Governing AI the Asean way
THE acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) in 2025 was remarkable. AI within Asean moved from aspirational principles into a much more coordinated mission where expanded AI ethics guidelines, responsible AI roadmaps and closer policy alignment reflected a growing consensus.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 00:21 UTC
MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm alert for Perak, Selangor, Sarawak
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning for thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds across several areas in Perak, Selangor and Sarawak. According to MetMalaysia, thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected over the following areas until 9.00am on Friday (Feb 6): in Perak, Manjung, Perak Tengah, Bagan Datuk and Hilir Perak; in Selangor, Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Klang, Petaling, Kuala Langat and Sepang; and in Sarawak, Mukah (Dalat and Mukah) and Bintulu. The public in the affected areas is advised to remain cautious during thunderstorms and to follow the latest updates from MetMalaysia.
Source:The Star
February 07, 2026 00:07 UTC
Praise for open data on KL’s gazetted green spaces
Two community groups in Kuala Lumpur have welcomed the move to make gazetted green space data accessible to the public. “We are hopeful that such open and green spaces will be not only protected but saved from being alienated or abused. By visiting ptgwp.gov.my/portal and clicking on the “MyHijau” icon, the public can view a map with the locations of the gazetted green spaces. Yeoh says a task force will work towards gazetting 256 plots of land as green and open spaces. “Most importantly, it helps communities play a constructive role in safeguarding green lungs and public open spaces for present and future generations,” said the coalition.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 23:25 UTC
Help for 42 Perak temples to resolve land status issues
Compiled by OON JUN-YANG, BEH YUEN HUI and R. ARAVINTHANFORTY-TWO temples in Perak that have received notices from district land offices will be assisted in finding amicable solutions, Makkal Osai reported, citing state exco member Datuk A. Sivanesan. The notices were issued under Sections 425 and 341 of the National Land Code. They involve temples that had previously been offered alternative sites but have not yet relocated, as well as several others facing different land-related issues. He added that the state exco has been briefed about the issue, and that he is working to ensure the matter is resolved by year’s end. He is confident that this is achievable as they are receiving good cooperation from the land offices and relevant government departments.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 23:25 UTC
RM200mil in drugs seized
UK-bound mules among those nabbed in raidsKUALA LUMPUR: A series of anti-narcotics operations by Bukit Aman have led to seizures of drugs worth about RM200mil. Following this, he said police found a car parked in Jalan Kuchai Lama here with 255 packages of suspected methamphetamine, with the drugs valued at RM13.25mil. Comm Hussein said checks showed that the group, which had been active since last year, used carparks as drop-off points for drugs, with other members of the syndicate driving away the cars without direct contact with the drugs. The second operation led to the discovery of about RM180mil in drugs, including ecstasy pills and MDMA. “The first suspect acted as the syndicate leader and organised the transport of the drugs in and out of the country.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 23:19 UTC
Finding joy in simpler celebrations
“My family has always kept our Chinese New Year celebrations relatively simple. Most of our budget goes towards food rather than decorations or lavish arrangements,” said Ng from Ipoh, Perak. Another celebrant, who wished to be known only as Yap, said his family’s simpler celebrations are driven more by lifestyle changes than financial pressure. Wong said her family keeps decorations simple, often reusing lanterns and old ornaments. “We do not spend on lavish decorations as we do not put up much in the house,” she said, adding that her family still buys new clothes every year.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 23:11 UTC
It’s all systems go for CNY exodus
PETALING JAYA: With hordes of Malaysians travelling home for Chinese New Year, it’s all systems go for buses, trains and even planes. Operators are doing their best to meet surging demand at what is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. PLUS Malaysia Bhd is prepared for a significant increase in traffic along several major stretches of its highways and Lebuhraya Pantai Timur 2. Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali said bus tickets for the KL-Singapore route were already sold out. He said routes that go through rural areas where trains do not operate were very popular.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 23:11 UTC
HRD Corp suspends three top executives over PAC, MACC findings
"It concerned the management of 'unutilised levy', the acquisition of Menara Ikhlas and HRD Corp’s equity investment management. "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 said it is confident that these improvements would strengthen compliance, accountability and good governance. The report also said that HRD Corp had outstanding levies totalling RM205.42mil as of Dec 31, 2023. In May last year, the MACC presented findings of its probe into HRD Corp over the management of levy collections and investments.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 22:50 UTC
Dr M allowed 'home leave' after one month in IJN
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed has been allowed to return home briefly after receiving treatment for a fractured hip at the National Heart Institute (IJN) over the past month. "On Feb 4 and 5, Dr Mahathir was allowed 'home leave'. "In the afternoon, he returned to IJN to continue treatment and observation by the medical team," he said adding that the medical team is satisfied with Dr Mahathir's recovery and his response to physiotherapy. "Although allowed to return home in stages, Dr Mahathir is still being monitored by the IJN medical team," he said in a statement on Friday. He added that doctors have advised Dr Mahathir not to have visitors besides immediate family members for now.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 22:09 UTC
Heart And Soul: Carrying Malaysia wherever I go
Email your story to: heartandsoul@thestar.com.my with the subject "Heart and Soul". Recently, I read Loving Malaysia, a memoir written and self-published by Cheah Choo Kheng, now a semi-retired lawyer. As a Malaysian living abroad, the writer was drawn to Cheah Choo Kheng's self-published memoir 'Loving Malaysia' which revealed a multicultural Malaysia marked by freedom, cohesion and a strong esprit de corps. Singapore is a strong pool of local and foreign talents, so staying relevant and competitive in the market is never easy. There were instances when my colleagues asked me, “Are you a Singaporean?” Without hesitation, I replied, “No, I’m a Malaysian.” – always striving to elevate the reputation of Malaysia, telling the world “Malaysia Boleh”.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 22:03 UTC
Cops detain 24 undocumented migrants in Tumpat
KOTA BARU: Kelantan police foiled a smuggling attempt after detaining 24 undocumented migrants from Myanmar, China, Bangladesh and Afghanistan along the riverbank in Pasir Pekan Hulu, Wakaf Bharu, Tumpat Thursday (Feb 5). Tumpat OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Khairi Shafie said the migrants, aged between two and 42 years old, did not possess any valid travel documents. "A team from the Tumpat district police headquarters managed to thwart the smuggling activity after intercepting three vehicles, namely two four-wheel drives (4WD) and a car, believed to have been used to transport the migrants into the country. "Initial investigations found that all the migrants had entered the country by boat via a river route from Thailand. "All the migrants and seized vehicles have been taken to the district police headquarters for further investigation, and the case is being investigated under Sections 55E and 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63," he said.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 21:45 UTC
India PM Modi's visit will strengthen ties, boost cooperation, says Wisma Putra
KUALA LUMPUR: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake an official visit to Malaysia on Saturday (Feb 7) and Sunday (Feb 8), at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Wisma Putra, in a statement Friday (Feb 6), said the visit reciprocated Anwar’s official visit to India in August 2024. During the visit, Modi will be accompanied by India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and senior government officials. Malaysia’s total exports to India amounted to RM52.30bil (US$12.24bil) and total imports amounted to RM27.19bil (US$6.35bil). Key export items comprised palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products and electrical and electronic products, while imports from India mainly consisted of agricultural products, petroleum products and chemical products.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 21:39 UTC
Takiyuddin: PAS has candidate ready to lead PN
KOTA BHARU: PAS Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed that the party already has a candidate to be appointed Perikatan Nasional chairman. He said the final decision would be made at the Perikatan Supreme Council Meeting, in accordance with the coalition's constitution, Sinar Harian reported. He also expressed confidence that the issue related to the appointment of the Perikatan chairman could be resolved amicably. Meanwhile, he stressed that the delay in appointing the Perikatan chairman was not a big issue. "According to the original schedule, the Supreme Council meeting was supposed to take place on January 29, but had to be cancelled because it overlapped with other meetings.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 19:45 UTC
Ringgit ends flat against US$
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit traded flat against the US dollar at Friday’s close, pressured by profit-taking as traders locked in gains accumulated earlier. However, the decline was capped by weaker US economic data which continued to support demand for emerging-market currencies, including the ringgit. At 6 pm, the ringgit stood nearly unchanged at 3.9440/9525 against the greenback compared with Thursday's close of 3.9440/9535. At the close, the ringgit traded mostly lower against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit strengthened against the Indonesian rupiah to 233.6/234.3 from 234.1/234.8 at the previous close.
Source:The Star
February 06, 2026 19:29 UTC