KUALA LUMPUR: Police have confirmed an investigation into the alleged leak of a classified promotion list involving senior armed forces officers on Jan 18. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said statements from several people have been recorded to assist the probe. "Investigations are ongoing and are being conducted under the Official Secrets Act," he told reporters at Bukit Aman today. It was previously reported that the Defence Ministry lodged a police report following the leak of information involving the names, positions and movements of senior military officers. It said action could be taken under the Official Secrets Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act, the Armed Forces Act and the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations.

Teo Chun Siong, 38, was charged with attempting to rob a jewellery store at Paradigm Mall at 5pm on Feb 6 - FILE PICJOHOR BARU: A former engineer pleaded not guilty to six charges of attempted robbery at a jewellery store and possession of dangerous weapons at a shopping mall here earlier this month. Teo, who is single, was charged with attempting to rob a jewellery store at Paradigm Mall at 5pm on Feb 6. The charge, under Section 393 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum seven-year prison sentence and a fine upon conviction. In the Sessions Courts, Teo faced five additional charges for possessing a hammer and several knives between 5.30pm and 6pm in front of the same jewellery store and at the mall's car park on the same date. The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutors Nur Fatihah Mohd Nizam, Shamira Mohd Luthfi Ismail, and R. Navina, while Teo was represented by lawyers Muhammad Mohd Nasir and Ahmad Yusri Ahmad Fuad.

Our “buy” calls focus on minimising earnings downside exposure with Dialog Group Bhd (KL:DIALOG), Velesto Energy Bhd (KL:VELESTO) and Steel Hawk Bhd (KL:HAWK), as a weak oil price may dampen investors’ interest in the sector. MISC Bhd (KL:MISC) (“hold”, RM8) and Petronas Dagangan Bhd (KL:PETDAG) (“hold”, RM21.20) would be the wild card picks. On the broader sector, we remain “neutral” as the low oil price (our forecast Brent: US$58 per barrel) may keep the sector off of investors’ radar. We revise upwards our 12-month target price to 37 sen (from 30 sen) after lowering our cost of equity assumption to 8.5% (from 10%). Thus, we cut our earnings estimates by 4% to 11% and SOP-based target price to RM5.30 from RM5.79.

(Feb 10): Toyota Finance Corp has scrapped a planned corporate yen-denominated bond sale after postponing the deal in January when it had targeted a return to the market after mid-February. Lead manager Daiwa Securities Co said the decision to halt preparations was due to company-specific reasons. Toyota Finance declined to comment. Volatility has remained elevated in Japan’s domestic corporate bond market, with government bond yields swinging as fiscal expansion speculation swirled following the dissolution of the Lower House and the general election. Last week, Toyota Motor Corp, the parent company of Toyota Finance, announced a management reshuffle, promoting executive officer Kenta Kon to president and CEO while making Koji Sato vice-chairman.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 10): Hartalega Holdings Bhd (KL:HARTA) said on Tuesday its net profit rose 62% in the December-end quarter from a year earlier as tax credit offset a slump in revenue. “In the near term, however, market conditions remain challenging,” Hartalega said, flagging uncertainties surrounding US tariff policies and competition from Chinese rivals in non-US markets, particularly in Europe and emerging markets, amid an industry glut. A deluge of Chinese-made gloves in non-American markets has also added to the pressure faced by Malaysian manufacturers. Net profit for the cumulative three quarters of the financial year totalled RM62.55 million, just 4% higher when compared to the same period a year earlier, amid higher tax expense. Revenue for the nine-month period fell 18% year-on-year to RM1.62 billion amid lower sales volume and foreign exchange impact as stronger ringgit reduced US dollar receipts.

(Feb 10): Standard Chartered Plc chief financial officer Diego De Giorgi, one of the front-runners to eventually replace long-time chief executive officer Bill Winters, unexpectedly resigned after about two years in the role. Standard Chartered shares slumped 3.7% in Hong Kong afternoon trading, set for the biggest drop since October. De Giorgi was seen as one of the candidates to replace Winters, who is the longest-serving CEO of a major UK bank. Despite being based in London, Standard Chartered makes most of its income from its operations in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Standard Chartered also has major operations in Singapore, where its largest investor, Temasek Holdings, is headquartered.

(Feb 10): Oil prices eased slightly on Tuesday as traders gauged the potential for supply disruptions after US guidance for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz kept attention squarely on tensions between Washington and Tehran. Brent crude oil futures were down 18 cents, or 0.26%, at US$68.85 a barrel by 0353 GMT. About a fifth of the oil consumed globally passes through the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran, making any escalation in the area a major risk to global oil supplies. The move is part of efforts to tighten sanctions on Russian oil, a key source of revenue for Moscow, over the war in Ukraine. Indian Oil Corp bought six million barrels of crude from West Africa and the Middle East, traders said, as the Asian country steered clear of Russian oil in New Delhi's push for a trade deal with Washington.

KUALA LUMPUR: Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low did not like cheques issued in the name of Datuk Seri Najib Razak to bounce due to insuf­ficient funds, the High Court heard. “I don’t think he was concerned about what cheques were being issued, he was concerned about the cheques not being honoured by the bank as a result of insufficient funds,” Yu said. Muhammad Farhan referred the witness to several text messages between her and Low, in which Low wrote: “Please clear cheques, don’t bounce it.”The witness agreed to the suggestion. Yu said there were instances where Low made several enqui­ries to make sure that no cheques bounced. Muhammad Farhan then “corrected” the witness and said his question was specifically on the “behaviour” of an account holder and not the status of the account itself.

Currently, adoption of the application remains at about 30% of daily highway users, despite an estimated 2.2 million vehicles expected to travel the network on peak days. “To date, only about 30% of highway users are utilising the application. “The Smart Lane initiative ­temporarily opens the emergency lane as an additional traffic lane under controlled conditions, increasing capacity at critical stretches. PLUS has also deployed 26 additional cabin toilet units at selected lay-bys and toll plazas to cater to increased usage at rest stops. “We recommend highway users plan their journeys carefully and take advantage of public facilities such as toilets and surau available at toll plazas along the highway,” she added.

IPOH: Two women in a car were killed following an accident with a four-wheel drive vehicle on Jalan Tanjung Tualang near Kampung Batu 1 in Batu Gajah. Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said victims G. Sarasbathy, 65, and S.R. Sarala Devi, 34, were confirmed to have died on the spot by medical personnel during the incident on Monday (Feb 9) at about 9.45pm. "Both victims were found trapped in the front seats of the car. "Their bodies have been handed over to the police for the next course of action," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 10).

Singer-songwriter Koo Jun-yup — best known as DJ Koo — expressed his love for his late wife Barbie Hsu on her first death anniversary, saying they will be “together forever” when the time comes for them to meet again. Koo penned a heartfelt letter to Hsu on Instagram Tuesday, Feb 3, admitting that the latter’s death is still “painful” for him up to this day. His letter came after a statue in her honour was unveiled at a private cemetery in New Taipei City, Taiwan. My Xiyuan, when we meet again next time, forever, we will be together.”Koo added that he will love her eternally. “I hope that those who love Barbie Hsu can come and see her and talk to her when they miss her.

PETALING JAYA: Singles men shuttler Yushi Tanaka led Japan to the Asia Team Championships title for the first time after a superb 3-0 win over hosts China. 19 Tanaka pulled off an impressive 21-10, 21-18 win over China's 2024 world junior champion Hu Zhean in the first singles at the Qingdao Conson Gymnasium on Sunday (Feb 9). Buoyed by Tanaka's victory, Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi fought brilliantly to beat He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu 21-17, 14-21, 21-15 in the first doubles in 66 minutes. Koki Watanabe then sealed the win for Japan by coming from behind to overcome Zhu Xuanchen 22-24, 21-17, 21-18 in an exhausting match lasting 87 minutes.

Compiled by OON JUN-YANG, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHANIt took 10 hours and careful manoeuvring before a baby elephant that fell into a well in India could be rescued, Malaysia Nanban reported. Upon investigation, they found that a calf had fallen into the plantation’s deep well and three adult elephants were trying to rescue it. Forestry officials tried to rescue the calf but were kept at a distance by the adult elephants. The officials then decided to demolish part of the well’s wall for the elephant to climb out. As the heavy machinery was brought in, the adult elephants began showing aggression and started chasing the rescuers.

With the rise of childhood obesity worldwide, understanding what insulin resistance is and what can be done about it is essential. Identifying and managing insulin resistance early can change a child’s health trajectory for the rest of their life. In insulin resistance, the body’s cells, especially muscle, fat and liver cells, don’t respond normally to insulin. In adolescents, insulin resistance exists on a spectrum, from mild to associated metabolic problems. Furthermore, certain ethnic groups including South Asian, Hispanic and African American populations statistically show a higher predisposition to insulin resistance at lower weights.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) is engaging with political parties as it studies proposals to improve voting access for Malaysians living overseas, including the possible introduction of an e-voting system ahead of the next general election, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said based on input received from the (EC), the Commission is currently examining all matters related to efforts to improve the management of overseas postal voting, including both short-term and long-term solutions. Malaysians living overseas are currently allowed to vote through the overseas postal voting system, which is administered by the (EC). Eligible voters include Malaysians residing, working or studying abroad, as well as civil servants and students posted overseas. Under the existing system, overseas voters must register in advance and submit their ballots by post, either through Malaysian diplomatic missions or by international mail, within a specified timeframe.