16/05/2025

FRIDAY | MAY 16, 2025 5 Quarry blasting causes damage to 76 houses KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 76 homes in Taman Matang Jaya, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, sustained various types of damage after being struck by flying gravel fragments from a nearby quarry during a blasting operation last Tuesday. The quarry operator has agreed to bear the cost of repairs for all affected homes following a meeting with residents held after the incident. According to residents association chairman Saidfudddin Mohd Adam, the blast, which occurred at 3.15pm, was significantly more powerful than previous detonations, with rock fragments travelling nearly a kilometre and hitting residential properties. “I’ve lived here since 2006 and while we’re used to hearing quarry explosions, this time it was exceptionally loud. Residents described it as sounding like a bomb. Rocks as large as crash helmets flew into the air, damaging roofs. It has left the community feeling anxious and unsafe,” he said when met at the housing area yesterday. Thirteen houses reportedly suffered severe roof damage while the remaining 63 experienced cracked walls, damaged ceilings and floors, burst water pipes and broken electrical appliances. Saidfudddin also said a 20-year-old resident sustained minor injuries after being struck by part of a window grille that was dislodged by the impact. – Bernama Serial robbery suspect killed in shootout GEORGE TOWN: A man suspected to be involved in a series of armed robberies, house break-ins and self-service laundrette thefts across Penang, with total losses amounting to RM500,000, was shot dead in a shootout in Jalan Lintang Bukit Jambul, Bayan Lepas, yesterday. Penang Police Chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said the incident occurred at about 4am during a crime prevention operation carried out by a team from the state Criminal Investigation Department, who came across a suspicious looking BMW. “When the police approached the car and identified themselves, the driver suddenly exited and opened fire on the police vehicle. In response, officers returned fire in self-defence. Upon inspection, the man was found dead at the scene,” he said in a statement. The deceased, a 35-year-old local man, was found in possession of a FNP-45 pistol with three rounds of ammunition, a metal rod, two wooden sticks, two machetes, 22.5 grammes of methamphetamine, a signal jammer, various housebreaking tools and multiple sets of clothing. Further checks revealed that the suspect had 19 previous criminal records, 15 of which were related to narcotics. His body has been sent to the Forensics Department at Penang Hospital for further examination. – Bernama Teacher charged with attempted murder PASIR MAS: A teacher pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court yesterday to a charge of attempting to murder his son by stabbing him with a vegetable knife earlier this month. Asrolfandi Mohd Ab Suki, 47, entered the plea after the charge was read before Judge Zulkpli Abdullah. He is accused of stabbing his 11-year-old son twice with a knife, causing serious injuries, at their home in Kampung Banggol Che Dol, Pohon Tanjung, at 8.55am on May 2. The charge was brought under Section 307 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment upon conviction. The court set June 15 for case mention to allow time for forensic and psychiatric observation reports to be obtained from Hospital Bahagia in Perak. – Bernama

Pamela Ling’s husband arrested in abduction probe

o Remand denied as investigation widens, with police probing use of cloned plates, impersonation in high-profile case

said during a press conference. He also stated that CCTV footage showed only two of the perpetrators wore police vests during the abduction. “For certain operations, policemen would not wear vests in order to conceal their identity. However, I can confirm that no police operation was conducted at the time of the incident,” he said. Rusdi added that the suspects likely impersonated police officers. A photofit of one suspect has been drawn, though it is only estimated to be about 40% accurate due to poor image clarity, Bernama reported. When asked whether Ling had left the country, Rusdi said immigration records showed her last known international travel was to Singapore in January. To date, no ransom demand has been made in connection with her disappearance. Police have recorded statements from 27 individuals and are working with Interpol to obtain statements from Ling’s three children in Singapore.

KUALA LUMPUR: The husband of Datin Seri Pamela Ling Yueh was arrested yesterday morning in connection with her abduction in the federal capital last month. Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Isa said the suspect was brought to the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court for a remand application, but it was rejected. “At present, the suspect remains in custody to assist with the ongoing investigation into the recent abduction case,” he said in a statement yesterday. Rusdi had earlier said police may also record statements from Ling’s three children and several individuals in Singapore to assist in the investigation. On April 9, Ling, 42, was reported missing while travelling in an e-hailing vehicle en route to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption

Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya. She had been summoned to assist in an investigation under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act. A missing persons report was lodged by her lawyer at 3.02pm the same day. Subsequent investigations revealed that five vehicles were believed to have been involved in the abduction, more than the initially reported three. Rusdi confirmed that three of the vehicles bore cloned number plates. “We have talked to the registered owners of the vehicles and confirmed that the cars were with them at the time of the incident. That means the number plates were cloned,” he

RAZED STRUCTURE ... Fire and Rescue Department personnel extinguishing the remnants of a blaze that destroyed a house and shop in Jalan Raja Musa, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Police consider safety upgrades after fatal FRU truck crash KUALA LUMPUR: Police have identified several safety enhancement measures for personnel travelling in trucks, following the tragic crash that claimed the lives of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) members in Perak last Tuesday. The recent incident has sparked widespread calls for a comprehensive review of how government personnel are transported. carrying FRU Unit 5 personnel from Sungai Senam, Ipoh, collided with a lorry loaded with gravel. The lorry’s steering system is believed to have failed, leading to the collision.

Road safety experts have pointed to flaws in vehicle design and operational procedures. Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua was quoted as saying that a full audit of transport safety procedures is long overdue. He suggested that zoning operations, assigning certain vehicles only to short distances or controlled areas, could reduce risk. He also voiced concern over reports that some FRU trucks are not equipped with seatbelts or proper restraints in the rear compartments, describing the omission as a major safety lapse that leaves personnel highly vulnerable in the event of a crash or rollover. The fatal crash occurred at 8.50am along Jalan Chikus–Sungai Lampam, when a truck

The intense impact killed nine FRU personnel, eight from Perak and one from Kedah. Their identities were released by police and confirmed by Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin. Meanwhile, the lorry driver involved in the crash has been remanded for four days beginning Wednesday. He is being investigated under Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving. If convicted, he faces between two and 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, and disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for no less than five years. – Bernama

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said discussions would be held with the Internal Security and Public Order Department as it also utilises trucks to transport General Operations Force personnel. Among the proposed improvements is the implementation of a better safety system to protect passengers in these trucks. However, Razarudin noted that the current design of long bench seating in the vehicles may not be compatible with such systems. Another measure under consideration is the use of buses and police patrol vehicles to escort convoys transporting personnel. The move comes as renewed scrutiny falls on outdated transport practices across enforcement agencies.