PETALING JAYA: Several MPs are calling for a long-overdue review of Malaysia’s parliamentary boundaries, warning that decades of population growth in urban constituencies have created huge imbalances in voter representation. He pointed out that Johor has 25 parliamentary seats, while some East Coast states have fewer than 10. “Given Malaysia’s growth and the workload MPs face in large constituencies, the time is right to review boundaries. He said the growing disparity in electorate sizes between parliamentary constituencies has raised serious concerns about equality in the country’s electoral system. However, he urged the EC to retain the categories of parliamentary constituencies as urban, suburban and rural.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s (pic) sta­ture as a technocrat and professional has made him acceptable to all Perikatan Nasional components as its new chairman, it was pointed out. “So, among all the possible names, the one considered acceptable to everyone was Ahmad Samsuri because of his professional background,” he added. Mazlan said with the sacking of Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin as Bersatu deputy president, PAS is likely to dominate in Perikatan. “The elevation of Ahmad Samsuri signals an attempt to project a more technocratic and moderate image, but PAS’s multi-­ethnic acceptability still depends on policy moderation, not just leadership optics. “Structurally, PAS now dominates Perikatan, and Bersatu may look sidelined with PAS holding the strategic helm of the coalition.

From exploring Ramadan bazaars to sampling an assortment of food, these students find the season both unique and meaningful. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) student Mashfiq Mahmud, who is from Bangladesh, said he misses spending time with his family, but his experience in Malaysia is rewarding and, in many ways, quite familiar. “In Malaysia, mosques give free food every Ramadan, unlike in Bangladesh. He also finds the Ramadan bazaars equally fascinating. You will know Ramadan has arrived just by looking at the streets and shops, as they are filled with lights.”

JOHOR BARU: As the festive break ends, travellers are relieved to be able to avoid gridlock by using the recently launched Johor Baru-Kuala Lumpur Electric Train Service (ETS). Ang said he boarded the train to KL Sentral before taking another train to Kampar. Also excited to try the ETS for the first time was 19-year-old Han Yee Thian, who was returning to campus in Sepang. She spent over six hours stuck in heavy traffic while travelling back for Chinese New Year last year. “This year, I was able to get to Johor Baru in about four hours, and I believe my journey back to Kuala Lumpur will be just as smooth,” she said.

Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said, “Ramadan bazaars are major crowd-pullers. He was speaking to reporters after opening the Lebuh Queen Ramadan bazaar and visiting some of the stalls. He said enforcement officers would be keeping an eye on 27 Ramadan bazaars, including Lebuh Queen, to ensure compliance with the rules. Tourists seeing what is on offer at the Lebuh Queen bazaar in George Town. “We only allow foreign workers to assist local traders at Ramadan bazaars, but not to cook or operate the stalls.

On the contrary, it began with the United States’ repudiation of negotiations that had already succeeded. Yet on May 8, 2018, three years after the successful UNSC Resolution, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA. In June 2025, following the renewal of negotiations earlier that year, the United States and Iran entered a sixth round of talks. No country is safe if the United States can make brazen threats against Iran and indeed several other states in recent weeks, including Cuba, Denmark, and others. On behalf of We the Peoples, the UN Security Council carries the authority and heavy responsibility to keep the peace.

JUST weeks into 2026, early signals from the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) indicate a year defined by tighter digital enforcement such as the rollout of stamp duty self-assessment and the long-awaited improvements in tax refund administration. Strengthening e-invoice implementationA core priority for IRB in 2026 is the continued full-scale implementation of e‑invoicing. Shining a spotlight on tax refund timelinesAmid these various policy and enforcement priorities, a key focus of the first dialogue was improvements in tax refund administration – an issue consistently raised by taxpayers and businesses over the years. A year of acceleration and engagementAs Malaysia’s tax administration continues its digital transformation, IRB’s priorities for 2026 reflect a careful balance between facilitation and enforcement. The renewed focus on timely tax refunds, coupled with IRB’s commitment to resolving pre-2023 outstanding tax refund cases, represents a meaningful step toward a more reliable and effective framework.

CLICK TO ENLARGEThe Star’s analysis of the 222 parliamentary seats for the 2022 election data showed that 86 seats had over 100,000 voters. That being the case, especially with 22.06 million voters registered with the Election Com­mission (EC) as of December 2025, should more seats be created through a redelineation exercise? “Another example is the Tuaran seat in Sabah, the area is said to be five times larger than the state of Perlis, which has three parliamentary seats. Come March 9, it would be eight years since the last redelineation of electoral boundaries for Peninsular Malaysia. When contacted, EC deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom said that while an eight-year period establishes the earliest start date for the exercise, it does not mandate that the exercise must commence then.

(Feb 23): Blue Owl Capital Inc.’s co-chief reeled off all the times he'd seen this type of fear before. Some clients in private credit funds like theirs ask for their cash back in times like these. After years of unfettered growth, the once-niche world of private credit has become a linchpin of global finance. Co-CEO Marc Lipschultz spent more than 20 years at KKR & Co., where he held leadership roles across private equity, private credit and infrastructure investing. These so-called business development companies, however, are the most visible piece of the private credit market.

So if I were at the CEO Roundtable at POC 2026 in Kuala Lumpur – not physically, but intellectually – this is what I would have heard:Not price predictions. Crude palm oil (CPO) is expected to trade somewhere between RM3,800 and RM4,500 per tonne this year. Weather does not consult analysts before arriving – and in palm oil, the sky still holds voting rights. The line-up: Serious weight in the roomPOC 2026’s Panel Session 1 assembled a formidable leadership bench under the banner CEO Roundtable: The Next Decade for Malaysian Palm Oil. Fuel gauges before forecastsIf I were at that POC’s CEO Roundtable 2026, I would have left thinking this:Malaysia does not need more hectares.

BANGKOK, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Thai Meteorological Department on Monday said the country was not affected by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Borneo. Further details will be provided as soon as possible, the department said in a statement. The country's Earthquake Observation Division also said on its official website that there have been no major earthquakes centered in Thailand currently, noting that the Thais should refer only to information from the division.

PETALING JAYA: A PAS leader has questioned the sudden arrest of a Terengganu executive councillor (exco) on suspicion of abusing his position to secure jobs for his two children in state-linked companies. Party information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari also said that the exco member in question does not need to resign, as his role in the state government cannot influence the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation under any circumstances. "No one is considered guilty until a court proves otherwise," he said in a statement on Sunday (Feb 22). It was reported earlier that the exco member in his 60s was detained at 11.15am today when he turned up to give his statement at the MACC office in Kemaman, Terengganu. Terengganu MACC director Hazrul Shazreen Abd Yazid confirmed the arrest when contacted.

With most independent players relying on sponsorship and their own funds to sustain their careers, the changes could pose financial challenges when they take effect next year. BWF will extend the duration of Super 1000 events from the usual six days to 11 days. In addition, the Denmark Open will be elevated to Super 1000 status, joining the Malaysian Open, Indonesian Open, All England and China Open. “I cannot deny that there are pros and cons to this change. “Also, with Super 1000 tournaments now lasting 11 days and rest days built in, senior players like Goh Soon Huat (35-years-old) could benefit.

(Feb 23) : The US and Iran are set to resume talks Thursday in Geneva, Omani mediators said, extending the search for a diplomatic solution to the latest standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program. The US has orchestrated a massive military buildup in the Middle East including two aircraft carriers as President Donald Trump presses Tehran for a new nuclear deal. “First of all, enrichment is our right,” Araghchi said Sunday when asked whether Iran would consider agreeing to zero enrichment. Iran has consistently said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and denied seeking nuclear weapons. “Right now, we are negotiating only nuclear and there is no other subject,” Araghchi said.

Located within the Klang Valley, Subang Airport offers something increasingly rare: proximity. Service Designed for Speed and EfficiencyRecent upgrades at Subang Airport reflect a clear focus on service efficiency and passenger convenience. Where Business, Tourism, and Connectivity ConvergeBeyond convenience, Subang Airport plays a broader strategic role. As Visit Malaysia 2026 gains momentum, Subang Airport’s role as a city gateway is becoming increasingly relevant. Today, five airlines—Firefly, Batik Air, Scoot, TransNusa and HK Express—operate from Subang Airport, offering domestic and short-haul regional routes that support business travel and regional commerce across Southeast Asia.