But we cannot become casualties of the slow burn simply because the immediate crisis burns hotter or dominates more headlines. Over the next 10 to 15 years, 1.2 billion young people in developing countries will come of working age – a scale the world has never seen. On current trajectories, these economies are expected to generate only about 400 million jobs over that same period – leaving a gap of staggering proportions. It must not be ignored at coming forums like the Munich Security Conference, the Group of Seven and Group of 20. We focus where job potential is greatest, across the five sectors that consistently generate employment at scale: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, primary healthcare, tourism and value-added manufacturing.

As of 10am yesterday, the water level stood at 6.25m, just above the final warning level of 6.09m. Kerian district has 21,000ha of padi fields as of 2024, according to the Integrated Agriculture Development Area. In Perlis, 771 farmers operating about 720ha of padi fields outside the Muda Agricultural Develop­ment Authority area have been affected. Potential padi losses are estimated at 3,240 tonnes and could rise if dry conditions continue, further affecting farmers’ incomes. Farmers have been urged to register with Agrobank and their respective Area Farmers’ Organisation branches to ensure eligibility.

Besides all the worries over whether AI investments will pay off, fears about disruption have been mounting. “For most of the past three years, investors took a ‘glass half-full’ approach to AI,” noted Sosnick. “There is simply more bad news about AI disruption than good news about AI implementation and margins right now,” said Dennis DeBusschere at 22V Research. “A major theme related to AI is the ‘software scare,’ which is still playing out in equity markets,” he said. “With AI acting both as a driver and a detractor of performance, investors should hold a diversified exposure as they dynamically evaluate the AI landscape,” she said.

KUALA LUMPUR: The new moon to mark the start of Ramadan for Muslims in Malaysia will be sighted next Tuesday (Feb 17) evening, the Office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal announces. Other observation sites include Telok Kemang, Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan; Bukit Melawati, Kuala Selangor; Bukit Jugra, Banting; Kuala Langat; and Selangor Observatory, Sabak Bernam in Selangor. In Terengganu, sites include Bukit Besar, Kuala Terengganu; Bukit Geliga, Kemaman; Pulau Perhentian, Besut; and KUSZA Observatory, Setiu. Observation points in Kelantan include Bukit Peraksi, Pasir Puteh; Bukit Kampong Tembeling, Kuala Krai; and Menara Bangunan SEDC, Kota Baru. In Sabah, sites include Al-Biruni Observatory, Tanjung Dumpil, Putatan; Menara Universiti Malaysia Sabah; and Labuan International Campus.

HOUSTON: Oil prices dropped on Thursday due to falling demand, retreating fears of renewed Middle East conflict and expected increases in supply. Brent crude oil futures settled at US$67.52 a barrel down US$1.88, or 2.71%. Global oil demand will rise more slowly than previously expected this year, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday, while projecting a sizeable surplus despite outages that cut supply in January. "The fact that President Trump continues to negotiate with Iran would lead to a reduction of geopolitical risk," said Andrew Lipow, president of consultancy Lipow Oil Associates. The IEA forecast offered a "pretty significant" reduction in demand for 2026, Lipow said.

(Feb13) : Malaysia’s biggest solar company Solarvest Holdings Bhd (KL:SLVEST) plans to more than double its generation capacity in the next two years, as declining battery costs enables further deployment of renewables. Prices could drop further to US$60 per KWh, he said. A global decline in battery costs is resulting in an acceleration of installations, which help grids integrate intermittent renewables. Battery additions are forecast to grow 33% in 2026 to an all-time high, according to BloombergNEF. Solarvest, co-founded by Chong in 2012, is Malaysia’s first listed solar firm.

A LACK of coordination between land alienation and development approvals is exposing the local authority to potential legal action and compensation claims, says Hannah Yeoh. If the intended use contradicts the Kuala Lumpur City Plan (KLCP), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) finds itself in a precarious position. Despite the push for consistency, she noted that the local plan served as a guide and was not entirely static. The report previously uncovered issues regarding unchecked approvals and the sale of public land below market value. Regarding the 139 sites identified for redevelopment under the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040, Yeoh emphasised the need to balance modern community requirements with infrastructure capacity.

KUALA LUMPUR: My Digital ID Sdn Bhd aims to achieve 17 million MyDigital ID registered accounts from Malaysians by the end of 2026, as compared to 7.3 million accounts as at the end of last year. Deputy chief executive officer Azrin Aris said the company expects to hit 13 million MyDigital ID accounts by the middle of this year. "As of today, we have reached almost 10 million (accounts), and our target is a little further to reach 13 million (accounts). Azrin said the number of MyDigital ID-registered accounts increased significantly (10 million accounts) as of today, up from 1.8 million in the same period last year, driven by stronger awareness of crime and cybersecurity among Malaysians. He said MyDigital ID makes it easier for users to remember their usernames and passwords, especially as more and more applications require them.

If 2025 was palm oil at the gym, flexing under bright lights, 2026 is palm oil at the clinic – checking its pulse, reviewing its diet and listening carefully to its cardiologists. Crude palm oil (CPO) and crude palm kernel oil outputs reached 51.98 and 4.93 million tonnes respectively. Exports rose 8.7% to 32.12 million tonnes, and domestic consumption climbed 3.8% to 24.76 million tonnes, buoyed by the B40 biodiesel mandate. Mielke places Malaysian output at 19.87 million tonnes, while McGill estimates approximately 19.7 million tonnes. World palm oil output is seen declining to 84.5 million tonnes in 2026, from 85.24 million tonnes previously.

TOKYO: Despite President Donald Trump having congratulated Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her recent election triumph, Tokyo is under pressure to deliver on colossal investments promised in the United States. -The clock is ticking ahead of Takaichi's White House visit on March 19, and according to media reports tempers are starting to fray. In January, Trump told South Korea that he would raise tariffs to 25 per cent, saying its parliament was "not living up to its Deal with the United States". "The Trump administration is facing difficult mid-term elections.... "The Trump administration is a very tough administration."

KOTA KINABALU: The government of India’s decision to open a consulate of India here has stirred up a mix of positive and negative reactions among Sabahans. Its president, David Chan, said this move could spur investment flows, industrial cooperation, tourism development, and people-to-people ties. He said this move was a forward-looking vision by the Prime Minister, signalling strong confidence in Sabah’s economic potential and strategic importance within the Federation. However, there were many who voiced concern over what could happen if the Indian consulate were opened in Sabah. On Feb 7, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his decision to open up the Consulate in Kota Kinabalu during an official visit to Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Azam Baki has commenced legal action over a recent Bloomberg report which he described as libellous, misleading and damaging to his reputation and the integrity of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). "Azam has not breached any law, regulation or public service requirement in respect of the matters reported. At all material times, he has complied fully with all applicable asset declaration obligations imposed on public officers. "Our client remains steadfast in his commitment to integrity, accountability and the rule of law in the discharge of his public duties," it said. It is learnt that the firm issued a letter of demand to Bloomberg's offices in the United States and in Malaysia.

PETALING JAYA: Rafizi Ramli has brushed off allegations in a report filed against him by three non-governmental organisations with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). "Apparently @arm bribed me," the former economy minister said in a post on X on Thursday (Feb 12), referring to United Kingdom-based semiconductor design firm Arm Holdings. I'm still as broke as before," he said in his sarcastically toned post. Earlier, the MACC said it had received a report alleging there was misappropriation involved in an investment worth about RM1.11bil linked to a former senior minister. The report was lodged by a coalition of several non-governmental organisations at about 2pm on Thursday.

Italy's Anthony Mosca plays a shot during the 2026 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Nepal and Italy at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 12, 2026. AFP PICMUMBAI, India: Spinners Crishan Kalugamage and Ben Manenti helped debutants Italy to a historic first win at the cricket T20 World Cup with a 10-wicket hammering of Nepal on Thursday. A nation better known for its football, Italy are cricket minnows and the lowest-ranked side in the 20-team tournament. "I always wanted to help the team to win a match and do my best for my nation, Italy – I'm happy," player of the match Kalugamage said. The win made Italy jump to third and England slip to fourth in the group led by the West Indies.

PETALING JAYA: Migrant workers brought in by licensed private employment agencies (APS) are protected and assured of employment, says industry group. The three associations also said that many incidences where workers were cheated involved unlicensed foreign recruiting agents (FRA) who do not own recruiting licenses. "Malaysian recruiting agents are paid by the foreign recruiting agent and the amount is decided by them," they said. "Many security guard companies prefer direct hiring so they can ask the foreign recruiting agent to defray their expenses in Malaysia such as levy, Foreign Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (FOMEMA), medical insurance, uniform and training expenses in Malaysia," they added. they said, adding that local recruiters are being made scapegoats for the issues faced by foreign workers.