders inspected were aged between 15 and 19. In Selangor, state police chief Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar said 1,206 summonses were issued while seven individuals were detained. “Ampang Jaya district recorded the highest number with 199 summonses, followed by Shah Alam (161) and Petaling Jaya (156).
Source:The Star
January 02, 2026 12:19 UTC
Proton closes 2025 with 3.3pct more vehicles sold at nearly 158,000
The national carmaker sold 14,655 units in December, bringing total group sales for the full year to 157,976 units. The national carmaker sold 14,655 units in December, bringing total group sales for the full year to 157,976 units. Parallel to this, it said the Proton e.Mas network has rapidly become the largest dedicated EV chain in the country. Beyond sales, Proton has also stepped up its sustainability efforts through the Proton Xchange Programme. Implemented in collaboration with Car Medic Sdn Bhd, the programme offers RM2,000 in overtrade support and a first-year road tax exemption for customers upgrading to a new Proton vehicle.
Source:New Strait Times
January 02, 2026 11:14 UTC
[UPDATED] More suspects identified in army procurement corruption probe, says MACC
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has identified additional individuals suspected of being involved in a corruption investigation linked to a senior military officer and several army procurement tender projects. NSTP FILE PICKUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has identified additional individuals suspected of being involved in corruption linked to a senior military officer and several army procurement tender projects. The MACC added that the main individual in the probe is still receiving medical treatment, and a full statement has not yet been recorded. Previously, the MACC conducted a search of a senior army officer's office at the Defence Ministry and his official residence. The same source said the officer was scheduled to give a statement at MACC headquarters but was instead rushed to hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit.
Source:New Strait Times
January 02, 2026 10:47 UTC
Ringgit ends firmer versus greenback, major currencies
At 6pm, the local currency climbed to 4.0515/0560 versus the greenback from Wednesday’s close of 4.0580/0620. At 6pm, the local currency climbed to 4.0515/0560 versus the greenback from Wednesday's close of 4.0580/0620. Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd noted that the local currency was further supported by a weaker greenback amid expectations of more US interest rate cuts in 2026. At the close, the ringgit traded higher against a basket of major currencies. It eased versus the Thai baht to 12.8996/9201 from 12.8560/8756, and flat against the Philippine peso at 6.88/6.89 from 6.88/6.90 previously.
Source:New Strait Times
January 02, 2026 10:33 UTC
Profit-taking drags Bursa Malaysia to end lower on first trading day of 2026
At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 10.35 points, or 0.62 per cent, to 1,669.76 from Wednesday’s close of 1,680.11. KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended the first trading day of 2026 on a softer note as investors locked in profits after the recent rally amid subdued trading, despite encouraging performance on most regional markets. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 10.35 points, or 0.62 per cent, to 1,669.76 from Wednesday's close of 1,680.11. The benchmark index opened 4.91 points lower at 1,675.20 -- its intraday high -- and slipped to its day low of 1,666.17 during the afternoon session. Turnover improved to 2.08 billion units worth RM1.80 billion from 1.89 billion units worth RM1.94 billion on Wednesday.
Source:New Strait Times
January 02, 2026 10:25 UTC
Three ex-assemblymen sue Perlis speaker over vacant seats
KANGAR: Three assemblymen have filed a judicial review against the state assembly speaker, contesting the recent declaration that three seats are vacant. This led the Perlis state assembly speaker Rus'sele Eizan to announce that the seats must be vacated. "In this matter, we respect the speaker's views but believe the decision to declare the seats vacant is 'erroneous and beyond the rules'. "Consequently, we have filed a judicial review against the speaker as the first defendant and the Perlis state assembly as the second defendant, seeking the court to nullify the declaration," they said today. They said the judicial review was filed through lawyer Mohd Jamil Yaacob of Tetuan Srihana Mohamad & Partners.
Source:New Strait Times
January 02, 2026 09:23 UTC
Hong Kong arrests 21 for corruption in building renovation crackdown
HONG KONG (Jan 2): Hong Kong's anti-graft agency arrested 21 people on suspicion of corruption in relation to renovation work at two residential estates, it said on Friday. Hong Kong has stepped up a crackdown on corruption linked to building renovation following a fire in late November that ripped through seven high-rise towers and killed more than 160 people. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said in a statement it conducted enforcement operations last week against a triad-linked corruption syndicate associated with building renovation. The ICAC has always attached great importance to corruption in building maintenance," the statement said. The ICAC has arrested at least 11 people in a corruption probe into renovation work at Wang Fuk Court.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 02, 2026 08:48 UTC
Kok Keong challenges shuttlers to reclaim Chong Wei's former fortress
- NSTP FILE PICKUALA LUMPUR: There was a time when the Malaysia Open men's singles crown almost felt destined to stay at home. For Datuk Foo Kok Keong, those memories remain vivid. Since Chong Wei's last triumph in 2018, Malaysia have not only failed to win the men's singles title. Kok Keong, who's a member of the 1992 Thomas Cup winning squad, admits the contrast is hard to ignore. Yet Kok Keong believes the Malaysia Open environment should still ignite something deeper.
Source:New Strait Times
January 02, 2026 08:46 UTC
Asia senior investment banker hires jump 60%, survey shows
(Jan 2): Hiring of senior investment bankers jumped 60% across Asia Pacific in 2025 amid a pickup in deal flow, according to a survey by recruitment firm Maven Partnership. The country made up 16% of total managing director hires across Asia Pacific in 2025, according to the survey, up from 3% in the previous year. Southeast Asia made up 23% of total managing director hires in 2025, the survey showed. In Hong Kong, where there has been a boom in public offerings, hiring held steady by making up roughly a third of managing director hires. Maven Partnership is an executive search and recruitment firm with offices in New York, London, Dubai and Hong Kong.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 02, 2026 08:43 UTC
Penang to enforce community service for littering offences starting July
BUKIT MERTAJAM (Jan 2): Penang is set to enforce a Community Service Order for public littering offences, starting July 1, 2026. The Community Service Order has come into effect since Thursday in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. In Penang, Selangor, Kelantan and Terengganu, which have not adopted Act 672, enforcement of the order is subject to approval by the respective state authorities. In a previous statement, KPKT said the order would be enforced in addition to existing fines, but could only be imposed on offenders after conviction by a court. Offenders may be required to undertake up to 12 hours of activities such as collecting waste, washing public areas, cutting grass or clearing cobwebs within six months of conviction.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 02, 2026 08:28 UTC