KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): Umno must offer a new agenda and stop relying solely on historical narratives in facing the 16th general election (GE16), said deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He said the party must urgently develop a clear roadmap over the next 24 months to ensure Umno remains relevant and continues to command voters’ confidence. Mohamad also urged Umno to accelerate comprehensive digitalisation efforts to ensure the party can function effectively in the online space. “Perhaps the time has come for us to imagine Umno as a digital party. The assembly brings together 6,412 delegates nationwide, comprising 2,928 delegates for the Umno General Assembly, 1,165 for the Wanita Umno General Assembly, 1,173 for the Umno Youth General Assembly and 1,146 for the Puteri Umno General Assembly.

According to Kao, Asean and China have sustained positive momentum under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. "We reached another level of cooperation, particularly in economic cooperation." Kao highlighted that the upgraded Asean-China FTA will have a far-reaching impact on bilateral economic cooperation. "This will have a significant impact on the economic cooperation between the two sides because we will do more in digital trade, digital services, digital payments and e-commerce," he noted. "In a world where global economic and political dynamics are constantly changing, what we need to do is maintain the momentum of positive cooperation," Kao said.

The app, its creators said, is designed as a safety tool for people who live alone. “The problem is who my emergency contact should be,” one user wrote beneath a Weibo post discussing the app. In a society where solo living is becoming increasingly common, even a small gesture of acknowledgment can bring comfort. “In urban China today, companionship is increasingly optional, but basic visibility still matters.”The app’s popularity also reflects shifting social norms. He declined to specify the number of app downloads, but said the number of paying users has increased 200-fold and continues to rise.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 14): The Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (Kuskop) will assist Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in tapping new opportunities in China under the ABCD Strategy, said minister Steven Sim. The ABCD Strategy comprises four key elements: A — Accelerating productivity, B — Reducing bureaucracy, C — Capital accessibility, and D — Developing market access. In a statement on Wednesday, Sim said the Chinese market, with its 1.4 billion consumers, was a game-changer for local entrepreneurs. The minister added that he met Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing at his official residence on Tuesday night. “Ouyang has suggested a number of platforms for Malaysian SMEs to tap into the Chinese market, such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO),” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 14): Economic downturn, rising inflation and the potential risk of asset bubbles are among the key concerns highlighted in the 21st edition of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report 2026 which could affect Malaysia, said WEF managing director Saadia Zahidi. She said economies that rely on trade for growth are likely to be affected by tariffs and the growing geoeconomic confrontation. She noted that concerns about an economic downturn have risen, moving up eight places to 11th position, higher than in previous years. “Inflation had really fallen down the list after having risen in the past directly after the pandemic. “Finally, concerns about a potential asset bubble have gone up seven positions to 18th, in the middle of the rankings, in this past year,” she said.

PETALING JAYA: A post by The United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur led to joking quips and comments by Malaysians who made it clear the country "has no oil" for the Americans. The post by the embassy showed a 2016 photo of the country taken from the International Space Station. Fakhri Kamarudin quipped that the country only had cooking oil. "Please tell your president we don't have oil... we only have Saji cooking oil," the user wrote. Another by the name of Sayyid Hadi Samsudim wrote "I don't see any oil," while Norhikmal Crixalis added "FYI, our oil is only baby oil.".

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 14): The prosecution has objected to an application by Sayed Amir Muzzakkir Al Sayed Mohamad, former political secretary to former home minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, to expunge six paragraphs from the written statement of a key prosecution witness. Deputy public prosecutor Hazel Tan Jia Qi said the defence’s application to expunge paragraphs three to eight from the statement of the 12th prosecution witness, Nexuscorpgroup Sdn Bhd director and shareholder Ismuni Johari, was premature. How, then, can the defence know that what is stated in the statement is irrelevant to the case? Earlier, Sayed Amir Muzzakkir’s lawyer Asmadi Hussin argued that paragraphs three to eight of the witness’ statement were irrelevant to the charges and prejudicial to his client. On May 23, 2024, Sayed Amir Muzzakkir was charged with two counts of receiving bribes amounting to RM350,000 from Nexuscorpgroup Sdn Bhd managing director Wan Azhar Mohamed Yusof.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into an air-conditioning gas explosion at Help University in the capital last Monday (Jan 12). He also wished a full recovery to the injured, including Reeya Kaur Thandal, who is still receiving treatment following the incident. The Prime Minister extended condolences to the family of the late Soo Yu Juan, who died in the explosion. "Condolences to the family of the late Soo Yu Juan on the loss of your beloved child. Soo, 24, died while receiving treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, while nine others were injured in the explosion at the private university at around 11.40am.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged all communities in Malaysia to uphold mutual understanding and respect as a foundation for national harmony and unity. "I hope the Ponggal celebrations are observed with joy, harmony and meaningful moments with family and loved ones. The festival also reminds us of the values of gratitude, togetherness and mutual respect," he said in a Facebook post. He added that Ponggal, a Tamil harvest festival, not only marks gratitude for abundant harvests but also signals the start of the Thai month in the Tamil calendar. The four-day celebration begins with Bhogi, followed by Thai Ponggal (offering sweet rice to the Sun God), Mattu Pongal (honouring livestock) and Kaanum Pongal (family reunions).

DUBAI/DOHA (Jan 14): The US is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a US official said on Wednesday, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbours it would hit American bases if Washington strikes. An Iranian official has said more than 2,000 people have died. Iran asks regional states to prevent a US attackTrump has openly threatened to intervene in Iran for days, without giving specifics. Direct contacts between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had been suspended, the official added. The government's prestige was severely damaged by a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign in June — joined by the US — that followed setbacks for Iran's regional allies in Lebanon and Syria.

PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik made it into the Indian Open second round, but it was all over for teammates Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi. Aaron-Wooi Yik were leading 21-12, 11-6 against junior teammates Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing when the latter were forced to retire at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi on Wednesday (Jan 14). It is learned that the younger Aaron suffered pain in his back and could not carry on. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik, who finished runners-up in the Malaysian Open on Sunday (Jan 11), will next play Japan’s world No. Independent pair Chia Weijie-Lwi Shenghao’s campaign also ended after they went down 18-21, 15-21 to Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 14): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into an air-conditioning gas explosion at HELP University in the capital on Monday. He also wished a full recovery to the injured, including Reeya Kaur Thandal, who is still receiving treatment following the incident. The prime minister extended condolences to the family of the late Soo Yu Juan, who died in the explosion. “Condolences to the family of the late Soo Yu Juan on the loss of your beloved child. Soo, 24, died while receiving treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, while nine others were injured in the explosion at the private university at around 11.40am.

KUALA LUMPUR: Melaka-based food products and manufacturer Guan Huat Seng Holdings Bhd’s initial public offering (IPO), ahead of its ACE Market listing on Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd, was oversubscribed by 4.78 times. A total of 2,842 applications for 137.61 million shares were received for the 23.8 million shares allocated to the Malaysian public. The Bumiputera portion received 649 applications for 35.16 million shares, representing an oversubscription of 1.96 times, while the other Malaysian public portion attracted 2,193 applications for 102.45 million shares, resulting in an oversubscription of 7.61 times. Additionally, the 14 million public issue shares made available for application by the eligible parties have been fully subscribed. The placement agent has confirmed that the 23 million public issue shares and 21.0 million offer shares to selected investors, as well as 59.2 million public issue shares to Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, were fully placed.

(Jan 14): US retail sales rose in November by the most since July, fuelled by a rebound in auto purchases and resilient holiday shopping. Motor vehicle sales bounced back after the expiration of federal tax incentives on electric cars restrained sales in the prior month. Metric Actual Estimate Retail sales (MoM) +0.6% +0.5% Sales ex. Inflation-adjusted spending data on goods and services for October and November will be released later this month. The November retail report was originally due on Dec 17.

KUALA LUMPUR: There was no hint of sulking or tension between Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, says Datuk Nurul Hidayah. The daughter of the Umno president said Akmal, who was the party Youth chief had met Ahmad Zahid in a harmonious way and believed that Akmal knew the next direction to bring the youth wing. "I see it more as between a child and a father, and a child to a father," she said when met after a closed-door briefing with the party president here on Wednesday (Jan 16). Akmal previously hinted at stepping aside from his post as Umno Youth chief after his call for Umno to withdraw from the unity government drew a negative reaction from the Umno president. On Monday (Jan 12), Akmal said he would abide by the decisions made by Umno president and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh regarding the positions he currently holds.