Selamat tinggal Sukan SEA 2025

Malaysia akan menjadi tuan rumah seterusnya pada 2027.

Malaysia menduduki tempat keempat dengan 57 pingat emas, 57 perak dan 117 gangsa, manakala tuan rumah Thailand mengungguli carta dengan kutipan pingat 233-154-112. (Gambar Bernama)

BANGKOK:

 Tirai Sukan SEA 2025 secara rasmi ditutup malam ini apabila api hijau temasya dipadamkan dalam majlis penutup yang penuh warna-warni dan bertenaga di Stadium nasional Rajamangala.

Majlis dimulakan dengan segmen ‘The Sound of Whistle’, menampilkan penyanyi bintang T-POP, Daou dan Kratae, mendendangkan lagu ikonik Thailand, ‘Rak Nak Naen’, yang digubah semula bagi mencerminkan semangat kesukanan, disiplin, dan perpaduan negara Asean yang bertanding.

Sorakan penonton bergema sebaik perarakan atlet bermula, memperlihatkan kehadiran wira dan wirawati sukan daripada 54 disiplin sukan berbeza.

Perarakan kontinjen negara terdiri daripada 80 atlet dan pegawai, termasuk pemain sepak takraw senior Farhan Adam, yang diberikan penghormatan membawa Jalur Gemilang.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri Thailand, Thamanat Prompow seterusnya menyampaikan ucapan dan mengisytiharkan penutupan rasminya temasya sukan yang bermula 9 Dis.

Majlis diteruskan dengan tayangan video sorotan khas, membolehkan penonton mengimbau kembali detik-detik paling bermakna sepanjang 11 hari temasya berlangsung di dua wilayah, Bangkok dan Chonburi.

Upacara pemadaman api hijau Sukan SEA diserikan melalui konsep ‘The Sound of Whistle’ di penonton dijemput meniup wisel sebagai tanda rasmi penutupan temasya.

Bendera Persekutuan Sukan Asia Tenggara (SEAGF) dan Sukan SEA 2025 diturunkan, sebelum diserahkan kepada Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Dr Taufiq Johari serta Presiden Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Norza Zakaria, sebagai simbolik penyerahan temasya dwitahunan sukan terbesar rantau ini kepada tuan rumah seterusnya.

Sebagai tuan rumah edisi ke-34 pada 2027, Malaysia turut mempersembahkan segmen ‘Rhythm of Harmony’, menampilkan artis tempatan Mimi Fly serta 60 penari, mempamerkan kepelbagaian budaya serta keharmonian negara.

Majlis diakhiri dengan segmen ‘The Sound of Champions’, menampilkan lagu ikonik ‘We Are the Champions’, diselangi dengan percikan bunga api menerangi perimeter stadium.

Dalam carta pungutan pingat, Malaysia menduduki tempat keempat dengan 57 pingat emas, 57 perak dan 117 gangsa, manakala tuan rumah Thailand mengungguli carta dengan kutipan pingat 233-154-112. - FMT

Warisan open to ties with peninsula-based parties for GE16

The party had previously refused to collaborate with national parties at the state polls last month.

Warisan president Shafie Apdal said collaboration with parties from West Malaysia is best handled at the federal level.

PETALING JAYA:

 Warisan has said it was open to collaborating with political parties from Peninsular Malaysia for the 16th general election, despite ruling out such alliances in the Sabah polls last month.

Party president Shafie Apdal said he had rejected working with peninsula-based parties to form the state government in the Nov 29 Sabah election, as it wanted to uphold its principle that the state be governed by Sabah-based parties.

“I could have worked with others or made arrangements to take power. But we have our values,” he was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.

Warisan won 25 seats in the state assembly election, coming in second to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah which secured 29 seats. GRS subsequently formed the state government with the backing of Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan, and others.

Shafie said his party is not opposed to collaborating with parties from West Malaysia, but believes such cooperation is best placed at the national level, noting that Warisan is already cooperating with the federal government.

On a separate matter, Shafie said Warisan has yet to decide whether to contest the impending by-elections for the Lamag state seat and Kinabatangan parliamentary seat on Jan 24.

He said that discussions were still being held. “No decision yet. We are not sure whether Umno or other parties will contest. We have to listen to the voters first.”

Yesterday, Barisan Nasional chose Naim Kurniawan, son of the late Bung Moktar Radin, as its candidate in Kinabatangan. Bung, who was Sabah BN chairman, had represented Kinabatangan for six terms since 1999. He died on Dec 5 at the age of 66. - FMT

Passengers fume as Malaysia Airlines cancels flight twice over two days

Those with young children and the aged were left on their own, says passenger Gurmukh Singh. 'Now we are sleeping at the airport. There are children and elderly people with us.'

Passengers at KLIA after two days of a cancelled flight to Amritsar. (Gurmukh Singh pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Repeated cancellations of a Malaysia Airlines flight to Amritsar, India, have left families forced to sleep at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, a passenger has said.

Gurmukh Singh told FMT the flight was scheduled to depart at 5pm on Friday. “They told us the flight was cancelled because of bad weather in Amritsar,” Gurmukh said.

Passengers were placed in a nearby hotel in Putrajaya on Friday night and were taken to the airport today, for a flight at 9pm. “But it was cancelled again today,” he said.

Aman Kaur, 60, sitting on the floor after suffering a prolonged delay. (Gurmukh Singh pic)

Gurmukh said the airline had cited lack of landing slots in Amritsar and rescheduled the flight to 9am on Sunday.

FMT has contacted Malaysia Airlines for a response.

“They should be transparent with us because other flights are landing in Amritsar,” Gurmukh said.

Taranjit Kaur with her year-old child at KLIA. (Gurmukh Singh pic)

He said passengers with young children and the aged were left on their own at the airport. “Now we are sleeping at the airport. There are children and elderly people with us,” he said.

Gurmukh said he was heading to Amritsar for a spiritual visit and is now expected to reach the state of Punjab only on Sunday, losing three days of annual leave which have been spent at the airport.

Amritsar, in Punjab, India, is known as the centre of Sikhism and home to the gilded Golden Temple. It is a significant pilgrimage site. - FMT

Adam Adli & Hannah Yeoh: Time to deliver on old promises?

 

ANALYSTS have defended high public expectations for newly appointed Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli, dismissing suggestions that civil society should temper demands given his junior role.

A Universiti Sains Malaysia analyst Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid in comments to Free Malaysia Today, said activists like Adam, known for opposing the Universities and University Colleges Act and advocating student loan waivers, must face scrutiny as part of political maturity.

He said, Adam, as a former activist-turned politician is now learning the ropes the hard and bitter way. But he added that the experience would aid Adam’s long-term growth, similar to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s trajectory.

Meanwhile, MCA Urban Affairs Bureau chairman Tan Gim Tuan issued a pointed statement on Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan’s appointment as Federal Territories Minister.

In a rather sarcastic post, the politician said “never judge a book by its cover” and urged Yeoh to immediately deliver on local government elections, sustainable urban development, and separating the prime minister’s role from finance minister.

He stressed credibility depends on keeping promises, warning Malaysians deserve results-driven leaders paid by taxpayers.

“Also, as a Minister within the Prime Minister’s Department, it is now the best opportunity for Yeoh who has previously pledged support for the separation of powers to ensure that the Prime Minister does not concurrently hold the position of Finance Minister.

“Malaysians require Ministers who paid by taxpayers are serious about reform and not merely making political statements. Credibility is built through keeping promises,” Tan Gim Tuan wrote on Facebook.

Both appointments stem from Tuesday’s Cabinet reshuffle. 

- Focus Malaysia

Beyond facades: What truly determines long-term property value

 

WHEN people consider purchasing a property, the first things that often catch their attention are the visible elements — the façade, layout, size, or perceived status of the building.

These features may influence an initial decision, but they rarely determine how fulfilling a place feels in the long run.

What ultimately defines long-term satisfaction and value is where a property is located, how well it is planned, and the environment that surrounds it.

These factors shape everyday experiences in ways that architecture alone cannot. Increasingly, buyers are becoming more deliberate about the spaces they occupy. Property choices are no longer judged solely on design or scale.

The overall living experience now carries equal, if not greater, weight. Elements such as ease of access, greenery, safety, and the simple ability to move through daily routines without friction have become key considerations in how developments are perceived and valued.

A strong location remains the cornerstone of any sensible property investment. Developments that are strategically placed help minimise commuting fatigue, preserve personal time, and remain accessible despite changing lifestyle needs or economic cycles.

Close proximity to transport links, essential services, and lifestyle amenities ensures a development stays relevant and attractive over time. When location and planning work in tandem, daily life feels more organised and balanced.

Thoughtful planning transforms a site into a complete ecosystem. Integrated developments that blend education, workspaces, leisure, and daily conveniences allow people to transition smoothly between activities.

This approach is evident in HCK Capital Group’s Education City projects, including edumetro in USJ 1, edusphere in Cyberjaya, and edusentral in Setia Alam. Anchored by established educational institutions, these developments create environments where learning and everyday living naturally intersect.

With cafés, service outlets, and lifestyle amenities nearby, residents and users are able to maintain momentum throughout the day without unnecessary disruption. The result is a setting that supports both individual progress and collective growth.

Equally important is the surrounding atmosphere. Green spaces, intentional landscaping, and well-designed shared areas contribute significantly to comfort and emotional well-being — qualities that are becoming increasingly important in urban environments.

At e.Sentral SmartCity in Damansara West, this philosophy is expanded further. Nestled near natural greenery, the development includes a 12,600-square-foot landscaped podium sanctuary designed to provide shade, serenity, and a cooler microclimate.

Safety and peace of mind are integral to the experience. Features such as controlled lobby access, car plate recognition systems, CCTV monitoring, and motion sensors are carefully integrated throughout key access points, creating an environment that feels both secure and considered.

Convenience also plays a defining role in modern living. Platinum Premium Suites at HCK Tower, situated directly above Hextar World Mall, demonstrates how connectivity enhances everyday efficiency.

With retail, dining, wellness, and social spaces just moments away, residents can manage daily needs without long commutes. This reflects a growing recognition that time and energy are valuable assets that contribute directly to quality of life.

Across all these developments, connectivity remains a unifying theme. Direct links to major highways and primary transport routes allow for smooth travel across the Klang Valley and beyond.

Reduced travel times translate into better work-life balance and more predictable daily schedules.

In the end, location, planning, and surroundings are deeply interconnected. Together, they influence how a property functions and how it feels to inhabit.

HCK Capital Group’s developments consistently aim to create spaces that support how people live, learn, connect, and unwind — environments where comfort, accessibility, and thoughtful design come together naturally.

When a place is designed to work with its occupants, it does more than meet practical needs. It subtly enhances the rhythm of everyday life. — Focus Malaysia