Modi departs Malaysia after strengthening bilateral ties
SEPANG: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed home on Sunday (Feb 8) after concluding a two-day official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Modi was seen off by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, who was also the minister in attendance during the visit. Anwar said India is a key partner for Malaysia, with collaboration growing in trade, investment, education, technology and tourism. India and Malaysia share longstanding historical, civilisational and cultural ties, underpinned by a strong Indian diaspora community of about 2.9 million in Malaysia. Malaysia-India economic ties continue to demonstrate strong momentum, with total bilateral trade reaching RM79.49bil (US$18.59bil) in 2025.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 15:06 UTC
Landfill, forest blazes keep Penang firefighters busy
Penang firefighters were kept busy today as the fire at the landfill was preceded by one in a forested area in Bukit Bendera. Earlier in the day, at 3.41pm, John said a fire broke out in a forested area in Kaki Bukit Bendera along Jalan Air Itam. "The forest fire, covering an estimated area of one acre (about 04ha), was brought under control by 4.46pm and fully extinguished by 8.05pm. "Firefighters used various methods, including direct attack, relay pumping, fire beaters and jet shooters, before conducting overhaul works. John said both incidents were handled swiftly through coordinated efforts involving multiple fire stations and volunteer brigades.
Source:New Strait Times
February 08, 2026 15:05 UTC
Former commando battling leukaemia receives surprise visit from armed forces chief
Former commando retired Sergeant Mohd Azuan Asmuni (left) with armed forces chief, General Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman, who paid a personal visit to his home. In a Facebook posting, the armed forces said Malek was accompanied by Special Operations director Colonel Mohd Rizal Mohd Zambran. Taking to Facebook, Azuan said he never imagined that the highest-ranking officer in the armed forces would personally visit him. "Although I have retired from the armed forces, my welfare as a cancer patient continues to be looked after. Azuan was diagnosed with leukaemia in September 2023 following blood tests conducted at the armed forces hospital in Kem Sungai Udang.
Source:New Strait Times
February 08, 2026 15:04 UTC
RM100 Sara aid starts tomorrow: This time we will be ready, says Fahmi
KUALA LUMPUR: The MyKasih system has been improved by increasing its bandwidth to ease the use of the RM100 Sumbagan Asas Rahmah Contribution (Sara) assistance, which will start on Monday (Feb 9). Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said this is to avoid system problems like the one that occurred last year. He said this as the Sara aid as well as the Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations this year are close together. In the Budget 2026 announcement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that a second one-off RM100 Sara aid under the MyKasih system will be given to all Malaysian adults starting February 2026. Although the system has since stabilised, the looming second round raises concerns as to whether the system can handle the surge again
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:57 UTC
Krishnan Tan confirms full cooperation with MACC probe into IJM
PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Krishnan Tan has confirmed that he is cooperating fully with investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), following recent media reports linking him to ongoing probes. In a personal statement issued on Saturday (Feb 8), Tan clarified that he served as the non-executive chairman of IJM Corporation Bhd and was not involved in the company’s day-to-day operations or management. Last month, IJM said Tan had met with MACC officers and continues to cooperate fully with authorities. “Other IJM personnel who have been requested to provide information are also cooperating fully as part of the process,” IJM said in a statement then. “As this matter is currently under investigation, the Company will not be making further comments at this stage.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:55 UTC
There are laws, no need to be vigilantes, says Fahmi
KUALA LUMPUR: The public has been urged not to react based on personal emotions or become vigilantes that could disrupt public order. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that for any grievances, there were laws to manage them. “Firstly, let me reiterate what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said yesterday regarding places of worship. Additionally, Fahmi said the government would not compromise on matters that could threaten public security and order. “But not if it can create public fear, disrupt public order, or threaten security, especially while we are receiving official visits from foreign dignitaries,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:36 UTC
Trader loses over RM335,000 to investment scam
KUANTAN: A trader lost over RM335,000 after falling victim to a non-existent investment scheme he came across on Facebook last November. Pahang police chief Comm Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the 51-year-old was contacted by an individual via WhatsApp and offered an investment scheme that promises a lucrative 12 per cent return within three to seven days. "The victim then made 19 cash transactions into two different bank accounts between Dec 4, 2025 and Jan 27 this year, using his savings and loans from friends,” he said in a statement on Sunday (Feb 8). He said the trader was told that his investment had made a profit of over RM2.4mil, but when the victim wanted to withdraw the money, the suspect told him to make an additional payment of 10 per cent of the total profit first. Realising he had been duped, the trader then lodged a report at the Kuantan Police Headquarters on Saturday (Feb 7), and the case, said Comm Yahaya, was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.- Bernama
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:34 UTC
Malaysian actor Along Eyzendy dies after three days in ICU
Actor Mohd Eyzendy Mohd Aziz, popularly known as Along Eyzendy, died at 12.16am after three days in intensive care at Hospital Sultan Idris Shah in Serdang, Selangor. News of Along’s death was confirmed by fellow actor Azhar Sulaiman in a Facebook post early this morning. My condolences to his wife, children and family, and may they have the strength to endure this loss,” read the post. He was later moved to intensive care and sedated on Feb 5. The actor had previously battled kidney disease and underwent a transplant in 2021, with his wife, Hamidah Mohd Yatim, as the donor.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:32 UTC
Ramadan bazaar traders reminded to get typhoid jabs, maintain cleanliness
SEREMBAN: All food traders, especially those involved in Ramadan bazaars, have been reminded to take food safety matters seriously, take the typhoid vaccination and comply with the highest hygiene standards when preparing buka puasa (breaking of fast) food. She added that the typhoid shots act as an early barrier to preventing the spread of dangerous bacteria that can contaminate food and drinks. "The failure of food traders in getting their typhoid jabs and not maintaining proper cleanliness and hygiene will result in action taken against them under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 and Section 11 of the Food Act 1983,” she said. She said this after the programme to clean up the surrounding areas of Pasar Ampangan with the Seremban City Council (MBS), which was also attended by MBS mayor Datuk Masri Baharuddin. He added that if the organisers refuse to give them the refund, the MBS will use the organisers’ deposits to repay the traders.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:30 UTC
Applications for Tunku Abdul Rahman scholarship opens Feb 8
KUALA LUMPUR: Applications for the Tunku Abdul Rahman Scholarship (BTAR) are officially open from Sunday (Feb 8) in conjunction with the birthday of Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. "BTAR is a comprehensive scholarship to support high-potential students in need to further their studies at local public and private universities. "The scholarship uses a holistic approach regardless of background, challenges, living situations and candidates’ aspirations,” he said at an event commemorating Tunku Abdul Rahman at the National Museum here on Sunday. Applications can be made at the Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman website at the link: www.yayasantar.org.my, he added. "In a multiracial country, Tunku bravely introduced power sharing and consensus building, an approach that was ahead of its time.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:11 UTC
'Just the Browser' strips AI and other features from your browser
The utility collects configuration choices in a single file, aiming to make browsers show web pages and little else. If users change their mind, the tool’s settings can be removed without trace and the browser reset to default, as the tutorials explain. So far the AI purge works only for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge on Windows, macOS and Linux. "Just the Browser" is intended to help cleanse mainstream browsers of unwanted and superfluous features without giving up their existing advantages. Alternatives like Vivaldi, LibreWolf, Waterfox and SeaMonkey generally work as well as the big names and come from established developer communities.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:08 UTC
Chris Pratt is at the 'Mercy' of an AI justice system in his new movie
Thriller Mercy (showing at cinemas nationwide) imagines a near future where the justice system is powered by artificial intelligence and suspects are presumed guilty unless they can prove their innocence. In a violence-ridden Los Angeles in 2029, police detective Chris Raven (Chris Pratt) wakes up in a stupor, shackled to a chair, facing the AI judge Maddox (Rebecca Ferguson) that he helped create. The Timur Bekmambetov-directed movie felt like a theatre play said Pratt and Ferguson, who were split up on separate stages, communicating via earpieces and acting out 40-50-minute long scenes. I’m a pretty physical person,” said Pratt, who asked to get strapped in for takes. As I’m defending myself, you’re sort of defending your own actions,” said Pratt.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 14:02 UTC
'No more being soft on betrayal': Kota Melaka Bersatu chief urges tough action
PETALING JAYA: Calls for tough action against alleged party traitors in Bersatu are growing louder, as another party division chief demanded swift and uncompromising measures. Kota Melaka Bersatu division chief Datuk Hishamuddin Abdul Karim urged swift action not only against individuals currently under investigation, but against anyone found to have betrayed the party. “Bersatu can no longer afford to be soft on betrayal. His statement came amid growing calls within the party for Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to be expelled. Hishamuddin said allegations involving organised efforts to undermine the party president, weaken the leadership institution and fracture the party were not trivial matters, but posed a direct threat to the survival of Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 13:49 UTC
Japan votes in test for PM Takaichi as snow weighs on turnout
If the coalition of Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party with the Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, wins 310 seats, it would be able to override the opposition-controlled upper chamber. A man walks past a board displaying posters of candidates for the Lower House election along the street amidst the falling snow in Tokyo, on Feb 8. "It's bad enough here in the towns, but in the mountains there's twice as much snow. Voters will pick lawmakers in 289 single-seat constituencies, with the rest decided by proportional-representation votes for parties. Polls close at 8pm (1100 GMT), when broadcasters are expected to issue projections based on their exit polls.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 13:45 UTC
Thailand votes in early election with three main parties vying for power
BANGKOK: (AP) Voters in Thailand went to the polls Sunday (Feb 8) in an early general election seen as a three-way race among competing visions of progressive, populist and old-fashioned patronage politics. A simple majority of the 500 elected lawmakers selects the next prime minister. Voters stand in a queue at a polling station to vote in the general election, in Bangkok, Thailand, Feb 8, 2026. The Bhumjaithai Party, headed by incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul , is seen as the main defender and preferred choice of the royalist-military establishment. Anutin has been prime minister only since last September, after serving in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was forced out of office for an ethics violation regarding mishandling relations with Cambodia.
Source:The Star
February 08, 2026 13:35 UTC