Thailand, branded the “sick man of Asia”: how much hope can a new government deliver?
BANGKOK: Thailand is increasingly being described as the “sick man of Asia”, driven by a sharp slowdown in consumption, manufacturing and tourism—trends that are hitting household livelihoods and raising concerns about the country’s stability. Thailand is grappling with low economic growth and an economic structure that is no longer keeping pace with today’s development needs. Over the past five years after the Covid-19 crisis, Thailand’s economy has expanded by no more than 2.6%, recorded in 2022. After the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Thailand recovered on the back of exports, and in 2011 the World Bank classified Thailand as an upper-middle-income country. During the election campaign, several parties set out growth targets to be achieved during the new government’s term in 2026–2029.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 07:52 UTC
Fire destroys Kajang apartment unit stocked with firecrackers
KAJANG: A residential unit on the eighth floor of an apartment building here, used to store a large quantity of firecrackers, was destroyed in a fire on Sunday night (Feb 8). Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the department received an emergency call about the incident at 10.42pm, according to Sinar Harian. Ahmad Mukhlis said that when the fire brigade arrived 13 minutes later, they found that the room containing the explosives (firecrackers) was 80% destroyed. "The fire was successfully brought under control at 11.19pm, and extinguishing work is still underway," he said. "The Operations Commander reported that the explosives (firecrackers) were found throughout the house," he added.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 07:42 UTC
Capital A eyes HK listing, subsidiary spin-offs
PETALING JAYA: Maybank Investment Bank Research (Maybank IB) has maintained a “buy” call on Capital A Bhd , citing its various corporate exercises. The research house also raised the stock’s target price by 9% to 75 sen, from 69 sen previously. Moreover, Capital A plans to monetise its AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) shares and warrants, and declare a special cash dividend per share (DPS). In the long term, the plan is to publicly list each subsidiary and dividend their shares in specie to Capital A shareholders,” the research house said. As such, the options being explored include gradually distributing AAX shares and warrants in tandem with retained profits generated.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 07:41 UTC
90% of nation's self-employed do not contribute actively to PERKESO's Lindung Kendiri
GEORGE TOWN: Only 10% of the country's 3.26 million self-employed people actively contribute to PERKESO's Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (Lindung Kendiri). Azman said that only 38,358 people nationwide are contributing under the hawker sector, with Penang accounting for 13.17% or 5,053 contributors. He said these figures suggest that a significant number of small traders have yet to recognise or experience the benefits of this social protection scheme. He said that last year, PERKESO disbursed RM31.25mil in benefits to 7,693 contributors under Lindung Kendri nationwide, including 424 self-employed individuals in Penang. The MOU, signed by Azman and MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, is aimed at strengthening the social safety net, particularly for hawkers and small traders.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 07:41 UTC
Travel bans only on PTPTN loan defaulters with successful careers, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: Travel bans will only be imposed on National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) borrowers who fail to settle their loans despite earning well or working overseas, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said there are certain other criteria for imposing travel bans. "For those without jobs or income, the repayment can be deferred up to two years before we will initiate restructuring. Some 3,000 disabled students at public higher education institutions, polytechnics and community colleges also stand to obtain free education, he said. He also asked about help for students from lower-income groups who have been forced to take part-time jobs during their studies as PTPTN funds are inadequate.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 07:31 UTC
My Say: Canada can be a stable, premium market for Malaysian investors
That is why I believe Canada merits far more serious attention from Malaysian firms. Too often dismissed because of distance, Canada offers something increasingly valuable: a stable, high-trust, high-value market that complements — rather than competes with — Malaysia’s major relationships in Asia. For Malaysian business leaders planning the company’s next move, Canada’s predictability is not a luxury; it is a competitive advantage. Malaysia and Canada share this framework, yet too many Malaysian firms leave its benefits on the table. I would like to see more Malaysian companies seize the benefits of this agreement.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 09, 2026 06:52 UTC
Kinergy signs 21-year hydropower-based virtual power purchase agreement with Safran unit
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 9): Energy firm Kinergy Advancement Bhd (KL:KINERGY) said on Monday it has entered into a long-term virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Safran Landing Systems Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a unit of France-based Safran Group. The agreement is to effectively neutralise the electricity consumption of Safran’s manufacturing plant in Negeri Sembilan, the group said in a statement. Unlike a conventional physical PPA, a VPPA is a financial contract linked to renewable energy generation. The agreement was signed by Kinergy’s wholly-owned subsidiary, KAB Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd (Kabeh), and involves the virtual supply of renewable electricity generated from hydropower facilities into the national grid. Safran Landing Systems Malaysia is engaged in the manufacturing, assembly, refurbishment, maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft wheels and braking systems, including carbon disc manufacturing.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 09, 2026 06:37 UTC
RM33mil set aside for high-impact agriculture projects under 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM33mil has been approved under the 13th Malaysia Plan to implement high-impact agricultural projects from 2026 to 2030, says Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin. He said the federal government has allocated RM24.98mil to upgrade existing Permanent Food Production Parks (TKPMs) and RM18.47mil to develop new parks under the 12th Malaysia Plan. The upgrades to existing TKPMs have been rolled out nationwide, except in Perlis, while new development projects are underway in Johor, Kelantan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Terengganu and Perlis, he added. "Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, a total of RM18mil has been allocated for the development of high-potential ZIAs covering fish, shrimp and shellfish farming," he said. "The ministry is implementing the high-impact Pengganda30 Programme with a project cost of RM450mil nationwide," he said.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 06:11 UTC
Bursa poised for selective bargain-hunting this week
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia is expected to trade with selective bargain-hunting, even in the absence of oversold technical conditions, following three consecutive sessions of mild decline, says an economist. “In contrast, Thailand’s election is expected to have limited spillover effects on the broader region and minimal direct impact on Malaysia,” he told Bernama. “Globally, US retail sales data is due tomorrow, while China is scheduled to release its January consumer price index (CPI) and producer price index figures on Wednesday. On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the FBM KLCI fell by 8.05 points to 1,732.83 from 1,740.88 a week earlier. The FBM Top 100 Index slipped 91.03 points to 12,470.99 points.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 06:03 UTC
Tennis-Australia humiliated by Ecuador in Davis Cup qualifier
MELBOURNE, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Australia slumped to their worst Davis Cup result under long-serving captain Lleyton Hewitt, suffering a 3-1 humiliation away to lowly Ecuador in the first round of qualifiers on Sunday. Ecuador next face Britain in the second round of qualifiers in September. “It’s just a different feeling when you’re playing for your country,” Suresh, who has a world ranking of 470, told the Davis Cup website after the win. “You are not playing for yourself, you’re playing for the whole nation." The United States beat Hungary 4-0 while Britain also secured a 4-0 win over Norway and Canada beat Brazil 3-2.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 05:12 UTC
Appeal ruling adds weight to concerns about women’s and girls’ hockey in Ontario
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Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:58 UTC
Unidentified explosions disrupt efforts to extinguish peatland fire
MUAR: Two small explosions were detected during operations to extinguish a peatland fire at a plantation here. “Entering the eighth day of operations, a small explosion was detected in Sector D of the area. “Therefore, for the safety of personnel and the public, Sector D has been completely closed,” he said. “Firefighting operations are still ongoing in Sector A, while Sector D has been closed following a second explosion,” it said in a statement yesterday. On Jan 31, a peatland fire reportedly destroyed nearly 5,000 pineapple plants belonging to a farmer in Kampung Parit Haji Abd Aziz, Sungai Balang Besar, here.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:57 UTC
Hamzah, four others face action
Hamzah and four party division leaders have also been summoned to a disciplinary board hearing this Thursday. This was stated in a notice to Hamzah, who is Opposition Leader and Larut MP, and signed by the party’s disciplinary board chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan. “This statement has tarnished the image of the party president and the party as a whole,” it said. Last October, Hamzah was summoned by the disciplinary board for the first time for “allegedly conspiring to disrupt the general assembly”. Kota Melaka division chief Datuk Hishamuddin Abdul Karim called for tough action against alleged party traitors, while Kuala Selangor chief Datuk Harisson Hassan urged a thorough, transparent and independent probe on Hamzah.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:45 UTC
Anwar congratulates Japan’s new PM Takaichi on decisive election win
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae following her Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) decisive victory in the country’s general election. In a Facebook post on Monday (Jan 9), Anwar said the strong mandate reflected public confidence in Takaichi’s vision for Japan’s economic renewal and her ability to inspire a new generation of voters. He noted that Takaichi had visited Malaysia in October last year for the Asean-led summits, just days after assuming office. Referring to Takaichi’s pledge to “work, work, work, work and work” for Japan, Anwar said he looked forward to working just as closely with her to strengthen bilateral ties further. “I look forward to working just as intensely with Prime Minister Takaichi to take the Malaysia-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to the next level,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:35 UTC
Furniture factory in Petaling Jaya catches fire
PETALING JAYA: A furniture factory in Sea Park here was razed, sending thick smoke over the area and attracting the attention of residents in nearby areas. Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said no casualties were reported. “The fire happened at a furniture factory measuring an estimated 30sqm by 15sqm,” he said in a statement yesterday. He said 34 firefighters were involved in the operation, with help from the Petaling Jaya, Jalan Penchala, Puchong and Taman Tun Dr Ismail fire stations. A Bernama observation found that the thick black smoke could be seen from afar, while the public was prevented from getting too close to two nearby petrol stations.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:33 UTC