PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to give a detailed account of the Malaysia-Indonesia border alignment issue in Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 4) morning. The move comes amid mounting public uncertainty and reports surrounding the matter. "I will explain the Malaysia-Indonesia border alignment issue in detail at the special briefing session in Parliament this morning. The session follows claims alleging Malaysia had handed over more than 5,000 hectares of land to Indonesia, allegations the Prime Minister has firmly denied. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has said discussions on the land boundary are still ongoing and that no final agreement or territorial transfer has been concluded.

SEREMBAN: A restaurant here is under investigation by state health authorities for “recycling” unsold food, allegedly by washing and recooking it before reselling it to customers. State Health Department director Dr Zurai­da Mohamed said that her officers are investigating the matter following the viral circulation of a video showing a ­wor­ker allegedly “washing” unsold food items, including mutton, chicken and bean curd. A netizen had earlier posted a video recording of the incident, which allegedly took place behind the restaurant after midnight yesterday. After “washing” the cooked food, the worker was seen placing it onto trays. Although the worker insisted that the practice did not compromise food safety, the individual questioned its appropriateness.

One exception was Dr Malik Yatam, the country's first inmate to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) while serving a prison sentence. Tears flowed as he hugged the Sultan, who had promised to sponsor Malik's umrah trip with his wife, a civil servant. He eventually completed his PhD dissertation in business administration from Open University Malaysia (OUM), writing a dissertation on the entrepreneurial skills of convicts. Now an advocate of education, Malik said he gives motivational talks to youth in the hope they will be as determined as him. But this is the gem - he met a VVIP prisoner who approached him for advice on whether he should pursue his PhD on learning of his successful story, which had gone around the prison.

KUALA LUMPUR: A total clean-up of the military in the main agenda for newly appointed Armed Forces chief Jeneral Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman. The 24th Armed Forces chief acknowledged public concern over recent controversies, saying that the rakyat are among the biggest stakeholders in national security. When asked if he had second thoughts on accepting the post after recent controversies, Jen Malek Razak said this was not of choice. "Once the Armed Forces council convened and Sultan Ibrahim consented to the appointment, it became a command and a trust. Drawing on his nearly 40 years of experience, he said the Armed Forces would regain public confidence and emerge stronger.

Newly appointed Armed Forces Chief Jeneral Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman said the appeal would be submitted to the Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister. “When procurement is frozen or temporarily suspended, it will inevitably affect our operations, whether it is development plans or operational spending that supports routine activities,” he said. Operational expenditure, he added, covers daily necessities such as food for personnel, fuel, troop movement and transportation. “Our readiness will decline if operational spending remains frozen. On the scale of funds involved, Malek Rqzaksaid operational expenditure was estimated at about RM2bil for the Army, with approximately RM1.5bil each for the Navy and Air Force.

JOHOR BARU: For some families, Chinese New Year reunion dinners are planned months in advance, while for others, they are booked a full year ahead. “Once our menus were finalised, we contacted them to choose their desired packages,” said the staff member, who declined to be named. According to the staff member, most customers are regulars, comprising a mix of locals and Singaporeans who have family members in Johor. Our prices are also lower compared to hotels and major seafood restaurants to cater to the mid-range market,” he said. Looking beyond the Chinese New Year holidays, Teo said the association is working with tour groups in Guangzhou, China, to promote Johor, Singapore and Batam as a combined tourism destination.

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 744 participants under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme have purchased property in the country, with most buyers coming from China, Taiwan and Singapore, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister told Parliament that a further 2,637 participants are currently in the process of acquiring homes. As of Dec 31, 2025, Chinese nationals accounted for the largest share of property buyers under the new phase of the programme with 304 purchases, followed by Taiwan (91) and Singapore (63). Responding to concerns over heavy participation from China and Taiwan, Tiong said the programme was open to applicants worldwide. Applicants from Arab countries are also accepted, and some have made purchases, although the numbers are not large," he said.

In a frantic rush, the family helped the bride find a replacement caterer just hours before the event. "Honestly, we had no extra budget for another caterer, since the cost for the original caterer had already been paid - RM5,800," she added. Payments were made through several bank transfers totaling RM5,800, with the remainder to be paid on the wedding day. Mimie said her sister has lodged a police report at the Gemencheh police station and hopes the caterer will return the RM5,800 paid. "What has happened cannot be undone, but what we want now is for the woman to return all the money my sister paid her."

A forest fire broke out at the Penang Botanical Gardens this evening. Pic courtesy of Fire and Rescue DepartmentGEORGE TOWN: A forest fire involving an estimated 5ha broke out at the Penang Botanical Gardens this evening, prompting an immediate response from the Penang Fire and Rescue Department. Fire engines from the Jalan Perak and Paya Terubong stations were despatched to the scene. "Upon arrival, the operations team confirmed that a forest fire was actively burning over an estimated area of 5ha. "No casualties have been reported so far and firefighting operations are still ongoing.

The date commemorates key global commitments to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases, including international pledges by governments, donors and health organisations. In Malaysia, neglected tropical diseases are often perceived as problems of the past or issues confined to other countries. — US CDCUnfortunately, climate change has further increased the relevance of neglected tropical diseases in Malaysia. In this context, neglected tropical diseases are no longer remote or theoretical concerns, they are directly linked to climate resilience and public health preparedness. Other neglected diseasesBeyond lymphatic filariasis, Malaysia continues to face several other neglected tropical diseases that receive less public attention despite their health impact.

PETALING JAYA: Five shoplots were destroyed in an early morning fire at Kampung Kerdas, Gombak. Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (Operations) assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the department received an emergency call regarding the incident at 3.08am on Wednesday (Feb 4). Ahmad Mukhlis said the fire involved five shoplots, each measuring approximately 15 by 15 square feet. "The first two shoplots were about 90% destroyed, the third suffered 70% damage, while the fourth and fifth shoplots were each about 10% affected," he said. He added that the fire was brought under control at 3.47am and no casualties were reported.

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor’s water supply remains stable despite having no significant rainfall for more than a month, says state works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh. “Johor’s dams are designed with reserve margins capable of sustaining water supply between three and six months during dry periods,” said Mohamad Fazli. Mohamad Fazli said there has been no rain in Johor for more than a month, prompting autho­rities to step up monitoring and coordination efforts. Cloud seeding, Mohamad Fazli said, remains an option to address the dry conditions. He assured the public that the state government would continue to provide updates should there be any changes to the water supply situation.

(Feb 4): Myanmar's junta will form a new entity to oversee both the military and civilian administration, a move experts say will allow paramount ruler Min Aung Hlaing to become president without loosening his grip on the powerful armed forces. More than 93,000 people have since been killed in violence in Myanmar, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. The 69-year-old Min Aung Hlaing has indicated he intends to hand over "state responsibilities" to the next government. According to two lawyers, it will potentially enable Min Aung Hlaing to become president while ensuring he retains full control over the military, which has governed Myanmar for five of the past six decades. But there appears to be no oversight for the new council, according to Naing Min Khant.

Malaysia have fond memories of beating Indonesia 3-0 to win their only BATC men's team title in Shah Alam four years ago. Nonetheless national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen expects a classic battle and has urged the team to challenge three-time winners Indonesia. The young Malaysian team also got the warm-up they needed - against Myanmar, where Justin laboured for his 21-18, 21-19 win over world No. 49) should replace Wei Xiang, while men's pairs Arif-Roy King and Hon Jian-Haikal should see action in the top-of-the-table clash. Indonesia - also missing several seniors - will be banking on men's singles Anthony Ginting (No.

The Penang Hindu Endowment Board (LWHNPP) said the three-day celebration was conducted peacefully and in a well-coordinated manner, with close cooperation among devotees, government agencies, enforcement authorities, volunteers and temple management committees. Penang police also described the 2026 celebration as among the most successful and secure in recent years. The Penang State Health Department reported that 34 individuals received medical treatment on site, with 10 patients referred to Penang Hospital for further care. LWHNPP deputy chairman Senator Dr A. Lingeshwaran said Thaipusam 2026 was widely recognised as one of the cleanest celebrations ever held in Penang. "LWHNPP remains committed to continuously enhancing safety, crowd management and welfare measures for future Thaipusam celebrations," he said.