Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri at the launch of the National Family Compassion Policy (DKKN) 2026–2030 in Ipoh today. BERNAMA PICPrime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the National Family Compassion Policy (DKKN) 2026–2030 today as a renewed national framework to strengthen families. Malaysia's previous framework, the National Family Policy (DKN) 2010–2020, was introduced in 2010 to mainstream family perspectives in national development. At the same time, national health surveys show notable levels of depression among adults and children. It means policy support is designed around different stages of family life — newlyweds, young parents, families with teenagers, adult children and elderly parents — rather than treating all families the same.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin received a boisterous welcome from hundreds of members and axed leaders at an event called "Reset" here on Saturday (Feb 14). ", the latter in reference to Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. The event was organised by Bersatu vice-president and Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, who is known as a staunch supporter of Hamzah. Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah said that Hamzah would address the crowd not as a Bersatu leader. On Friday, the Bersatu Disciplinary Board issued dismissal notices to 17 members, including Hamzah, who is also the Opposition Leader.

PETALING JAYA: Phasing out the contract system for medical officers, is among the measures taken to address the staffing crisis, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The manpower constraint has been driven by supply shortage due to the decline in medical graduates entering the system as well as the maldistribution of workforce across the nation. This includes the phasing out of the contract system for medical officers, mandatory mobilisation to ensure fair workforce distribution, streamlining house officers training for faster integration and enhancing healthcare workers' welfare. The Johor state health department said in January that contract medical officers have been mobilised to several hospitals in the state. In an interview with The Star in October, Dzulkefly had said a proposal to end the contract system would be tabled to the Cabinet.

Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei will skip the German Open to focus on the Super 1000 All England. 4 Tang Jie-Ee Wei and world No. Following the All England, only Pang Ron-Su Yin will play in the Swiss Open (March 10-15), while Tang Jie-Ee Wei will adjust plans based on their condition. World champions Tang Jie-Ee Wei reached the quarter-finals of the season-opening Malaysia Cup and were ousted in the first round of the India Open before winning the Indonesia Masters. Meanwhile, Pang Ron-Su Yin have failed to reach a quarter-final in three tournaments played this year.

“This is the first year dividend tax applies,” said accounts and tax expert Datin Christine Koh. Tax reliefs reduce tax payable, not actual spending. “At a 20% tax rate, spending RM1,000 only saves RM200 in tax. Tax expert Datuk Koong Lin Loong said the relief applies to loan agreements signed between Jan 1, 2025 and Dec 31, 2027. “For example, if a loan is signed at the end of 2027, the tax relief can carry on to 2029,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme has generated RM3.87bil for the nation's economy as of the end of 2025. "Since the implementation of the revised policy in June 2024, the programme has recorded 14,535 applications, comprising 5,239 principals and 9,296 dependants. Strong interest was also recorded from Singapore, the United States and the United Kingdom," it said in a statement. The ministry said the RM3.87bil economic contribution includes participation fees, fixed deposits in local banks and property investments amounting to RM1.5bil to date. The ministry urged licensed operators that have yet to record any applications to be more proactive in promoting the programme internationally.

KOTA KINABALU: A 44-year-old woman whose body was dismembered has been buried despite her left leg and right arm still being missing, her son revealed in a TikTok live broadcast. We had to proceed with the burial because further delay was not possible. What was missing were her left leg and right arm,” the son said during his broadcast on Friday night. The victim, a Filipino refugee holding an IMM13 immigration pass, had married in January this year after ending an engagement. He allegedly used a sharp object, believed to be an axe, during a fatal argument over RM7,000 in engagement money at his house.

KUALA LUMPUR: I acted in good faith when axing Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin as this is to save Bersatu, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. "Disciplinary action is part of the mechanism in the party constitution designed to ensure the party remains stable and strong. "As president and founder of Bersatu, I have a responsibility to ensure that the party remains strong and stays on the true course of its struggle. 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.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin will not be appealing his dismissal from Bersatu. “I will never submit an appeal as I have struggled (for the party) and it required sacrifice. The Larut MP also branded Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as his number one enemy. And now my number one enemy is Tan Sri Muhyiddin,” Hamzah said. Following his dismissal along with 16 other Bersatu members on Friday (Feb 13), Hamzah claimed that he was not aware of the root cause of his termination.

BEIJING (Feb 14): China's ByteDance has rolled out its Doubao 2.0 model, an upgrade of the country's most widely used artificial intelligence (AI) app, the company said on Saturday. The release of Doubao 2.0, ahead of a highly anticipated new DeepSeek model, is likely aimed at preventing such a scenario from repeating itself. A video-generation AI model that ByteDance released on Thursday, Seedance 2.0, has already drawn comparisons with DeepSeek's success last year after going viral on Chinese social media and drawing praise overseas on platforms like X, including from its owner Elon Musk. Doubao 2.0 is positioned for the "agent era", where AI models are expected to execute complex real-world tasks rather than only answer questions, ByteDance said in a statement. But Doubao 2.0's release could help ByteDance fend off recent pressure from domestic competitors.

IPOH: A further RM20mil has been announced for secondary Chinese national-type schools (SMJKC). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the allocation would be in addition to the RM80mil he announced in January for the maintenance and repair of schools. "In conjunction with Chinese New Year, I want to take this opportunity to announce that all Chinese schools will get more allocation. Anwar had last month announced RM80mil, an increase from RM50mil in 2025 as a "timely relief" for infrastructure needs. Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.

IT is becoming increasingly clear that wealth management – from priority banking to private banking – is rapidly becoming a key growth engine for banks. This spans the mass affluent, emerging high-net-worth and ultra-wealthy segments, as lenders race to capture a larger share of clients’ financial lives.

KOTA BHARU: PAS is open to accepting anyone, including former leaders and members of Bersatu who wish to join the party, subject to established procedures and approval by the central leadership. PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said any application to join the party must go through the standard process and requires approval from the PAS central committee. “Generally, we accept anyone who wishes to become a PAS member, and it is subject to the approval of the PAS central committee. Takiyuddin added that individuals expelled from Bersatu still have the right to submit appeals in accordance with that party’s constitution. Asked whether the internal crisis within Bersatu would affect the stability of Perikatan Nasional, Takiyuddin acknowledged that it would have an impact.

Cheah Liek Hou wins the SU5 men’s singles event at the Para World Championships in Manama, Bahrain, on Saturday. - BERNAMA PICKUALA LUMPUR: Para-badminton star Cheah Liek Hou has become Malaysia's most successful individual athlete after clinching his ninth world title in Bahrain today, surpassing the record held by squash legend Datuk Nicol David. 1 dominated Taiwan's Fang Jen Yu 21-6, 21-11 in the Para World Championships men's singles SU5 final at the Isa Sports City in Manama. The victory extends Liek Hou's flawless head-to-head record against world No. Liek Hou returns to the court later today for the SU5 men's doubles final alongside partner Faris Ahmad Azri.

KUALA LUMPUR: Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds are expected to hit seven states until 6pm Saturday (Feb 14), according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). In a warning issued at 2.30pm, MetMalaysia said affected areas include Baling, Kulim, and Bandar Baharu in Kedah, and Seberang Perai Selatan in Penang. In Perak, the districts at risk are Kerian, Larut, Matang and Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Manjung, Kinta, Perak Tengah, Kampar, Bagan Datuk, Hilir Perak and Batang Padang. Over in Pahang, the forecast covers Cameron Highlands, Jerantut, Kuantan and Rompin, while in Selangor, the affected areas are Klang, Petaling, and Kuala Langat, while in Johor, Pontian, Kulai, and Johor Bahru are under alert. In Sabah, the warning covers the Interior (Nabawan and Tambunan), the West Coast (Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu and Ranau), Tawau, and Sandakan (Tongod, Telupid, Kinabatangan and Sandakan).