19/03/2025

WEDNESDAY | MAR 19, 2025 5 MAHB tightens wildlife smuggling checks KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing wildlife smuggling at the KL International Airport (KLIA) through tighter security measures and closer cooperation with enforcement agencies. As the operator of KLIA, MAHB said its aviation security team remains focused on preventing illegal activities that could threaten passenger safety and air transport. “While our baggage handling system is designed to prioritise critical security concerns, MAHB remains committed to combatting wildlife smuggling through close collaboration with all relevant authorities,” it said in a statement. MAHB has also contributed resources to boost detection capabilities. In June 2024, it donated two Belgian Malinois K9 detection dogs to the Wildlife and National Parks Department, trained to detect the presence of endangered species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, including elephant ivory, rhinoceros horn, pangolin scales, snakes and turtles. Recent seizures include five endangered Asian Koel birds worth RM65,000 at klia2 and 4,386 endangered pig-nosed turtles concealed in seven suitcases bound for Hanoi. – Bernama RM14.5 million worth of e-waste seized KUCHING: The Sarawak General Operations Force brigade seized over RM14.5 million worth of electronic waste in three raids across the city during Op Hazard Sarawak on Monday. Its commander SAC Che Ghazali Che Awang said the raids, conducted between 10am and 4pm, were carried out in collaboration with the Sarawak Department of Environment and local authorities. He added that nine individuals, including a local woman and a foreign man aged between 26 and 55, were arrested in connection with the case. “Further inspections uncovered 525.45 tonnes of unprocessed e-waste components valued at RM14,695,500, along with three heavy vehicles worth RM2.4 million, five machines and various types of equipment worth RM3 million and other items worth RM1.5 million,” he said in a statement yesterday. All confiscated items have been handed to the department and authorities for further investigation under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulations 2005 and the Padawan Municipal Council by-laws. – Bernama IPOH: A man and his son were burned to death after the sand-laden trailer they were travelling in crashed into the rear of a trailer carrying cotton bales and burst into flames at Km331.8 of the North-South Expressway (northbound) yesterday. Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the operations centre received an emergency call about the accident at 7.46am. He said a team of officers and personnel from the Bidor Fire and Rescue station was despatched to the scene and arrived at 7.57am. “The operations commander reported that the incident involved a sand-laden trailer, which crashed into the rear of a cotton-loaded trailer. “The male driver of the sand-laden trailer, believed to be in his 40s, was found trapped inside the burnt-out vehicle. “Another victim, the driver’s son, in his 20s, was also found burned to death, and the bodies were removed by the rescue team,” he said. – Bernama Father, son die in fiery trailer crash

Ismail Sabri called to MACC again to provide statement

PUTRAJAYA: The recording of former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s statement at the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters over allegations of corruption and money laundering will be held today. According to MACC sources, Ismail Sabri was unable to attend yesterday’s statement recording session. Media representatives had begun gathering outside the MACC headquarters as early as 9am yesterday to follow developments as Ismail Sabri was expected to provide his statement for a fifth time. o Former PM summoned to commission HQ for fifth time after failing to attend session yesterday

This information received, with many more matters to be presented to Ismail Sabri. Azam also said the investigation is being conducted in relation to corruption, abuse of power and money laundering. According to him, the investigation is not only based on the original file related to the Keluarga Malaysia issue but also on new information and MACC intelligence, Bernama reported. The case is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009 and the Prevention of Money Laundering, Prevention of Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. On March 3, Azam was reported to have said Ismail Sabri is a suspect in the investigation into the corruption and money laundering case. This followed the discovery of about RM170 million in cash in various currencies and 16kg of gold bars in a safe house during an MACC raid. followed new

The MACC investigation into Ismail Sabri began on Dec 11, 2024, when he was ordered to declare his assets. He officially submitted his declaration on Feb 10 and subsequently appeared at the MACC headquarters to give provide a statement on Feb 19. Since then, he has been summoned several times to assist in the ongoing investigation. Over the past week, he was present for five hours on March 13, almost six hours the next day and seven hours on Monday. The investigation focuses on the expenditure and acquisition of funds for the promotion and publicity of the Keluarga Malaysia programme during Ismail Sabri’s tenure as prime minister from August 2021 to November 2022. On Monday, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki was reported to have said several new files had been opened in relation to the investigation.

M’sian rescued from Myanmar scam centre arrested KUALA LUMPUR: One of the 25 Malaysians rescued from a job scam syndicate in Myanmar on March 12 was arrested after police investigations revealed he had played a role in recruiting locals. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation are recruiters, facilitators or scam workers who have been to the location, before asking to be rescued,”he told a press conference at Bukit Aman on Monday. Meanwhile, 489 police reports have been received from Jan 1, 2021 to March 13, involving 637 individuals – 517 men and 120 women – aged between 22 and 39, who fell victim to overseas job scams, including in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. Of the total, 504 individuals were rescued, while 133 remain stranded abroad. HUGE HAUL ... North Seberang Perai narcotics crime investigation department investigating officer Insp Nurul Syahirah Muhamad Nor and Insp Safwan Hasim displaying slabs of ganja and a firearm seized in two raids during a press conference yesterday in Kepala Batas, Penang. – BERNAMAPIC

He said the man would be remanded for seven days for further investigations and police have opened five investigation papers under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007, involving contingents from Kuala Lumpur and Johor. The other rescued Malaysians are still under investigation, while genuine victims have been granted an interim protection order for 21 days. On March 12, 25 Malaysians who were victims of a job scam syndicate were repatriated via Mae Sot, Tak province in northern Thailand after being handed over by Myanmar authorities to the Malaysian embassy through Thai authorities.

Department (Intelligence/Operations) deputy director Datuk Fadil Marsus said the 20-year-old man was detained after police conducted screening and interrogation of all the victims who were brought back by bus from Tak Province, Thailand. “We keep rescuing them but not all of them are victims. Out of the 25, only six individuals are genuine victims. “These victims will be given an interim protection order and during the investigation period, we will ensure their safety. Meanwhile, the others are not genuine victims. So, it is likely they

“Investigations found that 83% of the victims had an educational background up to the Malaysian Certificate of Education level, and the primary medium through which job offers were received was social media platforms such as Facebook, Telegram and WeChat, followed by invitations from friends or family. “A study by police also found that not all individuals rescued from human trafficking syndicates meet the definition of victims under the Atipsom Act,”he said. – Bernama