20/09/2025

SATURDAY | SEPT 20, 2025

5

Zara inquest put off after witness statement leaked

Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), with the consent of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, has issued a RM100,000 compound each to Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd and Sinar Karangkraf Sdn Bhd. In a statement yesterday, MCMC said action was taken against Sin Chew Media after an investigation found that the organisation had uploaded an incomplete illustration of the Jalur Gemilang on its digital newspaper. The compound against Sinar Karangkraf was issued after the organisation posted on its official Instagram account a profile containing false information about the inspector-general of police, involving claims about top leadership roles in a local political party. “Both investigations were conducted under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Suspect arrested over molestation of girl in toilet KULAI: Police have arrested a 32-year-old local man suspected of molesting a 10-year-old girl in a public toilet in Jalan Jambu Air, Taman Iris here last Sunday. Kulai district police chief ACP Tan Seng Lee said the incident occurred at 7.30pm when the victim was in the toilet before being approached by the suspect. “Acting on a report received on Sept 14, a team of officers and personnel managed to arrest the suspect in the Kulai area at 5.45pm on Thursday. “Checks revealed that the suspect has three records related to sexual crimes. Investigations are ongoing to determine the possibility of his involvement in other cases within or outside the district,” he said in a statement. Tan said the suspect would be brought to the Kulai Magistrate’s Court for a remand application and the case is being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping if convicted. – Bernama Man held in house fire case MUAR: A technician has been remanded for seven days on suspicion of setting fire to his family home and hurting his father. The Muar Magistrate’s Court granted a remand order against the 32-year-old suspect until Wednesday to facilitate police investigations. Muar district police chief ACP Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the incident saw the suspect assaulting his 70-year-old father with a cane and a knife. He said the case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire and Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons. – Bernama

of the Form One student. In response to Goh’s question as to whether Zara Qairina’s mother had ever asked him if the deceased had reported any issues at school, the witness said: “No. However, her mother mentioned that her daughter had been diligent in recording the names of students who did not pray, the names of students who had performed the mandatory bath and those who had not, in that purple diary.” Zara Qairina died on July 17 at the hospital and was buried at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim cemetery in Sipitang the same day. She was admitted to the hospital a day earlier after being found unconscious near a drain at her school hostel in Papar at 4am. On Aug 8, the Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered her remains to be exhumed for a post-mortem, before announcing an inquest into her death on Aug 13.

adjourn the case to Monday.” Since the conducting officers and other counsel did not object, the coroner adjourned the case to Monday. During the morning session, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha hostel head warden Azhari Abd Sagap, 31, concluded his testimony. The eighth witness told the court that the late student’s mother Noraidah Lamat had said her daughter had recorded the names of students who did not pray in a purple diary. He said this information was conveyed by Noraidah on the night of July 16, when she was met at the 10th-floor ward of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Azahari was being questioned by counsel Joan Goh, who represents one of the minors accused, on the 10th day of the inquest proceedings into the death

matter. Please take the necessary steps and lodge a police report over this issue,” he said, adding that the next proceeding would be held in camera. Earlier, the student’s lawyer Datuk Ram Singh informed the court that while his client had been prepared to testify, she and her mother had since become frightened and distressed after the statement was widely spread online, Bernama reported. “I have seen on TikTok that the names and addresses of the five child suspects have been exposed. I seek the court’s guidance to protect the identities of all children as the public now knows that these accused are scheduled to testify. “I will lodge a police report on this and I believe the conducting officer team will do the same. Their full names, addresses and identity card numbers have been revealed. I respectfully request that the court

SEPANG: controversy surrounding the redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru in Kuala Lumpur stems largely from a lack of risk understanding, weak governance and the absence of a well thought out strategic plan, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Fourth National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Research Conference here yesterday, he pointed out that urban planning and land use issues are not new, but ineffective current approaches have left the people bearing the brunt of the consequences. “In the case of Kampung Sungai Baru, I do not consider it a major issue, but the planning was The Act 1998, with punishment provided for under Section 233(2), while the compound action was taken pursuant to Section 243 of the same Act,” said the statement. MCMC stressed that the Jalur Gemilang is a symbol of sovereignty, unity and national dignity that must be displayed accurately and respectfully at all times. “The spread of false content involving national security institutions could undermine public order and confidence in authorities. “All media organisations and social media users are reminded to always verify the accuracy and authenticity of content published, particularly when it involves the country’s official emblems and symbols,” it said. MCMC also stressed that it would continue to enhance enforcement and implement various digital literacy initiatives to safeguard the country’s harmony and stability. – Bernama KOTA KINABALU: A coroner presiding over an inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir yesterday expressed disappointment after learning that a statement of the first child witness had been leaked on social media. The student, who is among those accused in the bullying case involving Zara Qairina, was scheduled to testify yesterday. However, following the leak of her witness statement, coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan postponed the hearing to Monday. “I am very disappointed over this o Lawyer seeks court guidance to protect identities of accused as names exposed

RM100,000 compound each for two dailies over flag error, false info PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian

IMMIGRATION BLITZ ... The Johor Immigration Department detained 54 foreign workers on Thursday over various offences during raids on massage and reflexology centres in Johor Bahru. – PIC COURTESY OF IMMIGRATION DEPT

‘Kg Sungai Baru row due to lack of understanding ’

the interests of Malays. He said while there is no objection to modernising the area in line with the times, any redevelopment plans must come with clear conditions that prioritise and protect Malay rights. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed the royal decree, describing it as fully aligned with the Madani government’s commitment to preserving national heritage while ensuring fair and balanced development. He said as National Affordable Housing Council chairman, he remains committed to ensuring every development benefits the people, without compromising their dignity, rights and history, all of which are matters of national importance. – Bernama

and Country Planning Act 1976, to ensure it aligns with the demands of modern developments. He said the adoption of new technology, systematic planning systems and integration of artificial intelligence must be prioritised to prevent similar land development disputes in the future. “Many residents only see the compensation or monetary offers, and are not adequately guided on the long-term implications. This is what happens when there is no clear strategic plan,” he added. On Thursday, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah decreed that the Kampung Sungai Baru redevelopment issue must be handled carefully and wisely, with utmost respect and priority placed on

clearly not thorough. Residents may not have fully understood the risks when agreeing to have their land redeveloped. “When there is a lack of understanding, poor governance and no strategic planning in place, the people are the ones who suffer.” Azam was commenting on the findings of a research presented at the conference by the International Islamic University Malaysia, titled “Risiko Rasuah Dalam Menentukan Penggunaan Guna Tanah Dalam Penyediaan Rancangan Tempatan” (Corruption Risks in Determining Land Use in Local Planning), which highlighted potential vulnerabilities in Malaysia’s urban planning processes. He also stressed the need to review existing legislation, such as the Town