Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia has freed a suspected Islamic terrorist who was detained for several years under a draconian security law for his alleged involvement in the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, a news report said Wednesday.

Yazid Sufaat, 44, had allegedly allowed his home to be used for meetings by members of radical terrorist group al-Qaeda in the planning of the US attacks, said Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan.

Authorities detained Yazid under the Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial, in January 2002, Musa was quoted as saying by the Star online news portal.

Yazid was released, along with a second Malaysian man, on November 24, said Musa.

Kuala Lumpur, Dec. 10 : Yoga has been declared "haram" in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, which is one of two on the island of Borneo.

Kuala Lumpur, Dec. 10 : The outlawed Hindraf and the Penans of Ulu Baram in Sarawak have jointly been awarded the Suaram's Human Rights Award 2008.

Kuala Lumpur, Dec. 9 : The North Western Malaysian state of Kedah has been approached to declare a holiday on the occasion of the Tamil festival of Thaipusam.

The chief Parti Keadilan Rakyat Lunas unit in Kedah, S. Neelamegan, described Thaipusam as an important festival for the Indian community, adding that it was the responsibility of the state government, now led by PAS, to consider the request made via a memorandum.

Kuala Lumpur  - A Malaysian woman allegedly slashed her husband to death after he abused her over 300 ringgit (87 dollars), reports said Monday.

The 44-year-old wife from the eastern Sabah state was preparing dinner Thursday evening when she was punched for refusing to give the money to her 44-year-old husband.

The suspect, believed to be a victim of constant domestic violence, grabbed a kitchen knife and slashed the man to death in the living room, the Star daily reported.

Kuala Lumpur, Dec 7 : College student Sonia Menon has won Miss Pesta Pulau Pinang 2008 title.

The 21-year-old was considered the most beautiful in a field of 17 other contestants.

Menon walked away with RM3,000, a crown, trophy, sash, Y-Elegance Massage Chair worth RM9,000, air ticket to Hong Kong and other prizes.

The first-time contestant also bagged two subsidiary titles – the Miss Best Catwalk Step and Miss Best Personality AP-Techpro.

"I am ecstatic after winning the contest on my maiden attempt at a beauty contest," the New Straits Times Online quoted her, as saying.