PUTRAJAYA: From prison cell to PhD pursuit, Datuk Seri Najib Razak was cast by his lawyer as a former leader still thinking about Malaysia’s future. The prosecutors, on the other hand, painted him as the face of “kleptocracy at its worst”. He’s writing as a means of communicating what is the best way for economic transformation in the country,” Shafee said. According to Shafee, the sole ground for Najib’s pardon application was that he was not given a fair trial. “He never received a fair appeal in the SRC case,” Shafee said.

IF 2025 was a marathon, Bursa Malaysia struggled to keep pace. With three trading days to go in 2025, the local benchmark FBM KLCI is attempting to cross the tape with a one-year gain of 2% helped by late buying in liquidity-thin market conditions.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in five states until 11am on Saturday (Dec 27). MetMalaysia said in a statement that the bad weather was expected to affect Pahang (Bentong and Temerloh) and Negeri Sembilan (Jelebu, Kuala Pilah, Jempol and Tampin). The same warning was also issued for Melaka and Johor, covering the Tangkak and Muar areas, it said. In Sarawak, the affected areas include Sibu (Selangau), Mukah (Dalat and Mukah), Kapit (Kapit and Bukit Mabong) and Bintulu.

PETALING JAYA: Chief of Army Jen Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan has been placed on leave as investigations into allegations linked to him continue. “In order to allow the authorities the necessary space to conduct investigations 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. Previously, three individuals had been called in by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to have their statements recorded in connection with an investigation into military procurement projects. The MACC also received a complaint and recorded a statement from activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, at its headquarters.

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been sentenced by the High Court to 15 years in jail and a total fine of RM11.4bil after he was found guilty in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case. Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah said he has considered all the mitigating factors by the defence and the aggravating factors by the prosecution. For the 21 charges of money laundering, Najib is sentenced to five years for each charge. Justice Sequerah also ordered that the jail time only take effect after Najib completes his six-year prison time in the SRC International case. Najib is expected to complete his jail term in the SRC International case on Aug 23, 2028.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ekovest Bhd and its major shareholder, Tan Sri Lim Kang Hoo, have agreed to extend the deadline to finalise discussions on the proposed acquisition of Credence Resources Sdn Bhd. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Ekovest said both parties have mutually agreed to extend the timeline from Dec 27, 2025 to Jan 26, 2026. The extension is to allow the company more time to deliberate on the proposed acquisition and for the parties to discuss, negotiate and finalise the terms of the definitive agreement. The proposed acquisition, initiated on Oct 28, 2023, involves the purchase of a 70% stake in CRSB for a consideration of RM1.15bil.

PETALING JAYA: The conclusion of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial is not a moment of celebration but the fulfilment of a duty to the nation, says Tan Sri Azam Baki. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner acknowledged commitment and perseverance of his investigating officers, particularly in securing evidence both domestically and internationally. “Rather, it reflects the fulfilment of our responsibility carried out in accordance with the trust and mandate entrusted to us. “I also wish to record my sincere appreciation to all parties for their cooperation throughout this investigation, especially Bank Negara and the police. “Their professionalism and unwavering commitment to cross-border cooperation are deeply appreciated,” said the MACC chief.

Just three days later, an Orang Asli man was injured after being dragged by an elephant and falling into a ravine along Jalan Kampung Pengkalan Permai in Air Banun Resettlement Scheme. National honoursIn November, HRPB successfully performed Perak’s first deep brain stimulation procedure on a Parkinson’s patient, marking historic advancement in the state’s neurosurgical capabilities. Rasila receiving her Orang Asli Icon Award. In July, Malaysia’s first Orang Asli principal Rasila Yas, 54, was honoured with the Orang Asli Icon Award in recognition of her achievements and contributions. The SMK Menglembu principal, a member of the Tenuan tribe, is the first from the Orang Asli community to receive the award, which she received during Perak Orang Asli Community Symposium 2025 in Ipoh.

The vocal supporters gathered outside the Palace of Justice, many wearing shirts that said “Team Najib”, shouting “Bebas Najib” (Free Najib), “1Malaysia” and Bossku”. Many expressed deep disappointment over the court’s decision, but said they would never give up supporting him. A Pekan Umno division representative Nordiah Abdullah said supporters were left “speechless” by the decision. Just consider his age,” he said, adding that the supporters would not lose hope. Despite the disappointment, Khaidir stressed that they respected the court’s ruling.

WHERE did the year go? It feels like it was New Year just weeks ago and here we are about to step into 2026. The memories of the end of 2024 are still so fresh. We were looking forward to a year of upheaval. New smoking laws, the end of fuel subsidies, wage reform, a boost in public transport with pedestrians as the key – these were all in the works.

More than 1,600 flights across the US had been cancelled as of Friday afternoon, according to the FlightAware website. “Road conditions will be treacherous for those travelling back from the holiday,” the weather service said. The National Weather Service cancelled flash flood warnings Friday but retained flood advisories and watches through San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties. More than 50,000 homes and businesses in the state were without power Friday afternoon, mostly in Northern California, according to PowerOutage.us. In California’s mountain areas, the weather service has warned of “near whiteout conditions at times” that will make travel dangerous and likely cause delays and road closures.

THE foreign fund outflow for Malaysia’s equity market as of Dec 21 stands at RM 21.2bil. This is the largest foreign fund outflow in the past few years with the highest recorded amount in the Covid-19 year of 2020 when the outflow hit a high of RM 24.6bil.

HOUSTON (Dec 27): Oil prices settled more than 2% lower on Friday as investors weighed a looming global supply glut, while also keeping an eye on a potential Ukraine peace deal ahead of talks this weekend between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US President Donald Trump. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled down US$1.61 or 2.76% to US$56.74. The global oil supply next year will exceed demand by 3.84 million barrels per day, according to figures from the Paris-based IEA's December oil market report. Eyes on Russia-Ukraine peace processInvestors are watching for developments in the Russia-Ukraine peace process and the possible impact on future oil prices, as a peace agreement could lead to the removal of international sanctions against Russia's oil sector. For the oil price, "the negatives remain of elevated global oil storage, and slight progress on Ukraine-Russia peace talks", said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 27): The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in five states until 11am on Saturday. MetMalaysia said in a statement that the bad weather was expected to affect Pahang (Bentong and Temerloh) and Negeri Sembilan (Jelebu, Kuala Pilah, Jempol and Tampin). The same warning was also issued for Melaka and Johor, covering the Tangkak and Muar areas, it said. In Sarawak, the affected areas include Sibu (Selangau), Mukah (Dalat and Mukah), Kapit (Kapit and Bukit Mabong) and Bintulu.

THE term “involution” or curling inward became a common slang in China in the 2020s, to reflect excessive competition in social and economic life, where students, workers and even business leaders felt overworked, stressed and being unable to get out of huge external and internal stresses. The term was coined by sociologists and anthropologists to describe conditions in rural societies whereby increasing labour inputs did not seem to yield tangible benefits.