Walking through the elephant-made 'highway' in Taman Negara
It was a crisp morning and I was standing in the empty carpark of Taman Negara Sungai Relau in Pahang. With me was a small group of eager hikers led by Naza and Mo – two seasoned Taman Negara guides. My familiarity with the place didn’t prepare me for the experience I was about to have, walking to an elephant cave deep in Taman Negara. Gua Gajah (“elephant cave”) is located some 5km off the main trail and is only accessible when led by certified Taman Negara guides. Close to 350 Asian elephants call Taman Negara home – a significant number considering that there are only about 1,677 elephants living in Peninsular Malaysia.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 09:04 UTC
Ringgit touches RM3.87 against US dollar at open
At 8 am, the ringgit strengthened to 3.8790/9010 against the US dollar from Monday’s close of 3.8885/8925. "At this juncture, the support level for the ringgit against the US dollar is at RM3.8722. He said uncertainties surrounding US trade policy, along with geopolitical developments linked to US-Iran talks scheduled for Thursday, would continue to shape market sentiment. At the open, the ringgit traded firmer against a basket of major currencies. It rose against the Japanese yen to 2.5076/5220 from 2.5120/5147 at Monday’s close, strengthened versus the euro to 4.5745/6004 from 4.5888/5935, and advanced against the British pound to 5.2347/2644 from 5.2526/2580.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 09:00 UTC
Four nabbed in RM22mil car case
Customs detain company owners over alleged vehicle import breachesJOHOR BARU: Four company owners have been arrested by the Customs Department for allegedly violating vehicle import laws involving 42 cars worth more than RM22mil. Johor Customs director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said the male suspects were arrested during statewide operations from Jan 5 to Feb 6. “We also discovered that several vehicles were taken out of the warehouse without Customs’ approval,” he said. Aminul Izmeer added that imported vehicles stored in bonded warehouses are required to pay taxes and duties immediately upon being removed from the premises. He added that efforts to identify and locate the warehouse owner are still ongoing as part of the investigations under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 08:51 UTC
CNY spring cleaning at the beach
Compiled by BEH YUEN HUI and CHARLES RAMENDRANA MOTHER and daughter in Terengganu spent the first day of Chinese New Year cleaning up a beach near their home in Kemaman. “Once, my mother and I were sitting by the sea, enjoying the breeze, when we saw many plastic bottles and rubbish scattered across the beach. “Every time we see a beach become clean again, there’s an indescribable sense of satisfaction,” she added. > China Press reported that actress Tang Wei was seen telling off a person for cutting the queue at an airport in Beijing. “I did not notice Tang Wei at first.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 08:43 UTC
‘Palaces’ fit for the Jade Emperor
GEORGE TOWN: Ornate paper palaces with intricate rooftops, vibrant columns and celestial figurines are among the most sought-after offerings for the Jade Emperor’s birthday celebration today. Prayer paraphernalia shop owner Calvin Cheong said families burn the elaborate paper structures as symbolic gifts to honour the Jade Emperor, regarded as the supreme deity in Taoist belief. “I ordered five eight-foot (2.4m) paper palaces and have already sold three at RM2,000 each. “Sales of dragon joss sticks and paper items such as the Jade Emperor’s palace have been brisk. For the Hokkien community, the occasion also marks their New Year, celebrated with elaborate offerings, firecrackers and nighttime prayers outside their homes.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 08:41 UTC
If I were palm oil in food wars
If I were palm oil, I would whisper from the pan: Relax. If I were palm oil, I would observe quietly: food fights rarely reveal culinary certainty; they expose identity anxiety. If I were palm oil, I would gently remind everyone that sambal – deep, glossy, slow-cooked sambal – owes its confidence to me. If I were palm oil, I would say this without apology: palm sugar may be my sweeter sibling – the one everyone applauds – but I am the one sweating at the stove. And if I were palm oil, I would leave you with this gently sizzling reflection: Unity is not built in speeches or slogans.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 08:32 UTC
Pengerang Refining cuts refinery output after shutting gasoline unit — Reuters
SINGAPORE (Feb 23): Malaysia's Pengerang Refining Company (Prefchem) has cut output at its refinery after it shut one of two gasoline-making units until April for repairs, sources familiar with the matter said. The refiner unexpectedly shut one of its two 70,000-barrels-per-day (bpd) residue fluid catalytic cracking units for repairs in early February, two of four sources said. Prefchem's 300,000bpd refinery located at Pengerang, Johor, is currently running at around 50% of its capacity, three of the sources added, down from around 60% last month. For March shipments, PETRONAS Trading Corp (Petco) started offering this week at least one spot diesel cargo loading in March, one of the sources said. Petco has not offered any low-sulphur straight-run fuel oil for February or March so far, traders have separately said.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 24, 2026 08:26 UTC
Immigration raids at JB mall lead to arrest of 19 foreign workers
JOHOR BARU: Four eateries at a well-known shopping mall here were raided by the Immigration Department in an operation that led to the arrest of 19 foreign workers for various immigration offences. He added that the simultaneous raids targeted several food premises around here and involved 25 enforcement officers from the state Immigration Department’s enforcement division. “Initial inspections found that 19 foreign workers were detained for suspected immigration violations. He added the detainees are suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963. Mohd Rusdi added that three Form 29 notices, which are summonses issued to witnesses, were also served during the inspection process to facilitate investigations.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 08:22 UTC
It takes discipline to balance faith and blood sugar
KEPALA BATAS: As Muslims enter the holy month of Ramadan, diabetics are carefully balancing faith and health – adjusting medication, monitoring blood sugar levels and moderating meals to fast safely. Although his condition does not stop him from fulfilling his obligation to fast – one of the main pillars of Islam – he is mindful of his blood sugar levels. Abdul Aziz said his blood sugar levels are slightly better controlled during the fasting month, and he makes it a point to take his medication regularly. He also takes traditional remedies and monitors his blood sugar regularly. Dr Mastura said monitoring blood sugar at key times – before sahur, mid-morning, mid-afternoon, pre-iftar and about two hours post-iftar – is essential to reduce complications.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 08:22 UTC
Deputy minister: 212,543 taxpayers submit e-invoice, over one billion transactions recorded as of Feb 23
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 24): A total of 212,543 taxpayers have submitted more than one billion e-invoice transactions in all from 2024 to Feb 23, 2026, said Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong. Liew said the number of transactions provides a clearer picture for addressing tax non-compliance, revenue leakage, and the growth of the black market. “E-invoicing also helps companies digitise their businesses,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday. According to Liew, the government raised the annual sales threshold for e-invoice implementation exemptions twice in 2025 — from RM150,000 to RM500,000 on June 5, 2025, and then to RM1 million on Dec 6, 2025. “This phased approach benefits over one million taxpayers, especially hawkers, small traders and roadside stallholders, by exempting them from the e-invoice implementation requirement,” he said.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 24, 2026 08:05 UTC
US tariffs target American investors in M’sia, says PM Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: American companies trading with Malaysia are impacted by the US tariffs and not the other way around, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “The tariffs are imposed on American companies who have been trading with Malaysia. Based on our survey, the impact on Malaysian companies has been rather minimal,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Feb 24). “Based on information from the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) as of Monday (Feb 23), Malaysian companies have not been impacted. I reiterate once again that the tariffs are for American companies trading in our country because Trump’s strategy is to force these companies to invest in the US and not overseas,” he added.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 08:01 UTC
EAIC finds negligence in Rela firearms training injury case
KUALA LUMPUR: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has found negligence in the handling of a firearms training exercise at the Northern Region Rela Training Centre that resulted in an injury to a trainee. The commission said it had conducted investigations into complaints involving alleged negligence during a firearms training session at training centre on Nov 15, 2024, which led to injuries sustained by a participant of the Basic Induction Course for Rela officers. "We also investigated claims that the firearms training session conducted on the same date did not comply with existing legal provisions. Among the conditions was a requirement that each shooter be assisted by a police officer during the training session. The EAIC stressed that strict adherence to established procedures is crucial to safeguard the safety of personnel and trainees during firearms training exercises.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 08:01 UTC
Give govt time, space to assess US tariff situation, Anwar tells Dewan Rakyat
Earlier, Trump invoked his authority under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a 15% tariff. “We do not know whether the US Congress will agree with the Supreme Court or have differing views. Anwar said the government does not want to make any hasty decisions that could potentially jeopardise the country’s trade interests as the US is a key trading partner. He was responding to a question by Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) on Malaysia’s position after the Supreme Court’s decision. This is quite clear, in my understanding, that maintaining any existing provisions does not override Malaysia’s national security or economic interests,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 07:55 UTC
Year Four students to be assessed via MPM
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Learning Matrix (MPM) for Year Four pupils will assess students’ progress in literacy, numeracy and basic scientific skills, says Wong Kah Woh. Wong said the MPM would begin for Year 4 this year and for next year for Form 3 students. Wong said PBD is a key assessment tool to obtain information on students’ development, progress, abilities, and level of mastery of the curriculum objectives. “PBD plays a critical role in providing a clear picture of students’ mastery of the Learning Standards outlined in the curriculum. Through this process, teachers can systematically collect information, conduct analysis, and continuously reflect to monitor students’ progress,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 07:50 UTC
Semporna resort in the soup for serving up pangolin dishes
KOTA KINABALU: A resort offering pangolin soup and meat for an "exquisite" experience for tourists is going to pay expensively after authorities swooped in on their illegal activities. In an integrated crackdown dubbed Ops Khazanah on Feb 23, Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) officials together with the police had raided a resort in Semporna district, after getting information of the operators storing and serving the protected species. “During the raid, a live pangolin as well as several pots containing cooked pangolin in herbal soup were found,” SWD director Soffian Abu Bakar said in a statement, Tuesday (Feb 24). Three individuals were also arrested to facilitate probes under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, he said. “We are stepping up patrols and enforcement to protect our wildlife in Sabah,” he added.
Source:The Star
February 24, 2026 07:33 UTC