21/03/2026

SATURDAY | MAR 21, 2026 5 Police deny letter seeking donations KUALA LUMPUR: The Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department here has denied issuing an invitation letter for a Hari Raya Aidilfitri event that also asked for donations from the public. Kuala Lumpur department chief ACP Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said his department detected the distribution of the fake letter via WhatsApp at 5.50pm on Thursday. According to him, the letter used an official letterhead purporting to be from the Traffic and Transport Branch of the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters and was signed by an individual using the name “Supt Jamil bin Abdul”. “A check found that the name did not exist in officer records at the Traffic and Transport Branch or with police. “The department stressed that no official letter was issued for the purpose of requesting donations from any party.” Mohd Zamzuri said the distribution of the letter is believed to be a fraudulent attempt aimed at deceiving the public to obtain donations as well as potentially damaging the image and credibility of police. A police report has been made to enable further investigation to be carried out under the relevant legal provisions. “The public is advised to be vigilant and not be fooled by any dubious donation requests. “Any confirmation can be made directly with the Kuala Lumpur department at 03-2071 9999, the Kuala Lumpur department Hotline at 03-2026 0267/0269 or any nearby police station.” – Bernama Five foreigners held in murder probe JOHOR BAHRU: Police have arrested five foreign men to assist in an investigation into the murder of a man in Southkey here on March 14. Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the 32-year-old foreign victim was attacked with a sharp weapon at about 5am and was confirmed dead at the Sultan Ismail Hospital due to a stab wound to the neck. He said several suspects believed to be involved were detected trying to flee, including to Singapore. According to him, one suspect was arrested by Division D9, Criminal Investigation Division, South Johor Bahru district police headquarters while trying to pass through immigration checks to Singapore on Wednesday at 12.15am. “On Thursday at about 6pm, four suspects were arrested with the assistance of Singapore police.” Ab Rahaman said urine tests found that all suspects were negative for drugs and had no criminal records. He said the first suspect was remanded for seven days starting Wednesday while the other four were remanded for the same period starting yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code. – Bernama

Kuih raya business driven by taste and quality

PETALING JAYA: With ovens already working overtime, one baker has stopped taking orders early after demand for her kuih raya surged to 1,000 jars as customers return for their festive favourites every year. For Aida Athirah Omar, what started as a small attempt to offset slow cake sales during the fasting month has since grown into a thriving seasonal business, driven by consistency, quality and loyal customers. Aida Athirah, who is self-taught, said the idea to venture into kuih raya came about six years ago when she noticed that cake orders would typically decline during Ramadan. “Due to lower demand for cakes during the fasting month, we decided to try opening orders for kuih raya and it received a very encouraging response. From there, it continued to grow every year,” said the 28-year-old full-time baker. From producing just 100 jars in her early days, she now prepares up to 1,000 jars each festive season, a tenfold increase Among Aida’s best-selling items are Bangkit Cheese, Hazelnut Button Cookies, Cornflake Crunchy, Afghan Cookies, Biskut Arab and Biscoff Cookies, with customers often returning to re-order their favourites while adding new varieties each year. – PIC COURTESY OF AIDA ATHIRAH OMAR Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com o It makes me happy to know our product has become part of their festive celebrations: Baker

“We choose to stick to the quality of our ingredients. If there is a slight increase in price, we will inform our customers, especially our regulars. Most of them understand and are okay with it.” Her customer base includes families, corporate clients and online buyers, with many of her regular cake customers also placing orders for kuih raya during the festive season. “Word-of-mouth has played a significant role in expanding my business, with satisfied customers recommending my products to friends and family.” While she acknowledges that some customers have become more price-conscious this year, she said demand is resilient. “There are some who shift towards more affordable options, but they still order from us because they trust the taste and quality.” Looking ahead, she believes the demand for kuih raya will continue to be shaped by customer preferences, with traditional and modern flavours finding their place on festive tables. “Every year, we can see which types of biscuits are in demand based on customer orders. Over time, there is always an increase in different varieties and that shows how preferences continue to evolve.” For Aida, the long hours spent in the kitchen are ultimately worth it as her kuih raya becomes part of her customers’ Hari Raya celebrations, a reminder that beyond the numbers, it is tradition, taste and trust that keep them coming back.

that reflects growing demand and strong customer retention. Among her best-selling items are Bangkit Cheese, Hazelnut Button Cookies, Cornflake Crunchy, Afghan Cookies, Biskut Arab and Biscoff Cookies, with customers often returning to re-order their favourites while adding new varieties each year. “Usually, customers will try one or two types of biscuits, and the following year they will come back to re-order the same favourites while adding even more varieties to their list. “It is always nice to see familiar names returning each year and this pattern has really helped our orders grow steadily over time. It makes me happy to know that our kuih has become part of their Hari Raya celebrations.” To keep up with demand, she begins preparations a month before Ramadan, closing orders even before the first day of fasting. On average, she can produce between 40 and 60 jars a day if she focuses on a single type of kuih . Despite strong demand, Aida said supply shortages and rising ingredient costs remain key challenges, especially during the peak festive season. “Sometimes ingredients are out of stock, so we have to switch to alternative brands or look for supplies from multiple shops. It can be quite challenging, especially when demand is high.” To manage costs, she sources her baking ingredients during promotional periods at bakery supply stores, while maintaining her commitment to quality.

Bus stations flooded with balik kampung travellers KUALA LUMPUR: The excitement of welcoming the first day of Syawal was visible among travellers who flooded the main bus stations in the federal capital on Thursday night to return to their hometowns ahead of Aidilfitri. City dwellers expressed relief and gratitude for having managed to get return tickets, describing the express bus service as the best option following the extraordinary traffic congestion on the highways. The concourse of the Gombak Integrated Terminal here was packed with people, but the smoothness of the terminal management system and the provision of last-minute additional bus tickets ensured the movement of passengers to the departure platform remained orderly and under control. For bank employee Amir Asyraf, 28, who was returning to Tanah Merah, Kelantan for Raya by bus for the first time, his decision to choose public transport was to avoid the fatigue of driving through traffic congestion. “I do not want to drive because I want to avoid stress. And because I also want to experience returning home using public transport.” At Hentian Duta, a Bernama survey found the atmosphere was calm even though the terminal was the focus of city dwellers making last-minute trips, especially to destinations in the north of the country. Factory operator Salwa Hamzah, 49, has taken the express bus service Salwa, who purchased tickets in the first week of Ramadan, was grateful that the online purchase system made things easier for her without having to face the plight of tickets running out. “The ticket prices are still the same.” Private sector worker Iza Samsudin, 32, also took the safe approach by with her 14-year-old son to return home for Raya in Parit Buntar, Perak for the past three years.

choosing the express bus service to Jitra, Kedah. Although she has her own vehicle, she chose to leave it in the capital to avoid the risk of driving alone on a long journey. “I do not want to drive because I am going home alone. I am also worried that if I suddenly fall asleep in the middle of the road, there will be no one to help me take over the wheel, so I will just leave for the bus terminal after work.” – Bernama