KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today granted an audience to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan. According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s Facebook page, during the audience held at Istana Negara here, His Majesty was briefed on Islamic religious matters, including the development of the ummah and initiatives to strengthen Islamic teachings at the federal level. Also present were the Director-General of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee, and the Mufti of the Federal Territories, Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil.

Shuttlers Moh Zaki Ubaidillah and Leo Rolly-Bagas Maulana, who will be part of the Indonesian team in the team meet, proved their threat by capturing the men’s singles and doubles titles respectively. The Asia team meet gets underway today in Qingdao, China with Indonesia and Malaysia facing off in their second group D match on Thursday. With Myanmar the other team in the group, the clash between Indonesia and Malaysia will most likely decide the group winners. 44 in the world, is eyeing more breakthroughs in his career and will be a difficult customer again in the Asia team meet. 29 Jun Hao not selected in the team meet this time, world No.

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysians have been urged to support local farmers by consuming more homegrown fruits, says Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Chan Foong Hin. It is also a way to show support for our farmers while ensuring Malaysians enjoy healthier diets,” Chan said, outlining the federal government's commitment to supporting Sabah's agricultural development. Under Budget 2026, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry received RM6.87bil nationwide, with RM2.04bil earmarked for development. Key allocations include RM25 73mil for the Sabah Veterinary Services Department, RM18.1mil for the Sabah Agriculture Department, and RM14mil for the Sabah Fisheries Department. Chan also highlighted the Federal Government's launch of the National Food Security Policy 2030 (DKMN 2030), which outlines strategies and key performance indicators to transform the agri-food sector.

PETALING JAYA: Last-minute call-ups Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan will be out to make immediate impact in the Asia Team Championships starting today in Qingdao, China. The promising young doubles shuttlers Zi Yu and Maisarah have been called up for duty following an injury to Tan Zhing Yi. The 15-year-old Zi Yu and Noraqilah,18, - both who captured silver in the World Junior Championships last year, will be making their debuts in a senior team competition. "We wanted to give an opportunity for our young players to play in a senior team event." After Dania's injury, Zi Yu was combined with Noraqilah and proved her versatility by continuing her good form.

ALOR GAJAH: A family holiday ended in tragedy when a six-year-old boy was believed to have drowned at a hot spring pool in Gadek. The team moved the victim to a safe location before performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and contacting the hospital for emergency assistance. An ambulance from Alor Gajah Hospital rushed the victim for treatment, but he passed away at 8.24pm the same day. It was learnt that at the time of the incident, the child was under the supervision of his relative and elder sister. However, the victim is believed to have wandered into the adult pool without the knowledge of other family members.

GEORGE TOWN: Two Penang Island City Council (MBPP) enforcement officers were injured after light gas-filled ­balloons seized during the Thaipusam celebrations exploded and caught fire. Rapid damage: (From left) The pick-up truck on fire during the incident, and the truck’s condition in the blast’s aftermath (below). The fire also damaged the rear of the pick-up truck and several pieces of seized equipment. In a statement, MBPP said the team had earlier found unlicensed balloon sales filled with light gas along Jalan Macalister, Jalan Utama and Jalan Gottlieb during the Thaipusam celebrations. MBPP then took the seized items to its Licensing Department in Lebuh Union for disposal by releasing the gas.

Accounting firm KPMG’s senior tax policy adviser Dr Veerinderjeet Singh said businesses or individuals hold offshore financial accounts for various purposes such as investments or tax benefits. Malaysians with offshore accounts must be able to prove why they find it a necessity to set up such accounts. ALSO READ: Hidden offshore wealth exposed“If you have income here, you paid your taxes and invested overseas, there is nothing wrong with that,” he said. “One must not jump to conclusion that it is an offence just having an offshore financial account,” he added. “Instead of handling offshore data as ad hoc cases, offshore data must be systematically matched against domestic filings and risk-scored.

LHDN finds over RM10bil in undeclared foreign accounts held by MalaysiansPUTRAJAYA: The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) has identified 14,858 Malaysian tax residents with a combined total exceeding RM10bil in undisclosed offshore financial accounts with tax returns not filed via the Income Tax Return Form (BNCP). In a statement yesterday, LHDN said the identification was made through the international exchange of financial account information with cooperation from over 100 countries to strengthen tax compliance and tackle cross-border tax evasion. It disclosed that these significant offshore accounts were located in several jurisdictions, including Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Guernsey, Cayman Islands, the Bahamas and Bermuda. To avoid penalties and legal action under the Income Tax Act 1967, LHDN advised Malaysian tax residents with unreported income and offshore financial accounts, from sources that should be taxed in Malaysia, to voluntarily come forward soon to make the necessary declarations. LHDN also reaffirmed its commitment to administer the national taxation system with transparency, integrity and professionalism, in line with international taxation standards.

A lorry driver sustained injuries to his left arm after being attacked by two unidentified men in Taman Sri Murni, Batu Caves, last Friday (Jan 30). – NSTP file picKUALA LUMPUR: A lorry driver sustained injuries to his left arm after being attacked by two unidentified men in Taman Sri Murni, Batu Caves, last Friday (Jan 30). Initial investigations indicated that the victim did not know the suspects and had no prior disputes with anyone. "The victim said that the suspects suddenly approached him and immediately attacked without provocation. He said that a witness, the victim's girlfriend who was present at the time, said the attack happened very quickly.

The three-minute video features 40 pupils from Years Four to Six – boys and girls alike – rapping to a song titled Nonstop CNY in various scenes. Ku Chong Sin, chairman of the SJKC Pandan parent-teacher association, said the video was part of an annual school project invol­ving six teachers. The music video features Year Four pupil Oswald Chong Bang Qin as one of its main characters, rapping in sunglasses and casual streetwear. “The school has since received a request from a company to screen the music video at one of its outlets. Ku said efforts are being made to upgrade the school’s music room, which currently lacks soundproofing and equipment.

MBPP initiative sees Thaipusam coconuts converted into biofuelGEORGE TOWN: Instead of being wasted, some 45 tonnes of coconuts smashed during Thaipusam here will be converted into biofuel under the Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) green initiative. Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the coconuts had been sent to the Batu Maung Waste Transfer Station, where a company would shred, crush and process them into biofuel. “The coconuts smashed during Thaipusam will not go to waste,” he said, adding that the effort reflected MBPP’s push to reduce waste and generate energy sustainably. As part of the Thaipusam ritual, devotees smashed coconuts along the procession route as an act of humility and sacrifice, symbolising the breaking of the ego in ­fulfilling vows to Lord Muruga. “Without the Wira Kuning and machine support, the situation could have turned chaotic by the sheer number of coconuts smashed,” he said.

JOHOR BARU: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has praised Johor for its continuous endeavour to upgrade heritage assets and strengthen the state’s tourism attractions. The Prime Minister said the efforts aligned with the aims of the Visit Johor 2026 (TMJ2026) campaign. Anwar arrived in Johor Baru on Sunday onboard the Electric Train Service 3 (ETS3) from the federal capital with his family members and also visited the Johor Zoo. He engaged with visitors at the Johor Zoo and received updates on the zoo’s recent advancements. Anwar expressed hope that the Johor Zoo would continue to be strengthened as a recreational, educational and heritage asset.

Besides the added convenience, the move is also a boon for small sundry traders in local communities. While the Sara programme lists 14 categories of approved goods for purchase, he said small grocers can adapt based on what is available in-store. As of Nov 23 last year, more than 3,000 small shops were involved out of 9,200 registered premises. On Jan 9, the Sara assistance began for five million household recipients and senior citizens without spouses, followed by 3.1 million single recipients on Jan 16. The one-off RM100 Sara assistance for all citizens aged 18 and above will begin on Feb 9.

Compiled by C. ARUNO and ARFA YUNUSA PASSENGER sparked alarm after he was seen cooking food on board the Electric Train Service (ETS) heading from Johor Baru to Kuala Lumpur, reported China Press. Another passenger in the same coach immediately informed the conductor and reported the matter to staff at Kluang station. Others joked that entrepreneurial passengers could start cooking and selling food onboard train journeys in Malaysia. It was reported that Mayday debuted in 1999 and continues to be one of the best-selling rock bands in the Chinese-speaking world. They recently held their #5522 Live Tour show in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 31.

University hospitals lag on higher doctor allowancesPETALING JAYA: More than three months after the new on-call allowance rates officially took effect, doctors at several university hospitals are still waiting for the revised payments to be implemented. The Star learnt that Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM and Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah UPM have yet to implement the new rates. Another doctor at another hospital said the management had told him the matter needed to be raised at their meetings. “Therefore, the Higher Education Ministry should request an additional budget as well from the government to implement this new rate immediately,” added the spokesperson. The Star is waiting for the Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, to comment on this case.