12-year-old boy saves friend from drowning at Langkawi beach
ALOR SETAR: Quick-thinking and courageous action by a 12-year-old boy saved his friend from drowning at Pantai Pasir Hitam in Langkawi Saturday (Feb 14). I jumped into the water and pulled him to shore before performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)," he told Bernama when contacted Saturday night. "After that, my father sought help from a foreign tourist to carry my friend upside down to drain out the water. I am thankful that he and his friend are safe, and as a father, I am very proud of his bravery," he said. He said the 10-year-old victim, who was initially treated at Sultanah Maliha Hospital in Langkawi, has been transferred to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital here for further medical treatment.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 21:31 UTC
Anwar urges Muslims to use Ramadan to better themselves
KUALA KANGSAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has advised Muslims in the country to make full use of Ramadan by striving to improve their personal conduct and character. So take advantage of Ramadan because (in Ramadan) every day, every night, at every moment, we are reminded to improve ourselves. Let’s challenge ourselves, ‘am I able (to become) better than I was before Ramadan this year?’” he said. Anwar said this in his speech at the Madani Outreach and Ihya’ Ramadan Programme with the Prime Minister at Arena Kampung Chuar, Kati in Padang Rengas near here, on Saturday (Feb 14). At Saturday's event, the Prime Minister also announced an allocation of RM2mil for the development of Masjid Al-Taufiqiah here.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 21:25 UTC
Hamzah to hold 'reset' briefing after dismissal from Bersatu
PETALING JAYA: After being expelled from Bersatu, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin is set to hold a briefing regarding the direction and political reset. Sinar Harian reported that the briefing also involved several MPs, division heads and state assemblymen from the party. It is understood that one of the main agendas was for Muhyiddin to provide an explanation regarding the party's political developments as Bersatu faces increasing attention. On Friday, the Bersatu disciplinary board announced the dismissal of 17 members, including deputy president Hamzah. The Larut MP was dismissed from party membership under Clause 22.5 of the Bersatu constitution because the Larut MP's actions violated Clause 9.1.4 of the Bersatu constitution.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 20:47 UTC
I am a free man, happy to be out of Bersatu, declares Hamzah
KUALA LUMPUR: I am relieved to finally be out of Bersatu, says the recently expelled deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin. “I will not appeal, as I am now a free man and I need not listen to orders which I have to perform unwillingly in the party,” said Hamzah. “It is not Bersatu which decides who is the Opposition Leader, but it is the opposition MPs who decide that,” he added. On his future decision to join any other political party, Hamzah said that he has yet to decide. “What is past is in the past,” said Hamzah.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 19:40 UTC
Six foreign nationals posing as 'doctors' among 18 detained in raid
KUALA LUMPUR: A group of foreign nationals posing as doctors and offering unlicensed medical services from behind premises selling daily essentials was busted after the Immigration Department raided nine locations around Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin in Pudu on Friday (Feb 13) afternoon. Immigration deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said 18 foreign nationals aged 24 to 51 were detained, including six posing as doctors serving the migrant community. He said checks found the premises were operating under the guise of legitimate businesses. Lokman Effendi said most clients were Bangladeshi nationals drawn by lower fees and easier communication, adding that inspections found the premises were supplying medicines that required specialist prescriptions. Lokman Effendi said initial investigations indicate the medicines were smuggled in by Bangladeshi visitors and sold for RM50 to RM100.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 19:25 UTC
Migrant smuggling syndicates switch MO due to tightened checks on Sg Golok, says GOF
KOTA BARU: Illegal immigrant smuggling syndicates operating along the Malaysia-Thai border in Kelantan have been detected to have shifted their tactics, using the sea route and landing along the Kelantan River after security measures at the Golok River were tightened. General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade commander Senior Asst Comm Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the change was detected following intensified enforcement along the Golok River, which was previously the main route for clandestine crossings. “The syndicates no longer rely on the usual Sungai Golok route. They now use boats to transport illegal immigrants through tributaries of the Kelantan River, landing in less populated areas far from GOF posts,” he said when contacted by reporters on Saturday (Feb 14). He added that the PGA would continue to strengthen land and maritime patrols and step up intelligence operations to prevent syndicates from exploiting new routes.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 17:38 UTC
NATO's Rutte says Russians suffering 'crazy losses' in Ukraine
BERLIN, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Russia is suffering "crazy losses" in Ukraine, tallying around 65,000 soldiers over the last two months, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference. Separately, he told a media roundtable that the NATO alliance was strong enough that Russia would not currently try to attack it. "We will win every fight with Russia if they attack us now, and we have to make sure in two, four, six years that same is still the case," he said. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Writing by Sarah MarshEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 16:40 UTC
Ringgit set to trade higher next week on strong growth momentum
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit is expected to trade firmer and remain around the 3.90 level against the US dollar next week, supported by the strong domestic economic growth momentum that continues to influence market sentiment. "The euphoria on strong growth will continue to shape traders’ sentiment next week, which will benefit the ringgit in the near term,” he told Bernama. Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga IB) noted that the greenback weakness remained the primary driver of the ringgit gains. A sustained US dollar recovery would require firmer inflation and higher real yields,” it said in a note. On a week-on-week basis, the ringgit ended the week firmer against the US dollar to close at 3.9060/9115 compared with 3.9440/9525 last Friday.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 16:10 UTC
Nova confirms Tang Jie-Ee Wei to bypass German test for All-England push
PETALING JAYA: National mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto hopes a little extra preparation time will benefit Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei for their charge at the All-England next month. "We have spoken to the players and decided that we would head straight for the All-England." Tang Jie-Ee Wei did not go far at last year’s All-England at the Utilita Arena as the second seeds crashed out in the opening round after losing to Indonesia’s Rehan Kusharjanto-Gloria Widjaja. Nova hopes to see Tang Jie and Ee Wei go further this time. "We just don’t want a situation where we start well in the first round, then fall to a lower-ranked pair in the second round.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 15:55 UTC
Ten-man West Ham survive Burton battle to reach FA Cup fifth round
West Ham United's Crysencio Summerville (left) celebrates scoring their first goal with Ezra Mayers during Saturday’s FA Cup match against Burton Albion at Pirelli Stadium, Burton-on-Trent. - Action Images via Reuters PICLONDON: Ten-man West Ham edged into the FA Cup fifth round as Crysencio Summerville clinched a 1-0 win at third tier Burton on Saturday. They were under duress through Tyrese Shade's low strike, which forced a good stop from West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola. Soungoutou Magassa was denied by Collins but West Ham made the breakthrough five minutes into extra-time. West Ham substitute Potts was dismissed for a reckless lunge on Julian Larsson in the 101st minute.
Source:New Strait Times
February 14, 2026 15:25 UTC
Traffic flow on major highways under control amid increasing vehicle volume, says LLM
KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic flow on several major highways has been reported to be under control despite an increase in the number of vehicles as of 6.30pm Saturday (Feb 14), ahead of the Chinese New Year holidays on Tuesday (Feb 17) and the upcoming Ramadan. She said there was an increase in traffic from Gombak to Genting Sempah and at entry routes into the capital, namely from the Sungai Besi Toll Plaza to the city centre, and from Senai to Kulai. "Slow-moving traffic has been reported from the Menora Tunnel to the Sungai Perak Rest and Service Area, from Bandar Baharu to Jawi, and from Permatang Pauh to the Sungai Dua Toll Plaza. LLM expects the number of vehicles to increase tonight, but the situation remains under control," she said. The public can obtain the latest traffic information via the PLUSLine toll-free line at 1-800-88-0000 and X page @plustrafik, or the LLM line at 1-800-88-7752 as well as the X page @llmtrafik.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 15:19 UTC
New high for China's festive travel rush
People preparing to board a train at a railway station in Nanjing, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province, on Friday, ahead of the Lunar New Year. - AFP PICASPIRING physical education teacher Gao Yemiao missed his 30-second window to buy a train ticket home for China's biggest holiday — but he was lucky. "I got put on the waiting list and managed to snag a ticket," the 19-year-old said on Friday at the train station in Baoding, in northern Hebei province. Though the public holiday spans a record nine days this year, Gao said he would not be going out to travel with family. Hua, like others interviewed at the Baoding station, had no travel plans beyond returning home.
Source:New Strait Times
February 14, 2026 15:18 UTC
Several roads in George Town closed for Miaohui celebration
GEORGE TOWN: Several roads around the city here will be closed in conjunction with the Chinese New Year or "Miaohui” celebration organised by the Penang Chinese Clan Council and the Penang Cultural Inheritors Society. It said the next phase of the closure involves Lebuh Light to Lebuh Pasar, Lebuh Pasar to Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Union to Lebuh Pasar, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling to Lebuh Pantai, Lorong Pitt, Lebuh Ah Quee, Lorong Soo Hong, Jalan Kampung Kolam to Lebuh Acheh and Lebuh Armenian. "The closure of all these roads will begin at 7pm on Feb 20 (Friday) until 1.59pm the following day, Saturday (Feb 21),” it said. The third phase of the closure involves Lebuh Chulia from Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling to Lebuh Pantai and Gat Lebuh Chulia from Lebuh Victoria to Lebuh Pantai, which will take place from 2pm until 11.59pm on Feb 21. The public is also encouraged to use public transport to attend the event and help reduce traffic congestion in these areas.- Bernama
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 15:17 UTC
Traffic flow on all major expressways reported smooth tonight
Traffic flow on all major expressways nationwide is reported to be smooth and under control as of 9.30pm today, following minor congestion during the afternoon and early evening. - NSTP/FAIZ ANUARKUALA LUMPUR: Traffic flow on all major expressways nationwide is reported to be smooth and under control as of 9.30pm today, following minor congestion during the afternoon and early evening. However, we expect the number of vehicles to increase again after midnight tonight," said a spokesperson for the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM). In addition, LLM also informed of the increase in traffic in several hotspot areas, but the overall situation is still under control. The public is advised to obtain the latest traffic information via the toll-free PLUSLine at 1-800-88-0000 and the X website @plustrafik or the LLM line at 1-800-88-7752 and the X website @llmtrafik.
Source:New Strait Times
February 14, 2026 15:06 UTC
Reforms key to Malaysia's improved CPI rankings, says Chief Secretary
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s improved position in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is not solely the result of policy implementation and reforms, but also driven by strategic, consistent and high-impact communication, says Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Shamsul Azri said the improvement reflects the government’s seriousness and ongoing commitment in strengthening governance, integrity and the national anti-corruption agenda. The meeting also reviewed a presentation by Transparency International Malaysia president Raymon Ram on Malaysia’s 2025 CPI performance, survey findings and the implementation direction of each CPI Focus Group (FG) for 2026. He also congratulated the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) for improvements recorded in several key CPI-related assessments. “The improvement in Malaysia’s CPI score and ranking is not merely about numbers, but reflects the level of confidence the global community has in our governance system.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 15:05 UTC