PETALING JAYA: The resignation of several Perikatan Nasional leaders in the past few days was not as considerable as expected, says PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari. He said several state-level leaders are remaining in their respective roles while waiting for the directive of the new Perikatan chairman. PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan recently said that the party has offered to take the helm of the coalition following Muhyiddin's resignation. "PAS hereby offers its willingness to lead Perikatan, to strengthen, organise and prepare for the state elections and the 16th General Election," he said in a statement. Perlis recently saw a leadership change after Mohd Shukri Ramli stepped down as mentri besar, citing health reasons.

GEORGE TOWN: Listing Baba Nyonya on birth certificates will boost Penang’s appeal as a cosmopolitan and culturally rich destination, according to the Penang Peranakan Baba Nyonya Association. “Chap Goh Meh was once celebrated mainly within the Baba Nyonya community. Under the Penang Peranakan Baba Nyonya Association and Straits Chinese Association, Tong said about 1,000 people in Penang are still actively pursuing Baba Nyonya cultural practices. “I grew up hearing about Baba and Nyonya culture but I never fully understood how unique it was until coming here. “Whether through heritage homes and museums, culinary tourism or cultural festivals, Baba Nyonya culture offers immense potential for sustainable tourism and creative entrepreneurship,” he said.

A large piece of suspected space debris was found washed ashore at Kampung Tanjung in Nenasi near here on Dec 30. - NSTP/FAZLI AHMADPEKAN: A large piece of suspected space debris was found washed ashore at Kampung Tanjung in Nenasi near here on Dec 30. The object, measuring about 4m by 3m, was discovered on the beach at the settlement, located about 92km from Kuantan. Zaidi said the object is believed to have fallen from space into the sea before being washed ashore at Nenasi beach. Checks at the Nenasi police station revealed that the partially damaged object, weighing several hundred kg, was transported from the shoreline to the station using a three-tonne lorry.

KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysia ushers in the New Year 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Cabinet members have expressed renewed hopes and a firm commitment to continue strengthening public well-being and safeguarding national stability. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said 2026 would mark a crucial phase in further strengthening reforms within the national healthcare system. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his ministry would continue to intensify reforms, improve efficiency and refine approaches grounded in humanitarian values, justice and integrity. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sim called for the tourism, arts and culture sectors to be further strengthened as drivers of economic growth and national unity, in tandem with Malaysia’s entry into Visit Malaysia 2026. Other ministers who also conveyed New Year messages via social media platforms included Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

The S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq posted double-digit gains this year, their third consecutive year in the green, a run last seen during 2019-2021. The S&P ⁠500 had also been on track for its eighth straight monthly gain until just before the closing bell, and ended up closing with a monthly loss for December. The S&P 500 lost 50.74 points, or 0.74%, to 6,845.50 points, while the Nasdaq ​Composite lost 177.09 points, or 0.76%, to 23,241.99. The communication services index emerged as the top performer on the S&P 500 this year, powered by a 65% jump in Alphabet. Storage-chip ⁠makers such as Micron Technology, Western Digital and Seagate outperformed their S&P 500 peers, having more than tripled in value in 2025.

The joy of a family picnic involving 15 relatives at Pantai Sura Tengah here turned into tragedy when a woman drowned, while her younger brother is feared dead after going missing while swimming earlier today. - Pic courtesy of Fire and Rescue deptDUNGUN: The joy of a family picnic involving 15 relatives at Pantai Sura Tengah here turned into tragedy when a woman drowned, while her younger brother is feared dead after going missing while swimming earlier today. Her brother, Mohd Fazir Shafie, 37, has yet to be located. Shahrizal said the SAR operation for Mohd Fazir is ongoing, with a boat deployed and coastal searches being carried out with the assistance of the police and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force. "The incident happened when Nor Baizura was believed to have drowned while swimming, and Mohd Fazir attempted to rescue his sister.

A Palestinian man carries firewood amid the ruins of destroyed buildings in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on December 31, 2025. PIC BY AFPKUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms the Zionist Israeli regime's decision to ban and suspend the operations of a large number of international humanitarian aid organisations in Gaza. The Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) said the move is a clear violation of international humanitarian law and will further exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis following the regime's more than two-year war against the people of the Palestinian Territory. "The obstruction of humanitarian assistance constitutes collective punishment of civilians and undermines the neutrality and independence of humanitarian actors. "The Israeli regime is legally obliged under the Fourth Geneva Convention to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza," it said in a statement today.

PADANG BESAR (Jan 1): The list of names proposed for the new Perlis State Executive Council (exco) will be presented to the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail next week, said Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah. He said the list of exco candidates consists only of four state assemblymen from Bersatu, as PAS Central had decided not to be part of the new exco lineup that will be formed. At a press conference on Tuesday, Abu Bakar said the appointment of the new Perlis exco could proceed with the minimum four members following PAS’ decision not to join the state administration under his leadership. On Wednesday, at a press conference, Perlis Speaker Rus’sele Eizan announced the withdrawal of his application to the Election Commission for by-elections to be held to fill the three casual vacancies. However, he said the Chuping, Bintong and Guar Sanji seats will remain vacant until the next general election.

A survey showed that from the checkpoints, the Thai visitors either boarded rented vans or used public transportation to reach their destinations across the state. Most of the Thai visitors travelled with their families, while others came with friends, turning the short cross-border journey into a festive holiday outing. Many were seen heading to shopping complexes throughout Kelantan, especially in Kota Baru. Popular shopping destinations among Thai visitors included Aeon Mall and KB Mall, which were favoured for their wide variety of products and reasonable prices. Tourism Malaysia corporate communications division senior deputy director Chan Hon Mun said it has been a tradition for Thai visitors to shop at Malaysia's popular shopping complexes during long holidays, especially at Kelantan's shopping complexes.

ANKARA (Jan 1): A strong, magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Southeast Indian Ridge early Thursday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), Anadolu Ajansi reported. The first earthquake of 2026 occurred at 0153GMT at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres (6.21 miles), triggering seismic activity in a remote part of the southern Indian Ocean. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties as the epicentre was far from populated areas. The Southeast Indian Ridge is a major mid-ocean ridge, an underwater mountain range formed by tectonic plates slowly moving apart.

KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no changes to the retail prices of RON95, RON97 and diesel from Jan 1 to 7, 2026. In a statement Wednesday (Dec 31), the Finance Ministry announced that the retail price of diesel in Peninsular Malaysia would remain at RM2.94 per litre, while the price in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan remains at RM2.15 per litre. The retail price of subsidised RON95 petrol under the Budi Madani Ron95 (Budi95) programme remains unchanged at RM1.99 per litre while the price of non-subsidised RON95 petrol remains at RM2.56 per litre. The price of RON97 petrol will remain at RM3.16 per litre. "The government will continue to monitor market developments and adjust the retail prices of RON97, RON95 and diesel, taking into account global oil market price movements while supporting price stability," it said in a statement.

-NSTP/ Wan Nabil NasirALOR STAR: A woman, arrested for causing a disturbance, making obscene gestures and behaving aggressively towards police officers in the Mergong area here on Wednesday, has been remanded for two days to assist investigations. The remand order until tomorrow against the 34-year-old woman was issued by magistrate Nur Syifa Mohd Hamzah. Kota Setar district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Syed Basri Syed Ali, confirmed the matter. The case is being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty. Earlier, a video went viral on social media showing a woman creating a disturbance, acting aggressively, shouting insults and making obscene gestures towards police officers, believed to have occurred in the Mergong area here.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 1): As Malaysia ushers in the New Year 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Cabinet members have expressed renewed hopes and a firm commitment to continue strengthening public well-being and safeguarding national stability amid evolving challenges. “Alhamdulillah, the new year arrives as a new chapter for all of us to move forward with greater achievements and successes. I pray that 2026 will bring well-being and prosperity to all Malaysians,” he said. In line with efforts to enhance public health, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said 2026 would mark a crucial phase in further strengthening reforms within the national healthcare system. Other ministers who also conveyed New Year messages via social media platforms included Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

KUALA TERENGGANU: A lawyer has been arrested for allegedly conspiring with an inmate to smuggle drugs into Marang prison here. "The inmate was later returned to the prison and isolated. On the same day, he defecated and expelled 12 packets suspected to contain drugs, namely yaba pills and cannabis," he said during a press conference today. The seized drugs comprised 123g of yaba pills, 21g of cannabis and 13g of Erimin 5, estimated to be sufficient for about 800 drug users, with a total seizure value of RM16,000. Mohd Khairi said the Terengganu Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department conducted further investigations and arrested the lawyer to assist in the case.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm warning for several areas in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya. - NSTP file picKUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm warning for several areas in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya. MetMalaysia said thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected in Selangor, involving Klang, Gombak, Petaling, Kuala Langat, Hulu Langat and Sepang. The warning also covers the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and the Federal Territory of Putrajaya. The alert, issued at 11.55am, remains in effect until 2pm.