22/04/2025

TUESDAY | APR 22, 2025

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Penang govt urged to resolve land crisis of animal shelter

Siblings killed in road collision JOHOR BAHRU: A 15-year-old rider and his 20-year-old sister were killed in a collision involving their motorcycle and a multi-purpose vehicle at the Simpang Empat Felda Ulu Tebrau traffic light junction in Ulu Tiram on Sunday. Seri Alam district police chief ACP Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said the crash occurred at 9.50pm when the victims were travelling from Jalan Ledang towards Felda Ulu Tebrau. He said the rider is believed to have turned right despite the red traffic light, Bernama reported. “A vehicle driven by a 40-year-old man, who had the green light and was going straight, was unable to avoid the motorcycle and collided with its right side, causing the victims to be flung into the opposite lane. “Both victims suffered serious head injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.“ He said the teenager did not possess a driving licence and the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. “We would like to remind the public to comply with traffic laws and regulations, and be courteous and obey traffic signals at all times. “Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident may contact police at 07-386 4222 to assist in the investigation.“ RM19m lost to online scams in Malacca ALOR GAJAH: A total of 666 online scam cases were reported in Malacca between Jan 1 and April 20, resulting in estimated losses of about RM19.52 million, according to local authorities. State Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Communications Committee chairman Datuk Fairul Nizam Roslan said 157 cases were recorded by the National Scam Response Centre and 509 by police. He said the scams involved various tactics, including online purchases, love scams and non-existent investments, with victims ranging from single mothers and civil servants to private sector employees. “During the same period, 399 arrests were made and 231 charges filed. “Most victims were aged between 25 and 40. Women were mainly targeted in love scams and online shopping fraud while men fell victim to fake investments.” Fairul Nizam was met at the Rembia state constituency’s Aidilfitri Open House. He said nine cases were reported yesterday, with eight in Central Malacca and one in Alor Gajah, involving losses of over RM400,000. He said the state government is stepping up efforts to address online fraud through talks, exhibitions and the establishment of the Online Gambling, Fraud and Cybercrime Task Force to raise public awareness. – Bernama

o Looming eviction could force dogs under care of NGO back onto streets: Animal association

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

challenge for animal welfare NGOs, many of which are struggling to provide care for the country’s rising stray population. SAFM is calling for a dedicated support framework for such organisations, and urging state and federal governments to offer sustainable, long-term land or shelter solutions. “Without stable premises, shelters face constant threats of eviction, which limit their ability to continue rescuing and caring for animals,” said Kalaivanan. SAFM has extended a call to other NGOs, the public and corporate players to unite in a collective appeal to the state government. Kalaivanan said immediate action is essential to avoid forcing hundreds of animals back onto the streets. “A swift and decisive intervention from the Penang government is critical to ensure a permanent solution for 4PAWS. “It is not only about the welfare of the animals; it is about reducing public nuisance and managing stray populations more effectively.” SAFM highlighted the key role that corporate support could play. Companies are encouraged to integrate animal welfare into their corporate social responsibility strategies, helping shelters sustain operations and rescue efforts. SAFM is also urging Malaysians to step forward, whether through donations, volunteering or advocacy, to support shelters in continuing their essential mission. “The role of the community is crucial in ensuring these animals get the protection and care they deserve,” said Kalaivanan. 4PAWS founder Barbara Janssen voiced concern over the shelter’s

PETALING JAYA: The Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) has urged the state government to step in and resolve the land crisis threatening the future of the Penang Animal Welfare Society (4PAWS) shelter in Teluk Bahang. The non-profit shelter recently revealed via Facebook that the landowner intends to sell the property and has given the organisation until the end of next month to decide whether it can buy the land for RM2.2 million. SAFM president Kalaivanan Ravichandran warned that with over 700 dogs in 4PAWS’s care, the looming eviction poses a critical risk, potentially forcing the animals back onto the streets. It has issued an urgent appeal, calling on Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to immediately allocate permanent land to secure the shelter’s future. “Without government intervention, the fate of the rescued animals remains uncertain. These dogs are not just numbers – they are lives that have been saved from the streets and deserve safe, permanent homes. “The state government must act now to prevent further harm to these animals,” said Kalaivanan. He expressed concern that the shelter’s closure would disrupt the lives of the dogs that rely on 4PAWS for daily care and protection. “The issue of land insecurity is not unique to 4PAWS. As urbanisation accelerates, many animal shelters across Malaysia are being displaced to make way for development.” He stressed that the lack of long-term land security is a growing

Kalaivanan expressed concern that the shelter’s closure would disrupt the lives of the dogs that rely on 4PAWS for protection. – PIC COURTESY OF 4PAWS

uncertain future. “There are few locations that could accommodate the number of dogs we house. The heartbreaking reality is that we may be forced to release some or even all of them back onto the streets.”

Despite fundraising efforts, the shelter has only managed to raise RM60,000 through public donations. “This has been our home for 15 years. Relocating would be extremely difficult. Our fate lies in the hands of the community.”

35,000 crashes on East Coast Expressway since 2004 KUANTAN: A total of 730 people have lost their lives in road collisions on the East Coast Expressway Phase 1 since it opened in 2004, the Pahang Legislative Assembly heard yesterday. State Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Razali Kassim revealed that the fatalities were part of 35,551 crashes recorded on the expressway up to December last year. but there are several areas where crashes occur frequently. Improvement measures have been taken to reduce the risk of collisions at such locations, including at Km238.7 (westbound) and Km87 (westbound).” He was responding to Datuk Wong Tat Chee (appointed assemblyman), who had asked for the number of crashes and fatalities recorded along the expressway route within Pahang since its opening, as well as collision-prone hotspots. Razali said the Malaysian Highway Authority carries out annual analyses to identify crash-prone locations through the Highway Road Accident Analysis and Database System, enabling appropriate mitigation measures to be implemented to help reduce risks at those sites. “The effectiveness of the mitigation measures will be monitored to ensure the crash rate can be reduced.” He said AFA Prime Berhad, the company responsible the operation and maintenance of the expressway, would continue to ensure the safety and comfort of highway users. He also said measures that will continue to be implemented by AFA Prime include road safety audits, safety campaigns and advocacy sessions with users, as well as ensuring that information and public announcements are delivered quickly and clearly. – Bernama “There are no locations on the expressway categorised as blackspots for

Sabah Customs seizes over 70kg drugs worth RM2.4m KOTA KINABALU: The Customs Department foiled a drug smuggling attempt and seized more than 70kg of various drugs valued at over RM2.4 million between Jan 3 and March 28. the latest seizure was made on March 28, involving four unmarked packages at Mas Kargo in Kota Kinabalu. “Checks found that the

He said the team also seized a package at Pos Aviation Kota Kinabalu on March 1. “The package contained items suspected to be ketamine, weighing 434g and estimated to be worth RM86,800.“ He said in an operation conducted

from Jan 31 to February 28, four packages were seized at Mas Kargo. “The packages are believed to contain 15.35kg of ganja , worth RM47,606.70,“ he said, adding that the cases are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. – Bernama

packages are believed to contain methamphetamine, weighing 71.71kg and estimated to be worth RM2,295,008.“

Acting Sabah Customs assistant director-general Saidin Jalaluddin said