THE Malaysian ringgit is showing a firmer footing against the US dollar this year, trading broadly in the high 3.90s at the time of writing. But this should not be mistaken for success. It is a test of judgment. For business leaders, this is not a moment for prediction or celebration. It is a moment for better decisions – and for deciding what kind of institutions Malaysian firms will become.
KUALA LUMPUR: There should be no age restriction on national athletics coaches, said former national coachR. Jaganathan. He stressed that coaches with vast experience, can help raise the standard of athletics in Malaysia. "We used to be a powerhouse in track and field events in the SEA Games. Jaganathan, who attended the interview, said that those who applied to be national coaches must have a vision to help athletes become champions. "New coaches must have a vision in not just training athletes but also producing good athletes to be on the podium.
MALAYSIA’S formal sector employees – basically all wage earners – have a long way to go before they are equitably compensated. This can be seen from the employee wages statistics for the third quarter of financial year 2025 (3Q25) released by the government in late January.
“NOT everyone is meant for university,” I blurted out one afternoon in the chief economist’s office at my last job before retiring. The room fell silent. He and the economist, both polished products of British postgraduate education, looked at me as if I’d just insulted the Queen.
ALOR SETAR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants Kedah to serve as the best stronghold model for the party in other states. State and parliamentary seats that we once captured must be defended, as this state once emerged as PKR’s earliest stronghold. He said he places trust in the party leadership at the division and branch levels, which form the foundation of PKR’s strength, and wants all members to work well as a team. Meanwhile, he said all new members are encouraged to join party programmes and training to enhance their credibility. "New members must be accepted and follow party programmes, while existing members will be guided to strengthen the organisation.
The reunion dinner was always homecooked, and she spent hours preparing every dish in the kitchen. I used to be completely exhausted after the reunion dinner,” the friendly octogenarian quips, rolling her eyes. (From left) Chi Kuen, Tan, Tokiho and Lee enjoying a family getaway in Cameron Highlands, making the most of their Chinese New Year together. Clockwise from top right: Lee, Chi Kuen, Yin Kuen, Tan and Shu Kuen. “That’s what we were taught.”For Lee, travelling during the celebration is not about abandoning tradition, but adapting it to fit the family’s current reality.
KUANTAN: Police have arrested a Form Five male student for allegedly bullying a Form One student with cigarette burns at a school hostel in Bentong on Feb 11. "The incident occurred around midnight in the school hostel toilet. The victim was allegedly ordered to smoke a cigarette but refused, leading the suspect to abuse him with cigarettes,” he said in a statement on Friday (Feb 13). He said the victim informed the hostel warden about the incident before being taken to Bentong Hospital for treatment. There were also cigarette burn marks found on his body,” he said.
ALOR SETAR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has told Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to continue building on its strength and stay cohesive even as it is at its strongest at the moment. The Prime Minister said that although PKR faces heavier challenges compared with other parties, teamwork could mobilise strength and secure victory for the party. However, he said all parties must not assume that everything within the party is perfect. Anwar explained that the party's struggle must also be grounded in facts and that no country in the world has progressed by sowing the seeds of hatred. Anwar said PKR takes matters concerning Islam very seriously as it is the religion of the Federation, but the party's task is to refine the situation and not be evasive.
PETALING JAYA: Amid the mass expulsion of several party leaders, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Facebook page on Thursday is replete with a series of erratic posts questioning the leadership’s actions. The Star is verifying whether the posts were made by Bersatu members or whether the page had been compromised. Update: According to sources, the official Bersatu page was hacked and a report has been lodged with Meta. The internal rift is said to have intensified, with division leaders reportedly mobilising support for Hamzah and calling for Muhyiddin’s resignation. The party has also terminated the memberships of Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, Padang Rengas MP Azahari Hasan and Gerik MP Fathul Huzir Ayob.
SHANGHAI: A gaping sinkhole was visible at a construction site outside Shanghai on Friday (Feb 13), an AFP reporter saw, a day after dramatic footage purporting to show the ground collapsing went viral. The edges of a large crater matching the location seen in the videos, a work site for a section of a new metro line, could be seen from a nearby shopping mall. Sections of the roads nearby were blocked off, with police and construction vehicles surrounding the site. Videos circulating widely appeared to show the ground suddenly begin to collapse, dragging temporary building structures into a widening chasm. Local media cited shop owners nearby as saying the incident had happened during Thursday morning rush hour.
A SHOCKING video showing what appears to be a building collapse has gone viral on social media since early Friday (Feb 13) morning. But did a shophouse really collapse in Sibu, SarawakVerdict:TRUEA corner unit of a row of shophouses in Jalan Pahlawan, Sibu, collapsed early Friday. The building structure is still shifting and, earlier, debris was still falling," he said when met by the media at the scene. "This is very important for public safety," he added. He also urged shophouse owners to report to the council to enable it to gather the necessary information.
THE traditional sources of science fiction have been books and movies, vividly portraying how technology could transform the way we live. In recent days, however, news about technological advances has driven home hard the reality that what we once considered normal may soon change at speeds unfathomable just a few years ago.
NIBONG TEBAL: There was no greater joy for some inmates in the state than being able to reunite with their families to celebrate Chinese New Year after being selected for the licensed prisoner release programme on Friday (Feb 13). Meanwhile, Penang Prisons director Mahadzair Che Daud said 102 prospects were selected for release under the programme, comprising 67 from Seberang Perai Prison and 35 from Penang Prison. "In Penang, 32 employers are registered with Penang Prison for the CSI initiative to date, covering the manufacturing, agriculture and food sectors. We have received positive feedback from employers who are satisfied with the level of discipline and diligence shown by the prospects at work. "In fact, some employers not only provide training but also offer permanent employment opportunities upon their release,” he said.
JOHOR BARU: No new tuberculosis (TB) cases have been reported in Johor so far, says state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon. Ling said this in response to a question from the media about the TB cluster in Kota Tinggi and whether any new cases have been reported in the state. On Feb 5, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed the emergence of a TB cluster in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi, with 33 positive cases detected following the screening of 804 close contacts. One death was reported in the cluster, but confirmed that it was not caused by TB infection. On Thursday (Feb 12), Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said that three pupils who tested positive for TB in Johor have recovered, while the remaining four are still receiving treatment.
SINGAPORE: The High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore will introduce a new appointment system and revised enquiry procedures for consular services starting Feb 16, in a move aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery. In a statement on Friday (Feb 13), it said members of the public requiring consular services should book appointment slots online in advance via http://mhc-consular-appointments.com under the new appointment system. "With the implementation of the new system, all requests for appointments made through email that have not yet received a response will need to be submitted through the new system. "Appointment requests submitted through email will no longer be accepted or processed," the statement read. Additionally, the High Commission also said that all telephone enquiries on consular services will be discontinued.
