28/05/2025

WEDNESDAY | MAY 28, 2025

5 Over RM97m timber, goods confiscated in sawmill raids KUANTAN: The Southeast Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF), in collaboration with the Forestry Department, has seized timber and related goods worth over RM97 million following 32 raids on sawmills in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang between Feb 11 and May 20. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said the first two phases of Ops Sawmill, a targeted initiative under the broader Ops Bersepadu Khazanah, involved raids on 18 premises namely two in Terengganu and 16 in Kelantan. These led to the arrest of 53 individuals and the seizure of timber and equipment worth RM66.5 million. Phase three covered 14 raids on seven premises in Pahang, and four each in Terengganu and Kelantan, with 45 more arrests and RM30.84 million in goods confiscated. He added that 18 Malaysians had been released on bail, while 27 foreign nationals remained in custody. Those detained included six Myanmar nationals, seven Bangladeshis, 12 Indonesians and one each from Nepal and India. Azmi said 11 offences were identified during the operations, with investigations conducted under several laws, including the Immigration Act 1959/63, National Forestry Act 1984, Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985 and the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Employee Amenities Act, Bernama reported. He noted that while some premises held valid operating licences, several had breached legal conditions. “In one case, early intelligence suggested non-compliance, but the operator had renewed the licence so no action was taken”. RM6m smuggled cigarettes, alcohol seized KUCHING: The Sarawak Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) detained 16 men and seized more than RM6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and alcohol in coordinated raids across the state on May 22, as part of Ops Taring Alpha. GOF Sarawak deputy commander ACP Rosdi Inai said the first raid, carried out at 12.30pm, led to the detention of seven men. Officers seized 4,881 cartons of various cigarette brands and 7,588 litres of alcohol, bringing the total value of the haul to RM4.03 million. In a second raid in Serian, three local men were detained. Authorities seized 2,466 cartons of cigarettes and 4,016 litres of alcohol worth about RM1.05 million, Bernama reported. In Sri Aman, six local men were detained. The operation netted 4,569 cartons of cigarettes and 7,357 litres of alcohol, with an estimated value of RM1.2 million.

Putra Heights blast probe findings out by end of June

o We are waiting for further examination from DOSH, which involves laboratory analysis using various techniques on pipe specimens taken from site, says Selangor police chief.

SEPANG: the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) reports on the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya on April 1 are expected to be released by the end of next month. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said police investigation, which also looked into elements of negligence or sabotage, has been completed. “We are still waiting for DOSH to complete its investigation. The police and agencies such as the Public Works Department and Petronas have assisted them in retrieving the necessary specimens. “So now we are waiting for further analysis from DOSH, which involves laboratory analysis using various techniques on the pipe specimens taken from the site,” he said yesterday. He added that at least five pipe specimens had been retrieved for further investigation or analysis by DOSH, while other technical investigation agencies such as the Minerals and Geoscience Department had also completed the collection of the required samples, Bernama reported. “They (the parties involved in the investigation) will carry out the Police and Department since 2010, with 201 cases reported this year up to April. State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said these included physical, sexual and emotional abuse cases which occurred in the five districts in the state. “Of the cases recorded this year, 113 cases involved girls while 88 involved boys. This breakdown shows a long-standing pattern where girls are more likely to be sexual abuse victims. “However, physical and emotional abuse happens at almost identical rates between both genders. “Last year, abuse cases rose significantly by 41.9% to 519 cases compared with 2023,” she told Bernama yesterday. Lim said while the numbers are

the suspects had been blackmailing the victim, who hails from Tumpat, for a long time. He said the victim also claimed to have handed over cash and jewellery worth millions of ringgit to the suspects over time. “The investigation found that this case primarily involved extortion but escalated into a kidnapping because the victim refused to give more money or gold as demanded by the suspects,” he said. – Bernama concerning, it also reflects a growing public awareness to report such cases as a result of the various advocacy and educational initiatives taken by the state government over the past few years. Lim also praised the quick action taken by schools to report these cases, citing the recent case involving a 12-year-old girl who is suspected of being abused by her parents. “I view the quick response by the school in reporting the recent abuse case as an important achievement. “It proves that the message of child protection has reached the grassroots level, which is the result of the state government’s efforts through various awareness programmes,” she said. Last week, media reported that police arrested a couple to assist in the investigation of a 12-year-old girl who sustained bruises and cuts on her back, believed to have been caused by caning in an incident at a house in Sungai Ara near here. analysis, and only then will they be able to determine the cause of the explosion,” he said, adding that the ground zero site had been handed over to Petronas for recovery works. Asked if the excavator, which was reported to have been buried following the explosion had been recovered, Hussein said police had located it but the machine had yet to be retrieved. “We will remove the excavator once recovery works are completed. “Earlier, we focused on the area with pipelines. We could not proceed simultaneously as it could cause the area to collapse. “Now that the pipeline area has been dealt with, and once Petronas has completed recovery works there, the investigation team will move to the area where the excavator is buried. “We cannot totally ignore the excavator, and we will carry out further investigations once we retrieve it, but it is not a priority in the investigation at this time,” he said.

Hussein said police investigation, which also looked into elements of negligence or sabotage, has been completed. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

4,080 child abuse cases recorded in Penang GEORGE TOWN: A total of 4,080 child abuse cases have been recorded by the Penang Social Welfare

Registration Advocacy Programme to ensure childcare centres operate legally, safely and in compliance with standards, while advocacy programmes are also being actively planned at eight Child Activity Centres as an integrated move to address issues of child abuse and neglect. Lim said the department provides various forms of assistance to help the victims and families, such as immediate protection orders, temporary placement, as well as placement in safe institutions such as Children’s Home, Taman Sinar Harapan or Kompleks Penyayang Sinar Kasih, if necessary. She added that counselling services, psychosocial intervention and financial assistance, such as Child Aid and Foster Child Assistance, as well as legal action, are also provided to ensure that the physical and emotional well-being of the children is safeguarded..

Meanwhile, Lim said in tackling such cases, the state government appreciates the support from its strategic partners, such as the Children’s Protection Society, The Salvation Army, St Nicholas, Women’s Centre for Change and Women’s Service Centre, that are always ready to provide temporary shelter for the victims, in addition to working closely with the department. She added that the state government, together with relevant agencies, is continuously strengthening collaboration to address the issue of abuse through various initiatives, such as the Child Protection Advocacy Programme in 30 schools that are aimed at educating children about their rights, identifying abuse situations and providing information on help channels such as the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline. She said the state government has also implemented the Taska

80kg of gold was demanded: Police KOTA BHARU: Police confirmed that the actual amount of gold demanded in ransom by four suspects in a kidnapping and extortion case involving a jewellery shop owner in Palekbang, Tumpat was 80kg, with an estimated value of RM40 million, and not 30kg.

Student fined over fake kidnapping KUALA LUMPUR: A Chinese university student was fined RM17,000 by the Sessions Court for staging a kidnapping to extort RM2.9 million in ransom from his friend’s mother. the mother of his friend Ye Yingxi, by calling her and showing a disturbing video of Ye appearing to have been kidnapped.

Zhang then threatened Cheng and demanded five million yuan (approximately RM2.9 million) be transferred to a bank account in China. Zhang was charged under Section 417 of the Penal Code, which carries a sentence of up to five years’ jail, a fine, or both. – Bernama

Zhang Runbao, 23, a student in Singapore, pleaded guilty to an alternative charge and was sentenced by Judge Azrul Darus. He will serve six months in jail if he fails to pay the fine. Zhang deceived Cheng Zhiwen,

Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said they were informed by the 44-year-old victim in a statement to police. “The investigation also found that