20/02/2026

FRIDAY | FEB 20, 2026

5

‘Routine shifts may spike stress’

One dead, four hurt in crash ALOR SETAR: A man was killed while his wife and three children were injured after the multi purpose vehicle (MPV) they were travelling in collided with a vehicle coming from the opposite direction at the Jalan Titi Kobah flyover in Pendang. District police chief Supt Rodzi Abu Hassan said the 11.30pm incident on Wednesday claimed the life of the 39-year-old front passenger, who suffered severe head injuries. “The MPV was driven by the victim’s 36-year-old wife from Pendang towards Kota Sarang Semut. Upon reaching the flyover, a 4WD pickup driven by a 29-year old man is believed to have veered into their lane, resulting in a head on collision. “As a result of the impact, the MPV overturned, trapping the deceased in the front seat before he was extricated by Fire and Rescue Department personnel,” he told Bernama. He said the victim’s wife sustained facial injuries and a fractured left arm, while their four year-old daughter, who was on the victim’s lap, suffered facial injuries and a fractured right thigh. “The couple’s two other children, who were seated in the rear, also sustained injuries. Their nine-year-old daughter fractured her right thigh while their 13-year old son fractured his left thigh. The driver of the 4WD suffered injuries to his waist and knee. “The injured victims were taken to Pendang Hospital for treatment, while the body of the deceased was sent to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital,” Rodzi said. Body of man snatched by crocodile found KUCHING: A man who was reported missing after being attacked by a crocodile while fishing for prawns under the Sungai Buloh bridge in Sadong Jaya, about 40km from here has been found dead. The Operations Centre of the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said the victim, identified as Mohd Faizal Abdillah, 29, from Kampung Rangawan, was found at 2.22pm on Wednesday. “The body was retrieved by fishermen and identification was made by family members. “The remains were found in good condition, except for bite marks on the abdomen,“ an operations centre statement said, adding that the body was taken to the Sarawak General Hospital for further action. The media earlier reported that the operations centre received a report in relation to a man who was attacked by a crocodile while wading in a waist-deep water in the river. A search and rescue operation was conducted involving police, the Fire and Rescue Department, Rela personnel and fishermen association members comprising residents from the surrounding areas. – Bernama

Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the need for mental health support, counselling and early intervention has reached a pressing level, while urging communities to remain sensitive to early signs of emotional distress. She disclosed that 156,033 cases involving vulnerable individuals were handled through the Social Support Centre since Oct 2021, prompting the ministry’s push to expand stigma-free mental health and early intervention support nationwide. On a murder-suicide case involving a family of five in Kuantan on Tuesday, Nancy described the tragic incident as deeply distressing and said the incident is believed to be linked to emotional stress and unemployment pressure. She said the Social Support Centre would be further strengthened and more aggressively promoted to ensure individuals experiencing mental distress know where to seek help. To obtain assistance from the centre, the public may call Talian Kasih at 15999 for immediate support, or send a WhatsApp message to 012-693 1599.

experience emotional fatigue due to work and family pressures. “Individuals facing economic stress are also at higher risk, as financial strain is closely linked to anxiety and depression. “However, vulnerability is not determined by gender or age alone, but also by the level of existing stress and the strength of a person’s support system.” Shazli advised families and communities to watch for behavioural warning signs. “Significant behavioural changes should be taken seriously. These include excessive irritability, prolonged low mood, withdrawal from social interaction, serious sleep disturbances or expressions of hopelessness. “Sometimes, the public assumes it is merely the effect of hunger or fatigue. But if the changes are consistent and worsening, it may signal emotional distress that requires support. “Social sensitivity and early action are crucial because early support could prevent problems from becoming more serious,” he said. On Wednesday, Women, Family and Community Development

“For individuals who are already in a vulnerable state, for example those experiencing financial stress or domestic conflict, these routine changes could act as a stress amplifier,” Shazli told theSun . Cases involving “vulnerable individuals” refer to people facing situations such as family conflict, economic distress, abuse risks, neglect concerns or other psychosocial pressures requiring support or intervention. “However, Ramadan could also be a protective factor because it enhances meaning in life, spirituality and social support, all of which are proven to help emotional stability.” Shazli, who is an associate professor with the UKM Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Health Programme, said certain groups may be more sensitive to routine disruption. “From a developmental psychology perspective, adolescents and young adults are more sensitive to sleep disruption and routine changes because their emotional regulation systems are still maturing. “From a social psychology standpoint, women carrying multiple role demands may

PETALING Routine disruptions during Ramadan may amplify emotional strain among individuals already in vulnerable situations, said the Malaysian Psychological Association. Its president Dr Shazli Ezzat Ghazali said shifts in sleep patterns and meal timing during the fasting month could affect emotional regulation, particularly among at risk individuals. “From a biological psychology perspective, lack of sleep and changes in meal timing could affect the emotional regulation system. When sleep is disrupted, a person’s ability to control impulses and anger may decline. o Disruption in sleep or meal patterns could amplify emotional strain of at-risk individuals, says psychologist Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com JAYA: Department crippled an electronic waste (e-waste) smuggling syndicate with the seizure of eight containers in a raid at North Port on Feb 3. Its Pahang director Mohd Asri Seman said the operation was carried out following intelligence gathered by the Bentong enforcement division in collaboration with the Selangor Department of Environment. He said the 40ft containers had arrived from Canada (five), Spain (two) and Croatia (one). “The seizure involved about 186,700kg of e-waste, with an estimated value of RM2 million. The shipment is believed to have been imported without a permit and falsely declared in the shipping documentation. “The import of e-waste is categorised as a conditionally prohibited item and is only allowed under Item 54, Part I of the Third Schedule of the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2023, which requires prior approval from the director-general of the Department of Environment,” he told a press conference at the CT1 Warehouse in North Port yesterday. He said initial inspections revealed discrepancies between the declared items and the actual contents of the containers, raising suspicions of an attempt to smuggle e-waste through the country’s main entry point. Mohd Asri said the syndicate is believed to have used false declarations to bypass the import

Eight containers of illegal e-waste worth RM2m seized PORT KLANG: The Customs

Mohd Asri (centre) showing some of the seized e-waste during the press conference at North Port. – BERNAMAPIC

permit requirement by labelling the goods as copper alloy to evade scrutiny. “This tactic was clearly intended to mislead the authorities and circumvent the prescribed import regulations. “We view seriously any attempt to bring in e-waste, as it carries significant implications for the environment, public health and national security,” he said. The case is being investigated

as e-waste are strictly controlled in accordance with the law. “The public are urged to assist in combating smuggling activities, especially involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs, vehicles and other contraband, and to refrain from engaging in such activities,” he said. Individuals with information on smuggling activities are encouraged to contact the Customs Toll-Free Line at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office. – Bernama

under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for importing prohibited goods in contravention of a prohibition. Mohd Asri also said the Customs Department would continue to intensify intelligence gathering and enforcement at all entry points nationwide to curb smuggling activities. “We will strengthen inter-agency cooperation to ensure that conditionally prohibited goods such

Reveller loses part of leg in fireworks incident SEGAMAT: A man in his 30s lost part of a leg in a fireworks accident at Taman Damai Jaya in Bukit Siput near here. Wednesday, the victim suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the red zone of Segamat Hospital for treatment.

“The case is being investigated under sections 6 and 8 of the Explosives Act 1957. The public are advised to use only permitted fireworks in open areas and observe safety precautions,” he said in a statement. – Bernama

condition was stable. “Initial investigations found that the victim was said to be handling ‘Shoot Cake 4(D) 16 Shot (Premium)’ fireworks in front of his house in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.

He said the medical officer on duty confirmed that the victim’s left leg had been severed below the knee, and his

District district police chief Supt Mohd Jumazanzahir Chek Ismail said in the 12.30am incident on