☕️ Nice education blueprint, but can execute or not?

1. MARKET SUMMARY 📈

2. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 🔢

According to a nationwide survey by Institut Masa Depan Malaysia, public satisfaction with the government and PM Anwar Ibrahim has risen but remains below the 50% threshold. The satisfaction rating rose from 41% in Jun 2025 to 49% in Dec 2025. For Anwar’s performance, approval increased from 33% to 46% during the same period, while the share of those dissatisfied fell from 51% to 37%. The survey polled 1,604 respondents aged 18 and above in Peninsular Malaysia, with the largest age group being 31 to 40 years old. Despite the improved ratings, the survey found that only 39% of respondents were content with the federal government’s efforts to address their primary concerns. The survey also found that the top concern among Malaysians is the cost of living at 42%, followed by corruption at 12%. Notably, the survey found that the people’s favourite for the GE16 prime minister is Khairy Jamaluddin, with 52% support. Conversely, Anwar sits at 39%.

Meanwhile, the Dewan Rakyat is facing chronic absenteeism among MPs, which reflects a weak commitment to public duty, according to analysts. Only 14 MPs maintained perfect attendance, although lawmakers have collectively received over RM322 mil in salaries and allowances since their swearing-in. The one with the lowest attendance is Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang at 29.8% or 67 days. He is followed by Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi with 68 days and Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein with 82 days. PM Anwar Ibrahim logged a modest attendance rate of 47.6% or 107 days. The numbers can be found on Calmic’s Malaysian MP Dashboard (view here). The analysts called for stricter rules to strengthen accountability and uphold the integrity of the democratic process. The analysts noted that there were also concerns over whether some MPs were fulfilling even the most basic expectations of their mandate. And the award for most potty-mouthed MP goes to Pendang MP Haji Awang Solahudin Hashim, with 63 instances of inappropriate language, nearly double that of the runner-up.

According to MACC chief Azam Baki, about RM277 bil has been lost due to graft involving public funds in the past six years - an average of RM126.5 mil gone per day to corruption. He said a more aggressive and high-impact enforcement approach is needed to tackle financial crimes involving the theft and leakage of public funds. He added that high-profile and large-scale cases, particularly those involving the loss of national assets, will remain the focus of MACC. However, he emphasised that the commission’s role also includes preventive efforts, such as educating the public, especially the younger generation.

3. IN MALAYSIA 🇲🇾

Nice education blueprint, but can execute or not?
Education stakeholders say the success of the National Education Plan 2026–2035 will hinge less on ambition and more on whether schools and teachers are actually ready. Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) chairman Noor Azimah welcomed the plan’s focus on technology, artificial intelligence and global competitiveness, but warned that past blueprints often stumbled at the delivery stage. She said teacher readiness and school capacity may not yet match the scale of tech-driven reforms, adding that parents want credible implementation rather than another inspiring document. The National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) Secretary General Fouzi Singon echoed this, saying support for teacher wellbeing must translate into real backing on the ground. He also called for clearer rules on school autonomy to prevent overlap between inspectors, state and district education offices. Fouzi pushed for structured and transparent progress reporting, including quarterly updates and mid-term reviews, to keep the 10-year plan on track.

Are we learning from Finland?

‘CTOS’ for bus, lorry drivers coming soon
The Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) is building a centralised database to track the records of more than 60,000 bus and lorry operators, in a move aimed to keep high-risk drivers off Malaysian roads. Deputy director general for operations, Masita Mat Isa said the system is expected to be launched in the first quarter of next year, pending budget approval from the MOF (cost not disclosed). The database will help transport companies make safer hiring decisions, while preventing drivers with problematic histories from returning to the road.

The system will be linked to other key agencies, including the police, the National Anti-Drug Agency (NADA) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ), allowing authorities to cross-check records more efficiently. The initiative follows earlier remarks by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who said the database would support the blacklisting of drivers with serious offences.

IJM drama continues

Sunway still wants IJM: Sunway Bhd has confirmed it is pressing ahead with its RM11 bil takeover offer for IJM Corp despite an ongoing MACC probe. The board clarified that the deal is proceeding under the Rules on Take-overs, Mergers and Compulsory Acquisitions (read the summary here), issued by the Securities Commission Malaysia, and will still require shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting. Analysts had flagged the possibility of delays or even a call-off of the offer, which was initially slated for completion in the third quarter.

Just 10 accounts frozen, business as usual: IJM Corp said the temporary freezing of fewer than 10 of its bank accounts by the MACC has not affected its day-to-day operations. The company said it is cooperating fully with authorities, while also denying earlier reports of money laundering and any investigation by UK authorities. Earlier reports had stated that the MACC had frozen 55 private and IJM-linked bank accounts involving an estimated RM15.8 mil.

Shorts

1. Negeri Sembilan to re-table term limit for MB

   The Negeri Sembilan state government is set to reintroduce a motion to limit the tenure of the Menteri Besar to two terms. The motion was previously tabled in 2021 but failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the state assembly. Negeri Sembilan MB Aminuddin Harun said the proposal could be brought back in the next legislative sitting, aligning with PM Anwar Ibrahim’s plan to cap the Prime Minister’s term.

2. MOF warns of fake STR, Sara message

   The MOF has cautioned the public over a viral WhatsApp message claiming that applications and payments for STR and Sara for single individuals are being processed via the platform. MOF clarified that no STR or Sara transactions are conducted through WhatsApp, urging people to rely on official channels and avoid sharing personal information. Only the LHDN will text you through Whatsapp, not the MOF.

3. KL-Singapore buses to move to licensed hubs

   The Transport Ministry has identified three shopping malls, including Lalaport BBCC, One Utama and IOI City Mall, to serve as licensed hubs for KL–Singapore express buses. Anthony Loke said the move aims to end pick-ups at unlicensed locations, improve passenger safety and comfort, and reduce city centre congestion. The Lalaport transport hub is set to begin operations in February, featuring integrated LRT and monorail access, six departure bays, and five arrival bays.

4. AROUND THE WORLD 🌎

Trump: Board of Peace name-list grows, President exposes Greenland texts

Israel latest to join Board of Peace
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is the latest to accept an invitation to join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, according to a statement from his office. Other countries that have agreed to join include the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, along with Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco, and Vietnam. Of those directly invited, Türkiye has responded, though Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will represent the country instead of President Tayyip Erdogan. Norway, France, and Sweden have refused to join.

Trump throws discretion out by revealing text exchanges about Greenland ahead of WEF meeting
US President Donald Trump is looking to ramp up his push for Greenland when he arrives at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. He also threw discretion out the window by revealing text messages he received from several leaders, with most asking him what he was doing regarding Greenland, and all asking him to discuss the issue. Diplomacy like this has traditionally been synonymous with discretion, but an analyst has called Trump’s move ‘the ultimate megaphone diplomacy’, as it is part of Trump’s propensity to conduct diplomacy in public. As to Greenland, one potential answer could be that Trump is looking to build a legacy by expanding the territory of the United States in a way that last happened in 1959. This was when Alaska and Hawaii became US states under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. See the texts here.

Asian matters

South Korea’s former PM gets 23 years in jail for insurrection
A South Korean court has sentenced former PM Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison after finding him guilty of insurrection, linked to ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law. Han was found guilty of abetting the imposition of martial law and for failing to hold a lawful cabinet meeting after Yoon issued the decree, as required by South Korean law. Han is also the first member of Yoon’s cabinet to be found guilty and sentenced to jail.

Shinzo Abe’s assassin sentenced to life in prison
Tetsuya Yamagami, aged 45, has been sentenced to life in prison for shooting and killing former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. In Oct 2025, Yamagami admitted to shooting Abe with a homemade gun while he was delivering a campaign speech three-and-a-half years ago, after which he was arrested on the spot. The shooter had a grudge against the Unification Church and took out his anger on Abe after his mother made a large donation to the cult-like organisation, which led to financial hardship for their family. Abe was targeted as he had previously sent a video message to an event held by a group affiliated with the church.

UK, China to bring back ‘golden era’ with CEO council
The two nations are looking to revive a ‘golden era’ business dialogue during UK PM Keir Starmer’s Beijing visit. Top companies from both countries are set to join a revamped ‘UK-China CEO Council’. This idea was originally conceived by then-PM Theresa May and then-Premier Li Keqiang in 2018, during a time when relations between the UK and China were strong enough to be dubbed a ‘golden era’. Among the companies representing the UK are AstraZeneca, BP, HSBC, Rolls-Royce, and Standard Chartered. On the Chinese side will be the Bank of China, China Construction Bank, China Mobile, China National Pharmaceutical Group, and BYD, among others. Negotiations were reportedly underway for some time, but Starmer’s visit largely depended on whether China could build its largest embassy in Europe in London. The green light for the embassy was given on Tuesday. Watch here to understand why this embassy is so controversial.

Ryanair and Musk: The battle of two ‘idiots’
Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary have been taking shots at each other, with both calling the other an ‘idiot’ on social media. The spat started when O’Leary said he was not interested in installing Starlink, the satellite internet service made by Musk’s SpaceX. He said the service required an antenna that would make his planes less aerodynamic and would add up to GBP250 mil (RM1.36 bil) in fuel costs, which would lead to increased fares for customers. Musk responded with a poll on X asking if he should buy the company, with nearly 900,000 votes by the time the poll closed - three-quarters said he should purchase the Ireland-based airline. Musk also said O’Leary had the wrong numbers for the additional fuel costs due to the installation of an antenna, to which O’Leary replied with a new round of insults. Musk threw insults back at O’Leary while calling for his firing and again talking about buying Ryanair.

In the latest update, O’Leary had thanked Musk for all the additional publicity the spat had brought his airline, with sales rising by up to 3% in the last five days. This may have been supported by the ‘Great Idiots seat sale’ by Ryanair, which offered 100,000 one-way tickets for GBP16.99 for flights to Basel in Switzerland, Birmingham in the UK, and Cologne in Germany. However, O’Leary later said that fares may rise between 2% and 4% in the next 12 months, while expecting passenger numbers to hit 215 mil.

Shorts

1. Austrian cow shocks scientists with rare, impressive use of tools

   Veronika, who lives in a mountain village in the Austrian countryside, has astounded scientists with how she has taken to using tools. The Swiss brown cow has spent years perfecting the art of scratching herself with sticks, rakes, and brooms. Animal intelligence specialists also found that she used the two ends of the same object for different tasks. This kind of tool use is rarely seen in the animal kingdom, and has never been documented in cattle before.

2. L’Oréal to set up USD383.4 mil beauty tech hub in India

   The French cosmetics giant will be setting up a beauty tech hub in the south Indian city of Hyderabad with an initial investment of about USD383.4 mil (RM1.55 bil). The hub will be a global base for AI-driven beauty innovation, and is expected to create 2,000 tech jobs by 2030 while speeding up the rollout of advanced AI beauty solutions. The deal was formalised at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

5. FOR YOUR EYES 📺

1. The strongest solar storm in 2 decades lighting up skies around the world with a strong display of aurora.

2. First time watching a sepak takraw match. Never knew it was that intense with kung fu style kicking!

3. Take a tour of this home whose owner @richdadwilliam pays RM100k a month in housing loan monthly instalment.