“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES: US President Donald Trump on Thursday accused Iran of doing a “very poor job” of allowing oil through the Strait of Hormuz and of breaching the terms of their two-week ceasefire agreement.

In a barrage of social media posts that sparked fresh fears for the shaky truce, Trump also warned Iran against imposing a toll for ships passing through the crucial waterway.

“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

“That is not the agreement we have!”

Iran and the United States said the 167-kilometer (104-mile) strait between the Gulf and the Indian Ocean would reopen after the two-week truce was announced on Tuesday.

But just 10 vessels have passed through since the Middle East war ceasefire took effect, according to maritime tracking data.

Tensions have risen further after Iran suggested imposing a toll on ships — though Trump has made similar suggestions and even aired joint tolls with Tehran.

“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” Trump said in an earlier Truth Social message.

In yet another post in which he raged at a critical media editorial on the ceasefire, Trump added that “very quickly, you’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran.”

The US leader’s tone appeared to darken noticeably from earlier comments to NBC News in which he said he was “very optimistic” about a peace deal with Iran after their ceasefire, and that Israel was “scaling back” strikes in Lebanon.

Trump told the US broadcaster in a telephone interview that Iran’s leaders were “much more reasonable” in private but added that “if they don’t make a deal, it’s going to be very painful.”

Vice President JD Vance is due to hold talks with Iran in Pakistan on Saturday. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are also traveling to Islamabad.

“The president is optimistic that a deal can be reached that can lead to lasting peace in the Middle East,” White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told AFP in a statement on Thursday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had meanwhile agreed in a call with Trump on Wednesday to “low-key it” with Lebanon after devastating strikes, the US president said.

Israel and Lebanon will hold talks in Washington next week, a State Department official said Thursday.

Israel’s heaviest strikes on Lebanon since Hezbollah entered the Middle East war in early March killed hundreds on Wednesday, rattling the uneasy truce between Washington and Tehran less than 48 hours after it came into force.

Former SBP student recalls how friendships at school crossed class lines, showing generosity and unity among peers despite differing family wealth.

QUESTIONS regarding class divides in education continue to surface, particularly within elite or selective school environments often associated with wealth and privilege. Yet, personal accounts from those within the system suggest a more nuanced reality, where social boundaries are not always as rigid as assumed.

A viral post on Threads by user @ladynoor.a has drawn significant attention for its reflection on life in a fully residential school (Sekolah Berasrama Penuh or SBP). The user admitted she initially struggled with feelings of inferiority, stating that many of her peers hailed from “T20” families.

She described a weekly routine where “parents would visit, bringing fine food and arriving in luxury cars,” noting that many students were the children of prominent public figures.

Despite the visible wealth, the user revealed that the student culture told a different story.

“Friends did not pick and choose. Everyone mixed with everyone,” she wrote, adding that parents from wealthier backgrounds were often remarkably generous, frequently providing food not just for their own children, but for the entire dormitory.

The post, which ended on a nostalgic note, triggered a wave of similar testimonies.

User @sirjazel agreed, stating: “This is something outsiders do not realise. It really feels like one big family.” Another commenter, @travelwbrain, echoed this, suggesting that many from wealthy backgrounds are defined by kindness rather than arrogance.

Some responses offered broader sociological context. User @othmanmarzianah observed that many individuals in the T20 bracket today may have originated from B40 backgrounds in previous decades.

This suggests that a history of socioeconomic mobility may explain the humility and groundedness observed in these elite circles.

Meanwhile, user @fxvincy shared that entering an SBP exposed them to a different side of society, leading to a deeper sense of gratitude after witnessing the varied lived experiences of their peers.

This sentiment was not limited to government boarding schools; user @imamasturaramly pointed out that in private and international schools, students often form bonds regardless of material status, brands, or titles.

Personal anecdotes reinforced the theme of communal living. User @cthajarsalim recalled how wealthier parents introduced entire dorms to new dishes, such as macaroni cheese, during their visits.

Another user, @swxg.co, described how these bonds have persisted for years, with some parents continuing to treat their children’s former schoolmates long after graduation.

However, the discussion was not entirely idealistic. User @y4n4929 said that while school environments may feel egalitarian, social divisions often re-emerge later in life as individuals naturally gravitate back toward their own socioeconomic circles.

Twelve charges relateto physical and non-physical sexual abuse of boys

PETALING JAYA: The caretaker of an unlicensed children welfare home in Gombak has admitted to 15 charges of sexual assault and unnatural carnal intercourse involving five underage boys, the youngest aged eight.

Retna Velu, 25, pleaded guilty before Ampang Sessions Court judges Norshila Kamarudin and Ho Kwong Chin after the charges were read to him in Tamil.

He was unrepresented and was dressed in a black T-shirt.

Twelve charges relate to physical and non-physical sexual abuse of boys aged between eight and 13, allegedly committed between November last year and February and March this year at a residential premises in Batu Caves.

The charges were framed under Sections 14(a) and 15(a)(i) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act.

Section 14(a) carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping, while Section 15(a)(i) provides for up to 10 years’ jail or a fine of up to RM20,000.

The remaining three charges involve carnal intercourse against two boys aged eight and 10, allegedly committed at the same premises during February and March.

These were framed under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which carries a prison term of between five and 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

Both courts denied bail and fixed May 21 for sentencing.

In a separate proceeding, the operator of the home, S. Valan, 31, claimed trial to four charges of physical and non-physical sexual abuse involving four boys aged between 13 and 16.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2019 and March this year at the Batu Caves home and another premises in Kalumpang, Hulu Selangor.

The charges were framed under Sections 14(a) and (b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping.

The court granted bail of RM15,000 in one surety, subject to conditions – including monthly reporting to a police station, surrendering of passport and no contact with prosecution witnesses.

The case is set for next mention on June 10.

During mitigation, counsel Nur Amalia Md Daud sought a lower bail, citing family circumstances, including a young child and a spouse working in Singapore.

DPPs Nadia Malek Fauzie and Muhammad Hairuliqram Hairuddin appeared for the prosecution.

Lawyers Kirthen Subramaniam and Premila Subramaniam held a watching brief for the families of the victims and Pertubuhan Kebangkitan Tiga Tangan Selangor, which exposed the alleged abuse at the home.

On April 3, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri confirmed that a children’s home in Batu Caves, believed to have been operating for a decade, was under investigation following allegations of abuse.

She said the ministry received a report on March 30, after which immediate action was taken by the Gombak Social Welfare Office.

Investigations found the premises were unregistered and operating outside the provisions of the Care Centres Act 1993.

A man wielding a meat cleaver damaged a police vehicle and three others at a restaurant in Telok Mengkuang before being subdued by officers

PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested a local man after he allegedly ran amok with a meat cleaver and damaged a police vehicle as well as three other vehicles in an incident at a restaurant in Telok Mengkuang.

Kuala Langat police chief Supt Mohd Akmalrizal Radzi said police received information at about 3.30pm on Wednesday regarding a man behaving violently at the premises in Telok Panglima Garang.

A police team was immediately deployed to the scene, where officers found the suspect acting aggressively while armed with a meat cleaver and a rattan stick.

“Initial investigations found that the suspect had damaged items inside a seafood restaurant at Jalan Pandan 2 in Telok Mengkuang, and also damaged three vehicles belonging to the public in the surrounding area,” he said in a statement.

Mohd Akmalrizal said the suspect also turned violent towards police personnel, swinging the weapon at officers and their patrol vehicle, posing a threat to both authorities and the public.

He added that the suspect was detained for further investigation and taken to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang for examination.

The case is being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty, Section 427 for mischief and Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958 for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority.

Those with information on the incident have been urged to contact the Kuala Langat district police headquarters operations room at 03-3187 2222 or visit the nearest police station.

Anwar urges Malaysians to understand fuel hikes in global context, citing supply routes, insurance and freight costs

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians not to adopt a one-sided view when discussing rising fuel prices, stressing that the issue must be understood within the broader context of global developments rather than narrow or misleading narratives.

Speaking at the Transport Ministry’s monthly assembly, he said public discourse must be grounded in facts.

“We must not blur the line between what is true and what is false when we have the means to seek out the facts. Ultimately God is all-knowing, and we are entrusted with the responsibility to act with integrity.”

His remarks appeared directed at PAS president Tun Abdul Hadi Awang, who had questioned why Malaysia appeared to be the only country affected by fuel price increases following the West Asia conflict.

Anwar said such claims reflect a misunderstanding of how global energy markets operate, adding that disruptions at critical supply chokepoints have widespread consequences.

He highlighted the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil supply moves, and other key routes such as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal.

“Even if our ships are able to pass through, that does not mean costs remain unchanged.”

Anwar said Malaysia had managed to secure safe passage for its vessels through diplomatic engagement, including cooperation with Iran, allowing shipments to continue reaching refineries such as Pengerang.

He said the impact, however, goes beyond access to shipping routes.

Anwar said oil that was purchased earlier at a lower price was delayed in transit and the cost structure had already changed significantly by the time it arrived.

The Tambun MP said the delay not only impacted the end price but also insurance premiums.

He said in some cases insurance premiums rose by 100% and freight charges had also increased.

“This means the oil that was initially cheaper becomes significantly more expensive by the time it reaches our refineries. These are real cost pressures that cannot be ignored.”

Anwar said Malaysia remains exposed to global price fluctuations despite being an oil-producing country as it is still a net importer of refined petroleum products.

He also called on civil servants to take a more proactive role in explaining these complexities to the public.

“This is not about defending the prime minister, ministers or the government blindly. It is about presenting the facts clearly.”

He encouraged a more open culture within government institutions, urging senior officials, including secretaries-general and department heads, to allow space for bottom-up feedback.

“Meetings must not be one-way monologues. They should provide room for views from all levels. 

“There are individuals regarded as religious scholars who claim that oil prices have not increased. This reflects a clear lack of understanding, yet it is presented in a way that makes people believe it.” 

For the period from April 9 to 15, RON97 rose by 40 sen to RM5.35 per litre and RON95 has been priced at RM4.27 per litre for unsubsidised users, reflecting a 40 sen increase, while it is RM1.99 per litre under the Budi95 subsidy scheme. 

Diesel price in Peninsular Malaysia increased by 70 sen to a new record high of RM6.72 per litre while in East Malaysia it remains unchanged at RM2.15 per litre. 

“Even when I was on my bike, he still tried to take advantage of my BUDI,” she added.

WITH market prices for RON95 fuel currently at RM4.27, many Malaysians rely on the BUDI fuel subsidy programme, which allows eligible users to pay a subsidised rate of RM1.99.

To curb subsidy leakage, the government has also banned the use of foreign-issued credit and debit cards at self-service pumps nationwide.

However, a recent encounter shared online suggests that some individuals may still be attempting to bypass these restrictions by targeting local citizens.

In a viral post on Threads, a woman shared how she was approached by a foreign national while inflating her motorcycle tyres at a petrol station in Cyberjaya. The interaction quickly turned suspicious.

“He asked how to pump petrol using Visa. I was confused and told him I was not sure and suggested he ask the counter staff,” she wrote. Instead of heading to the kiosk, the man reportedly replied: “No, no, if you do not mind, can I use your Visa to fuel my car?”

The woman was startled, eventually realising the man was likely referring to her MyKad (IC), which is linked to the BUDI subsidy. “Was he trying to use my IC, my BUDI?” she questioned. Alarmed by the request, she refused, telling him: “No, I cannot do that. Later the police will catch me.”

The woman stated that the man lingered nearby while she finished with her tyres, only departing after another bystander arrived at the scene.

“Even when I was on my bike, he still tried to take advantage of my BUDI,” she added.

In her post, she urged the public to remain cautious when approached by strangers, especially regarding personal documents or financial details.

“Just a reminder: do not give your bank card, IC, or any personal information to people you do not know, even if they seem like they need help. Better safe than sorry,” she said.

Netizens were quick to weigh in, with user @nadiahalim22 suggesting that authorities should be involved if safety feels compromised: “I think next time just call the police. Say, ‘I feel my safety is threatened because this man is still beside me.’”

Another user, @midz_81, reiterated current regulations: “Foreign credit and debit cards cannot be used at the pump anymore. They have to pay at the counter. This is to control foreigners from buying RON95.”

Under current Malaysian law, RON95 is a heavily subsidised fuel reserved for citizens, and any attempt to facilitate its purchase for unauthorised individuals can lead to legal repercussions for both parties.

READ MORE: Malaysian man rejects foreigner requesting to “swipe” MyKad for subsidised petrol

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect.”

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES: US First Lady Melania Trump made a surprise statement on Thursday denying any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, or that she herself was a victim of the convicted sex offender.

The 55-year-old’s rare on-camera remarks at the White House came out of the blue, in an extraordinary intervention in a scandal that has long haunted her husband President Donald Trump.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect.”

It was not clear why the Slovenian-born former model decided to give the public statement, and she did not detail any specific allegations about her and the late, convicted sex offender.

Melania and Donald Trump had previously been photographed with Epstein, but she said that she had met her husband independently two years prior to meeting Epstein.

“I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump,” Melania Trump said.

She said “fake images and statements about Epstein and me” had been circulating on social media “for years now. Be cautious about what you believe: these images and stories are completely false.”

The first lady also urged Congress to hold a public hearing for survivors of Epstein’s abuse to “give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath.”

Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors, but the scandal has repeatedly overshadowed Trump’s second presidency.

‘Epstein’s abuse’

The US Justice Department has over the past year released huge tranches of files related to Epstein. Trump, 79, has also denied any link to Epstein’s crimes.

One widely-seen picture in the files showed Donald and Melania Trump at their Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida along with Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

“I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims. I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant. Was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island,” Melania Trump said.

“I have never been legally accused or convinced of a crime in connection with Epstein sex trafficking, abuse of minors and other repulsive behavior.”

Speculation ran riot on social media about why the US first lady had decided to put the Epstein scandal back in the headlines after weeks of relative quiet.

It comes just two days after her husband announced a ceasefire in the US-Israeli war on Iran, which critics say has left the crucial Strait of Hormuz still largely shuttered by Tehran.

But Melania Trump has long been an elusive and often mysterious presence at the White House, who only rarely gives public remarks of the kind she delivered on Thursday.

The last time she was seen with her husband was at an Easter Egg Roll with hundreds of children on Monday.

MMA supports government measures to secure medicine and medical device supplies, calling for buffer stocks and local manufacturing growth amid global instability

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has thrown its support behind the government’s initiatives to safeguard the nation’s medicine and medical device supply chain amid the ongoing global energy crisis triggered by the West Asia conflict.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the MMA said measures announced by the Economy minister, through the National Economic Action Council, were both important and timely, reflecting an appropriate response to the mounting uncertainties rippling through global supply chains.

Among the initiatives MMA endorsed were the introduction of a special access pathway to maintain availability of critical medicines and medical devices, centralised stock monitoring and diversification of import sources, the activation of emergency response plans, moves to establish a national strategic buffer stock and the development of a dedicated medicine security policy under the MyMedSecure framework alongside efforts to grow the domestic pharmaceutical industry.

The Health Ministry has advised that Malaysia’s medicine supply remains stable, with no significant disruptions recorded to date.

Local manufacturers are also reported to hold sufficient stocks of both raw materials and finished products to sustain operations for several months.

MMA president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo cautioned against complacency given the fluid nature of the global situation.

He outlined three additional measures MMA is calling on the government to pursue.

Its first recommendation is that strategic buffer stocks be built around medicines listed in the National Essential Medicines List, with particular emphasis on treatments for chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases – illnesses that affect a large and growing segment of Malaysians

Secondly, it called for greater transparency in the sharing of supply status information with the private healthcare sector.

It said clinics and private hospitals must be kept informed on a proactive basis to ensure continuity of patient care across all healthcare settings, not just public facilities.

Thirdly, and most expansively, the MMA urged Malaysia to treat the current crisis as a catalyst for accelerating domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity in a structured and sustained manner.

It said building local production capability is a long-term imperative for achieving genuine national health sovereignty.

The MMA said it would continue engaging with the Health Ministry, the National Economic Action Council and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that Malaysians have uninterrupted access to essential medicines and treatment.

“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES: US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned Iran against imposing a toll for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran agreed to reopen the crucial route as part of a two-week ceasefire.

“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

In a second message just a few minutes later, Trump added that “very quickly, you’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran.”

The US leader kept up his barrages of social media posts with another that accused Tehran of “doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz.”

“That is not the agreement we have!” Trump added.

Just 10 vessels have passed through Strait of Hormuz since the Middle East war ceasefire took effect, according to maritime tracking data consulted Thursday.

B100 biodiesel proven reliable in trials but supply limits and infrastructure gaps delay nationwide rollout in Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s B100 biodiesel has proven its reliability in vehicle trials but supply shortages and infrastructure gaps make a nationwide rollout unrealistic for now, said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia  Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment senior lecturer Dr Muhammad Ammirrul Atiqi Mohd Zainuri.

He said trials conducted in Malaysia show that the 100% palm oil-based biodiesel can perform reliably in both passenger and heavy-duty vehicles.

Muhammad Ammirrul cited a 15-month passenger car trial covering more than 50,000km, along with a separate four-month tanker truck test, both of which were completed without major technical issues.

The trials were carried out by the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV).

“From a technical standpoint, B100 is viable as a fuel for vehicles,” he said, adding that modern diesel engines are capable of handling it effectively.

He said technical viability, however, does not translate into immediate large-scale adoption.

“The biggest limitation is feedstock supply. Malaysia currently does not have sufficient crude palm oil reserves to support a nationwide rollout of B100.”

Muhammad Ammirrul said engine compatibility is not a major barrier as trials have already demonstrated reliable performance across different vehicle types.

He said the main obstacles lie in production capacity and infrastructure readiness. 

“Current processing facilities are insufficient to meet large-scale demand. Significant expansion of biodiesel plants is required before any nationwide implementation can take place.”

He added that industry players such as Felda and FGV would need to scale up production, likely through a mix of government support and private sector investment.

Muhammad Ammirrul said while B100 performs well mechanically, it comes with trade-offs.

“Due to its lower energy density, vehicles running on B100 may experience a slight drop in fuel efficiency, requiring more fuel to travel the same distance.

“However, this is offset by cleaner combustion and significantly lower emissions, with trials showing carbon emission reductions of up to 70% in heavy-duty transport.

“B100 burns more completely and produces fewer pollutants, making it a cleaner alternative to conventional diesel.”

He cautioned that transitioning to B100 is not as simple as switching fuels, as it would require major upgrades to Malaysia’s fuel distribution system.

“B100’s chemical properties, such as its tendency to absorb moisture and act as a solvent, mean that existing pipelines, storage tanks and pumps would need to be retrofitted or replaced.

“A nationwide shift would require extensive cleaning of existing systems and upgrades to ensure material compatibility and fuel stability.”

He said B100 should be viewed as a medium-term transition fuel rather than a permanent solution.

“B100 acts as a vital bridge between today’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels and a future powered by electrification and hydrogen.

“Battery technology is still too heavy, and hydrogen remains costly for large-scale deployment in logistics, maritime and agriculture. B100 allows these sectors to cut emissions immediately using existing engines.

“Relying entirely on palm oil for fuel would face hard limits due to land availability and could compete with food supply while also raising deforestation concerns.”