New govt policy speeds up bankruptcy discharge for four groups
PUTRAJAYA: The government has introduced a Second Chance Fast Track Policy as an express pathway to expedite the bankruptcy discharge mechanism for four target groups. She said the policy was introduced to help those in such groups rebuild their lives and continue contributing to national development. "As a result, single parents can return to work, entrepreneurs can resume their businesses and scam victims can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Azalina said the discharge programme was founded on a clear principle within the Malaysia Madani Framework, namely care and compassion. Azalina also said that the department successfully resolved 176,851 bankruptcy discharge cases in 2024 and 204,487 last year.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 09:22 UTC
Opinion: Railway of Malaya: Tracks less travelled
One of my favourites was the railway set — neat loops of track, a puffing locomotive, wagons obediently trailing behind steel rails laid carefully on the living-room floor. Tracks across timeThe modern railway story of Malaya is generally traced to 1885, when a modest but consequential line opened between Taiping and Port Weld. Where rails arrived, towns soon sprouted — sometimes planned, sometimes accidental, always consequential. Supplies had to be hauled along makeshift access tracks built solely so the railway itself could be built — infrastructure to create infrastructure, patience required to manufacture patience. As one chronicler observed, the railway often arrived before the road, because in the jungle, even roads had not yet found their courage.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 09:10 UTC
Treasury Wine pauses dividend after large writedown on US business
(Feb 16): Australia's Treasury Wine Estates on Monday suspended its interim dividend after booking a writedown on its U.S. business that resulted in a huge net loss. Treasury has also had to deal with distribution problems in California, a key market. On a statutory basis, Treasury swung to a A$649.4 million ($460 million) loss for the half-year ended December after logging a A$770.5 million impairment on its U.S. assets - a somewhat larger writedown than what had been flagged late last year. The result marks its first half-year loss since the company split from the Foster's group in 2011. It paid a dividend of 20 Australian cents per share for the same period a year ago.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 08:42 UTC
Shamsul Iskandar seeks to move graft trial to High Court
KUALA LUMPUR: Former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, has applied to transfer his five graft charges from the Sessions Court to the High Court. The matter came up for case management before a High Court senior assistant registrar on Monday (Feb 16). “The hearing for the transfer has been fixed for April 9 at the High Court,” he said. Based on court documents, the application was made on the grounds that there are extraordinary legal questions and issues involving the constitutionality of provisions under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which can be determined by the High Court and subsequently by the Federal Court. “I have been advised by my lawyer and therefore believe that if the trial is held at the High Court, the parties will have the opportunity to appeal to the highest court, the Federal Court, to determine matters involving the constitutionality of the provisions under the MACC Act,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 08:22 UTC
Coffee Break: The only thing more powerful than hate is love
I can only imagine what it must have been like to be in the stadium, surrounded by the infectious rhythm and warmth. And now, back to my own reality: Chinese New Year creeping up, the heat, traffic jams everywhere and me staring at the reunion dinner menu. It’s my first time hosting our family’s reunion dinner. Growing up, we were lucky to live across a small field from our grandparents for a couple of years. Because whether it’s a half-time show or a reunion dinner, the message is the same: The only thing more powerful than hate is love.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 08:06 UTC
Govt launches fast-track to discharge bankrupt single parents, scam victims and microloan borrowers
PUTRAJAYA (Feb 16): The government has introduced the "Second Chance Fast Track Policy" aimed at providing an express pathway and expediting the discharge mechanism for four targeted groups of bankrupt individuals. The four target groups eligible under the policy are single parents; microloan entrepreneurs; victims of financial fraud (scammers); and housing loan borrowers affected by abandoned housing projects. “This Fast Track initiative is not merely a rebranding exercise. Azalina said the Second Chance Fast Track Policy Discharge Programme was founded on a clear principle within the Malaysia Madani Framework, namely care and compassion. Azalina also said that MdI successfully resolved 176,851 bankruptcy discharge cases in 2024 and 204,487 discharge cases last year.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 07:37 UTC
Chansun Estate puts Segamat plantation and Gelang Patah land up for sale
The property is located roughly 22km from Segamat town and 13km from Buloh Kasap in Johor, and is said to be owned by Chansun Estate Sdn Bhd. The Edge understands that the plantation land is priced between RM150,000 and RM180,000 per acre, or RM173 million to RM207 million in total. The freehold development land with residential zoning has a density of up to 20 units per acre. The indicative price of the development land, which is in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), is said to be about RM35 psf, or RM158 million. “This is a ‘prime-fill’ development site.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 07:32 UTC
Nearly RM9mil worth of vape products seized in nationwide op
KUALA LUMPUR: Almost RM9mil worth of e-cigarette products and related items have been seized in raids under Ops E-Cig Mega, a nationwide integrated operation launched on Feb 10. He said the total seizures amounted to RM8.876mil, comprising vape fluid (RM4.6mil) and vape devices (RM4.11mil) along with related equipment. He said the operation was carried out based on intelligence in coordination with the Health Ministry’s enforcement division. He reiterated that the sale of vape products to those below 18 is prohibited under Health Ministry regulations and enforcement efforts would be intensified to curb access among teenagers. "We will continue enforcement in an integrated manner with relevant agencies to address the proliferation of vape products, especially among school students," he said.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 07:26 UTC
Influencer killed in Sibu crash
SIBU: A 41-year-old social media influencer died in an accident along Jalan Teng Kung Suk 3 here on Monday (Feb 16) morning. According to police, Chen Ding Ding lost control of his four-wheel drive (4WD) and hit a parked lorry. Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Zulkifli Suhaili said police were notified of the incident at about 2am. "Initial investigations found that the deceased lost control of his vehicle, which subsequently rammed into the rear of a trailer lorry parked at the end of the road," he said. The deceased was reputed to be a food connoisseur who presented a variety of cuisines on his social media platforms.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 07:22 UTC
Wrong location delays ambulance response in fatal Jelapang crash
IPOH: The delay in an ambulance reaching the scene of a fatal accident in Jelapang was due to incorrect location details provided during the initial emergency call, says the Perak Health Department. However, when the ambulance reached the reported location, no accident was found. A follow-up call with the caller later confirmed that the actual scene was along the Ipoh–Lumut Highway heading towards Jelapang. The department said the Medical Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC) received the emergency call at 3.05pm, and an ambulance was dispatched in accordance with standard procedures. ALSO READ: Three-year-old girl killed, three injured in Jalan Ipoh-Lumut car crashThe ambulance arrived at the actual location at 3.55pm, where medical officers assessed a 33-year-old woman and a three-year-old child.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 07:22 UTC
Only certain fireworks allowed to be sold
KUALA LUMPUR: Only “Happy Boom” fireworks and “Pop-Pop” firecrackers are allowed to be sold in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration tomorrow, the police said. Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said that this is because both types do not contain explosive materials that could endanger public safety. “Anyone found possessing, selling, purchasing or playing with firecrackers and fireworks other than those permitted may face action under Sections 7 and 8 of the Explosives Act 1957,” he said yesterday, Bernama reported. Fadil also reminded the public not to set off firecrackers and fireworks after midnight as this could disrupt public order. He said those who failed to comply could be subject to action under Section 13 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 7 of the Explosives Act 1957.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 07:22 UTC
Sunway Healthcare targets RM16 bil valuation amid market rout
This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 9, 2026 - February 15, 2026SUNWAY Bhd (KL:SUNWAY) is contemplating a valuation of some RM16 billion for its healthcare arm Sunway Healthcare Holdings Bhd (SHH), ahead of its impending listing on Bursa Malaysia, sources say. Meanwhile, Sunway Group could raise up to RM730 million, and Greenwood Capital up to RM129 million from the offer for sale. A number of market observers deem SHH’s valuations to be lofty, especially as other Bursa-listed healthcare providers are trading at far lower valuations. IHH Healthcare Bhd (KL:IHH) for instance, is trading at 34.75 times forward PER, and KPJ Healthcare Bhd (KL:KPJ) at 32.12 times (see table). Moreover, the Bursa Malaysia Healthcare Index was the worst-performing index in 2025.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 07:02 UTC
Ukraine prosecutors say former energy minister is suspect in kickback case
KYIV (Feb 16): A Ukrainian former energy minister has been detained as a suspect in a high-profile kickback case for crimes such as moneylaundering and participation in criminal activity, anti-graft prosecutors said on Monday, but did not name him. Ukraine's previous two energy ministers resigned amid fallout from the so-called "Midas" case, centred on an alleged US$100 million (RM390.11 million) kickback scheme at the state atomic agency that ensnared senior officials and business elites, including a former associate of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. "We are talking about the former energy minister of Ukraine (2021 to 2025)," special anti-graft prosecutors said on the Telegram messaging app. The former minister was detained over the weekend while attempting to leave Ukraine, the prosecutors said. Materials obtained in Ukraine and through international cooperation with the competent authorities of a number of countries furnished the basis for its conclusion, the bureau added.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 07:02 UTC
Wan Saiful withdraws appeal against Bersatu dismissal
SHAH ALAM: Former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) information chief, Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, has withdrawn the appeal he previously submitted against the party’s decision to dismiss him. Wan Saiful said he had already sent an official letter to the chairman of the Bersatu Appeals Board to inform him of his decision, reported Sinar Harian. Previously, the Bersatu Disciplinary Board dismissed Wan Saiful, who is also a member of the Supreme Leadership Council, for allegedly violating the party’s constitution and code of ethics. Apart from Wan Saiful, three other Bersatu leaders were also summoned: Ampang Division chief, Mohd Isa Saidi; Sepang Division chief, Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Ghazali; and Ipoh Timor Division chief, Muhammad Fadhli Ismail. According to the notice, the dismissal decision was made under Clause 22.5 of the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) constitution, following Hamzah’s actions which allegedly violated Clause 9.1.4 of the same constitution.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 06:45 UTC
Two hurt as falling tree crushes MPV in Shah Alam
PETALING JAYA: Two women narrowly escaped death after their multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was crushed by a falling tree near an apartment building in Section 7, Shah Alam, on Monday (Feb 16). Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (Operations) Ahmad Mukhlis Mokhtar said they received an emergency call at 12.11pm. "A total of 12 personnel and two fire engines from the Shah Alam station were dispatched to the scene, about 4km away," he said in a statement. He said upon arrival at 12.16pm, the operations commander found that a tree had crushed the MPV and that two women, aged 39 and 42, were trapped inside. "Firefighters carried out rescue operations to extricate the trapped victims using special equipment.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 06:44 UTC