27/03/2025

THURSDAY | MAR 27, 2025

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Torpedo-shaped object on beach sparks jitters

Customs Dept seizes RM12m illegal cigarettes KUCHING: The Sarawak Customs Department has foiled a smuggling attempt involving various brands of cigarettes worth over RM12.6 million at an unnamed premises along Jalan Semaba. Its director Norizan Yahya said authorities arrested a 44-year-old local man during the raid at 9.30am on Feb 12. “An inspection of the premises uncovered 16,656,000 kretek cigarettes. The estimated value of the seized cigarettes is RM1,499,040 while the total duty and tax involved is about RM11,142,864. A lorry with an estimated value of RM80,000, believed to have been used for transporting the contraband, was also seized.” He added that the premises, located in a remote area, is believed to have been used as a storage facility for smuggled goods before distribution to the local market. He said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which carries a fine of between RM100,000 and RM500,000, six months to five years’ jail, or both upon conviction. “The public is urged to assist the department in addressing smuggling activities, particularly involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs and vehicles. They are also cautioned against participating in such illegal activities. “Smuggling not only results in revenue losses for the country but also poses a threat to national security and public well-being.” The public can report smuggling activities by contacting the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or any Customs office. The department emphasised that informant identities will be kept strictly confidential. – Bernama Nurse loses savings to phone scam syndicate KUANTAN: A nurse has suffered a loss of RM144,000 after being duped by a phone scam syndicate. Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the 39-year-old woman claimed to have received a call from an individual posing as a police officer on Jan 18. He said the individual informed the victim that she was involved in money laundering activities but she denied the allegations. “The individual instructed her to file a police report to admit to the crime and threatened that she would be arrested. She was also ordered to transfer money to facilitate the investigation. “The victim made money transfers from her savings account and personal loan account into three given accounts.” She became suspicious when the money was not returned and believing she had been scammed, lodged a report at the Kuantan district police headquarters on Tuesday. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. – Bernama

o Device revealed as marine research equipment amid concerns over connection to undersea military operations

on the internet, HY-119 refers to a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system,” Bicol regional police director Brig-Gen Andre Dizon told local Philippine media. “This object is equipped with an antenna and lens that functions for visual capture. “Based on the information, it is likely used for monitoring and reconnaissance.” Several AUV discoveries were also recorded in Indonesia in January, March and December 2020 and January 2021, which were reported to resemble the design of the Sea Wing model used for seabed mapping and bore faded Chinese characters. Local media in Indonesia and the Philippines reported concerns about the potential use of AUV for military purposes, including seabed mapping and data collection for military intelligence gathering, Bernama reported. were allegedly present during the incident, are accused of failing to intervene or prevent Raja Noor Iffa Nadia from abusing and injuring Ahmad Aysar Wildan, who was only four months old at the time. Mohd Hazwan said Salawati is accused of negligence for failing to ensure all caregivers adhered to professional standards and performed their duties competently, holding her vicariously liable for the actions of her employees. The plaintiff is seeking RM250,000 in aggravated, exemplary and special damages to be assessed by the court, as well as legal costs and interest to be borne by the defendants. The incident, which occurred between Jan 1 and 3, 2023, left the only child of two medical officers with brain hemorrhaging, a skull fracture and retinal hemorrhages in both eyes. The victim’s father Ahmad Syamil Hadi said his son has been registered as a person with disabilities under the multiple disability category with the Social Welfare Department. He explained that the suit was filed after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings against the defendants. “My son requires weekly physiotherapy. His right hand and leg are no longer functioning normally. His development is delayed.”

disposal unit at the location revealed that the 70kg object with lots of wiring was not a bomb and tests cleared it of dangerous radioactive material. “It is a marine research device estimated to be worth about RM1 million,” he said, adding that police are tracking down the owner of the object. Mohd Fadzil said whether it was deliberately brought in to collect data or washed in by waves is difficult to ascertain, but with the abundance of similar finds in several neighbouring countries, it suggests that there is well-founded concern. On Dec 30 last year, a fisherman in the waters off San Pascual, Masbate in the Philippines found a similar object about 2m long with the markings “HY-119” and “HY-L0119”. The object is believed to be a Chinese ocean glider UUV

KUALA

TERENGGANU:

that has been developed since the mid-2000s, and has become a trend for easier data collection. “In the past, we had to get on a boat and go down to the sea to collect data but with an AUV, we can control them remotely. “There is only one big thing that is a concern in the world of oceanographic science, namely the use of this device to enter the waters of other countries. Most of the devices found before came from various countries.”

An

oceanography from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu said the recent discovery of a torpedo-shaped metallic object on Seberang Takir Beach in Kuala Nerus has drawn questions on its purpose and raised concerns on the possibility of it being a bomb. University vice-chancellor (Strategy, Performance and Corporate) Prof Dr Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir said torpedo-shaped marine research devices are used for oceanographic research and commonly known as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV). They are also known as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) or undersea drones, and normally used for marine research and military purposes. “AUV is a widely used technology expert

He confirmed that the object found by the public at the beach does not belong to the university. On Sunday, Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said police were alerted to the discovery of the 2.7m object at 7.30am. He said an inspection by a bomb Father sues childcare centre over critical injuries to son belonging to a foreign country and was handed to the Philippine National Police and Philippine Navy for action. “Based on open source research Seabed mapping is said to be carried out by the military using AUV to identify routes used by submarines.

KUALA TERENGGANU: The father of a three-year-old boy who was abused at a registered childcare centre in Batu Buruk and left in a coma two years ago has filed a RM1.2 million lawsuit against the babysitters and owner of the centre. Lawyer Mohd Hazwan Hamidun said the lawsuit was filed at the High

According to the statement of claim, Raja Noor Iffa Nadia, named as the first defendant, is the primary perpetrator of the abuse. She pleaded guilty before the Sessions Court on Dec 16 last year under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and was fined RM15,000, Bernama reported. Nur Azreen and Nuurakmal, who

Court on Tuesday on behalf of Ahmad Aysar Wildan Ahmad Syamil Hadi by his father. He said the civil suit names Raja Noor Iffa Nadia Raja Nordin, 29, Nur Azreen Nazira Mohamad, 24, Nuurakmal Syahirah Abdullah, 35, and centre owner Salawati Sidek, 51, as defendants.

FURRY FRIENDS ... A visitor at Bukit Malawati in Kuala Selangor feeding calm and friendly silvered leaf monkeys. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Trader cheated in online job fraud scheme JOHOR BAHRU: A local trader has lost more than RM120,000 after falling victim to an online job scam. Seri Alam police chief ACP Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said the 38-year-old man came across a job advertisement on Jan 24. “He was promised high commissions for each completed sale and proceeded to make 11 transactions, totalling RM120,800, into five bank accounts between Feb 3 and 28. “He was asked to make additional payments to withdraw the supposed profits and close the

related to investment fraud and part-time job scams. “If you have fallen victim to a scam, immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 to initiate action to block the accounts involved and prevent further financial losses.” – Bernama

account. However, when he failed to retrieve his money, he realised he had been scammed.” Mohd Sohaimi said initial investigations using the Semak Mule portal semakmule.rmp.gov.my revealed that the bank accounts involved have 22 police reports