08/03/2026

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday MAR 8, 2026 Apex court to hear pathologist review bid on July 31

MACC urges former Rafizi aide to return and assist in probe The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) has called on Chai Jin Shern, also known as James Chai, to immediately contact investigating officers and return to Malaysia to assist in an ongoing investigation. In a statement, MACC said Chai, a former aide to Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, has yet to respond or make arrangements to come forward despite several attempts by investigators to contact him. “If he maintains the position that he has not committed any wrongdoing, the appropriate action is to come forward and cooperate with MACC investigating officers, rather than issuing various excuses in the mass media while avoiding direct engagement with the investigation process,” the statement read. MACC clarified that explanations through public narratives and media statements cannot replace the legal process of a case investigation. “Therefore, MACC urges him to immediately contact investigating officers and inform them of his plans to return to Malaysia to assist in the ongoing investigation,” it added. The commission also emphasised that cooperating with enforcement authorities is a fundamental responsibility of every citizen when required to assist in an investigation. To arrange his return to Malaysia for his statement to be recorded, MACC requested that Chai immediately contact any of the following investigating officers – Abdullah Sani A. Latib (+6018-286 8684), Mohd Hafidz Halim (+6017-504 6503), Ahmad Rizal Samat (+6013-433 4500), Farahani Fauzi (+6011-3343 5523) or Mohamed Ali M. Ahamed Ali (+6017-300 3699). – Bernama Four held over RM1.6 million fruit smuggling case ALOR SETAR: Four local men were arrested in an integrated operation at Durian Burung on Wednesday for allegedly smuggling fruits from Thailand without complying with import tax requirements. General Operations Force Northern Brigade commander SAC Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said the suspects, aged between 36 and 47, were arrested by the 18th Battalion intelligence branch in collaboration with the Kedah Customs Department at 5.40pm. “Also seized were (four lorries) along with 46,620kg of various types of fruits, with the total value of the seizure estimated at RM1.675 million. “The operation was conducted following intelligence on fruit smuggling activities from a neighbouring country into Malaysia without the payment of legitimate taxes,” he said in a statement. Balveer said the four lorries were detained by the roadside at Jalan Durian Burung after they were suspected of transporting fruits without complying with import tax requirements. Document checks found that the lorries were carrying loads exceeding the permitted limit and the cargo did not match the details declared in the Customs documents. – Bernama PUTRAJAYA:

of two other accused, unemployed S. Nimalan, 33, and moneylender S. Ravi Chandran, 55, but commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment. Nimalan was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane, while Ravi Chandran received 40 years’ imprisonment. Ravi Chandran was spared caning as he is above the age of 50. The previous Federal Court bench, chaired by then chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat – who has since retired – upheld Kunaseegaran’s death sentence after noting that he had withdrawn his appeal against the conviction. The same bench also discharged and acquitted three other individuals of murder charges in the case, namely R. Dinishwaran, 34, A.K. Thinesh Kumar, 33, and M. Vishwanath, 36. Morais, 55, was reported missing on Sept 4, 2015. His body was discovered on Sept 16, encased in a cement-filled oil drum in Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya. On July 10, 2020, the High Court convicted all six men and sentenced them to death for the murder of Morais between 7am and 8pm on Sept 4, 2015, somewhere along Jalan Dutamas Raya in Sentul and No. 1, Jalan USJ 1/6D in Subang Jaya. The Court of Appeal dismissed their appeals on March 14, 2024. Kunaseegaran subsequently filed an application on Nov 14 last year for leave to review his case. In his notice of motion, Kunaseegaran, now 63, is seeking a rehearing of his appeal before the Federal Court, claiming he suffered a grave miscarriage of justice and asserting he is entitled to a proper and fair trial. Branch through close monitoring, including activities on social media and various online application platforms. Investigations also found new methods of spreading extremist ideology embedded in various forms of media, including online games, which indirectly expose users to such beliefs, Bernama reported. Saifuddin added that such ideological influence could encourage certain individuals to support or join violence oriented movements when they feel the realities of the world contradict the beliefs they acquired through social media content. He said the situation is dangerous for Malaysia, a multiracial, multi-religious and multicultural country that has long lived in peace and harmony despite differences in views. On Thursday, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said police had foiled an attempt to revive the ideology of the Daesh terrorist group in the country following the arrest of six local males, including three minors, in recent special operations. The suspects, aged between 16 and 21, were detained in operations conducted by the Special Branch over two days beginning Feb 14 in the Klang Valley, Johor, Kedah and Terengganu.

Cheong informed Bernama that the date was set during case management before Federal Court deputy registrar Rohaiza Hamzah on Friday. On July 1 last year, the court upheld Kunaseegaran’s conviction and death sentence for the murder. The court also affirmed the convictions

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has fixed July 31 to hear former army pathologist Kol R. Kunaseegaran’s application for leave to review its earlier decision upholding his conviction and death sentence for the murder of deputy public prosecutor Datuk Kevin Morais. Kunaseegaran’s counsel Jasmine

The apex court also affirmed the convictions of two others involved in the crime, but commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

Protracted investigation into minors linked to Daesh

Amid calls not to use Sosma on underage suspects, minister says terrorism cases require lengthier probe

KULIM: Police require a longer investigation period to probe a case involving six local males, including three minors, who were recently detained for allegedly being involved in activities linked to the ideology of the Daesh terrorist group. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said although some parties have called for the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012 to not be applied to them, a thorough investigation is necessary in cases involving terrorism. “For sure, police action has drawn some criticism, particularly from a group of so-called human rights advocates, who pointed out that those detained were minors. “They are therefore urging that Sosma should not be used against those whom police have identified as being involved. However, in the context of security threats, especially those involving terrorism, police require a longer period to complete their investigation.” Saifuddin was speaking after attending a “Noble Values Cultivation” event and

the observance of Nuzul Quran here on Friday night. He explained that if a case involves activities in a neighbouring country, police would need to contact the authorities there to verify information and conduct profiling. According to him, the process cannot be completed within just two or three days, even if the suspects involved are aged 17 or 18. Based on preliminary investigations and information obtained from the suspects’ devices, police found that despite their age, the individuals were aware of the risks of being involved in terrorist activities. “Therefore, I place full trust in the police team that has carried out surveillance and intelligence gathering for a long time and only made the arrests in the past week or two. They are still continuing their investigation and the matter will eventually be brought before the courts.” He also said the arrests were the result of meticulous intelligence work carried out over a long period by the Special