KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecast a monsoon surge affecting the country from Jan 1 to 5. MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the phenomenon could bring prolonged heavy rain to Sarawak, as well as strong winds and rough seas over the South China Sea during the period. “These conditions are dangerous for all coastal and maritime activities, including offshore oil platform operations,” it said in the update that was reported by Bernama. MetMalaysia also issued a Category One warning for strong winds and rough seas in the southeastern waters of Samui, Tioman, northern Bunguran, southeastern and northern Reef North, Layang-Layang, and western Palawan, also until Friday. Winds of 40-50kph with waves reaching up to 3.5m are expected in these areas, posing dangers to small boats as well as marine recreational and sports activities.

REGISTRATION for all contingents taking part in the Malaysian Games (Sukma) will begin on Saturday (Jan 3), says Selangor state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi. The official visits, he said, are a Sukma tradition where official invitation letters by the host state are handed to the sports councils from the various participating states. Selangor is the host for Sukma 2026, which will take place in August. Preparation for competition equipment is close to 70% complete, with the remaining still at a negotiation stage. The official website for Sukma, as well as Para Sukma – also to be hosted by Selangor from 5 September till 14 September – will be launched in January.

1 Shi Yuqi of China is still unsure how he will spend the 1.2 million yuan (RM692,600) prize money after claiming the King’s Cup title. Antonsen, though unable to retain his crown, still had reason to smile, pocketing 600,000 yuan (RM346,300) for finishing as runner-up. I’m still waiting for an opportunity to see what I need in my daily life," Yuqi said after the match. For the record, he is the defending champion of this year’s event, having ironically defeated Antonsen in the final 21-8, 21-15. “That injury hasn’t affected me, but once I’m on the court, I give my full focus to the match.

ISKANDAR PUTERI: A 32-year-old man has gone missing after reportedly falling from the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link near the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex. Iskandar Puteri Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Hairulnizam Mohd Noh said the incident was reported at 8.35pm on Sunday (Dec 28). "We are conducting a surface search where the man reportedly fell at KM1.3 of the bridge," he said in a statement on Monday (Dec 29). For a full list of numbers as well as operating hours, visit www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia or call 03-7627 2929. Alternatively, Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association Malaysia also offers a 24-hour crisis helpline at 1-800-180-066 and WhatsApp support line at 03-9765 6088 manned by trained volunteers.

Thailand and Cambodia plan to rebuild mutual trust and gradually consolidate a ceasefire after weeks of border clashes, Beijing said in a communique with the two countries following talks. Thailand and Cambodia’s top ​diplomats travelled to the Chinese province of Yunnan for trilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss the border situation. “Discussions between the three parties ‍were beneficial and constructive, and an ‍important ​consensus was reached,” Wang said, according to a statement released by his ministry. Thailand and Cambodia will “rebuild political mutual trust, achieve a turnaround in ‍relations, and maintain regional ‍peace,” according to a joint communique released by Xinhua news agency. “The implementation of the ceasefire agreement requires continued communication and consultation, and the restoration of bilateral relations must also proceed gradually,” Wang said yesterday.

Turnover rose to 2.03 billion units worth RM1.79 billion, from 1.59 billion units worth RM1.29 billion last Friday. On the index board, the FBM Emas Index rose 16.75 points to 12,304.89, the FBM Top 100 Index gained 18.66 points to 12,109.33, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index inched up 8.31 points to 12,113.92. Main Market volume widened to 1.13 billion units worth RM1.58 billion from 1.03 billion units worth RM1.17 billion on Friday. Warrants turnover improved to 607.80 million units worth RM69.59 million, compared with 334.97 million units worth RM27.61 million previously. ACE Market volume advanced to 285.10 million units valued at RM134.76 million, versus 224.49 million units valued at RM87.30 million last week.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) cautioned that using the title “Dr” must not mislead the public into thinking a person is legally qualified to practise medicine. “In simpler terms, the issue is not the title itself, but the context in which it is used,” he said. He added that problems arise when unregistered individuals use the title “Dr” in medical or health-related settings, whether in person or online, particularly when giving health advice, endorsements or treatment. The MMC clarified that using the title “Dr” does not grant the right to practise medicine in Malaysia; registration with the council and a valid Annual Practising Certificate (APC) are required. He added that the title “Dr” is not exclusive to doctors, and is also used by dentists, veterinarians and holders of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.

PETALING JAYA: There is no easy solution to the woes of the Perlis state assembly, with experts divided as to whether by-elections could end the political storm. The Perlis State Legislative Assembly held its first sitting on Dec 19, 2022, and the three-year mark lapsed 11 days ago. The current situation would leave PAS with six seats, Bersatu with five and PKR one in the 15-seat state assembly. Mazlan, too, said the current situation could result in a stalemate in the state assembly with regards to the passing of Bills. “Before this can happen, the Mentri Besar could seek the Ruler’s consent to dissolve the state assembly to hold statewide elections,” he added.

KANGAR: Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah has announced a RM3,000 monthly pay cut on his first day in office, as part of efforts to ease the state’s financial burden. According to Sinar Harian, he said the same approach would apply to all newly appointed state executive councillors (exco), with each exco member taking a RM1,500 monthly salary reduction. For now, even RM3,000 a month, if multiplied over a year or two, will add up and help the state," he said. Previously, Sinar Harian reported that the new Perlis state exco lineup, comprising representatives from Bersatu and PAS, would be appointed within two weeks. The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, subsequently appointed the Kuala Perlis assemblyman as the new Menteri Besar at a ceremony at Istana Arau on Sunday.

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit ended marginally lower against the US dollar and other major currencies on Monday as traders and investors remained cautious ahead of the United States Federal Reserve (US Fed) interest rate outlook for next year. At 6 pm, the local currency eased to 4.0580/0625 against the greenback from 4.0470/0535 at Friday’s close. "Additionally, the ongoing fiscal consolidation exercise, expected to continue into 2026, could influence assessments by credit rating agencies,” he told Bernama. Therefore, Mohd Afzanizam noted that the RM4.00 level remains a key psychological and technical resistance for the ringgit next year. The ringgit was traded lower against a basket of major currencies at today's closing.

PETALING JAYA: A monsoon surge is forecasted to enter Malaysia’s region for five days at the start of next year, potentially bringing heavy rain and choppy seas, says the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). Sarawak in particular is expected to receive continuous heavy rain due to the forecasted monsoon surge, according to MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip. “Analysis of weather forecast models indicates that a monsoon surge is expected to enter the country’s region from January 1 to 5, 2026. “This situation has the potential to bring continuous heavy rain to Sarawak, as well as strong winds and rough seas in the South China Sea during the period,” he said in a Facebook statement on Monday (Dec 29). MetMalaysia also issued a Category One warning for strong winds and rough seas in the south-eastern waters of Samui, Tioman, northern Bunguran, south-eastern and northern Reef North, Layang-Layang, and western Palawan, also until Friday.

SHANGHAI (Dec 29): China Asset Management Co. (ChinaAMC), the country's biggest provider of exchange-traded funds, said on Monday it launched two flagship ETFs in Thailand, giving Thai investors easy access to a basket of Chinese blue-chip and technology stocks. The ETF launch comes as China further opens its capital markets to lure global investors. It also signals deepening capital market cooperation between China and Thailand under Beijing's flagship "Belt and Road" infrastructure initiative. The asset manager added that the product launch in Thailand reflected strong local interest in Chinese assets and Chinese technology. ChinaAMC has also secured a mandate to run a Thai-domiciled fund dedicated to investing in leading Chinese companies with global footprints.

PALM BEACH, Florida (Dec 29): US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida on Monday for talks aimed at breaking a deadlock over the Gaza ceasefire and addressing Israeli concerns about Iran and Lebanese group Hezbollah. "He doesn't want a clash with Trump in an election year," Freilich, a former Israeli deputy national security adviser, said. "(Trump) wants to go forward, and Bibi (Netanyahu) is going to have to make some compromises there." The Israeli official said Netanyahu was expected to present intelligence on Iranian efforts to build up its arms. Trump in June ordered US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites but has since then broached a potential deal with Tehran.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended the morning session lower as profit-taking activities emerged on selected blue chips amid a lack of fresh catalysts. At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 4.93 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 1,672.17 from Friday’s close of 1,677.10The barometer index, which opened 0.21 of a point better at 1,677.31, moved between 1,671.07 and 1,680.51 throughout the session. In the broader market, decliners outpaced gainers 574 to 267, while 530 counters were unchanged, 1,362 untraded, and 58 suspended. On the index board, the FBM Emas Index slipped 28.48 points to 12,259.66, the FBMT Top 100 Index dropped 28.87 points to 12,061.80, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index fell 16.68 points to 12,088.93. The FBM ACE Index fell 11.03 points to 4,848.76, and the FBM Mid 70 Index shed 10.27 points to 16,792.30.

(Dec 29): Pending sales of US existing homes climbed by more than expected in November as a modest improvement in prices and mortgage rates encouraged buyers. An index of contract signings rose 3.3% to 79.2 last month, the highest level since February 2023, according to figures released on Monday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In a recent survey of nine market analysts, estimates for the home resale market ranged from 1.7% to 14% sales growth, with the rosiest projection coming from NAR’s Yun. The trade association’s report on Monday showed contract signings rose in each US region last month to their highest levels of the year. Pending-homes sales tend to be a leading indicator for previously owned homes, as houses typically go under contract a month or two before they’re sold.