19/02/2025

WEDNESDAY | FEB 19, 2025

5

New Awas launched to nab speedsters

Police bust fake liquor syndicate

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Police busted a syndicate involved in producing counterfeit liquor, following raids on two factories in Taman Industri Jaya and Taman Industri JB Perdana, which led to a seizure valued at RM330,000. Johor police chief M. Kumarasan said the raids were conducted by the Nusa Bestari police station and the Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters on Feb 7 and 9. The syndicate, believed to have been operating for six months, targeted foreign buyers. “The factories were used to process counterfeit liquor. Investigations are ongoing to identify the masterminds,” Kumarasan said at the Iskandar Puteri police headquarters on Monday. He said the seized counterfeit liquor would be sent to a laboratory for analysis. In the first raid at Taman Industri Jaya, 122 boxes and 45 bottles of various liquor brands, nine barrels of liquid believed to be alcohol, and nine alcohol processing machines were seized, valued at RM317,640. Four Myanmar nationals, aged 21 to 43, who were workers at the factory, were arrested. The second raid at Taman Industri JB Perdana resulted in the seizure of RM12,350 worth of items, including 438 boxes of empty McDowell liquor bottles, five barrels of alcohol, and various packaging materials. Five Myanmar nationals, aged 22 to 39, were arrested. – Bernama Shooting suspect shot dead in Pulau Ketam SHAH ALAM: The suspect in last week’s shooting at a Setia Alam shopping mall was killed in a shootout with police at a hotel in Pulau Ketam, Klang, early yesterday morning. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the man in his 30s, was tracked down in a joint operation by the Bukit Aman and Selangor criminal investigation departments at around 3am. “A shootout occurred inside a hotel room, and the suspect was shot dead,” he said in a statement, adding that two loaded firearms were found in his possession during the raid. The suspect, who had nine criminal records, including one for a drug-related offence and seven for robbery, had been hiding at the hotel for the past two days, said Hussein. On Feb 8, a cleaner was shot in the leg by an unidentified individual at a shopping mall in Setia Alam. The suspect then fled by hijacking a vehicle and forcing the driver to help him escape. Police subsequently identified the suspect and launched a manhunt. - Bernama Woman held in fatal stabbing case KUALA LUMPUR: A domestic dispute is believed to have led a woman to fatally stab her husband in an incident outside an apartment in Kajang. In a statement, Kajang police chief ACP Naazron Abdul Yusof said on Monday police and a forensic team were despatched to the scene after receiving information from the public at 11.05am. Upon arrival, they confirmed that the 60-year-old victim had died at the scene. A knife, believed to be the weapon used, was seized along with other items for investigation. Naazron said the victim’s 59-year-old wife was arrested to assist in the investigation, and is being remanded for five days until Friday. The victim’s body was sent to the Serdang Hospital Forensic Department and a post-mortem conducted at 12.30pm revealed that the cause of death was multiple stab wounds. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: With about five weeks before the Hari Raya Aidilfitri balik kampung rush begins, motorists have been reminded that upgraded Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) cameras are being rolled out to monitor speedsters and reckless drivers. Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said motorists should start behaving themselves on the road and make it a good habit, or risk being faced with fines for dangerous driving. “The upgraded Awas system is a positive initiative aimed at enhancing road safety by ensuring consistent speed enforcement and promoting cautious driving. “Unlike traditional traffic cameras that capture speed at a single point, the new system measures the time taken to travel between two points. “It calculates a vehicle’s average speed over a designated distance between two camera locations and if it exceeds the limit, a violation is triggered. “This approach prevents drivers from slowing down only near cameras before speeding up again.” Announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke on Jan 6, the upgraded point-to-point system serves to correct serious loopholes that allowed traffic offenders to evade penalties, ultimately putting other road users at risk. “The new system’s wider enforcement net would be accompanied by heftier fines, with laws expected to be reviewed and amended this year to deter reckless driving,” he said. The system is being tested at high risk areas, including the Kuala Lumpur-Karak o Reckless motorists could face heftier fines due to upgraded system’s wider enforcement net, with laws expected to be reviewed to deter dangerous driving, says road safety expert Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

The upgraded Awas calculates a vehicle’s average speed over a designated distance between two camera locations and if it exceeds the limit, a violation is triggered. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

He faces two additional charges of receiving RM195 million in illegal proceeds from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, that were allegedly deposited into Bersatu’s account at CIMB Bank Menara KL between Feb 25 and July 16, 2021 and from Feb 8 to July 8, 2022. The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which is punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and a possible fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the illegal proceeds or RM5 million, whichever is higher. He also faces another charge of receiving RM5 million in illegal proceeds from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, which was allegedly deposited into Bersatu’s account at AmBank Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya. Despite its benefits, he acknowledged that the system could still present challenges due to the technical complexity of monitoring and processing data from multiple cameras, especially across long distances. Law said weather conditions such as heavy rain or fog could also affect the system’s accuracy, while some motorists may perceive it as an invasion of privacy or enforcement overreach. “Another concern is fairness and transparency in enforcement, especially in cases of errors or disputes. “To ensure everything is above board, the government should establish clear and consistent dispute handling processes, such as a dedicated support line for motorists. “There should also be regular audits of the system to ensure it functions accurately. Transparency in how violations are detected and evidence is gathered would help build public trust.” He advised motorists to consistently follow the speed limits as the point-to-point system is designed to encourage good driving habits, so the best way to avoid penalties is to drive safely and within the speed limit. Law said over time, the system would lead to more careful driving, which would reduce road crashes and save lives.

Expressway in Genting Sempah and the Menora Tunnel in Ipoh, before being rolled out nationwide. As of Monday, the Road Transport Department has installed 45 Awas cameras nationwide. Perak has the highest number, with 15 operating. Loke said the system is particularly useful for high risk areas such as highways, where consistent speed control is crucial to preventing crashes. In November last year, Transport Deputy Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said Malaysia recorded 532,125 road crashes from January to October, with 5,364 fatalities. Law said the upgraded Awas aims to reduce road crashes by discouraging dangerous behaviours. However, he stressed that its effectiveness depends on clear signage and higher public awareness. “Countries such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand have successfully implemented point-to-point enforcement. “The systems have been shown to reduce speeding and crashes in monitored zones due to proper implementation. “Malaysia can learn from them by implementing clear signages that alert drivers about enforcement zones and ensure transparent communication on how violations are handled.”

Muhyiddin corruption hearing to start on Sept 7 KUALA LUMPUR: The trial of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is facing abuse of power and money laundering charges, will commence on Sept 17 at the Sessions Court here. Wan Shaharuddin agreed to provide the formal witness statements two weeks before the trial, and the key witness statements three weeks in advance. the amount or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

The court allowed Muhyiddin’s application for the temporary release of his international passport until March 3 to attend a conference in Belgium. Muhyiddin, 77, in his capacity as then prime minister and Bersatu president, faces four charges of abusing his position to solicit RM232.5 million in bribes related to the Jana Wibawa project from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, as well as Datuk Azman Yusoff, for the benefit of his party. He was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times

Judge Azura Alwi set the trial dates for Sept 17 to 19, Oct 6 to 8, Nov 26 to 27 and Jan 13 to 15 next year. Additionally, case management has been scheduled for May 14 this year. In yesterday’s proceedings, DPP Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin informed the court that the prosecution intends to call 30 witnesses during the trial. Among them is Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Bernama reported. Muhyiddin’s counsel Chetan Jethwani requested that the prosecution provide the defence with key witness statements before the trial begins.