Friday, January 02, 2026

Anwar vows to strengthen economy, uphold unity as Malaysia enters 2026





Anwar vows to strengthen economy, uphold unity as Malaysia enters 2026



Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the Madani Government will uphold harmony in diversity while strengthening the economy, reaffirming its commitment to Malaysia in a New Year Facebook post. — Picture via Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim

Friday, 02 Jan 2026 9:02 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the Madani Government will remain committed to ensuring that harmony in diversity continues to be the core of the nation’s progress, while also strengthening the economy for the wellbeing of the people.

He said the government will move forward with full confidence alongside the people as they welcome new hopes this year.



Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends the New Year 2026 celebration and Visit Malaysia 2026 Countdown Festival at Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, joined by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing. — Bernama pic



“This is the Madani Government’s commitment to Malaysia. Happy New Year!” he said in a Facebook post uploaded last night.


In the same post, Anwar uploaded a one-minute and 47-second video showing him celebrating the New Year with Malaysians Tuesday night, which also served as the initial catalyst for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026) campaign.

The VMY 2026 campaign officially kicked off with the Visit Malaysia 2026 Countdown Festival, a large-scale New Year’s Eve celebration held at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur last night.



Performers from Istana Budaya enliven the New Year 2026 and Visit Malaysia 2026 Countdown Festival at Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, attended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. — Bernama pic


The countdown festival, attended by Anwar, marks the beginning of efforts to drive early momentum for the country’s tourism sector toward a target of 43 million visitor arrivals, in line with aspirations to make Malaysia a top destination for global travellers. — Bernama


‘Art must uplift, not corrupt’: Religious affairs minister slams lyrics in controversial local song






‘Art must uplift, not corrupt’: Religious affairs minister slams lyrics in controversial local song



Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan said songs with obscene lyrics affecting youths violate Islamic entertainment guidelines. — Picture by Miera Zulyana

Friday, 02 Jan 2026 9:20 AM MYT


PUTRAJAYA, Jan 2 — The Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) views seriously the spread of song lyrics containing obscene and indecent elements that are contrary to moral values and social decorum, particularly those exerting a negative influence on the younger generation, says Minister Datuk Zulkifli Hasan.

Referring to a song by a local female artiste, he said all artistes, producers, creators and related parties were reminded to comply with the Guidelines for Entertainment in Islam (Second Edition), which were endorsed by the 107th National Fatwa Committee Muzakarah on February 10-11, 2015.

“These guidelines clearly stipulate that entertainment lyrics must be free from obscene elements, immorality, insults, manipulation of sacred Islamic terms as well as matters that contradict the syariah (Islamic jurisprudence) and humanitarian values,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said Islam required its followers to safeguard the sanctity of speech, hearing and the heart.


He said religious teachings reminded that every word uttered should bring goodness and not undermine human dignity and morality.

“Islam celebrates artistic works and beauty, but these should serve as a means to educate, calm the soul and spread noble values, not otherwise,” said Zulkifli, who stressed the responsibility of all parties to produce content aligned with decorum, culture and the demands of the syariah.

According to him, good entertainment was entertainment that nurtured the soul and strengthened morality, not that which distracted and corrupted.


He said he hoped the reminder would be received with an open heart for the common good and the wellbeing of society.

Recently, a local fermale singer’s latest song, alleged to contain obscene and inappropriate lyrics, drew negative reactions among netizens. — Bernama


***


Kindly stay out of non-Muslim domain please. 


Was a UEC education worth it? Graduates weigh pros and cons










Was a UEC education worth it? Graduates weigh pros and cons


Ayesha Sheik Mazrul
Published: Jan 2, 2026 7:00 AM
Updated: 10:00 AM




The Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) has periodically resurfaced in Malaysia’s public discourse, often framed through debates over national identity, unity, and language.

Supporters argue that recognising the UEC would broaden access to public universities for graduates of Chinese independent schools, while critics contend that it could undermine national education policy, particularly the role of Bahasa Malaysia as the central language of instruction.

While the debate remains largely unresolved, lost in the polemic are the voices of students who sat through the exams - sticking to their decision despite the uncertainty of it all.

For some former UEC candidates, the certificate did not become a defining fault line in their lives, but simply one educational choice among many, carrying practical consequences rather than ideological weight.

Reflecting on his time studying for the UEC back in 2011, Wong Wai Yong, 32, said that the certificate was no more than just questions on a paper that he had to get good grades for.

“For me, the UEC is simply an examination, with Chinese being the main medium of instruction.

“This has never given me any particular sense of separate identity; I see myself simply as an ordinary Malaysian,” he told Malaysiakini in an interview.


Chinese independent school students


Wong, who pursued further studies in Taiwan after completing secondary school, said he might not choose the UEC again, having later discovered that his SPM certificate could also be used for admission into pre-university or university programmes in Taiwan.

Sharing the same view was 31-year-old Ashley Lim (not her real name), but her reasons for not retaking the examination stemmed from how it kept her in a bubble, leaving her largely unaware of issues beyond her immediate circle.

“After I went to university in Taiwan, I noticed that student activists there would fight for reforms to their secondary school system and syllabus.

“That’s when I realised I didn’t know much about the education system issues in Malaysia.

“And when I started working in Malaysia, I realised that I rarely had multiracial friends during my study years, so I missed many opportunities to learn about the diverse cultures in Malaysia,” she said.


It was a choice

Both Lim and Wong said they were fully aware of the constraints of the UEC pathway - particularly the lack of access to public universities, government scholarships, and civil service positions.

However, the decision to push through did not stem from the exam itself, but rather their choice to study at a Chinese independent school.

Lim explained that for many families, such schools offer a more structured education, where attendance, academic performance, and discipline are maintained at the highest standard, prompting parents to pay higher school fees in exchange for what they see as better education quality.

For the record, all multistream secondary schools received government financial assistance before 1961. However, following the enactment of the Education Act 1961, only Malay- and English-medium schools were allowed to continue receiving such allocations.

Some schools subsequently made the difficult decision to align with government policy and were converted into national-type Chinese secondary schools.


A Chinese independent school


Others, however, chose to remain independent to preserve mother-tongue education. These schools eventually came to be known as “Chinese independent schools”.

Government funding for these schools has fluctuated over the years. During the Pakatan Harapan administration, allocations for such schools were included in the federal budget, with RM15 million in 2020 - an increase of RM3 million from the previous year.

Following the change in government in 2020, these allocations were discontinued. Assistance was instead channelled through special allocations, with RM15 million provided to 63 Chinese independent schools nationwide.

Last year, Chinese independent schools received a record RM18.9 million, while federal allocations for this year exceeded RM20 million for 63 Chinese independent schools nationwide.


UEC and the Malay language

Lim, however, acknowledged that her choice of school had its drawbacks, particularly in terms of Malay language proficiency, which she later found inadequate for the workplace.

“I could read and listen, but due to the environment, I couldn’t speak or write well. So I am still picking up these skills, learning while working,” she said.

Wong reiterated the same points, noting that while he had no complaints about his education, there was certainly major room to improve Malay language education.

“At the time, the teaching of Malay was heavily exam-oriented, relying on note memorisation and model answers, and was largely disconnected from real-life communication.

“Although I obtained a C+ in SPM Bahasa Malaysia, my Malay colleagues often found my word choices overly textbook-like, which made communication awkward at times,” he lamented.


Students sitting for an exam


Opponents of UEC recognition have consistently emphasised Bahasa Malaysia proficiency as a key reason for rejecting the certificate, arguing that the exam’s Chinese-medium instruction does not align with Malaysia’s education policy.

However, Chinese school proponents Dong Zong have countered those claims, noting that over 96 percent of Chinese independent school students passed the Malay SPM subject.

The group stressed that the national language is already a key component of the UEC syllabus and is a compulsory subject for the UEC curriculum.

However, good grades on paper may not be enough for those who are against the UEC.

In response to DAP’s push to obtain recognition for the exam, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan said there is no need to recognise it unless the UEC implements the national language as its medium of teaching.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh also reiterated similar talking points, emphasising that Bahasa Malaysia is the main medium of instruction in the nation’s education policy.

DAP leaders, in response, hit back at these criticisms, with the party’s political education director, Howard Lee, accusing Akmal of stoking racial fire by “deliberately using false narratives to incite social antagonism”.


Howard Lee


Lee argued that multi-stream and mother-tongue education is widely practised internationally, referencing Switzerland, the Philippines, India, Canada, Guatemala, and parts of Europe where minority-language and bilingual education are institutionalised and protected by law.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim later also weighed in on the issue, saying that he has no problem with other languages in schools as long as the priority to master the Malay language is clear. This includes the UEC issue, which uses Chinese as the medium of instruction.


A decade after UEC

More than a decade after sitting for the UEC, both Wong and Lim said the exam itself has faded into the background of their lives, overtaken by university experiences, work, and personal growth.

Wong said employers rarely paid attention to his secondary school background, focusing instead on his university qualifications and job performance.

“Apart from being unable to enter public universities or join the civil service, I have not seen much direct impact (of taking the UEC).

“UEC holders can still apply for certain scholarships, and employment opportunities in the private sector are generally not affected.

“From my own experience and that of my friends, being a UEC holder does not make it harder to find a job,” he said.


Job seeker generic photo


With more Chinese companies establishing operations in Malaysia amid shifts in global trade, he added that the ability to communicate in both Chinese and English has become a distinct advantage.

Lim shared a similar experience, noting that no employer had ever questioned her educational background. Seven years into her career in media and public relations, she said her work opportunities have been shaped far more by her skills and experience than by an exam she took when she was 18.

Looking back, the duo agreed that mastering the national language is essential for Chinese independent school students, as it opens doors to more opportunities, especially in the working world.
Wong said he would still advise students to sit the SPM alongside the UEC, especially to ensure a stronger command of Bahasa Malaysia and to keep future options open.

“Regardless of career plans, I see it as a basic responsibility of being educated in Malaysia,” he added.

Lim, too, urged students in Chinese independent schools to consciously step outside their comfort zones, particularly by engaging with multiracial communities beyond school.

“Don’t only speak Chinese, don’t only make friends within Chinese circles… You will find the world is more interesting than you expect,” Lim said.

For them, the certificate neither defined their identity nor dictated their futures. Instead, it was one of many early decisions; consequential, but ultimately just a starting point.

As the national debate over the UEC continues, Lim’s and Wong’s experiences indicate that, beyond the political posturing, most students view education chiefly as a way to move forward, rather than as a marker of their identity.


Israel's new destructive evil in its endless wickedness




How Israel’s multi‑tonne truck bombs ripped through Gaza City, leaving swathes of destruction in their wake



A Palestinian stands next to an armoured personnel carrier and destroyed buildings after Israeli military operations in Gaza City, November 12, 2025. — Reuters pic

Friday, 02 Jan 2026 7:00 AM MYT


GAZA CITY, Jan 2 — In the weeks before the Gaza ceasefire on October 10, Israel widely deployed a new weapon: M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers repurposed to carry between 1 and 3 tonnes of explosives, Reuters found.

As Israeli troops pushed toward the centre of Gaza City, these powerful bombs, along with airstrikes and armour-plated bulldozers, levelled swathes of buildings, drone footage and satellite images show.


In most cases, but not all, the inhabitants fled ahead of demolitions after Israeli warnings, residents, Israeli security sources and Gaza authorities said.

Hesham Mohammad Badawi’s five-storey home on Dawla Street in the affluent Tel-al-Hawa suburb, damaged by an airstrike earlier in the war, was completely destroyed by an APC explosion on September 14, he and a relative said, leaving him and 41 family members homeless.


Badawi, who was a few hundred metres away, said he heard at least five APCs detonate in roughly five-minute intervals. He said he received no evacuation warning before the demolition and family members escaped “by a miracle” amid explosions and heavy gunfire.


Several buildings in the same block were demolished around that time, satellite images show.

The family is now staying with relatives in different parts of the city, Badawi said, while he lives in a tent by his former home. Israel’s military did not respond to Reuters questions about the incident. Reuters could not establish what Israel targeted in the attack or independently verify all the details of Badawi’s account of the events.


When Reuters visited in November, remains of at least one of the vehicles were strewn among large piles of rubble.

“We could not believe this was our neighbourhood, this was our street,” Badawi said.

To compile a detailed account of the role of APC-based bombs by the Israeli military in Tel-al-Hawa and the neighbouring Sabra district in the six weeks before the ceasefire, Reuters spoke to three Israeli security sources, a retired Israeli military brigadier, an Israeli reservist, Gazan authorities and three military experts.

Seven Gaza City residents said their homes or those of neighbours were levelled or severely damaged by the explosions, which several likened to an earthquake. Analysis of Reuters footage by two of the military experts confirmed wreckage of at least two exploded APCs among the rubble at sites in Gaza City.

Israel packed 1 to 3 tonnes of ordnance in APCs, three military experts estimated, based on cabin space and wreckage of vehicle armour. Some of the ordnance was likely non-military ammonium nitrate or emulsion, though without chemical testing that conclusion is not certain, they said.

Such a multi-tonne explosion could approach an equivalent power to Israel’s largest airborne bombs, the 2,000-pound US-made Mark 84, said two experts, who examined Reuters footage of the blast area and vehicle remains.

It could scatter vehicle fragments hundreds of metres, and break close-by exterior walls and building columns. The blast wave would be strong enough to potentially collapse a multi-storey building, they said.



Old-model armoured personal carriers (APCs) lined up near Israel's border with Gaza, north of Kissufim crossing, Israel, September 2, 2025. — Reuters pic



Highly unusual

APCs generally transport troops and equipment on the battlefield. The three military experts consulted by Reuters said use of the vehicles as bombs was highly unusual and risked excessive damage to civilian dwellings.

In response to detailed Reuters questions for this story, Israel’s military said it was committed to the rules of war. Regarding allegations of destruction of civilian infrastructure, it said it used what it called engineering equipment only for “essential operational purposes,” without disclosing further details.

Decisions are guided by military necessity, distinction, and proportionality, it said.

In an interview with Reuters in Gaza for this story, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said Israel’s demolitions with armoured vehicles were aimed at the large-scale displacement of the city’s residents, which Israel has denied.

The reporting provides new evidence of the power of these low-tech weapons and how they came to be widely used.

Retired reservist Brigadier-General Amir Avivi, founder of the Israel Defence and Security Forum (IDSF), a think tank, called the weapon an “innovation of the Gaza War.” One of the security sources said its increasing use partly responded to US restrictions on transfers of heavy Mark-84 airborne bombs and Caterpillar bulldozers.

Israel’s military and Prime Minister’s Office also did not respond to questions about the reasons for the shift in tactics. The US State Department, White House and Department of War did not respond to Reuters questions for this story.

Before the war, Tel-al-Hawa and Sabra, a historic area of modest houses in south-central Gaza City, bustled with bakeries, shopping malls, mosques, banks and universities.

Now, large parts lie in ruins.

Satellite imagery analysis by Reuters showed that about 650 buildings in Sabra, Tel-al-Hawa and surrounding areas were destroyed in the six weeks between September 1 and October 11.



Palestinians walk near damaged buildings in the Gaza Strip, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza December 29, 2025. — Reuters pic



Military necessity?

Two international law scholars, the UN human rights office and two of the military experts who reviewed Reuters findings said use of such large explosives in dense residential urban areas may have failed one or more principles of humanitarian law that prohibit attacking civilian infrastructure and using disproportionate force.

“The basis that some of it may be booby-trapped” or once used by Hamas snipers is not enough to justify mass destruction, Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, told Reuters, referring to Israel’s allegation that Hamas placed improvised explosive devices in houses, which Hamas denies.

In some circumstances, buildings could lose legal protection and become targets if Israel had evidence Hamas used them for military advantage, said Afonso Seixas Nunes, Associate Professor in the School of Law at Saint Louis University.

Israel’s military did not respond to Reuters requests to provide such evidence.

If not the result of military necessity, the demolition of civilian infrastructure could amount to wanton destruction of property, which is a war crime, Sunghay said.

The level of ruin reflects a broader trend: 81 per cent of Gaza’s buildings suffered damage or destruction during the war, according to the UN Satellite Center. The area including Gaza City experienced most damage since July, with approximately 5,600 newly affected structures, it said in October.

In August, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters Israel was packing tonnes of explosives into APCs because Hamas had placed explosive devices in “just about every single building” in evacuated areas.

“We detonate them, and they set off all the booby traps. That’s why you see the destruction,” Netanyahu said.

In response to questions for this story, Qassem, the Hamas spokesman, denied booby trapping buildings, and said Hamas did not have the capacity to set devices at the scale Israel claimed.



A Palestinian stands on an armoured personnel carrier next to destroyed buildings after Israeli military operations in Gaza City, November 12, 2025. — Reuters pic



Forces enter Gaza City

Later in August, Israeli forces entered Gaza City with the declared aim of eliminating Hamas and freeing hostages held by militants since the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war.

Israel ordered a full evacuation of the city in September.

As troops advanced, backed by tanks and airstrikes, they extensively damaged eastern suburbs before approaching central areas of the city, where most displaced people were sheltering.

Hundreds of thousands fled south. The UN estimated 600,000-700,000 people remained in the city.

Israel’s defence minister has said soldiers demolished 25 towers that Israel said had Hamas tunnels underneath or were used as lookout points. The UN human rights office says Israel has provided no evidence the buildings were military targets.

Among the destruction visible in Sabra, Tel-al-Hawa and South Rimal between September 1 and October 11, Reuters identified al-Roya tower, which housed the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, a prominent human rights office that worked with charity Christian Aid, and al-Roya 2, a mixture of business and flats, brought down by airstrikes on September 7 and 8.

Two wings of the Islamic University of Gaza and a mosque on the campus were destroyed. In one six-block corner of Tel-al-Hawa almost every building was demolished — more than 60 in total.

Beyond the two cases of APC explosions analysed in detail for this story, and airstrikes on towers caught on video, Reuters could not establish what weapons Israel deployed to demolish buildings, or the total number of APCs detonated from August until the ceasefire.

Gaza’s Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said the army detonated hundreds of APCs in that period, as many as 20 daily. Israel’s military did not reply to a question on numbers.



Hesham Badawi, a Palestinian, holds debris from an armoured personnel carrier, next to destroyed buildings after Israeli military operations in Gaza City, November 25, 2025. — Reuters pic



Badawi’s house

Among the buildings destroyed was Badawi’s family home of four decades, along with more than 20 neighbouring buildings in the same period.

“We didn’t recognise this as our house,” he said.

Two military experts said Reuters footage of the area showed remains of at least one detonated APC.

The explosion had torn one APC caterpillar track from its running gear and “physically thrown it onto the roof” of a multi-storey building, a retired senior British military bomb disposal officer said, noting that M113 tracks each weigh hundreds of kilogrammes.

A thick, ripped piece of metal and a wheel torn in half, both scattered at the property, were consistent with a detonation from within the APC, said Gareth Collett, a retired British Brigadier General and leading authority on explosives and bomb disposal. He said the large size of the fragments was indicative of a commercial low energy explosive.

The return of the M113

Bought from the US after the Yom Kippur War in the 1970s, thousands of M113s were deemed to insufficiently protect soldiers and were mothballed, military historian Yagil Henkin said.

FMC Corp, originally the M113’s primary manufacturer, did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment about its use as a weapon and potential associated human rights concerns.

BAE Systems, which currently provides maintenance for the vehicle globally, did not reply to Reuters questions about Israel’s new use of the M113 other than to say it currently had no direct military sales to the country. It said equipment it sold to the US government could reach other countries indirectly.

In May, Israel posted a public tender seeking to sell an unspecified number of M113s internationally, public documents show.

The tender was later cancelled, according to an undated posting on the Ministry of Defence website. The cancellation allowed Israel to scale up repurposing M113s, one of the security sources told Reuters. The military did not respond to Reuters’ questions about the tender.

The first media reports of an APC detonating in Gaza date to mid-2024.

Use accelerated this year when Israel rationed stocks after the US paused deliveries of Mark-84 bombs over concerns about the bombs use in residential areas, the source said.



A Palestinian walks next to an armoured personnel carrier and destroyed buildings after Israeli military operations in Gaza City, November 7, 2025. — Reuters pic



Caterpillar D9

The increased role of APC-based bombs also coincided with shortages in Israel of US company Caterpillar’s giant D9 bulldozer, long used by Israel’s military for demolition, one of the security sources said.

Hamas heavily targeted D9s earlier in the war, killing or injuring soldiers and damaging the vehicles, the source said. Alarmed by their use to demolish homes, the US paused D9 sales to Israel in November 2024, adding to the shortage. Under President Donald Trump, D9 transfers resumed.

Caterpillar did not respond to questions from Reuters about the military use of its machines in ⁠Gaza demolitions and has not publicly commented on the matter.

Amid the shortages, the military began using other methods of demolition, including APCs, another of the security sources said.

Danny Orbach, an Israeli military historian, told Reuters demolitions were normal in war, made necessary in Gaza due to tunnels and booby traps. He said Israel’s military was underprepared for the complex fighting, leading to the conclusion there was “no other way to fight such a war except destroying all buildings above ground.”

Israel’s military told Reuters targets were reviewed prior to attack and the munition selected “to achieve the military objective while minimising collateral damage” to civilians and civilian infrastructure. — Reuters



Thursday, January 01, 2026

Peace agreement nearly ready, Zelensky cautions final 10pc crucial to deter Russia





Peace agreement nearly ready, Zelensky cautions final 10pc crucial to deter Russia



A man holds a plastic sheet beside a damaged car after a Russian strike near Kyiv, September 28, 2025. — AFP pic

Thursday, 01 Jan 2026 4:04 PM MYT


KYIV, Jan 1 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday his country was “10 per cent” away from a deal to end the war with Russia, but cautioned that the most important issues were unresolved and warned against rewarding Moscow.

US-led efforts to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II have gained pace in recent weeks, but both sides remain at odds over the key issue of territory in a post-war settlement.



Russia, which occupies around 20 per cent of Ukraine, is pushing for full control of the country’s eastern Donbas region as part of a deal — but Kyiv has warned ceding ground will embolden Moscow.

In his New Year’s Eve address, Zelensky said his country wanted an end to the war but not at “any cost”, and that any agreement needed strong security guarantees to deter Russia from invading again.



“The peace agreement is 90 per cent ready. Ten per cent remains. And that is far more than just numbers,” Zelensky said in the address, posted on his Telegram account.


“Those are the 10 per cent that will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe,” he added.

Zelensky’s speech came just hours after US officials, including top envoy Steve Witkoff, held a call with Ukrainian and European security advisers on the next steps to end the nearly four-year conflict.


The war, now entering its fifth calendar year, has resulted in a tidal wave of destruction that has displaced millions and left entire Ukrainian cities in ruins.

‘Believe in victory’

President Vladimir Putin urged Russians to believe in victory in Ukraine during his annual New Year’s Eve address, his fourth since the war began.

The Russian leader has consistently told his citizens that the military intends to seize the rest of Ukrainian land he has proclaimed as Russian by force if talks fail.

Addressing soldiers, whom he called “heroes”, Putin said in his address: “We believe in you and our victory.”

The Kremlin said this week it would “toughen” its negotiating position on ending the war, after accusing Ukraine of launching dozens of drones at Putin’s lakeside residence in the Novgorod region between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Moscow on Wednesday published footage of a drone it said Kyiv had sent toward the residence.

Russia has called it a “personal” and “terrorist attack” and against Putin, saying it will toughen its negotiation stance in the Ukraine war talks.

The video, shot at night, showed a damaged drone lying in the snow in a forested area. The defence ministry said the alleged attack was “targeted, carefully planned and carried out in stages.”

The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which documents the Ukraine-Russia conflict, said Tuesday it had not seen any “footage or reporting that typically follows Ukrainian deep strikes to corroborate the Kremlin’s claims of Ukrainian strikes threatening Putin’s residence in Novgorod Oblast”.

Putin has not publicly commented on the attack — aside from the Kremlin saying he had informed Trump about it in a call — and Moscow has not said where the Russian leader was at the time.

Putin’s residences and private life are shrouded in secrecy in Russia. — AFP


PDRM: 14 teachings declared deviant are still active


theVibes.com:

PDRM: 14 teachings declared deviant are still active


Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, said that a total of 154 teachings were declared as deviant since 1950 until now.

Updated 47 minutes ago · Published on 01 Jan 2026 5:46PM


Deviant teachings are among the threats to national security, said Ayob Khan - January 1, 2026



A TOTAL of 14 teachings that were declared as deviant were detected to be still active in the country, with eight of them under the supervision of the authorities.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, said that a total of 154 teachings were declared as deviant since 1950 until now.

He said that of the total, 114 teachings were identified and given attention by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) Special Branch.

“Deviant teachings are among the threats to national security, in addition to the issue of corruption involving civil servants.

“A total of 14 such teachings were detected to be still active, while eight are under the supervision of the authorities.

"Among them are Perjalanan Mimpi Yang Terakhir, Dewan Perkasa Ekonomi Islam, Millah Abraham, Nur Mutiara Mutmainnah, The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light," he said as reported by Buletin TV3.

Ayob Khan also said that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) will take strict action against corruption issues within the force to restore public trust.

He said that the corruption issue is a serious threat to the value of integrity, especially among civil servants.

"PDRM will take strict action against corruption issues among its own because integrity is the main key to regaining the public's full trust in the security forces," he said.

He also advised the public to take advantage of modern technology through the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) system as a channel for rapid information dissemination.

“The community and the PDRM need to have a strong symbiotic bond to ensure that Malaysia remains a peaceful and harmonious country,” he said. – January 1, 2026

Part of object suspected to be from space found on Pekan beach


theVibes.com:

Part of object suspected to be from space found on Pekan beach


Based on initial investigations by MOSTI, the object is suspected to have fallen into the sea and washed ashore by the current.

Updated 1 hour ago · Published on 01 Jan 2026 5:26PM


The media previously reported that three Chinese satellites had fallen to earth between 2018 and 2022. - Picture from Berita Harian, January 1, 2026


PART of an object suspected to have fallen from space was found in the Kampung Tanjung Beach area, Nenasi, Pekan.

Pekan District Police Chief, Superintendent Mohd Zaidi Mat Zin, said they received a report on the discovery of the object from officers from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) at 5pm yesterday.

He said that based on initial investigations by MOSTI, the object is suspected to have fallen into the sea and washed ashore by the current.

He said that the fragment was 4.26 metres (m) long and 3.64m wide and there were barnacles, a type of marine life, attached to the object.

"The Space Authority Division, MOSTI, the Malaysian Atomic Energy Department and the Malaysian Space Agency have investigated the discovery of the object.

"The results of the investigation and tests carried out by the agencies involved confirmed that the object is free of any radiation.

"Officials from the agency involved have also temporarily transferred the object to the Nenasi police station," he said as reported by Berita Harian.

Mohd Zaidi said the agency would take the object for further investigation.

"The public who find such objects are asked to contact the authorities for further action. The weight of the object is estimated to reach 500 kilograms," he said.

The media previously reported that three Chinese satellites had fallen to earth between 2018 and 2022.

The objects were reported to have been found in several locations including the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Among them were the Tiangong-1 satellite in 2018 and the Long March 5B in 2022.

Parts of the satellite were found floating in the waters of Sarawak and Kalimantan, Indonesia. – January 1, 2026



***


Barnacles??? Hey, they could be 'Alien' spores lah, wakakaka.






Kg Papan residents 'launch' new homes in protest against S'gor govt










Kg Papan residents 'launch' new homes in protest against S'gor govt


B Nantha Kumar
Published: Jan 1, 2026 5:31 PM
Updated: 8:31 PM




More than a month after their homes were bulldozed, residents of Kampung Papan, Pandamaran, "launched" a row of nine small single-room units on New Year's Day as a protest against the Selangor government, which they claim has failed to fulfil its housing promises.

The construction of these 8x8 square-foot units represents the anger of residents who are now forced to live in poor conditions on land under legal dispute.

A residents’ representative said the nine rooms were built with the cooperation of locals at one of the sites in Kampung Papan.

All nine rooms are now occupied by senior citizens and two single individuals, and include shared toilets and bathrooms.

Attending the launch event, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan said the residents were essentially forced to build their own "housing project" after the state government and developer offered only media promises without any action on the ground.


PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan


"Today, residents launched nine new homes built through their own cooperation. This is the reality of the 'Rumah Selangorku' for the common people - whose houses were demolished with no replacement. The building of these plywood rooms is a last resort to ensure the elderly and single individuals are not left homeless.

"The state government's actions were unjust, as they preempted the legal process by demolishing 29 occupied homes in November last year, even though the land status appeal case has yet to be decided in court.

"If we win the case in the Court of Appeal, the demolitions would be considered illegal. The developer and state government would have to pay significant compensation for destroying people’s property before the judge's decision," he said at a press conference in Kampung Papan today.

Units demolished

In November, a developer demolished both unoccupied and occupied homes in the settlement, despite the state government's earlier promise that only empty structures would be taken down.

According to the residents’ committee, 29 occupied units were demolished during the five-day operation, during which 11 residents, PSM members, and activists were also arrested by police.

Previously, the Selangor government had reportedly committed to building new homes to resettle the affected Kampung Papan residents.

Pandamaran assemblyperson, Tony Leong, stated that a state-owned subsidiary would soon carry out a housing project for 181 families.

No discussions with residents

Commenting further on the state government’s promise, Arutchelvan said that no discussions have been held with the residents so far.


A demolition exercise at Kampung Papan on Nov 12, 2025


"Don’t just issue statements to the media or on TikTok to calm netizens. Here, the residents haven’t even received a single official offer letter. Even the assemblyperson hasn’t shown up to give an explanation.

"The residents actually agreed to the RM99,000 housing offer during the Selangor Economic Action Council (MTES) meeting back in 2018, but the project just 'disappeared.'

"We have written proof. Eighty-three residents wrote letters to the then-menteri besar (Azmin Ali) expressing their acceptance of the offer. So don’t use propaganda saying residents rejected development as an excuse to demolish their homes," he said.

Arutchelvan said the current menteri besar, Amirudin Shari, should not leave such “legacy problems” to the latter's future successor and should immediately initiate face-to-face negotiations with the residents.

He stressed that the residents are ready to relocate if there's an official agreement ensuring they can move in once the homes are completed.


Charles Santiago


Previously, former Klang MP Charles Santiago said that under an agreement between the past BN-led state government and a developer appointed to revive the abandoned housing project -TPPT Sdn Bhd (TPPT) - the families were promised homes if the company took over the land.

“In 1995, the Selangor government transferred 95 acres (38.5ha) of the land to TPPT, a subsidiary of Bank Negara Malaysia, and in 2007, TPPT brought in developer Melati Ehsan Consolidated Sdn Bhd to build the houses.

“However, nearly three decades later, the families in Kampung Papan have still not received the promised double-storey terrace houses, which were supposed to be sold to them at RM99,000,” Charles had said.


Australia ‘disappointed’ with China’s beef tariffs


FMT:

Australia ‘disappointed’ with China’s beef tariffs


One industry group warned the move could damage trade worth over A$1 billion between the two countries


China is Australia’s second-most lucrative beef export market, behind the US. (Australian Butchers’ Guild pic)



SYDNEY: Australia’s government is “disappointed” with China’s decision to impose new beef import tariffs, with one industry group warning the move could damage trade worth over A$1 billion between the two countries.

China announced it would impose additional 55% tariffs on some beef imports from countries including Brazil, Australia and the US that exceed a certain quantity for the next three years.

The country also said it would suspend part of a free trade agreement with Australia covering beef.


“We are disappointed by this decision,” Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said in a statement.

“We have made it clear to China that Australian beef is not a risk to their beef sector, and that we expect our status as a valued free trade agreement partner to be respected.”

“Our beef is world-class and high in demand, and we will continue to advocate for and support our beef industry.”

China is Australia’s second-most lucrative beef export market, behind the US.

Under the new rules, Australia faces a quota of around 200,000 tonnes for 2026.

The tariffs follow China’s beef price trending downwards in recent years, with analysts blaming oversupply and a lack of demand as the world’s second-largest economy has slowed.


At the same time, Chinese beef imports from countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Australia have surged.

Investigators found that beef imports had damaged China’s domestic industry, Beijing said.

The Australian Meat Industry Council said in a statement the new restrictions had the “potential to reduce Australian beef exports to China by about one-third compared to the last twelve months — trade worth over A$1 billion”.

The council’s executive officer Tim Ryan warned the tariffs would have a “severe impact” on trade flows to China and “restrict the ability for Chinese consumers to access safe and reliable Australian beef”.


The relationship between the two countries has improved in recent years with Beijing lifting a slew of bans on Australia’s most lucrative export commodities.

Tensions began in 2018 when Canberra excluded telecommunications giant Huawei from its 5G network on security grounds and later passed laws on foreign interference.

Then in 2020, Australia called for an international investigation into the origins of Covid-19 — an action China saw as politically motivated.

Australia has spent much of the past few years trying to insulate the vital trade relationship with China — its biggest trade partner — from geopolitical headwinds.

Australia is part of a loose US-led alliance that has aggressively pushed back against China’s bid for influence in the Pacific region.

UEC: What it means to take an exam your own country won't accept










UEC: What it means to take an exam your own country won't accept


Ayesha Sheik Mazrul
Published: Jan 1, 2026 9:30 AM
Updated: 5:09 PM




For a generation of Malaysian students, preparing for the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) has become an exercise in navigating dual realities.

They pour hours into study, sit for examinations widely recognised by universities and employers abroad, and yet find the qualification lingering in a policy twilight at home.

Several states, including Penang, Sarawak, Sabah, and Selangor, have taken the unprecedented step of recognising the UEC for purposes such as entry into state‑owned universities, state scholarships, and even civil service eligibility, offering a glimpse of inclusion that the federal system stubbornly withholds.

At the federal level, the story is markedly different. The UEC is still not recognised as a qualification for entry into Malaysia’s public universities, a position that policymakers justify based on alignment with the national education policy.

Among the chief concerns cited are mastery of Bahasa Melayu and the successful completion of compulsory subjects, such as history, in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) - benchmarks that the national framework holds essential for citizenship, civic participation, and social cohesion.


SPM results


This disconnect leaves students in a limbo where their hard‑earned qualifications open doors internationally and in parts of their own country, but remain insufficient for broader national acceptance.

Trilingual studies, dual syllabuses

At Tsun Jin High School in Kuala Lumpur, Yong Zi Ni, 18, and Chong Jae Fang, 17, navigate this reality quietly, moving between subjects taught in three languages and a timetable that rarely eases.

Contrary to common assumptions, neither Yong nor Chong described their decision to take the UEC as a “political statement”.

“I did not so much ‘choose’ UEC, but I chose to attend a Chinese independent school. So naturally, UEC became my main pathway in education,” Yong said, adding that attending a Chinese-type primary school led to her current choice, where she could continue her education in her mother tongue.


(From left) Yong Zi Ni, Chong Jae Fang, and their teacher San Son Cheng


Chong, on the other hand, said taking the UEC is not a rebellious act to challenge the nation’s education system, but rather a question of choosing the most suitable education for her moving forward.

“It’s not something that I want to do because I want to go against the rules. I think it’s more of preparing yourselves for a pathway.

“You’re preparing yourselves for your future through a pathway that either you are more familiar with or that you’re more comfortable with,” she said.

At their school, sitting for both SPM and UEC is compulsory. That means learning the same subjects - mathematics, sciences, history - through different syllabuses, in different languages, often on the same day.
For context, the UEC is a standardised test administered by the Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary Schools Working Committee (MICSS) since 1975.

The committee is represented by members of the United Chinese School Committees’ Association (Dong Zong) and the United Chinese School Teachers’ Association (Jiao Zong). The two associations are also jointly known as Dong Jiao Zong.

UEC subjects are taught and examined in Chinese, while SPM requires answers in Malay or English. The constant switching, they said, is one of the biggest challenges while learning.


Leaders of Dong Jiao Zong meeting Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek in October 2024


However, despite the trilingual difficulties, both students take it as a benefit, as they gain a more comprehensive understanding in their studies, linking knowledge from both syllabuses to create a broader vision.

Adapting to restricted options

For many outside the system, the most striking aspect of the UEC is its lack of recognition by public universities and the civil service.

For students taking the exam, that reality is neither new nor shocking, as they were acutely aware of the implications but still made a deliberate choice to sit for the certificate.

That sense of being excluded is familiar to Tan Dick Xin, a 2020 UEC graduate from Hin Hua High School in Klang, Selangor, who recently finished her studies at a local private university when the public debate surrounding UEC reignited.

“I can’t say I feel excluded (from the UEC debate) now. But if this had happened while I was applying to universities, I would certainly feel that way.

“I guess the anger would come from the fact that public universities can recognise a Chinese high school diploma, but not us,” she said.


Tan Dick Xin


Like many UEC candidates, Tan and her family had planned early for private or overseas education. Her father already set aside funds, understanding that the UEC had narrowed her options domestically.

She eventually completed a private degree, navigating requirements that sometimes still demanded SPM credits as a backup.

Tan pointed out that many UEC graduates opt for semi-private institutions like Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) due to its affordability, especially when combined with loans or scholarships.

“I can say that mostly for people who take UEC, they already know that they will end up at an overseas or private school.

“Some say we are rich, but we are just really planning carefully. That’s just what we have to do,” she said.

Who recognises the UEC?

According to a 2025 list by Dong Zong, the UEC is recognised by 268 institutions in 15 countries and territories worldwide, of which 98 are based in the United Kingdom.

Others include Australia (33), Japan (19), Canada (17), New Zealand (15), China (12), Hong Kong (12), Singapore, Ireland, Macau, the Netherlands, Taiwan, the US, and Russia.

In addition to these, it said some UEC graduates have also managed to gain acceptance in Thailand, India, Italy, and Germany.


READ MORE: Unified Examination Certificate: Are the criticisms justified?


According to the list, 23 institutions of higher learning in Malaysia recognise the exam.

In universities where they are accepted, the UEC is generally considered equivalent to the STPM or the UK’s GCE A-Level. Thus, they can be used for admission into foundation, diploma, and bachelor’s degree programmes.

UEC holders are accepted in government teachers’ training colleges if they also have a credit in SPM BM and a pass in SPM History and English. Such graduates may only enrol in programmes that lead to a career in SJKC schools.

For entry into the public service, the UEC is generally not recognised. Sarawak, however, accepts UEC holders into its state civil service, provided that candidates have also obtained a pass in Bahasa Malaysia at SPM level.

In Penang, the state government has, in practice, recognised the UEC in limited contexts, most notably for recruitment into state government-linked companies (GLCs) and for certain state-level roles linked to the state administration.

However, this does not amount to blanket recognition of the UEC for all state civil service positions, as appointments remain subject to federal public service rules, with recognition confined to areas where the state exercises discretion.

Malacca, by contrast, has never formally recognised the UEC for entry into its state civil service. Although a 2018 announcement raised the prospect of possible acceptance, this was never translated into an operative policy through the required state and federal processes.

The state, therefore, continues to adhere to standard federal civil service requirements, without any special provision for UEC holders.

The Selangor government, meanwhile, moved to recognise the UEC in 2015, during Azmin Ali’s tenure as menteri besar.

However, this recognition was limited to entry into certain state-linked educational institutions, such as Universiti Selangor (Unisel) and other colleges under the state’s purview.

Recognition in this educational context does not automatically extend to appointments within the Selangor state civil service.

Records of the Selangor state assembly showed that the 2015 decision formalised UEC recognition solely for the purpose of further education at selected state institutions, and did not include recognition of the certificate as a qualification for employment in the state public service.

Further clarification from assembly proceedings indicates that appointments to the Selangor civil service, whether on a permanent or contract basis, remain subject to the regulations of the federal Public Service Department (PSD) and the relevant national service circulars.

Applicants are therefore required to hold qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Qualifications Registry (MQR) and the Higher Education Ministry.

Why federal govt won’t recognise UEC

The BN-led federal administration addressed this issue in numerous public statements, including through written replies in the Dewan Rakyat.

In one such reply dated March 16, 2016, the Higher Education Ministry said the cabinet had decided on Nov 6, 2015, that “the government could not recognise the UEC at this time because it is not based on the national curriculum and is not in line with the national education philosophy. This is the reality that has to be accepted because it is linked to national interests and sovereignty.”


Dewan Rakyat


The reply also stated that the Education Ministry had given three reasons for the non-recognition, which were in line with the cabinet’s decision.

It said Malaysian independent Chinese secondary schools do not follow the national education policy, while the UEC examinations are not monitored by the Education Ministry or any entity recognised by the government.


READ MORE: Ex-task force chair likens UEC debate to ‘political rabbit hole’


The curriculum used in the UEC is also not equivalent to the national curriculum and examinations, said the ministry.

It added that the UEC BM subject is not equivalent to its SPM counterpart, and the UEC did not cover enough Malaysian history.

The debate over UEC recognition resurfaced in Malaysia recently following social media remarks by DAP deputy chairperson Nga Kor Ming, who revealed that his party would meet with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to seek recognition for the exam.

He made the same statement at an independent high school fundraising dinner in Taiping, a day before the post. Nga’s remark reignited backlash against DAP and allegations that the party is seeking to undermine the Malays and pressure Anwar.


Nga Kor Ming


Anwar later weighed in on the issue, saying that as long as the priority of mastering the Malay language is upheld, he has no objection to other languages - whether English, Chinese, Tamil, or Arabic - being taught. This, he added, extends to the UEC, which uses Chinese as its medium of instruction.

He reminded all parties that any demands touching on religious or racial sensitivities must consider the constitutional position of the national language.

‘No less Malaysians’

For all three interviewees, one misconception hurts more than others: the idea that sitting for UEC makes them less Malaysian.

The national debate surrounding UEC, often framed around identity, loyalty, and race, feels distant from their daily reality, as the exam is just another educational milestone rather than a pursuit of identity for them.

“What hurts me the most is actually the feeling that people are talking about us, but not talking with us.

“We are not going to divide this country. We are just trying to learn, to grow, and to build the country in another way. In another cultural lens,” Yong said.

The 18-year-old actively participates in public speaking and forum competitions in both Malay and English, and said such generalisations are unfair and disconnected from reality.

Tan reiterated the same sentiments, adding that claims that the UEC promotes cultural separatism are untrue, as the syllabus doesn’t push any form of “Chinese culture agenda”.

“I saw this video on YouTube that brought up a really good point. He said that we actually don’t know what we are fighting for.

“For students like me, UEC students, we actually just want a chance to go to a public university,” she said, adding that public debates on the issue remain unproductive and do not offer any tangible solution.

For Chong, the ongoing debate often feels disconnected from students’ lived realities, adding that the long-running debate just views students like her as symbols rather than people, and how that can get emotionally exhausting.

However, all she can do now is move on, as the future will still arrive despite protracted debates.

“I think, as students, it’s more important to build (towards) your goals and focus on what you’re working on right now.

“If you dwell too much on these discussions, it can affect you emotionally or cause unnecessary stress. So it’s important to have a clear mindset and just move forward in your own way,” Chong added.


***


UEC barred since 1975 by one man

Now the govt finds kerbau to justify that one-man's decision




Viva El Fei-Lo Fei-Tut-Tut


FMT:

Sanusi gets blessings from ulama council chief to be PN chairman


4 hours ago
Anne Muhammad

Ahmad Yahaya says Sanusi, who is PAS election director, is feared by rivals and has a good grasp of politics


PAS’s ulama council chief said Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor would be able to woo the youth, who will be kingmakers in the next general election.



PETALING JAYA: PAS election director Sanusi Nor has received the PAS ulama council chief’s blessing to be named as the next Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman.

In a Facebook post, Ahmad Yahaya claimed that many had suggested that Sanusi, the current Kedah menteri besar, succeed Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin stepped down from the post on Dec 30. He had led the coalition since Aug 7, 2020, when it was officially registered.

The former prime minister’s decision to vacate the post came in the wake of the political crisis in Perlis, which saw PAS’s Sanglang assemblyman Shukri Ramli resigning as menteri besar and Bersatu’s Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah replacing him in the post.

Ahmad Yahaya.


Ahmad, who is also the Kedah PAS commissioner, said he agreed with the proposal to name Sanusi as the next PN chairman.

When contacted, Ahmad told FMT that Sanusi was feared by his rivals and had a good grasp of politics.

“He is well known and approachable. He is also accepted by people from various backgrounds.



“He is also able to woo the youth, who will be kingmakers in the next general election.”

PAS has yet to propose a candidate to succeed Muhyiddin, according to the party’s youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden and Wanita chief Nuridah Salleh.

Meanwhile, the party’s deputy president, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, said the matter would be raised at PN’s Supreme Council, which comprises the heads of the other parties.


MIC to continue serving community, with or without govt posts


FMT:

MIC to continue serving community, with or without govt posts


The party's deputy president, M Saravanan, says the party’s mission 'transcended' political appointments


MIC deputy president M Saravanan said the party’s central working committee would convene to determine its future direction.



PETALING JAYA: MIC deputy president M Saravanan said the party will continue to serve the Indian community, regardless of whether it has ministerial posts in the current administration.

In a statement, Saravanan said the party’s mission “transcended” political appointments.

“With or without positions in government, MIC will continue to serve the Indian community with sincerity and resolve.”


He said this in response to criticisms levelled against the party in the wake of Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as Perikatan Nasional chairman.

MIC had been flirting with the prospect of quitting Barisan Nasional and joining the opposition coalition after being allegedly mistreated by BN’s main party, Umno.

Saravanan himself had said the party felt sidelined and like an “unwanted guest” in the unity government.

He also previously lamented that MIC had not been given any posts in the government, including in GLCs, despite having senior political figures like himself as party leaders.

In November, MIC delegates resolved at their annual general meeting to let the party’s president and central working committee (CWC) decide whether to leave or remain in BN.

Yesterday, FMT published a letter by a reader who pointed out that MIC was not even considered in the recent Cabinet reshuffle and questioned what would happen to the party’s grand plan now that Muhyiddin was no longer at the helm of PN.


Today, Saravanan said the party’s CWC would convene to determine its future direction, ensuring its strategies remained aligned with the evolving needs of the community.

“MIC will continue to operate with trust, compassion and integrity. Our focus is on delivering tangible benefits and upholding our responsibilities to the people.”

He also called for unity among Malaysian Indians, saying it was the key to their collective success.


***


My visitor TS should serve MIC insteAD OF SUCKING sATANYAHU DINGALING, WAKAKAKA

Navy’s Super Lynx helicopter makes emergency water landing off Melaka, crew safe






A Super Lynx helicopter belonging to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) made an emergency water landing off Klebang Beach, Melaka, last night. – Facebook pic, January 1, 2026


Navy’s Super Lynx helicopter makes emergency water landing off Melaka, crew safe


The chopper went down off Klebang Beach during a demonstration flight, with all four crew rescued and reported stable in hospital


Scoop Reporters
Updated 4 hours ago
1 January, 2026
8:46 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR – A Super Lynx helicopter belonging to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) made an emergency water landing off Klebang Beach, Melaka, last night.

In a statement, the RMN said the incident occurred at 10.50pm last night while the aircraft was conducting a demonstration flight in conjunction with the 60th anniversary celebration of the Malaysian Army special forces (GGK).

“There were four aircrew members on board the aircraft at the time of the incident, and all were rescued and taken to Melaka Hospital for further examination.

“All crew members are conscious and in stable condition, and are currently under medical observation,” it said.

The statement added that the RMN had taken immediate action by arranging a salvage operation for the aircraft, and that a board of inquiry has been established to determine the cause of the incident.

“The RMN also advises the public not to circulate videos of the incident out of respect for sensitivities and to ensure the smooth conduct of the investigation,” it said. – January 1, 2026


Fei-Lo has made it





The suggestion to appoint Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation has drawn interest from several party leaders. – Scoop file pic, January 1, 2026


PAS leaders back Sanusi for PN chairman after Muhyiddin quits


Perlis political upheaval fuels calls for new leadership in opposition coalition


Scoop Reporters
Updated 20 seconds ago
1 January, 2026
12:46 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR – The suggestion to appoint Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation has drawn interest from several party leaders.

PAS central Ulama Council chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya said Muhammad Sanusi, who currently serves as PN’s director of elections, should be seriously considered for the role.

“Jan 1, 2026. I see that many parties are suggesting Sanusi as chairman of Perikatan Nasional. It is an interesting proposal and I agree,” Ahmad Yahaya wrote on his social media page.

Muhyiddin, who is also president of Bersatu, officially stepped down as PN chairman effective Jan 1, 2026, after leading the coalition since its registration on Aug 7, 2020.

Calls for a PAS leader to assume the PN chairmanship have been raised previously, including by PAS youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden. Tensions between PAS and Bersatu have intensified following the political upheaval in Perlis, which saw the resignation of PAS state assemblyman for Sanglang, Mohd Shukri Ramli, as Menteri Besar.

PAS Selangor Youth chief Ustaz Sukri Omar also backed the proposal, saying the youth wing “agrees with the proposal to make Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman.”

Observers say the PN leadership transition could reshape coalition dynamics, particularly in the run-up to upcoming state and national elections.– January 1, 2026


***


Will he now leave Penang alone, wakakaka.