28/12/2025

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday DEC 28, 2025

Army chief placed on leave pending probe

Two-year-old killed, seven hurt in crash KUALA TERENGGANU: A two-year-old girl was killed while seven others were injured in a collision involving two vehicles on Jalan Felda Belara here. Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor identified the victim as Putri Fredella Al Frida Diandra Mohd Firdaus, who is believed to have sustained severe injuries to several parts of her body. He said police received a report at about 10am on Friday regarding the crash, which involved two cars carrying members of two families. Initial investigations found that the incident occurred when a vehicle with a family of five, travelling from Setiu to Kuala Terengganu, lost control, veered into the opposite lane and collided with another car carrying a family of three travelling from Kemaman to Kota Bharu. The crash left seven victims aged between five months and 50 years injured, while the two-year-old girl, who was seated in the rear passenger seat, died at the scene. Azli said the child’s body was sent to the forensic unit of the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital for further action, while the injured victims were also receiving treatment at the same hospital. In a separate incident, Azli said a man was killed and his passenger injured after a car crashed into a tree along Jalan Gong Badak in Kuala Nerus at about 6am on Friday. The driver was identified as Ahmad Zabani, 25, from Kampung Gelugor Kayu Tinggi here. He died at the scene while his passenger Azizi Kamarudin, 38, from Bukit Payong in Marang was taken to the Sultan Zainal Abidin Hospital in Kuala Nerus for treatment. Investigations found that the company-owned car, which was travelling from Kemaman towards Gong Badak, lost control before skidding off the road and crashing into a tree on the left side of the road. – Bernama Contraband worth RM4.2m seized KUCHING: The Sarawak Customs Department seized 3.43 million sticks of untaxed cigarettes and 70,518 litres of liquor worth a total of RM4.2 million from a two-storey house in Sibu on Dec 17. State Customs director Datuk Norizan Yahya said the raid was carried out at a house in Lorong Ulu Sungai Merah at about 4.25pm, following intelligence gathered by the department. He said inspections at the premises uncovered cigarettes and liquor classified as prohibited items under the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2023. “The seized cigarettes and liquor are valued at an estimated RM731,809.44, with total import duty and taxes amounting to RM3,472,209.93,” he said in a statement yesterday. Norizan added that the syndicate’s modus operandi involved storing prohibited goods at lodging houses to avoid detection. He also said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. – Bernama

Last Tuesday, MACC officers visited the Defence Ministry, focusing on projects implemented through open tenders and procurements under the army’s Pusat Tanggungjawab. The probe, launched on Dec 23, found that between 2023 and 2025, there were 158 procurement projects valued at more than RM500,000, along with 4,521 projects below RM500,000. Initial checks also identified several companies that were frequently awarded high-value contracts, raising suspicions. As of Dec 24, MACC had recorded statements from three individuals to assist with the investigation. In the same statement, Mohamed Khaled announced that Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain has been appointed acting Armed Forces chief following the retirement of Jen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar.

Move allows investigations into alleged money laundering links to proceed without interference

JOHOR BAHRU: The decision by Malaysia and Singapore to allow cross-border taxis to drop off passengers at any location outside their home country is expected to boost driver earnings and improve service efficiency. Several taxi drivers have welcomed the move, anticipating an increase in trips and greater flexibility, making it easier for passengers to travel across the border. However, drivers have also raised concerns that require government attention, particularly regarding fare restructuring and coordination during on-the-ground implementation. Currently, a one-way trip from the designated pick-up point at Larkin Sentral Terminal in Johor Bahru to Ban San Terminal in Singapore costs RM120, while a return journey from Singapore to Johor Bahru costs about S$60 (RM189). Azmi Ahmad, 54, a taxi driver from Tampoi, said the existing fares should be reviewed to better reflect travel distances, ensuring fairness for both drivers and passengers. “It’s only fair to reassess the fares, as taxis will now be dropping off passengers further than before. The fares should reflect the reality of the longer journey,” said Azmi, who has been a taxi driver for more than 20 years. Another driver, Yusof Salleh, 56, echoed the view, stressing the need for clear guidelines to avoid confusion and ensure fair competition among drivers. Meanwhile, Azman Hon, 63, a taxi driver from Singapore, said operating costs are likely to rise given Malaysia’s larger geographical area. “For example, if we pick up a passenger from Singapore to Muar, the journey takes more than two hours. On the return trip, we cannot pick up passengers, and the taxi travels empty,” he said, as reported by Bernama. To address this, Mohamad Yazid, 58, from Bedok proposed introducing additional pick-up points and a centralised booking system, similar to e-hailing platforms, specifically for cross-border taxis. He said such a system would help KUALA LUMPUR: Army Chief Jen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan has been placed on immediate leave pending an investigation into allegations involving money laundering. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the decision was intended to allow authorities to carry out investigations without interference. “The Chief of Army will be placed on leave with immediate effect until the completion of the investigation. “This step is necessary to give the authorities the space to conduct investigations into the allegations that have been reported. “This administrative measure is taken to ensure the investigation process

proceeds smoothly and without any conflict of interest,” he said in a statement yesterday. Media reports earlier quoted Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, as accusing a senior Armed Forces officer of involvement in money laundering. Subsequently, Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that an investigation under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 is underway. Three individuals were earlier called in by MACC to have their statements recorded in connection with investigations into military procurement projects, Bernama reported.

New Malaysia–Singapore taxi rules boost flexibility

Drivers have lauded the move as it will curb illegal taxi operations, ensuring a more regulated, safer and competitive cross-border transport system. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

regulated, safer and competitive cross border transport system. On Dec 4, Malaysia and Singapore agreed to implement several key improvements to strengthen cross-border land transport through taxi and bus services, following a meeting between Transport Minister Anthony Loke and his Singaporean counterpart Jeffrey Siow during the 12th Malaysia–Singapore Annual Leaders’ Retreat. Under the new measures, foreign taxis are allowed to drop off passengers at any location in the other country, although pick-up points remain fixed and will be expanded gradually to remove limitations on operations. The quota for licensed cross-border taxis will also be increased in stages from 200 to 500 vehicles per country. – Bernama

drivers plan trips more efficiently, reduce waiting times and ensure fair access to passengers for drivers from both countries. Meanwhile, Johor Bahru–Singapore Cross-Border Taxi Association chairman Mohd Suhaimi Saidi said the association would meet the Land Public Transport Agency to discuss several matters, including fare coordination. “We hope to receive positive feedback from the agency and the government on the issues raised,” he said. The association, which has 189 members, welcomed the initiative by both governments, saying it marked the end of a long wait for improvements and opened a new chapter in cross-border transport services. The move is also expected to curb illegal taxi operations, ensuring a more