Base metals collapse as speed of rout puts bulls under pressure
(Feb 2): Copper deepened its slump from a record — and other base metals posted big losses — as bulls in China stepped back from a tumultuous few days that have rocked global metals markets. Copper had spiked to a record above US$14,500 just last Thursday, before plunging below US$13,000 a ton on Friday and continuing its slide on Monday. Metals — both base and precious — had surged in January as bullish Chinese investors piled into commodities amid doubts about the dollar and a shift away from currencies and sovereign bonds. January was the busiest month ever for metals trading on the Shanghai bourse, and copper volumes surged on Friday to a record amid the sharp selloff. Copper fell 3.1% to US$12,749 a ton on the LME at 8.04am London time, after ending 3.4% lower on Friday.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 02, 2026 05:02 UTC
UTHM student killed, four others injured in Muar crash
MUAR: A Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) student was killed after the car he was travelling in with four friends was involved in a crash along Jalan Felda Moakil while they were heading back to Pagoh Campus from Labis, Segamat on Saturday (Jan 31). Muar OCPD Asst Comm Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the accident occurred at 1pm when the sedan they were in lost control and skidded to the left side of the road. "Mohd Amir Faizal Hasrolnizam, 21, who was seated in the rear passenger seat, sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene," he said on Sunday. Another victim, Dameer Amir Mokhzani Aris, 21, sustained serious injuries, while three others, Ameer Ikhwan Ahmad Nurul Lail, Muhammad Aiman Musa, and Muhammad Hakimi Hisyamuddin, all 21, suffered minor injuries and are being treated at the Segamat Hospital. Meanwhile, the UTHM Student Representative Council (MPP) conveyed its condolences over the death of the university's second-year electrical and electronic engineering student.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 04:53 UTC
Simplify system to ease tax filing, say groups
PETALING JAYA: The personal income tax relief system should be simplified as the current filing process is getting more complicated and disconnected from everyday household realities, say tax professionals. They said many Malaysians have to deal with a growing list of small, specific tax deductions that are difficult to understand and even harder to apply, making tax filing stressful and inefficient for ordinary taxpayers. “There are too many small and niche tax deductions that look good on paper but are not practical for most people,” he said. “Instead of introducing more small reliefs, the government should consolidate them into a higher basic tax relief for individuals and dependants. “Micro enterprises will also benefit from this change as most of them file their tax as personal income tax, giving them more disposable income,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2026 03:49 UTC
Vanke’s record loss leaves developer at mercy of state backer
(Feb 2): China Vanke Co’s US$12 billion (RM47.3 billion) record loss underscores how its ability to avoid default depends on how far its state shareholder is willing to support the stricken property developer. The homebuilder lost about 82 billion yuan (US$12 billion) last year, it said in a preliminary earnings statement late Friday. The company has been wrestling with a liquidity crunch for more than two years, during which it leaned heavily on shareholder loans from Shenzhen Metro to service debt. Vanke also said Shenzhen Metro will provide another loan to help it repay principal and interest on bonds issued in the public market. It remains unclear whether there would be any further support from Shenzhen Metro to help address the builder’s upcoming bond maturities in the months ahead.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 02, 2026 03:17 UTC
Malaysians road-tripping on the ancient Silk Road
Our six-week ancient Silk Road adventure from Tehran, Iran to Almaty, Kazakhstan last year was a rugged journey of time and discovery. This was a road that over centuries, merchants, travellers, poets, pilgrims, despots and more have all traversed. From here our guide drove us to the Turkmenistan border and we arrived at Mary, where we visited the Silk Road city of Merv, once the capital of the Seljuk Empire. Crossing the border into Uzbekistan, we arrived in the heart of the Central Asian Silk Road. This journey along the Silk Road was more than an adventure; it was an immersion into the rich tapestry of human history, art, and resilience.
Source:The Star
February 01, 2026 21:51 UTC
Inspector Sheila nabbed for disturbing the peace at Batu Caves
GOMBAK: A suspended policewoman, Inspector Sheila, was arrested for allegedly disturbing public order during the Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves on Sunday (Feb 1). Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said Inspector Sheila, whose real name is Sheila Sharon Steven Kumar, was arrested under Section 186 of the Penal Code and remanded for one day. He said the arrest followed an altercation between the woman and several traders near the temple at around 4am. Mohd Khalid said police took action to prevent the situation from escalating and to ensure public order was maintained during the celebrations. Sheila was remanded for one day before being released on bail on the same day, he added.
Source:The Star
February 01, 2026 21:44 UTC
PDRM in discussion with AGC to address 3R issues, says IGP
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police are in discussions with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to identify the most effective mechanisms to address issues related to race, religion and the royal institution (3R), which are on the rise on social media. Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the open nature of social media platforms resulted in certain parties making comments freely that at times went beyond the boundaries of the country’s laws. These are among the matters we frequently discuss with the Attorney General on how best to address them. "Depending on the investigating unit, we may need additional witnesses for further action,” Mohd Khalid said. The investigation is being carried out by the Bukit Aman Classified Criminal Investigation Unit under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.- Bernama
Source:The Star
February 01, 2026 21:39 UTC
Warisan says new Sabah electricity tariff hike hits people, businesses hard
KOTA KINABALU: An opposition assemblyman has urged the Sabah government to review or defer a new state electricity tariff hike, citing it as a burden on the public amid rising living costs. Kepayan assemblyman Chin Tek Ming from Parti Warisan said the increase would hit ordinary households, low-income earners, and small and medium-sized enterprises. Chin was commenting on Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd’s decision to raise tariffs from 34.52sen per kilowatt-hour to 39.70sen per kilowatt-hour starting Sunday (Feb 1). On Saturday, Sabah Electricity said the tariff revision was aimed at ensuring a stable, high-quality and sustainable electricity supply for the state, while safeguarding consumers’ interests. “At a time when people are grappling with inflation and slow income growth, raising electricity tariffs will only add to their hardship,” he added.
Source:The Star
February 01, 2026 20:30 UTC
Azeem on fire as he shatters national 200m indoor record in Clemson
PETALING JAYA: National men sprint sensation Mohd Azeem Fahmi has smashed the national 200m indoor record at the Bob Pollock Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina, on Saturday (Jan 31). He now holds both the 60m and 200m indoor national records. Azeem finished third in his heat, with teammate Israel Okon taking top spot in 20.82s, followed by James Harris in second place with 21.23s. Azeem holds the 60m's fastest time with 6.56s, which he set last year at the SEC Championships. Azeem is also currently the national 100m record holder with a time of 10.09s, which he set at the World Junior Championships in 2022.
Source:The Star
February 01, 2026 19:40 UTC
Ankle worry eases as Roy King cleared for Asia team meet
PETALING JAYA: It was relief for the team bound for the Asia Team Championships after men’s doubles shuttler Yap Roy King recovered from an ankle injury in time for the competition starting on Tuesday in Qingdao, China. “I will say Roy King’s recovery is at about 90%. “He will be able to compete in the Asia team meet,” said men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi. Roy King is set to play an important role as the top doubles pair for the team along with Wan Arif Wan Junaidi. The other pairs who will join Roy King-Arif in Qingdao are world No.
Source:The Star
February 01, 2026 17:57 UTC
Malaysian army colonel elected vice chair at UN peacekeeping working group
At the closing ceremony, Joint Force Commander of the Malaysian Joint Force Headquarters, Lieutenant General Datuk Zahani Zainal Abidin, reaffirmed Malaysia’s strong support for UN peacekeeping, emphasising that the safety and security of peacekeepers must remain at the core of collective efforts. - Pic courtesy of Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations FB pageMilitary Adviser to the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations (UN), Colonel Shamsuri Noordin (left), was elected Vice Chair of the Sub-Working Group on Major Equipment during the Contingent-Owned Equipment (COE) Working Group Meeting, recently. - Pic courtesy of Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations FB pageKUALA LUMPUR: Military Adviser to the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations (UN), Colonel Shamsuri Noordin, was elected Vice Chair of the Sub-Working Group on Major Equipment during the Contingent-Owned Equipment (COE) Working Group Meeting, recently. In a statement, the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations (UN) said the meeting took place from Jan 19 to 30 at the UN Headquarters in New York. At the closing ceremony, Joint Force Commander of the Malaysian Joint Force Headquarters, Lieutenant General Datuk Zahani Zainal Abidin, reaffirmed Malaysia's strong support for UN peacekeeping, emphasising that the safety and security of peacekeepers must remain at the core of collective efforts.
Source:New Strait Times
February 01, 2026 15:59 UTC
Vietnam party leader to pay state visit to Cambodia
HANOI: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam (pic) will lead a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to Cambodia for a state visit at the invitation of Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, according to the Foreign Ministry’s communiqué released on Saturday (Jan 31). At the invitation of President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, General Secretary Lâm will also co-chair a high-level meeting between the CPV Central Committee’s Politburo and the Standing Board of the CPP Central Committee, and co-chair a meeting of the three Party chiefs of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, in Cambodia on February 6. - Vietnam News/ANN
Source:The Star
February 01, 2026 15:55 UTC
‘I have absolutely no connection whatsoever’, says PM Anwar of email involving Epstein
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denied any links to the late banker Jeffrey Epstein after the Prime Minister was name-dropped in a 14-year-old email exchange. “Just today, I found out that some outsider wanted to meet and even ‘dropped’ my name in an email linked to the Epstein case,” he said in a brief Facebook post on Sunday (Feb 1). “Thank Allah, as mentioned in that email, it’s been more than a decade, and I have absolutely no connection whatsoever with any of the parties exchanging those emails — especially Epstein.”A screenshot of the email has gone viral, showing an exchange on Feb 21, 2012, between the controversial deceased banker Epstein and an unidentified person who proposed a meet-up with Anwar, whom they had expected at that time to become prime minister.
Source:The Star
February 01, 2026 15:14 UTC
Male tapir killed while crossing road in Dungun
DUNGUN: A male tapir died after being hit by a car at Kilometre 8, Jalan Bandar Al-Mukhtafi Billah Shah-Paka near Kampung Santong here, on Saturday (Jan 31) night. Terengganu Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Loo Kean Seong said the 300kg tapir was hit while crossing the road to the nearby forest at 10pm. "An examination found signs of injury on the tapir's head and body," he said when contacted by Bernama Sunday (Feb 1). It is understood that the tapir was hit by a Volkswagen car driven by a 49-year-old teacher. On Jan 24, a 200kg tapir was hit by a motorcycle at Kilometre 320.5 of the East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2) after exiting Kerteh, Kemaman, at 1 am.
Source:The Star
February 01, 2026 14:49 UTC
QuickCheck: Did a Malaysian lead cops in S. Korea on a high-speed car chase?
Did a Malaysian man lead South Korean cops in a 10km car chase in Jincheon while still using his turn signals? During the chase, he collided with a patrol car, suddenly accelerated while appearing to stop, and repeatedly crossed the centre line due to traffic congestion," read a statement from the Jincheon Police Station, North Chungcheong Province. Police dashcam footage captured Mr A faithfully using turn signals when changing lanes or overtaking vehicles. The 10km pursuit ended only after Mr A rammed a police car. Mr A was arrested on-site for driving without a license, reckless driving, and damaging a patrol car.
Source:The Star
February 01, 2026 14:45 UTC