KOTA KINABALU - A doctor told the Coroners Court today that the mother of Zara Qairina Mahathir was given ample time to consider whether or not to have a post-mortem conducted on her daughter.Dr Logaraj Ratha, who has been undergoing off-campus training at the Forensic Medicine Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital since June last year, said Noraidah Lamat appeared calm and composed when consulted and was allowed space to make an informed decision."At the time, she seemed calm. I explained ..

KOTA KINABALU - Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun announced that a 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of posting a defamatory video on Facebook related to the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.He said a report was received from a member of the public on Sept 13 regarding the viral video, which contained not only defamatory elements and disclosed the identity of a minor, but also involved the improper use of network facilities.The suspect was arrested at 5.40 pm on Sept 16, ..

KUALA LUMPUR - The flood situation in Kelantan has completely recovered as the temporary relief centre (PPS) at Dewan Semai Bakti Felda Chiku 2, Gua Musang, which housed 218 victims from 51 families, was closed at 10 am today.All evacuees have been cleared to return home after the floodwaters fully receded.In Sabah, the number of flood victims has increased to 2,919 people from 814 families as of this afternoon, up from 2,897 people from 813 families this morning.These flood victims are being ..

SHAH ALAM After years of confinement, former Guantanamo Bay detainee Mohammed Nazir Lep has begun a new chapter of his life by marrying Zuraizah Zainal in a ceremony in Bakri, Johor.The modest event, steeped in Malay tradition, was filled with joy and attended by close relatives and friends.Among those present was Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, a guest who acknowledged the occasions significance for those who had followed Nazirs journey.Nazir, 49, who was ..

KOTA KINABALU - The Coroners Court was told today that three diaries, several exercise books, and 15 pages of handwritten diary entries belonging to the late Zara Qairina Mahathir were found in stages before being handed over to the police.Azhari Abd Sagap, 31, the head warden of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, testified that the first discovery was made on July 16 at 11.15 am, when a Teacher Gloria, informed him about two diaries, one green and one purple, ..

KUALA LUMPUR - Police are still facing hurdles in identifying the suspect who attacked the 12-year-old son of former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli at a mall in Putrajaya, last month.Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the scene was too unclear, making recognition of the suspect difficult."Although several individuals were identified through the footage, further confirmation has not been possible."We have been ..

KUALA LUMPUR - Police are still facing hurdles in identifying the suspects who attacked the 12-year-old son of former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli at a mall in Putrajaya, last month.Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the scene was too unclear, making recognition of the suspects difficult."Although several individuals were identified through the footage, further confirmation has not been possible."We have ..

KUALA LUMPUR - The police have crippled a drug syndicate that was processing and distributing methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, worth RM598.9 million, following a series of raids in the Klang Valley on Sept 10.Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said a total of 3,586.45 kilogrammes (kg) of drugs were seized, marking the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Departments (NCID) biggest haul this year.He said the special integrated operation, ..

PUTRAJAYA The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has unveiled a new corporate identity as part of a comprehensive transformation plan.The initiative was aimed at supporting key industry players, including airlines, airports, maintenance providers and training organisations, by providing clearer guidance, streamlined certification processes and fostering closer collaboration.The changes were also intended to align the aviation sector with international standards, including the ..

KOTA KINABALU - The head warden of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha told the Coroners Court today that Zara Qairina Mahathir had never lodged any complaints about issues she may have faced while living in the school hostel.Azhari Abd Sagap, 31, who is also Zara Qairinas Arabic teacher, told Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan that Zara Qairina was staying in the Qurratu Ayun hostel, located on the third floor of Rabiatul Adawiyah Block, along with 11 other students, and that ..

SHAH ALAM The Bukit Aman Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division (D11) tasked with investigating child exploitation is facing an uphill battle due to limited resources and outdated technology.Criminologist and principal consultant of Arunachala Research and Consultancy Sdn Bhd R. Paneir Selvam said D11 officers often lacked access to specialised training and digital surveillance tools essential to monitor crimes committed on encrypted platforms such as Telegram and the dark web."A ..

KOTA KINABALU - The Coroners Court was told today that the mother of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir firmly refused a post-mortem on her daughters body, despite repeated explanations about the importance of the procedure.Dr Logaraj Ratha, a medical officer undergoing off-campus training at the Forensic Medicine Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital since June last year, testified that he had explained the need for a medico-legal post-mortem to the mother, Noraidah Lamat, multiple times.He said ..

KOTA KINABALU - A medical officer told the Coroners Court here today that the investigating officer in Zara Qairina Mahathirs case did not issue the POL 61 form, which is the post-mortem order to determine the cause of death of the 13-year-old girl.Dr Logaraj Ratha, who has been undergoing off-campus training at the Forensic Medicine Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital since June last year, revealed this when reading his witness statement before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan on the eighth ..

PUTRAJAYA - Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has failed in her appeal to have judge Datuk Mohamed Zaini Mazlan recuse himself from hearing and deciding on her RM1.25 billion Sarawak solar hybrid project corruption trial.A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Judge Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, unanimously ruled that Rosmahs application had no merit."The solar case involving the appellant has been heard by the trial judge, Datuk Mohamed ..

SHAH ALAM Malaysias black market for child adoption thrives on corruption and weak safeguards, with babies sold for as little as RM2,000 and often ending up in the hands of abusers.Infants can be purchased for as little as RM1,500 to RM2,000, a grim indicator of how gaps in Malaysias adoption system, weak enforcement and deep-rooted cultural taboos.Experts warned that corruption, stigma and lack of safeguards were fuelling a black market that left vulnerable mothers exploited and children at ..

SHAH ALAM When it comes to protecting children from predators, the first line of defence is not always the police, it is teachers, parents, doctors and social workers.Yet experts warned that these first lines of defence were often unprepared to identify and report cases of exploitation.Criminologist and principal consultant of Arunachala Research and Consultancy Sdn Bhd R. Paneir Selvam said schools, parents and frontline professionals played a crucial role in preventing abuse but faced ..

KOTA KINABALU - A Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) worker was swept away by strong currents while on duty in a Keningau village late last night.Sabah Electricity said in a statement today that rescue teams, along with the relevant authorities, have been deployed to the area, and search efforts are ongoing."Our priority now is the safety and well-being of the staff member, while providing full support to his family."Sabah Electricity will continue working closely with the authorities on this ..

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is strengthening its anti-graft drive by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and digital systems to accelerate investigations, close gaps for leakages and enhance governance and service delivery.MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said corruption crimes today no longer occurred only in traditional ways, but had rapidly expanded through digital transactions, including cryptocurrencies, ..

PUCHONG Lotuss Ceria Charity Run 2025 successfully raised RM400,000 to support 6,400 students from 63 adopted schools through contributions from the public and over 120 brand partners.According to Lotuss Malaysia corporate services executive director Azliza Azmel, all proceeds will go towards the Lotus's Pintar Smart Up School Programme, which focuses on long-term educational support.This is actually a long-term programme called the Lotus Pintar Smart Up programme and we have already, as you ..

TAIPING - What began in 2019 as a way to reduce the high cost of rearing chickens and ducks has led Liyana Farhana Noor Izan to an innovative and sustainable solution - farming Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL).The 39-year-old founder of Kebun Rahsia said the idea was sparked when she was searching for alternatives to expensive livestock feed and discovered the potential of BSFL as a cost-effective and eco-friendly option."By using BSFL, I can save between 45 and 50 per cent on livestock feed ..

SHAH ALAM - The devastating loss of both parents at a young age did not break the spirit of twins Yusren and Yusrah Yusoff, who persevered through hardship to earn their university degrees, proving that resilience and determination can overcome even the toughest challenges.Their father, Yusoff Abas, lost his battle with lung cancer when the twins were just 12 years old, while their mother, Ruszarina Hashim, passed away from a heart attack merely five days after the release of the Sijil ..

KOTA KINABALU - The security guard on duty the night Zara Qairina Mahathir was found unconscious informed the Coroners Court that the senior student, who discovered the victim, claimed to have woken early to do her laundry.Testifying on the seventh day of the inquest into the teenagers death, Linah Mansoding @ Jaliha, 65, said the student in question reported waking early because she was worried there would be a long queue for the laundry.Linah was being questioned by Joan Goh, counsel ..

KUALA LUMPUR - Former national footballer of the 1980s era, P. Darmalinggam, died today at the age of 64.The news was confirmed by Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Datuk S. Sivasundaram, who said the deceased breathed his last after being admitted to the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR), Klang, for treatment following a fall in the bathroom early today."He was a committed player with good discipline, both on and off the field," he said when contacted today.Born in ..

SHAH ALAM - Turns out, women in Malaysia are carrying the crown of happiness, at least according to the Malaysia Happiness Survey 2024.The survey revealed that women score slightly higher than men when it came to life satisfaction and overall well-being.When it comes to happiness, the numbers speak. Women scored 7.62 on the Malaysia Happiness Index (MHI), edging out men who scored 7.57.It might not sound like a big gap but in the world of statistics, even a small lead can tell an interesting ..

SHAH ALAM - Is happiness linked to your relationship status? Malaysias latest Happiness Index thinks so and the results may surprise you.According to the Malaysia Happiness Index 2024 released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), everyones generally in a good mood (all groups scored above seven out of 10), but some stand out more than others.Never-married Malaysians top the list with a score of 7.66. Their strongest areas? Family (8.64) and religion or spirituality (8.65).Maybe its ..

PUTRAJAYA Terengganu has emerged as the happiest state in Malaysia with a score of 8.64 in the Malaysian Happiness Index (MHI) 2024 released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).This achievement placed Terengganu in the 'very happy' category, reflecting a high level of social well-being in the state.Chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said Johor ranked second with a score of 8.08, while Negeri Sembilan was third with 8.01."Kluang, Johor recorded the highest happiness ..

KUALA LUMPUR - National footballer Faisal Halim and his wife, Nur Syazwani Mizuana Shahril, have chosen to reconcile and save their six-year marriage, putting an end to their divorce proceedings.Lawyer Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader, confirmed the matter when contacted by Sinar.He said Faisal, whose full name is Muhammad Faisal Abdul Halim, 27 and his wife made the decision to reconcile after discussions held a few days ago.Yes, they have reconciled, after discussions between both parties. With ..

KOTA KINABALU - A security guard admitted to the existence of a culture known as 'MA' - referring to sessions between senior and junior students - in the female hostel of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Mustapha in Papar.The sixth witness in the inquest proceedings, Linah Mansoding @ Jaliha, 65, testified that she did not rule out the possibility that Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir had been summoned to attend such a session.Initially unaware of the meaning of the term 'MA', she ..

KOTA KINABALU - The Coroner's Court was informed today that rumours had circulated among students at the school alleging that Zara Qairina Mahathir had stolen money from a schoolmate, prior to her death.The sixth witness in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina, a security guard at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, Linah Mansoding @ Jaliha, 65, testified that she had only become aware of the theft story following the tragic incident.The mother of four, who has ..

SEREMBAN - A 46-year-old father pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to a charge of causing the death of his two children at the estuary of Sungai Linggi, Tanjung Agas, Port Dickson, on Sept 4.The accused, Abdul Rahman Mahmud, entered his plea after the charge was read to him before Judge Datin Surita Budin.The man is accused of causing the death of the children, aged six and eight, on Sept 4 at approximately 11.45 am, with the intent to cause bodily injury likely to result in ..

SHAH ALAM - As Nepal grapples with violent anti-government protests that have left at least 22 people dead, a Nepali worker in Malaysia shares his fears, hopes and heartbreak from afar.Bishnu Kumar, 49, who has been working as a security guard here for the past 30 years in Malaysia said he was relieved that his family members were safe despite the turmoil.My family members in Nepal are safe as my hometown is in a village far from the main hotspots. I also have cousins, relatives and friends ..

KOTA KINABALU - The security guard on duty on the night Zara Qairina Mahathir was found unconscious informed the Coroner's Court today that she attempted to rouse the teenager by calling her name and holding her cheeks, but there was no response. Linah Mansoding @ Jaliha, 65, who described the Form One student's condition at the time, said Zara Qairina was breathing laboriously, as if snoring.The mother of four was being questioned by Shahlan Jufri, counsel for Zara's family, on the seventh day ..

SHAH ALAM If youve walked past the roadside at night and noticed food, drinks and incense sticks neatly arranged, dont be alarmed, its not a midnight picnic, but a ritual tied to Hungry Ghost Month.Social media content creator Mekyun, whose real name is Wee Yu Nee, said that this is a period when many in the Chinese community believe the gates of the underworld open, allowing hungry and restless spirits to roam the human world.This is the time when some Chinese believe the gates of the ..

ALOR SETAR - A man and a woman were found dead with stab wounds, believed to have been murdered in Taman Nona, Guar Chempedak, near Yan, last night.Yan police chief Supt Mohamad Hamizi Abdullah said police were alerted to the incident at about 9.40pm."The incident involved a 30-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman who were found dead with stab wounds on their bodies, believed to have been inflicted with a sharp weapon, he said."The woman was found in the front passenger seat of a Proton Wira ..

TENOM - A witness in the trial of a sexual harassment case involving preacher Ebit Irawan Lew or Ebit Lew told the Magistrate's Court here that it took him seven days to analyse more than 30,000 pictures stored in a pen drive.ASP Yip Chang Ching, 45, an analyst from the Police Forensic Laboratorys Computer Crime Investigation Unit, said this time period included two days he needed to open the original data of the pictures in raw format obtained from a phone involved in the case."Following the ..

KUALA LUMPUR - The Health Ministry (MOH) is in the process of drafting a Cabinet Memorandum on the proposed ban of electronic cigarettes or vapes to ensure its implementation is planned thoroughly and comprehensively.Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the memorandum, which will set out the details and phases of the ban, will be presented to the Cabinet once completed.Therefore, he urged all quarters to be patient, as further announcements will be made regarding the timeline and ..

KUALA LUMPUR - The Sessions Court today fixed a four-day trial, commencing on April 27 next year, for the case of two Chinese nationals charged with taking aerial photographs using a drone in a prohibited area under the jurisdiction of the Defence Ministry (Mindef).Judge Izralizam Sanusi set the trial dates for April 27 to 30, 2026, following confirmation from deputy public prosecutor Faizah Khalilah Zaberi and defence counsel S. Rubanyah, representing the accused, Li Luorong, 26, and Chen ..

SHAH ALAM - Police confirmed that the alleged attempted kidnapping of a secondary school student here, which went viral on social media today, is not true.Shah Alam district police chief ACP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said investigations revealed that the 13-year-old boy had fabricated the story to skip school.He said that they had received a report lodged by the student at 9.22 am today claiming that he was nearly abducted while walking to school."Investigations revealed that the student had informed ..

KUALA LUMPUR - The charred remains of a Nonagenarian and his 64-year-old son was found burnt inside a single-story terrace house they resided in at Kampung Sri Indah A, Sungai Buloh, near here, that was destroyed in a fire early this morning.Selangor Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division Assistant Director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar stated that they received an emergency call at 12:50 am. The first fire engine from the Sungai Buloh Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) arrived at ..

SHAH ALAM - The body of a man with several injury marks was found by the roadside in Jalan Kempas Kiri, Kampung Perepat in Kapar, Klang, near here early today.North Klang District Police chief ACP S. Vijaya Rao confirmed the incident and said his department received information regarding the discovery of the body in the area at 3.30 am."Initial police investigations at the scene found the body of a 33-year-old local man with several injury marks."The body has been taken to the Forensic Unit of ..