Agong warns graft offenders: ‘No one is above the law’
In a statement issued by the Royal Press Office on Monday (Feb 16), His Majesty stressed that graft is a betrayal of public trust and will not be tolerated in the country’s administration. “Do not think the fight against corruption is only focused on a handful of departments or those who give and receive bribes. Even those in the Royal Malaysia Police, the Immigration Department, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and many others should be cautious,” he said. The King stressed that anti-corruption efforts must go beyond rhetoric or cosmetic actions, emphasising that no one is above the law. He also said immediate transfers should be carried out if officers fail to uphold integrity and discharge their duties honestly.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 06:40 UTC
17-year exile to landslide victory
The nation’s prime minister-in-waiting Tarique Rahman (pic) called for all to remain united and dedicated his sweeping win to those who “sacrificed for democracy”. Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a landslide victory in the elections on Thursday, the first since a deadly 2024 uprising ousted the iron-fisted rule of Sheikh Hasina. The BNP alliance won 212 seats, compared with 77 for the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, according to the Electoral Commission. “Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united,” Rahman said in his first speech since the election. “This victory belongs to Bangladesh, belongs to democracy, this victory belongs to people who aspired to and have sacrificed for democracy,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 06:36 UTC
Authorities seize 190 LPG cylinders in Kajang
PUTRAJAYA: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry seized 190 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and a lorry, with an estimated total value of RM83,116, in a raid on a premises in Kajang on Feb 9. Checks uncovered a Daihatsu lorry carrying 110 units of 14kg LPG cylinders, while 80 LPG cylinders of 14kg and 50kg capacity were found on the premises platform," he said in a statement on Monday (Feb 16). Azman said preliminary investigations revealed the supply was obtained from a company in Bandar Rinching, Semenyih, and the Kajang premises did not possess any valid licence to store or conduct business involving controlled LPG. He said a man and a woman, believed to be involved in transporting the LPG, were detained to assist in the investigation. The case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974, he added.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 06:36 UTC
Thinaah, Axelsen feel players will get used to 15x3 system
PETALING JAYA: The Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) plan to introduce new 15x3 scoring system continues to generate debate over whether it will benefit the sport’s biggest stakeholders, which is the players. “As we’re so used to playing 21-point games, it’s hard to know exactly how it will feel. Matches will definitely be shorter in the beginning, but once players get used to it, things will balance out. Fewer points mean shorter games, no doubt, but it should be fun to watch,” he said. So far, the 15x3 scoring system has only been tested in selected smaller grade three tournaments since last year and has not yet been used in any BWF World Tour events.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 06:35 UTC
AI boom sparks Big Tech debt fears, derivatives market surges
CALIFORNIA: Debt investors are worried that the biggest tech companies will keep borrowing until it hurts in the battle to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence (AI). Contracts tied to about US$895mil of Alphabet debt are outstanding, after netting out opposite trades, while around US$687mil is tied to Meta debt. Some of the richest tech companies in the world are rapidly turning into some of the most indebted. Some providers even offer baskets of hyperscalers’ CDS, mirroring baskets of cash bonds that are rapidly being developed. Morgan Stanley expects borrowing by the massive tech companies known as hyperscalers to reach US$400bil this year, up from US$165bil in 2025.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 06:35 UTC
Experts: Take precautions during festive gatherings
PETALING JAYA: As the country faces another rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases, health professionals say that gatherings held during Chinese New Year and Ramadan could fuel further transmission if precautions are ignored. “Encounters during festive celebrations once or twice in a short duration are not likely to transmit pulmonary TB. As of yesterday, the Health Ministry reported 503 new TB cases detected across the nation during the fifth epidemiological week. Consultant emergency physician Dr Aliyah Zambri said that festive gatherings held in poorly ventilated indoor spaces could accelerate transmission. She said the TB bacteria can remain suspended in the air when a person with active pulmonary TB coughs, speaks or sings.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 06:35 UTC
IPO Watch: Main Market-bound Hock Soon Capital sees earnings resilience despite removal of egg subsidy
Perak-based poultry firm Hock Soon Capital Bhd (KL:HOCKSOON) remains optimistic about its business outlook, viewing its upcoming listing as a timely move to support expansion plans. Founded in 1979, Hock Soon traces its roots to the late Ong Kim Hock, father of Boon Leng, and Ong Boon Sing, Boon Leng’s brother. The new facility, with a total estimated cost of RM90 million, will nearly double the group’s total daily production capacity to 3.16 million eggs from its current 1.63 million eggs. Of the 439.12 million eggs sold in FY2025, 98%, or 430.46 million, were ordinary eggs, with the remainder comprising premium eggs. In Malaysia, Hock Soon captured a market share of 2.61% in 2024, based on an annual production volume of 401.82 million eggs.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 06:32 UTC
February car sales likely to dip amid CNY after January jump — MAA
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): Sales and production in Malaysia’s automotive sector are expected to remain subdued in February due to a shorter working month, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA). In a report on Monday, the MAA shared a cautious outlook as there are only 17 working days this month due to the Chinese New Year (CNY) holidays. Passenger vehicle sales rose 28.4% to 60,369 units, up from 47,019 units in January 2025, while commercial vehicle sales increased 14.6% to 3,929 units from 3,430 units a year earlier. Passenger vehicle production rose 5.6% to 57,357 units in January 2026, compared with 54,345 units in January 2025, while commercial vehicle production grew 12.7% to 3,499 units, from 3,105 units. Despite these gains, month-on-month total industry volume was lower whereby the industry saw a fall of 29% in January compared to December, which saw the highest recorded sales.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 05:57 UTC
Stocks with momentum on Feb 16, 2026: Globaltec Formation, Paramount, Epicon, Exsim Hospitality and Ocean Vantage
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): theedgemalaysia.com highlighted two stocks with positive momentum and three stocks with negative momentum at Bursa Malaysia's afternoon close on Monday. The stocks with positive momentum were:Globaltec Formation Bhd (KL:GLOTEC) — rose eight sen or 7.84% at RM1.10; andParamount Corp Bhd (KL:PARAMON) — rose two sen or 1.90% at RM1.07. The stocks with negative momentum were:Epicon Bhd (KL:EPICON) — rose 1.5 sen or 8.82% at 18.5 sen;Exsim Hospitality Bhd (KL:EXSIMHB) — rose one sen or 3.51% at 29.5 sen; andOcean Vantage Holdings Bhd (KL:OVH) — fell 1.5 sen or 7.32% at 19 sen. The list of stocks with momentum is generated using a proprietary mathematical algorithm highlighting stocks with a build-up in trading volume and price. The algorithm differentiates between stocks that exhibit positive (+ve) momentum and negative (-ve) momentum.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 05:52 UTC
BlueScope eyes US growth with expansion, boosts investor payout
(Feb 16): BlueScope Steel Ltd, which rejected a takeover bid from Steel Dynamics Inc and SGH Ltd last month, plans to push for growth in the US through an expansion of its North Star operations and premium products. She added the company had “plenty of capacity to fund ongoing growth” from its current balance sheet. BlueScope last month knocked back what it called a “highly opportunistic takeover proposal” of A$13.2 billion (US$9.3 billion) or A$30 a share from Steel Dynamics and SGH. After reporting strong financial results on Monday, the company announced a A$310 million share buyback programme and a new policy to distribute at least 75% of free cash flow to investors. Total returns to shareholders are likely to hit A$3 a share, Archibald said.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 05:37 UTC
MISC secures FPSO Ruby II contract extension in Vietnam until end-2027
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): MISC Bhd (KL:MISC) said its joint venture (JV) company has secured a contract extension for its floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) Ruby II offshore in Vietnam until Dec 31, 2027. The contract — covering the lease, operation and maintenance of the vessel — was awarded by Vietnam National Industry – Energy Group (Petrovietnam) to Vietnam Offshore Floating Terminal (Ruby) Ltd (VOFT), a JV 40%-owned by MISC and 60%-held by PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC). According to a statement by MISC, the extension allows FPSO Ruby II to continue operating in Blocks 01 & 02 offshore Vietnam, where it has been producing since achieving first oil in June 2010. FPSO Ruby II is an Aframax-size vessel designed with a production capacity of 39,000 barrels of oil per day. As MISC’s first offshore asset in Vietnam, the FPSO has been instrumental in establishing the group’s presence in the country, said MISC president and group chief executive officer Zahid Osman in the statement.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 16, 2026 05:22 UTC
Billionaire’s accounts frozen amid graft probes
SINGAPORE: The authorities in Bangladesh have frozen the bank accounts of a naturalised Singaporean billionaire amid probes into business dealings. His flagship company is Summit Power International, a Singapore-based business incorporated in 2016 and currently located at One Raffles Place. In 2019, Japanese energy giant JERA Co bought a 22% stake in Summit Power International for US$330mil, valuing the company at US$1.5bil. Summit Power International now operates 11 power plants as the nation’s largest independent power producer. According to his biography on the Summit Power International website, Khan is a member of the UNICEF International Council.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 04:58 UTC
No need to take leave, says Azam
SEPANG: Stating that he was the one who asked to be investigated, Tan Sri Azam Baki says there is no need for him to go on leave as a special committee investigate allegations of his shareholdings. “I don’t need to go on leave. “They can carry out their responsibilities and I am ready to give any documents or statements that they need. Azam also expressed his confidence that the special committee will investigate his case in a transparent and professional manner, pledging his full cooperation to the committee. The committee, headed by Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, also comprised Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 04:20 UTC
Keeping grandma’s nian gao recipe alive
BALIK PULAU: Despite the laborious task of making nian gao the traditional way, she has persisted in producing 1,000 of the sweet treat every year to keep alive her grandmother’s recipe. It is demanding work but she does it year after year to bring kampung-style nian gao out of the steamer rather than let the traditional practice disappear. “When you make it once a year you tend to lose touch or worse, stop making it for some years and then stop completely. Lee began by making the nian gao only for her family. Many families no longer make nian gao themselves, she said, and younger generations may not fully understand its role during prayers to the Kitchen God.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 04:16 UTC
Bridge completed after years of delay
A long-delayed bridge project along Jalan Gelang Patah in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, is finally completed and opened to traffic, benefitting about 80,000 road users daily. The RM13mil project, which involved the replacement of an old steel bridge with a new concrete structure, was completed on Jan 27 and officially handed over on Feb 3. State works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the project marked the resolution of a long-standing issue faced by residents and motorists in the area. “This project began in 2016 and was originally supposed to be completed between 2019 and 2020,” he said after inspecting the new bridge. “The construction allows for smoother water flow along Sungai Gelang Patah that can help reduce the risk of flooding in surrounding areas,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 04:13 UTC