Here’s how ageing changes sleep, and how to get quality sleep. However, healthy older adults still have quality sleep; it’s illness and lifestyle factors that typically cause sleep problems. Just under 58% reported poor sleep quality. Poor health was a significant factor leading to poor sleep. In short, when looking for good quality sleep, don’t worry too much about having it all in one chunk.
KULAI: Rental rates for Ramadan bazaar lots across Johor will be standardised to a maximum of RM500 to ease the burden on small traders, says state executive councillor Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor. "I was informed of Ramadan bazaar lots being rented out for up to RM1,500 per month for a single space. He noted that several local councils have agreed to the proposal, and the working paper has been presented to their respective committees. Asked about Ramadan bazaar registration, Jafni said the process has begun, with traders being called to register either online or through their respective local councils. On a separate issue, Jafni said smart parking standardisation would be implemented at four local councils within Greater Johor Baru in the third quarter of this year.
DAVOS (Jan 19): Donald Trump is expected to meet global business leaders in Davos on Wednesday, sources familiar with the matter said, as the US president's presence looms large over the annual gathering of the global elite in Switzerland. Business leaders, including CEOs in financial services, crypto and consulting, were invited to a reception after Trump’s address to the World Economic Forum's annual meeting, the sources told Reuters on Monday. Trump is expected to arrive in the Swiss resort on Wednesday, where he is due to deliver a special address. Bessent is expected to hold a press briefing later on Monday, according to the Davos USA House. The list also includes several heads of G7 nations, with changes in US policy under Trump in focus.
In our last commentary, we explored the Health White Paper (HWP) – Malaysia’s 15-year blueprint to modernise healthcare financing, workforce, governance and preventive care. Nature of reform – HWP reforms often require legislative or inter-ministerial approvals, while Reset is ministry-led and can commence without new laws. – HWP reforms often require legislative or inter-ministerial approvals, while Reset is ministry-led and can commence without new laws. – Pilot funding reforms require careful communication to maintain public trust. Its focus on people-centred care, digital transformation, workforce sustainability, financing innovation and equity directly addresses longstanding gaps in Malaysia’s healthcare system.
PETALING JAYA: The Defence Ministry expresses its “deepest gratitude” to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and will heed the decree by ensuring graft within is combated fully. “Corruption is something that must be avoided more so in the Armed Forces, which is an important institution. "I am very disappointed when corruption is also happening among the Armed Forces, reaching the highest levels. "Looks like after this, I may have to appoint a sergeant to be the Chief of the Armed Forces," His Majesty said. Sultan Ibrahim said the latest corruption incident involving the Armed Forces is just the tip of the iceberg.
According to Affin Hwang Investment Bank Research (Affin Hwang Research), Press Metal hedged 40% of its alumina supply this year at 14% to 15% of spot aluminium prices. Affin Hwang Research noted that the strategy had previously helped Press Metal safeguard its margins during periods of high alumina prices, such as in the second half of 2024 (2H24). Press Metal’s quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) improvement is premised on aluminium prices increasing 8% q-o-q and alumina prices falling 11% q-o-q. The research house raised its forecast earnings per share for Press Metal by between 7% and 14%, despite the ringgit strengthening. It has maintained a “buy” call for Press Metal but raised its target price to RM7.90.
PETALING JAYA: Westports Holdings Bhd may handle lower container volumes in the first quarter of this year (1Q26), as global port activity is expected to moderate ahead of Chinese New Year. Despite this quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) volume decline, Westports’ earnings should remain resilient, supported by the second phase of its port tariff hike of 10% that became effective this month, stated Maybank Investment Bank Research (Maybank IB Research). Maybank IB Research has a “buy” call on Westports, with a target price of RM6.73 per share. After a site visit to Westports, the research house said Westports indicated that strong 4Q25 container throughput was in line with robust intra-Asia container trade volumes. For the fourth quarter of last year, Westports was expected to be supported by stronger container volumes and elevated yard utilisation.
ALOR GAJAH: The Defence Ministry is weighing firm action, including prosecution in the military court against 15 army officers identified as being involved in alleged immoral activities in a military camp. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari (pic) said the ministry enforces clear disciplinary regulations and will not tolerate any conduct that tarnishes military values. He said any breach of discipline would first be dealt with internally through the establishment of an investigation committee before the case is referred to the military court for adjudication. “Within the military system, there is a military court. “Whatever occurred, isolated or otherwise, if it does not reflect the culture of the Armed Forces, action will be taken in accordance with existing processes and regulations, including through the military court,” he added.
In what is seen as the most significant take-away from this meeting, the Umno president proposed the creation of a “grand collaboration” to unite all Malay and Muslim political parties. Umno Youth secretary Hafiz Ariffin said the meeting served as a platform for both consolidation and recalibration of Umno’s future direction. “This is a significant step, and certainly not an easy decision for any political party to undertake, especially given Umno’s history and stature,” he said. “It can create a more coherent Malay political voice, reduce harmful polarisation, and contribute to a more stable and predictable national political landscape, benefiting not only the Malays, but all Malaysians,” he said. Political analyst Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin said Umno should consider other factors when proposing the grand collaboration.
PETALING JAYA: Experienced shuttlers Anthony Ginting and Rian Ardianto are likely to pose a serious threat to Malaysia’s hopes in the Asia Team Championships after they were named in the Indonesian squad. Malaysia will take on Indonesia and Myanmar in Group D in the team meet from Feb 3-8 in Qingdao, China. Indonesia have selected a mixture of seniors and juniors in their squad with singles star Anthony and experienced doubles ace Rian the standout names. 8 Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza (doubles) have not been named in the team. The Asia team meet acts as the qualifier for the Thomas Cup Finals from April 24-May 3 in Horsens, Denmark.
“The eastern side of Johor, particularly around Kota Tinggi and Mersing, is home to diverse wildlife species. “In some areas such as Panti in Kota Tinggi, they are known as elephant crossing zones. Chow cautioned that the risk of human-wildlife conflicts could increase if the proposed highway is developed without taking wildlife habitats into account. He said the projects were originally proposed under the National Highway Development Plan (NHDP) for development after 2030, but rapid growth in the state has prompted the Johor government to prioritise them. Mohamad Fazli said that the projects are expected to cover three main sections, namely, Johor Baru to Kota Tinggi (30km), Kota Tinggi to Mersing (80km) and Mersing to Endau (32km).
IPOH: A Malayan tiger that was captured in Bukit Kinding here last Sunday has been given an assignment: Breed. The predator, which has been named “Yob Kinding”, would be kept for breeding, as a means to conserve the critically endangered species, said Yusoff Shariff, the Perak director of the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan). Yob Kinding is in good health and being cared for at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC) in Sungkai. A video of Yob Kinding had gone viral, as the animal was recorded showing up at a durian orchard and slowly approaching a team of Malayan Tiger Conservation Unit (UKHM) personnel. The unit was at the location, having responded to a tiger sighting there.
Norhulnadia Ahmad and her brother Mohamad Sharil produce Kain Benang Johor, a traditional textile that requires patience, precision and skill to generate. After he watched me weave, his interest grew slowly.”Mohamad Sharil, 23, was first exposed to Kain Benang Johor in 2017. Mohamad Sharil at the loom weaving Kain Benang Johor. “After that I was offered a six-month training stint by the Johor Heritage Foundation which I accepted.”Mohamad Sharil said producing Kain Benang Johor involved eight processes. “The techniques I learned at IKN helped me adapt easily to weaving Kain Benang Johor after I joined Yayasan Warisan Johor.
(Jan 19): ASM International NV reported fourth-quarter orders that beat expectations on the back of an improvement in bookings for its chip-making equipment from China and strong demand in artificial intelligence-linked segments. Fourth-quarter order intake rose to about €800 million (RM3,771.76 million), the Almere, Netherlands-based company said in a statement on Monday (Jan 19), citing preliminary figures. That compares with an average analyst estimate of €670.6 million, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. ASM makes tools that are critical to the production of cutting-edge chips used for artificial intelligence applications. The company expects revenue to show a healthy increase in the first quarter compared to the prior three months.
They said that only through sufficient investment into helping expatriates transfer their skills and knowledge to the local workforce can Malaysia sustainably transition to a high-skilled workforce that is not reliant on foreign expertise. Ahmad Fahmi added that the goal should be to ultimately build a fair, dignified and sustainable employment ecosystem, where local talent is trusted, empowered and positioned as a driver of national development. “We do have local talent, but the gap now is mainly in their senior-level experience and niche skills. To resolve this, he called on local companies to invest in upskilling and training programmes to close any of such skill gaps. “The government should also make it its policy to reinforce and accelerate this growing trend of highly-educated talent through efforts to help graduates transition into employment more smoothly,” he said.
