Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah's non-citizen population reduced slightly in 2025, says Stats Dept

KOTA KINABALU: The non-citizen population in Sabah declined from 1.043 million in 2024 to 1.04 million last year, says the Statistics Department.

Energy

Malaysia steps up gas-fired power use in December as reliance on coal falls

SINGAPORE: Malaysia boosted natural gas-fired power generation and slashed reliance on coal in December, grid operator data analysed by Reuters shows, as rising production bolstered local supply and helped expand liquefied natural gas exports.

Nation

Civil servants in three FTs to get replacement holiday on Feb 2, says PSD

PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan will enjoy a replacement public holiday on Feb 2 (Monday), following the overlap of the Federal Territory Day and Thaipusam public holidays on Feb 1 (Sunday).

Nation

Malaysia, Turkiye reaffirm strategic partnership at inaugural high-level council meeting

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Turkiye reaffirmed their commitment to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership following the inaugural meeting of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) held in Ankara, Turkiye.

Singapore

Malaysian bus driver jailed for smuggling e-cigarettes into Singapore

SINGAPORE: To supplement his income, a bus driver accepted a job to deliver e-cigarette paraphernalia to Singapore.

Entertainment

Tommy Lee Jones daughter was slated for plea deal response before death

She was declared dead at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco by paramedics responding to a medical emergency at about 2:52 a.m. Thursday.

Cambodia

China provides US$400,000 in demining aid to Cambodia

China has provided aid valued at US$400,000 to the Cambodian demining sector. The aid was presented to the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) on Thursday (Jan 8). Cambodia also expressed gratitude to China for contributing to the ceasefire at the end of December.

Internet

Time introduces no-contract plans with speeds up to 1Gbps until Feb 7

Local telco Time is now offering no-contract home broadband plans as part of a limited-time promotion that lasts until Feb 7.

Metro News

Selangor govt plans to centralise pig farms in Bukit Tagar within three years

THE Selangor government has plans to centralise pig farms in the state at Bukit Tagar in Hulu Selangor, within the next three years.

Corporate News

Capital A says Bursa’s decision on time extension has no material impact

KUALA LUMPUR: Capital A Bhd clarified that Bursa Securities' decision not to approve its application for an extension of time to complete the distribution will have no material impact on the group's ongoing corporate exercises.

Nation

Over 160,000 notices issued under smoking control law as of Nov 30

PETALING JAYA: A total of 160,839 compound notices have been issued nationwide under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 as of Nov 30 last year, says the Health Ministry.

Arts

For Ponggal, the clay pot endures as a symbol of heritage and gratitude

Demand for clay pots used specifically for cooking Ponggal rice surges every year ahead of the Tamil harvest festival

Football

Soccer-I'm no mug, says Spurs boss Frank after Arsenal cup gaffe

Jan 8 (Reuters) - Embattled Tottenham ‌Hotspur manager Thomas Frank drew the ire of ‌fans after being photographed with a cup bearing ‌the insignia of fierce rivals Arsenal on Wednesday, with the Dane later saying the mix-up was purely accidental.

Philippines

Rise in online ‘child-selling’ cases in Philippines in 2025: Police

MANILA: The Philippine National Police Women and Children's Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) flagged a rise in cases of individuals selling infants online in 2025.

World

US immigration agent fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis, mayor disputes government claim of self-defense

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan 7 (Reuters) - A U.S. immigration agent shot and killed a ‌37-year-old woman in her car in Minneapolis on Wednesday during an immigration enforcement surge, according to local and federal officials, the latest violence in President Donald Trump's nationwide crackdown on migrants.

Nation

Social media influencer charged with punching disabled woman

PETALING JAYA: A social media influencer pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate's Court here on Thursday (Jan 8) to a charge of hitting a fast food restaurant worker.

Vietnam

Two dead in Vietnam after man sets partner and self ablaze

TAY NINH: Two people have died in the southern province of Tay Ninh, after a man reportedly doused himself and his partner in petrol and set them alight following a personal relationship dispute, police said on Wednesday (Jan 7)

Indonesia

Indonesia to build Haj village in Mecca to cut pilgrimage costs

JAKARTA: Indonesia's government is working to lower the cost of the annual Haj pilgrimage for its citizens by building a dedicated Haj Village in Mecca, increasing flights and shortening pilgrims' stays in Saudi Arabia, officials said on Jan 6, reported Antara News Agency.

Banking

Bank Negara's international reserves rise to US$125.5bil as at Dec 31

KUALA LUMPUR: The international reserves of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) increased to US$125.5 billion as at Dec 31, 2025, from US$124.3 billion as at Dec 15, 2025.

Philippines

Philippines evacuates 3,000 people after activity increases at Mayon Volcano

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A series of mild eruptions at the most active volcano in the Philippines has prompted the evacuation of nearly 3,000 villagers from a danger zone on its foothills, officials said Wednesday.