SEPANG: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has extended the suspension of all flights to and from Doha, Jeddah, and Madinah until Mar 4, citing continued airspace closures in parts of the Middle East amid escalating regional security developments. Malaysian Aviation Group (MAG) said that the move expands earlier cancellations implemented between Feb 28 and Mar 1. Flights suspended between Mar 1 and 4 include multiple return services between Kuala Lumpur and Doha, Jeddah, and Madinah. Also affected are connecting services between Jeddah and Johor Baru, as well as Johor Baru and Madinah. THE AFFECTED FLIGHTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:MH150/March 1, 2026 (KUL-JED) STD/STA: 05:00/14:40MH151/March 1, 2026 (JED-KUL) STD/STA: 16:10/01:10MH156/March 1 & 3, 2026 (KUL-JED) STD/STA: 11:00/20:40MH157/Match 1 & 3, 2026 (JED-KUL) STD/STA: 22:10/07:10MH160/March 1-4, 2026 (KUL-DOH) STD/STA: 12:45/20:40MH161/March 1-4, 2026 (DOH-KUL) STD/STA: 22:30/06:05MH164/March 1-4, 2026 (KUL-DOH) STD/STA: 18:30/02:15MH165/March 1-4, 2026 (DOH-KUL) STD/STA: 05:10/12:50MH6126/March 1, 2026 (KUL-DOH) STD/STA: 17:35/01:15MH6126/March 1, 2026 (DOH-AMS) STD/STA: 02:15/10:05MH6127/March 1, 2026 (AMS-DOH) STD/STA: 12:40/19:30MH6127/March 1, 2026 (DOH-KUL) STD/STA: 20:30/04:00MH150/March 2, 2026 (KUL-JED) STD/STA: 05:50/15:30MH155/March 2, 2026 (JED-JHB) STD/STA: 17:00-02:05MH162/March 2, 2026 (JHB-MED) STD/STA: 03:35/13:20MH153/March 2, 2026 (MED-KUL) STD/STA: 14:40/23:35MH158/March 2, 2026 (KUL-MED) STD/STA: 07:35/16:50MH159/March 2, 2026 (MED-KUL) STD/STA: 18:30/03:15MH152/March 4, 2026 (KUL-MED) STD/STA: 02:15/11:45MH153/March 4, 2026 (MED-KUL) STD/STA: 13:05/22:00

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has advised travellers to remain vigilant and monitor flight status updates following international flight disruptions caused by heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. — PIC FROM MATTA’S FBKUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has advised travellers to remain vigilant and monitor flight status updates following international flight disruptions caused by heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. MATTA vice-president (Air Transportation) Dr Fazil Khan said increased security concerns in the region have forced airlines to implement flight suspensions, rerouting and schedule adjustments as precautionary measures. "Several major aviation hubs and airspaces in the Middle East, including those in the Gulf and neighbouring regions, are currently operating under enhanced security measures. "MATTA members will, as always, extend their fullest cooperation and professionalism in assisting clients to explore alternative arrangements where possible.

Pro-Iranian protesters also gathered outside the Green Zone in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, where the US Embassy is located. Pakistan and then Iraq have the largest Shi'ite Muslim populations after Iran. The US Consulate in Karachi and the US Embassy Islamabad Press Office did not respond to requests for comment. Earlier in the day in the central city of Lahore, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the US consulate. "Some of the protesters tried to damage the security gate, hundreds of yards away from the Consulate.

Residents of Beaufort navigating through flood waters to get food and supplies recently. - BERNAMA picKOTA KINABALU: The number of people displaced by floods in Sabah continued to drop today, with 1,387 evacuees from 442 families recorded as of 4pm, down from 1,462 people from 467 families at noon. In a statement, the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat said a temporary relief centre at Masjid Darul Ikhlas in Beaufort district was closed at midday as conditions improved. Four relief centres remain operational in Beaufort to accommodate affected residents. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecast further rain in parts of Sabah's Interior region later today, raising the possibility of continued monitoring in flood-prone areas.

Sekolah Menengah Saint Paul was submerged in floodwaters following heavy rain in Beaufort - BERNAMA FILE PICKOTA KINABALU: The flood situation in Sabah has improved, with only victims in Beaufort remaining at relief centres. The Sabah State Command Centre, in a 4pm update, indicated that 1,387 people from 442 households across 93 villages are currently seeking shelter. Relief centres in Tenom and Membakut have been closed following improvements in those areas. Tenom was among several districts badly affected, with the number of victims exceeding 5,000. "For Phase 2, deliveries will be made directly to heads of household in the affected villages to ensure that all victims receive assistance," he said in a separate statement.

JDT owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim with fans after the club’s victory over Sabah in the FA Cup final at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, on Dec 14. - NSTP FILE PICKUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has criticised Malaysian football clubs for failing to contribute points in Asian competitions, accusing them of using "drama" to mask their own failures. The others are only good at drama in front of their own supporters to cover their own failures... Failed and cannot accept the fact," Tunku Ismail wrote on Instagram. "But the MA points are totalled and then divided by the number of teams from Malaysia competing in Asia.

People gather to mourn the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes, at a square in Tehran. AFP picKUALA LUMPUR: Opposition members of Parliament have expressed condolences to the people of Iran following the death of its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an attack involving Israel and the United States. "Such actions transcend the bounds of lawful conduct and undermine the very framework of diplomacy upon which global stability depends. "This development risks triggering a dangerous escalation of tensions across West Asia and poses serious implications for regional and international security. The preservation of peace requires restraint, respect for sovereignty and adherence to established international norms" he said in a statement.

Goh Jin Wei poses with her trophy after winning the women’s singles title at the Singapore IC on Sunday. "I wanted Jin Wei to win an international title again after so many years. Jin Wei, 26, has struggled to sustain physical intensity across consecutive matches since undergoing colectomy surgery in 2019. "It has been a long time... a champion after eight years," Jin Wei said, referring to her 2018 Youth Olympics gold. Nova said Jin Wei will next compete at the Ruichang Masters in China on March 10-15 before returning to Super 300 and Super 500 events.

KUALA LUMPUR: The opposition has urged the government to amend certain provisions in two proposed constitutional bills on the separation of powers between the public prosecutor and the attorney-general (A-G), and the introduction of a prime ministerial term limit. Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the amendments should be made before the bills are presented and debated in the House of Representatives. Hamzah said the opposition called for the appointment and removal of the public prosecutor to be overseen by a bipartisan Parliamentary Select Committee. These proposals form part of the opposition's recommendations for improving the Constitutional (Amendment) Bills, which aim to separate the roles of the A-G and public prosecutor and to limit the Prime Minister's term in office. 2) Bill 2026 were presented by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 787 non-existent investment scam cases were recorded in January, resulting in losses amounting to RM115 million. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said that, in comparison, 732 cases were recorded in January last year with losses totalling RM123 million. "There was an eight per cent increase in the number of cases during the period. "However, total losses decreased by seven per cent, or RM8.4 million," he said when contacted today. "Among the syndicates' tactics is asking victims to pay a commission upfront before informing them that their withdrawal has been frozen by Bank Negara Malaysia.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan issued the call today. - BERNAMA PICKUALA LUMPUR: Muslims across Malaysia have been urged to perform the solat hajat (special prayers) and recite the Qunut Nazilah following the escalation of conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan issued the call today. "I urge Muslims nationwide to recite the Qunut Nazilah and perform Solat Hajat for the peace of Gaza and the Middle East," he said in a Facebook post. The directive follows a new wave of retaliatory missile and drone strikes launched by Iran targeting Israeli territory and US military bases across the Middle East.

Jainal Hasim’s body was discovered about 30m from the main road along Sungai Kalansanan - NSTP/MOHD ADAM ARININKOTA KINABALU: A mother broke down upon seeing her son's body brought out of Sungai Kalansanan at about 1.20pm today. The victim's mother said her son had asked for permission to go out to meet a friend the day before. Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Kasim Muda said preliminary investigations found the body of a man about 30m from the main road along the river. He said the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters, together with the Forensic Unit from the Sabah contingent police headquarters, conducted a detailed examination at the scene. He said the body has been sent to Hospital Queen Elizabeth I for a post-mortem to determine the official cause of death.

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on Sunday (March 1) extended his wishes to all Malaysian Army personnel and veterans on the occasion of the 93rd Army Day. In a post on the official Facebook page of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, His Majesty, who is the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, also expressed his highest appreciation for the service and sacrifices of all army personnel in defending the sovereignty of the homeland and preserving national security. Sultan Ibrahim said integrity must remain the core pillar at every level of the force, while continuing to serve with full professionalism to ensure that Malaysia remains peaceful and sovereign. "Al-Fatihah to the personnel and veterans who have left us forever. May they be placed among the faithful and the martyrs,” His Majesty said.

NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he could not verify reports of the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Sputnik/RIA Novosti. US President Donald Trump has claimed that Khamenei was killed in military strikes on Iran, although Tehran has not officially confirmed his death. "Several high-ranking officials have reportedly been killed, including—according to Israeli sources—Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, which I am not in a position to confirm," Guterres said at a UN Security Council meeting on Sunday (Mar 1).

STUDENTS seeking to obtain funded tertiary studies now have the opportunity to vie for the Star Education Fund Scholarship Awards 2026. In its 33rd edition this year, the fund offers a total of 217 bond-free scholarships worth RM14.71mil from 29 educational institutions (see infographic). Emphasising that award selection takes into account various factors, the Star Education Fund selection panel called on students to apply. Since its inception in 1994, the Star Education Fund has benefited 4,601 scholarship recipients, with a value of RM176mil. Star Media Group group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt, who officiated the launch of the Star Education Fund Scholarship Awards 2026 at Menara Star on Feb 5, expressed special thanks to UCSI University and UCSI College for partnering with the fund for 32 years, and to Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology for 29 years of support.