GEORGE TOWN: As Chinese New Year approaches, bamboo leaf brooms are once again finding their way into homes, with families carrying out the spring-cleaning ritual believed to sweep away bad luck and usher in good fortune. Housewife Amy Chin, who was selecting a bamboo leaf broom at the Air Itam market recently, said the practice was one she ­continued out of respect for tradition. She said some people observed specific dates when using the bamboo leaf broom, but she would usually choose a day close to Chinese New Year. At the same market, vegetable trader James Tan, 70, said bamboo leaf brooms remained popular. “There are specific dates people follow.

PENANG’s legendary barefoot char koay teow seller is back at work nine days after he had fal­len ill, reported Sin Chew Daily. Tan Bak Juah, who is known for frying koay teow over a charcoal stove while barefooted, gave ­diners a scare on Jan 30 after the front of his shirt was drenched in blood. He was rushed to hospital and it was later understood that he had gastrointestinal bleeding. Nine days after the incident, Tan was seen back at his stall ­frying koay teow. Last year, the 71-year-old was immortalised in a street mural on McNair Street by local artist Vincent Phang.

"The market is still focused on the tensions between Iran and the US," said Tamas Varga, oil analyst at brokerage PVM. Iran was the third-biggest crude producer in Opec behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq in 2025, according to US Energy Information Administration data. In the energy market, traders are waiting for weekly US oil inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute trade group on Tuesday and the EIA on Wednesday. Analysts forecast US crude stockpiles rose by 0.1 million barrels last week. That compares with an increase of 4.1 million barrels during the same week last year and an average increase of 1.4 million barrels over the past five years (2021-2025).

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BEIJING (Feb 11): China's second-ranking official, Premier Li Qiang, inspected rare earth facilities in the southern province of Jiangxi on Tuesday, state news agency Xinhua reported, using the visit to hint at intensifying competition with the US over strategic minerals. Such pre‑holiday inspections are traditionally moments for China's top leadership to telegraph policy direction before Lunar New Year festivities begin. Rare earths are also key to the manufacture of weapons. "It is necessary to promote the deep integration of industry, academia, research and application, (and) expand the application of rare earth technology," Li added. He visited a research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences think tank, the report added, along with several unnamed enterprises in the rare earth production line.

SUBANG JAYA: Avaland Bhd, one of Malaysia’s leading property developers, has announced the onboarding of new retail tenants across several of its mixed-use developments in the Klang Valley — namely Alira Subang Jaya, Alora Residences @Avenue25, Anja Signature Retail in Bangi and Meria Commercial Hub, Cybersouth. The onboarding of these key tenants reinforces Avaland’s commitment to vibrant, lifestyle centric communities that prioritise convenience and connectivity. Spanning food and beverage, grocery, healthcare and convenience retail, the selected offerings support residents’ daily routines while encouraging social interaction and a strong sense of community. “Every Avaland development reflects our commitment to creating spaces that inspire connection, promote sustainability and foster vibrant community experiences,” said Avaland chief executive officer Apollo Bello Tanco (Pol) at the retail partner reception. Avaland enters 2026 with an accelerated growth profile, supported by four new developments with a combined GDV of RM1.7bil.

A few days ago we had a big celebration. ALSO READ: New skyline for heritage siteDespite the impending move, daily life is still what it has been for decades. Housewife Lee Siew Im, 65, who moved there as a child, remembered a time without electricity or tap water. About 200 families here are preparing to relocate from the settlement, known in Penang Hokkien as Ang Theng Kak (Red Lamp Corner). “After the relocation, PDC plans to redevelop the state-owned land in accordance with heritage guidelines,” he said, referring to the Penang Development Corporation.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) successfully took down a syndicate using base station interceptors (BTS) during an operation in the Bukit Chagar area here in Johor Baru on Tuesday, Sinar Harian reported. The MCMC added that the information obtained showed the individuals involved were recruited to operate BTS devices through job offers with daily pay. Action is taken under Section 239(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 [Act 588] and Regulation 16(1)(b), the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000. In January, the MCMC had detected and shut down an illegal base transceiver station in Genting Highlands, Pahang, used for fraudulent purposes. On Jan 19, 2026, an MCMC team successfully detected two vehicles being used to carry out transmission activities of the fake base station.

Equity futures indicated gains in Sydney and Hong Kong after a gauge of Asian stocks hit another high on Tuesday, while Tokyo is closed for a holiday. The S&P 500 slipped 0.3% amid weakness in several tech names, though remained near the record reached last month. US retail sales unexpectedly stalled in December, suggesting consumers provided less firepower for the economy as the year drew to a close. Traders are now gearing up for the key jobs report due Wednesday in the US. The jobs report “will be key,” Kenwell said.

A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is a huge shock for the affected person and their loved ones in view of the low survival rate. As with other types of cancer, the earlier that pancreatic cancer is detected, the better the chances of successful treatment. The tumour grows slowly, often causing no or only vague symptoms until the cancer has spread to other organs. If such signs and symptoms arise without a clear cause, or persist for around two to four weeks, the Cancer Information Service at the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) advises seeing a doctor. People with a heightened risk of pancreatic cancer should be especially alert to the warning signals.

KUALA LUMPUR: Annual electric vehicle (EV) usage has increased significantly to 44,813 units in 2025 compared with 3,127 in 2022, according to the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. "(For example), this includes batteries, electric drive motors and advanced driver assistance systems through tax incentive provisions to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) that utilise them," it said. The ministry was responding to a question from P. Prabakaran (PH-Batu) on measures taken by the government to ensure Malaysia does not lag behind global EV trends, including the development of local electric vehicles, batteries and smart charging stations by 2030. "The next phase is to encourage more OEMs to implement local EV assembly," it said. It also said 5,624 public EV charging units were installed nationwide as of Dec 31, 2025, 56% of the overall target.

SUBANG JAYA: The driver who threw a traffic cone at a car during a fit of road rage has surrendered himself to police. Subang Jaya OCPD Wan Azlan Wan Mamat said that the man presented himself to police earlier today at 11am on Tuesday (Feb 10). He added that the victim of the case had also filed a police report on the incident on Feb 9. Previously, a video of the incident had been uploaded online showing the suspect exiting his car near a toll plaza. In a fit of rage, he picked up a traffic cone and threw it onto the back of the victim's car before the victim drove off.

PETALING JAYA: CelcomDigi Bhd has appointed Albern Murty, 53, as the company’s chief executive officer (CEO), effective Feb 10, 2026. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, CelcomDigi said Albern currently serves as acting CEO and deputy CEO, having been involved in leading the management team through the integration years following the merger of Celcom and Digi on Nov 30, 2022. “He brings over 22 years of leadership experience in the telecommunications industry, including seven years as CEO of Digi.Com Bhd (Digi),” the company said in a bourse filing. Prior roles Albern held include chief operating officer and chief marketing officer at Digi, as well as executive vice-president and head of emerging Asia at Telenor Asia. He succeeds Datuk Mohamad Idham Nawawi, who has helmed CelcomDigi as CEO since the merger of the two entities Celcom Bhd and Digi in 2022.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Broadcasting director-general Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman has confirmed he will leave Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) at the end of February after three years at the helm. Suhaimi said his departure is a personal decision, made after careful reflection and a desire to enter a new phase of life. Suhaimi brings extensive experience in administration and broadcasting, having worked with Sarawak Media Group, Bernama, Astro Awani and Media Prima. Suhaimi holds a Master's in Business Administration from City University, Bellevue, Washington, and a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Portland State University, Oregon, United States. Suhaimi said the progress and achievements at RTM were driven by a creative, passionate and talented team.

KAJANG: A businessman was fined RM5,500 by the Magistrate's Court here on Tuesday (Feb 10) after pleading guilty to two charges of injuring and threatening to kill a senior citizen at Jalan Cheras-Hulu Langat last Sunday. The charge was framed under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of up to one year, a maximum fine of RM2,000, or both. The victim decided to continue his journey to Taman Suntex out of fear, while the accused followed him from behind. The accused later stopped the victim's car at a traffic light and kicked the vehicle, causing an alarm. "At the time of the incident, my client was in the vehicle with his wife and their three-day-old baby.