KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): Sales and production in Malaysia’s automotive sector are expected to remain subdued in February due to a shorter working month, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA). In a report on Monday, the MAA shared a cautious outlook as there are only 17 working days this month due to the Chinese New Year (CNY) holidays. Passenger vehicle sales rose 28.4% to 60,369 units, up from 47,019 units in January 2025, while commercial vehicle sales increased 14.6% to 3,929 units from 3,430 units a year earlier. Passenger vehicle production rose 5.6% to 57,357 units in January 2026, compared with 54,345 units in January 2025, while commercial vehicle production grew 12.7% to 3,499 units, from 3,105 units. Despite these gains, month-on-month total industry volume was lower whereby the industry saw a fall of 29% in January compared to December, which saw the highest recorded sales.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): theedgemalaysia.com highlighted two stocks with positive momentum and three stocks with negative momentum at Bursa Malaysia's afternoon close on Monday. The stocks with positive momentum were:Globaltec Formation Bhd (KL:GLOTEC) — rose eight sen or 7.84% at RM1.10; andParamount Corp Bhd (KL:PARAMON) — rose two sen or 1.90% at RM1.07. The stocks with negative momentum were:Epicon Bhd (KL:EPICON) — rose 1.5 sen or 8.82% at 18.5 sen;Exsim Hospitality Bhd (KL:EXSIMHB) — rose one sen or 3.51% at 29.5 sen; andOcean Vantage Holdings Bhd (KL:OVH) — fell 1.5 sen or 7.32% at 19 sen. The list of stocks with momentum is generated using a proprietary mathematical algorithm highlighting stocks with a build-up in trading volume and price. The algorithm differentiates between stocks that exhibit positive (+ve) momentum and negative (-ve) momentum.

(Feb 16): BlueScope Steel Ltd, which rejected a takeover bid from Steel Dynamics Inc and SGH Ltd last month, plans to push for growth in the US through an expansion of its North Star operations and premium products. She added the company had “plenty of capacity to fund ongoing growth” from its current balance sheet. BlueScope last month knocked back what it called a “highly opportunistic takeover proposal” of A$13.2 billion (US$9.3 billion) or A$30 a share from Steel Dynamics and SGH. After reporting strong financial results on Monday, the company announced a A$310 million share buyback programme and a new policy to distribute at least 75% of free cash flow to investors. Total returns to shareholders are likely to hit A$3 a share, Archibald said.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): MISC Bhd (KL:MISC) said its joint venture (JV) company has secured a contract extension for its floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) Ruby II offshore in Vietnam until Dec 31, 2027. The contract — covering the lease, operation and maintenance of the vessel — was awarded by Vietnam National Industry – Energy Group (Petrovietnam) to Vietnam Offshore Floating Terminal (Ruby) Ltd (VOFT), a JV 40%-owned by MISC and 60%-held by PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC). According to a statement by MISC, the extension allows FPSO Ruby II to continue operating in Blocks 01 & 02 offshore Vietnam, where it has been producing since achieving first oil in June 2010. FPSO Ruby II is an Aframax-size vessel designed with a production capacity of 39,000 barrels of oil per day. As MISC’s first offshore asset in Vietnam, the FPSO has been instrumental in establishing the group’s presence in the country, said MISC president and group chief executive officer Zahid Osman in the statement.

SINGAPORE: The authorities in Bangladesh have frozen the bank accounts of a naturalised Singaporean billionaire amid probes into business dealings. His flagship company is Summit Power International, a Singapore-based business incorporated in 2016 and currently located at One Raffles Place. In 2019, Japanese energy giant JERA Co bought a 22% stake in Summit Power International for US$330mil, valuing the company at US$1.5bil. Summit Power International now operates 11 power plants as the nation’s largest independent power producer. According to his biography on the Summit Power International website, Khan is a member of the UNICEF International Council.

SEPANG: Stating that he was the one who asked to be investigated, Tan Sri Azam Baki says there is no need for him to go on leave as a special committee investigate allegations of his shareholdings. “I don’t need to go on leave. “They can carry out their responsibilities and I am ready to give any documents or statements that they need. Azam also expressed his confidence that the special committee will investigate his case in a transparent and professional manner, pledging his full cooperation to the committee. The committee, headed by Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, also comprised Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.

BALIK PULAU: Despite the laborious task of making nian gao the traditional way, she has persisted in producing 1,000 of the sweet treat every year to keep alive her grandmother’s recipe. It is demanding work but she does it year after year to bring kampung-style nian gao out of the steamer rather than let the traditional practice disappear. “When you make it once a year you tend to lose touch or worse, stop making it for some years and then stop completely. Lee began by making the nian gao only for her family. Many families no longer make nian gao themselves, she said, and younger generations may not fully understand its role during prayers to the Kitchen God.

A long-delayed bridge project along Jalan Gelang Patah in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, is finally completed and opened to traffic, benefitting about 80,000 road users daily. The RM13mil project, which involved the replacement of an old steel bridge with a new concrete structure, was completed on Jan 27 and officially handed over on Feb 3. State works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the project marked the resolution of a long-standing issue faced by residents and motorists in the area. “This project began in 2016 and was originally supposed to be completed between 2019 and 2020,” he said after inspecting the new bridge. “The construction allows for smoother water flow along Sungai Gelang Patah that can help reduce the risk of flooding in surrounding areas,” he said.

The 29-year-old woman from China’s Hubei province had been anxious about her return to her hometown for Chinese New Year, fearing the repeated questions from relatives about marriage, childbearing and her work. Her anxiety was so bad that she developed persistent stomach cramps as she spent sleepless nights dreading their questions. He urged people to give up what he refers to as “unnecessary socialising” and set aside personal time and space to rest. > Olympic medallist and world diving champion Cheong Jun Hoong, who gave birth to her first child about two months ago, is enjoying motherhood, China Press reported. “From a newborn to an infant, it all happened before I knew it,” said Cheong, who got married in October 2024.

1 Leong Jun Hao to let his hard work in training speak for itself when he steps onto the competition arena. Jun Hao will get to test himself in the German Open from Feb 24-March 1, before travelling to Birmingham for the world’s oldest badminton tournament, the All-England, from March 3-8. However, after three weeks of solid training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara, Jun Hao is showing encouraging signs, and Jonassen is hopeful the improvement will continue in the lead up to their European assignments. Besides Jun Hao, Justin Hoh will also be in action at the German Open, while Paris Olympic bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia will have to come through the qualifying rounds before earning a place in the main draw. Jun Hao, in particular, is in need of a positive showing as he and several other national men’s singles players have come under heavy criticism for a string of flat and unconvincing performances.

PETALING JAYA: Shoppers are more cautious and prudent with their spending as they welcome the Chinese New Year (CNY) festivity and Ramadan fasting month period, say business groups. Malaysian Shopping Centre Association president Phang Sau Lian said while consumers are more willing to spend, their spending decisions are simultaneously more rational, cautious and savvy. Phang said for this year’s Chinese New Year period, consumer retail spending habits has increased compared to last year. On purchasing habits among tourists, he said there has been an increase of tourists since last year, especially from China, Indonesia and Singapore. “On average, tourist spending goes up two to three times than local consumption,” Chan said.

One of Malaysian actor Shaun Chen’s favourite Chinese idioms is “ma dao cheng gong”, which translates to “success comes as soon as the horse arrives”. His Malaysian production company Filmforce Studio, which he joined as its director in 2018, is working on its first feature film in partnership with a Malaysian collaborator. Doing an entire film in Singapore, Chen believes, would be hard to sustain financially, given the higher costs and limited space. Chen is also growing his YouTube channel Shaun With You, which he started in October 2025 to share his personal stories, acting journey and family life. Says Chen: “Last year was a bad time for me, but I can feel the jobs and chances coming back.

JASIN: As lanterns and red decorations go up in Merlimau, Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh is preparing to mark the Year of the Horse by hosting an open house in his constituency on Feb 28. "Everyone is welcome to attend the open house on that day," he told The Star on Monday (Feb 16), adding that he is the only non-Chinese assemblyman in the state to organise a Lunar New Year open house since being elected as the Merlimau representative. Dr Muhamad Akmal said he began making Chinese New Year visits across his constituency on Friday (Feb 13) as he would be away performing the umrah pilgrimage from Monday (Feb 16) to Feb 24. Dr Muhamad Akmal said RM40,000 had been allocated to organise the open house, while RM10,000 in ang pow was distributed to teachers and pupils of Chinese primary schools in Merlimau. Earlier this month, Dr Muhamad Akmal dismissed allegations that he is anti-Chinese, saying his disagreements with DAP are political in nature and not directed at the Chinese community.

The incident, which occurred at around 5.30pm, was believed to have happened when an EV driven by a 31-year-old woman lost control and crashed into three other vehicles, including a motorcycle, according to Sinar Harian. He said the EV driven by the woman also crashed into another vehicle, a blue compact car, parked in the same area. According to Mohd Nasyim, the 32-year-old compact car driver is suspected to have suffered a broken right shoulder. "Three other passengers, including a 29-year-old woman, sustained bruises to their abdomen, while a 28-year-old woman and a four-year-old boy suffered minor injuries," he said. "All the victims, including the EV car driver, are receiving treatment at the hospital," he added.

The city’s markets came under the radar of Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) enforcement team when it launched a series of operations to clamp down on illegal stalls and foreign traders. The targeted areas were Pasar Taman OUG in Seputeh, Pasar Pudu and the wholesale market area of Pusat Bandar Utara (PBU) in Selayang. In a statement, DBKL said the raids saw 35 compound notices issued and 16 assets seized. In addition to a crackdown targeting unlicensed hawkers and illegal businesses run by foreigners, action was also taken against businesses that obstruct pedestrian walkways, back lanes and public parking bays with their goods and equipment. The public is encouraged to channel information regarding illegal trading activities at local markets to DBKL via adukl.dbkl.gov.my