13/05/2025

TUESDAY | MAY 13, 2025

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Anger-driven violence on the rise in the country

continue investing. However, after being asked to pay a “processing fee” to withdraw further profits, the victim failed to receive the promised returns. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, caning and a fine upon conviction. Raub cautioned the public not to be easily swayed by investment advertisements on social media that promise unusually high returns, and urged individuals to verify the legitimacy of such schemes with the Securities Commission Malaysia and Bank Negara Malaysia. He advised fraud victims to contact the National Scam Response Centre via the 997 hotline to take immediate action to block fund transfers. – Bernama Eighteen rescued from raging waters in Hulu Langat KUALA LUMPUR: A family outing at Sungai Lepoh in Hulu Langat on Sunday turned harrowing when a sudden water surge stranded 18 individuals, including seven children. The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department swiftly responded to an emergency call at 5.09pm, and sent a team of seven firefighters from the Ampang Fire and Rescue Station to the scene. “Thanks to the swift action of our team, all victims were successfully rescued by 6.32pm,” said the department’s assistant director of operations Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar. A woman in her 30s, who was in the group, reportedly suffered breathing difficulties and was handed over to health officials. Meanwhile, four victims were rescued by members of the public after being swept away by strong currents in another water surge incident at Alang Sedayu, Batu 12, Jalan Gombak Lama near here. Ahmad Mukhlis said six officers and personnel from the Selayang Fire and Rescue Station were rushed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 5.45pm, and rescued another three victims who were stranded due to the incident. He said seven individuals aged between 15 and 31 were brought to safety, including one who suffered a broken leg. – Bernama Man nabbed over cable thefts BALIK PULAU: Police arrested a motorist along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Bayan Lepas on Sunday in connection with cable thefts in the Southwest district. Southwest district police chief ACP Sazalee Adam said police stopped the 27-year-old man in a Proton Wira as he was behaving suspiciously. “A search of the car uncovered various tools and items suspected to be linked to cable theft activities, including cable rolls, several cut cable rods, metal hammer, modified iron tools, a hook and chain lifting set, as well as several mobile phones and identity cards belonging to other individuals.” He said the man had admitted to being involved in cable thefts along with three others who are still at large. The suspect had criminal records involving five drug-related offences and seven other criminal cases. – Bernama

Siti Khadijah said the constant stream of digital outrage overstimulates individuals who are already emotionally distressed. “Frequent exposure to online conflict, particularly on platforms like TikTok or X, can overactivate the brain’s stress system, making people more impulsive and reactive in real life.” She said addressing the issue requires collective action from individuals to institutions. “We need to be more intentional about our digital habits. Limiting time on social media, engaging in physical activities and focusing on meaningful, growth-oriented pursuits can help build emotional resilience.” She said reducing exposure to harmful or aggressive content also helps protect mental well-being and lowers long-term stress. She warned that unresolved anger could gradually build up into emotional tension. “When individuals fail to express or manage their anger in a healthy way, it can accumulate and eventually erupt in violent outbursts.”

o Many struggle with emotional regulation, often due to chronic stress, psychological conditions or trauma: Expert

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

and societal norms in Malaysia may intensify the mental health toll of digital aggression. “In a collectivist society like ours, there’s often pressure to ‘save face’ and maintain appearances. “When large groups engage in online aggression, it can appear socially acceptable, especially with labels like ‘Mak Cik Bawang’ or ‘Netizen Army’ that trivialise harmful behaviours,” said the expert in applied psychology and well-being. She added that the stigma surrounding mental health remains a major barrier to seeking help. “Many people fear being judged or shamed, so they suppress their emotions. But without healthy emotional regulation, those feelings can erupt as aggression.”

PETALING JAYA: Persistent emotional stress, poor coping mechanisms and increasing exposure to online aggression are fuelling a worrying rise in anger-driven violence, experts warn. Universiti Putra Malaysia Faculty of Human Ecology senior lecturer Dr Mohamad Naqiuddin Dahamat Azam said many individuals today struggle with emotional regulation, often due to chronic stress, psychological conditions or unresolved trauma. “Some individuals struggle to control their emotions due to psychological or neurological factors, leading to impulsive reactions without considering the consequences.” Recent tragic incidents underscore the consequences of unchecked rage, including one that ended in tragedy. Earlier this week, a 50-year-old man was arrested for allegedly pushing his wife out of a moving van on the Kesas Highway near the Awan Besar rest stop following a heated argument. The 44-year-old woman died from the fall. Police said the couple had been married for 20 years and that the man admitted involvement in the incident during questioning. Mohamad Naqiuddin said cognitive distortions such as hostile attribution bias – where neutral situations are perceived as threatening – could escalate minor conflicts. “Combined with a lack of effective coping mechanisms, this can make aggression the default response to frustration. Persistent stress keeps the brain in a heightened state, lowering impulse control and increasing the likelihood of aggressive reactions. “Anxiety also heightens emotional sensitivity, making people more reactive or prone to defensive anger.” He warned that digital spaces could further compound these problems. “While social media can offer a temporary outlet, it also fosters hostility. The anonymity of online platforms enables people to lash out without accountability. “Prolonged exposure to cyberbullying, online harassment or violent content can desensitise users, making aggressive responses seem normal.” University of Nottingham Malaysia Assoc Prof Dr Siti Khadijah Zainal Badri said cultural

The anonymity of online platforms enables people to lash out without accountability, says Mohamad Naqiuddin. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Two lose close to RM1m to online investment scams GEORGE TOWN: A teacher became the latest victim of an online stock investment scam, suffering a loss of over half a million ringgit. 73-year-old man on Sunday, the scam is believed to have begun in December last year when he received an unsolicited investment offer via WhatsApp from an unknown number.

capital within a short period. Hamzah said the victim was instructed to download an app via the link provided to register as a member. Subsequently, he made 12 transactions to three different bank accounts. He realised he had been scammed after being unable to withdraw his capital and profits through the provided link, prompting him to lodge a police report. Hamzah added that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Meanwhile, in Johor Bahru, a retiree lost RM459,000 after falling victim to an online stock investment scam. Johor Bahru Selatan Police Chief ACP Raub Selamat said based on the report lodged by the

Penang Police Chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said the Commercial Crime Investigation division of the Seberang Perai Selatan district police headquarters received a complaint from a 47-year-old victim yesterday, claiming that a syndicate had deceived him out of RM511,000. “According to the victim, he saw an advertisement for a stock trading investment on Facebook in February. He then began communicating with the suspect via WhatsApp, after which he was added to an investment group called ‘Destiny On Your Hand’.” He said the victim received detailed explanations about the investment in the group chat, which promised high returns on invested

“The victim was added to a WhatsApp group called ‘PJT Academy’, which claimed to provide stock trading lessons using an app known as ‘USMSG’.” The victim was lured by the promise of high returns of between 10 and 200% in the scheme said to operate in Malaysia and China. Raub said in a statement that the victim made 23 fund transfers amounting to RM459,000 from his HSBC account to 10 different bank accounts between Jan 10 and April 17 this year. He said the victim initially received a return of RM18,360, which encouraged him to