17/03/2026

TUESDAY | MAR 17, 2026

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RM1.5m crematorium project for Hindu community

Arson case solved after 12 arrested

SHAH ALAM: have considered the arson and criminal threats case reported in the Taman Kinrara residential area, Puchong last week as solved following the arrest of 12 suspects. Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said those detained comprised 11 men and a local woman, aged between 30 and 40. “Of the 12 arrested, seven have been identified as having direct links to the incident and remain in remand to assist in investigations. “The remaining five, including the woman who is the wife of one of the suspects, have been released on police bail,” he said at a press conference at the Selangor police contingent headquarters yesterday. Shazeli said the arrests were made during an integrated operation conducted by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department, the Selangor Criminal Investigation Department and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Serdang district police headquarters from Thursday to Sunday. However, police are tracking down three individuals believed to be involved in the case. During the operation, police seized three vehicles believed to have been used in the incident. Also seized were two motorcycles, 14 phones, a helmet and several items of clothing believed to have been worn by the suspects during the incident. Checks on their records revealed that five of the seven suspects in custody have criminal records involving various offences. However, urine screening tests conducted on all those arrested returned negative results for drugs. Shazeli said investigations are being conducted under Section 427, Section 506 and Section 435 of the Penal Code to determine the exact motive behind the incident. Initial investigations indicate that the incident was likely triggered by dissatisfaction and personal grievances, which led to acts of arson and criminal intimidation. He added that police have arrested the individual believed to be the main planner behind the incident. “Our investigations have not found any involvement of secret society elements in the case.” He advised the public not to speculate or spread provocative statements on social media that could disrupt public order while investigations are ongoing. – Bernama Police through her former aide Rizal Mansor as inducement to help the company secure the solar project. She was also convicted of receiving bribes amounting to RM5 million from Saidi, through Rizal, at Seri Perdana in Putrajaya on Dec 20, 2016, and of receiving RM1.5 million from Saidi in Jalan Langgak Duta on Sept 7, 2017. – Bernama

GEORGE TOWN: After years of calls for better funeral infrastructure, the Hindu community in mainland Penang will finally have its own crematorium facility, with a RM1.5 million project planned in Bagan Dalam, Butterworth. Prime Minister’s Special Duties Officer Shanmugam Mookan said the project is part of a federal initiative to build and upgrade crematorium facilities for the Hindu community across several states. “The allocation for the Penang project is RM1.5 million,” he said, adding that the proposal was submitted by the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB). PHEB is a statutory body responsible for administering Hindu religious endowments and temple properties in the state. Established under the Hindu Endowments Act 1906, the board oversees several major Hindu temples and manages lands and facilities under its administration. The tender notice for the project was announced on Feb 16 on PHEB’s Facebook page while a tender briefing was held on March 9. On its website, PHEB said the development will be carried out through an open and transparent tender process, in line with principles of integrity, accountability and good governance. “A site visit will be conducted soon,” said Shanmugam, adding that the funds have been distributed. o Move expected to reduce waiting times, provide families with more dignified final rites process PETALING JAYA: The Customs Department has seized undeclared liquor worth nearly RM400,000 after detaining a container at Port Klang. Its Kuala Lumpur director Wan Norizan Wan Daud said the seizure was made by the department’s Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Enforcement Division during Ops Petasan at 9.30pm on Feb 11. “Inspection of the 40-foot container Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday fixed three days from July 1 to hear Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s appeal to set aside her conviction and sentence in the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project corruption case. Lawyer Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader, representing the wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, said judge Datuk Nadzarin Wok

Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng (third from left) and Rayer (second from left) at the construction site. – T.C. KHOR/THESUN

In a separate operation, he said authorities dismantled a syndicate producing and bottling illegal beer-type liquor during a raid on an unmarked premises in Kampung Bukit Lanchong at 3.30pm on Feb 6. “The raid uncovered machinery used to process and bottle counterfeit liquor, along with 703.3 litres of various brands suspected of not being cleared by Customs, with a total value dismissed Rosmah’s final appeal seeking the recusal of Mohamed Zaini, ruling that there was no appealable error warranting the court’s intervention. On Sept 1, 2022, Mohamed Zaini sentenced Rosmah to 10 years’jail and fined her RM970 million after finding her guilty of corruption in connection with the corruption case. have two projects while the remaining states will have one project each. Some projects involve the construction of new crematoriums while others focus on upgrading existing facilities by installing modern incineration systems to increase capacity. The proposed crematorium will be built on land owned by PHEB in Jalan Telaga Air. The facility will include two modern incinerators designed to improve operational efficiency and increase cremation capacity. It is expected to reduce waiting times and provide families with a more dignified final rites process. “The objective is to ensure the Hindu community has proper cremation facilities that are accessible,” said Shanmugam. The project addresses a long standing gap on the mainland, as PHEB’s existing cremation facility is

uncovered various brands of liquor suspected to be undeclared, totaling 4,552.52 litres valued at RM380,524.16, including duties and taxes.” He said importing liquor requires an import licence and tax stamps approved by the Customs Department director-general under Regulation 42(1) of the Customs Regulations 2019, and the case is under investigation. Nordin fixed the dates to hear the appeal during case management. Akberdin said his client has also filed an application to review the Federal Court’s recent dismissal of her bid to recuse High Court judge Datuk Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, who is now a Court of Appeal judge, who convicted her in the corruption case. On March 3, the Federal Court The initiative stems from a RM20 million allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for crematorium facilities serving the Hindu community nationwide. Shanmugam said the allocation was introduced to address the difficulties faced by Hindu families in areas where cremation facilities are limited. “In some places, there are no crematorium facilities, so families must take the body to another district or even another state. This creates difficulties and additional costs for families.” Under the programme, 10 crematorium projects have been approved following consultations with temple managements and community representatives. The states involved are Johor, Perak, Selangor, Malacca, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Penang. Johor and Perak will each crematorium

of RM208,594.24.” The case is being probed under Section 74(1)(f) of the Excise Act 1976, which covers offences related to the distillation, fermentation or manufacture of dutiable goods. He said informants can call the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or contact the nearest Customs office, and identities will be kept confidential. – Bernama located at Batu Lancang Cemetery in George Town on Penang Island. According to the 2020 census, Indians make up nearly 10% of Seberang Perai’s population of 946,092. PHEB chairman R.S.N. Rayer, who is also Jelutong MP, welcomed the project, saying the community has waited long enough for a mainland facility. “We are grateful to Anwar for recognising the needs of the Hindu community. I have been raising this issue for some time.” All crematorium projects under the RM20 million allocation are expected to be completed by 2027, depending on the progress of the tender and construction processes in each state. However, the Penang project is targeted for completion by the end of 2026. Once operational, the facility will be placed under the management of PHEB.

Customs seizes RM400,000 worth of undeclared liquor

Appeal hearing in Rosmah corruption case to begin July 1

The court also ruled that Rosmah should serve an additional 10 years’ prison if she failed to pay the fine. However, it granted her request to suspend the jail sentence and fine pending her appeal. Zaini convicted Rosmah of soliciting RM187.5 million from former Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin