KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the performance of enforcement agencies over the past two years has been commendable, particularly in their action against high-profile individuals. The Prime Minister said agencies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and the Immigration Department have demonstrated a strong commitment to carrying out their duties. "I think compared with the last two years, the performance of the effective enforcement has been quite commendable. However, the Prime Minister stressed that corruption in Malaysia is not merely endemic but systemic, and addressing it requires sustained and a lot of efforts. Nevertheless, Anwar reaffirmed the government’s firm resolve to continue pursuing anti-corruption measures.

Among those invited are MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and party secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon. When asked if he would be attending, Dr Wee said “I will see you there next week”. MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon hit back, saying that the comparison drew a negative perception of MCA. This is important so that MCA Pahang will clearly understand. “As a Barisan component member, MCA Pahang continues working hard for the people and to regain their trust, especially the Chinese community, while defending the party’s moderate ideology,” said Chong, who is also MCA Pahang chairman.

KUALA LUMPUR: Thai shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn was overjoyed after finally ending his long wait to reach a World Tour Super 1000 final. Kunlavut has built a reputation as a big tournament player, notably capturing the 2023 world title and winning silver in the 2024 Paris Olympics but a Super 1000 final appearance proved elusive for him before this. "Usually, I will lose in the earlier rounds in a Super 1000 tournament. So, I’m very happy to reach my first final at this level," said Kunlavut. "It was a long match today (Saturday).

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cardiology Department at Hospital Sultan Idris Shah (HSIS) in Serdang set a new record by treating 76 patients in a single day, including 48 stent procedures, during a 17-hour intensive operation. HSIS Cardiology Department head, Datuk Dr Asri Ranga Abdullah Ramaiah, said the hospital usually manages between 50 to 70 cardiology cases daily, making the 76-patient figure one of the highest ever recorded. "Thankfully, no patients lost their lives, although a few emergency heart attack cases came close, including one patient who required CPR prior to stenting, but all patients survived,” he told Bernama. Out of the 76 patients treated, 26 were emergency cases referred from seven hospitals, including Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Kuala Pilah, Hospital Seremban, and Hospital CyberjayaIn 2025, HSIS Cardiology Department performed a total of 9,483 coronary angiograms and a record 6,486 PCIs or stent procedures. The hospital is also expanding its workforce, with nearly 30 cardiology trainees and 15 specialists currently on staff.

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, signed the Anti-Bullying Act 2026 at Istana Bukit Tunku here Saturday (Jan 10). This was stated in a post on His Majesty's official Facebook page. The Act, which was passed by Parliament on Dec 3, 2025, aims to establish a specific mechanism to address bullying cases involving all victims as defined and provided for under the Act. The post also stated that an Anti-Bullying Tribunal will be established as a dedicated quasi-judicial body to receive, hear and determine bullying complaints lodged by victims. The tribunal will also be empowered to award appropriate compensation or issue suitable orders for the purpose of protection and justice for victims of bullying.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasises that leadership must be anchored in integrity, a firm stance against corruption and economic policies that address the real problems faced by the people, particularly issues relating to the cost of living and basic salaries. The Prime Minister said such leadership must also remain connected to the masses and their daily struggles, even as the government undertakes institutional reforms. Anwar said that as the head of a coalition administration, he must engage and work through issues collectively rather than act unilaterally. Anwar added that he faced sustained attacks and accusations during his first year in office, including claims questioning his reformist credentials. He noted that the government recently announced a second wave of reforms, including freedom of information, the establishment of an ombudsman and setting a fixed tenure for the prime minister.

LOS ANGELES: An arrest warrant has been issued in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for Emmy-winning actor and director Timothy Busfield following serious allegations of child sex abuse. The 68-year-old, widely recognised for his roles in The West Wing and Field of Dreams, now faces two counts of sexual contact with a minor and child abuse, according to the New York Post. According to court documents, the matter came to light when a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted the police. Medical professionals at the hospital reportedly informed responding officers that the children showed signs of having been groomed. Representatives for both Busfield and Gilbert have been contacted for comment regarding the charges.

PETALING JAYA: She was on a hunt for a job and messages kept coming from a job networking and recruitment site. About 61.2 million fake accounts were taken down at the registration stage while 22.2 million were removed before members reported about them. Crime analyst Kamal Affandi Hashim said job scams manifest rampantly in the digital era. “The economy of scale versus effort makes it tempting for criminals.”He said a fake job offer is a goldmine to those who are attempting to make money in the shortest time. “This includes fake job offers where victims are promised high-paying remote work and asked to pay for ‘training’ or ‘registration’ fees.

PETALING JAYA: The possible return of the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3) examinations has found support among parents who say the absence of major exams have left students without a sense of urgency and motivation in studies. He said the reintroduction of the UPSR and PT3 exams must be done strategically. This comes as Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the UPSR and PT3 exams could be back on the cards soon. Procurement manager Wee Chong Wei, 33, said bringing back the UPSR and PT3 examinations can keep children better occupied. “If the ministry can make improvements to the current system without implementing exams, then it would work too,” she said.

The ceremony was also attended by Malaysia Brand Day organiser Carrie Ee and organising chairman Eden Yap. "Malaysia Brand Day is a national movement. "With pride and gratitude, I'm honoured to announce the official results reported by Matrade: total export sales generated from Malaysia Brand Day amounted to RM61.3 million," she said. And when we build brands, we build our nation," she said. Malaysia Brand Day 2026 featured curated brand showcases, leadership dialogues, industry panels, business matching sessions and capability-building programmes, all designed to support brand development and market readiness.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Badmin­ton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will not only be more selective in sending players to tournaments this year but will also be transparent about the value of each player’s contract. He also revealed plans to channel part of the funds from sponsors towards strengthening the development programme, rather than focusing solely on the existing elite players. “For me personally, I will raise this at the council meeting because I’m very interested in ensuring that we are more transparent. “At the council meeting, we will also propose being more selective in sending players to the right tournaments. Tomorrow (today’s) at the Council meeting, I will show exactly how much is being spent per player.

IT is a time of celebration for Indians around the world. In just days, they will celebrate Ponggal. It is a festival known by many names – Makkar Sakranti, Makara Vilakku, Lohri and Khichari – but whatever the name, it marks the end of a long winter.

IPOH (Jan 10): The police have seized 41 machines suspected of being used for illegal bitcoin mining in three separate raids in Teluk Intan. Hilir Perak Police chief ACP Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin said the first raid, conducted on Friday night, resulted in the seizure of 24 machines. He added that two raids early on Saturday led to the confiscation of nine and eight machines, respectively. “All the seizures are believed to be linked to offences under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 37 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990, involving property damage and the misuse of electricity supply,” he said in a statement. “Members of the public with any information on such criminal activities are encouraged to report to the police to assist with investigations,” he added.

But before she could hone her culinary skills, a 39-year-old housewife was “burnt” to the tune of RM300,000. She was later added to a WhatsApp group where several sweet-talking individuals shared cooking videos and promoted supposedly successful business models designed for housewives to earn extra income. She transferred RM300,000 as capital between Nov 1 and 12 for the money-making scheme and had duly performed her task. In a separate case, a 55-year-old manager saw his RM1.6mil savings wiped out after falling for a stock investment scam. “I was instructed to download an app and subsequently transferred RM1.6mil in 16 transactions,” he said.

Their homes, once busy with the activities of school-going children and working adults, are quieter now and marked by routines. One helps to look after grandchildren daily as their children work out of Kluang, another has her children in Kluang but living separately, while the rest nurse empty nests. For many of my mother’s friends, the only disruption to their routine is when their children return, usually during festive seasons and long holidays. Each of her friends know exactly when their friends’ children will return, the duration of their stay and the travel plan. Soon they would start sharing about their lives, children and the joy or happiness they gave and the holidays they just had or were looking forward to.