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.

JOHOR BAHRU (Feb 28): The government will examine the impact on the country’s economy following attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, said Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. The minister said that, from an economic standpoint, there are several key issues to examine, including Malaysia’s direct relationship with Iran and the geopolitical tensions affecting the global economy. “Of course, one important angle to be assessed is the production of oil and gas, as Iran is a major regional and global producer. “In addition, we need to see effects on the global economic supply chain,” he said after the Seorang Sekampit Beras Campaign at the Sri Stulang People’s Housing Project here on Saturday. Commenting on the possibility of rising global oil and gas prices, he said the matter depends on market mechanisms and the decisions of major oil producers.

SHAH ALAM: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF), one of the largest shareholders of IJM Corp Bhd, has yet to decide on whether to accept Sunway Bhd’s voluntary takeover offer for the construction group. He said the fund would decide whether to accept the offer after receiving the circular. On Jan 12, Sunway proposed a conditional voluntary takeover offer to acquire all 3.51 billion shares in IJM Corp at RM3.15 per share. The group said that, assuming full acceptance of the proposed offer and no adjustments to the offer price, the total consideration will be approximately RM11bil, to be satisfied via a combination of cash and the issuance of new ordinary shares in Sunway. Sunway said the proposed offer is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026.

KUALA LUMPUR: Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit eight states until 6 pm on Saturday (Feb 28). In a statement, the Malaysian Meteorology Department (MetMalaysia) said the weather warning covers Perlis, Kedah (Langkawi and Kubang Pasu), Pahang (Cameron Highlands), and Selangor (Kuala Selangor, Gombak, and Petaling). The same forecast has also been issued for Negeri Sembilan, covering Seremban, Kuala Pilah and Rembau, as well as Johor (Kluang, Mersing and Kota Tinggi). In Sarawak, the affected areas include Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman (Lubok Antu), Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah (Matu) and Kapit (Song). Over in Sabah, the warning covers the West Coast (Ranau), Tawau (Tawau and Semporna) and Sandakan (Tongod).

PUTRAJAYA: Individual and non-individual taxpayers can submit their Income Tax Return Form (BN) for the 2025 Year Remuneration and Year of Assessment starting tomorrow (March 1), according to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). Taxpayers and employers can access this service directly through the MyTax portal https://mytax.hasil.gov.my or via the official LHDN portal https://www.hasil.gov.my > MyTax > ezHasil Services > e-Filing. "Tax agents are encouraged to use the Tax Agent e-filing System (TAeF) platform, which can be accessed through the MyTax portal," according to the statement. To ensure the smooth process of submitting BN through e-filing, LHDN said taxpayers must ensure they have the relevant role in MyTax. "As a guide for e-Form submission, taxpayers can refer to the BN Filing Programme for the Year 2026, which can be accessed and downloaded through the official LHDN portal," said the statement.

PETALING JAYA: Selangor has emerged as the state with the highest number of bankruptcies among civil servants, with teachers identified as a particularly vulnerable group. According to the Insolvency Department, 85 teachers in the state were declared bankrupt over the last five years. The scale of the issue extends beyond educators; between 2021 and 2025, a total of 687 civil servants in Selangor were declared insolvent. National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Fouzi Singon said teachers are often targeted for scams or peer-pressured into bad investments. Licensed financial planner Gunaseelan Kannan said many teachers belong to the “sandwich generation”, supporting both ageing parents and growing children simultaneously.

KUALA LUMPUR: 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." Avoid spreading unverified information,” the statement posted on the embassy’s Facebook page said. Malaysians requiring consular assistance may contact the Malaysian Embassy via +974 3374 6733 (for emergencies only) or by email at mwdoha@kln.gov.my"Malaysians who have yet to register with the embassy may do so through the e-Consular system at the following link: https://ekonsular.kin.gov.my/login,” it added. Earlier, Anadolu Ajansi reported that Israel’s defence minister said Tel Aviv had launched a strike against Iran.- Bernama