Ahmad: RM500mil to maintain tolls and festive discounts
PONTIAN: The absence of toll hikes or toll discounts during the festive seasons is costing the government RM500mil, says Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan. Ahmad added the government also bears a financial implication of around RM80mil per year to compensate all toll highway concessionaires following the 50% toll discount given to the people during festive seasons. He said that the amount needed to be paid to highway concession companies for toll discounts during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas celebrations. The discounts were given to alleviate the cost of living for the people, especially during the festive seasons when they return to their hometowns. “During the contracted period, an increase in the toll rate was anticipated.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 10:32 UTC
Evacuation plan approved
SEREMBAN: The Cabinet has approved an evacuation plan for Malaysians in the Middle East should the conflict escalate further, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic). The Cabinet, he said, had approved the plan to allow the government to quickly trigger the measures in case the situation worsens. At present, there are some 31,000 Malaysians in countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The minister urged Malaysians there to register and stay in contact with their respective missions to allow authorities to stay in touch. In January, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said his administration was prepared to table a motion during the next state assembly sitting to limit the tenure of the mentri besar to two terms.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 10:31 UTC
Student dies after falling from fifth floor of apartment in Sepang
SEPANG: In a tragic incident on March 7, a 39-year-old foreign national studying at a local university fell to his death from the fifth floor of an apartment building in Sepang. According to a statement from Sepang Police Chief ACP Norhizam Bahaman on Sunday (March 8), authorities received a report about the fall and promptly dispatched a team from the Cyberjaya police station to investigate the scene. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim lying face down in the lobby, with obvious signs of injury. The police have since classified the incident as a Sudden Death Report (SDR). The body has been transferred to Cyberjaya Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 10:29 UTC
Middle East conflict: 649 Malaysians still stranded, says Foreign Ministry
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 649 Malaysians are currently still stranded across several locations in the Middle East following the escalating conflict in parts of the region, says the Foreign Ministry. ALSO READ: Evacuation plan approvedIt said efforts remain focused on assisting Malaysians stranded due to the conflict and facilitating their return through available commercial flights. In the United Arab Emirates, 246 stranded Malaysians in Dubai have departed, leaving 176 Malaysians on the mission’s active list. In Abu Dhabi, 25 Malaysians remain stranded while five travellers have departed. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, 243 Malaysians remain stranded, mostly Umrah pilgrims.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 10:08 UTC
Kelantan health dept forms panel to probe trainee doctor's death
Committee to examine possible factors, including workplace stress, following the incident at Kuala Krai hospital hostel. - NSTP file picKOTA BARU: The Kelantan Health Department has set up a committee to investigate the death of a female trainee doctor at the hostel of Hospital Sultan Ismail Petra (HSIP) in Kuala Krai. He said the 29-year-old trainee doctor was a graduate of Mansoura University in Egypt and had been undergoing practical training at the hospital. Yesterday, media reported that the doctor was found dead in a room at the hospital hostel. Preliminary investigations found the woman had been discovered unresponsive in her hostel room, he said.
Source:New Strait Times
March 08, 2026 10:07 UTC
Search for MH370 covers 7,571 sq km, but wreckage remains elusive
PETALING JAYA: The latest search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has scanned more than 7,500 sq km of seabed in the southern Indian Ocean but still has not located the missing aircraft. ALSO READ: New search launched for MH370The Malaysian government signed an agreement with Ocean Infinity on March 25, 2025, to undertake seabed search operations in a new 15,000 sq km area in the southern Indian Ocean. The search was conducted under a “no find, no fee” arrangement. In total, 28 operational search days were completed across both phases, covering about 7,571 sq km of seabed within the designated search zone. The Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared on March 8, 2014 while travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 10:04 UTC
Newsprint boost for modern learners
She came away from the workshop with a toolkit of creative ideas – from planning speaking activities using advertisements to incorporating listening exercises. Since its inception in 1997, the Star-NiE programme has supported English language teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. Star-NiE activities are available in StarEdu on Sundays, and in StarLifestyle on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities. The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 09:57 UTC
MCA gears up for GE showdown
KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional must go into the next general election by strenuously protecting its traditional seats, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. From left Ling Tian Soon, Datuk Lawrence Low, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng, Datuk Dr Mah. From right were Datuk Wong You Fong, Datuk Tan Teik Cheng, Datuk Lim Ban Hong and Datuk Chong Sin Woon. On Malaysia’s “electoral schedule”, Dr Wee said MCA expected the Melaka state election to be held this year, followed by the Johor polls in early 2027. Dr Wee set two objectives: MCA must win more state seats than in the previous election, and Barisan must win both state elections under its own banner.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 09:50 UTC
At least 31 injured in Peru's nightclub explosion
LIMA, March 7 (Xinhua) -- At least 31 people were injured in an explosion at a nightclub in northern Peru's La Libertad region early Saturday. The explosion, which occurred inside the "Dali" nightclub in the Victor Larco Herrera district of Trujillo, is being investigated by authorities as a possible criminal attack. Local health official Gerardo Florian said the injured, including three minors, were evacuated to hospitals for medical treatment. Local media noted that the venue was targeted in a tear gas bomb attack weeks ago during Valentine's Day celebrations.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 09:44 UTC
Travel agencies operating as one to bring back stranded pilgrims
SEPANG: Three travel agencies have merged under a single consortium known as One Umrah to facilitate the repatriation of umrah pilgrims who were stranded following the closure of airspace in the Middle East due to the United States-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Safarbuddies Travel and Services Sdn Bhd director Mohd Fadzrull Bakri said the consortium comprised Safarbuddies Travel and Services, UHR Travel, and Jawahir Travel and Tours with each playing a specific role in pilgrim management. He explained that Safarbuddies was responsible for operations, including on-ground management in Saudi Arabia and flight bookings, while Jawahir focused on marketing and UHR Travel provided guidance and briefings to the pilgrims. “From early morning, we started looking for replacement flights, trying to fit pilgrims into any available slots. A total of 25 pilgrims accompanied by a mutawif (guide) arrived safely at KLIA Terminal 1 at 10.09pm on Friday night via Emirates flight EK342 after being stranded since Feb 28.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 09:35 UTC
Hot weather affecting water level in Mada dams
JERLUN: The water level of dams under the supervision of the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) has been affected by the drought currently plaguing the state, thus impacting padI production this season. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the water level at the main dams, particularly the Pedu Dam, has dropped to around 40 per cent due to the extremely hot weather and unstable weather conditions. "For now, Mada is planning to implement the dry sowing method while waiting for the dam water supply to be channeled as usual. According to the official Mada website, the water level at Pedu Dam was at 42.23%, the Muda Dam (11.12%) and the Ahning Dam (55.96%) with a total water reservoir rate of 41.55%. We are concerned that if it continues, oil prices will rise and affect the prices of goods in the market so we hope that a ceasefire can be expedited," he said.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 09:35 UTC
Anwar congratulates 'Pocket Rocketman' on World Cup gold
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim congratulated national track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang for winning the gold medal in the keirin event at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup series in Perth, Australia, on Saturday (March 7). In a Facebook post Sunday (March 8), Anwar expressed hope that the rider, nicknamed "The Pocket Rocketman", would continue to excel and bring more success to the country in upcoming tournaments. Mohd Azizulhasni delivered a powerful ride in the event to edge past Matthew Richardson of Great Britain at the finish line, clocking 9.862 seconds, while the bronze medal went to home rider Leigh Hoffman.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 09:20 UTC
#SHOWBIZ: Actress Olla Ramlan finds love with younger model, same age as son
Indonesian actress Olla Ramlan confirms she is dating 21-year-old model Tristan Molina, highlighting his maturity and humble nature as key attractions. Pic from IGKUALA LUMPUR: Indonesian actress Olla Ramlan, 46, has confirmed her new romance with professional actor and model Tristan Molina. The relationship has caught public attention as the 21-year-old Tristan is the same age as Olla's eldest son, Sean Mikael Alexander. We never know if we will be matched with someone younger or of a similar age," she told reporters. Her eldest son, Sean, has struck up a friendship with Tristan, while her younger daughters have also grown close to him.
Source:New Strait Times
March 08, 2026 09:01 UTC
Majority consensus reached on Iran's next supreme leader
DUBAI, March 8 (Reuters) - The clerical body that will choose Iran's next supreme leader, succeeding the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has more or less reached a majority consensus, Assembly of Experts member Ayatollah Mohammadmehdi Mirbaqeri said on Sunday. The Mehr news agency quoted him as saying "some obstacles" still needed to be resolved regarding the process. On Saturday, a senior cleric in the Assembly of Experts said its members would meet "within one day" to choose the leader. Iranian media said the group had a minor disagreement over whether their final decision must follow an in-person meeting or instead be issued without adhering to this formality. He said a candidate had been picked, based on the late supreme leader's advice that Iran's top leader should "be hated by the enemy" instead of praised by it.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 07:49 UTC
Muhyiddin’s Jana Wibawa graft trial begins Monday
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said the proceedings will commence at 9am before judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin. On Nov 10 last year, Noor Ruwena set 29 days to hear the case. On Oct 7 last year, the Attorney General's Chambers dismissed Muhyiddin's representation to drop seven charges against him. The offence was allegedly committed at the Prime Minister's Office, Bangunan Perdana Putra in Putrajaya between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021. The Pagoh MP was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 08, 2026 07:29 UTC