3.27 million vehicles expected on highways during CNY rush
PETALING JAYA: Traffic volume on major highways is expected to rise as early as Feb 13, with about 3.27 million vehicles projected to use these routes during the Chinese New Year festive period. The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) said the highest traffic volume was expected on PLUS highways, with an estimated 2.2 million vehicles. ALSO READ: 50% CNY toll discount on Feb 14 and 15, says NantaIn the Saturday (Feb 7) statement, LLM also announced a 50% discount on selected highways for two days in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations. The discount applies to Class 1 vehicles only, and Class 2 vehicles at the Penang Bridge, from 12.01am on Feb 14 until 11.59pm on Feb 15. It said that the discount would be offered at all toll plazas nationwide except at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) toll plaza on the North-South Expressway and the Tanjung Kupang toll plaza on the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 07:27 UTC
Work hard or step aside, Anwar tells PKR members
GOMBAK: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned that only members willing to work hard to build and strengthen PKR should remain in the party, while those unwilling to pull their weight should step aside. He said PKR members must stay focused on their responsibilities, adding that while criticism and feedback were welcome in a democratic country, the party’s core mission must remain clear. “If we truly want to reform the country and cleanse it of corruption, abuse of power and racial politics, then we must work wholeheartedly,” he said. Anwar cautioned against half-hearted efforts, infighting and emotional posturing, saying such attitudes would only derail the party’s objectives. Anwar said PKR must defend the rights and dignity of all Malaysians while remaining firm in its stand against corruption and wrongdoing, regardless of where it occurs.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 07:12 UTC
'Rembo Melaka' apologises to Mohd Na'im, defamation suit settled
SHAH ALAM: The defamation suit filed by former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, against influencer Ramzi Kamil was amicably settled at the High Court here last Thursday (Feb 5). Mohd Na’im filed the suit on Dec 23, 2025, over allegedly defamatory statements published on Ramzi’s Facebook page on Nov 23 and 25, 2025, concerning the vaccination of Haj and Umrah pilgrims. Based on the consent judgment obtained by the media today, both parties reached an amicable settlement and resolved the matter out of court. According to the consent judgment, Ramzi expressed regret and issued an apology for the inappropriate use of defamatory words and expressions that had given a negative impression of Mohd Na’im. Lawyers Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader, Muhammad Aslam Akberdin and Ahmad Redza Akberdin represented Mohd Naim, while lawyer Nur Fazrin Ahmad represented Ramzi.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 06:55 UTC
20 illegal renovation workers nabbed in Johor Ops Kutip raid
JOHOR BARU: Twenty illegal immigrant workers were detained while carrying out renovation work at a commercial premises in Taman Mount Austin near here. Johor Immigration Department director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said they were arrested in an operation codenamed Ops Kutip on Thursday (Feb 5) at 3pm. “They tried to escape during the raid, but our men managed to apprehend them,” Mohd Darus said in a statement onSaturday (Feb 7). Mohd Rusdi said the illegal immigrants had committed offences under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155), and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155). “All of them are being placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot here to assist with the investigation,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 06:55 UTC
Speaker Johari urges MPs to champion refugee issues in Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul (pic) has encouraged Members of Parliament to take up refugee-related issues in the august House. He also added that he would provide them with the space to discuss such issues in Parliament. Johari said the symposium was crucial because it brought together experts to share their views and raise MPs' awareness of the importance of the refugee issue. The symposium was jointly organised by the Parliament and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Aside from MPs, Johari said the masses must also be made aware of the plight of refugees in Malaysia.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 06:55 UTC
Anwar: No more hiding corruption behind racial slogans
KUALA LUMPUR: Racial slogans have long been used to deceive Malaysians while billions were siphoned off in the background, but the era of hiding corruption behind ethnic loyalty must end, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister made these remarks in his speech at the Selangor PKR Convention here on Saturday (Feb 7). Anwar said such figures were now uneasy not because they were misunderstood, but because they feared accountability under a government anchored in justice and principles. He stressed that corruption and abuse of power have long been challenges since independence. “This is the government that has done the most to resolve hardcore poverty, regardless of race,” he added.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 06:28 UTC
Modi begins two-day official visit to Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed from New Delhi for his two day official visit to Malaysia. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is slated to welcome him. Modi's last official visit to Malaysia was in November 2015 but he made a brief stopover here on May 31,2018. In 2025, total trade between Malaysia and India reached RM79.49 bil (USD18.59 bil). Malaysia’s total exports to India amounted to RM52.30 bil (USD12.24 bil) and total imports amounted RM27.19 bil (USD6.35 bil).
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 05:10 UTC
Malaysia faces twin shortage of organs and transplant surgeons
The Malaysian Society of Transplantation has called for greater efforts to increase public awareness of organ transplants, as well as measures to ensure more doctors qualify as transplant surgeons. He added that greater public education is needed to challenge the stigma surrounding organ transplantation. ALSO READ: A long-term fix for organ transplantsHe also highlighted that concerns, including religious beliefs, were an obstacle to organ donation. “Every year, during National Organ Donation Awareness Week, booklets are produced explaining organ donations in Islam, as well as its ethics. “In 1970, the National Fatwa Committee of Malaysia permitted organ donation and transplantation.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 04:19 UTC
Nuclear power to resume soon
THE nation will switch the world’s largest nuclear power plant back on next week, after a glitch with an alarm forced the suspension of its first restart since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Takeyuki Inagaki, the head of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant run by Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco), told a press conference yesterday that they planned “to start up the reactor on Feb 9”. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the world’s biggest nuclear power plant by potential capacity, although just one reactor of seven will restart. The facility had been offline since Japan pulled the plug on nuclear power after a colossal earthquake and tsunami sent three reactors at the Fukushima atomic plant into meltdown in 2011. Around 60% of residents oppose the restart, while 37% support it, according to a survey conducted by Niigata prefecture in September.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 04:07 UTC
Police bar Garah rally at Sogo over public safety fears
PETALING JAYA: Police have disallowed a planned rally by the Gerakan Anti Rumah Anutan Haram (Garah) scheduled for Saturday (Feb 7) at the Sogo shopping complex here, citing concerns over public safety and security. ALSO READ: Rally against 'illegal' temples still on, says controversial preacherHowever, Comm Fadil said police later received written objections on Feb 6 from the owners of Sogo Shopping Complex, Pertama Complex, Harissons and several nearby premises, who raised concerns about customer safety during the proposed rally. Based on security considerations and intelligence gathered, Comm Fadil said police determined that the assembly could pose a risk to public safety and therefore decided not to allow it to proceed. He advised the public not to attend the rally and warned that firm action would be taken against any party attempting to cause disorder or disrupt public security. “Police will ensure that public safety and well-being remain the top priority,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 04:00 UTC
No application received for development on Ukay Perdana slope, MPAJ reiterates
AMPANG Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) has again dismissed claims that a development project is in the works on a slope in Taman Sering Ukay in Ukay Perdana, Selangor. Ongoing slope stabilisation work in Taman Sering Ukay in Ukay Perdana. — Courtesy photo“MPAJ has only issued approval for slope stabilisation works aimed at strengthening soil integrity,” it said. They also held a meeting with Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail who gave her assurance that no development project was being planned there. Former Taman Sering Ukay Residents Association chairman Brig-Jen (Rtd) Datuk Mohd Arshad Raji said he was fed up with uncertainty surrounding the ongoing works.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 03:55 UTC
Jason Statham’s latest film 'Shelter' combines action and emotion
Jason Statham is back in action in Shelter, but the British actor says his latest thriller is powered by his character’s emotional arc. “We’re unravelling a mystery in a way that creates empathy, creates emotional bond, so that when you hit the action, you’re not just watching it, you’re participating, and you’re rooting for your heroes,” he said. A former stuntman, Waugh wanted to place viewers “inside the action” and shoot on real locations. My main man Guy Ritchie, he started my career almost 30 years ago, so I owe him a lot. He’s a very special person in my life and I’ve got a lot of love for the man,” said Statham.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 03:39 UTC
Proposal offers a ray of hope
After she was diagnosed with cancer in her early 50s, she said a medical insurance premium proposed by an agent was beyond her means. ALSO READ: Fine print needs to pass real test, say policy experts“I have been living in fear of old age with no medical insurance. The government’s Base MHIT is really a saviour with at least some basic coverage for my old age,” she said. As such, she said the promise of a base plan that includes pre-existing conditions offers a ray of hope. Jeyaraj said if the government’s Base MHIT plan can be designed comprehensively, medical insurance coverage will take on a whole new direction.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 03:34 UTC
Toll discounts, price caps for CNY
He said the Works Ministry would announce highway toll discounts for the Chinese New Year holidays. The decision was among several matters discussed at the Cabinet meeting yesterday, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “A total of 16 items will be placed under price control through the Chinese New Year Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme 2026. “This is intended to ensure price stability and protect consumers from unreasonable price hikes during the festive period. On another matter, Fahmi said the Cabinet also discussed the Federal Court’s decision in a case brought by activist Heidy Quah.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 03:34 UTC
Authorities seizes 529 fake mobile phones in Ipoh raid
IPOH: The Perak Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has seized 529 units of counterfeit mobile phones worth about RM150,800 in a raid at a business premises here. Its state director, Datuk Kamalludin Ismail, said the raid was conducted on Thursday (Feb 5) at 11.50am, following a complaint and information provided by the trademark owner, who alleged that the premises were selling branded mobile phones suspected to be counterfeit. “Inspection at the premises revealed a total of 529 mobile phones suspected of bearing registered trademarks without authorisation,” he said in a statement on Friday (Feb 6). Kamalludin added that representatives from the trademark company conducted a preliminary verification of the items and found that the premises are suspected of committing an offence under the Trademarks Act 2019. “If convicted, corporate entities can be fined up to RM15,000 for each item bearing the unauthorised trademark for the first offence and up to RM30,000 per item for subsequent offences.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 03:34 UTC