☕️ Prison Break: Sungai Buloh escape sparks online buzz

1. MARKET SUMMARY 📈

2. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 🔢

Over 1,700 – That’s the number of littering cases in Melaka involving cigarette butts as of Apr 7, marking it as the leading littering offence in the state. Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation CEO Khalid Mohamed pointed to a lack of awareness and a persistently lackadaisical attitude among smokers towards public cleanliness. The punishment for discarding a cigarette butt is a fine ranging between RM500 and RM700, along with between 10 and 12 hours of community service within six months.

12,288 – That’s the number of vehicle fires that have been reported nationwide from 2023 to Feb 2026. According to the Fire and Rescue Department, Selangor recorded the highest number of cases at 3,348, followed by Johor at 1,680 and Perak at 1,331. Of concern is that the number of vehicle fires has been increasing over the years. In 2026 alone, 720 cases have been recorded as of Feb. Authorities also warned that vehicle fire incidents can happen anywhere, to the point that even parked cars can catch fire.

5,633 – That’s the number of EVs sold in Malaysia in Mar as the local EV market continues its record run. However, the rapid growth has raised concerns that charging infrastructure, which is largely concentrated in the Klang Valley, may not be able to support the number of EVs on the road. The latest data from the Energy Commission supports this concern, as there are currently only 5,619 charging bays nationwide, comprising 1,898 direct current fast chargers and 3,721 alternating current chargers.

3. IN MALAYSIA 🇲🇾

Zara inquest: expert rules out foul play
A senior forensic pathology expert told the Coroner’s Court that there is no medical or forensic evidence to suggest that 13-year-old Zara Qairina was pushed or that her fall was accidental. Instead, the findings point to the likelihood that she fell of her own will. Datuk Seri Dr Bhupinder Singh, an associate professor in forensic and legal medicine at RCSI and UCD Malaysia Campus in Penang, said his conclusion was based on injury patterns, scene reconstruction, and medical evidence presented during the inquest. According to his testimony, there were no signs of a struggle, no indication of external force, and nothing to suggest that anyone had held or thrown Zara over the railings.

Dr Bhupinder added that the injuries were consistent with a high-impact fall from height, particularly fractures to the calcaneus, the heel bone that commonly breaks in vertical falls. This supports the conclusion that Zara landed feet first, with the force of impact travelling upwards through her body and causing multiple fractures before she fell backwards and struck her head on the edge of a drain. He said the head injury was the critical factor in the fatal outcome. While clothing can often provide useful forensic clues, such as tears, abrasions, or possible signs of struggle, he said the absence of clothing evidence in this case did not affect his findings, as the medical imaging and post-mortem examination were sufficient.

Sex predator Sungai Buloh escape sparks online buzz
A dramatic escape at Sungai Buloh Prison has gone viral after a video showing a remand detainee breaking away during a transfer began circulating online. The footage, shared on X by UpdateInfo, shows several detainees stepping down from a police truck within the prison compound in Kuala Lumpur. Seconds later, one man sprints away from the group, catching officers off guard as two policemen immediately give chase. The clip has since drawn widespread attention online, with many focusing on how quickly the escape unfolded during what appeared to be a controlled transfer. The detainee, Pakistani national Muhammad Hassan, who was being held in connection with several serious charges, including sex against order of nature with children and robbery, escaped on Thursday. Police have yet to recapture him. Watch the escape here.

More context on the meme above here.

Kedah Sultan pushes for Langkawi duty-free revival
The Sultan of Kedah has called on the federal government to fully restore Langkawi’s duty-free privileges, saying the island needs its former tax-free status to reignite tourism and strengthen the local economy. Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah said several policy changes in recent years have gradually reduced Langkawi’s appeal as one of Malaysia’s key tourism destinations. His call comes against the backdrop of measures introduced over different periods, beginning with the Jan 1, 2021, enforcement of duties on cigarettes and tobacco products at all duty-free islands, including Langkawi. Since then, visitors and tourists no longer enjoy tax exemptions on cigarettes and related tobacco items purchased on the island. More recently, Budget 2026 introduced another major shift by capping vehicle tax exemptions in Langkawi and Labuan to vehicles valued below RM300,000, effective Jan 1, 2026. This means luxury vehicles above that threshold, once a major draw for affluent buyers and car enthusiasts, no longer qualify for the tax-free incentive. The move was introduced as part of efforts to close tax leakages and address abuse of the exemption system.

Shelter van crash leaves animals dead and injured
A rescue trip turned tragic on Apr 12 when a lorry crashed into a van carrying 20 cats and five dogs from Star Animal Shelter along the North-South Expressway near the Simpang Ampat exit in Melaka. The team, led by founder Shikin, was on the way to the Oh My Pet Expo at Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur when they stopped in the emergency lane after hearing a strange sound from the engine. As Shikin and her husband stepped out to inspect the vehicle and check on pet carriers they believed had toppled, a lorry struck the van from behind with significant force, sending it rolling several metres before it overturned into a roadside ditch. In the chaos, Shikin’s sister was thrown from the van, while a volunteer became trapped inside with the animals before being rescued.

The impact proved devastating for the rescued animals. Three cats were killed, 14 are currently receiving treatment, and three remain missing. Four dogs have also been warded, while one missing three-legged dog, nicknamed 9.9, was later found in a nearby jungle. The shelter’s van, estimated to be worth more than RM15,000, is believed to be beyond repair and was the NGO’s only transport for rescue work, adoption drives, and support for other animal groups. Additional losses include damaged pet carriers costing between RM100 and RM200 each, alongside mounting veterinary bills. The shelter is now appealing for public donations to replace the van and continue caring for the injured animals - visit here.

4. AROUND THE WORLD 🌎

Middle East madness
Trump wants in on blockade fun, declares his own
Following failed peace negotiations between the US and Iran, US President Donald Trump announced a blockade of his own, with orders to the US Navy to seek and interdict “every vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran”. Trump added that “no one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas”. Something’s off with that line, can’t quite put a finger on it.

The US Navy later clarified that the blockade would apply only to ships going to or from Iran, including all Iranian ports on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, rather than “any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz”. Iran is not happy and has threatened retaliation against the ports of its Gulf neighbours. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have previously said that any military vessels approaching the strait would be considered to have violated the current ceasefire, which is set to expire in about a week.

The US blockade, which began at 2PM GMT on Monday (10 PM local time), does not bode well for international oil prices, which have surged past USD102 (RM405.45) per barrel. Blocking Iranian shipments means the US would disconnect about 1.7 mil barrels of oil per day on average from the rest of the world. This also comes a month after the US unveiled a sanctions waiver that enabled other buyers to import Iranian oil.

Trump also claimed that other countries would help with the blockade, but NATO nations have so far refused to be drawn in, saying instead that it was vital to open the waterway.

Trump will not be pleased, but at least there’s this:

Pope swings back at Trump
Pope Leo XIV told the media that he plans to continue speaking out against the war after Trump took a swing at the religious leader for his criticism of the US-Israeli war on Iran and the White House’s hardline immigration policies. Trump called the Pope “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy”. Pope Leo said he did not want to get into a debate with Trump, adding that the message of the Gospel was “not meant to be abused in the way some people are doing”. The nerve of some people.

South Korean president's Holocaust faux pas
Elsewhere, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has sparked a diplomatic row with Israel after he said on social media that the “wartime killings” of Palestinians by the Israeli military were “no different from the Jewish massacre” by the Nazis in World War II. Israel lashed out, calling the social media post a trivialisation of the massacre of Jews on the eve of Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day. Lee later said it was “disappointing” that Israel criticised his comments, as it was natural to feel sympathy for those suffering. The South Korean foreign ministry later said it was regrettable that Israel “misunderstood” Lee’s remarks, which were about universal human rights. At home, his detractors have labelled him as having double standards for his silence on human rights abuses in North Korea, while his Democratic Party praised him for speaking out on the universal value of human dignity.

Money matters
Pistachio prices hit 8-year high as war drags on major grower Iran
Another victim of the Iran conflict is the pistachio lover. Iran remains the world’s second-largest producer of pistachios, responsible for about 20% of production and a third of exports, but has been unable to get the nuts out to the world. Sanctions and geopolitical frictions before the war had already complicated trade in pistachios, but a smaller crop in 2025, along with civil unrest and the outbreak of war, means that supply is truly crimped. Prices have surged to USD4.57 (RM18) per pound in Mar, the highest since May 2018. This could lead to food makers either hiking prices, tweaking recipes, or switching to cheaper nuts.

Singapore stocks rally on war haven status
The city-state’s assets are currently enjoying their status as a haven amid global volatility, having suffered the least in the region since the outbreak of the Iran war in late Feb. Singapore is on the cusp of being the first major Asian market to reclaim new highs, aided by the Singapore dollar’s strength versus its Southeast Asian peers, with two factors standing out in its favour. The first is its Equity Market Development Programme, which is expected to pour in billions of dollars to boost valuations and attract investors. The second is that the composition of Singapore’s main stock index features high dividend-paying stocks, which further appeal to investors.

Nigeria, Morocco to ink USD25 bil gas pipeline deal
The two countries are expected to sign the USD25 bil (RM99.38 bil) intergovernmental agreement sometime later this year, following the agreement on the project a decade ago. The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline would run 6,900km on a hybrid offshore-onshore route with a maximum capacity of 30 bil cubic metres, of which 15 bil cubic metres will supply Morocco and support exports to Europe. Following the signing of the agreement, a high authority for the pipeline will be established in Nigeria, bringing together representatives from each of the 13 participating countries to provide political and regulatory coordination. The first gas from the initial phases, which would connect Morocco to gas fields in Mauritania and Senegal, is expected in 2031.

Shorts:

1. Australia names first female chief of army
   Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, currently Australia’s chief of joint capabilities, has been named the new army chief, effective Jul, and the first woman to lead the Australian Army. This follows a reshuffle of the country’s defence force leadership, with Coyle replacing Lieutenant General Simon Stuart.

2. Roblox to roll out new rules on young user accounts
   The video game platform will be creating tailored accounts for young users in a push to shore up online safety. Beginning in early June, users aged 5 to 8 will be assigned “Roblox Kids” accounts, while those aged 9 to 15 will get “Roblox Select” accounts. The platform will also be introducing new standard requirements for content before they can appear in either type of account for younger users.

5. FOR YOUR EYES 📺

Nature

1. All time zones meet in Antarctica. So how do they determine time there?

2. Rare cloud formation called iridescent cloud spotted in the skies of Kota Tinggi, Johor. Iridescent clouds are a diffraction phenomenon caused by small water droplets or small ice crystals individually scattering light. Another similar phenomenon (watch here), more dispersed across the skies, was spotted in Yunnan, China.

3. Rubber tapping in action and the making of natural latex.