26/05/2025

MONDAY | MAY 26, 2025

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MACC chief reflects on 40 years fighting corruption

Man held over video of monkey abuse KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks has detained a man after a video allegedly showing him spraying paint on a caged monkey was widely shared online. Sungai Buloh police chief Supt Mohd Hafiz Muhammad Nor said a report was lodged at 2.10am on Saturday by a veterinary officer from the Petaling district after viewing the video. “The complainant had watched a five-second video circulating on Facebook, showing a man spraying paint on a monkey inside a cage. The incident is believed to have occurred at Taman Desa Moccis, U17 in Shah Alam,” he said in a statement. The case was referred to the relevant authorities, namely the Veterinary Services Department and Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Mohd Hafiz added that Department of Wildlife and National Parks also lodged a report and arrested the man under Section 86 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. – Bernama

Kuala Krai. The incident occurred when the victim was splashed with a liquid, believed to be acid, by an unidentified individual near a convenience store in Beris Kubur Besar, Tawang. She sustained severe burns to her shoulders, back, arms and legs, and is currently in stable condition at the Burn Treatment Unit of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kubang Kerian. He introduced intelligence based investigation methods to target high-profile corruption, starting with identifying major offenders and recovering misappropriated assets. “This approach has enabled us to expose large-scale corruption and ensure stolen assets are returned to the government.” Azam also launched internal training programmes covering public speaking, high-impact communication and strategic leadership. “I want the public to see MACC not just as an enforcement agency, but as an institution respected for its discipline, professionalism and leadership.” Reflecting on his recent reappointment, he thanked His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim and the government for their continued trust. “This is a trust and responsibility I must uphold. When I took on this role in 2020, my vision was to build a corps of officers capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with international counterparts.” Azam was reappointed for a one-year term beginning May 13, marking his third consecutive term as MACC chief. He previously served as director of intelligence, director of investigation and deputy chief commissioner (Operations).

o Reappointed chief shuns glory, reaffirms commitment to integrity, professionalism and building graft-free institution

PUTRAJAYA: For more than four decades of dedicated service to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Tan Sri Azam Baki (pic) has never sought recognition or accolades for his contributions. He said it was enough for him to serve with integrity and fulfil his responsibilities to the best of his ability. He emphasised that holding the commission’s top post is not a pursuit of personal glory but a duty that must be carried out with sincerity and principle. “I never expected to be remembered, let alone create a legacy. What matters most is that my conscience remains clear and the path I leave behind is untarnished,” he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama. Azam, 62, joined the then Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in 1984 as a Grade 29 officer, a rank equivalent to a police inspector.

Jurisprudence from Universiti Malaya and a master’s degree from Asia e University said perseverance, commitment and determination have always guided his approach to fighting corruption. “These were also the motto of UTM, the first university I studied at in 1981. I have never sought to leave behind a personal legacy. “My only hope is that no one will look back and criticise me for leaving something negative.” Azam said he was never driven by titles or rank, but by a desire to ensure that his work reflected his own ideas, integrity and innovations. “If people wish to question what I have done, I’m open to engagement and discussion.” For Azam, true leadership is not defined by the number of followers or public recognition, but by the values one upholds and the example left for others.

Harun Hashim. “I regard Tun Dr Ismail as a symbol of national integrity – outspoken and firm. Tan Sri Harun, meanwhile, laid the foundation for ACA. Although I never had the chance to know them personally, their principles left a lasting impression on me.” As chief commissioner, Azam focused on strengthening the internal resilience of MACC, not only technically but by improving the professionalism, skills and confidence of officers.

The holder of a diploma in Electrical Engineering (Power) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), bachelor’s degree in Police probe source of acid used in attack He said he draws inspiration from national figures such as the late deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman and the first director-general of ACA Tan Sri “I want MACC officers to be more than just skilled investigators. They must speak with confidence, whether in Malay or English. Avoid mixing languages or using slang, speak with credibility.”

KOTA are investigating the source of the chemical used in an acid attack on a female spa owner in Beris Kubur Besar, Bachok, on May 17, including the possibility that it originated from a rubber factory where two suspects are employed. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said investigations are ongoing and authorities are confident the case will be resolved soon. BHARU: Police

Jamaluddin are underway to locate a third suspect believed to have been involved in the attack. “Based on closed-circuit television footage, the suspect is believed to still be in the state. He fled shortly after the other two were arrested.” The third suspect is thought to have close ties with the two detainees, aged 38 and 45, who were arrested at a rubber factory in said efforts

“We are looking into how the chemical was obtained, including whether it came from the rubber factory where both suspects worked,” he told Bernama on Saturday. A man and a woman have been arrested and remanded until the end of the month. Police have not ruled out seeking an extension if the investigation is not completed within that time frame. Meanwhile, Bachok district police chief Supt Mohamad Ismail

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact the nearest police station or Sgt-Major Azmir Azriezal Ramli at 019-566 5870.

Storms damage 80 houses SEREMBAN: A total of 83 houses in Felda Lui Barat and six houses in Kampung Baru Ayer Hitam, Jempol, were damaged following storms and heavy rain yesterday.

RM725,000 goods seized over trade offences in Terengganu KUALA TERENGGANU: The

he said in a statement. He added that only six families have registered at a temporary evacuation centre set up at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Lui Barat. In Kampung Baru Ayer Hitam, six houses were also damaged, but no evacuation centre has been opened there. – Bernama

while Kampung Baru Ayer Hitam recorded 28 affected residents from six families. “Four CDF personnel were deployed to Felda Lui Barat and found that strong winds had torn off the roofs of several homes, affecting 83 houses. Residents reported heavy rain and strong winds earlier in the afternoon,”

significantly, from RM6,000 in 2023 to RM102,500 in 2024. This shows that enforcement is now more focused and has successfully targeted high-value cases,” he said during the ministry’s 53rd Enforcement Day celebrations at the state-level yesterday. Mohd Mufsi added that the division also carried out inspections on 293 premises under Ops Tiris and 186 premises under Ops Gasak during the same period. “For Ops Tiris, we recorded four cases with seizures amounting to RM431,437.60. For Ops Gasak, seven cases were recorded, with seizures valued at RM68,065.70,” he said. – Bernama

Terengganu Enforcement Division of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has recorded seizures worth RM725,439.86 involving 338 cases for various offences between Jan 1 and May 24. Its director Mohd Mufsi Lat said the cases were uncovered during inspections at 9,738 premises across the state, including retail shops, supermarkets and wholesale outlets. He noted that enforcement efforts over the past three years have shown encouraging results. “In 2024, the value of seizures reached RM3.96 million compared with RM997,059.69 in 2023. The value of fines also increased

Negeri Sembilan Civil Defence Force (CDF) director Lt-Kol (retired) Mohd Nazri Mes Kam, said 224 people from 62 families were affected in Felda Lui Barat,

Attempt to smuggle cigarettes thwarted KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) has foiled a smuggling attempt with the seizure of over 91,000 sticks of cigarettes in Kampung Bunut Susu, Pasir Mas. last Thursday. The seizure comprised 82,600 sticks of white cigarettes and 9,240 sticks of kretek cigarettes, found in a van parked within the compound of a house.

team, in collaboration with the Kelantan enforcement division of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, also seized 1,258 packets of cooking oil in Kampung Banggol Ara, Pasir Mas last Friday. The case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961. – Bernama

A 63-year-old man was arrested to assist with investigations under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967. Meanwhile, Nik Ros Azhan said his

GOF southeast brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the raid was carried out under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan