DAP’s next move under scrutiny
PETALING JAYA: While DAP’s partners in Pakatan Harapan want the party to remain with them, pundits view the July 12 congress as a strong political message by the party. “As DAP’s strategic partner since our days in opposition, we do not seek sympathy. He said GE16 will be different as the coalition will be entering it as the side that had just served as the government. Amanah communications director Khalid Samad has reservations about DAP giving up government positions as there was no purpose in doing so. “Whatever influence we have on government policy will be further reduced and not increased by such a move.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 00:23 UTC
History the basis of unity
KUALA LUMPUR: Feb 20, 1956, according to National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (pic), is more than just a date in the nation’s history. He said the moment demonstrated that independence was achieved through wise negotiations, tolerance, sacrifice and multiethnic unity, Bernama reported. Aaron said the government’s move to strengthen history education through the National Education Blueprint was timely. “With a strong grasp of history, today’s generation will be more focused, principled and grounded in national identity as they tackle current challenges and shape the nation’s future.”Aaron said the National Unity Ministry established the National Historians Council last year to pool expertise, preserve accurate historical narratives, and keep the nation’s history alive. “History is the foundation of unity, and unity is the safeguard of the nation’s future.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 23:59 UTC
M’sia eyes stronger ties with new PM
This was conveyed by the Prime Minister during a telephone conversation with Bangladesh’s newly appointed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. “I also took the opportunity to invite Prime Minister Tarique to make an official visit to Malaysia at a suitable time,” he said in a Facebook post. The Prime Minister also expressed hope that friendly relations between Malaysia and Bangladesh would continue to be strengthened for the mutual benefit of both countries. Tarique, 60, who is Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman, is the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and former president Ziaur Rahman. Tarique was sworn in as Prime Minister five days later at the national parliament, Jatiya Sangsad in Dhaka.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 23:45 UTC
Anwar meets with Singapore PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met with his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong in conjunction with Wong’s special visit to Malaysia. The Singapore Prime Minister received a guard of honour mounted by the First Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment under the command of Kapt Zat Aiman Mat Ripin. The meeting between Anwar and Wong took place at Seri Negara, where Anwar also hosted a dinner in honour of Wong’s visit, Bernama reported. Also present were Chief Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Datuk Shahrol Anuwar Sarman and High Commissioner of Singapore to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon. Singapore is Malaysia’s neighbour and key partner in Asean, enjoying close and extensive relations across various sectors.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 23:40 UTC
Keeping the flames alive
GEORGE TOWN: Frying char koay teow over charcoal has long been a hallmark of authenticity, just as wood-fired ovens give pizza its distinctive kick. In both cases, charcoal and firewood are essential to the flavour diners crave. But the number of suppliers of these essentials on the island has fallen sharply, from 36 to just three. A check along Lebuh Bakau (Mangrove Street) – a small road off Jalan Jelutong long associated with the trade – shows the business has almost disappeared. “Some well-known char koay teow, mee goreng and char kuey kak sellers still use charcoal.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 23:29 UTC
UK govt considers removing ex-prince Andrew from line of succession
- REUTERS PICLONDON: The British government on Friday mulled passing a law to remove former prince Andrew from the line of succession, as police stepped up investigations into his conduct, quizzing the disgraced royal's former protection officers. But the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II remains eighth in line to the British throne after Princess Lilibet, the daughter of his nephew, Prince Harry. The government would consider introducing legislation to remove Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession once the police investigation is over, sources told AFP. Any charges against Andrew or a trial could be a long time coming, as the investigations proceed. And the road towards stripping the former prince from the line of succession would also take time, as an act of parliament is needed.
Source:New Strait Times
February 20, 2026 23:17 UTC
Broadening Malaysia’s trade
MALAYSIA has enjoyed strong economic growth of above 5% for two consecutive years – an impressive rate for a maturing emerging market economy. Despite facing a reciprocal tariff of 19% imposed by the United States, Malaysia’s trade jumped to a record US$755bil in 2025, defying the external headwinds.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 23:13 UTC
AI in the layman’s eye
THE subject of artificial intelligence (AI) has become so dominant that the World Economic Forum in Davos recently reputedly devoted 200 sessions for corporate leaders to discuss AI from multiple angles. The conversations focused on five key themes – the geopolitical rivalry using AI and technology; AI as a productivity and growth driver; AI as a job disruptor; how to invest in AI talent; ethics and governance for generative AI and robot systems; and the environmental footprint from using AI, consuming huge amounts of energy and minerals.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 22:55 UTC
Suspected paedophile domestic helper arrested after two-year manhunt
With assistance from federal police in Matilda’s home country, Bukit Aman’s Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division (D11) tracked down and arrested the maid after an eight-hour operation recently. The breakthrough came by chance when a close friend of Matilda's spotted the suspect at a coffee shop in a shopping mall in Ampang. The suspect left the mall before police arrived, prompting Matilda's friend to follow a van transporting her and several others. After an eight-hour cat-and-mouse pursuit around town, the van stopped at a resort, where D11 officers moved in and arrested the suspect for questioning. Also read:Domestic helper, sexual predator: Expat claims 2-year-old son was sexually abused'A monster': Mother's horror after maid allegedly grooms two daughters
Source:New Strait Times
February 20, 2026 22:51 UTC
Anderson Cooper to exit CBS’s ’60 Minutes’ after nearly 20 years
Anderson Cooper is set to exit 60 Minutes after nearly two decades with the long-running CBS News programme. “Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the highlights of my career,” Cooper said in a statement on Feb 16. He added that he will continue his work at CNN, where he anchors Anderson Cooper 360° and co-hosts the annual New Year’s Eve special alongside Andy Cohen. Her tenure began in October, after Paramount Skydance purchased her news and opinion site, The Free Press, earlier this year. “60 Minutes will be here if he ever wants to return.”While the exact timing of his exit remains unclear, he is expected to finish the current broadcast season, which ends in May.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 22:06 UTC
Anwar seeks swift passage of Bill limiting PM to two terms
KUALA LANGAT: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for a Bill limiting the prime minister's tenure to two terms, or a maximum of 10 years, to be expedited and passed at the next parliamentary sitting. The Prime Minister said a decade is sufficient for any prime minister to implement reform agendas and key national policies before making way for new leadership. Asked whether the limit would apply to himself, Anwar stressed the law must begin with him. The proposal to cap the prime minister's tenure at two terms is widely seen as part of broader institutional reform efforts to strengthen democratic practices and governance. On another development, Anwar said he would receive Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for an informal meeting later in the evening.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 22:05 UTC
Azam Baki files defamation suit against news agency
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has filed a defamation lawsuit against news agency Bloomberg over the publication of an article he alleged was baseless, Sinar Harian reports. “Our client maintained that all the allegations were baseless and initiated these legal proceedings to defend his reputation,” the firm said in a statement. Previously, media reports said Azam was seeking RM100mil in damages, alleging that a Bloomberg report had harmed his reputation and professional standing. In its report, Bloomberg alleged that the MACC chief commissioner owned shares in a financial services company, based on corporate filings. However, Azam insisted that his shareholding, valued at RM800,000, in a financial services company was acquired transparently and in accordance with procedures.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 22:00 UTC
Handling non-public info properly
THE issue of disseminating non-public information via investment analysts’ reports – whether in written format, electronically, on social networks like WhatsApp, or even within Telegram chat groups – has recently come to the forefront. It is believed that regulators are concerned about this trend and are seeking to address the issue head-on, clarifying what an analyst can or cannot include in research reports and how information should be communicated.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 21:26 UTC
ROS refutes allegations of power abuse by MIPP
PUTRAJAYA: The Registrar of Societies Malaysia (ROS) stresses that it does not intervene in the internal affairs of any political party or registered organisation. In a statement Friday (Feb 20), ROS said that any internal disputes are the responsibility of the organisations themselves and should be resolved in accordance with their respective constitutions. "Accordingly, the ROS refutes allegations by the Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) of misconduct regarding the department's decision on the organisation's internal issues. The ROS emphasised that any allegations of abuse of power or undue influence are unfounded and affirmed its willingness to fully cooperate with the authorities if required. However, Mohd Zulfikar was reported Friday as denying the allegations, saying that the ROS' actions were based on the results of investigations and the evidence submitted to the department.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 20:30 UTC
Malaysia looks forward to close cooperation with new Bangladesh leadership, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia looks forward to close cooperation with the new leadership of Bangladesh in strengthening and elevating bilateral relations to a higher level, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. I also took the opportunity to invite Prime Minister Tarique to make an official visit to Malaysia at a suitable time," he said. The Prime Minister also hoped that the friendly relations between Malaysia and Bangladesh would continue to be strengthened for the mutual benefit of both countries. Tarique, 60, who is the chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and former president Ziaur Rahman. He was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday (Feb 17) at the national parliament, Jatiya Sangsad, in Dhaka.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2026 18:12 UTC