05/04/2025

SATURDAY | APR 5, 2025

5

Call for stricter measures to curb double-parking bane

Director loses RM5.5m in forex scam

SHAH ALAM: A company director suffered RM5.5 million in losses after falling prey to a foreign currency exchange (forex) scam. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the victim was acquainted with the suspect, who is from Sarawak. He had previously conducted several small currency exchanges, converting Malaysian ringgit to Vietnamese dong for salary payments and business operations in Vietnam. “In late March 2025, the victim conducted a large-scale currency exchange for RM6.5 million. However, to date, he has only received RM900,000 worth of Vietnamese dong,” Hussien told Bernama. “He was instructed to make 15 transfers to seven different bank accounts, totaling RM6.5 million. The scam became apparent when the suspect avoided paying the balance,” he said in a statement. The public is advised to exercise caution when dealing with foreign currency exchanges, and to only transact with entities registered with Bank Negara Malaysia. Lorry driver injured in panther attack SEREMBAN: A lorry driver in his 50s was injured yesterday in a panther attack while relieving himself along Jalan Bukit Tangga-Seremban in Jelebu. Negeri Sembilan Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department director Faizal Izham Pikri confirmed receiving reports of the incident, including a video, at 6.15pm. “The victim was attacked on the head by a panther, which emerged from a nearby forest before fleeing into the woods. He was quickly taken to Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital for treatment,” he said in a statement. Faizal also urged road users to remain vigilant when travelling along known wildlife corridors, and to contact authorities immediately if they encounter wild animals. Earlier, a 16-second video circulating on social media showed the black panther running back into the jungle shortly after the attack. – Bernama Man dies after fall from 22nd floor GEORGE TOWN: A 27-year-old man was found dead at an apartment complex in Gat Lebuh Macallum here on Thursday, after allegedly falling from the 22nd floor. A video of the incident was widely shared on social media. Northeast district deputy police chief Supt Lee Swee Sake said police were informed about the incident at 5.07pm. “Investigation found no criminal elements at the scene or on the body, and checks found that the victim is a resident at the apartment.” – Bernama

violations. “In Hong Kong, there are more designated parking zones and enhanced public transport options, which have helped curb illegal parking,” said Law. Food trader Ravi Subramaniam, 42, said double parking has affected his business in Bangsar. “Customers struggle to find proper parking space due to double parking by irresponsible drivers.” Pantai Dalam area residents also face double parking issues at their flats. “In the evenings, cars are parked haphazardly, blocking entryways and making it difficult for emergency vehicles to pass,” said customer service executive Nurul Farhana Mohd Azam, 26. “I once saw an ambulance struggle to get through a narrow road because cars were double-parked on both sides. “It was heartbreaking to think that someone in need of urgent medical attention might have been delayed due to selfish parking habits,” she said.

dangers parking. Educating motorists about the risks and promoting alternatives like car-pooling, public transport and shared parking spaces could lead to behavioural change,” Law said. He also suggested that a well-planned urban area with efficient public transport and sufficient parking spaces could minimise the need for residents to park on the streets. “Encouraging pedestrian friendly spaces and reducing reliance on private vehicles could also help curb double parking,” he said. Law also urged the government to prioritise multi-level parking structures in high-density commercial and residential areas. He cited countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong, where strict enforcement and improved infrastructure have successfully reduced double parking. “Singapore employs a high-tech parking management system, varying parking charges by location and imposing strict fines for of double

o Use of surveillance cameras, increased patrols, towing of vehicles and penalties could act as strong deterrents, says academic

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

To combat the problem, Law outlined several measures that could be implemented. “One key solution is increasing parking availability by developing more public parking lots and designated on-street parking while enforcing time limits in high traffic areas,” he said. He also stressed the need for stricter enforcement by the local councils, adding that the use of surveillance cameras, increased patrols and immediate towing of double-parked vehicles could act as strong deterrents. “Consistent fines and penalties would discourage repeat offenders,” he said, adding that more public awareness campaigns should be held. “Many drivers underestimate the

PETALING JAYA: The persistent issue of double parking in both commercial and residential areas continues to worsen traffic congestion, create serious road safety hazards and hinder emergency response efforts. Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua told theSun that from a safety standpoint, double parking forces vehicles to manoeuvre unpredictably, increasing the likelihood of crashes, particularly rear-end collisions. “It also obstructs visibility for both drivers and pedestrians, making it harder to anticipate hazards. Drivers may be forced to drive against traffic, creating dangerous situations that could lead to crashes,” he said. Law also highlighted that emergency service vehicles, such as ambulances and fire trucks, rely on unobstructed roads to respond swiftly. “When emergency services cannot reach the scene of a collision or fire in a timely manner, the consequences can be severe, including loss of life, injury or destruction of property,” he said. Law emphasised that double parking significantly reduces road capacity, leading to severe bottlenecks.

Law said one key solution is increasing parking availability by developing more public lots and designated on-street parking while enforcing time limits in high traffic areas. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

“Vehicles navigating around illegally parked cars must make (erratic) lane changes, slowing down overall traffic flow and increasing travel times,” he said. Police tracking down runaway driver in fatal crash case

IPOH: Perak police are tracking down the runaway driver of a car believed to have run over a pregnant woman involved in a crash at Km264.7 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) heading south, near the Menora Tunnel in Ipoh on Sunday. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said police and PLUS were still tracking down the unknown vehicle, and further investigations were being carried

homestay, daily to store drugs before distributing them to the local and overseas markets. Mat Zani said the seized drugs are believed to have been brought into Malaysia from a neighbouring country. Both suspects tested negative for drugs. One of them had a record for an offence under Section 76 of the Excise Act 1976. – Bernama sped on. Meanwhile, Ipoh district police chief ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said the case was being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Police have urged anyone with information related to the case to contact investigating officer Inspector Mohamad Faiz Abdul Khalim at 018-372 8477. – Bernama

running over Nur Fatihah Badrul Hisyam, 25, who was eight months pregnant, was widely shared on social media. Nur Fatihah was involved in an earlier crash when the car she was travelling in with her husband and child skidded at the scene. Nur Fatihah and the child, who was about two years old, were killed. From the video, it is believed that the vehicle did not stop to help but

out, including into an allegation that the victim’s belongings were stolen during the incident. “We are still investigating and looking for (the driver). Police and PLUS are trying to identify the vehicle’s plate number through CCTV,” said Noor Hisam. He said police expressed hope that the driver would come forward to assist in the investigation. Earlier, a video of a vehicle

Trafficking ring crippled, drugs worth RM16 million seized KUALA LUMPUR: Police have crippled a cross-border drug trafficking syndicate with the seizure of methamphetamine worth RM16 million in raids in Selangor last week. Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department acting director DCP Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said this followed the arrest of two local men after police stopped their car at 7.20am in Subang Jaya. “Police searched the car and found six sacks containing 150 packages of methamphetamine weighing 156kg in the rear passenger seat and boot of the car. “Following the arrest of the two suspects, police raided a homestay in the same area that was used as a store, and seized 12 sacks containing 300 packages of drugs weighing 312kg,” he said at the Bukit Aman police headquarters here yesterday. Mat Zani added that another raid was conducted on the same day at a warehouse in Taman Bukit Permai, Ampang, which led to the discovery of two more sacks containing the same type of drug weighing 51kg. “The syndicate is believed to have been active since September last year and rented premises, such as a