2 Aaron-Wooi Yik downed Indonesia's world No. 6 Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri 23-21, 21-18 in a last four clash that lasted 50 minutes. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik downed Indonesia's world No. 6 Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri 23-21, 21-18 in a last four clash that lasted 50 minutes. Aaron-Wooi Yik will meet defending champions Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae in the final after the South Koreans came from behind to beat England's world No.
Kunlavut Vitidsarn in action against Jonatan Christie at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. - BERNAMA PICKUALA LUMPUR: Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn rode a wave of familiar support to book a place in his first Super 1000 final, saying the Malaysia Open felt like a home tournament after defeating Indonesia's Jonatan Christie 21-16, 21-16 at Axiata Arena today. The win marks a significant milestone for the Thai, who admitted that Super 1000 tournaments have often ended in frustration for him in the past. "I hope to get some medals in Super 1000, because when I play the Super 1000, I always lose in the early rounds. "Playing against Kunlavut is always very challenging, and the feeling is different every time," said Yu Qi.
"I made some mistakes in the second race and we were both pushing hard and really trying not to give any quarters," said Ridwan. "My coach (Harnizam Basri) told me to put the second race behind me and focus on the third race. Nur Alyssa Farid downed Ng Sze Wing (Hong Kong) 2-0 to claim bronze. "Alhamdulillah, I was able to win gold today but I am aware that there is still a lot I can improve on, especially in terms of timing," said Izzah. OTHER RESULTS:Men's junior sprint final: Liang Ka Lok (Hong Kong) def Lo Ka Chun (Hong Kong) 2-0men's junior keirin final: 1 Amir Reza Alopour Anvar (Iran) 2 Liang Ka Lok (Hong Kong) 3 Lo Ka Chun (Hong Kong)Women's junior sprint final: Sawda Hasbullah (Mas) def Xiong Qian (Hong Kong) 2-0Women's junior keirin final: 1 Sawda Hasbullah (Mas) 2 Xiong Qian (Hong Kong) 3 Nur Umairah Qaisara Razak (Mas)
TODAY’S small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face an increasingly challenging landscape, marked by rising costs, unpredictable global economic conditions and rapidly changing customer demands. To navigate this complex environment, entrepreneurs require support in their business journeys beyond just financing, Raymond Chui, group chief business and transaction banking officer of Alliance Bank, tells StarBiz 7.
THAILAND’S automotive sector faces a mixed year with production ticking up but earnings still under pressure as the market pivots away from its traditional strengths and towards new electric vehicle (EV) players. That is the broad outlook for the industry as the next financial year unfolds, shaped by shifting demand, export headwinds and the rapid rise of Chinese EV manufacturers.
BURSA Malaysia had a banner year for listings in 2025, chalking up 60 debuts – the most in over a decade – and nearly RM30bil in fresh market capitalisation. But the money raised told a different story, with initial public offering (IPO) proceeds easing to RM6bil from RM7.4bil. As articulated by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan last month, the focus now is on attracting bigger companies that can add market weight and raise the bourse’s prominence.
AFTER a seeming detente by the US government toward China in the ongoing tech war, an announcement last week served as a reminder that Washington remains very hawkish when it comes to anything related to semiconductors. Last week, the US government exercised its powers to reverse a two-year-old deal in which China-owned company, HieFo Corp, acquired the chip assets of US-based Emcore Corp.
"Based on CCTV monitoring, there was no situation involving 10,000 people being stranded. The situation was controlled and did not pose any safety or security concerns," Fazli told the New Straits Times. Foreign visitors were advised to use manual counters or the MyNIIS application to avoid delays at the foreign passport autogates. However, queues persisted as some travellers continued waiting at the e-gates despite repeated instructions to use alternative channels, contributing to longer delays. BSI is among the world's busiest land checkpoints, processing almost half a million travellers daily.
KAJANG: Five police reports have been lodged on an advertisement for the "Glamping with Pride" event, believed to be promoting LGBTQ practices. Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Naazron Abdul Yusof said the reports were lodged as the event was believed to have the potential of causing social problems and indecency. "We have received five reports so far on the event, expected to be held in Hulu Langat on Jan 17 and 18. He advised the public not to conduct any act that could disrupt public order, as stern action would be taken. "We urge those with information on the event to contact investigating officer Asst Supt Nur Ayuni Abd Aziz at 016-2080717 to assist with the investigation," he added.
BY any measure, 2025 will be remembered as a crucial tipping point. Violent armed conflict escalated in many areas, notably Ukraine, Israel-Gaza-Iran-Lebanon, Pakistan-India, Thailand-Cambodia, Venezuela, Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, among others. Last year was also one of the three hottest years on record in terms of climate. According to Earth.org, it was also one of the most expensive in terms of natural disaster costs.
THE recent news that United Overseas Bank (UOB) plans to hive off its asset management business highlights the strategic challenges that banks face with regard to their asset management divisions. If indeed these banks are having an existential crisis with regard to this segment of their business, it should come as no surprise.
KUALA LUMPUR: BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has reiterated that national coaching directors Kenneth Jonassen (singles) and Rexy Mainaky (doubles) are empowered to decide the national training programme and the hiring of new coaches. "We empowered the two coaching directors to decide. "We have to trust the credibility of both our coaching directors and Chong Wei. "The only discussion was on the salaries of local coaches, where we agreed that a review is needed. It is learnt that the review of coaches' salaries, including the remuneration of incoming coaches, could increase BAM's expenses by another RM2 million this year.
But our total expenditure for the first 11 months is close to RM54 million," said Tengku Zafrul. "As for this year, our income is already more than RM50 million, but to sustain, we need RM55 million a year. "And we must also thank the government for their support, whose support amounts to about RM5.5 million." Although BAM did not reveal the annual income and contract details of the players and coaches, Tengku Zafrul hinted that it will be made public soon. This means they can have some saving of up to RM300- RM400 for the future," added Tengku Zafrul.
BN Sabah chairman Datuk Jafry Ariffin (centre) after launching the BN machinery at the BN operations centre in Kinabatangan today. - Pic by Poliana Ronnie SidomKINABATANGAN: Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah is confident that its pairing of two young candidates can retain victories in both the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and the Lamag State Legislative Assembly seat. BN Sabah chairman Datuk Jafry Ariffin said party machinery across three state constituencies — Lamag, Sukau and Kuamut — is ready to be mobilised at any time. I am confident that the leadership shown by these young candidates will secure a strong victory for BN in these by-elections," he said. Commenting on rival candidates, Jafry said competition is part of the democratic process and BN respects the right of all parties to contest.
KUALA LUMPUR: Graft busters have seized 23 Rolex watches and other luxury items worth RM2.2 million from the home of a former top army officer's second wife. The items were discovered in two suitcases during a raid at the woman's home on the East Coast, a source said. Examination revealed 23 Rolex watches of various models with an estimated market value of RM2 million, the source added. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) also seized jewellery worth RM225,000 belonging to a person suspected of being an accomplice. It was reported yesterday that investigators seized gold, high-performance sport utility vehicles and foreign currency worth RM6.9 million following an investigation into army procurement tenders.
