Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, the MP for Tapah, said he was attending a religious function. Other absentees were Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (Sembrong), Datuk Henry Sum Agong (Lawas), Datuk Suhaimi Nasir (Libaran), Riduan Rubin (Tenom) and Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan (Keningau). In the bloc vote, 146 MPs supported the Bill, 44 abstained and 32 were absent. The Malaysian voters are not going to buy the flimsy excuses offered by the absentee government MPS. - Bernama> Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai is a National Journalism Laureate and chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama)

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is tracking down Chai Jin Shern, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's former aide, to assist in an ongoing investigation. The commission said the man, also known as James Chai, has his last known address at 10 Jalan Nikel 7/26A, Seksyen 7, Shah Alam. In a statement on Wednesday (March 4), MACC said the public who have any information regarding the individual should contact the investigating officer, Mohd Hafidz Abd Halim, at 017-5046503 or via email at mhafidz@sprm.gov.myChai was a special officer to Rafizi during the latter's tenure as the economy minister.

(March 4): Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inched closer to forming a new government after the country’s election commission certified results of the Feb 8 vote, confirming his ruling party’s decisive win over a poll-favourite progressive rival. Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party won 191 seats to emerge as the single-largest party in the 500-member House of Representatives, the first electoral win for a conservative party in decades. Its chief opponent, the pro-democracy People’s Party, came a distant second with 120 seats. One constituency seat, which Bhumjaithai won according to preliminary results, remains to be certified. It also pushed economic stimulus and short-term measures to support growth, rather than the more fundamental bureaucratic reforms touted by the People’s Party.

Indonesian appealAt Bandar Putra Bertam Ramadan bazaar in Kepala Batas, the Indonesian Es Pisang Ijo treat is rather interesting. Nurfathmi and Mohd Shazwan (in the background) selling Es Pisang Ijo, originally from Indodesia, at Bandar Putra Bertam Ramadan bazaar. Bite-sized treatsSmall in size but big on appeal, mini apam balik sells fast at Bayan Baru Ramadan bazaar, one of the largest in Penang. Traditional tasteAnother crowd-puller is kuih tepung pelita featuring two distinct layers – fragrant pandan custard topped with santan. Among the colourful spread are kuih talam, kuih bengkang and her bestseller – kuih tepung pelita.

GEORGE TOWN: While other Muslims can seek shelter from the hot sun, there is no respite for those who must work outdoors. In their bright yellow uniforms, workers from Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) Urban Services Department carry out their duties despite fasting and in temperatures as high as 35°C. Respectfully nicknamed Wira Baju Kuning (Yellow Shirt Heroes), they are seen daily still doing 3D (dangerous, dirty, difficult) work. Rezan, who has served for 16 years, said fasting while working in the heat was tough but had become routine. But the city must remain clean,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended the morning trading session lower, tracking the weaker Wall Street performance overnight amid concerns over global oil and gas supplies and inflation risks as the Middle East crisis continues. At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 9.56 points, or 0.55 per cent, to 1,702.39, from Tuesday’s close of 1,711.95. The benchmark index opened 0.52 of a point weaker at 1,711.43 and fluctuated between 1,700.91 and 1,713.19 during the session. "Against this fluid geopolitical landscape, particularly on the scale and duration of the evolving Middle East tensions, we prefer to stay defensively positioned in domestic-centric sectors with relatively resilient earnings visibility,” HLIB said in a note today. The FBM Emas Shariah Index fell 48.98 points to 12,122.86, and the FBM ACE Index shrank 102.56 points to 4,513.20.

JOHOR BARU: In a gesture of interfaith respect, the annual Chingay parade will proceed with a special “zero noise” requirement when it passes mosques along its route. Johor Baru Tiong-Hua Association president Chee Wing Kien, who leads the orga­nising committee, said the 150-year-old tradition would take place on Monday. Chee said the event was approved with an additional condition this year as Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan. “Police have instructed us to refrain from shouting slogans, playing music and using musical instruments when passing by the mosques. “However, we will cooperate and adhere to the rules to maintain social harmony and show respect to our Muslim friends,” he added.

Flash flooding following the Feb 25 thunderstorm has sparked concerns over Petaling Jaya’s infrastructure, particularly in areas with ongoing construction. These incidents have raised questions about whether the city’s existing systems can cope with further development proposed by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) under the Petaling Jaya Local Plan (RTPJ) 2035 (Replacement). The RTPJ 2035 (Replacement) will guide land use and development across Petaling Jaya for the next 10 to 20 years. Once the proposed local plan is adopted, developments that comply with it may proceed, making public review of the plan at this stage especially important. Residents are encouraged to examine RTPJ 2035 (Replace­ment) once it is released and to participate in the formal feedback process.

JERUSALEM: Israel's military said Wednesday that it launched a "broad wave of strikes" on targets in Iran, after the Islamic republic fired rounds of missile barrages at Israeli territory. The military said the targets of its latest strikes include Iranian "launch sites, air defence systems, and additional infrastructure." Air raid sirens rang out across multiple parts of Israel overnight as the military worked to intercept incoming Iranian fire. There were no immediate reports of significant impact, although police said munitions fell in the Tel Aviv area, where one woman suffered mild shrapnel injuries.

PETALING JAYA: The Political Financing Bill – aimed at checking corruption concerning political funds – will be introduced once a comprehensive review is done and is inclusive of all voices, says Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran. Several MPs, when contacted, called for the Bill to be expedited so that its legal enforcement could start before the next general election. “Expediting this before GE16 would ensure that all candidates and parties compete on a fairer basis.”She spoke on the need for strict prohibition of any form of political financing from foreign entities. Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that he is all for the Bill “because this will be a game changer in killing corruption and restoring the people’s trust in politics”. Kubang Kerian MP Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the law is needed to control the entry of foreign contributors to political parties.

In the EPF’s dividend context, the difference of 0.15% matters far less to a retiree than the fund’s ability to remain resilient and stable for 30 consecutive years. Despite these cycles, the fund’s investment assets grew to a staggering RM1,409 billion by the end of 2025. In simpler terms, having two different engines running on different fuels yet achieving identical net returns reflects strong fund management. Whether navigating a 5.2% expansion in the local economy or a strengthening Ringgit, the fund has consistently delivered competitive returns across different economic cycles. Over the last decade, the fund has weathered pandemics, political shifts, and global trade wars, yet it remains the steady anchor of Malaysia’s social protection.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is seeking to locate a local woman to assist in an ongoing investigation. The woman is identified as Jennifer Kok Sau Keng, whose last known address is Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur. In a statement on Wednesday (March 4), the MACC urged those with information on her whereabouts to contact investigating officer Stefan Lue Hsien Yang at 017-902 8199 or via email at stefan@sprm.gov.my to assist in the probe. Members of the public are also encouraged to come forward with any information on her location.

GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have launched an investigation following a police report over a Facebook post by preacher Zamri Vinoth about a planned gathering involving a Hindu temple near the entrance of Bukit Mertajam Hospital. Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail confirmed that Jelutong MP RSN Rayer lodged the report on Tuesday (March 3). He also advised the public not to participate in or organise any gathering that could cause disturbances or disrupt public order. Azizee said police are closely monitoring the situation and would take firm action against those found to have violated the law. Rayer, who is also chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board, lodged the report at after Zamri allegedly expressed support for the gathering in his post.

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) welcomes the decision to live-stream corruption cases in the Courts of Appeals, says chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. “We indeed welcome the fact that the hearing of cases is to be conducted openly to demonstrate transparency. "It also helps prevent any misreporting by any party, especially in corruption cases involving various sides. Commenting on the transfer of Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, the lead prosecutor for several high-profile corruption cases, to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), Azam said that it would not affect cases already in session. “I was informed by the Attorney General’s office that for now, he (Wan Shaharuddin) will be asked to continue handling any cases that are still pending,” he said.

GEORGE TOWN: Embattled PKR assemblyman Fahmi Zainol has appealed to the party's top leadership to withdraw his suspension, warning that acting on unproven court charges could set a damaging precedent for the party’s future. Fahmi clarified that he holds only one party position, as a member of the state leadership council (MPN), under Clause 27.3(k) of the PKR constitution. He said the position is ex-officio in nature and directly tied to his status as the Pantai Jerejak assemblyman. Citing Clauses 41.6 and 41.7 of the party constitution, Fahmi said the central leadership council’s power of suspension generally applies either pending a decision of the disciplinary board or after a finding of misconduct. Fahmi added that he believes the charges against him are unfounded and pledged to fully cooperate with the legal process to clear his name.