On paper, it is possible for a train running non-stop from KL Sentral to reach JB Sentral, a rail distance of 330km, in three hours, given the design speed of the alignment, which is 160kph. However, such arguments ignore the reality that any crossing into Singapore from Johor Baru will run into the massive crowd heading in and out of Johor and Singapore – making it among the world’s busiest land crossings – almost daily. Due to the expected high number of cross-border travellers, crossing into Singapore using the LRT will take some time during peak hours, which starts even before 5am on the Johor Baru side. This 90-minute cross-border journey time is guaranteed as all immigration or customs formalities will be completed before the passenger boards the train, whether in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Samuel Tan, CEO of Johor-based Olive Tree Property Consultants, a boutique property consultancy, said there is still ample room for the cross-border HSR.

MUAR: Security authorities and relevant agencies are continuing to monitor the tremor situation to ensure the safety and well-being of the public and surrounding areas, says Muar district officer Zainal Eran. Meanwhile, Bukit Kepong state assemblyman Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal confirmed receipt of information about the incident. “It is true that a minor earthquake occurred in the Bukit Kepong state constituency. “The tremor was felt around Felda Sri Ledang and Felda Lenga,” he said in a Facebook post. He advised the public to remain calm, avoid being near unstable structures and remain alert and obey authorities' instructions as needed.

PETALING JAYA: Army chief Jeneral Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan has been placed on leave due to an ongoing investigation linked to him. “In order to allow the authorities the necessary space to conduct investigation into certain allegations that have been reported involving the Chief of Army, he will be placed on leave with immediate effect until the completion of the investigation. He added that Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain is now acting Armed Forces chief following the retirement of Armed Forces chief Jeneral Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar. Necessary measure: Khaled (left) confirmed that Muhammad Hafizuddeain has been placed on leave due to an ongoing investigation. MACC officers were also dispatched to the Defence Ministry at about 11.30am on Dec 23 to begin preliminary investigations into several projects involving the army from 2023 to the present.

The Indonesian has identified three major tournaments as his main priorities for the new year – the World Championships, the Asian Games and the All-England. And Herry needs no reminder of the disappointments he and his charges had to endure at the World Championships and All-England this year. The All-England campaign was even more painful as Malaysia’s men’s doubles representatives, despite their numbers, were all knocked out in the early rounds. “There will be a World Championships in India, and that is one of my main targets because we could not achieve it this year. So for 2026, my focus will be heavily on the World Championships and also the All England.

KUALA TERENGGANU: Improving weather conditions have led to a further decline in the number of flood victims in Terengganu. According to the Terengganu State Disaster Management Committee, Kuala Nerus recorded the highest number of victims, with 335 people from 86 families taking shelter at two temporary relief centres (PPS), namely Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tok Jembal and SK Kompleks Mengabang Telipot. In the Kuala Terengganu district, 71 people from 19 families remain at a PPS at SK Chendering, while in Dungun, 13 people from two families are sheltering at a PPS at the Dewan Sivik Kampung Seberang Pintasan. Meanwhile, based on a report issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), a continuous rain warning at the alert level is expected across Terengganu until Dec 29. As such, the public, especially those in low-lying and high-risk areas, is advised to remain vigilant and comply with instructions from the authorities.

With rising construction costs and ongoing affordability challenges, Malaysia’s property market has seen a meaningful set of policy adjustments this year. Rather than relying on broad incentives to drive transaction numbers, the latest real estate changes show a more deliberate shift towards strengthening the market’s foundations. The emphasis has shifted towards practical support for genuine homebuyers, stronger protections around developments, more thoughtful signals for investors and greater clarity around short-term rental rules. While no single measure will solve all the challenges, together they point to a property sector being guided towards greater stability, accessibility and long-term sustainability.

SEREMBAN: Police found several objects suspected to be improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on a man arrested in conjunction with an explosion in Desa Palma on Monday (Dec 22). Negri Sembilan police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said that during the 4.15pm arrest, police also seized a motorcycle believed to have been used by the 62-year-old suspect. "At the time of arrest, he was in a weakened condition and was taken to Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital for treatment,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 27). Earlier on Saturday, DCP Alzafny confirmed the arrest of an individual along a road in the Batang Benar area in Nilai following a public tip-off. Police previously found another 31 IEDs at his residence and have since destroyed all the explosives.

PETALING JAYA: The 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) court verdict marks the conclusion of one of the longest and most ­closely watched trials in the country’s judicial history, say legal experts. The verdict was handed down by Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who previously ­presided over the 1MDB trial at the High Court. Najib was also sentenced to five years’ jail on each of the 21 money laundering charges, with no fine imposed here. Lawyer Lim Wei Jiet said the only recourse Najib has is to appeal this decision to the Court of Appeal. Senior lawyer Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu said the immediate step is to file an appeal within 14 days of the conviction and sentence.

PETALING JAYA: Perlis Speaker Rus'sele Eizan has yet to notify the Election Commission (EC) about the vacancy of the three seats in the Perlis state legislative assembly, claims a source. The source said that this was despite an announcement by Rus'ele on Thursday (Dec 25) that he would inform the EC of the vacancies soon. The Perlis state government has been in limbo after eight assemblymen – three from PAS and five from Bersatu – signed statutory declarations to oust the then-Mentri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli. Mohd Shukri later resigned on Dec 25, citing health reasons. He then said that it would be up to the EC to decide whether to call for elections.

PETALING JAYA: Besides expan­ding Mandarin and Tamil in natio­nal schools, the Education Minis­try is exploring the inclusion of Asean languages as part of its initiative on additional langua­ges. The initiative is structured around three concurrent components: the expansion of Mandarin and Tamil in national primary schools, the expansion to national secondary schools and the early exploration of additional langua­ges, including Asean languages, said the ministry. “The ministry expects additio­nal languages to be offered as elective subjects in primary and secondary schools. In the final phase, a full digital and interactive integration will be implemented in the teaching and learning of additional languages. “The ministry will be guided by their recommendations before the Asean languages can be offer­ed in our schools,” it said.

PETALING JAYA: With the cost of essentials such as food, housing and healthcare continuing to rise, calls are growing to raise the individual income tax relief threshold of RM9,000, which has remained unchanged since 2010. Financial Planning Association of Malaysia president Alvin Tan said the RM9,000 individual tax relief has lost much of its impact over time. Economist and policy specialist Dr Geoffrey Williams said that if personal tax relief had been index-linked to inflation, it would now stand at RM12,240. Any upward revision of the personal tax threshold, he added, should be accompanied by broader revenue measures. A 1% EPT could raise RM28.8bil, helping offset revenue losses from a higher income tax threshold,” he said.

The junta that has since ruled Myanmar says the vote is a chance for a fresh start politically and economically for the impoverished Southeast Asian nation. Polls to prolong junta’s ‘power of slavery’, academic saysMass protests followed the ouster of Suu Kyi's party, only to be violently suppressed by the military. "And USDP and other allied parties with the military will join forces to form the next government." "No matter who I vote for, the USDP will win," he said, asking not to be named for fear of retribution from junta authorities. "So, I will just vote USDP."

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Negri Sembilan police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said this was based on the discovery of devices and equipment seized from the rented house of a man known as Yeoh Hock Sun, 62, including explosive devices, flammable cleaning agents, as well as carbon and sulphur elements. He added that an inspection of the man’s house, suspected of being used as a laboratory, uncovered 31 additional improvised explosive devices (IEDs), all of which were destroyed by police. Based on the preparation, we interpret that he had the knowledge to prepare a near-perfect explosive,” he said. According to DCP Alzafny, the suspect would wear a face mask or hat, in addition to a wig, when outside or in public. “This is because police believe that the man sustained serious injuries in the incident.

HANOI: At least seven people died on Saturday (Dec 27) when a bus carrying 19 passengers overturned on a mountainous road in ‌Vietnam's northern province of Yen ⁠Bai, state-run media reported. The 29-seat bus carrying ​a charity group was travelling downhill when it flipped and was crushed, according to Vietnam News Agency. Rescue teams pulled 10 survivors from the wreckage, ‍while others ⁠remained trapped ‍as ​of 10.30am local time as heavy equipment was deployed to cut through the vehicle, Hoang Anh Tuan, chairman of ‍Phinh ‍Ho commune, told VNA. Calls to authorities of Yen Bai province and Phinh Ho commune went ⁠unanswered. Police, military units, local officials and residents were mobilised for rescue efforts, while authorities said an investigation into ‍the cause of the accident ⁠was ongoing, according to VNA.