KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): The electrical and electronics (E&E) sector, especially semiconductors, will continue to be among the key sectors for potential investments this year, according to Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) chairman Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He said this in reference to the new investment plan, noting that Mida has been focusing on diversification of industries for a long time. Zafrul said the goal for the entire ecosystem is to integrate local companies into the global value chain. Commenting on estimates of investment value from the various sectors, Zafrul said there is no target yet as Mida’s management is still finalising the details. For a certain sector, we cannot just look at the numbers, but we have to look at the right spillover too,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sekijang MP Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa has been appointed the new Government Backbenchers Club (BBC) chairman. The announcement was made in Parliament on Thursday (Jan 22) and also in the Unity Government BBC WhatsApp group that involves backbencher MPs. "With confirmation and approval of the Prime Minister, it is hereby announced that Zaliha, the Sekijang MP, has been elected and appointed as the new BBC chairman to replace Paya Besar MP Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah, who was appointed as a member of the administration. Dr Zaliha was dropped as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) during the Cabinet reshuffle in December, which also saw Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar replaced as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs). Her predecessor, Shahar, was made Deputy Economy Minister.

(Jan 22): Emerging Asian stocks raced towards record highs on Thursday after US President Donald Trump softened his stance on EU tariff threats and ruled out seizing Greenland from an ally by force, reviving appetite for riskier assets. The MSCI gauge of Asian emerging stocks surged 1%, with equities in South Korea and Taiwan rising to all-time highs. A broader index of equities in Asia outside of Japan touched a record high. In Davos, Trump pulled back on tariff threats against European Union members and ruled out using force to acquire Greenland, easing investor concerns globally. "It's a tentative uplift in Asia's risk sentiment following President Trump's walk-back on Greenland tariff threats, which helped global equities rally and eased immediate geopolitical risk," said Glenn Yin, director of research at ACCM.

IPOH: An 80-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing the death of a police corporal in an accident at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah here on Wednesday (Jan 21). Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said the woman was arrested at the district police station on the same day. The driver, travelling from Lengkok Harimau, is alleged to have made an illegal right turn onto Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah before colliding with the motorcycle. ACP Abang Zainal Abidin said a post-mortem on the victim was conducted at about 8.30pm on Wednesday at about 8.30pm. The section deals with causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.

(Jan 21): South Korea isn’t delaying the first planned US$20 billion (RM80.95 billion) tranche of its US investment commitments as part of a trade deal framework, Finance Minister Koo Yun Cheol said, adding that the time-consuming process to select projects is underway even though it’s unlikely to be completed in the first half of the year. “It’s not that we are delaying US$20 billion investment,” Koo told Bloomberg News in a phone interview on Thursday. Koo said Thursday that the promised money would not be spent all at once given the usual procedures to select and implement projects. “It’s about 28 to 30 trillion won, and even for domestic projects, it’s hard to spend that much all at once,” the minister said. President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday the country’s beleaguered currency may strengthen and stabilise around the 1,400-per-dollar level within the next two months, adding that the weakness was not unique to South Korea.

BENTONG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is undertaking a working visit to Pahang on Thursday (Jan 22), with his first event being attending a State Development Briefing at the District and Land Office here. Anwar arrived at 10.05am and was welcomed by state secretary Datuk Seri Nazri Abu Bakar, the state government’s top leadership and department heads. Also present were Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. After the briefing, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, is scheduled to attend a gathering with the Chinese community at the main hall of SJKC Perting, before proceeding to a gathering with Maahad representatives from across Bentong at Masjid Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah here. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to attend a gathering with students of Sekolah Agama Rakyat Kelas Al-Quran and Fardu Ain (Kafa) at Kafa Saidatina Aisyah in Taman Harmoni here, before concluding his visit at the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) in Karak.

KUALA LUMPUR: Well-wishes have been pouring in following Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong’s hospitalisation for a lung infection. "I am truly touched by all your thoughtful messages and well wishes," the Ayer Hitam MP said in a Facebook post on Thursday (Jan 22). The post was accompanied by a photo of a smiling Dr Wee and his wife Datin Seri Jessica Lim. The MCA president also inserted an image with the words: "Keep calm, I’ll be back soon" in the comments section of the post. On Wednesday (Jan 21), Dr Wee announced that he had been in hospital since Monday (Jan 10) and would be on medical leave for a week because of a lung infection.

KUALA LUMPUR: The third wife of former army chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan has claimed trial at the Sessions Court to four counts of receiving proceeds from illegal activities amounting to RM77,000. Salwani Anuar @ Kamaruddin, 27, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out before Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad on Thursday (Jan 22). She faces a maximum 15 years in prison and a fine of no less than five times the amount of illegal proceeds, or RM5mil, whichever is higher, upon conviction. Her husband was charged earlier in the same court complex with four counts of money laundering involving RM2.1mil. Salwani is expected to face another charge at the Jertih Sessions Court in Terengganu on Monday (Jan 26).

PETALING JAYA: The country has the potential and expertise to ensure the success of the National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN), as long as the framework is based on integrity and transparency, say defence experts. The experts said the two main councils – the Defence Industry Council and the Defence, Science and Technology Advisory Council – will play big roles in DIPN’s success. As such, those appointed to the councils must be competent in the defence industry, said Prof Dr Mohd Mizan Mohammad Aslam of Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia. “We need to produce more defence experts in the engineering faculties, cyber industry and the artificial intelligence sectors. Defence analyst Zaki Salleh said a roadmap was needed to provide a timeframe to develop our defence industry.

(Jan 22): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr was advised by his doctors to rest, having spent the night under medical observation after experiencing discomfort, his office said on Thursday. His condition remains stable, it said in a statement. “The President continued to carry out his responsibilities while under medical observation and has returned to Malacañang,” the statement read, referring to the presidential palace.

PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Justin Hoh crashed out in his opening match at the Istora Senayan after losing in the first round of the Indonesian Masters to China's Wang Zhengxing on Wednesday (Jan 21). Justin, who had beaten Zhengxing at last year's Korean Open, was unable to produce a repeat performance as he struggled against the world No. In the women's singles, compatriot Wong Ling Ching also bowed out after falling to Thailand's Pitchamon Opatniputh 22-20, 13-21, 12-21. However, K. Letshanaa provided a positive note earlier after booking her place in the second round. Letshanaa will face sixth seed Michelle Li from Canada on Thursday (Jan 22) with a quarter-final spot at stake.

PETALING JAYA: Former Lee Zii Jia coach Wong Tat Meng has finally returned to Malaysia following a serious accident in Sydney four months ago. Thankful beyond words,” Tat Meng wrote on his social media page. “Welcome home, coach Tat Meng. In September last year, Tat Meng was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident along Putty Road in the Garland Valley region and was admitted to intensive care. Tat Meng previously coached Zii Jia from 2023 until the end of 2024 and was instrumental in helping the former Asian champion secure a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

IPOH: Parents of five-year-olds are torn over whether to send their kids to Year One next year. Personal assistant Ashley Chiam, in her 40s, said there is not enough time to gauge her daughter’s readiness to enter primary school, as registration starts in March. “I am now mulling whether to send her for tuition classes to get her ready for primary school, which will incur more costs. “When registration begins in March, parents are given very little time to assess their child’s readiness. “A diagnostic tool can be useful because children enter Year One at very different developmental stages.

PETALING JAYA: Specialised and validated diagnostic tests for young children are harmless and will not put unnecessary strain on young children. “Young children often lack the language skills to articulate emotional distress. “For example, parents can enrol them in pre-school a year earlier if needed,” he said, adding that a diagnostic test could prove helpful as many may not be ready for Year One. SK Bukit Damansara parent-teacher association chairman Ameirul Azraie Mustadza said his main worry is how the diagnostic test would be introduced and implemented. “Many parents are still unclear about the purpose, scope, format and consequences of this proposed diagnostic test.

PETALING JAYA: A total of 41 Immigration Department officers have been subjected to disciplinary action over the past four years in connection with the "flying passport" scandal, with 20 dismissed from service. "As such, the department has taken and is continuing to take follow-up action in accordance with existing laws, public service regulations and disciplinary mechanisms. "Between 2022 and 2025, a total of 41 officers were subjected to disciplinary action after being found involved in cases related to flying passports. "Of that number, 20 officers were dismissed from service after being found guilty of the offences. Zakaria added that the department would thoroughly examine and deal with every case referred by the EAIC without exception.