National service to expand to 20 public universities in 2027
PEKAN: The National Service Training Programme (PLKN) will be expanded to 20 public universities nationwide next year, said Training Department director-general Datuk Ya’cob Samiran. "The training period at universities is longer, covering one to two semesters, compared with 45 days at camps. Ya’cob said PLKN will also be expanded to 13 training camps nationwide, involving a total of 25,000 participants a year. Last January, 254 male PLKN 3.0 Series 1/2026 trainees were advised to return home due to overbooking at the Pekan camp. Ya’cob said the incident occurred when the number of participants who turned up exceeded the set capacity following last-minute confirmation of participation.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 13:00 UTC
New minister names forest protection as top 100-day KPI
KOTA KINABALU: Forest protection operations are among the 100-day Key Performance Indicators (KPI) set by newly appointed Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup to underscore the urgency of safeguarding the country’s biodiversity. “Forest protection must deliver real impact to the people and to environmental sustainability. That is why I have made it a 100-day KPI as minister,” he said at a function to appoint community rangers on Saturday (Feb 7). He said Malaysia’s biodiversity protection efforts have earned international recognition, having won the Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards (AEEA) from the United Nations in 2021 and 2023. Meanwhile, Arthur urged newly appointed wildlife rangers to give their full commitment as frontline defenders of the nation’s forests and wildlife.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 12:47 UTC
'Feels like home': Roti canai, teh tarik and the ties that bind Malaysia and India
"Coconut, spices and of course teh tarik," he said, adding that flavours such as roti canai and Malabar parotta felt just as at home in Kuala Lumpur as they did in Kochi. "You connect roti canai with Malabar parotta," he added, saying shared traditions and common words across languages have helped Malaysians and Indians understand one another with ease. The Indian leader also joked about Anwar's fondness for Indian songs, recalling how videos of the Malaysian prime minister singing in Hindi during an earlier visit to India went viral, while noting his appreciation for Tamil classics. Modi highlighted the depth of that presence, noting that Malaysia is home to the world's second-largest Indian-origin community, which he described as a "living bridge" linking both societies. The exhibition that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and I saw a short while ago shows these connections beautifully.
Source:New Strait Times
February 07, 2026 12:45 UTC
Von Allmen wins men's Olympic downhill gold, first of Games
Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen competes in the men's downhill alpine skiing event during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio (Valtellina) on Saturday. - AFP PICBORMIO: Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen scorched to victory in the men's Olympic downhill in Bormio on Saturday, winning the first gold medal of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. Reigning world champion Von Allmen hit speeds of 145km/h (90mph) to clock a winning time of 1min 51.61sec down the testing Stelvio course. "At the moment it feels like a movie," Von Allmen said. His performance ensured he became the fifth Swiss Olympic downhill champion since 1948 after Beat Feuz, Didier Defago, Pirmin Zurbriggen and Bernhard Russi.
Source:New Strait Times
February 07, 2026 12:32 UTC
JB cops nab man 20 minutes after robbery
JOHOR BARU: It took police 20 minutes to arrest a local man after committing a robbery at a goldsmith shop in a shopping complex located along Jalan Skudai near here. Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Radin Ramlan Radin Taha (pic) said the police received a call on the heist which took place on Friday (Feb 6) at 5pm. “Our men from the Tampoi police station and the Johor Baru North Crime Investigation Department managed to detain the suspect the same day,’’ he said in a statement. ACP Radin Ramlan said police discovered the stolen jewellery items worth about RM158,195.20 from the 41-year-old male. “The suspect has been remanded from Feb 7 to Feb 10, to assist with the investigation,’’ said ACP Radin Ramlan.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 12:24 UTC
Hannah Yeoh lands in hot seat
HANNAH Yeoh was one of the less remarkable Youth and Sports Ministers that most people could remember but she has taken to her portfolio as Federal Territories (FT) Minister like a fish to water. There has been a torrent of attacks from Malay political parties and groups from the day she was named to the post. They have questioned the appointment, cast aspersions on her motives and taken to running down the initial roadmap she has laid out for Kuala Lumpur.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 12:20 UTC
Chief Justice lauds former Federal Court judge Harmindar's contribution in preventive law
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 7): Chief Justice (CJ) Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh on Saturday lauded former Federal Court judge Tan Sri Harmindar Dhaliwal’s contribution in preventive law. Justice Harmindar was the man who reminded the executive that the ‘get out of jail card' only works in Monopoly — not in constitutional law. We are here to condemn the building — not because of want of the CPC (Criminal Procedure Code), but it should not have been there in the first place," Wan Ahmad Farid said. Wan Ahmad Farid said Harmindar emphasised that the Constitution exists to protect citizens, not to shield the state from accountability. "It is his profound understanding that law exists not for its own sake, but in service of society's broader interests," he added.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 07, 2026 11:45 UTC
Modi arrives in KL for two-day official visit
SEPANG: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived for his official two-day visit to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (Feb 7). Modi's last visit was in November 2015 but he made a brief stopover in Malaysia in May 2018. Modi said the visit would boost the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations and enhance cooperation across sectors. Both Modi and Anwar are also expected to attend a reception event at The Mines Convention Centre on Saturday evening. In 2025, total trade between Malaysia and India reached RM79.49bil.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 09:41 UTC
Anwar and wife to attend MCA open house
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail are expected to attend MCA's Chinese New Year open house here on Feb 17. The event will be held on the first day of the Lunar New Year and is open to the public. Dr Wee said such festive gatherings are an important platform to strengthen ties. Looking ahead to the Lunar New Year, Dr Wee expressed hope for a stronger economy. The MCA Chinese New Year open house is one of the mainstays on the festive calendar and draws multi-racial crowds and overseas visitors who come to soak in the atmosphere and join in the celebrations.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 09:20 UTC
RM2.4mil foreign currency smuggling bid foiled at KLIA
PETALING JAYA: An attempt by a foreign man to smuggle foreign currencies worth RM2.4mil was foiled when he was arrested by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), following an inspection operation at the Terminal 1 arrival hall on Friday (Feb 6). “Further inspection uncovered various foreign currencies concealed in packages of new clothing,” it said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 7). AKPS added that the foreign currencies were found in three separate pieces of luggage. AKPS said the case is being investigated under Section 28 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613). “AKPS KLIA reiterates its continued commitment to strengthening border security controls and combating all forms of smuggling and cross-border crime at the country’s entry points,” it said.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 09:10 UTC
Hong Kong says it strongly disagrees with Panama ruling on ports
(Feb 7): Hong Kong has protested against Panama’s court ruling which struck down the contract granted to Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd to operate two ports near the country’s strategic canal. Last week, Panama’s top court decision voided CK Hutchison’s contract, handing a win to US President Donald Trump’s campaign to curb Chinese influence over strategic infrastructure in the Americas. “We strongly disagree with and oppose the judgment regarding the unconstitutionality of the two contracts for the continued operation of the two ports between the Panama government and CK Hutchison,” said a Facebook post from Hong Kong’s Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, citing Yau. China — the largest user of the Panama Canal after the US — cautioned earlier this week that Panama would pay a “heavy price” for yielding to what it termed American hegemony. The Panama court’s decision risks fuelling tensions between Washington and Beijing as the two sides seek to maintain a trade truce ahead of Trump’s scheduled visit to China in April.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 07, 2026 08:14 UTC
HRD Corp suspends three officials
Action comes after audits involving management, stalled RM14mil projectKUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resource Development Corp (HRD Corp) has suspended three of its top management following adverse reports from three bodies. “For this purpose, HRD Corp will implement an internal investigation process that is transparent and conducted with integrity, with a clear mandate, scope and terms of reference. HRD Corp has been involved in several controversies over the years, including real estate deals and high-risk investments that were highlighted by the PAC in its 2024 report. The report also stated that HRD Corp had outstanding levies totalling RM205.42mil as of Dec 31, 2023. In May last year, the MACC presented the findings of its probe into HRD Corp over the management of levy collections and investments.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 08:05 UTC
Malaysian Embassy in Tokyo urges travellers to exercise caution
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Embassy in Tokyo has advised travellers to exercise caution when travelling to regions covered by weather warnings and advisories issued by Japan Meteorological Agency due to snowstorms, heavy snow and ice accretion. The embassy in a statement posted on its Facebook page Friday (Feb 6) said the affected regions include Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshin, Tokai, Hokuriku, Kinki, Chugoku (excluding Yamaguchi), Shikoku, northern Kyushu (including Yamaguchi), southern Kyushu and Amami. "Travellers are advised to exercise caution when travelling in the affected region,” the statement read. According to the embassy, in the event of an emergency, Malaysian travellers can contact the Embassy of Malaysia, Tokyo at +81-3-3476-3840 (office hours) or +81-80-4322-3366 or email at consular@tyo@kln.gov.my or mwtokyo@kln.gov.my - BernamaJapan has been hit by record-breaking snowfall that blanketed its norther regions. According to authorities, 30 people have so far died in snow-related incidents across the country.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 07:37 UTC
PNB sticks to value in IJM takeover
THE proposed takeover of IJM Corp Bhd by Sunway Bhd has stirred one of the most talked-about corporate debates in the Malaysian market this year. The way major shareholders are approaching the deal offers important insight into how institutional capital should behave in transformative transactions.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 07:34 UTC
Two words reinstated in Act
Apex court rules ‘offensive’ and ‘annoy’ not unconstitutionalPUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has reinstated the words “offensive” and “annoy” in Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998, ruling that the terms are not unconstitutional. The other judges on the panel were Federal Court Justices P. Nallini, Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali and Collin Lawrence Sequerah. “In other words, Section 233(1)(a) targets communications that fall outside the purview of the right to freedom of speech and expression. Quah, who was present in court, said she was grateful that the Federal Court had acknowledged that the prosecution against her was “wrong and misplaced”. On Aug 19, 2025, the Court of Appeal allowed her appeal, striking out the words “annoy” and “offensive” from the provision.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 07:28 UTC