Student in viral Quran desecration case to be charged soon
- NST PicKUALA LUMPUR: The student who triggered a storm on social media for insulting Islam by allegedly desecrating the Quran is expected to be charged in court. According to sources, the individual is expected to be charged "very soon." The Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) student was detained earlier this week to facilitate the probe into the case. The incident came about after the individual had allegedly uploaded a picture on the social media platform Threads, showing the Quran being stomped. The post triggered widespread anger among social media users, who labelled it as religious provocation.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 13:26 UTC
Today's news in pictures - Sunday, March 1, 2026
KUALA LUMPUR – More than 10,000 students under MARA management break fast together during the Gen Huffaz Teknokrat Mara 2026 Assembly at the Federal Territory Mosque. - NSTP/HAZREEN MOHAMADPUTATAN – Anglers enjoy a spot of fishing along the banks at dusk in Villa Bay, Putatan. - NSTP/AIZUDDIN SAADKUALA LUMPUR – Shoppers are seen busy preparing for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations at a shopping mall in the city. - NSTP/GHAZALI KORIGEORGE TOWN – Festive lights are installed at Flat Kampung Melayu to brighten the atmosphere ahead of the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. - NSTP/AURIS FAQRURAZZIKUANTAN – Members of the public walk past a display of Aidilfitri lights and lanterns installed along Jalan Mahkota Square to enliven the festive season.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 12:58 UTC
Malaysians in Doha say situation calm despite airspace closure
Yes, the airspace is closed, but the situation here isn't that bad," she said when contacted. "They are only targeting the US air base here, and all missiles have been intercepted by Qatar air defence. She added that compared with developments in the United Arab Emirates, the situation in Qatar appeared more contained. On Feb 28, the Embassy of Malaysia in Doha issued a notice advising Malaysians in Qatar that the situation remained unstable. In case of emergencies, Malaysians were instructed to contact the embassy's 24-hour hotline at +974 3374 6733 or email mwdoha@kln.gov.my.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 11:34 UTC
'Jin Wei-led Malaysia can ruffle feathers in the Uber Cup'
Goh Jin Wei will lead Malaysia’s Uber Cup in Horsens, Denmark, on April 24-May 3. The women's singles, often regarded as the weak link, has shown progress with independent shuttler Jin Wei leading the way. Coach Nova Armada said the team have good depth and added that Jin Wei can be counted on due to her renewed hunger. "I am also optimistic Jin Wei will be even better prepared and add value to the team. 38, reached the semi-finals of the Super 500 Indonesia Masters and the last eight of the Thailand Masters last month.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 11:07 UTC
Middle East conflict: Three mosques under Jakim to hold solat hajat on Sunday night
PUTRAJAYA (March 1): Three main mosques under the purview of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) will hold solat hajat (special prayer of needs) and recite Qunut Nazilah on Sunday evening as a sign of solidarity and unity of the ummah in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Middle East. Jakim director general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the solat hajat and Qunut Nazilah will be performed after the Maghrib prayers at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as well as at Putra Mosque and Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, here. Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan called on Muslims nationwide to recite Qunut Nazilah and perform solat hajat for peace in Gaza and the Middle East. In a Facebook post Sunday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Malaysia prays for the well-being of Muslims and all communities affected in the Middle East. Iran carried out retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli territory, as well as on US military facilities in the Middle East.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 01, 2026 10:02 UTC
[UPDATED] MAS extends suspension of Doha, Jeddah, Madinah flights until Mar 4
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
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 09:59 UTC
Flight disruptions: MATTA urges travellers to monitor updates amid Middle East tensions
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.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 09:55 UTC
Protests break out in Pakistan, Iraq over Khamenei's death; nine die in Karachi
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.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 01, 2026 09:37 UTC
Flood evacuee numbers fall in Sabah as conditions improve
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.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 09:37 UTC
Flood situation improves in Sabah, only Beaufort victims remain in relief centres
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.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 08:41 UTC
Tunku Ismail slams Malaysian clubs for using drama to mask failures [WATCH]
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.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 08:38 UTC
Opposition leader, MPs extend condolences to Iran, condemn attack on supreme leader
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.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 08:22 UTC
Title triumph signals new chapter for revived Jin Wei
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.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 08:15 UTC
Opposition urges government to amend bills on A-G, PM term
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.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 08:11 UTC
Bukit Aman: Investment scam cases rise to 787 with RM115 mil losses
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.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 08:04 UTC