ANKARA: Malaysia and Turkiye marked a historic milestone as the leaders of both countries jointly chaired the inaugural Malaysia-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting on Wednesday (Jan 7), aimed at strengthening bilateral relations across multiple sectors. The strategic meeting was held in conjunction with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's three-day official visit to Turkiye at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The meeting took place after Anwar received an official welcoming ceremony by Erdogan at the Presidential Complex here. The HLSCC provides a structured and institutional framework to further elevate bilateral cooperation, reflecting the close and longstanding ties between Malaysia and Turkiye. The council also serves as a key platform for both countries to review bilateral cooperation, assess the progress of ongoing initiatives and explore new avenues of collaboration.

ANKARA (Jan 8): Malaysia and Türkiye marked a historic milestone on Wednesday as the leaders of both countries jointly chaired the inaugural Malaysia-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations across multiple sectors. The meeting took place after Anwar received an official welcoming ceremony by Erdogan at the Presidential Complex here. The HLSCC provides a structured and institutional framework to further elevate bilateral cooperation, reflecting the close and longstanding ties between Malaysia and Türkiye. The council also serves as a key platform for both countries to review bilateral cooperation, assess the progress of ongoing initiatives and explore new avenues of collaboration. Malaysia’s total trade with Türkiye from January to November 2025 amounted to RM21.2 billion (US$4.92 billion), with the republic continuing to be an important economic partner for Malaysia.

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s automotive tyre manufacturing and export sector continued to show strong momentum in 2025, with four related projects approved by the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), representing a total capital investment of nearly US$780 million. The CDC stated, “Notably, the number of registered investment projects increased by 216 projects, or about 52 per cent, while total investment capital rose by approximately $3 billion, or about 45 per cent, compared to 2024 when the CDC registered 414 projects with a total investment of around $6.9 billion. In the tyre sector, the CDC approved four projects: one located in the ISI SEZ in Preah Sihanouk province, and three others in SEZs within Svay Rieng province. “With Cambodia’s current advantages, there is a clear opportunity for investors to open tyre manufacturing plants in the country,” he said. He noted that more major international investors are now showing interest in establishing tyre manufacturing plants.

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 7): Malaysia's Ministry of Transport (MOT) has announced a phased review and modernisation of the nation's maritime legislation, with the entire process scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. In a statement on Wednesday, the MOT reiterated its commitment to strengthening maritime governance and legal frameworks to enhance the global and domestic competitiveness of Malaysia's shipping and port sectors. The ministry confirmed that the inaugural session of the newly formed Malaysian Maritime Law Revision and Reform Committee (MLRRC) was held on Tuesday. The government established the MLRRC to update and reform national maritime laws, aligning them with international standards and facilitating smoother trade and transport, the statement explained. The meeting centred on a preliminary Inception Report prepared by a specialist consultancy firm appointed to support the committee's work.

PETALING JAYA: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, stresses that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are among the main pillars to boost the people’ economy. The matter was emphasised by His Majesty during an audience with Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Wednesday (Jan 7). “His Majesty agreed to be presented with a briefing on the ministry's plans, including strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises. “Sultan Ibrahim said that SMEs are among the pillars in efforts to improve the people's economy, in addition to playing an important role in creating job opportunities and generating household income,” the statement posted on His Majesty’s official Facebook page said. The post also included pictures of the meeting between His Majesty and Sim, who wore a dark suit and songkok.

KUALA LUMPUR: Turkiye-based think tank, the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (Seta) and the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Isis) Malaysia will establish a framework to further fortify bilateral ties, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister also praised the role of both institutes in shaping national policy discourse amid an increasingly complex global environment. "I am encouraged that Seta and Isis Malaysia will formalise their cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed later today. Nevertheless, Anwar said both Malaysia and Turkiye have refused to treat this as inevitable or irreversible, while stressing that more needs to be done. "Both (Malaysia and Turkiye) have acted, delivering humanitarian assistance, mobilising diplomatic pressure and insisting that Israel be held accountable for violations of international law.

IPOH: Focus on serving the people and strengthening the unity government, instead of causing political turmoil, says Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim. The PKR Youth chief said all parties in the unity government need to stop politicking and ensure there is political stability. "The country experienced economic instability following the Sheraton Move in 2020 due to political turmoil. "Let's learn from history – don't be egoistic, arrogant or haughty," said Muhammad Kamil, who is also the Finance Minister's political secretary. Muhammad Kamil also said there was no need for DAP and Umno youth wings to continue trading barbs.

If implemented, it would reduce Sinochem’s holding from roughly 34% and reclassify the Chinese group as a passive investor, significantly curbing its influence. The Italian government, which considers Pirelli a strategic asset, would welcome such an outcome, the people said. It is facilitating the talks and has been seeking a solution to the prolonged standoff between the company and Sinochem, the people added. Italy has already intervened to curb Sinochem’s governance powers under its so-called golden power regime. Two months later, at the company’s annual general meeting, Sinochem failed to block approval of the company’s annual financial statements.

He said among the main factors influencing the occurrence of extreme weather were wind direction and speed, as well as wind convergence in a particular area. "The alert level indicates a potential risk of extreme weather that still requires serious attention from the public. "Although the monsoon is expected to end in March, the presence of monsoon surges that bring heavy rainfall can occur at any time and requires continuous monitoring," he said. Ambun also said MetMalaysia conducted 24-hour weather monitoring and would issue early warnings as soon as signs of monsoon surges were detected. He advised the public to always obtain the latest weather information from official MetMalaysia sources and to comply with authorities' instructions, including evacuation orders, to reduce safety risks during extreme weather events.

KANGAR (Jan 7): The High Court has fixed Feb 25 for a case management hearing on the originating summons filed by three former members of the Perlis state legislative assembly, challenging Assembly Speaker, Rus'sele Eizan, and the Legislative Assembly over the declaration that their seats are vacant. Former assemblymen Mohd Ridzuan Hashim, Fakhrul Anwar Ismail, and Saad Seman were represented by lawyer Mohd Jamil Yaacob. The Speaker and the Legislative Assembly were represented by Perlis state legal adviser Yang Zaimey Yang Ghazali and assistant state legal adviser Che Rohana Ismail. The claimants filed the summons on Jan 2, naming Rus'sele and the Perlis state legislative assembly as the first and second defendants. The case stems from an announcement on Dec 25 by Speaker Rus'sele, who declared the three seats vacant after the PAS membership of the assemblymen was terminated under Clause (1)(a)(ii), Article 50A of the Perlis State Constitution.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): Paramount Corporation Bhd (KL:PARAMON) said it is acquiring a 2.62-acre parcel of freehold land in Putrajaya for RM40 million and plans to develop a residential project with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM323 million on the site. The land also has direct access to major road networks, including the Putrajaya–Cyberjaya Expressway and Lingkaran Putrajaya. Paramount plans to develop a high-rise residential project on the site, with a launch expected about a year after completion of the sale and purchase. The project will add to Paramount’s current GDV of RM5.04 billion and is expected to contribute positively to future earnings. Paramount said the land comes with secured development orders, allowing for a swift transition from acquisition to project execution.

(Jan 7): Hiring at US companies rose in December at a moderate pace, pointing to sluggish momentum heading into 2026. Private-sector payrolls increased by 41,000, according to ADP Research data released on Wednesday, after declining in the prior month. The ADP report, published in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab, showed wage growth accelerated for workers who changed jobs, after registering the smallest annual gain since 2021 in the prior month. ADP bases its findings on payrolls covering more than 26 million US private-sector employees. In addition to the monthly reports, ADP also releases separate data on a weekly basis.

PETALING JAYA: Doctors are advising against an operation on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to treat his fractured hip because he is over 100 years old, says his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. In a video posted on social media on Wednesday (Jan 7), he said the former prime minister fell and fractured his hip when during his morning exercise on the balcony. "Due to his age of 100 years, an operation is not a wise option. "I thank everyone, including strangers, who texted their well wishes to the family," said Mukhriz. Over the years, Dr Mahathir has had at least two major heart surgeries, including a quadruple bypass in 2007.

PETALING JAYA: Former Army chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his two wives have been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). They were arrested on Wednesday (Jan 7) night at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya after providing statements over an ongoing probe involving military contract tenders. The former Army chief and his two wives will be remanded on Thursday (Jan 8) at the Putrajaya court. When contacted, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests. On Tuesday (Jan 6), the MACC secured five-day remand orders until Jan 10 for 17 company directors suspected of operating a cartel to fix tenders for Army procurements.

Hours later, China opened an anti-dumping probe into a key chipmaking material, taking aim at another pillar of Japanese industry. Taken together, the moves show China President Xi Jinping’s pressure campaign against Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi over her comments on Taiwan is just getting started. “Traditionally, Japan’s diplomacy has followed a clear pattern: first you lock in the relationship with the US and then face China. Japan is keeping the US in the loop as ties with the world’s number two economy continue to fray. Just days ago, Takaichi said she had an “extremely meaningful” call with Trump and would visit the US later this year.