KINABATANGAN: Two days into the official campaigning for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state seats, the anticipated election excitement has yet to materialise, with the absence of party flags and colours being particularly noticeable. Typically, parties immediately put up party flags, posters and other paraphernalia after nominations to signal the start of the contest. The subdued atmosphere aside, Barisan Nasional’s Kinabatangan candidate Naim Kurniawan Moktar has been active on his own since the start of campaigning. Barisan’s Lamag candidate, Mohd Ismail Ayob, and the Wari­san candidate there, Mazliwati Abdul Malek Chua, have yet to provide details of their campaign activities. Warisan’s Kinabatangan candidate Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman is said to have attended a campaign-related event in the afternoon, while there are no details on Independent candidate Goldam Hamid’s campaign schedule.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 12): The Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM) has appointed MBSB Bank Bhd’s group chief executive officer Rafe Haneef as president effective Jan 1, 2026. Rafe succeeds Datuk Mohd Muazzam Mohamed, who served as president from 2023 to 2025. "Rafe Haneef brings extensive leadership experience and deep industry expertise, with a strong track record in governance, innovation and sustainable finance," said AIBIM. As president, Rafe will lead AIBIM in driving the strategic priorities under the plan, fostering stronger collaboration among members and stakeholders, and supporting initiatives that promote resilience, innovation, and long-term value creation across the Islamic banking and financial industry. "AIBIM records its sincere appreciation to Mohd Muazzam for his leadership and dedicated service, particularly in strengthening industry collaboration and advancing the Islamic banking and finance agenda," it added.

(Jan 12): US President Donald Trump said that the US is closely monitoring the protests in Iran and is mulling potential options as the Islamic Republic faces its third week of nationwide protests, the largest since 2022. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters Sunday on Air Force One as he returned to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. “But we may have to act, because of what’s happening, before the meeting.”Trump also told reporters he may explore how to help restore internet communications via Elon Musk’s Starlink service. “We may get the internet going, if that’s possible,” Trump told reporters. In response, Iran has warned the US and Israel that it will retaliate if it’s attacked.

JOHOR BARU: The technical glitch involving all the autogates at both the land checkpoints with Singapore have been rectified and they are back in operation, says a state executive councillor. Johor works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh (pic) said that the autogates were operational from almost midnight on Sunday (Jan 11). ALSO READ: Rela deployed at BSI as autogate glitches persistThe system crash mainly impacted those going through the bus halls where autogates are utilised. The Star had earlier reported on delays of more than 90 minutes for foreigners to clear immigration during peak hours on Saturday. It is learnt that during weekends, BSI clears more than 180,000 foreigners both ways while over at KSAB, they can clear around 50,000 foreigners.

Enter artificial intelligence, or AI specifically, hybrid chatbots that combine smart algorithms with a human touch. At Sunway Medical Centre, AI chatbots help to manage patient flow, schedule appointments, and assist with preliminary assessments. Research should continue exploring how hybrid chatbots can complement other technologies, such as remote monitoring devices, to deliver more personalised care. Long-term research should explore outcomes like chronic disease management, mental health support, and cost savings. By addressing these areas, hybrid chatbots can become a reliable partner in healthcare helping doctors, supporting patients, and transforming the way care is delivered across Malaysia.

1 An Se-young (pic) can now hold her head high after placing herself alongside some of the sport’s greatest names by lifting the Malaysian Open title for a third consecutive time. Se-young overcame China’s Wang Zhiyi 21-15, 24-22 in a repeat of last year’s Malaysian Open final. As the Malaysian Open champion, Se-young pocketed US$101,500 (RM415,490) in prize money, while runner-up Zhiyi took US$49,300 (RM201,809). However, no one has managed to surpass the record set by Malaysian Cecilia Samuel for winning unprecedented six consecutive times from 1950-1955. Se-young will now fly to New Delhi as she sets her sights on defending another title at the Indian Open starting tomorrow.

BUKIT JALIL: Malaysia’s long wait for a Malaysian Open champion continued yesterday after Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik fell short in the men’s doubles final at Axiata Arena. Aaron-Wooi Yik were beaten by world No. Even when trailing by a significant deficit in the third game, Aaron-Wooi Yik fought back, closing the gap before ultimately conceding in a tight finish. The defeat also extends Aaron-Wooi Yik’s wait for a Super 1000 title, a prize that has eluded them since the 2019 All-England. The last time a Malaysian player won the Malaysian Open was in 2018, through men’s singles legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wished all students, especially Year 1 pupils, a warm welcome back as the 2026 school session begins on Monday (Jan 12). In a Facebook post, the Prime Minister also reminded parents to support their children's education with prayers and good examples. "Welcome back to school, especially to Year 1 pupils, as they take their first steps into education full of hopes and dreams. The school term for Group B schools in Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya begins Monday. Meanwhile, the school term for Group A schools in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, which began on Sunday (Jan 11) for nearly one million students, had started smoothly.

KUANTAN: A doctor lost more than RM880,000 after falling victim to a fraudulent share investment scheme advertised on Facebook. Pahang police chief Comm Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the 44-year-old man initially dealt with the suspect via WhatsApp and was added to a group known as "Aura Wealth Navigation". He said the victim was later offered an investment scheme called "TNB Aura", which promised returns of between 18% and 22%, as well as profits of up to 500% if investment targets for 24 types of shares were achieved. "The victim only received profits of RM1,000 once at the initial stage of the investment and failed to receive any further returns as promised," he said in a statement Monday (Jan 12). Comm Yahaya added that the victim, realising he had been cheated, lodged a police report at the Kuantan district police headquarters yesterday, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

(According to the ministry, ­caning is allowed in schools but it must adhere to standard opera­ting procedure.) As such, Fouzi said there was never an issue of caning being retracted as a form of punishment but that teachers do not want to carry it out. Nawiza Ariff, who is the vice- chairman of Children’s Protection Society Malaysia (KL branch) said that caning would merely create short-term compliance. She said that caning may have a short-term effect where the child would get scared or feel pain. Before caning a problematic child, she said it is important to find out the root cause of the misbehaviour.

But how exactly are those rain sounds recorded? Verdict:FALSEUnfortunately for all of us hopeless romantics, the rain sounds we hear on screen are usually created by mixing sound layers. But does this mean frying food is the universal source of rain sounds that we listen to? That would totally destroy the illusion my ‘Calming Rain Sounds’ playlist provides when I go to bed. A sound designer for "The Boy and the World" said he used the sound of hands clapping with reverb for one of the movie's rain sounds.

The KTMB service is an ­essential lifeline that has transformed their commute from remote areas, such as Kuala Gris, Bukit Abu and Ulu Temiang, making it organised, safe and reliable. Early morning express: SMK Dabong students from Kuala Gris, Kelantan preparing to board the KTMB train towards their school to begin the 2026 school term. Another student, Muhammad Mifzal Azfar Abdul Hafiz, 16, said that although he must wake up earlier than before, the morning train journey offers a pleasant experience. Relieved parents watched from the platform while KTMB staff assisted students onto the train. In areas such as Kuala Gris and Dabong, the train is more than a mere method of transport; it is a vital lifeline that connects these village children with the world of education.

Years later, I realised the irony: the drink that sweetened my childhood was once used to sweeten colonial control. But colonial Malaya, with characteristic efficiency, saw in toddy not culture but convenience. If empire could be distilled into a drink, toddy was its tropical edition: simple to make, quick to ferment, and perfect for “pacifying the labour force”. In Malaya, toddy anaesthetised it. One reformist summarised it best before a closed toddy hut in Kedah: “We are not fighting the drink.

BUKIT JALIL: Datuk Tey Seu Bock has been confirmed as the new head of the national men’s singles squad. Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei said Seu Bock would report to national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen. “Appointment of Seu Bock was discussed with Kenneth. In fact, he wanted Seu Bock to return to the senior national team to assist him and work together with the other coaches,” said Chong Wei. “Coach Seu Bock did a good job at the junior level.

India’s Virat Kohli on Sunday became the second-highest scorer across the three international cricket formats during his match-winning 93 in the first ODI against New Zealand. — AFPVADODARA, (India):India's Virat Kohli on Sunday became the second-highest scorer across the three international cricket formats during his match-winning 93 in the first ODI (One Day International) against New Zealand. Kohli went past Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (28,016 runs) to move into second in the list of leading run-scorers in the international game, behind fellow Indian Sachin Tendulkar (34,357). The top-order batter has 28,068 runs in Test, ODI and T20 cricket since he made his debut for India in an ODI in Sri Lanka in 2008. Called King Kohli for his prolific run-scoring, the 37-year-old now only plays the ODI format after he and fellow stalwart Rohit Sharma, 38, retired from T20 and Test cricket.