17/07/2025

THURSDAY | JULY 17, 2025

FOLLOW

ON TWITTER Malaysian Paper

6

@thesundaily

Orang Asli high-achiever secures spot to study abroad KUANTAN: An Orang Asli student from the Jakun community has earned a place to study economics at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

Online gambling platform busted

SERDANG: The authorities have uncovered an illegal online gambling hub operating from three units of a four-storey apartment block in Pusat Bandar Putra Permai. The operation was busted during a raid conducted by the Immigration Department, Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) and the General Operations Force on Tuesday night. Immigration deputy director-general of operations Jafri Embok Taha said preliminary investigations revealed that the units were registered under the names of local individuals, based on utility bill records. “When officers arrived, the premises were empty. It is believed that the suspects fled, leaving behind a few tablets, monitors, chairs and tables. “We have handed the case over to MBSJ for further investigation and action.” He said all three units were equipped with closed-circuit television cameras to monitor movements outside and their operations targeted customers among undocumented migrants residing at the apartment complex. Jafri said 496 undocumented migrants were taken to the Semenyih Immigration Detention Centre after 741 foreigners were inspected in the operation, which ran from 10pm to 1am. “The suspected offences include violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.” He added that similar joint operations would be conducted and the public is reminded not to employ, harbour or house foreigners without valid travel documents in their premises. He also said the department is implementing the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 until April 30 next year, which allows undocumented migrants to return to their countries by paying a RM500 compound fine and a special pass fee of RM20. – Bernama Cow sheds used as drug transit points PASIR MAS: Cow sheds are now believed to be used as transit points by drug syndicates operating along the Kelantan-Thailand border, exposing owners to the risk of being made middlemen for such networks. General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said although there has been no evidence of direct involvement by the owners, intelligence reports suggest that drugs are being smuggled using the logistics network of the sheds. “We warn cattle shed owners near the border that they risk becoming middlemen either willingly, due to the lure of profits, or through coercion by the syndicates. “The syndicates are believed to be using sheds in areas such as Kampung Tualang and Simpangan in Tumpat, as well as Kampung Kubang Pak Itam, Jeram Perdah and Tok Deh in Pasir Mas.” Recently, the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department and Kelantan police seized 35.4kg of “ pil kuda ” (amphetamine pills) worth more than RM5 million in six raids conducted in Pasir Mas and Tumpat. In one of the raids, 20kg of drugs were found hidden in cow dung in a shed owned by a suspect in Banggol Chica, Pasir Mas. Nik Ros Azhan said in the first six months of this year, GOF recorded 34 cases of livestock smuggling with 39 arrests, involving 818 animals, 274 cattle, 18 buffaloes and 526 sheep and goats. – Bernama

Roziana Tan Beng Hai, 20, who scored a 4.0 CGPA in the 2024 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination, said she chose to pursue economics and social studies with the ambition of becoming an economist. “I am the first person from Kampung Mentelung in Rompin to sit for the STPM. Not many people in my village have had the chance to study this far and most of them are from the B40 group.” “It is my hope to raise the living standard and create job opportunities for my community,” she said at the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and STPM Outstanding Student Awards ceremony organised by the Orang Asli Development Department on Tuesday. Roziana described the opportunity to study abroad as her way of repaying her mother, Rohani Lamwan, 56, who raised her alone while working at an oil palm estate under YP Plantation Holdings Sdn Bhd. “I want to give my mother something to be proud of, so she would know that raising me on her own was not in vain,” said Roziana, who is preparing to sit for the International English Language Testing System on July 19. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Siti Nur Hawani Muhammad Almi, who scored 9As in the SPM examination, said she would pursue Islamic education at the Teacher Training Institute, Dato’ Razali Ismail Campus in Kuala Terengganu starting Aug 11. She said furthering studies in Islamic education was her first choice as she aspires to become an ustazah (religious teacher). “I was inspired by my teachers at school and found that teaching is something I enjoy. “I used to help my friends study during SPM and that is when my passion grew,” she said. Siti Nur Hawani also encouraged candidates

Roziana described the opportunity to study overseas as her way of repaying her mother, who raised her alone while working at an oil palm estate. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Roziana and Siti Nur Hawani were among 149 Orang Asli students recognised for their academic achievements at the ceremony. The department’s deputy director-general (Development) Zamri Mustajap said a total of RM45,550 in incentives was allocated for all recipients. – Bernama

to step out of their comfort zones to achieve good results. “I never used to get 8As or 9As. Usually, I scored 5As or 6As. I was not very focused at first, but as the exam was approaching, I realised I needed to change. I pushed myself to work harder and in the end, I achieved 9As.”

MACC apologises to family of Teoh Beng Hock

o Commissioner labels incident ‘dark chapter’ that left impact on kin of deceased

facilities and officers are now equipped with body-worn cameras during investigations. The commission has also adopted the PEACE model, a UK-developed approach that emphasises safe, ethical and effective interviewing techniques. Azam said the government paid RM600,000 in compensation to Teoh’s family in 2015, along with RM60,000 in legal costs as part of a final settlement. He added that MACC is prepared to offer an additional contribution to support the welfare and education of Teoh’s child. Reaffirming MACC’s pledge to institutional reform, Azam stressed its commitment to transparency and accountability. Teoh, a political aide to a Selangor state executive councillor, was found dead on July 16, 2009 after being held overnight by MACC officers, sparking public anger and demands for justice.

Azam said the commission acknowledges the conclusions of multiple probes over the years, from the Royal Commission of Inquiry in 2011 to the Court of Appeal 2014 ruling, and the most recent police investigation, which was closed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers under “No Further Action”. “Although the investigation did not uncover enough evidence to prosecute anyone, MACC takes seriously the fact that Teoh Beng Hock was found dead on our premises.” Azam said the apology was offered in recognition of the pain and suffering Teoh’s family had endured, adding that MACC has since implemented reforms to restore public trust and prioritise the safety of those assisting in investigations. These include video recording rooms, relocating interview rooms to the ground floor for transparency and upgrading CCTV systems. Security grilles have been added to interview

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Nearly 15 years after Teoh Beng Hock’s death in custody, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has issued a formal apology to his family. In a statement timed with the 16th anniversary of the incident, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki expressed regret, calling Teoh’s death a “dark chapter” that left an impact not only on his family but also on MACC officers and the public.

Customs Dept seizes RM1 million ecstasy pills KUCHING: The Customs Department in Sarawak has foiled an attempt to smuggle RM1 million worth of ecstasy pills hidden in vitamin bottles. a courier company on June 20. “Surveillance over three days revealed that no one came forward to claim the package. “Further inspection revealed 12 plastic bottles labelled ‘Vitamin C 1000 tablets’ containing packets filled with pills suspected to be ecstasy,” he said in a statement. Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya said the attempt to smuggle 5kg of ecstasy pills into Sibu was thwarted during an inspection at

Norizan also said the drugs were smuggled via air courier from Peninsular Malaysia. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment with a minimum of 15 strokes of the cane. – Bernama