New Perlis MB takes a salary cut
KANGAR: Newly appointed Perlis Mentri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah has announced a RM3,000 monthly salary cut as part of efforts to reduce the state government’s financial burden. “For the new exco members later, I will also advise them to make a RM1,500 deduction. Abu Bakar was sworn in before the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail at Istana Arau last Sunday. On the appointment of new exco members, he said discussions will first be held with the State Secretary before submitting the proposed names to Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin. “We must rise from complacency, rise from weaknesses, rise from laziness and the like.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 15:50 UTC
One cook’s personal mission to preserve nasi gaul
BATU PAHAT: A cook from Kampung Parit Lahak here is making a concerted effort to ensure that nasi gaul, a traditional rice dish of the Indonesian Banjar community, does not fade into obscurity. Mohd Ariffin Ibrahim, 60, said he has handed down the family’s generations-old recipe for nasi gaul to his fourth child Nursyahira Hanis, 27, who now works as a chef in Johor Baru. “Nasi gaul is not easy to prepare and requires great attention to detail, starting with cooking basmati rice using chicken, beef or mutton stock. The Banjar community traces its roots to Banjarmasin in Kalimantan, Indonesia. According to Mohd Ariffin, nasi gaul was once popular among the community in Johor, Selangor and Perak.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 15:46 UTC
KTM Southern Express ends on Jan 1, records 2.6 million passengers
JOHOR BARU: The Southern Express (ES) train service, which will be terminated on Jan 1, has played an important role in facilitating the daily activities and movements of residents in southern Johor and the Iskandar region, recording 2.6 million passengers since its introduction in 2016. "The ES has made a big impact because it connects large and medium-sized towns on the southern route such as Segamat, Kluang, Labis, Kulai and Johor Baru. Afzar said indirectly, the service has contributed to economic development along the southern line as users utilise the train for work-related, economic and tourism-related movements. On Monday (Dec 29), KTMB announced that the operation of the Southern Express train service on the Gemas - JB Sentral - Gemas route will be terminated effective Jan 1 after nine years of operation. He said the train service also helped smooth traffic flow by providing residents with an alternative to using the road, especially during congestion on the main highways connecting to and from Johor Bahru.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 15:30 UTC
Gold bounces from two-week low as thin trade sparks volatile moves
Spot gold was up 0.7% at $4,361.71 per ounce, as of 0709 GMT, after hitting a record high of $4,549.71 on Friday. It fell to its lowest since December 17 on Monday, marking its sharpest daily percentage loss since October 21. "The fact that we've had such a significant selloff from Monday open ... it just goes to show the significant volatility probably compounded by thinner trading conditions because of the holiday season," Kyle Rodda, senior analyst at Capital.com, said. The relative strength indexes (RSI) for both gold and silver fell from 'overbought' territory on Monday. Spot silver was up 3.1% at $74.49 per ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $83.62 in the previous session.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 15:10 UTC
New Perlis exco with just five members possible, says MB
KANGAR: A new Perlis executive council (exco) can be formed if just four more members are appointed, says Mentri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah. "Without the Mentri Besar, it is four and with the Mentri Besar, it becomes five. There are 15 seats in the Perlis State Assembly. He said all existing PAS exco members would resign in solidarity following the resignation of former mentri besar Mohd Shukri Ramli. Abu Bakar, who is also Perlis Perikatan Nasional deputy chairman, said exco portfolios could be consolidated or abolished to reduce the administrative burden.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 14:34 UTC
Keeping the Dumpas legacy alive
TELUPID: The Dumpas were once a close-knit community in Sabah, known for a way of life shaped by movement and long-held traditions passed down through generations. The Dumpas language is the clearest marker of that distinction, said Sabah Dumpas Association deputy president, Bidin Angau, 65. “When it is completed, we want the Dumpas community to stand on equal footing with other ethnic groups, and to leave this dictionary as a legacy for future generations,” said Bidin. “I intend to distribute copies to libraries at universities, so researchers and students can study who the Dumpas are,” he said. Dumpas identity is also expressed through what can be seen and touched, especially traditional attire with intricate embroidery – every bead sewn by hand.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 14:32 UTC
US home prices rise by least since 2012 in October, govt data shows
(Dec 30): US home prices rose in October at the slowest annual rate in more than 13 years, government data showed on Tuesday, in a sign of improving affordability in the long-struggling housing market. The Federal Housing Finance Agency said home prices rose 1.7% from a year earlier in October after climbing by an upwardly revised 1.8% in September. That marked the smallest annual price increase since March 2012, when prices first started rising after a five-year slump triggered by the global financial crisis. On a regional basis, annual price changes ranged from a drop of 0.7% in the lower Midwest to an increase of 5.3% in the Mid-Atlantic region. On a monthly basis, US home prices rose 0.4% in October following a downwardly revised decline of 0.1% in September.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 30, 2025 14:20 UTC
MetMalaysia issues continuous rainfall alert until Jan 1 for Sarawak
KUALA LUMPUR: The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued an alert level for continuous rainfall in several areas of Sarawak, effective from Wednesday (Dec 31) until Jan 1, 2026. In a statement on Tuesday (Dec 30), MetMalaysia advised that the affected areas are expected to include Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Betong. The public is advised to obtain the latest weather information through the official MetMalaysia website, the myCuaca mobile application, MetMalaysia's official social media channels, or by contacting the MetMalaysia hotline at 1-300-22-1638 for further inquiries.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 14:00 UTC
Ewon Benedick pays working visit to major solar plant
KOTA KINABALU: Newly appointed state Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transportation Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick has paid a visit to the SBH Kibing New Solar Energy at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) in Sepanggar here, one of the state’s major industrial investments. The visit was made to review the company’s performance and expansion progress, during which Ewon was also briefed on its operations, achievements, and future plans. Ewon also expressed his appreciation for the company’s implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs for the community, in addition to contributing to the state’s economic development. Kibing Solar is a solar glass manufacturing company operating in KKIP. It is part of Kibing Group, a Chinese conglomerate specialising in glass and high-tech solar materials.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 13:59 UTC
Operations resume at Sultan Abdul Halim Airport
PUTRAJAYA: The runway at Sultan Abdul Halim Airport reopened at 7.30pm on Sunday (Dec 30) after receiving final safety clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). Malaysia Airports said that flight operations at the airport have since resumed and are now running as normal. "Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest flight updates,” the airport operator posted on Facebook. Operations at the airport were temporarily suspended earlier following a runway-related safety issue, prompting inspections and assessments by the relevant aviation authorities before clearance was granted for reopening. Sultan Abdul Halim Airport serves as the main air gateway to Kedah and northern Perlis, handling both domestic commercial flights and military aviation operations.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 13:56 UTC
MAHB reinforces long-term growth with ISG modernisation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is continuing to invest ahead of sustained passenger demand at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (ISG), reinforcing its long-term focus on capacity, efficiency and resilience across its airport network. In a statement, MAHB said it recently inaugurated Phase 1 of ISG’s expansion following the completion of Terminal 1’s modernisation and optimisation works, highlighting its approach to planning and delivering infrastructure that supports growth over time. The group emphasised its phased, demand-driven investment strategy, designed to strengthen airport performance while safeguarding passenger comfort and operational stability. "The 70 million euro (€1 = RM4.77) expansion project, targeted for completion by the second quarter of 2026, is being delivered through close collaboration between Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Authority (HEAŞ), Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Investment Development and Operation Inc., and MAHB. MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said the Terminal 1 modernisation and optimisation works were driven by sustained passenger growth and the need to enhance capacity and passenger flow in a measured, structured manner.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 13:49 UTC
Coach Kay Bin and Zii Jia decide to part ways
PETALING JAYA: Badminton coach Yeoh Kay Bin and men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia have decided to part ways. Kay Bin, who only joined Team LZJ a year ago, will not be renewing his contract. Zii Jia, who has had an injury-riddled year, said he understood Kay Bin's desire to move elsewhere. "I have nothing but the utmost respect for coach Kay Bin, who has been through my side the past year. Former player Liew Daren, who guided Zii Jia for nearly two years until 2023, will return to team LZJ in a coaching capacity.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 13:44 UTC
Returning Zii Jia faces tough task in Malaysian Open
PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia has been handed a tough draw in the Malaysian Open from Jan 6-11 at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil. Zii Jia, who is set to make his first competitive appearance since September, could go up against China's world No. Zii Jia has struggled with injuries throughout the year and will be hoping to put his fitness issues behind him in 2026. Meanwhile, Malaysia's other representative in the men's singles in the home event, world No. 28 Leong Jun Hao, will open his campaign against China's world No.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 13:40 UTC
New Perlis MB says will proceed with formation of five-member state exco
KANGAR (Dec 30): The appointment of new members to the Perlis state executive council (exco) can proceed with a minimum of four members, following PAS’ decision not to join the state administration under his leadership, said Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah. “Without the menteri besar, it is four. With the menteri besar, it becomes five. He said all existing PAS exco members will resign in solidarity following the resignation of former menteri besar Mohd Shukri Ramli. Abu Bakar, 57, who is also the Kuala Perlis state assemblyman from Bersatu, was sworn in before the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail on Sunday.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 30, 2025 13:30 UTC
Negri Sembilan Perikatan chief resigns
SEREMBAN: Labu assemblyman Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker has announced his resignation as Negeri Sembilan Perikatan Nasional chief, effective Jan 1. The state Bersatu chief and Opposition leader said in a four-paragraph statement that his decision was made because his appointment came under the purview of the Perikatan chairman. Earlieron Tuesday (Dec 30), Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced he would step down from the post on Jan 1. Hanifah said his decision was in line with the principle of respecting the structure, hierarchy and governance in Perikatan. "I would like to express my gratitude to the leadership at all levels, party friends and state Perikatan supporters for the trust given to me to hold the position all this while," he added.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 13:27 UTC