19/07/2025

SATURDAY | JULY 19, 2025

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Cops hold anti-terrorism event

Labourer acquitted of double murder JOHOR BAHRU: The High Court discharged and acquitted a labourer of a charge of murdering a single mother and her male friend at a flat unit in Taman Ungku Aminah in Skudai seven years ago. Judge Datuk Abu Bakar Katar made the ruling after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused, M. Jaykumar, 39, at the close of its case. Abu Bakar said the prosecution had failed to prove that the deaths of K. Kamala, 51, and S. Silvaraja, 59, were caused by injuries inflicted by the accused. He said the court also took into account that no traces of the victims’ blood were found on the accused’s clothes or belongings and that the investigating officer did not seize these items to test for the victims’ deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). “The prosecution also failed to prove that the jewellery pawned by the accused belonged to Kamala, as her children could not confirm its ownership during testimony. “There is reasonable doubt since some jewellery was still found with Kamala. “The prosecution attempted to rely on the theory that the accused was the last person seen with the victims, setting the timeline between 7pm on Oct 31 and 3am on Nov 1. “However, according to a witness, Kamala was still on the phone at 11.50pm. How could the prosecution fix 7pm as the starting time when the victim was still alive? “This court finds that without other supporting evidence, it is insufficient to link the accused to the murders,” he said. M. Jaykumar was charged with the murders of K. Kamala and S. Silvaraja at a flat unit in Jalan Hang Jebat 14, Taman Ungku Aminah, between 7pm on Oct 31 and 3am on Nov 1, 2018. The charge, framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction. – Bernama Man charged with killing infant ALOR GAJAH: A shop assistant was charged in the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday with murdering his girlfriend’s 19-month-old infant. Muhammad Isyraf Hifhzan Abdullah, 20, nodded after the charge was read out before Magistrate Dr Teo Shu Yee, but no plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court. Muhammad Isyraf Hifhzan is charged with killing the infant on the third floor of a shop in Bandar Satelit Pulau Sebang, Alor Gajah at about 9pm on July 6. He faces death or imprisonment for not more than 40 years and whipping of not less than 12 strokes under Section 302 of the Penal Code. No bail was allowed and the court set Sept 23 for mention. Deputy public prosecutor Fiqri Hakim Zamri was present for the prosecution while the accused was unrepresented. – Bernama

Hawaii’s 25th Infantry Division and the RCB. Running from July 17 to July 29, the exercise covers strategic locations from Sungai Siput to Lenggong in Perak. The FTX phase, set for July 24 to 29, will be the main event, demonstrating the readiness and joint coordination of the participating forces. The exercise symbolises Malaysia’s and its partners’ commitment to regional security and stability, the statement said. – Bernama “Previously, some Malaysians were influenced by foreign terrorist groups, such as those operating in Syria. However, in recent times, we have observed a shift towards domestic terrorism. “That is why we are presenting this exhibition to prevent people from falling prey to terrorist groups, as they are exposed to such content through social media. “We cannot rely on enforcement alone. The public must be educated on how radical ideologies operate and how they recruit victims. We want to make it clear that terrorism is a real and present threat, not merely a narrative meant to ignite fear.”

(RCB) based in Butterworth, Penang. The exercise was officially launched at the parade ground of the Second Battalion, Royal Ranger Regiment by Army Deputy Chief Lt-Jen Datuk Tengku Muhammad Fauzi Tengku Ibrahim, Australian Assistant Defence Adviser Wing Commander Mike Edwards and United States 25th Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General Col Jim D. Kiersey. Keris Strike 2025 features the Malaysian Second Infantry Brigade as the lead formation, supported by the US 1-27 Infantry Regiment from He added that the showcase displays various items, including homemade bombs, terrorism related books and terrorist passports. Ridzuan said among the highlights are seized items used in terrorist activities, visual presentations of high-profile arrest operations and interactive sessions with E8 officers who explain the processes of detecting and monitoring extremist elements. Police aim to educate the public on the early signs of involvement in terrorism, while stressing the role of awareness in curbing the spread of extremism and radical ideologies.

o ‘Public must be educated on how radical ideologies operate, victims recruited’

IPOH: More than 4,000 personnel from the Malaysian Army, United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) and the Australian Army are participating in the Keris Strike Exercise Series 30/2025, a trilateral military cooperation exercise. In a statement, the Malaysian Army Public Relations Cell announced that the contingent includes 415 officers and 3,322 other ranks from Malaysia, 50 officers and 183 other ranks from USARPAC as well as seven officers and 129 other ranks from Australia. It said the annual exercise, which GOF seizes RM10 million aluminium in raid BATU GAJAH: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized 1,221.3 tonnes of aluminium valued at nearly RM10 million in a raid on a metal processing factory at the Pengkalan 4 Industrial Area in Pusing, Perak. GOF Northern Brigade Deputy Commander ACP Shamsul Baharin Aman said the enforcement operation at 7.30pm on Thursday involved personnel from the Intelligence Unit of the 3rd Battalion GOF, the Intelligence Unit of the Northern Brigade Headquarters and the 1st Battalion GOF, with assistance from the Perak Environment Department (DOE) and Batu Gajah District Council. He said the premises were believed to be carrying out aluminium processing activities without a valid licence or permit issued by the Perak DOE under the Environmental Quality Act 1974. “Inspection found a large quantity of aluminium as well as equipment used in aluminium processing and production at the premises. A 37-year-old local man who identified himself as the factory manager was arrested for further investigation. “The seizure involved aluminium weighing 1,221.3 tonnes. In addition, various machines and processing equipment, including a lorry engine, were also confiscated, bringing the total estimated value of the seizure to RM11,812,280.” – Bernama BATU KAWAN: Police brought an anti-terrorism exhibition to the National Unity Week programme at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang, aimed at raising public awareness of the dangers of involvement in terrorist activities. Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division (E8) staff officer ACP Ridzuan Abdul Aziz said the event is also intended to enhance public understanding of terrorism and the importance of

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began on Thursday and now in its 30th iteration, aims to strengthen strategic cooperation, enhance joint operational capabilities and deepen military ties. “Since its inception, Keris Strike has served as a platform for combined training, featuring components such as Staff Exercise, Subject Matter Expert Exchange, Cross Training Exercise and Field Training Exercise (FTX).” In 2024, the exercise marked a milestone with the inaugural participation of the Australian Army’s Rifle Company Butterworth countering such activities. “We are bringing the exhibition to the public to explain what terrorism and extremism are, so people could understand and avoid involvement in such activities, which not only harm individuals but also the nation,” he told Bernama at the event on Thursday. The programme runs from July 17 to July 20 and features 35 activities for visitors.

Joint military exercise engages over 4,000 personnel

10 injured after school van overturns in Johor Bahru Aznan said the authorities were investigating the cause of the accident and appropriate action would be taken.

JOHOR BAHRU: Ten people were injured when the school van they were travelling in overturned on Jalan Abdul Samad. State Education and Information Committee chairman Aznan Tamin said the accident is said to have occurred at about 7am on Thursday and the victims are receiving treatment at Sultanah Aminah Hospital. “The van was carrying 16 students, three from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK)

He added that the authorities were conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and appropriate action would be taken. “Let us pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and that all matters involving them and their families are eased.” Johor Bahru Selatan police chief ACP Raub Selamat said a report had been lodged and investigations are under way. – Bernama

Mohd Khalid, three from SMK Aminuddin Baki and 10 from Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Jalan Yahya Awal. “All 10 injured are pupils from SJKT Jalan Yahya Awal, aged between 10 and 12. They suffered injuries such as broken arms, fractured fingers and other minor wounds,” he said in a Facebook post. He described the incident as heartbreaking, especially as it involved the safety of children.