Reskilling in the robot era
THE traditional sources of science fiction have been books and movies, vividly portraying how technology could transform the way we live. In recent days, however, news about technological advances has driven home hard the reality that what we once considered normal may soon change at speeds unfathomable just a few years ago.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 20:11 UTC
Licensed release brings joy to 102 inmates ahead of CNY
NIBONG TEBAL: There was no greater joy for some inmates in the state than being able to reunite with their families to celebrate Chinese New Year after being selected for the licensed prisoner release programme on Friday (Feb 13). Meanwhile, Penang Prisons director Mahadzair Che Daud said 102 prospects were selected for release under the programme, comprising 67 from Seberang Perai Prison and 35 from Penang Prison. "In Penang, 32 employers are registered with Penang Prison for the CSI initiative to date, covering the manufacturing, agriculture and food sectors. We have received positive feedback from employers who are satisfied with the level of discipline and diligence shown by the prospects at work. "In fact, some employers not only provide training but also offer permanent employment opportunities upon their release,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 16:31 UTC
TB situation under control, says Johor govt
JOHOR BARU: No new tuberculosis (TB) cases have been reported in Johor so far, says state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon. Ling said this in response to a question from the media about the TB cluster in Kota Tinggi and whether any new cases have been reported in the state. On Feb 5, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed the emergence of a TB cluster in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi, with 33 positive cases detected following the screening of 804 close contacts. One death was reported in the cluster, but confirmed that it was not caused by TB infection. On Thursday (Feb 12), Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said that three pupils who tested positive for TB in Johor have recovered, while the remaining four are still receiving treatment.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 16:00 UTC
Malaysia's High Commission in Singapore rolls out new appointment system
SINGAPORE: The High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore will introduce a new appointment system and revised enquiry procedures for consular services starting Feb 16, in a move aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery. In a statement on Friday (Feb 13), it said members of the public requiring consular services should book appointment slots online in advance via http://mhc-consular-appointments.com under the new appointment system. "With the implementation of the new system, all requests for appointments made through email that have not yet received a response will need to be submitted through the new system. "Appointment requests submitted through email will no longer be accepted or processed," the statement read. Additionally, the High Commission also said that all telephone enquiries on consular services will be discontinued.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 14:55 UTC
Bangladesh's BNP wins big in historic parliamentary election (update)
The parliamentary election held on Thursday was Bangladesh's first vote since the 2024 Gen Z-driven uprising that toppled long-time premier Sheikh Hasina. It was also the first national election to follow recent revolts led by the under-30s that have cropped up through the wider region. Despite the landslide result, the election had been seen as Bangladesh's first truly competitive vote in years. Turnout appeared on track on Thursday to exceed the 42% recorded in the last election in 2024. More than 2,000 candidates - including many independents - were on the ballot, and at least 50 parties contested seats, a national record.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 14:46 UTC
Vehicles entering KL expected to nearly double ahead of CNY
KUALA LUMPUR: Police expect the number of vehicles entering the capital to almost double ahead of the Chinese New Year celebration on Feb 17, driven by increased travel as people head back to their hometowns and to go shopping. We have identified several hotspot areas and will step up security and traffic control, particularly at locations frequented by the public,” he said. Among the ‘black spots’ identified are Jalan Kuching, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Sungai Besi, Jalan Damansara, Jalan Kepong and Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar. Hotspot areas include the Segambut roundabout, Kepong roundabout, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kampung Pandan roundabout and Jalan Istana. He advised road users to comply with traffic regulations and follow enforcement officers’ instructions to help ensure smooth traffic flow throughout the festive period.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 14:40 UTC
Russia and Ukraine envoys set for new US-led talks in Geneva
(Feb 13): Russia and Ukraine said a new round of US-led peace talks will take place in Geneva next week. Ukraine’s negotiating team is also preparing for talks with Russia and the US in Geneva next week, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s aide Dmytro Lytvyn told reporters in a note on WhatsApp. The meeting follows two rounds of talks since New Year in the United Arab Emirates involving military officials from Ukraine and Russia as well as US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding that Ukraine hand over territory in its eastern Donetsk region that Moscow has failed to conquer in fighting dating back to 2014. He was also part of the Russian team that held peace talks with Ukrainian officials in Istanbul weeks after the start of the February 2022 invasion.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 13, 2026 13:54 UTC
Today's news in pictures - Friday, Feb 13, 2026
MISSED what happened today? KOTA KINABALU – The Special Action Team of the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department performs a demonstration at the Sabah Contingent Police Headquarters. - NSTP/MOHD ADAM ARININKUALA LUMPUR – The gateway along Jalan Raja Laut near the DBKL building is beautifully illuminated with multi-coloured lights. NSTP/AMIRUDIN SAHIBJOHOR BAHRU – The Johor Causeway experiences heavy traffic congestion as captured at 11 a.m. - NSTP/NAJMI NOR’AZAMKUALA TERENGGANU – Fong Lai May meticulously prepares prayer decorations in Kampung Cina ahead of the Chinese New Year celebration. - NSTP/GHAZALI KORIAIR ITAM – Significant traffic congestion is observed along Jalan Greenlane during the evening rush at 6.40 p.m. - NSTP/AURIS FAQRURAZZI
Source:New Strait Times
February 13, 2026 13:45 UTC
iCents Group to supply air-conditioning system for data centres, upgrade TNB substation
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 13): iCents Group Holdings Bhd (KL:ICENTS) has secured two subcontracts to provide air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation system works, and another to upgrade a Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) substation, worth RM29.38 million in total. The two air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation system jobs will be undertaken for data centre projects, and are worth RM10.13 million each, according to a bourse filing on Friday. They are expected to be completed on Aug 20. Meanwhile, the substation upgrade subcontract, which also includes additional electrical works, is worth RM9.12 million and slated for completion by Dec 31.iCents said the subcontracts were awarded to its unit VC Engineering Sdn Bhd by undisclosed construction companies. iCents, which listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia in July last year, provides cleanroom services, including engineering, procurement, construction, and testing and commissioning of cleanrooms catering to semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, data centre, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 13, 2026 13:24 UTC
Thailand's Pheu Thai Party to join Bhumjaithai Party-led coalition, PM Anutin says
BANGKOK, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Thailand's Bhumjaithai Party, which won Sunday's general election by a wide margin, will be joined by the third-place Pheu Thai party to form a coalition government, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday. Anutin-led Bhumjaithai romped to a surprise victory on Sunday securing 193 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, followed by the reformist People's Party with 118 seats and the populist Pheu Thai at 74, according to Reuters' calculations based on election commission data. The support of Pheu Thai - backed by the currently imprisoned billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra - will give Anutin a clear parliamentary majority, potentially paving the way for a stable coalition. "We will work together as a government and manage the country so we can do good things for the country," Anutin told reporters, after holding talks with Pheu Thai leaders. Paetongtarn was later dismissed by a court order, opening the door for Anutin to become prime minister.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 12:21 UTC
Brunei ranks among world’s fastest for mobile internet
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam has emerged as one of the world’s top performers for mobile internet speeds, ranking eighth globally with a median download speed of 234.96 Mbps, according to the latest Speedtest Global Index published by Ookla for December 2025. The global median mobile download speed stood at 105.70 Mbps, meaning Brunei’s performance was more than double the global average. The index also recorded a global median mobile upload speed of 14.78 Mbps and latency of 24 milliseconds. However, in fixed broadband performance, Brunei ranked 89th worldwide, with a median download speed of 86.55 Mbps. The global median fixed broadband download speed was 118.59 Mbps.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 12:18 UTC
Thunderstorms in several states until 7pm
KUALA LUMPUR: Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah are expected to persist until 7pm on Friday (Feb 13), according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department. It said in a statement that the areas affected are Kedah (Kulim and Bandar Baru), Penang, Perak, Pahang (Cameron Highlands and Lipis), and Selangor (Sabak Bernam). Similar conditions would prevail in Sibu (Selangau), Mukah, Kapit (Song and Kapit), Bintulu, Miri, and Limbang in Sarawak, it added. In Sabah, such weather would be experienced in the Interior (Sipitang, Tenom, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort, Keningau, and Tambunan), the West Coast, Tawau (Lahad Datu), Sandakan (Telupid, Kinabatangan, Beluran, and Sandakan), and Kudat (Kota Marudu), as well as Labuan.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 12:00 UTC
Bersatu expels three more MPs, including Wan Ahmad Fayhsal
PETALING JAYA: Three more Bersatu MPs have been sacked by the party's disciplinary board, with others expected to follow. As of 5.30pm Friday (Feb 13), those expelled are Wan Ahmad Fahysal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang), Kapten Azahari Hasan (Padang Rengas) and Fathul Huzir Ayob (Gerik). Earlier, the board announced that deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut) had been sacked. The three received notices of expulsion from Bersatu, also signed by disciplinary board chairman Datuk Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan. ALSO READ: Hamzah sacked from Bersatu with immediate effectWan Ahmad Fahysal had been suspended earlier before being expelled today.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 11:58 UTC
More seniors addicted to Internet
The growing elderly population is showing signs of Internet addiction driven by loneliness and a lack of social engagement, prompting experts to call for greater family support and stronger fraud prevention efforts to protect seniors from online scams. A report released on Feb 5 by the China Internet Network Information Centre showed that as at December 2025, China had about 1.125 billion Internet users, with more than 80% of the population having Internet access. “The Internet becomes an outlet, offering a place to escape from the real world,” said Ningxia University Xinhua College’s director of psychological health education Wang Wenda. “Family members can discuss cellphone usage time with seniors and set payment limits on mobile payment platforms. It is also necessary for the government to promote anti-fraud knowledge among seniors through big data and push notifications to their phones.” — China Daily/ANN
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 11:47 UTC
Special committee to probe Azam Baki, says Fahmi
PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has decided that a special committee will investigate the controversy surrounding Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s alleged share ownership, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. The government spokesperson said the special committee would be led by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. “The Cabinet also discussed the issue concerning the MACC chief commissioner and the Cabinet decided that a special committee led by the Chief Secretary to the Government will investigate allegations raised. “We will leave it to the Chief Secretary to the Government and the special committee to look into it,” he added. Azam, in response, said he is ready to be probed by an independent committee established by the government to examine issues related to his share ownership.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 11:43 UTC