IPOH: Three people, including two children, have been killed in a collision between a lorry and a car at KM25 of Jalan Hutan Melintang-Bagan Datuk. Bagan Datuk police chief Datuk Supt Mohammad Ali Mohd Jali said in the 2.30pm incident on Saturday (Feb 14), a lorry driven by a 41-year-old woman veered into the opposite lane and crashing into a car. "A 12-year-old boy died at the scene, while the 26-year-old car driver and a six-year-old girl were pronounced dead while receiving treatment at Hospital Teluk Intan. The vehicles involved have been seized for further investigation, while the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Those with information are urged to contact traffic investigating officer Insp Normah Abu Hassan at 010-536 4619.

PETALING JAYA: The Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) plan to introduce new 3x15 scoring system continues to generate debate over whether it will benefit the sport’s biggest stakeholders, which is the players. 2 women’s doubles player M. Thinaah said she sees no harm in giving the system a try, especially for women’s doubles, which is often associated with long, drawn-out matches. "I think it's no harm trying it because it's something new. It won't hurt to try. But I definitely know that games will be faster and might even be more intense because the points are shorter than 21, right?

Could you help me better understand cervical cancer screening and other screenings I should consider now? Cervical cancer screening does more than look for cancer. HPV test alone every five years, Pap test alone every three years, or combined Pap and HPV (called co-testing) testing every five years. The decision to stop cervical cancer screening should always be made together with a healthcare professional. Keeping track of when your last Pap test, HPV test, mammogram or colorectal screening occurred can help ensure that care isn’t delayed.

JOHOR BARU: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has declined to comment on Bersatu's ongoing crisis after the party expelled some of its members. "Let them fight first," the PKR president said when asked about Hamzah Zainudin's status as Opposition leader after his expulsion from Bersatu. He was speaking to reporters after a closed-door PKR gathering here on Sunday (Feb 15). At the gathering, PKR leaders were told to work harder and intensify their efforts to strengthen the party. The official added that Anwar also briefed them on the many reforms being carried out, including those related to the civil service.

BENTONG: The Sultan of Pahang has called for fire extinguishers to be made compulsory in homes and proposed the establishment of a voluntary fire and rescue unit at Kampung Baru Karak near here. “Make fire extinguishers compulsory in every household, if possible,” he said during a visit to the Chinese new village on Sunday (Feb 15). The Sultan thanked the state government and leaders of the fire victims’ household-rebuilding committee — including former Bentong MPs Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek and Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai — for their efforts to rebuild the affected homes. He also expressed gratitude to Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, group executive chairman of FBG Holdings Berhad and an anak Bentong, who had mobilised his corporate resources to support the reconstruction project. Responding to the Sultan’s suggestion of setting up a voluntary fire unit, Pahang Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Mohd Razam Taja Rahim noted that a fire station is located just 400m from the village.

KUALA LUMPUR: Only two types of fireworks have been approved for the upcoming holiday period, say police. Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said owning and using unapproved fireworks is an offence. "Only the 'Pop Pop' and 'Happy Boom' types of fireworks are allowed as it does not contain dangerous elements," he said in a statement on Sunday (Feb 15). However, he said that the fireworks must follow the stated specifications and relevant permits are still required from district police headquarters. "The public is also reminded not to set off firecrackers or fireworks past midnight," he said.

Disciplinary action taken to ensure party is saved, says Bersatu presidentKUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says he had acted in good faith when he expelled his deputy Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to ensure that the party is saved. With him are Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and treasurer-general Datuk Seri Rina Harun. I have also given positions in the party’s leadership line-up to individuals whom I knew opposed me. “I acted in good faith for one purpose – to ensure that Bersatu remains united, strong and able to achieve the noble aims and objectives of the party’s struggle. Muhyiddin called on Bersatu members to remain calm while the leadership worked to fulfil its aims to work for the people’s welfare.

KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic on several major stretches of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) and the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway is slow and congested as of 6pm on Sunday (Feb 15). For the southbound direction, traffic is moving slowly from Jawi to Bandar Baharu and from Sungkai to Slim River. Additionally, congestion was reported on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway involving the route from Gombak to Genting Sempah and from Lanchang heading toward Bentong. Meanwhile, LLM expects the volume of vehicles on all major highways to continue increasing until late on Sunday night as the public takes advantage of the 50% toll discount offered by the government. Highway users are advised to strictly obey traffic rules, maintain a safe following distance and signal before changing lanes.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the country can progress faster with good governance. BERNAMA picPONTIAN: Malaysia has extraordinary potential to achieve faster progress if it continues to be governed well and cleanly, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the country's economic growth performance, particularly in the fourth quarter of last year, exceeded the government's expectations. Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Anwar said the achievement was not political propaganda, but rather reflected the strength of the country's economic fundamentals and the effectiveness of policies implemented by the government.

KULAI: A system programmer lost over RM219,300 after falling victim to an online investment scheme that promised ludicrous returns. “The suspect claimed that the profits would be credited to an investment application owned by the victim. He added that the victim later checked her investment account and saw that her profits were listed as RM336,544. ACP Tan said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating by false investment. “I urge and advise the public not to be easily deceived by investment schemes promising unusually high returns in a short period.

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 503 new tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported nationwide during the fifth epidemiological week. The breakdown of cases shows that Sabah recorded the highest number with 614 cases, accounting for 23.88 per cent of the total reported. This was followed by Selangor with 476 cases (18.51 per cent) and Sarawak with 257 cases (10.00 per cent). Johor ranked next with 233 cases (9.06 per cent), while the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya recorded 202 cases (7.86 per cent). Penang registered 148 cases (5.76 per cent), followed by Kedah with 144 cases (5.60 per cent) and Perak with 127 cases (4.94 per cent).

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 15): Police will continue their investigation into the rally over Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki in the federal capital on Sunday, ensuring it does not touch on issues of race, religion and royalty (3R). “The rally has so far run smoothly and remained under control, with an estimated 200 people in attendance,” he said at a press conference at Dataran Merdeka here. Fadil added that all aspects of the rally would be reviewed, and should any matters touch on the 3R issues, an investigation paper would be opened for further action. “So far, the police are still examining the entire rally from start to end,” he said. He said about 600 police personnel from the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters and Dang Wangi district police headquarters were deployed to maintain order during the rally.

IPOH: The people should focus on what is best for the country rather than constantly looking for issues, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said that some people have an "illness" and are always looking for problems. "Rather than dwelling on problems, we should focus on what is best for the country," he said. "Some will say that I always help Chinese schools," he said. "I was in Padang Rengas on Saturday and visited a Malay village, where I provided aid to help them repair their homes," he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic on several major highways nationwide was reported to be slow-moving and experiencing delays as of 1.30pm on Sunday (Feb 15). A spokesperson for the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), when contacted by Bernama, said weather conditions were favourable, but traffic volume had increased significantly along key routes. "On the North-South Expressway route E1, northbound traffic is moving slowly from Sungkai to Bidor and from Tapah to Gopeng. "Meanwhile, on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway, eastbound traffic is moving slowly from after the Gombak Toll Plaza to the Genting Sempah Tunnel,” he said. Road users are also reminded to signal in advance before changing lanes to help prevent accidents and ensure smoother traffic flow.

KUALA LUMPUR: A group of foreign nationals posing as doctors and offering unlicensed medical services from the back of shops selling daily essentials was busted after the Immigration Department raided nine locations around Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin in Pudu. The raids were conducted by the Immigration Department’s Special Tactical Team, in coordination with the Kuala Lumpur Health Department’s Pharmacy Enforcement branch on Friday following two weeks of surveillance. Immigration deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said 18 foreigners aged 24 to 51 were held, including six posing as doctors serving the community. Smuggled medicines: Officials from the Health Ministry inspecting unregistered medicines during a special operation by the Immigration Department around Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin, Pudu. Lokman Effendi said most clients were Bangladeshi nationals drawn by lower fees and easier communication, adding that inspections found the premises were supplying medicines that required specialist prescriptions.