19/02/2026

THURSDAY | FEB 19, 2026

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‘Ensure legal land acquisition for places of worship’

Police tracking four cable theft suspects KUALA LUMPUR: Police are tracking down four men believed to be involved in the theft of cables belonging to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) near the D’Kayangan Setia Ecohill apartment in Semenyih. Kajang police chief ACP Naazron Abdul Yusof said a report on the incident was received at 6.54am yesterday and initial investigations revealed the four unidentified suspects arrived in a grey vehicle and were seen cutting cables believed to belong to TNB. He added that the suspects fled after being confronted by residents. Naazron said the case is being investigated under Section 431A of the Penal Code for committing mischief. He urged anyone with information on the incident to come forward to assist in the investigation by contacting the nearest police station or investigating officer Sgt Nadzul Majdi Abu Seman at 017-466 1757. – Bernama 11-year-old boy drowns off beach KOTA TINGGI: An 11-year-old boy drowned while swimming with two friends at the Tanjung Buloh Beach on Tuesday. Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone acting director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam said the victim, Putra Aniq Fairuz Mohd Faizul, was found at 10.26pm after a search operation was launched. The two other children were rescued earlier by local fishermen. The victim was confirmed dead at the scene. The operation involved police, Fire and Rescue Department and the Health Ministry. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency advised the public to avoid beach and water activities during bad weather or rough sea conditions. Meanwhile in Terengganu, the body of a Myanmar national who drowned while swimming at the Batu Buruk Beach last Monday was recovered yesterday. Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said the body of Sithu Moe Lwin, 18, a Business Foundations student at Inti International University College Nilai branch in Negeri Sembilan, was found at 2.30am by a search and rescue team. “The body was discovered washed ashore about 350m from the incident site by rescue personnel patrolling the beach.” The remains were taken to the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital for further action. – Bernama

o Engagement needed between state govts, temple officials, says activist

for official land allocation for religious establishments. “The issue of temples on illegal land is less prevalent in Sabah and Sarawak, where state governments have established special budgets for non-Muslim religious affairs. “This proactive approach ensures that temple authorities could obtain legal land more easily, serving as a potential model for other states. “State governments and relevant ministries are encouraged to engage with temple authorities and develop clear procedures for land allocation, drawing inspiration from the practices in Sabah and Sarawak. “Through cooperative and calm dialogue, a solution could be found that honours both religious tradition and legal requirements.” consideration of

of the temples, addressing the issue demands calm, rational discourse. “Efforts to resolve it should avoid inflaming sentiments and ensure that all stakeholders, including temple authorities and government bodies, collaborate respectfully. “One reason for the construction of the temples was the rising property prices in urban centres.” Lee added that temple authorities in affected states should be encouraged to formally apply for the allocation of land. He said since land management is a state matter, state governments are best positioned to consider such requests and designate appropriate plots for religious purposes. He also said in regions governed by the Federal Territory Ministry, temple authorities should submit applications directly to the ministry

“Some of the temples were originally built on rubber estates and sanctioned by the estate owners. The devotees found themselves in a limbo after the estates were sold. “Others have constructed temples on land without proper legal status, but the owners of the land or the authorities turned a blind eye for decades. “If necessary, we should amend the National Land Code or state-level planning guidelines as a prerequisite for any title transfer of former estate land,” Lee said, adding that the issue is rooted in socio-economic realities. He added that its resolution requires a balanced and thoughtful approach to arrive at a fair and sustainable solution. “Given the religious significance

Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Ensuring legal land acquisition for places of worship would help preserve religious harmony and facilitate respect for the rule of law, said Alliance for A Safe Community founder Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. He told theSun that the existence of Hindu temples built without proper legal status has been a longstanding issue.

Family of five die in domestic disturbance tragedy KUANTAN: A witness to an incident in which a family of five died in a house in Cherating Damai claims to have heard the sounds of an argument just before the tragedy unfolded.

Kuantan police chief ACP Ashari Abu Samah said initial statements from the witness, who is the youngest brother of the alleged assailant, said he heard the commotion at about 7am on Tuesday while he was in his bedroom. “When he came out of the room and looked towards the kitchen, he saw his mother covered in blood and screaming for him to seek help from his uncle, who was at the same residential area. “The witness then sought his uncle’s help and upon arriving at the house, they found all the deceased covered in blood and unconscious,” he said when contacted yesterday. He said the house was occupied by eight family members, comprising the alleged assailant, who worked as a security guard, his wife, his two daughters, his mother and his three younger brothers. At the time of the incident, only six family members were present in the house. Ashari said checks found that the 32-year-old guard had no record of mental treatment or criminal offences. need of mattresses, blankets, pillows, clothing, school bags and shoes, as well as rice cookers, wardrobes, disposable diapers and infant formula. “The water rose very quickly, and we never expected floods in this area. In the nearly 16 years we’ve been here, nothing like this has ever happened. “By the time we realised what was happening, the water level was already too high. “We didn’t have time to save our belongings as we were more

Grieving family members gathered near the scene of the incident. – BERNAMAPIC

the hands, ears and neck, and police also seized a 29cm knife at the scene. The bodies of all the deceased were later sent to a hospital for autopsies to be conducted. – Bernama

Humairah, aged four, and Nur Sumayyah Humairah, aged two, with a sharp weapon, before turning the weapon on himself. He died at the scene. Ashari added that injuries found on the victims included wounds on

He initial investigations at the scene found that the alleged assailant had attacked his wife Nurul Asshiykin Kamaruzaman, 33, first and then his mother, Tuan Kamaria Tuan Puteh, 55, and two daughters Nur Saffiyah added that

Care centre residents seeking aid after premises hit by flash flood IPOH: Residents at a care centre run by the Sri Annapurani Alayam in Buntong are appealing to the public and relevant agencies for assistance after their premises were hit by a flash flood last Monday. concerned about the safety of the children and elderly staying here.” She also said the floodwaters reached about 1.6m, damaging furniture, mattresses, televisions and several electrical appliances.

wishing to make contributions may contact Gayathri at 011-2646 4960. Heavy rainfall, exceeding 80mm, was identified as the main cause of flooding in several areas of the Kinta district on Monday. The upper reaches of the Kinta River and Pari River experienced heavy rain, causing the Pari River to breach its banks and flood low-lying areas in Manjoi, Buntong, Taman Hock Aun and along Jalan Kuala Kangsar. – Bernama

Many of the residents are children and some are orphans who rely entirely on this care facility.” Gayathri said the centre hopes more donors would come forward to offer either new or gently used items, including bedding and clothing. “We deeply appreciate any assistance provided. At the moment, our priority is to ensure that all residents have comfortable beds and sufficient necessities.” Individuals or organisations

“Although initial aid has been received in the form of food, bottled water and disposable diapers, it is still insufficient to meet the long-term needs of the residents. “We are now in need of community support to help restore the centre.

Temple staff member S. Gayathri, 35, said 45 residents, comprising families, children and orphans, are now facing hardship as nearly all their belongings were destroyed by the deluge. She added that they are in urgent