Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) director-general, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, said the Agency is set to finalise its staffing structure and service scheme by the early second quarter of this year. — BERNAMAPUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) is set to finalise its staffing structure and service scheme by the early second quarter of this year. Its director-general, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, said the Public Service Department (PSD) is refining the service scheme and staffing plans before submitting them to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for approval. "The service scheme is being refined by PSD before submission to the prime minister for approval in the near future. Shuhaily said MCBA also needs the expertise of police in investigations, operations and prosecutions to strengthen the efficiency of its investigating officers.

LUMUT: More than 3,000 visitors at Teluk Nipah beach near Pulau Pangkor were thrilled to experience the rare ‘split sea’ phenomenon, which allowed them to walk about 400m across a sandbank connecting the beach to Pulau Giam during extreme low tide. “While crossing the sandbank, visitors may encounter sea cucumbers, corals, squid, fish and other marine life. Swiss national Alf Zeigler, 64, said he was excited to experience the split sea phenomenon for the first time with his family amid a festive atmosphere. A teacher from Taiping, D. Syimala, 36, said she had long wanted to visit Teluk Nipah beach to experience the phenomenon. “I am very happy to be able to cross the split sea for the first time with my husband and relatives.

Did such an incident happen near Taman Tun Abdul Razak in Ampang as claimed? Verdict:TRUESelangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Officer Hamdan Hamzah said his department received an emergency call regarding the incident at 8.47pm on Monday (Feb 2). He said the fire broke out in a forested area estimated to cover 0.8 hectares on the summit of a hill near an apartment complex in Taman Tun Abdul Razak in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. Hamdan said four firefighters and a fire engine from the Ampang Fire and Rescue Station were deployed to the scene, reported Bernama. “The fire involved a forested area at the hilltop and personnel are on standby at the location as there is no access route to the fire site,” he said in a statement.

KUALA LUMPUR: Blue chips on Bursa Malaysia rose 0.8% after a long weekend, suggesting the buying momentum remained alive on the domestic market. The FBM KLCI climbed 15.21 points to 1,756.09 at the opening bell, extending a rebound as investors sought to reclaim a recent closing high set on Jan 27. Apex Research said the FBM KLCI is expected to trade range-bound in the near term given the mixed global markets as investors continue to assess US macro data and ongoing earnings releases. Nestle, meanwhile, rose RM1.40 to RM113.40, and IHH rose 14 sen to RM9.10. Over the broader markets, the most active shares were Hong Seng down 0.5 sen ot 0.5 sen, Zentech flat at 0.5 sne and Gamuda sliding nine sen to RM4.33.

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today granted an audience to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan. According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s Facebook page, during the audience held at Istana Negara here, His Majesty was briefed on Islamic religious matters, including the development of the ummah and initiatives to strengthen Islamic teachings at the federal level. Also present were the Director-General of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee, and the Mufti of the Federal Territories, Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil.

Shuttlers Moh Zaki Ubaidillah and Leo Rolly-Bagas Maulana, who will be part of the Indonesian team in the team meet, proved their threat by capturing the men’s singles and doubles titles respectively. The Asia team meet gets underway today in Qingdao, China with Indonesia and Malaysia facing off in their second group D match on Thursday. With Myanmar the other team in the group, the clash between Indonesia and Malaysia will most likely decide the group winners. 44 in the world, is eyeing more breakthroughs in his career and will be a difficult customer again in the Asia team meet. 29 Jun Hao not selected in the team meet this time, world No.

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysians have been urged to support local farmers by consuming more homegrown fruits, says Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Chan Foong Hin. It is also a way to show support for our farmers while ensuring Malaysians enjoy healthier diets,” Chan said, outlining the federal government's commitment to supporting Sabah's agricultural development. Under Budget 2026, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry received RM6.87bil nationwide, with RM2.04bil earmarked for development. Key allocations include RM25 73mil for the Sabah Veterinary Services Department, RM18.1mil for the Sabah Agriculture Department, and RM14mil for the Sabah Fisheries Department. Chan also highlighted the Federal Government's launch of the National Food Security Policy 2030 (DKMN 2030), which outlines strategies and key performance indicators to transform the agri-food sector.

PETALING JAYA: Last-minute call-ups Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan will be out to make immediate impact in the Asia Team Championships starting today in Qingdao, China. The promising young doubles shuttlers Zi Yu and Maisarah have been called up for duty following an injury to Tan Zhing Yi. The 15-year-old Zi Yu and Noraqilah,18, - both who captured silver in the World Junior Championships last year, will be making their debuts in a senior team competition. "We wanted to give an opportunity for our young players to play in a senior team event." After Dania's injury, Zi Yu was combined with Noraqilah and proved her versatility by continuing her good form.

ALOR GAJAH: A family holiday ended in tragedy when a six-year-old boy was believed to have drowned at a hot spring pool in Gadek. The team moved the victim to a safe location before performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and contacting the hospital for emergency assistance. An ambulance from Alor Gajah Hospital rushed the victim for treatment, but he passed away at 8.24pm the same day. It was learnt that at the time of the incident, the child was under the supervision of his relative and elder sister. However, the victim is believed to have wandered into the adult pool without the knowledge of other family members.

GEORGE TOWN: Two Penang Island City Council (MBPP) enforcement officers were injured after light gas-filled ­balloons seized during the Thaipusam celebrations exploded and caught fire. Rapid damage: (From left) The pick-up truck on fire during the incident, and the truck’s condition in the blast’s aftermath (below). The fire also damaged the rear of the pick-up truck and several pieces of seized equipment. In a statement, MBPP said the team had earlier found unlicensed balloon sales filled with light gas along Jalan Macalister, Jalan Utama and Jalan Gottlieb during the Thaipusam celebrations. MBPP then took the seized items to its Licensing Department in Lebuh Union for disposal by releasing the gas.

Accounting firm KPMG’s senior tax policy adviser Dr Veerinderjeet Singh said businesses or individuals hold offshore financial accounts for various purposes such as investments or tax benefits. Malaysians with offshore accounts must be able to prove why they find it a necessity to set up such accounts. ALSO READ: Hidden offshore wealth exposed“If you have income here, you paid your taxes and invested overseas, there is nothing wrong with that,” he said. “One must not jump to conclusion that it is an offence just having an offshore financial account,” he added. “Instead of handling offshore data as ad hoc cases, offshore data must be systematically matched against domestic filings and risk-scored.

LHDN finds over RM10bil in undeclared foreign accounts held by MalaysiansPUTRAJAYA: The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) has identified 14,858 Malaysian tax residents with a combined total exceeding RM10bil in undisclosed offshore financial accounts with tax returns not filed via the Income Tax Return Form (BNCP). In a statement yesterday, LHDN said the identification was made through the international exchange of financial account information with cooperation from over 100 countries to strengthen tax compliance and tackle cross-border tax evasion. It disclosed that these significant offshore accounts were located in several jurisdictions, including Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Guernsey, Cayman Islands, the Bahamas and Bermuda. To avoid penalties and legal action under the Income Tax Act 1967, LHDN advised Malaysian tax residents with unreported income and offshore financial accounts, from sources that should be taxed in Malaysia, to voluntarily come forward soon to make the necessary declarations. LHDN also reaffirmed its commitment to administer the national taxation system with transparency, integrity and professionalism, in line with international taxation standards.

A lorry driver sustained injuries to his left arm after being attacked by two unidentified men in Taman Sri Murni, Batu Caves, last Friday (Jan 30). – NSTP file picKUALA LUMPUR: A lorry driver sustained injuries to his left arm after being attacked by two unidentified men in Taman Sri Murni, Batu Caves, last Friday (Jan 30). Initial investigations indicated that the victim did not know the suspects and had no prior disputes with anyone. "The victim said that the suspects suddenly approached him and immediately attacked without provocation. He said that a witness, the victim's girlfriend who was present at the time, said the attack happened very quickly.

The three-minute video features 40 pupils from Years Four to Six – boys and girls alike – rapping to a song titled Nonstop CNY in various scenes. Ku Chong Sin, chairman of the SJKC Pandan parent-teacher association, said the video was part of an annual school project invol­ving six teachers. The music video features Year Four pupil Oswald Chong Bang Qin as one of its main characters, rapping in sunglasses and casual streetwear. “The school has since received a request from a company to screen the music video at one of its outlets. Ku said efforts are being made to upgrade the school’s music room, which currently lacks soundproofing and equipment.

MBPP initiative sees Thaipusam coconuts converted into biofuelGEORGE TOWN: Instead of being wasted, some 45 tonnes of coconuts smashed during Thaipusam here will be converted into biofuel under the Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) green initiative. Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the coconuts had been sent to the Batu Maung Waste Transfer Station, where a company would shred, crush and process them into biofuel. “The coconuts smashed during Thaipusam will not go to waste,” he said, adding that the effort reflected MBPP’s push to reduce waste and generate energy sustainably. As part of the Thaipusam ritual, devotees smashed coconuts along the procession route as an act of humility and sacrifice, symbolising the breaking of the ego in ­fulfilling vows to Lord Muruga. “Without the Wira Kuning and machine support, the situation could have turned chaotic by the sheer number of coconuts smashed,” he said.