03/09/2024

TUESDAY | SEP 3, 2024

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Illegal foreign security guards pose national security risk

Family of sinkhole victim returns to India KUALA LUMPUR: The family of the victim in the Jalan Masjid India sinkhole incident left for India on Sunday night after the search and rescue (SAR) operation was called off and transitioned to the search and recovery phase last Saturday. Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman confirmed that the victim’s husband and son departed via KL International Airport. “Yes, they left on Sunday night,” he said when contacted yesterday. Media reports indicated that the victim’s husband and son were seen performing a Hindu religious ceremony at the site of the incident on Sunday, lighting oil lamps and ringing bells. Throughout the SAR operation, the victim’s family, especially her son, M. Suria, 25, was regularly seen at the SAR tent, seeking updates on the search for his mother from the rescue team. Earlier, Bernama reported that the Immigration Department had extended the visas of four members of the victim’s family – the husband, son, and two relatives – while Kuala Lumpur City Hall provided assistance to the family during the search operation. – Bernama “I intend to bring this matter to the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday,” she said after attending the closing ceremony and awards presentation of the 2024 Royal Floria Putrajaya. – Bernama Sinkhole repairs to take up to six months: Mayor KUALA LUMPUR: The recovery and reconstruction of the area affected by the sinkhole incident in Jalan Masjid India are expected to take between three to six months, according to Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif. She said the recovery and reconstruction work will cover approximately 200m, stretching from Wisma Yakin to the police post in Jalan Masjid India. The area has been cordoned off with barriers to facilitate repairs and allow detailed investigations into the underground utility systems by relevant agencies. “Inspecting the underground utility systems will take time and involve agencies such as Indah Water Konsortium and Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) to check for any pipe leaks. Additionally, we will collaborate with telecommunications companies to inspect cables, as there are cables from these companies in the underground sections. The Minerals and Geoscience Department will provide detailed technical reports and information on soil stability around the incident site,” she said. Maimunah also mentioned that a special committee formed on Aug 25 is scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss the next steps. She gave an assurance that traders in the area could continue their business as usual, but advised the public to avoid crossing the police yellow tape and to use only the designated pedestrian paths during the recovery process. On Saturday, it was reported that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced that the search and rescue (SAR) operation for Indian national G. Vijaya Lakshmi, 48, who fell into the sinkhole, had been called off after nine days of searching. The operation has now transitioned to a search and recovery phase. Meanwhile, police will continue to monitor and patrol the sinkhole area periodically following the transition from SAR to the recovery phase. Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said this measure is to ensure public safety in the vicinity. “I believe Kuala Lumpur City Hall is better suited to issue statements on restoration efforts, while the police will focus on public safety, monitoring and periodic patrols,”he said when contacted. On Sunday, Zaliha announced that a proposal to compensate the family of Vijaya Lakshmi would be discussed at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow.

o Only Nepalis and Malaysians allowed, industry leaders call for immediate crackdown on rogue agencies

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: About 50,000 foreigners are working illegally in Malaysia as security guards despite a Home Ministry circular allowing only Nepali nationals and Malaysians to be employed as such, said Malaysia Security Industry Association president Datuk Mohammad Ubaidillah Iman. “Due to the growing numbers of illegally employed security guards, my association has raised the matter with the police, Immigration and Home Ministry officials, but action has been slow and lacks any impact. “If foreign security guards are not vetted to ensure they are only Nepali nationals, as per Home Ministry requirements, there can be dire consequences for the safety of homes and buildings in Malaysia,” he said. Lawyer Kokila Vaani Vadiveloo also confirmed that the ministry only allows Malaysian and Nepali nationals to work as security guards in the country, according to Section 3(4) of the Private Agencies Act 1971 (No. 27/71) (Security Control Services) as enforced by the ministry. “In 2010, due to some agencies hiring security guards illegally and failing to meet operational conditions, the government issued Circular No. 4 2010 for Private Agencies. It clearly states that only Nepali nationals who are retired soldiers are permitted to work as security guards. “Additionally, individuals or companies that illegally employ other nationals and illegal immigrants as security guards can be charged under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155). They can face imprisonment of up to 12 months and be fined not less than RM10,000 but not more than RM50,000 (for each offence).” She said employing more than five illegal workers will result in imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than five years, and may include up to six strokes of the cane. Mohammad Ubaidillah said as the number of former soldiers decreased, the ministry opened employment as security guards to other Nepali nationals instead of just confining such employment to retired soldiers. He said as of August this year, about 200,000 security guards have been registered with the ministry, namely

Mohammad Ubaidillah said the growth of illegal security companies remains unchecked by authorities and has compromised the quality of security services. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

138,431 locals and 58,760 Nepali nationals. “The problem with illegally employed security guards is that we cannot identify them since they have not undergone proper screening. If you see anyone other than Nepali nationals working in the profession, then they are illegal and unauthorised.” Mohammad Ubaidillah said the growth of illegal security companies remains unchecked by authorities and this has compromised the quality of security services, apart from threatening the stability and credibility of the entire industry. “The illegal security companies pose a risk to society, especially if the foreign guards they employ have criminal records in their home countries. If any incidents occur involving these guards while they are on duty, it becomes almost impossible to file a report or take appropriate action against them.” Malaysian United Security Guard Association president Mohd Nizam Hamzah said employers claim difficulties in obtaining locals to work as security guards,

longer appreciated as it once was and traditional arts such as pencak silat are now merely viewed as sports for the SEA Games and other international competitions. “We forget there are powerful artistic values that should be instilled early in our children’s lives. Certainly, there are many other artistic aspects that have gradually eroded because the leading figures of arts are no longer seen as icons by society,” he added. – Bernama but this is mainly due to the low wages being offered, “There is also a lack of coordination in the hiring process and poor security screening, as the illegal security companies are driven solely by profit. They are also willing to break the law and disregard government regulations.” Mohd Nizam said while strict regulations have been established to hire foreign security guards, they are not effectively enforced and this causes illegal activities to thrive, undermining the integrity of the industry. He said without robust enforcement, the regulations will remain largely ineffective and leave the security industry vulnerable to exploitation and non-compliance. “Our national security could also be jeopardised if spies work among the illegal security guards. They could gather and relay sensitive information about the country or other matters so we hope immediate action will be taken against these rogue security companies without further delay.”

Integrating art, technology crucial to nurturing Gen Z talent BAGAN DATUK: Nurturing artistic talent, especially among Generation Z, must involve the integration of both art and technology, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. especially for the upcoming generations, they must never forget or abandon the artistic elements that serve not only as a remedy but also as a ‘balm for the soul.’ In addition to our faith and devotion to Allah SWT, we must also consider the balance between worldly and spiritual matters,” he said at the Bagan Datuk Tourism Complex on Sunday. He emphasised that this approach is essential to prevent the arts from being perceived as outdated by the younger generation. “No matter what new technologies emerge, Ahmad Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, noted that poetry is no