PayNet and NPCI International Payments Ltd have partnered to enable cross-border QR payments between Malaysia and India. KUALA LUMPUR: Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) and NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) have partnered to enable cross-border QR payments between Malaysia and India. The collaboration will enable cross-border payments using local payment apps for both countries. PayNet chief executive officer Praveen Rajan said the agreement reflects how the national payments infrastructure can support cross-border payments at scale. "This collaboration reinforces our commitment to simplifying cross-border payments while strengthening digital and economic connectivity between the two countries," he said.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): Oil and gas services and equipment provider Steel Hawk Bhd (KL:HAWK) has bagged a three-year underwater services contract from PETRONAS Chemicals Methanol Sdn Bhd. The contract was secured through its wholly owned subsidiary Steel Hawk Engineering Sdn Bhd, which includes the provision of specified underwater services on a call-out basis, spanning a period from Dec 9, 2025 to Dec 8, 2028. “This contract further strengthens our order book and provides clear visibility over our execution pipeline for the coming years. “With multiple contracts already in hand, the group is well positioned to deliver across its ongoing projects,” Steel Hawk deputy chairman and executive director Datuk Sharman K Michael said in a statement on Thursday. Currently, Steel Hawk has 21 active contracts, which will ensure the group remains operationally engaged over the next three years.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): The Retirement Fund (Incorporated) (KWAP) on Thursday launched Jana MyPesara with an allocation of RM20 million as microfinancing to help retirees manage and run their businesses in a more structured manner. Therefore, Jana MyPesara is a suitable initiative that focuses on economic participation at the grassroots level,” he said at the launching ceremony of Jana MyPesara on Thursday. Amir Hamzah said Jana MyPesara not only provides microfinancing, but also includes guidance and mentoring services to help retirees manage and operate their businesses more systematically. Therefore, I would like to encourage retirees who are interested in starting or expanding a business to consider the opportunities provided through Jana MyPesara,” he added. Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) is the implementing partner for the Jana MyPesara programme.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): The director general and a director of a government department have been remanded for five days, from Thursday to next Monday (Feb 16), on suspicion of conspiring to misappropriate funds totalling approximately RM900,000. The remand order against both suspects was issued by Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah following an application made by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning. According to sources, both male suspects, aged in their 50s, were detained at 1pm on Wednesday after arriving to give their statements at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya. “Initial investigations revealed that both are suspected of abusing their power and positions by utilising financial allocations at their workplace, amounting to roughly RM900,000, for personal interest,” a source told Bernama. He said that the case is being investigated under Section 18 and Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, and also involves offences under the Penal Code related to the dishonest misappropriation of property and criminal breach of trust.

Outgoing US ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D Kagan said the bilateral ties is now more dynamic and candid. “I’m very proud of the fact that the US-Malaysia relationship is much better now than it was in December 2023, when I arrived. He cited Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship and the visit by the US President Donald Trump in October 2025 as major milestones during his tenure as ambassador. “Any visit by a President is a very big deal for an ambassador,” he said, describing the visit as recognition of Malaysia’s importance within Asean. “It’s been a tremendous privilege to be able to represent the United States here,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): Plastic powder manufacturer Polymer Link Holdings Bhd (KL:POLYMER) is targeting growth in Australia following the leasing of a new warehouse facility there. Group financial controller Jun Low said the new warehouse in Brisbane is expected to commence operations within one to two weeks. Group senior vice-president Kevin Koh said the facility will enable the company to serve smaller rotomoulders that were previously unable to take full container shipments. “The previous customer in Poland was introduced to us by a brand owner expanding into the European market. He added that the European market is technically driven, which aligns well with the company’s research and development-focused approach.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Bill will require AI developers and users to manage legal and ethical risks, including potential copyright violations from using unlicensed or unauthorised training data. Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong (Gabungan Parti Sarawak-Hulu Rajang) said the Bill introduces risk assessments, transparency requirements, audits, and compliance measures to help authorities identify and act against AI systems that may infringe intellectual property (IP) rights. He was responding to a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (Pakatan Harapan-Pulai) on how the AI Governance Bill will address copyright and intellectual property issues arising from AI systems trained using copyrighted data, such as text, images, audio and video. He explained that the bill adds an extra layer of governance, ensuring AI development, including training models with copyrighted data, is responsible, transparent, and legally compliant, balancing innovation with copyright and IP protection. “Substantive enforcement of copyright and IP remains under existing laws, administered by the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO).

(Feb 12): China finalised import tariffs on some dairy products from the European Union at as much as 12% following an anti-subsidy investigation, lower than preliminary rates outlined late last year. Other food products — including pork and brandy — were also affected. The final rates on dairy were set at between 7.4% and 11.7%, the ministry said. That compares to initial duties, collected in the form of deposits, of as much as 43% that Beijing had announced in December. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have travelled to China in recent months as part of a diplomatic reset.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's economy is expected to maintain solid momentum in the fourth quarter of 2025, with growth likely to meet or exceed the advance estimate of 5.7 per cent, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said. The official gross domestic product (GDP) figures will be released by the Statistics Department tomorrow. Amir Hamzah said the advance estimate issued late last year pointed to stronger-than-expected performance. "When the Statistics Department released its advance estimate, it said fourth-quarter growth was 5.7 per cent. "God willing, when the actual figures are released tomorrow, they may come in better than expected."

(Feb 12): Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled a budget he said would help the city-state thrive as it faces a “more dangerous” world, marked by technological challenges and globalisation on the retreat. We cannot wait for conditions to turn more favorable, nor can we fall back on strategies designed for a previous era,” Wong said in his annual budget speech in parliament. “Every Singaporean who is willing to adapt and learn will continue to secure a good job and make a good living here in Singapore,” he said. Wong said Thursday that the government aims for the high end of a 2%-3% economic growth range over the next decade. Singapore is also on track to becoming a “super-aged” society this year, where 21% of its population are aged 65 and above.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): Melati Ehsan Group announced long-term lifestyle partnerships with integrated café hétam and Anytime Fitness for its Khaya Residences in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Khaya Residences is part of a bigger master plan that includes the Grade A, GBI Gold-certified Menara TNB Bangsar (TNB Gold Tower). The 53-storey residential tower comprises 795 units with built-ups ranging from 630 to 1,321 sq ft. It offers over 50 facilities including a 50-metre infinity pool, sky gyms, rooftop gardens, herb gardens, children’s play areas, pickleball courts and dining pavilions with private jacuzzis. In a press statement issued on Thursday, Melati Ehsan Group director Loo Yeok Bee said market responses to the project have been encouraging.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): MBSB Research expects fourth quarter (4Q) gross domestic product (GDP) growth to come in at 5.9%, above advance estimates. The upward revision, it said in its note, is mainly due to higher growth from stronger domestic spending and investment activities in addition to faster expansion in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors. Malaysia is set to announce the 4Q GDP numbers tomorrow on Feb 13, 2026. Manufacturing growth is expected to match the earlier estimate of 6%, while construction and mining growth could be slower due to weaker construction activity and natural gas output. MBSB Research said while exports have improved, higher imports limit the net contribution to growth.

NIBONG TEBAL (Feb 12): The Ministry of Education (MOE) has taken swift action in line with the advice and guidelines of the Ministry of Health (MOH) to manage any potential risk of tuberculosis (TB) transmission in schools. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said that monitoring and case management are carried out immediately to safeguard the well-being of students, teachers, and school staff. She added that the current situation is under control thanks to close cooperation between the MOE and MOH at federal, state, and district levels. Fadhlina emphasised that the MOE adopts a preventive approach and maintains continuous preparedness in managing health issues in schools. Earlier, she launched the distribution of 145,000 Farm Fresh Grow UHT milk packs free of charge to preschool students across Penang.

Deputy National Unity Minister Yuneswaran Ramaraj said to members of parliament that content filtering does not fall under the jurisdiction of the National Unity Ministry through the National Library. NSTP file picKUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry visits depositories every week to review and filter content published in books, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Deputy National Unity Minister Yuneswaran Ramaraj said to members of parliament that content filtering does not fall under the jurisdiction of the National Unity Ministry through the National Library. "With regard to the content, we usually do not receive the full manuscript of the book. "Upon receiving a complaint, the Home Ministry will also verify with the library whether the submitted document is authentic," he said.

WHAT was meant to be a joyful wedding became a farewell when the mother of the bride’s wish to wear white at the ceremony turned into a final sign of separation, Sinar Harian reported. On the day of Nurul Hazwani Alias’ wedding, her mother Jewayah Tajally, 70, who was battling with pancreatic cancer, passed away in her sleep. But my mother said she just wanted to wear white,” she said. Nurul Hazwani said at that moment, she did not think her mother’s choice to wear white had a much deeper meaning. Its district officer Abdul Rahim Khairuddin said the snake was handed over to the Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department.