Baharu = new
Baru = recent

I think it was there, people are starting to use it since DBP wants 'correct Malay'.

It's sad to see, as a former SPM student, news channels and Malay newspapers using incorrect grammar, like 'ia' which cannot be used to refer inanimate objects, 'di kalangan' ( should be dalam kalangan ), para remaja-remaja ( should be para remaja ) , and many other inconsistencies.

So what's the point asking students to memorise 'proper tatabahasa rules' if the media aren't using it correctly?