17/05/2025

SATURDAY | MAY 17, 2025

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Driver pleads not guilty to causing deaths of FRU personnel

Two robbery, drug suspects shot dead by cops NILAI: Two men suspected of involvement in a series of robberies and drug trafficking activities were shot dead by police in the parking area of a condominium in Seremban at about 10pm on Thursday. Federal Criminal Investigation Department deputy director (Intelligence/Operations) Datuk Fadil Marsus said the suspects, aged in their 20s and 40s, were linked to multiple robberies at homes, factories and courier hubs across Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Perak. “The older suspect had 76 previous criminal records, mostly for narcotics and violent offences, while the younger man had 11 similar priors,” he said. Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof was also present. Fadil said the suspects attempted to flee in a silver car when confronted, triggering a shootout. The suspects opened fire, striking the police vehicle, though no officers were injured. Police recovered a semi-automatic pistol and a revolver from the scene. Authorities believe the suspects may be linked to violent crimes in other states and were likely involved in a robbery at a courier centre in Klang about two months ago. They are also believed to have ties to secret society activities. Raids have since been conducted at several residential units across Selangor in efforts to track down remaining members of the group. Arrests and drug seizures have been made, with further details to be announced in due course. Fadil said the suspects were believed to have been using rented condominium units as temporary hideouts and were constantly on the move. – Bernama Two Vietnamese detained at KLIA2 for overstaying PUTRAJAYA: Two Vietnamese women were detained at KL International Airport Terminal 2 last Tuesday for overstaying their visas. The Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) said in a statement yesterday that checks also revealed discrepancies in the immigration endorsements on their official travel records. The pair were picked up during a random inspection by AKPS’s monitoring unit, which screened about 150 foreign nationals at the terminal. “The two women were seen loitering suspiciously in the departure hall during the operation,” the agency said. They were scheduled to board an AirAsia flight to Ho Chi Minh City but had exceeded their permitted stay in Malaysia. “A check of the immigration system found that the entry and exit stamps in their passports did not match their official travel history,”the statement added. – Bernama

o Court grants RM6,000 bail with licence suspended as accused faces dangerous driving charges under Road Transport Act

TELUK INTAN: The driver of a gravel-laden lorry pleaded not guilty at the Magistrates’ Court yesterday to nine charges of causing the deaths of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel in a fatal road crash along Jalan Chikus–Sungai Lampam on Tuesday. Rudi Zulkarnain Mat Radi, 45, entered his plea after the charges were read separately before Magistrate Norhamizah Shaiffuddin. According to the charge sheet, the accused was behind the wheel of the lorry at 9.05am on May 13 at KM15 Jalan Sungai Manik, when he allegedly drove in a dangerous manner in a public area resulting in the deaths of the nine FRU

Izzuddin Fakri Hamdan requested bail of RM10,000 for each charge, suspension of the accused’s driving licence until the trial concludes and weekly reporting to the nearest police station. However, defence counsel Francis Sinappan, representing the accused through the National Legal Aid Foundation, appealed for minimal bail, stating that his client is single, earns RM2,500 a month and suffers from asthma. The court granted bail of RM6,000 in total for all charges and imposed all conditions requested by the prosecution. The case has been set for mention on June 17.

members, Bernama reported. The deceased were identified as Sergeant S Perumal, 44, Sergeant Mohd Roslan Abd Rahim, 46, Corporal Mohd Pozli Jaudin, 41, Corporal Nurit Ak Pandak, 34, Corporal Amiruddin Zabri, 38, Corporal Mohamad Hilmi Mohd Azlan, 38, Corporal Muhamad Akmal Muhamad, 35, Lance Corporal Damarrulan Abdul Latif, 33

and

Constable

Akmal

Wafi

intensive training to condition their bodies for the punishing G-forces that come with rapid aerial manoeuvres. “Most of the performers are still serving military pilots. For us veterans, staying in peak condition takes extra effort. It’s all about discipline and consistency,” he said. Halim follows a three-phase training regime. The first phase focuses on physical conditioning and aircraft readiness. The second is dedicated to formation planning and manoeuvre rehearsals. The final phase culminates in the live performance, conducted under Annuar, 28. Rudi was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM20,000 and mandatory disqualification from holding, or obtaining a driving licence, for at least five years upon conviction. Deputy Public Prosecutor

Defying age, pilot still soars in preparation for LIMA KUALA LUMPUR: While most people look forward to retiring at 60, trading packed schedules for hobbies and time with grandchildren, one Malaysian pilot is still soaring, quite literally. discipline, focus and a touch of adrenaline. His aerobatic journey began in 1991, the same year the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) debuted. strict safety protocols. “During shows, there’s always the temptation to push boundaries. That’s why training and experience matter. We must know the limits, and never cross them,”he said.

Datuk Halim Othman, better known by his callsign TooGoo, is 59 and shows no signs of slowing down. As commander of Malaysia’s elite national aerobatic team Krisakti, Halim continues to impress in the skies, executing high-adrenaline stunts and precision manoeuvres thousands of feet above ground. “I’ve never stopped flying. And I don’t intend to,” he told Bernama, his calm demeanour reflecting a lifetime of

Back then, he was a young Royal Malaysian Air Force fighter pilot flying the legendary Skyhawk jet. More than three decades later, he remains deeply involved, not only as a performer but also as CEO of the Aerotree Group. With LIMA held biennially, preparation is no small feat. Roughly two months ahead of each showcase, Halim and his team begin

Though pilots often take centre stage, Halim is quick to emphasise that aerobatics is a team effort. “Behind every aerial stunt is a crew – engineers, safety officers and ground teams – all working seamlessly to ensure each performance is a success,” he said. For LIMA 2025, Halim promises a showcase like no other. “This year, we’re going beyond the usual. Some stunts go beyond what jets can do but our propeller aircraft, like the X-300, can handle them,” he said. Among the new aerial acts are the cutwind – an inverted roll-turn that creates a dramatic silhouette – and the frisbee, a boomerang-style manoeuvre involving flips, rolls and reversals mid flight. Enhanced with vibrant smoke trails, these displays are designed to blend skill, control and spectacle. But the true showstopper? A sunset performance with fireworks. “For the first time in Malaysia, we’ll be flying with fireworks at sunset,” Halim revealed. Inspired by Malaysians’ love of festive pyrotechnics, Halim’s team has modified aircraft to launch fireworks mid-air. The special segment will light up the skies above Pantai Cenang, Langkawi. Organised by the Defence Ministry and Global Exhibitions and Conferences Sdn Bhd, LIMA 2025 returns to Langkawi under the theme Innovate Today, Thrive Tomorrow. For Halim, LIMA is more than a platform, it is a passion.

Halim continues to impress in the skies, executing high-adrenaline stunts and precision manoeuvres thousands of feet above ground. – BERNAMAPIC

Prison warden killed in cement lorry crash MALACCA: A prison warden with the rank of sergeant was killed after being struck by a cement lorry while riding a motorcycle at a traffic light junction in Sungai Udang, along the Sungai Udang– Paya Rumput–Ayer Keroh (SPA) Highway, on Thursday. Central Malacca district police chief ACP Christopher Patit said the victim, Amal Nurlidar Ghazali, 42, who served at the Dusun Datuk Murad Prison in Ayer Keroh, died at the scene from severe injuries sustained in the 5.50pm incident. “Investigations revealed the cement

lorry was heading from Bukit Rambai heading towards Masjid Tanah. Upon reaching the location, the lorry is believed to have experienced brake failure, prompting the 49-year-old driver to swerve onto the left shoulder of the road. “However, the vehicle collided with

the victim, who was riding a Yamaha Ego Solariz. She was pronounced dead at the scene,”he said in a statement yesterday. He added that the victim’s body was sent to Hospital Melaka for an autopsy, while the lorry was taken to the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre

for examination. The driver, who tested negative for drugs, was taken into custody for further investigation. A remand application was set to be filed at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. – Bernama