31/01/2026

SATURDAY | JAN 31, 2026 5 Classmates accused Zara of theft: Teacher KOTA KINABALU: A teacher at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha told the Coroner’s Court here yesterday that Zara Qairina Mahathir was accused by classmates of stealing money just days before her death. Mohd Sham M. Nasir, 26, who was teaching Geography in Zara Qairina’s class at the time, said the incident occurred on July 14, 2025, after a student reported losing RM20 while at the science laboratory. He said he questioned the class before conducting a spot-check on all students present, including Zara Qairina, but no money was found. “I personally checked the school bags, wallets, trouser pockets and shirt pockets of male students. For female students, I asked the class assistant monitor to conduct the checks. “The inspection lasted about 10 to 15 minutes, but the missing money was not found,” Mohd Sham, the 61st witness, testified before coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan during the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death. However, he said the student who lost the money later handed him a piece of paper with Zara Qairina’s name, before several other students voiced suspicions against her, claiming they had also previously lost money. Mohd Sham added that he advised the students not to make accusations without evidence. He said even while he was leaving after the class ended, several students followed him and continued repeating the allegations, but he again cautioned them against making unproven claims. Mohd Sham said he was appointed as a hostel warden starting in August 2025 and explained the hostel’s duty structure, patrol schedule and security system, including the presence of closed-circuit television cameras. The witness also agreed with deputy public prosecutor and inquest officer Mohd Fairuz Johari that based on the warden duty roster for July 2025, no warden was on duty on the night of July 15. Mohd Sham also told the court that while serving as a hostel teacher prior to his appointment as warden, he was not provided with any formal guidelines or duty list. He further acknowledged that the classroom spot-check was conducted without reference to any standard operating procedures. The inquest continues next week. – Bernama Eatery probed over Quranic verses display IPOH: A restaurant owner in Teluk Intan faces legal action for displaying Quranic verses and related symbols without halal certification, creating confusion over the halal status of the food sold. A team from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in Teluk Intan conducted an inspection at 1pm on Thursday and found that the premises did not have certification or verification from the Department of Islamic Development. Checks uncovered that the restaurant owner also employed two non-Muslim workers in food preparation, including the chef. Its Perak director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said displaying Quranic verses in the premises gives the impression that the food sold is halal. He said following the inspection, the owner was detained and several items from the premises were seized under Paragraph 4 of the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011. “Enforcement officers seized items worth RM500, including a set of ‘Allah’ and ‘Muhammad’ inscription, a decorative Quranic wall display, a copy of the Teluk Intan Municipal Council licence and the business registration.” Kamalludin said for the offence, penalties could reach RM1 million or a maximum of three years’ imprisonment for individuals, and up to RM5 million for companies. – Bernama

Armed Forces senior officer charged with CBT

o Chief of staff pleads not guilty to misappropriating RM5 million involving investments made without obtaining committee approval

“The accused’s passport should be surrendered to the court as he is still serving as chief of staff of the Joint Forces headquarters, in addition to the risk of absconding, as the accused frequently travels abroad. Therefore, the proposed bail is reasonable,” said Law. Lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaharil Muhaiyar, representing Mohamed Fauzi, applied for the bail amount to be reduced to RM70,000 because his client has three schoolgoing children. “The defence does not object to the surrender of the client’s passport to the court. However, the bail amount of RM300,000 is unreasonable and the accused will attend court at every mention as scheduled,” he said. However, Law objected to the application to reduce the bail to RM70,000. Suzana granted Mohamed Fauzi bail of RM100,000 in one surety, with the additional condition that he surrender his passport to the court until the case is concluded. The court fixed March 16 for mention.

KUALA LUMPUR: An Armed Forces senior officer, Mejar-Jen Datuk Mohamed Fauzi Kamis was yesterday charged at the Sessions Court with criminal breach of trust (CBT) allegedly committed about two years ago involving RM5 million from the Armed Forces Welfare Fund. Mohamed Fauzi, 56, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Judge Suzana Hussin. “I understand the charge. I plead not guilty and claim trial,” said the accused, who is the chief of staff of the Joint Forces headquarters. Mohamed Fauzi was charged in his capacity as assistant chief of staff for Personnel Services and chairman of the welfare fund investment committee,

with committing the offence by dishonestly misappropriating the funds through additional investments in Precious Amber International Berhad without obtaining approval from the committee. The offence was allegedly committed at the Defence Ministry in Jalan Padang Tembak, Kementah on Nov 27, 2023. The charge was framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which provides a prison term of not less than two years and up to 20 years, whipping and a fine, Bernama reported. Earlier, DPP Law Chin How proposed bail of RM300,000 in one surety, with a condition that the accused surrender his passport to the court, taking into account that the offence is serious.

Mohamed Fauzi being escorted into court yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Top DOE officials remanded in e-waste investigation PUTRAJAYA: The Department of Environment (DOE) director-general, deputy director general and an assistant environmental control officer have been remanded for seven days beginning yesterday to assist application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court yesterday. abuse of power and corruption linked to the management of e-waste, believed to have occurred over the past several years.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, who confirmed the arrests on Thursday, said the investigation is being conducted thoroughly and professionally. He said the commission will not compromise with any party involved in corrupt practices, regardless of their position or rank. The case is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009. – Bernama

The four individuals, wearing orange lock-up garments and handcuffed, arrived at the court compound at about 9.30am under escort of MACC officers. Media reports on Thursday stated that the two senior officers were detained at about 6.30pm, after providing statements at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya. It is understood that the MACC investigation is focusing on allegations of

investigations into a case involving the management of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste). Another individual, who is not a civil servant, was also remanded for three days until tomorrow in connection with the case. The remand orders were issued by Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah following an