15/12/2025

MONDAY | DEC 15, 2025

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DPM orders full probe into deadly crane collapse o Authorities told to work with technical agencies to determine cause of incident and resulting blaze at power plant

Four killed, two injured in separate road crashes PETALING JAYA: Four people were killed and two others injured in separate road crashes in Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan and Johor on Saturday. In Negeri Sembilan, two girls died while a third was seriously injured after the motorcycle they were riding skidded off the road at Jalan Taman Musytari in Batu Kikir near Seremban at about 5.55pm. Jempol police chief Supt Norhisham Mustapar said the rider, aged 13, and the middle pillion rider, aged 10, suffered severe head injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. The rear pillion rider, also 13, sustained head injuries and fractures to both legs and is receiving treatment at Tuanku Ampuan Najihah Hospital in Kuala Pilah. Preliminary investigations found that the three female students were travelling from Taman Mawar to Taman Musytari when the rider lost control, causing the motorcycle to skid onto the right road shoulder before crashing into a tree. The bodies of the two victims were sent to the Jempol Hospital for autopsy. In a separate incident in Kelantan, a 19-year-old Universiti Teknologi Mara student was killed after being hit by a motorcycle at the Universiti Teknologi Mara Machang campus at about 6.30pm. Machang police chief Supt Ahmad Shafiki Hussin said initial findings indicate that the motorcycle was travelling from the main gate of the Universiti Teknologi Mara Machang branch towards the hostel area when the student suddenly crossed the road. The motorcyclist swerved to the left but was unable to avoid the collision. Meanwhile in Johor, an elderly man was killed in a three-vehicle crash at Km4.8 of Jalan Kota Tinggi–Kluang at about 6am. Kota Tinggi district police chief Supt Yusof Othman said the incident involved a motorcycle, a sedan and an SUV. – Bernama Fire razes 30 houses in Tawau TAWAU: Thirty semi-detached houses were destroyed in a fire at Lorong Jade 4 in Kampung Sri Aman, Jalan Apas here on Saturday. Tawau Fire and Rescue station chief Jemishin Ujin said the department received an emergency call at 11.23pm, prompting the deployment of 17 personnel to the scene, located about 7km away. The team arrived about 10 minutes later. “To ensure sufficient water supply throughout the operation, the fire brigade also utilised transport pumps and a water relay system from Fire Rescue Tender machinery, as well as a water tanker,” he said in a statement yesterday. Jemishin added that the operation, which was assisted by six personnel each from the Kunak Fire and Rescue station and the Kampung Titingan Community Fire Brigade, involved the use of multiple water jets from fire hydrants and open water sources from the sea. No casualties were reported, and firefighters managed to prevent the blaze from spreading further, saving about 300 houses. The operation concluded at 3.10am. – Bernama

three others. The victims were successfully extricated from the rubble at about 3pm, while the three injured male workers were taken to the Pontian Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, Malakoff Corporation Berhad said it would conduct an internal investigation to determine the cause of the incident, which occurred at about 12.10pm. The company added that its emergency response team was immediately deployed to the site. “Following the incident, two contractors’ personnel have sadly passed away, and three contractors’ personnel sustained injuries and have been hospitalised,” the company said in a statement. Malakoff added that the affected area has been secured as a precautionary measure and that its investigation will begin once rescue operations are completed. “The safety and wellbeing of all personnel involved remains our highest priority,” it said, adding that operations at both the Tanjung Bin Power Plant and the Tanjung Bin Energy Power Plant are continuing as normal and are not affected by the incident. The company said it would provide further updates should there be any material developments.

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has ordered a comprehensive and transparent investigation into Saturday’s deadly crane collapse and fire at the Malakoff Power Plant along Jalan Tanjung Bin in Kukup, Pontian. In a statement, Fadillah urged authorities, including the Department of Occupational Safety and Health and police, to work closely with the Energy Commission and relevant technical agencies to establish the precise cause of the incident. He stressed that there must be no compromise on accountability, adding that appropriate action must be taken against any negligence, breaches of standard operating procedures or safety lapses. “I have instructed the plant management and all contractors involved to provide their full cooperation to investigators. They are also directed to ensure strict compliance with all safety procedures, equipment maintenance and risk management measures to prevent a similar tragedy,” he said. He added that the fatal stabbing of a female student inside a school in Bandar Utama in October, along with persistent cases of bullying and aggression in schools nationwide, underscored a deep-rooted crisis that could no longer be treated as isolated incidents. “This is more than a disciplinary problem. It is a breakdown of character and noble values, and a harmful digital influence,” he said in a statement yesterday. Lee explained that the first approach involved reforming the education system by integrating social and emotional learning into the core curriculum, citing Denmark as an example. He stressed that academic excellence alone was insufficient without emotional literacy and empathy. “Every student needs consistent, mandatory instruction on empathy, conflict resolution and emotional literacy to build resilience and respect,” he said. He said the second approach was the urgent need to move beyond basic information and communications technology education towards cultivating responsible digital citizenship among both children and parents. “This includes teaching them to evaluate content, understand the consequences of their digital actions and recognise online aggression,” he said, adding that unchecked exposure to harmful online content could normalise

Fadillah gave an assurance that the ministry would continue to closely monitor the case and would not hesitate to implement further measures, if necessary, to ensure the energy industry upholds the highest possible safety standards. He emphasised that worker safety and welfare remain paramount, adding that every life is invaluable, Bernama reported. He also conveyed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the two men who lost their lives, Muhammad Alfarid Ahmad, 19, and Muhammad Amaluddin Hisamudin, 22. “I pray that their families are granted strength and fortitude in facing this profound loss. I also pray for the full and swift recovery of the injured victims,” he added. Earlier, Pontian Baru Fire and Rescue station chief Assistant Fire Superintendent Mahadir Mamat reported that a crane lifting coal collapsed during maintenance work at the jetty of the Tanjung Bin Complex on Saturday, killing two workers and injuring

Three-pronged approach to tackle youth violence KUALA LUMPUR: Alliance for A Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has called for a fundamental national rethink to curb rising youth violence, proposing three key approaches centred on education reform, responsible digital citizenship and stronger parental involvement.

Lee said every student needs consistent, mandatory instruction on empathy, conflict resolution and emotional literacy to build resilience and respect. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Lee also cautioned that while legislation and enforcement were necessary to manage technology-related risks, they could not replace the cultivation of strong moral foundations. “We urge the government and all stakeholders to act decisively to implement these comprehensive measures, ensuring a future for our children that is defined by connection, empathy and respect, not violence and digital isolation.” – Bernama

violence and desensitise young users. He said the third pillar focused on strengthening parental involvement through mandatory and accessible digital parenting programmes, adding that families play a crucial role in shaping behaviour. “The responsibility cannot solely fall on teachers. Parents must be present, model healthy values and foster real-world connections that digital platforms cannot replace,” he said.

Former manager loses RM240,000 in phone scam KLUANG: A former company manager suffered losses amounting to RM241,000 after falling victim to a phone scam syndicate that claimed he was involved in a money laundering case. lodged a police report on Saturday, stating that he had received a phone call from an unknown number on Nov 6. The caller introduced himself as an officer from the National Scam Response Centre, who allegedly said the victim’s phone number had been purportedly misused by an irresponsible Kluang district police chief Asst Comm Bahrin Mohd Noh said the 47-year-old victim

funds to seven different bank accounts. “After failing to recover the money and realising he had been deceived, the victim lodged a police report. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code,” he added. – Bernama

party and was subsequently connected to the Terengganu police contingent headquarters. “The victim was told that an arrest warrant had been issued in his name and was instructed to transfer all his money to an account provided,” he said, adding that between Nov 18 and 27, the victim transferred