08/01/2026

THURSDAY | JAN 8, 2026

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King advises new army chief to ensure integrity o ‘Corruption is main enemy to strength and credibility of nation’s defence forces’

with the first visit taking place after the major earthquake that struck the country. “After that, I stopped over here for several hours from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before travelling to Cairo, Egypt to meet President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as part of efforts to seek support and firm commitments among Islamic countries in defending the plight of the Palestinian people.” Earlier, Anwar arrived at the Esenboga International Airport here at 7.13pm local time (12.13am Malaysian time) to begin his official visit. Malaysia’s total trade with Turkiye from January to November 2025 reached RM21.2 billion, with the republic remaining an important economic partner. In 2024, Turkiye was Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner, largest export destination and fourth-largest source of imports among West Asian countries, with total trade valued at RM24.15 billion. Malaysian Embassy in Uzbekistan to focus on tourism, education KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Embassy in Uzbekistan has identified the tourism and education sectors as key priorities for strengthening bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Central Asian country this year. Malaysia’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Ilham Tuah Illias, said this focus aligns with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign and the direct Tashkent-Langkawi flights by Batik Air, which were launched in December 2025. “I have been informed that up to mid-February, the direct Batik Air flights from Tashkent to Langkawi are already fully booked. The flights have been warmly received because tourists from Uzbekistan are eager to enjoy Langkawi’s beaches.” Ilham Tuah is in Malaysia after participating in the inaugural Tashkent-Langkawi flight on Dec 14 last year. The Malaysian Embassy in Uzbekistan, together with the Tourism Malaysia office in Almaty, actively promotes Malaysia’s tourism sector in the Uzbek market to increase the number of visitors from the region. Regarding the education sector, Ilham Tuah said efforts would be made to promote various higher education institutions in Malaysia, particularly in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia, as preferred study destinations for Uzbek students. He said the direct flights are expected to encourage the families of Uzbek students to visit them in Malaysia while travelling for leisure. He noted that as of March 2025, more than 600 Uzbek students were enrolled in public and private higher education institutions in Malaysia, and he aims to increase that number this year. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Malaysia said the number has grown to over 1,000 students. Meanwhile, in a statement in conjunction with Batik Air’s first Tashkent-Langkawi flight last month, Tourism Malaysia said visitor arrivals from Uzbekistan to Malaysia have shown encouraging numbers, with 15,495 visitors recorded between January and October last year. The introduction of this new weekly direct route is expected to further boost arrivals from this emerging market, bolstering international connectivity while unlocking fresh opportunities for trade, investment and cultural exchange, the statement read. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kuala Lumpur said during the winter season, which runs from December to February, many Uzbek nationals prefer to travel to destinations such as Langkawi, which is famous for its sunny beaches. “Batik Air’s direct flights allow people from Uzbekistan and neighbouring countries, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan in Central Asia and even Russia, to travel through Tashkent to Langkawi.” According to the embassy, Uzbekistan and Malaysia have recorded an increase in tourist arrivals in recent years. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim has firmly advised newly appointed army chief General Datuk Azhan Md Othman to ensure all army personnel uphold the highest standards of integrity and trust in the discharge of their duties. His Majesty stressed that corruption is the main enemy to the strength and credibility of the nation’s defence forces, and any form of abuse of power or misconduct is completely unacceptable. The Armed Forces supreme commander also said leadership rooted in integrity must begin at the highest level, and the army chief must lead by example in cultivating clean, transparent and accountable governance. According to a post on his Facebook page, he expressed hope that the army would continue to be respected and trusted by the people as a professional force free from corrupt practices in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and security. “Previously, I have repeatedly stressed the issue of ‘middlemen’ or agents at the Defence Ministry. They should not be allowed in at all.” Earlier yesterday, His Majesty granted an audience to Azhan at Istana Bukit Tunku here. Azhan was officially appointed as the 31st army chief with effect from Jan 1, Bernama reported. The appointment is in line with the decision of the 631st Armed Forces Council meeting held on Nov 19 last year and received the consent of Sultan Ibrahim on Dec 1. Several photographs of the meeting between Sultan Ibrahim and Azhan were uploaded with the post. Meanwhile, the Air Force will not compromise on any form of misconduct or disciplinary breach amid allegations of unauthorised entry and immoral activities at a military camp. Its chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris said a thorough investigation is underway and stern action, including dismissal from service, would be taken against those found guilty. “Stern action will be taken in accordance with service regulations to safeguard the image, dignity and professionalism of the Air Force,” he said in a statement yesterday, expressing regret over the allegations. He said any form of immoral conduct within air bases is strictly prohibited as it tarnishes the image and dignity of the Air Force, adding that he views every issue ANKARA: Seri Anwar Ibrahim was accorded the honour of laying a wreath at An ‘ tkabir here, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkiye, yesterday. He was also taken on a tour of the complex, including its museum, which chronicles the nation’s history, sacrifices and founding vision. “This visit offers a profound moment of reflection on the meaning of leadership, devotion to the nation, and the importance of national values in building a just and dignified future.” Anwar is in Turkiye on a three-day official visit at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as part of efforts to strengthen the longstanding bilateral ties between the two countries. He also received a courtesy call from the Secretary of Turkish Defence Industries, Prof Dr Haluk Gorgun, on the second day of his official visit to the republic, Bernama reported. Prime Minister Datuk

had taken place within the premises, following claims that were widely spread on social media. Since last Sunday, claims have been circulating on social media alleging that immoral activities occurred in military camps involving outsiders and military officers.

involving the discipline and integrity of officers and personnel very seriously. Last Monday, the Defence Ministry ordered the Armed Forces to conduct an internal investigation into allegations that unauthorised individuals had entered military camps and immoral activities

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HIGH PERFORMING ... Prasarana Creative and Brand Services head Zulfadli Zainal Abidin (left) guiding Transport Minister Anthony Loke (second, left) on a tour of the Prasarana Interactive Mobility Hub, following the announcement of a historic 1.63 million daily passenger record in 2025. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Full day for prime minister on official visit to Turkiye

CEO cum Turkiye–Malaysia Business Council chairman Dr Mehmet Demiroglu, ASELSAN general manager Ahmet Akyol and Defence Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc general manager Ozgur Guleruz. “I regard this visit as very important. The president joked with me that if I did not come, he would no longer want to be friends because he had already visited Malaysia, and I consider him a close friend,” said Anwar in his speech at the Sentuhan Madani programme with the Malaysian diaspora here on Tuesday. Erdogan had undertaken a two-day official visit to Malaysia in February last year. Anwar said his first official visit to Turkiye comes after nearly three years in office as prime minister and fulfils Erdogan’s repeated invitations, reminding him not to delay the visit. “However, I told him that even without an official visit, I had previously come to Turkiye twice,

The meeting provided a platform for constructive discussions to further strengthen defence cooperation between Malaysia and Turkiye, particularly in capability development, technology transfer, as well as training and human capital development, as key pillars of a sustainable national defence industry. Their discussions also touched on existing collaborations between defence companies from both countries, with an emphasis on elevating these partnerships to a more strategic and comprehensive level based on complementarity and mutual benefit. Present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, and Malaysian Ambassador to Turkiye Sazali Mustafa Kamal. The Turkish delegation comprised Defence Minister Yasar Guler, Turkish Aerospace Industries