PETALING JAYA: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is expected to announce its annual dividend rates this Saturday (Feb 28). The expected announcement will be made during a briefing at its headquarters in Menara KWSP in Kwasa Damansara, carried out by its CEO Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn. Experts believe that it could maintain the dividend rate for conventional savings at 6.3% or possibly reach 6.5%. This is despite the EPF adopting a more cautious stance over fourth quarter performance. For 2024, both the conventional and syariah EPF funds reported dividends of 6.3%.

KUALA LUMPUR: it is up to a company's board of directors to decide if dividends are paid out, says Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong. According to the AG's report, there is no regulation that compels government companies to pay dividends if they are profitable and solvent. For Cenviro Sdn Bhd and Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (CFSB), the decision not to pay dividends was in line with their respective dividend policies and actual cash positions. "Meanwhile, Sirim Calibration Sdn Bhd and Sirim Academy Sdn Bhd deferred dividends during a phase of financial recovery and asset reinvestment. For the financial year 2023, Sirim Academy returned to stability and declared dividends with Board approval," he said.

IPOH: Storms tore through the Taman Damai area in Taiping on Tuesday (Feb 24), blowing off roofs, uprooting trees, and leaving more than 10 families unable to return to their homes. Larut, Matang and Selama District Disaster Management Committee chairman Mohd Nasrul Menhat said several houses sustained damage, some with their roofs completely ripped off, while debris and uprooted trees blocked access to others. He added that affected residents have not been allowed to return to their homes as cleaning and safety works had yet to be completed. “A temporary relief centre was opened at the Taman Kaya Multipurpose Hall to provide shelter for those displaced,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 24). Mohd Nasrul urged all relevant departments and agencies to work closely together to ensure the welfare of the victims is safeguarded as clean-up operations continue.

LONDON (Feb 24): British trade minister Peter Kyle said he was confident the trade deal Britain struck last year with the United States would still stand despite US President Donald Trump's latest move to apply a 10% global import tariff. The United States began collecting the temporary new 10% tariff on Tuesday but the Trump administration was working to increase it to 15%, sowing confusion over US tariff policies in the wake of last week's Supreme Court defeat. But Kyle said he was confident following engagement with the US administration in recent days that a deal reached between the two countries last year would still stand. "It was the best deal and it remains the best deal, and the fundamental terms that we had negotiated with the United States remain in place," Kyle told a parliamentary committee. Last year, Britain negotiated an 'Economic Prosperity Deal' that applied a basic 10% tariff, and preferential terms across a range of industries, including cars, planes and agriculture.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) denies the existence of a "corporate mafia". "The MACC also considers this a recycled issue deliberately revived to tarnish the commission's image and reputation. The MACC added that the police are currently investigating the matter and that it would cooperate fully. "The MACC urges any individual who possesses credible information or evidence relating to corruption or misconduct to lodge an official report with relevant authorities. Previously Bloomberg reported on the existence of a "corporate mafia" and allegations of chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki's shareholding.

KUALA LUMPUR: A Pakatan Harapan MP is calling for Tan Sri Azam Baki to step down as Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief. "Either he goes or we have to go," said Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) in a strongly-worded message when debating the Auditor-General's Report in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Feb 24). Khoo said this is the second time Azam's ownership of shares has come under scrutiny. Azam Baki must resign," he said. He said voters would "punish" the ruling party in the next general election if Azam continues to serve as MACC chief.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a meeting with the top leadership of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) at Wisma Perwira here Tuesday (Feb 24). The meeting, which lasted about an hour, was also attended by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Chief of Defence Forces General Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman. Also present were Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) director-general Datuk Seri Sollehuddin Alyubi Zakaria and Deputy Public Service director-general (Operations) Datuk Mohd Shaiful Ibrahim. It is learnt that the discussions focused on national security and defence preparedness, strengthening governance, and the welfare of MAF personnel. After the meeting, Anwar also attended the Defence Ministry's Ihya Ramadan programme at the Khalid bin Al-Walid Mosque, and joined the congregants for Zohor prayers before distributing bubur lambuk (savoury porridge) to those present.

The 66-year-old Chukai assemblyman entered his plea after the charges were read before Judge Azman Mustapha. The second charge alleges he committed the same act for another son on June 18, 2020, at the same location. Mohd Fadly also sought to exempt Hanafiah from surrendering his passport, arguing that his family and official duties require him to remain in the country, eliminating any flight risk. The court approved bail of RM30,000 with one surety and ordered Hanafiah to report monthly to the MACC office. Earlier media reports alleged that Hanafiah abused his position as a state exco member and chairman of a government-linked company to secure employment for his two sons at state-owned subsidiaries.

PETALING JAYA: Controversial conservative influencer Nick Adams's nomination as the US ambassador has been removed. You might want to consider waiting a few days so you can break the news to your dozens of readers. Good luck on your hit piece, son,” he replied to an email from the Australian publication on Feb 24. It was also reported that Adams was absent from a long list of nominations resubmitted to the Senate in January. The nomination was met with an uproar from Malaysians protesting it, following Adams disparaging remarks about Islam and the Palestinian cause.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he is friendly with newly minted Perikatan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar. Anwar said it's a norm to be warm, especially with friends. At the start of the event, Anwar was seen sharing a firm handshake and exchanging pleasantries with Ahmad Samsuri. Ahmad Samsuri, a PAS vice-president, became the new Perikatan chief following the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. On another issue, Anwar remained tight-lipped when asked if a Royal Commission of Inquiry would be formed to look into allegations involving MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki's ownership of shares.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 24): The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has issued nearly 200,000 Tax Installment Payment Notices (CP500) to taxpayers with an estimated tax amount of RM1.1 billion, up to January 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The MOF said the government is aware of the situation where there are taxpayers who do not actually receive income other than employment income who have also received the CP500. “The IRB review found that the taxpayers in question have made inaccurate reporting in the Income Tax Return Form (ITRF), where part of the employment income has been reported as income other than employment. The MOF was replying to questions from Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) and Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Stampin) who wanted to know the basis on which the CP500 installment payment form was issued, how many taxpayers were involved and the amount expected to be collected. “Taxpayers are also advised to update their income reporting information in the 2025 ITRF to avoid receiving CP500 in the future,” it added.

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is fully cooperating with Bukit Aman regarding audit findings involving financial management and student fee collections, says Adam Adli. These funds must be managed with integrity, transparency and accountability,” he said when winding up debates on the Auditor-General’s Report (AG’s Report) 1/2026 in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Feb 24). The A-G’s Report highlighted several governance issues at UKM, including irregularities in the collection of student fees and expenditure amounting to millions of ringgit. Among the highlighted issues were irregular student fee collections, invalid collaboration agreements and delayed or unremitted fee distributions. This involves the recruitment and fee collection for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (DPLI), which is now fully managed by the university.

RESIDENTS of Lorong Utara in Section 52, Petaling Jaya, are sounding the alarm over a collapsed retaining wall along the Astaka field, fearing the "substandard" structure poses an imminent threat to their homes. The collapse, which occurred last week, follows years of warnings from the Lorong Utara Residents Association (RA). Despite StarMetro highlighting these concerns in July 2024, the wall - described by locals as more "aesthetic" than functional - has finally given way. He argued the wall lacks the structural integrity required for the slope’s demands, calling for urgent action from Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). However, the city council has yet to provide an official explanation for the structural failure or outline a timeline for repairs.

IPOH: A 71-year-old woman has been killed and two others injured in a three-vehicle accident on the North-South Expressway near Tapah. He said due to impact, the lorry and the MPV veered off the road and plunged into a 15m-deep ravine. "Firefighters from the Tapah station arrived at the scene at 2.26pm and found three victims trapped inside the MPV, while the car driver and the lorry driver escaped unhurt. "The victims in the MPV were identified as the 43-year-old male driver, a 77-year-old man in the front passenger seat, and a 71-year-old woman seated at the rear. He said firemen used special rescue equipment to extricate the trapped victims before carrying them up to the road on stretchers.

PETALING JAYA: Immigration checks at a Ramadan bazaar in Bandar Baru Bangi have led to the arrest of 13 foreign nationals. Immigration deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said the inspection was conducted on Monday (Feb 23) following monitoring of the area for compliance issues. That led to the arrest of 13 Indonesians, aged between 18 and 40, for various immigration offences. "The department emphasises that throughout the month of Ramadan, inspection and enforcement actions will continue to be carried out periodically at Ramadan Bazaars nationwide. "The department will not compromise with foreign nationals who conduct business illegally and fail to comply with immigration laws.