PETALING JAYA: The Bersatu disciplinary board is "a sham" for expelling deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, says Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee. Kiandee stated this immediately after Bersatu disciplinary board chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan announced that the Larut MP had been expelled from the party and stripped of his membership rights under Clause 22.5, effective today (Feb 13). "The Bersatu disciplinary board is a sham because it merely follows the orders of the president (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin). The president of the party is already out of touch with the wants of the majority of its members," said Kiandee. Mohd Radzi said that Hamzah may submit an appeal to the party’s appeal board for consideration starting from the date of the notice.

PETALING JAYA: Customers stocking up for the Chinese New Year are pleased with the festive season-controlled price scheme. Accountant Wong Mei Ling, 42, said there was a slight difference in pricing compared with prices last week. Wong added that while the prices were reasonable, festive preparations inevitably resulted in higher spending. Restaurant supervisor Lim Jun Hao, 35, said price stability was more important than large discounts. “At least with the price control, we can plan instead of worrying whether prices will increase again.

“The credibility of the process is just as important as its eventual findings,” he said. “Who sits on the committee, and are its members independent of both the executive and MACC itself? He also said that Azam should be placed under garden leave during the course of an investigation, as that would be consistent with the practice of good governance. Malaysia Corruption Watch president Jais Abdul Karim said the establishment of a special committee should be seen as an institutional process and not one due to political pressure. “Undermining leadership while major cases are ongoing could directly impact enforcement momentum.”

JOHOR BARU: Nail salons here are seeing a rise in primary schoolgirls booking manicures ahead of Chinese New Year, with many arriving alongside their mothers for the makeover. Nail technician Lew Bao Hui observed an increase in younger customers visiting her salon since the end of last year. “The trend of children, including those in primary school, getting their nails done has been on the rise since Christmas. “The interesting thing is the young customers come in, and they know exactly what design and style they want. “Many of my young customers prefer long acrylic nails; some opt for sleek and simple designs, while others go for more elaborate 3D nail art.

PETALING JAYA: For couples celebrating Valentine’s Day today, the occasion is not just about meaningful gifts but also about spending quality time together. However, she feels that the message of Valentine’s Day often gets lost in gift-giving. “Valentine’s Day to me is about celebrating love and not giving each other expensive bouquets,” she said. Likewise, while Scottish married couple Liz, 61, and Roth Tate, 56, will be celebrating Valentine’s Day in Malaysia for a change, there will be no grand celebrations. “The whole year is like Valentine’s Day with her around!” he joked.

PETALING JAYA: Bersatu’s decision to expel deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and 16 others has been slammed as a “sham” although it was not unexpected. Political analysts said that it could lead to an upheaval in the Opposition. ALSO READ: Bersatu disciplinary board hauls up Hamzah, four others on Feb 12, says notice“Armada respects the decision of the disciplinary board. Political expert Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysiasaid Hamzah was still Opposition Leader until decided otherwise. “He can remain Opposition Leader as long as he retains the majority support from opposition MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

The iconic PETRONAS Twin Towers stand as a testament to Ananda, the boy whose “impossible” dream reshaped Malaysia’s skyline. Doraisingam said the book detailed Ananda’s life beyond business, focusing on his philanthropic contributions and societal impact. “The book unveils the extraordinary life of Ananda, a man whose legacy transcended wealth to touch the hearts of millions. The book also highlights Ananda’s business philosophy, which guided his rise to billionaire status through strategic long-term investments. To make money, he added: “You have to find tomorrow’s business and make tomorrow’s money.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian economy beat expectations with 6.3% growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 on the back of positive labour market conditions and income-related policy support. The 4Q economic print, the country's highest quarterly growth in three years, came in above the official advance estimate of 5.7%. Over full-year 2025, the Malaysian economy grew 5.2%, above the previous year's 5.1% expansion and exceeding the forecast range of 4-4.8%. READ ALSO: Matrade steps up export drive in 2026 after record trade yearMeanwhile, headline inflation in 4Q2025 was stable at 1.3% while core inflation rose to 2.3% from 2% in 3Q2025. Nonetheless, resilient domestic fundamentals are expected to provide enduring support to the ringgit," said Bank Negara.

KOTA TINGGI: Police detained a foreign man for allegedly causing the death of a foreign woman at a house in Kampung Makam near here. Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Yusof Othman said the suspect, in his 30s, believed to be the victim’s husband, was arrested at the crime scene on Friday (Feb 13) at 7.42am. “The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by the medical officer from the Kota Tinggi Hospital and the body has been sent to the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru for autopsy,’’ he said. He said the application for a seven-day remand for the suspect will be read out at the Kota Tinggi Magistrate Court on Saturday (Feb 14). “Police also discovered a mortar believed to be used by the suspect as a weapon to hit the victim,’’ he said.

Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah (Centre), Queen of Malaysia, has called for greater attention to be given to the online safety of children and adolescents, warning that digital spaces can become highly toxic and cause long-term harm if left unchecked. — PIC FROM SULTAN IBRAHIM SULTAN ISKANDAR’S FBKUALA LUMPUR: Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, has called for greater attention to be given to the online safety of children and adolescents, warning that digital spaces can become highly toxic and cause long-term harm if left unchecked. "Authorities and society must give serious attention and take action to protect the younger generation from online safety threats." Her Majesty said this to the Royal Press Office after receiving a delegation from the Oxford Alumni Malaysia Club at Istana Negara yesterday, where issues of cybersecurity and online safety were discussed. The initiative aims to provide B40 students with activities through the arts, promote good mental health and prevent involvement in social ills.

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency has given its assurances that the country's maritime tourism safety is under control and fully prepared to support the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. "MMEA aims to prevent a rise in maritime accidents caused by negligence or poor safety awareness, especially among maritime tourists and operators," he said in a statement today. He said MMEA is on high alert to ensure maritime tourism activities are safe, secure, and standards-compliant year-round. Rosli said maritime safety requires the commitment of boat operators, tourism agencies, and all involved, not just the MMEA. He said the celebration also strengthens ties among the MMEA, maritime communities, tourism and shipping industry players, and related agencies, while promoting maritime safety and public awareness of the agency's role in protecting national waters.

PETALING JAYA: The disciplinary board of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has expelled 17 party members, including four Members of Parliament and two state assemblymen, for alleged sabotage of the party. A confirmed list of expelled members was issued on Friday (Feb 13) notifying that the board has received a written complaint from a Bersatu member against the 17 members. "In this regard, the disciplinary board has carried out its duties under the Bersatu disciplinary case management procedures on Feb 12 and subsequently made decisions in accordance with the provisions of Clause 22.5 of the Bersatu Constitution," disciplinary board chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan said. Another 11 party members were also expelled on Friday (Feb 13). ALSO READ: Hamzah sacked from Bersatu with immediate effectEarlier on Thursday, notices of expulsion involving the four MPs, including Hamzah, were circulated on social media.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have confirmed that 89 injuries, believed to be stab wounds and defensive cuts, were found on the body of a woman who was believed to have been killed by her husband in an incident at SPK Damansara, Kepong, on Wednesday (Feb 11). Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said that these details were obtained from the post-mortem results conducted on Thursday at Kuala Lumpur Hospital and added that while there were 89 injuries on the wife's body and neck, the husband sustained 10 injuries. Fadil shared these updates with reporters after launching the Kuala Lumpur Contingent-level Ops Selamat 25 in conjunction with the 2026 Chinese New Year at a shopping mall on Friday. It was reported on Tuesday that a local unemployed man was arrested in Sentul following the discovery of the woman's body. Physical examinations showed the victim had a 4cm wound on the upper right side of her head and swelling on her eyelids.

The clinics targeted Bangladeshis who preferred medicine from their home country and found it easier to communicate with the staff. NSTP/AHMAD UKASYAHKUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department raided nine illegal clinics in Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin yesterday, some of which had resumed operations after being shuttered in previous enforcement actions. He said the clinics targeted Bangladeshis who preferred medicine from their home country and found it easier to communicate with the staff. One of the detained Bangladeshis, believed to be acting as a doctor, claimed the clinics could earn up to RM10,000 a month. The raid followed surveillance by the Putrajaya Immigration Department and the Special Operations Division Tactical Support Team (Pastak), with assistance from the Kuala Lumpur Health Department.

The move would allow insiders such as Musk to maintain control of the company even with a minority stake. SpaceX recently acquired Musk’s xAI, moving the company beyond its core businesses into artificial intelligence (AI). Under a dual-class structure that gives Musk super-voting shares, the billionaire would establish a bulwark against activist shareholders exerting changes at the company against his wishes. “That’s not so much that I could control the company, even if I go bonkers,” he said in 2024. SpaceX has discussed the feasibility of a tie-up between SpaceX and Tesla, an idea that some investors are pushing, Bloomberg News has reported.