FIFTEEN-year-old Azira Khairuddin from Cheras has a beef with an upcoming ruling that will likely see her taking a “forced” break from social media platforms. Recently, in the United Kingdom, the House of Lords backed the country’s move to ban under-16s from social media platforms. Back home, some experts and parents concur with the need to limit social media use or overall screen time among the young. While correlational studies link youth social media use to declining mental health, there is limited causal proof that bans improve outcomes. “As a result, what we are doing with social media bans is addressing the symptoms, not the root causes.

GEORGE TOWN: Several giant Casuarina trees that have lined Batu Ferringhi beach since the 1950s have fallen since Friday under the hammering of spring tides. Anas said once mature coastal trees were destroyed by erosion, no amount of future landscaping could restore what was lost. In recent years, hotel operators and local businesses had repeatedly raised concerns over severe beach erosion in Batu Ferringhi, with various mitigation measures reportedly undertaken. The Star first reported visible signs of beach erosion at Batu Ferringhi in April 2021. Despite these measures, erosion worsened.

PETALING JAYA: Parents and young adults alike are beginning to speak openly about childhoods shaped by cultural pressures and the mental health struggles that often went unnoticed for years. Christina said cultural norms influenced both her own understanding of anorexia and her mother’s response to it. Even after she was formally diagnosed with anorexia, Christina said her mother struggled to accept the seriousness of the disorder. “My dad grew up in an environment where mental health was never talked about. She suggested that face-to-face parent–child support groups could help make mental health a more accepted part of Malaysia’s cultural and national conversation.

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Misbun Sidek has spent a lifetime shaping badminton champions at home. The set-up suits Misbun, who described the agreement as a friendly collaboration between both parties. “I can’t disclose which club it is right now, but I’m going to India – my first coaching stint outside of Malaysia,” said Misbun. Misbun admitted to feeling both excited and anxious ahead of his first coaching stint outside Malaysia. The veteran coach, who stepped away from the Badminton Association of Malaysia coaching set-up three years ago, said this particular opportunity finally resonated with him.

KINABATANGAN: Returning officer Dr Eddy Syaizul Rizam Abdullah announces that Barisan Nasional candidate Mohd Ismail Ayob @ Miha won after he garnered 7,269 votes against Warisan’s Mazliwati Abd Malek Chua’s 1,588, securing a majority of 5,681 after deducting 160 rejected votes. In Lamag, Barisan’s Mohd Ismail Ayob @Miha is also leading the vote count against Warisan’s Mazliwati Abdul Malik Chua in a straight fight for the seat. In Kinabatangan, it is a three-cornered contest between Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar, Warisan’s Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman, and independent candidate Goldam Hamid. Meanwhile, the Lamag seat is a straight fight between BN’s Mohd Ismail Ayob and Warisan’s Mazliwati Abdul Malek. The by-elections are being held following the death of the former incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, on Dec 5, 2025.

This is reflected in M. Devi, who spent nights sleeping by her friend’s hospital bed when the latter was hospitalised for asthma about two months ago. For five days, she stayed at the hospital just to make sure 74-year-old Fatimah Ibrahim received the care, comfort and companionship she needed most. The friendship between the two women began four years ago when Devi, 63, frequented a nearby food court where Fatimah operated a stall selling traditional kuih. I just want to make sure she has someone to talk to and rely on in times of need. As for Fatimah, she now makes kuih at home to supply to small businesses, and Devi helps her buy the ingredients.

GEORGE TOWN: After 17 years confined to a wheelchair by hip alignment issues, K. Mangales, 59, finally reached the Arulmigu Sri Balathandayuthapani Waterfall Hilltop Temple. However, her prayers to Lord Muruga were answered this year through a special initiative by the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB). Assisted by 40 dedicated volunteers, Mangales was one of 60 people who bypassed the gruelling 513-step ascent to the temple, located 833m above sea level, to finally offer her prayers in person at the hilltop shrine. Venikrishnan was happy her sister could finally visit and offer prayers at the new temple. “We have always admired the temple from afar, but it feels special that she has now experienced the special Thaipusam prayers in person,” she said.

The push to make dashcams standard equipment, especially for e-hailing and commercial vehicles, is gaining momentum due to their ability to capture road accidents in real time. VTAREC coordinator Mas Tina Abdul Hamid (pic) said dashcams are proving their worth in improving road safety, supporting enforcement and resolving disputes, particularly in hit-and-run cases. ALSO READ : E-hailing group: Incentivise use of cameras“Dashcams provide clear and undeniable evidence, capturing crucial details such as location, timing and the offending vehicle. Mas Tina said dashcams are a reliable device that reassures victims during untoward incidents, as they capture and document events in real time. She said VTAREC is proposing a gradual rollout starting with commercial vehicles before extending it to all new private cars, followed by installation in existing vehicles within a reasonable timeframe.

I FIND it very hard to accept when Malaysians struggle to speak the national language or have little understanding and appreciation of our history and cultures. I spent all my early life in an English medium school but that did not stop me from signing up for the Sejarah Islam and Kesusasteraan papers for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) examination, the equivalent of today’s Sijil Pelajaran Tinggi Malaysia (STPM).

KEPALA BATAS: The government's move to allow voluntary enrolment of Year One pupils at the age of six from 2027 should not be viewed in a negative light, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said it must be seen in the context of improving the quality of the nation's education, particularly in providing early exposure to formal schooling. "In most countries around the world, children begin Year One at the age of six. When we do it here, it becomes an issue – some say children are not ready at six, that they should learn the Quran first, and so on. He said if children are given the opportunity and early exposure, they can become more capable learners, which in turn could help elevate the country.

PETALING JAYA: The introduction of the Base Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT) plan by the government will actually be able to correct market distortions and reform the insurance industry, says Sim Tze Tzin. “Not all governments have the commitment and courage to reform complex issues and the insurance industry that involves giant companies, most of which are from foreign countries,” he said. According to the MHIT White Paper released on Jan 22, there are two plans, namely the Standard Plan and the lower-cost Standard Plus Plan. Those aged 61 to 65 will pay RM280 to RM350 for the Standard Plan, while for the Standard Plus Plan, they will be paying RM220 to RM280. Those aged above 75 will be paying RM500 to RM780 for the Standard Plan, while the Standard Plus Plan will cost them RM400 to RM660.

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Police have arrested nine men over a fight that broke out at a beach here. Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm M. Kumarasan said the nine suspects, aged from 22 to 37, were arrested around Johor Baru in an operation conducted from Jan 18 to 20. "Investigations found that the fight occurred after the group was drinking alcohol on a beach in Tanjung Kupang on Jan 17," he said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 24). He said that a local man sustained injuries to his head, body and hand and was sent to Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Baru for treatmentACP Kumarasan added that eight suspects had previous criminal records, including for drugs. "Four suspects also tested positive for marijuana," he said.

PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani smashed into the Indonesian Masters final after overcoming Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard. Sze Fei-Izzuddin were in top form when they swept aside the Danes 21-9, 21-15 in just 28 minutes at Istora Senayan in Jakarta on Saturday (Jan 24). The independent pair will take on homesters and surprise finalists Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin for the title on Sunday (Jan 25). 7 teammates Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza 21-19, 21-14 in the other last four match. 9 Sze Fei-Izzuddin will be attempting to end their title drought after last triumphing in the Indian Open last January.

IPOH: One person died, and three others sustained injuries after a van caught fire following a four-vehicle accident in Manong, near Kuala Kangsar. He said the accident involved a van, a lorry, a car and a multi-purpose vehicle. “Firefighters from the Kuala Kangsar station arrived at 3.36pm to find the van ablaze, with one occupant trapped inside. “Among the casualties, a 32-year-old man died, while a 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old woman sustained injuries,” he said. He added that a male lorry driver also suffered injuries, while the occupants of the other two vehicles were unhurt.

KINABATANGAN: Barisan Nasional retained its stronghold of Kinabatangan with Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar keeping the seat held by his late father Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin for nearly three decades. The Election Commission said there was a turnout of about 55%, lower than the Nov 29, 2025, state election turnout of 65%. The Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections were triggered following its incumbent’s death on Dec 5, 2025. In the last state election, the late Bung Moktar won with a total of 153 majority against Miha, who contested as an independent in the six corner Lamag seat. In the 2022 General Election, Bung Moktar beat his sole opponent Mazliwati with a 4, 330 majority for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat.