ALOR SETAR: Police have arrested a woman who acted aggressively towards police officers and disturbed public order in Mergong here on Tuesday (Dec 30). "Upon arriving at the scene, the officers found the suspect, a local woman, creating a disturbance and disrupting public order. ACP Syed Basri added that the suspect also spat at the officer while uttering remarks that insulted the Islamic religion. "The incident was recorded by members of the public and later went viral on the TikTok social media platform," he said. He said the case is being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to deter a public servant from carrying out his duties.

NILAI: A man was found dead with 12 stab wounds, believed to be murdered, at a house in Damai Ria Apartments, Mantin, on Tuesday (Dec 30). Nilai OCPD Supt Johari Yahya told the Malay language daily that the police received information about the death of the man, in his 30s, at around 11am. "Initial investigations at the scene found that the victim had 12 stab wounds, including to the back of the head, chest, and neck. A forensic examination of the deceased has been conducted, and the investigation continues comprehensively, including reviewing CCTV footage, witness statements, forensic analysis, and technical investigation. "The public is advised not to speculate or spread unverified information that could disrupt the investigation," he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad yesterday hailed the late Santi Krishanan as a hero for donating her corneas, describing the nursing instructor's final act as a testament to her lifelong dedication to saving lives. In a Facebook post, Dzulkefly said Santi, who worked at the Health Ministry's Training Institute, had fulfilled her late father's organ donation wish through her selfless gesture. Dzulkefly added that Santi had truly "walked the talk" by honouring her father's dream and making the same choice herself. Earlier, in a post on X, he said Santi was also an organ donor coordinator at the National Transplant Resource Centre. "She was a beacon of hope for the country's National Agenda on Organ Transplant."

The Federal Government has gazetted Feb 1, 2026, as a dual public holiday for Thaipusam Day and Federal Territory Day. KUALA LUMPUR: The federal government has gazetted Feb 1 as a dual public holiday for Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day. "As the date falls on a Sunday, employers whose weekly rest day is Sunday must grant a replacement holiday on Monday. Alternatively, with employee consent, an employer may grant a different day as a paid holiday in lieu, in accordance with Subsection 60D(1A). "Employees who are ordered to work on either public holiday are entitled to holiday pay at the rate specified in Section 60D(3)," the statement read.

KANGAR: The Perlis State Assembly announced that there would no longer be a need to hold by-elections for these three state seats. "The decision was made under Clause (5) of Article 55 of the Perlis State Constitution and was officially communicated to the Perlis State Election Commission through a letter dated Dec 30, 2025," said Perlis Legislative Assembly Speaker Rus'sele Eizan during a press conference at the state assembly's legislative building on Wednesday (Dec 31). However, Rus'sele noted that the previously declared vacancies for the Chuping, Bintong and Guar Sanji state assembly seats would still remain in effect, as indicated in his letter dated Dec 29. Additionally, five other Bersatu assemblymen in Perlis signed statutory declarations. On Dec 26, Mohd Shukri resigned, citing health reasons and was replaced by Bersatu's Abu Bakar Hamzah on Dec 28.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has confirmed that its Super Lynx helicopter was involved in an emergency water landing off Pantai Klebang, Melaka. In a statement, the RMN said the incident occurred at 10.50pm last night while the helicopter was conducting a demonstration flight in conjunction with the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Army's Special Service Group. "Four crew members were on board at the time and all were successfully rescued before being taken to Melaka Hospital for medical examinations. "All crew members were conscious and in stable condition, and are currently under medical monitoring," it said. "The public is urged not to circulate videos of the incident to safeguard sensitivities and to ensure the smooth conduct of the investigation," it said.

GEORGE TOWN: Three Chinese nationals were charged in the Magistrate's Court here on Wednesday (Dec 31) for allegedly trafficking 26kg of drugs. The accused, Xie Zhouji, 38; Zhang Mea, 32; and Chen Cheng, 36, nodded in understanding after the charges were read before Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi. However, no plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court. According to the charges, all three men are accused of jointly trafficking 26kg of methamphetamine at the Adorna Gold Complex apartment at 10.00pm on Dec 20. The court agreed to deny bail and fixed Feb 25, 2026, for the next mention, pending the chemistry report.

I used to be one of those people,” the 60-year-old actor and television host tells The Straits Times in a Zoom interview. “But because of my health scare in 2017, every day is a new chapter.”That health scare was not a minor one, but a medical mystery that left him unconscious and, briefly, without a heartbeat. It started when Singh collapsed at a gym and was later found to have lost all memory of the previous 24 hours. “All I can say is, I’m glad I’m still alive.”That brush with mortality has fundamentally altered how he looks at life and health. “And if I could, I’d live 1,000 years.”Singh is undergoing a DNA-guided wellness programme through Singapore-based company ConnectingDNA.

PETALING JAYA: A private veterinary clinic owner pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here to a charge of abandoning the care of two animals, causing their deaths, at a premises in Damansara Damai. Selangor State Veterinary Services Department prosecuting officer Mohd Sharif Sabran offered bail of RM10,000 with one surety, with the additional condition that the accused's passport be surrendered to the court. Judge Noor Ruzilawati Mohd Nor allowed bail of RM8,000 with one surety, along with additional conditions as requested by the prosecution. Previously, a video and photo went viral on social media, showing a dog and a cat dead at a veterinary clinic in Damansara Damai. Following this, the Selangor Veterinary Services Department announced that it received a complaint on Dec 17, and the results of the inspection found that both animals were found dead in separate cages with an estimated time of death between one to two weeks.- Bernama

SINGAPORE: Asian stocks drifted on the last trading day of a year that has seen investors brush off much of the tariff-related uncertainty and embrace AI chip stocks, while the dollar's dismal year has left the euro and sterling standing tall. Gold firmed a bit and is on track for a 66% ⁠surge in 2025 as the three-year rally shows no signs of stopping. The index is poised to clock a 27% increase for the year, its sharpest rise since 2017, mainly on a strong rally in chipmakers amid the boom in artificial intelligence-related stocks. "Notwithstanding a few little shocks, the year has been terrific for investment returns," said Kyle Rodda, senior financial analyst at Capital.com. "The biggest risks are an unwinding ‌of crowded positioning in both AI and precious metals," Chanana said.

Wei Chong-Kai Wun started the year in 14th spot in the world rankings but surged to No. The duo captured their maiden World Tour Super 500 title in the Indonesian Masters in January and followed it up by beating world No. Wei Chong-Kai Wun also qualified for the prestigious World Tour Finals for the first time. Although happy with his progress with Kai Wun, Wei Chong insists there is still room for improvement for the pair. Wei Chong-Kai Wun are hungry for more, starting with the Malaysian Open from Jan 6-11 at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived at Bukit Bintang tonight to join the New Year’s Eve countdown, greeted by cheering crowds lining the streets. Revellers waved and called out as he made his way through the Pavilion Bukit Bintang area where the Visit Malaysia 2026 countdown festival is being held. Before reaching at his designated spot, the Prime Minister moved through the crowd, exchanging greetings with attendees. On stage, the Prime Minister waved the VM2026 flag with Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Tiong King Sing, while performers sang the VM2026 theme song. Revellers thronging Bukit Bintang for thethe Visit Malaysia 2026 countdown festival is being held.

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit extended its rally, opening slightly higher against the US dollar on Wednesday as the greenback weakened after the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes overnight. At 8 am, the local currency edged up to 4.0425/0540 versus the dollar from Tuesday’s close of 4.0460/0505. "This strengthens the dollar’s yield and safe-haven appeal, weighing on emerging market currencies, including the ringgit,” he added. At the open, the ringgit traded higher against a basket of major currencies. It strengthened against the Japanese yen to 2.5850/5926 from 2.5948/5978 on Tuesday, rose versus the British pound to 5.4440/4595 from 5.4678/4738, and appreciated against the euro to 4.7479/7614 from 4.7621/7674.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 1): Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on Malaysians to usher in the New Year 2026 with a strong spirit of togetherness and a firm resolve to further strengthen national unity. The prime minister, in his New Year message on his Facebook page on Wednesday, urged the people to continue giving meaning to reforms and to ensure that the nation’s prosperity is shared by all segments of society. In the message, Anwar and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also prayed for the continued well-being of the nation. “May 2026 be a brighter and more meaningful year for all Malaysians. Azizah and I pray that this beloved country will continue to remain peaceful, harmonious and prosperous,” he said.

PUTRAJAYA: The Instalment Payment Notice (CP500) issued to taxpayers in December 2025 is based on information reported in the Income Tax Return Form (ITRF) submitted to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). In a statement on Wednesday (Dec 31), LHDN said CP500 is issued only if taxpayers report income from both employment and non-employment sources in accordance with Section 107B of the Income Tax Act 1967. It added that the board has received complaints and feedback from taxpayers who received CP500 despite having only employment income. "Part of the employment income was reported as income from dividends, interest, rent, royalties, pensions, annuities and any other gains or profits," it said. For individual taxpayers who have only employment income but have received CP500, LHDN said they may submit the Application Form for Amendment of Instalment Payments (CP502).