Over 8,000 tourists arrive at KLIA within two hours on first day of CNY
SIBU: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) handled more than 8,000 tourist arrivals within two hours on the first day of Chinese New Year (CNY), said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. Speaking to reporters at his CNY open house at Pulau Li Hua Commercial Centre on Thursday (Feb 19), Tiong said KLIA recorded about 6,500 arrivals at Terminal 1 and 1,500 at Terminal 2 during that period. The surge in arrivals underscores the growing momentum of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, which is being actively promoted. On tourism development in Sarawak, he said the ministry plans to deepen collaboration with the state government and Tourism Sarawak. Tourism Malaysia has also been instructed to take a more aggressive approach in promoting travel across all states nationwide," he said.
Source:The Star
February 19, 2026 09:44 UTC
12 cops held over RM200,000 crypto theft
PETALING JAYA: Twelve police personnel, four of them from Bukit Aman headquarters, have been arrested for allegedly stealing about RM200,000 in cryptocurrency. It is learnt that the suspects, including one Inspector and six koperal, are aged between 24 and 47. The raid was reportedly on a suspected scam operation, but the complainants claimed they were not involved in such activities. Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar confirmed the matter when contacted on Thursday (Feb 19). The case is being investigated under Section 395 of the Penal Code," he said.
Source:The Star
February 19, 2026 09:05 UTC
Indian professor's robot dog claim at AI summit sparks uproar
NEW DELHI: An Indian professor has sparked ridicule after falsely suggesting a Chinese-made robot dog displayed at a major AI summit in New Delhi was developed by her university. The silver mechanical dog – a model sold by Chinese startup Unitree – appeared at a booth run by the private Galgotias University at this week's AI Impact Summit. "This has been developed by the centres of excellence at the Galgotias University," Singh said, touting the institution's investments in artificial intelligence technology. Under fire for her comments, Singh told reporters on Wednesday that "things may not have been expressed clearly". In the ongoing AI summit, Chinese robots are being displayed as our own," the party wrote in a post on X.
Source:The Star
February 19, 2026 09:04 UTC
Oil prices extend gains on concerns of potential US-Iran conflict
TOKYO (Feb 19): Oil prices rose on Thursday as the US and Iran attempted to ease a standoff in talks over Tehran's nuclear programme while both sides heightened military activity in the key oil-producing region. "Oil prices are rallying as the market becomes increasingly concerned over the potential for imminent US action against Iran," said ING analysts in a Thursday note. "For oil markets, the concern is clearly what action would mean not only for Iranian oil supply, but also broader Persian Gulf oil flows, given the risk of disruption to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz." About 20% of the world's oil supply passes through the waterway. "US President Donald Trump does not want a sharp rise in crude prices, and even if military action occurs, it would likely be limited to short-term air strikes," Kikukawa added.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 19, 2026 08:18 UTC
VentureTech invests RM28 mil to boost Malaysia’s cybersecurity, digital resilience
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 19): Government-backed impact investment firm VentureTECH Sdn Bhd has invested RM28 million in Delta Spike Asia Sdn Bhd and IX Telecom Sdn Bhd, reinforcing Malaysia’s cybersecurity and cross-border digital infrastructure capability. In a statement, it said the investment in Delta Spike will support the continued development of Delta Spike’s cybersecurity platform, strengthen operational capacity, and support regional expansion, reinforcing Malaysia’s cybersecurity ecosystem amid increasingly complex digital threats. As for the investment in IX Telecom, it said this will support IX Telecom’s regional scaling and platform commercialisation, strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional digital connectivity hub while enabling enterprises to access seamless cross-border connectivity. “Both Delta Spike and IX Telecom operate in sectors that are critical to national resilience — from strengthening cybersecurity readiness to enabling seamless digital connectivity across borders. “By supporting bumiputera-owned companies with clear commercial pathways and scalable capabilities, VentureTECH plays a catalytic role in strengthening Malaysia’s long-term capacity, while positioning local companies to compete regionally and globally,” he said.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 19, 2026 07:48 UTC
Landslide at Indonesia Morowali nickel hub kills one worker
A separate statement from the local search and rescue agency said one worker died in the incident. Indonesia accounts for more than half of the world’s output of nickel, but its smelting sector has been plagued by industrial accidents. A fatal landslide last year disrupted output from QMB, which operates a high-pressure acid leach, or HPAL, plant in the park. Last year the Ministry of Environment launched an audit into IMIP, seeking large fines against smelting firms alleged to have broken environmental laws. Production by HPAL plants allows the extraction of a form of nickel used in electric vehicle batteries from low-grade ore.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 19, 2026 07:13 UTC
Cape EMS returns to profit, taps Johor data centre for growth
The Main Market-listed electronic manufacturing services (EMS) provider posted a net profit of RM7.04 million for the second quarter ended Dec 31, 2025, reversing a net loss of RM48.84 million recorded in the same quarter last year. As part of this shift, the group is positioning itself to capitalise on Johor’s rapid emergence as a data centre hub. Tee noted that Johor’s rise as the nation’s primary data centre hub, alongside the momentum of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, provides significant strategic tailwinds. “Cape EMS is positioning itself as a critical infrastructure partner supporting energy resilience, smart mobility, and digital infrastructure operations within this high-growth corridor,” she added. Plans are also underway to establish a Data Centre Academy in Johor to address talent shortages in mission-critical facilities, supporting the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 goals.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 19, 2026 06:38 UTC
Stocks with momentum on Feb 19, 2026: IOI Properties Group, MNRB Holdings, Exsim Hospitality, Globaltec Formation, Duopharma Biotech
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 19): theedgemalaysia.com highlighted two stocks with positive momentum and three stocks with negative momentum at Bursa Malaysia's afternoon close on Thursday. The algorithm differentiates between stocks that exhibit positive (+ve) momentum and negative (-ve) momentum. It merely tells you which stocks are seeing higher-than-normal volume and price movements. But the “+ve” (suggesting a rising price trend on volume) and “-ve” (suggesting a falling price trend on volume) indicators should give readers a better idea of what the market is buying and when to sell. Note also that momentum generally only persists for a short period of time.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 19, 2026 06:08 UTC
'I gave it up': Soaring coffee prices rewrite some Americans' daily routines
"And now it’s not.”Years of steadily climbing coffee prices have some in this country of coffee lovers upending their habits by nixing café visits, switching to cheaper brews or foregoing it altogether. Coffee prices in the U.S. were up 18.3% in January from a year ago, according to the latest Consumer Price Index released on Friday. Over five years, the government reported, coffee prices rose 47%. Two-thirds of Americans drink coffee daily, according to the National Coffee Association. Growing up, Donelson watched enviously as her mother made a daily coffee jaunt (also to McDonald’s, also 10 sugars and five creams), and she duplicated the habit.
Source:The Star
February 19, 2026 05:32 UTC
Newly single Nicole Kidman being wooed by MGM Resorts exec
Newly single Nicole Kidman may have a new suitor in due time, as MGM Resorts Chairman Paul Salem calls dibs on the Oscar winner following her divorce from Keith Urban. Insiders told TMZ that the Chairman of the Board of MGM Resorts International, 62, has been vocal about his interest in the 58-year-old Babygirl star, with whom he has mutual friends. Though the outlet reports the two have only “met twice in group settings,” and are not yet an item, Salem apparently hopes to change that. Kidman filed to divorce Grammy winner Urban, also 58, in late September, amid shock waves that they’d been living apart since early summer 2025. –New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
Source:The Star
February 19, 2026 05:32 UTC
Mei Xing’s mixed future hinges on Singapore test
PETALING JAYA: Teoh Mei Xing may be permanently switched to the mixed doubles department, but only if she meets a high benchmark set by the coaching panel. It will be a tough assignment for Mei Xing, who has not featured in mixed doubles since partnering Hoo Pang Ron at the Hong Kong Open in September 2023. Nova explained that the initial plan behind pairing Mei Xing with Zhi Yang was to help elevate the younger player. He even won an International Challenge title (with Nicole Tan) in Ipoh before. It will be a tall order for Mei Xing and Zhi Yang as they must first clear the qualifying round against Taiwan’s Tsai Chen-han-Hung Hsin-en.
Source:The Star
February 19, 2026 05:20 UTC
Badminton: Good Wei to grow
PETALING JAYA: National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen believes Tan Kean Wei has given himself the “best possible chance” to grow after accepting an offer to join the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). I believe this gives him the best possible chance for his future in badminton,” said Jonassen. Kean Wei, who captured the national Under-21 title last year, reported for duty at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara last week and has been drafted into the BAM back-up squad. Jonassen explained that Kim Sheng will still feature at the Academy Badminton Malaysia, but in a different capacity as a sparring partner for the national squad. “For Chua Kim Sheng, we’ve made an arrangement where he will come and join us as a sparring player.
Source:The Star
February 19, 2026 05:20 UTC
Ramadan a time to reflect and reset, says PM
PUTRAJAYA: Ramadan is not only a month of fasting, but a powerful opportunity for self-renewal, moral strengthening and collective responsibility towards building a better nation, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He described Ramadan as a time for learning, reflection and personal improvement. "Society must remain sensitive to poverty and social inequalities, while avoiding hypocrisy and superficial gestures in the name of development. He also reminded Malaysians to exercise caution in their actions and decision-making, urging them to pursue success with full awareness of their social and moral responsibilities. On governance, Anwar said leaders and the government carried a heavy responsibility in addressing national challenges, including inflation and unresolved systemic issues.
Source:The Star
February 19, 2026 05:17 UTC
Search ongoing for dismembered murder victim's arm and leg
KOTA KINABALU: Police are still looking for the last two missing body parts of a dismembered murder victim. City acting OCPD Supt Syed Lot Syed Ab Rahman said the main suspect, a 71-year-old man, gave them the approximate location and efforts to find the remains are ongoing. The two missing parts are an arm and a leg. More body parts were discovered at several other locations with the help of the police K9 unit. The murder has been linked to jealousy, a dispute over repayment of an engagement dowry, and other issues.
Source:The Star
February 19, 2026 05:08 UTC
L&G charts growth plan
“FY29 will be more meaningful in terms of contribution from the industrial park,” Low says. Initially, industrial development is expected to account for about 10% of earnings. “Our bread and butter residential development component will still hold at least 50% to 60%,” Low said. So it will not slow down for the next 15 months.”Despite the industrial push, L&G continues to deepen its residential pipeline. L&G also operates private and international schools under the Bestari brand in Sri Damansara, contributing about 15% of group revenue.
Source:The Star
February 19, 2026 05:04 UTC