☕️ After cabinet reshuffling, now comes PN's: PAS to step up after Muhyiddin steps down

1. MARKET SUMMARY 📈

2. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 🔢

National badminton darlings Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah have enjoyed a consistent run this season on the Badminton World Federation World Tour. As a result, the world No. 2 women’s doubles pair earned a total of USD364,915 (RM1.49 mil) in prize money this season. Had they won the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, they could have reached the RM2.5 mil mark, as the top prize was USD252,000 (RM1.03 mil). This was also the highest prize money offered by the federation. A hectic schedule of 18 World Tour events took its toll on the duo, though they still walked away with titles at the Thailand Open, Arctic Open, and Kumamoto Masters, in addition to their prize earnings. Still, the pair are well-positioned to break through the RM2 mil prize money barrier in 2026, given their current form. Let’s go, ladies!

Did you know that the original concept of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things was rejected by more than 15 studios before it found a place with the streaming platform? The series, now in its fifth and final season, has been described by Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos as something of a Star Wars moment for the platform. Stranger Things was a show that moved culture, spawning live events, consumer products, spinoffs, and sequels, going beyond just a good TV show. The series was released in 2016 and is set in a fictional rural town of Indiana. Series finale this New Year’s Day.

Recently, Winnie the Pooh celebrated its 100th anniversary since it first debuted in a short story on Christmas Eve, 1925. The anniversary also marked a full 100 years of fame that the bear and his friends have brought to Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, the real forest behind the fictional 100-Acre Wood, or 100 Aker Wood, in the original text. Author AA Milne based the wood on Ashdown Forest, as he had a country home there. Christopher Robin, the boy in the stories, was also based on Milne’s own son. To this day, the enormous fame of Winnie the Pooh continues to bring substantial income to the area, with the 100th anniversary marked by a local programme of events costing GBP450,000 (RM2.46 mil) in public funds.

3. IN MALAYSIA 🇲🇾

PAS to step up as after Muhyiddin steps down
PAS will put forward one of its own to take over as Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman after Muhyiddin Yassin announced he will step down on Jan 1, 2026, with party information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari saying the focus is on finding a unifying figure rather than simply elevating a party president. The Pasir Mas MP said the candidate must be trusted to mobilise all PN component parties, adding that the coalition is also expected to undergo organisational restructuring with stronger emphasis on grassroots work as it prepares for the 16th general election, while describing Muhyiddin’s exit as a wise and timely move that could inject fresh momentum into PN.

Perak and Negeri Sembilan PN chiefs to resign on Jan 1
Perikatan Nasional’s Perak and Negeri Sembilan chairmen, Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker, have added their names to a growing list of PN leaders stepping aside, announcing that they will resign from their posts effective Jan 1, 2026, following Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision to step down as national chairman earlier the same day.

Both leaders noted that their appointments were made under Muhyiddin’s authority, with Faizal, a Bersatu vice-president, thanking PN Perak’s component parties for their trust and support, while Mohamad Hanifah said his decision was guided by responsibility and respect for the coalition’s organisational structure. Their departures come after Mohamed Azmin Ali resigned as PN secretary-general and Selangor chairman, and Dr Sahruddin Jamal stepped down as Johor PN chief, pointing to a wider leadership reshuffle within the coalition.

Looks like we can look forward to more political drama right at the start of 2026.

Civil society groups call for 10 key reforms before 2027
Sixty-four civil society groups have urged the Madani government to implement 10 key reforms before its term ends on Dec 18, 2027, including a Political Financing Act, a 10-year limit for the prime minister, and a white paper on separating the attorney-general and public prosecutor roles. They also want Parliament to oversee MACC and Election Commission appointments, annual reports from both bodies, studies on absentee voting, expanded parliamentary seats, equal constituency fund allocation, 30% women’s representation, and local government elections in federal territories.

Signatories include Projek Sama, AWAM, Family Frontiers, Suara Rakyat Malaysia, Muslim Professionals Forum, and Bait Al Amanah. The groups warned that delays or politicisation of reforms could erode public trust, urging the government to engage all stakeholders, while acknowledging progress such as the abolition of the mandatory death penalty, the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act, and strengthened parliamentary select committees.

Motorists can claim insurance after lorry hits parked cars, legal action possible
Motorists whose cars were hit by a lorry in a viral incident can claim accident insurance or take legal action against the driver or lorry company, though both parties could face Penal Code charges. Lawyers said drivers can claim even if parked illegally, as the lorry driver should have exercised caution. Vehicle owners could be charged under Section 283 for obstruction, and the lorry driver under Section 426 for mischief, with prosecutors deciding based on evidence. Insurance claims work on strict liability, allowing owners to claim regardless of fault; however, liability must be established if claiming from the other party, with investigations guiding the insurer’s decision.

Shorts

1. Grandfather remanded over alleged assault of 5-year-old granddaughter 
   A 62-year-old man was remanded for seven days over the alleged sexual assault of his five-year-old granddaughter in Kemaman, after the child’s mother noticed unusual physical signs and said her daughter was in pain. Kemaman police chief said medical examinations raised serious concerns consistent with rape, prompting swift action by authorities, who are handling the case with particular care given the victim’s age.

2. Students no longer required to wear neckties from next year
   Starting next year, students will no longer be required to wear neckties to school, the Education Ministry announced in a circular dated Dec 17, 2025. The decision, which followed a Special Professional Meeting on Dec 8, takes into account Malaysia’s hot and humid climate as well as the financial burden on households ahead of the new school term. Neckties will still be permitted if schools and parents agree, but the ministry emphasised that no student should be pressured either way, aiming to keep school uniforms practical, comfortable, and stress-free for families. Now, where was this rational thinking when we had this ‘noose’ around our neck all day, weekdays back then?

3. KLIA Terminal 1 to move security checks to departure gates

   Starting Jan 1, passengers flying internationally from KLIA Terminal 1 will undergo security checks at the departure gates instead of the post-immigration area, the transport ministry announced. The move, coordinated with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, the Customs Department and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, plans to ease congestion during peak periods and ensure smoother passenger movement before boarding. The ministry emphasised that security will not be compromised, with the change expected to improve passenger experience and make KLIA Terminal 1 operate more efficiently in line with international standards.

4. AROUND THE WORLD 🌎

Best Friends Forever: Five key takeaways from Trump-Netanyahu meeting
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump met again in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in the US on Monday, discussing the most pressing issues in the Middle East: Gaza and Iran. Five key takeaways from the meeting:

1. Trump reissued a stern threat to Hamas that it must disarm, all this while saying that Israel is fully living up to 100% of its commitments under the ceasefire deal, while the world knows that it is still killing Gazans and continues to restrict the flow of international aid into the territory.

2. Trump suggested that the US would carry out further military action against Iran if Tehran rebuilds its nuclear programme or missile capacity. Iran has ruled out negotiating over its missile programme, and it has denied seeking to build a nuclear weapon. Israel, meanwhile, is widely believed to have an undeclared nuclear arsenal.

3. Trump called Netanyahu a “hero”, stressing that Israel may not have existed without his wartime leadership. The US president highlighted his efforts to secure a presidential pardon for Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges in Israel. Netanyahu announced that the US president will be awarded the Israel Prize, which is normally given to Israeli citizens.

4. Trump calls for Israel and Syria to establish a harmonious relationship again. The new Syrian authorities have stressed that they do not seek conflict with Israel but talks to reach a security agreement between the two countries have stalled. Israel continues its occupation of southern Syria beyond the Golan Heights.

5. Trump said that “We’ll see about it” when asked whether he would support more Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Israel has intensified attacks on Lebanon after the truce in Gaza.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov wants to fill the world with his children
Billionaire Telegram founder Pavel Durov is on a mission to help “global infertility”, where the 41-year-old said that his biological lineage now spans at least 100 children in at least 12 countries - not counting the 6 other children he conceived with three different mothers.

Durov started donating sperm around 2010, first to help a friend who was trying to conceive, and subsequently donated sperm anonymously. A fertility clinic in Moscow now offers his sperm for free, with Durov noting that he would pay for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) for women under 37 who wanted to use his “in-demand” sperm.

To sweeten the deal, Durov even announced that his biological children would receive an equal share of his inheritance, provided they could establish their shared DNA. He also plans to open-source his DNA so that his biological children can find each other.

Forbes pegs Durov's net worth at USD17 bil (RM68.80 bil), though the bulk of that is based on the value of Telegram. Durov also owns an unspecified amount of bitcoin, which he says he bought in 2013.

Durov joins a small group of some of the wealthiest, most influential people on the planet, pushing the boundaries of reproductive ethics and technology. Some are using genetic testing and exploring gene splicing to produce children with desired traits. Others, such as Elon Musk, talk about producing children as both necessary to offset declining population growth and a flex to colonise the galaxy with one’s descendants.

Biz:
Meta to acquire Singapore-based AI startup Manus
Meta Platforms has agreed to acquire Singapore-based artificial intelligence (AI) start-up Manus for more than USD2 bil (RM8.09 bil), as it continues to build a business around its massive AI investment.

Manus, which had an annual revenue run rate of USD125 mil earlier in 2025, sells an AI agent to businesses via a subscription service, which could give Meta a more immediate return on investment. Unlike generative AI, AI agents are tools that do not need human supervision to perform specific digital tasks. The AI agent acts like a digital employee, completing tasks such as research and automation with minimal prompting.

Manus is among a wave of Chinese tech firms that have set up in Singapore to avoid potential disruption from US-China tensions. Its Chinese parent, Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology, raised money earlier in 2025 at close to a USD500 mil valuation in an investment round led by US venture capital firm Benchmark, which has been critiqued for backing an AI company with ties to China.

Pop Mart shares drop amid waning Labubu demand
Shares of Pop Mart International Group Ltd dropped as much as 6.2% on Tuesday, making it one of the worst performers on the MSCI Asia-Pacific Index and hinting at a possible “cooling down” of the Labubu craze. Investor confidence in Pop Mart has lowered, with softening prices and data suggesting weaker-than-expected holiday season sales abroad have fuelled doubts over the brand’s staying power.

Nevertheless, Pop Mart’s shares are still up more than double this year and the company is valued (USD32.9 bil market cap) at roughly four times that of its peer Sanrio Co. Amid softening demand, Pop Mart is betting on other intellectual property characters to replicate the success of its Labubu dolls, including its Crybaby line, which held an exhibit in Shanghai this month, as well as its Twinkle Twinkle and Hirono dolls.

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia passed away ahead of elections
Bangladesh’s first female prime minister Khaleda Zia passed away at the age of 79 on Monday, after battling a myriad of prolonged illnesses. Bangladesh’s interim leader said that the three-time prime minister is considered a “symbol of the democratic movement” in Bangladesh and said the “nation has lost a great guardian”. Zia vowed in Nov to campaign in elections set for Feb 2026 and was believed to have swept the election and won the leadership again. Her son, political heavyweight Tarique Rahman, has returned to Bangladesh and will lead the BNP party through the general election, and is expected to be put forward as prime minister if his party wins a majority.

5. FOR YOUR EYES 📺

1. Take a tour of this mega home. Five floors, each floor about 5.4k sq feet, and each floor is dedicated to each family member’s style and preference. One thing not known - $$$ of the property.

2. The Art of Property Scamming. Always the same playbook by scammers - emotional manipulation. If you are looking to rent, come across a good deal - please watch and be alert. When something is too good to be true, it is indeed too good to be true.

3. Ending our final post of the year with this corporate lingo translation handbook. Have a good year end, folks and see you next Monday!