(' , ')

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill could approach RM50bil in a prolonged oil-price shock scenario, according to an economist. Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) research associate Dr Mikhail Rosli estimated Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill could cost between RM45bil and RM50bil next year if Brent crude prices remain above US$100 per barrel. He said the estimate would be broadly in line with the KRI’s Beyond The Pump report which estimated fuel subsidies will cost around RM48 billion per year when the crude oil prices exceed US$100 per barrel and remain at that level. However, he stressed that this remained a “tail scenario” rather than the most likely outcome. “This remains an unlikely scenario, as the US Energy Information Administration’s base case projects Brent crude to average US$74 per barrel in 2027, while the World Bank forecasts US$70 and the IMF’s severe scenario at between US$110 and US$125,” he said. The wa...

Sub-head: Ahead of Budget 2027, which is due to be tabled on Oct 9, we look back at how allocations are spread between ministries. By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Education, Finance and Health are the top three ministries when it comes to budget allocations. An analysis of Budgets tabled between 2016 and 2026 shows these three ministries consistently in the top three, receiving about half of all ministerial allocations each year. In Budget 2026, for instance, the three ministries received a total of RM159.7bil or 52% of the RM306.9bil allocated to the country’s 28 ministries.   From 2016 to 2026, the top spot in terms of allocations often changed hands between the Education and Finance ministries. The Education Ministry held the top spot from 2016 to 2018, reclaiming it in 2020 and 2021, and returned to the top spot in 2025 and 2026. The Finance Ministry topped the list in 2019 and agains from 2022 and 2024. The Health Ministry remain...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Ahead of Budget 2027, which is due to be tabled on Oct 9, The Star looks back at a decade of federal expenditure. An analysis of 11 budget tablings between 2016 and 2026 shows that the Education Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Health Ministry have remained among the three largest recipients of federal allocations. The crown for the highest-funded portfolio, however, has changed hands between the Education and Finance ministries over the years. The Education Ministry held the top spot from 2016 to 2018 before reclaiming it in 2020 and 2021, and again in 2025 and 2026. The Finance Ministry, meanwhile, rose to the top in 2019 and dominated the rankings from 2022 to 2024. The Health Ministry, meanwhile, remained at number three spot throughout all 11 years. At the other end of the ranking, the bottom three positions were more frequently, with the National Unity, Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, and P...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has retained its position as the Asia-Pacific region’s most connected airport, ahead of major hubs in Seoul, Tokyo and Singapore. KLIA also maintained its fourth-place global ranking in the OAG Megahubs 2026 report, ranking behind Istanbul Airport, London Heathrow Airport and Amsterdam Airport. According to the report, AirAsia remained the dominant carrier at KLIA, accounting for 34% of all flights at the airport. The airport has increased the number of destinations it serves from 151 to 154, while overall capacity grew 6.9%. This was the highest growth among its Southeast Asian peers, apart from Hanoi’s airport, which recorded an 11.8% increase. KLIA also topped the Low-Cost Megahubs index, offering almost 15,000 possible low-cost connections to and from 154 destinations. Seoul’s Incheon International Airport ranked sixth globally, followed by Tokyo’s Haneda Ai...

  My Digital Subscription Tracker Select your active digital services and tiers to calculate your total monthly financial drain. Video & Music Streaming Netflix Mobile (RM19.90) Basic (RM33.90) Standard (RM55.90) Premium (RM69.90) Netflix (Extra Member) RM14.90 Disney+ Basic (RM29.90) Premium (RM49.90) YouTube Premium Premium Lite (RM12.90) Individual (RM20.90) Family (RM41.90) Spotify Premium Individual (RM17.50) Duo (RM24.50) Family (RM27.90) Cloud Storage Google Storage Basic (RM8.49) Standard (RM11.99) ...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Almost 15,000 hotspots were detected in Indonesia's Kalimantan and Sumatra between January and August this year, according to data from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC). As of Aug 28, of 14,964 hotspots detected across the two regions, 11,697 were in Kalimantan, accounting for 78.1% of the combined total. Meanwhile, Sumatra recorded 3,267 hotspots.  Most of Kalimantan’s hotspot activity occurred in July and August, rising from 1,339 detections in July to 9,334 in August. Together, the two months accounted for 10,673 hotspots, or 91.2% of Kalimantan’s January-to-August total. The 9,334 hotspots recorded in August alone were 72.7% higher than the 5,406 detected in Kalimantan in the whole of 2025. Sumatra also recorded its highest monthly hotspot count of the year in August, with 1,596 detections. However, the increase in Sumatra was less pronounced, with August accounting for 48.9% of...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are increasingly turning to hybrid cars, with registrations surging nearly 30,000 units in the first seven months of the year. According to figures from data.gov.my, a total of 29,769 hybrid cars were registered between January and July, up by 78.9% from 16,643 during the same period last year. The growth outpaced the overall car market, which grew 3.6% from 472,492 registrations to 489,340. Fully electric vehicle (EV) registrations also surged 94.1% year-on-year to 38,675 from 19,935 during January to July last year. As a result, hybrids accounted for 6.1% of all car registrations this year, up from 3.5% share last year. The increase also accelerated as the year progressed. Hybrid registrations rose 47.7% year-on-year in March, 117.8% in April, 89.4% in May, 172.8% in June and 127% in July. In July alone, 5,622 hybrid cars were registered, more than double the 2,476 hybrid registrations re...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Releasing an unwanted exotic pet into a river, lake or natural area may seem like an easy solution, but it could create a new environmental threat by allowing invasive species to spread. The Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS) unit under the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) said members of the public should never release unwanted exotic pets or non-native species into the environment.  MyBIS said some released species may survive, reproduce and spread beyond their original locations, potentially competing with native wildlife for food and habitat, and disrupting local ecosystems. Instead, owners who are no longer able to care for exotic pets should seek guidance from the relevant authorities or responsible agencies on proper surrender or disposal options. For terrestrial wildlife and exotic animals, members of the public can contact the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (P...

  By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: At least 12 invasive alien species identified by Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS) are believed to have entered the country through human activities, including the ornamental pet trade, aquarium hobby and recreational fishing, say experts. However, experts said the actual number could be higher as invasive fish may also enter through activities such as aquaculture, fisheries and intentional releases. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) fish ecology and diseases expert Prof Dr Mohammad Noor Amal Azmai said invasive fish species were able to establish themselves because of their biological characteristics, which gave them an advantage over native species. He said carnivorous species such as Asian redtail catfish, Amazon redtail catfish, peacock bass, and African catfish could threaten native fish populations by preying on them. “These species can occupy the top of the food chain in areas where they are rel...

  By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: A fish bought to clean an aquarium or a turtle kept as a childhood pet may seem harmless, but some species introduced through the pet or hobby trade have ended up threatening Malaysia’s natural ecosystems. The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES), through its Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS) unit, said the pet and hobby trade is among the most common pathways for invasive alien species (IAS) to enter the country. MyBIS said species are often imported because they are popular among enthusiasts and easily available through physical pet shops or online platforms. However, some may escape captivity, be released into the wild or establish populations beyond their intended environments, creating ecological problems. “Such activities can sometimes lead to unintended consequences when the introduced species become established in the environment and spread beyond their intended...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: The Star readers correctly predicted that Spain would win the FIFA World Cup 2026, with nearly six in 10 backing La Roja to lift football's biggest prize in a reader poll conducted ahead of the final. The poll, launched on July 17 after the semi-finals, asked readers to choose between Spain and defending champion Argentina. Of the 1,867 votes cast, Spain emerged as the clear favourite with 1,082 votes, or 58%, while Argentina received 785 votes (42%). The poll drew responses from readers in Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, and Australia. Spain went on to justify readers’ confidence by defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final to claim their second FIFA World Cup title. La Roja's triumph capped a remarkable knockout run in which they eliminated Portugal in the Round of 16, Belgium in the quarter-finals and France in the semi-finals before overcoming Argentina on football's biggest stage. Arg...

Summary: Vote now: Who will make the World Cup final?   By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI (STARPLUS LOGO) PETALING JAYA: The Star readers correctly picked three of the four World Cup semi-finalists, backing Argentina, France and Spain in a reader poll. The Star ran the poll on July 4, before the Round of 16 began, asking fans which teams they expected to advance to the semi-finals. The poll garnered 2,612 votes from readers in Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Argentina topped the poll with 554 votes, followed by France (548), Spain (407) and Brazil (295).   Three of those four picks made it through: Argentina, France and Spain all booked their semi-final spots. Brazil was the only top-four pick to fall short, exiting in the Round of 16. England, which reached the semi-finals, was the fifth-most popular pick in the poll, receiving 258 votes.   Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals, with the other three semi-finalists also winning thei...

Sub-head: Argentina tops reader poll, fancied Brazil falls By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI (STARPLUS logo/WORLD CUP logo/QR Code/Bar chart graphic) PETALING JAYA: The Star readers correctly picked three of the four World Cup semi-finalists, backing Argentina, France and Spain in a reader poll. The Star ran the poll on July 4, before the Round of 16 began, asking fans which teams they expected to advance to the semi-finals. The poll garnered 2,612 votes from readers in Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Argentina topped the poll with 554 votes, followed by France (548), Spain (407) and Brazil (295). Three of those four picks made it through: Argentina, France and Spain all booked their semi-final spots. Brazil was the only top-four pick to fall short, exiting in the Round of 16. England, which reached the semi-finals, was the fifth-most popular pick in the poll, receiving 258 votes. Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals, with the other three semi-...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA:  World Cup fans correctly picked three of the four semi-finalists, with Argentina, France and Spain reaching the last four of the 2026 tournament. Before the Round of 16 began, The Star conducted a poll on July 4 asking fans which teams they believed would reach the semi-finals. The poll attracted a total of 2,293 respondents, comprising Malaysians as well as World Cup fans in countries such as Singapore, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Argentina emerged as the top pick, with 481 respondents backing the team to reach the last four, followed by France (476), Spain (345) and Brazil (287). The fans’ predictions proved largely accurate, with the top three choices — Argentina, France and Spain — securing their semi-final spots. Brazil, however, was the only team among the survey’s top four picks that failed to progress, ending its campaign in Round of 16. Norway, meanwhile, produced the biggest surprise by defying expectations to reac...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI  PETALING JAYA: The World Cup 2026 Round of 32 concluded on July 4, with Colombia edging Ghana 1-0 to complete the Round of 16 line-up. Among the biggest casualties were the Netherlands, Germany and Croatia, all of whom bowed out before reaching the Round of 16. The knockout stage resumes on July 5, with Canada taking on Morocco in the opening Round of 16 match. Several heavyweight clashes also await, including Portugal against Spain, as the race for the title intensifies. With the Round of 16 about to begin, which four teams do you think will make it through to the semi-finals? Cast your vote in our poll below. Which four teams do you think will reach the World Cup semi-finals? (Select up to four)  

         

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA : Although some World Cup group-stage matches will be aired live in Malaysia in the morning, local football fans will still have to stay up after midnight to catch most of their favourite teams in action. Sixteen out of 26 – or about 62% – of the highly anticipated group matches featuring the major European and South American teams will kick off between midnight and 5am Malaysian time.  England, France and Germany, for example, are scheduled to play all three of their group-stage fixtures in that late-night window (see graphic). Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands will each see two of their three group matches also fall into those early-hours kick-off times. Despite the inconvenient timing, many fans say they are still willing to adjust their routines to keep up with the tournament. Germany fan Fadhli Harun, 34, said he is prepared to sacrifice sleep when necessary, particularly for decisive fixtures. “If it is a must...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Although some World Cup group-stage matches will be aired live in Malaysia in the morning, local football fans will still have to stay up after midnight to catch most of their favourite teams in action. Sixteen out of 26 – or about 62% – of the highly anticipated group matches featuring the major European and South American teams will kick off between midnight and 5am Malaysia time.  England, France and Germany, for example, are scheduled to play all three of their group-stage fixtures in that late-night window. Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands will each see two of their three group matches also fall into those early-hours kick-off times. Despite the inconvenient timing, many fans say they are still willing to adjust their routines to keep up with the tournament. Germany fan Fadhli Harun, 34, said he is prepared to sacrifice sleep when necessary, particularly for decisive fixtures. “If it is a must-win or tie-breaker match, I will sacrifice sl...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI   PETALING JAYA: The hotter it gets, the harder it rains. In urban areas such as the Klang Valley, experts say this is increasingly the reality.  They say rising temperatures, combined with rapid development and climate change, are intensifying thunderstorms, increasing the risk of flash floods in cities.  One reason for the rising heat is the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This occurs when cities replace green areas with pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain warmth.  This leads to significantly higher temperatures in cities compared to surrounding areas. The hotter air rises to form clouds, leading to heavy downpours that can cause floods.  “In urban areas, concrete buildings, asphalt and other man-made structures absorb heat faster than surrounding areas, creating pressure differences that lead to low-level convergence.  “Hotter conditions in the city make the air mor...