21/02/2026

SATURDAY | FEB 21, 2026 5 Two friends plead not guilty to raping teen KLANG: Two friends claimed trial in the Sessions Court here to a charge of raping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a rented house in Puncak Alam two weeks ago. The accused, sales executive Muhammad Irfan Mohamad, 25, and public higher education institute student Ahmad Hamzi Alias, 25, made the plea after the charges were read out separately before Judge Siti Aminah Ghazali yesterday. Muhammad Irfan was charged with committing the act against the 14-year-old victim in a room at the rented house at 3pm on Feb 6. Ahmad Hamzi was charged with committing the same act against the same victim at the same location at 5.30am on Feb 7. Both the accused were charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code and Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping. Lawyer Mohd Safwan Saleh, representing Muhammad Irfan, appealed for a low bail amount on the grounds that his client has to support his family in Kelantan. Lawyer M. Partiben, representing Ahmad Hamzi, also made a similar request as his client was still financially dependent on his family. Siti Aminah allowed both to be granted bail of RM8,000 and RM7,000 respectively in one surety, with additional conditions as requested by the prosecution. – Bernama New South Klang police chief appointed KLANG: Deputy head of secretariat (Technology) at the Logistics and Technology Department of the Bukit Aman police headquarters, ACP Lim Jit Huey, has been appointed the new South Klang district police chief, effective yesterday. Lim succeeds ACP Ramli Kasa, who officially retired yesterday upon reaching mandatory retirement age. The pinning of rank and handover ceremony between Lim and the outgoing district police chief was held at the South Klang district police headquarters and witnessed by Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar. In his address, Shazeli expressed confidence in Lim’s ability to head the South Klang District police headquarters, while reminding all personnel to uphold the people’s hope of living in peace and security.

Ensure transparency in MACC chief probe, govt urged

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar has called upon the government to ensure that the controversy involving Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki is handled properly. Its president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said when investigations involve the head of the principal anti-corruption body, the issue transcends personalities. “It touches directly on public confidence in institutional integrity. In moments of scrutiny, institutions are tested. “The measure of that test lies not in defensive reaction, but in principled transparency and lawful accountability,” he said in a statement, adding that the Malaysian Bar notes the recent public concerns arising from media reports and statements regarding the matter. Ezri said the Malaysian Bar maintains that questions of fact must be determined through proper legal processes and based on evidence. “MACC occupies a central role in Malaysia’s governance framework. “Its legitimacy depends not only on statutory powers but also on public trust that its leadership is beyond reproach. “In circumstances where allegations have generated sustained public debate, the response of the government must be measured against a single critical standard, whether it strengthens or weakens that trust. “The government has indicated that mechanisms are in place to address the matter. However, the Malaysian Bar emphasises that the effectiveness of such mechanisms depends on several factors,” he said. “Firstly, on the independence of the o Lawful accountability needed to safeguard public confidence in institutional integrity, says Malaysian Bar president Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Mohamad Ezri said the legitimacy of MACC depends not only on statutory powers but also on public trust that its leadership is beyond reproach. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Ezri added that the Malaysian Bar respectfully urges the government to examine the matter with depth and seriousness. He said accountability cannot be superficial, and a credible response requires thorough scrutiny, even where such scrutiny may be uncomfortable. “Those entrusted with power should reflect on how they would demand transparency and firmness if they were seated on the opposite side of the aisle.” Recently, Bloomberg published a series of reports alleging potential conflicts of interest involving Azam. The reports claimed that he held 17.7 million shares, or a 1.7% stake, in Velocity Capital Bhd, based on the company’s annual return lodged on Feb 3 last year. The international news agency also raised questions about the conduct of MACC in the issue. In response, Azam has threatened to file a RM100 million lawsuit against Bloomberg, which has stood by its reports. Meanwhile, the government has agreed to establish a special task force to probe the allegations, chaired by Attorney-General Tan Sri Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar.

probe, any review or investigation must be demonstrably free from executive or political influence. “Public confidence cannot rest on assurances alone. It must rest on process. “Secondly, the transparency. The scope of inquiry, applicable legal standards and findings should be communicated clearly and coherently. “A conclusion without sufficient explanation would not quell doubt. “Next is timeliness – prolonged uncertainty erodes institutional credibility. Matters involving senior public office bearers must be resolved without unnecessary delay. “Lastly, consistency with the rule of law. All public officials, irrespective of rank, are subject to the same legal and ethical standards. The appearance of differential treatment is as damaging as actual impropriety.” On Thursday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said no one should pass judgment before a full investigation is carried out and any action must follow the law. He said allegations against individuals in positions of authority must be handled strictly according to the legal process. Anwar was referring to the ongoing case involving MACC, which has drawn significant public interest, with several Cabinet members calling on Azam to step down.

Meanwhile, 48-year-old Lim said he would first assess the situation before making any changes at his assigned district. – Bernama Societal expectations on men could lead to mental issues, says expert Azam has dismissed calls for him to take leave, maintaining that he will continue to perform his duties while the investigation is ongoing.

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

in life. While acknowledging that such efforts may not eliminate extreme cases entirely, he said they could help minimise the number of tragedies by fostering healthier emotional coping mechanisms from a young age. On Thursday, media reported that five members of a family were found dead at a single-storey terrace house in Taman Cerating Damai, Kuantan, Pahang. State police chief Yahaya Othman said the alleged assailant is believed to have killed his wife, two children and mother using a knife before taking his own life. The man, previously employed as a lorry driver in Klang, had returned to Kuantan and started working as a security guard earlier this month. Investigations suggest financial difficulties may have precipitated extreme stress on the man that led to an emotional meltdown.

difficult for others to detect. “Depression is real, hidden but present. Symptoms can appear within a week, such as isolation, reserved behaviour and changes in mood patterns.” Zulfikar stressed that creating a safe space for men to express emotional struggles must begin in childhood, particularly through parenting and cultural attitudes. He said boys are often told not to cry and to “be strong”, reinforcing the idea that expressing emotions is a sign of weakness. Over time, such messages shape men who suppress their feelings rather than communicate them openly. “It’s not an excuse to say we don’t have time. Children need to know who they can rely on and trust,” he said, adding that early emotional support could reduce the likelihood of bottled-up distress leading to impulsive or harmful decisions later

changes in behaviour. He also acknowledged that although men may have egos, the extra weight and burden placed on them by others could be eased if they are simply understood in unavoidable situations. “If you see family members or colleagues showing changes in behaviour or mood within a short period, approach them. The first response is crucial. “Men often experience depression at higher rates than women, in part because of differences in how they process and express emotions. “Women speak through their emotions and are outspoken about what they have experienced. Men, on the other hand, speak through actions and often keep their struggles to themselves,” he added. Zulfikar described depression as “the mother of all mental illnesses”, highlighting that it is often silent and

example, you could see the number of men who felt that if they were not working, they were failing as breadwinners,” he said, citing cases in which men have gone to extreme lengths, including sacrificing their lives so that their families could claim insurance benefits. He also said cultural pressures often leave men reluctant to seek help, although those experiencing depression may still try to reach out. “But whenever they share their story, sometimes people offer help but halfway through say it is too tough for them to assist. Imagine having to repeat the same story, it becomes very difficult to trust anyone,” Zulfikar added. He emphasised that family members are the first group who need to change the stigma to shift societal narratives around masculinity, especially when men begin isolating themselves, become reserved or show

PETALING Societal expectations for men to remain strong and serve as the primary family breadwinner could intensify psychological stress and deter them from seeking help, with some cases escalating into tragic outcomes, said Universiti Teknologi Malaysia psychology and counselling services centre director Dr Zulfikar Ahmad. He said cultural pressures in Malaysia, particularly on men to uphold the breadwinner role, could lead to mental health struggles being hidden, especially during times of economic uncertainty. “In Malaysian culture, men are still expected to ‘bring food to the table’ and maintain financial stability. “During the pandemic, for JAYA: