CNY exodus leads to congestion on major highways
PETALING JAYA: The holiday exodus has begun, leading to road congestion as many leave the Klang Valley for the festive period. According to the Highway Authority, congestion has been reported at the Genting Sempah Toll Plaza along the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway. Slow traffic has also been reported on the North-South Expressway from Rawang to Bukit Beruntung and from Skudai to Kulai. Previously, the Highway Authority said it projected around 3.27 million vehicles on the road during the Chinese New Year festive period. It added that of that total, around 2.2 million vehicles were expected to be on PLUS highways during the same period.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 06:19 UTC
Victim paid RM7,000 to end engagement before murder
KOTA KINABALU: "He agreed to end it, but he asked for RM7,000. He said that throughout the two to three months of engagement, his mother’s relationship with the man was often marred by arguments due to differences of opinion and a lack of understanding. He came to meet the family and agreed to break it off, but asked for RM7,000. My mother agreed and said she would follow my advice and do what was best for everyone," he said. Two suspects, a 71-year-old man believed to be the former fiancé and his 19-year-old son, were arrested in connection with the murder.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 06:18 UTC
AG to head special probe into MACC chief's share ownership
PUTRAJAYA: Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar will chair a special investigation committee formed to look into issues related to alleged share ownership of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the special committee will conduct a detailed and comprehensive investigation to ensure due process and fairness to the party under investigation. In response, Azam said his acquisition of shares was conducted transparently and did not violate any laws. Azam, in response, said he is ready to be probed by an independent committee established by the Govt to examine issues related to his share ownership. Azam said an independent and transparent probe is crucial to defend his personal integrity and also to maintain public confidence in the MACC as an institution.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 06:17 UTC
Immigration department to intensify bazaar raids during Ramadan
Immigration Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said enforcement and monitoring will be enforced at Ramadan bazaars nationwide to ensure business premises are free from illegal immigrants. NSTP/ AHMAD UKASYAHKAJANG: The Immigration Department will intensify enforcement and monitoring at Ramadan bazaars nationwide to ensure business premises are free from illegal immigrants. On overall statistics, Lokman Effendi said that from Jan 1 until yesterday, the department had conducted 1,700 enforcement operations nationwide, inspecting a total of 27,000 foreign nationals. Of that total, 6,200 people were detained for various immigration offences, with the majority coming from Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and China. "During the same period, 230 employers were also detained for violating provisions under the Immigration Act," he said.
Source:New Strait Times
February 14, 2026 06:09 UTC
7 unique Chinese dishes that were invented in Malaysia
Photo: En Yeoh's Bak Kut TehThe earliest known bak kut teh restaurant was opened in Klang in 1941 by Lee Boon Teh, who is said to have lent the ‘Teh’ part of his name to ‘bak kut teh’, although this assertion remains unproven as the fledgling edition of bak kut teh was likely created long before 1941. “Bak kut teh could well be nearly 100 years old, but bak kut teh shops keep opening – even though prices for pork, herbs and labour have shot up dramatically. Sang har mee probably arose as a result of the wide availability of roe-filled Malaysian freshwater prawns in the 1950s. In the 1950s, people in Seremban were regularly dining at his restaurant and eating yee sang, according to the book A Toss Of Yee Sang, written by his grandson. Kam heong (cooking style)Perhaps the most demonstrable Malaysian Chinese dish to showcase love for the nation and the influence other communities have had on Chinese cooking styles is kam heong.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 06:05 UTC
Part 1: Conquering Nepal's Annapurna Base Camp at age 71
I was 71 years, 10 months and 14 days old when I stood under a signpost that read, “Annapurna Base Camp”, in Nepal. The next challenge was walking up to Machhapuchhre Base Camp or MBC at 3,700m. The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) had always been on my bucket list. Printed on the cloth were the words: “Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) at 71 years, 10 months, 14 days, 23 September, 2025”. When we finally got to our final destination, we stood proudly under the signpost that read: “Namaste, Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) 4130”.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 06:01 UTC
Hamzah, others visit Hadi in Terengganu amid Bersatu expulsions
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin appears to be taking recent developments in his stride by the looks of a Facebook post. Amid 17 expulsions from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, the sacked deputy party president shared a photo of him having tea with PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, other PAS leaders and sacked Bersatu MPs. Also present in the photo are Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, who is also the Beluran MP, and PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, who is also the Kota Baru MP. Earlier, Bersatu had sacked Hamzah and 16 other party leaders following a disciplinary board meeting on Thursday. The notice said Hamzah, who is the Larut MP, was dismissed from his membership rights under Clause 22.5 of the party’s constitution.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 06:00 UTC
Bersatu leader questions transparency over dismissal
KUALA LUMPUR: A supreme council member of Bersatu has questioned the transparency and integrity of the party’s disciplinary process after he was dismissed without what he described as a fair hearing. Datuk Zulkifli Bujang, who is also the Johor Baru division chief, said he only received the summons to appear before the party’s disciplinary board while he was overseas on a pre-scheduled engagement. However, Zulkifli said the party proceeded with the decision to expel him without convening any disciplinary hearing or giving him reasonable space to defend himself. The dismissal was formally communicated to him via a letter sent through WhatsApp late on Friday evening. Zulkifli was among 17 dismissed from Bersatu, which included party deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin along with three other MPs following disciplinary action.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 05:54 UTC
No waiting game as Jonassen prepares squad for Finals without Zii Jia
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have sent an invitation to the Paris Olympic bronze medallist to take part in a centralised training camp ahead of the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3. Jonassen said assembling the strongest possible squad is not solely dependent on Zii Jia’s availability but also on the overall depth of the team. The latest update received by the national set-up was that Zii Jia was nursing an injury during the Thailand Masters, where he was forced to retire in the quarter-finals against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan. “Of course we are preparing this week and next week with a major focus on the Thomas Cup for the top players here. These weeks were designed not for short term international tournaments but as preparation for the Thomas Cup,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 05:50 UTC
Tight EKVE U-turn ramp raises safety concerns
THE opening of the elevated U-turn ramp, as part of the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE), in Ukay Perdana, Hulu Kelang, has noticeably relieved traffic congestion in the area. Ukay Perdana resident Rosli Sharafuddin said the elevated U-turn has a sharp bend that splits into two lanes that lead to different areas. The original design for the elevated U-turn was amended following a legal proceeding a few years back. Kamri says the elevated U-turn had undergone a road safety audit before it was opened to traffic. Section 2, which will connect this route directly to Ukay Perdana, is currently under development.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 05:46 UTC
HK actress Charmaine Sheh travels with mum in Thailand, wows netizens with makeup-free look
Hong Kong actress Charmaine Sheh recently went on a vacation with her mother in Thailand. Despite dressing casually in a light blue top and going makeup-free, Sheh, 50, still managed to steal the spotlight with her striking appearance. Netizens were quick to gush over her fresh-faced glow, with many saying she looks far younger than her age. Another added: “She’s such a filial daughter!”For the record, Sheh shares a strong bond with her mother and has long been known as a devoted, filial daughter. The award-winning actress was five years old when her father passed away, leaving behind her mother to raise her and her two siblings.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 05:33 UTC
Pregnant woman found dead in pool of blood, husband detained
JOHOR BARU: A foreign woman who was seven months pregnant was found dead and covered in blood at a house in Kampung Makam, Kota Tinggi, on Friday (Feb 13) morning. Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Yusof Othman said that the police received a tip-off the unconscious victim’s discovery at about 7:42am. Criminal Investigation Division officers were deployed from the Kota Tinggi police headquarters to the location to verify the incident. The pregnant woman was initially discovered lying in a pool of blood with head injuries believed to have been caused by a blow from a blunt object. The victim was later confirmed dead by Kota Tinggi Hospital medical officers.
Source:The Star
February 14, 2026 05:33 UTC
Anwar: Family education, love are foundation to anchor nation's development
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia’s development agenda must remain anchored in strong family values, even as the country advances economic reforms and technological transformation. MANIMARANIPOH: In the pursuit of economic growth, advanced education systems and modern facilities, the nation must not neglect the foundation of family education and love. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia's development agenda must remain anchored in strong family values, even as the country advances economic reforms and technological transformation. Also present were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Anwar's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. "In Asean, Malaysia's economic performance is among the best, and the ringgit has shown strong performance across Asia.
Source:New Strait Times
February 14, 2026 05:22 UTC
Loke rules out curbing vehicle ownership amid congestion complaints
NSTP/FILE PICKUALA LUMPUR: The government has no immediate plans to introduce policies to curb vehicle ownership amid reports of horrendous congestion in the Klang Valley. "At this stage, there is no specific policy to limit vehicle numbers," said Transport Minister Anthony Loke, adding ownership restrictions remain sensitive. Beyond festive surges, Loke pointed to structural challenges underpinning the country's congestion problem, highlighting the rapid rise in vehicle ownership. "Malaysia recorded vehicle sales of about 820,000 units last year, making it the largest vehicle market in Southeast Asia despite its comparatively smaller population than Indonesia. To mitigate the issue, the ministry is focusing on expanding and optimising public transport services, particularly during high-demand periods, he said.
Source:New Strait Times
February 14, 2026 05:03 UTC
Nadma: Cloud seeding in Kedah, Perak to combat drought, low water levels
The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is carrying out cloud seeding operations in the Northern Zone to mitigate the effects of hot weather and declining water levels at several major dams. It said the focus will be on rain catchment areas in Kedah and Perlis, involving several strategic dams that are the main sources of water supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural usage. The operations involved the use of RMAF's C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, which departed from the Subang air base. Nadma said it hoped the operation would help restore water reserves for the well-being of the people, particularly for the agricultural sector and domestic use. The operation is carried out to enhance the rain formation process and increase the amount of rainfall in selected areas during water shortage crises, haze and forest fires.
Source:New Strait Times
February 14, 2026 05:03 UTC