20/03/2026

FRIDAY | MAR 20, 2026

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Highway authority ramps up Raya traffic monitoring

Suspect in corporate probe allegedly abroad KUALA LUMPUR: Police have confirmed that businessman Victor Chin Boon Long, alleged to be involved in corporate manipulation linked to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), is currently abroad. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said efforts are being intensified to track him down through cooperation with overseas authorities. “So far we are still conducting investigations and we have found that there are several matters for which action need to be taken based on Amla (Anti-Money Laundering) and everyone is aware that he is currently abroad. “Efforts are currently being made to obtain cooperation from many parties.” He was speaking at a press conference here yesterday. On March 16, police confirmed that several premises belonging to the corporate figure were raided around Kemensah and Sungai Long in Kajang, but he and his wife were not present during the operations. Mohd Khalid said the raids, carried out together with the Securities Commission, were to assist investigations under Amla. Previously, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the Cabinet had instructed several enforcement agencies, including police, the Securities Commission, MACC and Inland Revenue Board, to continue detailed investigations into the alleged corporate manipulation. He said appropriate legal action would be taken, including the seizure of proceeds believed to be linked to criminal activity. On Feb 11, international media Bloomberg reported allegations that a group of businessmen had collaborated with several officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, including Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, to exert pressure on corporate figures in company takeover cases. – Bernama Man gets nine months for stepping on Quran ALOR GAJAH: The Magistrate’s Court sentenced a man to nine months’imprisonment for stepping on the Quran and uploading the act online last month. Magistrate Teoh Shu Yee handed down the sentence for Amir Abdul Malik, 41, after he pleaded guilty to the offence here yesterday. Amir was charged with desecrating Islam by recording and uploading a video of himself stepping on the Quran with intent to insult the religion at Kampung Durian Daun in Masjid Tanah on Feb 28. The charge, framed under Section 295 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment, a fine or both upon conviction. In delivering the judgment, Teoh said the act was serious as it touched on the sensitivities of Muslims and had the potential to disrupt societal harmony. “Insulting any religion, whether Islam or otherwise, can cause far greater harm than physical injury as it affects dignity and rights protected under the Federal Constitution,” she said, adding that the offence was even more concerning as it was committed during Ramadan, a period meant for spiritual reflection and good deeds. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Highway Authority continues to enhance its preparedness by deploying emergency response teams at 12 strategic locations and activating 873 closed-circuit television cameras across the country’s highway network to monitor traffic movement in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebrations. Its director-general Mohd Hadzmir Yusoff said the measures form part of the agency’s maximum preparedness to handle the expected surge in traffic, projected to reach up to 3.5 million vehicles daily during the festive period. He explained that the deployment of emergency response teams, involving o Emergency teams deployed at 12 locations as up to 3.5 million vehicles expected daily

media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook. “Through these platforms, road users can monitor traffic conditions in real time. If there is congestion, they have the option to exit at nearby interchanges to avoid being caught in gridlock.” To meet the needs of electric vehicles, he said the authority is providing charging stations along major routes. “At present, there are 144 electric charging points at Rest and Service areas and lay-bys across the highway network. We aim to add at least 50 more charging points this year.” Meanwhile, Mohd Yusuf said the activation of 34 Smart Lanes along PLUS highways throughout the festive period is aimed at easing and dispersing congestion in certain areas. He added that all scheduled maintenance work will be fully suspended to ensure no lane closures, except for emergency works. “Overall, a total of 6,000 personnel will be on duty along highway stretches, covering main lanes and rest areas up to toll plazas to ensure the toll system and facilities remain in optimal condition.”

collaboration with police, the Fire and Rescue Department, Road Transport Department and ambulance services, is aimed at ensuring prompt assistance should any untoward incidents occur. “The CCTV monitoring, meanwhile, allows the traffic control centre to swiftly identify locations of congestion, accidents or broken down vehicles before information is relayed to road users via the 277 digital signboards along the highways.” He was speaking on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme on Wednesday night titled Rancang Perjalanan, Kurangkan Risiko Kemalangan (Plan Your Journey, Reduce the Risk of Accidents). Also appearing were PLUS Malaysia Berhad operations senior general manager Mohd Yusuf Abdul Aziz and Assoc Prof Dr Ng Choy Peng from the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia. Mohd Hadzmir said traffic information received will be continuously relayed to police patrol cars for swift action on the ground as well as disseminated via the authority’s social

Mohd Yusuf said the activation of 34 Smart Lanes along PLUS highways throughout the festive period is aimed at easing and dispersing congestion in certain areas. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Childcare worker charged in baby murder case BUKIT MERTAJAM: A childcare centre worker was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here with the murder of a four-month-old baby boy. No plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

If convicted, she faces the death penalty or imprisonment of up to 40 years and not less than 12 strokes of the cane if not sentenced to death. Bail was not allowed and the court set June 23 for mention pending submission of the chemistry and autopsy reports. – Bernama

She was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code with murdering the boy, the son of Ummu Habibah Wahab, 29, at Taska Pintar Hospital Seberang Jaya between 1am and 4am on March 9.

Nur Farhana Fazmar Abdullah, 22, nodded after the charge was read before Magistrate Nurul Rasyidah Mohd Akit yesterday.

Police to question 14 more in destabilisation probe KUALA LUMPUR: Police will call 14 more individuals to record their statements in an investigation into alleged attempts to undermine national stability involving influential figures and foreign media. currently reviewing the information while continuing further investigations. “We are still studying and conducting other investigations and we may take the statements of several more individuals. From there we will conclude and submit the findings to the attorney-general. everything is completed, we will submit them to the attorney-general.” He was speaking at a press conference at Bukit Aman police headquarters yesterday.

Petronas Twin Towers to meet several staff for initial documentation purposes. Preliminary findings indicate that the main individuals directly involved in the report are based abroad. “For further action, we will work through government-to-government or agency-to-agency channels to obtain cooperation from the relevant parties.” – Bernama

is finished, we will proceed accordingly.” In a separate development, Mohd Khalid announced that police have begun an investigation into international news portal Bloomberg over an article on Tan Sri Azam Baki’s share ownership and alleged corporate manipulation. He said the investigation team has visited the portal’s office at the

When asked whether Toh Puan Nai’mah Khalid is among those on the list, Mohd Khalid declined to confirm. “I do not want to detail any individuals. The investigation is still ongoing. Let us complete it and once it

Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the list of individuals has been finalised. So far, 14 individuals have had their statements recorded, with police

“I understand that there are 14 more people whose statements we will take and, God willing, once