No to foreign traders at festive bazaars
The housing and local government committee chairman said no licences were issued to foreign traders for these bazaars and warned that enforcement action would be taken against any violators. “I have instructed all local councils to take stern action if foreigners are found operating stalls at these bazaars. “We recorded more than 10 such cases last year involving three local council areas, where foreign traders operated among local traders and sold goods at much lower prices,” he told reporters after opening Kip Mall Tampoi in Johor Baru. “If we don’t control this, it will hurt local traders. “Of the total, 205 locations are for Ramadan bazaars with 12,277 lots, while 19 locations are designated for Aidilfitri bazaars involving 1,299 lots,” he added.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 08:21 UTC
Brain damage risk soars among teen users
He claimed schools are now on the front lines of a growing crisis involving synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine or syabu. “Regular use can cause severe brain damage and mental health disorders in as little as a year. Raja Azizan warned that the ease of using synthetic drugs today is making the problem far more dangerous than before. 'CLICK TO ENLARGE'“We cannot afford to wait until these children, who are our future leaders, end up in rehabilitation centres or suffer permanent mental health conditions. He added that drug syndicates are aggressively pushing synthetic drugs because of the lucrative returns.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 08:21 UTC
Hooked on synthetic drugs at 13
KUALA LUMPUR: Students as young as 13 have fallen into the trap of synthetic drugs, with cases of abuse among school-going youths showing a sharp increase over the past five years. National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) data revealed that 54,791 children in primary and secondary schools were detected for synthetic drug abuse and addiction in 2020. “However, for synthetic drug addiction, treatment relies heavily on intensive psychosocial therapy. Another major challenge is the intensity of psychological addiction associated with synthetic drugs, he said. In contrast, Ruslin said synthetic drug treatment centres focus more on managing behavioural and mental health complications from the outset.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 08:20 UTC
Body of drowned Chinese national found
ALOR SETAR: The body of a Chinese national man who was feared drowned while swimming at Tanjung Rhu Beach, Langkawi, on Friday was found on Saturday morning (Feb 21). Langkawi police chief ACP Khairul Azhar Nuruddin said the body of Mingfei Lan, 48, from Shanghai, China, was found by the Malaysian Civil Defence Force at about 9.45am. According to him, the victim, who was holidaying with his wife and son, was said to have gone alone towards Pulau Cabang to swim at about 5.30 pm. He said the search operation, which resumed this morning, found the victim lying face down in the water near Pulau Cabang, about 50m from where the victim was last seen before disappearing. "The body has been sent to the Sultanah Maliha Hospital, Langkawi, for a post-mortem, and the case has been classified as sudden death (SDR)," he said.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 08:18 UTC
Border control seizes RM1.9mil in animal products
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency has seized animal-based products worth RM1.9mil that were brought into the country without valid import permits from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis). Its Port Klang commander, Deputy Comm Datuk Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal, said the seizure, which involved seven containers carrying 159,157.93kg of goods, was made during an operation at the CFS 4 Container Inspection Centre in Westport, Port Klang, between 11am and 2pm on Friday (Feb 20). “The total value of the confiscated goods is estimated at RM1,917,292.54.”“The containers were found to be carrying animal-based products without valid Maqis import permits. Such violations pose a risk of transmitting animal diseases and may compromise food safety as well as public health,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 21). The seized items included UHT milk from New Zealand valued at RM136,820.96, frozen duck from Ireland valued at RM964,989.13, and milk powder from New Zealand valued at RM815,482.45.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 08:05 UTC
Malaysia weighs impact of US tariff ruling, says Johari
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is closely monitoring recent legal and policy developments in the United States following a Supreme Court decision to strike down the administration’s global tariffs, says Datuk Seri Johari Ghani. He noted that, based on earlier US statements, Washington still has other legal avenues to impose trade measures, including unilateral tariffs. “Malaysia is also studying the scope and impact of a recently announced temporary 10% tariff by US President Donald Trump,” he said. Johari stressed that the United States remains one of Malaysia’s most important trading partners. In 2025, total bilateral trade reached about RM367bil, with Malaysian exports to the United States amounting to RM233bil.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 08:05 UTC
Advances in prostate cancer treatment has transformed the landscape
The frequency of prostate cancer is rising rapidly and is expected to double within the next 10 to 15 years. Unlike many other cancers, prostate cancer cannot be prevented by lifestyle modifications alone, nor can it be significantly reduced through conventional public health measures. Every clinically significant prostate cancer has the potential to cause harm, and every cancer begins as a small lesion before growing into a life-threatening disease. Better diagnostic toolsThe management of localised prostate cancer has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Traditional treatmentsHistorically, the two main treatments for localised prostate cancer were radical prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate) and radiotherapy (radiation directed at the prostate).
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 08:03 UTC
3,685 flee homes as floods worsen in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: The number of flood victims in Sabah rose to 3,685 people from 1,593 families as of 8am on Saturday (Feb 21), up from 406 people from 124 families from Friday afternoon. The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee said 18 temporary relief centres are now open across the affected districts, namely Pitas (30 villages affected), Kota Marudu (12 villages) and Paitan (five villages). According to the Civil Defence Department, Kota Marudu has the most evacuees at 1,978, followed by Pitas with 1,515 and Paitan with 192, as of 8am on Saturday. The numbers in Kota Marudu and Paitan continued to rise, and power disruptions were confirmed in the flood-affected areas. The Malaysian Meteorological Department forecasts morning rain in inland Sabah, with possible thunderstorms later in the day.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 07:59 UTC
Elderly woman stabbed by daughter with can opener in Johol
KUALA PILAH: An elderly woman was stabbed by her daughter in an incident in Kampung Segineh, Inas, Johol here on Friday (Feb 20). The victim, who is in her 80s, is believed to have been stabbed in the neck with a can opener, reported Sinar Harian. Kuala Pilah District Police Chief Superintendent Muhamad Mustafah Hussin said the police received information about the incident from the public at 7.08pm. "The public reported that a fight had occurred at the location. "Investigations revealed that the suspect stabbed her own mother in the neck using a sharp object believed to be a can opener," he said in a statement on Friday.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 07:54 UTC
Prioritise welfare of police personnel, says Dr Wan Azizah
KUALA LUMPUR: The welfare of police personnel should continue to be prioritised, in line with the concerns of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Also present were Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail and Yayasan Seri Negara patron Tan Sri Dr Mazlan Lazim. Dr Wan Azizah said the assistance channelled through the zakat wakalah mechanism to police personnel helped ease the financial burden of recipients, including daily expenses, children's education and basic family needs, especially in the face of rising living costs. He said each recipient received cash assistance and a food basket, while three recipients also received wheelchairs. Mohd Khalid also expressed his appreciation to Yayasan Seri Negara and PBLT Sdn Bhd for their continued commitment to caring for the welfare of police personnel, especially through zakat and social development programmes over the past three years.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 07:42 UTC
Chinese national feared drowned in Langkawi
ALOR SETAR: A Chinese national is feared drowned after swimming at Pantai Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi, on Friday (Feb 20). Langkawi Zone 4 chief of the Kedah Fire and Rescue Department, Mohd Zamri Abd Ghani, said they received an emergency call at 8.43 pm. "The victim’s son informed the hotel, which contacted the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. The agency then alerted the fire department to carry out the search and rescue operation,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 21). He said Langkawi Fire and Rescue personnel, arriving 15 minutes later, assessed the scene and began searching the waters where the victim was last seen.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 07:41 UTC
Three more suspended in HRD Corp governance reset
PETALING JAYA: Another three members of Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) have been suspended by the corporation as part of its move to strengthen its institutional integrity. "This is also part of an intensified governance reset aimed at strengthening our institutional discipline and safeguarding industry confidence," he said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 21). He said that HRD Corp's ongoing review has already identified areas requiring tighter internal controls, clearer reporting structures and enhanced compliance oversight. To this, Mohamed Shamir said corrective enhancements were being implemented to modernise HRD Corp's governance frameworks, reinforce accountability mechanisms and streamline administrative processes to better serve employers and training providers. "This reset is about strengthening our systems to ensure that we can consistently deliver on those expectations while also aligning with national growth priorities," he said.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 07:36 UTC
Visiting a near-forgotten house in China
My late grandfather, Pak Chow Seng, was a descendant of the Pak clan of Tangtou Village in Nan Hai county, Guangdong Province, China. When my cousins in Hong Kong toyed with idea of making the trip recently, my wife and I joined them. The writer (centre) with his two cousins, Tony and Patrick from Hong Kong, in front of their grandfather's house. The writer (centre) with his two cousins, Tony and Patrick from Hong Kong, in front of their grandfather's house. In the evening, our bus returned to Hong Kong through the China-Hong Kong border town of Loh Wu.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 07:33 UTC
Police hunt illegal fireworks seller after man loses leg
JOHOR BARU: Police are looking for the individual involved in selling illegal fireworks that led to a man losing a leg during Chinese New Year, says Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad. He said police have identified the type of fireworks the 32-year-old victim used in the incident. “Early investigations found that the fireworks used by the victim was not allowed to be sold in the country. Comm Ab Rahaman also warned those selling fireworks that stern action will be taken if they are found to have violated the regulations. If any of the licensed sellers are found to be selling illegal fireworks, we will revoke their licences.”Between Feb 1 and 20, the police arrested 18 people for selling illegal fireworks in Johor.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 07:30 UTC
Traffic slows on major expressways as at noon
KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic on several major expressways across the country began slowing by midday on Saturday (Feb 21) amid rising vehicle numbers, with delays expected at several stretches. A spokeswoman for the Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM) said northbound traffic on the PLUS highway was moving slowly from Perai to Juru, from Sungai Perak (km 258.5) to the Meru Tunnel, and from Gopeng to Tapah. "Traffic is also slowing northbound from Senawang to Port Dickson,” she said when contacted on Saturday. A total of 32 smart lanes were activated along the PLUS highway today to help ease congestion. Motorists can obtain the latest traffic updates via the 24-hour hotline 1-800-88-7752, or through X accounts @plustrafik and @llmtrafik.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2026 07:20 UTC