22/09/2025

MONDAY | SEPT 22, 2025

5

Six Mersing islands closed for conservation MERSING: The suspension of scuba diving, snorkelling and visits to six out of 47 islands in Mersing waters is not a new restriction but a conservation and safety measure, said Mersing district officer Jamil Hasni Abdullah.

Burglary suspect detained after high-speed chase

“Water activities typically run for about eight months a year outside the monsoon season from March to October.” He said tourist arrivals have continued to grow, reaching 361,624 in August, Bernama reported. The Mersing District Office said the suspension of scuba diving, snorkelling and visits to Pulau Harimau, Pulau Gual, Pulau Mensirip, Pulau Mertang Timur, Pulau Mertang Barat and Pulau Mertang Tengah was to support marine biodiversity and environmental conservation.

water-based activities. “Therefore, the 355 tourist boat operators, resort owners and visitors need not be concerned. Popular islands such as Pulau Besar, Pulau Rawa, Pulau Tengah and Pulau Tinggi remain open.” Jamil Hasni said the move ensures that natural resources are preserved while maintaining safety and cleanliness, in line with the district’s sustainable tourism goals. He added that Mersing has 47 islands and 50 islets, with a population of 80,100 as of 2020.

TELUK INTAN: Police arrested a burglary suspect at the southbound rest and recreation area of the North-South Expressway after a dramatic pursuit that was widely circulated on social media on Saturday. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said the suspect, who was travelling from Manjung to Kuala Lumpur, was apprehended by a Tapah district crime prevention patrol team at about 12.30pm. The chase, involving the suspect’s MPV, began in Tapah and ended at the rest area. “Police were forced to fire a single shot at the tyre of the vehicle driven by the 35-year-old suspect. “Inside the MPV, officers discovered various burglary tools, including a police vest. “This is a good example of inter-district police cooperation, coming together as a unified team to apprehend the suspect,” said Noor Hisam. He added that police were still tracking down two other vehicles – a 4WD pickup and an SUV – believed to be connected with the case. “God willing, we will be able to resolve this case with the arrest of the main suspect.” Earlier, an online video showed a group of police officers pursuing and intercepting the suspect’s vehicle, which was seen travelling against traffic before re-entering the expressway. A gunshot could be heard in the clip before the suspect’s MPV was intercepted and blocked. Officers then pulled the driver from the vehicle, ordering him to lie on the roadside as they searched the car. – Bernama Infant accidentally smothered to death IPOH: A two-month-old infant died after being accidentally smothered by his mother in Kampung Sungai Dua Kota Setia, near Parit on Thursday. Central Perak police chief Supt Hafezul Helmi Hamzah said a report was received on the incident on Sept 18 at about 8.45am. The baby was confirmed dead at the Seri Manjung Hospital before being sent for a post mortem at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital. “The post-mortem revealed that the cause of death was brain swelling and fluid in the lungs due to being smothered,” he said in a statement on Saturday, Bernama reported. He added that the investigation under the Child Act 2001 found that the baby suffocated while sleeping beside his mother, who unintentionally smothered him. The mother, an Indonesian woman, was arrested, and the case has been referred to the deputy public prosecutor’s office. “She will face charges in the Parit Magistrate’s Court on Monday under Section 304A of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence.” Woman, 73, drowns after falling into sea JOHOR BAHRU: A 73-year-old woman was found drowned in the waters at Stulang Laut here on Saturday night. South Johor Bahru police chief ACP Raub Selamat said the incident was reported at about 9.10pm after a witness saw the woman suddenly fall into the sea. “A police team from the Taman Pelangi station and firefighters from Larkin station were deployed to the scene. Her body was retrieved at 9.30pm,” he said in a statement yesterday. “She was confirmed dead by a medical officer from the Sultanah Aminah Hospital. The body was sent to the Forensic Unit for post-mortem. The next of kin have been informed for identification.” He added that the case has been classified as “sudden death”. – Bernama

He said the decision aligns with His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim’s call to safeguard Mersing’s natural treasures for future generations. “Of the six islands, only Pulau Harimau and Pulau Mensirip are directly affected due to their

‘Gas pipeline leak at ECRL project site under control’

“If there are no obstacles, we plan to begin the dispersal within a 500m radius. This will support the cleaning process and allow all butane gas to be removed from the pipeline before Petronas takes further action.” He assured the public that the incident had no health impact as the leak occurred far from residential areas. “There are no health effects but the concern is that it could ignite if it mixes with air at specific levels, which is why we are taking all precautions,” he said, adding that the cause of the leak is still under investigation. It was earlier reported that police had closed the Kerteh-Ranggon main road to all vehicles following the leak at the ECRL Section 5 site, which was reported at 9.53am.

o Strategic measures taken, including closing public access to area and halting construction work to prevent sparks

MARANG: The Fire and Rescue Department has confirmed that a gas pipeline leak at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project site in Kerteh, involving Petronas Gas Berhad, is under control and poses no threat to the public. Its director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said strategic measures were immediately taken, including closing public access to the area and halting construction work to prevent sparks. “Only the department’s Hazardous

Materials (Hazmat) special team is allowed in the zone, and all other responders have been reminded not to take any action that could cause sparks,” he said on Saturday. Nor Hisham added that the department, in collaboration with Petronas, is focusing on dispersing butane vapours using a fine water spray technique. A team of 10 Hazmat personnel has been stationed at the site to identify hazardous areas and ensure that operations remain safe, Bernama reported.

TOP DOG ... A participant being photographed during the Malaysian National Animal Welfare Foundation ‘graduation ceremony’ for pets on Sunday at Central Park in Bandar Utama, Selangor. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN Drug abuse problem in Pahang worrying, says minister

JENGKA: The drug abuse problem in Pahang is at a worrying level, with 9,452 users and addicts recorded as of June, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the figure translates to a ratio of 765 addicts for every 100,000 people in the state. “This clearly shows that drug abuse is not a minor issue but a serious threat.” He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Pahang Teguh Dadah Terkawal tour held in

He added that the most affected group were those aged between 15 and 35, particularly individuals working in the unskilled sector. “This situation not only undermines their economic potential but also affects national productivity. What is more worrying is that synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and ketamine remain the main choice among addicts.” – Bernama

conjunction with the state-level Anti-Drugs Day commemoration, which was officiated by the Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Dewan Balora Mastika on Saturday. Also present was Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail. Saifuddin Nasution said 1,917 addicts are undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at 47 private rehabilitation centres nationwide.