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By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: The balik kampung exodus from the Klang Valley gathered momentum on Saturday (Feb 14) as families took to the highways during the overlapping festives and school holiday. The Star previously reported that traffic was expected to peak on Friday (Feb 13) ahead of the Chinese New Year super weekend and the start of Ramadan. The overlap anticipated to intensify both outbound and return flows, with Muslims also beginning early balik kampung journeys as Ramadan approaches. An analysis of travel times tracked from Feb 13 to Feb 15 shows a clear pattern: departures between 10am and 4pm consistently recorded the longest travel durations across major highways out of Kuala Lumpur. Travel times were recorded via Google Maps at two-hour intervals along four popular festive corridors — northbound to Penang, eastbound to Kota Bharu via both the Central Spine Road and the East Coast Expressway (ECE), and southbound to Johor Bah...

Chinese New Year Traffic Comparison Tool Select your route and compare 10am vs 10pm travel times. Select Route: KL – Penang (313km) KL – Kota Bharu (Central Spine – 423km) KL – Kota Bharu (East Coast – 566km) KL – Johor Baru (320km) Compare 10AM vs 10PM Chinese New Year Traffic Speed Slider Select route and slide departure time to see average speed. Select Route: KL – Penang (313km) KL – Kota Bharu (Central Spine – 423km) KL – Kota Bharu (East Coast – 566km) KL – Johor Baru (320km) Departure Time: 10:00

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) weather station recorded more lightning days than Subang for most of the past decade, but the long-running trend reversed in 2025. According to data by the Malaysia Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), Subang registered 294 lightning days last year, surpassing KLIA’s 279 days. However, from 2015 to 2024, KLIA recorded the most lightning days, with more than 300 lightning days every year.   KLIA’s records peaking at 342 days in 2015 and 341 days in both 2017 and 2020. This means lightnings were observed in KLIA on over 90% of days in those years.   In comparison, Subang’s highest annual total during the same period was 315 days in 2017, while its figures generally remained below those recorded in Sepang, except in 2025. MetMalaysia director general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the difference between KLIA and Subang is largely driven by geographical fa...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC) has welcomed the Securities Commission’s (SC) revised Advertising Guidelines, saying the move marks an important initial step in addressing the growing influence of finfluencers and unregulated investment advice online. MFPC president Andy Ng Yen Heng said professionalism and accountability were essential in maintaining trust in the financial system. “Unlicensed advice erodes trust, but professionalism restores it. MFPC will continue raising the bar for ethical and responsible financial guidance to uphold the integrity of the profession and protect the public,” he said. The council warned that fraudelent or unlicensed online advice could expose consumers to serious financial risks, particularly as such practices undermine consumer protection, professional standards, and overall market integrity. MFPC said it supports clearer regulations that distinguish genuine financial education from regulated advice ...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: The Securities Commission (SC) is stepping up enforcement against unlicensed and fraudulent finfluencers. According to the SC, finfluencers are generally referred to as individuals who leverage social media platforms to share investment-related content, ranging from general financial education to specific stock recommendations. To date, the commission has issued 31 cease-and-desist notices and one warning letter to those providing unlicensed investment advice. The SC has also taken stronger action against five finfluencers, including two criminal charges as well as five reprimands with fines. “The actions were taken amid growing regulatory concerns over the proliferation of self-styled investment gurus online. “SC’s enforcement actions send a clear message that providing investment advice is a regulated activity and must only be carried out by licensed individuals or entities,” it said.  The commission s...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC) has welcomed the Securities Commission’s (SC) revised Advertising Guidelines, saying the move marks an important initial step in addressing the growing influence of finfluencers and unregulated investment advice online. MFPC president Andy Ng Yen Heng said professionalism and accountability were essential in maintaining trust in the financial system. “Unlicensed advice erodes trust, but professionalism restores it. MFPC will continue raising the bar for ethical and responsible financial guidance to uphold the integrity of the profession and protect the public,” he said. The council warned that misleading or unlicensed online advice could expose consumers to serious financial risks, particularly as such practices undermine consumer protection, professional standards, and overall market integrity. MFPC said it supports clearer regulations that distinguish genuine financial education from regulated advice ...