06/08/2025

WEDNESDAY | AUG 6, 2025

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Police warn of scams aimed at govt aid recipients

M’sians nabbed in anti-smuggling raids KUALA LUMPUR: Eight Malaysians are among 15 suspected tekong darat , or ground handlers of smuggling activities, who have been arrested by police in raids conducted under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 in Selangor since Jan 1. General Operations Force (GOF) Central Brigade Commander SAC Hakemal Hawari said seven Indonesian tekong darat and 224 illegal immigrants were also arrested during the period. “In raids conducted on June 21 and July 22, the GOF team seized 10.35kg of drugs suspected to be syabu and 3.6kg of ecstasy pills, as well as vehicles, with the total amount of the seizure estimated to be worth RM1.5 million.” He said the arrests and seizures were the result of various strategic enforcement approaches targeting smuggling activities, particularly in Malaysian waters along the Selangor coast and the west coast of Johor. According to Hakemal, 288 raids were conducted during the same period across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor. He said this resulted in the arrest of 1,005 individuals and seizures worth RM1.1 billion, adding that the success proves GOF’s commitment to addressing crimes that threaten the country’s security and wellbeing. “The public is urged to be the eyes and ears of the security forces, and channel information regarding criminal activities to ensure the country’s borders continue to remain free from encroachment and illegal activities.” – Bernama Couple die after car crashes into pole SEGAMAT: A married couple died after the car they were travelling in skidded and crashed into power poles at Km13 of Jalan Segamat-Kuantan. Segamat police chief Supt Ahmad Zamry Marinsah said the crash on Monday is believed to have occurred when the 51-year-old local man and his 36-year-old wife were heading towards Segamat. “The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and further investigations are being carried out. Anyone with related information can contact the (traffic division of the) Segamat police headquarters.” Segamat Fire and Rescue station operations commander Senior Fire Officer Abd Rahim Taufik said after receiving a distress call at 1.46pm, a fire rescue tender with six personnel was despatched to the scene. “Upon arrival, the operations team had to extricate the victims from the car using special equipment.” – Bernama Two-year-old found dead in sewer SIBU: A two-year-old toddler has been found dead in a sewer after he is believed to have fallen through a manhole in Jalan Pedada here. A Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department operations centre spokesperson said the victim, identified as Ehthin Ling, was confirmed dead at the scene by Health Ministry personnel. The department received a distress call at 6.29pm on Monday and despatched a team of 10 firefighters from the Sibu Central Fire and Rescue station, arriving at the scene four minutes later. “Upon arrival, the child’s father informed the team that his son had gone missing and is believed to have fallen into the sewer system. A search and rescue operation was immediately launched. “At 6.55pm, the toddler’s body was found floating inside the sewer and was retrieved. The body was handed over to police,” the spokesperson said. – Bernama

o ‘Syndicates may try to obtain personal and banking information under guise of verifying eligibility’

links or enter personal information on unverified websites.” He added that all matters relating to government aid should only be referred through official channels, including ministry or agency websites managing the aid. “The public is also advised to carefully check application terms, eligibility and implementation details before taking any action,” he said. He noted that even a small mistake, such as sharing an OTP code, could lead to losses and urged the public to only seek accurate and updated information through official government portals or recognised mainstream media. On July 23, Anwar announced a one-off RM100 cash aid for Malaysians aged 18 and above via their MyKad under the programme, involving a RM2 billion allocation benefiting 22 million people. four-wheel drive vehicle when police identified themselves to him in front of a shop in Jalan Tengku Ismail at 10.30am on Monday. “The man sped off and crashed on the side of the road before his vehicle came to a stop at the traffic light intersection. A scuffle ensued between police personnel and the suspect, who later tested positive for drugs and was arrested,” he said in a statement. Mazlan said police also seized various cable theft tools, including an iron hammer and a manhole cover opener, as well as a quantity of yaba pills. Upon further investigation, the suspect admitted to being involved in communication cable theft cases in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Pahang in February. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The public has been urged to be cautious of scam syndicates that might take advantage of the RM100 assistance under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah programme, which was recently announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said authorities expect these syndicates to become active, targeting the public to obtain personal and banking information under the guise of verifying aid eligibility. These syndicates typically impersonate government agency representatives by contacting victims through fake messages or phishing links that appear official, delivered GEORGE TOWN: A man was caught by a homeowner on Monday after returning to a house he had burglarised in Batu Maung here to collect items he had left behind. Southwest District police chief ACP Sazalee Adam said initial investigations revealed that the suspect entered the house through the backdoor while the housemaid was outside disposing of trash. “When the suspect noticed the homeowner’s presence, he escaped but later returned to collect forgotten items. “The homeowner and a friend apprehended the suspect and handed him over to a police patrol unit in Zone Three, Batu Maung.” The suspect tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamines and

via SMS, WhatsApp or phone calls. “Once the criminals obtain details such as bank account numbers, identity card numbers or OTP codes, they will access the victim’s account and transfer funds without the victim’s knowledge.” Although no police reports have been received involving scams linked to the programme, authorities take seriously the potential for exploitation by irresponsible parties targeting vulnerable groups. Rusdi advised the public to remain vigilant and never share personal or financial information with unknown individuals, Bernama reported. “Do not easily trust calls, messages or links claiming to be from government agencies offering assistance. Never click on suspicious benzodiazepines in an initial urine test. He also has a record of drug-related offences. Sazalee said the suspect would be brought before the Balik Pulau Magistrate’s Court for a remand order, adding that the case is being probed under Section 448 of the Penal Code. Earlier, a 25-second video of the incident was widely spread on social media, showing the suspect descending the stairs while the homeowner confronted him. In a separate case in Pahang, a man with 44 previous crime and drug-related offences was arrested at the Jalan Tengku Ismail traffic light intersection in Temerloh following a scuffle with police. Temerloh police chief ACP Mazlan Hassan said the 35-year-old had sped off in a

The assistance can be used from Aug 31 to Dec 31 and is aimed at easing the people’s cost of living. Burglar returns for items, caught by homeowner

SHIELDED BY KNOWLEDGE ... Children working on activity sheets yesterday as part of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s Safe Internet Campaign, which aims to raise awareness on online risks and threats to children. – BERNAMAPIC

Probe into video of influencers giving leftovers to homeless CYBERJAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has launched an investigation into a widely spread video showing social media influencers giving leftover food to a homeless person, following public complaints. MCMC condemned the act of exploiting vulnerable groups for cheap entertainment, warning that such content degrades human dignity and risks normalising inhumane behaviour. The probe is being conducted under existing laws, with MCMC vowing to take stern action against offenders.

The public was urged to refrain from sharing provocative or offensive material that could disrupt public order. Under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, offenders may face a maximum fine of RM500,000, up to two years’ jail or both if convicted. – Bernama