27/10/2025

MONDAY | OCT 27, 2025

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Peaceful protest held as Trump arrives for summit

Police arrest 132 in drug crackdown SIBU: An ongoing police crackdown on drugs in Sibu has led to 132 arrests this month under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 as part of Op Tapis Narkotik. Sibu police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili said one of the arrests was made under Section 39B of the Act for drug trafficking, with a 57-year-old man detained last Wednesday at a house in Lorong Rejang Park. A conviction under Section 39B carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if not sentenced to death, the offender faces being sentnced to no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane. A breakdown of the arrests showed that four individuals were detained under Section 39A(1), 16 under Section 12(3) and 111 under Section 15(1)(a) of the same Act. Of the 132 arrested, 43 have been charged in court while 11, including the Section 39B suspect, remain under remand to assist in investigations. Zulkipli said the Sibu district police headquarters Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) will continue its efforts to eradicate drug trafficking and abuse in the district. He also urged the public with information on drug-related activities to contact the Bukit Aman NCID hotline at 012-208 7222 or the Sarawak NCID hotline at 017-592 9211. – Bernama Asean delegation outrider hurt in crash KUALA LUMPUR: An outrider from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department was injured in an incident at the Dengkil Rest and Recreation (R&R) exit while heading northbound on the Elite Highway on Saturday. Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the incident involved a 35-year-old corporal riding a police motorcycle. He said the corporal’s motorcycle collided with a four-wheel drive at the Dengkil R&R exit while escorting an international delegation in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit. “As a result of the crash, the outrider suffered a fracture on his left leg and injuries to his left ankle and knee. He is currently receiving treatment at Cyberjaya Hospital,” he said when contacted after a video of the incident was shared on social media. Mohd Yusri said the cause of the incident is under investigation under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. – Bernama Six houses destroyed in Teluk Intan fire IPOH: Six houses along Jalan Mak Intan in Kampung Terengganu, near Teluk Intan, were destroyed in a fire yesterday. Perak Fire and Rescue Department acting operations chief Shazlean Mohd Hanafiah said in a statement that the department received an emergency call at 12.40am. He said a team of firefighters from the Teluk Intan Fire and Rescue station, assisted by personnel from the Hutan Melintang station and the Teluk Intan and Batu 12 volunteer fire brigades, was deployed to the scene and arrived within five minutes. The blaze destroyed about 90% of the units and damaged three motorcycles, but no casualties were reported. “The fire was brought under control at about 1.12am and fully extinguished by 3.05am. “The cause of the fire and estimated losses are under investigation,” he said. Meanwhile, the Secretariat of the Perak State Disaster Management Committee said 21 affected residents from four affected families have been housed at a temporary relief centre in the Teluk Intan Municipal Council Hall. – Bernama

o Demonstrators chant ‘Free Palestine!’ in show of solidarity against Israeli offensive in Gaza

“This is the least we can do to show our anger and disagreement with what is happening to our brothers and sisters in Palestine,” said accountant Sharifah Noha Alattas. “Every day, we see killings, starvation and suffering that are unimaginable. We thank God we don’t face that here. So, this is our way to show solidarity.” Fatima Jabali, 38, a half-Palestinian, half-Pakistani professional based in Malaysia, said the rally was vital to raise awareness and remind governments that silence equals complicity. “I was expecting more people, but because of security measures, fewer could join. Still, it’s important to educate people,” she said. “People talk about ceasefire and peace, but there’s nothing. In Gaza, there’s almost no aid going through. People are starving.” By late morning, the crowd had thinned out, with no arrests or disruptions reported. Kuala Lumpur police chief Commissioner Datuk Fadil Marsus later explained that Ampang Park was deemed unsuitable for gatherings as it fell within 50m of the red zone used by summit delegates. Trump’s arrival marked his first official visit to Malaysia since returning to office for a second term. In his opening address at the summit, Anwar reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to a just resolution in Palestine, stressing that Asean must not remain silent on humanitarian crises that challenge the world’s moral conscience.

Ismail, former Batu MP Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, and veteran activist Hishamuddin Rais. The crowd cheered their arrival, rallying around calls for stronger international solidarity with the Palestinian people. Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and former Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin also joined the protest, urging Malaysians to remain united in condemning Israeli actions and calling out what they described as the hypocrisy of global powers. Organisers said the protest aimed to denounce Trump’s visit and his administration’s continued support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing both leaders of enabling the ongoing humanitarian crisis. “The people of Malaysia stand with Palestine,” one organiser declared through a loudspeaker, prompting renewed chants of “Free Palestine!” and “Stop the genocide!” At about 10.40am three police trucks arrived, joining officers already stationed there since early morning. Participants of the rally remained peaceful, with many greeting the policemen cheerfully and chanting: “Selamat datang, abang polis!” (“Welcome, brothers in blue!”). Participants took turns delivering speeches, reciting prayers for Gaza residents and urging Southeast Asian leaders, particularly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to take a firmer stance at the summit.

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: As US President Donald Trump’s aircraft touched down in Kuala Lumpur for the 47th Asean Summit yesterday morning, chants of “Free Palestine!” rang out across Padang Merdeka, where about 200 demonstrators gathered to protest his visit and Washington’s support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The rally, dubbed “Himpunan Bantah Trump”, began at about 10am and was initially planned at the Ampang Park LRT station. However, organisers were forced to move it to Padang Merdeka after being denied access to both Ampang Park and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre area, which had been designated part of the summit’s restricted security zone. Despite the abrupt change, protesters regrouped swiftly, waving Palestinian flags, displaying placards and chanting slogans demanding an end to what they described as “genocide” in Gaza. Among those present were Sumud Global Flotilla coordinator Prof Dr Mohd Nazari

Part of the 200 demonstrators who took part in the rally at Padang Merdeka yesterday. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

Mother and son killed in three-vehicle collision JOHOR BAHRU: A woman and her son were killed, and three others injured, in a three-vehicle collision on Saturday at Km65 of Jalan Johor Bahru–Ayer Hitam near Simpang Renggam. In a statement yesterday, Kluang police chief ACP Bahrin Mohd Noh said the incident, which occurred at about 5.30pm, involved a car, a factory van and a four-wheel drive vehicle. Initial investigations found that a 51-year-old woman driving her two sons, aged 15 and nine, from Simpang Renggam towards Kampung Bukit Kenangan in the car had stopped to turn right into a junction. The factory van, driven by a 53-year-old man travelling in the same direction, is believed to have lost control and crashed into the rear of the car, causing it to veer into the opposite lane. The car was then struck by an oncoming four-wheel drive driven by a 62-year-old man. The van subsequently collided with the four wheel drive. The woman and her 15-year-old son, who was in the front passenger seat, died at the scene from severe injuries, while the younger son sustained serious head and leg injuries. The van driver suffered injuries to his face, chest and right leg, while the four-wheel drive driver escaped with minor injuries. All injured victims were taken to the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang for treatment. The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Operations commander Senior Fire Officer II Shoromi Salih from the Renggam Fire and Rescue station said the deceased were identified as Rulijah Ahmad and Salam Norazli. They were pronounced dead at the scene by a Health Ministry medical officer. The injured nine-year-old boy was identified as Osama Norazli, while the factory van driver was named as B. Chandran. – Bernama