KUALA LUMPUR: An elderly painter pleaded not guilty at four Magistrates' Courts here today to four charges of breaking 13 automatic teller machine (ATM) screens at three banks in Jinjang, near here, last week. According to all the charges, the man was charged with committing mischief by breaking 13 ATM screens using a piece of stone between 8 am, Feb 16 to 9.44 pm, Feb 17, causing losses totalling RM45,183.20 to Maybank and RM24,257.76 to RHB Bank. Leong was also charged with another charge of mischief by punching the cover panel of a cash deposit machine at Maybank Jinjang Selatan, resulting in a loss of RM800 to Maybank at 10 pm, Feb 16. On Feb 18, Bernama reported that the police had arrested an elderly man believed to be involved in the act of breaking ATM screens at several bank branches around Jinjang here. Last week, a video went viral on social media showing a man breaking the screen of ATM machines screen.

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli claims that PKR is trying to push him to leave the party voluntarily. The former economy minister said that in the letter, supposedly issued to him by PKR secretary-general Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh, the party had incorrectly inferred that his statements meant he was resigning from PKR. "My previous statement was just a plan for when Parliament is dissolved and I am no longer bound by the anti-party hopping law. Once I am no longer an MP, it is entirely up to me what I choose to do. Rafizi also claimed that the letter showed PKR's lack of courage to sack him since doing so would allow him to retain his Parliament seat.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has approved a special financial aid of half a month’s salary, or a minimum of RM1,000, for state civil servants in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state has approved the payment of the Special Aidilfitri Financial Assistance (BKKA), amounting to half a month's salary or a minimum of RM1,000 for state civil service members, to be paid no later than March 16. "In addition, BKKA 2026 amounting to RM300 will be given to supervisors, teachers and staff of Al-Quran and Fardu Ain classes, religious primary and secondary schools, government-aided religious schools, tahfiz centres, pondok institutions, Islamic kindergartens and Chinese private schools in Penang," he said in a statement on Thursday (Feb 26). Chow said BKKA 2026 is estimated to involve financial implications of RM8.49mil for the state government, benefiting 7,317 recipients. "It is a sign of appreciation to all members of the state civil service for their contributions and unwavering commitment in realising the Penang2030 vision of a smart and green state aligned with the nation's aspirations," he said.

PETALING JAYA: A four-wheel-drive vehicle belonging to Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, has been badly damaged in a crash in Rembau, Negri Sembilan. Rembau deputy OCPD Deputy Supt Azmi Ali said the vehicle crashed after avoiding an unidentified animal on the road. He said Badrul Hisham was driving from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) toward Kampung Lada Chengkau on Jalan Chengkau-Pilin-Lubuk Cina at 12.30am on Thursday (Feb 26) when the accident occurred. "An unidentified animal crossed the road from the right. In a Facebook post, Badrul Hisham shared his relief at surviving the crash but rued the loss of his long-time favourite car.

The market was off to a cautious start ahead of results announcements from financial heavyweights. At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI was down 2.47 points to 1,745.34 with Maybank and RHB dragging on the index. Maybank fell 10 sen to RM12.26 while RHB shed five sen to RM8.26, ahead of their respective earnings announcements expected later today. "For Malaysia, AI optimism may support interest in technology-related counters, although broader market sentiment could remain cautious amid external uncertainties. G3 slipped 0.5 sen to 1.5 sen and NationGate dropped 7.5 sen to 93.5 sen.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 26): TMK Chemical Bhd (KL:TMK) reported a 30.9% rise in fourth-quarter net profit despite a 16.6% drop in revenue, supported by higher factory utilisation rates that lifted margins, alongside lower finance and tax expenses. Net profit for the three months ended Dec 31, 2025 (4QFY2025) came in at RM29.33 million, up from RM22.4 million a year earlier, according to a bourse filing on Thursday. The group attributed the decline to lower sales volume, partly offset by higher average selling prices. TMK added that the 4QFY2025 performance reflected a gradual recovery in market conditions and margin improvements from efficiency gains. Finance costs more than halved to RM2.65 million from RM5.45 million, while tax expenses dropped to RM5.3 million from RM8.15 million, with the effective tax rate easing to 15.3% from 26.2%.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 26): Duopharma Biotech Bhd (KL:DPHARMA) saw its net profit for the latest fiscal year rise to a new record high on the back of resilient demand, complemented by a one-off surge in insulin supply in the year’s first half. Net profit for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2025 (FY2025) climbed 39.6% to RM87.46 million — its highest annual net profit on record — from RM62.65 million in FY2024, according to the drugmaker’s bourse filing on Thursday. Resilient demand from both the public and private sectors across all business segments drove a 14.5% growth in revenue to a record RM931.69 million from RM813.67 million previously. Net profit for the last three months ended Dec 31, 2025 (4QFY2025) rose 26.3% to RM19.05 million from RM15.08 million a year earlier, as revenue increased 16% to RM224.69 million from RM193.67 million. “Looking ahead, the new leadership at Duopharma will remain proactively focused on enhancing operational efficiencies, optimising cost management strategies, and executing strategic initiatives,” said Duopharma group CEO Wan Amir-Jeffery Wan Abdul Majid.

An enforcement officer knocked on his window. Tan ended up being sentenced to six hours of community service, sweeping the streets of Stulang Laut in Johor, and slapped with a RM500 fine, for littering. It was just an hour after the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) came into force. The Community Service Order under Act 672 came into effect on Jan 1 this year as a punishment to address the issue of littering in public places. Offenders face a fine of up to RM2,000 and must complete up to 12 hours of community service within six months.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 26): Economic growth and a strengthening ringgit have created a feel-good atmosphere among the people, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Umno president said economic stability is crucial in sustaining harmony in a nation, including Malaysia. “This positive development serves as a catalyst for the people to remain united and support the aspirations of the Madani Government. Also present were Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, other senior Umno leaders, as well as leaders of Barisan Nasional. At the event, Ahmad Zahid also presented contributions to 50 orphans and tahfiz students from Rumah Anak Yatim Shifa, Rumah Titian Kaseh and Akademi Tahfiz Masjid Lapangan Terbang Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Subang.

KUALA LUMPUR: A 47-year-old man was found dead after he is believed to have fallen from the elevated Titiwangsa MRT track near Jalan Tun Razak on Thursday (Feb 26). Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Sazalee Adam said police received a distress call via MERS 999 at about 8am regarding a man who had reportedly fallen from a flyover near the MRT station. “There were no signs of foul play or criminal elements at the scene,” he said in a statement the same day. ACP Sazalee said preliminary investigations indicate the man is believed to have fallen from the MRT track. Alternatively, Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association Malaysia also offers a 24-hour crisis helpline at 1-800-180-066 and WhatsApp support line at 03-9765 6088 manned by trained volunteers.

(Feb 26): Britain's FTSE 100 hit a record high on Thursday, lifted by Rolls-Royce after the engine maker raised its annual forecasts, while sentiment was also buoyed by optimism over AI following better-than-expected results from US chip major Nvidia. British aerospace and defence stocks rose to an all-time high following the results. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index nudged 0.1% higher to 10,820 points as of 1023 GMT, while the domestically focused mid-cap FTSE 250 was largely unchanged. Globally, tech stocks remain in focus as investors weigh how fast-advancing AI tools might disrupt established business models. The UK's tech stocks rose 0.8%.

Net profit for the three months ended Dec 31, 2025 (4QFY2025) rose to RM43 million from a net loss of RM5.95 million a year earlier. The group also recorded a RM1 million share of profit from Indonesian associate PT Bungasari Flour Mills Indonesia, compared with a RM2.8 million share of loss previously. The payout of RM43.4 million represents 31% of net profit. MFM said it has adopted a formal dividend policy to distribute not less than 30% of annual net profit, underscoring its commitment to shareholder returns. This year being our 60th anniversary from when we began our flour mill operations in Lumut, it’s timely to set in stone the dividend policy.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 25): Padini Holdings Bhd (KL:PADINI) saw its net profit fall 35.8% year-on-year in the second quarter, dragged by weaker sales and higher operating costs. Net profit for the three months ended Dec 31, 2025 (2QFY2026) declined to RM41.32 million from RM64.31 million a year earlier. Earnings per share fell to 4.19 sen from 6.52 sen previously. Quarterly revenue dropped 7.91% to RM484.04 million in 2QFY2026 from RM525.62 million in 2QFY2025. The group declared a third interim single-tier dividend of 1.8 sen per share — lower than 2.5 sen paid a year ago — payable on March 27, 2026.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 25): IJM Corporation Bhd (KL:IJM) has reported an 86.1% fall in quarterly net profit, dragged by substantially higher unrealised foreign exchange losses of RM60.8 million. Net profit for the third quarter ended Dec 31, 2025 (3QFY2026) fell to RM15.76 million from RM113.34 million a year earlier, according to a bourse filing on Thursday. It is the group's lowest since 4QFY2022 when the group posted a net profit of RM1.47 million. The huge unrealised forex losses in 3QFY2026 compares with losses of RM3.5 million a year earlier. For the nine months ended Dec 31, 2025, IJM Corp's net profit fell 35.45% to RM177.14 million from RM274.43 million a year earlier, despite revenue climbing 12.4% to RM5.01 billion from RM4.46 billion.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) is reviewing spending limits for election candidates as part of efforts to improve the Election Offences Act 1954 (EOA), says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. In a parliamentary written reply dated Feb 25, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said the expenditure pertains to the candidates' own spending, not that of political parties. “However, the EC is currently reviewing the appropriateness of the existing expenditure limits for candidates, as well as the suitability of factoring in party expenditure during elections, in an effort to improve the EOA,” she added. She said the EC is also studying digital campaigning practices undertaken by some candidates, including the cost of advertising on social media, in line with new election campaign practices. She was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (PH-Pandan) on plans to amend the EOA, particularly regarding the expenditure limits for state assembly and parliamentary candidates, which are considered outdated and impractical.