BEIJING: China has purged top generals before, but the announcement that Zhang Youxia (pic), the vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), is being investigated for corruption shocked defence observers. Zhang, 75, is a vice-chairman of the CMC, the body overseeing China's military that is chaired by Xi. Despite the turmoil, "China's military readiness does not appear to have been retarded significantly and the PLA can carry on as normal", said James Char from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Will it affect China's Taiwan strategy? The PLA has increased the number and scope of military drills around Taiwan in recent years.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 29): A total of 150 members of Parliament (MPs) have wound up the debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat, which commenced on Jan 20. Prior to adjourning on Thursday, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said the ministers' reply session regarding issues raised during the debate is scheduled to proceed from Feb 4 to 10. He also announced that the Dewan Rakyat sitting will not be held on Monday and Tuesday next week to allow for the observance of Federal Territory Day and Thaipusam. During Thursday’s debate, which preceded this announcement, a key issue raised by MPs was the Madani government's initiative to launch the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Dashboard. To date, 13 of the 29 key issues have been resolved, nine of which were implemented under the current Madani government administration.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 29): Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) has formalised a joint business partnership with Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIA) that will pave the way for deeper commercial collaboration between the two carriers. “The partnership supports the group’s Long-Term Business Plan 3.0 and strengthens Malaysia Airlines’ competitive position through improved scale and network resilience,” Malaysia Aviation Group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said. Singapore Airlines chief executive officer Goh Choon Phong said the collaboration enhances value for customers across both networks while reinforcing longstanding economic and people-to-people links between both nations. Currently, SIA codeshares on MAB’s services between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, London (Heathrow), and 15 domestic destinations within Malaysia. MAB codeshares on SIA’s services between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and selected long-haul destinations in Europe and Africa.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 29): Malaysia’s national oil and gas company PETRONAS is aiming to ramp up its exploration and production activities in the coming three years after a slowdown in 2025. The number of wells to be developed and explored will rise to 91 this year from 79 last year, the company officially known as Petroliam Nasional Bhd said in its latest Activity Outlook report. “PETRONAS will focus on revitalising Malaysia’s exploration and production landscape to strengthen domestic energy security,” the company said in the report released annually. The activity outlook covers Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, and excludes the Malaysia-Thai Joint Development Area. The activity outlook underlines PETRONAS’ Capital Project Investment Destination Masterplan 2030, aimed at improving domestic project delivery, strengthen competitiveness of local service players and position Malaysia as the preferred investment destination.

KOTA BHARU (Jan 29): Fares for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will be set based on a comprehensive study conducted by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) and are subject to approval by the relevant authorities, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. “Currently, the ministry is focusing on construction and installation works to ensure the project is completed on schedule. The testing and commissioning phases are essential and must be conducted prior to fare setting,” he said after visiting Feeder Station 01 and the Kota Bharu ECRL Station project site Thursday. Meanwhile, Loke said that no discussions had been held so far on the proposed extension of the ECRL project to Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas. Previously, the media reported that the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, had expressed hope that the ECRL project could be extended to Rantau Panjang.

PETALING JAYA: After a 10-month wait, professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia booked his first quarter final spot in 10 months after defeating India’s Mithun Manjunath in the second round of the Thailand Masters on Thursday (Jan 29). Before stepping onto the court, Zii Jia admitted he was wary of the world No. His concerns proved justified as Mithun gave him no easy passage, dominating the opening game. The last time Zii Jia reached the quarter finals was at the Orleans Masters in March last year. Awaiting him in Friday’s (Jan 30) quarter-final is last week’s Indonesian Masters champion Alwi Farhan.

“The outlook, therefore, is one of steady growth amid global uncertainty, requiring caution, but not pessimism.”With these projections, India’s growth is set to outpace other major economies despite tensions with the US. India has also completed four free trade agreements since May, including a long-awaited deal with the European Union. The International Monetary Fund forecasts 6.2% growth in the coming financial year, if steep tariffs remain in place. The comments come as India has kept dairy and other sensitive farm products out of its recent free trade agreements, reflecting domestic political considerations. By better balancing domestic needs with export opportunities, India’s farm output could support export-led growth and help meet the target, the report said.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 29): The United Nations Global Compact Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) launched RantaiNext, a platform to support ESG adoption across the supply chain, at its Go ESG 2026 conference today. The Go ESG 2026 event patrons were Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Sarawak Energy Bhd and KLCC Stapled Group. To assist companies on this journey, especially in reaching out to their suppliers, UNGCMYB launched its RantaiNext initiative, which is an extension of its previous RantaiX solution. The new platform includes six sub-systems, two of which are already available: RantaiSkills, which is the supply chain ESG learning and enablement module, and RantaiX, the SME and supply chain ESG health monitor. According to UNGCMYB’s website, current RantaiX adopters include Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS), RHB Bank Bhd, Sarawak Energy Bhd, Duopharma Biotech Bhd and Prasarana Malaysia Bhd.

KUALA LUMPUR: The principal of SMK Sikuati, Kudat, has passed away following an accident on Wednesday (Jan 28) evening. "Medical officials brought the victim’s body to the Kudat Hospital for further action and to find out the cause of death," said Supt Mohd Haris. "The Kudat police contingent conveys its condolences and sympathies to the families left behind," he said while advising road users to be vigilant on the road. She said his death is a loss to the school and local communities in Kudat. Many social media users described Ahmad as a caring and dedicated teacher who would be difficult to replace.

KUALA LUMPUR: It will be unconstitutional to change the structure of Perikatan Nasional, says Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan on the alleged abolition of the chairman’s role. The Perikatan deputy secretary-general said the issue of the abolition of the chairman’s role never cropped up and hence such a decision never arose. Citing the coalition’s constitution, he said Perikatan must be led by a chairman along with other senior leaders. If it is changed it will be unconstitutional,” Takiyuddin, who is also PAS secretary general, said at a press conference in Parliament. It was recently reported that former Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said in a letter that Bersatu and PAS had agreed to do away with the post of Perikatan Nasional chairman.

GEORGE TOWN: Devotees have been urged to reduce the number of coconuts broken during the upcoming Thaipusam celebration amid rising prices. In a joint appeal with the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, CAP called on devotees to stop breaking coconuts in large quantities, many of which end up discarded. Breaking thousands of coconuts only for them to end up in landfills goes against the spirit of the ritual," he said. He added that some devotees, including those from the Chinese community, mistakenly believe breaking more coconuts brings greater good fortune. Subbarow urged devotees to reflect on the practice, especially in the current economic climate.

KOTA BHARU (Jan 29): The federal government spends more than RM200 million annually for the implementation of Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST), or Bas.My, nationwide. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said public response to the service has been encouraging and continues to trend upward, including in Kelantan, where Bas.My has been fully implemented for more than six months. For Kelantan alone, he said the government allocates more than RM21 million annually to ensure continuity of the Bas.My service. “This means users in Kota Bharu, for example, only pay RM30 for unlimited travel on all 16 Bas.My routes for 30 days,” he said. The Bas.My Kota Bharu service covers 16 routes across 11 local authority areas, including Kota Bharu Municipal Council (Islamic City), and the district councils of Bachok, Gua Musang, Ketereh, Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh, Tanah Merah, Tumpat and Jeli.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 29): Businessman Albert Tei Jiann Cheng arrived at Bukit Aman at about 10.44am on Thursday to record a statement in connection with a police report lodged by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over his alleged defamatory remarks against MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. Tei, who was accompanied by his lawyers N Surendren and Mahajoth Singh, concluded the statement-recording process at about 12.40pm. Earlier, Surendren, at a press conference, said that his client had been summoned to Bukit Aman on Thursday to assist in an investigation under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act and Section 500 of the Penal Code. On Nov 27, an MACC officer lodged a police report over a viral video clip on social media featuring a woman and Tei, containing allegations against Azam.

Global gold demand rose by 1% in 2025 to 5,002 metric tons, the highest number on record, the World Gold Council said on Thursday. Gold investment at a record highThe WGC expects another year of strong inflows into gold-backed exchange-traded funds and robust demand for bars and coins. ETFs saw inflows of 801 tons of gold in 2025, while demand for bars and coins jumped 16% to a 12-year high. Overall gold investment demand soared 84% to a record high of 2,175 tons in 2025. Gold jewellery demand fell 18% in 2025, with buying in China down 24% at its lowest since 2009.

SHAH ALAM (Jan 29): A total of 331 money laundering charges involving more than RM38.1 million against the former chief executive officer and three accountants of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) will be heard before the same judge. The charges involve Nasiruddin Mohd Ali, 67, who faces 77 counts amounting to RM10 million; Hamimah Yakub, 74, with 95 counts involving RM11.4 million; Asmat @ Asmanira Muhammad Ramly, 46, with 68 counts involving RM4.7 million; and Mohd Khushairi Osman, 55, who faces 91 counts involving almost RM12 million. During proceedings on Thursday, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul said applications to consolidate the cases had been made earlier in all relevant courts. On Sept 10 last year, Nasiruddin and the three former accountants pleaded not guilty at the Shah Alam Sessions Court to the money laundering charges. The offences were allegedly committed at bank branches across Selangor between 2020 and 2024, involving transactions to several parties, including accounts belonging to GISBH, GISB Mart Sdn Bhd, GISB Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, and a childcare centre operator.