12/08/2025

TUESDAY | AUG 12, 2025

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Efforts heightened to protect children from sexual crimes

SINGAPORE: Four Malaysians were among 79 suspected drug offenders arrested in an island-wide anti-drug operation in Singapore from Aug 4 to 8, during which drugs estimated to be worth more than SGD$470,000 (RM1,549,000) were seized, according to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). The agency said about 3.45kg of heroin, 909g of “Ice” (crystal methamphetamine), 3g of ganja , five ecstasy tablets, five Erimin-5 tablets and one bottle of gamma-hydroxybutyrate were seized during the operation. CNB said a 25-year-old Malaysian man was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint on Aug 5 for attempting to smuggle drugs into Singapore via a Malaysian-registered car. Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority had directed the car for enhanced checks and found several biscuit packages suspected to contain controlled drugs on the rear passenger seat. “CNB officers were immediately 79-year-old arrested over setting fire to wife’s house BANDAR PERMAISURI: A 79-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to his second wife’s home in Kampung Langkap Baru on Sunday. Setiu district police chief Supt Mohd Zain Mat Dris said the man was arrested on the grounds of the Chabang Tiga police station in Kuala Terengganu at 4.11am after he was spotted by his stepson lobbing an object at the house at 1am. “The stepson also saw the suspect enter the house through the window of the kitchen, which caught fire before the suspect left the area,” he said in a statement, adding that the stepson, who was in the house, was unhurt. He added that the suspect has been remanded for four days for further investigation under Section 435 of the Penal Code. – Bernama

Division is actively expanding awareness campaigns related to Section 19 of Act 792, which mandates all individuals to report suspected cases of child sexual crimes to authorities. Touching on the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, he said amendments in 2023 led to the creation of a full-time position for chief children commissioner, along with two children commissioners and one additional commissioner, all dedicated to strengthening oversight of government policies related to child protection. “Their role is to provide assistance, commentary and recommendations on government plans and policies, as well as to announce improvements. If issues arise, they will actively speak out to ensure continuous progress,” he added. – Bernama

Thiyagu noted that to broaden access to justice for victims, the number of Special Courts for Sexual Crimes Against Children has been increased to 81 nationwide, along with the introduction of child-friendly mobile courts. “These mobile courts are equipped with a child witness room and will travel to where the child is located, eliminating the need for the child to travel to a physical courtroom, which may be distressing,” he explained. He underscored the importance of specialised training for prosecutors, judges and lawyers to improve the handling of child-related cases, in line with the 2023 legal reforms regulating the manner in which child witnesses are examined, cross-examined and re-examined in court. He also said the Legal Affairs

efforts include amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792), the expansion of special criminal courts and ongoing training for legal officers. He also said several key amendments were made to Act 792 in 2023, including replacing the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”, introducing new offences such as live-streaming of sexual crimes and sextortion, and mandating compensation for victims. “Additionally, the government has recently passed the Online Safety Act 2025, which places the responsibility on digital platforms to remove child sexual abuse content. “It also introduces the safety-by-design concept to ensure a safer online environment for children,” he said during an interview on Bernama TV’s Apa Khabar Malaysia programme yesterday.

alerted to the detection and conducted further checks. The biscuit packages were later found to contain about 2.03kg of heroin and 731g of Ice,” said CNB. On Aug 6, CNB officers arrested a 39-year-old Malaysian man, a 43-year-old Malaysian woman and a 53-year-old Singaporean man for suspected drug offences following an operation in the vicinity of Jurong West and Henderson Road. The Malaysian man was found with 60g of Ice and keycards to a hotel located in the vicinity of Geylang. “With the keycards recovered, CNB officers raided the hotel rooms and found about 1.42kg of heroin, 62g of Ice and drug paraphernalia,” the agency added. CNB said later the same day, through follow-up investigations, a second operation was launched in the vicinity of Tampines, resulting in the arrest of a 28-year-old Malaysian man. Investigations into all arrested suspects are ongoing. – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: The government is intensifying efforts to safeguard children from sexual crimes through legislative improvements and more comprehensive implementation strategies. Prime Minister’s Department Legal Affairs Division deputy director-general (Legal Reform Sector) Thiyagu Ganesan said these o Moves include amendments to law, expansion of special criminal courts, training for legal officers: PM’s Dept

M’sians among 79 nabbed in S’pore drug bust

ILLEGAL WORKERS ... Immigration Department officers during a raid arresting foreigners who misused their visit passes at a massage parlour in Tambun, Ipoh. – BERNAMAPIC

Bail for man in inverted-flag case GEORGE TOWN: The owner of a hardware shop in Jalan Bertam Perdana, Kepala Batas on the mainland has been released on police bail after having his statement recorded for allegedly flying the Jalur Gemilang upside down in front of his premises. investigation papers were sent to the DPP’s office today. We are awaiting further instructions.” Anuar said police are investigating the case under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. He also said police would be transparent in their investigations.

Unemployed numbers drop to 518,700 PUTRAJAYA: June’s unemployment rate held at 3%, with unemployed numbers declining to 518,700, according to the Labour Force Statistics for June and the second quarter (Q2) of this year. rate (LFPR) in June stood at 70.8%, consistent with the rate recorded in May,” he said in a statement. Commenting on the overall performance for Q2, Mohd Uzir said the labour force experienced a growth of 0.8% to 17.37 million persons compared with 17.23 million in the first quarter.

dropped by 0.1% to 3% compared with the previous quarter,” he said. Mohd Uzir said Malaysia’s labour market is expected to remain stable in the coming months, supported by rising domestic demand, higher productivity, more job opportunities and broad-based investments, particularly in technology and strategic sectors. “Although there are challenges, such as talent migration, global trade tensions and inflation, government policies focusing on digitalisation, technical training and investment incentives are expected to sustain medium to long-term growth,” he added. – Bernama

North Seberang Perai district police chief ACP Anuar Abd Rahman said the 59-year-old man, who was arrested on Saturday night, was released on Sunday after police completed recording his statement. “Statements from more than 10 people have been recorded to assist in the investigation into the incident, and we have also completed the investigation papers. “The shop owner was released on police bail at 3pm and the

Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the labour market maintained its positive growth momentum in June, driven by the national economy’s continued expansion. “This was reflected in a steady rise in employment and a further decline in unemployment. The labour force continued its upward trend in June, increasing by 0.3% month-on-month to 17.43 million persons. “The labour force participation

The LFPR increased marginally by 0.1% to reach 70.8%, compared with the previous quarter. “Reflecting this trend, the number of employed persons increased by 0.9% to 16.85 million persons and the number of unemployed persons showed a decline of 1% to 520,900 persons. “The unemployment rate for Q2

On claims that certain quarters intended to hold a demonstration over the matter, Anuar confirmed that police have received information about the planned protest. “We have advised them not to proceed with the protest to avoid any public order issues in the area.” – Bernama