Policies head in right direction
With rising construction costs and ongoing affordability challenges, Malaysia’s property market has seen a meaningful set of policy adjustments this year. Rather than relying on broad incentives to drive transaction numbers, the latest real estate changes show a more deliberate shift towards strengthening the market’s foundations. The emphasis has shifted towards practical support for genuine homebuyers, stronger protections around developments, more thoughtful signals for investors and greater clarity around short-term rental rules. While no single measure will solve all the challenges, together they point to a property sector being guided towards greater stability, accessibility and long-term sustainability.
Source:The Star
December 28, 2025 02:02 UTC
Suspected explosives found on Nilai bomb maker at time of arrest
SEREMBAN: Police found several objects suspected to be improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on a man arrested in conjunction with an explosion in Desa Palma on Monday (Dec 22). Negri Sembilan police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said that during the 4.15pm arrest, police also seized a motorcycle believed to have been used by the 62-year-old suspect. "At the time of arrest, he was in a weakened condition and was taken to Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital for treatment,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 27). Earlier on Saturday, DCP Alzafny confirmed the arrest of an individual along a road in the Batang Benar area in Nilai following a public tip-off. Police previously found another 31 IEDs at his residence and have since destroyed all the explosives.
Source:The Star
December 28, 2025 01:29 UTC
Breaking down the 1MDB verdict
PETALING JAYA: The 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) court verdict marks the conclusion of one of the longest and most closely watched trials in the country’s judicial history, say legal experts. The verdict was handed down by Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who previously presided over the 1MDB trial at the High Court. Najib was also sentenced to five years’ jail on each of the 21 money laundering charges, with no fine imposed here. Lawyer Lim Wei Jiet said the only recourse Najib has is to appeal this decision to the Court of Appeal. Senior lawyer Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu said the immediate step is to file an appeal within 14 days of the conviction and sentence.
Source:The Star
December 28, 2025 01:13 UTC
No letters to EC from Perlis Speaker on vacancies yet, claims source
PETALING JAYA: Perlis Speaker Rus'sele Eizan has yet to notify the Election Commission (EC) about the vacancy of the three seats in the Perlis state legislative assembly, claims a source. The source said that this was despite an announcement by Rus'ele on Thursday (Dec 25) that he would inform the EC of the vacancies soon. The Perlis state government has been in limbo after eight assemblymen – three from PAS and five from Bersatu – signed statutory declarations to oust the then-Mentri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli. Mohd Shukri later resigned on Dec 25, citing health reasons. He then said that it would be up to the EC to decide whether to call for elections.
Source:The Star
December 28, 2025 01:05 UTC
Schools to add languages
PETALING JAYA: Besides expanding Mandarin and Tamil in national schools, the Education Ministry is exploring the inclusion of Asean languages as part of its initiative on additional languages. The initiative is structured around three concurrent components: the expansion of Mandarin and Tamil in national primary schools, the expansion to national secondary schools and the early exploration of additional languages, including Asean languages, said the ministry. “The ministry expects additional languages to be offered as elective subjects in primary and secondary schools. In the final phase, a full digital and interactive integration will be implemented in the teaching and learning of additional languages. “The ministry will be guided by their recommendations before the Asean languages can be offered in our schools,” it said.
Source:The Star
December 28, 2025 00:59 UTC
Calls to raise individual income tax relief to RM12,000
PETALING JAYA: With the cost of essentials such as food, housing and healthcare continuing to rise, calls are growing to raise the individual income tax relief threshold of RM9,000, which has remained unchanged since 2010. Financial Planning Association of Malaysia president Alvin Tan said the RM9,000 individual tax relief has lost much of its impact over time. Economist and policy specialist Dr Geoffrey Williams said that if personal tax relief had been index-linked to inflation, it would now stand at RM12,240. Any upward revision of the personal tax threshold, he added, should be accompanied by broader revenue measures. A 1% EPT could raise RM28.8bil, helping offset revenue losses from a higher income tax threshold,” he said.
Source:The Star
December 28, 2025 00:50 UTC
Myanmar polls open amid civil war, junta-backed party tipped to win
The junta that has since ruled Myanmar says the vote is a chance for a fresh start politically and economically for the impoverished Southeast Asian nation. Polls to prolong junta’s ‘power of slavery’, academic saysMass protests followed the ouster of Suu Kyi's party, only to be violently suppressed by the military. "And USDP and other allied parties with the military will join forces to form the next government." "No matter who I vote for, the USDP will win," he said, asking not to be named for fear of retribution from junta authorities. "So, I will just vote USDP."
Source:The Edge Markets
December 28, 2025 00:45 UTC
The day I lost my smile
We would love to keep you posted on the latest promotion. Kindly fill the form belowDisclaimer: by clicking the Submit button, it is deemed that you consent to the rules and terms set forth in the Privacy Policy as well as Terms and Conditions set forth by this site.
Source:The Star
December 27, 2025 23:05 UTC
Wanted man has explosive expertise
Negri Sembilan police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said this was based on the discovery of devices and equipment seized from the rented house of a man known as Yeoh Hock Sun, 62, including explosive devices, flammable cleaning agents, as well as carbon and sulphur elements. He added that an inspection of the man’s house, suspected of being used as a laboratory, uncovered 31 additional improvised explosive devices (IEDs), all of which were destroyed by police. Based on the preparation, we interpret that he had the knowledge to prepare a near-perfect explosive,” he said. According to DCP Alzafny, the suspect would wear a face mask or hat, in addition to a wig, when outside or in public. “This is because police believe that the man sustained serious injuries in the incident.
Source:The Star
December 27, 2025 15:02 UTC
At least seven killed in Vietnam after bus overturns
HANOI: At least seven people died on Saturday (Dec 27) when a bus carrying 19 passengers overturned on a mountainous road in Vietnam's northern province of Yen Bai, state-run media reported. The 29-seat bus carrying a charity group was travelling downhill when it flipped and was crushed, according to Vietnam News Agency. Rescue teams pulled 10 survivors from the wreckage, while others remained trapped as of 10.30am local time as heavy equipment was deployed to cut through the vehicle, Hoang Anh Tuan, chairman of Phinh Ho commune, told VNA. Calls to authorities of Yen Bai province and Phinh Ho commune went unanswered. Police, military units, local officials and residents were mobilised for rescue efforts, while authorities said an investigation into the cause of the accident was ongoing, according to VNA.
Source:The Star
December 27, 2025 11:16 UTC
Retiree loses RM212,000 in job scam
KOTA TINGGI: A 60-year-old man lost about RM212,000 after falling for a fake job scheme that promised lucrative returns from reselling goods. Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Yusof Othman said the victim was contacted by a suspect via WhatsApp last Friday (Dec 19) and was offered an online part-time job. “The retiree was attracted by the offer as it promised lucrative returns,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 27). Supt Yusof added that the retiree made several payments to a bank account, thinking he was purchasing stock. He also urged scam victims to immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 to enable swift action to block the outflow of funds from suspects’ accounts.
Source:The Star
December 27, 2025 11:15 UTC
Strong job market, wealth gains to underpin Singapore retail spending in 2026: Economists
SINGAPORE: Consumer spending in Singapore is likely to remain robust in 2026, supported by improving job prospects and steady investment returns, economists said. In 2025, consumers here spent most on travel and household necessities, helped by a strong Singapore dollar and a resilient labour market. The Singapore stock market also improved in 2025, with the Straits Times Index up by 22.4 per cent year to date. The strong Singapore dollar also diverted more spending overseas, be it a short trip to Johor Baru, or flights to Thailand, Japan and China for holidays, said Song. “If the labour market stays resilient and the Singdollar remains strong, people will also continue to spend their strong Singdollar in neighbouring countries,” said Song.
Source:The Star
December 27, 2025 11:01 UTC
Nilai bomb maker nabbed in Mantin
SEREMBAN: Police have arrested an individual suspected of being involved in an explosion that occurred after an improvised explosive device (IED) was used in the Desa Palma area, Nilai, near here on Dec 22. Negri Sembilan police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said the man, known as Yeoh Hock Sun or Ayang, 62, was arrested in the Mantin area, near here, on Saturday (Dec 27) evening. "Yes, the man has been arrested and sent to the hospital due to injuries. Police also found 31 more IEDs in his house, all of which were destroyed by the police. Last Monday, police found a suspected IED following an explosion in the Desa Palma at 7.08 am.- Bernama
Source:The Star
December 27, 2025 11:00 UTC
Kim orders factories to make more missiles in 2026
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered officials to step up production of missiles and construct more factories to meet his military’s growing need for the projectiles, state media said. In a visit to munitions factories, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said yesterday that Kim had ordered the factories to prepare for a busy year ahead. “The missile and shell production sector is of paramount importance in bolstering up the war deterrent,” Kim said. In return, Russia is sending North Korea financial aid, military technology, food and energy supplies, analysts say. Washington has also pointed to evidence that Russia is stepping up support for North Korea, including providing help on advanced space and satellite technology.
Source:The Star
December 27, 2025 10:56 UTC
Fahmi: Algorithms harm children
PUTRAJAYA: Social media algorithms that are opaque and designed to keep users addicted have become one of the greatest threats to public safety and children’s development, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (pic). He said digital platform algorithms function as a “secret sauce” to ensure users repeatedly return to the apps, posing a far greater danger to children, who cannot regulate their own usage. “The three most worrying categories are sexual crimes against children, scam-related crimes and online gambling. Fahmi also highlighted the existence of a Facebook group called “Awek Budak Sekolah”, which was allowed to operate by the platform despite clearly involving sexual exploitation of children. “These algorithms can corrupt their moral values and jeopardise their future,” he said, urging parents to be vigilant about the content their children consume.
Source:The Star
December 27, 2025 10:34 UTC