PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia’s preparations for the Malaysian Open have been hit by news that his coach Yeoh Kay Bin will be parting ways with the independent player. “Kay Bin has been a strong presence for the team especially for Zii Jia, who has had to deal with multiple injuries throughout the season. “However, he has agreed to be in Zii Jia’s corner for the upcoming Malaysian Open (Jan 6-11). “I have nothing but the utmost respect for coach Kay Bin, who has been through my side the past year,” said Zii Jia. Zii Jia’s world rankings dropped to No.

PETALING JAYA: Mercury Securities Group Bhd expects the services and manufacturing sectors to remain key drivers of growth in 2026, complemented by sustained activity in the construction and agriculture sectors. For its fourth quarter ended Oct 31, 2025, Mercury Securities’ net profit rose to RM3.86mil from RM3.52mil in the previous corresponding period, mainly due to higher revenue. For its financial year ended Oct 31, 2025, Mercury Securities’ net profit rose to RM14.62mil from RM14.04mil previously, while revenue increased to RM36.2mil from RM32.57mil. For 2026, Mercury Securities noted that Malaysia’s economy is projected to expand between 4% and 4.5%, supported by resilient domestic demand and a steady external sector. “In July 2025, the overnight policy rate was lowered from 3% to 2.75% as a pre-emptive measure to sustain steady growth, given moderate inflation prospects.

LONDON: UK shoppers’ spending on their debit and credit cards dropped in 2025 for the first time since the pandemic, according to Barclays data that nevertheless showed people still willing to treat themselves with small luxuries and experiences. The bank said the value of card spending fell 0.2% compared with 2024, a sharp slowdown from last year’s 1.6% growth. Subdued consumption and high levels of savings have been a major drag on the UK economy’s growth rate. A recovery in spending is seen as vital to achieving even the modest growth the budget watchdog has predicted over the coming years. The value of non-essential spending grew by a tepid 0.8%.

"We in the Gaza Strip are living in an endless nightmare," said Hanaa Abu Amra, a displaced woman in her thirties living in Gaza City. This picture shows shelters in a camp for displaced Palestinians in Gaza City on December 30, 2025. In Gaza City, a teenager painted "2026" on his tent, while an AFP journalist observed a local artist sculpting the same in sand in Deir el-Balah, in central Gaza. We lived a difficult and harsh life, displaced from one city to another, under bombardment and in terror." Destroyed buildings after Israeli military operations in Gaza City, Nov 12, 2025.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): The retail prices of unsubsidised RON97 and RON95 petrol nationwide remain unchanged at RM3.16 and RM2.56 per litre respectively for the period from Jan 1 to Jan 7, 2026. In a statement Wednesday, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said the retail price of subsidised RON95 petrol under Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) also remains unchanged at RM1.99 per litre. MOF also said the retail price of diesel in Peninsular Malaysia remains at RM2.94 per litre, while prices in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan remain unchanged at RM2.15 per litre over the same period. According to the MOF, the prices were set based on weekly petroleum product prices under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM). The government, through MOF, will continue to monitor global oil price trends and take appropriate measures to ensure the welfare and well-being of the people are safeguarded.

SINGAPORE (Dec 31): Singapore's economy grew by a "stronger-than-expected" 4.8% in 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his New Year message on Wednesday. "But we must be realistic: sustaining this pace of growth will be challenging," he added. "Fractured trade and geopolitical tensions are not transient problems, but permanent features of a fragmented world." In November, the trade ministry raised its GDP growth forecast for 2025 to "around 4.0%" from a previous range of 1.5% to 2.5%. Preliminary estimates of fourth quarter growth will be released by the trade ministry on Friday morning.

BANGKOK: Thailand’s foreign tourist arrival numbers from Jan ‌1 to Dec 28, 2025 dropped 7.29% year-on-year ​to 32.6 million, the Tourism Ministry says. Malaysia was ‍the largest source ‍market ​with 4.48 million visitors, followed by China with 4.44 ‍million, ‍the ‌ministry said in a statement. Thailand saw a record of nearly 40 million visitors in 2019, before the pandemic.

(Dec 31): Chinese carmakers captured a record 12.8% of Europe’s electric-vehicle (EV) market in November, building on gains made this year despite the cost of European Union (EU) tariffs. Brands led by BYD Co and SAIC Motor Corp, along with newer entrants such as Chery Automobile Co and Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co, have redoubled efforts to crack the European market this year. Overcapacity in China has fed the export push, as manufacturers seek a release from relentless price wars in their domestic market. Through October, Leapmotor’s European EV sales had surged more than 4,000%, based on separate data from Jato Dynamics — growth bolstered by a joint venture with Stellantis NV, the parent of Peugeot, Fiat and Opel. Chery’s Omoda brand saw an 1,100% EV rise over the same time frame.

Suspended policewoman Sheila Sharon Steven Kumar, better known as ‘Inspector Sheila’, has gone viral again over a heated confrontation at an eatery. SCREENGRAB FROM SOCMEDKUALA LUMPUR: Suspended policewoman Sheila Sharon Steven Kumar, better known as 'Inspector Sheila', has gone viral again over a heated confrontation at an eatery. The viral video shows Sheila arguing with a woman, believed to be an employee of the restaurant. In the past, Sheila made headlines over several public spats. Sheila has been suspended from duty since June 23, 2023, in connection with several cases, including insulting a policeman and threatening an elderly woman.

PETALING JAYA: As Malaysians prepare to usher in 2026, filing income tax returns is once again on the to-do list for many. Another user, Hafiz G. Hassan, said he also received the CP500 notice despite only earning a monthly salary and filing annual tax declarations. Tax expert Datin Christine Koh said salaried employees who already have PCB deductions and are due for tax refunds do not need to make additional payments under CP500. “For individuals with only employment income and PCB deductions, the instalment amount can be revised to zero. On why some salaried individuals receive CP500 notices despite having no side income, Saravana Kumar said taxpayers should seek clarification directly from LHDN.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's Head of State, Tun Musa Aman, has urged all citizens to reflect on their accomplishments throughout 2025 as they prepare for a better year ahead in 2026. “As we welcome the New Year, it is a timely moment for reflection and renewal,” he stated. Musa encouraged the state government to continue striving for sustained, inclusive socio-economic development by strengthening infrastructure, addressing longstanding issues, and further enhancing citizens' welfare and quality of life. Musa reminded the people that Sabah's unity remains its greatest strength, and that its rich religious and ethnic diversity is a blessing to be cherished and protected. “With collective effort, wisdom, and unity of purpose, I am confident that we can move forward together towards a brighter future.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur rubber market closed higher yesterday, supported by steady crude oil prices and mixed trends in regional rubber futures, according to a dealer. “Japanese rubber futures rose for an eighth straight session today, supported by firm downstream demand. Downstream demand for rubber has remained positive, while supplies of raw materials from major overseas producing countries have not been smooth,” he told Bernama. At 3pm yesterday, Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 rose two sen to 754 sen per kg, while latex-in-bulk added one sen to 576 sen per kg. The Kuala Lumpur rubber market will be closed today and tomorrow.

KANGAR: There will be no by-elections for the Bintong, Chuping, and Guar Sanji state seats despite the vacancies following the sacking of three assemblymen from Pas. Perlis State Assembly Speaker Rus'sele Eizan said the seats would remain vacant until the next general election. "The Perlis menteri besar's statement, which reaffirmed the coalition still held 11 of the 15 state seats, was also considered. Rus'sele said that the withdrawal of the notice for by-elections was conveyed to the Perlis EC yesterday. "However, the casual vacancies for Chuping, Bintong, and Guar Sanji remain in effect as per my letter dated Dec 29."

SEREMBAN: A man who was high on drugs has crashed into and killed a motorcyclist at KM23 Jalan Seremban-Kuala Pilah here. Kuala Pilah district police chief Supt Muhamad Mustafah Hussin said in the 11.10pm incident on Wednesday (Dec 31), the 28-year-old motorcyclist, who worked as a restaurant assistant, was confirmed dead at the scene. "Initial investigations found that the accident occurred when a car driven by a 23-year-old man from Seremban towards Felda Keratong lost control of his car before veering into the opposite lane. The driver of the car sustained minor injuries and tested positive for cannabis. He was detained under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Government has officially gazetted Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day as public holidays for next year, with both celebrations falling on Feb 1, 2026. In a statement issued by the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department’s communications unit on Wednesday (Dec 31), it mentioned that the Federal Territory Day is classified as a mandatory public holiday. “However, since Feb 1 falls on a Sunday, employers who designate Sunday as the weekly rest day must provide a replacement holiday on the following working day (Monday),” the statement read. “Alternatively, with the employee’s consent, employers may grant any other working day as a paid replacement public holiday under Section 60D(1A). “Employees who are instructed to work on a public holiday are entitled to receive the holiday pay rate as stipulated in Section 60D(3) of the Act,” the statement added.