23/02/2026

MONDAY | FEB 23, 2026

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Concern over delays in Orang Asli land protection measures

Man loses over RM230,000 in online fake investment scheme KUCHING: A local man lost RM233,950 after allegedly falling victim to a non-existent online stock investment scheme in Miri. District police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said its Commercial Crime Investigation Division received a report on Saturday from the victim, who is in his early 30s. He said the victim became interested in the scheme in October 2025 after browsing the website https://site.quantumone. asia/?a=login and was instructed to open an account for online stock trading. “The victim was further enticed by profit claims shared in a stock investment WhatsApp group, on which members purportedly displayed their earnings,” he said in a statement yesterday. Initially, the victim invested RM100 and claimed to have received a return of RM700 credited into his account. Encouraged by the apparent profit and promises of doubled returns, he proceeded to invest larger sums. “The victim subsequently made 27 transactions to 21 different bank accounts. He only realised he had been scammed when the suspect continued demanding additional payments despite the promised profits not being credited,” Mohd Farhan said. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. He advised the public to remain vigilant and not be easily swayed by investment offers promising unusually high returns within a short period. He also urged potential investors to verify the legitimacy of investment platforms through the official websites of Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia, and to contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 if they fall victim to fraud. – Bernama

at 6am and fully extinguished at 6.56am. Firefighters carried out overhaul works to ensure there were no remaining hotspots before concluding operations at 9.32am. The scene has been handed over to the Fire Investigation Team for further action, while the cause of the fire and the total losses are still under investigation. – Bernama statement said. The groups encouraged the government, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his role as chair of the National Land Council, to consider measures that could strengthen protections for Orang Asli land rights. “By acting on these issues, the government can help safeguard Malaysia’s cultural and environmental heritage, and ensure that commitments made to indigenous communities are realised,” they said. The coalition also referenced the Malaysian Bar’s view that existing federal powers are sufficient to address Orang Asli land matters. “(In addition to) years of advocacy, including the comprehensive National Inquiry on the Land Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2013 and numerous landmark court decisions, substantive recommendations have repeatedly been presented to political leaders. Yet, we remain concerned that these calls risk being overlooked once again.” The groups urged explicit legal recognition of Orang Asli customary land and territories, full respect for their right to self-determination, a halt to amendments to the Orang Asli Act 1954 until legally binding recognition is included, and full disclosure of draft Bills and consultant reports to Orang Asli communities. They also called for the adoption and implementation of recommendations from the 2013 Human Rights Commission of Malaysia National Inquiry, and for meaningful, inclusive consultations with Orang Asli communities, supported by independent legal, anthropological and community experts. In reaffirming their support for the ongoing struggle of the Orang Asli to defend their ancestral lands, the coalition stressed the importance of balancing development with the protection of indigenous rights, culture and environmental heritage.

o Civil society groups urge govt to realise commitments to indigenous communities and safeguard cultural, environmental heritage of country

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Kampung Jemeri were detained following a dispute over an oil palm plantation on customary land they had developed over 13 years. Kampung Jemeri headman Keria Peletak said the community’s actions were prompted not by provocation, but by encroachment on their land, perceived denial of their rights and erosion of their dignity. Meanwhile, Maznah Unyan, leader of the Mah Meri women-led initiative Tompoq Topoh, cautioned that ongoing development could affect vital natural resources such as nipah leaves, which are central to the community’s crafts and cultural identity. “These incidents are not isolated, but part of a broader pattern of challenges faced by indigenous communities, despite repeated legal and institutional recommendations to protect their land rights,” the

Reserve in Terengganu to make way for a religious education institution, despite the area forming part of their traditional territory,” the groups said. “At Pulau Carey, communities reported that the Westports expansion proceeded without their full, prior and informed consent, raising concerns over potential impacts on coastal areas and local livelihoods. “In Kelantan, anti-logging blockades erected by the Pos Simpor Orang Asli were removed by uniformed personnel, with logging planned to continue in environmentally sensitive areas, including Gunung Chamah. Community leaders expressed frustration over what they see as continuous encroachment and limited recognition of indigenous rights. In Pahang, 21 Jakun villagers from

PETALING JAYA: Civil society organisations have expressed concern over delays in the implementation of government pledges to protect Orang Asli ancestral lands, adding that indigenous communities continue to face challenges related to eviction, environmental degradation and marginalisation. In a joint statement issued by 24 groups, including RimbaWatch, the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns, Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia and Greenpeace Malaysia, the coalition highlighted several incidents over the past month that underscore ongoing tensions around indigenous land rights. “Authorities attempted to evict 14 families from the Bukit Bauk Forest

Community leaders expressed frustration over what they see as continuous encroachment and limited recognition of indigenous rights. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Four families lose homes in pre-dawn fire KEPALA BATAS: S ahur for four families in Permatang Kerai Besar here turned tragic when their homes were destroyed in a fire early yesterday. Penang Fire and Rescue along with six fire engines from the Kepala Batas, Butterworth, Tasek Gelugor and Sungai Bakap fire stations. affected, three from the first house, five from the second, seven from the third and six from the fourth. All of them survived,” he said in a statement yesterday.

the second house were about 90% burnt, while five motorcycles at the fourth house were also 90% destroyed. Francis said firefighters employed both defensive and offensive strategies, including creating a fire break to prevent the blaze from spreading further. The fire was brought under control

The fire involved four Class B houses, each sustaining about 80% damage. Several vehicles parked in front of the houses were also destroyed. “A total of 21 occupants were

He said the close proximity of the houses contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Two Proton Exora cars and a Ford Ranger belonging to occupants of

Department operations division assistant director John Sagun Francis said the department received an emergency call at 5.06am and immediately deployed 27 personnel,

MCMC probes threatening, offensive posts against Terengganu royalty PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian under Section 233

media involving threats, incitement of hatred or insults against the royal institution, and reminded the public not to abuse digital platforms to spread unlawful content. “Firm enforcement action will be taken in accordance with existing laws,” it said. – Bernama

of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which provides a maximum fine of RM500,000 or imprisonment of up to two years, or both. MCMC stressed that it will not compromise on any misuse of social

“To facilitate investigations, the individual was called in to have his statement recorded at the Lanchang police station on Saturday. “A mobile phone and a SIM card had been seized for digital forensic analysis,” the statement said. The case is being investigated

In a statement yesterday, MCMC said the content was deemed to have raised the sensitivities of the royal institution and contains elements of insult and threats that could potentially incite hatred, public tension and disrupt national harmony.

Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is investigating an individual suspected of uploading threatening, insulting and extremely offensive content against the Terengganu royal family via his personal account on the X platform.