KUALA LUMPUR: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) today announced the appointment of former Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) director-general Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri as the new KTMB group chief executive officer, effective tomorrow. It said in a statement today that the appointment reflects the board of directors’ confidence in Azlan's credibility and expertise, particularly within the public transportation ecosystem and in organisational governance. According to the country's rail transport service operator, this is also in line with KTMB's commitment to continue strengthening the delivery of the country's rail services in a phased, progressive and user-centric manner. Meanwhile, KTMB chairman Datuk Ahmad Redza Abdullah, in the same statement, said that Azlan’s appointment was made based on his strong leadership record and extensive experience in the public transportation sector. "KTMB is confident he will drive the company towards higher achievements through an approach based on good governance, operational competitiveness and improved customer experience," he also said.

Together, the grouping accounts for 60% of global demand for critical minerals. Aside from Japan, which took action after China abruptly cut off its critical minerals supplies in 2010, G7 members remain heavily dependent on critical minerals from China, which has threatened to impose strict export controls. China dominates the critical minerals supply chain, refining between 47% and 87% of copper, lithium, cobalt, graphite and rare earths, according to the International Energy Agency. The U.S. signed an agreement with Australia in October aimed at countering China's dominance in critical minerals that includes an $8.5 billion project pipeline. The deal leverages Australia's proposed strategic reserve, which will supply metals like rare earths and lithium that are vulnerable to disruption.

WASHINGTON (Jan 11): Among the many goals of last week's U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was to send China a message: stay away from the Americas. "Beijing can protest diplomatically, but it cannot protect partners or assets once Washington decides to apply direct pressure," he said. The Venezuela operation appeared to tilt U.S. policy in a more hawkish direction. "They are also noticing how China's diplomatic assurances to Iran and Venezuela resulted in zero meaningful protection when the U.S. military arrived." “Beijing wants Washington to accept that Asia is in China’s sphere, and no doubt hopes that the U.S. will get bogged down in Venezuela,” he said.

BUKIT JALIL: While this year’s Malaysian Open was smoothly and impressively organised, the lingering disappointment lay in the lack of local players making a deeper run on home soil. Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul had hoped for several elite national players to reach the semi-finals at least, but those expectations were not met. They however fell short in the final after losing 15-21, 21-12, 21-18 to world No. What I can conclude is that the tournament was well organised and ran smoothly without any issues. "In terms of players performance, we would of course have liked to see more players progress to the latter stages such as the semi-finals and the final.

KOTA BARU: Four people were injured in a two-vehicle collision on the road after the Titiwangsa Range towards Jeli, Kelantan, earlier on Sunday (Jan 11). "On arrival at 12.52pm, the operations commander conducted an initial assessment and confirmed the collision involving two vehicles and four victims. Three other injured victims had been helped out of their vehicles by members of the public before our arrival," he said when contacted the same day. Azhar Elmi also said all victims were sent to Gerik Hospital for further treatment by rescuers. "The operation concluded at 1.48pm and involved 17 personnel from the Jeli and Gerik stations, along with six armed forces members," he added.

KUALA LUMPUR: In his New Year address, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria outlines a strategic vision for 2026. He emphasised that Malaysia's involvement in major multi-sport events will transcend the sole objective of medal acquisition, positioning these competitions instead as crucial benchmarks to gauge the nation's genuine competitive standing among the global elite. "Now we turn our gaze and focus on 2026, a pivotal year packed with challenges and opportunities on the global stage. "We are building the engine that will drive us towards hosting the 34th SEA Games here in Malaysia in 2027. Furthermore, every podium finish this year brings us one step closer to our ultimate national aspiration: securing Malaysia's first-ever Olympic gold medal at the 34th Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028," he said.

SANDAKAN: Two teenagers were found dead inside a parked car at Bandar Sejati Walk in Sandakan on Sunday (Jan 11) morning, with police ruling out foul play at this stage. Sandakan district police said they received information from the public at 8.26am regarding the discovery of two bodies inside a vehicle at the parking area in Bandar Sejati Walk, Batu 7. Deputy Sandakan police chief Supt Ramasamy Kuppan said initial checks identified the victims as an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl, believed to be in a relationship. According to Supt Ramasamy, preliminary investigations found that both victims had been uncontactable by their families since Friday. The bodies were sent to the forensic department at Hospital Duchess of Kent Sandakan for post-mortem examinations to determine the cause of death.

Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Noor Ariffin Mohamad Nasir, who confirmed the death, said the 37-year-old victim was one of seven bus passengers who were seriously injured in the accident that occurred at 5.45am. The deceased was later identified as an auxiliary policeman, Luqman Nul Hakim Halim, 37, who was travelling in the bus with his wife and their four children when the crash occurred, according to Sinar Harian. He said a motorcyclist and a lorry driver were also seriously injured and were receiving treatment at the same hospital. The motorcyclist and the lorry driver suffered minor injuries while the bus driver was not injured,” he said in a statement on Sunday (Jan 11), reported Bernama. Previously, Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division Assistant Director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar, in a statement, said that 15 individuals were injured, three of whom were reported to be seriously injured, in the road crash.

KUALA LUMPUR: A Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student was found drowned after being swept away by strong currents while attempting to rescue a friend at Kedondong Waterfall in Batang Kali here on Sunday (Jan 11) afternoon. Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said an emergency call was received at 4.46pm, prompting the deployment of six personnel from the Kuala Kubu Bharu Fire and Rescue Station. Ahmad Mukhlis said the victim, the man, in his 20s, had gone to the location with five friends. Firefighters found the victim about 10m from the incident site, where he was confirmed dead by Health Ministry officers, he said in a statement. Ahmad Mukhlis said the body was handed over to the police, while the victim’s friend was successfully rescued.

BUKIT JALIL: Datuk Tey Seu Bock has been confirmed as the new head of the national men’s singles squad. Seu Bock will report to national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen. “Regarding Seu Bock, everyone could see that during this tournament he was seated behind the court. Chong Wei added that Seu Bock’s promotion back to the senior squad was also based on Jonassen’s recommendation. Even when he was with the juniors, he would discuss matters with me,” added Chong Wei.

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Health Department has mobilised contract medical officers to address the shortage of medical officers at several hospitals in the state, including Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) here. In a statement, JKNJ said several improvement measures have also been implemented in stages at HSA to ease the strain on health services. The department referred to a report titled 'Doctors Stretched to Breaking Point at Johor's HSA, Watchdog Warns' on Jan 7, which highlighted the shortage of medical officers and the strain on health services at HSA. These challenges include clinical service management and patient flow, particularly at the emergency and trauma department and the medical ward. "The medical team will continue to carry out their responsibilities with full professionalism despite the demanding workload," it said.

Public trust in governments is at a low point globally, including in Malaysia. Also, survey results released in December by global market research company Ipsos showed that “politician” is the least trusted profession in Malaysia. Some cynicism is healthy, but a dearth of public trust is worrying – it threatens democracy and fuels radicalism. Also important is the Political Financing Bill, to regulate contributions and promote transparency, thus curbing corruption and opaque donations. Human Writes columnist Mangai Balasegaram writes mostly on health but also delves into anything on being human.

SUNGAI SIPUT: A male tiger known as ‘Yob Kinding’ was captured after it entered a trap set at a durian orchard near Bukit Kinding, Chemor, on Sunday (Jan 11). "Police were alerted by residents of Bukit Kinding who discovered tiger footprints and heard roaring sounds at a privately owned durian orchard. "I believe the tiger that was captured is the offspring of the one previously sighted in Bukit Bangkong. We believe the tiger roaming Bukit Bangkong is the mother,” he said. Following complaints from residents, Perhilitan Perak installed two traps and two cameras in the Bukit Kinding, Chemor and Bukit Bangkong areas.

KOTA BARU: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) will increase its personnel in border states to strengthen enforcement against drug smuggling. Bukit Aman JSJN director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the states given priority include Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan following a high record of smuggling cases. "Last year alone, 62 large-scale drug smuggling attempts were thwarted at the borders of these three states. He said that although many illegal jetties in Kelantan have been demolished, smuggling syndicates are resorting to tactics and unregistered lanes to carry out their activities. "Therefore, if there are additional posts, these border states will be given priority to further strengthen field operations,” he said.

JOHOR BARU: People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel have been deployed at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (BSI) to help manage congestion amid continuing technical issues affecting the autogate system. The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has also opened special lanes to facilitate faster and smoother immigration clearance for foreign travellers. In a Facebook post late Sunday (Jan 11), AKPS said the eGate system disruption remained unresolved but involved only foreign passport holders. “Foreign passport holders may use the eGates at locations such as the Incoming Bus Hall involving eGates 19, 20, 21 and 22, and the Outgoing Bus Hall (eGates 5, 6, 7 and 8). To ease congestion, AKPS advised foreign visitors to download the National Integrated Immigration System (MyNIISe) application and use the QR counters, in addition to the manual counters provided.