28/07/2025

MONDAY | JULY 28, 2025 5 Police bust wildlife hunting, trafficking syndicate in Perak KUALA LUMPUR: The Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Intelligence Investigation (WCB/SII) Division of Bukit Aman’s Department of Internal Security and Public Order has successfully dismantled illegal wildlife hunting and trafficking activities in two separate raids carried out in Perak and Kedah on July 24. Its director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said the raids were the result of integrated intelligence efforts, made possible through strategic intra- and inter-agency cooperation involving the Manjung district police headquarters, the Perak and Kedah branches of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and local authorities. In the first operation, conducted at 9.45am at a residence in Lumut, Perak, authorities arrested four local men aged between 31 and 61, and seized a range of wildlife specimens and weapons. “Among the items confiscated were seven wild boar carcasses, 148 packages of water monitor lizard parts, 80 packages believed to contain wild boar meat, and a live monitor lizard. We also seized a Benelli Raffaello Elegant rifle, 30 bullets, 40 used bullet casings, and a bullet belt. “The team also discovered four mobile phones, five freezer units, a necklace with two pendants believed to be tiger claws weighing 189.12g, a skull fragment suspected to be from a wild boar, and 23 vials believed to contain water monitor lizard bile,”he said in a statement. Azmi estimated the total value of the items seized in the Lumut raid at RM150,895. The case is being investigated under Sections 60(1)(a), 60(1)(b) and 68(1)(b) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716), relating to hunting, possession or keeping parts of protected wildlife without a licence or special permit. The case is also being probed under Section 39 of the Arms Act 1960 for illegal possession and use of a firearm. In addition, the Manjung Municipal Council issued three compound notices under the Licensing of Trades, Businesses and Industries By-Laws, for various offences including keeping livestock without a valid licence, operating frozen meat storage facilities without approval, and conducting animal slaughter or evisceration without proper authorisation. A warning notice was also served under Section 70 of the Streets, Drainage and Building Act 1974 to the property owner for constructing a building without proper approval. – Bernama Fires rage in Sarawak amid rising air pollution MIRI: A forest fire covering more than 4ha – roughly the size of 10 football fields – is raging in the Marudi district of northern Sarawak. According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Sarawak Bomba), the blaze began late Saturday evening at an agricultural-fruit plantation in Logan Unga before spreading into the surrounding forest. “We have deployed firefighting teams from Marudi town to the site. Accessibility is difficult as the fire has spread into forested terrain. More than 4ha are currently burning. “The plantation’s management has mobilised workers and excavators to dig firebreaks in an effort to prevent further spread,” Sarawak Bomba said, adding that the fire is located along the Marudi–Miri road. In central Sarawak, another major forest fire in the Mukah district, which began three days ago, is still burning. “Our fire teams have already extinguished more than 2ha in Mukah, but approximately 2.5ha remain ablaze,” the department reported. As of 8am yesterday, Miri city recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Sarawak at 98, compared with readings in the 70s on Saturday. Elsewhere in the state, most areas recorded API readings in the 70s and 80s throughout the day. – by Joseph Peter

Many harmful chemicals found in vape liquids

o Experts warn of cancer causing compounds, toxic metals and rising use among minors despite new law

for Tobacco Control (MCTC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that Malaysia is facing a worsening public health crisis due to rising e-cigarette use among children and adolescents. The statement, issued by MCTC president associate professor Dr Murallitharan Munisamy and WHO representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe, described e cigarettes as “harmful and addictive” and accused the industry of exploiting regulatory loopholes to target vulnerable youth. They said vape-related poisoning cases are on the rise, including among children under five and teenagers, while illicit drug-laced vape products are spreading due to weak enforcement. “We’ve witnessed the industry’s ability to relentlessly exploit and circumvent regulatory gaps and target our most vulnerable population – our children.” The commentary also pointed out that over 40 countries, including Brunei, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, have adopted national bans on e-cigarettes. “Malaysia stands at a critical juncture. We cannot afford to wait. Every delay means more children exposed, more families affected, more lives at risk.” On Wednesday, Bernama reported that the Malacca Health Department is drafting a proposal to ban the manufacture and sale of vape products in the state. Echoing similar concerns, Malacca State Health Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem told the state legislative assembly that vape liquids contain heavy metals such as nickel, chromium, cadmium and cobalt – all of which pose serious risks to the lungs, kidneys and mental health.

through the lungs. “These may be approved for oral consumption, but are unsafe when inhaled. The aerosols go directly into the lungs and blood circulation,” she explained. Nur Amani also flagged the use of food grade dyes, often added for aesthetic purposes, which have been linked to allergic reactions and cancer. She further highlighted the presence of volatile organic compounds including acrolein, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde – chemicals typically found in vehicle exhaust – along with heavy metals such as nickel, lead, chromium, cadmium and arsenic. “These are known carcinogens and can lead to infertility, cancer and mental health issues,” she said, noting that even water, sometimes added to vape liquids, poses risks when inhaled. She warned that nicotine salts, a formulation combined with benzoic acid to heighten the addictive effect, could disrupt hormone regulation, impair insulin production and increase cardiovascular risks. “Among teenagers, it impairs brain development, delays growth and contributes to mental health issues such as depression and emotional instability.” Despite the introduction of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), she said enforcement gaps remain. “These products are still widely advertised and sold on social media. They’re easily accessible to minors despite legal prohibitions.” Citing a recent case study by Universiti Putra Malaysia, she noted that 80% of vape products labelled as nicotine-free were found to contain nicotine. In a joint statement, the Malaysian Council

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Experts have warned that vape liquids sold in Malaysia may contain thousands of harmful chemicals, including addictive agents, industrial solvents and cancer-linked compounds, raising concern over ongoing regulatory loopholes and its increasing use among adolescents. Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Medicine, family medicine and tobacco control researcher associate professor Dr Nur Amani Ahmad Tajuddin said recent studies had detected more than 2,000 chemical compounds in vape liquids. “The number one most common poison is nicotine. It’s the key ingredient that causes addiction to vape, making it very difficult for users to quit,” she said. She added that vape liquids often contain propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, substances widely used in the food industry but unsafe for inhalation, and are readily available on online shopping platforms. Flavouring and colouring agents such as anillin, ethyl maltol and cinnamaldehyde are also commonly used to enhance appeal, but are not meant to enter the bloodstream

Nur Amani said vape liquids often contain propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin that are unsafe for inhalation. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

24 houses destroyed by fire in Tuaran TUARAN: A total of 24 houses and a vehicle were destroyed in a fire at Kampung Mengkabong, Tuaran, on Saturday.

Management Secretariat reported that 114 individuals from 35 families were affected by the fire. A Temporary Evacuation Centre was opened at Dewan Seri Sulaman at 7pm on Saturday to house the displaced families. The Civil Defence Force is continuing to gather information on the victims. – Bernama Committee

Putatan fire and rescue stations — were dispatched to the scene. “The team used water from fire rescue tenders and water tankers to extinguish the blaze. Operations concluded at 10.38pm. The cause of the fire and estimated losses are still under investigation,” he said in a statement yesterday. Meanwhile, the Tuaran District Disaster

Tuaran Fire and Rescue Station chief Mohammad Nor Amit confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident. He said the station received a distress call at 3.34pm, and 24 firefighters — including personnel from the Kota Kinabalu and