TB resurgence in Malaysia raises alarm among health experts

Tuberculosis, long thought to be under control, is quietly resurfacing as a public health concern in Malaysia, with doctors warning that complacency and delayed diagnosis are allowing the disease to spread undetected. – Pexels pic, February 18, 2026


TB resurgence in Malaysia raises alarm among health experts


Doctors warn complacency, delayed screening and treatment gaps are driving a silent but dangerous spread


Keran Raj
Updated 38 seconds ago
18 February, 2026
8:07 PM MYT



KUALA LUMPUR – Tuberculosis, long thought to be under control, is quietly resurfacing as a public health concern in Malaysia, with doctors warning that complacency and delayed diagnosis are allowing the disease to spread undetected.

Respiratory physician Dr Sia Leng Cheng of Universiti Malaya Medical Centre said TB remains a significant threat, particularly among high-risk groups.

“The most vulnerable groups include the elderly, children, patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer patients on chemotherapy, and immunocompromised individuals such as those living with HIV,” she said. “Migrant workers, prisoners and even healthcare workers also face elevated risk because of close-contact environments.”

Sia stressed that TB never truly disappeared but has faded from public attention.

“Urban overcrowding makes airborne transmission easier, and public awareness remains suboptimal. Many people delay screening because they underestimate the seriousness of a persistent cough,” she said.

She noted that the Covid-19 pandemic likely worsened the situation. “Disruptions during the pandemic reduced case detection and affected continuity of care. Some patients missed follow-ups, while others were diagnosed late,” she said.

“Another factor is the low uptake of latent TB treatment among close contacts of confirmed patients. When preventive treatment is not completed, the risk of future active disease remains.”

Dr Sia Leng Cheng. – Social media pic, February 18, 2026

Dr Sangeetha Puvanandran of Mediviron Pandamaran echoed these concerns, saying weakened immunity significantly increases susceptibility.

“Individuals living with HIV, patients with diabetes, the elderly, smokers, and those on long-term immunosuppressive therapy are particularly vulnerable,” she said. “TB is fundamentally a community disease. It is not confined to any single group, and anyone can be affected.”

She added that early symptoms are often subtle. “Prolonged cough lasting more than two weeks, night sweats, unexplained weight loss and fatigue are warning signs that should not be ignored. Duration is a key differentiator. Any cough persisting beyond two weeks warrants medical assessment,” she said.

Both doctors emphasised that while TB can be life-threatening and may affect organs beyond the lungs, including the brain, spine, heart lining and lymph nodes, it is fully curable if patients complete the prescribed treatment.

“Adherence to the full course of treatment is essential to achieve a cure and prevent resistance,” Sia said. Standard treatment lasts at least six months, while drug-resistant TB requires longer and more complex therapy.

Dr Sangeetha Puvanandran. – Social media pic, February 18, 2026


“Stopping treatment prematurely can result in treatment failure, relapse and the development of drug-resistant TB,” Sangeetha warned. “Drug-resistant TB is more complex, more expensive and far more difficult to treat.”

They also pointed to persistent myths and stigma as barriers to early care. “Some patients believe they can stop medication once they feel better, or that TB only affects foreigners. These misconceptions delay treatment,” Sia said.

Sangeetha added: “Stigma remains a major obstacle. Fear of discrimination often prevents people from coming forward for testing.”

Both doctors stressed that stronger coordination between public and private healthcare providers, along with consistent case notification and effective border health screening, is crucial to prevent further spread.

“If we maintain strong domestic healthcare but neglect management at the borders, our overall TB control efforts may be undermined,” Sia cautioned. – February 18, 2026

Selamat Berpuasa

 

Pressure is piling on Prime Minister to suspend Azam Baki

Pressure is piling on Prime Minister to suspend Azam Baki






AMANAH Youth has reiterated the call for Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commisioner Tan Sri Azam Baki to take leave during the investigation into his shareholdings in some companies while holding office in the anti-graft commission.


Stressing that it was necessary to uphold the principles of good governance and to protect the integrity of the country’s enforcement institutions, Amanah Youth deputy leader Danial Al-Rashid said:


“As the MACC chief commissioner, any controversy that raises public questions should be handled professionally and prudently to avoid perceptions of conflict of interest,” he said.

Yesterday (Feb 16), Azam insisted that he did not need to take leave in response to the matter.

“I don’t need to take leave. If I were to take leave, then how many people currently facing charges in court are still serving in their positions?

“There was even a former finance minister who continued to serve while under investigation. So what’s the problem? Have I committed a crime?” he said.

DAP National Legal Bureau chairman Ramkarpal Singh also insisted that Azam’s case must be investigated by an independent committee whose members have no vested interest in the outcome of the investigation.

Ramkarpal argued that the committee currently lacks investigative powers, such as the authority to submit or obtain documents, or the power to summon and compel the attendance of witnesses, as provided under the Criminal Procedure Code.

On the other hand, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) joined the list of organisations calling for transparency in the case, urging the government to consider mechanisms such as a Royal Commission of Inquiry or a Parliamentary Special Select Committee to investigate the claims against the MACC head.

ABIM president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said both of these mechanisms would be clearly empowered to investigate allegations of a “corporate mafia network” involving senior MACC officials.

He said the fact that the commission cannot investigate its own top leadership demonstrates the need for an independent mechanism to ensure transparency and justice.

The campaign to send Azam on garden leave started when former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli cautioned the government over its handling of allegations involving the embattled chief.

“We are told we are whining. But change only happens through persistent pressure from the people,” he said when addressing protesters at the “Tangkap Azam Baki” rally on Sunday (Feb 15).

The Pandan MP called on Pakatan Harapan partners, specifically the DAP, to speak up on the matter.

He warned that the issue could become a liability for the government. — Feb 17, 2026



Main photo credit: Malay Mail

PAS leader wants Giant supermarkets to clearly mark alcohol as non-halal products

PAS leader wants Giant supermarkets to clearly mark alcohol as non-halal products






THE PAS Pandan Alami branch has lodged a complaint to the Giant supermarket in Pandan Indah, Selangor regarding its Chinese New Year promotion of alcoholic beverages, urging for better warning signals when it comes to such products.


The post on Facebook said the sale of alcohol is always a sensitive issue for Muslim customers.


According to PAS Pandan Alami Branch head Iskandar Abdul Samad, although their complaints have not yet been fully addressed, the supermarket has added more labels such as “Non-Halal” and “Beer Section” on alcoholic beverages.

He also urged more Muslim associations and influential Muslim individuals to make similar complaints to stores selling alcohol during this period.



“We believe that all of our demands may be fulfilled if more organisations, associations or influential Muslim individuals are willing to make similar complaints and objections.”

The post also listed all the demands made by the PAS branch head. They are:

• More warning signs indicating non-halal.
• Warning signs on Shandy drinks, which also contain alcohol.
• Alcoholic beverages to be separated from other goods.

The PAS leader also said that similar complaints were raised in past years and urged other Muslims to join in pressing for stricter measures on alcohol sales. — Feb 17, 2026

***

Just in case some Muslims mistake those beer for cuka.

Analyst: A new low for Rocket politics

Analyst: A new low for Rocket politics






POLITICAL analyst James Chin, not mincing words, commented when Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook decided to reassure the Chinese-Malaysian community that there would be enough pork for Chinese New Year (CNY).


“Aiyo, this is a new low for the country and a new low for Rocket. You don’t need a Rocket minister to assure the public there is pork for CNY.”


Last year, the issue was turkeys for Christmas. Now, the top Rocketman himself is reduced to announcing pork supplies. Chin’s sarcasm bites hard:

“You are the largest party in the ruling coalition, and your party leader should not be doing this sort of petty announcement.

“This should be done by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, who is also a Rocketman.”


The implication is clear – when the leader of the biggest party in government is stuck making grocery-store-level announcements, something is off.

“No wonder many of your supporters are disappointed with you.”

Chin’s critique drips with irony: a major political figure, expected to lead on national policy, ends up reassuring the public about pork chops. For him, this is not leadership – it’s a flimsy distraction that should have been delegated to a junior official.

Loke had sought to reassure the community on the availability of pork, as CNY celebrations loom amid controversy on pig farming in Selangor.

Loke declared to nearly 1,000 attendees at a dinner banquet last week that the supply of pork in Malaysia is stable, and he would ensure there would be roast pig at every yearly reunion dinner.

“CNY would not feel like CNY without roast pig, so we must have it,” he was quoted as saying at a dinner.

There were reported thunderous cheers and applause from the attendees. On the other hand, photos of the event show him and other guests posing with whole roast pigs. — Feb 17, 2026

Pope says 'Frigg Off' (kt's words 😂) to Trump's BOP; prefers UN

Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ faces setback as Vatican refuses to participate, backs UN instead



Pope Leo XIV waves as he leaves after leading a Mass during a visit to the parish of Santa Maria Regina Pacis in Ostia Lido, Rome, Italy on February 15, 2026. — Reuters pic

Wednesday, 18 Feb 2026 12:46 PM MYT


WASHINGTON, Feb 18 — The Vatican will not participate in US President Donald Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” initiative, ‌Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s top diplomatic official, said on ​Tuesday while adding that efforts to handle crisis situations should be managed by the United Nations.

Pope Leo, the first US pope and ‌a critic of some of Trump’s policies, was invited to join the ​board in January.


Under Trump’s Gaza plan that led to a fragile ceasefire in October, the board was meant to supervise Gaza’s temporary governance. Trump thereafter said the board, with him as ​chair, would be expanded to tackle global conflicts. The board will hold its first meeting in Washington on Thursday to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction.

Italy and the European Union have said their representatives plan to attend as observers as they have not joined the board.


The Holy See “will not participate in the Board ‌of Peace because of its particular nature, which is evidently not that of other ⁠States,” Parolin said.


“One concern,” he said, “is that ⁠at the international level it should above all be ⁠the UN that manages these ⁠crisis situations. This is ⁠one of the points on which we have insisted.”

Many rights experts say that Trump overseeing a board to supervise a foreign territory’s affairs resembled a colonial structure. The ⁠board launched last month has also faced criticism for not including a Palestinian.


Countries have reacted cautiously to Trump’s invitation, with experts concerned that the board could undermine the U.N. Some of Washington’s Middle Eastern allies have joined but its Western allies have stayed away so far.

The Gaza truce has been repeatedly violated with hundreds ⁠of Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers reported killed since it began in October.

Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed over 72,000, caused a hunger crisis and internally ⁠displaced Gaza’s entire population.

Multiple rights experts, scholars and a UN inquiry say it amounts ⁠to genocide. ⁠Israel calls its actions self-defence after Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages ​in a late 2023 attack.

Leo has repeatedly ​decried conditions in Gaza. The pope, leader of ‌the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, rarely joins international boards. ​The Vatican has an extensive ​diplomatic service and is a permanent observer at the United Nations. — Reuters

***

His Holiness probably knew that Trump's BOP has been an Israeli Machiavellian devious deceptive device to bypass the UN where Israel faces increasing opposition, objections and disgust.

Witness recounts hearing arguments before tragic Kuantan family-of-five murder, say police

Witness recounts hearing arguments before tragic Kuantan family-of-five murder, say police



Kuantan police chief ACP Ashari Abu Samah said the initial statements from the witness, who is the suspect’s youngest brother, indicated that he heard the incident at about 7am while he was in his bedroom. — Bernama pic

Wednesday, 18 Feb 2026 11:50 AM MYT


KUANTAN, Feb 18 — A witness to the incident in which a family of five was killed in a house in Cerating Damai here yesterday claims to have heard the sound of an argument before the tragic incident unfolded.

Kuantan police chief ACP Ashari Abu Samah said the initial statements from the witness, who is the suspect’s youngest brother, indicated that he heard the incident at about 7am while he was in his bedroom.

“When the witness came out of the room and looked towards the kitchen, he found his mother covered in blood and screaming for him to go seek help from his uncle, who was at the back of the same residential area.

“The witness then sought his uncle’s help and, upon arriving at the house, they found all the victims and the suspect covered in blood and unconscious,” he said when contacted today.


He said the house was occupied by eight family members, including the suspect, who worked as a security guard; his wife, a housewife; two daughters; his mother; and three younger brothers.

But, at the time of the incident, there were only six family members.

Ashari said that checks found that the 32-year-old suspect had no record of mental treatment or previous criminal offences.


He said that initial investigations at the scene found that the suspect had attacked his wife Nurul Asshiykin Kamaruzaman, 33, first and then his mother, Tuan Kamaria Tuan Puteh, 55, and two daughters Nur Saffiyah Humairah, 4, and Nur Sumayyah Humairah, 2, with a sharp weapon before turning the weapon on himself.

He also died at the scene.

Ashari added that injuries found on the victims included wounds on the hands, ears, and neck, and the police also seized a 29-centimetre knife at the scene.

It is understood that the autopsies of the suspect and his wife were conducted yesterday, while those for the mother and two children continued at 9am today. — Bernama

Bolder, hotter, richer: How Chinese Muslim cuisine found its moment with Malaysia’s young diners

Bolder, hotter, richer: How Chinese Muslim cuisine found its moment with Malaysia’s young diners



Chinese restaurant operators have been eyeing South-east Asia for expansion. — Picture By Choo Choy May .

Wednesday, 18 Feb 2026 7:00 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 — On any given evening, the crowds flocking to Chinese and Chinese Muslim eateries tell a larger story about Malaysia’s shifting palate — one that has caught the attention of Chinese restaurant operators eyeing South-east Asia for expansion.

Fuelling that interest is a new generation of Malaysian diners who have developed a taste for stronger flavours, pushing Chinese and Chinese Muslim brands to lean into bolder profiles, modern branding and accessible price points.

Less than a decade ago, when Chinese operators first introduced hotpot concepts in Malaysia, diners often requested less oil, less spice and less heat — sometimes removing the oil entirely.

But tastes have shifted. While Malaysia has long favoured lighter cooking styles, the bolder seasoning typical of Chinese cuisine — especially chili and Sichuan peppercorn — now resonates strongly with younger consumers, said Malaysia Chinese Restaurant Association president Gao Haoyun.


“In China, it’s the opposite where 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the pot is oil, with spice and heat forming the core flavour profile.

“Chinese flavours, especially chili and Sichuan peppercorn, are highly stimulating, but once young consumers’ taste buds are ‘opened’, they tend to remember that flavour and experience.

“That’s why Chinese restaurants in Malaysia are expanding so quickly because their core clientele today are largely aged between 18 to 40. As this generation matures, their demand for bold flavours only grows,” he said in a recent interview with Malay Mail.


Spurred by the China–Malaysia visa-exemption agreement and a surge in tourism, Gao said well-travelled consumers often return home seeking the same tastes that left an impression during their trips.

“That is not to say Malaysian food is not good because Nyonya cuisine and Cantonese dishes here are excellent, often better than in China I dare say because Malaysia emphasises original flavours,” he said.

As a result, he said, more than 90 per cent of Chinese restaurants in Malaysia now serve highly authentic offerings that appeal to both Muslim and non-Muslim diners.

“Times have indeed changed,” he said.



Visitors sampling Chinese Muslim street snacks at the Third Chinese Muslim Food & Tourism Festival at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya recently. — Picture by Yusof Isa



A new generation shaping Malaysia’s appetite

Gao said one key driver behind the growth of Chinese Muslim cuisine in Malaysia is the quality of ingredients.

He noted that the local cattle and livestock industry remains underdeveloped, with much of the country’s beef and lamb still imported from India and Australia.

“Local cattle and sheep breeds, on top of climate, feed and genetic factors, also do not deliver the same texture and differ significantly from Chinese livestock.

“If you try a Ningxia-style hand-torn mutton at a Chinese Muslim restaurant, you will immediately notice the difference — tender and melts-in-the-mouth.

“But many Malaysians grew up associating lamb with toughness and strong odour, so this comes as a revelation,” he said.

He added that Malaysia’s Muslim food sector has historically been fairly uniform, relying heavily on fried and sweet items, with limited exploration of diverse cooking methods or seasoning styles.



Malaysia Chinese Restaurant Association president Gao Haoyun during an interview with Malay Mail. — Picture by Raymond Manuel



Why Chinese Muslim flavours resonate

With ingredients like mala seasoning, chili oil and Sichuan pepper oil now entering the market, Gao said even small additions can create entirely new sensory experiences, gradually winning over consumers and fostering loyalty.

Combined, he said these factors give Chinese Muslim operators a distinct edge — pairing superior ingredients with shared religious beliefs that build trust among Muslim diners.

Pricing is another major factor, with Chinese Muslim food seen as affordable and highly accessible.

“Chinese restaurateurs usually operate on a high volume, low margin business model where gross margins rarely fall below 65 per cent as compared to China where margins are already under 60 per cent.

“Here in Malaysia, operators can still maintain margins of between 65 per cent to 75 per cent to be profitable and sustainable,” he said.

Market white space has also played a role.

“When a brand is the sole provider of a product like Chinese beef meat pie (commonly known as beef roti here), demand will be concentrated on them.

“As the business grows and its brand becomes established, operators benefit from first-mover advantages — and prices may even drop as the market expands with others entering the market,” he said.

A five-year gap with China — and closing fast

According to Gao, Malaysia’s food and beverage sector is currently about five years behind China — a gap that has narrowed significantly since the pandemic, when it was closer to a decade.

He attributed the persisting difference partly to Malaysia’s relatively conservative F&B sector.

“Many businesses here are family-run, passed down from father to son, generation to generation.”

But with borders reopened and international exposure rising, he said Malaysia’s F&B industry is modernising rapidly, marked by the rise of centralised procurement, chain kitchens, unified management and expanding chain-store operations.

“From China’s perspective, Malaysia represents a market with strong potential for structured upgrading and that’s the first key factor of why Chinese Muslim cuisines have the market potential here.”

Gao added that most Chinese and Chinese Muslim restaurants in Malaysia are not run exclusively by mainland Chinese operators. About 85 per cent are joint ventures that combine local and Chinese expertise.

“This is partly due to Malaysian regulations, which require local equity participation in certain sectors and in many cases, locals also participate through franchising arrangements,” he said.

Post-Covid travel trends have also influenced the industry. Many Malaysians now travel to China for leisure, often combining their trips with informal market observation. The discovery, Gao said, is often eye-opening.

In China, even a single dish — noodles, fish or a particular speciality — can be scaled into thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of outlets.

“That level of specialisation and branding hasn’t been widely replicated in Malaysia yet, aside from coffee chains,” he said.

Still, Gao said even coffee chains would eventually hit a growth ceiling, pointing to the lack of systematic management as a key limitation.

“This is not about Malaysia being weaker, it’s about management models because Malaysia’s F&B management practices today resemble China’s from about five years ago,” he said.

Rafizi: MACC probe against me a form of 'intimidation'

Rafizi: MACC probe against me a form of 'intimidation'


Published: Feb 17, 2026 6:04 PM
Updated: 9:08 PM



Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli has described MACC’s investigation into him as a form of intimidation, linking it to his recent demand that chief commissioner Azam Baki be suspended.

Rafizi (above) said MACC had “suddenly become active” in probing allegations of misconduct and corruption during his tenure as economy minister, centring on two major national policies - the Silicon Vision Programme and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).

“These allegations, where the supposed amounts exceed those involving Najib Abdul Razak, are a form of intimidation,” he said in a statement today.

The PKR lawmaker said the reports against him were lodged by organisations that are “anti-prime minister”, specifically Perkasa and the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM).

He reiterated that both policies launched by Anwar had gone through multiple layers of approval, including cabinet endorsement.

“Since both policies were launched and implemented, there has not been a single report of misappropriation or controversy raised,” he added.

Earlier today, Bernama reported that MACC has opened an investigation into a RM1.1 billion agreement between the government and a foreign company.

According to sources, the investigation follows complaints from several NGOs alleging that the agreement was hastily arranged and biased, and could have financial implications for the government.

The source said MACC had taken several documents related to the agreement from the Economy Ministry on Feb 13 to assist in the investigation.

Why now?

Rafizi argued that the timing of the MACC probe - following his call for Azam’s suspension after allegations reported by Bloomberg - demonstrated the risk of abuse of power.

“The attacks against me, particularly the sudden MACC investigation into government policies that contain no procurement elements or financial motives involving me, show the dangers of allowing someone accused to continue exercising power while under investigation,” he said.

He cited past controversies involving Azam, including questions over share ownership in 2022 and MACC’s raid on the Securities Commission after allegations against the latter’s senior officers.

“That is why the appropriate action is to suspend Azam immediately, as should have been done by (Prime Minister) Anwar (Ibrahim) since last week,” he added.


‘No procurement role’

On the Silicon Vision collaboration with British chip designer Arm Holdings, Rafizi said negotiations involved several stages; from discussions between ministry officials and Arm to inter-ministerial negotiations involving then-international trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and second finance minister Amir Hamzah Azizan - as well as engagements between Anwar and Arm CEO Rene Haas and SoftBank owner Masayoshi Son.

He stressed that the Economy Ministry was a planning ministry and did not manage procurement or contracts.

“The collaboration with Arm fell under the International Trade and Industry Ministry and was signed by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida).

“Any payments were processed by Mida and screened and approved by the Finance Ministry,” he said, adding that the draft agreement was reviewed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers before cabinet approval.

As such, Rafizi dismissed claims that the Arm agreement was rushed.

“Accepting that allegation would mean accusing the prime minister either of negligence in performing his duties or of not understanding the semiconductor industry and being deceived by me.

“It also suggests that all the ministers involved, senior government officials, the attorney-general and the entire cabinet were deceived by me,” he said.

Rafizi added that there was “not a single piece of evidence” that public funds were misappropriated.

“There is no evidence that I took money, no evidence of funds entering my accounts, and no financial proof whatsoever,” he stressed.


NETR roadmap

On the NETR, Rafizi said the roadmap did not involve public funds, procurement, or project implementation by the economy ministry.

One policy under NETR, he explained, allowed private parties to develop renewable energy projects and supply green power directly to industry without going through Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

As a result, companies including UEM Lestra, a subsidiary of UEM owned by Khazanah, announced large-scale renewable energy investments.

Rafizi said UEM Lestra’s RM2.5 billion, 750MW project in Segamat was a private-sector initiative undertaken via a joint venture with I-Squared Capital, with energy to be sold to ESR Group Limited.

“Since when is a minister responsible for developing policy accused of misconduct over decisions made by a private company unrelated to the Economy Ministry?” he asked.

He also accused influencer Ariz Ramli, better known as Caprice, of producing content alleging that he had awarded the UEM Lestra project to a company in which he had an interest.

Rafizi said he would present further details in his podcast this week and would give Ariz an opportunity to apologise for defamation; failing which, he would initiate legal action.

‘Dangerous escalation’: Nations condemn Israel over occupied West Bank move

‘Dangerous escalation’: Nations condemn Israel over occupied West Bank move

Arab and other countries slam decision to register occupied West Bank lands as ‘state property’, a move seen as threat to Palestinian self-determination.

Israeli soldiers during a raid in the Old City of Hebron, in the southern occupied West Bank on February 14, 2026 [Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu]

Published On 16 Feb 2026



The Israeli government’s decision to approve the land registration process in the occupied West Bank as “state property” has drawn widespread condemnation from regional countries and international organisations.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday the measure would enable “transparent and thorough clarification of rights to resolve legal disputes” and was needed after unlawful land registration in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The decision allows for the revival of the “settlement of land title” processes, frozen since 1967 when Israel occupied the West Bank.

The Palestinian presidency condemned the Israeli move, calling it a “grave escalation and a flagrant violation of international law”, which amounts to “de facto annexation”. It called on the international community, especially the United States and the United Nations, to intervene immediately.

Hamas also denounced the move as an attempt “to steal and Judaise lands in the occupied West Bank by registering them as so-called ‘state lands'”.

“It is an attempt to forcibly impose settlement and Judaisation on the ground, in flagrant violation of international law and relevant UN resolutions,” it said, calling the Israeli action “a null and void decision issued by an illegitimate occupying power”.

Regional countries, including Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, deemed the move illegal under international law and a threat to the two-state solution of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Here is what they said:

Egypt

In a statement, the Egyptian government called the Israeli decision a “dangerous escalation aimed at consolidating Israeli control over the occupied Palestinian territories”.

Qatar

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the approval for the land registration process was “an extension of its illegal plans to deprive the Palestinian people of their rights”.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the need for international solidarity to pressure the occupation to halt the implementation of the decision to avoid its serious repercussions,” it added.


Jordan

According to a statement released by the royal court on Monday, King Abdullah said Israel’s actions were an attempt to “consolidate settlements and impose sovereignty over Palestinian land”, and could “exacerbate the conflict”.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs on Sunday called on the international community to “assume its legal and moral responsibilities, and to compel Israel, the occupying power, to stop its dangerous escalation”.

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “condemnation” of the plans aimed at imposing a “new legal and administrative reality” in the occupied West Bank, saying such measures would “undermine ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region”.

“There is no Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories,” the ministry said unequivocally, rejecting the illegal measures that are a “serious violation of international law” and undermine the two-state solution.

Kuwait

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli decision and described the move as a “null and void decision”, urging the international community to “deter those Israeli violations”.

“It is absolutely unacceptable to impose non-Palestinian sovereignty over the occupied West Bank,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Any decision to annex land in the occupied West Bank would be considered null and void and illegitimate, and would undermine international efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace in line with Security Council resolutions and the two-state solution,” it stressed.



Israel’s West Bank move means ‘more threats, intimidation from Israeli settlers’: Analysis


Pakistan

Islamabad called on “the international community to take concrete measures to end Israeli impunity”.

“Pakistan strongly condemns the latest attempt by the Israeli occupying power to convert areas of the occupied West Bank into so-called state property, and to expand illegal settlement activities,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Israel’s “continued disregard for international law and its provocative actions undermine the prospects for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region”, it added.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation

The OIC said Israel’s decision was akin to “colonial measures” in the occupied West Bank and called for urgent international action.

The Jeddah-based organisation said Israel’s measures “target the existence of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights”, including the right to self-determination and to establish an independent sovereign state within the borders that existed before the 1967 war, with occupied East Jerusalem as its capital.

United Nations

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded that Israel reverse its new policy allowing registration of occupied West Bank land as state property.

Guterres said he believes this new measure is “destabilizing” and “unlawful”, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

“The current trajectory on the ground is eroding the prospect for the two-state solution,” he said.

“The secretary-general reiterates that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the regime associated with them, have no legal validity and are in flagrant violation of international law and relevant UN resolutions,” Dujarric told reporters.

European Union

The EU called on Israel to reverse its approval warning it was a “new escalation”.

“This constitutes a new escalation after recent measures already aimed at extending Israeli control” in the occupied West Bank, EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said.

“We reiterate that annexation is illegal under international law. We call on Israel to reverse this decision,” he added.

PAS backs Hamzah to 'get at' Muhyiddin - analysts

PAS backs Hamzah to 'get at' Muhyiddin - analysts

Shakira Buang
Published: Feb 17, 2026 6:09 PM
Updated: 9:13 PM



The support shown by PAS for Hamzah Zainudin, despite the Larut MP’s apparent defiance of his own party president, has been interpreted as a move to “get at” Bersatu.

Political analyst Azmi Hassan from the Nusantara Strategic Research Academy said PAS’ current stance could be linked to the political crisis in Perlis.

In that episode, he said, PAS blamed Bersatu for events that led to the party losing the menteri besar post.

As such, when Hamzah was sacked from Bersatu, PAS was seen as quickly extending a wide and friendly opening to the former Bersatu deputy president.

“Why did they open such a wide door to accept or support Hamzah? It is to ‘get back at’ Muhyiddin,” he told Malaysiakini.

Bersatu sacked Hamzah on Feb 13 under Clause 9.1.4 of the party constitution. Its disciplinary board alleged that he breached a provision concerning his obligation to perform party duties and to participate in meetings and activities.

The sacking marked the climax of a long-running clash between Hamzah and Muhyiddin’s camps that had simmered for several years.

Azmi Hassan


On the day he was expelled, Hamzah took to Facebook and shared a photograph believed to have been taken at PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s residence in Rusila, Terengganu.

The development occurred less than two months after Perlis Bersatu chairperson Abu Bakar Hamzah was sworn in as menteri besar, replacing the Sanglang assemblyperson and former PAS state commissioner, Shukri Ramli.

Besides blaming Bersatu, PAS had also described the Perlis episode as an act of betrayal. Three of its assemblypersons who signed statutory declarations rejecting Shukri had their memberships terminated for defying party’s instructions.


Nothing contradictory

On that note, Azmi said PAS’ differing stance between the Perlis issue and the Hamzah episode did not necessarily pose a major contradiction.

“PAS often acts in ways that appear contradictory, but it will do so for its political interests,” he said.

Hamzah Zainudin


He added that PAS’ seeming support for Hamzah as opposition leader could also be read as an attempt to pressure Muhyiddin, who is claimed to be having second thoughts about relinquishing the PN chief post.

According to Azmi, PAS’ move invites perceptions of inconsistency, with the party seen as prioritising power calculations over uniform principles.


Realpolitik at play

Meanwhile, political analyst Jamaie Hamil from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia described the development as “realpolitik” laden with cost-benefit considerations.

In politics, he said, a party will tend to support the side with greater potential to strengthen its own position.

“That’s politics. Politics is full of possibilities.

“In this context, whichever option brings benefit to the party, they will agree to it, while options seen as less advantageous will simply be left aside,” he said.

Jamaie added that PAS may view Hamzah as wielding greater influence among Bersatu leaders compared to Muhyiddin.

Jamaie Hamil


“Thus, the support is based on strategic considerations,” he added.

He also opined that perceptions surrounding issues involving Muhyiddin’s family have become a political liability for PN and PAS, influencing the Islamist party’s calculations, adding it may see Muhyiddin as becoming increasingly irrelevant within Bersatu.

“One factor may be Muhyiddin’s own health, then the ‘parasites’ surrounding the Pagoh MP, including the issue of his son-in-law who fled overseas.

“So, PAS and PN find it difficult to agree that they are entirely clean. Why? Because Muhyiddin has been tainted by the issue involving his son-in-law.

“We see that whenever Muhyiddin debates in Parliament, the government side sometimes raises the question of where his son-in-law has gone,” he said, adding as the Bersatu crisis peaked, PAS appeared to favour Hamzah.


PAS’ political strategy

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities director Mazlan Ali said PAS’ stance is more a matter of political strategy than hypocrisy.

Mazlan said PAS and Muhyiddin have long been at odds, including over the choice of prime ministerial candidate and PN’s status in Sabah.

He added that PAS is focused on ensuring PN’s survival and sees Hamzah as a strategic partner.

Mazlan Ali


“Some may interpret it as hypocrisy, but that depends on one’s perspective.

“PAS may see it from a strategic standpoint, because Hamzah is more influential than Muhyiddin within Bersatu.

“From PAS’ point of view, perhaps aligning with Hamzah carries less risk than aligning with Muhyiddin,” he said.

Mazlan also pointed to claims that 19 Bersatu MPs and more than 100 party divisions are aligned with Hamzah as a factor that cannot be ignored.

“PAS sees that and believes Muhyiddin no longer has much room to manoeuvre,” he added.

Meanwhile, Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said the Perlis case was unique and more related to PAS’ internal dynamics.

The clash between Hamzah and Muhyiddin, she said, reflects PAS’ inclination to back alternative leadership within Bersatu.

She added that recent developments indicate dissatisfaction within PAS towards Muhyiddin’s leadership, as suggested by the absence of party representatives at a meeting held at the former prime minister’s residence recently.

Selangor Bans Pig Farming – But Sarawak Becomes Largest Hub

Selangor Bans Pig Farming – But Sarawak Becomes Largest Hub


February 15th, 2026 by financetwitter



Facing the risk of losing the next 16th General Election, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has started his campaign to appease angry ethnic Chinese – the core vote bank that put him in power after the Nov 2022 national polls. From visiting TAR UMT to announce a 10-year income tax exemption for the university and presenting a RM40 million matching grant to giving an extra RM20 million for Chinese schools, Anwar is desperate.

Equally desperate was an ally of Anwar-led Pakatan Harapan coalition – Democratic Action Party (DAP). It’s secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook is facing a new problem after his weak leadership saw DAP was annihilated in the Sabah state election last year. Under Anwar administration and Loke’s leadership, Selangor is cracking down on pig-farming and the Chinese community is furious.

Loke has sought to reassure the Chinese Malaysian community amid the pig farming crisis in Selangor that there is sufficient supply of roast pork for every Chinese New Year reunion dinner. But he dares not talk about the future of 114 pig farms in the state. The Transport Minister only urged the Chinese not to believe information about possible pork shortage, despite escalating pork prices. But it’s a different story in Sarawak.

The delicious braised pork served at many Singapore reunion dinners this Chinese New Year may have travelled two days by sea from Malaysian Borneo. Sarawak-based Green Breeder, located about 700km away from Singapore, is currently the only farm in Malaysia licensed to export live pigs to the Republic – and the East Malaysian state wants to send many more.

On a recent sunny day, a drove of pigs was being loaded on the docks at Kuching port. White-clad workers guided the squealing animals into cages for a Singapore-bound vessel. Green Breeder ships up to 3,000 live pigs weekly to Singapore. In 2024, the farm sent 121,685 pigs, or 13,385 tonnes of pork, to Singapore, accounting for 8.2% of the Republic’s pork imports.


“Fortune tellers read pig livers to tell the future. A pig must be slaughtered before a VIP can enter the longhouse. We treasure pigs the most. So it’s easy for us to encourage people to make a living from them,” – Sarawak’s Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Stephen Rundi Utom told The Straits Times on Jan 20.

Rundi, who is of Iban heritage, said the porcine creatures have been a familiar presence in his longhouse “since the day I opened my eyes to the world”. A longhouse is a traditional communal home for some indigenous groups in East Malaysia. The Iban ethnic group constitutes 30% of Sarawak’s population. But ethnic Malay in West Malaysia may not know this fact.

Sarawak aims to more than double the state’s annual pig production, from 350,000 animals in 2025 to 860,000 by 2030, targeting RM1 billion worth of exports for that year. The push would cement the East Malaysian state as the country’s pork-producing hub at a time when disease outbreaks and land-use pressures are reshaping the industry elsewhere.

The state’s demographics have contributed to the growth of the pig-rearing industry, which is located away from residential areas and operates using modern methods with strict hygiene standards. This is different from Selangor, Malaysia’s so-called most developed state located across the South China Sea, which is now cracking down on pig farming due largely to anti-Chinese political sentiment.

Pork consumption is deeply embedded in Sarawak’s cultural landscape. About three-quarters of the state’s population – including indigenous Iban and Bidayuh communities, and ethnic Chinese – consume pork. Muslims make up around 20% of the population. However, Muslims here are more open compared to fellow Muslims from Peninsular, whom mostly are more conservative and radical.



“We have adopted better technology after visits to Denmark, China and Japan to learn best practices, particularly in pig farming,” – said Dr Rundi. The state successfully contained an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in 2022 and has since eradicated foot-and-mouth disease, he added, bolstering confidence in its systems and processes.

Trade in live pigs between Malaysia and Singapore was halted in 1999. In 1998, the Nipah virus outbreak devastated pig farms in the peninsula, killing 105 people and forcing the culling of more than one million pigs. In March the following year, an outbreak that occurred among abattoir workers in Singapore who handled live pigs imported from Malaysia led to 11 reported cases of human transmission, and the death of an abattoir worker in the Republic.

Singapore resumed live pig imports only in November 2017 – and exclusively from Sarawak. Since then, the East Malaysian state has shipped more than 675,000 animals, valued at RM742.5 million in total, to the Republic. Meanwhile, the Singapore authorities are looking to resume live pig imports from Pulau Bulan, Indonesia, after these were paused in April 2023 following the detection of ASF in a consignment of pigs from the island.

Singapore imported 133,600 tonnes of pork products – live pigs, chilled and frozen meat – in 2024 alone. Its top three sources of chilled and frozen pork were Australia, Brazil and Germany. Viruses like Nipah and ASF remain the pig farming industry’s biggest threats. Though harmless to humans, ASF can wipe out entire herds and force farms to cull infected stock.


{ Raising A Stink }

Besides Sarawak, there are fewer than 300 pig farms operating in the states of Perak, Penang and Selangor. In Peninsular Malaysia, pig farming has been reshaped by land competition and disease outbreaks. Selangor – once one of the country’s major pork producers – recently saw relocation plans for pig farms stalled amid environmental concerns.

While Sarawak eyes expansion, local residents, civic and Muslim advocacy groups in West Malaysia continue to raise a stink over the persistent odour and hygiene issues of traditional, open-air pig farms. It didn’t help that pig farms are a contentious issue in the Muslim-majority peninsula. The animals are considered unclean, according to the tenets of Islam, and consumption of their meat is haram, or unlawful, for Muslims.

Moves to accelerate the closure of pig farms in Selangor have intensified in 2026, driven by a directive from the Selangor ruler to address environmental pollution, particularly in the Tanjung Sepat and Sepang areas. On Feb 10, Sultan Sharafuddin of Selangor stated that he would “not consent to pig-rearing activities in any Selangor district” due to pollution concerns and limited land resources, following an audience with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Two days later, the state government announced it would stop issuing pig-farming licences and aims to close all existing breeding farms in the state as soon as possible. No compensation will be given to the farmers, except in cases of ASF-related culling, Selangor agriculture executive council member Izham Hisham told the local media on Feb 14. He indicated that the shuttering process would take six months.

Elsewhere, there have been protests against pig farms in 2025 in Malay-majority areas in Penang and Perak, with residents and opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) citing odour and water pollution issues. Federal Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Chan Foong Hin noted that the growing opposition to pig farming in the state is partly due to competition for land use on the developed West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

“Some say Tanjung Sepat is better suited for tourism. How can that mix with pig farming? It’s a competition between industry and agriculture on limited land,” – he said. Tanjung Sepat is a coastal town in Selangor, a popular weekend getaway known for its fresh seafood and agricultural attractions, particularly dragon fruit farms and coffee.

To stabilise prices ahead of Chinese New Year, in anticipation of surging demand before the major festive season, the Malaysian government has given the go-ahead for chilled and frozen pork imports from 70 abattoirs in 10 countries. Discounts of up to 20% are available at 50 retail outlets across Malaysia as the government urges sellers to keep pork prices affordable.

Nationwide ASF outbreaks in the past few years have also driven pork imports higher. Malaysia imported 74,513 tonnes of pork in 2025, up fivefold from 2021. About one-third of the country’s pork supply is now imported.


{ Quarantine, Disinfection Measures }

Green Breeder, the anchor farm of Sarawak’s 804ha pig farming area, introduced strict biosecurity measures following an ASF outbreak in neighbouring Sabah in 2021. The farm is located 105km from state capital Kuching, and is a 1½-hour drive from there.


Visitors must undergo a 48-hour quarantine after arriving in Kuching and avoid other pig farms before entry. Vehicles pass through disinfectant pools and spray bays. Workers and guests shower and change into scrub suits before stepping into production areas that can house around 143,000 pigs at any one time.

Bars of soap and disinfectant footbaths for shoes are placed at the entrance and exit of each enclosure, requiring everyone to scrub in and out. “We have an exclusive wash centre just for our lorries. No other hog lorries are allowed (there) to prevent cross-contamination,” – said 62-year-old farm’s co-founder Veronica Chew.

Fruit trees are not allowed around the farm to prevent attracting bats, which can carry the Nipah virus, she added. The main surprise was the smell – or rather, the lack of it. Instead of the choking stench in a pig farm, here there was only a lingering muskiness in the air that brought to mind wet animal fur. Unlike traditional open-air farms that produce strong odours, Green Breeder uses modern farming methods to minimise unpleasant smells.

The closed-house system is equipped with water curtains and ventilation fans to maintain a temperature of 28 degree-C, which is comfortable for growing weaners (piglets that have been separated from their mothers and transitioned from milk to a solid diet, between four and eight weeks of age) and butcher hogs raised specifically for meat production and usually slaughtered between six months and one year old. The hogs’ manure is collected for biogas production.

{ Floating Pig Pen, Danish Piglets }

Green Breeder was founded in 1994 by Ms Chew and her late husband Gregory Ng. “He (Dr Ng) said chilled pork has a short shelf life of seven days. Transportation alone would take two days. Why not send live pigs instead?” – recalled Ms Chew. The couple purchased their first ship, Bintang Liberty 1, converting it into a temperature-controlled floating pig pen for the first shipment to Singapore in 2017.

To boost productivity, Green Breeder imported 759 breeder pigs from Denmark in 2023. Denmark remains free of ASF, supported by strict livestock transport controls and a 70km wild boar fence along its border with Germany – measures Sarawak officials say offer lessons in disease prevention.

“The Nordic breed has some of the best genetics available,” – said Dr Ng Yong Han, Ms Chew’s younger son, who is a veterinary doctor and director of the farm. Piglet production has already improved from 23 to 25 piglets per sow per year (PSY), and is expected to rise further over three generations.

Danish sows now average 35 piglets PSY, up from 24 in 2003, said Mr Jens Munk Ebbesen, director of food and veterinary issues at the Danish Agriculture & Food Council. He was visiting Kuala Lumpur in early February on a trade mission. “Top herds reach 40 to 42 PSY, but the national average is 35. This allows farmers to maintain production with fewer sows, reducing housing space and feed use,” – said Mr Ebbesen.

Denmark was the world’s sixth-largest pork exporter in 2024, with pork exports valued at US$2.73 billion. The country, with a population of around six million, is well known for having twice as many pigs as humans. While pig farming requires adherence to a strict biosecurity regime and hard work aplenty, Ms Chew does not regret leaving her civil engineering job in 1994 to rear swine.

She believes Sarawak’s future lies firmly in modern agriculture and farming methods – and in pigs raised to high, export-grade standards. “I don’t think it’s (a) dirty (business). In the early days, I even helped a sow give birth. Piglets are cute and never complain – unlike my stressful days in construction, stuck between clients and contractors,” she said with a laugh.

Happy Chinese New Year to all Malaysians

 

Wishing all my friends and visitors a blessed, happy, wealthy and safe Year of the Horse 💖💖💖👍👍👍😁