PETALING JAYA: National sprinter Mohd Azeem Fahmi continued his encouraging indoor season by finishing second in the men’s 60m final at the Samford Open. Azeem lost to Auburn teammate Omari Lewis, who claimed victory in 6.58s, while Jayval Wright of Hinds Community College took third place in 6.64s. The Samford Open marked Azeem’s second indoor outing of the season. Currently, Azeem sits seventh in the top 50 with his 6.60s mark, while Tennessee’s Davonte Howell leads the list with a blistering 6.49s. Azeem holds the national 100m record, having clocked 10.09s at the 2022 World Junior Championships in Cali, Colombia.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been given a clean bill of health after undergoing a routine health check-up at Hospital Sultan Idris Shah in Serdang. According to a statement from the hospital’s director, the results confirmed that the Prime Minister’s health was good. “The findings indicate that he is fit to continue with all official duties as scheduled. “The check-up underscores the Prime Minister’s commitment to maintaining his physical fitness and overall well-being,” the statement reads here Sunday (Jan 18). The statement added that the assessment ensures that Anwar remains capable of leading the country and fulfilling his responsibilities to the rakyat with dedication.

KUALA LUMPUR: A 20-foot-high section of hillside reportedly collapsed at Taman Bukit Teratai, Ampang, on Sunday morning (Jan 18), believed to have been caused by an underground pipe leak. Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the department received an emergency call about the incident at 9.19am. "Upon arriving at the location at 9.28am, we found that a landslide had occurred involving a slope about 20 feet high. However, the incident did not affect any houses or cause any casualties," he said in a statement on Sunday. Ahmad Mukhlis said the Fire and Rescue Department is currently monitoring the collapse site to ensure the situation remains safe and poses no danger to nearby residents.

(Jan 18): China’s rare-earth product exports declined in December compared with the previous month, as investors monitor heightened tensions between Beijing and Japan that could trigger tighter shipment controls. Outbound flows of the materials — used in electric vehicles, weapons systems and high-tech manufacturing — totalled 6,745 tonnes, down from 6,958 tonnes in November, according to customs data released on Sunday. The category is largely dominated by rare-earth magnets, a product that has provided China with critical leverage in a series of trade disputes that have jolted markets. Beijing is also mulling stricter scrutiny of the licences to ship the minerals to the country, the China Daily reported, following the ministry’s statement. The export figures released on Sunday cover shipments to all destinations and do not provide a breakdown by geography or product type.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) expects hot weather and less rainfall in most areas nationwide, especially in the northern Peninsula, until Jan 25. In addition, MetMalaysia also issued a warning of strong winds and rough seas around the country's waters from Jan 21 to 25. "These strong winds and rough sea conditions are dangerous for small boats, marine recreation and sea sports," the post said. Meanwhile, a second category warning was issued for the waters northeast of Condore and northwest of North Reef with strong winds of 50 to 60 km/h with waves of over 4.5 metres. "These strong winds and rough sea conditions are dangerous for all shipping and coastal activities, including fishing and ferry services," according to MetMalaysia.

PETALING JAYA: The People's Progressive Party (PPP) is now recognised as a component party in the Barisan Nasional, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Barisan chairman, said the formalities of the recognition would be held at the Barisan supreme council meeting in Kota Kinabalu, on Jan 21. Also present were PPP President Datuk Dr J. Loga Bala Mohan, BN Secretary-General Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, BN/UMNO Women's Chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, BN/UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, the top leadership and PPP representatives. He said PPP's recognition was important to ensure stability and strengthen unity among BN component parties. PPP was established in 1953 and became a BN component party in 1974.

PETALING JAYA: Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary Datuk Kenny Goh (pic) has played down Malaysia’s chances of hosting the World Championships this year. On whether Malaysia will be interested to take over as hosts, Kenny said: “Firstly, there hasn’t been any talks that India can’t host the World Championships. “Even if India can’t host, it doesn’t mean Malaysia will be offered to hold the event. “Even if Malaysia is offered, which is most unlikely as there is a process, as host country we need to look at the business model. Malaysia last hosted the world meet in 2007 in Kuala Lumpur while 2009 was the last time the event was held in India in Hyderabad.

THE Education Ministry is listening to and acting on the voice of the people. She said 2026 marks a defining year for Malaysian education, as the ministry is committed to delivering long-planned reforms that move beyond pilots and promises, ensuring that policies translate into measurable outcomes for every child. Those making decisions in the Education Ministry are experienced as teachers, PPD and JPN officers, or within the ministry itself. She also noted that several reform elements will be strengthened this year, including enhancing student voice, understanding how students support teachers, and introducing student feedback on administrators’ performance. On school leadership and teacher development, Fadhlina said there must be continued focus on strengthening professionalism in schools, particularly among those leading and implementing reforms.

KUALA LUMPUR: No government policies can be made without Umno consenting to it, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The party deputy president said Umno is resolute on the matter, especially when it touches on the red lines of race, religion and the Malay Rulers. Mohamad told members there is no need to be afraid of DAP or those instigating the party through the term UMDAP. UMDAP is a term coined by political opponents to poke fun at Umno working together with DAP. If we win, the party wins and if the party wins, we can form the government.

KLANG: A group of residents from Kampung Papan turned up unannounced at the Selangor DAP convention to demand that promises made in the previous general election be fulfilled. Leading the group was Kampung Jalan Papan Residents Association vice-secretary Lau Siew Lam, who brought about 20 residents with her to the Selangor DAP Convention at Centro Mall in Klang. She said residents of Kampung Jalan Papan were disappointed because promises of replacement housing and fair compensation had not been fulfilled. In November last year, several individuals were arrested amid tense scenes as homes were demolished in Kampung Jalan Papan. It was reported that 20 houses in Kampung Jalan Papan, Pandamaran, were demolished in November to make way for a developer's new project.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 18): A six-metre-high hillside was reported to have collapsed at Taman Bukit Teratai, Ampang, here on Sunday, believed to have been caused by a leakage from an underground pipe. Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the department received an emergency call regarding the incident at 9.19am. He said a fire engine with six personnel, along with an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) unit from the Pandan Indah Fire and Rescue Station, was dispatched to the scene. “Upon arrival at the location at 9.28am, a landslide involving a 20-foot (approximately six metres) slope was confirmed. He said the department was monitoring the site to ensure the situation remained safe and did not pose any danger to residents in the area.

KUALA LUMPUR: Laughter, ­traditional Chinese music and the aroma of freshly steamed ­dumplings filled the Chinese Embassy here as it opened its doors for a Spring Festival open day celebrating culture, exchange and friendship. One of the most popular attractions was the hanfu experience, where students queued to try on traditional Chinese attire and ­capture the moment on their phones. Cultural crafts: Syarafana Elissa Sabirin (left) and Nor Amalia Saupi from Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia admiring wind chimes they made during the open day. “The Spring Festival symbolises reunion, joy and renewal,” he said, adding that it is not only the most important traditional ­festival in Chinese culture but also an increasingly global celebration. Striking a personal note, Ouyang said the upcoming Year of the Horse would be his sixth Spring Festival in Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Nadia Kesuma (pic), who was reported missing, is said to have left the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He said this finding is based on latest immigration records, which showed that she had left the premises. The minister said he spoke with the Malaysian consulate in Jeddah and was informed that a missing persons report could only be lodged there once 24 hours have lapsed. The actress, whose real name is Nadia Kasumawati Abdul Karim, was reported missing after she could not be traced while transiting at King Abdulaziz Inter­national Airport during her flight from Kuala Lumpur to London on Jan 15. On another matter, Mohamad said Malaysia is not a direct trading partner with Iran and conducts any trade through a third party.

WHAT does a paku (nail) have to do with the political fortunes of Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh? Earlier this week, I had coffee in Kuala Lumpur with Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar. We discussed the shifting political landscape, touching on Dr Akmal, Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ), and former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam, as well as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation into a former minister and the 2025 Sabah elections.

PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested a 38-year-old local man here after a video of him physically abusing children went viral on social media. Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Shamsulmuddin Mamat confirmed that a police report was lodged on Saturday (Jan 17) at around 1.21pm regarding the incident. “Investigation found that the incident happened at a house in Petaling Jaya, where the suspect in this case was the children’s own uncle. ACP Shamsulmuddin added that the 35-second video showed the suspect whipping the children with a rotan and throwing a chair at them. A remand application for the suspect will be made at the Petaling Jaya Magistrate's Court today," he said.