A prominent family is said to be behind an alleged plot to overthrow the government, according to a police report made at the Brickfields station. In the police report, the family, currently embroiled in a lawsuit, had allegedly engaged a media consulting firm based in England to launch a smear campaign against the government and the Prime Minister. The complainant claimed that the discussion involved a proposed book and documentary project as well as matters concerning the Prime Minister and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). However, he said he was ­invited to a Zoom meeting where the issue of using the international media to bear pressure on the government and the Prime Minister was discussed. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when asked about the claims after Friday prayers yesterday, sidestepped the issue.

It said airspace restrictions in certain parts of the region may result in delays, rerouting or cancellations based on airline safety assessments. Passengers intending to travel to affected destinations in the Middle East should note that disruptions are not limited to direct services from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). “Even if travelling via alternative transit points outside the region, onward services into affected destinations may be suspended or restricted. Travellers are therefore advised to verify the status of their entire journey, including connecting sectors, before making travel arrangements,” MAHB said. MAHB encouraged passengers to update their airlines with their contact details and to monitor official airline and airport channels for timely updates.

The event earned recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records for its celebration of Peranakan heritage and cultural unity. He noted it strengthened efforts to promote Malaysia as a destination rich in unique cultural heritage. He said the event was a clear example of how cultural heritage can unite Malaysians. Such initiatives demonstrate the vital role of the private sector in supporting the government agenda to empower cultural heritage as a driver of the creative economy. He added that cultural heritage is an asset for the future that can generate income and foster national pride.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s campaign at the German Open came to an end after men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and mixed doubles duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie fell to their respective opponents in the quarter-finals on Friday (Feb 28). The last eight action at the Westenergie Sporthalle in Mulheim saw third seeds Sze Fei-Izzuddin go down 21-16, 16-21, 18-21 to Taiwan’s Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Wang Chi Lin in a 50-minute battle. Soon Huat-Shevon suffered the same fate when they lost 17-21, 13-21 to Singapore-Indonesia combination Terry Hee-Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja in 30 minutes. All the national players will now turn their attention to the All-England, which begins next Tuesday (March 3).

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the United States and Iran to pursue a diplomatic off-ramp, rather than further escalation, following the Israeli strikes on Iran accompanied by American military action reported earlier on Saturday (Feb 28). The Prime Minister has also called for the international community to act with urgency and without double standards. He points to Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of any state. “We call upon the United States and Israel to cease hostilities and choose the path of diplomacy and peaceful coexistence,” said Maszlee. This comes after it was reported earlier today that Israel had launched an attack on Iran’s capital, while a US official confirmed the United States was also participating in the strikes.

MBPJ now conducting soil investigation, prioritising site repairsA retaining wall that collapsed at the Astaka field in Section 52 was built without a prior land study or suitability assessment, says Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). “The residents asked for a wall to be built and there was an urgency to carry out this project,” he said. “When the collapse happened, we acknowledged that we did not actually study the land or the suitability for building a wall there before construction.”StarMetro report on Feb 27. Despite the site’s precarious nature, with houses situated directly atop the slope, MBPJ opted for a segmental retaining wall built using interlocking concrete blocks. Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon confirmed that MBPJ’s Engineering Department had already met with affected residents to address safety concerns.

MELAKA: What began as a simple sahur distribution drive in Sungai Udang turned into a moving display of unity when night-shift workers insisted that their non-Muslim colleagues be included in the pre-dawn meal. “What started as a straightforward distribution effort became far more meaningful when we saw how the recipients responded,” he said yesterday. Mohd Nor, 56, said several workers politely declined to accept meals unless colleagues of other faiths were also given food. One soldier stationed in the area asked to share his sahur pack with a colleague from Sabah who is not Muslim. Mohd Nor added that similar sahur initiatives would be organised in other areas throughout the fasting month.

PUTRAJAYA (Feb 28): Public willingness to contribute above the statutory rate through the Employees Provident Fund's (EPF) i-Topup scheme signals high trust in the stability of the country’s financial institutions, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. The EPF announced that i-Topup contributions rose 26% for the year ended Dec 31, 2025. Formerly known as voluntary excess, the EPF i-Topup allows employees or employers to contribute beyond the statutory rate of 11% (or 12%) to automatically boost retirement savings, subject to a maximum limit of RM100,000 per year. According to Amir Hamzah, these achievements also reflect the government’s commitment to restructuring the economy to ensure the sustainability of national prosperity and to strengthen social protection for the people. He also said that the voluntary EPF contributions, which reached RM19.2 billion in 2025, prove that people have surplus income to invest for retirement savings.

MELAKA: Police are investiga­ting an alleged sexual abuse case of a Year Six pupil who was found clad in her underwear in undergrowth near her school, close to the city centre here. The 12-year-old victim, who was reported missing, was seen crying and visibly shaken at about 7pm on Wednesday. It is understood that the suspect later located the victim and is believed to have molested her before leaving the scene. The victim was later found by her family and taken to Hospital Melaka for medical examination. Melaka police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar confirmed the incident and said the case is being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

(Feb 28): Iran launched attacks targeting US military bases around the Persian Gulf in retaliation for American and Israeli airstrikes on its nuclear and government sites on Saturday, Iranian state media reported. Iran’s state-run Nour News, which is close to Iran’s security apparatus, said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps used heavy missiles to target several bases simultaneously including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, as well as the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. Bahrain said a service centre for the US Fifth Fleet was targeted in a missile attack, while CNN reported that Qatar intercepted two other missiles in its airspace. Tehran targeted the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar last June in response to Israeli and US strikes. Iran’s attacks on Saturday came after the US and Israel began striking targets across the Islamic Republic, with US President Donald Trump urging Iranians to take over their government once the military campaign ends.

Malaysian actor Jack Lim has alleged that there is a social media smear campaign being waged against his Chinese New Year comedy film Ah Beng Vs Liang Po Po. Why was Ah Beng Vs Liang Po Po being singled out?” he asks in Cantonese. Lim says the cinema seat maps showed weekday morning and afternoon screenings on Feb 24, typically a slow period for ticket sales. Who sent you?”Ah Beng Vs Liang Po Po is the top-grossing Chinese New Year theatrical release in Malaysia, having earned over RM8.13mil as at Feb 22, the sixth day of the festive season. After his adopted daughter is kidnapped by an organ-trafficking ring, he teams up with Liang Po Po, a feisty elderly woman Neo has portrayed in local films and television over the decades.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) have strengthened efforts to protect players and officials from online abuse through a new partnership with digital safety specialists Signify Group. The collaboration will give the BWF stronger tools to detect, assess, and respond to abusive or threatening messages directed at players, coaches, officials, and staff. Using Signify’s Threat Matrix service, reports of abuse will be analysed and, if necessary, escalated for further investigation. “This partnership strengthens our ability to respond to online abuse in a clear and meaningful way while giving stakeholders tools to better protect themselves,” said Lund. The BWF hope the initiative will create a safer online environment and send a strong message that abuse has no place in badminton.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has clarified that the Notice to Trace Individuals issued against four people linked to the Ops Godfather probe is not a form of punishment or a “wanted list”, but a procedural step to secure their attendance to assist in investigations. In a statement on Saturday (Feb 28), the MACC said the notice was not intended to shame any party but was issued following their failure to respond to and comply with two official notices served earlier. The Ops Godfather investigation is being conducted under Sections 23 and 36 of the MACC Act 2009, as well as Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA) 2001. Six investigation papers were also opened against Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, Josephine Premla Sivaretnam and four children of the late Tun Daim for allegedly failing to fully declare assets. The MACC said a Notice to Attend for Examination was served on Feb 13 through a law firm, with attendance set for March 11 this year, but no response had been received as of Feb 26.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 28): Following recent developments in the Middle East region, the Malaysian Embassy in Doha, Qatar, has advised Malaysians in Qatar to remain alert and closely monitor the situation. In a statement issued on Saturday, the embassy urged Malaysians in Qatar to obtain information only from verified sources, including official announcements by the Qatari authorities and the Malaysian Embassy. Qatari authorities have also issued a notice advising everyone to remain indoors and take precautionary measures. “In this regard, all Malaysians in Qatar are advised not to remain outdoors, to exercise caution and to continue monitoring current developments. Malaysians requiring consular assistance may contact the Malaysian Embassy via +974 3374 6733 (for emergencis only) or by email at [email protected].

SINGAPOREAN chef Ethel Hoon’s 2025 was, to put it mildly, a whirlwind. She, her husband, Italian chef Jakob Zeller, and their one-year-old daughter moved into an old farmhouse in the mountains of Northern Italy in April.