11/04/2025

FRIDAY | APR 11, 2025

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‘RM177m seizure in ex-PM case largest in first quarter’

Statements recorded from 7 students over bullying case NIBONG TEBAL: Police have recorded statements from two more Mara Junior Science College students here in relation to a bullying incident, the video of which was widely circulated recently on social media. South Seberang Perai police deputy chief DSP Mohd Norazmi Abd Ghapar said this brings the total number of students whose statements have been recorded to seven. “At this point, police believe that seven Form Three students are involved in the incident, including the victim and the person who recorded it. “Police are completing the investigation paper before submitting it to the deputy public prosecutor’s office for further action,”he said. Asked if police would record statements from other parties, Mohd Norazmi said the current focus is on the students suspected to be involved in the incident. Previously, police detected a video, lasting one minute and 31 seconds, uploaded by Facebook account “Utara Kini”, showing a scene believed to be in a hostel room where several individuals appeared to be bullying another person lying on a bed. The incident occurred at a Mara Junior Science College in South Seberang Perai last year and the case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code. On Tuesday, the disciplinary committee of the college recommended that the seven students involved in bullying a fellow student be expelled. Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said in a post on his Facebook page that two of the students were found to have been involved in physical bullying. “No matter whose children they are, whether the children of a Tan Sri, a Datuk or some influential individuals, if they are involved in bullying, firm and stern action will be taken against them. No need to find a way to talk me out of it. My office will never entertain such bullies.” – Bernama The man was arrested at a hotel in Chow Kit, a location suspected to be a hideout for illegal immigrants. In a state of panic, he kneeled and pleaded for his release, insisting he had valid documents to stay in the country. A woman also failed to escape from being arrested, as her friend refused to open the hotel room door despite her desperate cries for help from outside. Both the man and woman were among 32 illegal immigrants detained for not having valid travel documents and overstaying in the country, Bernama reported. Kuala Lumpur Immigration Director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff said the raids were the culmination of two weeks of intelligence gathering, focusing on several known hotspots across the capital. “In the first raid conducted at a hotel in Chow Kit, believed to be occupied by illegal immigrants, a total of 22 individuals were arrested. The group included two men and nine Indonesian women, four Pakistani men, five Bangladeshi men and two Thai women. “In the second raid at four shophouses in Sentul, the authorities nabbed three Indonesian women, three Indian men, two Nepali men, one Myanmar national and one Pakistani.”

o Amount does not include funds frozen under Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001: MACC

freezes under Amlatfa alone amounted to RM548.97 million. Forfeitures under the MACC Act 2009, Amlatfa 2001 and the Criminal Procedure Code amounted to RM603,363, while compound payments totalled RM412,000. “During this period, we opened 319 investigation papers, made 401 arrests and charged 146 individuals. We will continue to resolve these cases, focusing not only on securing charges but also on recovering assets.” It was reported that Ismail Sabri is expected to resume providing his statement to the MACC by the end of this month. This upcoming session will mark the second phase of the investigation, which will focus on the issue of asset declaration, according to his statement. Azam previously said the first round of questioning, which centred on the discovery of RM170 million in cash and 16kg of gold bars at several “safe houses,” had been completed. Ismail Sabri spent seven days providing a statement to the MACC after being named a suspect in an ongoing investigation involving four of his former senior officers. The most recent session, held on March 24, lasted five hours, bringing the total time spent on his testimony to over 30 hours. It was reported that as part of the probe, a money changer was also arrested. – Bernama

KOTA KINABALU: A total of RM177 million in assets, consisting of cash and gold bars, has been seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as part of the probe involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the amount represents the largest seizure recorded by the commission in the first quarter of this year, out of a total of RM483.38 million in assets seized under the MACC Act 2009. “This RM177 million refers specifically to seizures. Freezing actions under the Anti Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amlatfa) are separate,” he clarified at a media conference yesterday. He was speaking at the launch of Cakna Rasuah, an MACC programme with Sabah media, which was also attended by Sabah Journalists Association president Datuk Muguntan Vanar. It was also reported that although the

MACC has advocated the use of deferred prosecution agreements, this approach would not apply to the corruption case involving Ismail Sabri. The approach, which is being applied in other developed countries, defers the prosecution with the condition that there will be a settlement. “As of now, no,” Azam was reported as saying when asked whether deferred prosecution may apply to Ismail Sabri’s case when the law comes into force. He said the MACC has submitted the proposal and is currently awaiting approval from the attorney-general. The Bera MP is being investigated for alleged corruption and money laundering involving the use of funds for the promotion and publicity of the Keluarga Malaysia programme during his tenure from Aug 2021 to Nov 2022. The case is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009 and Amlatfa 2001. Azam said during the same period, asset

Doctor strikes RM12m jackpot after wedding anniversary dinner

PENANG: What began as a simple anniversary celebration turned into a life-changing moment for a 53-year-old general practitioner from Penang, who walked away RM11.77 million richer after winning the Toto 4D Jackpot 1 on March 29, all thanks to a pair of seemingly random digits on a dinner receipt. The doctor revealed that the winning numbers, 4486 and 5704, came directly from

bonus of RM336. They collected the prize and expressed heartfelt gratitude, calling it the best anniversary gift they could have ever received. He said he plans to share part of the winnings with his siblings and set aside the rest for his children’s future. The remaining jackpot, worth RM219,975, went to an i-System winner from Sarawak.

the receipt at the restaurant where he and his wife had their anniversary dinner. “These pretty numbers caught my attention after I paid the bill for our candlelight dinner. “I understand now why the Cantonese say that if you love your wife, you will become rich.” With those numbers in mind, he purchased a System 3 ticket, a decision that earned him RM11,768,682.70, along with a System Play

Illegal immigrant fails in bid to dupe enforcement team KUALA LUMPUR: A man’s frantic attempt to disguise himself and blend in with media and enforcement officers in a bid to avoid detection was among the dramas during raids conducted by the Malaysian Immigration Department in Chow Kit and Sentul yesterday.

A total of 32 illegal immigrants

were detained during raids in Chow Kit and Sentul yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC