42 custodial deaths recorded last year, says Saifuddin
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 42 deaths in custody were recorded in 2025, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the figure comprised eight cases in prison and 34 under police care including 22 deaths while under police detention and 12 in police lock-ups. Investigations found the cases were mainly due to health factors such as heart attacks, strokes and complications from chronic illnesses, he added. He was responding to Hassan Abdul Karim (PH–Pasir Gudang), who had asked about the recent number of deaths involving suspects in police lock-ups and inmates in prison, and the measures taken to prevent such incidents. He stressed that the ministry is committed to safeguarding the safety and welfare of detainees and will not compromise on any misconduct.
Source:The Star
February 05, 2026 01:59 UTC
Targeting cleaner rivers
According to the ministry’s public consultation document on the RIS impact study, the review focuses on water pollution, effluent management, waste management and soil subsidence. “Although the number of polluted rivers has declined, overall pollution levels have increased when the reduction in clean rivers and the rise in moderately polluted rivers are taken into account,” the document said. Of the 672 rivers monitored in 2023, 487 (72%) were classified as clean, 161 (24%) as moderately polluted and 25 (4%) as polluted. Root causes identified include high compliance costs for industrial effluent treatment systems (IETS), limited awareness, poor management and inadequate technology. In addition, the ministry has proposed closer collaboration between the National Solid Waste Management Department and local authorities to strengthen regulatory enforcement and jointly implement waste segregation at source.
Source:The Star
February 05, 2026 01:27 UTC
Embracing AI-based vehicle checks
PETALING JAYA: Puspakom Sdn Bhd, the nation’s sole authorised vehicle inspection agency, is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and other measures to make vehicle inspections more efficient under a transformative move called #MacamBaharu. “#MacamBaharu reflects a deliberate shift in how we plan and deliver vehicle inspection services. In response, the Association of Malaysian Hauliers (AMH) stated that the logistics industry’s “pain point” is the severe shortage of heavy vehicle inspection capacity in the Klang Valley. “As of now, only the Alam Megah (in Shah Alam) branch can handle heavy vehicle inspections,” said AMH secretary-general Mohamad Azuan Masud. “However, from the haulier industry’s perspective, we wish to highlight that heavy vehicle inspections remain highly centralised, with Alam Megah currently serving as the primary branch handling heavy commercial vehicle inspections,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 05, 2026 01:22 UTC
Kante joins Fenerbahce after transfer dispute
N’Golo Kante has joined Fenerbahce, the Turkish side announced on Wednesday after controversy over the completion of the deal. ANKARA: N'Golo Kante has joined Fenerbahce, the Turkish side announced on Wednesday after controversy over the completion of the deal, while Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri has moved to Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad. The like-for-like exchange transfer appeared to be off after Fenerbahce said on Tuesday that Al-Ittihad had failed to enter the relevant information into FIFA's transfer matching system to complete the deal. "Welcome to our Fenerbahce, N'Golo Kante", the Turkish side posted on X. En-Nesyri, 28, joined Fenerbahce in 2024 from La Liga's Sevilla and scored 38 goals in 79 games in all competitions.
Source:New Strait Times
February 04, 2026 22:01 UTC
Indian PM Modi to arrive in M'sia for two-day official visit on Feb 7
PETALING JAYA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be coming to Malaysia on an official visit this weekend as part of efforts to build greater bilateral ties and trade between the two countries. Having been officially invited by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the former during his visit on Saturday (Feb 7) and SUnday (Feb 8). According to India's External Affairs Ministry, Modi will also interact with members of the local Indian community in Malaysia, as well as its industry and business representatives. “Modi’s forthcoming visit will serve as an opportunity for both leaders to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation. Modi’s third ever visit to Malaysia is also scheduled to coincide with the 10th India-Malaysia CEO Forum, according to the Ministry.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 20:44 UTC
ART only comes into force after Malaysia, US exchange notices, says MITI
KUALA LUMPUR: The Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) only enters into force after Malaysia and the United States exchange written notices pursuant to Article 7.2 of the ART, says the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. According to the Ministry, the exchange of written notices was to confirm that all internal ratification processes had been completed and both countries were ready to implement the ART. “Once the notification exchange process is complete, the ART will come into effect within 60 days or on another date mutually agreed upon by both parties,” it said in a wrtitten reply on Parliament's website Wednesday (Feb 4) to a question from Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh), who sought an explanation regarding the statement that the ART with the US cannot be withdrawn but the government would examine and renegotiate certain clauses deemed unfair. On Jan 20, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the ART, signed on Oct 26, 2025 during the 47th Asean Summit, had yet to be implemented as the government was still in the negotiation stage and wanted clear written assurances. MITI said the government was conducting a comprehensive assessment of the ART’s clauses to ensure implementation of the agreed commitments was subject to the Federal Constitution and national development policies, domestic legislation and Malaysia’s commitments in various international forums, including free trade agreements.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 18:52 UTC
Civil Defence personnel seriously hurt after swerving vehicle to avoid dog
IPOH: A member of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) in Bagan Datuk was seriously injured after his vehicle skidded off the road while attempting to avoid a dog in Selekoh, Bagan Datuk early Wednesday (Feb 4) morning. In a statement, Bagan Datuk Civil Defence officer Capt (PA) Mohd Fazly Mohamad Zawawi said his department received a call regarding the incident at 12.03am. He said the victim, identified as Hafizul Borhan, 25, was driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle when he lost control after a dog suddenly crossed the road, crashing into a telecommunications pole before hitting a tree. He said APM officers and personnel were immediately deployed to the scene to provide initial assistance before transporting the victim to Teluk Intan Hospital for further treatment. "The victim underwent surgery at 11.50am today and is currently sedated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Teluk Intan Hospital, with his condition still under observation," he said.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 18:20 UTC
Five hectares of forest at Penang Botanical Gardens go up in flames
GEORGE TOWN: About five hectares of forest at the Penang Botanic Gardens along Jalan Kebun Bunga here caught fire on Monday (Feb 4) evening. "The Firefighting Operations Team that arrived at the location found a forest fire involving an estimated area of five hectares. "The operations commander conducted a size-up at the scene before firefighting works were carried out," he said in a statement Wednesday night. John said firefighting operations are still ongoing, involving 19 personnel, with assistance from the New Ferry, Paya Terubong and Bukit Bendera Volunteer Fire Brigades (PBS), as well as support from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the People's Volunteer Corps (RELA). He said the cause of the fire is still under investigation and further information will be updated from time to time.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 17:27 UTC
TB cluster identified in Kota Tinggi, 33 cases detected, says Health Office
PETALING JAYA: An tuberculosis (TB) cluster outbreak has been identified in Kota Tinggi, Johor with a total of 33 people having been infected so far, says the Johor Health Department. The department said the Kota Tinggi District Health Office detected a TB outbreak in the Kota Tinggi district on Jan 25. As of Wednesday (Feb 4), the department said 33 cases have been detected through active case detection involving 804 close contacts. “All patients have received treatment and are currently under close monitoring at nearby health facilities. The department also acknowledged that one of the TB patients has passed away but confirmed that the death was not caused by TB.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 17:04 UTC
Washington Post starts widespread layoffs, sharply shrinking storied newspaper's reach
(Feb 5): The Washington Post began widespread layoffs on Wednesday that will drastically shrink the size of the storied newspaper, affecting all departments, according to a recording of the call shared with Reuters. "For too long, we've operated with a structure that's too rooted in the days when we were a quasi-monopoly local newspaper," Murray said on the call, adding that "we need a new way forward and a sounder foundation." “The Washington Post is taking a number of difficult but decisive actions today for our future, in what amounts to a significant restructuring across the company," the Post said in a statement. The Washington Post last year made changes across several business functions and announced job cuts, saying then that the reductions would not impact its newsroom. “Today’s layoffs at the Washington Post are a devastating setback for the scores of individual journalists affected and for the journalism profession," said National Press Club president Mark Schoeff Jr, in a statement.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 04, 2026 16:57 UTC
Binastra unit secures RM503mil data centre development project
KUALA LUMPUR: Binastra Corp Bhd said its wholly-owned subsidiary Binastra Builders Sdn Bhd has accepted an RM503mil award from Exsim Sri Permai Sdn Bhd for the proposed development of a data centre in Cheras, KL. According to the group, the job covers, among others, the design, construction and infrastructure works of the proposed data centre. "Beyond our established presence in the data centre projects in Bukit Jalil and Cyberjaya, we are actively exploring new opportunities with potential clients to expand our data centre footprint. With this latest win, Binastra has a total of six data centre projects with a total secured value of RM1.9bil. The group’s total outstanding order book has hit an all-time high of RM7bil, providing earnings visibility of up to four years.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 16:44 UTC
AMD plunges as disappointing forecast fails to calm investors
Analysts had estimated US$9.39 billion on average, but some projections topped US$10 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. AMD chief executive officer Lisa Su is positioning the company to compete with Nvidia in AI chips. Chief executive officer Lisa Su stuck to her usual bullish tone, repeating a prediction that the company’s AI revenue will reach the tens of billions of dollars in 2027. “And so we’re working with our supply chain partners to increase supply as well.”Fourth-quarter sales rose 34% to US$10.3 billion, beating a US$9.7 billion average estimate. Like Nvidia, AMD is contending with US restrictions on what it can export to China — the world’s biggest market for chips.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 04, 2026 16:27 UTC
Ringgit hits near 8‑year high, fall in unemployment rate reflects reform efforts
Amir Hamzah said demand for the ringgit rose in tandem with higher capital inflows and a pick-up in approved investments, which have reached record levels in recent years. He said the Government’s Madani economic agenda was beginning to show results, particularly in the labour market and incomes. The unemployment rate fell to 2.9% in November 2025, the lowest in 11 years, alongside stronger growth and higher investments. Approved investments for the first nine months of 2025 reached RM285.2bil, up 13.2% compared with the same period in 2024, after Malaysia posted record approvals of RM329.5bil in 2023 and RM384.4bil in 2024. Amir Hamzah said Malaysia’s fiscal consolidation and structural reforms have gained international recognition, with the International Monetary Fund acknowledging the country’s efforts in its December 2025 report.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 16:25 UTC
Soniia scores a first as KLBA's sports director
PETALING JAYA: Former national women’s singles player Soniia Cheah has been appointed Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association's (KLBA) first sports director, a newly created position. He explained that Soniia was brought in for the role as he wanted to give space and opportunities to young former players to inject fresh ideas into KLBA. "Coaches also need to be nurtured, and for that reason we are giving her the opportunity to showcase her abilities. Soniia will also be tasked with strengthening sports management, monitoring players and clubs, collecting data, and exploring international collaborations in her role as KLBA’s sports director. 1 women’s singles player and reached a career-high world ranking of No.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 16:19 UTC
Chegubard files bid to set aside RM550,000 defamation judgment
KUALA LUMPUR: Port Dickson Bersatu chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin is seeking to set aside a High Court judgment ordering him and a YouTuber to pay RM550,000 in damages to businessman Datuk Seri Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak. Badrul Hisham currently resides in Seremban. Badrul Hisham said he was shocked to learn about the judgment but would continue with the court process to defend his rights. On Jan 29, High Court judicial commissioner Arziah Mohamed Apandi ordered Badrul Hisham and YouTube channel owner Nurpais Ismail to pay a total of RM550,000 in damages and costs. The award included RM300,000 in general damages, RM150,000 in aggravated damages and RM100,000 in exemplary damages.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2026 16:15 UTC