KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Azam Baki has commenced legal action over a recent Bloomberg report which he described as libellous, misleading and damaging to his reputation and the integrity of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). "Azam has not breached any law, regulation or public service requirement in respect of the matters reported. At all material times, he has complied fully with all applicable asset declaration obligations imposed on public officers. "Our client remains steadfast in his commitment to integrity, accountability and the rule of law in the discharge of his public duties," it said. It is learnt that the firm issued a letter of demand to Bloomberg's offices in the United States and in Malaysia.

PETALING JAYA: Rafizi Ramli has brushed off allegations in a report filed against him by three non-governmental organisations with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). "Apparently @arm bribed me," the former economy minister said in a post on X on Thursday (Feb 12), referring to United Kingdom-based semiconductor design firm Arm Holdings. I'm still as broke as before," he said in his sarcastically toned post. Earlier, the MACC said it had received a report alleging there was misappropriation involved in an investment worth about RM1.11bil linked to a former senior minister. The report was lodged by a coalition of several non-governmental organisations at about 2pm on Thursday.

Italy's Anthony Mosca plays a shot during the 2026 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Nepal and Italy at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 12, 2026. AFP PICMUMBAI, India: Spinners Crishan Kalugamage and Ben Manenti helped debutants Italy to a historic first win at the cricket T20 World Cup with a 10-wicket hammering of Nepal on Thursday. A nation better known for its football, Italy are cricket minnows and the lowest-ranked side in the 20-team tournament. "I always wanted to help the team to win a match and do my best for my nation, Italy – I'm happy," player of the match Kalugamage said. The win made Italy jump to third and England slip to fourth in the group led by the West Indies.

PETALING JAYA: Migrant workers brought in by licensed private employment agencies (APS) are protected and assured of employment, says industry group. The three associations also said that many incidences where workers were cheated involved unlicensed foreign recruiting agents (FRA) who do not own recruiting licenses. "Malaysian recruiting agents are paid by the foreign recruiting agent and the amount is decided by them," they said. "Many security guard companies prefer direct hiring so they can ask the foreign recruiting agent to defray their expenses in Malaysia such as levy, Foreign Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (FOMEMA), medical insurance, uniform and training expenses in Malaysia," they added. they said, adding that local recruiters are being made scapegoats for the issues faced by foreign workers.

IN a bid to lose weight, a seven-year-old in China promised his father that he would do one rope skip for every ‘like’ their video received on social media, China Press reported. The video went viral, drawing 1.8 million likes in less than a day. “However many likes this video gets, you’ll skip that many times. However, it soon got out of hand when the video got nearly two million likes the next day. He said the school assigned pupils winter break homework to skip rope 100 times a day.

GEORGE TOWN (Feb 13): The autogate system at Penang International Airport (PIA) was fully implemented on Thursday, a move expected to enhance the efficiency of immigration inspections and alleviate passenger congestion in the departure and arrival halls. “The User Acceptance Test (UAT) was completed yesterday [Wednesday], and starting today [Thursday], the new autogate system is fully open to international visitors. From 6am to 3pm today, more than 1,800 passengers, comprising Malaysians and foreign tourists, utilised the facility for arrival and departure purposes,” he said. He told reporters this after conducting an inspection of the full implementation of the National Integrated Immigration System (MyNIISe) alongside airport management, the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), and the MyNIISe implementation team at PIA here. Chow had attributed the previous congestion to the new system being in an adjustment phase, coupled with the arrival of several flights in close succession, particularly from China.

GEORGE TOWN: The autogate system at Penang International Airport (PIA) has been fully implemented, a move expected to enhance the efficiency of Immigration inspections and alleviate passenger congestion at departure and arrival halls. Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the full rollout of the system proceeded smoothly since operations began at 6am on Thursday (Feb 12), showing a positive impact on passenger flow despite flight volumes remaining at usual levels. "The user acceptance test was completed yesterday and starting today, the new autogate system fully opened to international visitors. Wong added that the full implementation of the MyNIISe system is timely, ahead of the peak festive seasons of Chinese New Year, Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which are expected to see an influx of tourists to Penang. Chow had attributed the previous congestion to the new system being in an adjustment phase, coupled with the arrival of several flights in close succession, particularly from China.

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit climbed to a fresh high of 3.8995 against the US dollar on Thursday, hovering near its strongest level in almost eight years. The local currency last traded around that level on April 23, 2018, at 3.8965/8995 against the US dollar. At 6 pm, the local currency firmed to 3.8995/9060 versus the greenback, strengthening from Wednesday's close of 3.9110/9170. At the close, the ringgit traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit inched up against the Indonesian rupiah to 231.7/232.2 from 233.0/233.4 at Wednesday's close, and was higher vis-a-vis the Singapore dollar at 3.0931/0985 from 3.0990/1040 previously.

"But post-pandemic levels exceed pre-2019 levels, especially for older women," he added. More weddings bellsCalling it a positive development, experts say it is likely that senior marriages will continue rising in future. “With Malaysia ageing rapidly and the increased social acceptance, senior marriages will continue to increase,” said Tey. “They should also promote public awareness campaigns to normalise senior marriages and reduce stigma,” he said. Chai agreed that senior marriages will continue to grow, especially among those aged between 60 and 74, or the younger cohort of senior citizens.

KUALA LUMPUR: Astro, Malaysia’s leading content and entertainment provider, is inviting Malaysians to enjoy more of what they love through special promotional offers on selected Astro One packs. Curated to suit different viewing preferences and lifestyles, the Astro One packs offer something for every household. It’s a simpler, richer and more convenient way for families to enjoy entertainment every day. Beyond great value, these packs open the door to a compelling line-up of entertainment across Astro channels and streaming apps. With these promotional Astro One packs, Astro aims to continue to make entertainment simple, connected and enjoyable for everyone.

Here's a glimpse at what happened throughout the country in photographs. KUALA LUMPUR: Cleaning workers wash the windows of a building in Bangsar South. – NSTP/AMIRUDIN SAHIBKUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is illuminated after nearly a year of conservation and restoration. – NSTP/AMIRUDIN SAHIBKUALA LUMPUR: Lantern‑shaped light decorations line Jalan Raja Laut. – NSTP/AMIRUDIN SAHIBPUTRAJAYA: The Putrajaya Lake Cruise carries tourists around the lake.

BAM performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei said the national body has already sent a formal invitation to Zii Jia, seen as a vital cog in Malaysia's Thomas Cup squad, to attend the proposed training sessions three days a week. NSTP/ASWADI ALIASKUALA LUMPUR: Assembling the strongest squad possible in its bid to regain the Thomas Cup after 34 years, BAM has invited independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia to join training for the campagin in Horsens, Denmark on April 24-May 3. BAM performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei said the national body has already sent a formal invitation to Zii Jia, seen as a vital cog in Malaysia's Thomas Cup squad, to attend the proposed training sessions three days a week. "We have invited independent players Zii Jia and Sze Fei-Izzuddin. Zii Jia had turned down an invitation to train with BAM during the preparation for the 2024 Thomas Cup, but led the team to the semi-final spot in Chengdu, China.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): Maxland Bhd (KL:MAXLAND) has proposed a rights issue to raise up to RM32.07 million to fund maintenance of its timber camp infrastructure, tree replanting and plantation improvement works, and working capital. The issuance, involving up to 2.405 billion rights shares, will be offered at two sen each, on the basis of one new share for every one existing share held, the timber firm said in a bourse filing. Assuming a base case, where none of its outstanding 801.81 million warrants B are exercised, and entitlements are fully subscribed, the company expects to raise RM32.07 million from the issuance of 1.6 billion rights shares. It completed a RM6.78 million private placement and a RM51 million redeemable convertible note issuance in June 2021, a RM2.05 million private placement in December 2021, a RM13.64 million private placement in January 2023, and an RM11.37 million private placement in February 2024. The proposed rights issue is subject to shareholders’ nods at an extraordinary general meeting to be convened.

KOTA KINABALU: The number of flood evacuees at two relief centres (PPS) in Sipitang rose to 195 people from 93 families on Thursday (Feb 12) morning, up from 91 people from 43 families recorded Wednesday (Feb 11). The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat said, in a statement, that all the victims were residents of 14 villages in Sipitang affected by the floods. "The PPS at Dewan K Padang Berempah is sheltering 93 people from 45 families, while Dewan SMK Padang Berempah accommodates 102 people from 48 families," it said. Heavy rain since Tuesday (Feb 10) evening has caused the water level of Sungai Mengalong to rise, leading to flooding in nearby villages.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) has called for the immediate suspension of any Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers implicated in Bloomberg’s report alleging collusion with businesspeople to take over local companies. Bloomberg’s report claimed that a “corporate mafia” worked with MACC officers to gain control of companies by pressuring executives, with MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki allegedly involved. C4 said that if these claims are true, they would amount to serious abuses of power and highlighted past and recent reports regarding Azam Baki’s shareholdings. The MACC issued a statement of support on Tuesday, noting that Azam had complied with asset declaration requirements, while Azam has denied wrongdoing over his shareholdings. C4 also urged the government to accelerate reforms within the MACC, including removing the prime minister’s power to appoint the MACC chief commissioner, strengthening external oversight mechanisms and making operations of the MACC’s “Section D” more transparent.