ALOR GAJAH: Police have detained the mother and aunt of the six-year-old boy who drowned in a hot spring pool here to assist in investigations. Alor Gajah OCPD Supt Ahmad Abu Bakar said the boy’s 27-year-old mother and his 22-year-old aunt were detained on Monday (Feb 2) to have their statements recorded. "The two women are believed to have been present at the scene during the incident. "They will be released later today on police bail to allow the family to make funeral arrangements,” he said on Monday. The victim died at Alor Gajah Hospital at 8.24pm on the same day.

(Feb 2): US manufacturing activity unexpectedly expanded in January at the fastest pace since 2022, energised by solid growth in new orders and production. The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index rose to 52.6 from 47.9, according to data released Monday. Sustained growth would help provide reassurance that manufacturing is on the mend after languishing the past three years. Lean customer stockpiles have the potential of providing more of a tailwind for factory orders and production in the coming months. The ISM prices-paid index climbed in January to a four-month high of 59.

MELAKA: Police arrested four men for suspected drug trafficking in two raids around Melaka Tengah last Wednesday (Jan 28). Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit said that two men, 31 and 35, were arrested during the first raid in Tanjung Minyak while another two men, in their 30s, were arrested in an oil palm plantation in Krubong from 1pm to 4pm. "Further checks on a house in Taman Bertam Setia following the first raid led to the discovery of 21 plastic packets filled with 26.68gm of heroin. All suspects tested negative for drugs, he said, and have been remanded for seven days from Thursday this Wednesday, he said. The case is being investigated under Section 38B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, he added.

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Misbun Sidek has been left impressed after his first day at the Hatsun Badminton Centre in Thiruthangal, Tamil Nadu, India. The 65-year-old will work alongside head coach Rajinikanth to help polish young talents at the academy, which was established in 2018. Datuk Misbun Sidek looking at the eight-court academyThough relatively new compared to other academies, their founders were inspired by P. Gopichand’s Hyderabad centre and their role in producing future champions for India. Datuk Misbun Sidek showing the trophies by the academy's junior talents. Datuk Misbun Sidek having a word with head coach Rajinikanth.

The import ban affects 12 product categories, potentially impacting Thailand’s exports to Indonesia, particularly key exports such as sugar, rice, and products within the air conditioning and refrigeration sectors. However, Indonesia still needs to import sugar due to insufficient domestic production. Consequently, the government is likely to continue limiting or not permitting rice imports for direct consumption, following the policies of previous years. 31/2025, Indonesia still allows rice imports for industrial purposes by companies with Importer Producer status, but these imports must be approved beforehand. 31/2025 remains in effect, clearly distinguishing between rice imports for direct consumption, which are limited to state-owned enterprises, and rice imports for industrial use, which can be conducted by authorised Importer Producers.

Mental health is no longer a fringe issue in Malaysia; it is a major public health concern. Reclaiming public spacesAcross Malaysia, public spaces that once supported play, rest and community are steadily disappearing under rapid development. Reintroducing outdoor activities into family routines – weekend walks, nature outings, simple games – strengthens both mental health and family bonds. In Malaysia, where many remain reluctant to seek mental health support, outdoor activity offers an accessible, low-cost public health strategy. Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff is the Raja Puan Muda of Kedah, a trained lawyer and Royal Patron of the Malaysian Mental Health Association.

MANILA: The death toll from a ferry that sank off Basilan province in the southern Philippines rose to 40, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday (Feb 1). Search and rescue teams recovered three more bodies, and one additional victim, a six-month-old baby who had initially been omitted from the official count, was added to the tally, according to Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao. Search and rescue operations are continuing nearly a week after the ferry sank in waters north-east of Baluk-Baluk Island while en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo town in Sulu province. At least 316 people were rescued, according to the PCG, although authorities are still working to determine the exact number of passengers on board. The Maritime Industry Authority told a radio interview that it will investigate survivors' claims of insufficient life vests and discrepancies in the passenger manifest.

KOTA KINABALU: The mother of Student A says her daughter continues to face pressure and accusations, even after transferring to a new school following the incident involving the late Zara Qairina Mahathir. Student A’s mother, the 62nd witness in the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death, told the court that there are still students at the new school who call her daughter a “murderer”, according to Sinar Harian. Earlier, the witness had been responding to questions from lawyer Joan Goh, who represents Student A in the inquest. While reading her written statement, the witness appeared in tears as she described how her daughter had been called a “murderer” throughout the period following Zara Qairina’s death in July last year. Before concluding her testimony, the witness again broke down in tears, saying her daughter continues to be subjected to accusations.

PETALING JAYA: Should Goh Jin Wei be recalled to the national squad for the upcoming Uber Cup in Horsens, Denmark, this April? Jin Wei has found her form again after four years, reaching the final of the Thailand Masters before having to withdraw in the deciding set against India’s Devika Sihag. "Why not include Jin Wei? 2 women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, it at least gives the national team greater hope for this year’s Uber Cup campaign. The women’s squad has gone more than a decade without reaching the Uber Cup quarter-finals, with their last appearance in the last eight coming in the 2010 edition in Kuala Lumpur.

PETALING JAYA: PAS has called for the resignation of Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, over a recent alleged abuse of power case related to zakat funds used to purchase land involving a senior state government official. Penang PAS information chief Muhammad Fawwaz Muhammad Jan said the high-ranking nature of the case had eroded the trust of the Penang people in the state’s religious institutions. He also called for Mohamad Abdul to resign from all his positions related to the administration and leadership of Islamic religious institutions in this state, including the latter’s status as the Penang Islamic Religious Council president. “This situation has not only tarnished the image of the Penang Islamic Religious Department but also caused anxiety among Muslims who expect religious institutions to be managed professionally, independently, and responsibly. “Him (Mohamad Abdul) stepping down is the most appropriate course of action right now to restore public confidence and to allow a transparent investigation to proceed without any influence of power.

KUALA LUMPUR: A migrant smuggling syndicate has been crippled with the arrest of 22 people, including two suspected transporters, in a series of raids here. Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the suspected transporters detained – a Malaysian and a Bangladeshi – are believed to be key members of the "Sojul Gang" smuggling syndicate. Immigration officers also seized two vehicles, several Bangladeshi passports, as well as RM82,100 and US$3,700 (RM14,593) in cash, he said. All those detained have been placed at the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for further investigation under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007, the Immigration Act 1959/63, Immigration Regulations 1963 and the Passport Act 1966. "We will continue to take firm action against any individuals or syndicates involved in offences related to immigration, passport misuse and migrant smuggling," he added.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 2): Sunview Group Bhd (KL:SUNVIEW) has clarified that there was no discrepancy in its contract cost position, following a sharp reversal in its financial position, which saw a massive swing between its unaudited and audited figures. “As the impairment reflects sunk costs incurred over the past two years, it does not impact the group’s current cash flow position. In June 2022, Sunview was initially awarded an engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) subcontract by Reneuco’s unit Reneuco Engineering Sdn Bhd. In July 2023, the full EPCC contract for the development of a solar photovoltaic plant, valued at RM179.5 million, was novated to Sunview. Receivers and managers were subsequently appointed to take control of the assets of PKNP Reneuco Suria, which had failed to meet its obligations to its creditors.

TAIPEI: Nvidia Corp chief executive officer Jensen Huang says the company will be participating in OpenAI’s latest funding round, describing it as potentially “the largest investment we’ve ever made”. “We will invest a great deal of money,” Huang told reporters while visiting Taipei on Saturday. They’re one of the most consequential companies of our time.”Huang didn’t say exactly how much the company might contribute but described the investment as “huge”. Nvidia’s massive investment commitment to OpenAI, a key buyer of its advanced AI chips, has stoked concerns about the circular nature of artificial intelligence (AI) deals over the past year. In a separate such deal, Nvidia recently announced plans to invest an additional US$2bil in CoreWeave Inc, a cloud computing provider that’s also a key customer.

POPULAR singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin is the first owner and brand ambassador of the Great Wall Motor (GWM) Wey G9 in Malaysia. Priced at RM269,800, the Wey G9 is locally assembled and positioned as the country’s first Chinese luxury new energy multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). “This car is also the first Chinese luxury new energy plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) MPV to be assembled locally. “We have also equipped the Wey G9 with the world’s leading Hi4 intelligent hybrid four-wheel-drive system, offering four-wheel-drive performance with two-wheel-drive efficiency. “Many users call it a new ‘species’ of MPV, and GWM’s dedication has been validated in China – on average, one in every five MPVs is a Wey G9,” said Yang.

Jin Wei was forced to throw in the towel while trailing 8-21, 3-6 against India’s Devika Sihag at Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok yesterday. Jin Wei beat Taiwan’s Huang Ching-ping 21-18, 21-23, 21-11 in the first round and overcame China’s Han Qianxi 12-21, 21-10, 21-16 in the second round. It was similar in the last four against another compatriot Wong Ling Ching where Jin Wei won 17-21, 21-17, 21-16. “Jin Wei wants to move up the rankings and keep trying to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics,” said Nova. Women’s singles: Devika Sihag (Ind) bt Goh Jin Wei (Mas) 21-8, 6-3, ret.