26/03/2025

WEDNESDAY | MAR 26, 2025 5 RTD to boost traffic patrols for Hari Raya SEREMBAN: The Negeri Sembilan Road Transport Department (RTD) will step up patrols and enforcement at seven congestion and collision hotspots across the state until April 8 as part of Op Hari Raya. Its director Hanif Yusabra Yusuf said: “Enforcement teams will patrol the routes to enhance monitoring and reinforce the perception of being (watched). “The presence of enforcement officers encourages motorists to be more cautious and comply with traffic regulations.” He added that the number of patrol teams per shift would be increased to raise awareness among drivers, promote responsible driving and reduce crashes. The department will also deploy covert enforcement teams to monitor and record traffic violations, with undercover officers posing as bus passengers to identify drivers who fail to comply with regulations. “This approach serves to remind motorists that they are constantly being monitored and will face action if they commit traffic offences,”he said, adding that 210 enforcement personnel have been assigned to the operation. He urged road users to drive cautiously and responsibly to ensure their safety and that of others, especially with an expected increase in traffic during the festive period. “Motorists should ensure their driving licence and vehicle registration documents are valid. Proper trip planning is essential for a safe and smooth journey.” – Bernama Housewife, retiree duped in phone scam SEREMBAN: A housewife and a government retiree suffered a total loss of about RM349,000 after being duped by scammers posing as police officers. Nilai police chief Supt Abdul Malik Hasim said the 54-year-old woman lost about RM186,000 while the 66-year-old pensioner lost RM163,000. He said the victims lodged separate police reports at the Nilai police station on Monday. He also said according to their reports, they received a call from someone using an unknown number claiming to be a police officer, who told them that they were suspects in a money laundering and drug trafficking case. Abdul Malik added that the victims were told that arrest warrants had been issued in their names and they were instructed to make online money transfers into the given bank accounts. He said the victims did as instructed, making nine transactions into eight different bank accounts, adding that police have opened an investigation paper under Section 420 of the Penal Code. – Bernama Man electrocuted in alleged cable theft bid IPOH: A 38-year-old man died after being electrocuted, allegedly while trying to steal a cable belonging to Tenaga Nasional Berhad, at Taman Silibin Ria on the Ipoh-Lumut highway on Monday. Ipoh police chief ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said:“A video shows the deceased and another individual cutting the cable when it exploded, causing both to faint. The other individual got up and fled on a motorcycle. The case has been classified as sudden death.” He said an initial investigation by police found that the deceased had 10 records related to violent and property crimes. He urged those with information to contact Ipoh district police headquarters Criminal Investigation Department investigator Sgt Liyana Zulaikah Ibrahim at 019-776 5184 or Sgt M.T. Michael Jevadas of the Taman Rishah police station at 016-532 5208 to assist in the investigation. – Bernama

Police seize RM106m fireworks in three months

o Demand particularly high during festive seasons due to difficulty obtaining such products in local market: IGP

legal types. Syndicates use intermediaries, including foreign nationals and frequent travellers, as mules to smuggle small quantities frequently to minimise detection, collecting them at designated locations. Razarudin added that syndicates are leveraging social media, e-commerce platforms and instant messaging apps to sell fireworks via online transactions with postal or in-person deliveries. He said these tactics indicate a well-organised smuggling network, emphasising that strict border surveillance, cyber intelligence and community cooperation is required to address the illegal trade. He also said two fireworks related injury cases have been reported, involving children aged seven and 13 in Kedah and Kelantan. He urged the public to opt for safer alternatives, such as light shows, traditional games or family gatherings, stressing that playing with fireworks poses serious risks and is illegal under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957, Bernama reported. “Parents play a crucial role in supervising their children and educating them about the dangers of fireworks,” he said, adding that continuous awareness campaigns should be conducted in schools, mosques and on social media.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police seized various fireworks worth over RM106 million during the first quarter of the year, involving 60 cases and 68 arrests. IGP Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said as of March 23, the largest seizure worth RM48,522,220 was recorded at duty-free zones and areas under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023, involving five cases. “This was followed by the General Operations Force with RM31,748,936 from 32 cases, the Marine Police Force with RM24,665,846 from 20 cases and the Federal Reserve Unit with RM1,146,879 from three cases.” He said among the smuggled fireworks were Happy Boom Cake, Happy Boom Cracker, Happy Boom Assorted Celebration Red Fire Cracker, Happy Boom Assorted Celebration Red Fire Cracker Repeater and Happy Boom Shoot Cake. He noted that demand for these fireworks is particularly high during festive seasons due to difficulty obtaining them in the

local market. Razarudin said syndicates employ numerous tactics to evade detection by authorities, such as using illegal border crossings between Thailand and Malaysia, particularly in Padang Besar and Bukit Kayu Hitam, and concealing the fireworks among other goods in cargo trucks and express buses. He added that some syndicates smuggled the contraband using small boats or cargo ships, concealing them inside shipping containers alongside imported goods. “Information suggests that fireworks are brought in by sea using container ships and arrive at official ports in Sarawak. These containers come with legitimate Customs documents listing approved fireworks for sale but they also contain prohibited ones.” He explained that fireworks are also smuggled through ports and transported by truck to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia in large quantities to meet demand. He said some licensed sellers, who obtain permits from district police chiefs for storage and sale, sell banned fireworks alongside the

Customs officers in Penang showing some of the seized fireworks during a press conference yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Three arrested over illegal logging KOTA BHARU: Three men were arrested for suspected illegal logging involving nearly RM1 million in timber during a raid under Op Bersepadu Khazanah at the Sungai Sam archway in Paloh, Gua Musang on Sunday. Southeast Brigade General Operations Force (GOF) Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Ab Rahman said the suspects, aged between 28 and 52, were gathering processed forest products at the time. local market. The case is being investigated under Section 3(2) of the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985. Wood-processing machinery was also seized during the operation.” GOF also seized similar items during an inspection at a sawmill in Kampung Lela Jasa, Kuala Krai at 10pm on Sunday. Nik Ros Azhan said the sawmill was operating without a licence from the Forestry Department.

Additionally, GOF foiled an attempt to smuggle liquor at an illegal Nibong jetty in Kuala Jambu, Tumpat at 2.30pm on Monday after patrol officers discovered several liquor boxes on the riverbank. The boxes contained 119 bottles of Hong Thong and Chang liquor, valued at RM2,380 and believed to have been smuggled from Thailand. “The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967,” he said. He added that GOF would continue intensifying efforts to address smuggling and illegal logging to prevent the exploitation of forests. – Bernama

“A 52-year-old man believed to be the caretaker of the sawmill was arrested. The seized items are estimated to be worth RM500,000,” he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 3(2) of the same Enactment.

The 4pm operation led to the discovery of more than 500 logs and cut timber for which the men failed to produce a valid permit or licence from the Forestry Department. “They are believed to be couriers, transporting illegal forest products for sale in the