KUALA LUMPUR: Proposals for a single government super app, the latest achievements of the Rakan Muda programme, and tax refunds are among the topics set to be discussed at Thursday's (Feb 12) Dewan Rakyat session. According to the Order Paper on Parliament's official website, Tan Hong Pin (PH-Bakri) will ask the Digital Minister during Question Time whether the government plans to create a single app to consolidate all government services, including the implementation timeline and total expenditure. In the same session, Rushdan Rusmi (PN-Padang Besar) will ask the Youth and Sports Minister to provide updates on Rakan Muda 2025, its impact on youth, and plans to enhance the programme's focus on character and skills development. Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau) will ask the Finance Minister to provide details on how much excess tax has been refunded so far, what remains outstanding, and the government's timeline for completing all repayments. The proceedings will continue with the debate on the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link Bill 2026 and the Finance Minister's second reading of the Capitation Grant Bill 2026.

SEREMBAN: A company running a jewellery store claimed trial in the Sessions Court here to a charge of possessing an electronic weighing equipment which provided inaccurate readings. The company was charged with committing the offence at the jewellery store in Port Dickson around 9.51pm on July 4 last year. It was charged with being in possession of an electronic weighing equipment for commercial use which did not conform to the authorised units or was unjust. The company was charged under Section 16 of the Weights and Measures Act 1972, which deals with the offence of using or possessing unjust weights, measures, or instruments for trade. Judge Mohamad Kamil then fixed bail at RM2,000 with one surety and fixed April 2 for the next mention.

KUALA LUMPUR: A man was detained for allegedly uploading an inflammatory Facebook post deemed insulting towards the Indian community and touching on issues related to temples allegedly built unlawfully. Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said police received a report at about 10pm on Feb 10, over the Facebook post. Following the report, the suspect was arrested at about 3pm on Wednesday (Feb 11), he said"We also seized a mobile phone believed to have been used to upload the Facebook post that later went viral. "Initial investigations revealed that the suspect admitted to uploading the post out of dissatisfaction and to attract attention from his followers on social media," he added. He warned that stern action would be taken against anyone attempting to exploit such sentiments for popularity or support from any party.

PETALING JAYA: Having happily embraced singlehood for years, retired teacher Susan Khoo never expected her circumstances to change so dramatically at the age of 63. Now 71, Khoo jokes that her marriage to Toh provided an instant “three-in-one” package. “It’s just like instant three-in-one coffee,” she said with a laugh. Khoo now encourages other seniors to remain open to the possibility of marriage, provided they are healthy and adaptable to change. “In our case, we were free to start this journey because we had already fulfilled our primary family obligations,” he said.

UOB Kay Hian Research, in a Jan 15 sector report, also named F&N as a key beneficiary of Visit Malaysia 2026. F&N’s share price has increased 37.2% over the period of one year, closing at RM34.42 last Thursday. Over a six-month period, the stock gained 73.5% from RM2.31 on July 29, 2025, to RM4 on Jan 29, 2026. So far this year, Mr DIY has led in share price gains, rising 18% to RM1.83 on Jan 29. Farm Fresh’s share price has gained 70.7% over the period of one year and risen close to 4% year-to-date.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Digital Asset Innovation Hub (DAIH) has onboarded three initiatives to test real-world applications involving ringgit stablecoins and tokenised deposits in 2026, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). In a statement, the central bank said the three initiatives would focus on wholesale payment use cases across both domestic and cross-border transactions, including to enable the settlement of tokenised assets. “These initiatives will be conducted in a controlled environment and involve collaboration with ecosystem partners, including corporate clients of financial institutions and other regulators. BNM also intended to provide greater clarity on the use of ringgit stablecoins and tokenised deposits by end-2026. BNM will continue advancing responsible innovation in digital assets through DAIH, which will continue to engage with prospective applicants while placing immediate focus on supporting initiatives already onboarded.

This framing misses out on the more important objective of recognising and responding to a deeper shift in how business value and risks will be redefined in Malaysia’s economy landscape and competitiveness. We are entering a period where climate risks and impacts are increasingly shaping real economic outcomes. This is where the role of professional accountants in Malaysia must evolve. Those that integrate climate risk and opportunity into core business strategy and decision making will be better positioned to protect value, attract capital and sustain competitiveness. Professional accountants who lead with insight, integrity and a value-based mindset will help shape more resilient businesses and a stronger Malaysian economy.

(Feb 12): US President Donald Trump’s energy chief said that the US can help Venezuela drive a “dramatic increase” in oil, natural gas and electricity output this year, as Washington works to issue new licences aimed at “setting free” the country’s economy. Energy Secretary Chris Wright spoke to reporters after meeting with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and other top Venezuelan officials at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, as the US pushes to revive Venezuela’s beleaguered oil sector. “We want to set Venezuela’s people and the economy free,” he added. Wright is the most senior US official to make a public visit to Venezuela since the Trump administration captured former president Nicolás Maduro in early January. While US oil executives and industry leaders have stressed that companies need political reforms, security guarantees and other assurances before investing in Venezuela, Wright has said there has been “absolutely overwhelming” interest.

(Feb 12): US President Donald Trump is privately musing about exiting the North American trade pact, people familiar with the matter said, injecting further uncertainty about the deal’s future into pivotal renegotiations involving the US, Canada and Mexico. Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity and declined to directly address whether Trump was musing about an exit from the trade pact. Greer said on Tuesday that the administration would hold separate talks with Mexico and Canada, arguing that trade ties with Canada are more strained. Even though he negotiated the current system, Trump has soured on the North American trading relationship. Both countries are the US’ two largest trading partners and the top buyers of American goods, according to 2024 trade data.

The APG aims to establish a sustainable, integrated energy network by 2045, with eight of the ten Asean members having set net-zero targets. He added that regulatory frameworks across member countries are also critical in enabling reliable and secure cross-border power flows. Looking ahead, he said TNB remains focused on strengthening grid capabilities to support the region’s move towards a cleaner, more connected, and resilient energy future. TNB has been actively contributing to the APG, as evidenced by cross-border connectivity projects such as the Vietnam-Malaysia-Singapore, Malaysia-Indonesia, and Malaysia-Sarawak interconnections. Renewable energy transmission to Singapore from Laos via Thailand and Malaysia three years ago marked a milestone in the region’s cross-border electricity trade.

Warner Bros was valued at about US$69 billion as of Tuesday, indicating Ancora’s stake in the company is less than 1%. Paramount sweetened the terms of its offer for Warner Bros on Tuesday by agreeing to pay the US$2.8 billion termination fee Warner Bros would owe Netflix if the deal falls apart. It will also backstop a Warner Bros debt refinancing and pay US$1.5 billion in fees associated with that, if necessary. If the Warner Bros board refuses to do this, “Ancora will vote ‘no’ on the inferior Netflix deal and seek to hold the Warner Bros board accountable at the 2026 annual meeting.”Warner Bros has said it plans to ask shareholders to vote on the Netflix deal by April. Warner Bros’ “experienced and independent board and management team have a proven track record of acting in the best interests of the company and shareholders”, Warner Bros said in a statement.

It is the world's first election after a revolution led by under-30s, or Gen Z, to be followed by Nepal next month. The contest pits two coalitions led by former allies, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist Jamaat‑e‑Islami, with opinion polls giving an edge to the BNP. "I am feeling excited because we are voting in a free manner after 17 years," Hossain said as he waited in line. Unlike previous elections marred by opposition boycotts and intimidation, more than 2,000 candidates, including many independents, are vying for 300 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation. "This election is not just another routine vote,” Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, head of an interim government installed after Hasina’s ouster, said this week.

(Feb 12): Instagram boss Adam Mosseri came under fire at a landmark trial over social media addiction for maintaining features on the photo-sharing app that researchers had flagged as harmful to teens. Phyllis Jones, an attorney for Meta, asked Mosseri to respond directly to claims raised in the case that Instagram put profit over the safety of young users. Under questioning from Lanier, Mosseri acknowledged that “problematic use” of Instagram and other online platforms is real, but asserted that social media was not “clinically addictive”. Under Mosseri, Instagram also announced plans in 2021 for a kids-version of the app called Instagram Youth, which was ultimately scrapped after strong backlash from politicians and parenting groups. Instagram rolled out so-called teen accounts in late 2024 that limit who users can interact with and what content they see.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): Dividend upsides will likely come from larger-to-mid-sized banks, as smaller banks are constrained by their aggressive business development, according to MBSB Research. It said smaller banks’ need to retain more capital to support growth, and is likely to limit their ability to raise dividends. At the same time, loan growth has been weaker than expected, largely dragged by weakness in business loans. Even with slower loan growth, MBSB Research remains positive on the sector, saying how banks manage their capital is becoming the main driver of share price gains. MBSB Research views this structure as a more effective and regulator-friendly mechanism for capital distribution compared with dividend reinvestment plans.

“For me, I think that for us (BAM) to bid for all these major tournaments, there needs to be a fair business model. “Secondly, we need to ask why many major badminton nations are not submitting bids to host major tournaments. That is one of the questions BWF need to ask themselves.”Kenny’s concerns are valid, as the BWF have yet to announce a host for the 2027 Sudirman Cup. Therefore, Kenny has urged BWF to review their current business model and compare it with the one used in the past. What is the difference between the business model BWF are using now and the one they followed in the past?” he added.