Ramanan announces Vetri Madani programme, says allocation will be doubled
KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry has announced the Vetri Madani programme with increased funding to expand career opportunities for the Indian community, particularly those in the B40 group. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said this year's Vetri Madani programme will be implemented in collaboration with Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) and Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (HRDCorp). Ramanan said registration would open to gauge public response before the final allocation is announced and more skills training can be provided to meet current industry demands. "I hope Vetri Madani can help graduates obtain higher salary offers, especially in engineering and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors," he said. "Through the Dharma Madani programme, the government allocated RM20mil to more than 1,000 temples, while RM3.5mil was allocated to houses of worship last year through the Prime Minister's special allocation," he said.
Source:The Star
February 12, 2026 13:09 UTC
Biker, 73, dies in Muar crash with MPV
MUAR: A 73-year-old motorcyclist was killed after his motorcycle was struck by a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) at Bukit Naning here on Tuesday (Feb 10). Muar OCPD Asst Comm Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the accident occurred at about 7.36am. Initial investigations found that the MPV was travelling straight when the motorcycle cut across its path, leaving the driver with no time to avoid a collision. “The victim suffered severe head and bodily injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene,” he added. ACP Raiz Mukhliz urged anyone with information to contact investigating officer Insp Noor Khairun Izham Noor at 013-9121508 or report to the traffic division at the Muar police headquarters to assist with investigations.
Source:The Star
February 12, 2026 12:54 UTC
E-hailing driver charged with threatening young woman with knife
MELAKA: A 50-year-old e-hailing driver claimed trial at the Sessions Court in Ayer Keroh to two charges of possessing a knife without lawful authority and using it to instil fear in a young female shopper. The accused, Lim Toh Seng, entered the plea before Judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin on Thursday (Feb 12). For the second charge, he is accused of intentionally causing fear to a 21-year-old woman by chasing her while armed with a knife. Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Asri Abd Rahman Sidik prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyer Ishak Mohd Kari. The court granted bail of RM8,000 for the first charge and RM3,000 for the second, each with one surety.
Source:The Star
February 12, 2026 12:45 UTC
MACC rejects ‘malicious’ foreign media allegations
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has noted a report published by an international media outlet which it says contains allegations aimed at damaging the commission’s good name and reputation. The commission said it will not comment on allegations that are defamatory, speculative, or involve matters that are sub judice or subject to ongoing legal proceedings. All investigations undertaken by MACC are conducted strictly in accordance with the law, guided by evidence, and carried out independently, without fear or favour," it said. As an enforcement agency, the MACC’s functions and roles are governed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and are subject to oversight by five independent bodies. "Allegations of misconduct cannot be adjudicated through media narratives but must be assessed through the established legal system and due process of justice," it said.
Source:The Star
February 12, 2026 12:44 UTC
Hextar Industries to acquire 51% stake in llaollao's Malaysia master franchisee for RM177.5 mil
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): Hextar Industries Bhd (KL:HEXIND) said it is acquiring a 51% stake in food and beverage retail firm Woodpeckers Group for RM177.5 million in cash. The acquisition will provide Hextar Industries a footprint in the frozen dessert market, the company said in a statement, noting that Woodpeckers is the master franchisee of the llaollao frozen yogurt chain in Malaysia with 131 outlets. The acquisition includes an average annual profit guarantee of RM29 million over three years, the company added. Hextar Industries group managing director Benny Ang said the acquisition will help to “accelerate scale, enhance operational efficiencies and unlock sustainable long-term value in Malaysia’s dynamic food and beverage landscape.”Woodpeckers chairman Tan Kai Young concurred with Ang. According to the statement, Woodpeckers Group posted a net profit of RM30.3 million in the financial year ended 2024 (FY2024), on revenue of RM150.64 million.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 12, 2026 12:36 UTC
'No men allowed': Why some women choose Galentines over Valentines
"What’s Galentine’s Day? A man walks holding flowers and balloons on Valentine's Day, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in New York. Wolf takes care to schedule Galentine’s-themed retreats near Valentine’s Day because some women don’t have someone to spend Feb. 14 with. O’Sullivan is a social media strategist for businesses but appreciates that her bestie Valentine’s Day was without cellphones. You might go with a group of women friends to a play or museum, or take a hike or a workout class.
Source:The Star
February 12, 2026 12:33 UTC
On track to rail connection
In the case of ECRL, it is where there’s rail, there’s Internet,” he said in his speech after witnessing the handover of the letter of appointment from Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) to Maxis Bhd as the preferred telecommunications provider for the ECRL alignment that stretches from Kota Baru to Port Klang. On the new train sets, Loke affirmed the government’s focus on ensuring that national infrastructure projects will continue to be rolled out in a sustainable manner. On the ECRL project, Loke said it has recorded 91.7% construction progress as of January, with the focus now shifting to operational preparations. The 665km ECRL project has allocated 11 six-car EMU train sets for passenger services and 12 E-Loco for cargo purposes. So far, two EMU train sets and two E-Loco have arrived in Malaysia at the end of last year and were officially launched yesterday.
Source:The Star
February 12, 2026 12:30 UTC
Two US Navy ships collide, no major injuries, US Southern Command says
(Feb 12): A US warship and a Navy supply vessel collided during refuelling Wednesday afternoon, the US Southern Command told Reuters in an emailed statement on Thursday. The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply collided during a replenishment at sea, said the statement from the Southern Command, whose areas of responsibility include Central and South America and the Caribbean. "Two personnel reported minor injuries and are in stable condition," it said. The incident is currently under investigation and both ships have reported sailing safely, the statement added. The Wall Street Journal first reported that the collision took place near South America, saying the cause was not yet clear.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 12, 2026 12:11 UTC
Door still open for Pei Kee, says Chong Wei
PETALING JAYA: The door remains open for women’s doubles shuttler Go Pei Kee to return to the national set-up. Chong Wei said he wants to give her some space, especially with Chinese New Year just days away. I hope that after Chinese New Year she will return and we can sit down and talk," said Chong Wei. Chong Wei also stressed that Pei Kee has no behavioural issues and is keen to see her back in the national team. Moreover, he is also open to pairing Pei Kee with a new partner if needed.
Source:The Star
February 12, 2026 12:09 UTC
Almost 800 Lufthansa flights cancelled as pilots, cabin crew walk out
BERLIN (Feb 12): Hundreds of Lufthansa flights were cancelled on Thursday as pilots and flight attendants went on strike at Germany's largest airline, which has for years struggled to rein in costs at its core brand. The company said in a statement that close to 800 flights had been cancelled, disrupting the travel plans of about 100,000 passengers. German airport association ADV estimated that more than 460 flights will be cancelled, with almost 70,000 passengers affected. Departure boards for Frankfurt and Munich, Lufthansa's hubs in Germany, showed most flights were cancelled for the day, including to overseas destinations. "The simultaneous industrial action by pilots is a coincidence, but one that is welcome," said UFO union representative Harry Jaeger.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 12, 2026 12:06 UTC
Russia to send crude oil and fuel to Cuba soon, Izvestia reports
MOSCOW (Feb 12): Russia is preparing to send crude oil and fuel cargoes to Cuba in the near future, Izvestia newspaper said on Thursday, citing the Russian embassy in Cuba. Cuba is grappling with fuel shortages after the US moved to choke off its oil supplies. "Supply of crude and oil products is expected from Russia to Cuba in the near future as humanitarian aid," a Russian embassy diplomat told the newspaper. Izvestia said Russia last sent oil to Cuba in February 2025, delivering 100,000 metric tons. Russia also said on Wednesday it would suspend flights to Cuba once Russian tourists leave the island.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 12, 2026 12:01 UTC
Harrison Ford, 83, hints at retirement after 'very special' impact of series 'Shrinking'
Harrison Ford seems to have retirement on his mind, identifying his acclaimed role on Shrinking as an adequate way to end to his storied career. The Oscar nominee, 83, said during an Apple TV press day on Feb 3 that, “if it was all over here, that would be sufficient,” per The Hollywood Reporter. The kind of work that we’re able to do is remarkable given the tools we have to work with and the notion that lies behind this series,” Ford said. “This has been a very different kind of job for me, and I’ve been doing this for a long time,” Ford noted. I look for that in my life and I’m happy to have found it here.” – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
Source:The Star
February 12, 2026 11:40 UTC
Fitness coach Murad Zaidi granted DNAA after complainant withdraws case
KUALA LUMPUR: Renowned high-performance transformation coach Syed Mohammad Murad Syed Naseem, better known as Murad "Baddestcoach” Zaidi, has been granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) over a charge linked to an alleged injury involving a former staff member last year. Shah Alam Magistrates’ Court Magistrate Ameera Mastura Khamis made the ruling after the 47-year-old complainant, M Vijendrakumaraan, informed the court that he no longer wished to pursue the case. The development was confirmed by counsel R Morhaneraj, representing the complainant, and Aizzat Mustafa, acting for the 39-year-old Murad Zaidi. Murad Zaidi had been charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code over an incident that allegedly occurred at Persiaran Seksyen U1, Shah Alam, at about 8am on June 15, 2025. Meanwhile, Murad Zaidi said in a statement that following the withdrawal of the case, he would initiate civil proceedings against the complainant, citing significant damage to his professional and business reputation.
Source:The Star
February 12, 2026 11:17 UTC
Wasco Greenergy’s 4Q net profit up by 13.3% on better margins
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): Wasco Greenergy Bhd’s (KL:GENERGY) reported a 13.3% higher net profit for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2025 (4QFY2025), as better profit margins and lower expenses helped to cushion lower revenue from its renewable energy and industrial energy and equipment segments. Net profit for 4QFY2025 rose to RM7.5 million from RM6.6 million a year earlier. Net profit was RM22.7 million, which was 33.8% lower versus RM34.3 million a year earlier. Looking forward, Wasco Greenergy said its order book is expected to support performance in the coming quarters. As at end-December 2025, its order book stood at RM241.3 million, comprising RM215.1 million from the renewable energy segment and RM26.2 million from the industrial energy and equipment segment.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 12, 2026 11:11 UTC
Thailand moves to seize US$420m assets linked to scammers
(Feb 12): Thailand plans to seize US$420 million (RM1.6 billion) in assets linked to alleged cyber scam operators as authorities intensify a crackdown on a global online fraud network. The assets, including luxury condominiums, yachts and cars, were frozen by the Anti-Money Laundering Office in December after preliminary investigations found wrongdoing. The agency has now asked the public prosecutor to seek court approval to have them declared state assets, it said in a statement late Wednesday. A review of requests to revoke the temporary freeze found insufficient evidence to show the assets were unrelated to criminal activity, AMLO said. His government has “signed a blank check” to support efforts to dismantle scam operations, human-trafficking networks and drug rings, he said in November.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 12, 2026 11:11 UTC