28/03/2025

FRIDAY | MAR 28, 2025

5 Dept boosting enforcement for Raya celebrations

RM19m losses from online purchase fraud KUALA LUMPUR: Online purchase fraud cases from Jan 1 to March 24 have risen by 36.9% compared with the same period last year, with 2,328 cases recorded and losses exceeding RM19 million. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Rohaimi Md Isa said during the same period last year, 1,700 cases were reported, resulting in losses of RM13.66 million. “As the festive season approaches, online shopping will be a popular choice for many consumers. Police urge the public to remain vigilant when making purchases.” The public is advised to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true and conduct transactions only through secure and reputable e-commerce platforms. He emphasised the importance of checking reviews from other buyers and verifying seller account numbers and phone numbers through the Semak Mule portal semakmule.rmp.gov.my before making payments. Rohaimi said his team has identified an online fraud syndicate that used the e-commerce platform poster “Ramadan Bersama Shopee” to deceive buyers. He explained that the syndicate manipulated the poster by inserting an individual’s phone number as a contest winner. “The individual was then contacted by the syndicate and instructed to activate ‘shopeepaylater’ to claim the so-called prize before being asked to scan a QR code. “After scanning the QR code, the individual discovered that money had been deducted from their bank account. A police report has been lodged in Selangor, involving a loss of RM3,006.03, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.” – Bernama No engine fire on flight: AirAsia SHAH ALAM: AirAsia has confirmed that there was no engine fire on Flight AK128 from Kuala Lumpur to Shenzhen, contrary to some media reports. The issue was traced to a damaged duct that caused hot air to be released, prompting the aircraft to make a precautionary return to KL International Airport Terminal 2. The aircraft is expected to be back in service by March 31. The flight, carrying 171 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at 12.06am on March 27 and passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft that departed at 3:46am and arrived in Shenzhen at 7:51am. Deputy Group CEO (Airline Operations) Datuk Captain Chester Voo said AirAsia pilots and crew followed strict safety protocols, ensuring a smooth and incident-free landing. He thanked Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad and emergency responders for their swift response, reaffirming that passenger safety remains the airline’s top priority. – Bernama

o Director says teams to be deployed at Petronas Twin Towers, Bukit Bintang, Kotaraya, Jalan Silang and Jalan Masjid India

“My advice to foreign workers is to always carry valid travel documents to avoid legal complications.” He acknowledged the positive role of foreign visitors as their presence contributes to Malaysia’s tourism sector. To bolster security, the department is joining forces with other law enforcement agencies under the KL Strike Force initiative. This collaborative approach aims to prevent unlawful activities and ensure a safe environment. Earlier, Wan Mohammed Saupee and his team hosted an iftar gathering with media representatives, underscoring the department’s commitment to transparency and cooperation with the press. The department has been cracking down on illegal

Father drowns in bid to rescue son SHAH ALAM: A 40-year-old man drowned while attempting to save his 11-year-old son from a river in Kampung Bukit Jati, Klang while they were fishing. Selangor Fire and Rescue Department operations assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said they were alerted to the incident at 7.42pm on Wednesday. “The victim jumped into the river to rescue his son after he fell in.” Bystanders pulled the child from the water and rushed him to the hospital while rescue teams found the father’s body at 9pm, three metres from where the son had fallen. Firefighters from the South Klang Fire and Rescue station recovered the body with the help of six personnel. – Bernama measures in place, Malaysians can look forward to a festive season celebrated in a safe and orderly environment while visitors can enjoy the vibrant cultural experience that Kuala Lumpur has to offer. immigration this year. As of March, authorities have apprehended 1,099 illegal immigrants and issued over RM2.8 million in compounds for immigration offences. In a series of high-profile operations, 176 illegal immigrants were detained in Bukit Bintang in January, followed by the arrest of 124 individuals in Chow Kit during a February raid. Of those detained, the largest group comprised 71 individuals from Bangladesh, followed by 60 from Myanmar, 24 from Indonesia, 16 from Nepal, three from Pakistan, and one each from Egypt and Sudan. The cases are being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, which pertain to the offences of lacking valid travel documents and overstaying in the country. Following their arrests, the individuals were transported to the Kuala Lumpur Immigration headquarters for processing and further action. The recent enforcement operation was conducted with the participation of 61 officers from the department and supported by 30 personnel from Kuala Lumpur City Hall. The department has pledged to remain vigilant throughout the festive season, reinforcing its commitment to upholding Malaysia’s immigration laws and safeguarding public order. Authorities urged foreigners residing in or visiting Kuala Lumpur to ensure they comply with immigration regulations to avoid legal repercussions. With heightened security

█ BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

the Kotaraya shopping area, the transit hub of Jalan Silang and the culturally rich Jalan Masjid India. “We want to ensure Malaysians feel comfortable and safe while celebrating in the city during this festive period.” With a significant surge in foreign visitors expected during the celebrations, the department is reinforcing its vigilance to maintain order. “They (foreigners) are taking this opportunity to explore tourist attractions and reunite with friends over the holidays,” he said.

PETALING JAYA: The Immigration Department is ramping up its enforcement efforts in Kuala Lumpur’s busiest districts to enhance public safety during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. Kuala Lumpur Immigration director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff announced that enforcement teams would be strategically deployed at tourist hotspots, namely the Petronas Twin Towers, the streets of Bukit Bintang,

The department has advised foreign workers to always carry valid travel documents in public to avoid legal complications. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Man gets 30 years for murdering wife KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court yesterday sentenced a former contractor to prison after finding him guilty of murdering his wife by smothering her with a blanket at their home four years ago. Chuah was accused of murdering Lau Bee Hong, 46, at a condominium unit in Jalan Genting Klang, Setapak between 2.30am and 9.30am on May 9, 2021. the court to consider that he was unable to attend his second child’s funeral as he was in prison.

“With the minimum sentence, he promises to make the most of his second chance.” DPP Zaileen Nadia Zubir argued for the maximum penalty, highlighting that as a husband and head of the family, the accused had a duty to protect, not harm, his wife. “The evidence presented in court does not suggest any element of a fight or provocation. This was not a crime of passion. It was a premeditated crime committed with intent. “There is clear evidence that the victim had filed a police report expressing fear for her safety and this should not be ignored in determining the sentence.” – Bernama

The charge was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or between 30 and 40 years’ jail. If not sentenced to death, the law mandates at least 12 strokes of the cane. Defence counsel Carmen Eu, who represented the father of three, pleaded for the minimum 30-year jail term without caning on the grounds of his age and the mental distress he experienced following the loss of his wife and son within a short period. “The accused was a loving and devoted husband, and his actions were a spontaneous assault rather than a premeditated act. I also urge

Judge K. Muniandy ruled that Chuah Chin Hoe, 51, failed to raise any reasonable doubt in his defence, ordering his sentence to commence from the date of his arrest on May 11, 2021. “After thorough consideration of the submission by the accused’s counsel, the aggravating factors presented by the DPP, the victim impact statements from both of the deceased’s family members, proportionate to the commission of the crime and the facts and circumstances of the case, this court sentences the accused to 30 years’ imprisonment.”