Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) Countdown Festival last night as reflective of the beauty of cultural diversity and the spirit of togetherness among Malaysians in welcoming guests from around the world. - Bernama picKUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) Countdown Festival last night as reflective of the beauty of cultural diversity and the spirit of togetherness among Malaysians in welcoming guests from around the world. Yesterday, Anwar attended the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) Countdown Festival, ushering in the New Year alongside thousands of Malaysians at the Pavilion shopping mall. The countdown celebration was part of a wider VM2026 festive programme that began on Dec 26, with events held across several locations in the Klang Valley. Among them were the VM2026 Bazaar at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, arts and culture showcases at Fahrenheit 88, and the Bukit Bintang food bazaar at Lot 10, highlighting Malaysia's diverse culinary heritage.

If convicted, the man faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence and whipping upon conviction. NSTP/ROSLI ILHAMKEMAMAN: A 62-year-old grass cutter pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to sexually assaulting his granddaughter, 5. The accused entered his plea before judge Wan Suhaila Mohd. He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act for sexual assault of a child. If convicted, the man faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence and whipping upon conviction.

A couple engaged to be married was killed after their motorcycle was struck by a lorry on Jalan Apas–Balung here yesterday afternoon. - Pic courtesy of Fire and Rescue deptTAWAU: A couple engaged to be married was killed after their motorcycle was struck by a lorry on Jalan Apas–Balung here yesterday afternoon. "The lorry veered into the opposite lane and collided with a Yamaha Y16ZR motorcycle ridden by the couple who were travelling from Ladang Kalumpang towards Tawau town. "The lorry driver sustained only minor injuries, while the four-wheel-drive driver was unhurt. "Further investigations found that the lorry driver did not possess a valid driving licence and was detained to assist with investigations under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987," he said.

The JS-SEZ gives Singapore firms access to larger consumer and production markets with reduced trade frictions and improved logistics. In brief, Malaysia will benefit from industrialisation, jobs, regional development and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, with spillover into the broader economy. Some commentators are concerned that the JS-SEZ benefits Singapore disproportionately because Singapore firms can relocate functions into Johor without transferring enough value back to Malaysia. This will arise as a logical extension of regional development. The bottom line is neither Malaysia nor Singapore “wins” outright; the JS-SEZ is designed as a complementary partnership.

Between Jan 1 to Dec 21 last year, more than RM4bil worth of drugs had been seized, and over 200 drug syndicates were dismantled. “This tactic was uncovered during Ops Gombe on April 23 following intelligence on drug smuggling activities from the Golden Triangle to Australia via sea routes near Terengganu waters. “We are working closely with our counterparts from various countries to combat drug smuggling effectively. So far, the NCID has dismantled 270 drug syndicates following 609 operations conducted nationwide, he said. Of the overall drugs seized this year, Comm Hussein said the biggest was the recent one under Ops Gaharu, where 24.7 tonnes of drugs worth RM2.6bil were seized in December.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia welcomed the year 2026 in grand style, as vibrant fireworks illuminated the night sky across the nation. Families and friends, tourists and locals, gathered in parks and streets, sharing in the festive atmosphere as the colourful bursts of light filled the sky.

All individuals who tested positive for drugs were taken to the AADK Sentul office for further action. However, he tested positive for cannabis after undergoing an initial urine screening by the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) during the operation. Examination and urine tests confirmed that the man had tested positive for methamphetamine. He added that his family, including his wife, were unaware that he used drugs. All individuals who tested positive for drugs were taken to the AADK Sentul office for further action.

JOHOR BARU: It was an emotional moment for former Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) staff member Halim Said as he boarded the last Southern Express train leaving JB Sentral. “I started off as ticketing staff at the Gemas station in 1986 and retired as a quality inspector at the same station 37 years later. Also emotional was KTMB driver Suki Hussin, who operated the last Southern Express. “The Southern Express service will now be replaced by the Electric Train Service (ETS), offering passengers a more comfortable and modern travel experience as well as faster journeys,” he said. In a statement on Monday (Dec 29), KTMB announced that its Southern Express train service on the Gemas-JB Sentral-Gemas route, which has operated for nine years, will be terminated effective Jan 1.

The festival marked a celebratory opening to the tourism year ahead, reaffirming Malaysia’s readiness to welcome the world in 2026. The crowd was treated to performances by local artistes including cultural showcases, further adding to the celebratory atmosphere of the night. Looking forward to good things: (Clockwise from top left) Hwang and Tan, Syakirin, Yoga, and Janssen and Baker were among the revellers ringing in the new year. The pair hoped that 2026 would bring greater political stability and progress for the nation. The pair said they hoped that the new year would bring peace and personal success.

An accountant lost RM138,180 in savings after falling victim to a non-existent online investment scam. - File picPASIR GUDANG: An accountant lost RM138,180 in savings after falling victim to a non-existent online investment scam. Seri Alam district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Sohaimi Ishak, said the 60-year-old woman was lured by promises of investment returns of 20 per cent within a short period. He said the victim, attracted by the lucrative offer, made several payment transactions between Dec 15 and Dec 22, 2025 into two bank accounts. "She realised she had been deceived when she did not receive any returns throughout the investment period," he said in a statement today.

BUTTERWORTH: A fire destroyed six three-storey shoplot units housing a private college on Jalan Perai Jaya here yesterday. Penang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations, John Sagun Francis, said the department received an emergency call at 5.10pm, prompting a fire engine from the Perai Fire and Rescue Station to be dispatched immediately. "The fire involved six three-storey shoplot units, each with an estimated floor area of 93sq m. It started on the ground floor, which had been reconfigured from six units into a single unit, before spreading to the upper levels. The blaze was brought under control at 6.34pm," he said in a statement last night. The cause of the fire and the total losses are under investigation.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara has announced the reappointed Nor Zahidi Alias as an external member to the monetary policy committee (MPC) for a three-year term starting on Jan 1, 2026. The central bank said in a statement Nor Zahidi Alias has been an external member of the MPC since Jan 1, 2021. Separately, Bank Negara also announced the reappointment of three Shariah Advisory Council (SAC) members, in accordance with section 53(1) of the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 2009. All three appointments are for a three-year term starting Jan 1, 2026, to Dec 31, 2028. According to the centra bank, the SAC is the highest authority for the ascertainment of Islamic law for purposes of Islamic financial business in Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has announced a series of policy and product enhancements to strengthen retirement adequacy, expand social protection coverage and enhance the overall member experience. EPF also announced that the Retirement Income Adequacy (RIA) Framework will come into effect today with three savings tiers – Basic Savings (RM390,000), Adequate Savings (RM650,000) and Enhanced Savings (RM1.3mil) – as guidance for retirement planning. The increase of the excess savings limit that can be withdrawn will be implemented gradually at RM100,000 every year over three years, starting from RM1.1mil in 2026. Concurrently, the eligibility threshold for the Members Investment Scheme (MIS) will be aligned with the Basic Savings level. To encourage voluntary ­savings, EPF is also introducing i-­Simpan for self-contribution and i-­Topup for voluntary excess contributions (amounts exceeding the statutory rate) to complement existing contribution facilities such as i-Saraan, i-Sayang and i-Suri.

Nour al-Din al-Baba, an interior ministry spokesperson, said investigations were underway to determine the attacker's identity. The suspect was believed "to have an ideological or organisational background linked to Islamic State," he told state-run television channel Al Ekhbariya. The attack comes at a time when Syrian authorities have increased cooperation with US forces in the fight against Islamic State. The US military responded by launching large-scale strikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in the country. Wednesday's attack was carried out in Aleppo's Bab al-Faraj neighbourhood, the interior ministry said.

PUTRAJAYA: The Community Service Order under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 will be enforced from Thursday (Jan 1) as an additional penalty for minor littering offences in public areas. For Penang, Selangor, Kelantan and Terengganu, which do not adopt the Act, implementation will start as soon as possible, subject to state authority approval. Offenders may also face fines of RM2,000 to RM10,000 for the same offence, with the Community Service Order imposed in addition to, not as a replacement for, existing fines, and only after a court conviction. Sentenced individuals are required to perform up to 12 hours of community service within six months, including collecting solid waste, washing public areas, cutting grass and clearing cobwebs, with scheduling and supervision determined by authorised officers. Members of the public may lodge complaints with SWCorp via WhatsApp at 013-210 7472 or through the SWCorp Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) at swcorp.spab.gov.my.