PETALING JAYA: The outlook for the construction sector appears positive this year, supported by rising earnings visibility, steady private investment and a broadening mix of infrastructure and specialised projects. Faster progress billings and improving margins are expected to underpin profitability, reinforcing expectations of a sustained sector upcycle. Maybank Investment Bank Research (Maybank IB) posits five investment themes for the construction sector this year. “We believe that Southern Cable Group Bhd (SCGB) is best positioned to capitalise on any growth in construction activity in Johor,” Maybank IB said. It maintained its “overweight” stance on the sector, naming Gamuda Bhd , Sunway Construction Group Bhd and Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd as top picks.

IPOH: With the clock ticking on the school holidays and a RM1,000 personal income tax relief for domestic tourism up for grabs, families are making the most of their final getaway before the new school term begins next week. “The tax relief is definitely a great move. The special RM1,000 tax relief was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of Budget 2026 last October to encourage domestic travel in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026. This tax relief really helps,” he said, adding that his total spending came to between RM2,000 and RM3,000, including a visit to a theme park. Chai is already planning ahead, with visits to Muzium Negara in Kuala Lumpur and Sunway Lagoon in Subang Jaya lined up for the next school holidays to fully utilise the tax relief.

PUTRAJAYA: Former Army chief Jeneral Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his two wives have been remanded in connection with the graft probe into the cartel linked with procurement tenders for the Army. The ex-top military officer will be remanded for seven days until Jan 14, while one of his wives was remanded for six days. Another couple was also arrested earlier that day over the same probe and remanded for seven days. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had said the investigation into the matter was ongoing. Azam also said the MACC had foiled an attempt to move RM2.4mil in cash linked to its probe into suspected cartel activity involving Army procurement tenders.

ALSO READ: 'Truth prevails', says Zahid in expressing gratitude at AGC's NFA decisionEarlier, the AGC, in a statement, said it had decided on no further action (NFA) in relation to the 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds linked to Ahmad Zahid. According to the AGC, the decision also led to the final termination of the case. He said the relocation was aimed at improving the quality of service delivery to the public, in line with the increase in the number of transactions related to passports, border passes and the management of foreign workers. ALSO READ: AGC decides NFA on Zahid's 47 charges linked to Yayasan Akalbudi"Service efficiency has also been a focus, with passport applications reported to be processed, approved and issued within about one hour, a performance indicator described as very good for this department," he said. Saifuddin Nasution said aspects of comfort and smooth public dealings must always be prioritised, given that immigration services are among the frontline agencies dealing directly with the public.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds across multiple divisions in Sarawak, effective until 1pm on Thursday (Jan 8). MetMalaysia, in a statement at 9am, said the severe weather is expected to affect Kuching (Kuching), Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman (Sri Aman), Betong, Sarikei (Sarikei), Sibu (Sibu and Selangau), Mukah, Bintulu (Tatau and Bintulu), Miri (Subis, Beluru, Miri and Marudi) and Limbang. MetMalaysia issues these warnings when there are signs indicating a thunderstorm with a rainfall intensity exceeding 20mm per hour that is imminent or expected to occur for more than one hour. A thunderstorm warning is a short-term warning that is valid for a period not exceeding six hours for any single release.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s men’s singles challenge in the Malaysian Open came to an end after the last remaining player, Leong Jun Hao, was knocked out in the second round on Thursday (Jan 8). Jun Hao went down to Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie 21-18, 21-11. For Jonatan, the victory was sweet revenge after he had lost to Jun Hao at last year’s Singapore Open. Jonatan will face either Japan’s Kodai Naraoka or China’s Lu Guangzu in the quarter-finals on Friday (Jan 9), while Jun Hao will take the lessons from this defeat as he prepares for the Indian Open next week.

JOHOR BARU: A 29-year-old motorcyclist was injured after he drifted into the opposite lane and crashed into an oncoming car. “The car was travelling from Jalan Permas Jaya towards Taman Desa Jaya when the crash took place,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Jan 8). Following the impact, the motorcyclist was thrown onto the car’s bonnet, where he assumed a “sleeping position”, a scene that drew mixed reactions from social media users expressing amusement as well as concern over the rider’s safety. ACP Sohaimi said the motorcyclist sustained injuries and was taken by ambulance to Hospital Sultan Ismail for treatment, while the car driver was unharmed. Police have advised road users to comply with traffic laws and practise safe and courteous driving at all times.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has decided that no further action (NFA) will be taken on the 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption, and money laundering related to Yayasan Akalbudi funds involving Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The statement referred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision on Sept 4, 2023, to grant a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to Ahmad Zahid on 47 charges involving criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering linked to Yayasan Akalbudi funds. These included matters raised through six representations submitted to the AGC after Ahmad Zahid was called to enter his defence, it said. The AGC said the assessment was conducted by taking into account several factors, including the scope and focus of the investigations at the initial stage that were directly related to the charges filed. On Sept 4, 2023, the High Court here granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal to Ahmad Zahid on 47 charges involving criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering related to Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

PUTRAJAYA: Former army chief Jeneral Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his two wives have been remanded in connection with investigations into a cartel linked to procurement tenders for the army. The top military officer was remanded for seven days, while one of his wives was remanded for six days and the other for three days. An additional couple was also arrested earlier in the day for the same probe and has been remanded for seven days. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests when contacted. On Tuesday (Jan 6), the MACC secured a five-day remand order for 17 company directors suspected of operating a cartel to fix tenders for army procurements.

KUALA LUMPUR: A corruption case involving Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin at the Shah Alam Sessions Court will be tried together with four other corruption charges he faces at the Sessions Court here, all linked to the approval of a mineral exploration licence in Sabah. "The court allowed the prosecution's application for the cases to be tried together and fixed March 11 for mention, for the submission of documents," the Judge said on Thursday (Jan 8). Shamsul Iskandar faces five corruption charges. In a separate Sessions Court, Judge Rosli Ahmad allowed the prosecution's application to try the Tei case at the Shah Alam Sessions Court together with the four other corruption charges he faces here. He also faces two additional charges of giving bribes in the form of furniture and electrical items valued at RM14,580.03 and RM22,249, respectively, to Shamsul Iskandar for the same purpose.

PETALING JAYA: EGH International Bhd (EGHI) is eyeing a listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia. The company is principally involved in the provision of interior fit-out services and sale of furniture, fittings and equipment and building materials. In its prospectus exposure, the company said its initial public offering (IPO) entailed the public issue of 240 million new shares. The company said proceeds from the IPO would be used for the construction of a new head office and warehouse, repayment of borrowings and general working capital. “As part of our growth strategy, we plan to construct a new five-storey industrial building on an approximately 2.67-acre land in Puchong, Selangor, with an estimated gross built-up area of 130,000 sq ft.“The proposed building will serve as our head office, warehouse, and showroom, expanding administrative capacity, warehouse storage and retail display.”Berjaya Securities Sdn Bhd is the sponsor for the company’s IPO.

KOTA KINABALU: The High Court in Sabah and Sarawak on Wednesday (Jan 7) allowed an application by Abdul Manap bin Bakusai @ Abu Bakar, and his three children from Pitas, to correct their Malaysian Identity Card (MyKad) records to reflect their Christian faith. The Court noted that documentary evidence, including identity records, baptism certificates and letters from churches, supported this position. The Court emphasised that the issue at hand was not isolated, with Judge Celestina citing earlier judicial decisions, including Satiah Simbunar v. Director of National Registration Department, Sabah, 2022. The Court characterised the situation as troubling, particularly because it involved illiterate applicants who relied on government officials for assistance. The Court further rejected the NRD’s position that religious determination should be left to the Syariah Court, while at the same time having determined the plaintiffs’ religion administratively.

ISTANBUL: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here Thursday (Jan 8) to attend several programmes before concluding his three-day official visit to Turkiye. The special aircraft carrying the Prime Minister and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, landed at Istanbul International Airport at 2.19pm local time (7.19pm Malaysia time). Also accompanying the Prime Minister were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. The official visit forms part of efforts to further strengthen the long-standing bilateral relations between the two countries. Malaysia's trade with Turkiye from January to November 2025 reached RM21.2bil (US$4.92bil), with the republic continuing to be an important economic partner.

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Noor Azman Rahman has been reinstated as the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary general. In a statement issued by the football body’s disciplinary committee on Thursday (Jan 8), they decided that the suspension of Azman has ended, and that he will resume his duties with immediate effect. The FAM executive committee had on Dec 22 decided to extend the suspension of Azman after dicussing the findings of the Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) report. "Accordingly, the FAM disciplinary committee, chaired by Datuk Dr Baljit Singh Sidhu, convened and, after taking into consideration the period of suspension already served by him as well as the IIC report dated Dec 15, decided to reinstate Datuk Noor Azman to his duties as FAM secretary general with immediate effect," said the statement issued on Thursday (Jan 8). "With this latest decision, it indicates that Datuk Noor Azman was only involved in administrative negligence and is not guilty of, nor involved in, any document forgery."

PUTRAJAYA: Small-scale projects under the 13th Malaysian Plan (13MP) will be fast-tracked by the Economy Ministry, says its minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. Akmal was speaking during his New Year address at the Economy Ministry on Thursday (Jan 8). “We must ensure that all small-scale projects are completed, running smoothly and truly felt by the people on the ground,” added Akmal. Akmal stated that the government, through collaboration among the Economy Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Works Ministry, aims to ensure that these projects are executed and completed on schedule while meeting quality standards. Meanwhile, Akmal announced that the Economy Ministry would hold a special retreat at the end of January to detail indicators, targets and project execution plans, including small projects.