Lee Zii Jia during his match against Aush Shetty in the Malaysia Open at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil recently. - NSTP/ASWADI ALIASKUALA LUMPUR: Independents Lee Zii Jia, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will not be considered for the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) as BAM prioritises broader squad objectives over star power. "For the BATC, I don't think so for Zii Jia and Sze Fei-Izzuddin. In contrast, the women's team face a more straightforward path in Group W, where they have been drawn with China. With only two teams in the group, Malaysia are guaranteed a place in the knockout stage and will also avoid the Asian giants in the quarter-finals.

KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia loom as Malaysia's biggest early obstacle after the national men's team were drawn with the Asian powerhouse in Group D of the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) in Qingdao, China from Feb 3-8. Because we are not seeded, we will have to face a seeded team in the knockout round. In contrast, the women's team face a more straightforward path in Group W, where they have been drawn with China. With only two teams in the group, Malaysia are guaranteed a place in the knockout stage and will also avoid the Asian giants in the quarter-finals. The Malaysian men won the BATC title in 2022 but the women's team are still chasing a first final appearance, with their best performances being semi-final finishes in 2020 and 2022.

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be treated with physiotherapy and will not undergo surgery after fracturing his hip in a fall at his home in The Mines on Jan 6. ALSO READ: Doctors ruling out hip surgery for Dr M due to his age, says Mukhriz“Taking into account Tun Dr Mahathir’s age, the recovery process is expected to take some time. “For the time being, Tun Dr Mahathir is not allowed to receive visitors, except for immediate family members. “Tun Dr Mahathir and his family would like to express their appreciation to all parties for their concern and prayers for his health and well-being,” read the statement. It was earlier reported that Tun Dr Mahathir was admitted to IJN in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (Jan 6) after a fall at his residence.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said that Penang’s tourism sector is projected to maintain strong growth this year, with over eight million tourists expected to arrive via Penang International Airport. — NUR IZZATI MOHAMADBATU KAWAN: Penang's tourism sector is projected to maintain strong growth this year, with over eight million tourists expected to arrive via Penang International Airport. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai attributed the growth to several new international flight routes, particularly direct services from Asian and Southeast Asian countries. "Last year, Penang International Airport recorded approximately eight million passenger movements, though official figures are still pending finalisation. Separately, Wong said the Home Ministry's new National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) at Penang International Airport will streamline entry and exit for tourists.

THE cat is out of the bag when it was disclosed that the massive surge of data centre investments in Malaysia has not lived up to expectations. The headline investment number is impressive.

WALKING through the streets of Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, is akin to reading chapters of a shared history between two nations, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia BN Reddy says. “The Indian community played a key role in early industrial growth, infrastructure development and urbanisation. Prabhakaran (second from left, with mini microphone) explaining the history of Sentul Raya Boulevard, which was once an open space used by the railway community. The Sentul walk was launched last month by then deputy National Unity minister K. Saraswathy at St Joseph’s Church. Better known as Mutthamil Padippagam, it is located on the first floor of a shop in Jalan Sentul.

MALAYSIANS need to work longer, and the Retirement Income Adequacy (RIA) framework provides a clearer picture of how much is required for retirement. Starting this year, the RIA sets benchmarks for Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings, aiming to ensure members have enough for retirement.

THE FBM KLCI closed 2025 with a modest gain of just 2.3%. What was also significant is that the index posted its first back-to-back positive returns since the great bull run between 2008 and 2013, when it rose for five consecutive years. While the index provided positive returns, they were modest compared with the spectacular gains on other major Asian bourses, led by the strong 76% gain on South Korea’s Kospi Index.

PETALING JAYA: Nomination Day for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state seat is underway. The Sabah parliamentary and state seats fell vacant following the death of the incumbent assemblyman and Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, on Dec 5, 2025. Stay tuned for live updates from the Dewan Sri Lamag nomination centre, where aspiring candidates must submit their applications in a one-hour window between 9am and 10am.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to undergo a lengthy recovery process following a hip fracture sustained in a fall last Tuesday. His press secretary, Sufi Yusoff, said Dr Mahathir is currently receiving treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN). Dr Mahathir, 100, fell at his home on Jan 6. Sufi said that for now, Dr Mahathir is not allowed to receive visitors, except his immediate family. "Tun Dr Mahathir and his family would like to thank everyone for their concern and prayers."

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 10): The number of flood evacuees sheltering in temporary relief centres (PPS) in Sarawak continued to increase as of 8am on Saturday morning, while the situation in Sabah showed a recovery trend. In Sarawak, the number of victims increased to 2,831 people from 826 families compared to 1,172 people from 349 families as of 4pm on Friday. According to the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), they were accommodated in 39 PPS. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) on Friday issued a continuous rain warning at alert level for several areas in Sarawak until Saturday. In Sabah, the number of flood victims decreased to 462 people from 157 families as of 8am on Saturday morning, compared to 503 people from 173 families on Friday.

(Jan 10): Walmart Inc will join the Nasdaq 100 Index, replacing AstraZeneca plc, Nasdaq Global indices said Friday. Walmart’s addition follows its move last year to shift its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to Nasdaq, the largest exchange transfer on record. Walmart shares have gained 146% on a total return basis in the past three years while AstraZeneca shares rose 42%. The Nasdaq 100 tracks the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange and underpins hundreds of billions of dollars in investment products. The Nasdaq 100 rose about 21% on a total-return basis in 2025, compared with gains of 18% for the S&P 500 and 16% for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

NEW YORK (Jan 10): US stocks have kicked off 2026 on a strong note but could face turbulence in the coming days with the start of corporate earnings season, fresh inflation data and rising geopolitical uncertainty. Stocks jumped on Friday after mixed jobs data that saw traders maintain expectations for more interest rate cuts this year. "On balance for this year, the foundation for the market is solid," said Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street Investment Management. Fed easing is adding "a sense of calm to risk markets", said Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson, global investment strategist at Hartford Funds. "All the inflation numbers are going to be critical to what Fed policy is going to look like," Abuhoff Jacobson said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh should not give up as Umno Youth chief but stay on and fight for the greater agenda, says party secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. "Umno has not been informed of any resignation of Akmal as Youth chief. "As the big brother, I would like to tell Akmal that differences of opinion in a party are quite normal, and my views (as Umno Youth chief) were once not accepted, too. ALSO READ: Akmal hints at stepping aside in social media post"That does not mean we have to step down. Cryptic messages on his social media have been loosely translated by netizens as Akmal wanting to resign from his posts.

The Dungun branch of the Malaysian Historical Society has urged the relevant authorities to properly maintain a turtle-shaped rock formation at Bukit Che Hawa, Rantau Abang, so that it continues to serve as a historical attraction for both local and foreign tourists. "According to oral history passed down by the elders, the turtle-shaped rock has existed there for a long time and was believed to be a factor that attracted thousands of turtles to come ashore to lay eggs along Rantau Abang Beach. "The turtle-shaped rock holds significant historical value for the younger generation and the people of Dungun," he said. Meanwhile, resident Tengku Nasruddin Tengku Mahmud, 52, said the area surrounding the turtle-shaped rock is covered with fallen leaves and thick grass, making it unsightly. "I suggest that the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry appoint a contractor to undertake maintenance and cleanliness works at the historical site," he said.