The simple power of outdoors to improve mental health
Mental health is no longer a fringe issue in Malaysia; it is a major public health concern. Reclaiming public spacesAcross Malaysia, public spaces that once supported play, rest and community are steadily disappearing under rapid development. Reintroducing outdoor activities into family routines – weekend walks, nature outings, simple games – strengthens both mental health and family bonds. In Malaysia, where many remain reluctant to seek mental health support, outdoor activity offers an accessible, low-cost public health strategy. Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff is the Raja Puan Muda of Kedah, a trained lawyer and Royal Patron of the Malaysian Mental Health Association.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 14:00 UTC
Death toll in Philippine ferry sinking rises to 40 as search continues
MANILA: The death toll from a ferry that sank off Basilan province in the southern Philippines rose to 40, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday (Feb 1). Search and rescue teams recovered three more bodies, and one additional victim, a six-month-old baby who had initially been omitted from the official count, was added to the tally, according to Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao. Search and rescue operations are continuing nearly a week after the ferry sank in waters north-east of Baluk-Baluk Island while en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo town in Sulu province. At least 316 people were rescued, according to the PCG, although authorities are still working to determine the exact number of passengers on board. The Maritime Industry Authority told a radio interview that it will investigate survivors' claims of insufficient life vests and discrepancies in the passenger manifest.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 13:38 UTC
Zara inquest: Student A’s mother in tears, says daughter still called ‘murderer’ at new school
KOTA KINABALU: The mother of Student A says her daughter continues to face pressure and accusations, even after transferring to a new school following the incident involving the late Zara Qairina Mahathir. Student A’s mother, the 62nd witness in the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death, told the court that there are still students at the new school who call her daughter a “murderer”, according to Sinar Harian. Earlier, the witness had been responding to questions from lawyer Joan Goh, who represents Student A in the inquest. While reading her written statement, the witness appeared in tears as she described how her daughter had been called a “murderer” throughout the period following Zara Qairina’s death in July last year. Before concluding her testimony, the witness again broke down in tears, saying her daughter continues to be subjected to accusations.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 13:30 UTC
Uber Cup recall for Jin Wei? Why not, says Nova
PETALING JAYA: Should Goh Jin Wei be recalled to the national squad for the upcoming Uber Cup in Horsens, Denmark, this April? Jin Wei has found her form again after four years, reaching the final of the Thailand Masters before having to withdraw in the deciding set against India’s Devika Sihag. "Why not include Jin Wei? 2 women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, it at least gives the national team greater hope for this year’s Uber Cup campaign. The women’s squad has gone more than a decade without reaching the Uber Cup quarter-finals, with their last appearance in the last eight coming in the 2010 edition in Kuala Lumpur.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 13:13 UTC
PAS calls for resignation of Penang DCM I
PETALING JAYA: PAS has called for the resignation of Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, over a recent alleged abuse of power case related to zakat funds used to purchase land involving a senior state government official. Penang PAS information chief Muhammad Fawwaz Muhammad Jan said the high-ranking nature of the case had eroded the trust of the Penang people in the state’s religious institutions. He also called for Mohamad Abdul to resign from all his positions related to the administration and leadership of Islamic religious institutions in this state, including the latter’s status as the Penang Islamic Religious Council president. “This situation has not only tarnished the image of the Penang Islamic Religious Department but also caused anxiety among Muslims who expect religious institutions to be managed professionally, independently, and responsibly. “Him (Mohamad Abdul) stepping down is the most appropriate course of action right now to restore public confidence and to allow a transparent investigation to proceed without any influence of power.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 12:02 UTC
Migrant smuggling ring busted, 22 nabbed in KL raids
KUALA LUMPUR: A migrant smuggling syndicate has been crippled with the arrest of 22 people, including two suspected transporters, in a series of raids here. Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the suspected transporters detained – a Malaysian and a Bangladeshi – are believed to be key members of the "Sojul Gang" smuggling syndicate. Immigration officers also seized two vehicles, several Bangladeshi passports, as well as RM82,100 and US$3,700 (RM14,593) in cash, he said. All those detained have been placed at the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for further investigation under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007, the Immigration Act 1959/63, Immigration Regulations 1963 and the Passport Act 1966. "We will continue to take firm action against any individuals or syndicates involved in offences related to immigration, passport misuse and migrant smuggling," he added.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 11:45 UTC
Sunview clarifies sharp reversal in financial position
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 2): Sunview Group Bhd (KL:SUNVIEW) has clarified that there was no discrepancy in its contract cost position, following a sharp reversal in its financial position, which saw a massive swing between its unaudited and audited figures. “As the impairment reflects sunk costs incurred over the past two years, it does not impact the group’s current cash flow position. In June 2022, Sunview was initially awarded an engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) subcontract by Reneuco’s unit Reneuco Engineering Sdn Bhd. In July 2023, the full EPCC contract for the development of a solar photovoltaic plant, valued at RM179.5 million, was novated to Sunview. Receivers and managers were subsequently appointed to take control of the assets of PKNP Reneuco Suria, which had failed to meet its obligations to its creditors.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 02, 2026 11:28 UTC
Nvidia CEO says new OpenAI investment may be largest yet
TAIPEI: Nvidia Corp chief executive officer Jensen Huang says the company will be participating in OpenAI’s latest funding round, describing it as potentially “the largest investment we’ve ever made”. “We will invest a great deal of money,” Huang told reporters while visiting Taipei on Saturday. They’re one of the most consequential companies of our time.”Huang didn’t say exactly how much the company might contribute but described the investment as “huge”. Nvidia’s massive investment commitment to OpenAI, a key buyer of its advanced AI chips, has stoked concerns about the circular nature of artificial intelligence (AI) deals over the past year. In a separate such deal, Nvidia recently announced plans to invest an additional US$2bil in CoreWeave Inc, a cloud computing provider that’s also a key customer.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 11:03 UTC
Songstress first to get keys to locally assembled luxury MPV
POPULAR singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin is the first owner and brand ambassador of the Great Wall Motor (GWM) Wey G9 in Malaysia. Priced at RM269,800, the Wey G9 is locally assembled and positioned as the country’s first Chinese luxury new energy multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). “This car is also the first Chinese luxury new energy plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) MPV to be assembled locally. “We have also equipped the Wey G9 with the world’s leading Hi4 intelligent hybrid four-wheel-drive system, offering four-wheel-drive performance with two-wheel-drive efficiency. “Many users call it a new ‘species’ of MPV, and GWM’s dedication has been validated in China – on average, one in every five MPVs is a Wey G9,” said Yang.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 10:05 UTC
Hopeful for future although lethargy-hit Jin Wei falls short in final
Jin Wei was forced to throw in the towel while trailing 8-21, 3-6 against India’s Devika Sihag at Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok yesterday. Jin Wei beat Taiwan’s Huang Ching-ping 21-18, 21-23, 21-11 in the first round and overcame China’s Han Qianxi 12-21, 21-10, 21-16 in the second round. It was similar in the last four against another compatriot Wong Ling Ching where Jin Wei won 17-21, 21-17, 21-16. “Jin Wei wants to move up the rankings and keep trying to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics,” said Nova. Women’s singles: Devika Sihag (Ind) bt Goh Jin Wei (Mas) 21-8, 6-3, ret.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 09:40 UTC
Two killed in blaze at workers’ quarters on Jalan Nyigu
BINTULU: Two people, including a 15-year-old boy, were killed when a fire destroyed a two-storey workers’ quarters on Jalan Nyigu here in the early hours of Monday (Feb 2). The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 1.01am and rushed to the scene. The operations commander reported that the blaze had engulfed a non-permanent two-storey workers’ block with 28 rooms. "The structure was completely destroyed in the blaze," the department said in a statement on Monday. "Both were confirmed dead at the scene and later handed over to the police for further investigation," the statement added.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 09:39 UTC
From limbo to lifeline
After appeals from Putrajaya Badminton Association (PJBA) president Datuk Seri Khairudin Samad and the parents of the players, Zafrul has overturned the national body’s decision and gave his approval for the players to compete. Zafrul though said that the decision was one-off and a special exemption would be given for the players to compete this time. “The rule regarding junior players representing their states was decided during the BAM council meeting on Oct 18 last year and has been in place since Nov 10, which is much earlier than the tournament. “Under this rule, junior players must represent the states that they are schooling in during competitions in accordance with the Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM) ruling. “I will also like to thank the Selangor Badminton Association (SBA) as they were willing to allow the players to compete despite not getting approval to do so.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 09:35 UTC
Parents pass torch of tradition to children
KUALA LUMPUR: For many parents, Thaipusam is not only a time to fulfil personal vows but also an opportunity to introduce their young children to faith, culture and sacrifice. Teacher Thanaletchume Kitnamorti, 46, said this year marked the first time her five-year-old son carried a paal kudam up the steps of Batu Caves. Starting them young: (Top) Lenon (left) and Kalapana with their daughter on their first trip as a family to Batu Caves to celebrate Thaipusam. (Right) Thanaletchume’s five-year-old son (right) carried ‘paal kudam’ up the stairs for the first time, while her eldest son (left) has carried it a couple of times. “I carried the paal kudam while my wife carried our girl.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 09:35 UTC
New mandarin orange draws attention for texture and taste
JOHOR BARU: After last year’s Red Beauty craze, a new mandarin orange contender has emerged this Chinese New Year. Cultivated in China, Yellow Beauty has been drawing attention for its sweeter taste, brighter skin and firmer texture, said fruit seller Yong Boon Sing. “Unlike Red Beauty, which has a jelly-like texture, Yellow Beauty oranges are firmer and juicier,” he said in an interview. Each box of Yellow Beauty costs RM48 while Sakura is priced at RM68, he said. “These premium varieties have been well received by corporate customers looking for festive gifts,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 09:33 UTC
Gaza border reopening long awaited by stranded Palestinians
CAIRO/GAZA (Feb 2): Cut off from family or urgently requiring hospital care, Palestinians stranded on each side of Gaza's Rafah crossing waited with growing desperation for Monday's reopening of the border as a delayed part of October's ceasefire deal. Faten Hamed Abu Watfa, 43, has not seen her three children since she left Gaza nearly 10 months ago. Abu Watfa left Gaza City’s al‑Karama neighbourhood on April 5, 2024, hoping to stay away for no more than six to eight weeks while her mother‑in‑law received medical treatment. Instead, she became stranded in Egypt after the Rafah crossing closed. Dalia Abu Kashef, 28, died last week while waiting for her name to appear on the Rafah crossing list for a liver transplant.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 02, 2026 09:23 UTC