Police yet to be deployed at KL courts
PETALING JAYA: In October, the authorities decided that police personnel would be stationed at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex to stop touts. During a recent visit to the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex, The Star found that Rela officers were still stationed at the courthouse’s entrance and at the bail counter area. Rela officers are still handling security duties,” he said. A complaint was received on Sept 22 alleging the presence of touting activities involving lawyers and certain individuals at the courts complex. Security officers would then be able to vet whether an individual entering the courts complex is a bail tout or someone acting on behalf of lawyers and law firms.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 18:56 UTC
Warisan info chief denies talk of riot, calls for resignation at party convention
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Information chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman denies reports of any riot, calls for the party president to step down or any long debate urging such action. Azis said the party convention proceeded smoothly, and any claims stating otherwise were baseless and distorted. He said allegations that the riot happened after members pushed for him to take over as party president were false and misleading. “As for claims that I have resigned from the party with immediate effect, this is clear slander. Apparently, videos of a so-called riot and unverified information of Azis calling for Shafie to step down had circulated widely since Saturday during Warisan’s party convention.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 17:54 UTC
Govt has saved RM800mil with Budi95 programme, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has saved RM800mil since the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) was implemented in Sept 30, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anway, who is also Finance Minister, said this was from better targeting of fuel subsidies for Malaysians only, effectively curbing leakages that previously benefited more than 3.5 million foreigners as well as fuel smuggling. "Every ringgit saved is channelled back to the people through initiatives such as the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) and the Rahmah Basic Contribution (Sara), in addition to upgrading clinics and hospitals, improving roads and strengthening infrastructure," he said in a Facebook post on Sunday (Dec 21). Anwar said targeted fuel subsidies had been debated for more than 20 years by successive governments, but none had the courage or political will to implement them until the Madani government took the bold step of introducing Budi95. Under the programme, all Malaysian MyKad holders aged 16 and above with a valid driving licence are eligible to purchase up to 300 litres of subsidised RON95 fuel per month at RM1.99 per litre, compared with RM2.60 per litre without the subsidy.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 17:30 UTC
Indian Blueprint must be implemented, says Zahid
BUTTERWORTH: Barisan Nasional will push for full implementation of the Indian Blueprint programme, a government plan launched in 2017, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the Blueprint was launched in 2017 to address socio-economic challenges faced by the Indian community. "As Barisan chairman, we insist that 100% of the Indian Blueprint programme must be implemented by the unity government. "Through the Indian Blueprint, we even send Indian TVET students to China for training, fully funded by the government," he said. "From the start, Makkal Sakti has held to the divine principle of carrying the voice of the people," he said.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 15:35 UTC
Moderate earthquake hits north Molucca Sea
KUALA LUMPUR: A moderate category 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit the north of Molucca Sea, near North Sulawesi at 8.21pm on Sunday (Dec 21). The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said the earthquake occurred at 1.5 degrees North and 126.4 darjah East at a depth of 10km, about 131km east of Bitung, Indonesia, the department said in a statement on the same day. There is no threat of tsunami hitting Malaysia due to the earthquake, it added.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 15:33 UTC
Key rail infrastructure projects advance across Malaysia in 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's rail development has progressed steadily in 2025, reaching major milestones in national megaprojects, renewed cross-border ambitions, and intensified planning for long-term transport connectivity. Malaysia's other national rail initiative, the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR), remained under evaluation as of Oct 7. Urban rail networks also made progress, with the Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) on track to begin operations on Dec 31, pending final reliability and safety tests. State-focused Rail DevelopmentsJohor renewed calls for federal approval of its proposed domestic rail system, citing the need to manage passenger volumes once the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System link opens in 2027. Borneo Road and Rail InitiativesOn Borneo, rail development has moved into a strategic planning phase.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 15:15 UTC
King, Queen congratulate Malaysian SEA Games contingent
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, congratulated the Malaysian contingent on their achievement in winning a total of 231 medals at the SEA Games Thailand 2025. According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's Facebook page Sunday (Dec 21), Their Majesties also expressed pride in the fighting spirit and high level of commitment demonstrated by the country's athletes throughout the Games. The King and Queen also expressed their appreciation to the National Sports Council, coaching staff, officials and all parties involved, both directly and indirectly, in ensuring the success of the national contingent. "This achievement serves as a catalyst for the country's sporting excellence and an inspiration for the younger generation to continue striving for success at a higher level," said Their Majesties. The SEA Games Thailand 2025, which officially concluded Saturday (Dec 20), saw Malaysia finish fourth overall with a haul of 57 gold, 57 silver and 117 bronze medals, while host nation Thailand topped the medal standings with 233 gold, 154 silver and 112 bronze medals.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 15:00 UTC
Rare tech skills power engineer’s career
JERANTUT: Few possess the skills to repair and manufacture spare parts for high-technology electronic circuit boards, but such expertise has shaped the career path of a local electronic engineer from this district. He specialises in repairing and producing high-technology electronic circuit boards that serve as core electronic components for navigation systems, radar, sonar and transponders used in aircraft, helicopters and ships. He is also skilled in maintaining, restoring and reproducing complex high-tech electronic circuit board components that are no longer manufactured in their countries of origin – a task generally considered extremely challenging. His career started at a Taiwanese electronic components and telecommunications systems company after graduation. “I was the only local staff given the opportunity to be part of the R&D team involved in developing and improving electronic and telecommunications systems.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 11:40 UTC
Floods: Evacuee numbers drop in Pahang, Terengganu
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 21): The number of flood victims in Pahang and Terengganu continued to decline, with 3,146 people still at temporary evacuation centres (PPS) in both states as of Sunday afternoon. Based on the Social Welfare Department’s (JKM) Infobencana application, Kuantan still recorded the highest number of victims, with 1,986 people sheltered at 19 PPS. In Terengganu, the number of flood victims in the Kemaman district dropped to 571 people from 155 families as of 4pm, compared with 921 people from 246 families at 9am earlier. The Terengganu State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) Secretariat said all victims in the Kemaman district are currently taking shelter at a single PPS, namely Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bukit Mentok. Two PPS, SK Binjai and SK Chukai, were closed at noon after all evacuees were allowed to return to their respective homes.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 21, 2025 11:01 UTC
BN to push for GST after next GE, says Zahid
BUTTERWORTH: Barisan Nasional will look to reinstate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) after the next general election, describing it as the most effective tax system to ensure fairness and boost government revenue, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The coalition's chairman said GST was the ideal tax regime for Malaysia, allowing the government to secure more robust financial resources. "GST allows the people to feel that the tax system is fair. "More than 155 countries worldwide have implemented GST,” he said. "We implemented GST before, but later reverted to SST,” he said.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 10:15 UTC
Festive price control scheme to run soon
PAPAR: The Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme will be implemented from Dec 23 to 27 in conjunction with Christmas, involving 14 types of controlled goods. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (pic) said the ministry has identified goods that will be controlled under the scheme including imported bone mutton, imported round cabbage (from Indonesia and China, excluding Beijing cabbage), carrots (China), tomatoes and red chillies. In addition, green bell peppers, large red onions, large yellow onions, imported potatoes (China), chicken wings, live old chickens (Sarawak only), live pigs (farm only), pork belly, meat and fat are only in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. The price scheme will be enforced through the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act to enable price determination, Armizan said during the Jualan Rahmah programme at the Papar Library Open Hall here yesterday, as reported by Bernama. Armizan said the price scheme has taken into account considerations so that consumers can enjoy reasonable prices and traders are not pressured by an overly long implementation period.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 10:15 UTC
Uganda National Oil secures US$2 bil loan from Vitol Britain
The loan will unlock key projects across the petroleum value chain, the Kampala-based company said in a statement on X. Key projects include the greenfield storage terminal in Mpigi District, near the capital; expansion of the petroleum terminal in Jinja, in the east; and products pipeline extension from neighbouring Kenya, it said.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 21, 2025 10:11 UTC
Makkal Sakti never intended to 'replace' MIC in BN, says Thanenthiran
BUTTERWORTH (Dec 21): The Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party (Makkal Sakti) never intended to "replace" MIC in Barisan Nasional (BN), its president Datuk Seri RS Thanenthiran said. He said the 17-year-old party would not take advantage of any internal issues between MIC and BN by positioning Makkal Sakti as an alternative for the Indian community. “Makkal Sakti is not an alternative to MIC. Also present was BN secretary general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. At the 79th MIC general assembly in November, the party decided to postpone the decision on whether to leave or remain in BN.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 21, 2025 10:01 UTC
LHDN: No penalties in first year of Self-Assessment Stamp Duty System
PUTRAJAYA (Dec 21): The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) will not impose penalties during the first year of the Self-Assessment Stamp Duty System (STSDS) for applications submitted from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2026, in efforts to ease duty payers into the new regime. In a statement Sunday, LHDN said the concession covers errors in Stamp Duty Return Form (BNDS) submissions, inaccurate information affecting stamp duty assessment, and offences identified under Subsection 72D(2) of the Stamp Act 1949. “The measure is intended to ease duty payers into the new system, encourage voluntary compliance, and allow time to familiarise themselves with electronic self-stamping,” it added. The e-Stamp Duty System has been opened for early access via the MyTax portal to facilitate testing and preparation. Assistance is available via the HASiL Contact Centre at 03-8911 1000 or +603-8911 1000 (overseas), HASiL Live Chat, or the feedback form at maklumbalaspelanggan.hasil.gov.my/Public/ on LHDN’s official portal.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 21, 2025 08:26 UTC
No ban on Christmas decor
KUALA LUMPUR: Halal-certified hotels and food premises can display Christmas decorations, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan (pic). He clarified that there are no restrictions against halal certification holders from displaying festive decorations linked to religions other than Islam, provided that halal standards are upheld. Zulkifli said this also applies to festive decorations in kitchens or hotel outlets that hold SPHM. Hotels and food premises with halal certification have been advised to refer to the relevant halal certification authorities for clarification and guidance when needed, to ensure continued compliance with national halal standards. “Hotel managements are free to decorate areas within their premises that don’t carry halal certification,” Rahman said.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 07:20 UTC