PUTRAJAYA: The proposal to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years or two terms is a game changer capable of bringing major reforms to the country’s governance system, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic). He said the term limit is important to prevent a prime minister from holding office for too long, which could lead to leadership fatigue, even if the individual performs well. ALSO READ: Bill to limit PM’s tenure to 10 years to be tabled in Parliament, says Anwar"This is a game changer and, in my view, we do not want a prime minister to ... overstay his or her welcome. "This is a good step proposed by the Prime Minister himself,” he told reporters after delivering his ministry’s 2026 New Year message here on Tuesday (Jan 6). The Bill is among four key pieces of legislation to be tabled as part of Parliament’s direction for this year.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has requested a date change for the Malaysian Open, moving it from 2027 to 2030. The home Open, a Super 1000 event, has been the season curtain-raiser from 2023 to 2026. BAM secretary Kenny Goh confirmed that the national body has requested that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) reschedule the tournament from its original start date to later in the year. “We have requested that the Malaysian Open be shifted from the start of the year to April or May from 2027 to 2030,” said Kenny. We already made the request to BWF last May,” said Kenny.

The benchmark index was down 1.91 points to 1,678.41 as traders took some profit following the strong rally. According to TA Securities, Bursa Malaysia tracked gains in regional markets in the previous session as traders largely shrugged off the recent US military intervention in Venezuela. However, it said stronger buying momentum and meaningful domestic catalysts are needed for the index to sustain its upward momentum. "Immediate support stays at the September 2016 low of 1,645, with stronger support coming from the 76.4%FR (1,610) followed by the 61.8%FR (1,564). Top actives on the market included MMAG up 1.5 sen to 8.5 sen, Insights Analytics rising six sen to RM1.52 and SNS Network gaining 2.5 sen to 55 sen.

At 8 am, the local currency edged up to 4.0650/0745 against the greenback, from Monday’s close of 4.0695/0745. "Overnight, the US dollar was initially supported by geopolitical headlines and global central bank signals, but the momentum faded. The US dollar index slipped 0.17 per cent to 98.26 by late trading, leaving it only marginally higher year to date,” he told Bernama. Despite the early uptick against the US dollar, the ringgit traded lower against a basket of major currencies. The local currency traded mostly lower against ASEAN peers.

KUALA LUMPUR: Newly-appointed 31st Army Chief Jeneral Datuk Azhan Md Othman has called on all personnel and officers to remain calm and united in carrying out their duty to safeguard national security. Earlier, Jen Azhan was conferred his rank insignia in a ceremony officiated by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. Jen Azhan succeeds Jen Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, who has been placed on leave as investigations into allegations linked to him continue. Jen Azhan added that the appointment carried a significant responsibility, as the Army is the largest organisation within the Malaysian Armed Forces. "I will carry out this duty to the best of my ability with the support of all Army personnel and the people of Malaysia," he said.

IPOH: The RM100 Bantuan Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), which will be credited to recipients from Feb 9, is seen as a timely helping hand with buying essentials for the upcoming festivities. Hew said he plans to use the aid to buy essential household items such as rice, cooking oil and other groceries. ALSO READ: RM100 Sara aid to be credited beginning Feb 9, says PMYahaya Osman, 52, who is currently unemployed, said the cash aid would be especially helpful in preparation for Ramadan. "However, the Sara aid will primarily be used to buy food. Amirah also plans to use the Sara cash aid to buy daily household goods for her children, although she hopes there will be clearer guidelines on whether or not it can be used for school-related items.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has announced the transfer and appointment of several senior officers to strategic posts at Bukit Aman and state contingent levels. In a statement on Tuesday (Jan 6), PDRM secretary Deputy Comm Abdul Rahman Kassim said Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri has been appointed director of the Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK). He said JPJKK director Comm Datuk Wan Hasan Wan Ahmad will take over as head of the Inspector-General of Police (Research and Development) Secretariat at the IGP Secretariat Office. "Head of the Anti-Money Laundering Criminal Investigation Team (Amla) at the IGP Secretariat, Comm Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali been appointed the new director of JSPT," he added. DCP Rahman said Sibu district police chief Asst Comm Zulkipli Suhaili has been appointed to lead the Sarawak Contingent Management Department with the rank of acting Senior Asst Comm.

PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya (UM) will add new operating theatres at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) following the successful liver transplant on a four-month-old baby. ALSO READ: Anwar hails UMMC for successful liver transplant on four-month-old babyAccording to UMMC director Prof Dr Mohd Zulkiflee Abu Bakar, the infant – who weighed 6.2kg at the time of surgery – is the youngest liver transplant recipient in the country. The clinical approach and treatment framework used were based on research findings published in the international journal Pediatric Surgery International. "These research outcomes have been referenced and adopted globally, and have now proven successful through clinical implementation at PPUM," he said. The infant is currently under close specialist monitoring.

(Jan 6): Indonesia’s government bonds eked out an inflow in 2025 thanks to foreign net buying in December, as investors overcame earlier concerns about a new finance minister and nationwide unrest. The local bond market recorded US$388 million (RM1.57 billion) in net foreign investor buying last month, the first monthly inflow since August, according to finance ministry data compiled by Bloomberg. That meant last year saw a small net inflow of US$337 million, continuing an annual foreign buying trend for a third year. A weaker dollar in December and benign debt supply attracted foreign investors back to the bonds, he added. The foreign inflows trend might continue this year if the greenback and US Treasury yields move lower but domestic fiscal deficit concerns remain, Yunianto said.

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 6): The Rakan KKM “premium economy” model will start at Hospital Cyberjaya in the first quarter of this year, with no further delays, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said. “We are hoping for it (Rakan KKM) to happen as soon as possible, in the first quarter, by February or at the latest March. Accelerating digitalisation of public healthcare servicesAs part of broader structural reforms, the ministry will step up the digitalisation of public healthcare services this year. The initiative is aimed at ensuring patient data moves seamlessly with patients across the healthcare system. Vape products are currently regulated under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which focuses on control rather than outright prohibition.

“If Thailand has to retaliate, we would do so if necessary,” Anutin told reporters in Bangkok on Tuesday. But based on initial discussions between the two countries, he said the incident appears to have been an “accident” and Thailand is seeking further information. The renewed tension comes just days after Thailand agreed to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers captured in July. A Thai soldier sustained shrapnel wounds in the Tuesday incident, though his condition isn’t critical, the Second Army Region said in a statement. Earlier, the regional army unit said Cambodia “has violated the ceasefire”.

The Mexico facility joins newly established factories in Cambodia and Indonesia, supporting the Chinese toymaker’s expansion of its supply chain beyond China and Vietnam, a Pop Mart spokesperson told Bloomberg News, without disclosing further details. Pop Mart doesn’t have its own factories but collaborates with manufacturing partners. Pop Mart has been bolstering its production capacity since its toothy doll Labubu became a global sensation in 2025. “This partner-led network ramps up supply capacity and enables timely, universal access to new products for consumers worldwide,” a Pop Mart spokesperson said in a statement. Shares of Pop Mart rallied as much as 5.7% in Hong Kong on Tuesday, the biggest jump in more than a month and marking a third consecutive day of gains.

The company is adding a new model to its current lineup — one called the MI440X — for use in smaller corporate data centres where customers can deploy local hardware and keep data inside their own facilities. The two talked about their shared belief that future economic growth will be tied to the availability of AI resources. The new chip, MI440X, will fit in compact computers in existing smaller data centres. Su also gave a preview of the forthcoming MI500 series of processors that will debut in 2027. That range will deliver up to 1,000 times the performance of the MI300 series that was first rolled out in 2023, Su said.

Markets were on tenterhooks in the subsequent days leading up to “Liberation Day” on April 2 when the US would unveil its reciprocal tariffs. Bursa Malaysia is committed to intensifying efforts together with stakeholders to overcome this menace. Building the next chapterThe year 2026 will mark 50 years since the incorporation of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, which was later renamed Bursa Malaysia. The capital market is a shared opportunity and responsibility, shaped by issuers, investors, participants, policymakers and the wider public. With the capable team behind me at Bursa Malaysia and the support from the ecosystem, I step into the new year a little bit wiser from the lessons learnt in the past 300 days.

(Jan 6): Developers in Hong Kong were kept busy during the holiday season as rich buyers went on a shopping spree for luxury homes. That bodes well for the luxury sector this year, following a prolonged slump that was exacerbated by distressed owners dumping properties cheaply. HKR International Ltd sold a pair of houses next to its golf club at Discovery Bay for almost HK$1 billion. “Wealthy buyers are making decisions faster,” said William Lau, a senior director and the head of residential agency at Knight Frank in Hong Kong. Knight Frank expects mass residential prices in Hong Kong to jump 5%-8% in 2026 and luxury values to rise 3%-5%, supported by demand from immigrants and finance industry professionals, according to a December report by the real estate consultancy.