Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended Thaipusam greetings to all Hindus in Malaysia ahead of the festival tomorrow. - NSTP/ASYRAF HAMZAHKUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended Thaipusam greetings to all Hindus in Malaysia ahead of the festival tomorrow. In a statement posted on his Facebook page today, Anwar said Thaipusam embodies values of sacrifice, enlightenment and spiritual strength. "May Thaipusam be observed with gratitude and order, while upholding the manners and values that are central to social life," he said. "May Thaipusam bring peace of mind to all Hindus and continue to foster a sense of mutual respect and harmony in our multi-racial society," he said.

Crude oil worth more than RM512 million was seized after the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted two oil tankers and 53 crew members suspected of conducting illegal ship-to-ship (STS) transfer activities about 24 nautical miles west of Muka Head here on Thursday. "An inspection found both vessels lashed together and believed to be involved in unauthorised ship-to-ship crude oil transfer activities. "The seized crude oil was valued at more than RM512 million, while the combined value of the two tankers is estimated at RM718 million," he said in a statement today. It is also being probed under Section 491B(1)(k) of the same ordinance for conducting ship-to-ship transfer activities without approval from the Marine Department of Malaysia, which carries a fine of up to RM200,000 per vessel. He said Penang Maritime will continue to intensify patrols in state waters to ensure all maritime activities comply with the law.

PETALING JAYA: Uninsured Malaysians should secure basic medical protection now rather than waiting for the government’s proposed medical and health insurance and takaful (MHIT) plan. Insurance unit manager Nurul Amirah Zamri said that at the minimum, they should get cove­rage for death and accidents. For those who can afford it, she suggested hospitalisation and surgical coverage based on their medical needs, with annual cove­rage of RM100,000. Insurance agent Aminuddin Abdul Khalid echoed the need for consumers to take an in­formed and comparative ap­­proach when selecting medical coverage. “People should compare different medical insurance plans by looking at coverage options, premiums and deductibles to find the best fit for their needs,” he said.

ISKANDAR PUTERI: A mall here is ushering in Chinese New Year with the installation of a record-breaking horse replica crafted entirely from ang pow origami. The giant replica has earned Sunway Big Box Retail Park Malaysia here a place in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for the largest horse replica made of ang pow origami. “Standing at approximately 4.5m tall, this installation has been recognised by the MBOR as the largest horse replica made of ang pow origami. “Most importantly, the replica was created not just by us, but as a result of true collaboration with the community,” he said. He said those involved in the completion of the structure include Raffles University, SJKC Cheah Fah, SJKC Foon Yew 1, SK Pengkalan Rinting, Starnamics Learning Centre and JCI Junior Chamber International South Key.

KOTA TINGGI: Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin says General Datuk Malek Razak will help restore the image and integrity of the Armed Forces amid growing public scrutiny over governance and procurement issues. Congratulating Gen Malek Razak on his appointment as the new Armed Forces Chief, the Defence Minister said he assumed the role at a challenging time. The Kota Tinggi MP added that this could only be achieved through strong cooperation and understanding across all leadership levels within the Defence Ministry and the Armed Forces. Among the measures being implemented is a dedicated unit to handle complaints and oversight matters within the ministry and the Armed Forces. Mohamed Khaled acknowledged calls for the establishment of an independent body to monitor defence procurement but reiterated that continuous system improvements remain the ministry's priority.

Goh Jin Wei defeated Wong Ling Ching to reach the Thailand Masters final in Bangkok on Saturday. - NSTP FILE PICKUALA LUMPUR: Goh Jin Wei became the first Malaysian women's singles shuttler to reach a Super 300 World Tour final after defeating compatriot Wong Ling Ching in Bangkok on Saturday. 68 Jin Wei fought back from a game down to beat world No. 43 Ling Ching 17-21, 21-17, 21-16 at the Nimibutr Stadium. Jin Wei will face either Taiwan's world No.

That experience sums up the complicated state of many local council-run food courts today. If customers find it easier to tap an app than to patronise dimly lit, rundown premises, food courts will continue to lose foot traffic. That said, there are clear examples of food courts that thrive when planning is done right. The question then is not whether food courts should be kept, but how. With appropriate upgrades, improved monitoring and a better understanding of community needs, food courts can remain relevant to the neighbourhoods they serve.

PUTRAJAYA: The results of the 2025 Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) will be released on Feb 5, says the Education Ministry. In a statement on Saturday (Jan 31), the ministry said school candidates results can be obtained from their respective schools starting at 10am on Feb 5, while private candidates may contact the respective state education departments. "School and private candidates can also check their examination results online at http://myresultstam.moe.gov.my from 10am on Feb 5 until 6pm on Feb 11," the ministry said. Candidates may also obtain their results via the short message service (SMS) by typing STAM (space) identity card number (space) index number and sending it to 15888. The SMS service will be activated from 10am on Feb 5 until 6pm on Feb 11.

Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed targets a breakthrough 2026 with the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games serving as the main focus. - NSTP FILE PICKUALA LUMPUR: National judoka Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed is targeting a breakthrough 2026, with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games serving as his main focus. Amir first drew international attention in 2022 when he won bronze at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, becoming Malaysia's first judo medallist at the event at 18. "I have set a target of reaching the final at the Commonwealth Games. At the Asian Games, it is to see how far I can go and gain experience as it is a higher-level competition," he said.

PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has agreed with the proposal to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years as part of the Madani government’s institution reform agenda, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. According to Azalina, the decision was made during the weekly Cabinet meeting on Friday (Jan 30). She said the decision is a crucial step towards strengthening accountability, checks and balances, and governance based on the Federal Constitution. Azalina added that the decision was made after the Cabinet conducted a thorough review of policy inputs, public views, and recommendations from engagement sessions with various stakeholders. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had recently said the government would table a bill to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to no more than 10 years or two full terms.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 31): The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in six states until 7pm on Saturday. In a statement issued at 3.20pm, MetMalaysia said thunderstorms are expected to hit Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Klang, Gombak and Petaling in Selangor, as well as Kuala Lumpur. The warning also covers Larut, Matang and Selama, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Kampar and Batang Padang in Perak, and Cameron Highlands in Pahang. In Sarawak, the affected areas are Kuching, Serian and Samarahan (Samarahan and Asajaya), while in Sabah the warning involves the interior (Sipitang and Beaufort) and the West Coast (Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Kota Belud).

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei wants both the senior and junior coaches to work together to ensure a smooth transition between departments as part of efforts to strengthen the national set-up. Yesterday, the BAM officially announced the appointments of new coaches Harry Hartono of Indonesia, Yeoh Kay Bin and Mohd Zakry Latif. Harry’s role is to strengthen the senior men’s singles coaching line-up while Kay Bin, who guided independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia for a year, will guide the junior men’s singles players. Chong Wei wants to build a more systematic and structured player development pathway, from the junior level through to the professional ranks. “We discussed this with singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen and he submitted a list of coaching candidates, with a focus on continuity for young players,” said Chong Wei.

YTL executive chairman Tan Sri Francis Yeoh Sock Ping was accorded the World Outstanding Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award. Datuk Seri Anne Eu, the chairman of Eu Yan Sang Malaysia, received the Asean Distinguished Women Entrepreneurs Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards were accorded in conjunction with a conference titled "Asean At the Geopolitical Crossroads" jointly organised by the Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI) and Asean Business Club. Speaking after receiving the award, Yeoh described entrepreneurship as a calling rooted in values that have guided YTL's growth over decades. Eu said the award was an honour for Malaysian women, noting that Asean was an important regional hub for business.

SHENZHEN/BEIJING, China (Jan 31): China's factory activity faltered in January as weak domestic demand dragged down production at the start of the new year, an official survey showed on Saturday. The official purchasing managers index (PMI) dropped to 49.3 in January, from 50.1 in December, below the 50-mark separating growth from contraction. The non-manufacturing PMI, which includes services and construction, dropped to 49.4 from 50.2 in December, falling to its lowest since December 2022. The world's second-largest economy hit the government's official growth target of 5% last year, underpinned by strong exports that defied pressure from US President Donald Trump's tariff offensive. Signs of unease are growing among policymakers as the domestic demand downturn persists.

KLANG: A Bangladeshi man identified as Mahmud, 31, said he was willing to risk a dangerous sea crossing to marry the woman he loved after being detained in a maritime operation off Selangor. Speaking to the press, Mahmud said he married his wife in December but was forced to use an illegal route as it was difficult for Bangladeshi nationals to obtain an Indonesian visa. Mahmud said his wife and her parents had pressured him to formalise the marriage. Mahmud works at a food manufacturing factory in Johor Bahru and had taken one month of leave to travel. Mahmud was among those arrested after the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted a boat off Sabak Bernam early Friday (Jan 31).