NEW DELHI (March 3): The US-Israeli war on Iran and the crisis it has triggered in the Gulf region have evoked great anxiety for India, New Delhi said on Tuesday, as it reiterated its call for dialogue and diplomacy to secure an "early end to the conflict". India has high stakes in the Gulf region as an estimated 10 million Indians live and work there. "As a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in the security and stability of the region, these developments evoke great anxiety," the statement said. He has also spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and stressed the need for an early cessation of hostilities. "We were stuck there so we knew the situation on ground, but hearing about missiles from far is more scary."

The FBM KLCI bounced off the 1,700 psychological support and rose 4.02 points to 1,704.23, with banks leading the recovery. Asian markets were somewhat calmed by the resilient performance on Wall Street overnight, with the Dow Jones slipping only 0.15% despite earlier concerns of a market crash. Brent crude rose another 1.4% to US$78.81 per barrel after jumping over 7% in the previous session. On the benchmark index, Maybank bounced 12 sen higher to RM11.84, with other major banks also retracing higher. CIMB gained eight sen to RM8.02, Public Bank rallied three sen to RM4.88, AmBank gained nine sen to RM6.50 and RHB climbed 12 sen to RM8.58.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 3): The total deferred funds held by AmanahRaya are RM452 million as of Dec 31, 2025. According to the Ministry of Finance (MOF), deferred funds refer to cash funds from the administration of estates or trusts that have been transferred to AmanahRaya after the original owner has been identified and confirmed deceased, but have not yet been distributed. “In the context of AmanahRaya, the assets managed are in the form of deferred funds and not frozen assets. This includes the absence of a power of attorney or grant of probate or when the estate administrator has not been legally appointed. “In this situation, the assets are still under the control of the respective relevant institutions,” it said.

The exercise will be funded by advances from Boustead Holdings, which intends to use a mix of bank borrowings and internal funds. On March 3, BHIC’s non-interested directors resolved to present the proposal at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) and specialised class meetings for preference shareholders. The privatisation, first announced on Feb 10, involves a total cash payout of RM149.59 million to minority shareholders, covering 155.86 million BHIC shares held by the public, and 155.8 million preference shares — comprising 23.63 million redeemable convertible preference shares (RCPS A) and 132.17 million Islamic redeemable convertible preference shares (RCPS-i A). The exercise will be funded by advances from Boustead Holdings, which intends to use a mix of bank borrowings and internal funds. Boustead Holdings itself was privatised in June 2023 via a voluntary takeover offer at 85.5 sen per share, valued at RM703.2 million.

PETALING JAYA: For men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh and Soh Wooi Yik, nothing drives them more than finally conquering the All-England title after eight appearances. Twice they have come agonisingly close, only to fall short at the final hurdle, and this year, the hunger to end Malaysia’s long wait for a men’s doubles crown burns brighter than ever. Seeded second, Aaron-Wooi Yik open their campaign against Americans Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith, with a field stacked with other potential hurdles. Malaysia has seven other men’s doubles pairs in the fray, keeping hopes high for a deep run. Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing, making their debut, face a daunting test against fourth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty of India.

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has been told that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak actively controlled and administered SRC International Sdn Bhd, whether directly or through its former chief executive officer Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil. He added that Nik Faisal would table papers and proposals to the board for approval and undertake follow-up action on projects, while keeping Najib directly informed of all company discussions and decisions. "All the directors were compelled to comply with and implement the decisions and instructions of Najib as represented by Nik Faisal or through letters and documents signed by him. "Nik Faisal was appointed by Najib as a director, CEO and corporate representative of SRC. He was also the authorised signatory for all SRC bank accounts and a mandate holder for Najib's personal accounts.

The state PKR chairman was seen leaving the MACC building at 3.50pm on the second day of the session after MACC officers grilled him for almost seven hours. The Batu Maung assemblyman and Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) president was called in to help the MACC investigation into alleged abuse of power involving the use of zakat funds to purchase land. ALSO READ: Penang DCM I continues recording statement at MACC for a second dayOn Monday (March 2), the first-term assemblyman spent seven hours at the state MACC headquarters having his statement recorded. Among those summoned were MAINPP officers and staff members, the state mufti, State Secretary, state financial officer and state legal adviser. Members of the state Zakat Board, including its officers and employees, were also called to assist in the probe.

The costs reflect the conglomerate's efforts to attract consumers to its platform, Shopee, through incentives such as discounts, offers and loyalty benefits, as rivals such as TikTok Shop expand their businesses as well. Sea's total operating expenses grew over 28% to US$2.43 billion (RM9.6 billion) in the fourth quarter from a year ago. Sales and marketing expenses rose 25.4% for Shopee and 96.2% for financial services platform Monee during the quarter. As its expenses rise, Sea has been betting on artificial intelligence as a way to bolster its operations further. The company reported quarterly revenue of US$6.85 billion, surpassing analysts' average estimate of US$6.45 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Not bad for a two-hour walking tour around the usually hot and humid Kuala Lumpur. This was our first experience with a night walking tour (and not a horror-themed one at that). The mural commemorates the late multi-hyphenate talent’s concert that was held for free at Jalan Chow Kit on April 14, 1986. Chow Kit is a historic enclave, but it carries a stigmatised reputation that it continues to try and break free from. At the very least, you gain the experience of doing a heritage-rich night walking tour, if that’s something you’ve never done before.

SEREMBAN: Eleven stray dogs have been found dead here, believed to have been poisoned, says an animal welfare group. "These 11 dogs were known to the community as they were fed, monitored and in several cases sterilised. She said several dead birds were also found in the area, which suggests poisoning. She said poisoning dogs was inhumane and an act of cruelty towards animals. Kiran said some animals exhibited symptoms consistent with poisoning, including frothing at the mouth, vomiting blood and violent convulsions.

KUALA LUMPUR: A man pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court in Selayang here Tuesday (March 3) to a charge of causing the death of his elder brother last year. M Kubendran, 31, was charged with causing the death of M Kagendran, 36, with the intention of causing bodily injury likely to result in death at Selayang Baru, Batu Caves, at 3.40am on Dec 2. Kubendran was charged under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years’ jail and a fine upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor Nurilya Ellyna Nor Azmal did not offer bail as the offence is non-bailable but defence counsel K Kisho applied for it on the grounds that his client supports his family and wife. The court set May 4 for case mention.

(March 3): A US$1.75 trillion (RM6.85 trillion) valuation for billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX in an initial public offering (IPO) would be “justifiable”, according to a PitchBook analyst. At that valuation, investors would be willing to ascribe SpaceX a price-to-sales ratio of more than 100-times on a trailing basis, the analyst estimated. The debate around valuation will come down to the willingness of investors to assign a “platform premium” to SpaceX, the analyst said. PitchBook estimates SpaceX could bring in US$150 billion of revenue in 2040, a roughly tenfold jump from last year’s nearly US$16 billion. The analyst also noted that SpaceX is grappling with a regulatory bottleneck that could hold up its planned cycle.

Miley Cyrus is giving Hannah Montana fans the best of both worlds with a 20th anniversary special celebrating the Disney Channel hit. The 33-year-old Grammy winner last week shared a teaser trailer for the event, which will stream March 24 on Disney+. “Hannah Montana will always be a part of who I am,” Cyrus said in a statement. The show, which also starred Cyrus’ real life father, Billy Ray Cyrus, as her onscreen dad and manager, hit the big screen in 2009. Amid recent speculation that Cyrus had something big planned for the “Hannahversary,” she fanned the fan flames with throwback photos from the show.

(March 3): Absent a “real” strategy in his aggressive foreign policy, US President Donald Trump is nonetheless revealing an emergent style or pattern. From Iran, which he is currently pounding, to Venezuela and perhaps Cuba and other countries, he’s not interested in building democracies, but in erecting puppet states. “What we did in Venezuela, I think, is the perfect, the perfect scenario,” Trump told the New York Times in a conversation about his ongoing campaign against Iran. Beyond that tactical success, the Trump administration seems to have given little thought to possible leadership transitions. As bombs detonate across the Middle East, it is far too early to predict who will eventually govern Iran and its long-oppressed people.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 3): Oil palm and milling company Cepatwawasan Group Bhd (KL:CEPAT) is restructuring its renewable energy business to better highlight its value to the market. Cepatwawasan said the group ventured into renewable energy to reduce reliance on the volatile crude palm oil (CPO) market. After completion, Cash Nexus will retain 59.87%, while Timah will hold 40%, and another unit, Power Precinct, will own 0.13%. The RM31.61 million will be treated as a 10-year loan from Timah to Cash Nexus, with interest tied to the Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate. Cepatwawasan said Cash Nexus has enough funds for operations and future investments, with the main goal being to unlock the value of its renewable energy business.