- NSTP/ZAID SALIMKUALA TERENGGANU: Mazli Yusoh, 51 has calmly accepted an apology from the family of the Honda Jazz driver involved in a crash that claimed the life of his daughter, Syakirah Hanan, 25, at midday today. "I have no problem forgiving because it was not his fault either," he said when met at the compound of the HSNZ Forensic Department here. The man, aged about 32 and from Kampung Bukit Cempaka, Kepong, here, was said to be travelling from Jalan Kemajuan to return to his village. The strong impact caused the victim to be trapped in her crushed car. It is understood that the man suffered serious injuries, including a fractured left arm and neck, and is still receiving treatment at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ).

The Institute for Supply Management said on Monday its manufacturing PMI dropped to 47.9 in the final month of 2025 — the lowest since October 2024 — from 48.2 in November. Still, the PMI remained above 42.3, a level that ISM said over time was consistent with an expansion of the overall economy. The ISM survey's forward-looking new orders sub-index was little changed at 47.7 in December from November's 47.4, marking a fourth straight month of falling demand. Amid the soft demand environment, factory employment declined for an 11th straight month, the sector's longest hiring slump by ISM's measure in about five years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' gauge of US manufacturing employment dropped in November to the lowest since March 2022.

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is stepping up efforts to support the global expansion of Malaysian exporters, with its 2026 roadmap outlining 203 high-impact trade development and promotion programmes. He added that MATRADE remains dedicated to fostering an ecosystem that drives inclusive and sustainable growth for the nation’s economy. In addition, MATRADE will pursue strategic collaborations by deepening public-private partnerships with prominent local and international entities to strengthen the trade and export ecosystem and facilitate global expansion for Malaysian companies, particularly MSMEs. The agency will also accelerate the national sustainability agenda by expanding the Greening of Export Supply Chain Programme to better prepare MSMEs and exporters for global environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance and disclosure requirements. During January - November last year, Malaysia’s exports to FTA markets accounted for approximately 67% of the Southeast Asian country’s total exports./.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has begun an investigation into 26 companies suspected of involvement in the procurement of army projects. According to sources, the owners of all the companies are also being investigated, and the possibility of them being remanded to assist in the probe has not been ruled out. "MACC began investigating all 26 companies at about 11 am this morning, in several locations across the Klang Valley, Perak and Penang," the sources told Bernama on Monday (Jan 5). On Dec 23, MACC officers visited the Defence Ministry to examine projects implemented through the open tender procurement method, as well as procurement carried out under the Pusat Tanggungjawab (PTJ) Tentera Darat. On the following day (Dec 24), MACC summoned three individuals to record their statements in connection with the case.

KUALA LUMPUR: MMAG Holdings Bhd said Datuk Seri Farhash Wafa Salvador has ceased to be a substantial shareholder following the disposal of shares. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the integrated supply chain management provider said Farhash disposed of his entire 462 million ordinary shares at 18.9 sen apiece via a direct business transaction on Dec 31, 2025, resulting in the cessation of his substantial shareholding. Farhash emerged as a substantial shareholder of MMAG in March 2025 after acquiring a 20% stake in the group. In a separate filing, MMAG said Farhash, 44, has also resigned as its non-independent, non-executive chairman to pursue personal commitments. MMAG shares closed flat at seven sen, with 16.64 mil shares traded.

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened slightly lower against the US dollar on Monday as global risk appetite turned more cautious, prompting investors to pare exposure to emerging-market assets. At 8 am, the local currency eased to 4.0580/0680 versus the greenback, compared with last Friday’s close of 4.0515/0560. At the open, the ringgit traded lower against a basket of major currencies. It depreciated against the Japanese yen to 2.5845/5911 from 2.5817/5848 last Friday, edged slightly lower versus the British pound to 5.4527/4662 from 5.4509/4569, and eased vis-à-vis the euro to 4.7499/7616 from 4.7488/7540. Meanwhile, the ringgit gained versus the Thai baht to 12.8662/9073 from 12.8996/9201, while it was flat vis-à-vis the Indonesian rupiah at 242.6/243.3 from 242.2/242.6 previously.

Will Smith (pic) and his company are facing allegations of sexual harassment by former America’s Got Talent contestant Brian King Joseph, who says he was subjected to “predatory behaviour” during the Oscar winner’s 2025 tour. The filing claims that Joseph joined the Fresh Prince alum’s tour for his Based On A True Story album. He insists tour management would have had “access” to the room because Joseph lost his luggage, which contained the room key. Joseph claims the Hitch star was “deliberately grooming and priming Mr. Joseph for further sexual exploitation” since their November 2024 meeting, after which they “began spending additional time alone” together ahead of the tour. Brian King Joseph appeared on five AGT episodes between 2018 and 2019.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 5): Pharmora Investment Holdings Pte Ltd has succeeded in its takeover offer for Apex Healthcare Bhd (KL:AHEALTH) and is now en route to delist and privatise the pharmaceutical group. According to the notice, Bursa Securities will suspend Apex Healthcare shares from trading from Jan 13 while Pharmora and its joint ultimate offerors will take the requisite steps to delist Apex Healthcare. The offerors will also compulsorily acquire the remaining Apex Healthcare shares they do not already own. On Dec 30, 2025, their valid acceptances had crossed the 90% of offer shares threshold to compulsorily acquire remaining shares from dissenting shareholders. The RM2.64 apiece takeover offer was launched on Nov 28, 2025.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Bhd has acquired three land parcels in Selangor and Penang for RM179.8 million as part of efforts to replenish its development landbank and strengthen its future project pipeline. In Puchong, Selangor, Sunway, via its subsidiary Sunway Kiara Sdn Bhd, entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Glomac Al-Batha Sdn Bhd to acquire a 2.74-hectare leasehold parcel for RM97.3 million. Separately, Sunway, via its wholly owned unit Rich Worldclass Sdn Bhd, acquired a 0.45-hectare freehold parcel in USJ 1 for RM21 million. "The consolidation allows Sunway to plan a comprehensive, transit-oriented development thatenhances liveability, connectivity, and long-term community value,” it said. In George Town, Penang, Sunway, through its unit Sunway Bintang Sdn Bhd, acquired a 0.42-hectare freehold parcel along Jalan Pangkor for RM61.45 million.

(Jan 5): A blast of Arctic air is spreading bitterly cold weather across much of Europe, boosting power demand and disrupting transport in some areas. The cold snap is also affecting other parts of northern Europe, as well as central areas and the Nordic region. Elsewhere, low temperatures in Munich should range from -10°C to -12°C for much of the week, according to government forecasters. Some weather models see cold weather returning again quickly. Still, European natural gas prices dropped Monday amid projections for milder weather and ample supply later this month and in early February.

HAVANA, Jan ‌4 (Reuters) - The Cuban government said on Sunday that ‌32 of its citizens were killed during the ‌U.S. raid on Venezuela to extract President Nicolas Maduro for prosecution in the United States. The Cuban government statement gave ‍few ​details, but said all the dead were members of the Cuban armed forces and intelligence agencies. Cuba has provided some ‍security for Maduro since he came ‌to power. Maduro ‌is being held in a New York detention center awaiting a Monday court appearance on drug charges.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake an official visit to Turkiye between Jan 6 to 8. According to the Prime Minister’s senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, the official visit is part of efforts to strengthen the longstanding bilateral relations between both countries. The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with Turkiye president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, where they will chair a high-level strategic council between both countries. “The Prime Minister is also scheduled to deliver a keynote address and have an engagement with the business community in Turkiye as well as the Malaysian diaspora,” he said. “This official visit reflects the commitment of the Madani administration to continue expanding an international cooperation network that is strategic, pragmatic and results-orientated based on the principles of Malaysia Madani,” he said.

PETALING JAYA: Individual taxpayers who have received Instalment Payment Notices (CP500) will not be subjected to penalties in 2026, says the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). However, they are still advised to update their income reporting in the ITR for AY 2025 to avoid receiving CP500 instalment notices in the future. “We will also contact affected taxpayers to clarify any income reporting errors in previously submitted ITRs,” it added. For taxpayers seeking to revise their CP500 instalment amounts via Form CP502, LHDN said that any first revisions must be submitted by June 30, 2026, and any second revisions by Oct 31, 2026. On Jan 5, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a penalty-free period throughout 2026 for unintentional errors in taxpayers' CP500 filings.

For cousins and friends Estelle Hillary, Krysanthe Albert, Mellisa Lee, Sunita Rahman and Lorraine Lee, Christmas came early with a casual get-together centred on food and gift exchanges. Estelle (left) and Krysanthe (right) with their cousins and friends. Laughter carried through the evening, drawing amused looks – and thumbs-up – from other diners at the restaurant as the group embraced the light-hearted antics. “It was my way of showing love and appreciation to my family and friends,” she said. Joined by Sarawakian family members and friends, the gathering unfolded over shared meals, conversations and plenty of laughter.

FOOD courts in Ampang Jaya, Selangor, are set to undergo much needed upgrades and refurbishment this year. Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) is allocating up to RM10mil over the next three to five years to improve infrastructure as well as enhance cleanliness and safety at the facilities. Hasrolnizam: Most Ampang Jaya food courts are over 20 years old. “Many segments of the community continue to rely on these food courts, which have their own identity and serve as affordable dining and gathering spaces. “We do not want to let these food courts die out.