PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has condemned the bombing at a mosque in Islamabad during Friday (Feb 6) prayers, describing it as an affront to basic humanity and extending Malaysia’s condolences to the victims and their families. In a Facebook post on Saturday (Feb 7), Anwar said he was profoundly saddened by the loss of life caused by the attack. Anwar said Malaysia stood in solidarity with the people of Pakistan during this period of mourning and distress. We extend our condolences to the victims’ families and express our solidarity with all those affected by this attack,” he added. According to news reports on Friday (Feb 6), at least 31 people were killed and 169 were wounded in the bombing.

A Hong Kong court will sentence former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and his associates on Monday for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in violation of the national security law. Three High Court judges who oversaw Lai’s high-profile trial are expected to hand down penalties on the 78-year-old defendant at 10am, according to the judiciary website. By the time of the sentencing, Lai will have spent nearly five years and two months behind bars. Lai was convicted of two conspiracy counts of collusion with foreign forces and a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious articles, an offence under colonial-era legislation. Six former Apple Daily employees pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in November 2022.

Finally, in a decisive move on Wednesday, Malaysia imposed an immediate and total ban on the importation of electronic waste. - NSTP file picFINALLY, in a decisive move on Wednesday, Malaysia imposed an immediate and total ban on the importation of electronic waste. A big applause to Putrajaya for telling trash exporters that Malaysia isn't their electronic wasteland. While most experts have welcomed the total ban, a few still argue that such toxic waste imports should be licensed. E-waste isn't just trash, but a very toxic one at that, being made up of lead, cadmium, mercury and other poisonous heavy metals.

Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo celebrates scoring their first goal with Manchester United's Amad Diallo and Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo. United moved to 44 points from 25 games, four points ahead of Chelsea in fifth having played a game more. ROMERO RED CARD SECOND OF SEASONUnited are unbeaten in their last seven league games and have won all four since Carrick returned as manager. Romero could have few complaints about his red card and, as it was his second this season, will miss Spurs' next four games. "He is disappointed because he knows this red card could have been avoided," Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Press secretaries and corporate communications head are bridges between the government and the people. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said, as communications frontliners, their responsibility was not merely to convey information, but to ensure that every national policy and agenda is translated "clearly, accurately and with integrity to the people". "The government and the people must always be brought closer together, like a sturdy bridge, so that the government can continue to function effectively for the benefit of the people. "In this context, they play a vital role as the primary link between the administration and the community," he said in a Facebook post. Anwar said this after attending the a retreat for press secretaries and heads of corporate communications.

BUTTERWORTH: Police say that a woman found dead in her home at the Sri Murni Flats in Sungai Dua was likely murdered due to jealousy. Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said investigations are ongoing, with three men, including a foreign national, arrested over the case. The three suspects, aged from 38 to 45, are self-employed labourers and have been remanded until Feb 11 under Section 302 of the Penal Code, he added. According to earlier reports, the 41-year-old victim, a school van driver and single mother, was found lying in a bed in her apartment with slash wounds to her neck. The door to the apartment was open but the grille gate was locked.

THE government’s base medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT) plan, covering hospitalisation, surgery, medicines and select critical illnesses, has faced criticism from health experts who argue that the priority should be strengthening the public healthcare sector, as around 80% of Malaysians lack medical insurance. Late last month, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Finance and Health Ministries released a White Paper outlining the base MHIT plan. This is an insurance and takaful product that increases access to private healthcare at a more affordable cost, including lower premiums for those who accept higher co-payments and seek greater coverage limits.

South Johor Baru police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said authorities had detected the clip circulating on social media, but no official police report had been lodged so far. - NSTP file picJOHOR BARU: Police are investigating a viral video showing an alleged bullying incident involving a group of children, reportedly at Jalan Mewah, Kampung Melayu Majidee here yesterday. Raub urged victims, their families, or anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation. Earlier, a 23-second closed-circuit television (CCTV) recording circulated online, showing the incident at around 12.39am yesterday. The video drew widespread criticism from social media users, who called on authorities to take immediate legal action against those involved.

Kuching City beat DPMM 3-1 in Saturday’s Malaysia Cup quarter-final, first-leg match at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Brunei. - Pic from Malaysian Football LeagueKUALA LUMPUR: Kuching City took a huge step towards the Malaysia Cup semi-finals after a 3-1 quarter-final first-leg win over DPMM FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Brunei on Saturday. The Sarawak side struck first in the 39th minute when Jerome Mpacko Etame finished clinically to stun the home crowd. DPMM hit back five minutes after the restart, but only through fortune, as James Okwuosa inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to make it 1-1. Kuching now head into the return leg in Sarawak on Feb 14 firmly in control, while DPMM face a tough task if they are to overturn the two-goal deficit and keep their Malaysia Cup hopes alive.

SUNGAI SIPUT: Mayoral elections are not a new concept in Malaysia as the country practiced local government polls before their suspension decades ago, says Nga Kor Ming. The Housing and Local Government Minister stressed that the idea of electing mayors should not be viewed as unprecedented. He pointed out that a Royal Commission led by the late Senator Janaky Athi Nahappan had previously recommended local government elections. Nga explained that the proposal for local elections has been handed to the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) for a feasibility study. She suggested that electing a mayor might be more practical than holding full local council elections for numerous members.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 7): Bilateral ties between Malaysia and India have reached a historic pinnacle, driven by renewed momentum in economic cooperation and a strong personal rapport between the two heads of government. Anwar also noted that Modi is among the first major leaders to visit Malaysia as the nation prepares for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026), marking a significant milestone in diplomatic engagements. Reflecting on the nation’s foundations, he paid tribute to the Malaysian Indian community, describing them as an “integral partner” in the country’s development. They helped build the foundation of a great Malaysian economy alongside their Malay and Chinese neighbours,” Anwar said. Modi is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia starting Saturday at Anwar’s invitation, reciprocating the Malaysian leader’s visit to India in August 2024.

Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are set to ink a defence cooperation agreement during Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin’s working visit to the kingdom, which begins today. - Pic courtesy of Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin FB pageKUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are set to ink a defence cooperation agreement during Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin's working visit to the kingdom, which begins today. Khaled said several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) involving Malaysian defence industry companies were also expected to be signed during the visit. "During this visit, I am scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud," he said in a Facebook post. He added that he would also attend the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026, which runs from Feb 8 to 12 in Riyadh.

Soh Wai Ching (right) celebrating on the podium after winning the inaugural Bangkok Vertical Run on Friday. 1 towerrunner Soh Wai Ching continued his blistering start to the 2026 season after clinching his third international victory of the year at the inaugural Bangkok Vertical Run on Friday. Wai Ching stormed to the title in the opening leg of the Bangkok Vertical Run Series at Samyan Mitrtown, clocking 4 minutes 21.7 seconds to set a course record in the event's first edition. The Bangkok Vertical Run marked the city's first-ever vertical running series and attracted around 500 participants, with competitors tackling 32 floors and 976 steps in the debut race. Wai Ching is now well placed heading into the remaining two legs of the series, scheduled for Sathorn Square Building on Feb 21 and One Bangkok Tower 4 on March 7, as he looks to extend his winning run.

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.

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.