23/07/2025

WEDNESDAY | JULY 23, 2025 5 Three senior citizens killed, three injured in highway crash IPOH: Three senior citizens were killed and three others injured in a collision involving two vehicles at Km328.9 of the southbound PLUS Highway near the Tapah–Bidor stretch yesterday. Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Sabarozi Nor Ahmad said the department received a distress call at 11.19am and deployed seven personnel to the scene. The deceased were identified as Chong Ong, 77, Teh Kim Kai, 76, and Tan Ah Tak, 70. “One man in the first car was injured while five men were in the other car. Two were injured and three died at the scene.” The injured were handed over to medical personnel while the deceased were confirmed dead at the scene and referred to police for further action. Tapah police chief Supt Johari Yahya said all victims were taken to the Tapah Hospital, adding that further details would be shared soon. – Bernama Mother claims never left late son alone in child neglect case PETALING JAYA: The mother of the late Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin told the Sessions Court here yesterday that she never left her child alone except during working hours and school sessions. “Never, not even once. I was the one who carried, gave birth to and raised Zayn. Throughout his life, I was only ever separated from him during my working hours and when he was at school. “I never left Zayn alone or neglected him,“ said Ismanira Abdul Manaf, the first defence witness, during the examination-in-chief that was conducted by her lawyer Haresh Mahadevan on the second day of the defence proceedings in the child neglect case involving her autistic son. Ismanira, 30, firmly denied that she neglected Zayn Rayyan, as alleged in the charge brought against her. “I was not at Block R the entire time and I never went near the river area as alleged. I genuinely lost my child on that day (Dec 5, 2023), and it was not a case of neglect,“ she said. On Monday, judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh ordered Ismanira to enter her defence after the prosecution successfully established a prima facie case against her, while her husband Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 30, was discharged and acquitted of the same charge. Ismanira is charged with neglecting Zayn Rayyan in a manner likely to cause him physical harm at or around Block R, Idaman Apartments in Damansara Damai, extending to a nearby river area, between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023. The charge is brought under

‘Lack of safety rules raises risk in student housing’

o Conflict could escalate in environments without surveillance or support systems: Crime analyst

Ű BY MAHADHIR MONIHULDIN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: While murder is an extreme and rare outcome in university settings, criminologists warn that a lack of safety protocols in student housing could heighten the risk when emotional or financial pressures spiral out of control. The warning comes in the wake of a recent case involving a 20-year-old university student who was found dead in a student residence unit in Cyberjaya on June 24. It was reported that the victim’s housemate is alleged to have given her boyfriend an access card to the hostel, prompting calls for tighter visitor monitoring in student accommodation. Crime analyst Datuk Shahul Hamid said such cases often stem from a volatile mix of relationship breakdowns, emotional turmoil and poor conflict resolution, and could escalate in environments lacking surveillance or support systems. “Conflicts over jealousy, betrayal, money or emotional abuse could easily trigger a breakdown when there are no safeguards or avenues for de-escalation.” He added that young people, particularly students, may feel cornered or overwhelmed, especially if they suffer from mental stress, peer pressure or toxic relationships. “In some cases, the perpetrator wants to silence the victim or avoid exposure. Others are driven by misguided loyalty or group dynamics that promote aggression.” He said these incidents rarely happen in public campus areas, such as lecture halls or cafeterias. Instead, they tend to occur in off-campus or private residential settings, such as student apartments, rented rooms or condominiums, where supervision is minimal and access is loosely controlled. Shahul urged universities and hostel operators to mitigate risk by implementing the following: 0 CCTV coverage and improved lighting in residential compounds; 0 Strict visitor registration and access card control; 0 24/7 emergency hotlines and campus rapid-response teams;

Haezreena said the perception that student housing is inherently safe needs to be re-evaluated as many hostels and rented accommodations have inadequate surveillance, poor lighting and no formal security measures. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

premeditated but committed in the heat of the moment. “Violence could erupt over something as trivial as a stare-down or an argument, and if emotions flare without anyone stepping in, the worst could happen.” She said the perception that student housing is inherently safe needs to be re-evaluated as many hostels and rented accommodations have inadequate surveillance, poor lighting and no formal security measures. “If institutions choose to house students under one roof, they must take full responsibility for their safety.” This includes panic buttons or distress alarms, especially for students from other states or countries, who may lack support networks. “Students should be taught to balance privacy with personal safety. Do not open the door to just anyone. And always let someone, a friend, sibling or parent, know where you are going.”

“Students should also be educated on basic personal safety, such as being cautious with roommates and guests, and knowing who to contact in an emergency.” He advised parents to maintain open lines of communication, visit their children’s accommodation when possible and ensure their children know how to seek help. “Simple safety tools, such as personal alarms or flashlights, could make a difference. Most importantly, students must feel empowered to speak up when something feels off.” He stressed that while the recent Cyberjaya case is tragic, murders involving university students are exceedingly rare in Malaysia. “National youth homicide rates have been on a decline from 0.3 per 100,000 cases to 0.17. So, while the issue is not widespread, it certainly warrants preventive attention.” Universiti Malaya criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid said financial desperation is one of the most common triggers in such cases.

Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries up to 20 years’ jail, a maximum fine of RM50,000 or both, upon conviction. – Bernama Mahathir, Ahmad Zahid drop defamation lawsuits against each other 0 Mental health outreach, anti-bullying programmes and anonymous reporting channels; and 0 Staff and warden training to identify emotional red flags. “Crimes of passion are one thing but some murders are also motivated by money, be it inheritance, insurance claims or just sheer debt.” She added that murder is often not Haezreena stressed that student murders remain an anomaly but that is no reason to be complacent. “It is not a rampant issue but it is one we cannot afford to ignore.”

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday agreed to withdraw their respective defamation lawsuits filed against each other at the High Court here. Mahathir, 100, withdrew his suit against Ahmad Zahid, 73, over allegedly defamatory remarks related to the “kutty” issue, without the right

Suhaimi informed that both parties had reached a mutual agreement. This was confirmed by Ahmad Zahid’s lawyer Mohamed Shahrul Fazli Kamarulzaman. Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, both lawyers said all related cases were dropped in the interest of the public and to help promote unity among national leaders. – Bernama

identity card, after testifying in the suit against Ahmad Zahid. In the “kutty” defamation case, Mahathir completed giving his testimony on Dec 5 last year while his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir was the final witness for the plaintiff on Dec 9. The court was initially set to hear the contempt proceedings yesterday but Mahathir’s lawyer Mior Nor Haidir

the cases to be resolved. Mahathir had initially filed the suit over remarks allegedly made by Ahmad Zahid during the Kelana Jaya Umno Division meeting on July 30, 2017, which were later published by several news portals. The contempt proceedings were related to Mahathir’s press conference, during which he displayed documents, including his

to refile the case. In return, Ahmad Zahid withdrew his suit accusing Mahathir of abusing his position to interfere in his ongoing court case. He also dropped contempt of court proceedings related to a press conference held by Mahathir at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex lobby on Dec 5 last year. Judicial commissioner Gan Techiong allowed the applications and ordered