31/07/2025

THURSDAY | JULY 31, 2025 5 ‘Boy found buried died from strangulation’ REMBAU: Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof confirmed that a six-year-old boy, whose body was discovered buried in a remote area in Rompin, Jempol, was killed by strangulation with a cable tie, following a post-mortem at Rembau Hospital. “The autopsy revealed the boy died due to pressure from a cable tie around his neck,“ he said, adding that the case is now being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. The investigation first began under Johor police jurisdiction, classified under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and Section 323/18 of the Domestic Violence Act and Missing Persons procedures. Ahmad Dzaffir said a suspect is still in remand in Johor, but will be taken to Jempol for further questioning. “We will also be recording statements from witnesses, particularly the victim’s mother,” he added. Meanwhile, Jempol police chief Supt Norhisham Mustapar said a hoe, believed to have been used by the suspect to dig the boy’s grave, was recovered from a secluded area near Jalan Bahau–Rompin. Police discovered the victim’s body at about 4.30pm on Monday, after a tip-off led them to the burial site. – Bernama Student detained for punching teacher KUALA LUMPUR: A 14-year-old male student has been detained for allegedly punching and threatening his schoolteacher after he was reprimanded for skipping a physical education class on Tuesday. Kajang police chief ACP Naazron Abdul Yusof said the 29-year-old secondary school teacher lodged a report at 7.15pm on Tuesday, and the student was detained shortly afterwards in the Kajang area. “The suspect was unhappy with the reprimand, which led to a scuffle with the teacher. He then punched the teacher in the face and threatened him. The incident, which occurred within the school compound, was witnessed by several teachers and students,” he said in a statement. Naazron said the student was remanded for two days and the case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt. - Bernama Fake vape liquid seized, four nabbed KUALA TERENGGANU: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in Terengganu seized 1,405 units of counterfeit electronic cigarette refill liquid worth RM21,094 during an operation. State ministry director Mohd Mufsi Lat said the seizures followed raids on four business premises in the Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus districts on Tuesday. Four men in their 40s, believed to be shop owners and employees, were detained to assist investigations. The operation involved 46 enforcement personnel from the ministry, Kuala Terengganu City Council and the district health offices of Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus. “The raids were conducted following complaints from a registered trademark holder, and the products were found to violate the Trademarks Act 2019,” he said in a statement. He added that offenders could face a fine of up to RM15,000 for companies, while individuals may be fined up to RM10,000, jailed up to three years, or both. He urged the public to report trademark violations through WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, hotline 1-800-886-800 or the Ez Aduan KPDN app. – Bernama

Sarawak drought, wildfire crisis pose threat to lives

o Affected communities struggling with shortage of drinking water due to dry weather while widespread blaze compounds environmental risks

200 football fields. “This is the fifth day we have deployed more firefighting teams from Marudi town to the site. “Accessibility is difficult as the fire had spread into a forest and peatland. The area on fire is still more than 80.15ha,” the department said. The fire reportedly started at an oil palm and pineapple plantation before spreading into surrounding forest and peatland areas, fuelled by dry and windy conditions. In Mukah district, firefighters continue to battle a stubborn forest fire that began six days ago. Although they have successfully extinguished over 2ha, another 2ha remain ablaze, equivalent to around five football fields. In southern Sarawak, a landfill fire in Kota Samarahan has covered at least 4ha, posing health hazards due to smoke and airborne pollutants. In Sibu district, the Tanjung Manis landfill is also burning. Firefighters are trying to control flames across 2ha of waste. The Sarawak government has placed the entire state on alert for wildfires and haze since last week, bracing for more hotspots to emerge if dry conditions persist. While the dry spell shows little sign of easing, coordinated efforts are underway to manage the impact.

Ű BY JOSEPH PETER newsdesk@thesundaily.com

“The communities have no adequate water for their basic consumption.” The former works minister said he has alerted state authorities to prepare for emergency water supply deployment but logistical challenges persist as the nearest major water treatment plant is located in Lawas town, a gruelling seven-hour journey across rugged and mountainous terrain. As water scarcity worsens, wildfires continue to flare across Sarawak, compounding environmental and public health risks. The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department yesterday confirmed that four major fires were still burning across various districts, including Marudi in the north, Mukah and Sibu in central Sarawak and Samarahan in the south. In Marudi, the largest of the wildfires, first reported four days ago, has grown exponentially. What began as a blaze across 4.04ha of plantation and forest in Logan Unga has now spread to more than 82ha, roughly the size of

MIRI: Sarawak is now facing a deepening crisis as prolonged drought conditions and widespread wildfires continue, threatening lives and livelihoods across the northern border region adjoining Kalimantan. In Bakelalan, along the Sarawak Kalimantan mountain range, communities are struggling with severe shortage of drinking water, said state assemblyman Baru Bian. “Clean water sources from underground wells have run dry, while gravity feed systems have also dried up as the drought worsen in populated areas without water treatment plants. “Even in localities with water treatment plants, the supply is depleting due to the extreme dry weather. “I have visited some of the affected communities and the ground situation is indeed critical as drinking water is depleting to crisis levels.

New top cop of Selangor to enhance police image SHAH ALAM: Newly appointed Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar is determined to focus efforts on improving public perception of police services in the state. Shazeli takes over from Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, who was appointed as Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director at Bukit Aman on July 21. STILL AT IT ... A ‘pay-per-photo’ street photographer taking a picture of a visitor at KLCC despite some of them being recently hauled up and fined RM2,000 each for offering their services without permits. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

of police among the Selangor community. That is my main focus. Insya-Allah , we will collaborate towards achieving that objective. “This positive perception is closely linked to various issues that can be managed, and from there we will plan our next steps based on necessity,” he said after a rank conferment and handing over of duties ceremony for the Selangor police chief yesterday. The ceremony was held at the Selangor Police Contingent headquarters, witnessed by Bukit Aman Logistics and Technology Department director CP Gilberd Philip Layang.

Prior to Shazeli’s appointment, the role was temporarily held by Selangor police deputy chief Mohd Zaini Abu Hassan. Shazeli, 50, who has served nearly 25 years in the force, began his career in the Criminal Investigation Department at the Ipoh district police headquarters in Perak. He has held various strategic roles at Bukit Aman and has led the Special Branch in Perak. – Bernama

Commencing his duties officially yesterday, he said the effort would facilitate the tasks of his team in more effectively managing issues relating to crime and public order. He added that to achieve this, his team would also work closely with the state government to ensure the well-being of residents is maintained at the highest level. “My first responsibility is to work alongside the team in enhancing the positive perception