The change means the star rating now reflects real-life cooling performance more accurately rather than just controlled test results. The rating is aimed at helping households better identify more energy-efficient air conditioner units which are usually pricier. Amar Hisham said the revised rating system will help households opt for models which could deliver the same level of comfort using less electricity. It does not mean that existing air conditioners suddenly become inefficient overnight. On the revised rating system, Amar Hisham said labels alone might not be enough to change buying behaviour, mainly among lower-income households.

JOHOR BARU: The ongoing conflict in Iran has begun affecting the export of Malaysian pineapples to the Middle East as shipping routes get disrupted while logistics costs rise. Despite the disruption, Sheikh Umar said demand for Malaysian pineapples in the Middle East remains stable. “Although Singapore remains the largest export destination, the Middle East is considered a premium market with significant growth potential,” he added. Sheikh Umar said fresh pineapple exports are more vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions because the fruit requires a fast and reliable cold supply chain. Despite the geopolitical uncertainties, Sheikh Umar said the long-term outlook for Malaysian pineapples in the global market remains positive due to growing demand and good reputation of Malaysia’s MD2.

Stock for power distributors and refineries began to falter in the middle of the week, leaving some to cut back. “The fuel shortage is in front of you, it will start in two to three days. India is the world’s second-largest LPG buyer and gets more than 90% of its supply from the Middle East. Taiwan, a global chipmaking hub that depends heavily on seaborne imports, rushed to purchase alternative LNG supply for next month, while South Korea is preparing to do the same. Some Japanese utilities are halting units at power plants to conserve fuel, while Chinese companies have scrapped plans to re-export shipments overseas.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said Saturday it had intercepted a ballistic missile fired at an air base which houses US military personnel, as Iran pressed attacks across the Gulf. "A ballistic missile launched towards Prince Sultan Air Base, southeast of the capital Riyadh was 'intercepted and destroyed'," the Saudi defence ministry posted on X. In a separate incident, the official Saudi Press Agency quoted a defence ministry spokesperson saying a drone attack targeting a major oil field near the Emirati border had been thwarted. Iran has launched missile and drone attacks at Israel and Gulf states since the war began with a wave of US-Israeli strikes against the Islamic republic on Feb 28. Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, reported at least two drone attacks earlier this week that targeted the Ras Tanura refinery in the east.

MELAKA: The Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGiM) in the government's efforts to look after the welfare of 1.2 million gig workers in the country, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said SEGiM would also be responsible for regulating the Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872), which was passed in the Dewan Rakyat last year. He said the commission would also find ways to help gig workers, especially those who did not contribute to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). "So we, the government, will find a way to make the contribution not only by the workers themselves but also by the service providers. "They (gig workers) do not have an employer but a service provider so these aspects will be one of the working methods of SEGiM," he said.

ROME: Napoli recorded their first home win in Serie A since late January with a 2-1 defeat of Torino on Friday to tighten their grip on third place and a Champions League spot. The reigning champions won thanks to goals from Alisson Santos after seven minutes and a 68th-minute strike from Eljif Elmas before Cesare Casadei scored a late consolation for Torino. Napoli move to within a point of second-placed AC Milan, who need to beat leaders Inter in the Milan derby on Sunday to have any chance of staying in the title hunt. To add to Napoli's positive night, Kevin De Bruyne came on as a second-half substitute for his first appearance since tearing his hamstring in October.

PETALING JAYA: Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) urges the authorities to follow proper procedural safeguards in investigations involving minors, including access to legal counsel and meeting families for longer periods of time. According to Suaram, two 17-year-old children were arrested in Alor Setar and Langkawi and later brought to Kuala Lumpur to be detained. Suaram director and lawyer Shashi Devan, who is acting for the detainee from Alor Setar, said they had already been detained for 20 years. “If the prosecution decides to bring charges, there is a possibility that my client may be taken to Langkawi or Alor Setar to be charged,” she said. “They have been denied their constitutionally protected rights as well as protections under the Child Act," she said.

PUTRAJAYA: Tax refunds to eligible taxpayers will begin to be credited in stages starting from the second week of March 2026, according to a statement issued by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). The LHDN said that the refund involves individual taxpayers who have submitted the Income Tax Return Form (BNCP) for the 2025 Year of Assessment, in line with the opening of e-Filing services that commenced on March 1. "In line with the IRB Client's Charter, tax refunds for BNCP submitted via e-Filing will be processed within a period of up to 30 working days, while for BNCP submitted manually, the processing period is up to 90 working days. In this regard, LHDN advises taxpayers to ensure that the bank account information reported to the board is accurate and up to date to ensure that refunds can be processed smoothly. "The IRB is committed to continuously improving the delivery of services to taxpayers and ensuring that tax matters are carried out efficiently and effectively," added the statement.

Earlier, the MACC urged Chai to contact investigators and return to Malaysia to assist in an ongoing investigation. The MACC instructed Chai to contact any of the five officers listed in its statement. To this, Chai said he had received two separate messages via WhatsApp on March 5 and 6 from numbers claiming to represent the MACC. Both messages had the same content with different officers’ names, and sought Chai to give statements at the MACC. “These messages represent the first time I have received any messages from any channel that claims to represent the MACC.

KATHMANDU, March 6 (Reuters) - A ⁠three-year-old party led by rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah looked set to sweep Nepal's general ⁠election on Friday, trouncing established rivals in a result analysts likened to a "tsunami". Thirty-five-year-old ‌Shah and his Rastriya Swatantra Party were on course to win a majority in the 275-member lower house of parliament, leading in 100 of the 137 seats, the election commission said. NEPALI CONGRESS CONCEDES DEFEATTrends showed Oli's Communist Party ⁠of Nepal was leading in 10 seats and he was losing to Shah in his home constituency. The Nepali Congress, the country's oldest party, was leading in 10 seats and had won just one. "I voted for Rastriya Swatantra Party because ⁠Balen is there," said Deepak Adhikari, 33, after voting in Kathmandu on Thursday, referring to the ​youthful leader by his popular name.

COPENHAGEN, March 6 (Reuters) - Iceland will hold a referendum on August 29 on resuming ⁠European Union membership negotiations, the government said on Friday. Repeated threatsby U.S. ⁠President Donald Trump toannex Greenland, located between Iceland and the United States, also made the ⁠question ‌of EU membership more pressing for the Nordic country, home to almost 400,000 people. If voters back the resumption of talks, the final terms of ⁠EU membership will ​require approval in a second referendum. A SIGNIFICANT ​DECISION, EU OFFICIAL SAYSThe Icelandic people must now make "a significant decision", EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said in a statement. "In a world of competing spheres of influence, EU membership offers an anchor into a bloc grounded in values, prosperity and security."

Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to Spain for rehabilitation after sustaining a hamstring injury. - REUTERS PICLONDON: Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to Spain for rehabilitation after sustaining a hamstring injury, Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Nassr's coach Jorge Jesus said on Friday. The 41-year-old, who has netted 21 goals in 22 games this season in the SPL, was injured in a 3-1 win over Al-Fayha on Saturday. "After examining Ronaldo's injury, it became clear that he needs a period of rest and treatment, so we decided to send him to Spain," Jesus told a press conference. "The medical staff diagnosed Ronaldo's condition and confirmed that he is unable to take part in tomorrow's match or the following one (against Al-Khaleej)."

SANDAKAN: A community development officer claimed trial to two charges of abusing his position to recommend two relatives as recipients of Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya houses in 2022. Herman Idris, 52, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read before Special Corruption Court judge Elsie Primus at the Sandakan Sessions Court on Friday (Mar 6). At the time, Herman was serving as the community development officer (CDO) for the Elopura area. Earlier, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission prosecuting officer Dzulkarnain Rousan Hasbi requested bail of RM15,000 with one local surety for each charge pending trial. Judge Elsie allowed bail of RM15,000 with a deposit of RM6,000 and one local surety, and fixed April 2 for case management.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 7): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional developments in the Middle East. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, during the call Anwar expressed condolences to the government and people of Iran over the death of its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iranian citizens killed by US and Israeli attacks. For his part, Araghchi thanked Malaysia for its message of condolence and its stance condemning the US and Israeli military aggression against Iran and the killing of the country’s leader and Iranian citizens. Araghchi further noted that Iran harbours no hostility towards the countries along the Persian Gulf and remains committed to a policy of good neighbourliness and friendship with them. He added that it is regrettable that the territory of Muslim countries in the region has been exploited during the holy month of Ramadan by US aggressors to launch attacks against a Muslim country and kill Muslims.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 7): 2025 was the best year for Johor in terms of foreign direct investments (FDIs), bolstered by the successful launch of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Because we [Malaysia and Singapore] enabled that opportunity to make the addressable market much bigger and we allowed both countries to work together. "And they [Singapore and Johor] found ways to reduce bureaucracy. Johor recorded total investments of RM110 billion last year, the highest ever in Malaysia’s history. The JS-SEZ is a cross-border economic zone aimed at strengthening economic ties and enhancing connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore.