Today, with information at our fingertips and literacy widely recognised as a human right, modern teaching and learning (T&L) face new implications. Teaching with AI matters, but reflecting on how AI shapes learners matters even more. Authentic knowledge, especially local knowledge, remains the bedrock of meaningful progress. This keeps human learning at the heart of education and prevents technology from becoming the main driver of human progress. Despite ongoing technological advancements, it is the ingenuity of human thinking that will ultimately ensure the sustainability of the human race.

Recognising this, the Education Ministry says it remains committed to heritage preservation. The ministry added that it continuously monitors and records data on the registration of elective language subjects for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination each year. “Over the past five years (2020 to 2024), the number of candidates taking elective language subjects has shown a consistent trend (see infographic),” it highlighted. “Elective language offerings are also guided by consultations with stakeholders such as state education departments, community representatives and subject experts. The ministry underscored that striking this balance requires ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, evidence-based planning, and continuous monitoring so that multilingualism remains sustainable and meaningful for future generations.

PUTRAJAYA: The government will roll out a regulatory sandbox from Jan 1 to assess child protection mechanisms and ensure consumer safety in the digital space ahead of full-scale enforcement. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (pic) said the initiative would involve the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and a number of identified social media platforms. Fahmi also said the sandbox implementation provides both the government and the platform with time and space to evaluate the mechanism’s effectiveness before rolling it out. He added that the advancement of AI should not be viewed in isolation, but must go hand in hand with society’s capacity to assess information. “As recipients of information, what kind of attitudes do we need to adopt to ensure we are able to distinguish between true and false information?” he said.

But when it became clearer that the approach would only be implemented for two integrated learning subjects at the primary level (see infographic), I began imagining how students at higher levels could also benefit. Picture this: a renewable energy project co-taught by Science and Design and Technology (RBT) teachers. The Science teacher explains how a turbine works, while the RBT teacher shows us how to design one and turn it into a viable product. Get the ‘how’ rightYou can’t expect silver bullets by asking teachers to figure things out themselves during recess or after school. In others, both teachers may teach together one day, then split students into groups the next based on who needs more support.

It is a commitment Rajpal Singh Baldev Singh first observed in his mentor Datuk Dr Balakrishnan Ratnam, an orthopaedic surgeon who received training at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). The honour recognises nursing leaders who have contributed significantly to the advancement of the profession and to the improvement of patient care. Rajpal’s siblings and wife also serve in the healthcare profession in different capacities. His achievements include greenfield hospital commissioning, international accreditation, nursing workforce development, patient experience innovation and digital healthcare transformation. It allows fellows to join an extensive professional network across the world and access numerous research and networking event opportunities.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic, below) has welcomed the ceasefire that has been agreed by Cambodia and Thailand. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim“The joint statement sets out practical and positive measures, including verification by the Asean Observer Team and direct communication between defence authorities. The agreement, signed by Thai Defence Minister Natthapon Nakrphanit and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Seiha, ended 20 days of fighting. On Dec 22, a Special Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to add­ress the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held in Kuala Lumpur to seek de-escalation. Cambodia and Thailand had signed the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord as the foundation to end the prolonged dispute.

KOTA KINABALU: Political differences should be set aside with the Sabah election over as it is time to focus on meeting the people’s needs, says Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. Now is the time for us to start working together,” said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) secretary general on Saturday (Dec 28). Masidi, who retained his Karanaan state seat in the Nov 29 Sabah election, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the people of Ranau for their support and trust in allowing him to represent them in the constituency. Naomi named the Election Commission and Masidi in her case, claiming that the Election Commission had failed to ensure a fair election in Karanaan. Masidi, who won the seat with a 5,361-vote majority, described the claims as baseless and said all parties should respect the democratic process.

KUALA LUMPUR: From banks to courthouses and police stations, scammers appear to “represent” just about any organisation under the sun. A few weeks ago, a scammer even claimed to be an officer from the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), the very entity set up to coordinate quick response in dealing with online financial fraud. “The NSRC does not contact indi­viduals via phone calls or through messaging applications such as WhatsApp. He also emphasised that the police do not conduct investigations solely through phone calls. “The NSRC brings together resources and expertise from all these parties to combat financial fraud more quickly and effectively,” it said.

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s textile products will not be exempt from United States tariffs despite earlier talks seeking exemptions for several key commodities, according to Coordinating Economy Minister Airlangga Hartarto, who also heads the team for negotiating a reciprocal tariff agreement with Washington. “Textiles are not [considered natural products]. So [the tariff exemptions apply to] tropical natural resources,” Airlangga said in Jakarta on Friday (Dec 26), as quoted by Kompas.com, noting that the products granted exemptions were largely natural resource commodities such as palm oil. Textiles and textile products, which account for a significant portion of Indonesia’s exports to the US, would therefore remain subject to a 19 per cent tariff once it comes into force. Washington imposed a 19 per cent tariff on most Indonesian goods under a preliminary “framework agreement” in July, down from 32 per cent previously threatened in April.

GEORGE TOWN: First came the fire engine and a spray of water, with firemen hosing down 40 boys, to the laughter and cheers of their neighbours. Only after that did the medical team step in as the boys underwent a mass circumcision ceremony at the Kampung Melayu flats in Air Itam during the school holidays. The annual programme, orga­nised by the village community management council, involved boys aged four to 12. The dousing of the boys with water from the fire engine was meant to help them relax and take their minds off what lay ahead. We include meals and activities so the children feel comfortable and supported.”Among the boys were brothers Muhammad Firas Ikhwan Muhammad Fuad, five, and Muhammad Firman Irfan Muhammad Fuad, four.

IPOH: A telecommunications tower at the Maxis Sungai Perak substation in Kampung Kelebor, Kuala Kangsar, caught fire on Saturday (Dec 28). Perak Fire and Rescue Department acting assistant director of operations Shazlean Mohd Hanafiah said after being notified of the incident at 6.36pm, a team from the Kuala Kangsar Fire and Rescue Station was dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, the fire had already been completely extinguished," he said in a statement on Sunday (Dec 28). "Part of the tower was damaged in the fire, affecting several communication panels and causing service disruptions, including to Maxis. Further investigations on the tower are continuing this morning," he said.

In parts of China’s Loess Plateau, the landscape appears to be nothing more than rolling hills and quiet farmland. Yet beneath the surface, a hidden community thrives, literally breathing within the earth. These cool homes, known as yaodong (cave houses) and dikengyuan (pit courtyard), are built into the earth and blend right in with the landscape, often featuring courtyards shaded by trees. They might look a bit quirky to outsiders but these homes are far from relics of the past. Many of these earthen homes are being revitalised with modern amenities for modern living in the 21st century.

The Sarawak property landscape has been undergoing a significant structural transformation. Traditionally dominated by landed residential developments, Sarawak – particularly its capital, Kuching – is witnessing a dramatic pivot toward high-rise living. This shift presents a paradoxical mixed picture for stakeholders. On one hand, it is a vibrant, evolving market with immense long-term potential, but on the other hand, it is grappling with the dual pressures of rising oversupply and a widening affordability gap.

PUTRAJAYA: The government is extending the Malaysia Short-Term Employment Programme (MyStep) into next year, providing short-term work and experience in the public sector. The decision was outlined in a circular dated Dec 24, 2025, signed by Public Service (Development) deputy director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Bakhari Ismail, and posted on the Public Service Department's official Facebook page on Saturday (Dec 27). The circular stated that the initiative targets graduates and job seekers, including persons with disabilities and senior citizens, for short-term work experience in the public sector. "The procurement of MyStep personnel services must be carried out in accordance with the rules and procedures set out in the MyStep Personnel Services Procurement Guidelines, which will take effect from Jan 1, 2026," the circular said. With the guideline coming into force, the Human Resources Service Circulars (MyPPSM), on policies and procedures for the recruitment of daily-paid workers and on the delegation of authority to approve overtime and pay for work on weekly rest days and public holidays, will be suspended.

SEREMBAN: The man arrested in connection with an explosion in Desa Palma, Nilai, has been remanded for a week until Jan 3. The man, who suffered burns on his face, body, hands and feet, was arrested in the Batang Benar area in Nilai, at 4.15pm yesterday, with a motorcycle believed to have been used by him also seized. Police also found several objects suspected to be improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the suspect at the time of the arrest. On Friday (Dec 26), DCP Alzafny said the suspect, known as ‘Ayang’, was believed to possess technical knowledge and specific skills in making explosive materials, based on the discovery of devices and equipment seized at the man’s rented house. On Monday (Dec 22), police found objects suspected to be improvised explosive devices following public reports of an explosion in the Desa Palma area.