25/12/2025

THURSDAY | DEC 25, 2025

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Fatal crash risk from post-congestion speeding o Being stuck in traffic jam compounds frustration,

Police identify body found in buried bag SEREMBAN: The body of a woman found inside a bag buried behind a house in Rembau last Thursday has been confirmed as that of Suri Narudin, who was reported missing since Dec 8. Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said the identification was confirmed through fingerprint examination, which matched records in the National Registration Department system. “Further confirmation was obtained through a DNA analysis report from the Chemistry Department, which showed a close familial match from a full sibling source. “This indicated a very high probability of a relationship, further strengthening the confirmation of the body’s identity as Suri, aged 53.” Alzafny advised the public not to speculate on the case as it could affect the ongoing investigation, and urged anyone with information to contact the Rembau district police headquarters or the nearest police station. He said police assured the public that investigations would be conducted transparently, professionally and in accordance with the law. Last Thursday, he said the body found in a bag buried behind an unoccupied house in Kampung Batu 4, Pedas was believed to be that of a woman reported missing in Ampang, Selangor. Following the discovery, police arrested two men, aged 51 and 41, to assist in the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code. Earlier media reports said police had sought public assistance to locate Suri after her aunt lodged a missing person report at the Ampang police station on Dec 15. – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: A former minister who served in the Cabinet before the Covid-19 period is under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). The matter was confirmed by MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, who said a new investigation paper has been opened involving the individual. “Yes, I confirm that an investigation is underway and several important individuals will be called to assist in the investigation.“ It is understood that the former leader has previously been charged in court on several corruption-related charges. Earlier, the media reported that the individual involved was under investigations by MACC following allegations of embezzlement while serving in a ministry involving the transfer of a high-value parcel of government land to a prominent property developer. – Bernama In March 2023, Singapore’s Court of Three Judges imposed a five-year suspension on him, the maximum under the Legal Profession Act 1966, for professional misconduct. The court found that he had made “grave and baseless allegations” against key legal institutions, including the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Law Society of Singapore. The suspension stemmed from comments Ravi made in 2020, following a Court of Appeal decision overturning one of his client’s death sentences. – BY FAIZ RUZMAN MACC probing former minister

are already tired. “Someone who normally drives a short distance daily may suddenly be driving for eight hours. That alone increases the risks.” Wong also highlighted the dangers of unfamiliar road environments during balik kampung trips, adding that road layouts, junctions, traffic patterns and local driving habits may have changed since a driver’s last visit. “Even if you grew up in a place, you may now return only once or twice a year. Roads change, traffic changes and people’s behaviour changes.” On Dec 19, the Malaysian Highway Authority announced a 50% discount at toll plazas nationwide for four-wheeled private vehicles, except at the Sultan Iskandar Building toll plaza on the North–South Expressway (PLUS) and the Tanjung Kupang toll plaza on the Malaysia–Singapore Second Link. The initiative came after the authority anticipated traffic congestion, which it estimated at about 2.6 million vehicles daily during the Christmas period, with the PLUS group’s expressway network alone expected to handle about 2.2 million vehicles. Highways expected to experience heavy traffic include the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway with 186,000 vehicles, East Coast Expressway Phase One with 69,200 vehicles, Phase Two with 33,200 vehicles and the West Coast Expressway with 144,600 vehicles.

such as lorries and trailers. “Many drivers assume that if they can see a lorry, the lorry driver can also see them. But that is often not the case. Blind spots exist because of the structure of the vehicle, not because the driver is not paying attention. “Blind spots are particularly extensive at the rear and left side of heavy vehicles. This makes it dangerous for motorists to follow too closely or remain alongside these vehicles as the driver may not be able to see them at all. “The larger the vehicle, the larger the blind spot. This creates serious risks not only for motorcyclists, but also for car drivers.” Wong reminded drivers to maintain adequate following distance at all times, warning that tailgating significantly reduces reaction time. As a general road safety guideline, motorists are advised to ensure an adequate distance from the vehicle in front to allow sufficient braking time to avoid a collision, in relation to the speed at which they are driving. He stressed that careful journey planning is more important than travel timing, urging motorists not to rush their journeys despite festive commitments. “Drivers should plan their journeys properly and make sure they are in good condition before starting. Many people rush to complete their work before a long holiday. “They push themselves to meet deadlines so that nothing happens while they are away, and by the time they start their journey, they

rendering tendency to drive fast after bottleneck: Expert

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: While minor crashes may still occur during heavy congestion, speeding after traffic clears could turn otherwise survivable collisions into fatal ones during festive travel periods, said the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research. Its chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon said prolonged congestion often leaves drivers tired and frustrated, increasing the temptation to speed once motorists have cleared the bottleneck stretch. “At low speeds, collisions may still happen, but they are unlikely to cause death or serious injury. The real danger comes when traffic clears and drivers start speeding to make up for lost time. “That is when the consequences become severe and irreversible. We can repair vehicles, but we cannot reverse the loss of life or permanent injury.” He also cautioned motorists to exercise extra care when driving near heavy vehicles,

Wong reminded drivers to keep adequate following distance at all times, warning that tailgating significantly reduces reaction time. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Suspended Singaporean human rights lawyer found dead PETALING JAYA: Suspended Singaporean human rights lawyer Ravi Madasamy, 56, widely known as M. Ravi, was found dead early yesterday. previously represented Ravi, said he was “deeply saddened”, describing Ravi as a lawyer “who remained committed to the causes he pursued despite personal difficulties”. for constitutional litigation and public interest cases, particularly those defending civil liberties.

In Malaysia, he is best known for representing Yong Vui Kong, who was convicted of trafficking 47.27g of heroin and sentenced to death in 2008, before being resentenced in 2013 to life imprisonment with caning following legal reforms. Ravi also represented Gobi Avedian, convicted of importing 40.22g of heroin, whose death sentence was overturned and who was resentenced in 2020 to 15 years’ jail and caning. Ravi’s career was not without controversy.

Ravi, renowned for his high-profile human rights and capital punishment cases, represented Malaysian nationals facing the death penalty in Singapore, including Yong Vui Kong and Gobi Avedian. According to the Straits Times , police are investigating his death as “unnatural”, with no further details released. Tributes have poured in from Singapore’s legal community. Lawyer Eugene Thuraisingam, who had

Lawyer Shashi Nathan said Ravi “often adopted positions that ran against prevailing legal opinion, but did so with the intention of advancing his clients’ interests and challenging established boundaries”. Ravi began practising law in 1997 after graduating from the National University of Singapore and completing his legal studies in England. Over the years, he became known