14/05/2025

WEDNESDAY | MAY 14, 2025

5

Nine FRU personnel killed in Teluk Intan road crash

National drug abuse cases down PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has recorded a significant decline in drug abuse and addiction cases during the first quarter of this year, reversing a three-year upward trend. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that drug-related cases dropped by 10.5% to 108,409 individuals as of March, compared with 121,170 cases during the same period last year. Of the total, 60% were new cases. He said Terengganu recorded the highest rate of drug users and abusers per 100,000 population at 663, followed by Perlis at 609 and Kelantan at 597. “One of the key factors contributing to this decline is the crackdown and closure of smuggling trails in Kelantan, a major entry point for drug supplies,”he told a press conference after the Home Ministry monthly assembly yesterday. He noted that continuous enforcement operations and intensified public awareness campaigns since early this year have also contributed to the downward trend. He said the previous three years saw a steady increase in drug-related cases, with 137,176 individuals recorded in 2022 and 145,526 in 2023. “Last year marked a sharp rise in total cases to 192,857. “The majority of those involved were aged between 15 and 39, accounting for 117,478 individuals or 60.9% of all cases,” he said. Saifuddin added that amphetamine-type stimulants, including methamphetamine, ecstasy and amphetamine, remained the most commonly abused drugs, with cases rising by 34.4% to 139,909 compared with 2023. Ganja use also surged, recording a 63.4% increase to 7,121 cases from 4,358 last year. He said the latest downward trend shows the effectiveness of the government’s comprehensive and multi-agency approach to addressing drug abuse, a long-standing national challenge. He said the ministry’s data analysis identified five districts with the highest number of drug abuse cases, namely Pendang in Kedah and Kuala Krai, Bachok, Pasir Puteh and Tanah Merah in Kelantan. Saifuddin said the use of artificial intelligence at the National Anti-Drug Agency, in collaboration with the National Geospatial Centre and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, is being implemented by developing an integrated spatial-based app for the Drug Profiling System. He said through the app, data analysis could be carried out to identify, anticipate and predict trends in drug or substance addiction and abuse based on demographics and socioeconomics. “The agency could also identify and address issues and challenges, strengthen service processes and increase efficiency, optimising the use of resources.” – Bernama

Bakri said the driver, in his 40s, escaped unhurt and was detained yesterday morning under Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987. “The driver tested negative for drugs. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident and gather more information,” he said at the Teluk Intan Hospital Forensics Department yesterday. He said the seriously injured victims were being treated in the Red Zone of the hospital. “The deceased victims were seven Muslim personnel and two non-Muslim members of the FRU, all in their 40s,” he said. Bakri said the post-mortem was

Man held in child abuse probe KEPALA BATAS: Police arrested a man to assist in an investigation into an abuse case involving his three-year-old nephew in an incident in Pulau Mertajam, Penaga here on Friday. North Seberang Perai District deputy police chief Supt C. Tharmalingam said the 34-year-old man was arrested at around noon on Sunday in Bertam, following a police report made by the child’s father. “The child’s father, who has divorced his wife (the child’s mother), made a video call to talk to the victim on Friday. “He saw his former brother-in-law, who lives in the same house as his ex-wife, caning the child, who was crying.” He said a doctor’s examination found bruises on the child’s legs and the man claimed that he was not caning his nephew to abuse him but because he often cried. He added that the man has been remanded for four days to assist in the investigation under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001. – Bernama “I am confident that beyond the investigation, police will take the necessary steps to assist with welfare matters and so on,” he said at a press conference after the official opening of the Temporary Police Post in Kampung Beng yesterday. The Transport Ministry announced that a special task force will be set up to probe the crash. conducted at 2pm and funeral prayers for the Muslim victims would be held at the surau of the Hilir Perak district police headquarters before the bodies are taken to the Sungai Senam Ipoh police station for the final rites. He urged those with information to come forward to assist in the probe. He clarified that the death toll from the collision was nine, not 10, as reported on social media. In an earlier statement, Bakri said preliminary investigations suggested that a steering wheel failure is believed to have caused the collision. Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said the department received an emergency call at 8.54am and dispatched a team from the Teluk Intan Fire and Rescue station to the scene, about eight kilometres away. “Two victims were trapped inside the FRU truck,” she said in a statement. Extending his condolences to the victims’ families, Home Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said appropriate measures would be taken, including matters related to the welfare of the next of kin. “I hope the families of those who perished remain strong and patient in facing this tragedy.

o Lorry driver detained to assist in investigation to determine cause of incident

IPOH: Nine FRU policemen were killed and three were critically injured in a collision involving a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) truck and a lorry in Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam near Teluk Intan yesterday. They were identified as Sgt S. Perumal, 44, Sgt Mohd Roslan Abd Rahim, 46, Cpl Mohd Pozli Jaudin, 41, Cpl Nurit a/l Pandak, 34, Cpl Amiruddin Zabri, 38, Cpl Mohamad Hilmi Mohd Azlan, 38, Cpl

Muhamad Akmal Muhamad, 35, L Cpl Damarrulan Abdul Latif, 33, and Const Akmal Wafi Annuar, 28. Hilir Perak police chief ACP Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin confirmed the incident when contacted. “The report received indicates nine fatalities, three critically injured and six others hurt,” he said. The driver of the sand-laden lorry has been detained for further investigation.

Bakri urged those with information on the crash to come forward to assist in the investigation. – BERNAMAPIC

Illegal sand mining, coconut smuggling foiled KOTA BHARU: The General

found that three local men were transferring about 45,100kg of coconuts from the trailer to the lorry. They failed to show purchase documents related to the coconuts. “The estimated value of the seizure is RM1.35 million, including vehicles. The case is being investigated under Regulation 4(2) of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) Act 141 Coconut Marketing Plan 1973. The suspects and the seized items were handed over to the Fama Kota Bharu Office.” – Bernama the Women Teachers’ Union and later became principal of Methodist Girls’ School in Kuala Lumpur. She championed gender equality, advocating equal pay for women educators. Her contributions to education were formally recognised with the prestigious Tokoh Guru award in 1986. She also campaigned for improved pension benefits and higher minimum wages while also speaking out against domestic violence and rape.

documents for sand extraction. “Police detained and seized all equipment and machinery, estimated to be worth RM2 million. “The case is being investigated under Section 426 of the National Land Code 1965. The suspects and seized items were handed over to the Kota Bharu Land and Mines Office.” He also said GOF foiled coconut smuggling activities after detaining a trailer and two lorries in Kampung Terbak, Tumpat on Sunday. “The results of the inspection Her journey began at the age of 16 when she joined the women’s wing of the Indian National Army in their struggle against British colonial rule, serving in Myanmar (then Burma). After contracting malaria, she returned to Malaya in 1945 to complete her secondary education. She earned her degree from the University of Malaya in Singapore in June 1953 and embarked on her teaching career at Methodist Girls’ School in Penang. In 1960, Rasammah established

Operations Force (GOF) cracked down on illegal sand mining activities in a river near Kampung Pahi in Kuala Krai under Op Taring Wawasan on Sunday. Its Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Kota Bharu Land and Mines Office at 4.15pm. He said the inspection found that the activities were carried out by three local men and three Bangladeshis, who failed to show valid permits or

Ű THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com Activist Rasammah Bhupalan dies at 98

PETALING JAYA: Renowned education advocate and social activist Rasammah Bhupalan has died at the age of 98. According to an obituary cited by theSun , family members announced that a wake would be held at her Kuala Lumpur home this evening. Rasammah, widely respected for her contributions to education and women’s social rights, leaves behind three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.