The gala event was a tribute to brands that have earned the trust and loyalty of Malaysian consumers. Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) president Tan Kien Eng said: “The Putra Brand Awards honour brands that have done exactly that. Meanwhile, 4As Malaysia senior adviser and Putra Brand Awards organising chairman Datuk Johnny Mun said the awards served to empower consumers by recognising brands that resonated most closely with them. This is exactly what the Putra Brand Awards represent,” he said. Proton branding head Too Woon Shim with the silver award for Automotive.

KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd (KDEBWM) says rubbish collection in Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya, Selangor, has returned to normal. “There are now 57 zones for domestic waste collection in Subang Jaya, with 77 compactor lorries being deployed. Mohd Ridhuan was commenting on StarMetro’s report “S’gor folk cry foul over irregular rubbish removal” on Feb 3, which highlighted residents’ complaints about disruptions in rubbish collection service in Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya. KDEBWM Petaling Jaya branch head Afiq Abas denied that there was any drop in service. “The public can also use the app to ask for rubbish collection schedule in their area,” he said.

PETALING JAYA: Experts have warned that Malaysia’s weakly regulated supply chain continues to fuel rampant SIM card misuse. Universiti Malaya senior lecturer in criminology Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid said that the core problem of SIM card scams is structural, not user negligence. “SIM card fraud in Malaysia stems from systemic regulatory weaknesses, poor enforcement and unsecured registration pathways that allow criminals to obtain phone lines anonymously. “Dealers also sell pre-registered SIM cards already activated under someone else’s name and may operate through subcontractors with little telco oversight. Echoing the same view, Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil said the core problem lies with those supplying illegally pre-registered SIM cards, including SIM card agents.

The reunion meal remains centred on the idea of sharing a comforting, celebratory meal. From the yee sang to the slow-simmered broths, each dish is prepared with a focus on tradition and the spirit of the occasion. The Double-Boiled Chicken Soup with Cordyceps Flower, Tian Zhi Orchid and Sun-Dried Scallops is clear and light, yet remains sa­­tis­­­fyingly flavourful. The cordyceps flowers add a touch of natural sweetness, while the sun-dried scallops provide a subtle depth that keeps the broth tasting clean and balanced. The yee sang selections are available in half and whole portions, with prices starting from RM98+ to RM398+ for premium 10-head abalone.

IT was a lively and vibrant day as some 400 participants made their way up Taman Eko Rimba Cherok Tokun in Bukit Mertajam during the MCA Youth 70th Anniversary Youth Run. Organised by Bukit Mertajam MCA Youth, the event brought participants closer to nature, with lush greenery and fresh air providing the backdrop for a healthy lifestyle outing in a cheerful atmosphere. MCA vice-president and Penang MCA chairman Tan Teik Cheng said the event symbolised continuity and the spirit of youthful succession within MCA Youth. Meanwhile, Yang Pang thanked participants and supporters for their strong turnout, saying MCA Youth would continue to promote youth and community activities and strengthen social unity. “Youth organisations must carry forward the struggles of their predecessors, uphold the strength and spirit of the MCA Youth Wing, and play an active role in contributing to society.”

A GREEN turtle weighing just 3kg was rescued after being found stranded on a beach along Gurney Drive, George Town. Penang Fisheries Department said it received a report from fishermen about a turtle that had washed ashore and deployed officers to the scene. The reptile was identified as a green turtle (Chelonia mydas), locally known as penyu agar. Green turtles are the most commonly encountered sea turtle species in Penang waters, especially along the island’s northern and eastern coastlines. Penang Fisheries Department urges anyone who encounters stranded marine mammals or threatened marine species to contact it at 04-657 2777.

ISKANDAR Puteri City Council (MBIP) cannot take action against illegal squatter settlements built on private land. Iskandar Puteri mayor Hasrin Kamal Hashim said it was the prerogative of landowners to evacuate squatters for illegal encroachment. “My advice is to follow legal proceedings to lawfully evict squatters, instead of taking matters into your own hands,” Hasrin Kamal told StarMetro. The four are Kampung Lorong Aris Batu 8 1/2, Kampung Sepakat Baru, Kampung Laut Batu 10 and Kampung Muhibbah. Separately, Hasrin Kamal said there were no cases of encroachment of land belonging to MBIP throughout last year.

KUALA LUMPUR: A multipurpose vehicle (MPV) that was seen flashing a siren on the highway is attached to a ministry, police say. Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Asst Comm Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said when contacted on Friday (Feb 6) that the vehicle has been traced. ALSO READ: Cops hunt for MPV driver flashing siren on highway"We have identified the vehicle and owner, and will call up the driver in the near future. "The vehicle is used for official duties by a ministry, and the use of the beacon and siren were approved by the Road Transport Department director-general," he said. A 1min video clip circulating since Wednesday (Feb 4) shows a white MPV with a siren and warning lights, resembling those used by police, navigating traffic.

Furthermore, while Forest City is close to Singapore, physical and bureaucratic border crossings remain a hurdle. A strategic reimaginationTo attract investors and residents, Forest City must pivot from a property-sales model to an ecosystem-creation model. Transforming Forest City into a Special Access Zone — allowing tourists to enter with minimal processing — would significantly boost its attractiveness. Long-term success depends on branding Forest City as a “Special Economic Zone for Sustainable Living and Innovation”. With the right communication strategy and tangible development — rather than just social media hype — Forest City can flourish.

And then suddenly, with a deadline for Rio to make a firm bid looming, it all fell apart in less than 24 hours. Spokespeople for Rio and Glencore declined to comment. Rio Tinto — which views itself as one of the industry’s sharpest operators — saw an opportunity to unlock the growth in Glencore’s copper portfolio. There was a growing realisation within Rio that Glencore — and Glasenberg — weren’t going to cede much ground on the demand that Glencore shareholders own about 40% of the combined company. On the Glencore side, there was frustration that Rio had tied its bid to the share prices on the day the deal became public.

JAKARTA (Feb 6): Indonesian stocks and currency traded weaker in early trade on Friday after Moody's lowered the country's credit rating outlook, the latest jolt in a turbulent start to the year for Southeast Asia's largest economy. Moody's said on Thursday it had cut Indonesia's credit rating outlook to negative from stable, citing reduced predictability in policymaking days after MSCI flagged transparency issues that triggered a market rout of more than US$80 billion (RM316.36 billion). Indonesia's chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto late Thursday downplayed the step, saying ratings agencies and global financial markets were "yet to understand" the country's new growth strategy. On Friday, Indonesia's financial regulator said it believed Moody's affirmation of its Baa2 rating shows the country's economic fundamentals remain solid and supported by its financial sector resilience and strong economic growth. "The Moody's outlook downgrade is a warning shot, which could trigger other ratings agencies to follow suit, particularly if the nature of policymaking remains subject to a heightened degree of uncertainty," said economists at OCBC in a note.

PETALING JAYA: Illegal pre-registered SIM cards and phone number spoofing continue to expose gaps in Malaysia’s mobile registration and network security, with foreigners and locals describing how the system can be bypassed with ease. Without it, they said they could not activate the SIM,” the source told The Star. However, he was later told by acquaintances that he could bypass the process by paying a fee to have the SIM registered under another person’s name. “Once activated, the SIM works like any normal line and doesn’t require my passport at all,” the source said. “If something goes wrong, the problem falls on the person whose name the SIM is registered under, not the actual user,” the source said.

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 152 foreign nationals were detained during an enforcement operation by the Immigration Department here on Thursday night (Feb 5). “Inspection results showed that 152 foreign nationals, aged 21 to 42, are believed to have committed various offences under the Immigration Act and Passport Act,” he told the media. According to him, Myanmar nationals recorded the highest number of arrests, followed by Chinese nationals, for various immigration-related offences. He added that the operation, which began at about 8pm and ended at 10pm, involved inspections at 19 premises and was conducted by 112 immigration officers from the Immigration Department headquarters in Putrajaya. He also said some foreign nationals attempted to flee upon realising that immigration officers were present during the inspection.

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I’VE just been in India for the very first time on a two-part trip. The first part was to accompany the Sutra Foundation, for whom last year I was patron of Meniti Cakerawala 2.0 featuring the dancer, Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, in collaboration with the astrophysicist Tan Sri Mazlan Othman, which successfully toured eight cities across Malaysia.