SHAH ALAM: A managing director of a company pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here to bribing an officer of the Environment Department (DOE) as an inducement not to take legal action against him. Goh Chin San, 53, is accused of giving a RM5,000 bribe to a DOE senior environmental control officer over an alleged offence under the Environmental Quality Act 1974. Goh was charged under Section 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. Judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud allowed Goh bail of RM12,000 with one surety and set May 13 for mention. He also ordered Goh to report to the MACC office in Shah Alam every month, surrender his passport to the court and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.

(March 10): Lego A/S, best known for toys using interlocking plastic bricks, plans to invest heavily in the US, undeterred by the political risks from the Iran War. The expansion was more than twice as fast as the global toy market, which grew by 7% last year, according to market researcher Circana. In the last few years, Lego has invested heavily in expanding its portfolio. “We’ve grown quite nicely in the US over the past three years, and I believe that can continue — both because the market is doing reasonably well and because we’re gaining market share,” Christiansen said. He also said Lego is focused on staying flexible in an increasingly volatile global environment.

TAIPEI (March 10): The US has not approached Taiwan about transfers of weapons to the Middle East, Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Tuesday, after South Korea said it was in talks about the possible redeployment of some US Patriot missile systems. Were that to happen, the US would be responsible for transporting them, he added. The US is Taiwan's main arms supplier and Taiwan has Patriot missiles in its arsenal. Democratically governed Taiwan is facing increased military pressure from China, which views the island as its own territory. Media reports citing South Korean government sources said the Patriot systems were being readied for redeployment in the Middle East, with heavy US military transport planes having flown into Osan to move them.

WOLFSBURG, Germany (March 10): Volkswagen is in ‌for another tough year dominated by tariffs and the battle to win back China, after Europe's largest carmaker reported a slump in operating profit on Tuesday and forecast only a modest recovery for ​its dwindling margin. Like its rivals, Volkswagen has contended with pressures across major ​markets, with U.S. tariffs costing the company billions and local competition eroding ⁠its share in China, the world's biggest car market. Shares in Volkswagen and Porsche AG have significantly underperformed the broader European auto index under Oliver Blume. "But the operating margin of 4.6% adjusted for restructuring ​is not ⁠sufficient in the long run," he said, adding that Volkswagen would continue to rigorously reduce costs. Its operating margin fell to 0.3% after 14.5% in 2024.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 10): The surge in crude palm oil (CPO) prices has reignited the appeal of biodiesel amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have sent crude oil prices surging past US$100 (RM392.70) per barrel, according to analysts. Analysts noted stronger crude oil prices tend to support palm oil prices through improved biodiesel economics, as higher diesel prices enhance the attractiveness of biodiesel blending. This could accelerate Indonesia’s policy momentum towards B50 implementation, tightening palm oil availability and providing upside support to CPO prices. "While it remains unclear how long geopolitical tensions will persist — and thus the sustainability of the CPO price rally — the current surge in CPO prices should support near-term earnings for planters, particularly upstream players, given their high operating leverage to CPO prices. "We estimate gasoil prices to remain above US$95/bbl this year, about 7.3% year-on-year higher versus the 2025 average of US$88.5/bbl.

PETALING JAYA: National Journalism Laureate Khalidah Adibah Amin is in stable condition, although she is physically weak and requires full-time care. Her sister Khalilah Fadzilah Amin, 87, said apart from having diabetes, Adibah is weak due to age and could only sit in a wheelchair for a short period of time. Adibah, 90, has served as an editor with Star Media Group, News Straits Time and Berita Harian. Khalilah Fadzilah said Adibah is currently being cared for full-time by a trained and experienced caretaker who ensures her daily needs are well taken care of. A family friend, Lay Hua, said all proceeds from the event would be channelled to support Adibah's care, while preserving her legacy by awarding the "Adibah Amin Literary Prizes" to young writers.

This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on March 2, 2026 - March 8, 2026FEW would contend that public transport should be run purely to maximise profit. To achieve sustainability, the company must increase ridership, spreading fixed costs over more passengers and thereby reducing its deficits. The improvement in reliability of Prasarana’s services over the past five years has contributed to rising ridership, he notes. Amir points out that even Singapore’s public transport system is not immune to disruption. With accumulated losses continuing to mount, more fundamental questions arise over how Malaysia funds public transport, especially as the government aims for a 40% public transport modal share by 2030.

He said in Penang, the heritage enclave is usually a top pick for wedding couples. He added that Lebuh Pantai is particularly popular with its colonial-style buildings and historical significance as part of the Unesco World Heritage Site. Low noted that many couples travel from other states or overseas after discovering these spots on social media. “As photographers, we guide couples to locations that best suit their personalities and the story they want to tell,” he said. Among heritage buildings, the one that once housed Standard Chartered Bank stands out.

"Many were disappointed when the government provided funding for the national team because they were not involved," he said. "During the CAS hearing, FIFA could not even answer when asked for evidence of the players’ involvement or complicity,” he said. Tunku Ismail also raised concerns over what he described as administrative interference involving the national team, Harimau Malaya. He said the matter was also raised by national team head coach Peter Cklamovski. Tunku Ismail said he advised the coach to focus on his work and avoid getting drawn into internal politics.

ALOR SETAR: The Kedah Environment Department (DOE) has taken equipment operation seizure action against six machines processing plastic waste in the Bukit Selambau Industrial Area near Sungai Petani. The action was taken during an operation codenamed Ops Gempur on Monday (March 9). "The inspection found that the premises were involved in the cleaning and extrusion activities of processed plastic waste to produce plastic pellets. "The enforcement officers also found approximately 110 tonnes of finished products, namely plastic pellets, packed in 4,400 sacks with each sack estimated to weigh 25kg. Samples of plastic waste and plastic pellet products were taken and sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.

SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell on Tuesday after hitting an over three-year high in the prior session as U.S. President Donald Trump predicted the war in the Middle East could end soon, easing concerns about prolonged disruptions to global oil supplies. "Murban and Dubai grades are still well above $100 per barrel, so practically nothing much has changed in terms of ground realities," he added, referring to benchmark Middle Eastern oil grades. Prices, however,remain under pressure as Trump considers easing oil sanctions on Russia and releasing emergency crude stockpiles as part of a package of options aimed at curbing spiking global oil prices, according to multiple sources. "Once traders sensed that supply routes could still be maintained, the initial 'panic premium' that had pushed prices above the $100 mark yesterday started to fade, and oil prices quickly pulled back." G7 nationshad said on Monday they were prepared to implement "necessary measures" in response to surging global oil prices but stopped short of committing to release emergency reserves.

KUALA TERENGGANU: A woman trader in Terengganu lost RM48,300 after falling victim to an e-commerce scam via the WhatsApp application. Kuala Terengganu OCPD Asst Comm Azli Mohd Noor said that on March 3, the 59-year-old victim received a WhatsApp message from a suspect posing as an officer from the Kuala Terengganu Department of Environment. "However, the suspect insisted that the victim deal with a supplier designated by him. ACP Azli said the victim lodged a police report at 7.06pm on Monday (March 9) after the ordered items were not delivered and attempts to contact both suspects failed. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.

PETALING JAYA: About 30% of deaths among children under five in Malaysia between 2018 and 2022 were related to congenital conditions. MOH does not capture data on live births with congenital conditions. “Congenital heart defects, while not 100% preventable, have risk factors that we can manage. “High blood sugar in the first trimester, when the baby’s organs are forming, significantly increases the risk of heart defects and neural tube defects. “Others include congenital rubella syndrome and congenital varicella syndrome, for example, which may lead to multiple anomalies in babies.

IPOH: Two men in their 50s were seriously injured after a car lost control and crashed into them at an eatery in Taman Kota Jaya in Taiping. Perak Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said both victims suffered injuries to their heads, arms and legs after the incident on Tuesday (March 10) at about 10am. "Both victims were pinned under the vehicle and have been rescued by members of the public. "Both have been handed over to the Health Ministry personnel for the next course of action," he said in a statement. Sabarodzi said the car, driven by an individual with disability, is believed to have lost control of the vehicle before the incident.

PETALING JAYA: E-hailing drivers can make about RM4,000 to RM7,000 a month, but a large bulk of it – about RM1,200 to RM1,600 – goes to fuel. “If petrol prices increase, drivers are not prepared for it. Mohd Azril hopes the government will continue supporting gig drivers if that happens. “The government could at least maintain some form of fuel subsidy for e-hailing drivers because we are part of the public transport ecosystem,” he said. “If petrol prices have to be adjusted, mitigation measures should be considered for gig drivers,” he added.